The latest news stories of interest in the Rogue Valley and the state of Oregon from the digital home of Southern Oregon, Wynne Broadcasting’s RogueValleyMagazine.com
Friday, April 25, 2025
Rogue Valley Weather
US National Weather Service Medford Oregon
Oregon Army National Guard Brings Helicopter Experience to Medford High Schools
South and North Medford High School students received a unique hands-on learning opportunity when an Oregon Army National Guard helicopter landed on their campuses on April 23.
Crew members from Gulf Company, 1st Battalion, 189th Aviation Regiment flew an HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter from Salem to give students an up-close look at military aviation and emergency response capabilities.
“The idea behind it was to bring a field trip to the school basically,” said Sgt. 1st Class Erik Andreason, a local Oregon National Guard recruiter who organized the event. “One of the issues locally nowadays is it’s tough with the bus systems to get kids off campus and take them places and show them things.”
The helicopter visit served dual purposes – exposing students to potential career paths while providing practical training for those already enrolled in emergency services courses. At South Medford High School, ES 105 emergency services students practiced loading litter patients into the aircraft under crew supervision.
Jeffrey Chinn, instructor for the ES 105 program at South Medford, explained that his students earn college credits through the program that transfers to Rogue Community College’s fire science program.
“We already practiced. I brought a stokes litter and all the stuff for C-spine,” Chinn said. “We would have this person packaged, waiting for the MEDEVAC helicopter to show up, and the patient would just go right in.”
The aviation crew, which flew down from Salem specifically for the event, answered student questions and allowed them to explore the helicopter’s crew areas. In the afternoon, the team repeated the demonstration at North Medford High School, where students also had the opportunity to interact with the aircraft and crew.
Sgt. 1st Class Andreason and Staff Sgt. Brandon Ellis, both Medford-area recruiters, helped coordinate the visits to expose students to military aviation careers and emergency response operations.
Oregon National Guard members serve part-time, typically one weekend a month and two weeks a year, while maintaining civilian careers. They stand ready to respond to state emergencies such as wildfires and floods, while also training to defend the nation when called to federal service. Guard members live and work in the same communities they serve, creating a unique connection between military service and local communities.
The event highlighted the Guard’s dual role in community service and military readiness, giving students a memorable educational experience outside the traditional classroom setting.
𝘼𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙪𝙡𝙩 𝙄𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙜𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙐𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙬𝙖𝙮: At approximately 2:00 a.m. this morning (4/25), Medford Police officers responded to a report of a person down in the Lowe’s parking lot.
OEM Director Visits Douglas County to Support Local Recovery Efforts
Roseburg, Ore. – Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) Director Erin McMahon visited Douglas County on Monday, April 21, to meet with local leaders, assess disaster-impacted areas, and support recovery efforts across the region. Director McMahon engaged with city officials, emergency managers, and long-term recovery partners in Myrtle Creek, Roseburg, and Drain.
“Seeing these communities firsthand and hearing directly from local leaders underscores the importance of coordinated, sustained recovery support,” said Director McMahon. “OEM is committed to working alongside Douglas County and our state and federal partners to strengthen resilience and help communities recover from recent disasters.”
The day began with a briefing at the Douglas County Emergency Management Building in Roseburg before traveling to Myrtle Creek for a meeting with City Manager Lonnie Rainville, Public Works Director Scott Adams, and Glide Revitalization Recovery Lead Kendall Melvin. Local officials discussed current recovery priorities and conducted site visits to observe ongoing challenges.
Throughout the day, the OEM team toured several key sites including:
- Garden Valley, Hubbard Creek, and Tyee Road, where landslides have disrupted access and infrastructure.
- A major sinkhole location managed by the Roseburg Urban Sanitary Authority.
- Residential areas in Sutherlin and Drain, highlighting local priorities for resilience and mitigation planning.
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) coordinates statewide communication to support local jurisdictions during disasters. OEM also manages the processes required to request and access federal disaster assistance and does everything in its power to advocate for Oregonians to receive the maximum amount of federal support available. While OEM continues to work closely with Douglas County and community partners to assess damage and support recovery, the decision to grant federal assistance rests with the federal government.
OEM’s Southwest Regional Coordinator Heather De La Rosa participated in the daylong tour. For more information on OEM’s recovery efforts, visit www.oregon.gov/OEM.
# # # It is the mission of Oregon Emergency Management to proactively develop emergency response, risk reduction and disaster recovery programs to better serve Oregonians during times of disaster. OEM prioritizes an equitable and inclusive culture of preparedness that empowers all Oregonians to thrive in times in crisis. The agency leads collaborative statewide efforts, inclusive of all partners and the communities we serve, to ensure the capability to get help in an emergency and to protect, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies or disasters. For more information about the OEM, visit oregon.gov/oem.
Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) arrests two in Georgia custodial interference investigation- Josephine County
On Wednesday, April 23, 2025, the Oregon State Police received information from the Grants Pass Police Department of a custodial interference investigation which originated out of the Woodstock Police Department, Cherokee County, Georgia. OSP obtained additional information that the mother, Haley Noel Nelson (32), had illegally taken her two young children under the age of five (5), from Georgia, and fled to Josephine County. Nelson had an outstanding arrest warrant out of Cherokee County with two charges; Interference with Custody (Misdemeanor) and Interstate Interference with Custody (Felony).
At approximately 1:30 p.m., RADE personnel observed Nelson with an adult male, Carlos Figueroa (28), and both children in downtown Cave Junction. RADE took Nelson into custody on her arrest warrant and detained Figueroa, without incident. During a subsequent search of the associated vehicle, a firearm was located in plain view. Figueroa, who is a convicted felon, was arrested for Felon in Possession of a Firearm (ORS 166.270).
Both Nelson and Figueroa were transported to the Josephine County Jail where they were lodged.
Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) Grants Pass-Child Welfare responded to assist with the children, who were unharmed. RADE was also assisted by the OSP Central Point Area Command-Major Crimes Section and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Medford Office Task Force. RADE is comprised of the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office, the Grants Police Department, the Oregon State Police and Josephine County Community Corrections.
The Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) team confiscated nearly 150,000 potentially fatal doses of fentanyl that were en route to Grants Pass.
The total amount seized exceeded 10 ounces. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) states that ‘two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal depending on an individual’s body size, tolerance, and previous usage.’
The RADE team is composed of officers from the Grants Pass Police Department, Oregon State Police, Josephine County Community Corrections, the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office, and federal partners. The investigation into the fentanyl remains active.
