Rogue Valley News, Friday 12/5 – Josephine County Toys for Tots Needs Your Help, Rogue Community College Concert Doing Toy Drive for Josephine County Oregon Toys for Tots, Joint Task Force Serves Child Sexual Abuse Material Search Warrant in Rural Central Point & Other Local and Statewide News Stories

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 – December 5, 2025

Rogue Valley Weather

https://graphical.weather.gov/sectors/oregon.php

https://graphical.weather.gov/sectors/oregon.php Winter is coming! Here’s the overview of our winter outlook, but be sure to check out what we’re predicting in your area: https://www.farmersalmanac.com/extended-forecast

 

Our next Collection Day at BiMart is Saturday 12/6 from 9am to 2pm.

 

Thank you Rogue Community College music program. We are so grateful to be the recipients of your toy drive during your Monday 12/8  concert.

Merry Christmas Concert  —-    Monday, December 8 | 7–8:30 p.m.

Rogue Community College Auditorium, Redwood Campus (Grants Pass)

Bring an unwrapped toy to support Josephine County Oregon Toys for Tots.

Special guests include Community Musicians, Passion Flutes Trio, Rogue Singers, and the Southern Oregon Youth Ensemble.

 

ONA Statement on Hospital Closures in Oregon: Vibra Specialty Hospital of Portland and Ashland Community Hospital

The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) strongly condemns the recent decisions to close Vibra Specialty Hospital in Portland and to eliminate inpatient surgical services and the birthing center at Asante Ashland Community Hospital. These closures represent a devastating loss of critical healthcare access for Oregonians, forcing patients to travel farther for care, increasing risks in emergencies, and placing additional strain on an already overburdened health system.

Vibra Specialty Hospital, Oregon’s only long-term acute care facility, is slated to shut down on February 1, 2026. This closure will eliminate 310 jobs, including positions for nurses, therapists, and support staff, while forcing medically complex patients who require extended, specialized care to remain longer in traditional hospitals or seek treatment out of state. Similarly, Asante’s Ashland Community Hospital closure threatens essential services in Southern Oregon, compounding the impact of rural hospital closures statewide and forcing patients to travel farther for necessary care.

These closures are part of a broader crisis fueled by healthcare funding cuts under the Trump administration and the increasing corporatization of healthcare, which prioritizes profit over patients and community needs. The result is fewer local options for patients and a strained healthcare system.

Oregon’s patients and healthcare workers deserve a system that prioritizes public health over profit. We need robust, long-term investments in healthcare—not hospital closures and funding cuts. 

The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) represents a diverse community of more than 24,000 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.

 

 

Joint Task Force Serves Child Sexual Abuse Material Search Warrant in Rural Central Point

ODOJ Case CJD1473-25 CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) along with the Oregon Department of Justice’s (ODOJ) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force served a search warrant yesterday morning in rural Central Point. Investigators served the search warrant after discovering Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) images were uploaded from the address. Investigators interviewed possible witnesses and involved parties, and investigations are ongoing.

SOCET served the search warrant the morning of Tuesday, December 2 at a mobile home park in the 300 block of West Gregory Road in Central Point. SOCET began the investigation after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children which led to subpoenas, followed by the search warrant at the residence.

SOCET was assisted by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Medford Police Department (MPD), ODOJ ICAC, Ashland Police Department, Talent Police Department, and the Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force (SOHTCTF). During the warrant, investigators seized digital devices which will be forensically examined by SOHTCTF for further evidence of child exploitation.

SOCET is a joint inter-agency task force that started in June of 2020 to combat child exploitation. The task force consists of investigators from JCSO, MPD, ODOJ ICAC, and HSI, as well as prosecutors from our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in Jackson and Josephine County. SOHTCTF is a joint inter-agency task force that consists of investigators from JCSO, HSI, and MPD.

Investigators continue to examine seized devices and interview witnesses as the investigation moves forward. No further details will be released at this time.

 

 

 

In a worst-case scenario, the popular Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink might not open this season.

Ongoing issues with the manufacturer of the large white canopy that covers the rink have already delayed the previously scheduled Nov. 21 opening.

Skaters glide on the Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink in 2023. The city-owned rink’s season is in jeopardy as officials await a required engineering sign-off for its canopy. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini

If issues can be ironed out soon, the rink could potentially open by Dec. 20 in a best-case scenario.

Ashland Parks & Recreation has attempted to save $100,000 a year by allowing the canopy to remain over the ice rink and parking area year-round.

However, permits were required along with a sign-off from a structural engineer to keep the canopy up permanently, according to comments by Rocky Houston, director of Parks & Recreation, at an Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission meeting Wednesday night.

The manufacturer, which is having financial issues, laid off a structural engineer needed for the sign-off, Houston said.  

“We panicked,” he said. “They agreed to try to bring that engineer back on a limited basis.”

He said he would learn by next week if the engineer will be available.

The engineer is needed to sign off to help indemnify the city in case “something bad happens,” Houston said.

“We don’t want the snow to cave it in and hurt somebody,” he said.

If the engineer is unavailable, Houston said another structural engineer would be sought, which might take until mid-January, leaving little time to reopen the facility.

In prior years, the canopy was taken down at the end of the season and then reinstalled in the fall. This caused wear and tear on the canopy itself and resulted in significant expense.

Typically, air temperatures of less than 53 degrees are ideal for the ice rink. By late February, temperatures have risen enough that it becomes more and more difficult to keep the rink ice solid.

In prior years, a construction crew from Portland came down to erect the aluminum beams and reinstall the canopy.

The decision to leave the canopy up prompted the need for a permit from the Community Development Department, which required updated structural calculations to meet current building codes.

The parks department started the permitting process in February, but it has been beset by various setbacks.

Houston said another possibility is to take the structure down and then to reinstall it, a process that would take about 30 days and result in $100,000 in expenses.

However, that expensive option would push the opening into January. Typically the rink closes after Presidents Day, Feb. 16, depending on weather.

Full attendance numbers are difficult to calculate since the ice rink features times for free skating for those who bring their own skates. Also, there are parents who don’t skate but watch their kids. The attendance numbers that are available have shown a decline in recent years at the ice rink

In the 2021-22 season, the rink saw about 21,021 visitors.

But in 2022-23, the estimated visitor count dropped to 15,863, and in 2023-24, it fell to 14,778.

After the end of last season, the ice rink received a new chiller to replace aging equipment in danger of failing.  (SOURCE)

 

 

Historic hotel near Crater Lake fails to attract bidders at foreclosure auction

No one showed up with a cashier’s check for $1.7 million to buy the fabled Prospect Historic Hotel at an auction held Monday on the steps of the Jackson County Courthouse in Medford.

The foreclosed, 5.6-acre property at 391 Mill Creek Drive in Prospect, the gateway to Crater Lake National Park, included the original Victorian-era house. The former stagecoach stop and roadhouse along the Upper Rogue River grew to become a popular resort destination.

The property last sold for $2.8 million in October 2024 to Prospect Collective LLC.

The southern Oregon lodging, restaurant and event space closed less than a year later in July, the same month lender ThorMar LLC foreclosed on the property due to nonpayment by Prospect Collective LLC.

The auction minimum bid of $1,682,149 was to cover the loan principal balance and interest, plus property taxes, advances, trustee’s fees, attorney fees and court costs.

“My partner and I have determined we will not take less than the minimum bid,” said Randy Thornton of ThorMar. “We do not want to run a hotel, but we’re resigned to do what we can until we find a buyer.”

