SALEM, Ore. – On Saturday evening, the Oregon State Fire Marshal mobilized their Blue Incident Management Team and three structural task forces to the Highland Fire in Crook County south of Prineville. One task force was sent earlier on Saturday through Immediate Response.

The wind-driven Highland Fire sparked on Saturday afternoon, and levels 1, 2, and 3 evacuations are in place for those living near the fire.

The Immediate Response task force arrived Saturday evening, and the incident management team and two additional task forces will arrive on Sunday morning before being briefed to begin work protecting structures. 

“Fire conditions are affecting much of the state with little relief in the forecast,” said State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple. “We are asking all Oregonians to be aware of the conditions and do everything they can to prevent sparking a wildfire.”

A conflagration was invoked by Governor Kotek on Saturday evening, allowing the state fire marshal to mobilize structural protection resources.

Follow the Crook County Sheriff’s Office for the latest evacuation information. See the evacuation map here.

This is the fifth time the Emergency Conflagration Act has been invoked in 2025.

About the Oregon State Fire Marshal  
The Oregon State Fire Marshal became an independent state agency in July 2023. The agency is dedicated to protecting people, property, and the environment from fire and hazardous materials. The OSFM works with local fire agencies, communities, and other partners to strengthen fire prevention, preparedness, and response statewide. Please note: the Oregon State Fire Marshal is no longer an office.

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

Sahara, age 16, is a child who went missing from Oregon City on July 6. She was found on July 11.

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.

###

(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, asks the public to help find Sahara Feldmiller, age 16, a child in foster care who went missing from Oregon City on July 6. Sahara is believed to be in danger.

ODHS asks the public for help in the effort to find Sahara and to contact 911 or local law enforcement if they believe they see her.

Sahara was last seen under the 205 Bridge at Marine Drive and is known to frequent Sandy, Oregon and Mt. Hood Area.

Name: Sahara Feldmiller  
Pronouns: she/her
Date of birth: October 16, 2008
Height: 5-foot-2
Weight: 98 pounds
Eye color: Blue
Hair color: Dark Blonde

Law Enforcement Agency Case #25-014218
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children #2055501 

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.

###

You're invited to join the Rowena Wildfire Debris Management Task Force for a media tour highlighting household hazardous waste removal of the debris cleanup effort. This is an opportunity to learn more about the coordinated recovery work underway, ask questions of subject matter experts, and gather photos and footage for public awareness.

Location: Mayer State Park, 5865 Rowena River Rd, Rowena, OR 97058
Date: Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Time: 10 a.m.

Who will be available for media interviews:

• Stephanie Krell, Public Information Officer, Debris Management Task Force

• Charles Kennedy, State On-Scene Coordinator, Debris Management Task Force

• Sheriff Lane Magill, Deputy Incident Commander, Debris Management Task Force

Closed-toe shoes are required and long pants are recommended. Please bring personal protective equipment, including high-vis vests, safety glasses and N95 masks, as their availability will be limited on-site.

? Registration is required to participate. Please register by 5 p.m., Monday, July 14, 2025.

For more information or special accommodation requests, please contact Stephanie Krell, Public Information Officer, pio@co.wasco.or.us or by phone (541) 993-8173

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, July 23, 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 (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.

Amended Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. Approve June 25, 2025, Meeting Minutes

3. Cody Ching, DPSST No. 66366; Gresham Police Department

    Presented by Cindy Park

4. Manuel Montoya, DPSST No. 66246; DOC/Coffee Creek Correctional Facility

    Presented by Cindy Park

5. Inquiry Closure Memos – Information Only

    Presented by Cindy Park

6. Next Applicant Review Committee Meeting – August 27, 2025, 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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Media Hotline: 503-813-6018  

Pacific Power Foundation provides over $300k in grants to support education and STEM programs  

PORTLAND, Ore. (July 10, 2025) — The Pacific Power Foundation is proud to provide grant funds and support to 89 nonprofits and community organizations that are expanding access to quality STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education and strengthening learning opportunities in the communities that Pacific Power serves. 

“The foundation is delighted to support local organizations that uplift the next generation of STEM professionals,” said Ryan Flynn, director of the Pacific Power Foundation and president of Pacific Power. “We are truly inspired by the communities’ efforts in opening doors for the next generation of innovators, problem-solver and leaders.”   

These education and STEM grants are made through one of four grant cycles offered by the Pacific Power Foundation each year. The foundation supports a wide range of organizations within the communities served by Pacific Power.   

The following are some of the community organizations that were awarded grants, totaling $313,000: 

California:  

 
Del Norte County:  

 
Tolowa Needash Society to help them build the Xwii-t’ii-dvn (People’s House) and a storage unit at Nii~-lii~-chvn-dvn Ne’sr-dash-dvn (Dance Place) in Del Norte County. This will allow the Tolowa Dee-Ni Nation to have a proper, upgraded space to gather for events.  

 
Siskiyou County:  

 
Mt. Shasta Museum Association to provide more STEM activities during Science Saturdays during the summer. These events are for all ages, so parents and children can learn side by side.  

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

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

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

Turn On WEA Alerts on Your Phone

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

Charge Everything in Advance and Have Backup Power

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

Know Your Evacuation Routes in Advance

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

Print or Write Down Critical Contacts and Info

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

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

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

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

Sign Up for Alerts Before There's an Outage

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

 Prepare for Alert Delays or Gaps

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

 Be Your Own Info Network

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

In rural areas, community bulletin boards or fire stations may serve as local information points.

Support and Restoration in Progress
To help maintain emergency communications during this incident, OEM deployed eight Starlink terminals under the guidance of ESF 2 and the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC). A Communications Technician (Jeff Perkins) was also deployed to assess connectivity needs on the ground. These Starlink terminals have been providing service to the Lake County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Oregon State Police (OSP), Warner Creek Correctional Facility, and will soon support the town of Lakeview, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Lakeview Ranger Station. OEM’s Regional Coordinator (Stacey) is also on-site supporting the Lake County EOC. Coordination has been strong across local, state, and private sector partners.

Update: As of 7/10/25 at 1:47 PM, fiber service has been restored.

Reconnect When Service Returns

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

 Prepare for Delays in Restoration

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

 Final Tip:

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

[Rowena, Ore.] – As residents return to areas impacted by the Rowena Fire, safety remains a top priority. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM), Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and Wasco County strongly recommend property owners not perform cleanup themselves, because of the serious toxic hazard threats posed by burned homes and outbuildings. 
 

Doing your own cleanup without proper protection puts your health at risk. Burned materials are hazardous and require more than gloves and a mask to protect your health. Buildings constructed before 2004 are likely to contain asbestos, which is carcinogenic.

If residents do decide to do their own clean-up rather than hiring a qualified contractor, they should wear appropriate personal protective equipment. 

Before entering your property:

• Wear sturdy shoes, eye goggles, heavy-duty work gloves and an N95 mask when inspecting damage.
• Watch for hazards such as unstable structures, ash pits, smoldering debris and electrical hazards including downed power lines.
• Take photos of damage for insurance and recovery documentation.

Avoid bringing ash from outside to the inside:

• Don’t let children play on or near any ash. Wash off toys before children play with them.
• Wash fruits and vegetables from your garden thoroughly before you eat them. Read the OHA Healthy Gardening fact sheet for more tips.
• Remove shoes before you enter your home or use “sticky mats” in entries and doorways to remove dust and ash from your shoes.
• Keep pets out of areas where there is any ash. Bathe them when exposed to ash.
• Wash off any ash right away if it gets on your body or clothing.

Keep indoor spaces clean from ash. Minimize other pollutants:

• Protect your home from outside air, this includes proper seals for windows and doors. Home weatherization assistance may be available for people with low income.
• Use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) or non-ozone producing electrostatic precipitator (ESP) filter in your central air system to filter air throughout your home. There are also DYI air filter tutorials.
• Make sure any air purifier you buy has an airflow rate of at least two to three times the size of the room.
• EPA’s Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home
• California Air Resources Board-certified air filtration devices

See Oregon Health Authority’s Long-Term Wildfire Recovery Healthy Home Advice Fact Sheet for more detailed information.

Smoke may linger even after flames are out. To protect yourself and your family:

• Limit time outdoors and keep windows and doors closed.
• Use air purifiers indoors if available.
• If you have heart or lung conditions, consult your doctor about potential impacts and monitor symptoms closely.
• Visit Oregon Smoke Blog for local air quality conditions and tips.

