Rogue Valley News, Friday 5/16 – Central Point Police Department Open House, Rogue Valley Symphonic Band Concert & Other Local and Statewide News…

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.

This case remains important to David’s family, the community, and the Ashland Police Department. As detectives continue to pursue these new leads, anyone with additional information is encouraged to reach out to the Ashland Police Department at 541-488-2211. The reward for information leading to an arrest on this case remains at over $21,000.

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

https://original.newsbreak.com/@ada-e-1668135/3304227455096-fauna-frey-45-disappeared-in-oregon-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

Here One Minute, Gone the Next —– PART 2 – Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel joins investigative journalist Alex Rogue to speak with Here One Minute, Gone the Next about the disappearance of Fauna Frey, the growing friction between citizen investigators and law enforcement, and the lack of resources in missing persons cases. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-disappearance-of-fauna-frey-pt2-feat-sheriff/id1707094441?i=1000630100040 PART 1 – John Frey joins Newsweek to discuss exclusive details about the case of his missing daughter that until now have been unavailable to the general public. READ MORE HERE: https://www.newsweek.com/exclusive-what-happened-fauna-frey-new-clues-uncovered-1827197?fbclid=IwAR3Z3Glru5lIgqiYXbs_nA1Fj8JuCIzM11OHSVHfwIucfq2f_G5y9y5bnmQ If you have any information on the whereabouts of Fauna Frey, call the anonymous tip line at 541-539-5638 or email FindFaunaFrey@gmail.com.   —-     Help Find Fauna Frey #FindFaunaFrey FACEBOOK GROUP

Federal chaos leaves Oregon’s economic outlook sluggish, uncertain, short hundreds of millions

Oregon lawmakers will have nearly $756 million less than they anticipated to spend in next two years, according to state’s May revenue forecast

Uncertainty from President Donald Trump’s tariffs have thrown a wrench in state revenues previously expected to grow by hundreds of millions of dollars, state economists report.

Forecasted growth in the national and state economy has deteriorated in the last few months, leaving Oregon lawmakers to craft a two-year state budget with nearly $756 million less than they anticipated, according to the latest revenue forecast from the state’s Office of Economic Analysis. About two-thirds of that is due to a reduction in expected revenue, while the remainder is due to additional spending needs in the current budget cycle.

This comes on top of uncertainty around the federal budget and as Congressional Republicans debate cutting hundreds of billions that states rely on to provide healthcare and social services.

State economist Carl Riccadonna and senior economist Michael Kennedy, presented the quarterly forecast Wednesday to House and Senate revenue committees, and previewed some of their findings on a call with reporters Tuesday evening.

Riccadonna said the rest of 2025 will be characterized by sluggish economic growth due to existing tariffs and uncertainty around the future of tariffs, especially in the manufacturing and construction sectors. Tariffs disproportionately hurt coastal states and states with large ports like Oregon, he added.

Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama, D-Portland, said in a news release that the forecast shows reckless federal actions are harming Oregon’s economy.

“Tariffs amount to a sales tax on shoppers here and act as headwinds against shipping products overseas. These policies threaten to push our state and the nation into an economic recession,” he said.

Oregon Republicans said state Democrats are to blame.

“It’s no surprise that Democrats who’ve spent years passing policies that weaken our economy are quick to blame anyone but themselves,” Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham, R-The Dalles, said in a news release.

“What’s needed now isn’t higher taxes, but smarter budgeting, real accountability, and a renewed focus on growing the private sector,” he said.

At the beginning of the year, economists expected the national economy would grow by about 2% in 2025. The consensus now among economic forecasters is that it’s likely to be less than half that — about 0.8%.

Slower economic growth leads to higher unemployment, lower wages and consequently the state taking in less corporate and personal income tax revenue, which make up the bulk of the state’s general fund.

“It is a sluggish growth period, which will lead to instability in the labor market,” Riccadonna said.

He and other economists do not yet forecast a recession, though he said the risk is “certainly elevated.”

The state’s Office of Economic Analysis puts the risk of a recession in the next 12 months at about 25%. In a typical year, the risk is 10% to 15%.