Thornton said last week that if the hotel failed to sell, he and partner Rob Marken plan to reopen the hotel on Tuesday and “move forward.”

The partners of Prospect Collective LLC who defaulted on ThorMar’s loan also signed a contract with longtime hotel owners Fred and Karen Wickman to carry a $1.4 million loan. The unpaid debt came due this month. The Wickmans are considering their options.

The Wickmans’ fully operational hotel, 21 miles southwest of Crater Lake National Park, was listed for sale in June 2024 at $3 million.

The three-story, 5,492-square-foot main house, which includes the 10-room bed and breakfast hotel and a 50-seat dinner house, is surrounded by park-like grounds with evergreen and deciduous trees including a giant sequoia.

The property also has 14 motel rooms and a two-story, 2,700 square-foot log house with a wraparound deck built on its own tax lot in 1990. The log house with a detached garage was described in the real estate listing for its potential use as a vacation or long-term rental, manager’s residence or employee housing.

The land with its grandfathered water rights is adjacent to Mill Creek, which flows to Mill Creek Falls and the Rogue River. Other outbuildings on the four tax lots include a large lighted gazebo with barbecue pits and a barn near a fenced corral. The property is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

“All repairs and maintenance were done to Historic Registration standards,” Wickman said. “Drive an hour out of Medford (on Oregon Highway 62), and step back in time 100 years.”

Prospective buyers may contact ThorMar’s attorney Alison Hohengarten of Hohengarten Law at 541-647-7437.

Buying at auction — Buying a property at auction is unlike a typical real estate transaction. An agent doesn’t write a contract. Bidders are to conduct their own research and due diligence before making an offer.

Each auction has its own rules, terms and conditions.

Property auctioneer John C. Rosenthal of Realty Marketing/Northwest Oregon said there were differences between a foreclosure auction conducted by the sheriff or a trustee, and an auction for the owner, not a lender.

A foreclosure auction is an oral auction conducted outside the courthouse.

If the bidding does not reach the minimum amount, the lender can “credit bid” their loan amount, which means they bid the entire amount, take possession and complete the sale.

Typically, the terms of the foreclosure auction require a deposit in cash or cashier’s check to qualify to bid and payment in full that day or within 24 hours.

Due diligence is very limited, and since the sale is “as is,” the buyer must clear all financial encumbrances. Bidders might not receive a title search in advance.

Realty Marketing/Northwest Oregon auctions for owners have sealed bids and require a 10% deposit, a signed purchase and sale agreement with closing 30 to 45 days upon acceptance.

 

AllCare Health Gives Over $200,000 Towards Food Assistance Programs in Southern Oregon

AllCare Health has quietly directed a significant wave of support toward food assistance programs throughout southern Oregon, sending just over two hundred forty one thousand dollars to a network of organizations serving Jackson, Josephine, Curry and Douglas counties. The contribution, confirmed through regional reporting from multiple news outlets, represents one of the largest coordinated community aid investments the Grants Pass based health organization has made this year. It arrives during a period of heightened need as inflation, holiday demand and persistent food insecurity continue to strain local resources.

The funding was distributed to a total of twelve food focused organizations operating in both urban and rural communities across the region. While the full list of recipients has not been formally published by AllCare Health, local reporting indicates that the donation was intended to support programs supplying meals, food boxes and nutritional assistance to low income families, seniors and unhoused residents. Many of these organizations rely heavily on seasonal giving to meet year end demand, and the size of this investment is expected to make an immediate impact on their ability to serve the public.

The available information suggests that the funds were allocated based on geographic distribution and regional need. Jackson and Josephine counties, which contain the largest population centers in AllCare’s coverage area, appear to have received the greatest share. Organizations in Curry and Douglas counties were also included, ensuring that smaller and more remote communities were not left out during a period in which rural food insecurity often rises sharply. The donation may help reduce pressure on volunteer based food pantries that typically face shortages while attempting to serve increasing numbers of households in winter months.

Although no press release has been published by AllCare Health on its website, the health organization maintains an active community involvement program that historically includes grants for social assistance, nutrition programs and public health initiatives. AllCare recently noted that its grant request system is experiencing a high volume of applications, a sign that community need across the region remains elevated. The timing and scale of this particular contribution suggest a strategic effort to reinforce essential services before year end without requiring organizations to navigate lengthy grant processes.

Partners in the food service network have not yet released detailed breakdowns of how much each group received, but the total investment of approximately two hundred forty one thousand seven hundred ninety nine dollars is expected to extend well beyond holiday meal preparation. Many food assistance programs use winter funding to purchase bulk inventory that lasts into late spring, filling seasonal gaps left by unpredictable donation cycles.

The regional impact of this move by AllCare Health is likely to be felt in both short term relief and longer term community stability. Southern Oregon has seen a steady rise in families seeking food assistance, driven by persistent cost of living pressures and the uneven economic recovery in rural counties. Local food banks have reported increased demand throughout the year, often exceeding pre pandemic levels. With many households continuing to struggle, this large scale infusion of support helps close critical gaps at a time when other funding sources are limited.

As southern Oregon approaches the peak of the winter season, the contribution from AllCare Health underscores the continuing importance of private sector involvement in community wellbeing. While the donation may not solve the broader challenges of hunger and poverty across the region, it provides essential support at a moment when food service networks are stretched thin yet remain committed to meeting the needs of thousands of residents.

 

 

 

 

CSO Case 24-4928 PROSPECT, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives and Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel continue to search for a woman missing out of Prospect, Ore. since September 2024.

Deenah Padgett, 69, was reported missing on Sunday, September 8, 2024. She was last seen camping in the Prospect area on September 4, 2024. She is described as a white woman with brownish-red, partially gray hair, standing 4’8” tall and weighing 90-100 lbs. JCSO detectives and SAR personnel have searched the area extensively and are looking for the public’s help. If you see Deenah or know her whereabouts, immediately call ECSO Dispatch at (541) 776-7206 and reference case 24-4928. If you have any information that might help the investigation, call Detective Friend at (541) 864-8774.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) is asking  for help identifying the owner a motorhome.  It could be associated with a missing person from the Prospect area. 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.

Rogue Valley Humane Society

Please help! We are in need of large towels to help keep our animals clean and happy. Donations would be greatly appreciated and helpful. Please drop them off during business hours, Monday-Saturday, noon – 4 pm. Thank you so much for all you do to help us do what we do!  

Sharing for our friends at Salvation Army:

Help Fill Our Food Pantry – Your Donations Make a Difference! Hunger is a reality for many in our community, but together, we can make a change! Our food pantry is in need of non-perishable food items to help families struggling to put meals on the table. 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 Every can, box, and bag of food makes a difference in someone’s life. Let’s come together to fight hunger—because no one should go to bed hungry. .    

Ashland Rolls Out Free Pre-Approved Plans to Spur Residents into Building Affordable Backyard Homes

Seeking to promote affordability and support residents’ diverse needs, the city of Ashland has encouraged its citizens to develop accessory dwelling units (ADUs) within the city and offers guidance on getting plans approved.

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 here

 

Rogue Valley Humane Society · Donations Always Needed to Help Community

Our Community Food Bank exists to help folks who need an extra helping hand during a difficult month to feed their pets. Our program has a limited budget and so we rely on generous members of our community to donate some of these goods to continue to help assist our community.   In 2023 we fed an average of 700 pets a month! This equates to approximately 70 – 40lb bags of food each month!  Many pets have benefited from the community’s generosity, and we can’t thank you enough for your kindness.  