Umpqua Community College officials have confirmed that softball player Kiley Jones and coach Jami Strinz were the two individuals who lost their lives in a collision on Friday night while the team was returning to the Roseburg campus after a game.
According to the Oregon State Police, an oncoming vehicle crossed the centerline and collided with the team bus, which was being driven by Strinz.
Kiley Jones, 19, was a freshman and played first base, hailing from Nampa, Idaho. Jami Strinz, 46, resided in Roseburg and not only coached the softball team but also led the college’s volleyball program, earning recognition within Oregon’s collegiate softball community, as noted on the college’s website.
In addition to the fatalities, eight other individuals associated with the team were on the bus and sustained injuries ranging from moderate to serious, as reported by state police. Multiple students and staff members are currently hospitalized in Eugene and Portland following the incident, as announced by the college’s president, Rachel Pokrandt, on Saturday afternoon.
On Monday, the Oregon State Police (OSP) apprehended Johnathan James Dowdy after his discharge from RiverBend Hospital, where he received treatment for injuries incurred in that collisionwith the college team van.
Dowdy, a 32-year-old resident of Coos Bay, is currently held at the Coos County jail and is facing numerous charges, including: Manslaughter in the First Degree (two counts), Assault in the Second Degree (three counts), Assault in the Third Degree (five counts), Reckless Endangering of a Person (fourteen counts), Aggravated Driving While Suspended or Revoked, Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving, Driving While Suspended – Misdemeanor, and Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree.
These charges arise from an incident on Highway 42 in Coos County, where Dowdy’s westbound Chevrolet Silverado crossed the centerline and collided head-on with an eastbound Chevrolet Express bus.
This season marksed the inaugural year for Umpqua Community College’s softball program, and the team was returning from a successful double-header against Gray’s Harbor College, which took place at Southwest Oregon Community College in Coos Bay.
The journey back to Roseburg spans 85 miles along the winding Oregon Route 42. Preliminary investigations suggest that Johnathan James Dowdy, 32, from Coos Bay, was driving westbound in his Chevrolet Silverado when he crossed the centerline, resulting in a head-on collision with the team bus, a Chevrolet Express.
The Oregon State Police indicated that impaired driving is likely a contributing factor to the crash by Mr. Dowdy.
How do we protect Social Security? | LIVE TOWN HALL | U.S. Representative Val Hoyle — Today at 3:30pm
Roseburg Library Receives National Grant for Small and Rural Libraries
Roseburg Public Library has been selected as one of 300 libraries to participate in round three of Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities, an initiative that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to help small and rural libraries better serve people with disabilities.
The competitive award from the American Library Association, in collaboration with the Association for Rural and Small Libraries, brings a $10,000 grant to help the library deliver services to adults with intellectual and physical disabilities.
“Congratulations to Oakland Public Library and Friends of Myrtle Creek Library, which also were awarded this grant,” said Roseburg Public Library Director Kris Wiley.
Roseburg library staff’s goals for their yearlong project include enhancing the library’s welcoming space for conversation and learning; providing programming opportunities; evaluating and updating the materials collection; and encouraging participants to develop lasting connections with the library and staff.
“As part of the grant, I will take an online course in how to lead conversations — a skill vital to library work today. I then will host conversations with adult patrons with disabilities about why they visit the library and how the library can serve them,” Wiley added.
Wiley has scheduled community conversations to provide input on the grant-funded project at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 3, and 6 p.m. Thursday, June 19. Those interested in attending should contact her at kwiley@roseburgor.gov or 541-492-7051. Caregivers are welcome.
“I’ll bring pizza, and I ask patrons to bring their enthusiasm and ideas,” Wiley said.
Wiley has already reached out to a handful of local nonprofit organizations that serve people with disabilities for additional conversations. If Wiley has not contacted your group, please reach out to her so she can schedule a meeting specifically for your clients. Following those discussions, Wiley will finalize the details for the project, which will launch in late summer and continue through April 2026.
“My hope is it’s so successful these programs become a regular feature beyond the grant period,” Wiley said.
The library will be closed Wednesday, April 23, so the entire staff can attend training at the Oregon Library Association Conference in Eugene. The book returns located in the parking lot and the library’s lobby will be locked that day. Please hang onto items until the library reopens Thursday, April 24. The library does not assess late fees.
‘Tomorrow Needs You’: Leaders Respond to Troubling Trend of Suicide in the Rogue Valley
KOBI-TV/NBC5 and KOTI-TV/NBC2 is launching the suicide prevention initiative “Tomorrow Needs You” to bring awareness, education, and hope to those struggling with mental health challenges.
Joining the Exchange are two guests:
Bob Wise is the Vice President and General manager of KOBI-TV5.
Dee Anne Everson is the CEO and Executive Director of the United Way of Jackson County.
This initiative follows calls from local leaders to continue the original suicide prevention project, the Emmy® Award-winning “In This Together,” ensuring that its life-saving message remains active in the community.
For several years, the United Way of Jackson County partnered with KOBI-TV NBC5 on the messaging campaign, “In This Together.” It was a suicide prevention and mental wellness program supported by many partners, won many awards, and helped saved lives. It wrapped up two years ago and the need is still so great.
The new campaign’s mission is to raise awareness again about suicide prevention, encourage help-seeking behavior, reduce stigma, foster meaningful connections, and inspire supportive actions.
Through powerful stories and resources, “Tomorrow Needs You” will remind people to check in on their loved ones and emphasize that no one is alone.
Please ONLY purchase tickets at our website, the Food 4 Less Kiosk, Bi-Mart (for certain events), or call our office. If you’re not sure about where to purchase tickets, or if your tickets are legit, send us a message or give us a call!
If you purchase tickets from a third party vendor, you are doing so at your own risk. The Expo does not guarantee the authenticity of tickets purchased from an unauthorized ticket agency (i.e. Stub Hub, EdgeTix, Aspire Seats, Hunt Tix, tickets sold on the street, etc).
Tickets bought from an unauthorized ticket agency cannot be guaranteed and will be null and void if duplicate tickets are presented at the event.Josephine County Fairgrounds – THIS WEEKEND (APRIL 26 & 27 2025)
Join us on April 25th at the Robertson bridge around 7pm to cheer along 8 men rafting the entire Rogue River at a record setting pace. They aim to row the 157 miles in about 36 hours, straight and through the night, to raise funds for William – a Southern Oregon 6-year old boy diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Duchenne is a terminal, muscle-wasting disease with a life expectancy in the late teens, early 20s. A few weeks ago, a breakthrough CRISPR-based gene therapy was found that may be his only chance. But it comes with a staggering price and their first payment of $800,000 is due on May 1st.
