The Grants Pass Police Department has partnered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to counter drug activity in Grants Pass and Southern Oregon. As part of this partnership, we provide a detective as a Task Force Officer in the local DEA office. Our detective conducts investigations into drug crimes in Grants Pass and has successfully managed numerous major interdictions. The detective is responsible for arresting major drug suppliers and other high-level drug criminals who target Grants Pass citizens.

This past Saturday, the Grants Pass Police DEA Task Force Officer led an investigation that resulted in the seizure of roughly 40 pounds of methamphetamine. Also assisting in the case were the Grants Pass Police SWAT Quick Response Team, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Rogue Area Drug Enforcement team, the Oregon State Police, and other members of the DEA Task Force.

The Grants Pass Police Department is committed to tackling drug crimes in our community. Persons with tips or information on drug activity are encouraged to call our tipline at 541-237-5607.

Due to police activity the Parkway Bridge is closed. Please avoid the area. There is no danger to the public but there will be an extended closure.

JCSO Case 26-0617

WHITE CITY, Ore. – A Jackson County Grand Jury indicted a 19-year-old White City man today on charges of unlawful sexual penetration in the second degree and sexual abuse in the third degree. The suspect, Eli Mulugeta Young, 19, of White City is lodged in the Jackson County Jail.

On Friday, February 6, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies responded to a report of 19-year-old man sexually abusing a girl under the age of 14. JCSO deputies arrested the man in the 7000 block of Houston Loop in White City.

JCSO Special Victims Unit (SVU) detectives believe Young may have other victims. Anyone with information about the pictured suspect is asked to call SVU Detective Jill Wenzel at (541) 770-8928.

JCSO SVU detectives are currently investigating this case. Further information will come from the Jackson County District Attorney’s office.

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JCSO Case 25-6554

RURAL ASHLAND, Ore. – The body of a Eugene man missing since December has been located near Mill Creek Drive and Highway 66 outside of Ashland. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) Medical Examiner detectives have scientifically identified the body as Damon Lee Petrie, 60, of Eugene. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.

JCSO deputies, detectives, and Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel conducted extensive searches for Petrie after he was reported missing on December 18, 2025. Petrie’s body was found by a hiker on Saturday, February 7.

The cause and manner of death are pending an autopsy and toxicology report. No further information is available at this time.

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02/11/2026 - Klamath County Fire District 1 (KCFD1) responded to a reported structure fire in the 3700 block of Laverne Avenue in Klamath Falls at approximately 2:38 a.m. this morning.

Multiple 911 callers reported a trailer fully involved with flames visible from the windows. The first arriving KCFD1 engine company observed fire extending from several windows and through the roof of the single-wide trailer. Crews initiated an immediate and aggressive fire attack, successfully knocking down the bulk of the fire and preventing further spread.

One adult occupant was able to escape the trailer by exiting through an emergency egress window at the rear of the residence after being unable to access the primary entry/exit door, which had become engulfed in flames. That individual sustained smoke inhalation and burn injuries and was transported by Klamath County Fire District 1 personnel to Sky Lakes Medical Center for treatment.

Based on information provided by the injured occupant, firefighters conducted a targeted search of the structure and located a deceased individual inside the trailer.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by Klamath County Fire District 1 in coordination with the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office.

Fire Safety Reminder

This tragic incident highlights the critical importance of:

• Ensuring working smoke alarms are installed in every sleeping area and tested monthly
• Maintaining clear and accessible primary exits at all times
• Identifying and practicing secondary escape routes, including emergency egress windows
• Developing and regularly reviewing a home fire escape plan

Early detection and having multiple escape options can significantly increase survivability in a residential fire.

KCFD1 extends its condolences to those affected by this incident.

Columbia County, Ore. (Feb. 10, 2026)- On Monday, February 9, 2026, at 6:54 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 30, near milepost 51, in Columbia County.

The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Chevrolet Tahoe, operated by Lorenza Gaspar-Mateo (34) of Longview (WA), crossed into the westbound lane and struck a westbound Subaru Crosstrek, operated by Alissa Jenay Jarvis (23) of Astoria, head-on.

The operator of the Chevrolet (Gaspar-Mateo) was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries.

The operator of the Subaru (Jarvis) was declared deceased at the scene.

The highway was impacted for approximately five hours during the on-scene investigation. Impairment and lane safety are considered primary contributors to the crash.

OSP was assisted by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Columbia River Fire, and ODOT.

# # #

About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) 
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in the documentation, investigation, and analysis of complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in the use of advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.

Jefferson County, Ore. (Feb. 9, 2026)- On Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 4:01 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 97, near milepost 102, in Jefferson County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a northbound Subaru Forester, operated by Aaron Lee Bottorff (51) of La Grande, crossed into the southbound lane for unknown reasons and struck a southbound Jeep Cherokee, operated by Brayan Gonzalez Celestino (34) of Bend, head-on. 

The operator of the Subaru (Bottorff) was declared deceased at the scene.

The operator of the Jeep (Gonzalez Celestino) reportedly suffered minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital.

The highway was impacted for approximately three hours during the on-scene investigation. 

OSP was assisted by the Jefferson County Sheriff's office, Jefferson County Fire, and ODOT.

# # #

About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) 
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in the documentation, investigation, and analysis of complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in the use of advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.

Lane County, Ore. (Feb. 9, 2026)- On Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 1:29 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 58, near milepost 40, in Lane County.

The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Toyota Tacoma, operated by Anais Spring Rowell (25) of Oakridge, left the roadway for unknown reasons and struck a tree head-on.

The operator of the Toyota (Rowell) and passenger, Malia Kana Malo (24) of Oakridge, were declared deceased at the scene. Neither occupant were wearing a seatbelt.

The highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by Oakridge Fire and ODOT.

# # #

About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) 
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in the documentation, investigation, and analysis of complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in the use of advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.

UPDATE: OSP is asking for any potential witnesses or anyone with information to contact OSP Dispatch at 800-442-2068 or dial OSP (677) from a mobile phone. Please reference case number SP26-035245. Investigators believe the pedestrian (Byam) was struck sometime between 9:45 p.m. on January 30, 2026, and 7:20 a.m. on January 31, 2026.

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. (Feb. 2, 2026) – On Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 7:20 a.m., the Oregon State Police responded to a report of a person down on the northbound shoulder of Interstate 5 near the Exit 24 on ramp.

The preliminary investigation indicated the pedestrian, Anthony Jonathan Byam (34) of Phoenix, had been struck by a vehicle that did not stop. Byam was declared deceased at the scene. 

An investigation into the hit-and-run crash is ongoing.  

The highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Jackson County Fire District and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

# # #

About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) 
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in documenting, investigating, and analyzing complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in using advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR-accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.

Grants Pass, Ore. (Feb. 7, 2026) – On Saturday, February 7, 2026, at approximately 12:30 p.m., officers from the Grants Pass Police Department responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a female in the roadway at Grants Pass Parkway and M Street, firing handguns.

Officers arrived on scene and began giving verbal commands for the female to drop the gun, which were ignored. Officers fired their department-issued firearms and struck the female. She was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center, where she was identified as Alicia Shelton, 43, of Grants Pass. Shelton was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

There were no other reported injuries.

The Josephine County Major Crimes Team was activated, and the Oregon State Police were tasked with leading the investigation. The Oregon State Police Crime Lab responded and processed the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

As per standard protocol, the involved officers will be placed on paid leave during the investigation. Future updates will be provided by the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office.

# # #

About the Oregon State Police

Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that is charged with protecting the people, wildlife, and natural resources in Oregon. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon.

The Roseburg Fire Department, in coordination Douglas County Emergency Management along with local, state, and regional agencies, will be conducting a multi-jurisdictional training exercise on February 10th in downtown Roseburg.  The exercise will simulate a train car hazardous materials (hazmat) incident and is designed to enhance interagency coordination, emergency response capabilities, and public safety preparedness. Residents and visitors may notice an increased presence of emergency vehicles, personnel in protective gear, and simulated response activities during the training period.

This is only a training exercise. There is no real emergency or hazardous materials threat to the public.

The purpose of this drill is to provide realistic, hands-on training for first responders in a controlled environment, ensuring they are prepared to respond effectively to complex incidents involving hazardous materials and multiple agencies.