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.

 

Fauna Frey Vanished Without A Trace In  Josephine County

It’s been five years since the disappearance of a Lane County Woman, who was last seen in Grants Pass. Back in June of 2020, Fauna Frey disappeared. Police said the 45-year-old left her home in Dexter to drive to Grants Pass to visit her brother’s friend after her brother had recently passed away. The last place she was seen was at the Big 5 in Grants Pass. Investigators said her car was found in the Galice area months later. The circumstances of Fauna’s disappearance remain unclear and her case is currently classified as missing. Her case remains unsolved. Fauna’s disappearance has been featured on multiple investigative podcasts, including Nowhere to be Found, Here One Minute, Gone the Next, and Detective Perspective, each trying to fill the silence left by law enforcement. New listeners continue to discover her story, hoping a fresh set of eyes or a single loose memory might be the key to finding Fauna.

Have Information on Fauna Frey? Please Speak Up!

If you know anything, no matter how small, please contact:

• Josephine County Sheriff’s Office
• Tip line: (541) 359-5638
• Email: FindFaunaFrey@gmail.com

Currrently there is a $50,000 CASH REWARD for information leading to the location of Fauna Frey. LARGE CASH REWARDS are being offered for any other relevant information, such as any objects that could be identified as Fauna’s, i.e. her wallet, keys, or Indian/Buffalo .999 silver bullion coins. Find Fauna Frey Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/341658526970132  

Oregon Food Bank

Programs like SNAP, which help 1 in 8 Oregonians put food on the table, are facing deep cuts — leaving more families, children, veterans, and elders to make impossible choices between food, safety, and shelter. We need policies that protect access to food for all our neighbors. Because no one should have to choose between staying safe and going hungry. Food is available for those who need it and by entering your zip code at OregonFoodFinder.or -You can see each local program’s contact information, hours of operation and what kind of distribution it is. We partner with 1,200+ free food markets, pantries and meal sites all across Oregon and Southwest Washington — and welcome anyone and everyone who needs food. OregonFoodFinder.org

Oregon Food Bank · Find free food sites near you using OregonFoodFinder.org.

You can find food in your community at this link

Our network of food banks and pantries provides free food and groceries across Oregon. No proof of income or documentation required.

https://www.oregonfoodbank.org/

If you can’t make it to a food location, someone else can pick up food for you.You will just need to print and fill out the Authorized Representative form at https://lnkd.in/dsskUpkQ, and have them take it with them to the food sites. You can find step-by-step instructions at https://lnkd.in/dVBRxn-A.

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin next week to block nutrition assistance funding for OREGON and other states led by Democrats that have not provided personal data on recipients in the program.

USDA sought data from states earlier this year related to their administration of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits, Rollins said Tuesday. She added the data was needed to address fraud that she called “rampant” in the program that helps 42 million people afford groceries.

Most states complied with the request, but 21, mostly run by Democrats, refused, she said. A USDA spokesperson later implied the department was missing data from 22 states.

“As of next week, we have begun and will begin to stop moving federal funds into those states until they comply, and they tell us and allow us to partner with them to root out this fraud and to protect the American taxpayer,” Rollins said.

A USDA spokesperson in an email listed 28 states, plus one territory, from which they said the department has received data.

That would leave the following 22 states, all led by Democratic governors, that have not provided data: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin. 

The spokesperson provided some additional details of the initiative, including that the department was targeting administrative funds, and that the next step would be a formal warning.

Blue states sought to protect bad actors, including criminals and immigrants in the country without legal status, “over the American taxpayer,” the statement said.

“We have sent Democrat States yet another request for data, and if they fail to comply, they will be provided with formal warning that USDA will pull their administrative funds,” the spokesperson said.

Court records show the department sent the states a new request for data on Nov. 28, and asked for a response within seven days, which would be Friday. 

The letter was reproduced as part of a suit the 22 states have brought against the administration over the request for SNAP recipients’ data.

Leading Dem calls threat illegal

It’s unclear what authority Rollins would have to block funding, which Congress has appropriated.

The federal government pays for all benefits for SNAP, which was formerly known as food stamps. It splits the administrative costs with states.

The USDA spokesperson did not answer a direct question about the legal authority for withholding funds.

Democrats on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee said any effort to block SNAP funding would be illegal.

“Yet again, Trump and Rollins are illegally threatening to withhold federal dollars,” a social media post from an official account of committee Democrats read. “SNAP has one of the lowest fraud rates of any government program, but Trump continues to weaponize hunger.”

The committee’s lead Democrat, Angie Craig of Minnesota, issued her own statement that also accused the administration of “weaponizing hunger” and said Rollins “continues to spew propaganda.”

“Her disregard for the law and willingness to lie through her teeth comes from the very top – the Trump administration is as corrupt as it is lawless, and I will not sit silently as she carries out the president’s campaign against Americans struggling to afford food in part because of this president’s tariffs and disastrous economic policies.”  

The data USDA has sought from states includes verification of SNAP recipients’ eligibility, along with a host of personal information such as Social Security numbers.

An early USDA review of data provided by the 28 states and Guam “indicates an estimated average of $24 million dollars per day of federal funds is lost to fraud and errors undetected by States in their administration of SNAP,” the department said in the Nov. 28 letter.

Preventing those losses could save up to $9 billion per year, the letter added.

But the types of fraud cited in some of the public statements from Rollins and the department are rare, existing data show.

A 2023 USDA report showed about 26,000 applications, roughly 0.1% of the households enrolled in SNAP, were referred for an administrative or criminal review.

People in the country illegally have never been authorized to receive SNAP benefits.

“The long-standing data sources indicate that intentional fraud by participants is rare,” Katie Bergh, a senior food assistance policy analyst for the left-leaning think tank Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, said in a November interview.

Trump administration target

SNAP has been a consistent target for cuts during Trump’s second presidency.

The issue was a focal point during the six-week government shutdown, during which the administration reversed itself often but generally resisted calls — from states, advocates, lawmakers and federal judges — to fund food assistance.

Shortly after the government reopened, Rollins in television interviews said she would force all recipients to reapply for benefits, a proposal seen as logistically challenging by program experts.

And the Republican taxes and spending law passed by Congress and signed by Trump earlier this year included new work requirements and other restrictions on SNAP eligibility that advocates say will lead to major drops in benefits. 

The law will also make states pay for some share of benefits and increase the share of administrative costs that states are responsible for, potentially leading some states to cut benefits. (SOURCE)

A new report from Rolling Stone alleges an Amazon data center in the U.S. state of Oregon is worsening nitrate levels in its drinking water, which is linked to an increase in cancers and miscarriage rates.

The data center pulls water to cool its systems from Morrow County’s main source of water, discharging water that’s more concentrated with fertilizer byproducts from farm runoff.

Amazon says its cooling process does not add any nitrates to the water and denies a direct link to the higher concentrations of nitrates in local water, telling Rolling Stone the report was “misleading.” READ: https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/data-center-water-pollution-amazon-oregon-1235466613/

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek confirms she will be seeking reelection in 2026

The governor sought to frame herself as a protector of Oregon values who could support working families, as the state battles sluggish economic growth and rising unemployment which is happening all across the whole United States now

Governor Tina Kotek formally announced her 2026 reelection bid Thursday, leaving her less than a year to convince Oregonians she remains the best choice to lead the state. 

