Rogue Valley News, Wednesday 4/1 - US Marshals Led Task Force Arrests Child S*x Abuse Suspect in White City, Senator Wyden Townhall on Friday & 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

Wednesday – April 1, 2026

Rogue Valley Weather

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

Here’s the overview of weather outlook, but be sure to check out what we’re predicting in your area: https://www.farmersalmanac.com/extended-forecast

A low pressure system will impact the region Wednesday and Thursday bringing moderate to heavy snowfall over the Cascades, with light to moderate snowfall farther east. Snow levels drop to 5000-6000 feet on Wednesday afternoon and evening then may reach as low as 2500 feet on Thursday as moisture starts to end.

An image of forecast snowfall amounts across northern California and southern Oregon as well as text describing the event and possible hazards.

A low pressure system will impact the region Wednesday and Thursday bringing rainfall across the forecast area. Highest amounts expected along and near the coast. Isolated thunderstorms will be possible as well.

US Marshals Led Task Force Arrests Child Sex Abuse Suspect in White City

JCSO Cases 24-3388, 25-5074

WHITE CITY, Ore. – The United States Marshals Service led Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force (PNVOTF) located and arrested a man wanted for nine local felony child sex abuse charges in White City on Monday, March 30. The suspect, Jose Francisco Gonzalez-Castaneda, 40, of Medford, had a felony warrant for five counts of first-degree sexual abuse, two counts of first-degree sodomy, as well as one count each of second-degree sexual penetration, and second-degree sodomy. He is lodged in the Jackson County Jail. Federal authorities added additional charges after Gonzalez-Castaneda was lodged.

The arrest came when U.S. Marshals, along with Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) and Central Point Police Department (CPPD) detectives located Gonzalez-Castaneda at a White City shopping center in the 7500 block of Highway 62. The task force arrested him without incident. The charges stemmed from a years-long investigation by JCSO Special Victims Unit (SVU) detectives.

PNVOTF includes personnel from the U.S. Marshals, JCSO, and CPPD. The task force specializes in locating and arresting fugitives wanted for offenses including, but not limited to, murder, assault, sex crimes, failure to register as a sex offender, firearm violations, and probation violations. There is no further information available for release.

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden will conduct 11 public town halls beginning March 28 with a plan to see all of Oregon’s 36 counties. Town Hall in Medford on April 3.

On Thursday, April 2, Senator Wyden will appear in Lake County at 12:30 p.m. at the Lakeview Elks Lodge, located at 323 North F Street in Lakeview, followed by Klamath County at 5 p.m. in the Oregon Institute of Technology’s College Union Building Auditorium, 3201 Campus Drive in Klamath Falls.

On Friday, April 3, he will host a session in Jackson County at 10:30 a.m. at the Holly Theater, 226 West 6th Street in Medford.

For security purposes, backpacks and large bags are prohibited at these events. Only clear bags up to 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches, one-gallon clear plastic bags, or small clutches not exceeding 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches are permitted, in addition to essential items such as medical or infant care bags. No storage will be provided for restricted items. Attendees may enter beginning one hour prior to each event.

Horizon Air to Close Operations at Medford Airport

Horizon Air which is a regional carrier under the umbrella of Alaska Airlines, has announced it will close its Medford crew base at the end of May, transferring dozens of pilots and flight attendants to other cities as part of a broader operational shift.

𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆: 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆

Looking for a welcoming place to pick up supplemental groceries? The 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 in Medford has been thoughtfully renovated and decorated with chalk drawings by a passionate volunteer, staffed by Salvation Army Jackson County employees and volunteers who make a difference in the community every day. This pantry offers a partial shopping-style experience, so you can choose foods that work best for you and your family.

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Thanks to strong community partnerships, this pantry is stocked with:

Fresh produce in boxes built by The Chamber of Medford & Jackson County

Bread donations supplied by local grocery stores through our Fresh Alliance Program, which reroutes food from grocers to our pantries for hungry families

A variety of pantry staples to help stretch your budget

𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗬 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗢:

*Please check our website at accesshelps.org/food-pantries for all current pantry info, as it is subject to change.

922 N Central Ave, Medford

Hours:

• Monday: 1:00–3:00 PM

• Thursday: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM & 1:00–3:00 PM

• Friday: 1:00–3:00 PM

Visits at this pantry are available every other week; however, you may visit another ACCESS pantry each week.

Accessible via RVTD Bus Route 40

Barricade Incident on Church Street in Ashland

On March 28, 2026 officers from the Ashland Police Department were dispatched to 137 Church Street for a complaint of a trespasser inside a vacant home. On arrival officers contacted a man who was armed with a axe who refused to come outside. The man stated that he was additionally armed with firearms and explosives and that the only way he would vacate the property was if fatal force were used. Additionally, the man stated that he would use the explosives to set the residence on fire if removed.

APD reached out to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team, which responded while officers continued to try to convince the suspect to exit the house. Upon arrival JCSO negotiators continued to communicate with the suspect in an attempt to bring the situation to a peaceful conclusion.

APD officers prepared and applied for a search warrant, which was granted. Because of the ongoing threats to use explosives to set the house of fire, which would have posed a major risk to the neighborhood, members of the SWAT team initiated contact with the suspect at approximately 5:00 p.m.

As the SWAT team was making contact the suspect used accelerants in his possession to set the house on fire. The suspect then exited the interior onto a roof of the house, where SWAT team members used a ladder to contact him and take him into custody.

Members of Ashland Fire & Rescue were on scene already, staged, and were able to quickly address the fire in the house, however the house did incur heavy damage from the fire due to the use of accelerants in igniting the blaze.

The suspect was taken into custody, having sustained significant burn injuries, and is currently being treated at an area hospital. The suspect will be lodged at the Jackson County Jail after release from the hospital. The suspect remains in custody and under guard while at the hospital.

The suspect is identified as Fedish Llewellyn Ford, 41 years old, California transient. He will be lodged on charges of Arson 1^st Degree, Burglary 1^st Degree, Trespass 2^nd Degree and Criminal Mischief 1^st Degree

In addition to the Sheriff’s Office and Ashland Fire & Rescue, APD was assisted by members of the Talent and Phoenix Police Departments, as well as the Jackson County District Attorney’s office. APD is grateful for partnerships we have with these agencies as well as all area emergency response agencies.

Work Begins on North Mountain Railroad Crossing in Ashland Today

Beginning Monday, March 30, 2026, concrete crossing panels will be installed at the North Mountain Avenue railroad crossing. The owner of the rail line, Genesee & Wyoming Railroad, has contracted with RailWorks Track Systems to install the panels.

The concrete panels will make for a smoother ride for all modes of travel and will be like other railroad crossing panels in Ashland at such locations as East Main Street, Walker Avenue and Hersey/Laurel Streets. The installation will necessitate full closure of North Mountain Avenue from B Street to Wheeldon Way, from Thursday, April 2 through Friday, April 10. Detours will be in place. View the traffic control plan.

RailWorks Track Systems has provided the following schedule:

Week 1 – Beginning Monday, March 30

Receive construction material and store onsite
Perform welding of the new rails
Fully close North Mountain Ave, at the railroad crossing, the morning of Thursday, April 2
Remove existing railroad tracks and crossing surface
Begin grading and reinstallation of crossing

Week 2 – Monday, April 6

1. Sub ballast, drainage and conduit installation
2. Install new concrete track panels
3. Install new asphalt approaches
4. Final inspection
5. Reopen North Mountain Avenue to thru traffic on Friday, April 10

This project is not a City of Ashland managed project and is separate from the North Mountain Avenue Overlay Project that is currently underway. Additional information on the Overlay Project can be found on the City of Ashland’s Major Projects page, ashlandoregon.gov/MajorProjects.

For questions regarding the North Mountain Avenue railroad crossing closure, please contact the City of Ashland Public Works Department at 541.488.5587 or publicworksinfo@ashlandoregon.gov.

At The Expo, Jackson County Fairgrounds, Oregon — Looking for a summer job?!

