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 – May 6, 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
Citing unsustainable inflation, government regulations and a long list of ongoing challenges, Asante officials say they are facing some $50 million in additional revenue cuts and will need to lay off at least 300 more employees in coming months.
In a letter addressed to Asante employees and medical staff released Monday, Asante CEO and President Tom Gessel wrote: “I anticipate the ongoing headwinds, including the federal and state cuts to Medicaid, will result in 300 or more roles being eliminated in the next several months,”
Gessel states that a dwindling number of patients covered by private insurance — which he said was at a historic low of 14% for the healthcare system — was a major factor in revenue deficits. Some 75% of patients are covered by Medicare or Medicaid, known as the Oregon Health Plan, both of which Gessel wrote cover less than the cost of staffing, supplies, support services, facilities and equipment needed to provide adequate care.
“Projecting forward, failing to act now could leave us with an estimated $50 million budget shortfall in 2027 that we must resolve.”
ONA Statement in Response to Asante CEO’s Message on Job Cuts
Oregon Nurses Assn.
The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) issued the following statement in response to Asante CEO Tom Gessel’s email to staff outlining projected cuts to more than 300 Oregonians’ jobs.
“Asante executives are once again cutting caregivers and looking for someone else to blame. Let’s be clear about what’s actually happening. Asante executives chose to fire 400 Southern Oregonians in 2024; they chose to shut down Ashland Hospital’s family birth center and inpatient care; they chose to push out dozens of experienced doctors and neonatologists—specialists who care for premature babies and sick infants.
Now they are proposing to fire hundreds more caregivers across Southern Oregon.
These are not forced decisions. Asante executives are responsible for their actions.
Blaming frontline caregivers who save lives and staffing standards that keep patients safe is just plain wrong. It’s egregious for Asante executives to rack up nearly a million dollars in fines for failing to follow a staffing law designed to keep patients safe—and then turn around and blame the law and the frontline caregivers fighting to uphold it. Suggesting the thousands of Southern Oregonians who rely on the Oregon Health Plan for lifesaving care are part of the problem is even more outrageous.
Asante executives are responsible for the problems they’ve created.
Healthcare has real problems—increasing corporatization, skyrocketing executive salaries, and federal funding cuts from the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” which could put nearly 280,000 Oregonians at risk of losing health coverage. But cutting care and eliminating staff only makes these problems worse.
If Asante executives are serious about addressing these challenges, they should stop stalling and sit down at the bargaining table with nurses and techs to work on real solutions that protect patients, retain caregivers and put our community first.
It’s time for Asante executives to take responsibility for their decisions, stop cutting our community’s safety net and start working together with local caregivers to improve our community’s health and safety.”
The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) represents a diverse community of more than 25,000 nurses and healthcare professionals throughout Oregon. Together, we use our collective power to advocate for critical issues impacting patients, nurses and healthcare professionals including a more effective, affordable and accessible healthcare system; better working conditions for all healthcare professionals; and healthier communities. For more information visit www.OregonRN.org.
SOU Cuts Bring Protests
Southern Oregon University students on Monday afternoon made their voices heard loud and clear outside SOU’s Hannon Library, adamantly opposing the full plan by Deloitte released Monday that details some $20 million in suggested cuts from the university, including the Music, Gender Studies, Creative Writing, and International Studies programs.
No actions have been made yet regarding the plan, though SOU’s Board of Trustees is expected to vote on the plan in a special meeting at 5 p.m. Friday, May 8. The board will hear from union representatives and the general public in a special board meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 5.
The board must submit the final plan to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission by Monday, May 11, in order to be eligible to receive $15 million in one-time funding from the state of Oregon to keep the university solvent until summer 2027.
2026 Primary Election Ballots in the Mail
Statewide Primary Election – May 19, 2026
The voter registration deadline for the May Primary Election was April 28, 2026.
Ballots began mailing to active voters in Oregon on April 29, 2026.
- View Oregon voter qualification requirements and submit your registration form online.
- Registered voters may check their status, update their voter registration details, and see when they will be mailed a ballot for the upcoming election using MyVote.
- Ballots will not be mailed to voters with inactive status. If MyVote shows you are inactive, please update your registration using MyVote or contact your County Elections Office.
Election Day is May 19, 2026.
Election Day is the last day for a voter to return their ballot.
- County Elections Offices are open 7 am – 8 pm on Election Day.
- View our official Ballot Drop Box Locator to find drop box hours.
- Ballots that are mailed must be postmarked by Election Day.
Medford Fire Department — Last night (5/4) around 9:20 p.m., we responded to a structure fire in the 3000 block of Table Rock Road.
Use a screen on outdoor fires when burning wood. Choose approved propane free-standing fire pits rather than wood fueled options. Keep combustible materials at least 15 feet away. Discard cigarettes, ash, embers, and any other smoldering materials in a non-combustible container filled with water.
‘Full Plates, Full Hearts’ Food Drive Runs Through The End Of May
𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀, 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 is Rotary’s campaign to help end hunger in Jackson County. Right here in our community, thousands of our neighbors are facing hunger…but you can help! Your donation goes twice as far when you donate to 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗢𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗻 during the month of May:
Every dollar matched (up to $25,000) Supports local food pantries ACCESS and Ashland Community Food Bank Helps neighbors in need right now
Join us in making a real, lasting impact. 
Give today: URCSO.org
The pressure on food banks and their pantries ramped up in the later months of 2025. In November, federal food stamp payments to the states came to a sudden halt, amid a congressional budget dispute that began in October and lasted for six weeks.
Food pantries across the country, including in the Rogue Valley, saw lines of people seeking food expand almost overnight, as food stamp recipients scrambled to restock their cupboards and refrigerators.
That immediate crisis passed, but in its wake a continuing crisis persists, as reductions in federal funding have combined with a shaky economy to keep food pantries struggling to fill their shelves.