The news came after weeks of clear signals that Kotek, whose campaign has been emailing supporters for months to fundraise, was officially gearing up for the November 2026 election. Kotek’s most prominent political opponent, state Sen. Christine Drazan, R-Canby revealed in late October that she would be trying her hand for the governorship again, teeing up a possible rematch with a rival who came within a few percentage points of defeating her in 2022. 

As Oregon battles sluggish economic growth and rising unemployment, Kotek framed herself as a champion of the state’s values who was aware of the plight of working families. Kotek, a Pennsylvania native who began her career as an advocate for the Oregon Food Bank, rose to political prominence as the state’s longest-serving House Speaker from 2013 to 2022. She worked to pass progressive policies in the Legislature before becoming one of the nation’s two first openly lesbian governors alongside Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey. 

On Thursday, Kotek highlighted her central role in fighting President Donald Trump’s attempted deployment of the National Guard to Portland and his administration’s opposition to releasing food assistance during the recent government shutdown.

“We stopped an unnecessary military deployment, restored SNAP benefits and got help to families fast,” Kotek said in a Thursday morning statement. “The choice is between a governor who will stand up for Oregon and protect what we believe in, or a governor who will let Donald Trump do whatever he wants.” 

The official “Tina for Oregon” announcement marks a notable shift in tone from when Kotek announced her 2022 bid and denounced “the politics of division” on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, her approval ratings have ranked among some of the most unpopular Democratic and Republican governors. 

One of her most high-profile controversies involved the nixed “Office of the First Spouse” Kotek was considering creating in 2024 amid scrutiny over multiple departures of staff from her office. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission went on to dismiss complaints against her on the grounds that there was no evidence that Kotek or her wife would benefit from an unpaid volunteer position. 

But a challenger to Kotek will likely face an uphill battle, with the most recent Republican Oregon governor winning election in the 1980s. Results from off-year and special elections suggest the upcoming election year will also be difficult for Republicans, who have majorities in both chambers of Congress while an unpopular Republican president holds office. A recent poll of Oregon voters commissioned by the Democratic Governor’s Association found that 61% of respondents prefer a candidate who will challenge Trump’s policies, while 34% said they were in favor of someone who will implement them.

Kotek could also face headwinds due to the ongoing limbo facing the $4.3 billion transportation package that the Legislature struggled to get across the finish line this year. Drazan in June led House Republicans in effectively running out the clock and preventing the effort from moving forward. That left Democrats to pass an emergency funding measure during a lengthy special session through increases in the state’s gas tax, vehicle registration and title fees and a transit payroll tax. 

The Republican lawmakers now leading a push to place the measure on the November 2026 ballot for voters to undo the tax and fee hikes have reported receiving nearly double the 78,116 signatures needed. Political observers have speculated that Oregon lawmakers may work to schedule the measure for the May 2026 primary election instead of running their general election candidates while defending unpopular tax hikes. 

That approach could make a difference for Kotek, who won her race in 2022 against Drazan by more than 3 percentage points. Nonaffiliated challenger Betsy Johnson, a former conservative Democratic state senator from the North Coast, received 8.6% of the vote. Oregon Democrats “can’t risk the potential collateral damage to their candidates from the shrapnel when the bill explodes,” lobbyist Rick Metsger of the Salem-based Pac/West Lobby Group, who is also a former Oregon state senator, wrote in a newsletter Tuesday.

Kotek’s announcement also came alongside a flurry of endorsements from prominent Oregon Democrats, nurses, clinicians, ironworkers, construction unions, carpenters, gun control and LGBTQ+ advocates. Her campaign referred to her accomplishments in creating Oregon’s first statewide shelter program for housing, producing affordable housing units and more than 6,000 beds. It also pointed to investments in early childhood education and summer learning.

But some of the governor’s own areas of accomplishment have also come with vulnerabilities. 

The number of residential permits issued in Oregon has been on the decline in the past few years, while homelessness has risen more than 60% in Multnomah County since 2023. Despite Oregon’s participation in the West Coast Health Alliance for safeguarding vaccine access, the state offered a slower response than other Democrat-led states for guaranteeing COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to residents. Some Oregonians began traveling to Washington to receive the shot.

The governor, however, has appeared to take one of the biggest criticisms against her to heart. She unveiled a “prosperity roadmap” on Tuesday at a semiconductor manufacturing company in Tualatin with the goal of reforming permit systems, increasing global trade and providing corporate tax incentives. She is set to speak with business leaders from around the state in Portland on Monday for the annual Oregon Business Plan leadership summit.

Drazan, in the meantime, quickly fired back at the governor’s announcement. She accused Kotek of wanting Oregonians to “believe this race is about Washington, D.C., when it’s really about our home.”

 “This is Oregon’s time of choosing. This is our chance to choose a brighter future for our families — not the broken promises and stalled progress of her time in office,” Drazan said in a Thursday statement. “We can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results. Our state has everything it needs to be the best place in America to raise a family, build a home, start a business and receive a world-class education. But we won’t get there with Tina Kotek — we need new leadership.”

Campaign finance records as of Thursday show that Kotek’s campaign has around $1.8 million in cash on hand, compared to Drazan’s more than $850,000. Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell, the other prominent Republican running for the nomination, has more than $63,000 in available funds. Another potential Republican candidate, the ex-Portland Trail Blazer Chris Dudley who came within less than 2 percentage points of winning the 2010 Oregon governor’s race, has yet to make an announcement about his decision. (SOURCE)

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, joined by business leaders, outlined her strategy on Tuesday for the state’s economic development for 2026.

Her roadmap aims to make Oregon more business-friendly and attract investment. She also announced a new senior position, Chief Prosperity Officer, to lead the effort. Read more: https://www.kgw.com/article/news/stat…

Oregon has experienced a significant slowdown in income growth over the last two years, which has intensified financial pressures as the state confronts various economic challenges.

In the wake of the Great Recession, Oregon’s income surged at a rate much higher than the national average, marking a prosperous period for the state driven by the emergence of new industries and an influx of highly educated migrants. However, during the pandemic, Oregon’s economic momentum diminished, and the state is currently struggling to regain its previous pace.

According to recently published data from the Federal Reserve, the median household income in Oregon was nearly $90,000 last year, reflecting a modest increase of only 1.1% from the previous year, and approximately $6,000 higher than the national median.

Fuel leak in BP pipeline drives Oregon to state of emergency over fuel supply

Governor Kotek declared a state of emergency through Dec. 24 in light of potential disruptions and higher-than-expected gas prices

A BP pipeline carrying 90% of Oregon’s transportation fuel has been shut down since Nov. 17 following a discovered leak.

The disruption to the state’s fuel supply, and the potential for impacts at the pump and at airports during a busy holiday travel season, prompted Gov. Tina Kotek to declare a state of emergency Tuesday that will last through Dec. 24, unless conditions change. BP officials on Wednesday said they had partially restarted the pipeline.

Oregon’s emergency order will allow fuel suppliers and state agencies to bring more fuel into the state via truck and train and temporarily waive some reporting and fee-based regulations related to transporting fuel into the state.

Report price gouging to the Oregon Department of of Justice Consumer Protection Services online here or by calling the attorney general’s Price Gouging Hotline at (503) 378-8442

Oregon is not experiencing supply constraints, according to a news release from Kotek’s office. She does not expect flights at Portland International Airport or other Oregon airports will be impacted, but she is working with the Port of Portland to ensure supplies reach the airport. Some airlines operating flights out of Washington have had to adjust due to fuel supply issues, according to local news reports, and some long-haul flights have rerouted to out-of-state airports to refuel, causing some delays.