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We’re hiring for ticket sales, ticket scanners, parking crew, ushers, and custodians. Be part of the team that helps bring the fair to life! Details and application through Express.

Apply now at: https://www.expresspros.com/us-oregon…/jacksoncountyfair

Planning is underway for Roseburg Public Library’s Summer Reading Program, which runs June 1 through Aug. 22 with the theme, “Plant a Seed, Read.”

Library staff are asking readers to help with some big decisions by completing a survey.

To vote, visit www.roseburgpubliclibrary.org and click on “2026 SRP Survey.”

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Or email your feedback to kwiley@roseburgor.gov or stop into the library for a paper copy of the survey. Responses are required by Saturday, April 11.

Kids and teens are invited to share ideas for a grand prize. The only guideline is the item must cost $100 to $200.

Previous grand prizes included a hoverboard, a bike and a family package to TenDown Bowling & Entertainment in Roseburg.

“Let your imagination run wild,” said Library Director Kris Wiley. — Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/57twn8st

On January 6, 2026, a Grants Pass Police Department School Resource Officer was alerted to possible criminal activity involving a student and adult staff member of Grants Pass High School. Due to the severity of the allegations, detectives with the Grants Pass Police took over the investigation the same day. The identity of the victim is being withheld as the student is a minor.

Grants Pass School District 7 has been forthcoming with the investigation and took immediate action to prevent any further contact with students. The staff member is no longer employed with the district.

As a result of the on-going investigation, Terry Green, a 57-year-old male, was taken into custody on March 25, 2026. Green was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the following charges: Luring (x2) and Encouraging Sex Abuse 2. There is no evidence at this time that another student was involved.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Grants Pass Police Detectives Unit at 541-450-6260. Parents and students can also submit information anonymously via the Safe Oregon Tip Line by calling or texting 844-472-3367. Both the Grants Pass Police Department and the Grants Pass School District 7 take these allegations seriously.

Oregon Community Trees Honors SW Oregon Non-P rofit as Organization of the Year

The Medford-based non-profit Oregon Stewardship has been named Organization of the Year by Oregon Community Trees (OCT). Each year Oregon Community Trees honors one organization in the state for outstanding work to engage Oregonians in caring for their urban forests and natural areas. Oregon Stewardship - Education for Land Stewardship

Schoolchildren like these in southern Oregon learn about environmental restoration by doing. That's the mission of Oregon Stewardship, whose work providing restoration opportunities for students in SW Oregon earned them the 2026 Organization Award in Urban Forestry from Oregon Community Trees. — Schoolchildren like these in southern Oregon learn about environmental restoration by doing. That’s the mission of Oregon Stewardship, whose work providing restoration opportunities for students in SW Oregon earned them the 2026 Organization Award in Urban Forestry from Oregon Community Trees.

This year’s recipient, Oregon Stewardship, works with school districts and teachers on watershed projects involving students in Jackson, Josephine, Curry, and Coos counties.

Oregon Stewardship leads students on hands on projects near their schools. On these projects they can plant trees and gardens and create nature trails. Students design and build the trails, create an informational brochure, and place sign along the trails. Projects that students create are maintained in following years by later students at the same school.

High school students mentor younger students on nature hikes and field trips, helping them with art or writing classes associated with the projects. High school students that work with Oregon Stewardship are eligible for scholarships for college or vocational education.

Oregon Stewardship’s focus is:

Watersheds: river, stream and forest ecosystems
The ecological cycles and functions that sustain these ecosystems
Indicators of ecosystem health, such as salmon

An example of a recent project was the planting in 2024 by South Medford High School students of 180 native plants next to the Panther Pride Trail along fire-ravaged Bear Creek in Medford.

Jim Gersbach, President of Oregon Community Trees, said his organization wanted to honor Oregon Stewardship for the work they do to encourage the community to provide stewardship for Oregon’s land. “They do a great job creating opportunities for students and adults to participate in grassroots care for our environment. At the same time, they are helping young people learn about and practice environmental restoration and gain leadership skills,” said Gersbach.

Roseburg library to host magician and mind reader

ROSEBURG, Ore. – Roseburg Public Library invites the public to “The Magic of Seth Howard” on Thursday, April 9. Two shows will be offered at the library, 1409 N.E. Diamond Lake Blvd.

At 11:30 a.m., Howard will perform his magic and mind-reading show for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Caregivers are welcome. The event is made possible by Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities, a grant initiative by the American Library Association in collaboration with the Association for Rural and Small Libraries.

At 6:30 p.m., the family friendly program will be open to the public. That event is made possible by the Friends of the Roseburg Public Library.

Howard, who has been entertaining audiences in the Pacific Northwest for 20 years, owns The Magic Shop & More in Astoria. Learn more on his website at sethhowardmagic.com.

For more information about the program, contact Roseburg library staff at 541-492-7050 or library@roseburgor.gov.

The City of Medford is investing $302 million to upgrade the Regional Water Reclamation Facility at 1100 Kirtland Rd. in Central Point.

The project, led by Slayden Constructors, Inc., will bring the plant into compliance with stricter Oregon DEQ standards for phosphorus and nitrogen discharge into the Rogue River.

The facility serves Medford, Central Point, Eagle Point, Jacksonville, Phoenix, Talent, and White City. Construction is expected to finish by September 1, 2030.

Funding includes a $147.2 million low-interest EPA WIFIA loan, several rounds of revenue bonds, and city cash contributions. Sewer rates are rising gradually through July 2025, with the next increase bringing the average monthly rate to $13.40.

Key milestones include final design submission to DEQ by September 1, 2026, and completion of new facilities by September 1, 2028. MORE INFO: https://www.medfordoregon.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works/Water-Reclamation-Division/Regional-Water-Reclamation-Facility-Upgrade

Bat Infected With Rabies Identified in Jackson County

Jackson County Public Health Department reports that a bat found just north of Shady Cove, Ore., has tested positive for rabies. Confirmatory tests were performed at Oregon State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory after a Jackson County resident noticed a bat in a cat’s mouth.

The cat is a stray, and its vaccination history is unknown. Rabies is transmitted through the bites of an infected animal, and while post-exposure vaccination is effective, Jackson Baures, Jackson County Public Health Division Manager, says the best plan is prevention. “People should avoid contact with bats and vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies.”

“While bats play a valuable role in nature, contact with humans should be avoided,” Baures said. Sick bats may be seen flopping around on the ground or otherwise acting unusual. If you find a sick bat or other sick wildlife on your property, take children and pets indoors and call your local Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) office.

To protect your pet, make sure rabies vaccinations are up to date. Emilio DeBess, State Public Health Veterinarian at Oregon Health Authority (OHA), advises that dogs, cats and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies at 3-6 months of age. Initial vaccination takes about two weeks to provide peak protection for your pet. After initial vaccination, a booster is required in one year and then every three years after that. Under Oregon law, dogs and cats or ferrets that do not have current vaccinations and are suspected of exposure to rabies must be euthanized or placed under strict quarantine for four months.

For more information about rabies, visit the OHA website

Additional information about rabies can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website

https://jacksoncountyor.gov/news_detail_T10_R916.php

Southern Oregon Goodwill — We are hiring for our new North Medford store, opening May 14th!

We have 35+ open positions in multiple departments. Retail Associates, Production Associates, Supervisors, Job Coaches, and more. Whether you are looking for your first job or your next one, there is a place for you here. Head over to https://www.sogoodwill.org/careers/ to apply. Know someone who would be a great fit? Share this with them! More information about available positions can be found at sogoodwill.org/careers.

Lower Table Rock Temporarily Closed Until Early April

The Lower Table Rock trailhead, parking lot, and trail system are closed effective March 16, 2026, until approximately April 6, 2026, for ADA-accessible paving on the lower loop trail. The closure is expected to last roughly three weeks. Upper Table Rock remains open for hiking, along with other area trails.