Community members are asked to:

• Be aware of the exercise and not be alarmed by emergency activity
• Avoid the immediate training area if possible
• Refrain from calling 9-1-1 regarding this simulated event unless there is a real emergency

We appreciate the community’s understanding and support as we work together to strengthen emergency preparedness and response capabilities.  For additional information, please contact the City of Roseburg Fire Department at 541-492-6770

PR 01 26                                                                               

BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 6, 2026

CONTACT: Kevin Wingert, BPA, 971- 207-8390

BPA Administrator Hairston announces retirement after three decades of service to Pacific Northwest

Portland, Ore. – John Hairston, who has served as administrator and CEO of the Bonneville Power Administration since January 2021, is announcing his retirement from federal service. 

“From the beginning of my tenure as Administrator, I have thrived only because I could depend upon the professionalism, skill and resilience of the best federal workforce I have ever encountered,” said Hairston. “We are a workforce of serious people capable of solving serious challenges. As we navigated turbulence, that capability proved stronger than ever. I have complete confidence in the Bonneville workforce and in our current leadership to guide BPA to continued success on behalf of our customers and the region.”   

Hairston was named the BPA’s 16th administrator after serving in an acting capacity since September 2020. He dedicated 35 years of service to BPA in numerous positions, including as the agency’s first Chief Administrative Officer in which he significantly advanced the safety, security and resilience of BPA’s workforce. His incomparable agency experience and proven leadership acumen made him the ideal candidate for BPA’s top position, which he assumed at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“John Hairston has been a steady, principled leader for BPA during a period of real complexity and change,” said Scott Simms, CEO and executive director of the Public Power Council. “On behalf of public power utilities across the Northwest, I want to thank John for his service and for his commitment to keeping BPA and its talented workforce focused on reliability, affordability, and its core public mission. John and the BPA team’s work to strengthen BPA’s financial footing, advance transmission investments, pursue day-ahead market participation, cement new long-term contracts and engage constructively with customers and regional stakeholders has positioned the agency to meet the challenges ahead. We are grateful for his leadership and wish him the very best in what comes next.”

As current wholesale power sales contracts neared expiration, Hairston recognized the importance of BPA’s financial strength as a foundation for establishing new contracts. He advanced policies and tools to give BPA greater flexibility for strategic asset investments and ensure long-term competitiveness. Despite inflationary pressures and rising costs, BPA avoided rate increases for most of his tenure while maintaining highly reliable service.

With a clear path to long-term competitiveness, Hairston oversaw a highly collaborative regional effort to forge new wholesale power sales agreements. Through the Provider of Choice initiative, BPA and 134 of its utility customers secured another two decades of certainty and stability for millions of energy consumers in the Northwest. Under these new contracts, utilities are assured a firm supply of wholesale power and BPA is assured of its ability to recover costs and to continue providing reliable, affordable electricity for years to come.

In another defining moment, Hairston clarified BPA’s path toward day-ahead market participation following an exhaustive regional process. At Hairston’s direction, BPA is pursuing participation in the Southwest Power Pool’s Markets+ day-ahead market. By enabling more efficient, cost-effective and reliable sharing of resources across a wider geographic area, BPA’s pursuit of day-ahead market participation aligns with the agency’s strategic objectives designed to meet a sharp rise in demand for power and transmission services.

“John Hairston has been a courageous, steady and principled leader for the Pacific Northwest as our industry has faced tremendous challenges,” said Lanny Nickell, SPP president and CEO. “I’m very grateful for John’s leadership in advancing Markets+ as a solution that promotes increased reliability and affordability for the West. I look forward to partnering with BPA and his successor as we work together to power progress for Western consumers.”

Recognizing a void in comprehensive transmission planning, Hairston worked with the Western Power Pool to spearhead the Western Transmission Expansion Coalition, a first of its kind inter-regional effort to develop actionable transmission plans encompassing the entire Western Interconnection.

“John’s leadership at BPA has been invaluable to the region during times of great change and challenges,” said Sarah Edmonds, president and CEO of Western Power Pool. “As an advocate for the Western Resource Adequacy Program and an originator of the Western Transmission Expansion Coalition, John has been a steadfast champion of regional reliability for the West.”

Within BPA, Hairston initiated reforms to modernize and advance the agency’s transmission planning and expansion capabilities. After identifying more than $6 billion in grid reinforcement and expansion projects to add significant transmission capacity and enable the addition of more energy sources, Hairston spearheaded the launch of a transformative project to serve transmission requests on an accelerated timeline. This effort builds on reforms he adopted in 2024 to more quickly and efficiently process requests for generator interconnections.

Working closely with his counterparts at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation, Hairston has been a strong proponent for investments in the reliability, capacity and efficiency of the federal power system. Jointly, the agencies are implementing a portfolio of projects with the potential to increase the capacity of the federal hydropower system by 800 MW over the next two decades. Hairston also committed to working with Energy Northwest to increase the capacity of the region’s only nuclear plant, the Columbia Generating Station, by 160 MW, which is enough electricity to power over 125,000 more homes.

“Throughout my thirty-plus years at Bonneville, I have witnessed firsthand John’s work to best position BPA to both deliver value to the region and meet our customers’ needs,” said Suzanne Cooper, deputy administrator and chief operating officer at BPA. “John is truly a long-term thinker — steady, focused, and always keeping the bigger picture in mind. His definition of success hasn’t ever been personal; it’s been about the organization and the people around him. He consistently invested in fellow leaders, cultivated a spirit of teamwork, and empowered his executive team to move BPA’s strategic priorities forward. Bonneville and the Pacific Northwest are all the better for his public service.”

A hallmark of Hairston’s leadership is his consistent emphasis on the importance of partnerships and strengthening coalitions, with an emphasis on considering diverse viewpoints. This was evident in his work with tribes resulting in a 20-year agreement to test the feasibility of reintroducing salmon above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams. The historic agreement supports important research while preserving the capacity and flexibility of the Federal Columbia River Power System.

The Department of Energy is actively in the process of selecting the next BPA Administrator to ensure a smooth transition.

ADDITIONAL QUOTES REGARDING JOHN HAIRSTON:

“I want to thank Administrator Hairston for his diligent work on behalf of the region, his leadership was instrumental in unlocking progress on the Columbia River Treaty and leveraging BPA’s borrowing authority to advance much-needed transmission investments. Looking ahead, our region needs to ensure Bonneville and its next Administrator is laser focused on meeting surging electricity demand, recovering salmon runs, and keeping rates affordable.”
– Senator Maria Cantwell, Washington

“Administrator Hairston’s work on behalf of Oregonians and folks across the Pacific Northwest will be felt far into the future. I thank him for his years of public service and congratulate him on his next chapter.” – Senator Jeff Merkley, Oregon

“I thank John for his years of service to the Bonneville Power Administration and those across the Pacific Northwest who rely on BPA’s affordable, reliable power. His leadership has positioned BPA for long-term success, focusing on the unique needs of the many customers they serve. While navigating complex political challenges, John remained steadfast in his commitment to BPA’s mission and the responsibility they have to the ratepayers. He will be missed by the many of us who had the pleasure of working with him, and I wish him and his family the best in the next chapter.” – Representative Dan Newhouse, 4th District, Washington

“Administrator Hairston has helped move BPA toward a more collaborative and solution-oriented approach. Through P2IP, we are advancing coordinated investments in salmon recovery, fish and wildlife protection, and long-term system reliability. For the Colville Confederated Tribes, this work is grounded in our Tribal trust rights, our inherent sovereignty, and our responsibility to future generations. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to durable outcomes for both Tribal communities and the region as a whole.” – Jarred-Michael Erickson, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation

“The Coeur d'Alene Tribe wishes the best for John as he moves on to his next venture in life. As the first person of color sitting in BPA's administrative seat, John has proven that hard work, character, and true leadership transcends all barriers as he has led with excellence through challenging times. He has brought solutions to the table while balancing cost, energy, and stewardship. Along the way, he has made courageous decisions that were needed to keep both our energy supply and environmental health moving forward. His leadership will be missed by all of us here in the Northwest. We wish him blessings as he moves on.” – Chairman Chief Allan, Coeur d’Alene Tribe

“We will miss John Hairston and wish him the best in his future endeavors. He was particularly important to the Kalispel Tribe and also for the Tribes of the Upper Columbia Basin. He demystified the Administrator's office at BPA. He was the first Administrator to visit the Kalispel Reservation. His easy manner and engaging personality were well suited for the complexities of balancing the needs of the Columbia River Basin, both from the energy and fish and wildlife perspectives. I know I am not alone in expressing these thoughts about John. He guided BPA through challenging times with decisiveness and fairness. He leaves big shoes to fill.” – Deane Osterman, Executive Director, Kalispell Tribe of Indians