“You will see the unemployment rate drifting higher over the course of the next several quarters,” Riccadonna said.

Gov. Tina Kotek in a news release said she would, “refuse to let Oregon be knocked off of our game.”

“We know the problems we need to solve here at home regardless of the chaos coming out of Washington, D.C.,” she said. “There are still too many people sleeping outside. There are not enough houses. There are not enough places to go for care or people to provide that care. Our kids must be served better by our schools. The cost of living is on the rise. These crises don’t take an intermission, so neither can we.”

The next two years — The quarterly revenue forecasts take into account all of Oregon’s major revenue sources, including personal and corporate income taxes — which make up the bulk of the state’s general fund — as well as lottery revenues and the Corporate Activity Tax.

In February, Riccadonna and Kennedy told Oregon lawmakers they could expect to have about $38.2 billion to spend in the state’s next two-year budget. That was $350 million more than they thought they would have at the last forecast in November 2024.

Now, Oregon lawmakers can expect to have about $37.4 billion to spend in the state’s next two-year budget. That’s the result of both a reduction in expected revenue, mostly from income taxes, and additional spending in the current budget cycle, primarily on higher-than-expected caseloads for Medicaid and the state department that provides services to seniors and people with disabilities.

“I can’t remember more tumultuous circumstances just going into producing this particular forecast,” Kennedy, who started working for the state in 2002, told lawmakers at the revenue committee meeting Wednesday. “I mean, we’ve had a pandemic, a Great Recession, but those happen within the biennium, not at the point in time when you’re trying to forecast two years ahead.”

House Majority Leader Ben Bowman, D-Tigard, said in a news release the latest forecast shows lawmakers will need to make “hard choices.”

“This forecast means we will have fewer resources available in order to support our education priorities, human services, and the many other priorities throughout the state,” he said.

The state’s “kicker” tax refund is also expected to be about $87.5 million lower than expected. The refund, now projected to return about $1.64 billion to Oregon taxpayers, is triggered when actual revenues come in at least 2% higher than lawmakers projected.

Riccadonna was more optimistic about growth and revenues in 2026 and the first half of 2027 than the current fiscal year, assuming tariffs are lower, the Federal Reserve reduces interest rates and Congress passes a budget that includes extending the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act — which reduced personal and corporate income taxes intending to stimulate spending and economic growth.

He said hard economic statistics impacted by tariffs, like unemployment or the nation’s GDP outlook, are not likely to show up in federal reports until June and July, leaving forecasters at the moment with heightened uncertainty in terms of understanding how all of Trump’s tariffs and cuts to federal agencies and the workforce plays out.

Trump cuts to the federal workforce have so far not caused the state’s unemployment rate to tick up, but have hit local economies, Riccadonna said, mostly in eastern Oregon.

“We should make no bones about it. This is a very dynamic situation that is very sensitive to policy being set at the federal level, policies which are not clearly defined at this point in time, in terms of where the end point or the ultimate consequence will be, where that effective tariff rate will ultimately settle, how the restructuring at the federal level ultimately pans out,” Riccadonna said. (SOURCE)

Proposed federal SNAP cuts would leave Oregon families hungry, governor and senators warn

More than 700,000 Oregonians receive aid from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Oregonians will go hungry if congressional Republicans plow forward with plans to cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and shift costs to states, senators and Gov. Tina Kotek warned on Tuesday.

Kotek and Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley joined a press call Tuesday with three other Democratic senators and the head of a Vermont anti-hunger group to discuss proposed cuts to SNAP, the food benefits used by 42 million Americans and more than 700,000 Oregonians.

Congressional Republicans on Monday night unveiled a plan to cut federal SNAP spending by at least $230 billion, mostly by shifting costs to states. But states including Oregon can’t afford those shifts, Kotek said.

“We just do not have the kind of money that it would take to maintain the program at the current level if these cuts go through,” Kotek, also a Democrat, said. “It will just not happen, and people will go hungry in Oregon.”