In response, a coalition of Rotary clubs in Jackson County have launched a “Full Plates, Full Hearts” fundraiser to boost food supplies for ACCESS and the Ashland Community Food Bank. The nine clubs, working together as United Rotary Clubs of Southern Oregon, have joined forces to raise just over $25,000 from their members and now are asking the community to boost the effort, in hopes of doubling the total to at least $50,000 by the end of May.
Kellie Battaglia, executive director of Medford-based ACCESS, noted that her organization is forecasting an increased demand for meals approaching 20 percent for the current fiscal year compared with the prior year.
Battaglia said ACCESS, which operates more than 30 pantries in Jackson County and is one of the Oregon Food Bank’s 21 regional food banks, distributed nearly 67,500 meals in its previous fiscal year. The estimate for 2025-26 is 80,000 meals, an increase of 18.6%.
“So many people are one paycheck away from needing help,” she said. “Families not normally needing food assistance are now needing it.”
Passage of a federal appropriations bill in mid-November included renewed funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly referred to as “food stamps.” But SNAP benefits are expected to fall nationally by an estimated $185 billion over 10 years, with average benefits dropping by $100 a month. In Oregon, an estimated 3,000 people were expected to lose SNAP eligibility entirely.
Battaglia noted donations to the Rotary campaign will provide double the support to the food banks, with Rotarians matching the community’s giving. That means every dollar donated will cover six meals.
“The ‘Full Plates, Full Hearts’ matching campaign is the type of community effort that is needed to do the work,” she said. “We’ve been really lucky that this community rises up when there’s a need.”
The food banks rely on several sources for food and funding donations. ACCESS receives food from the Oregon Food Bank, local grocery store “rescue” and community donations, while Ashland relies on grocery stores and community donations.
Battaglia said the numbers belie the myth that food bank recipients are “riding the system.” Children make up 25% of those helped, seniors another 25% and disabled people 20%.
The United Rotary clubs have had an ongoing connection with both food banks, including providing volunteers to pack and deliver food bags weekly during the school year to nearly 1,000 local elementary school children through the Rogue PowerPack program.
“Hunger isn’t something that happens somewhere else,” United Rotary President LeAnn Mobley said in a release detailing the fundraising effort. “This is our chance as a community to come together, show our compassion and help local families have enough food on their table.”
To donate
See www.urcso.org for online donations. Checks made out to United Rotary Clubs of Southern Oregon may be mailed to URCSO, P.O. Box 8171, Medford, OR 97501. All donated funds will go to the food banks.
Medford Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Abusing a Minor Victim
MEDFORD, Ore.—A Medford, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for sexually abusing a minor victim in his care and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
David Michael Burnett, 37, was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison and a lifetime term of supervised release.
According to court documents, starting in June 2024, Burnett sent five videos of himself sexually abusing a minor victim in his care. Investigators seized Burnett’s devices and found over 300 videos and almost 8,000 images of CSAM.
On August 1, 2024, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a two-count indictment charging Burnett with sexual exploitation of children and distribution of child pornography. On February 3, 2026, Burnett pleaded guilty to both counts.
U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Medford Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Judith Harper.
This case was brought in collaboration with Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Oregon Department of Human Services Medford Office Closed Due to Facility Issue
https://www.facebook.com/ORHumanServices/posts/odhs-offices-at-24-28-w-6th-st-in-medford-are-closed-today-april-27-2026-due-to-/1277299647845670/
Roseburg Police were called out last Tuesday morning after a woman allegedly attacked an orthodontist and exposed herself with children present.
Officers were called out to Current Orthodontics after Sarah Faith Raines, 40, of Roseburg started yelling at staff. A witness told officers that before they arrived, Raines had been yelling at staff before reportedly dropping trou in front of children.
An orthodontist at the location attempted to escort Raines from the property when he says she slapped him. Police located Raines nearby and took her into custody.
She is currently lodged at the Douglas County Jail on charges of harassment and disorderly conduct.
The City of Ashland would like to inform residents that environmental cleanup work at the former Union Pacific Railroad property, a 16-acre vacant former railyard located north of A Street adjacent to the railroad tracks, is scheduled to begin in late April and continue through June.
This voluntary cleanup is being conducted under the jurisdiction of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality in accordance with an approved remediation plan. Equipment is expected to mobilize on site in late April, followed by site preparation and excavation activities. Cleanup activities will be managed by Jacobs on behalf of Union Pacific Railroad, with work carried out by qualified environmental contractors.
This cleanup represents an important step in addressing long-standing environmental conditions on a large, underutilized property, helping prepare the site for future redevelopment while protecting public health and the environment.
Residents interested in learning more may visit the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s dedicated Ashland Rail Yard project webpage:
http://oregon.gov/…/Pages/Ashland-Railroad-Yard.aspx.
For questions about the cleanup activities, residents may contact the project manager, Michael Niemet with Jacobs at michael.niemet@jacobs.com, or reach Union Pacific Railroad through their media relations line at 402 544 5034.
The Rogue Valley Peace Choir has inspired audiences to standing ovations this season with powerful messages of peace, social justice, and caretaking the Earth.
Now, it promises singing, dancing, and wildly engaging percussive flourishes during the final concerts of the the choir’s 23rd season. With these performances — passionately directed by Rob Griswell-Lowry and skillfully accompanied by Dr. Mikiko Petrucelli — the nearly 100-member choir also invites the community to “be the change we want to see in the world.”
The choir will perform at the United Church of Christ, 1801 E. Jackson St., Medford, at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 15. Donations at this concert will benefit the Northwest Seasonal Workers Association.
The choir will perform the same repetoire at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, at the First United Methodist Church, 175 N. Main St., Ashland.