“His support, advocacy, and positive relationship with the Tribe has resulted in legacy work that will benefit future generations. His leadership and commitment to habitat restoration and the health of our waters, lands, fish, and wildlife has brought us closer to our shared vision and dream of bringing salmon home to our land once again. As one of our elders has said, ‘Bring salmon home and it will heal our people.’ John’s dedication and advocacy has truly helped move us a step closer to that future. We are deeply grateful for all he has done and for the commitment he has shown in advancing this important work.” – Greg Abrahamson, Chairman, Spokane Tribe of Indians

“John has provided strong leadership on some of the most critical issues to the region. In a complex and evolving industry, he has a skilled and balanced way of addressing challenges to chart a path forward. Congratulations to John and to EWEB.” – Scott Corwin, President & CEO, American Public Power Association

“Administrator Hairston has long recognized the value of always-available hydropower from the Columbia River System, which is the foundation of affordable, reliable electricity across the Pacific Northwest. We appreciate his service to BPA customers, including electric co-ops who keep the lights on across eight states in the region.” – Jim Matheson, CEO, National Rural Electric Cooperative

“At a defining moment for BPA, John provided steady, principled leadership marked by integrity, courage, and clarity of purpose. He earned the trust of our members and remained steadfast in his commitment to public power. NWPPA and its members are deeply grateful for his service.”
– Kurt Miller, CEO & Executive Director, Northwest Public Power Association

“John’s tenure at BPA has seen tremendous growth in the value that agency brings to the region and public power. He has helped keep the agency focused on continuing to meet the needs of existing customers as juggling the demands for new generation and greater capacity on the federal power and transmission systems.” – Zabyn Towner, Executive Director, Northwest Requirements Utilities

“Throughout his tenure, John approached leadership the way great athletes do—by listening to the team, making the hard calls and focusing on fundamentals. His work to advance transmission expansion will have a lasting impact on the region’s ability to connect new resources, meet growing demand and enhance reliability.” – Crystal Ball, Executive Director, Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee

“On behalf of PNGC Power, we sincerely thank Administrator Hairston for his support and collaboration during an extraordinary period of change. Even where our views diverged, he brought courtesy, clear communication, and transparency to the table, making him a valued partner in advancing reliable, affordable power for our members.” – Jessica Matlock, President and CEO, PNGC Power

“John Hairston is a tremendous leader, and millions of people across the Northwest have benefited from his decades of public service. John's commitment to sharing proven facts to advocate for our affordable, reliable hydropower system has made a major difference for families and businesses across the Northwest.” – Clark Mather, Executive Director, Northwest RiverPartners

“It has been an honor to work with John Hairston, whose exemplary leadership as Board Chair of WEI provided clear strategic direction and a lasting legacy across the energy industry. His influence, mentorship, and leadership principles will continue to guide our organization for years to come.” – Kevin Sullivan, President, Western Energy Institute

“John Hairston’s leadership reinforced strong partnerships across the Pacific Northwest, including close coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He consistently supported continued investments in the federal hydropower system, recognizing its role as critical infrastructure for the region’s reliability and resilience. We are grateful for his service and collaboration.” – Brigadier General William C. Hannan, Jr., Commanding General, Northwestern Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

“As a federal partner, the Bureau of Reclamation has appreciated John’s steady leadership and collaborative spirit. The Federal Columbia River Power System is stronger for his dedication and service. We wish him continued success in his next chapter.” – Roland Springer, Acting Regional Director, Columbia-Pacific Northwest Region, Bureau of Reclamation

“John Hairston’s decades of leadership at the Bonneville Power Administration have strengthened the foundation of public power across the Northwest. His support for Energy Northwest’s mission, along with his commitment to operational excellence and regional collaboration, has been instrumental in advancing reliable, affordable and carbon free power for the communities we serve.” – Bob Schuetz, CEO, Energy Northwest

About BPA The Bonneville Power Administration is a federal non-profit power marketing administration that delivers reliable, low-cost hydropower produced in the Columbia River Basin as well as the output from the region’s only nuclear plant to communities across the Northwest. BPA also owns and operates more than 15,000 circuit miles of high-voltage transmission lines. More information about these and other activities is available on our Media Relations page.

###

PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR SUB-COMMITTEE

MEETING SCHEDULED

Notice of Regular Meeting

The Private Investigator Sub-Committee of the Private Security/Investigators Policy Committee for the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., in the Governor Victor G. Atiyeh Boardroom at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST or Department) located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167.

The meeting will be live streamed on the DPSST YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/@DPSST?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery. Click or tap if you trust this link.">https://www.youtube.com/@DPSST.

Amended Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. Approve November 18, 2025, Meeting Minutes

3. David J. Huckins, PIID No. 080024

   Private Investigator Renewal Application Review

   Presented by Michelle Morrison

4. Agency Update

5. Round Table

6. Next Scheduled Meeting - TBD

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting, subject to the public meeting law and it will be recorded. Deliberation of issues will only be conducted by Private Security/Private Investigations Policy Committee members unless permitted by the Chair. Individuals who engage in disruptive behavior that impedes official business will be asked to stop being disruptive or leave the meeting. Additional measures may be taken to have disruptive individuals removed if their continued presence poses a safety risk to the other persons in the room or makes it impossible to continue the meeting.

APPLICANT REVIEW COMMITTEE

MEETING SCHEDULED

The Applicant Review Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Juan Lopez (503) 551-3167.

To view the Applicant Review Committee's live-stream and other recorded videos, please visit DPSST’s official YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/@DPSST.

Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. Approve December 17, 2025, Meeting Minutes

3. Micah Edwards, DPSST No. 67044; Columbia County Sheriff's Office

    Presented by Cindy Park

4. Joseph Flores, DPSST No. 67043; Multnomah County Sheriff's Office

    Presented by Cindy Park

5. Inquiry Closure Memos – Information Only

    Presented by Cindy Park

6. Next Applicant Review Committee Meeting – March 25, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting, subject to the public meeting law and it will be recorded. Deliberation of issues will only be conducted by Applicant Review Committee members unless permitted by the Chair. Individuals who engage in disruptive behavior that impedes official business will be asked to stop being disruptive or leave the meeting. Additional measures may be taken to have disruptive individuals removed if their continued presence poses a safety risk to the other persons in the room or makes it impossible to continue the meeting.

POLICE POLICY COMMITTEE

MEETING SCHEDULED

The Police Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167 or juan.lopez-hernandez@dpsst.oregon.gov.

The meeting will be livestreamed on the DPSST YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@DPSST.

Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. Approve November 20, 2025, Meeting Minutes

3. Administrative Closures Consent Agenda (The following items to be ratified by one vote)
    Presented by Melissa Lang-Bacho

    a) James Hoydic; DPSST No. 58938
        Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Police Certifications

4. Sabrina Whittaker, DPSST No. 51116; Oregon State Police
   Presented by Cindy Park

5. Proposed Rule Changes for Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 259-008-0005, 259-008-0290, 259-008-0300, 259-008-0310, 259-008-0320, 259-008-0330, 259-008-0340, and 259-008-0400

    Amending Public Safety Professional Certification Denial and Revocation Standards and Processes 

    Presented by Jennifer Howald

8. Agency Updates

9. Next Police Policy Committee Meeting – May 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting, subject to the public meeting law and it will be recorded. Deliberation of issues will only be conducted by Police Policy Committee members unless permitted by the Chair. Individuals who engage in disruptive behavior that impedes official business will be asked to stop being disruptive or leave the meeting. Additional measures may be taken to have disruptive individuals removed if their continued presence poses a safety risk to the other persons in the room or makes it impossible to continue the meeting.

SALEM, Oregon – Brenda Mallory leads a group of 10 Oregon visual artists awarded 2026 Individual Artist Fellowships and receives the Oregon Arts Commission’s honorary Joan Shipley Award. The other Fellows are Nancy Floyd, Sam Hamilton, Nancy Helmsworth, Horatio Hung-Yan Law, Michelle Muldrow, Jennifer Rabin, Rick Silva, Taravat Talepas and John Whitten. Each Fellow will receive a $5,000 award.

The Joan Shipley Award, named for Oregon arts leader Joan Shipley, honors her legacy as a collector, philanthropist, and champion of the arts. Shipley, who passed away in 2011, supported numerous arts and humanities organizations and, with her husband John, received an Oregon Governor’s Arts Award in 2005. She was widely regarded as a mentor and friend within the arts community.

The Arts Commission’s Fellowship program is open to more than 20,000 Oregon-based artists. Applicants are reviewed by a panel of Oregon arts professionals who evaluate outstanding talent, demonstrated ability, and commitment to creating new work. The Commission then acts on the panel’s recommendations. For 2026, the program received 208 applications. Visual and performing artists are honored in alternating years.