The details of congressional Republican’s budget reconciliation proposal arrived just before Wednesday’s release of Oregon’s May revenue forecast, which state budget-writers will use to craft the next two-year budget. Lawmakers are bracing for a downturn tied to tariffs, federal funding cuts and economic instability.

The federal proposal means that the taxes Oregonians pay to the federal government will not return to the state to help their neighbors in need, Kotek said. Kotek, who started her career as a policy advocate for the Oregon Food Bank, said she saw firsthand what it means for people to skip meals to afford rent or medicine and knows how fragile food security is for many.

“When you cut SNAP, you’re not cutting bureaucracy,” she said. “You’re cutting a child’s dinner. You’re cutting their breakfast. You’re cutting their family’s dignity.”

Every dollar spent on SNAP generates another $1.50 to $1.80 in economic activity at grocery stores, farmers’ markets and other local businesses, Kotek said. Without that money, stores could close and people could lose their jobs.

Merkley said Oregon stands to lose about $400 million under the proposal to shift costs from the federal government to states. And Wyden decried potential cuts to SNAP and Medicaid as a  “double whammy” for health care.

About 1.4 million Oregonians are covered by Medicaid, or the Oregon Health Plan. Republicans proposed instituting work requirements and withholding funding from states like Oregon that cover health care regardless of immigration status and cover gender-affirming care.

“The combination of less food assistance for seniors and kids, and then Republican cuts in Medicaid, is a prescription for a sicker America,” Wyden said. “What we’re talking about is health care 101: You need access to food to be healthy, and you need access to timely healthcare when you’re ill.”  (SOURCE)

OHA seeks your help to make health care more affordable

New committees, public hearing provide opportunities to brainstorm solutions

SALEM, Ore. – Are you concerned about paying for a health emergency or routine care? Do you have an idea that could make health care more affordable? Oregon Health Authority (OHA) wants to hear from you.

“Everyone deserves quality health care, but growing medical costs make that increasingly challenging,” said Antonio Germann, M.D., a family physician who is vice-chair of the Oregon Health Policy Board, a citizen-led body that oversees OHA. “We need to tackle this complex issue to ensure our future health, and we’re inviting people to share their personal experiences and expertise with us to help us address it.”

About 83% of Oregon adults worry about being able to afford health care in the future, and 43% have struggled to pay their medical bills, according to a 2024 survey. Concerning statistics like this prompted OHA to make strengthening affordable health care for all a pillar in itsstrategic plan. It also led the Oregon Health Policy Board to seek the public’s help in identifying a broad range of solutions by serving on committees and participating in a June 10 public hearing.

Oregonians are invited to submit applications to serve on two new committees focused on health care affordability. May 16 is the extended deadline to apply for both committees. Applications and more information are available on the Committee on Health Care Affordability and Industry Advisory Committee webpages. Once their members are chosen, the committees plan to meet beginning this summer. Additional details are below.

The Committee on Health Care Affordability, also simply called the Affordability Committee, is seeking diverse voices. Its members may include people who receive health care, employers that purchase insurance, health economists and health policy experts.

The Affordability Committee will be supported by the Industry Advisory Committee, which also aims to include a variety of perspectives, ranging from health insurers to providers, hospitals and health industry leaders. Health care professionals in small or independent practices, and those who specialize in primary care, behavioral health, oral health or pediatrics are particularly encouraged to apply to the industry committee.

Comment at public forum

Both committees will build on the work of OHA’s Sustainable Health Care Cost Growth Target program, which seeks to limit Oregon’s health care cost increases to 3.4% per person annually. Between 2021 and 2022, the state’s health care spending grew by 3.6%, slightly more than the target.

Every year, the Health Care Cost Growth Target program holds a legislatively required public hearing to discuss recent trends in health care spending and highlight what’s driving health care cost growth. The 2025 public hearing will specifically explore behavioral health and pharmacy spending trends and will also focus on policy ideas to improve health care affordability. Information and potential solutions discussed at the event will help inform the new committees’ future work. People are also encouraged to share their personal stories and ideas about health care affordability during the hearing. See below for details on how to participate.