Location: Lower Table Rock (trailhead, parking lot, and trail).
Duration: March 16, 2026 – early April (estimated reopening: April 6, 2026).
Reason: Final paving phase for ADA accessibility on the one-mile-long lower loop trail.
Alternatives: Upper Table Rock, Jacksonville Woodlands Trail, Mountain of the Rogue, or East Applegate Ridge Trail.

Visitors are advised to avoid the area during construction, as all public access is prohibited.

The parking lot trailhead and trail system will be closed for the next three weeks as crews pave the one-mile-long lower loop trail of Lower Table Rock.

This work is part of a larger, ongoing effort by the BLM to improve accessibility at the Table Rocks, following initial trail preparations and gravel work done in late 2025.

Britt Festival Getting Ready for Summer

The Britt Music & Arts Festival is gearing up for their 2026 concert season with new additions to its lineup. Among the newly announced acts are alternative rock band Modest Mouse, Southern rock group Whiskey Myers, and bluegrass favorites Greensky Bluegrass. Fans can look forward to performances from Country artists Elle King and Brantley Gilbert, along with the legendary rock band Chicago, who will grace the Britt stage once again.

Comedy enthusiasts won’t be left out either, as fan-favorite comedians Jeff Dunham and Gabriel Iglesias are set for performances during the summer events. Tickets for these shows are currently available to high-level Britt members, while general public sales will kick off on March 27. Additionally, the festival has announced the second annual Britt Under the Stars Gala, a fundraising event to benefit its arts and education programming.

We’ve got it all from international favorites to stand-up comedy! We’re bringing rock powerhouse KALEO, global ensemble Pink Martini, and a co-headlining evening with Los Lobos & Los Lonely Boys. You can also look forward to the return of crowd favorite The California Honeydrops, as well as an evening with Jim Gaffigan to add a comedic highlight to the season

Tickets for these shows are on sale NOW for select Britt Membership levels and will be available for purchase to the general public on January 30 at 10 AM

Join as a member today to get early access to tickets! https://britt.org/events/

City of Grants Pass, Local Government – G Street between 4th Street and 6th Street will be closed to all traffic beginning Monday, March 16, 2026, for work on the Owl Plaza project. It is scheduled to re-open on Friday, April 10, 2026.

Access may change during different stages of construction. We are committed to keeping you informed and working with you to minimize the impact on your business.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the project team representatives:

Vitus Construction, Inc.: (541) 855-7177

Traffic Control Supervisor, Kacey Kinley: (541) 659-9910

City of Grants Pass Community Development: (541) 450-6060

City of Grant Pass Project Engineer: Christopher Bates, cbates@grantspassoregon.gov

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) 2026 season officially kicked off the weekend of March 13-15 in Ashland, featuring a 10-show lineup of classics and new works, including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Come From Away, and A Raisin in the Sun. Regular season performances run through Oct. 25, with tickets on sale now.

Key highlights and details for the 2026 season include:

Opening Weekend: Previews for A Midsummer Night’s Dream begin March 13, Come From Away on March 14, and A Raisin in the Sun on March 15.
Key Productions:The season features a mix of repertoire, including Yellow Face, August Wilson’s King Hedley II, Smote This, The Taming of the Shrew, Henry IV, Part One, Emma, and the new work You Are Cordially Invited to the End of the World!.
Venues & Access:Performances take place across three theaters—the Angus Bowmer Theatre, Thomas Theatre, and Allen Elizabethan Theatre. The season features enhanced accessibility, including services for deaf or hard-of-hearing guests.
Season Structure:The season runs from March 13 through October 25.

Oregon Shakespeare Festival

For more information and tickets, patrons can visit the officialOSF website.

Mt. Ashland Ski Area Operations Close Again Due to Lower than Average Snowfall and Snowpack.

Mountain Operations Update: Ski Area Operations will pause (again

) at 4:00 pm today, 2/28, until we get sufficient snowfall.

With no snowfall in the short term forecast and rain and warm temperatures projected, we are beyond sad to have to deliver the news of another pause. We are watching the long term forecast in hopes of announcing a reopening in the near future. In the meantime we will work to keep spreading the stoke any way that we can.

We are so grateful for the countless guests who approached us with kind words of encouragement and appreciation for our Mountain. When we did get snow that powder was something special. Please keep up those snowdances!

Thank you in advance for your continued patience as we work with what Mother Nature provides and we will keep you all updated!

To go to the Mt. Ashland webcam, click here.

𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗲𝘇𝘇𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:

In October 2025, the Builder’s Association of Southern Oregon (BASO) contacted the Medford Police Department regarding a potential employee theft. Representatives reported that former CEO Bradley Bennington was believed to have embezzled a significant sum of money from the organization over a period of years.

MPD detectives were provided the findings of a financial forensic audit conducted on behalf of BASO. Detectives reviewed the audit and conducted an independent investigation, which included serving numerous subpoenas at multiple banking institutions.

Through the course of the investigation, detectives determined that approximately $100,000 had been embezzled. Based on the evidence gathered, detectives determined that criminal activity had occurred. The case was subsequently briefed with the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.

On Thursday, February 26, 2026, MPD detectives contacted Bennington and lodged him at the Jackson County Jail on the following charges:

Aggravated Theft I (5 counts)

Theft I (2 counts)

Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card – Felony (3 counts)

Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card – Misdemeanor (4 counts)

City of Medford, Local Government – Calling all local artists!

The Medford Public Arts Selection Committee is inviting artists and teams from Jackson and Josephine counties to submit proposals for a new public mural in downtown Medford.

Theme: Connection

Size: Four 4×16-foot panels (256 square feet total)

Location: Bartlett–Middleford parking garage connection

Proposal deadline: April 12, 2026

Learn more

https://www.medfordoregon.gov/…/Medford-Public-Arts…

Illinois Valley Community Development Organization

New Blog: PIER Grant Round 2 Now Open!

We’ve just published a new blog to help small business owners in Jackson County understand everything about the second round of PIER Microenterprise Grants — including who qualifies, how to apply, and how this funding can support wildfire recovery.

Read the full blog here:

https://ivcdo.org/pier-grants-2026-launch-jackson-county…/

This post breaks down:

Eligibility details

Grant uses (up to $15,000)

Important deadlines

What support is available to help you apply

And if you’re planning ahead, we also share a link to the PIER Revolving Loan Fund, which offers low‑interest loans for fire‑impacted small businesses.

Let’s spread the word to those who can benefit most!

Southern Oregon PBS Still on The Air Despite Federal Funding Loss

Southern Oregon PBS Information

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) voted to dissolve itself, due to the recent rescission of federal funding after nearly six decades of distributing funds to public media stations across the nation.

PBS, PBS KIDS and local stations like SOPBS are still here, and we’re still serving you with programming that informs, connects, and strengthens our community.

And now, more than ever, we need the support of Viewers Like You to keep going strong. Protect the future of SOPBS at https://donate.sopbs.org/sopbs/donate

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. .

Rogue Valley Humane Society

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.

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.

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.

Taking Another Look at What Happened to Fauna Frey

Fauna was grieving the recent death of her brother, Dallas, when she set off from Eugene in June of 2020 heading to Grants Pass on what her family believes was both a healing trip and a mission to deliver gifts, silver coins inherited from Dallas, to a few friends.

But somewhere between motel check-ins and checkouts, something went terribly wrong. Her Jeep was found months later. She was never seen again. http://bit.ly/4l63Dle

May be an image of text that says 'HAVE YOU SEEN FAUNA FREY? CASE #20001267 ANONYMOUS TIP LINE: (541) 359-5638 MISSING SINCE 6/29/20 #FINDFAUNAFREY'

We will start resharing podcasts and articles. For starters here is a story from Danielle Denham that appeared in the June 29, 2025 edition of That Oregon Life. Ms Denham worked closely with us to insure that the facts she presented were accurate.

