On Wednesday afternoon, August 13th, detectives with the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT) arrested two men in the Curtin area.  

Detectives had developed reason to believe criminal activity was taking place at the location and obtained a search warrant for the property.  At approximately 3:00 PM, detectives executed the search warrant, with assistance from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.  Eight people were detained at the property.  

A search of the location revealed approximately 30 growing marijuana plants, 12 grams of suspected methamphetamine, and multiple firearms.  None of the marijuana was being grown legally under Oregon law.  

52 year old Jason Newman, of Curtin, was suspected to be responsible for some of the illegally growing marijuana plants.  He was cited and released from the scene for Unlawful Possession and Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana.  

47 year old Shaun Borg, of Curtin, was also suspected to be responsible for the marijuana plants, as well as the suspected methamphetamine found at the location.  Borg was also found to be in possession of 4 firearms.  As a previously convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms under Oregon law.  Borg was arrested and lodged at the Douglas County Jail on the following charges:

• Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine
• Unlawful Possession of Marijuana
• Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana
• Felon in Possession of Firearm (4 counts)

All others were released at the scene.  

Grants Pass, OR. – Between September 2024 and January 2025, the Grants Pass Police Department began investigating several commercial burglaries occurring within the city. Not only were the businesses burglarized, but items valued between $100 and $1000 were taken, and property was intentionally damaged, in some cases adding up to more than $1000. The following businesses were victims of the burglary series:

• Bi Mart (Victimized twice)
• Cash Connection (Victimized twice)
• Highland Market
• Rogue Fly Shop
• Batteries Plus Bulb
• M Street Market
• Lucky Duck on Redwood Ave.
• Farmers Building Supply
• Don’s Bike Center
• Fields Home Improvement (in Josephine County)

During the months-long investigation, Anthony Boyd Mooney, a 33-year-old male of Grants Pass, was identified as the suspect. Last week, a Grand Jury panel heard testimony and indicted Mooney on the following charges:

• 12 counts of Burglary in the Second Degree
• 5 counts of Theft in the First Degree
• 11 counts of Criminal Mischief in the First Degree
• 7 counts of Theft in the Second Degree

The whereabouts of Anthony Mooney are currently unknown, but he has several warrants for his arrest. Anyone with information on Mooney's location should contact their local law enforcement agency to facilitate his arrest.

Further media inquiries should be directed to the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office.

###

JCSO Case 25-4391

RURAL EAGLE POINT, Ore. - Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon (ECSO) 911 Dispatch received a distress call Saturday, August 16 for a missing kayaker who disappeared into Agate Lake outside Eagle Point. The 911 call came in at 7:48 PM and reported a 27-year-old Medford man fell in the lake while kayaking without a life jacket. 

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) Marine deputies responded with both Fire District 3 and Fire District 4. First responders searched the water until after 10 PM but were unable to locate the man. 

The next morning, Sunday, August 17, JCSO Marine units along with Search and Rescue (SAR) Dive Team members resumed the search. Klamath County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived to assist.  At 7:34 AM SAR divers located the body of the missing man in the lake. Our condolences go to his family and friends. We will not be releasing the man’s name out of respect for his family’s privacy in this difficult time. There is no further information available for release.
 

###

RELEASE DATE: August 19, 2025

INCIDENT: Fugitive Arrest on Nationwide Extradition Warrant

INCIDENT DATE: August 13, 2025

ARRESTED: Gabriel Isaac Frank Harrison, 22 year-old male

CHARGES: 1- Sexual Performance by a Child

                    2- Online Solicitation of a Minor During School Hours

                    3- Injury to a Minor x 2

DETAILS: On August 12, 2025, Detectives with the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office were contacted by the United States Marshal Service (USMS) regarding a fugitive wanted for multiple sex crimes stemming from an Oregon State Police Major Crimes investigation. The fugitive, identified as Gabriel Isaac Frank Harrison, was believed to be residing in Josephine County. Josephine County Sheriff’s Office Detectives and members of the USMS immediately began their collaborative investigation to verify the suspect’s location.