What: Health Care Cost Growth Public Hearing

When: 10 a.m.-Noon PT Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Details: Hybrid virtual and in-person meeting to discuss health care costs in Oregon, including recent trends, their causes and ideas for slowing cost growth.

Get involved: Consumers, clinicians and businesses are invited to share their concerns about and experiences with health care costs. Email written testimony or sign up to provide spoken comment at e.CostTarget@oha.oregon.gov” style=”color: rgb(6, 66, 118); text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: 100%;”>HealthCare.CostTarget@oha.oregon.gov.

Webpage: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/HP/Pages/cost-growth-target-public-hearings.aspx

Zoom meeting: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1610883159?pwd=PAveuaEZgsT4KLXVPXm8WduVGatWCa.1

Meeting ID: 161 088 3159 — Passcode: 371696 — One tap mobile: +16692545252,1610883159# US (San Jose)​

In-person meeting: Salem, Oregon (details will be added to Oregon Health Policy Board meeting webpage)

Mental Health Awareness Month Spotlight: Loneliness line supports seniors

– When Carli Cox picks up the phone, she never knows who will be on the other end, but she knows why she’s answering.   As a Crisis Intervention Specialist at Lines for Life, Cox is one of the voices providing support to people facing behavioral health challenges including loneliness.

For Mental Health Awareness Month, Oregon Health Authority is highlighting its partnership with Lines for Life. OHA provides funding for six crisis and support lines, including the Senior Loneliness Line.  This service offers older Oregonians connection and emotional support amid growing concerns about social isolation in aging populations.

“The Senior Loneliness Line is unique,” Cox said. “It functions both as a warm line for friendly conversation and as a space for crisis support when needed. We get calls from people who just want to start their day with a voice on the other end, to others who are dealing with isolation, loss, aging related issues, and sometimes suicidal thoughts.”

About 15% of Oregonians are ages 65 years or older, and by 2030 that number will increase to 20%. This age group is experiencing many behavioral health struggles, with one in five individuals experiencing depression at any given time. Males ages 75 and older have the highest suicide rate of any age group and gender.

With more than three years of experience and 4,000 crisis calls under her belt, Cox plays a critical role in helping the aging population.  Older adults often face stigma seeking mental health support, and Cox wants them to know that no problem is too small.

“Many seniors didn’t grow up in a time when talking about mental health was encouraged. We want them to know this line is here for them—it’s safe, confidential, and there’s no need to be in crisis to call.”

The Senior Loneliness Line sees a wide range of callers, from those facing estrangement from family to those who’ve outlived loved ones. Even a single phone call can bring meaningful change.

“Sometimes, you can hear a shift in someone’s voice by the end of a conversation,” said Cox. “Making that connection is so rewarding.”

If you are a senior or know someone who might benefit from the Senior Loneliness Line, please call 1-800-282-7035 or visit https://seniorlonelinessline.org/. For other mental health needs, call, or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org.

OSP investigation leads to search warrant service at West Coast Game Park Safari near Bandon

COOS COUNTY, Ore. 15 May 2025 – This morning, May 15, 2025, the Oregon State Police, in coordination with local, state, and federal partners, served multiple search warrants at the West Coast Game Park Safari near Bandon.

The search warrants are the result of a lengthy criminal investigation into the facility’s operations. Investigators are searching the property for additional evidence related to the investigation, including animal care and welfare, permitting, licensing, and business practices.

Oregon State Police is working in conjunction with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Humane Society, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Coos County Sheriff’s Office, Coos County District Attorney’s Office, Oregon Department of Justice, and the IRS Criminal Investigation. Participating agencies provide regulatory oversight or bring specialized expertise in animal care to assist investigators with evaluating evidence gathered during the property search.

Limited information is available for release during the ongoing criminal investigation. OSP is the primary contact for questions regarding today’s search warrants.

The park is closed while police activity is present. Community members and visitors are encouraged to avoid the facility.    — A follow-up news release is planned sometime on Friday, May 16, 2025.