Early arrival at both venues is recommended as seats are expected to fill quickly. A suggested donation of $20 is gratefully accepted, but not required.
The concerts’ theme comes from the title of the song Be the Change. The song’s lyrics revolve around the idea that we can’t look outside ourselves for change, but must embody the changes we want to see in the world.
The song quotes the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr., who said, “Darkness does not drive out the darkness, only light can do that. Hatred does not drive out the hatred, only love can do that.”
“As a choir,” says Griswell-Lowry, “we sing truths like these to remind ourselves, and all who hear our songs, that the responsibility for creating a world worth living in belongs to all of us.
“We’ve all heard that the pen is mightier than the sword,” he adds, “As singers in our choral community, we also know that the power of the pen — of words and ideas — is amplified and enhanced by the music that makes songs. When the Peace Choir shares its songs with our community, we not only share our hope for a better world, we help listeners find — or rediscover — their own hope.”
Songs for the choir’s repertoire are chosen by choir members themselves to express these themes in heart-felt and thoughtful ways. Choir members continue to be a part of the growing movement that recognizes how pro-actively and collectively we can make a difference on many fronts: we can shed light on injustice, we can support an end to wars, and we can take care of our Earth and each other when we work together.
See more about the Rogue Valley Peace Choir.
Britt Music & Arts Festival — Tickets On Sale!
Set your alarms and let’s get excited for SUMMER 2026
𝗪𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟬 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀? 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 – 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟯𝟬𝘁𝗵!!
Jackson County Water Supply/Irrigation Season Update
As you may have heard, the Jackson County Commissioners have asked the Governor to declare a drought for Jackson County. We had an extremely dry winter with little snow which now forces us to use our water that was carried over from the 2025 season. Without this carryover, we would be looking at an extremely short irrigation season. We need to use water as efficiently as possible this year to carryover as much reserve as possible. We never know if the upcoming winter will provide adequate water for next season.
We do not currently have a firm start date for the irrigation season but are looking to start water deliveries as early as May 4th if there is no precipitation, or May 11th if we receive more precipitation to delay the start. The earlier we start, the earlier we will end the season.
𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽!
This event is 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲, but an application is required. Deadline to apply is June 5. https://www.medfordoregon.gov/…/Registration-Open-for…
Applications are open for the 2026 Rogue Girls Fire Camp!
U.S. Forest Service – Umpqua National Forest Seeks Campground Hosts
Join them on Tuesday evenings for 5 weeks for FREE Community Concerts beginning June 16th through July 14th, 6:30pm-8:30pm in the picturesque Riverside Park.
Make a night of it! Bring the family for an evening of great music, delicious food, dancing, and fun for all ages. This family-friendly event features:
- Local Food Trucks: Savor a variety of culinary delights from our food truck partners.
- Activities & giveaways: There are always fun offerings for kids.
- Vendor Booths: Explore a diverse range of goods and services from local vendors.
- Wild River’s Tap Trailer: Enjoy refreshing beverages from a beloved local brewery.
The Chamber is pleased to announce that they will be in the same location as last year near the Pavilion. This spot offers plenty of shade and convenient access to parking. They encourage attendees to park in the McKinny lot across from the 6th street park entrance and safely utilize the walking path under the bridge.
The Chamber relies on the generosity of partners, supporters, and volunteers to continue offering this FREE gift to the community. If you are interested in sponsoring, there are many levels to accommodate any budget. Your support helps us maintain the tradition of community concerts and promotes a vibrant local culture.
Without further ado, they are thrilled to present the 2026 Line-Up for our upcoming concert series! This year’s selection promises an exciting mix of both renowned artists and local talent, ensuring a lasting impression on all who hear them.
2026 LINE-UP
June 16th – Gunstock RED
Strap in and get ready for a wild ride with Gunstock Red. This band’s music is a roller-coaster, taking listeners on a journey through southern rock, funk and everything in between. With a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh, their music pays homage to a wide range of music. GSR’s dynamic stage presence and infectious energy make them a standout act leaving a lasting impression on all who hear them.
June 23rd – Simple Dreams Oregon
Everything began with Simple Dreams Oregon – Ronstadt’s greatest hits, their signature full band musical tribute. A rich, emotional journey through Linda Ronstadt most beloved music, each performance is a love letter to an era of unmatched songwriting – delivered with powerhouse vocals, soaring, harmonies, and a band that plays with both passion and precision. It’s more than a concert. It’s a revival of spirit.
June 30th – Pozitronics
Not just a band—they’re a musical time machine that electrifies every event with an unparalleled song arsenal spanning the decades. From James Brown’s soulful grooves to Dua Lipa’s modern beats, from Beatles classic rock to Michael Jackson pop, they seamlessly flow through genres, curating pure musical energy that transforms any space into an unstoppable dance floor. With professional precision and infectious passion, Pozitronics doesn’t just play music—they create unforgettable experiences that keep every crowd moving from the first note to the last call.
July 7th – Evening Shades
The Evening Shades is an indie/alternative rock band based in southern Oregon. With a modern, yet nostalgic sound, the band is known for their high energy, dynamic live shows. From driving, angsty rock anthems to stripped down, introspective and cheeky love songs, Evening Shades might be your new favorite band.
July 14th – The John Dough Boys
The John Dough Boys are a ruckus-including 5-piece string band formed in Southern Oregon. East met west, punk met bluegrass, and rock met folk, giving birth to a host of fast paced, foot stomping songs about women, beer and bad decisions. The lineup includes upright slap bass, drums, fiddle, guitar and banjo. Their aggressive live sound is infectious and is sure to leave anyone who witnesses it wanting more!
Join the Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce as they honor four decades of music, community, and joy in Grants Pass. Looking forward to celebrating this milestone with you!
𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆: 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 
Southern Oregon Goodwill — We are hiring for our new North Medford store, opening May 14th!