On August 13, 2025, as a result of the joint investigation, members of the USMS conducted surveillance operations on the suspect’s residence. USMS moved in and safely apprehended Harrison without incident. Subsequently, Josephine County Sheriff’s Office took custody of and arrested Harrison and lodged him in the Josephine County Adult Jail on a nationwide extradition warrant originating from Texas, where the victim is located. The charges for the warrant are Sexual Performance of a Child, Online Solicitation of a Minor, and Injury to a Minor x 2. Harrison will be extradited to Texas where he will face prosecution for the above crimes.

At the time of this press release the investigation is ongoing and no further details are being released.

RELEASE DATE: August 18, 2025

INCIDENT: Dog Attack Results in Death of a Child

INCIDENT DATE: August 16, 2025

REPORTING DEPUTY: Undersheriff Travis Snyder

DETAILS: On Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 1:31 PM, 911 received a phone call from a residence in the 1800 Block of Laurel Road, Cave Junction.  It was reported that a dog attacked a four-year-old female.  Deputies responded to the scene as well as personnel from American Medical Response and the Illinois Valley Fire Department.  Despite lifesaving measures performed, the child was pronounced deceased at the scene.  The child’s name will not be released.

The Sheriff’s Office began a death investigation with the assistance of personnel from the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office.  The dog, a Cane Corso/Rottweiler/ Pitt Bull mix was taken into custody by Animal Control personnel.  This case is still under investigation and no further information is currently available. 

UPDATE: Rosie has been located safely.

MISSING PERSON

CASE: 25-18648

NAME: Rosita "Rosie" Gois

AGE: 47

SEX: Female

HEIGHT: 5'00"

WEIGHT: 90lbs

INFORMATION: Rosie was last seen on August 14, 2025 at her residence off Holland Loop in Cave Junction.  Rosie was last seen wearing a red tank top and jean shorts.   If you have any information or have seen someone matching the description given, please call the Sheriff’s Office. 

Josephine County Sheriff's Office: 541-474-5123

MISSING PERSON: Raven Alexis Baysinger

CASE: 25-18739

AGE: 32

SEX: Female

RACE: White

HEIGHT: 5'6"

WEIGHT: 145

HAIR: Brown

EYES: Brown

INFORMATION: On 08/15/2025 Raven was reported as a missing person. Raven was last seen at Griffin Park in May 2024 and has not been seen or heard from since. Raven is believed to possibly be in the area of Wilderville or Grants Pass. The above photo is about a year old. 

If you have any information, please contact the Josephine County Sheriff's Office at 541-474-5123.

Date of Report: 8/12/2025

Case: 25-18324

Name: William Herren

Age: 15

Sex: Male

Race: White

Height: 5'8"

Weight: 160

Hair: Blonde/Brown

Eyes: Blue

William Herren ran away from home on 8/12/2025. William was last seen wearing denim shorts, a dark grey hoodie and a baseball cap. William could possibly be riding a bicycle in the Cave Junction area. 

Please contact the Josephine County Sheriff's Office with any information.  541-474-5123

The Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement team (MADGE) has been working diligently to get drugs and firearms off of our streets and out of the hands of criminals. Recently, MADGE has seized nearly 40lbs of Methamphetamine along with firearms and other controlled substances. We would like to highlight two of the larger cases.

After a 5-month investigation, MADGE detectives arrested 44-year-old Christopher Boyd Stevenson at his residence in the 400 block of B Street in Ashland. This lengthy investigation resulted in a search warrant being served on Stevenson’s residence where over five pounds of Methamphetamine was seized along with five firearms and three ounces of Cocaine. Stevenson is a convicted felon and was lodged on the drug possession charges along with firearms related charges.