Additional Cleanup Resources:

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is providing technical assistance and coordinating with subject matter experts to support safe debris management. Guidance on proper cleanup procedures and disposal of fire debris can be found at: https://www.oregon.gov/deq
 

Local recovery and safety resources are also available through Wasco County Emergency Management Long-term Recovery page.
 

Residents are encouraged to sign up for Wasco County Citizen Alert for the latest updates on recovery, road access, and support services.
 

For more information on state-led wildfire recovery and preparedness efforts, visit:
 wildfire.oregon.gov

Salem, OR – 07/10/2025 – Families enrolling children in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Oregon can now choose between the Standard English Book Collection and the new Bilingual English/Spanish Book Collection. They can also select their preferred language for communication during the enrollment process.

In June, families already enrolled in the Imagination Library received an email announcing the new Bilingual English/Spanish book collection option, along with instructions on how to make the switch. Books from the new collection are expected to begin arriving in mailboxes in August.

“Regardless of the language a child knows, the joy of reading should be available for every young learner,” Governor Kotek said. “The expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library with a bilingual book collection throws the door open to that opportunity much wider. This will help improve our literacy outcomes and make sure every Oregon student, regardless of where they live or where they come from, has the opportunity to develop a love of reading before they ever step into a classroom."

The introduction of the Bilingual Collection has been eagerly anticipated since the statewide expansion of the Imagination Library launched in May of 2024. Thanks to funding from the State of Oregon, through the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), and 57 community organizations around the state, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is free for all families with children from birth to age five and available in all counties in Oregon.

“Literacy is not confined to a single language—it is nurtured through the languages children speak at home, the stories they hear, and the books they read with their families,” said Alyssa Chatterjee, DELC Director. “By offering culturally responsive and bilingual books, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Program honors the richness of every child’s linguistic and cultural identity. The addition of a Spanish language book option means more families will have access to stories in the language that connects generations. I’m thrilled knowing that for those who choose this option, bilingual books will soon arrive in their mailbox—opening doors to literacy, learning, and a lifelong love of reading.”

Introducing books to children at an early age not only sets the stage to foster a love of reading, it also prepares them to be successful in school and life. The new bilingual collection will enable the Imagination Library to connect with more children and families across the state, significantly broadening the positive literacy impacts for young Oregonians by helping more children build personal libraries than ever before.

“Every child should grow up with stories that reflect their language, culture, and identity. Multilingual kids have a superpower that we should nurture and celebrate,” emphasized Representative Ben Bowman, Chief Sponsor of the legislation that made the statewide expansion of the Imagination Library in Oregon a reality. “This new bilingual collection shows our state’s commitment to making sure every child has the tools to learn, grow, and thrive.”

The Bilingual Collection was first piloted in California in 2023 and rolled-out to five more states in 2024. Oregon is excited to be among the 16 states added in 2025. States that now have access to the Bilingual Collection include Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and West Virginia. For a full list of the 2025 bilingual book collection visit imaginationlibrary.com/usa/book-list.

The Imagination Library of Oregon is free to families. Children can be registered as early as birth to receive new, high-quality, age-appropriate books addressed to them in the mail each month until their fifth birthday. To learn more or to enroll your child, visit www.imaginationlibrary.com/oregon. For the latest Oregon specific content, follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book-gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has gifted over 280 million free books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland. This is achieved through funding shared by The Dollywood Foundation and Local Community and State Partners. The Imagination Library mails more than 3 million high-quality, age-appropriate books directly to children’s homes each month. Each child enrolled in the program receives one book per month from birth to age five - at no cost to families. Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading and inspiring children to Dream More, Learn More, Care More, Be More.

The program’s impact has been widely researched, and results demonstrate its positive impact on early childhood development and literacy skills. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. For more information, please visit imaginationlibrary.com.

As temperatures rise and the risk of heat illness in the workplace increases, the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) reminds employers to follow requirements designed to help protect workers from the hazards of extreme heat. The division offers free resources to help employers comply with requirements.
 

Under Oregon’s heat illness prevention rule, employers must implement protective measures, including  adequate water, rest, shade, acclimatization (gradual adaptation to working in the heat), communication and training, and emergency plans. The rule applies to workplaces whenever an employee is working and the heat index equals or exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit. More provisions apply when the heat index exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
 

“Employers need to take the dangers of high heat seriously by planning ahead, engaging their employees about the hazards, and following the heat rule’s provisions,” said Renée Stapleton, administrator for Oregon OSHA.
 

The heat illness prevention requirements apply across industries and where employers provide housing as a condition of employment. Under the Oregon Safe Employment Act, workers have a right to a safe and healthy workplace and the right to raise concerns free of retaliation. Under the law, employers must maintain safe and healthy working conditions.
 

Oregon OSHA urges employers to refresh their knowledge of the requirements:

• Key requirements for general workplaces – English/Spanish 
• Key requirements for employer-provided housing – English/Spanish

All heat illness prevention resources are available on Oregon OSHA's A-to-Z topic index page. They include a video training in English and Spanish that satisfies certain training elements of the heat rule.
 

Oregon OSHA also offers:
 

Consultation services – provides free and confidential help with safety and health programs, including how to control and eliminate hazards, and hands-on training. The services involve no fault, no citations, and no penalties.

• Phone (toll-free in Oregon): 800-922-2689
• Field offices
• Online
• Email: consult.web@dcbs.oregon.gov

Technical staff – helps employers understand requirements and how to apply them to their worksites

• Phone (toll-free in Oregon): 800-922-2689
• Online
• Email: tech.web@dcbs.oregon.gov

The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, which includes Oregon OSHA as a division, maintains the Multicultural Communications Program that provides outreach to communities with limited English proficiency. That outreach encompasses information about on-the-job safety and health.
 

The Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers provides help with understanding workplace safety and health rights, and workers’ compensation rights.

###

About Oregon OSHA: Oregon OSHA enforces the state's workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit osha.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

SALEM, Oregon—Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is creating a rulemaking advisory committee to discuss possible changes to sound and equipment standards to All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) use on public lands in Oregon.

House Bill 2232 was signed on March 19, 2025 and became effective upon passage. The bill transfers rulemaking responsibility for ATV safety equipment and noise emissions from Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD).

State parks has temporarily adopted ODOT and DEQ’s rules for 180 days under ORS 183.335(5)(a). OPRD is in the process of reviewing the previous rules and developing permanent rules.

The current rules on noise emissions vary by type of vehicle. Requests have been made for a reduced sound limit in Oregon.

Many states use 96 dBA (decibels measured using the A-weighting scale) tested at 20 inches from the exhaust at a 45-degree angle at half RPM (revolutions per minute).

The proposed changes would update definitions for ATVs and look at other safety equipment standards. The committee will meet online 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, 2025 to review and discuss the proposed rule changes. The meetings are open to the public and can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/@oprddirectorsoffice5783/streams

The meeting agenda will include discussions to review sound levels and flag requirements to be consistent with other states. Committee members, appointed by OPRD, include individuals from around the state who are members of the off-road community, law enforcement, land managers and impacted neighbors.

After the committee reviews the proposed changes and staff make updates based on feedback and recommendations, the proposed rule will be open for public comment in August 2025. More information about this rulemaking is available on the OPRD website:  https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PRP/pages/PRP-rulemaking.aspx

Individuals who require special accommodations to view the meetings should contact Ian Caldwell, at least three days in advance of a meeting at ian.caldwell@oprd.oregon.gov

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs has signed a formal agreement with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians that will provide a framework for collaboration and increased resources dedicated to supporting the Tribe’s veterans in accessing their earned federal and state veterans’ benefits.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed Friday, June 27, by ODVA Director Dr. Nakeia Council Daniels and Tribal Council Chairman Delores Pigsley, with Tribal government leaders and representatives, Tribal veterans and ODVA staff gathered to commemorate the historic partnership. The formal signing was hosted at ODVA’s headquarters in Salem.

The agreement will pave the way for the establishment of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians’ first Tribal Veterans Service Officer (TVSO), which will be jointly funded by ODVA and the Tribe to serve Siletz veterans and their families.

“Oregon’s Tribal veterans have long served with honor and distinction, and it is our responsibility to ensure they receive the care and recognition they have earned,” said Dr. Daniels. “By partnering with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, we are committing to a future where Siletz veterans are served in a way that honors their stories, their service, and their sovereign identity. We’re proud to walk alongside the Tribe in building something that will truly make a difference in the lives of their veterans and families.”

“I am excited for the future of our honored Tribal veterans and the opportunity this brings to them,” said Chairman Pigsley. “Not only to support them but to help advocate for them. This memorandum with the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is more than a collaboration or a partnership. It’s a commitment to honoring and empowering those who have served our nation. Their deep-rooted connection to the veteran community and unwavering dedication to their well-being make them a trusted and invaluable partner.”