The 2026 review panel was chaired by David Harrelson, Arts Commissioner, and included arts professionals Abby McGehee, Professor and Art Historian; artists Kim Fink and Michael Boonstra (a 2024 Arts Commission Artist Fellow); Michael Lazarus, Assistant Professor, PNCA Willamette University; Nanette Thrush, Teaching Assistant Professor of Art History at Western University; and William Cravis, Artist and Sole Proprietor of Sisters Slipworks.

“This program is more competitive than ever owing to the exceptional talent of Oregon’s artists and the increasing number of applications,” said Harrelson. “I am inspired to see such thoughtful work grounded in conveying understanding of place and practice. It’s a reminder of how reflective of place our arts community truly is.”

Fellowship recipient biographies follow. Artists’ photos are attached.

Brenda Mallory lives in Portland, Oregon. She grew up in Oklahoma and is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. She received a B.A. in Linguistics & English from UCLA and a B.F.A. from Pacific Northwest College of Art. Mallory has received grants from the Oregon Arts Commission, the Ford Family Foundation and the Regional Arts & Culture Council. Awards include the Joan Mitchell Fellowship, the Hallie Ford Fellowship, the Bonnie Bronson Fellowship, the Eiteljorg Contemporary Native Art Fellowship, the Native Arts and Culture Foundation Visual Arts Fellowship and the Ucross Native Fellowship. Residencies include Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts, Bullseye Glass and International Studio & Curatorial Projects. Her work is in the collections of the National Gallery of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the Portland Art Museum, the Heard Museum and the Hallie Ford Museum of Art.

Nancy Floyd uses photography, video and mixed-media to address the ways in which lens-based media can connect deeply with experience and memory. Much of her work addresses the passage of time, representations of women and the aging female body. More recently she’s begun a series on trees in Oregon. Floyd is the 2024 recipient of the Victoria & Albert Parasol Foundation Prize for Women in Photography and a 2022 Guggenheim Fellow. Her 39-year self-portrait series, “Weathering Time,” was published in 2021 by the International Center of Photography and GOST books. The work was featured in the New Yorker Photobooth (2021) and the New York Times “T Magazine” (2025). Her artwork is in the collections of the Hallie Ford Museum of Art in Salem, the Center for Creative Photography in Tucson, the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago, and various private collections.

Sam Hamilton (also known as Sam Tam Ham) is a working-class, interdisciplinary artist from Aotearoa, New Zealand, of Pākehā (English settler colonial) descent, who has been living and working in Portland, Oregon, since immigrating to the United States in 2014. After 20 years of full-time practice across multiple fields and global regions, Hamilton’s practice today functions more like an ecology than a discipline. A garden with rich subterranean continuities, fertile hybridization and verdant seasonal displays. A year-long song. That which happens between an entrance and an exit. What emerges can, and has taken various forms, including: opera, painting, sound installation, photography, artist cinema, ceramics, writing, civic works and social practice projects. Recent projects include a major solo exhibition and live opera project “Te Moana Meridian” that has been presented in various forms at Oregon Contemporary as part of Converge 45 Triennial (2023), the Portland Art Museum with PICA and Boom Arts (2024), Artspace Aotearoa (2020), the Simon Fraser University Gibson Art Museum (2025), and Transmediale, Berlin (2021); as well as other recent exhibitions and projects presented at Fumi Store (2026), Theatre for the New City NYC (2025), Critical Signals, Aotearoa (2025) and Public Nature (2025).

Nancy Helmsworth is a Portland, Oregon-based artist who for years, has been drawn to the rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest. She works primarily with painting on panels and mixed media within installations. Most recently, she has directed her work to Forest Park in Portland, as a lush, representative forest which is readily accessible as a visual lab and subject source. Finding her focus shifting to kulla kulla Creek (means bird in chinuk-wawa, the first language of Oregon), which flows through the Bird Alliance and along Lower Macleay Trail within the park, has led her on a journey of discovery and connection with this feature. She continues to chronicle its infinite variations by the season and by running on foot. Simultaneously, she has dug deep into its “settler” history to respond to the jarring intersection of the colonial mapping/gridding of the area with the wild nature and its persistent energy. This man-made overlay is a metaphor for much of the imbalance between Western culture and the Land, one we can experience and know in our own neighborhoods when we pause to notice.

Horatio Hung-Yan Law is a public and installation artist, curator and photographer based in Portland, Oregon. His work explores memory and belonging through the lens of his queer Asian-American and immigrant identity. He engages diverse communities in collaborative projects that investigate the space between individualistic and collective cultures and foster opportunities for civic dialog. Born in British colonial Hong Kong, Law immigrated to the United States with his parents and settled in New York City when he was a teenager. After moving to Portland, he discovered many hidden histories of Chinese communities all over Oregon, and he was inspired by the resilience and creativity of these oppressed and marginalized communities. Since then, he has produced numerous exhibitions and installations that explored Oregon Chinese history and his immigrant experience. He has also created multiple public art projects in the Pacific Northwest. As Lead Artist and Master Art Planner for the AIDS Memorial Pathway in Seattle, he created Ribbon of Light, his suite of public art sculptures at Cal Anderson Park. Law has been an artistic advisor for Portland Chinatown Museum (PCM) since 2018 and received a Creative Heights Grant in 2022 from Oregon Community Foundation to develop a residency program at PCM.

Michelle Muldrow is an American painter based in Portland, Oregon. Born on a military base in Oklahoma, Muldrow spent her formative years living on Air Force bases throughout America. This nomadic experience laid the foundation for a fascination with the American landscape. Muldrow’s work focuses on the experience of landscape using the medium of painting to explore history, aesthetic philosophy, the environment and the concepts of home. As a landscape painter, Muldrow paints the relationships between the present and the past, capturing the landscape as it is suspended in time even as it is of its time.

Jennifer Rabin is a mixed-media sculptor who works with objects that have been discarded and forgotten, having outlived their intended purpose. She finds them in junkyards, along train tracks, piled high in dumping sites, scattered across remote trails. Deteriorating, imperfect, cast aside—they embody the artist’s experience with chronic illness, disability and familial estrangement. Using natural fibers, Rabin transforms these unwanted objects into shelter, imagining them as places of safety and refuge. This reclamation is an act of hope and defiance—a testament to rebuilding and resiliency. Rabin has been an artist in residence at Jentel, Caldera, Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture and the Oregon Historical Society. She has received grant support from the Regional Arts and Culture Council, the Oregon Community Foundation and the Oregon Arts Commission. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

Rick Silva is an artist who explores landscape via technology and time. His work has been exhibited at the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Centre Pompidou, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. He has been featured in Artforum, Wired, and Rhizome’s Net Art Anthology. Silva was born in Brazil, received his M.F.A. from the University of Colorado Boulder, and lives in Eugene, Oregon, where he is a professor at the University of Oregon.

Taravat Talepasand is an artist, activist and educator whose labor-intensive interdisciplinary painting practice questions normative cultural behaviors within contemporary power imbalances. As an Iranian-American woman, Talepasand explores the parallels of cultural taboos that reflect on gender apartheid and political authority to reflect the cross-pollination, or lack thereof, in her approach to subversive joy. Talepasand has exhibited nationally and internationally and is in the permanent collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the de Young Museum, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA), Tufts University Bowdoin College Museum of Art, the Orange County Museum of Art and the Portland Art Museum. Exhibitions included “In the Fields of Empty Days: The Intersection of Past and Present in Iranian Art” at LACMA, “ طراوت | TARAVAT” at YBCA and Macalester College in Minnesota, the 2018 Bay Area Now 8 exhibition at YBCA, the 2026 Oregon Biennial and the 2010 California Biennial. She is the recipient of the 2024 Creative Heights Grant and the 2010 Richard Diebenkorn Teaching Fellowship at Santa Fe Art Institute (SFAI). Talepasand was the Department Chair of Painting at SFAI and currently lives in Oregon and is the Assistant Professor of Art Practice at Portland State University Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design. She received her B.F.A. from Rhode Island School of Design in 2001 and M.F.A. at SFAI in 2006.

John Whitten is a multimedia artist exploring the resonance between digital technologies, physical materials and lived experience. He is based in Portland, Oregon. Through drawing, video and photography, he constructs images that emphasize how perception is shaped by process, material and time. His work often begins with fragments of the everyday: a grain of salt collected from a desert, the surface of a healing scar or the shifting texture of a single element isolated from a landscape. These subjects, whether deeply personal or broadly environmental, serve as portals into questions of presence, care and observation. Whitten’s work has been exhibited in museums, universities and galleries across the United States. Recent awards include Project Grants and a Professional Development Grant from the Regional Arts and Culture Council, a Career Opportunity Grant from the Oregon Arts Commission, a Faculty Research Grant from Oregon State University, and residencies with Caldera and Signal Fire. In 2021, he co-founded Well Well Projects, where he currently serves as a co-director. In 2018, he co-founded Carnation Contemporary and co-created the nomadic artist residency and exhibition project, the Thunderstruck Collective.