Then, on August 12^th, MADGE investigators conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by 45-year-old Juan Flores-Gutierrez. This traffic stop resulted in the seizure of 2 pounds of Methamphetamine. Investigators then located 32 additional pounds of Methamphetamine at Flores-Gutierrez’s residence in the 1200-block of West 8^th Street in Medford. This arrest was the result of a multi-year investigation into drug trafficking being conducted by Flores-Gutierrez from Southern California to the Medford area.

The MADGE team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles local, multi-state, and international drug trafficking organizations using an intelligence-driven, multi-agency prosecutor-support approach. MADGE is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), which is composed of members from the Medford Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Eagle Point Police Department, Oregon State Police, the District Attorney’s Office, Parole and Probation, the Assistant US Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the FBI.

The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) -sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives, including MADGE. 

Reference Case # 25-9166 and 25-13602

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. (Aug. 20, 2025)- On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 2:50 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Highway 99, near milepost 8, in Jackson County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a southbound Ford Ranger, operated by Katrina Ann Knight (59) of Grants Pass, left the roadway for unknown reasons, rolled, and struck a utility pole.

The operator of the Ford (Knight) was declared deceased at the scene. 

The highway was impacted for approximately one hour during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by 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.

CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore. (Aug. 20, 2025)- On Monday, August 18, 2025, at 1:03 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a three-vehicle crash on Highway 26, at the intersection with Orient Drive, in Clackamas County.

The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound GMC Savannah, operated by Ivan Bahena (46) of Gresham, reportedly experienced a mechanical failure and rear ended a Honda Fit, operated by Bryan Ray Robinson (48) of Sandy, that was slowing to stop for the traffic light at the intersection with Orient Drive. The collision pushed the Honda into an eastbound Infinity QX5, operated by Cassandra Lea Bellingham (52) of Portland, that was stopped at the traffic light. 

The operator of the Honda (Robinson) was declared deceased at the scene.

The operator of the GMC (Bahena) suffered reported minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital.

The operator of the Infinity (Bellingham) suffered reported minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital.

The highway was impacted for approximately five hours. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

OSP was assisted by 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.

BAKER COUNTY, Ore. (Aug. 19, 2025)- On Monday, August 18, 2025, at 5:48 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Highway 26, near milepost 221, in Baker County. 

The preliminary investigation indicated a westbound Kawasaki Ninja, operated by Michael Allen Klaus (74) of Stanfield, lost control and slid into the westbound ditch. 

The operator of the Kawasaki (Klaus) was declared deceased at the scene. 

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

OSP was assisted by 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.

LINN COUNTY, Ore. (Aug. 19, 2025)- On Sunday, August 17, 2025, at 9:22 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Highway 20, near milpost 4, in Linn County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a westbound Toyota 4Runner, operated by Ryker Thomas Pittam (19) of Albany, swerved to avoid another vehicle attempting to make a left turn into a driveway. The Toyota lost control and rolled, ejecting the operator in the process.

The operator of the Toyota (Pittam) was transported to an area hospital and was later declared deceased.

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

OSP was assisted by the Linn County Sheriff's Office 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.

CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore. (Aug. 18, 2025)- On Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 2:21 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Highway 224, near milepost 45, in Clackamas County.

The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Suzuki GSXR-1000, operated by Tony James Gonzalez (52) of Molalla, failed to negotiate a curve, left the roadway for unknown reasons and struck the guardrail. 

The operator of the Suzuki (Gonzalez) was declared deceased at the scene.

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

OSP was assisted by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Estacada 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.

DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. (Aug. 16, 2025) – On Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 9:49 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 97 near milepost 145 in Deschutes County.

The preliminary investigation indicated that a silver Honda Accord, operated by Felicia Devin Nicholson (33) of Bend, was traveling northbound on Hwy. 97 near milepost 145 when it drifted across the center line for an unknown reason and struck a southbound silver Honda Odyssey, operated by Earl Leone Christison IV (46) of Oregon City.

The operator of the Accord (Nicholson) was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The operator of the Odyssey (Earl Christison) was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Odyssey passenger Erin Ruth Christison (45) of Oregon City was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.