Check out the nine episodes of the podcast Nowhere to be Found, a comprehensive, in-depth, sensitive treatment of the details surrounding Fauna’s disappearance. Hear from Fauna’s father, John, and her friends. Posted in spring of 2022, Amanda Popineau shares Fauna’s journey and the mystery that surrounds it. Go to Nowhere to be Found Season Two: Episode One “Under A Half-Moon.” https://podcasts.apple.com/kg/podcast/s2e1-under-a-halfmoon/id1532686678?i=1000512098162

We want to remind people that Fauna’s father is offering a huge reward for information that brings Fauna home.

Please if you have any information no matter how big or small let us know by calling the anonymous tip line or emailing.

Tipline- 541-359-5638

Email – Helpfindfaunafrey@gmail.com

FOLLOW on FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/341658526970132

Fauna Frey Vanished Without A Trace In Josephine County

It’s been more than 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

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.

Worried about recent changes or losing assistance?

Here are resources that can help:

211Info: Dial 2-1-1 or visit the211Info food webpagefor information and referrals to more than 1,500 food resources across Oregon.

Oregon Food Bank: Use the Oregon Food Bank’s Food Finder Map to find over 100 food pantries, free food markets or hot meal programs near you.

Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon (ADRC): Call 855-673-2372 or visit theADRC food webpage to find local meal programs and food boxes in your area.

4/1/2026 — Gas Prices Keep Rising

Pacific Power Rate adjustments for Oregon residential customers begin April 1

Pacific Power residential customers in Oregon will see a rate increase, approved by the Oregon Public Utility Commission. These rate increases are taking effect on April 1, 2026, in compliance with HB 3179, which requires that rate increases not take effect during winter months when bills are highest.

The adjustment reflects multiple items, including the 2024 Power Cost Adjustment Mechanism (PCAM), the Renewable Adjustment Clause (RAC) and a legislatively mandated update to the Low Income Bill Payment Assistance Fund. The PCAM is an annual update that aligns 2024 actual power costs which include fuel and power purchased on the wholesale market and other expenses, with the costs previously included in rates, so customers either receive a credit or pay the difference. The RAC allows the company to recover costs associated with building or acquiring renewable energy facilities consistent with state clean energy goals. The combined rate also includes increased support for the Energy Trust of Oregon’s energy-efficiency programs.

With the combined filings, the impact for the residential customer is an approximately 2.9% increase, or $4.29 per month for the typical residential customer. Customers in Albany, Oregon, can expect an average increase of about 4.1%, or $5.64, per month. The additional increase is related is to a street remodeling project approved by the city of Albany, which asked the company to bury power lines underground.

Key drivers for the changes include:

Continued investments in low-cost renewable energy resources.
Increased power costs related to higher fuel and energy prices, coal supply issues, conversion to natural gas at the Jim Bridger plant, the removal of Klamath River hydro facilities and increased power demand during the January 2024 ice storm event.

Pacific Power works hard to mitigate the impacts of cost increases on our customers. The company offers the Oregon Low Income Discount Program, which is helping over 70,000 of our most vulnerable customers across the state lower their power bills from 20% to 80%, depending on their income. More information is available at PacificPower.net/LID. Customers can also access a variety of bill support programs through local community action agencies, including the Oregon Energy Fund, Oregon Energy Assistance Program and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Pacific Power also offers a variety of ways to budget for energy expenses, including time of use and equal pay billing options, and energy use tracking offered online and through the company’s mobile app. In partnership with Energy Trust of Oregon, Pacific Power customers can access information and rebates to help improve their energy efficiency and lower their bills. Customers can call 1-888-221-7070 to discuss options.

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management is partnering with the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries and the National Weather Service to bring its Tsunami 101 Community Roadshow back to coastal communities.

The roadshow includes presentations from state and local emergency officials and the National Weather Service.

The free workshops will cover how tsunamis form and their potential effect on coastal communities.

“Attendees will learn how tsunamis impact the Oregon coast and how to recognize some of those natural tsunami warning signs,” said OEM’s Shirley Blake. “There are evacuation zones along the coast and information will be shared about where those evacuation zones are located within that specific community.”

The sessions also include guidance on developing family communication plans and assembling emergency kits that allow households to be self‑sufficient in the event of a disaster. Blake notes that preparedness helps in many different types of emergencies and disasters.

“We encourage all Oregonians to be two‑weeks ready, meaning people should be prepared to be self‑sufficient for at least 14 days following a disaster,” Blake said. This includes having food, water, medications and a plan to stay connected with family members.

Events will take place in communities along Highway 101 from Manzanita to Gold Beach between March 31 and April 9. One of the two sessions in Coos Bay is focused specifically on business preparedness.

Upcoming Tsunami 101 Community Roadshow Events

Manzanita: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. Pine Grove: 225 Laneda Ave.

Tillamook: Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Tillamook Library: 1716 3rd St.

Newport: Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Newport Library Community Room: 35 NW Nye St.

Lincoln City: Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Lincoln City Community Center: 2150 NE Oar Place

Gold Beach: Tuesday, April 7, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Curry County Fairgrounds: 29393 Ellensburg Ave.

Coos Bay (Business Preparedness Session): Wednesday, April 8, 2026 | 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., Southwestern Oregon Community College: 1988 Newmark Ave.

Coos Bay: Wednesday, April 8, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Southwestern Oregon Community College: 1988 Newmark Ave.

Reedsport: Thursday, April 9, 2026 | 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Lower Umpqua Senior Center: 460 Winchester Ave.

Cherry blossoms illuminated at State Capitol State Park through April 4

SALEM— Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will host “Yozakura,” night viewing of the Akebono cherry blossoms, March 21 through April 4 in the North Mall at State Capitol State Park.

The cherry blossoms will be illuminated with Japanese lanterns and lights nightly from 6-10 p.m. Visitors may bring blankets, camping chairs, or an evening picnic to enjoy under the canopy of the illuminated trees.

The lanterns and lights create a striking and beautiful scene inside the park at night.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will livestream the cherry blossoms on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OregonParks beginning March 21 during the day and evening through April 4.

Park staff ask that tree limbs and blossoms are left as is so everyone can view them throughout the bloom. Alcohol is not allowed in State Capitol State Park (without permits) and the park closes at 10 p.m.

For more information on events at the Capitol, call Visitor Services at 503-986-1388 or visit the events page.

Spring Celebration Rolls into Portland with Easter Bunny Express at Oregon Rail Heritage Center

Portland, OR — On April 4 and 5, families and train enthusiasts are invited to hop aboard the Easter Bunny Express at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center for a festive 45-minute steam train ride pulled by the legendary Polson No. 2 steam locomotive. The round-trip journey departs from and returns to the Oregon Rail Heritage Center, offering a scenic ride along the Willamette River.

Guests can look forward to a memorable seasonal adventure combining fun and a touch of railway history. The Easter Bunny will be hopping onboard each ride to spread joy and cheer, providing plenty of opportunities for photos and selfies. Along the way, passengers can enjoy kid-friendly activities, a festive scavenger hunt, and the beauty of spring along the river.

Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase on board, with options for both kids and adults, making this the perfect outing for families celebrating the season together.

Admission to the Oregon Rail Heritage Center is included with every train ticket, allowing guests to explore exhibits and view additional historic locomotives before or after their ride to explore exhibits and view additional historic locomotives before or after their ride.

Event Details:

When: Saturday, April 4 & Sunday, April 5
Where: Oregon Rail Heritage Center, 2250 SE Water Ave., Portland, OR 97214
Train Departure Times: 12:00pm, 1:30pm, 3:00pm, 4:30pm
Tickets Prices:
- Adults (14+) – $24
- Seniors (65+) – $21.50
- Military (with ID) – $21.50
- Children (3-13) – $17
- Infants (Under 3) – Free
- Family Pass (2 Adults & 2 Children) – $74
Tickets & Registration: https://orhf.org/

Tickets are expected to sell quickly for this popular springtime tradition. Don’t miss out on this egg-cellent adventure—reserve your seats today and create unforgettable memories with family and friends.