National Park Service Lists Port Orford City Jail in Port Orford, Curry County in the National Register of Historic Places

PORT ORFORD – The Port Orford City Jail is among Oregon’s latest entries in the National Register of Historic Places. Oregon’s State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation (SACHP) recommended the nomination at their February 2025 meeting for its significant connections to Port Orford’s early city governance and its first mayor Gilbert E. Gable. The National Park Service, which maintains the National Register of Historic Places, accepted this nomination in late April 2025.

Located near Seventh and Jefferson Street in Port Orford, the Port Orford City Jail was constructed in 1939 as the first and only all-new governmental building constructed during the Gable administration. The charismatic Gilbert E. Gable (1886-1941) arrived in Port Orford in 1934. As the head of several commercial ventures, including the port facility in Port Orford, a sawmill, and mining properties, Gable spearheaded Depression-era development in the community. When residents voted to incorporate Port Orford in 1935, Gable was elected mayor and continued in that role until his unexpected death in early December 1941. During his tenure in office, Gable worked constantly to draw attention to the economic needs of Southwestern Oregon. He provided support to the town of Bandon after it was destroyed by fire in 1936. He also tried, but failed, to connect the region to the inland valleys of Oregon through the Gold Coast Railroad, a project that brought Gable attention throughout southern Oregon and northern California. Gable’s work undoubtedly benefited his own companies, but it also made him a popular political figure and by 1941, he was actively touting the frustrations of residents in Curry County and beyond. That fall he began suggesting that Curry County could secede from Oregon, a movement that quickly became known as the State of Jefferson. Within a week of Gable’s death a few months later, the State of Jefferson as an active movement came to a halt, but the ideas behind it remain well into the 21st century.

The Port Orford City Jail was used from 1939 until around 1965, after which time it was sold to a private party. It was later occupied by a novelty shop and then a fish market, before standing unused for many years. The City of Port Orford reacquired the building property in 2007. Although surrounding properties have been redeveloped, the Port Orford City Jail retains its historic appearance that is reflective of the building’s original purpose.

The National Register is maintained by the National Park Service under the authority of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Properties listed in the National Register are:

• Recognized as significant to the nation, state, or community;
• Considered in the planning of federal or federally-assisted projects;
• Eligible for federal tax benefits;
• Qualify for historic preservation grants when funds are available;
• Eligible for leniency in meeting certain building code requirements;
• Subject to local laws pertaining to the conservation and protection of historic resources.

State law in Oregon requires local governments to offer a minimal level of protection for properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places; the decisions about how to accomplish that goal reside with local governments, which also have the authority to create and regulate local historic districts and landmarks.

More information about the National Register and recent Oregon listings are online at oregonheritage.org (under the heading “Designate”).

OREGON STATE POLICE COLD CASE UNIT IDENTIFIES VICTIM FROM 1980 MURDER CASE – MARION COUNTY

Almost 45 years ago, in the early morning hours of July 18, 1980, Oregon State Police responded to a report of a deceased, unidentified male along Interstate 5 near Woodburn.

A homicide investigation was opened and while extensive efforts were made to identify the victim, he remained a John Doe until April 2025.

In cooperation with the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office and the Orange County (California) Sheriff’s Department, OSP’s Cold Case Unit was able to positively identify the victim as Larry Eugene Parks. Parks was 30 years old at the time of his death and a Vietnam veteran. His family had lost contact with him in 1979, and was last seen in Pensacola, Florida. Until his identification last month, the circumstances of his disappearance were unknown to the Parks family

The discovery of Parks’ body came a day after the body of Michael O’Fallon was found along I-5 near the Talbot exit, also in Marion County. Due to similarities in the evidence, investigators at the time suspected the two murders were related. Unfortunately, both investigations went cold as investigative leads dried up

In 1983, Randy Kraft was arrested in Orange County, California, for murder. Kraft was ultimately convicted of 16 murders in California, although he’s suspected of committing more than 60 murders across the West Coast and Michigan. During Kraft’s trial and sentencing, evidence from the O’Fallon and Parks murders was transferred to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office to be used in court. The evidence remained in Orange County until 2024

In January 2024, an investigator from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department reached out to the Oregon State Police Cold Case Unit regarding evidence related to the John Doe (Parks) case from 1980 and offered to help identify the remains using Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy.  John Doe’s blood sample was sent to Parabon Nanolabs and a genetic profile was developed. Investigators were able to use this information to locate possible family members. The family members submitted DNA samples for comparison which led to the positive identification of John Doe as Larry Parks.