Four female juvenile passengers (ages 17, 14, 11, and 9) in the Odyssey were also transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.

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

OSP was assisted by the Bend Police Department, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Sunriver Police Department, and multiple area emergency medical service responders.
 

# # #
 

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.

LINN COUNTY, Ore. (Aug. 14, 2025)- On Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 10:41 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Highway 126, near milepost 0, in Linn County.

The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Harley Davidson motorcycle, operated by Jan Dwight McSilvers (72) of Springfield, failed to negotiate a curve and left the roadway. The motorcycle rolled on top of the operator after exiting the roadway.

The operator of the Harley Davidson (McSilvers) was declared deceased at the scene.

The highway was impacted for approximately one hour during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

OSP was assisted by Black Butte EMS 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.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE

BOARD ON PUBLIC SAFETY STANDARDS AND TRAINING

MEETING SCHEDULED

The Executive Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting at 11:00 a.m. on August 27, 2025, 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.

Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. Approve April 4, 2024, Meeting Minutes

3. Temporary and Proposed Rule Changes for Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 259-030-0005

    Presented by Jennifer Howald

4. Next Meeting – TBD

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting subject to the public meeting laws and will be recorded. 

TILLAMOOK STATE FOREST, Ore.—Four volunteers were recognized for their efforts to steward recreational opportunities across Oregon state forests through the first Forest Champions Volunteer Award. The award, sponsored by the State Forests Trust of Oregon, was proudly presented to Richard Chapman, Nathan Frechen, Nelson Kline and Tom Brauner.

“Each of this year’s honorees reflects the heart of volunteerism and the spirit of Oregon’s working forests,” said Kelly Lau, executive director of the State Forests Trust of Oregon. “Their dedication ensures that trails remain safe, available, and inspiring for all who explore, enjoy and appreciate time spent on these public lands.”

Each year volunteers contribute more than 15,000 hours to help Oregon Department of Forestry’s Recreation, Education, and Interpretation Program maintain and improve the state forests’ trail systems, camping areas, and other recreational facilities. Additionally, many of the educational and interpretation programs hosted at the Tillamook Forest Center also rely heavily on volunteers.

“Our volunteers are amazing,” said Joe Offer, ODF’s Recreation, Education, and Interpretation Program Manager. “They are out in the forests in all kinds of weather doing hard, physical work, so all Oregonians can enjoy our state forests safely. Our small number of ODF recreational staff couldn’t keep the more than 700 miles of hiking, biking, off-road vehicle and equestrian trails open without their help. We greatly appreciate their dedication and commitment to everything that makes our state forests so special.”

Here are the 2025 Forest Champions:

Richard Chapman

The Trust partnered with the Oregon Motorcycle Riders Association (OMRA) to create the Lyon Payne Trail Volunteer of the Year Award in memory of longtime OMRA member Lyon Payne. Known for his quiet, steadfast dedication to trail maintenance, Lyon passed away in 2022 after years of working behind the scenes to keep state forests trails open for all. Richard, who worked closely with Lyon, has carried on that legacy without missing a beat. From maintaining OMRA’s tools to covering countless hidden costs out of pocket, Richard’s service reflects a humble, hands-on approach that puts others and state forest trails first. Without seeking recognition, he has ensured that ODF’s trail network continues to thrive. The award honors both Lyon’s enduring impact and Richard’s commitment to carrying the torch.

 Nathan Frechen

A leading volunteer with the Northwest Trail Alliance (NWTA), Nathan contributes over 150 hours annually, organizing and leading large volunteer crews in trail restoration and maintenance. His ability to mobilize teams of 30–50 people has made a measurable difference in the health of the Tillamook State Forest non-motorized trail system. But Nathan’s influence goes far beyond the worksite. His inclusive leadership style has helped cultivate a broader network of volunteers and partners dedicated to equitable outdoor access and long-term stewardship. Through his passion, organization, and generosity of spirit, Nathan is helping ensure that ODF’s trails remain welcoming and sustainable for future generations.