Sharing for our friends at Salvation Army:
Help Fill Our Food Pantry – Your Donations Make a Difference! 
Most Needed Items:
Canned vegetables & fruits Rice & pasta Peanut butter & jelly Cereal & oatmeal Soup & canned proteins (tuna, chicken, beans)
Drop-off Location: 922 N. Central Avenue Medford, OR 97501
Hours: 9am-3pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Medford Police Save the date! 
Our Drug Take Back & Rogue Shred Event takes place on 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟵 𝗔𝗠 – 𝟭𝟮 𝗣𝗠 at the City Hall parking lot.
Drop off your unused, outdated and unwanted prescription drugs (no needles or any kind of inhalers). Please ensure that there are no leaking bottles and that the tops are on securely.
Got paper? Bring personal and confidential documents you would like to have shredded. Shred items are limited to the equivalent of three garbage bags full of items to be shredded.
Concerts in the Park Returns to Riverside Park This Summer!
The Addictions Recovery Center (ARC) in Medford is expanding its services with a new facility which is currently under construction. This will add 24 residential treatment beds to the ARC’s East Main Campus. See Video and Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ARC541/videos/520525737735442
The City of Ashland has streamlined the ADU application process to enhance housing options. It now offers a complete set of pre-approved ADU plans that meet local building codes for free to Ashland property owners.
To get ADU plan approval in Ashland, the Ashland Planning Division offers a free consultation. At the meeting, a City Planner will review your site and provide valuable guidance on the permit application process. The meeting is geared towards helping you understand zoning requirements, building codes, and any other considerations for ADU projects. Find free City of Ashland ADU plans hereSheriff’s Office issues advisory about motorhome and possible link to missing Prospect woman Deenah Padgett
JCSO says 68-year-old Deenah Padgett has been missing since August 30 from Prospect, described as a white woman, 4’ 8” tall, weighing approximately 95 pounds with brownish red/greying hair. JCSO issued an advisory this weekend asking anyone with information about the owner of the pictured motor home or Padgett’s whereabouts to call Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon (ECSO) dispatch non-emergency phone number at 541-776-7206.
Did you get help from FEMA, insurance, or others after the 2020 Almeda and South Obenchain Fires?
https://firebrandcollective.org/harp/
Many pets have benefited from the community’s generosity, and we can’t thank you enough for your kindness.Hearts with a Mission, a program to help local seniors who need assistance, is seeking volunteers.
David Grubbs’ Murder Investigation Remains Active
The Ashland Police Department’s investigation into the murder of David Grubbs on November 19, 2011 remains open and active. Recently two new detectives have been assigned to look into new leads that have come in.
It’s going on five years now since Fauna Frey, 45, disappeared in Josephine County on a road trip, June 29, 2020, following her brother’s death
PART 2 – Newsweek Podcast Focusing on The Disappearance of Fauna Frey From Lane County
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) Says Federal Cancellation of Grant Program Impedes Oregon’s Ability to Prepare for Disasters
– The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) outlined the impact the April 4 announcement from FEMA canceling the fiscal year 2024 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program has on Oregon.
The cancellation, detailed in a memo from Acting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Cameron Hamilton, outlines a review of BRIC programs from fiscal years 2020 through 2023 for programs communities depend on across the state.
In addition, FEMA issued an updated advisory on April 16 further clarifying that: “as the program is concluding, the Fiscal Year 2024 BRIC funding opportunity is cancelled, no applications submitted will be reviewed and no funds will be awarded. In addition, for all BRIC applications from Fiscal Years 2020-2023, if grant funds have not been distributed to states, tribes, territories and local communities, funds will be returned either to the Disaster Relief Fund or the U.S. Treasury.”
The BRIC grant program gives money to help communities prepare for natural disasters before they happen. For example, BRIC funds can be used to build better levees to help prevent the kind of flooding we’ve seen recently in Harney County. BRIC helps build safer roads, buildings, and other important things to keep people and property safe during a disaster. Currently, the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program is unaffected in Oregon.
What this means:
- Projects that were selected but not yet awarded won’t receive funding.
- Ongoing projects may be delayed or stopped short of construction.
- Money set aside for managing these efforts could be pulled back.
- Without extensions or continued support, communities across Oregon will face delays or cancellations in vital infrastructure improvements designed to reduce risk and protect lives.
FEMA is conducting a full review of active and obligated BRIC projects before further work to help Oregonians prepare for disasters in the future can continue.
“These decisions will significantly impact communities across Oregon working to reduce disaster risk and invest in safer, more resilient infrastructure,” said OEM Director Erin McMahon. “We are actively working with federal and state legislators to communicate these financial impacts and with FEMA partners to gain clarity on next steps and timelines. I have directed my team to conduct our own review to see what projects may fit within other Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants through federal partners that are currently funded like the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant or other state grant programs.”
The Impact on Oregon:
- Federal share of BRIC projects: $140 million
- Local matching share of BRIC projects: $90 million
- Total local sunk costs: 8 of the 26 projects have a combined total of $8 million in sunk costs (details below).
- Impact on submitted budgets: Due to funding delays and their effect on project timelines, even if the grants were reinstated, some projects will be priced out as they locked cost estimates years ago when inflation and tariffs were lower, but those locked in prices are set to expire and the new cost could be significantly higher.
During remarks yesterday to the media, Governor Kotek referenced cuts to the BRIC grants: “These are bipartisan or nonpartisan community projects that everybody supports. I have not heard one rationale from the Trump Administration as to why they cancelled the BRIC grants.” She was speaking specifically about a project in Mapleton that received grant funding to assist with necessary upgrades to the town’s water infrastructure. You can view the full remarks at around the 25-minute mark here.
To stay informed, OEM encourages interested parties to sign up for alerts when updates are posted on the federal action webpage: https://www.oregon.gov/oem/Pages/Federal-Changes.aspx
Details about the 8 projects with sunk costs:
City of Port Orford –
Utility and Infrastructure Protection Project. This project aims to address vulnerabilities in the City of Port Orford’s drinking water supply infrastructure caused by earthquakes, drought, and wildfire. It includes the installation of water meters, as well as the design, replacement, and retrofit of strategic sections of the water distribution system. The grant would ensure that the city has sufficient water to meet average daily demand while maintaining adequate emergency storage to withstand and respond to natural hazards. The project would impact a population of 1,146 residents.