This Memorandum of Understanding is ODVA’s sixth with Oregon’s nine federally recognized Tribes, including the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and, most recently, the Coquille Indian Tribe in May.

Oregon’s statewide network of County and Tribal Veteran Service Offices are collaborative partnerships between the state and counties, or Tribal governments and deliver free local access to veteran benefits for veterans and their families.

Tribal Veteran Service Officers (TVSOs) are trained by ODVA and then accredited by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs through a series of regular trainings facilitated by both agencies. TVSOs provide a wide variety of benefits and services to veterans and their family members, including the development and submission of claims to the federal VA for earned veteran benefits.

To learn more about veteran benefits, resources and services near you, or to schedule a session with your local Veteran Service Officer, visit the website of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs at www.oregon.gov/odva/Services/Pages/Tribal-Veteran-Services.aspx.

Established in 1945, the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is dedicated to serving Oregon’s diverse veteran community that spans five eras of service members. ODVA administers programs and provides special advocacy and assistance in accessing earned veteran benefits across the state. Learn about veteran benefits and services, or locate a local county or tribal veteran service office online at oregon.gov/odva.

###

Last Friday, President Donald Trump signed the federal budget reconciliation bill—H.R. 1— into law. H.R. 1 extends tax cuts that were set to expire at the end of 2025, reduces federal food assistance, cuts funding for state Medicaid programs, and institutes policies that are likely to reduce Medicaid coverage.

The legislation’s deep cuts and profound structural changes to Medicaid will drive new conversations about the future of Oregon’s health care system. In the coming days, weeks, and months, we must move forward together to shape a health care landscape in this state that will be dramatically different from the one we know today. 

It is likely that you or someone you know is on Medicaid. One in three Oregonians has Medicaid (called the Oregon Health Plan) as their health insurance. If you aren’t one of those Oregonians, you might think the health care provisions in this bill won’t affect you. But Medicaid policy and budget choices matter to us all, because the health care system is propped up on a shaky foundation that blends private payments with government funding. When Medicaid falters, the structure begins to shake, risking the collapse of the entire system. 

Oregon is particularly vulnerable. For years, Oregon has intentionally maximized federal dollars to help fund the Medicaid program and expand insurance coverage. Now, with federal funding slashed, our health care system—already burdened by prescriptive and burdensome regulations, rising expenses, and payment that has not kept up with the cost of care—is at serious risk.

Oregon's health care system cannot absorb the cuts in H.R. 1 without significant disruption, and the results may be painful: service cuts, hospital and facility closures, longer wait times, and reduced access to insurance. As a state, we have hard choices to make. Now is the time for leadership. 

Some observations: 

• State Medicaid policy matters, but never more now than today. State policy and budget choices may mean the difference between having providers and hospitals in communities or not having them.
• It’s time to go back to basics. With declining resources, we must focus our resources on the most important services. But what health care services are the most important? And how do we make those decisions?  
• Regulatory relief is a necessity, and innovation is key. The state and federal regulatory environment is a barrier to innovation and cost containment. The decisions ahead will require us to revisit the dollars we are spending that do not impact patient care.   
• Providers are going to have to do hard things to survive. It’s painful in any community when a service closes, but if hospitals don’t reduce services, they may not be around at all. That is the reality many of our communities and their hospitals face. 
• In this environment, we must find structural cost savings. The multi-payer U.S. health care system results in significant resources spent on administrative costs. This includes the administrative cost of insurance, pharmacy benefit managers, and others that don’t directly deliver care. With fewer resources, we need to direct as much of the health care dollar toward patient care as possible. This may mean revisiting some of the assumptions we’ve made about our current system, necessitating a new vision for health care and the political will to execute on that vision. 

The decisions we face are wrenching. But health care stakeholders and policymakers now have an obligation to come together to navigate this new world. That will mean shared commitment and shared sacrifice. But perhaps, in this moment, we can redesign our broken system and find a better path forward. 

Last Friday, President Donald Trump signed the federal budget reconciliation bill—H.R. 1— into law. H.R. 1 extends tax cuts that were set to expire at the end of 2025, reduces federal food assistance, cuts funding for state Medicaid programs, and institutes policies that are likely to reduce Medicaid coverage.

The legislation’s deep cuts and profound structural changes to Medicaid will drive new conversations about the future of Oregon’s health care system. In the coming days, weeks, and months, we must move forward together to shape a health care landscape in this state that will be dramatically different from the one we know today. 

It is likely that you or someone you know is on Medicaid. One in three Oregonians has Medicaid (called the Oregon Health Plan) as their health insurance. If you aren’t one of those Oregonians, you might think the health care provisions in this bill won’t affect you. But Medicaid policy and budget choices matter to us all, because the health care system is propped up on a shaky foundation that blends private payments with government funding. When Medicaid falters, the structure begins to shake, risking the collapse of the entire system. 

Oregon is particularly vulnerable. For years, Oregon has intentionally maximized federal dollars to help fund the Medicaid program and expand insurance coverage. Now, with federal funding slashed, our health care system—already burdened by prescriptive and burdensome regulations, rising expenses, and payment that has not kept up with the cost of care—is at serious risk.

Oregon's health care system cannot absorb the cuts in H.R. 1 without significant disruption, and the results may be painful: service cuts, hospital and facility closures, longer wait times, and reduced access to insurance. As a state, we have hard choices to make. Now is the time for leadership. 

Some observations: 

• State Medicaid policy matters, but never more now than today. State policy and budget choices may mean the difference between having providers and hospitals in communities or not having them.
• It’s time to go back to basics. With declining resources, we must focus our resources on the most important services. But what health care services are the most important? And how do we make those decisions?  
• Regulatory relief is a necessity, and innovation is key. The state and federal regulatory environment is a barrier to innovation and cost containment. The decisions ahead will require us to revisit the dollars we are spending that do not impact patient care.   
• Providers are going to have to do hard things to survive. It’s painful in any community when a service closes, but if hospitals don’t reduce services, they may not be around at all. That is the reality many of our communities and their hospitals face. 
• In this environment, we must find structural cost savings. The multi-payer U.S. health care system results in significant resources spent on administrative costs. This includes the administrative cost of insurance, pharmacy benefit managers, and others that don’t directly deliver care. With fewer resources, we need to direct as much of the health care dollar toward patient care as possible. This may mean revisiting some of the assumptions we’ve made about our current system, necessitating a new vision for health care and the political will to execute on that vision. 

The decisions we face are wrenching. But health care stakeholders and policymakers now have an obligation to come together to navigate this new world. That will mean shared commitment and shared sacrifice. But perhaps, in this moment, we can redesign our broken system and find a better path forward. 

The Oregon Military Museum will host a ribbon cutting ceremony in celebration of the museum’s grand re-opening, July 11, at 9:30 a.m., on Camp Withycombe in Clackamas, Ore.

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided following the ceremony.

“We are here to honor service members and to educate the public about their service,” said Kathleen Sligar, director and curator for the Oregon Military Museum. “I am so excited to see the looks on people’s faces, I think they’re going to be blown away when they walk into this space.

The exhibit galleries will be open until 12:30 p.m. for a first look at the museum’s four new exhibits:

•             We Are Oregon – Explore the people, technology, and actions that define Oregon’s military legacy on the local, national, and global stage

•             Small Arms, Big Impact – A curated collection of nearly 200 American, enemy, and ally small arms from the 1600s into the 21st century

•             History in Art – Discover artwork by and about the US Armed Forces, their provenance, and the contextual knowledge found within

•             Hall of Valor – A commemoration of the thirteen Medal of Honor recipients accredited to Oregon

The Oregon Military Museum has been closed for renovations since 2009 and will officially be open to the public Saturday, July 12.

Starting Wednesday, July 16, the museum will be open year-round, Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Historic Park will also be open Fridays and Saturdays through September.

The Oregon Military Museum honors, shares, and preserves Oregon’s military heritage and legacy, including the Oregon National Guard, the state’s early militias, and all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Thursday, July 10, 2025 

BEND, OR — As the sun goes down, creatures begin to stir. Moths begin their nightly pollination journey. Owls glide silently through the trees on the hunt for prey. Stars blink to life as bats dip and dive for insects. On Wednesday, July 16, the High Desert Museum invites visitors to celebrate the transition from day to night in the family-friendly event, Welcome the Night. 