New Blog: PIER Grant Round 2 Now Open! Read the full blog here:
Eligibility details Grant uses (up to $15,000) Important deadlines What support is available to help you apply
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 
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.
5/6/2026 — Gas Prices in Oregon Today
Oregon honors fallen law enforcement officers at annual memorial ceremony
A ceremony held Tuesday, May 5 commemorated law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty in Oregon. The annual Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony honors the state’s fallen officers and those they left behind.
The event was held at the Oregon Public Safety Academy, site of the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial.
The ceremony was attended by the families, loved ones and colleagues of fallen officers, elected officials, and public safety professionals from throughout the state. Paying tribute to Oregon’s fallen officers, keynote speaker Adam Palmer, assistant commissioner with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, reflected on their courage, selflessness, and enduring legacy, and spoke of the respect shared between Canadian and American officers who stand together in honoring those who gave their lives in service.
“These officers made the ultimate sacrifice while performing their sworn duty to serve and protect our communities. They provided safety to others in moments of fear, and they served with unwavering courage and dignity that defines the very best of us,” Assistant Commissioner Palmer said.
The memorial bears the names of the 199 officers who have died in the line of duty since the 1860s. This includes law enforcement, corrections, and parole and probation officers from city, county, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies.
“This year, we are grateful that no new names were added to the Law Enforcement Memorial wall. We do not take that for granted,” said Phil Castle, director of the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST). “Today, we honor those whose names are already here, and we hold fast to the hope that this wall will remain unchanged for many years to come.”
The ceremony is a significant event that DPSST is honored to host each year in partnership with the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, Oregon Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, and Oregon’s various statewide law enforcement associations.
Oregon’s memorial ceremony is held ahead of National Police Week events in Washington, D.C. so that family members and coworkers can attend both memorial ceremonies. More than 23,000 officers who have died in the line of duty are honored on the national memorial.
Oregon faces longer fire season due to historic heat, drought, fire experts warn
Oregon’s wildfire season started early this year and is expected to last into October, according to state fire experts.
(Photo courtesy of the Deschutes County Sherriff’s Office)
The season is made more difficult by historic heat, drought and a potentially early El Niño weather pattern that could further stir up temperatures and lightning storms into the fall, fire officials said at a Tuesday news conference with Gov. Tina Kotek. Oregonians need to be proactive about protecting themselves and their properties from wildfire and behave far more cautiously when starting campfires or burning debris than in recent years, they advised.
“It’s not one thing that brings the wildfire season, it’s many things,” Kotek said.
Although May is officially Wildfire Awareness Month, the season’s first Level 3 fire — meaning residents were ordered to evacuate immediately — occurred in La Pine in March, burning 20 acres.
“All indications suggest a more challenging fire season ahead of all of us,” Kotek said.
Oregon’s winter was among the warmest on record and snow-pack across the Northwest was one-third of normal levels, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Last year’s wildfire season burned significantly fewer Oregon acres than in previous years, in large part because the Oregon Legislature allocated hundreds of millions of additional dollars to the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Both in turn beefed up preparation and response systems since the 2020 Labor Day Fires that became the most expensive in state history.
But most fires last year — more than 60% of wildfires — were started by humans, a disappointing reversal from years prior, which had human-caused fires trending downward. People burning yard waste and other debris is the number one cause of human-ignited wildfires, Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said.Download the Before You Burn app here.
She encouraged Oregonians who burn debris to download a new Before You Burn app developed with support from state and federal fire agencies, which will provide users information about local burn regulations, burn statuses, required safety measures and fire and weather alerts. About 700 Oregonians have downloaded it since it launched in April, she said.
Oregon’s new state forester, Kacey KC, said it’s likely that wildfire risk will be above normal east of the Cascades in rangeland areas beginning in June and above normal southwest of the Cascades by July, heading up further into forests that have experienced record-low snowpack this year.
Federal partners?
Oregon’s fire agencies have roughly 700 wildland fire fighters and 300 fire trucks ready to protect 16 million Oregon acres this season. They’ll rely as well on more than 300 local fire departments and federal and tribal wildland firefighters to respond in an emergency.
“We are ready, we are coordinated and we are all hands on deck as we prepare for the season,” Kotek said.
Oregon’s congressional Democrats have raised concerns that federal support could be lacking in light of budget and personnel cuts to the U.S. Forest Service over the last year. The cuts, according to a letter from Oregon’s senior U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, included 1,400 employees who hold the necessary certifications to support firefighting operations during a wildfire.
KC said she talks frequently with the Forest Service’s regional director — at least weekly as the state prepares and gets closer to the fire season — and that she’s been assured no wildland firefighters working for the Forest Service or U.S. Department of the Interior in Oregon have lost their jobs.
Although federal officials have been criticized for consolidating wildland firefighting efforts at both agencies to create the new U.S. Wildland Fire Service so close to the start of the fire season, KC said signs so far indicate that moving all firefighting efforts under the Interior as opposed to several agencies could be beneficial in the long run.
“They’re working together to figure out how to do this more effectively. And so I feel confident that this year, on a firefighting front, they’re going to be as active as they’ve always been, and that it may actually even be a little simpler,” she said.
Simple home hardening recommendations from state fire experts:
- Space trees and prune them to prevent fire from climbing up them and onto structures.
- Remove leaves, pine needles, mulch and other debris within 100 feet of structures or up to the property line.
- Clean roofs and gutters.
- Move combustible materials like mulch and firewood away from structures.
- Trim dead material from plants and trees, especially near the house.
- Do not plant directly under eaves. Leave at least a five-foot buffer between plants and structures.
- Know your evacuation routes, be two weeks ready and sign up for emergency alerts at OR-Alert.