With Parks’ identity confirmed, investigators are now working to bring resolution to the 45-year-old case.

About the Oregon State Police Cold Case Unit — The Cold Case Unit consists of investigators in OSP’s Criminal Investigation Division dedicated to resolving the agency’s unsolved homicide, missing persons, unidentified human remains, and suspicious death investigations. The unit is maximizing the use of forensic analysis and genetic genealogy in multiple cases. The unit has made tangible progress on cases as old as 50 years and is actively investigating 37 cold cases. 

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR FIELDS ARTIST FELLOWSHIP 

Four Oregon Artists to Receive $150,000 Each Over Two Years

— Oregon Community Foundation, in partnership with Oregon Humanities, is now accepting applications for the Fields Artist Fellowship, which awards $150,000 to Oregon-based artists working to address community issues through creativity and cultural expression.

The two-year fellowships will go to four artists to advance their artistic practice and honor and sustain their commitment to create social change within their community. Eight more finalists will receive a one-time award of $10,000. The 12 fellows will receive professional development, networking, and community-building opportunities throughout the program.

“As an individual artist, receiving these funds was huge in terms of interrupting and creating social change in my rural town,” says Crystal Meneses, who received one of the inaugural Fields fellowships in 2019. “It opened doors for me that would never and have never been open.”

Applications from Oregon artists will be considered between May 6, 2025 and June 13, 2025. A selection committee will review applications and award the fellowships by December 2025. The Fellowship term will begin in May 2026 and run through May 2028.

“It is an honor to recognize the power that a single artist can have in their community through this program,” says Jerry Tischleder, Senior Program Officer for Arts and Culture at Oregon Community Foundation. “We look forward to adding another cohort of individuals into this growing network across Oregon.”

Artists of all disciplines and artistic media are encouraged to apply, including writers, filmmakers, visual artists, multimedia artists, culture bearers, and performance artists. Eligibility requirements include the following:

• At least five years of professional practice in an artistic discipline or combination of disciplines

• At least three years of residence in Oregon (non-continuous) and the intent to reside in Oregon for the majority of the fellowship term (May 2026 to May 2028)

• Demonstrable evidence of artistic practice that can engage with community groups and organizations and/or address community concerns

Oregon Community Foundation, in partnership with Oregon Humanities, administers the program and convenes gatherings for the fellows. All funding is provided by the Fred W. Fields Fund of Oregon Community Foundation.

Proposals must be submitted by June 13, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. The application portal and full request for proposals can be found here.

Find more information here. An informational webinar will be held on May 22, 2025 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Sign-up to attend using this link. A recording will be posted on this page after the webinar date. For questions, contact Program Administrator Aimee Craig.

About Oregon Community Foundation  – Since 1973, Oregon Community Foundation has worked to improve the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy. In 2024, OCF distributed more than $211 million in grants and scholarships in every county in Oregon in partnership with donors and volunteers. Individuals, families, businesses and organizations can work with OCF to create charitable funds to support causes important to them. To learn more, visit oregoncf.org.

About Oregon Humanities – Oregon Humanities connects people and communities through conversation, storytelling, and participatory programs to inspire understanding and collaborative change. More information about our programs and publications—which include Consider This, Conversation Project, Humanity in Perspective, The Detour podcast, Facilitation Training, and Oregon Humanities magazine—can be found at oregonhumanities.org. Oregon Humanities is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities and a partner of the Oregon Cultural Trust.