 Nelson Kline and Tom Brauner

Volunteers with Trailkeepers of Oregon (TKO), Tom and Nelson have made extraordinary efforts to restore the Shellburg Falls Trail system in the Santiam State Forest. Severely damaged by the 2020 Labor Day fires, the Shellburg network has become a model of grassroots restoration thanks to their leadership.

Nelson, who began volunteering with TKO in 2019, has led 47 trail parties with volunteers who have contributed over 1,600 hours. Tom joined TKO in 2022 and has since logged over 2,000 hours. His contributions include leading crews, designing bridges and box steps, and coordinating closely with the Oregon Department of Forestry. Together, Nelson and Tom oversaw the construction of two new 30-foot bridges—critical to safely reopening the area. This duo continues to attract new volunteers, especially from the Salem area, and they remain committed to ongoing restoration work as winter storms and lingering fire damage continue to affect the Santiam.

 For more information on volunteering in Oregon’s State Forest see the Trust’s Get Involved webpage and the ODF volunteer page.

(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, is thankful for the community support to find Brittan Arrington.

Brittan Arrington, age 14, is a child who went missing from Gresham on July 29. She was found Aug. 13.

Sometimes when a child is missing they may be in significant danger and ODHS may need to locate them to assess and support their safety. As ODHS works to do everything it can to find these missing children and assess their safety, media alerts will be issued in some circumstances when it is determined necessary. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.

Report child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).  This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.

###

August 19, 2025

Media contact: Timothy Heider, 971-599-0459.

PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory lifted for Ross Island Lagoon and for the Willamette River south of the lagoon downriver to Wapato Bridge and Kelley Point Park

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has lifted the recreational use health advisory issued for Ross Island Lagoon and for the Willamette River south of the lagoon downriver to Wapato Bridge and Kelley Point Park in Multnomah County.

OHA issued the advisory August 12.

Water monitoring has confirmed that the level of cyanotoxins in Ross Island Lagoon and the Willamette River south of the lagoon downriver to Wapato Bridge and Kelley Point Park are below recreational guideline values for people.

OHA advises recreational visitors to continually be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable. Only a fraction of water bodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab.

When recreating, people, and especially small children, and pets should avoid areas where the water is foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green or blue-green, or if thick brownish-red mats are visible or bright green clumps are suspended in the water. If you see these signs, avoid activities that cause you to swallow water or inhale droplets, such as swimming or high-speed water activities, and keep pets out of the area.

Cyanotoxins can still exist in clear water. When a bloom dies, toxins released may reach into clear water around the bloom. Blooms can be pushed into other areas, leaving toxins behind. There also are species of cyanobacteria that anchor themselves at the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment, or can grow on aquatic plants and release toxins into clear water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

###

August 15, 2025

PORTLAND, Ore.— Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory for Eckman Lake on July 31, due to the presence of cyanobacteria, and is providing an update on August 15, due to very high saxitoxin (PSP) levels. The lake is in Lincoln County.

People should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas of the reservoir where blooms are present, as the major route of exposure is ingestion of water. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

OHA encourages people to visit Eckman Lake and enjoy activities such as camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

Drinking water

Drinking water directly from areas of the lake affected by a bloom is especially dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact campground management or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby campgrounds or day use areas.

Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotoxins. People who do not use a well or public water system and draw in-home water directly from an affected area are advised to use an alternative water source.

Children and pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size and level of activity. Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crust along the shore. This is regardless of a recreational use health advisory in place.

Dogs can become ill and die from water intoxication after drinking excessive amounts of water while swimming or fetching objects for long periods of time. Intoxication is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain function resulting from an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Water intoxication and heat stroke can cause similar symptoms as exposure to cyanotoxins.

Symptoms

Exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention.

Dogs can experience weakness, difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, loss of appetite and more. If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible.