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency over the pipeline on Nov. 19, two days after BP shut down the pipeline and more than a week after employees discovered the leak in Snohomish County east of Everett on Nov. 11. It is the second disruption the pipeline has had in the last three months and the second leak in two years.

During the last Olympic Pipeline outage in September, gas prices in Oregon jumped 16 cents in a single week, according to AAA. Average gas prices jumped 8 cents in Washington and 9 cents in Oregon during the last Olympic Pipeline leak in late June 2023.

Any evidence of price gouging during the current emergency should be reported to the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Protection Services, Kotek’s office said.

BP’s Olympic Pipeline runs transport gas, diesel and jet fuel across about 400 miles from Blaine, Washington to Portland, where it’s distributed to much of the rest of the state. (SOURCE)

OHA urges vaccinations as flu activity rises, holidays approach  

– As influenza activity increases over the next two months before its expected peak in early spring, health officials urge everyone to get their flu vaccine, particularly as people gather indoors to celebrate the holidays. 

So far, hospitalizations remain low. But the percentage of positive flu tests is on the rise.

“The flu season generally continues into the spring, which means flu activity will continue to increase for many months,” said Howard Chiou, M.D., Ph.D., medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division. “That’s why it’s never too late to get the flu vaccine.”

Chiou added that getting vaccinated now is especially important. “People will leave Thanksgiving, not only with leftovers, but also with the flu. It’s not too late to get your flu shot, especially before the upcoming holidays. The flu shot is the best way to help make sure you don’t miss out on holiday festivities or get other people sick.”

Last year’s flu season in Oregon was the worst in the state’s recent history. OHA releases the latest information on the flu season in its weekly FluBites report. Information on flu activity can also be found on Oregon’s Respiratory Virus Data dashboard.

Flu is a contagious, respiratory tract infection caused by the influenza virus.

Symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy and runny nose, muscle aches, headache and fatigue. It can result in mild to severe illness, including hospitalization and death.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommend seasonal flu vaccination for everyone ages 6 months or older.

Nearly 1 million people in Oregon have been vaccinated so far this year, which is about 5% lower than at the same time last year. The flu vaccination rate has been in decline for several years.

Certain groups, including older adults, young children, pregnant people and people with certain health conditions, are at higher risk for serious complications from influenza.

The hospitalization rate is highest for people ages 65 and older, but flu seasons are unpredictable and even young and healthy people can develop severe disease.

The best way people can protect themselves and others is by getting a flu vaccine every year.

People can get the COVID-19, influenza and RSV vaccines by contacting their health plan, health care provider, county public health clinic or federally qualified health center. Parents and caregivers of children can also search for a clinic by calling 211 or visiting 211info.org.  — This video reminds people not to let influenza take us out of the picture this year. 

Wyden says Coast Guard has promised rescue helicopter will stay in Newport

The city and Lincoln County sued the Trump administration last month after the helicopter was abruptly relocated to a base in North Bend.

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden announced on Thursday that the U.S. Coast Guard has promised it will keep a Newport-based rescue helicopter in place at the Newport Municipal Airport, after previously relocating it to Coast Guard Station North Bend, about 70 miles to the south near Coos Bay. 

The news comes about two weeks after Oregon, Lincoln County, Newport and the nonprofit Newport Fishermen’s Wives sued the Trump administration to get the helicopter back. A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order on Nov. 24, ordering the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to return the helicopter while the legal case plays out.

Newport and Lincoln County officials first raised concerns in early November, reporting that the helicopter had been relocated in late October without public notice, and without clear information about whether the change was permanent or if it would still be available for Newport on a part-time basis.

Officials and residents alike said the move would create a safety hazard for the many fishing vessels and tourist boats based out of Newport. The helicopter has been based in a small Coast Guard facility within the Newport airport since the 1980s and is frequently deployed for rescue missions out on the ocean, where the risk of hypothermia is high and every minute counts.

Meet 65+ Oregon Authors at the 56th Annual Holiday Cheer Book Sale at the Oregon Historical Society Dec. 7

Portland, OR — Kick off the holiday season on Sunday, December 7 at Holiday Cheer: A Celebration of Oregon Authors. Visit with more than 65 local writers from 12pm to 4pm as you sip on hot cocoa, enjoy festive treats, and get a jump on your holiday shopping! Admission is free and includes access to both the book sale and museum exhibitions.

This year, some of the Pacific Northwest’s most prominent authors will be at OHS selling everything from children’s books to guidebooks to mysteries to histories! Featured authors include Pulitzer Prize–winning cartoonist Jack Ohman, New York Times bestselling historical fiction author Kristina McMorris, Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read, journalist and podcaster Leah Sottile, and Steve Prefontaine biographer Brendan O’Meara. View a full list of participating authors at ohs.org/holidaycheer.

To add to the festivities, the popular Meier & Frank Santaland display will be back on view! Generations of Oregonians have fond memories of the downtown Portland Meier & Frank department store’s Santaland. A ride on the iconic Monorail and a chance to sit on Santa’s lap became a Christmas tradition for many families. Following the closure of Macy’s downtown store (which purchased Meier & Frank in 2005), a small number of items from Santaland were donated to OHS, which have been displayed annually since 2018. Come share in the holiday cheer with a visit to this nostalgic display, featuring Rudolph, animatronic elves, holiday decor, a model of the beloved monorail. The well-remembered Cinnamon Bear costume from Lipman’s holiday traditions will also be on display.

The museum galleries will be open from 12pm to 5pm. In addition to Santaland, featured exhibitions will include:

• She Flies with Her Own Wings, a look at Oregon’s golden age of aviation in the 1930s that shares how flight reshaped lives and technology.
• June Drake: Preserving the Past to Shape the Future, a retrospective of photographer June D. Drake’s work documenting life in Silverton, Oregon, and surrounding areas and the evolution of rural Oregon over six decades.
• The Yasui Family: An American Story, which shares one Oregon family’s experiences of racism, incarceration, and their unwavering commitment to justice, reflecting broader civil rights struggles in America.
• “We Were All Living a Dream”, a photographic exhibition of Donna Pollach’s intimate portraits of feminist and lesbian communities in 1970s Portland, chronicling their activism, camaraderie, and challenges.

For 56 years, OHS has celebrated the state’s rich literary talents at this annual book signing event. Book sales at Holiday Cheer support the Oregon Historical Society’s mission to preserve our state’s history and make it accessible to everyone in ways that advance knowledge and inspire curiosity about all the people, places, and events that have shaped Oregon.

About the Oregon Historical Society — For more than 125 years, the Oregon Historical Society has served as the state’s collective memory, preserving a vast collection of objects, photographs, maps, manuscript materials, books, films, and oral histories. Our research library, museum, digital platforms, educational programming, and historical journal make Oregon’s history open and accessible to all. We exist because history is powerful, and because a history as deep and complex as Oregon’s cannot be contained within a single story or point of view.

Strike Starts at Legacy Health; 8 AM Press Conference Outside Legacy Emanuel Hospital

WHAT: Advanced practice providers (APPs) from Legacy Health hospitals and clinics in the Portland metro area and Southwest Washington will begin an open-ended strike against Legacy Health Dec. 2. APPs will hold a press conference from the picket lines Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 8 a.m. to discuss patient care concerns, the need to raise healthcare standards, and Legacy’s refusal to continue bargaining. 