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The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, funding and arts programs through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission became part of Business Oregon (formerly Oregon Economic and Community Development Department) in 1993, in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities. In 2003, the Oregon legislature moved the operations of the Oregon Cultural Trust to the Arts Commission, streamlining operations and making use of the Commission’s expertise in grantmaking, arts and cultural information and community cultural development. 

The Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by the Oregon legislature and with federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust. More information about the Oregon Arts Commission is available online at artscommission.oregon.gov.

Salem – The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) is warning the public about a scam targeting Spanish-speaking injured workers in other states, including in nearby Idaho and Montana.

In these scams, workers are contacted by phone, email, social media apps such as Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp, or video calls. The scammers try to convince the worker to appear at an online workers’ compensation hearing, and at times, this results in an official appearing order in their favor. Thereafter, they are told must pay money to receive the workers’ compensation benefits or the settlement for their claim. These communications may appear official and the hearings may include a fake judge, attorney, or government representative. The Oregon Workers’ Compensation Division (WCD), part of DCBS, and the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) will never ask anyone to pay to receive benefits.

Here’s what you should know:

• WCD, WCB, and insurance companies do not ask for payment to release workers’ compensation benefits. Never pay money up front for benefits or settlements.
• WCD and WCB will never ask for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Be skeptical of any requests for payment.
• Official communications from WCD and WCB will not pressure you to act or pay immediately.
• WCB, which conducts workers’ compensation hearings, does not charge or collect fees for hearings or mediation.
• WCB does not use social media or applications such as Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp to communicate with parties about hearings or mediations.

If you are unsure whether a communication is legitimate, do not send money or personal information. Verify before you act by contacting the Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers by phone at 800-927-1271 (toll-free) or email at oow.questions@dcbs.oregon.gov. The office serves as an independent advocate for workers by helping them understand their rights, benefits, protections, and responsibilities within the workers’ compensation system and workplace safety and health laws and rules.

If you believe a scammer has contacted you:

• Report the incident to local law enforcement
• Report any scams, fraud, or suspicious business activity to the Oregon Department of Justice’s fraud hotline at 1-877-877-9392 (toll-free)
• Report the scam to the Oregon Department of Justice and the Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers
• Early reporting helps others from becoming victims

If someone representing an insurance company is calling and threatening you, contact the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation, also part of DCBS, at 1-888-877-4894 (toll-free).

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About Oregon DCBS: The Department of Consumer and Business Services is Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. The department administers state laws and rules to protect consumers and workers in the areas of workers’ compensation, occupational safety and health, financial services, insurance, and building codes. Visit dcbs.oregon.gov.

SALEM, Ore. — The Forest Trust Land Advisory Committee meets at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 13 at ODF headquarters in Salem, with a virtual option.

The public meeting will be held in the Tillamook Room at the Oregon Department of Forestry’s headquarters, 2600 State St., Salem. To join virtually, please use the Zoom video conference information found on the agenda.

Agenda item will include:

• Personnel/staffing updates
• Forest Management Plan (FMP) – Rulemaking public comment
• Performance measures update
• Tillamook campground conversion

Public comment is scheduled at the beginning of the meeting. To submit written comment, email ftlac.comment@odf.oregon.gov. Written comments sent at least 48 hours before the meeting will give the FTLAC time to review and consider information. Comments submitted after that window of time will be sent to the FTLAC after the meeting, entered into the record and posted online. Comments are not accepted after the meeting concludes.

The Forest Trust Land Advisory Committee is comprised of seven county commissioners representing 15 Oregon counties where state forestlands are located. The FTLAC is a statutorily established committee that advises the Board of Forestry on matters related to forestland managed by ODF. View more information on the FTLAC webpage.

Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged by calling at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-945-7200 or by email at ftlac.comment@odf.oregon.gov.

Salem, OR—With anticipated delays in paper return processing in 2026, the Oregon Department of Revenue reminds taxpayers planning to file a paper return that they can use public computer kiosks in the department’s regional offices to file their Oregon personal income tax returns for free and get their kicker and their refund sooner.

“The computer kiosks offer a way to file electronically for those without a computer or those who fill out paper forms and want to transfer their data into Direct File Oregon to receive their refund—and their kicker—sooner,” said Megan Denison, administrator of the department’s Personal Tax and Compliance Division.

The computers are set up in the public spaces of the DOR regional offices in Bend, Eugene, Gresham, Medford, and Portland. They are available during business hours to file state tax returns using Direct File Oregon.

On average, taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refunds two weeks sooner than those who mail in paper returns and request a check.

The additional wait will be even longer this year. The IRS was late providing necessary tax forms and information to the Oregon Department of Revenue late last year. As a result, the state’s processing of paper-filed Oregon personal income tax returns won’t begin until the end of March.

The department will begin issuing refunds for e-filed returns February 17. For paper filed returns, refunds will not start being issued until early April.

Offices are located in:

Bend, 951 SW Simpson Ave, Suite 100

Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

Eugene, 1600 Valley River Drive, Suite 310

Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

Gresham, 1550 NW Eastman Parkway, Suite 220

Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

Medford, 3613 Aviation Way, Suite 102

Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

Portland, 800 NE Oregon St, Suite 505

Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed 12 – 12:30 p.m.)

Now in its third year, Direct File Oregon is an interview-based program similar to commercial software and allows taxpayers the convenience and security of filing directly with the state of Oregon through Revenue Online.

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Salem, OR—With anticipated delays in paper return processing in 2026, the Oregon Department of Revenue reminds taxpayers planning to file a paper return that they can use public computer kiosks in the department’s regional offices to file their Oregon personal income tax returns for free and get their kicker and their refund sooner.

“The computer kiosks offer a way to file electronically for those without a computer or those who fill out paper forms and want to transfer their data into Direct File Oregon to receive their refund—and their kicker—sooner,” said Megan Denison, administrator of the department’s Personal Tax and Compliance Division.

The computers are set up in the public spaces of the DOR regional offices in Bend, Eugene, Gresham, Medford, and Portland. They are available during business hours to file state tax returns using Direct File Oregon.

On average, taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refunds two weeks sooner than those who mail in paper returns and request a check.

The additional wait will be even longer this year. The IRS was late providing necessary tax forms and information to the Oregon Department of Revenue late last year. As a result, the state’s processing of paper-filed Oregon personal income tax returns won’t begin until the end of March.

The department will begin issuing refunds for e-filed returns February 17. For paper filed returns, refunds will not start being issued until early April.

Offices are located in:

Bend, 951 SW Simpson Ave, Suite 100

Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

Eugene, 1600 Valley River Drive, Suite 310

Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

Gresham, 1550 NW Eastman Parkway, Suite 220

Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

Medford, 3613 Aviation Way, Suite 102

Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

Portland, 800 NE Oregon St, Suite 505

Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed 12 – 12:30 p.m.)

Now in its third year, Direct File Oregon is an interview-based program similar to commercial software and allows taxpayers the convenience and security of filing directly with the state of Oregon through Revenue Online.

February 12, 2026

Media contact: Timothy Heider, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov  

Get school, child care vaccinations updated by Feb. 25

New report shows access to vaccines among challenges parents, caregivers face ahead of school vaccination deadline

PORTLAND, Ore. –  With the annual deadline fast approaching for updating children’s vaccinations, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reminds parents and caregivers that their children may miss school or child care, if they are missing vaccinations.

By the fourth Wednesday in February, under state law, all children in public and private schools, preschools, Head Start and certified child care facilities must submit documentation showing they are up-to-date on required vaccinations or have an exemption.

This year, the annual Exclusion Day falls on Feb. 25. If a child’s records do not show up-to-date vaccinations by that day, the child’s school or child care facility will send them home.

“Vaccine-preventable diseases can be highly contagious,” said Stacy de Assis Matthews, school immunization coordinator at OHA’s Public Health Division. “Last year, for example, Oregon reported 1,552 cases of pertussis, the highest number we’ve seen in 75 years. Vaccination remains our best defense against these diseases, keeping kids and school communities healthy and safe.”

A new OHA report shows parents and guardians seek nonmedical exemptions (NME) for their children’s required school vaccinations for two primary reasons: Concerns over vaccine safety and the inability to get vaccination appointments.