From 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, go on a twilight adventure with community partners, Museum experts and local naturalists to learn about insects and bats, meet an owl and much more. The evening program encourages visitors to explore, experience and celebrate the creatures, both small and large, that thrive in the dark.

As visitors arrive, they are handed an adventure card and map that will navigate them through 17 stations located around the Museum. Visitors can get a stamp at each location before turning the card in for a chance at a raffle prize.

Inside the Museum, visitors begin their journey at the station of their choice. At the Winged Things Crafts station, kids can make moth or bat headbands before heading outside to the Meadow to play a Bat & Moth game. The Twilight Art Station invites visitors young and old to create stenciled twilight art using scratch paper. A local face painter leads a station where visitors can get their faces painted with the twilight creature of their choice.  

In the Desertarium, retired entomologist Dr. Jerry Freilich will share with visitors a vast collection of insects and the opportunity to see them magnified.  

When it’s time for a bite to eat, the Rimrock Café will be transformed into the Crepuscular Café, featuring food for purchase by Luckey’s Woodsman. A no-host bar will feature alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.

Just outside the Desertarium, at the Red Light Green Light station, volunteers and Museum staff help visitors transition their flashlights and headlamps into night-friendly lights. The adventure continues outdoors as visitors explore the Museum trails.

At Cheney Pond, experts from the U.S. Forest Service will lead a Bat Detectives station that delves into the mystery of bats and their role in the High Desert ecosystem. Learn why bats dip and dive over water and get a closer look at how bat telemetry helps researchers track the movements and behavior of bats.

Nearby, representatives from Pollinator Pathway Bend will take visitors into the world of nighttime pollinators, such as moths, at the Pollination Station. Discover why moths are often attracted to light sources, artificial or natural, which cause them to become disoriented.

“Nocturnal wildlife thrive in a dark habitat free from light pollution,” said Donald M. Kerr Curator of Natural History Hayley Brazier, Ph.D. “Conserving dark skies is critical for nocturnal and crepuscular wildlife who depend on a dark nighttime habitat to survive.” 

As soon as the light dims and the sun hides behind the ponderosas, experts from Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory will open the telescopes. At this station, you can learn about the planets and galaxy as you gaze up into the twilight waiting for that first star to blink to life. DarkSky Oregon continues with a closer look at how light pollution affects not only our view of the stars but also the health and wellbeing of nocturnal wildlife.

Two owl encounters will take place at the E. L. Wiegand Pavilion in the Donald M. Kerr Birds of Prey Center. During the 15-minute encounters, visitors will learn from Museum wildlife staff how an owl hunts in the daytime and at night, using its large eyes and keen sense of hearing to surprise prey.  

Another stop on the adventure is the Forest at Night exhibition. Located within the Changing Forest pavilion, visitors will encounter animated representations of the High Desert’s nocturnal inhabitants on a large screen. Discover how animals with reflective eyes utilize moonlight to navigate and hunt. Gaze up at an interactive star map and explore the constellations that guide migratory birds. Learn more about the exhibition at highdesertmuseum.org/forest-at-night.  

Tickets for Welcome the Night are $10 for adults and children ages 3 and older, with a 20% discount for members. Children 2 and younger are free. Visitors are encouraged to bring headlamps or flashlights as the outdoor trails are unlit.  

Learn more about and get tickets for Welcome the Night at highdesertmuseum.org/welcome-the-night-2025. 

ABOUT THE MUSEUM: 

THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM opened in Bend, Oregon in 1982. It brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2019 recipient of the Western Museums Association’s Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow us on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. 

###

Salem, OR— With the halfway point of the income tax filing extension period approaching, the Oregon Department of Revenue wants to remind taxpayers who haven’t yet filed their 2024 tax return to do so as soon as they can.

“July 15 may be just the halfway point of the extension period, but for most people who haven’t yet filed their tax year 2024 return there’s no reason not to file now,” said Department of Revenue Director David Gerstenfeld.

Some people may not have filed because they didn’t have money to pay what they owe, but an extension to file is not an extension to pay any tax owed. Those who didn’t file and haven’t paid are only racking up additional late payment penalties and interest by waiting.

“Even if they can’t pay the full amount they owe, they should pay what they can as soon as they can to help lower penalties and interest,” the director said. “For those who can’t pay all they owe, filing a return offers them the opportunity to set up a payment plan with the state.”

Besides not being able to pay, people file for an extension for all kinds of reasons. Some are waiting on additional information or documents. Others are experiencing hardship in the days before the deadline and have to direct their attention elsewhere. Some people just put it off or forget.

“Whatever the reason, as soon as they have what they need, they should file,” Gerstenfeld said.

For some taxpayers, filing can mean receiving a refund.

Several free filing options and in-person tax assistance options remain available during the summer months.

One of those options is Direct File Oregon. More than 13,000 Oregon taxpayers filed their state returns with Direct File Oregon this year. Nearly 4,700 of those filers connected to Direct File Oregon after first filing their federal returns through IRS Direct File, which is still available through the end of the filing season.

So far in 2025, the department has processed more than 2.05 million of an expected 2.2 million returns. That leaves approximately 150,000 Oregon taxpayers who still need to file their tax year 2024 returns.

“Some tax situations are complex and require extra time—even months—to prepare, but most aren’t,” he said. “Filing as soon as you can makes good sense. It can save money and provide some peace of mind.”

Taxpayers with questions can call 800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), the department accepts all relay calls.
 

The Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries (OCHC) will meet in Grand Ronde at the Chachalu Museum and Cultural Center, and via online meeting on July 24 at 9:00 a.m. The agenda includes discussion of the National Register of Historic Places and a presentation on the 2024 historic cemeteries grant projects. The meeting is open to the public and the agenda includes an opportunity for public comment. Meeting information is on the agenda or you can follow this link to register for online access information.

State law established the seven-member Commission to maintain a listing of all historic cemeteries and gravesites in Oregon; promote public education on the significance of historic cemeteries; and help obtain financial and technical assistance for restoring, improving and maintaining their appearances. For more information about commission activities, contact coordinator Kuri Gill at 503-986-0685 or by e-mail at i.gill@oprd.oregon.gov">kuri.gill@oprd.oregon.gov.
 

Special accommodations for the meeting – including translation services – may be made by calling (503) 986‐0609 or erly.Spivey@oprd.oregon.gov">Kimberly.Spivey@oprd.oregon.gov at least 72 hours prior to the start of the meeting. For call-in details and the agenda or more information about the commission, visit www.oregonheritage.org.

SALEM, Ore. - This legislative session, the Oregon legislature and Gov. Tina Kotek continue to show their support for the Oregon Military Department through ongoing efforts to provide benefits to help strengthen the Oregon Army National Guard.

Two specific initiatives for recruiting and retention support went into effect on July 1, 2025. The first is a $5,000 bonus for a three-year extension for Guard members who have completed their initial enlistment and have not completed 17 years of service. The second is the Enlistment Enhancement Program. This is an agency-funded program where current Guard members and retirees can receive $2,000 payments for any recruitment leads that result in an enlistment into the Oregon Army National Guard. 

In addition to these benefits, the Oregon National Guard offers State Tuition Assistance, which provides tuition assistance for serving Guard members enrolled in an eligible Oregon postsecondary institution and now offers instate tuition rates to Oregon Guard members who live out of state.

“The Oregon National Guard is on track to increase strength by 2% by the end of the fiscal year, but were still more than 1,200 members short of reaching full strength,” said Lt. Col. Stephen Bomar, Director of Public Affairs for the Oregon Military Department.

The Oregon National Guard is authorized to have approximately 8,100 service members, consisting of 2,300 Air and 5,800 Army National Guard members.

“These initiatives assist with the Adjutant General’s goal to make the Oregon National Guard the Service of Choice for Oregonians,” Bomar said.