- Know your local air quality smoke conditions by keeping up with DEQ’s Air now program: About AirNow | AirNow.gov.
Pacific Power working toward rate stability for Oregon customers
General rate case seeks stable rates in 2026, lower rates in first half of 2027
Pacific Power has filed a general rate case with the Oregon Public Utility Commission with a plan that would keep rates stable in the near-term, deliver lower rates in early 2027 and delay a minimal residential rate increase until the third quarter of 2027.
Under the proposal, residential customers would see stable bills in 2026, followed by decreases in the first half of 2027 and a minimal net rate increase in July 2027. If approved, interim rates would take effect June 5, 2026, and remain in place while regulators review the full general rate case.
The company’s proposal addresses the rising costs of doing business and ensures critical investments in the grid, while keeping rates stable for customers. More information is available on the company’s Oregon rate proposal page.
“Affordability is an ongoing concern for our customers,” said Rick Link, senior vice president of regulation and planning. “Our job is to deliver safe, reliable power and keep costs as low as possible, while making the necessary investments needed for long-term reliability. We’ve worked hard to manage what we can and provide predictability for our customers.”
While reflecting Pacific Power’s commitment to affordability, the proposal also acknowledges several cost pressures affecting the delivery of safe and reliable electric service, including higher cost of materials needed to maintain and replace power lines, poles and other equipment, as well as rapidly rising insurance costs for wildfire risk.
Participation in the Extended Day-Ahead Market showcases how Pacific Power is innovating to deliver value and help keep customer costs low. Since helping pioneer the Western Energy Imbalance Market, an energy market that provides access to the lowest-cost power available, the company has delivered more than $297 million in customer benefits to Oregon customers. Building on that proven track record, EDAM will further optimize how electricity is bought and sold on the open market, creating additional savings opportunities that will benefit customers.
To assist vulnerable 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.
Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs to Host Statewide Memorial Day Event in Salem
The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs will host Oregon’s annual Statewide Memorial Day Ceremony in person at 11 a.m., Monday, May 25 in view of the Oregon State Capitol Building.
This event honors Oregon’s fallen service members from all eras of service and will feature remarks by dignitaries and special guests along with ceremonial elements including a color guard, singing of the national anthem, a wreath laying and the playing of “Taps.”
The ceremony will be hosted at the Oregon State Capitol State Park, located directly across the street from the front entrance of the Oregon State Capitol Building, 900 Court Street NE in Salem. This event is being temporarily relocated from its traditional annual location at the World War II Memorial due to adjacent construction taking place on the Capitol grounds.
The event is open to the public, and uncovered seating will be provided for attendees. Accessible pathways and seating areas for those needing accommodations will also be available. Attendees are reminded to plan accordingly for Oregon weather.
For those unable to attend in person, the ceremony will also be livestreamed on ODVA’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/odvavet.
Statewide Memorial Day Events — In addition to the Capitol ceremony, ODVA maintains a Statewide Memorial Day Events Calendar highlighting local observances and community celebrations honoring Oregon’s fallen heroes.
To view events near you, visit oregondva.com/event-calendar.
Organizations and communities hosting Memorial Day events are encouraged to submit their event for inclusion on the calendar by using the “Add Your Event” link on that page.
If you have any questions, please contact ODVA at (800) 692-9666 or visit oregon.gov/odva.
Established in 1945, the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is dedicated to serving Oregon’s diverse veteran community that spans five eras of service members. ODVA administers programs and provides special advocacy and assistance in accessing earned veteran benefits across the state. Learn about veteran benefits and services, or locate a local county or Tribal veteran service office online at oregon.gov/odva.
Airports across Oregon to receive $3 million in federal funds for improvements
Ten Oregon airports will receive $3.1 million in federal funding for upgrades, members of Oregon’s congressional delegation announced last week.
“Small airports throughout our state need and deserve federal investments so Oregonians can count on them for small business support, emergency response, secure travel and more,” said U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat. “These federal resources advance those key objectives statewide, and I’ll keep battling for similar infrastructure investments to make all airports in Oregon better and safer.”
The Federal Aviation Administration is distributing the funding across the following airports:
- The McMinnville Airport will receive $1 million to acquire and install a new wind cone to help pilots, as well as to build 12,500 feet of fencing and 10 gates.
- The Burns Municipal Airport will receive $418,000 to build a 1,600-square-foot building to store snow removal equipment.
- The Florence Municipal Airport will receive $400,000 to acquire and install a new wind cone and segmented circle navigational aid for pilots.
- The Troutdale Airport will receive $290,000 to reseal 13,000 feet of existing taxiways and joints.
- The Ontario Municipal Airport will receive $275,000 to build a new helipad.
- The Corvallis Municipal Airport will receive $246,000 to build a new taxi lane to provide airfield access to a hangar development area.
- The Lexington Airport in Morrow County will receive $160,000 to upgrade the light system on two runways.
- The Newport Airport will receive $137,000 to build a 5,250-square-foot hangar for aircraft storage.
- The Tillamook Airport will receive $137,000 to build a new fuel farm, including adding two fuel tanks and two self-service pumps.
- The Gold Beach Municipal Airport in Curry County will receive $78,000 to reseal 3,200 feet of runway pavement and 3,200 feet of taxiway pavement.
Local officials celebrated the funding investments.
“The role of the Burns Municipal Airport in terms of public safety is often overlooked,” Harney County Commissioner Rob Frank said in a statement. “It is an integral component of our wildfire response and emergency response for the entire region, and this investment in infrastructure is critical.”
In McMinnville, the airport investment means more security and safety, airport manager John Paskell said.