The study was launched in 2023, after Oregon’s kindergarten NME rate reached what was then an all-time high of 8.1%. That continued a steady rise in such exemptions over the past decade, interrupted only by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

For the 2024-2025 school year, the rate reached a new record high of 9.7%.

Record highs for NMEs were recorded for the past three years.

These findings can be found in the report Understanding Nonmedical Vaccine Exemptions in Oregon.

“We want to make sure that all families are able to get their questions about vaccines answered by a trusted medical provider, and to get into a clinic where their children can get needed vaccines,” said de Assis Matthews.

For children who are still missing vaccinations for the current school year, county health departments mailed letters to parents and caregivers (on or before Feb. 4) informing them of the upcoming deadline to submit their children’s up-to-date vaccination records.

Last school year (2024-2025), county health departments in Oregon mailed 22,702 letters, which led to 4,504 children being sent home and not able to attend school until their families provided the necessary vaccination records.

School vaccination and exemption rates for the 2024-2025 school year are available at Oregon’s School Immunization Data dashboard. Data for the current school year will be available this spring.

With the upcoming school vaccination deadline, and with difficulty getting vaccines being a factor in increasing exemption rates, OHA wants people to know where to get vaccines for their children.

Parents and caregivers can contact their health care provider or local health department. No one can be turned away from a local health department because of their inability to pay for required vaccines.

Many pharmacists can also immunize children aged 7 and older. Families can also call 211 go to 211info.org to find a local vaccine clinic.  

People in Oregon shared their personal stories with OHA on why they decided to vaccinate their children:

• Hear how Sarah’s powerful conversations changed her mom’s long-held views on vaccinations: https://youtu.be/dPB2sfySwJQ 
• Reverend Dr. Currie encourages people from all religious walks of life to get their vaccinations: https://youtu.be/D6XnPm1N4iQ 
• As a parent herself, Dr. Choo talks about why she vaccinates her children: https://youtu.be/aDy7sseKs24 

OHA invites people to join the conversation and share why they vaccinate by using #ORVaccinates on social media.

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OHA partners with 125 Oregon CBOs to advance public health equity

Stay healthy, safe during Super Bowl celebrations this Sunday

SALEM, Oregon— Oregon State Parks welcomed an estimated 51.46 million day-use visits in 2025, a slight decrease from the record-breaking 53.85 million visits recorded in 2024, but visitation remains historically strong and widespread across the state. While parks along the coast and in the Willamette Valley saw modest declines, Central and Eastern Oregon parks recorded a small increase, reflecting continued demand for outdoor recreation in every region.

The Oregon coast remains the system’s most popular destination, with 362 miles of publicly managed beaches. Day-use visits there dropped from 32.5 million in 2024 to 30.65 million in 2025. Willamette Valley parks also saw a decline, from 11.44 million to 10.71 million. In contrast, the Central and Eastern Oregon park visitation climbed to 10.09 million visits up from 9.89 million the year before.

Overnight stays followed a similar trend. Visitors logged 2.6 million camper nights in 2025, down from 2.83 million in 2024. Temporary campground closures at popular parks like Collier Memorial, Silver Falls, Fort Stevens, and Nehalem Bay contributed to the decrease as critical maintenance and infrastructure work moved forward.

At the same time, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) continues to face high and rising costs to operate, maintain and protect park lands, facilities and visitor services. Aging infrastructure, increasing maintenance needs, and higher operating expenses have put sustained pressure on the system. While the agency has updated fees to better reflect current costs, those fees do not fully cover the cost of running and caring for Oregon’s state parks.

OPRD is also navigating a projected budget shortfall, which means every visit, every pass, and every act of stewardship matters. Unlike many public services, OPRD does not receive general fund tax dollars. The system relies on user fees, a portion of the Oregon State Lottery revenue, and a share of recreational vehicle (R.V.) registration fees to keep parks open, safe and welcoming.

“Even with small year to year changes in visitation, the love people have for Oregon State Parks is clear,” said Interim Director Stefanie Coons. “We want to do everything we can to continue to provide high quality experiences and create treasured memories for our visitors. Every visit and every supporter truly make a difference in helping us care for these special places.”

Looking ahead in 2026, Fort Stevens State Park is scheduled to complete its campground utility this spring. Two more projects, safety upgrades at Cape Lookout and visitor center completion at Silver Falls, will break ground in 2026.

OPRD is also recruiting for its 2026 seasonal workforce, with park ranger and park ranger assistant positions open statewide. Park rangers and support staff play a vital role in keeping parks clean, safe, and enjoyable while offering educational and recreational opportunities for millions of visitors. Apply today on the Oregon State Parks website! (https://bit.ly/oregonparkjobs)

Day use estimates are based on car counters and multipliers; overnight camping estimates are based on occupied sites and multipliers. Car counters occasionally require maintenance or replacement, which may affect individual park totals. The overall figures represent OPRD’s best estimates for tracking long-term trends.

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SALEM, Oregon— Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is seeking one volunteer to serve on the All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Advisory Committee and ATV Grant Subcommittee and two volunteers on the ATV Highway Access Committee.

The ATV Advisory Committee opening is for “at-large ATV user”. The ATV Highway Access Committee positions are for “ATV User” and “member of the public”. All positions are four-year terms.

The seventeen-member ATV Advisory Committee meets once or twice a year. Duties include reviewing accidents and fatalities resulting from ATV recreation; reviewing changes to statutory vehicle classifications as necessary for safety considerations; reviewing safety features of all classes of ATVs; and recommending appropriate safety requirements to protect child and adult ATV operators.

The ATV Grant Subcommittee is responsible for reviewing and recommending grant funding in support of ATV recreational activities throughout the state. The grants support operations and maintenance, law enforcement, emergency medical services, land acquisition, safety/education, planning and development.

The Grant Subcommittee holds up to four public meetings per year that may be conducted either in-person or remotely. Computer access and experience is mandatory.

The ATV Highway Access Committee meets on demand, based on applications submitted. Duties include evaluating proposed ATV use on sections of State Highway rights-of-way and submitting a report to the Oregon Transportation Commission with a recommendation. Short sections of State Highways are proposed by local communities in order to make connections to ATV recreation areas.

Ideal candidates representing the interests of ATV trail users can live anywhere in Oregon with experience in at least one of the following areas:

• Land management
• Recreation planning
• Trail planning or design
• Recreation related volunteerism, or
• A trail enthusiast who is uniquely qualified to evaluate statewide project proposals through other experience and involvement.

Strong candidates may also demonstrate an awareness of statewide recreational trail needs, other broad recreational issues and the importance of providing accessible recreational opportunities.

To apply for one of the open positions, go to the ATV-AC webpage and click the “Committee Interest Form” link at the bottom of the section. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. March 2, 2026.

For more information, contact Jeff Trejo, OPRD ATV Safety Education Coordinator, at ejo@oprd.oregon.gov">jeff.trejo@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-586-9622.

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Salem, Oregon - The Electronic Government Portal Advisory Board (EPAB) will meet at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. The meeting will take place remotely via the internet on Microsoft Teams and is open to the public. The agenda and handouts will be posted on the advisory board’s website.

• What: Meeting of the Electronic Government Portal Advisory Board 
• When: Thursday, February 19, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
• Where: Microsoft Teams Meeting
  • Meeting ID: 267 726 423 520 7
  • Passcode: jP7xb2Ko
  • Phone: +1 503-446-4951
  • Phone conference ID: 336 777 99#
• Who: Electronic Government Portal Advisory Board 

The Electronic Government Portal Advisory Board is established by ORS 276A.270-276. The board’s primary function is to advise the State Chief Information Officer concerning the delivery of online services to the public.

The board is also charged with studying the digital information and service needs of Oregon residents, evaluating agencies’ effectiveness in using online portals, and considering further improvements in online portals.

Meetings of the Electronic Government Portal Advisory Board are open to the public.

To submit a written or register to provide verbal public comment, please complete our online form. Written comment can also be submitted by mail to the EPAB Support Office, 550 Airport Rd SE Suite C, Salem, OR 97301. Written comments must be received at least 48 hours before the meeting; verbal comments are limited to three (3) minutes per person or group.

Accommodations can be arranged for persons with disabilities, and alternate formats of printed material are available upon request. Please contact Enterprise Information Services at 503-378-3175 at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting to request accommodations. Closed captioning is included on the Microsoft Teams meeting.

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland, Oregon, man was found guilty today for failing to obey a lawful order and creating a disturbance at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in South Portland.

David Pearl, 35, was found guilty on two counts following a bench trial today – count one for failing to obey a lawful order, and count two for creating a disturbance. 

According to court documents, on the evening of June 21, 2025, law enforcement vehicles were prevented from leaving the ICE facility by a line of people. While most of the crowd dispersed, Pearl and others refused to move and were taken into custody.