The APPs include nurse practitioners (NPs), physician associates (PAs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) who have been working to reach a fair contract agreement with Legacy for nearly two years.

WHEN: Strike Line Press Conference, Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 8 a.m. 

WHERE: The strike line outside of Legacy Emanuel Medical Center (501 N. Graham St. Portland, OR 97227). See the green picket line location near the intersection of N. Vancouver Ave. and N. Graham St. on the included map for media use only.  

WHO: APPs who are part of the Legacy Downtown/Specialties Bargaining Unit and care for patients at hospitals and clinics in Oregon and Washington.  

• Rob Brookshire, PA 
• Leigh Warsing, PA  
• April Callister, PA  

WHY: APPs are one of the fastest-growing professions in healthcare. They provide high-quality care directly to patients and are essential for expanding access to health care, reducing wait times, and ensuring patients and our community receive outstanding care.

After nearly two years at the bargaining table, APPs delivered a formal strike notice to Legacy executives on November 20 while offering to continue meeting with Legacy executives every day to reach a fair agreement that protects patients, enables Legacy to recruit and retain skilled caregivers, ends inequitable practices like unpaid work, and averts the need for a strike. Unfortunately, Legacy executives are illegally refusing to meet with APPs.

The APPs are represented by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA). 

Strike lines will be established at Legacy Good Samaritan and Legacy Emanuel hospitals from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on December 2. Starting December 3, picket lines will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week. This is an open-ended strike.

Community members can visit OregonRN.org/RespectAPPs to learn more about ongoing negotiations, sign a community petition in support of the APPs, and stay informed about the impact of the potential strike. 

A reminder to patients from APPs:  If you are sick, please do not delay getting medical care. Patients who need hospital or clinical care immediately should go to receive care. We would prefer to provide your care ourselves, but Legacy executives’ refusal to continue meeting with APPs has forced us to strike to advocate for you, our communities, and our colleagues. Going into a hospital or clinic to get the care you need is NOT crossing our strike line. We invite you to come join us on the strike line after you’ve received the care you need. 

# # #  The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) represents a diverse community of more than 24,000 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.

Oregonians have to 12/31 to secure expiring federal home energy tax credits

The nonprofit Energy Trust of Oregon is encouraging residents to invest in heating and cooling pumps, solar panels, before federal money goes away

Oregonians have just more than a month to take advantage of federal tax credits meant to reduce by thousands of dollars the costs of buying and installing new energy efficient heating and cooling pumps, insulation, windows and solar panels.

Paired with incentives from the nonprofit, state-partnered Energy Trust of Oregon, the savings can cover half to nearly all costs, depending on the purchase. People who have made home energy efficiency upgrades this year, or who can complete upgrades by Dec. 31, can claim the federal tax credits.

To claim federal tax credits: Keep receipts from your purchase and submit an IRS form 5695 (Residential Energy Credits form) when you file your federal taxes for 2025. For more info go here.

Most of the federal credits passed in 2022 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act enacted under former President Joe Biden and were meant to expire in 2032, giving Americans a decade to take advantage of subsidies meant to spur investments in home weatherizing and clean energy upgrades. But congressional Republicans phased the credits out early in the tax and spending law they passed this summer.

Julianne Thacher, a spokesperson for the Energy Trust, said the organization wants to encourage Oregonians to take advantage of those credits now and to remind them that when they go away, there will still be state-level incentives they should not overlook.

Federal tax credits expiring at end of 2025 and Energy Trust incentives

Item	Federal Tax Credit (30% of total cost, up to cap listed below)	Energy Trust Incentive
Insulation	Up to $1,200	Up to $2.25 per square foot depending on property type
Windows	Up to $600	Up to $1.50 per square foot depending on efficiency rating
Heat and cooling pumps	Up to $2,000	Up to $4,000​
Heat pump/hybrid water heater	Up to $2,000	Up to $700 instant discount on select models at participating retailers
Solar panels	30% of cost	$2,500
Battery storage	30% of cost	Up to $5,000 depending on the customer’s utility

Table: Alex Baumhardt/Oregon Capital ChronicleSource: Energy Trust of OregonGet the dataEmbedDownload imageCreated with Datawrapper

“Energy Trust incentives will be here after the tax credits. We won’t be affected. We were here before the tax credits, and had very successful programs with folks installing energy-efficient equipment, so we expect that will continue,” Thacher said.

The Oregon Department of Energy also offers solar and heat pump cash incentives and grants that can be used towards the costs of equipment and installation after federal, Energy Trust and any other incentives are applied.

The Oregon Energy Trust was established by the state Public Utilities Commission in 2002. Although it’s an independent nonprofit, the commission oversees the trust’s performance measures, budget and planning.

Ratepayers of five of Oregon’s six investor-owned gas and electric utilities — all except Idaho Power — fund the trust. As part of utilities’ energy load planning, they send a percentage of ratepayer dollars to the trust, which is tasked with ensuring investment in activities that lower overall load demand and help meet state climate targets.

Part of that is standing up cash incentive programs to help businesses and everyday Oregonians afford equipment and infrastructure to lower their own energy consumption. The trust offers higher incentives for families with lower incomes and collaborates with 60 community organizations statewide.

Energy Trust incentives are available to all customers of Portland General Electric, or PGE, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista. Customers can go to a store and choose equipment prequalified for Energy Trust incentives, and that will deduct the credit from receipt at the point of purchase.

Customers can also work with contractors who have agreements with Energy Trust, and who will purchase and install the equipment and deduct the tax credits from the bill. Customers can also apply online at the Energy Trust’s website for specific credits after purchase, and receive a refund for the credit amount in the mail.

For Energy Trust incentives: go here.

The mix of state, federal and private and nonprofit subsidies for solar panels have led to major growth in residential solar in the last decade, and today about 25,000 homeowners in Oregon are generating solar energy, according to Energy Trust. This has ramped up as the federal credits are set to expire.

“The solar contractors we work with are very busy right now, and we’ve actually gone ahead and launched our new incentives for 2026 early, because folks who are looking to do a solar project starting now, they’re highly unlikely to complete that by year’s end. That’ll be a 2026 project.”

Focusing on efficiency in businesses and homes in Oregon, and setting climate targets that incorporate more solar, heat and cooling pumps and building upgrades, has made a big dent in Oregon’s gas and electricity use. Demand for gas would today be 9% higher and demand for electricity 16% higher if policies had not been enacted over the last two decades, the Trust found.

“Energy efficiency is the most effective, affordable way to meet climate goals, while also offering a ton of other benefits for customers and communities,” Thacher said. (SOURCE)

ODHS encourages people in Oregon to protect their SNAP food and TANF cash benefits from theft

Need to know

• In October, approximately 220 households reported to ODHS that nearly $86,000 worth of SNAP food and TANF cash benefits had been stolen from their EBT cards.
• Take action today to keep your EBT card safe from electronic theft by locking your cards when not in use, blocking out of state and online purchases, and changing your PIN regularly.
• Only use the official ebtEDGE website and mobile app for Apple or Android. ODHS does not guarantee the safety of any other EBT management apps or websites.
• Link to video

(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services is encouraging people in Oregon to take action today to protect the SNAP food and TANF cash benefits on their EBT cards from electronic theft like card skimming, card cloning, phishing and other similar methods.