Fishing

Fish caught from areas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks, so OHA recommends not eating fish from those areas. Those who decide to eat the fish should remove fat, skin and organs before cooking or freezing. Toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 1-877-290-6767, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

August 14, 2025

Media contact: Timothy Heider, 971-599-0459, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

OHA issues recreational use advisory for Odell Lake

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory today for Odell Lake in Klamath County, due to the presence of microcystin.

People should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas of the reservoir where blooms are present, as the major route of exposure is ingestion of water. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

OHA encourages people to visit Odell Lake and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

Drinking water

Drinking water directly from areas of the lake affected by a bloom is especially dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact campground management or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby campgrounds or day use areas.

Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotoxins. People who do not use a well or public water system and draw in-home water directly from an affected area are advised to use an alternative water source.

Children and pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size and level of activity. Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crust along the shore. This is regardless of a recreational use health advisory in place.

Dogs can become ill and die from water intoxication after drinking excessive amounts of water while swimming or fetching objects for long periods of time. Intoxication is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain function resulting from an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Water intoxication and heat stroke can cause similar symptoms as exposure to cyanotoxins.

Symptoms

Exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention.

Dogs can experience weakness, difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, loss of appetite and more. If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible.

Fishing

Fish caught from areas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks, so OHA recommends not eating fish from those areas. Those who decide to eat the fish should remove fat, skin and organs before cooking or freezing. Toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 1-877-290-6767, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

###

The Oregon Heritage Commission (OHC) and the Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries (OCHC) seek volunteers to fill multiple positions.
 

Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries

The OCHC is seeking two new members, one for the position representing Eastern Oregon and one representing the Portland Metro area.

The commission is seeking members with knowledge related to, or interest in:

• cemeteries;
• historic preservation;
• genealogy;
• cultural and burial practices of ethnic groups found in Oregon;
• landscape and native plants; and
• history.

The OCHC is comprised of seven citizens. It is empowered by the Legislature to maintain a listing of all historic cemeteries in Oregon, make recommendations for funding, seek legislative appropriations for historic cemeteries, and assist in the coordination of restoration, renovation and maintenance of historic cemeteries statewide. The commission develops online resources, offers workshops, and promotes the value of historic cemeteries through storytelling.
 

The group meets four times per year in different locations around the state and online. There may be an occasional additional meeting for extra projects, programs, and grant selection. Commissioners are also asked to organize informal meetings in their regions or work on other projects outside of meeting time. Travel costs are reimbursed.
 

To apply, send a letter of interest and resume to commission coordinator Kuri Gill at i.Gill@oprd.oregon.gov">Kuri.Gill@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-986-0685. Please include your reasons for wanting to serve on the commission, any skills or knowledge you will bring to its work, and ideas or goals you have for your participation. Please submit your information before September 12, 2025. More information about the Historic Cemeteries program is available online www.oregonheritage.org.
 

Oregon Heritage Commission

The Heritage Commission currently has three vacancies and is especially seeking members with knowledge and experience related to community institutions, heritage tourism, or education/higher education and who have experience working with diverse cultural groups. The Commission seeks applications from those that live in the Southern Oregon area, the Portland Metro area, and the Mid/South Willamette Valley area.
 

The Heritage Commission’s nine members represent a diversity of cultural, geographic, and institutional interests. The Commission is the primary agency for coordination of heritage activities in the state. This includes carrying out the Oregon Heritage Plan, increasing efficiency and avoiding duplication among interest groups, developing plans for coordination among agencies and organizations, encouraging tourism related to heritage resources, and coordinating statewide anniversary celebrations.
 

The group meets four-six times per year in changing locations around the state and will offer virtual options to attend meetings. Commissioners are also asked to occasionally participate in meetings or events in their regions and work on other projects outside of meeting time. Appointed Commissioners are reimbursed for their travel and related expenses while conducting official commission business.
 

More information about the Oregon Heritage Commission is available online at www.oregonheritage.org and from Commission coordinator Katie Henry at 503-877-8834 or katie.henry@oprd.oregon.gov. 
 

To request appointment, go to Governor Tina Kotek’s Boards and Commissions webpage at https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Pages/board-list.aspx. 