- Federal Share: $6,566,537
- Local Share: $691,214
- Sunk cost: $273,350
Medford Water Commission
Utility and Infrastructure Protection Project. This project will conduct critical infrastructure improvements at four system locations as part of the Rogue Valley Water Supply Resiliency Program (RVWSRP). The goal is to enhance the resilience of the water system against seismic events, wildfires, and droughts caused by extreme weather conditions.
- Federal Share: $34,806,505
- Local Share: $14,516,834
- Sunk cost $1,875,370
City of Grants Pass
Water Treatment Plant Relocation Project. This project aims to relocate the Water Treatment Plant outside the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) to prevent system failure during a flooding event. The City of Grants Pass has made substantial investments in the comprehensive design of the project, contributing over 50% of the required cost match. The loss of federal grant funds jeopardizes the broader system project scope, which exceeds twice the federal contribution. To date, the city has invested over $5 million in pre-award technical engineering and design, in addition to sunk costs incurred during the subapplication process.
- Federal Share: $50,000,000
- Local Share: $60,800,302
- Sunk cost: $5,000,000
Clatsop County Government / City of Astoria Columbie Memorial Hospital
Tsunami Vertical Evacuation Refuge Structure (TVERS) Project. This project integrates a Tsunami Vertical Evacuation Refuge Structure (TVERS) into the Columbia Memorial Hospital expansion, creating a multi-purpose facility designed to shelter the impacted population at an elevated level above tsunami inundation zones.
- Federal Share: $13,897,122
- Local Share: $5,955,909
- Sunk cost $817,846
Oregon Department of Land Conservation & Development
Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. Updates to the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plans (NHMP) for the Burns Paiute Tribe, as well as Columbia and Umatilla Counties, aim to enhance emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts while mitigating the future impacts of natural disasters.
- Federal Share: $488,653
- Local Share: $152,704
- Sunk cost $8,347
Oregon Military Department – Office of Emergency Management (pre-OEM)
FY2021 Grant Management Costs
- Federal Share: $488,257
- Sunk cost from the State of Oregon’s General Fund: $39,500
Oregon Military Department – Office of Emergency Management (pre-OEM)
FY 2022 Grant Management Costs
- Federal Share: $19,695,731
- Sunk cost from the State of Oregon’s General Fund: $73,141
Oregon Military Department – Office of Emergency Management (pre-OEM)
FY 2023 Grant Partnership Costs
- Federal Share: $1,261,848
Sunk cost from the State of Oregon’s General Fund: $79,029
# # # It is the mission of Oregon Emergency Management to proactively develop emergency response, risk reduction and disaster recovery programs to better serve Oregonians during times of disaster. OEM prioritizes an equitable and inclusive culture of preparedness that empowers all Oregonians to thrive in times in crisis. The agency leads collaborative statewide efforts, inclusive of all partners and the communities we serve, to ensure the capability to get help in an emergency and to protect, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies or disasters. For more information about the OEM, visit oregon.gov/oem.
Average Oregon emergency department visit is 5.2 hours, dashboard shows
Insights from Oregon Hospital Discharge Data Dashboard help explain and can be used to address health care challenges
– A new Oregon Health Authority (OHA) dashboard that offers transparency and insights into hospital and emergency department discharge data aims to help both the general public and policymakers better understand a variety of pressing hospital trends.
Among the Oregon Hospital Discharge Data Dashboard‘s many findings is that the state’s average emergency department visit lasts 5.2 hours. The dashboard also reveals Medicaid is the top source of insurance for both hospital and emergency department care and the average hospital stay is five days longer for those who are discharged to skilled nursing facilities for further care.
“The Oregon Hospital Discharge Data Dashboard is designed to help communities better understand their local hospitals and how people receive hospital care across Oregon,” said OHA Health Policy and Analytics Division Director Clare Pierce-Wrobel. “Our interactive online tool is packed with valuable information that state leaders can use to inform how they address numerous issues ranging from emergency department overcrowding to delays in discharging patients, maintaining labor and delivery services as the birth rate declines, and meeting growing behavioral health care needs.”
The dashboard offers a user-friendly way to explore complex data about patients who receive care at Oregon hospitals and emergency departments. Every quarter hospitals are required to provide data on patients they discharge from emergency and hospital care, also known as inpatient care. Previously, the tool’s full data was available only as a spreadsheet upon request.
The dashboard features data related to lengths of stay, primary diagnoses, where patients go after being discharged, patient demographics and more. Users can explore discharge data for all of Oregon as well as individual hospitals, and in both 12-month and three-month increments.
A sampling of noteworthy statistics from the dashboard includes:
Lengths of stay, between July and September 2024:
- Statewide, the average hospital stay was 4.8 days.
- But when examining a year’s worth of data that ended in September 2024, the average stay at individual hospitals varied between 2.3 to 15.9 days.
- Statewide, the average emergency department visit was 5.2 hours.
- But when examining a year’s worth of data that ended in September 2024, the average stay at individual emergency departments varied between 2.6 to 26.1 hours. The longest time was an outlier that came from a behavioral health-focused emergency department.
- Patients who were discharged to a skilled nursing facility for further care stayed in the hospital an average of five days longer (8.8 days) than those who were discharged to their homes for routine, self-care (3.8 days).
- Patients who were homeless stayed in hospitals an average of 2.9 more days than those who were housed.
Health insurance, between January 2024 and September 2024:
- Medicaid was the leading source of insurance for both hospital and emergency department patients. The joint federal-state health plan covered 27% of hospital care and 39.3% of emergency care.
- The next most common insurance type depended on where patients received care:
- Medicare Advantage plans were the second-highest type of insurance among hospitalized patients, covering 25.3% of those discharged.
- Commercial insurance was the second-highest type of insurance among emergency department patients, covering 23.9% of those discharged.
Primary diagnoses, between October 2023 and September 2024:
- The most common primary diagnosis of hospitalized patients who received emergency care before being admitted was sepsis, a life-threatening complication of infection.
- Birth and pregnancy-related conditions were the top four diagnoses among patients who were directly admitted to the hospital without visiting an emergency department.