Most theft occurs in the beginning of the month immediately after SNAP and TANF benefits are issued to EBT cards. Criminals use methods like skimming devices, internet scams and fake websites to steal card numbers and personal identification numbers (PIN). Once they have this information, they use online or out-of-state purchases to drain SNAP food and TANF cash benefits from a person’s card.

In October, approximately 220 households reported to ODHS that nearly $86,000 worth of SNAP food and TANF cash benefits had been stolen from their EBT cards. Criminals were blocked from stealing EBT benefits 104 times because people took action to protect their EBT cards.

“People and families in Oregon rely on their SNAP food and TANF cash benefits to help them meet their basic needs,” said Director Liesl Wendt. “Taking simple steps like changing your PIN, locking your cards and blocking online and out-of-state purchases works and keeps your benefits safe. We encourage everyone to do this today.”

ODHS recommends that everyone with an EBT card take these steps to keep their benefits safe:

• Only use the official ebtEDGE website and mobile app for Apple or Android. ODHS does not guarantee the safety of any other EBT management apps or websites.
   
• Freeze your card between uses: When you’re not using your EBT card, consider freezing it as an extra layer of protection. Simply unfreeze it when you’re ready to make a purchase. To do this, visit the ebtEDGE website or use the mobile app and look for “Freeze Card” under “Account Services.”
   
• Block out-of-state and online purchases: You have the option to block transactions made outside of Oregon and online purchases to safeguard your card from unauthorized use. To do this, visit the ebtEDGE website or use the mobile app and look for “Protect My Account” under “Account Services.” You can remove the blocks later.
   
• Change your PIN regularly: Get into the habit of updating your PIN often. This can help protect your account if someone does gain access to your card number. Here are the ways you can ​change your PIN number:​
  • Call 888-997-4447;
  • Log into the ebtEDGE website.
     
• Take your EBT card to the closest ODHS benefits office​.
   
• Keep your PIN secret: Never share your PIN or write it on your card. Cover the keypad whenever entering your PIN in a public setting. Thieves may use small cameras to capture your PIN entry.
   
• Inspect card readers carefully: Before swiping your card at an ATM or other card reader, check for anything unusual. Skimming devices are often placed on top of existing card readers. If you see anything that looks out of place or tampered with, avoid using it and let the business know.
   
• Monitor your EBT account activity: Make it a habit to check your account regularly for any unusual charges. If you see a charge you didn’t make, report it immediately, cancel your card and request a replacement. Here are the ways you can ​get a new card:​
  • Call the EBT Replacement Line at 1-855-328-6715;
  • Go to an ODHS benefits office​.
• Don’t respond to suspicious texts: If you receive a text message asking for your EBT card number or PIN, ignore it. ODHS will never ask for your information this way.

• Avoid social media scams: Only trust posts and messages about your benefits from official ODHS accounts. ODHS will never ask for your benefits case number, PIN or other card information on social media.
   
• More information is available on the Protect Your EBT Card and Benefits webpage. There is a brochure, flyer and wallet card available in many languages. There are also short videos about using an EBT card, how to replace an EBT card and all the ways to protect your EBT benefits. These are posted in the How-to Videos section of benefits.oregon.gov.

October reports of EBT benefit theft to ODHS

• Number of Oregon households affected: 223
• Number of failed theft attempts because people took steps to protect their EBT cards: 104
• Number of thefts by program: 49 TANF, 559 SNAP
• Dollar amounts of stolen benefits:
  • Total: $85,902
  • TANF (CASH): $17,108
  • SNAP (FOOD): $ 68,794

NOTE: This data represents only what has been reported to the Oregon Department of Human Services and likely undercounts actual instances of EBT theft experienced by people in Oregon.

How to request replacement for TANF benefits

ODHS can replace Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits that are lost due to fraud. TANF families who believe benefits have been stole from their EBT card should contact ODHS to request replacement benefits within 30 days of the benefits being stolen. Information on card safety and how to request replacement TANF benefits can be found online here: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/benefits/Pages/protect.aspx

ODHS cannot replace SNAP benefits

The federal funding to replace benefits ran out on Dec. 21, 2024, and ODHS is no longer authorized to replace stolen Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

About SNAP in Oregon

SNAP is entirely federally funded and helps more than 1 in 6 people in Oregon — about 18 percent of households — buy groceries. This includes children, working families, older adults and people with disabilities.

Every $1 in SNAP benefits generates $1.50 to $1.80 in local economic activity, driving an estimated $1.6 billion into Oregon’s economy each year.

Annual Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt

The Willamette Valley Visitors Association has kicked off its eighth annual Ornament Hunt, hiding 200 locally crafted wooden ornaments along non-wilderness trails in the Willamette National Forest. This year’s ornament features a Pacific tree frog and seasonal mushrooms, highlighting the region’s forest biodiversity.

It’s time once again for one of our most beloved traditions: the eighth annual Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt, taking place across the Willamette National Forest.

Between November 21 and Dec. 20, 2025, two hundred locally-crafted wooden ornaments will be hidden along roughly 20 trails—where eagle-eyed hikers can seek them out and register to win this year’s grand prize, which includes a two-night getaway in the Willamette Valley.

Organizers remind hikers to stay on marked trails, where all ornaments are hidden, and to follow Leave No Trace principles while exploring. More experienced hikers can venture farther down the paths, leaving accessible ornaments for beginners. Participants are also asked to take only one ornament per household so more people have a chance to find one. FIND OUT MORE: https://www.willamettevalley.org/ornament

 

High Desert Museum Launches Schnitzer Prize of the West; Open Call for Nominations through January 1, 2026

Inaugural initiative honors uncommon collaboration and innovation in addressing environmental and conservation challenges of the American West with a $50,000 cash prize.

Bend, OR — November 5, 2025 — Today, the High Desert Museum announces the Schnitzer Prize of the West, an inaugural initiative launched in close partnership with Jordan D. Schnitzer and the Harold and Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation. The new Prize—the first of its kind in the region—will award $50,000 annually to an individual or a small group of individuals whose work addresses environmental and conservation challenges of the American West, with a particular focus on honoring innovation, social impact, and uncommon collaboration. The open call for self- and third-party nominations runs on the High Desert Museum’s website from today through January 1, 2026. In a moment when the American West—and the world-at-large—is confronting unprecedented ecological challenges, the Prize seeks to highlight innovative responses to urgent issues such as water scarcity, tribal rights and sovereignty, land-stewardship, changing climate, and more—offering models that can be replicated in other areas of the country facing similar pressures. Since its founding in 1982, the High Desert Museum has been dedicated to sharing the stories of the High Desert through wildlife, art, cultures, history, and interdisciplinary experiences, creating a shared connection and dialogue among its community. The Prize builds on this commitment to conservation and on past initiatives such as the Earle A. Chiles Award—which recognized significant “Win-Win” contributions to managing the High Desert region’s natural resources—as well as the Museum’s partnership with lifelong Portland resident and West Coast businessman Jordan D. Schnitzer, a dedicated steward of the local community and the region’s advancement. “The Schnitzer Prize of the West is an exceedingly timely and relevant effort to shine a light on the innovators, collaborators and visionaries among us,” says Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D, Executive Director of High Desert Museum. “Their work demonstrates that we can look toward our future together even as we consider the economic and ecological challenges before us.” “The Schnitzer Prize celebrates remarkable individuals and teams, who through their uncommon collaborations, are producing actionable solutions to the legacy challenges we face in the West,” said Jordan D. Schnitzer, President of Schnitzer Properties and The Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation. Administered through the High Desert Museum, Prize nominations and applications will be evaluated by an esteemed panel of advisors comprised of former tribal leaders, ranchers and farmers, water policy and river restoration practitioners, a poet laureate and renowned historian, directors of prominent academic centers that focus on the study of the American West and more. To learn more about this dynamic group, visit the High Desert Museum website. The Prize is now accepting nominations, and selected nominees will be invited to submit a formal application in early 2026. Nominations not selected in this inaugural cycle will automatically carry over for two forthcoming cycles. The Prize Winner will be announced in the spring of 2026. In addition to the $50,000 cash prize, the Winner will also receive a unique piece of art during an award ceremony in Portland, Oregon. For more information on the Schnitzer Prize of the West, nomination eligibility, and selection process, please visit highdesertmuseum.org/schnitzer-prize. About Jordan D. Schnitzer and the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation — Jordan Schnitzer has a vibrant legacy supporting the High Desert Museum. He is the visionary and sponsor of the Schnitzer Prize of the West. Through the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation, Jordan carries on the legacy of his late parents and their belief that “to whom much is given, much is expected.” Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, the CARE Foundation and its leaders have given over $300 million to fund hundreds of nonprofit projects that touch lives and enrich communities. Schnitzer is also a prominent West Coast businessman. He is President and CEO of Schnitzer Properties, one of the West Coast’s Top 10 private real estate owners with offices in six Western states. Schnitzer is also an ARTnews Top 200 Art Collector globally and shares his vast contemporary art collections at no charge to museums and institutions and supports accompanying programming, educational opportunities and publications. About the High Desert 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 and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, 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.