“As a developing regional general aviation airport, and as a significant economic asset and job creator in the community, continued federal infrastructure investment in airports is critical in ensuring their viability well into the future, particularly for airports in smaller communities like McMinnville,” Paskell said in a statement. “Those airport improvements go a long way and help protect and preserve the airport’s financial self-sufficiency while also improving the facility.” (SOURCE)
Oregon’s trees face harm from another hot, dry summer
Oregon trees are in for another difficult year due to climate change. Conditions this spring are already similar to those in 2015, when we experienced peak high temperatures and drought. That’s on top of a winter that tied 1934 for the warmest since accurate records were kept beginning in 1896, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Trees in Oregon have been experiencing chronic stress from hot droughts for at least a couple of decades. Although there have been a few breaks, the compounding of frequent, or long-duration warm and dry conditions have taken their toll on many trees. These conditions include:
- higher than average temperatures
- inconsistent precipitation, or more precipitation falling as rain than snow
- earlier snow melt.
Oregon Department of Forestry Forest Entomologist Christine Buhl said, “A warm or dry spring is particularly harmful for trees as this is their most active growing period. This stress reduces growth, weakens defenses against opportunistic insects and diseases, and can outright kill tissues or whole trees.”
Buhl said warmer conditions can also make conditions more favorable to tree pests.
“Warm winters reduce pest deaths from cold, increasing their growth or number of pests. It also extends the range of less cold-tolerant pests, and lengthens their feeding periods,” she said.
Buhl has this guidance for landowners:
- Plant species and seedlots (stock adapted to a specific area) only within their current and climate-projected range.
- Avoid planting seedlings during dry seasons and keep roots moist and out of direct sun when planting for best establishment.
- Reduce competition for moisture by controlling weeds and reducing stand density to the carrying capacity for the tree species, site quality, and climate.
- If currently adapted species or seedlots are struggling, shift toward a nearby, more drought-tolerant seedlot, or in extreme cases a more drought-tolerant species
- Native understory vegetation and mulch can help retain soil moisture.
- Avoid root compaction from heavy equipment when the soil is wet.
- Avoid fertilizing if the site is drought-stressed. Fertilizer increases biomass and therefore water requirements.
Find more information on trees and drought at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/documents/forestbenefits/drought.pdf
The Office of the Governor, in partnership with the Oregon Arts Commission, is proud to relaunch Art in the Governor’s Office. This program brings the works of some of Oregon’s most distinguished artists to the state Capitol to be displayed in the Governor’s Gallery (formerly the Reception Room).
This longstanding tradition, which began in 1975 and celebrates the diverse creativity of Oregon’s professional visual artists, returns this year after a pause due to the pandemic and the restoration of the Capitol building. It will feature a series of three exhibitions of renowned practitioners of photography and painting.
The 2026 series begins with an exhibition by Harrison Branch, an accomplished photographer and Oregon State University Professor Emeritus. Branch’s “Palladotypes: Unpublished Images” will be on display April 24 through July 16.
“With construction nearly completed, it’s so meaningful to be back in the Capitol – and restart the sharing of art in the Governor’s Office,” said Oregon First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson. “Oregonian artist Marie Watt so perfectly described the importance of art: ‘Art is a living, breathing part of our community. Art belongs to everyone, and it has the power to transform the way we see each other and ourselves.’ I encourage everyone who visits or works in the Capitol to stop by the Governor’s Office to view these beautiful pieces of art and photography.”
Featured Artist: Harrison Branch — Born in New York City and educated at the San Francisco Art Institute and Yale University, Harrison Branch has spent more than four decades at the forefront of photographic education and artistry. Joining Oregon State University faculty in 1972, Branch was instrumental in developing the university’s photography program.
Branch, who lives in Corvallis, is celebrated for his technical expertise with bellows cameras—large, intricate instruments that allow for extreme precision. His work deeply explores the “natural environment,” specifically focusing on the tonal relationships between silver and the superior platinum-palladium printing process.
“In the age of digital photography,” Branch said, “I prefer the traditional methods, which could also be called classical. To me this hands-on method brings the most joy and excitement. Watching an image materialize in the developing tray is still magical.”
His photographs, which often feature undeveloped natural areas, have been exhibited internationally, including at the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris and the George Eastman House.
Upcoming 2026 Exhibitions
Following the exhibition by Harrison Branch, the Governor’s Office will host two additional prominent Oregon artists:
Erik Sandgren (July 17 – Oct. 8): Sandgren’s work probes the figured landscape through the lenses of myth and history. He works in many media. His large-scale murals, paintings and prints are in private and public collections as diverse as the Maryhill Museum of Art and the Yale University Art Gallery.
Nancy Watterson Scharf (Oct. 9 – Dec. 31): Scharf is based in the Southern Oregon coast range, and her acrylic paintings provide a “voice for nature,” investigating the complex relationship between humans, animals and the ecosystems they share.
Public Access — The Governor’s Gallery is viewable most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitation information is available at 503-986-1388.
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is reminding political campaigns that placing signs within highway rights of way is prohibited.
ODOT regularly removes signs that are improperly positioned, as they can distract drivers, pose safety risks, and obstruct official road messages. Any campaign signs found in violation are taken down and stored at a nearby ODOT district maintenance office for a period of 30 days or until they are retrieved. While signs are permitted on private property visible from the highway, they must adhere to specific regulations, including a maximum size of 12 square feet.
Oregon Prescription Drug Affordability Board to host community forums to hear how prescription drug prices affect Oregonians
The Oregon Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) is hosting a series of community forums in April and May to hear from people about the high cost of prescription drugs and the effect it has on their lives and budgets.
The in-person forums will be held May 5 at the Salem Library, May 6 at the Redmond Library, May 12 at the Asian Health & Service Center in Portland, and May 18 at the Beaverton Library. Online forums are scheduled for April 28, May 11, May 13, and the online board meeting, May 20.