EUGENE, Ore.—A North Bend, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for sexually exploiting an Oregon child using the social media application Facebook Messenger.

Chistopher Jay Young, 40, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison and 15 years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, on January 20, 2024, Young, using Facebook Messenger, persuaded a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct, record the conduct, and send it to him.

On April 11, 2024, federal and state law enforcement officers from the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Oregon State Police, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lane County Sheriff’s Office executed federal search warrants on Young’s home and vehicles. Young was arrested and investigators seized his devices.

During a search of Young’s devices, investigators learned that Young used the minor’s social media account to communicate and request the child sexual abuse material and that Young had the minor’s Facebook login credentials saved in his phone.

On April 16, 2024, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a two-count indictment charging Young with attempting to use a minor to produce a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct and attempting to coerce or entice a minor to engage in unlawful sexual conduct. 

On May 6, 2025, Young pleaded guilty to attempting to use a minor to produce a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from HSI. It was prosecuted by William M. McLaren, Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, they re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

MEDFORD, Ore.—Two San Antonio, Texas, men were sentenced to federal prison Thursday for conspiring to travel from Texas to Southern Oregon to commit an armed robbery while disguised as agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Jose Manuel Lopez, 24, was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison and four years’ supervised release, and Juan Carlos Conchas, 23, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison and four years’ supervised release. Restitution to the victim was ordered to be paid jointly.

According to court documents, on March 12, 2022, deputies from the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office responded to a rural address in Josephine County, Oregon after receiving reports of an armed robbery in progress. The deputies found a residence with a closed driveway gate and two empty vehicles with Texas license plates in the driveway with their doors open. Deputies saw several people running toward the back of the property and found victims inside the house. The victims reported that armed individuals dressed in what appeared to be DEA attire and wearing body armor arrived at the property and used zip ties and duct tape to restrain several of them.

The deputies searched the property and found large plastic totes containing packaged marijuana in the buildings and vehicles. They also found body armor, firearms, ammunition, shell casings, and badges that resembled those carried by DEA agents along the path that the defendants used to flee the property.

Investigators learned that in late February 2022, the group traveled from San Antonio to Southern Oregon to steal over 200 pounds of marijuana and recovered photographs taken by the group in which they posed with firearms while dressed as DEA agents.

On October 13, 2022, Lopez and Conchas were located and arrested in San Antonio.

On September 1, 2022, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a three-count indictment charging Morales, Acuna, Conchas and co-conspirators with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute, and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

On December 6, 2024, Lopez pleaded guilty to conspiring to interfere with commerce by robbery and conspiring to possess marijuana with the intent to distribute.

On April 16, 2025, Conchas pleaded guilty to conspiring to interfere with commerce by robbery and conspiring to possess marijuana with the intent to distribute.

In addition, four co-conspirators have pleaded guilty and been sentenced on felony charges stemming from their roles in the conspiracy.

This case was investigated by the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with assistance from the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety. It is being prosecuted by Judith R. Harper, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

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SEASIDE, Ore. – It’s heartbreaking to see Providence close Seaside’s birth center. For nearly 50 years, nurses and healthcare professionals have been here to help newborns draw their first breath and provide trusted care before and after birth for families on the Oregon Coast. This abrupt closure sets our community up for failure and abandons expectant parents at one of the most important and vulnerable times of their lives.

Minutes matter for parents and newborns. Providence is forcing families to travel more than 30 minutes to Astoria or more than 75 minutes to Tillamook just to deliver babies.

This closure is devastating for young families but it will negatively affect everyone in our community. With no other options, moms will be sent to the ER leading to longer waits for everyone. This will affect people suffering from heart attacks and broken bones to COVID and car crashes.

Providence’s pattern of cuts will harm caregivers and the health and safety of communities up and down the coast; leaving us all with fewer choices, longer waits and worse healthcare. 