- Among patients who only received care in an emergency department:
- Different forms of chest pain were the top two diagnoses.
- Respiratory infection and COVID-19 were the next most-common diagnoses.
Childbirth:
- Between 2019 and 2023, Oregon’s hospital-based deliveries declined about 8.8%.
- Between October 2023 and September 2024, 52.6% of deliveries in Oregon hospitals were covered by commercial insurance, followed by 44% covered by Medicaid.
Behavioral health:
- Between October 2023 and September 2024:
- Statewide, 3.3% of hospital and 3.6% of emergency department discharges involved patients with a primary diagnosis of mental health or substance use disorder.
- While more patients with a primary diagnosis of mental health (28.9%) stayed in the hospital for 7-13 days, most who did not (45.5%) were only hospitalized 0-2 days.
- Between July and September 2024, people with a primary diagnosis of mental health or substance use disorder spent more time in the emergency department compared to those who didn’t. Youth with this primary diagnosis spent 7.7 more hours and adults spent 3.9 more hours.
ONA Statement: HHS Budget Proposal Will Devastate Nursing and Patient Care
The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) condemns the Trump administration’s proposed FY 2026 Health and Human Services budget, revealed in a leak of the White House Office of Management and Budget “passback” document, as a blatant attack on public health and nursing. If enacted, this plan would slash HHS’s discretionary funding by roughly one third, cutting the total from about $117 billion to $80 billion and endangering vital services nationwide.
Under this proposal, the National Institutes of Health budget would tumble from $47 billion to $27 billion, a 42% reduction, and eliminate the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) entirely. NINR is the only federal institute dedicated to nursing science, funding studies that improve symptom management for patients with chronic illness, develop equitable care models in rural and Indigenous communities, and drive innovations in patient safety. Without NINR, nurses lose the evidence base they rely on to deliver high-quality care.
All Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development programs, including scholarships, loan repayment, faculty development, advanced practice training, and the Nursing Workforce Diversity program, would also vanish. These programs recruit and retain students from underrepresented backgrounds, support nurse educators, and help place skilled nurses in medically underserved and rural areas. Eliminating them jeopardizes the future of a diverse nursing workforce precisely when Oregon and the nation face a chronic staffing shortage.
The draft also dismantles the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, rescinding over $1 billion in grants for overdose prevention, community mental health centers, school-based services, and harm reduction programs. This comes as one in five Americans experiences a mental health condition and recent data show U.S. overdose deaths had begun to decline, progress now at risk of reversal if proven prevention and treatment services are defunded.
Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would see its budget slashed from more than $9 billion to $5 billion, wiping out programs that combat diabetes, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, childhood lead poisoning, and emerging infectious threats. Removing these prevention efforts dismantles the very infrastructure that keeps communities safe and healthy.
We call on Congress to reject this proposal in full, restore funding for nursing research, workforce development, mental health and substance use services, and disease prevention, and protect the health of every community in Oregon and beyond.
###The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) represents a diverse community of more than 23,000 nurses and healthcare professionals throughout Oregon. Together, we use our collective power to advocate for critical issues impacting patients, nurses and healthcare professionals including a more effective, affordable and accessible healthcare system; better working conditions for all healthcare professionals; and healthier communities. For more information visit www.OregonRN.org.
Another Missing Woman in Oregon Who’s Car Has Been Found But She is Still Missing
Search and rescue teams are looking for a 29-year-old Klamath Falls woman reported missing out of Harney County last week. The Harney County Sheriff’s Office says Kaylee Birt was last seen leaving The Fields Station in Fields, Oregon around 8:30 a.m. on Friday.
Reports indicate Kaylee was on a trip from Klamath Falls headed to Iowa, driving a golden colored 2008 Chevy Malibu with Oregon whale license plate #GW21073.
According to an update from the sheriff’s office, her car was found in a remote part of Harney County on Sunday, but she has not yet been located.
Search efforts are resuming Monday morning with the assistance of Lake County Search & Rescue, local ranchers on horseback, side-by-sides and four wheelers, as well as Oregon State Police and Grant County Search & Rescue with K-9s.
Kaylee is described as 5 feet 2 inches and 120 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. She has green and brown glasses and was last seen wearing a long-sleeve green shirt and white sweatpants with a Christmas tree design on them. She has a tattoo on her right wrist of a lighthouse and another one on her foot of a Christian fish and cross with Romans 8:31 Bible verse.
Anyone who has seen Kaylee or knows where she might be is asked to call 911 or contact the Harney County Sheriff’s Office at 541-573-6156.
There are a string of these cases in Oregon where the missing women’s vehicles are found, but they are still missing to this day.
UO Student Workers Union Prepares to Strike on Monday
University of Oregon as student workers threaten to strike for better pay and working conditions starting on April 28. The Student Workers Union, representing more than 4,000 hourly students and resident assistants, is prepared to walk off the job if an agreement isn’t met soon.
The union has been negotiating for 11 months. While tentative agreements have been reached on health and safety standards and non-discrimination policies, key issues like wages and shift meals remain unresolved.
The University of Oregon stated that they have made progress on many aspects of the new contract and are committed to maintaining service to students with minimal disruption. Negotiations are ongoing with more sessions scheduled for Friday. We will report more if an agreement is not reached.
Oregon’s unemployment rate climbed to 4.6% in March, marking the highest level since Aug. 2021, when it was 4.7%.
The increase follows a gradual rise over the past year from 4.1% in March 2024. In comparison, the U.S. unemployment rate was 4.2% in March.
Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment saw an increase of 7,300 jobs in March, building on a revised gain of 1,600 jobs in February.
Nonfarm employment refers to the number of employed people in the state who work outside of the agricultural industry, and includes the private sector and government agencies.
The largest job gains were observed in health care and social assistance, which added 4,600 jobs. Government jobs, including public education, saw a decrease of 300 jobs.
The growth in that sector was partly due to the return of workers who had been on strike at Providence Health & Services. Health and social assistance has been a leader in private-sector job growth in Oregon, adding 18,400 jobs, or 6.2%, over the past year.
Professional and business services followed with an increase of 1,000 jobs, while other services and wholesale trade added 800 and 700 jobs, respectively.
No other major industries experienced job changes with more than 400 positions.
Professional and business services also showed growth, adding 4,500 jobs in the first three months of the year. This growth reversed a previous declining trend, where the industry lost 5,400 jobs over the two years ending Dec. 2024.