About Oregon Rail Heritage Center: The Oregon Rail Heritage Center (ORHC) provides for the preservation, operation and public enjoyment of Portland’s historic locomotives, railroad equipment, and artifacts, and educates the public about Oregon’s rich and diverse railroad history. ORHC is open to the public on Thursdays-Sundays from 1:00pm-5:00pm. Seasonal train excursions are offered most weekends. For additional information, visit https://orhf.org/. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Updated essential salmonid habitat map available now
Oregon Dept. of State Lands

The map identifies streams where removal-fill permits are often required to help protect critical habitat for salmon species

The State of Oregon has published the 2026 essential salmonid habitat map, which shows streams where activities like building docks or adding riprap usually require a removal-fill permit.

The map identifies streams that are critical habitat for Chinook salmon, steelhead trout, and other sensitive, threatened or endangered fish species. Oregon law protects these streams by requiring a removal-fill permit for most projects that remove or add materials. View the adopted 2026 map and learn more.

The map is reviewed annually to reflect current Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) data.

“As Oregon’s waterways face increasing pressures, keeping our map current with habitat data is more important than ever,” said Oregon Department of State Lands Director Kaitlin Lovell. “This map helps guide smart decisions today so salmon, steelhead, and other native fish can continue to thrive for generations.”

If you live near a stream, this map is one of the most useful tools you can check before starting a project on your property. It helps answer a simple but important question: what do I need to do to protect fish habitat here?

The 2026 update added approximately 45 stream miles of essential habitat in multiple areas of Oregon. Approximately 4 stream miles are no longer essential habitat due to changes in habitat barriers or improved accuracy and detail in GIS data. This change from 2025 to 2026 represents less than a 1% change to the overall 22,000+ stream miles of essential habitat. See the draft map to view the changes for 2026.

This year’s update is unusual due to the historic removal of the four lower Klamath River dams in 2023-2024 and the rapid, ongoing changes to fish distribution that followed. This unprecedented action reopened more than 400 miles of historic fish habitat and spawning grounds.

Anadromous fish were first observed late in the 2025 season and have begun to re-populate newly accessible areas. Given both the timing and limited data on whether observed habitat use reflects long-term, repeatable patterns, it was determined that these observations did not support designation in time for the 2026 essential salmonid map update. Additional monitoring and coordination will be needed, consistent with the State of Oregon’s commitments under the Klamath Power and Facilities Agreement.

The annual map update process includes Tribal engagement and a public review and comment period. Stay informed about future map updates by joining DSL’s email list for essential salmonid habitat map information. Sign up to receive emails.

NBA approves $4.25B sale of Trail Blazers to group led by Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon

The NBA announced on Monday that it’s approved the sale of the Portland Trail Blazers to a group led by Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon. Per the league, the sale is expected to close this week. Dundon will serve as the team’s governor.

Dundon reached an agreement to purchase the team from the estate of late owner Paul Allen in August. Per multiple reports, the team is being sold at a $4.25 billion valuation.

Allen, who co-founded Microsoft, previously owned the Trail Blazers from 1988 until his death in 2018. He purchased the team for $70 million in 1988. The team has since been run by his his estate, which is managed by his sister, Jody Allen.

Allen’s will dictated that the team be sold after his death and for the proceeds to go toward philanthropic ventures. Now that sale is final and approved by the NBA. It’s not clear what philanthropic efforts the proceeds will support.

Dundon, 54, purchased a majority stake in the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes in 2018, and the franchise has experienced success under his leadership.

The Hurricanes have made the playoffs in each year from 2019-25, making the conference finals three times. Prior to the 2018-19 season, the Hurricanes missed the playoffs for nine consecutive years.

Per the Oregonian, Dundon built his fortune in the supbrime auto lending industry as the co-founder and eventual CEO of Drive Financial, which later became Santander Consumer USA. He left the company in 2015 with more than $700 million and now runs the Dallas-based investment firm Dundon Capital Partners in addition to his sports ownership ventures. Dundon is also majority owner of Major League Pickleball and the PPA Tour.

Redmond, Ore., March 31, 2026—Hayden Homes is proud to be Certified™ by Great Place To Work® for the 3rd year in a row.

The prestigious award is based entirely on what current team members say about their experience working at Hayden Homes. This year, 96% of team members said it’s a great place to work–39 points higher than the average U.S. company.

Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation.

“Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience,” said Sarah Lewis-Kulin, Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work. She emphasized that Certification is earned solely by real-time feedback of employees regarding their company culture. “By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that Hayden Homes stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees.”

With an 89% participation rate, up 2% from the previous year, Hayden Homes saw strong engagement from team members in this year’s survey. Of those who participated, 96% of respondents agreed with the statement, “Taking everything into account, I would say this is a great place to work,” exceeding the company’s internal satisfaction goal of 95% and reinforcing its commitment to fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture centered around giving and community.

In addition to being Great Place To Work® certified for the past three years, in 2025, Hayden Homes was also recognized as the 11th Best Workplace for Women in the nation and 13th Best Workplace for Parents in the nation by Fortune and was placed 3rd on the 2025 Fortune Best Workplaces in Construction™ List and 21st on the 2025 Fortune Best Medium Workplaces™ List. With over 1 million employees surveyed nationally, these rankings reflect Hayden Homes’ dedication to providing opportunities for employees at all levels to grow and pursue meaningful careers.

“We are incredibly honored to receive this feedback from our team members,” said Patti Murphy, Vice President of Employee Experience at Hayden Homes. “Each of us brings a unique story and perspective, and it’s through coming together that we create something far greater than any one of us could on our own. We are committed to building a strong, connected community where our team members feel supported and fulfilled. Keeping that purpose at the center of our work is what continues to shape and strengthen our culture.”

Joining the Hayden Homes team means embracing a shared commitment to Give As You Go™, which helps shape and strengthen company culture. Team members are encouraged to use 16 hours of paid volunteer time each year to support causes that matter most to them, whether that’s assisting at local food banks, building bikes for foster children, or collecting school supplies donations for local families. This commitment reflects a broader focus on recognizing community needs and taking meaningful proactive steps that create lasting change and meaningful connections.

According to Great Place To Work research, job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified great workplace. Additionally, employees at Certified workplaces are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work, and are twice as likely to be paid fairly, earn a fair share of the company’s profits and have a fair chance at promotion.

Learn more about Hayden Homes’ Great Place to Work certification.

Oregonians in their peak earning years–when they can contribute most to the state’s economy—are moving out of the state faster than their 30-to-50-year-old peers are moving in.

Read the story from Khushboo Rathore / Oregon Journalism Project: https://lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/latest-news/2026/03/26/new-census-data-shows-oregon-losing-residents-in-prime-earning-years/

This finding is based on an OJP analysis of the most recently available U.S. Census data, released in January.

Oregon relies more heavily on income taxes than most states, so it suffers more from this outflow, says ECOnorthwest researcher Aditya Gadkari. The exodus of workers in their prime earning years means less revenue for the state. “We’re losing the ability of our jurisdictions to provide high levels of services,” Gadkari says.

The largest influx of new Oregon residents is young adults, either college-age or relatively early in their careers, typically earning far less than those leaving. Lane County, home to the University of Oregon, and Benton County, home to Oregon State University, both saw growth in the number of adult teens.

Oregon’s aging population is well documented — OJP previously reported that deaths outnumbered births over the past five years. A further decline in new Oregon residents is expected as net international migration to the U.S. in 2026 is estimated at 321,000 — only 12% of its 2024 total, according to the census.

ODF program invests more than $3.2 million to accelerate forest resilience work in Oregon

The completed Deep Creek Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) timber sale on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. Located within the Headwaters Rogue River watershed, this project is in an area identified as a high priority in Oregon’s 20-Year Landscape Resilience Strategy.

The Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Federal Forest Restoration Program (FFR Program) is awarding $3 million in planning assistance funding and separate grants of nearly $264,000 to forest collaboratives.

“These new investments reflect a simple strategy: invest in the people, science, and planning needed to deliver more forest restoration work on the ground,” said Kyle Sullivan-Astor, ODF’s Federal Forest Restoration Program Lead.