“We invite all Oregonians to join us at these forums and share your stories about the cost of your medications and how those costs impact your lives,” said Sarah Young, PDAB executive director. “All forums will have similar content, so choose the best option for your schedule. We would love to have patients, caregivers, and consumers join us to share their experiences. Hearing your stories will help inform the board as it reviews drugs to identify affordability challenges and high out-of-pocket costs for patients.”
The board conducts annual drug reviews and presents a list of medications that may create affordability challenges to the Oregon Legislature each year. This year, PDAB will review the following medications to evaluate their affordability and their impact on Oregonians and the state’s health care system:
- Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Ozempic (Type 2 diabetes)
- Humulin R U-500 (improve blood sugar control for those with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes who require more than 200 units of insulin per day)
- Keytruda and Verzenio (cancer)
- Xeljanz (autoimmune and inflammatory conditions)
- Ocrevus (multiple sclerosis)
- Skyrizi (immune-mediated inflammatory conditions)
- Tremfya (plaque psoriasis)
- Xolair (allergic and inflammatory conditions)
The feedback from the community forums will help inform PDAB’s drug review process. Each of the drugs and what they treat can be found on PDAB’s website.
The three online forums are:
- Tuesday, April 28, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. (zoomgov.com/join, meeting ID is 161 635 9753 and the passcode is OregonPDAB)
- Monday, May 11, from noon to 1:30 p.m. (zoomgov.com/join, meeting ID is 160 556 2737 and the passcode is OregonPDAB)
- Wednesday, May 13, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (zoomgov.com/join, meeting ID is 160 948 4958 and the passcode is OregonPDAB)
The four in-person forums are:
- Tuesday, May 5, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Salem at the Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty St. SE
- Wednesday, May 6, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Redmond at the Redmond Public Library, 817 SW Deschutes Ave.
- Tuesday, May 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Portland at the Asian Health & Service Center, 9035 SE Foster Road
- Monday, May 18, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Beaverton at the Beaverton City Library, 12375 SW Fifth St.
“We also invite everyone to share online feedback about the prescription drugs the board is reviewing,” Young said. “If you have been prescribed one of the drugs on the list, please answer the questions and submit the form.”
The feedback forms are located on the PDAB website and include options for patients, medical experts, safety net clinics, and others.
The Oregon Legislature created the board out of Senate Bill 844 in 2021 to protect Oregonians and the Oregon health care system from the high costs of prescription drugs. The board holds monthly online meetings that are open to the public. The board has eight members with backgrounds in clinical medicine or health care economics.
For more information, email pdab@dcbs.oregon.gov, call 971-374-3724 or go to dfr.oregon.gov/pdab.
About PDAB: The Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) is in the Division of Financial Regulation, part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. The board was established under ORS 646A.693 to protect residents of Oregon, state and local governments, commercial health plans, health care providers, pharmacies licensed in Oregon, and others within the health care system in this state from the high costs of prescription drugs. Visit dfr.oregon.gov/pdab.
Tuition at Oregon’s seven public universities will increase again this fall, marking the twelfth consecutive year that the state’s four-year institutions have raised admission costs for new students.
This ongoing trend of relying on tuition hikes to fund university operations, coupled with insufficient state investment, has positioned Oregon’s public universities as the most expensive in the western United States, as reported by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.
Over the past decade, resident undergraduate tuition increases have outpaced inflation for six of those years, averaging an annual rise of 4.3%, which translates to approximately $430 more each year. Additionally, any proposed tuition increase of 5% or more requires approval from the state’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission.
BLM Brings Oregon Folklife Programming to National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center
BAKER CITY, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management invites the public to explore Oregon’s living cultural traditions through a new interpretive folklife series at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center beginning this week.
The series aligns with America’s 250th anniversary by highlighting the people, traditions, and cultural knowledge that have shaped the nation over time. Visitors can experience firsthand how traditional arts connect past and present while supporting the BLM’s mission.
From April through October, visitors will have interactive opportunities that represent Native American, ranching, and rural lifeways. Presentations will take place daily at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Pacific Time, offering deeper insight into each artist’s craft and cultural background.
April 23-25, Sara Barton, traditional basket maker of Mono Lake Paiute and Yosemite Miwuk ancestry works closely with Burns Paiute weavers
May 7-9, Kathy Moss, cowboy poet, buckaroo, horse trainer, and rancher from Prairie City
June 18-20, Roberta Kirk, regalia maker, food gatherer, and bead and dentalium artist from Warm Springs, Tenino and Wasq’u
July 9-11, Cheryl Newhouse, spinner and weaver from Richland
August 13-15, Mildred Quaempts, dentalium artist from the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla
September 24-26, Clair Kehrberg, saddle and gear maker and leatherworker from John Day
October 15-17, Katie Harris Murphy and Mary Harris, regalia and beadwork artists from the Wallowa Band Nimiipuu, Cayuse, Umatilla, and Karuk Tribes
“This interpretive outreach brings people face-to-face with the traditions that continue to shape communities across Oregon,” said Robert Reis, acting manager for the Interpretive Center. “These demonstrations create a meaningful connection to the past through the skills and knowledge that are still practiced today.”
This series is designed to build long-term, high-quality cultural programming at the Interpretive Center, ensuring visitors can engage with authentic traditions and perspectives for years to come.
The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is located at 22267 Highway 86 in Baker City and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT. Admission fees apply. For more information, visit the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center website or call 541-523-1843.
Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs
No veteran should be without a place to call home, and the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is committed to ending veteran homelessness in our state. The new ODVA Houseless Veterans Program collaborates with federal, state, county, and Tribal agencies, veteran services offices, and community homeless service providers to meet the urgent and unique needs of Oregon’s diverse veteran communities challenged with housing stability. In addition to advocating for Oregon veterans experiencing or at risk for houselessness, the program provides direct service to veterans and their families seeking federal and state veterans’ benefits, including access to local VA health care, documentation of service, as well as other available state benefits, and local homeless services organizations and low-income assistance programs. If you or a veteran you know is dealing with homelessness, contact the ODVA Houseless Veterans Coordinator today at houselessvets@odva.oregon.gov or visit https://ow.ly/V4EH50VnL93 to learn more.