Eight days later, on June 29, 2025, Pearl returned to the facility. As federal law enforcement officers attempted to arrest another individual, Pearl interfered by attempting to physically separate the individual from the officers. Pearl was taken into custody and cited for impeding or disrupting the performance of official duties by a government employee.

On June 30, 2025, Pearl was charged with two counts by information for failing to obey a lawful order and creating a disturbance. 

The Federal Protective Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah Bolstad and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Bodell prosecuted the case.

# # #

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Mexican national unlawfully residing in the United States made his first appearance in federal court last Thursday after being removed to Mexico in June 2018.

Manuel Cruz-Ramirez, 38, has been charged by criminal complaint with illegal reentry. He was detained in this federal case, pending further court proceedings.

Cruz-Ramirez was released on bail after being charged in Marion County, Oregon, in an amended indictment that includes rape in the first degree, sodomy in the first degree, and purchasing sex with a minor.

According to court documents, on February 3, 2026, Cruz-Ramirez was apprehended when a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer encountered him at a Portland International Airport terminal checkpoint. Cruz-Ramirez presented a Mexico passport in the name of an alias. The TSA officer notified Customs and Border Protection after the passport did not return full data. Customs and Border Protection used fingerprints to identify Cruz-Ramirez. A review of his immigration file and relevant electronic databases indicated that Cruz-Ramirez entered the United States on June 25, 2018, was placed in expedited removal proceedings on June 26, 2018, and was removed to Mexico on June 28, 2018.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Salem, Oregon — 2/10/2026 New groundbreaking research - the largest dataset ever conducted on shared book reading - reaffirms that Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library significantly strengthens early literacy skills for children in Oregon alongside children across the United States and in four other countries, reinforcing the power of shared reading in the earliest years of life.

The study, authored by Dr. Claire Galea, Head of Research at United Way Australia, analyzed data from more than 86,000 caregivers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland. Results were compared with responses from 18,112 caregivers who were on the program compared to 37,776 whose children were not in the program. 

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, was created over 30 years ago in honor of her father, who could not read or write. The program is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five. Today, the international program mails more than 3 million books each month directly to children’s homes. Every enrolled child receives one book per month from  as early as birth to age five—at no cost to families.

Global Findings

The study found that across all countries evaluated, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is linked to stronger early literacy outcomes and richer reading experiences at home—helping close early literacy gaps by strengthening foundational skills, increasing the frequency of children being read to, and boosting children’s interest and engagement during shared book reading. It also shows the program builds positive family reading habits and traditions, with caregivers more likely to interact in meaningful ways (like talking about pictures and encouraging children to hold the book), reinforcing a warm, consistent home literacy environment that supports children’s learning and long-term success. 

United States Highlights

• Children were 11 times more likely to be interested in books and 15 times more likely to join in during shared reading compared to children not in the program.
   

• Children were nine times more likely to initiate shared reading and nearly three times more likely to demonstrate concepts about print compared to children not in the program.

Oregon Impact

• First Oregon partner launched: 2007
• Current community partners: 50
• Program coverage: statewide
• Children under age 5 currently enrolled: 73,883
• Percentage of children under age 5 reached: 35%

Here in Oregon, the Imagination Library relies on dedicated community partners throughout the state who promote the program, assist families with enrollment, and fundraise to pay for the cost of books and mailing.

Following the statewide expansion of the Imagination Library in May 2024, the State of Oregon, through the Department of Early Learning and Care’s Birth Through Five Literacy Plan, provides a 50% monthly match to community partners to cover half the cost of books and mailing, enabling them to enroll more children.

“When we start children’s love of books early, like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has done, we build a foundation for future strong readers and writers,” said Governor Tina Kotek. “This is a perfect partnership to improve Oregon’s early literacy rates.”

Early literacy not only improves school readiness, it also builds confidence in children as they develop strong language and reading skills that support third-grade reading proficiency, as well as lead to increased graduation rates. Through early exposure to books with parents and caregivers, children learn to communicate effectively, solve problems, and understand the world around them. At the same time, early literacy fosters curiosity, imagination, and a lifelong love of learning, empowering children to grow into capable, independent thinkers who are prepared for future academic and personal success.

“The positive early learning outcomes associated with developing a shared love of reading cannot be overstated,” said Alyssa Chatterjee, Director at the Department of Early Learning and Care. “These research findings confirm what families and caregivers already experience – The DPIL program helps foster family reading traditions and shared experiences that support children in literacy development.”

Presently, the Imagination Library of Oregon reaches about 35% of all children under age five in the state. While this represents meaningful progress and the impact of strong local partnerships, it also highlights the opportunity to do more. By increasing enrollment, we can ensure more families are supported, more children are prepared for school, and more communities are strengthened through the power of early literacy.

To learn more about the Imagination Library of Oregon or to enroll a child visit imaginationlibrary.com

About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is the world’s leading early childhood book-gifting program, having gifted more than 300 million books across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland. The program is funded through a partnership between The Dollywood Foundation and hundreds of local community partners.

Visit imaginationlibrary.com for more information.

Galea, Claire Melanie Anita (2025). The Impact of shared book reading on children and their Families: insights from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Macquarie University.

Thesis. https://doi.org/10.25949/30123745.v1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Allison Mora, Communications Manager | Oregon Coalition of Local Health Officials | 971-480-0752 | allison@oregonclho.org

SB 1573 Will Not Advance After Federal Court Ruling Establishes ADA Protections for Harm Reduction Services

A landmark ruling in Washington state that restrictions on syringe programs violate the ADA proves decisive for the Oregon bill

PORTLAND, Ore. – February 12, 2026 – Senate Bill 1573, which would have prohibited syringe service programs (SSPs) from operating within 2,000 feet of schools and licensed childcare facilities, will not advance during the 2026 legislative session.

The Oregon Coalition of Local Health Officials (CLHO), representing Oregon’s 33 local public health authorities, engaged extensively in the legislative process around SB 1573–testifying at the February 6th public hearing and working collaboratively with stakeholders and legislators to develop a proposed amendment that would have addressed community concerns while preserving the ability of local health authorities to maintain evidence-based harm reduction programs.

“As written, SB 1573 would’ve resulted in drastically decreasing access to harm reduction and other clean syringe services like mobile diabetes care,” said Sarah Lochner, CLHO Executive Director. "We would then see increases in disease transmission, emergency department visits, and costs to the healthcare system – the opposite of what the legislature is trying to accomplish this session.” 

Federal Court Ruling on ADA Protections Proves Decisive

A key factor in the bill's failure to advance was a significant federal legal development. On February 10, 2026, a landmark settlement was reached in Lewis County, Washington, in which a federal court determined that restrictions on syringe exchange programs violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The case, brought by the ACLU on behalf of Gather Church, challenged a county ordinance that restricted the church’s mobile syringe exchange and barred the distribution of fentanyl and xylazine test strips. 

U.S. District Court Chief Judge David Estudillo ruled that syringe exchange programs constitute “health services or services in connection with drug rehabilitation" under the ADA, meaning that restricting access to these programs could amount to discrimination against individuals with substance use disorders. As part of the settlement, Lewis County repealed the ordinance and agreed to pay $500,000 in attorney's fees.

This ruling had direct implications for SB 1573. Had the bill advanced, it could have faced similar legal challenges under the ADA, potentially exposing the state of Oregon to costly litigation.

The Proposed Amendment: A Balanced Approach  

CLHO and public health partners developed a proposed amendment to SB 1573 that took a more measured approach than the original bill. The amendment would have:

• Reduced the buffer zone from 2,000 feet to 1,000 feet for mobile or temporary SSP locations near schools

• Established a statewide SSP registration system administered by OHA, including requirements for safe needle disposal plans

• Exempted SSPs operated by or contracted through state, local, or tribal governments

• Provided a waiver process for local public health authorities during declared public health emergencies

The amendment also represented a good-faith effort to balance community concerns about syringe litter near schools with the evidence-based public health need for accessible harm reduction services.

Why Syringe Service Programs Matter

Syringe service programs (SSPs) are a critical component of Oregon's public health infrastructure and are recognized by the CDC, the U.S. Surgeon General, and the World Health Organization as an evidence-based strategy for preventing the spread of HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. SSPs also serve as a vital point of entry for individuals to access substance use treatment, naloxone for overdose prevention, wound care, and connections to social services.

Oregon's local public health authorities operate or support SSPs in 22 counties, often serving rural and underserved communities where access to healthcare is already limited. Research consistently demonstrates that SSPs reduce syringe sharing by up to 50%, contributing significantly to reductions in HIV and Hepatitis C transmission.