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.

Staying Informed During a Communications Outage: Best Practices for the Public

Disasters can damage critical infrastructure, leading to temporary outages in cell service, internet, and power. When communication systems go down, it’s vital to be prepared with alternate ways to get emergency information and stay connected. Here’s how you can prepare and respond:

  Have a Battery-Powered or Hand-Crank Emergency Weather Radio

• Why it matters: Emergency radios can receive Emergency Alert System (EAS) broadcasts via AM/FM or NOAA Weather Radio frequencies—even when cell towers and the internet are down.
• Note: Emergency radios do not receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) like cell phones do. Tip: Pre-tune your radio to your local emergency broadcast station (e.g., OPB in Oregon or NOAA frequencies).

Turn On WEA Alerts on Your Phone

• Make sure Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are enabled in your phone’s settings. These alerts include evacuation orders, severe weather warnings, and other urgent notifications.
• WEA messages are sent through cell towers—if cell service is out, WEA alerts will not be delivered. This is why having backup methods like a radio is essential.

Charge Everything in Advance and Have Backup Power

• Charge phones, power banks, laptops, and rechargeable flashlights before fire weather conditions worsen.
• Consider solar-powered chargers or car chargers as backups.
• If you are sheltering in place, a generator (solar or gas powered) is helpful.

Know Your Evacuation Routes in Advance

• Save printed or downloaded evacuation maps in case you can’t access GPS or navigation apps.
• Most mapping services (like Google Maps or Apple Maps) offer the ability to “Make maps available offline.” Download your area in advance so you can navigate even if cell towers or internet access are down.
• When in doubt, call 511 or visit the TripCheck.com website if you have cell service.
• Don’t wait for a notification—if you feel unsafe, evacuate early.

Print or Write Down Critical Contacts and Info

• Phone numbers of family, neighbors, and local emergency contacts.
• Address of evacuation shelters, veterinary services (for pets/livestock), and medical facilities.
• Your own emergency plan, including meeting locations.
• Have copies of vital documents in your go-bag and take video of your property (inside and out) for insurance claims later.

If Calling 9-1-1 Over Wi-Fi or Satellite, Check Your Location Settings

If you call 9-1-1 using Wi-Fi calling or a satellite-connected phone (like an iPhone or Android), your location might not be automatically visible to dispatch. Instead, it may rely on the emergency address saved in your phone’s settings.

• Update this emergency address when you travel or relocate—especially in evacuation zones or rural areas.
• Most importantly, always tell the dispatcher exactly where you are—include your address, landmarks, road names, or mile markers to help first responders reach you quickly.

Sign Up for Alerts Before There’s an Outage

• Register for OR-Alert and your county’s local alert system.
• Follow your local emergency management officials’ and bookmark resources like: wildfire.oregon.gov.

 Prepare for Alert Delays or Gaps

• Know the three levels of evacuation:
  • Level 1 – Be Ready
  • Level 2 – Be Set
  • Level 3 – GO NOW
• If you hear a siren, see a neighbor evacuating, or witness fire behavior increasing—take action even if you haven’t received an alert.

 Be Your Own Info Network

• Check on neighbors, especially seniors or those with disabilities.
• Post printed signs with updates for those passing by.

In rural areas, community bulletin boards or fire stations may serve as local information points. Support and Restoration in Progress To help maintain emergency communications during this incident, OEM deployed eight Starlink terminals under the guidance of ESF 2 and the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC). A Communications Technician (Jeff Perkins) was also deployed to assess connectivity needs on the ground. These Starlink terminals have been providing service to the Lake County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Oregon State Police (OSP), Warner Creek Correctional Facility, and will soon support the town of Lakeview, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Lakeview Ranger Station. OEM’s Regional Coordinator (Stacey) is also on-site supporting the Lake County EOC. Coordination has been strong across local, state, and private sector partners. *** Update: As of 7/10/25 at 1:47 PM, fiber service has been restored.

Reconnect When Service Returns

• Once communications are restored, check official websites:
  • Oregon.gov/oem
  • Your county emergency management page
  • TripCheck.com for road conditions
• Share verified info—not rumors—on social media or community pages.

 Prepare for Delays in Restoration

• Communication may come back in phases. Damage to fiber lines or cell towers can take time to repair.
• Continue using backup methods and stay alert for updates via radio or in-person notices.

 Final Tip:

In an emergency, CALL 9-1-1 to report life-threatening danger, not for general information. Use local non-emergency numbers or go to physical information points if needed. You can find more tips for preparing in OEM’s Be2Weeks Ready toolkit.  

Oregon’s Missing Persons

Many times you’ll see postings without case numbers or police contact. There is rarely a nefarious reason why (the nefarious ones are pretty obvious). Usually the loved one tried to call to report their missing person and they are either refused or told to wait a day or two by people who are unaware of SB 351 and the laws that they are bound to when answering the phone. Many people don’t bother calling LE if their loved one is homeless or in transition because they believe LE won’t care. The biggest myth is the 24 hour rule.

In Oregon we don’t have those rules and an officer or person answering the phone is not allowed to decide. The law decides. We have Senate Bill 351 and it states that the police CANNOT refuse a request for any reason and they must begin working on it within 12 hours. The person making the report does not have to be related to missing person either. Here is SB 351 written by families of the missing here in Oregon in conjunction with Oregon law enforcement officers. This should be common knowledge, please make it this way. https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/…/SB351/Introduced

    Oregon State Police are reminding parents and students of the SafeOregon hotline. It takes reports of potential threats against students and schools. The tips can be made anonymously. They can include safety threats, fights, drugs, weapons on campus, cyberbullying and students considering self-harm or suicide. A technician reviews the reports and assigns them either to police or school administrators. Tips can be made by phone, text, email or on the website https://www.safeoregon.com Call us at 5 41-363-7503  Or email us at Info@RogueValleyMagazine.com