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Closing birth centers has become a dangerous trend in Oregon and across the U.S. More than 500 hospitals in the U.S. have closed their labor and delivery departments since 2010; contributing to rising maternal mortality rates. Since 2019, Oregon health systems closed birth centers at hospitals in Redmond, Baker City and Gresham and threatened to close birth centers in Lebanon and Lincoln City. 

Following public outcry and state intervention, Legacy was forced to reopen its birth center at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center in Gresham. Nurses, community leaders and elected officials are all actively pushing back against plans to close family birth centers at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital and Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital in Lincoln City. 

While the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) recognizes that Medicaid cuts and broader attacks on our healthcare system from the Trump administration are serious issues, Providence and other healthcare systems must confront their priorities as profit-driven businesses that dole out lavish executive salaries.  

 
Providence is a $30 billion corporation whose top executives take home millions each year. Patients and caregivers should not be forced to pay the price for corporate greed or political decisions beyond their control.  
 
It’s time for Providence to live up to its mission and make real investments in our communities and provide Oregonians with the care they deserve.  

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Portland, Ore. – More than two years after forming their union and after 21 months of bargaining, 400 registered nurses (RNs) at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike, citing Legacy Health’s refusal to make meaningful investments in recruiting and retaining frontline caregivers, patient care, and fair wages and benefits.

Frontline nurses at Legacy Mount Hood are represented by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA). 

“Mount Hood nurses have been more than patient. After nearly two years at the bargaining table, Legacy executives still refuse to address critical issues like fair pay and caps on insurance premiums—changes we need to recruit and retain the skilled nurses our patients rely on,” said Lillie Charron, a nurse at Legacy Mount Hood and ONA vice-chair of the bargaining team. “We don’t want to strike, but if management continues to slow-roll negotiations, we are united and ready to act.”

Nurses at Legacy Mount Hood are demanding: 

• A voice in decision-making about patient care and workplace conditions 
• Fair compensation that is competitive with other health systems to recruit and retain more nurses
• Quality, affordable healthcare
• Protections against shifts being unilaterally shortened by management 
• Appropriate compensation for RNs who work during times of crisis including inclement weather. 

“We’re the ones at the bedside every day — we know our patients best,” Charron said. “We formed our union to speak up for the people we care for. A fair contract will help recruit and retain the nurses our community depends on, so every patient gets the safe, quality care they deserve.”

The vote does not set a strike date. Nurses are hoping upcoming mediation sessions on August 22 and 28 will result in a fair agreement and avert a strike. If a deal is not reached, nurses say they are prepared to act—and they have the support of RNs and frontline caregivers across the Legacy system.

Background on Legacy Mt Hood RNs 

In January 2023, Legacy announced plans to close Mount Hood’s Family Birth Center—a move nurses, and the community successfully opposed, prompting the Oregon Health Authority to block the closure. The center reopened in April 2023. Nurses say the fight underscored the need for a strong union voice in patient care decisions. They won their union election and joined the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) that same month, with bargaining for their first contract beginning in December 2023. 

Background on Legacy Health 

Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center, located in Gresham, is part of Legacy Health, the Portland metro area’s second-largest healthcare system, serving hundreds of thousands of patients and employing more than 14,000 people.

The strike authorization comes amid a broader push for frontline caregivers at Legacy Health to unionize. Eleven ONA bargaining units—representing nearly 3,400 caregivers—are currently negotiating with Legacy, seeking improvements in staffing, wages, benefits, transparency, and workplace safety. ONA’s sister union, Northwest Medicine United (NWMU), represents another 475 healthcare professionals, including physicians, who are also bargaining their first contracts with Legacy.

In recent years, Legacy executives have dramatically increased their own compensation—with executive spending growing by 90% from 2019-2023—even as they delay fair contracts for nurses and frontline caregivers.

Despite executives’ claims of financial hardship, Legacy reports having “a strong balance sheet,” more than 180 days of cash on hand, and a $1.3 billion investment portfolio that has generated $436 million in returns since 2019 — profits not counted in operating income.

Interviews are available upon request. 

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