The “other services” category, which includes religious organizations, membership associations, personal services, laundry services, and repair and maintenance services, expanded steadily for more than four years. It employed 69,300 people in March, surpassing its pre-pandemic high of 65,700 jobs in Jan. 2020.
Oregon’s minimum wage will increase by 35 cents an hour starting July 1.
The annual increase, intended to keep pace with the Consumer Price Index, varies as Oregon has three different minimum wages to address variable living costs in other parts of the state.
Oregon minimum wage increases from July 1, 2025:
| REGION | NEW HOURLY WAGE | INCREASE % |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Oregon and most of Southern Oregon | $14,05 | 2.55% |
| Areas around Medford, Bend, and most of the Willamette Valley and the northern coast | $15,05 | 2.31% |
| Portland and its suburbs | $15,05 | 2,09% |
High inflation rates since the 2020 pandemic have pushed the minimum wage up sharply. Still, Oregon’s minimum wage is significantly higher than the federal minimum wage, which remains unchanged at $7.25 an hour since 2009.
OHCS announces $1.8 million in energy efficiency investments to reduce household costs
— Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) announces the first round of housing developments to be selected for this year’s Oregon Multifamily Energy Program (OR-MEP). This round allocates $1.8 million to improve energy efficiency in affordable housing in communities statewide. The investments aim to lower utility costs for low-income families while supporting long-term environmental sustainability.
OR-MEP provides resources such as design assistance, cash incentives, and coordination with regional programs to support energy-efficient designs in affordable rental housing. The program support both existing buildings and new construction, Selected housing developments are located in Bend, Junction City, Grants Pass, Seaside, Corvallis, Gresham, Salem, Woodburn, and Portland.
“Housing costs are one of the most significant barriers Oregonians face. Alongside boosting housing production, this investment aims to support locally driven solutions that will reduce energy costs,” said OHCS Director Andrea Bell. “OR-MEP exemplifies our dedication to creating sustainable, energy-efficient housing solutions that serve the most vulnerable populations in Oregon.”
This round of funding awards $778,000 to existing buildings and $1.047 million to new construction. Eligible projects are located within the service areas of Portland General Electric and Pacific Power. The program anticipates serving 898 households through this round of funding.
OHCS, in partnership with TRC, Dragonfly Consulting, Encolor, Elevate Energy, and Unrooz Solutions, administers OR-MEP. The program is funded through the Public Purpose Charge, as outlined in House Bill 3141, which supports energy conservation and low-income housing initiatives in Oregon. The next application period for the program will open in July 2025.
For more information about OR-MEP and to view the list of selected projects, please visit https://oregonmultifamilyenergy.com/2025/04/18/announcing-or-mep-open-enrollment-2025-round-1-selected-projects/. —- Oregon Housing and Community Services
About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) – OHCS is Oregon’s housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs.
Two Oregon high schools named national co-champions in U.S. Constitution contest
Portland’s Lincoln High and Salem’s Sprague High topped schools nationwide at a competition in Washington, D.C.
Two Oregon high schools have earned national recognition for their deep understanding of the U.S. Constitution, winning top honors at a prestigious civics competition in Washington, D.C.
Students from Lincoln High School in Portland and Sprague High School in Salem were named co-champions of the “We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution” national finals, hosted by the Center for Civic Education.
“Being the best at something in the country, especially something as challenging as this, it’s just insane,” said Theo Papavasiliou, also a sophomore on the team. “I want to commend all my teammates for making this experience possible.”
Roughly 50 miles (80 kilometers) south in Salem, the celebration was just as sweet but came from a much smaller team. Sprague High School seniors Colin Williams and Matthew Meyers competed as a duo — an unusual approach that paid off. After dedicating hundreds of hours to study, the two advanced through the state competition and stood out on the national stage.
The national finals simulate a congressional hearing, with students delivering prepared statements and answering questions on constitutional issues.
“We were just extremely excited,” Williams said. “It was absolutely crazy, and the whole room was standing and cheering. It felt very nice.” “It feels awesome, feels unbelievable. I’m very proud of what we did,” added Meyers.
In the end, both schools walked away as co-champions of a national competition, bonded by their shared achievement and deep appreciation for the Constitution.
“That’s probably the most fulfilling thing. We actually joked during the competition, ‘What if both Oregon teams could hold up the 1st place trophy?’ Then, we got that fulfilled,” said Lipke. “We’re very, very happy that we could share the championship with Sprague.”
“At the end of the day, we’re all citizens of the United States,” Williams said. “Even if there aren’t many legal responsibilities of citizenship, there are a lot of moral prerogatives that we have.”
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden has announced he will hold town halls in Douglas and several other Oregon counties.
Heading into these seven open-to-all town halls between April 23rd and April 26th, Wyden has held 1,110 town halls in keeping with his promise to have at least one town hall each year in each of Oregon’s 36 counties.
Wyden said, “I promised Oregonians in every nook and cranny of our state that I would always make myself available to answer questions and hear their concerns and opinions”. Wyden said, “That in-person connection has always been essential, and it’s more crucial than ever now during these unprecedented challenges to continue those direct conversations so all parts of Oregon are heard”.
Wyden will have town halls on: *Friday April 25th in Lake and Klamath counties —- *Saturday April 26th in Douglas County. That event will begin at 3:00 p.m. in the Jacoby Auditorium of Umpqua Community College.
Wyden’s release said although these were the largest venues available for these town halls on these dates, space may still be limited. Doors will open one hour before the town hall start time for attendees. For everyone’s security, backpacks and large bags will not be allowed in the town halls.
OHA to issue algae warnings when dog deaths reported
As summer approaches, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reminds people heading outdoors to enjoy the state’s lakes, rivers and reservoirs to be on the look-out for potentially toxic cyanobacteria blooms.
To help, OHA is adding a tool reporting the possible presence of cyanobacteria in freshwater lakes and rivers statewide. Starting immediately, OHA will issue pre-emptive public warnings following reports of dog illnesses or deaths possibly resulting from cyanotoxin exposure.
“Each year, we receive reports about dog illnesses or deaths linked to a water body that may be affected by cyanobacteria, but the deaths are often unexplained, or the cause of the death isn’t immediately known,” said Linda Novitski, Ph.D., a recreational waters specialist in OHA’s Environmental Public Health Section.
“These pre-emptive warnings will help us immediately takes steps to inform the public about the possible presence of cyanobacteria in a water body,” she said.