 The approved legislative actions for the Oregon Military Department this session were met with nearly unanimous bipartisan support.  Some of those highlights include:

1. SB 807 – One-time General Fund of $2.5 million towards Retention Bonus Program:
   1. Allows the Adjutant General to pay a bonus to a member of the Oregon National Guard who re-enlists or extends their service
       
2. SB 798 – In-state tuition rates apply to Oregon National Guard service members who live out of the state of Oregon.
    
3. SB 808 – Provides hiring and promotion preference in public employment for current and former Oregon National Guard members
    
   1. Adds 5 points to current and former state service members’ scores during interviews and 10 points for disabled veterans
       
   2. Provides equity for Oregon National Guard members who did not meet the previous statutory definitions to receive the preference
       
4. SB 5505 & SB 5506 – Authorization for three Capital Construction Projects for the Oregon National Guard
   1. Southern Oregon Field Maintenance Shop – $6.6 million
       
   2. Klamath Falls Readiness Center - $2.0 million
       
   3. Albany Armory Service Life Extension Project - $7 million
       
5. SB 5533 – Solution to a long-term funding issue for OMD IT Division and the Portland Air National Guard (PANG) base
    

-30-

Released File Images of Oregon National Guard Soldiers and Airmen:

220520-Z-ZJ128-1003: Spc. Whitney Badders on rappel during the 821 Troop Command Battalion, Oregon National Guard team-building event, rappelling at the local Fire Department in Salem, Ore., on May 20, 2022. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

200816-Z-NJ272-0003: Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team paddle an inflatable boat during training on August 16, 2020, at Cullaby Lake, near Warrenton, Oregon. Members of the unit completed tasks which included a swim test, paddling and maneuvering, and broaching recovery drills during their two-week annual training. (National Guard photo by Maj. Leslie Reed, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

231127-Z-NV612-2003: Oregon Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Christopher Hernandez, 173rd Fighter Wing aircrew flight equipment, fits a mask to Maj. Gen. Clark Quinn, 19th Air Force commander, in preparation for Quinn's flight in an F-15D at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Oregon, Oct. 27, 2023. Quinn spent two days at Kingsley Field meeting with Airmen and observing their F-15C training mission first-hand. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jennifer Shirar)

200506-Z-CH590-0128: Oregon Army National Guard Soldier assigned to BRAVO 1-168 Aviation gives the ‘thumbs up’ as she helps prepare a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at the Pendleton Army Aviation Support Facility, May 6, 2020. Approximately 60 members of the unit are traveling to Fort Hood, Texas, as they prepare to deploy to Afghanistan. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

200914-Z-LM216-0424: Oregon Army National Guard Citizen-Soldiers support the Oregon Department of Forestry with wild land firefighting efforts at the Two Four Two fire, Chiloquin, Ore., Sept. 14. Approximately 1000 Oregon Guard members are supporting overall firefighting efforts with both aviation and ground crews, in addition to supporting county liaison teams and Oregon State Police with both traffic control points and fatality search and rescue operations. (Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Zachary Holden, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

230604-Z-GP610-0208: Oregon Air National Guard Tech Sgt. Ron Mercer, Staff Sgt. Sam Ziegler, and Senior Airman Bailey Buck, all 142nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft armament Airmen, participate in a weapons loading competition, June 4, 2023, Portland Air National Guard Base, Ore. (Air National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Sean Campbell)

240723-Z-UZ129-5529: U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jonathan Osborne from the Task Force Guardian rotation led by 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team with the Oregon National Guard assaults the objective in a force-on-force exercise during Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) rotation 24-09, Fort Johnson, La., July 23, 2024. The JRTC's goal is to create realistic environments that help prepare units for complex operations. (Oregon National Guard photo by Sgt. Emily Simonson, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

240725-Z-NV612-1069: Oregon Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Ashley Vela, 173rd Fighter Wing weapons oad crew chief, monitors as Staff Sgts. Quinten Green and Samantha Kloss, 173rd Fighter Wing weapons, load live 20mm bullets into an F-15C Eagle at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Oregon, July 25, 2024. Additional precautions must be taken when loading live ammunition into the aircraft, making this training essential to ensuring that weapons Airmen are prepared and mission-ready. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jennifer Shirar)

180803-Z-ZJ128-0002: Oregon Army National Guard 2nd Squad, Squad Leader Sgt. McFerrin from 1st Platoon, B Company, 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry directs an assault on an enemy position, during the platoon’s Movement to Contact lane, part of the training of the Oregon Army National Guard’s, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s eXportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC), Aug. 3, 2018 in Camp Roberts, California. (U.S. Army Photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, 41st IBCT Public Affairs)

240225-Z-SP755-1002: Oregon Air National Guard Senior Airman Perry Johnston, an avionics technician with the 142nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, closes a hatch on an F-15C aircraft at Portland Air National Guard Base, Ore., on February 25, 2024. As a traditional guardsman, Johnston works as an ensemble skater for "Disney On Ice" when he's not maintaining electrical systems inside the F-15Cs and EXs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Steph Sawyer)

250315-Z-CH590-4173: Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers and Airmen take part in the Mogadishu Challenge event at the urban training village at Camp Rilea, near Warrenton, Oregon, on March 15, 2025, during the Army Best Warrior Competition from March 13-15, 2025. The full range of events assessed the warriors' physical fitness, land navigation skills, marksmanship, and other battlefield scenarios. These included a physical fitness test, rifle qualification, a 3-gun competition, an obstacle course, and a ruck march. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

250314-Z-CH590-3076: Oregon Army National Guard Spc. Justin Slothower, assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment, takes on the Obstacle Course during the Army Best Warrior Competition on March 14, 2025. Slothower won the Soldier tier competition, completing a full range of events that assessed the warriors' physical fitness, land navigation skills, marksmanship, and other battlefield scenarios. These included a physical fitness test, rifle qualification, a 3-gun competition, an obstacle course, and a ruck march from March 13-15, 2025. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

230221-Z-NJ272-0010: Oregon Army National Guard Capt. Kyle Roe, a troop commander with 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry Regiment, skis the first of four legs of the men's relay competition at the Chief of the National Guard Bureau's Biathlon Nationals at the Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vermont, Feb. 21, 2023. Soldiers from more than 26 states and territories participated in the annual competition, which began in 1975. (National Guard photo by Maj. Leslie Reed, Oregon Military Department)

210517-Z-SP755-1027: Oregon Air National Guard Senior Airman Paul Julum, 142nd Civil Engineer Squadron, prepares the foundation for the construction of cabins to be utilized by the Girl Scouts at Camp Paumalu in Haleiwa, Hawaii, as part of an Innovation Readiness Training (IRT) mission, May 17, 2021. IRT Civil Engineer squadrons will be constructing new cabins, demolishing old structures, and beautifying Camp Paumalu from May through August 2021. Innovative Readiness Training builds mutually beneficial civil-military partnerships between US communities and the Department of Defense, providing high-quality, mission-essential training for Active, Guard, and Reserve support personnel and units. According to the recent easing of mask restrictions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, IRT personnel are allowed to be unmasked when working outdoors. (Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Steph Sawyer)

190515-Z-LM216-0940: Oregon Army National Guard Sgt. Blaze Bault, a crew chief with G Co. 1-189 AVN, Oregon Army National Guard, pauses during training at Exercise Maple. Maple Resolve 19-01 is located in Wainwright, AB, Canada. Maple Resolve is an annual brigade-level validation exercise for the Canadian Army's High Readiness Brigade and is designed to foster partnership among allied forces. (National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Zachary Holden, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

July 9, 2025

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

Recreational use advisory issued for Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory today for Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge due to the microcystin above recreational use values for human exposure. The lake is in Klamath County.

People should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas of the wetland 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.

Due to the high level of microcystin and uncertainty about accumulation of toxins in fish, consuming fish caught at Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge is not recommended at this time.

OHA encourages people to visit Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge 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 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

###

PORTLAND, Ore. —As Oregon continues to experience persistent hot and dry conditions typical of midsummer, both community prevention efforts and swift responses from wildland firefighters are playing a crucial role in keeping large fires at bay. This season, fewer large wildfires have been reported compared to previous years, a positive trend that fire officials attribute to increased public awareness and the dedication of Initial Attack resources.

This summer, the Bureau of Land Management, along with other agency’s wildfire prevention strategies, are delivering real results. Community vigilance has been instrumental in preventing human-caused wildfires. People recreating, traveling, and working outdoors have stepped up by adhering to fire safety practices, following burn bans, and observing campfire restrictions and equipment guidelines. This collective responsibility is making a real difference in minimizing risk across the state.

Equally significant has been the outstanding performance of Initial Attack resources and technology. These critical first responders—including district firefighters, smokejumpers, and aviation crews—have remained on high alert and have responded rapidly to emerging fire starts. Their ability to contain fires during the first few hours of ignition is making all the difference.  These firefighters are using fire detection cameras to alert them to new fires across Oregon and Washington, giving them every advantage they can to detect, respond and suppress the wildfires at the smallest size possible.

“Initial Attack firefighters have been putting out a ton of fires before they get big. A lightning storm last week was causing 60–70 fires a day, and Initial Attack caught them all,” said Richard Parrish, Assistant Fire Management Officer. However, fire season is far from over and the lightning that occurred over the past couple of days did result some large fires and the BLM continues to support our partners with these fires. With many weeks of hot, dry weather still ahead, fire officials urge the public not to let their guard down. Continued attentiveness and adherence to fire safety guidelines remain essential.