Looking Ahead

While SB 1573 will not advance during the 2026 short session, CLHO remains committed to working collaboratively with legislators, community members, and public health partners to address the legitimate concerns that prompted this legislation—particularly around syringe litter and child safety—while preserving the lifesaving harm reduction services on which Oregon's communities depend.

About CLHO

The Coalition of Local Health Officials (CLHO) is a statewide coalition representing Oregon's local health departments and health officials. CLHO advocates for policies and resources that strengthen Oregon's public health system, promote health equity, and support the health of communities served by local health departments across the state. 

For more information about CLHO's legislative priorities, visit oregonclho.org/advocacy.

Sources

• SB 1573 (Oregon Legislature)

• Sarah Lochner’s Testimony on behalf of CLHO (Oregon Legislature)

• Proposed Amendments to SB 1573 (Oregon Legislature)

• Overdose-Related Services & Projects Summary by Oregon County: Syringe Service Programs (SSPs) Breakdown by County (Pages 6-7, Updated April 2025 | OHA)

• STAT News: Landmark settlement could create new protections for harm reduction under disability law (Feb. 10, 2026)

• KATU: Public Safety vs. Public Health — Oregon needle exchange bill sparks heated debate (Feb. 6, 2026)

• FOX 12: Oregon lawmakers hear testimony on bill to ban needle exchanges near schools (Feb. 5, 2026)

Portland, OR — This Friday, take a scenic drive up the coast when 101 at 100: The History of Oregon’s Most Iconic Highway opens at the Oregon Historical Society in downtown Portland. On view through October 11, this interactive installation explores a century of transportation, culture, and coastal life shaped by one of Oregon’s most beloved roads.

Stretching 363 miles along the Pacific Coast, U.S. Highway 101 has connected communities from Astoria to Brookings since its designation as a federal highway in 1926. 101 at 100 traces the road’s evolution from Indigenous travel routes to a vital corridor for commerce, tourism, and daily life.

“Having grown up on the Oregon Coast in Reedsport, Highway 101 was a constant presence in my life,” said OHS Boyle Family Executive Director Kerry Tymchuk. “This exhibition invites visitors to discover the rich diversity of Oregon’s coastal communities and to appreciate the remarkable feat of engineering that made Highway 101 possible.”

In conjunction with the main exhibition, visitors can also see From Highway 101: Images of Oregon’s Most Iconic Highway, a supporting photographic exhibition by local photographer Peter Marbach. This visual celebration offers contemporary views of life along the coast — from majestic bridges and misty shorelines to the vibrant communities that line the highway — serving as a love letter to the road on its centennial.

Visitors can see both exhibitions for free opening weekend, as OHS will offer free admission February 13–15, in honor of Oregon’s 167th birthday (February 14).

The Oregon Historical Society’s museum is open daily in downtown Portland, from 10am to 5pm Monday through Saturday and 12pm to 5pm on Sunday. Admission is free every day for youth 17 and under, OHS members, and residents of Multnomah County. Learn more and plan your visit at ohs.org/visit.

About Highway 101

Since time immemorial, people have lived and traveled along Oregon’s coast. Native people used waterways, beaches, and extensive trail networks for travel and trade. In the 19th century, non-Native migrants settled along the coast, constructing makeshift roads of sand, wood, and gravel to navigate a stunning but isolating landscape of cliffs, forests, and windswept beaches.

As automobiles gained popularity in the early 20th century, the coast’s isolation became a barrier to travel and economic growth. In response, Oregon leaders formed the Oregon Highway Commission in 1913, launching an ambitious effort to build a coast highway. Completed over a decade through remarkable feats of engineering, the 363-mile road became U.S. Highway 101 in 1926, linking communities across seven counties. This exhibition traces how this iconic highway reshaped the coast and asks visitors to consider how movement, access, and infrastructure continue to influence who can travel, live, and thrive along Oregon’s shores.

About the Oregon Historical Society

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

Portland, OR — On July 4, 2026, America250 will bury the Semiquincentennial Time Capsule within Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. The stainless-steel cylinder, designed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, is designed to safely store commemorative objects for 250 years until the capsule’s opening on July 4, 2275.

Each state has been asked to contribute a submission that represents its people, stories, and values at this historic moment, and the America 250 Oregon Commission invites the public to share ideas for Oregon’s contributions.

Items should reflect Oregon and its people today and may include creative works, written reflections, or symbolic objects created with long-term preservation in mind. Submissions must fit within a 6" x 5" x 2" archival storage box, ideally made of a nonreactive metal (gold, silver, copper, titanium, platinum) or consist of a single page of archival paper no larger than 8.5" x 11". Other materials (such as stone, fabric, glass, clay) may be utilized, recognizing that the potential for long-term degradation is increased.

Oregonians are encouraged to submit recommendations to egon.250@ohs.org" target="_blank" title="Oregon.250@ohs.org">Oregon.250@ohs.org by March 1, 2026. Public input will help inform the Commission’s final selection, ensuring Oregon’s contribution reflects a broad range of perspectives and experiences.

About the America 250 Oregon Commission

The America 250 Oregon Commission was created through Senate Bill 1531, which was signed into law by Governor Tina Kotek on March 27, 2024. Chaired by the Oregon Historical Society’s executive director, Kerry Tymchuk, the mission of the America 250 Oregon Commission is to coordinate, provide guidance, and ensure that Oregon’s official observance of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States is inclusive and shares the histories of Oregon’s diverse populations, including the histories of the Indigenous peoples who have resided here since time immemorial. Learn more at oregon250.org.

A new video highlights a local Bandon business and shows the sweet side of workplace safety, just in time for Valentine's Day.

SAIF, Oregon’s not-for-profit workers’ compensation company, featured Coastal Mist Chocolates in “Oregon Odd Jobs,” their web series looking at how unique Oregon workplaces keep workers safe.

View the latest episode on YouTube.

Among other things, the videos teach how these businesses find safety success as they combat complacency, stay alert to surrounding hazards, keep up with safety innovations, and put safety redundancies in place.  

This isn’t the first time Oregon Odd Jobs has featured coastal businesses. Past episodes have featured Beverly Beach State Park, Lincoln City Glass Center, and the Oregon Coast Aquarium, among others. 

Subscribe to SAIF’s YouTube page for future episodes and other safety-related videos. 

About SAIF 

SAIF is Oregon's not-for-profit workers' compensation insurance company. Since 1914, we've been taking care of injured workers, helping people get back to work, and striving to make Oregon the safest and healthiest place to work. For more information, visit the About SAIF page on saif.com. 

PENDLETON, Oregon. — Travel Pendleton proudly announces Interwoven: Where Cultures Meet, a new multi-day fashion event taking place October 15–17, 2026, continuing Pendleton, Oregon's rich tradition of storytelling through art and design. Funded in part by a grant from Travel Oregon, Interwoven is a fashion, design, food, market, and culture mashup representing Indigenous and Western artists. Interwoven is a space for sharing roots, making connections, remixing traditions, and creating together in a place globally recognized for rich cultural traditions. Interwoven is for the bold, for the visionary, and for what's next. 

Interwoven is a platform where stories are told through textiles and craftsmanship. Over three immersive days, designers and artists will present work rooted in heritage, place, and lived experience—creating a dialogue between tradition and contemporary fashion.

A signature element is the Interwoven Market, featuring 70 regional artists and makers, offering attendees the opportunity to engage directly with creators, purchase one-of-a-kind works, and participate in hands-on learning workshops and maker demonstrations. Interwoven will also host multiple fashion shows. Among them is a distinctive fashion show on horseback where equine models will walk the runway, highlighting craftsmanship both on and off the saddle. Interwoven will further support emerging and established designers through its Unresidency Program, selecting eight designers to receive support to develop eight-piece collections. These collections will debut in a featured runway show during the festival. 

Beyond fashion, Interwoven offers an immersive food experience, curated pop-up exerpiences, discussion panels, and exhibits leading up to the event, and highly photographable moments throughout Pendleton—encouraging attendees to explore the town as both a destination and a blank canvas.

While Interwoven Market vendor applications and Unresidency applications are not yet live, there are multiple opportunities to become involved as a designer, maker, volunteer, or sponsorship partner. Event registration, details, and applications for vendors and artists reside on Interwoven's website, https://www.interwovenoregon.com. Market vendor applications open February 14, and the UnResidency program opens to applicants March 2. 

Created by Travel Pendleton, Interwoven: Where Cultures Meet is a space for artists to gather, collaborate, and share their work in a town deeply rooted in design and legendary experiences, while introducing Pendleton’s local makers and designers to a broader regional audience.