Toxin testing is only possible for certain types of cyanobacteria. When testing is done, results are typically available within two weeks.
Cyanobacteria are beneficial bacteria found in all fresh water worldwide. The bacteria can multiply into blooms in any water body under the right conditions—warm weather, sunlight, water temperature, nutrients and water chemistry.
Many blooms are harmless, but some can produce cyanotoxins that make people and animals sick. Exposure to cyanotoxins occurs when water or algae mat material is swallowed while swimming, or when people inhale water droplets during high-speed activities such as water-skiing or wakeboarding. Symptoms of exposure to cyanotoxins include:
- Diarrhea
- Cramps
- Vomiting
- Numbness
- Dizziness and fainting
Although cyanotoxins are not known to be absorbed through the skin, people with sensitive skin can develop a red, raised rash when wading, playing or swimming in or around a bloom.
Some species of cyanobacteria live in the water or float on the top of the water surface. Other cyanobacteria, called cyanoHAB mats, anchor themselves to the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment, or grow on rocks or aquatic plants can release toxins into clear water. These bloom mats contain toxins that, if ingested, can be fatal to dogs and can make people sick.
Dogs can get extremely ill, and even die, within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water. Problem signs include licking their fur or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crust along the shore.
If, after swimming in a lake or stream, a dog exhibits symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, breathing problems, difficulty walking or standing, or loss of appetite, owners should get their pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
“Enjoying lakes and rivers is such an important part of the Oregon experience,” said Novitski. “To have fun and stay safe this season, protect small children and dogs by avoiding anything you think might be a cyanobacteria harmful algae bloom in the water or in a mat attached to the bottom of the lake or river.”
Cyanotoxins can still exist in clear water. When a bloom dies, toxins it released may reach into clear water around the bloom. Blooms can be pushed into other areas, leaving toxins behind.
OHA advises recreational visitors to always be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms in the water and in mats attached to the ground or rocks. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable.
Only a fraction of water bodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab.
Registration Now Open for the Annual Oregon Spring Cleanup
– Registration is live for the annual Oregon Spring Cleanup presented by Portland General Electric! With over 100 events already posted on the SOLVE website, now is the time to get involved. Litter cleanups and habitat restoration projects span Portland and SW Washington, the entire Oregon Coast from Astoria to Brookings, the Willamette National Forest, Southern Oregon—including Medford—and all the way to Baker City in Eastern Oregon.
The Oregon Spring Cleanup, celebrating Earth Month, takes place from April 12 to 22, 2025, culminating on Saturday, April 19. Individuals, families, community and corporate groups are encouraged to participate in this collective effort to keep our region clean and beautiful. Volunteers can sign up for existing projects or host their own events with support from SOLVE.
Longtime community partner, Portland General Electric continues to champion environmental volunteerism through SOLVE. As part of PGE’s commitment to environmental stewardship, they partner with SOLVE to bring communities together to provide clean and healthy environments for all.
“Earth Month is great reminder to take action and continue to enhance our communities,” said PGE’s vice president of policy and resource planning, Kristen Sheeran. “This Earth Month, we’re ready to roll up our sleeves with SOLVE and all of the volunteer partners to make a lasting impact on Oregon’s natural spaces.”
How to Get Involved
- Sign up: Find a volunteer event near you and register yourself or a group at volunteer.solveoregon.org/
- Lead your own event: SOLVE provides all the necessary resources, including supplies and disposal funds, to make hosting a project easy for you.
- Join the challenge: Rally your school, company, or community group to take part in the Trash Bag Challenge. Participants challenge others to either join an existing SOLVE cleanup or lead their own, sparking friendly competition and community pride – solveoregon.org/challenge
Supply Hubs: Making Coastal Cleanups More Sustainable
At SOLVE, we make it easy to lead a cleanup event. This year, new coastal supply hubs provide an additional way to access event materials, making it even easier to host litter cleanups along the Oregon Coast.
Through a partnership with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) and generous support from Knife River, SOLVE has established seven supply hubs along the Oregon Coast. These hubs—located at Cape Lookout, Fort Stevens, Port Orford Heads, South Beach, and Sunset Bay within OPRD parks, along with Heart of Cartm in Nehalem and Washed Ashore in Bandon—are stocked with supplies to support cleanups of up to 20 volunteers, reducing the shipment of single-use plastics to these areas.
Join the Trash Bag Challenge — New this year, SOLVE is also launching the Trash Bag Challenge, inviting schools, businesses, community groups, and organizations to challenge others to either join an existing cleanup or lead their own. This initiative is designed to spark friendly competition and community pride while making a tangible difference in local areas.
The Oregon Spring Cleanup 2025 is made possible by the generous support of Portland General Electric and other event sponsors, including AAA, CareOregon, Clean Water Services, Fred Meyer, Holman Enterprises, KOIN 6, The Oregonian, Lam Research Corporation, Metro, Lithia Driveway, Intel, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Swire Coca-Cola, The Standard, and PepsiCo.
For more information and to sign up, visit www.solveoregon.org/oregon-spring and be part of the collective effort to create a cleaner, greener Oregon.
About SOLVE — SOLVE brings communities together to take care of our environment and enhance our waterways. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots initiative to a national model of volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon, and SW Washington, to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas, while empowering a community of environmental stewards for our state. Visit solveoregon.org for more information.
Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs
No veteran should be without a place to call home, and the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is committed to ending veteran homelessness in our state.
The new ODVA Houseless Veterans Program collaborates with federal, state, county, and Tribal agencies, veteran services offices, and community homeless service providers to meet the urgent and unique needs of Oregon’s diverse veteran communities challenged with housing stability.
In addition to advocating for Oregon veterans experiencing or at risk for houselessness, the program provides direct service to veterans and their families seeking federal and state veterans’ benefits, including access to local VA health care, documentation of service, as well as other available state benefits, and local homeless services organizations and low-income assistance programs.
If you or a veteran you know is dealing with homelessness, contact the ODVA Houseless Veterans Coordinator today at houselessvets@odva.oregon.gov or visit https://ow.ly/V4EH50VnL93 to learn more.
Every year, the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony honors the state’s law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.
This year’s ceremony will be held Tuesday, May 6th at 1 p.m. at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem.
The annual event commemorates the more than 190 fallen officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the state of Oregon since the 1860s. This includes law enforcement, corrections, and parole and probation officers from city, county, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies.
The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training is proud to host the ceremony in partnership with the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, Oregon Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, and various statewide law enforcement associations.