Everyone can help reduce fire risk by taking simple but effective precautions:

• Stay updated on and comply with local fire restrictions.
• Never leave campfires unattended and extinguish them completely.
• Avoid driving or parking on dry vegetation, which can ignite fires.
• Ensure that trailer chains are secured and do not drag on the roadway.
• Operate outdoor equipment during the cooler parts of the day to reduce spark risk.

-BLM-

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

PUBLIC SAFETY MEMORIAL FUND BOARD

MEETING SCHEDULED

The Public Safety Memorial Fund Board will hold a regular meeting on July 24, 2025, directly following the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training meeting that begins at 9:00 am. at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE Salem. For further information, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167.

Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. PSMFB Chair and Vice-Chair Nominations

   Presented by Marie Atwood

3. Approve April 24, 2025, Meeting Minutes

4. Budget Update

   Presented by Marie Atwood

5. John Christopher Kilcullen (DPSST #35147); Eugene Police Department; Supplemental Application for Discretionary PSMF Benefits

    Presented by Marie Atwood

6. Next meeting – October 23, 2025, directly following the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training meeting at 9:00 a.m.

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting, subject to the public meeting law and it will be recorded. 

MALHEUR COUNTY, Ore. 9 July 2025 – On Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at approximately 12:31 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle fatal crash in Malheur County near Harper.

The preliminary investigation indicated that a blue Kenworth commercial motor vehicle, operated by Alberto Ruiz Gomez (33) of Hermiston, was traveling eastbound on Highway 20 near milepost 220 when it left the roadway onto the eastbound shoulder for an unknown reason. The operator overcorrected, causing the semi to flip over.
 

The operator (Gomez) was declared deceased at the scene.
 

The highway was impacted for approximately 1.5 hours during the on-scene investigation.
 

OSP was assisted by the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office 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.

BOARD ON PUBLIC SAFETY STANDARDS AND TRAINING

MEETING SCHEDULED

The Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in the Governor Victor G. Atiyeh Boardroom 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.

To view the Board'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. Meeting Minutes

Approve the April 24, 2025, Meeting Minutes

3. Fire Policy Committee

a. Fire Policy Committee Update – Chris Heppel, Chair

4. Criminal Justice Policy Committees

a. Police Policy Committee Update – Scotty Nowning, Chair

b. Telecommunications Policy Committee Update – Michael Fletcher, Chair

c. Corrections Policy Committee Update – Jennifer Cameron, Chair

d. Consent Agenda (The following items to be ratified by one vote)

A. Chris Barnhart, DPSST No. 42754; DOC/Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the CPC on May 13, 2025.

B. Phillip Barrier, DPSST No. 60490; Lane County Sheriff's Office – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the CPC on May 13, 2025.

C. Randy Clark, DPSST No. 23388; Central Point Police Department – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the PPC on May 22, 2025.

D. James Damon, DPSST No. 44535; DOC/South Fork Forest Camp – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the CPC on May 13, 2025.

E. Almedina Javor, DPSST No. 61328; Columbia River Inter-Tribal Police Department – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the PPC on May 22, 2025.

F. Jeffrey Kienlen, DPSST No. 30358; The Dalles Police Department – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the PPC on May 22, 2025.

G. Alan Lynn, DPSST No. 31664; Albany Police Department – No Action

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the PPC on May 22, 2025.

H. Kent van der Kamp, DPSST No. 44640; Deschutes County Sheriff's Office – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the PPC on May 22, 2025.

I. Committee Appointments

Telecommunications Policy Committee

• • Dave Piercy – Oregon State Police, Appointment to the TPC, 1st term effective July 24, 2025.
  • Rosa Antoine – Association of Public Safety Communications Officers, 2nd term effective October 26, 2025.
  • Gary Bell – Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police, 2nd term effective October 28, 2025.

5. Private Security/Investigator Policy Committee

a. Private Security Investigator Policy Committee Update – Dan Lenzen, Chair

b. Consent Agenda (The following items to be ratified by one vote).

A. Committee Appointments

Private Security/Investigators Policy Committee

• • Edward Flaa – Alarm Monitor Representative, Appointment to the PSIPC, 1st term effective July 27, 2025.
  • Scott Creager – Private Business or Governmental Entity Representative, Re-appointment to the PSIPC, 2nd term effective October 26, 2025.

B. Workgroups and Rulemaking Advisory Committees

DPSST recommends the Board approve three separate Workgroups to review and develop recommendations related to the standards and administrative rules for the following private security provider and entity topics:

• • HB 2183 – to review and recommend rules establishing a procedure for recognition of prior law enforcement experience toward completion of the training required for private security professional certification
  • Armed Training – to review and recommend armed training curriculum revisions and supporting rule changes
  • Private Security Entity Licensing – to review the rules adopted in 2024 for the private security entity license (post-implementation review of the new program)

6. Legislative Update – Jennifer Howald

7. Agency Updates – Agency Director, Phil Castle

9. Next Meeting Date: October 23, 2025, at 9:00 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 Board 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.

July 9, 2025

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

OHA lifts Nye Beach health advisory

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) today lifted a public health advisory for contact with ocean water at Nye Beach, in Lincoln County.

The health authority issued the advisory July 2, after water samples showed higher-than-normal levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters.

Results from follow-up tests taken by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) showed lower bacteria levels. Contact with the ocean water no longer poses a higher-than-normal risk.

Officials recommend staying out of large pools on the beach that are frequented by birds, and runoff from those pools, because the water may contain increased bacteria from fecal matter.

Since 2003, state officials have used a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant to monitor popular Oregon beaches and make timely reports to the public about elevated levels of fecal bacteria.

Oregon state agencies participating in this program are OHA, DEQ and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

For more information, visit the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program website at http://www.healthoregon.org/beach or call 971-673-0440, or call OHA toll-free information line at 877-290-6767.

###

Commercial health insurance payments increasing, vary widely 

Salem, OR – The Oregon Secretary of State (SOS) has released an audit of the Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS) and its State Procurement Services (SPS). DAS SPS is the central procurement authority for most executive branch agencies and provides services across state and local government.

The audit identified the need for DAS to dedicate resources to a comprehensive compliance program and to provide enhanced customer service to support state agencies with their procurement, contracting and training needs. While the state’s eprocurement platform, OregonBuys, is meeting many of its goals, the audit also identified the need for improvements to OregonBuys’ functionality to improve the ability to analyze state spending.

"State contracting has been difficult to navigate for too long. Both businesses and government agree: it's time for a change. Governor Kotek has tasked me with overhauling this overly complex system. We must make contracting accessible and responsive for all Oregonians, ensuring it works for both government and businesses," said DAS Director Betsy Imholt.

Oregon state agencies rely heavily on procurement and contracting to acquire essential goods and services. These activities come with significant risks and require effective processes and oversight to ensure efficiency, security and equity. DAS SPS oversees public procurement and contracting for the state and holds primary authority over most state purchasing and contracting processes.

DAS agrees with all eight audit recommendations and is committed to making improvements to enhance procurement and contracting processes. 

SALEM, Ore. – Adult emerald ash borers (EAB) start emerging in Oregon in early June. However, the majority emerge this month (July). The size of a penny, adults are hard to spot and usually are only found in traps. If you think you’ve seen one, the Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon Department of Agriculture ask that you first make sure it’s not a common lookalike bug.

“You can find a good description and photos comparing EAB to other common insects in Oregon that are also green in color at OregonEAB.com,” said ODF EAB Specialist Kat Bethea. “If you can capture the insect in a jar or other container that’s ideal, but at least try and take a clear, close-up photo. This helps us identify the insect in question much more easily.”

Bethea said people suspecting they’ve found EAB should report it over the phone to 1-866-INVADER or online at https://oregoninvasiveshotline.org/reports/create. Attaching a clear photo is important. Bethea said people who know they have an ash tree and notice a decline should report it the same way.

“Any ash tree can be infested, including native Oregon ash as well as non-native street, park and yard trees. Signs of infestation include thinning and yellowing leaves, bark splitting, D-shaped holes in the tree bark, and basal shoots,” said Bethea.

About EAB

A small, metallic-green beetle native to eastern Asia, EAB was first found in the U.S. in Michigan in 2002. It has since killed tens of millions of ash trees across the eastern United States, with death rates of 99 percent or higher.

ODF EAB Specialist Matt Mills said EAB’s larvae burrow into the bark of ash trees, causing canopy dieback and, ultimately, tree death.