The program also recently released a new report highlighting on-the-ground accomplishments, recent investments, and key program developments.

$3 million awarded to accelerate “A to Z” planning for large federal projects

The $3 million in “A to Z” Planning Assistance funding for the 2025–27 biennium is to help the U.S. Forest Service accelerate National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) planning for high-priority, landscape-scale projects.

“All landscape resiliency work on federal lands must comply with mandatory environmental laws,” said Sullivan-Astor. “That process is thorough, helps avoid and mitigate environmental harm, and often requires significant time and resources. This funding allows ODF to see projects through from A to Z, adding expertise and capacity to our federal partners and getting work done more quickly than it otherwise would.”

Awards include:

Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest (Grayback) — $500,000
Mt. Hood National Forest (The Dalles Watershed) — $500,000
Malheur National Forest (Bogue Gulch) — $600,000
Umpqua National Forest (Thunder Cat) — $650,000
Wallowa–Whitman National Forest (Unity Point) — $750,000

One example of this funding at work is in the Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest. The Grayback project proposes thinning and fuels reduction on approximately 4,000 acres to improve forest resiliency, reduce fuel loading, and improve public and firefighter access in a high-risk wildfire landscape. Treatments will include plantation thinning and fuels reduction along strategic fuel management zones, and opportunities for maintenance.

For an overview of all the funded projects and details on the associated work go here.

Planning assistance grants are a combination of state General Funds and federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds provided to ODF.

First-round Forest Collaborative Grant awards announced — ODF, working in partnership with the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB), awarded $138,899 under the Forest Collaborative Grant program.

A forest collaborative is a local group of people and organizations with different perspectives on public forest management who work together to find common ground and support active management projects.

“The overarching goal of this program is to increase the number, acreage, and complexity of collaboratively planned restoration projects on federal lands in Oregon by strengthening governance, supporting zones of agreement, and supporting collective action where coordination help is needed,” said Sullivan-Astor.

Those receiving the grants include:

Southern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative—$76,709 for Rogue Forests in Transition: Building Collaborative Solutions.
Wasco Soil and Water Conservation District—$62,190 for Mt. Hood East Zone Forest Collaborative Project supporting collaborative engagement around the South Wasco Ecosystem Restoration effort.

For an overview of the projects go here.

“These grants support the ‘people infrastructure’ that helps federal agencies and communities surface disagreements early, build shared understanding, and develop more durable restoration priorities over time,” said Sullivan-Astor.

$125,000 in Technical Assistance and Science Support awards for collaboratives — ODF also awarded $125,000 in Technical Assistance and Science Support grants to support project partnerships between forest collaboratives and external technical/science providers.

“TASS projects are designed to provide collaboratives with specialized expertise, such as scientific analysis, communications support, monitoring design, tools, and training, with a clearly defined public deliverable at project completion,” said Sullivan-Astor.

For an overview of the projects go here.

About the Federal Forest Restoration Program — The Oregon Legislature created the Federal Forest Restoration Program in 2013 to improve the resilience of Oregon’s federal forests. The FFR Program plays a role in the state’s ability to work across ownership boundaries to reduce the risk of stand-replacing wildfire, improve forest and watershed health, and create jobs in rural, forest dependent communities. For more on the Federal Forest Restoration Program go here.

The Oregon Department of Forestry is adding a new Multi-Mission Aircraft to boost its wildfire detection and emergency response across the state.

The $13.23 million investment includes $12 million in legislatively approved bonds from 2023 and $1.23 million from other funding sources. The new Twin Otter airframe replaces the agency’s Partenavia P.68 Observer aircraft, which served for more than 30 years.

The $7.8 million aircraft brings better endurance, range and payload capacity, letting it stay in the air longer and cover more ground. But the biggest upgrade is $5.4 million in advanced sensing technology and mission systems that turn the aircraft into an aerial intelligence platform. The aircraft is equipped with AI-enabled wide-area mapping, high-definition thermal imaging, augmented reality mapping software and night operations capability.

These tools help ODF spot and communicate emerging incidents faster, track fire behavior more precisely and maintain awareness during day and night operations.

Prescribed fire season has commenced in south-central Oregon, with fire managers from the Fremont-Winema National Forest, Wildland Fire Service, and Oregon Department of Forestry set to implement controlled burns across the region.

This practice is essential for enhancing forest health, improving wildlife habitats, and reducing hazardous fuel loads, thereby mitigating the risk of wildfires. As part of our ongoing dedication to safeguarding communities and natural resources, residents and visitors may observe smoke or flames in various public land areas over the coming weeks. The appearance of prescribed fires can vary based on forest type, vegetation density, specific objectives, and the duration since the last fire event.

All active prescribed fire sites will be clearly marked, and individuals may encounter increased fire personnel, equipment, and traffic in these zones. For the safety of both the public and firefighters, it is advised to avoid these areas when possible.

A schedule of potential burning locations for the spring season is available, with operations planned from March to June, contingent on weather and conditions. OHCS lending products helped almost 1,000 Oregon households buy a home in 2025

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) announced its Flex Lending program helped 954 households buy a home in 2025 by offering down payment assistance (DPA) and lower interest rates through partnerships with approved lenders.

This first-of-its-kind mortgage loan program, called Flex Lending, consists of two loan products — FirstHome and NextStep. FirstHome is intended for first-time homebuyers with low to moderate incomes, while NextStep is open to any income-eligible buyers, even if they previously owned a home.

Borrowers can receive 4% or 5% of the first mortgage loan amount as down payment assistance that can be used for up to 100% of the borrower’s cash requirement to close, including down payment, closing costs, pre-paid items, upfront borrower-paid mortgage insurance, and other related loan fees and expenses.

The Flex Lending program worked with 33 lending partners to provide almost $300 million, including $7.5 million in down payment assistance, to 1,378 individuals in 2025. Additionally, 31% of the homebuyers identified as people of color, 32 were veteran households, and 43% lived in rural areas throughout the state.

Phoenix Paintin was renting and navigating the uncertainty that comes with rising housing costs and limited long-term stability. She was connected to the Flex Lending program through the Portland Housing Center, which helped her understand her options and connected her with an approved Flex Lender, Guild Mortgage. Now, she’s a proud homeowner who can invest in her own future in a way that once felt unimaginable

“Phoenix’s story is a reminder of what is possible,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “Oregonians in all zip codes know firsthand how expensive it is to afford a home. It affects families, workers, and local economies. Addressing housing affordability requires removing barriers in ways that concretely translate into more housing opportunities, stronger communities, and real paths to homeownership.”

“The Flex Lending program made homeownership feel attainable and supportive rather than overwhelming,” Paintin said. “I appreciated the flexibility, the clear guidance, and the way the program works to remove barriers that often make buying a home feel out of reach.”

To learn more about Flex Lending and other OHCS down payment assistance programs, visit the OHCS website.

Free help can ensure teenagers don’t miss tax refunds Oregon Department of Human Services’ partners offer tax help in-person or online

Free tax help is available to meet the needs of young people, some of whom may be earning income for the first time. This help is available through a network of community partners funded by the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Tax Infrastructure Grant Program.

Downloadable file: FINALFINALFINALYouthTaxNewsRelease.pdf
Downloadable file: YouthTAXNewsreleaseSPMarch2026.pdf

What young people need to know

Young people in their first jobs or working part-time may be owed a refund of some ̵ or even all ̵ of the taxes withheld from their paychecks.
Even if a young person is claimed as a dependent on their parents’ or guardian’s return, they still file their own tax return to report their income.
A correctly filed tax return by a child who is a dependent would not interfere with exemptions claimed by their parents or guardians on their returns.

The ODHS Tax Infrastructure Grant Program funds IRS-certified community organizations and Tribal governments that provide free tax filing help for youth and all people with low incomes.

The ODHS Tax Infrastructure Grant Program also funds projects through educators.