Staying Informed During a Communications Outage: Best Practices for the Public
Disasters can damage critical infrastructure, leading to temporary outages in cell service, internet, and power. When communication systems go down, it’s vital to be prepared with alternate ways to get emergency information and stay connected. Here’s how you can prepare and respond:
Have a Battery-Powered or Hand-Crank Emergency Weather Radio
- Why it matters: Emergency radios can receive Emergency Alert System (EAS) broadcasts via AM/FM or NOAA Weather Radio frequencies—even when cell towers and the internet are down.
- Note: Emergency radios do not receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) like cell phones do. Tip: Pre-tune your radio to your local emergency broadcast station (e.g., OPB in Oregon or NOAA frequencies).
Turn On WEA Alerts on Your Phone
- Make sure Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are enabled in your phone’s settings. These alerts include evacuation orders, severe weather warnings, and other urgent notifications.
- WEA messages are sent through cell towers—if cell service is out, WEA alerts will not be delivered. This is why having backup methods like a radio is essential.
Charge Everything in Advance and Have Backup Power
- Charge phones, power banks, laptops, and rechargeable flashlights before fire weather conditions worsen.
- Consider solar-powered chargers or car chargers as backups.
- If you are sheltering in place, a generator (solar or gas powered) is helpful.
Know Your Evacuation Routes in Advance
- Save printed or downloaded evacuation maps in case you can’t access GPS or navigation apps.
- Most mapping services (like Google Maps or Apple Maps) offer the ability to “Make maps available offline.” Download your area in advance so you can navigate even if cell towers or internet access are down.
- When in doubt, call 511 or visit the TripCheck.com website if you have cell service.
- Don’t wait for a notification—if you feel unsafe, evacuate early.
Print or Write Down Critical Contacts and Info
- Phone numbers of family, neighbors, and local emergency contacts.
- Address of evacuation shelters, veterinary services (for pets/livestock), and medical facilities.
- Your own emergency plan, including meeting locations.
- Have copies of vital documents in your go-bag and take video of your property (inside and out) for insurance claims later.
If Calling 9-1-1 Over Wi-Fi or Satellite, Check Your Location Settings
If you call 9-1-1 using Wi-Fi calling or a satellite-connected phone (like an iPhone or Android), your location might not be automatically visible to dispatch. Instead, it may rely on the emergency address saved in your phone’s settings.
- Update this emergency address when you travel or relocate—especially in evacuation zones or rural areas.
- Most importantly, always tell the dispatcher exactly where you are—include your address, landmarks, road names, or mile markers to help first responders reach you quickly.
Sign Up for Alerts Before There’s an Outage
- Register for OR-Alert and your county’s local alert system.
- Follow your local emergency management officials’ and bookmark resources like: wildfire.oregon.gov.
Prepare for Alert Delays or Gaps
- Know the three levels of evacuation:
- Level 1 – Be Ready
- Level 2 – Be Set
- Level 3 – GO NOW
- If you hear a siren, see a neighbor evacuating, or witness fire behavior increasing—take action even if you haven’t received an alert.
Be Your Own Info Network
- Check on neighbors, especially seniors or those with disabilities.
- Post printed signs with updates for those passing by.
In rural areas, community bulletin boards or fire stations may serve as local information points. Support and Restoration in Progress To help maintain emergency communications during this incident, OEM deployed eight Starlink terminals under the guidance of ESF 2 and the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC). A Communications Technician (Jeff Perkins) was also deployed to assess connectivity needs on the ground. These Starlink terminals have been providing service to the Lake County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Oregon State Police (OSP), Warner Creek Correctional Facility, and will soon support the town of Lakeview, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Lakeview Ranger Station. OEM’s Regional Coordinator (Stacey) is also on-site supporting the Lake County EOC. Coordination has been strong across local, state, and private sector partners. *** Update: As of 7/10/25 at 1:47 PM, fiber service has been restored.
Reconnect When Service Returns
- Once communications are restored, check official websites:
- Oregon.gov/oem
- Your county emergency management page
- TripCheck.com for road conditions
- Share verified info—not rumors—on social media or community pages.
Prepare for Delays in Restoration
- Communication may come back in phases. Damage to fiber lines or cell towers can take time to repair.
- Continue using backup methods and stay alert for updates via radio or in-person notices.
Final Tip:
In an emergency, CALL 9-1-1 to report life-threatening danger, not for general information. Use local non-emergency numbers or go to physical information points if needed. You can find more tips for preparing in OEM’s Be2Weeks Ready toolkit.
Oregon’s Missing Persons
Many times you’ll see postings without case numbers or police contact. There is rarely a nefarious reason why (the nefarious ones are pretty obvious). Usually the loved one tried to call to report their missing person and they are either refused or told to wait a day or two by people who are unaware of SB 351 and the laws that they are bound to when answering the phone. Many people don’t bother calling LE if their loved one is homeless or in transition because they believe LE won’t care. The biggest myth is the 24 hour rule.
In Oregon we don’t have those rules and an officer or person answering the phone is not allowed to decide. The law decides. We have Senate Bill 351 and it states that the police CANNOT refuse a request for any reason and they must begin working on it within 12 hours. The person making the report does not have to be related to missing person either. Here is SB 351 written by families of the missing here in Oregon in conjunction with Oregon law enforcement officers. This should be common knowledge, please make it this way. https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/…/SB351/Introduced
Find the mental health support you need
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 
Call us at 5 41-363-7503 Or email us at Info@RogueValleyMagazine.com