Oregon Declares May 18–25, 2025, Volcano Awareness Week in Recognition of the 45th Anniversary of the Mount St. Helens Eruption

SALEM, Ore. – On May 18, 1980, the ground shook, the sky turned black, and Mount St. Helens exploded in what remains the most destructive volcanic eruption in U.S. history. Fifty-seven lives were lost, thousands of animals perished, entire forests were flattened, and over 200 homes were destroyed. The eruption caused an estimated $1.5 billion in damage. The eruption reshaped landscapes sparked years of scientific study and reinforced the importance of disaster readiness.

Now, 45 years later, Oregon’s Governor Tina Kotek is commemorating this significant event by proclaiming May 18–25, 2025, Volcano Awareness Week — a time not only for remembrance, but for readiness.

Led by the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), the proclamation seeks to educate residents and visitors about volcanic hazards and preparedness efforts across the state and serves as a crucial reminder: the Pacific Northwest is still very much an active volcanic zone.

“Oregon is home to several active volcanoes, and awareness is key to protecting communities and ensuring public safety,” said OEM Director Erin McMahon. “Volcano Awareness Week serves as an opportunity to learn about preparedness, mitigation, and response strategies while recognizing the ongoing monitoring efforts that keep people informed.”

Living in a Land of Fire: Understanding Oregon’s Volcanic Risks

The Cascade Range — the snow-capped mountains many Oregonians and Washingtonians know and love — is part of a 1,300 km (800 mile) chain of volcanoes stretching from northern California to southern British Columbia. These dramatic peaks, formed by the slow collision and subduction of tectonic plates, include some of the most well-known and still-active volcanoes in the country.

In Oregon alone, we have five potentially active volcanoes: 

• Mount Hood
• Mount Jefferson
• Newberry Volcano
• Three Sisters
• Crater Lake (Mount Mazama)

They are among the ten active Cascade volcanoes monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Volcano Early Warning System — a program designed to detect and alert officials to signs of volcanic unrest before an eruption occurs.

DOGAMI, in coordination with the U.S. Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory, plays a critical role in providing scientific data to support disaster preparedness. “Oregon’s rocks record a long-lived legacy of volcanism. Volcanoes offer stunning beauty, but also present potential risks to nearby communities”, said DOGAMI Geological Survey and Services Program Manager Jason McClaughry. “Creating detailed geologic and hazard maps combined with data from modern monitoring tools allows both DOGAMI and CVO to understand the volcanic history of Oregon and to help communities prepare for future volcanic hazards.”

Why Volcano Awareness Week Matters

This week is a joint effort between the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM), the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), and partners like the USGS and the Washington State Emergency Management Division. Together, they’re working to raise public awareness about volcanic hazards — and more importantly, how Oregonians can prepare for them.

OEM and DOGAMI, in collaboration with local governments and scientific organizations, will conduct public outreach efforts, social media campaigns, and educational initiatives throughout the week, including:

• Understanding volcanic hazards such as ashfall, landslides, lahars, and pyroclastic flows.
• Reviewing evacuation routes and emergency response plans (visit TripCheck.com)
• Monitoring volcanic activity through USGS alerts and OR-Alerts.
• Preparing emergency kits with food, water, respiratory protection, and communication devices.

Upcoming Anniversary Related events: 

• Wednesday, May 7 | 6:30 p.m.
  45th Eruptiversary Views & Brews: Voices of the Volcano (In-Person AND Virtual)
• Saturday, May 10 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  Cascades Volcano Observatory Open House
• Thursday May 15 | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  A Reddit Ask-Me-Anything session with experts from USGS and the states of Oregon and Washington
• Sunday, May 18 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  45th Anniversary Event with USFS at the Coldwater Science and Learning Center
• Saturday, May 24 | 3:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
  OPB Event at OMSI – Sharing of OPB Field Guide episode and panel discussion
• The official web cam for Mount. St. Helens is also back online, with its power restored for the first time in a nearly two years.
• See more historic photos of the eruption on the US Forest Service’s Historic Mount St. Helen’s Flcker page.

Even though volcanic eruptions are rare, their impacts can be swift and widespread. Awareness and preparedness can mean the difference between chaos and calm in the face of an eruption.