Where and how to get free help

The ODHS Tax Infrastructure Grant Program partners with Get Your Refund, a free online tax filing service through which individuals can have their return prepared or file it themselves using free tax software. Help is available in English and Spanish. To get started, go toGetYourRefund/OR.

In-person help is available through community organizations at ODHS-sponsored sites that

offer free tax return preparation through October 15. All give assistance in English and Spanish at a minimum. Those sites by location are:

Beaverton, Gresham, Portland: CASH Oregon, 503-243-7765, info@cashoregon.org. CASH Oregon offers virtual help for people who live outside these areas.
Bend, Redmond: Latino Community Association, 541-382-4366, info@latinocommunityassociation.org
Corvallis, Eugene, Bend: Oregon State University, 541-737-3371, vita@oregonstate.edu
Coos Bay, Roseburg: Moneywise Oregon, 541-670-5054, dan@moneywiseoregon.org
Medford: United Way Jackson County, 541-864-5092, https://unitedwayofjacksoncounty.org/volunteer-income-tax-assistance/

For more information about the Oregon Department of Human Services Tax Infrastructure Grant Program: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/pages/tax-help.aspx.

Haven’t filed your taxes yet? Here’s what you should know

Whether it’s where to find free tax help, how to track the status of your refund, or what refundable tax credits you’re eligible to claim, the Oregon Department of Revenue wants to make sure you have the information you need to file tax year 2025 tax returns before the April 15 deadline.

Through March 15, DOR has processed 937,000 electronically filed returns with more than half of the expected 2.2 million Oregon personal income tax returns yet to be filed. The department urges taxpayers not to wait until the last minute to file. If you have questions about filing you can find the information you need on the department’s website with guidance addressing the most common issues included below.

File electronically – “The best advice we can give taxpayers is to be certain their return is complete and accurate, and to file their return electronically,” said Megan Denison, administrator of DOR’s Personal Tax and Compliance Division. “If they need help, free assistance is available at sites across the state, along with a variety of options to e-file for free.”

On average, taxpayers who file electronically and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refund within two weeks. Distribution of refunds for e-filed returns began in mid-February. Due to the late receipt of tax form information from the IRS in late 2025, processing of paper-filed returns has been delayed until late March and refunds for paper filed returns will not start being issued until early April.

Taxpayers looking for the status of their refund for e-filed returns can use DOR’s Where’s My Refund? tool.

Mailing your return? Mail it early – Taxpayers who choose to file a paper return, should mail it early. The federal and state tax deadline is April 15, but due to changes at the U.S. Postal Service, returns mailed in after April 9 may not receive a postmark on time. Taxpayers who still want to mail their paper returns can take them to a local USPS office and request a postmark no later than April 15, 2026.

Paper returns can also be physically deposited in drop boxes available on both the east and west sides of the Department of Revenue Building in Salem, or outside the DOR offices in Portland, Eugene, Medford, and Bend. A drop box at DOR’s Gresham office is available during business hours.

Claim your “kicker” – The Oregon surplus revenue kicker is a refundable credit that will either increase a taxpayer’s Oregon state income tax refund or decrease the amount of state taxes they owe. It is not sent to taxpayers separately as a check.

Only taxpayers who filed a tax year 2024 return and also file a tax year 2025 return can receive a kicker. The credit is a percentage of Oregon personal income tax liability for the 2024 tax year.

Taxpayers can determine the amount of their kicker using a “What’s My Kicker? calculator available on Revenue Online.

Free electronic filing options are available – Direct File Oregon: Taxpayers can use Free Fillable Forms to file their federal return and then use Direct File Oregon to file their Oregon personal income tax return directly with the state.

Now in its third year, Direct File Oregon is a free interview-based program and allows taxpayers the convenience and security of filing their Oregon Personal Income Tax return directly with the state of Oregon through Revenue Online. Nearly 4,700 taxpayers have already used Direct File Oregon this year.

Other free electronic filing options: Free guided tax preparation is available for taxpayers that meet income requirements. Using links from the department’s website ensures that both taxpayers’ federal and state return will be filed for free. These free services work much like the popular pay to file programs.

Find free tax filing assistance – From IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites to Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) or AARP Foundation TaxAide locations, Oregon taxpayers needing free assistance have over 107 different places across the state where they can get free in-person help filing their taxes.

Free tax help is also available online through the United Way’s MyFreeTaxes program.

Make an appointment at a free tax help site by using the links for each organization on the Department of Revenue’s webpage, or consult the department’s interactive map.

Check your eligibility and claim your refundable tax credits – Taxpayers should check their eligibility for a series of refundable tax credits for low-income workers and families. A refundable credit not only reduces the amount of tax a taxpayer owes, any leftover credit results in a cash refund that can be deposited directly into their bank account.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): The EITC is a fully refundable federal tax credit for people making up to $68,675 in 2025. Families may be eligible for a maximum refundable credit of $8,046 on their federal tax return.
Oregon Earned Income Credit: This refundable state tax credit is a percentage of an eligible taxpayer’s federal EITC. The maximum benefit for tax year 2025 is $966. The Oregon EIC is also available to taxpayers who have Individual Tax Identification Numbers (ITIN) rather than Social Security numbers.
Oregon Kids Credit: This is a refundable state credit for low-income people with young dependent children. For those with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of $26,550 or less, the full credit is $1,050 per child for up to five dependent children under the age of six at the end of the tax year. A partial credit is available for individuals and families with an MAGI up to $31,550.
Working Family Household and Dependent Care Credit (WFHDC): Families who are eligible for the Oregon Kids Credit are also likely eligible for the refundable WFHDC, which helps low- to moderate-income families pay for the care of their dependents while they’re working, looking for work, or attending school.

Recent federal changes are expanding work requirements for some Oregonians who receive SNAP food benefits. State agencies are encouraging recipients to get free job search and training help through WorkSource Oregon.

The Oregon Department of Human Services and Oregon Employment Department say more SNAP recipients must now show they are working, looking for work, or in training to keep their benefits.

The new rules apply to more people than before, including some adults up to age 64 and some households with older children. Some recipients will also need to meet these requirements for longer than three months.

SNAP Director Amya Hoffman says many people may already qualify through jobs, volunteering, or other activities. Free help is available through WorkSource Oregon, which has 37 centers across the state. For more info, go to WorkSourceOregon.org.

Oregon to Honor Fallen Law Enforcement Officers May 5, 2026

Every year, the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony honors the state’s law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. This year’s ceremony will be held Tuesday, May 5 at 1 p.m. at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem.

Department of Public Safety Standards and Training : Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial : Law Enforcement Memorial : State of Oregon

The annual event commemorates the more than 190 fallen officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the state of Oregon since the 1860s. This includes law enforcement, corrections, and parole and probation officers from city, county, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies.

The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training is proud to host the ceremony in partnership with the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, Oregon Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, and various statewide law enforcement associations.

BLM seeks seasonal volunteer camp hosts across Oregon, Washington

The Bureau of Land Management is seeking seasonal volunteer hosts for several recreation sites in Oregon and Washington. Hosts will help connect visitors to public lands during a milestone year as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, and the BLM celebrates its 80th anniversary.

Campground hosts play an important role in the visitor experience. They offer information about recreation opportunities, answer questions about the area, and help ensure campgrounds remain clean and safe. Light maintenance tasks—such as tidying restrooms, collecting trash, and keeping signs and information boards up to date—are part of the daily routine.

This is a live-in volunteer position, and hosts must provide their own self-contained RV. Volunteers may be eligible to receive a daily per diem reimbursementwhile serving on site.

Season lengths and schedules vary by location, with most positions running from late spring through early fall. Some locations can accommodate couples who want to host together and share responsibilities. All volunteer campground hosts must complete a federal background check.

Those interested in learning more or applying can visit Volunteer.gov and search for “BLM Oregon” or “BLM Washington” to view current openings.

-BLM- The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Oregon State Parks to hire seasonal Park Rangers, Park Ranger Assistants

Oregon State Parks is hiring seasonal Park Rangers and Park Ranger Assistants for positions across the state for the 2026 season.