“The half-inch beetle is often challenging to detect, especially in newly infested trees. That’s why ODF, in collaboration with the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, made sticky purple traps available to select landowners, primarily in the Willamette Valley. Those traps contain a lure and are checked every couple of weeks during the summer when adult EAB are flying.”

Mills said EAB is currently known to be in Washington County in the Forest Grove and Cornelius areas and a short distance into northern Yamhill County. It has also been found along Butte Creek between Marion and Clackamas counties, as well as in Woodburn, Mt. Angel and the Yoder area.

“You can find whether you’re in an EAB-infested area or close to one by checking an online map we’ve created. It shows the four counties where firewood from hardwood trees cannot be removed. That quarantine also covers any part of ash, olive or white fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus),” said Mills.

For people who want to protect their ash trees before they become infested, there is an effective insecticide that can be injected at the base of the tree’s trunk, said Mills.

“It gets taken up into the tree canopy and is quite effective at protecting the tree from both adults and larvae.”

Mills said treatments must be done every two or three years by a licensed pesticide applicator.

“That’s why we recommend only treating high-value trees in good condition,” he said.” Ash trees planted in the wrong place to reach their mature size, such as under powerlines, should be removed as time and funds permit and replaced with species that aren’t susceptible to EAB.” 

                                                                   # # #

SALEM, Ore. – The State Land Board voted unanimously today to appoint Kaitlin Lovell as Director of the Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL). Lovell will begin her four-year term in early August 2025.

Lovell brings more than two decades of experience in environmental policy, restoration, and natural resource law. Since 2007, she has led habitat protection and restoration initiatives for the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, where her work has focused on environmental regulation, permitting, land use, and innovative financing strategies for large-scale environmental projects. She also played a key role in developing a publicly owned mitigation bank in Portland.

Earlier in her career, Lovell served as salmon policy coordinator and counsel for Trout Unlimited. She helped shape science-based state and federal policies and contributed to Oregon’s first recovery plans for salmon and steelhead populations in the Oregon Coast, Lower Columbia, and Willamette regions. She also worked as assistant university counsel at Cornell University.

Lovell holds a J.D. from Cornell Law School with a concentration in public law and a B.S. in environmental science from Bucknell University. She has served on several DSL advisory bodies, including the Elliott State Research Forest Board of Directors and a committee reviewing Oregon’s wetland and waterway permitting rules.

Lovell will begin her tenure by visiting communities across Oregon to hear directly from the people and partners DSL serves. As director, she plans to deepen the agency’s understanding of local needs and opportunities while strengthening relationships with Tribal Nations, local governments, and community partners and groups.

“The work of the Department of State Lands matters to every corner of Oregon,” Lovell said. “I'm committed to listening, learning, and building trust across the state so we can steward Oregon’s lands and waters together.”

“Kaitlin is a proven leader who understands how much healthy lands and waters contribute to a thriving Oregon,” Governor Tina Kotek said, chair of the State Land Board. “Her long commitment to public service makes her well prepared to lead DSL at a time when stewardship and long-term sustainability must guide our work. I know she will work hard to ensure DSL’s programs and services reflect the needs and values of all Oregonians.”

By Oregon law, the State Land Board appoints the DSL director to a four-year term. The director leads the agency in managing lands to benefit schools, protects waterways and wetlands, and oversees South Slough Reserve and the Elliott State Research Forest.

Vicki Walker, who served as DSL director from 2018 until her retirement on June 30, announced her intent to step down in December 2024.

Until Lovell begins her role in August, Deputy Director Bill Ryan will serve as interim director.

About the State Land Board and the Department of State Lands: The State Land Board consists of Governor Tina Kotek, Secretary of State Tobias Read, and State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner. Established by the Oregon Constitution in 1859, the Land Board oversees the state’s Common School Fund. The Department of State Lands is the Land Board’s administrative agency, managing the lands and resources that help fund Oregon’s public schools and protecting the state’s waterways and wetlands for the many benefits they provide.

###

Salem, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has deployed Incident Management Team 1 (IMT 1) to the Klamath-Lake District to manage the Elk Fire in the Bly Mountain area. This is the second ODF IMT deployment in the last 24 hours.

After multiple days of lightning strikes in the area, the firefighters in the Klamath-Lake District have been working nonstop. In support of the district, ODF IMT 1 will take over the Elk Fire so that local resources may focus on extinguishing new ignitions and smaller fires in the district.

“Our firefighters have been all hands on deck after 10 straight days of lightning, which has stretched our local resources thin,” ODF Klamath-Lake District Forester Teresa Williams said. “With the help of ODF IMT 1, we’ll be able to regroup, reassign resources and continue protecting our communities from wildfire.”

The fire is currently estimated to be over 1,000 acres. ODF IMT 1 will in brief at 5 p.m. tonight and take command of the fire at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning. The Oregon State Fire Marshal mobilized a local task force yesterday to protect nearby structures and those resources demobilized that evening. For up to date evacuation information, follow the Klamath County Sheriff's Office or visit the following official site: https://protect.genasys.com/search.

“The professionalism, expertise and adaptability of our IMTs mean that we can answer the call within 24 hours to help our fellow Oregonians and their communities through any emergency,” said ODF’s Protection Division Chief Michael Curran.

As firefighters continue to work to suppress natural-caused fires, reduce the strain on firefighters by preventing new human-caused fires. Follow local regulations currently in place: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx.

SALEM, Oregon—The Local Government Grant Program Advisory Committee will hold public meetings to review grant applications 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 29, 30 and 31.  

The meetings will be held at the Best Western Plus, Mill Creek Inn, 3125 Ryan Dr. SE, Salem, OR 97301.  The meetings can also be viewed via Zoom.

Applicants to the Local Government Grant Program (LGGP) will present their proposed projects for acquiring, planning, developing and rehabilitating outdoor recreation facilities. The committee will evaluate and score all applications and create a priority ranking list of projects to be funded. The list will be forwarded to the Oregon State

Parks and Recreation Commission for final review and approval.

A schedule listing applicants and their specific presentation times is posted on the Local Government Grant Program web page at https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/GRA/pages/GRA-lggp.aspx#2 . A link to view the Zoom meeting will also be posted at the site.

The LGGP Advisory Committee consists of ten members who represent cities, counties, park and recreation districts, port districts, people with disabilities and the general public. They also represent various geographic areas of the state. 

The LGGP was established in 1999 to direct a portion of state lottery revenue to award grants to eligible applicants for outdoor park and recreation projects. The program is administered by Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). 

For more information about the LGGP, visit oprdgrants.org.

Salem, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has deployed Incident Management Team 3 (IMT 3) to the ODF Southwest Oregon District to assist district personnel following last night’s lightning.

Over the last 24 hours the ODF Southwest Oregon District has confirmed over 72 known fires across Jackson and Josephine counties and been actively engaged across the board, straining all resources in the district.  ODF IMT 3 will support the district by relieving the local resources and allowing them to focus on suppressing smaller fires and initial attack on new fires.

“Our firefighters have been working around the clock to keep these fires as small as we can, but resources are becoming limited, especially with other incidents across Oregon and the country competing for the same emergency response professionals,” ODF Southwest Oregon District Forester Dan Quinones said. “Bringing in ODF IMT 3 will allow us to regain our strength locally, handing some of these fires off to firefighters who hold the same drive to take them off the map as quickly as possible. Protecting our communities and putting out fires remain our top priorities.”

ODF resources continue to work with federal partners at the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM), as well as local and county structural fire departments. This teamwork is a direct reflection of the complete and coordinated fire response system in southern Oregon.

The team will in brief at 12 p.m., July 9, and take command of the complex at 6 p.m.

High fire danger is currently in effect on ODF-protected land in Jackson and Josephine counties. As firefighters work to extinguish these natural fire starts, help prevent new human-caused fires from sparking by following all regulations currently in place: https://swofire.com/public-fire-restrictions/. Click or tap if you trust this link.">https://swofire.com/public-fire-restrictions/.

For current fire information, please follow ODF Southwest Oregon’s Facebook page.

Neil Creek Road south of Ashland is closed for safety due to fire activity in the area.  Fire personnel are using the road for access and the general public should avoid the area.  Expect congestion in the general area.

MPD Case 25-11269

MEDFORD, Ore. – Jackson County Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit (MADIU) detectives are investigating the Medford Police Department (MPD) officer-involved shooting that occurred Friday, July 4 in Hawthorne Park. As part of the MADIU investigation, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO)and Oregon State Police detectives arrived on scene shortly after the incident. JCSO has taken the lead in the investigation. It is standard protocol for an outside agency to take the lead in officer-involved shooting investigations. 