Indigenous Speakers Series Returns to the Museum in April with Three Inspiring Events
BEND, OR — This coming April, explore identity, cultures and how to live the good life when the High Desert Museum’s Indigenous Speaker Series returns. Promising a vibrant showcase of Indigenous voices, the series features an array of Indigenous artists, storytellers, scholars and more who share their unique perspectives with the community.
“We are honored to once again collaborate with Indigenous knowledge holders to bring vital conversations to our visitors,” said Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. “The April events are a continuation of an effort to elevate Indigenous voices to share the issues and cultures of the High Desert.”
The three April events explore topics such as identity, creativity, community and portraiture. Two of the events are connected to an exhibition open now at the Museum, Frank S. Matsura: Portraits from the Borderland. Featuring 20-plus enlarged portraits taken by Matsura of Native peoples in the early 1900s, the exhibition provides visitors a unique look at life in Okanogan County in Washington state during a time of transition. The exhibition originated at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture in Spokane, Wash.
Then, on April 25, the Museum will host LaRonn Katchia (Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs), the director of Pathfinders, for a discussion of the short film. Katchia, a Warm Springs/Wasco/Paiute filmmaker and storyteller, will be joined by Thyreicia Simtustus, Kahmussa Green and Kiahna Allen (Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs), who are featured in the film. Part of the Matsura exhibition at the Museum, the film explores how the three young leaders are finding their own paths in balancing Native and non-Native worlds. Tickets are $5, with Members receiving a 20% discount and free entry for Tribal members. For tickets, visit highdesertmuseum.org/pathfinders.
In between those two events, on April 17, the Museum will host Chris La Tray, Métis storyteller and award-winning author of Becoming Little Shell. La Tray will discuss the Anishinaabe word Mino-bimaadiziwin, meaning “the good life.” The concept emphasizes the importance of community well-being and living in harmony with the world around us. At its simplest, it is living a life in balance, but how?
Montana’s Poet Laureate from 2023-2025, La Tray is a descendent of the Pembina Band of the mighty Red River of the North and a member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. His first book, One-Sentence Journal: Short Poems and Essays from the World at Large, won the 2018 Montana Book Award and a 2019 High Plains Book Award. The event includes light refreshment and a no-host bar. Tickets are $12, with members receiving a 20% discount and free entry for Tribal members. For tickets, visit highdesertmuseum.org/the-good-life.
The Indigenous Speakers Series is made possible by The Roundhouse Foundation, with additional support from Author’s Unbound for the April 17 Chris La Tray event. For more information and to purchase tickets for Indigenous Speakers Series events, visit highdesertmuseum.org/indigenous-speakers-series.
ABOUT THE MUSEUM:
THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM opened in Bend, Oregon in 1982. It brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2019 recipient of the Western Museums Association’s Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
RUN for the TREES the Bob Ross-inspired Happy Little (Virtual) 5K
Oregon Parks Forever — Inspired by American painter and PBS television personality Bob Ross’ love of the outdoors, Oregon Parks Forever is sponsoring a virtual 5K race to help plant trees in Oregon’s parks & forests. Registration is now open for the 2025 Run for the Trees at www.orparksforever.org.
Inspired by American painter and PBS television personality Bob Ross’ love of the outdoors, Oregon Parks Forever is sponsoring a virtual 5K race to help plant trees in Oregon’s parks & forests. You must register by April 1st in order to get your shirts and medal before the event. Participants can walk, run, paddle or roll to complete their 5K anywhere outdoors anytime between April 19 and 27 (covering Earth Day and Arbor Day). Participants are encouraged to register by April 1 to ensure that your swag arrives before the event week. If you register after April 1, you may not receive your swag before race week. Registration will close on April 15. For $36 per person, each participant will receive a keepsake Happy Little T-shirt, a commemorative bib number and a finisher’s medal. All Oregon race proceeds support tree planting and forest protection efforts in Oregon parks. Ten trees will be planted in Oregon for each registration. This year, the trees will be planted in the Santiam Canyon. Initially, the “Happy Little Trees” program began with a partnership between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Bob Ross Inc., with hundreds of volunteers helping to plant “happy little trees” at locations hard-hit by invasive pests and tree diseases. The partnership quickly expanded to include the Run for the Trees / Happy Little (Virtual) 5K. As the Happy Little 5K gained popularity, more states have joined the effort. Now in its fifth year, the Happy Little 5K has expanded its reach to include eleven other states. Together, Michigan, Oregon, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Maryland, Virginia and Tennessee will “lock arms” as they help raise awareness and funding for stewardship efforts in each state’s parks. “We are thrilled to partner with Bob Ross, Inc. and these other eleven states on the Happy Little 5K concept as a way to honor the late Bob Ross and create a legacy event to plant trees,” said Seth Miller, Executive Director of Oregon Parks Forever.” Oregon Parks Forever is joining this event as an expansion of our efforts to fund the replanting of trees killed by wildfires, heat domes and invasive insects. Over the past two years, Oregon Parks Forever has been able to fund the replanting of more than 800,000 trees across Oregon. “The official Bob Ross 5K is probably our most favorite initiative,” says Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Company. “It’s the perfect blend of everything Bob held dear; nature, taking care of the environment, and happy trees too of course. He would have been so pleased to see how it’s getting so popular around the world.” Learn more about the program at www.orparksforever.org.
The long-delayed deadline for REAL ID is now less than 2 months away. There’s a chance that full enforcement may get gradually rolled out, but May 7, 2025, is the changeover deadline.
Starting then, state-level ID cards, such as driver’s licenses, won’t be accepted for federal purposes, namely getting through airport security, unless it’s REAL ID-compliant.
If you plan to catch a domestic flight on or after May 7, you will be required to use a REAL ID. A little gold or black star in the upper right-hand corner is one of the easiest ways to know you’re holding a REAL ID.
In Oregon, it’s a black star. A REAL ID is an identification card that serves all of the same purposes of a standard drivers’ license or state-issued identification card. A federally-mandated switch to REAL ID for federal purposes, such as flying domestically, was originally signed into law by Congress in 2005.
The purpose is to establish “minimum security standards for license issuance and production,” according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website. The law, established four years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, came in response to federal calls for higher security standards in the U.S. Originally, the law mandated the switch to REAL ID by 2008, but it has been pushed back for various reasons due to logistical hurdles and later the COVID-19 pandemic.
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