Hiring starts as soon as this month and runs through June with new positions listed on a rolling basis on the website. The positions last anywhere from four to nine months. Most seasonal staff work April through September, but some start as early as this month or work as late as December.

Seasonal staff help visitors access world-class experiences and ensure clean and safe park areas for everyone to enjoy. Duties include janitorial work, landscape maintenance, visitor education and visitor services.

Salaries start at $20.28 per hour for seasonal assistants and $23.79 for seasonal rangers. Both positions include comprehensive medical, vision and dental plans for employees and qualified family members. The positions also include paid sick leave, vacation, personal leave and 11 paid holidays per year. Student workers, ages 16 and older, who are enrolled in high school start at $20.27 or more per hour, depending on experience.

Several of Oregon State Parks’ top leaders started their careers as seasonal employees, including all three Region Directors.

“We are focused on developing an engaged workforce by partnering with staff on career development, investing in skill building and fostering a culture of belonging. Whether you’re here for a season or your entire career, you make a difference in protecting and promoting Oregon’s special places,” said interim Director Stefanie Coons.

Seasonal staff gain valuable skills working with experienced Park Rangers at parks around the state. Positions are available in Oregon’s coastal areas, scenic valleys, and mountain regions, offering opportunities to work in some of the most beautiful places in the Pacific Northwest.

For more information about current openings, visit https://bit.ly/oregonparkjobs. If you have any questions or need additional assistance in accessibility or alternative formats, please email Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Recruiting D.Recruiting@oprd.oregon.gov“>OPRD.Recruiting@oprd.oregon.gov.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, committed to diversity and pay equity.

Beginning on March 30, 2026, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) will discontinue the waiver of parking fees at an additional 22 day-use parks.

Currently, a day-use parking permit costs $10 for residents of Oregon and $12 for out-of-state visitors, and it is valid for the entire day of purchase at any state park in Oregon. Access to the parks remains complimentary for those who walk, bike, or utilize public transportation.

Visitors arriving by car can present valid parking by displaying a current hangtag from camping at an Oregon State Park or a valid 12 or 24-month parking permit. Additionally, visitors who acquire parking permits online or through parking QR codes can link their license plates to the valid payment.

At present, OPRD mandates a day-use parking permit at 46 parks and waives parking fees at over 150 parks throughout the state. The selection of the 22 additional parks was based on the amenities and features that necessitate maintenance and operation, including restrooms, trails, paving, irrigation, boat ramps, and more.

The revenue from parking fees contributes to the maintenance and operation costs, ensuring that these facilities remain available for all visitors.

Raise Funds to Plant Trees in Oregon

Registration is open for the Bob Ross-inspired Happy Little (Virtual) 5K

Inspired by American painter and PBS television personality Bob Ross’ love of the outdoors, Oregon Parks Forever is sponsoring a virtual 5K race to help plant trees in Oregon’s parks & forests. You must register by April 1^st in order to get your shirts and medal before the event.

Participants can walk, run, paddle or roll to complete their 5K anywhere outdoors anytime between April 18 and 26 (covering Earth Day and Arbor Day). Participants are encouraged to register by April 1 to ensure that your swag arrives before the event week. Last year, we had to close registration early due to higher than anticipated participation, so register as soon as possible. If you register after April 1, you may not receive your swag before race week. Registration will close on April 15, or earlier if more participants sign up than we have available swag.

For $36 per person, each participant will receive a keepsake Happy Little T-shirt, a commemorative bib number and a finisher’s medal. All Oregon race proceeds support tree planting and forest protection efforts in Oregon parks. Ten trees will be planted in Oregon for each registration. This year’s tree plantings will be placed in the Santiam Canyon.

Initially, the “Happy Little Trees” program began with a partnership between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Bob Ross Inc., with hundreds of volunteers helping to plant “happy little trees” at locations hard-hit by invasive pests and tree diseases. The partnership quickly expanded to include the Run for the Trees / Happy Little (Virtual) 5K.

As the Happy Little 5K gained popularity, more states have joined the effort. Now in its sixth year, the Happy Little 5K has expanded its reach to include fifteen other states. Together, all sixteen states will help raise awareness and funding for stewardship efforts in each state’s parks.

“We are thrilled to honor Bob Ross and continue our efforts to plant at least One Million Trees in Oregon.” said Seth Miller, Executive Director of Oregon Parks Forever. “To date, we have funded the planting of 850,000 trees.”

“The official Bob Ross 5K is probably our most favorite initiative,” says Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Company. “It’s the perfect blend of everything Bob held dear; nature, taking care of the environment, and happy trees too of course. He would have been so pleased to see how it’s getting so popular around the world.”

Participants can register at www.orparksforever.org. — For more information, contact Seth Miller at 503/966-1053 or seth@orparksforever.org

UNDER PRESSURE: A VOLCANIC EXPLORATION, AN EXHIBITION FROM OREGON’S HIGH DESERT MUSEUM, SHEDS NEW LIGHT ON THE RUMBLING GIANTS AMONG US

(BEND, Ore.) — For millions of years, volcanoes have been the most powerful force in nature. And for many in the West, the impact of volcanoes is forever tied to the May 18, 1980, eruption of Washington’s Mount Saint Helens. The science, spectacle, and significance behind these massive peaks will soon be at the center of an immersive new exhibition, “Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration,” which will run from Feb. 7, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027, at the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service recipient High Desert Museum in Bend, Ore.

On the heels of the Museum’s recent “Sensing Sasquatch” exhibition – which won the Western History Association’s prestigious 2025 Autry Public History Prize and earned national praise for exploring the Indigenous perspectives of what many call Bigfoot – comes the latest groundbreaking exhibition from the High Desert Museum. Under Pressure will take visitors on an educational, insightful, and thought-provoking journey into the forces that make volcanoes among the most majestic and often misunderstood natural wonders of the world, while exploring their individual stories and temperaments.

“From cultural and historical significance to the 1980 eruption of Mount Saint Helens, the Pacific Northwest and High Desert have a particularly long, complex, and symbiotic relationship with volcanoes,” says Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D., High Desert Museum executive director. “We live in their shadows, recreate on their slopes, and admire their beauty, but it’s the volcanoes’ ability to simultaneously cause destruction and creation that evokes feelings of awe. Under Pressure will provide an immersive and deep exploration.”

Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration, a groundbreaking new exhibition from Oregon’s High Desert Museum.

WHEN: Feb. 7, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027

WHERE: High Desert Museum (Spirit of the West Gallery)

59800 US-97, Bend, OR 97702 (map HERE)

COST: Free with Museum admission or membership

Active U.S. military and their families, as well as Tribal members, are FREE with ID

Among the highlights that visitors to Under Pressure can expect to encounter include:

Engage the senses through interactive displays and exhibits, including volcanic rocks and a volcanic hazard map, to learn about cutting-edge volcano research.
Hear stories and learn the significance of volcanoes to the people of the High Desert region.
Get to know 4-6 individual volcanoes through biographies that explain the similarities and differences between them.
Learn about present-day volcano hazards and how lava flows.
Understand the technologies that scientists use to detect volcanic activity, which allow us to live among volcanoes while also enjoying their many benefits.

“These geologic giants exist all around us, come in all shapes and sizes, and tell a story of our past, present, and future,” says Whitelaw. “With 350 million people living near an active volcano worldwide, the more we understand about volcanoes, the better we can exist alongside them.”

Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration opens to the public on Feb. 7, 2026, and runs through Jan. 3, 2027, in the High Desert Museum’s Spirit of the West Gallery. For additional information on exhibitions or to start planning your experience, visit highdesertmuseum.org.

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.

https://www.oregon.gov/osp/missing/pages/missingpersons.aspx

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

Find the mental health support you need

photo of a middle-aged woman on the phone, looking pensive, looking out the window

Click to see all resources https://oregonhealthnews.oregon.gov/find-the-mental-health-support-you-need/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

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

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