“Preparedness saves lives,” McMahon added. “By learning about volcanic hazards and response measures, Oregonians can help protect themselves, their families, and their communities.”

Be 2 Weeks Ready

Emergency preparedness starts at home. OEM encourages all residents to Be2WeeksReady — a campaign that promotes having enough supplies, water, food, and critical items to survive on your own for two weeks after a disaster. This is especially important during volcanic events, when roads may be impassable and air quality may be hazardous.

Here are some key preparedness tips for volcanic hazards:

• Know your local hazards. If you live near any of Oregon’s volcanoes, understand what type of hazards might affect your area. DOGAMI and OEM offer resources and maps to help you assess risk.
• Stay informed. Sign up for USGS volcano notifications sign-up for OR-Alerts, and make sure the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are enabled on your phone.
• Follow evacuation levels. Oregon uses a three-level evacuation system:
  • Level 1: Be Ready – Stay aware and prepare to leave.
  • Level 2: Be Set – Be packed and ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
  • Level 3: Go Now! – Leave immediately for your safety.
• Make a plan. Know your evacuation routes and how you’ll communicate with loved ones if you become separated. Learn more with OEM’s Be2Weeks Ready Toolkit.
• Help others. Check on neighbors, especially those who may need extra assistance.

​For more details on how to prepare for volcanic hazards, visit the U.S. Geological Survey Volcano Hazards page. Residents are encouraged to follow OEM and DOGAMIonline for up-to-date information, safety resources, and emergency alerts.

Explore More:

• USGS Volcano Hazards Program
• National Volcano Early Warning System
• DOGAMI – Oregon Geologic Hazard Resources
• OEM’s Be2Weeks Ready Toolkit
• Make Preparedness Fun: Engaging Kids in Emergency Readiness
• Making Preparedness Fun: Explaining Volcano Evacuations to Kids
• Kids Volcano Activity Guide
• Social Media Toolkit
• US Forest Service’s Historic Mount St. Helen’s historic photos

# # # 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.

You can get this document in other languages, large print, braille, or a format you prefer. For assistance, email licInfo@oem.oregon.gov” target=”_blank” title=”Email OEM Public Affairs”>OEM_PublicInfo@oem.oregon.gov. We accept all relay calls, or you can dial 711.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) and Oregon Trails Coalition will host eight virtual focus groups in May to better understand the needs of different types of trail users who use land and water trails throughout Oregon and not just at Oregon State Parks.

OPRD launched anonline surveythis month to collect feedback through April 30. The focus groups expand that effort and take a deeper dive into the needs of different trail users including mountain bikers, paddlers, hikers and adaptive equipment users.

The information from the survey and focus groups will help inform the Oregon Statewide Trails Plan, which provides guidance to OPRD as well as other federal, state, and local agencies and private sector partners. It outlines trends and issues, creates priorities for grant funding and recommends actions to improve trails over the next 10 years.

Participants can join the 90-minute Zoom sessions to provide feedback. Anyone interested in joining, can register in advance using the links below:

• May 5: OHV / ATV Focus Group Noon to 1:30 p.m.
• May 7: BIPOC Nature Network Trails Plan Focus Group Noon to 1:30 p.m.
• May 8: Mountain Biking and Bikepacking Focus Group 4-5:30 p.m.
• May 14: Adaptive Equipment Users and Disability Trails Plan Focus Group Noon to 1:30 p.m.
• May 15: Winter/Snow Trail Focus Group (Non-motorized and motorized) Noon to 1:30 p.m.
• May 27: Hiking, Trail Running, Backpacking, Equestrian User Focus Group 4:30- 6 p.m.
• May 29: Paddling (Flat water and Whitewater) Focus Group 4-5:30 p.m.
• Agency Partners Trails Plan Focus Group Meeting TBD.

Check the website for more information including updates such as the time and link for the agency partners trails plan focus group:https://www.oregontrailscoalition.org/post/oregon-state-trails-plan-share-your-trail-user-experience-in-focus-groups-this-may