Approximately 8 AM on Friday, July 4, an MPD officer encountered a suspect with a felony warrant along the Bear Creek Greenway in Hawthorne Park. The suspect, Salvador Alex Sanchez, 55, a Medford area transient, was wanted for two counts of unlawful use of a weapon for an incident that occurred earlier this year. The MPD officer called for backup when Sanchez became uncooperative and armed himself with a large, fixed-bladed knife.

Sanchez ignored several requests to drop the knife and advanced at an officer on scene. The officer fired their handgun, striking Sanchez. Officers quickly provided aid to Sanchez and a Mercy Flights ambulance arrived in less than five minutes. Sanchez was transported to a local hospital where he remains in custody in the intensive care unit in stable condition.

On Monday, July 7, the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Sanchez for attempted first-degree assault, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, resisting arrest, and attempted second-degree escape related to this incident. A Jackson County Grand Jury is scheduled to convene to consider those charges and to decide whether the use of deadly force against him was justified under Oregon law. The two officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, pending that Grand Jury determination, which is standard protocol in Jackson County.

More information will come from the District Attorney’s Office following Grand Jury. There is no further information available for release at this time.

###

UPDATE: WILLIAM HAS BEEN LOCATED SAFELY.

RUNAWAY - ATTEMPT TO LOCATE

CASE: 25-12473

NAME: William Herren

AGE: 15

SEX: Male

RACE: White

HEIGHT: 5'8"

WEIGHT: 160

HAIR: Brown/Blonde

EYES: Blue

INFORMATION:

William ran away on 06/05/2025. William was wearing a black shirt and black pants and was last seen in the Murphy/New Hope area around 6:00pm that evening. If located, please contact law enforcement.   

Please contact Josephine County Sheriff's Office if you have any information.  541-474-5123

RELEASE DATE: July 8, 2025

INCIDENT: Marijuana Search Warrant

INCIDENT DATE: June 26, 2025

REPORTING DEPUTY: Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET)

ARRESTED: Angel Elias Sanchez, 35 years-old

CHARGES: 1- Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana

                    2- Unlawful Possession of Marijuana

                    3- Unlawful Appropriation of Water              

DETAILS:

On June 26, 2025, the Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) executed two search warrants on two different properties in the 1000 block of Waldo Road, Cave Junction, regarding illegal marijuana grow sites. The search warrants were executed with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Marshals Service (USMS), and Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

During the execution of the warrants, more than 9,000 marijuana plants and approximately 1,300 pounds of processed marijuana were seized and destroyed. Additionally, one firearm was found on scene at one of the properties.

Both properties also had multiple electrical, water, and solid waste code violations. These violations could result in the civil forfeiture of the property.

Angel Elias Sanchez was taken into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, and Unlawful Appropriation of Water.

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

SALEM, OR — The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is pleased to announce the appointment of George B. Lopez as the new Director of the Office of Tribal Affairs, effective July 7, 2025.
 

Lopez joins ODHS with extensive experience in tribal governance and community leadership. Most recently, he served as General Manager for the Klamath Tribes, where he led key administrative and community-based programs, managed a multimillion-dollar budget, and played a leading role in advancing tribal sovereignty and partnerships across education, public safety, and infrastructure development.
 

“This role is essential to ODHS’s continued collaboration with Oregon’s Nine Federally Recognized Tribes,” said ODHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht. “George brings a deep commitment to Tribal communities and a strong track record of advocacy across Oregon. His experience will be a tremendous asset as we strengthen our government-to-government relationships. We’re excited to welcome him to the team and confident he’ll help advance our mission in meaningful ways.”
 

The appointment follows a comprehensive recruitment process and will ensure continuity in leadership and support for tribal engagement.
 

"I'm excited to take on this role and work with the Nine Tribes of Oregon, ODHS staff and leadership, and our partners at all levels," said George B. Lopez, incoming Director of the ODHS Office of Tribal Affairs. "I’m committed to building strong relationships and supporting efforts that make a real difference for Tribal children, families and elders across the state."
 

ODHS also extends its sincere thanks to Sherril Kuhns, who served as interim director. Her dedication to tribal affairs and leadership during this transition have made a lasting impact on the agency’s work with Tribal Nations.
 

For more information about the Office of Tribal Affairs and ODHS’s government-to-government work, visit https://www.oregon.gov/dhs.

Media Contact:
ODHS Communications Office
ODHS-Media@odhs.oregon.gov
(503) 945-5600

Correction: Headline corrected to Linn County.

Linn County, Ore. 8 July 2025- On Sunday, July 6, 2025, at 4:09 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian crash on Highway 34, near milepost 6, in Linn County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a pedestrian, Logan James Irwin (24) of Tangent, entered the eastbound lane and was struck by an eastbound Subaru outback, operated by Edward Thomas Peterson. 

The pedestrian (Irwin) was declared deceased after being transported to an area hospital. 

The Subaru operator (Peterson) was reportedly uninjured and remained at the scene.

The highway was impacted for approximately three 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.

NEWPORT, Oregon— South Beach State Park will host its annual sandcastle competition 10 a.m. to noon July 26 in Newport.

Anyone can compete as an individual or as a team for a chance to win first, second or third place. Prizes include baskets with an assortment of beach-themed prizes with the first-place basket stocked with four tickets to the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Visitors interested in competing can sign up in person starting at 9:30 a.m. July 26 on the beach next to the South Beach day-use parking lot.

"It's a great opportunity for visitors to share their sand sculpting skills and connect with park volunteers and rangers," said Ranger Patrick Newhall.

Last year, 20 teams with a total of 65 competitors vied for the top spots. And as many as 190 visitors watched the sandcastles take shape.

For more information, please contact South Beach State Park at (541) 867-7451 Ext. 0.  

PORTLAND, Ore.—Four defendants made their first appearances in federal court today after committing various offenses—including assaulting federal officers and possessing a destructive device—during ongoing protest gatherings near a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in South Portland.

Riley Freeman, 26, of Portland, has been charged by criminal complaint with the felony offenses of assaulting a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon and possession of an unregistered destructive device.

Andrew Marcum, 22, of Portland, has been charged by criminal complaint with the felony offense of assaulting a federal officer.

Jeremy Hummel, 27, of Portland, has been charged by criminal complaint with the misdemeanor offense of depredation of government property.

Ian Joseph McCarthy, 35, of Portland, has been charged by criminal complaint with the felony offenses of assaulting a federal officer and depredation of government property.

According to court documents and information shared in court, on July 4, 2025, several individuals gathered near an ICE office in South Portland where, for weeks, individuals have repeatedly targeted the building and federal law enforcement officers with threatening statements, discharging pepper spray, and throwing rocks, trash, and bricks.

At approximately 8:00pm, federal officers observed an individual defacing the ICE building guard shack with graffiti. As an officer began to pursue the individual, Marcum ran toward the officer and kicked the officer in the leg, causing the officer to trip.

At approximately 8:41pm, officers observed another individual, later identified as Hummel, defacing the ICE building with black spray paint.

At approximately 11:16pm, as federal officers cleared a group of people off federal property, Freeman threw an incendiary device towards the officers that detonated near them. Freeman attempted to flee but officers pursued him and Freeman was arrested.

The same evening, federal officers observed McCarthy using bolt cutters to attempt to damage a proximity card reader near the vehicle entrance of the building. McCarthy had also been observed removing and damaging the fiber optic cable system to the ICE building, interrupting internet and communication service for the building. While being placed under arrest, McCarthy kicked and punched several officers assisting in the arrest.

All four defendants made their first appearances in federal court Monday before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. They were released on conditions pending future court proceedings.

Felony assault of a federal officer is punishable by up to eight years in federal prison, and assault of a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison. Felony possession of an unregistered destructive device and depredation of government property over $1,000 are punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison. Depredation of government property under $1,000 is a class A misdemeanor and is punishable by up to one year in prison.

These cases are being investigated by the Federal Protective Service (FPS) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). They are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

Since June 13, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged 22 defendants with offenses committed at the ICE building including assaulting federal officers, arson, possession of a destructive device, and depredation of government property.

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

# # #

SALEM, Ore. – The State Land Board will consider appointing Kaitlin Lovell of Colton, Ore. as the Oregon Department of State Lands director during a special 30-minute virtual meeting on Wednesday, July 9, at 10 a.m.

A scientist and lawyer, Lovell has led habitat protection and restoration efforts for the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services since 2007. Her work includes oversight of environmental regulation, permitting, and land use. Recent focus has included developing a publicly owned and managed mitigation bank in Portland and establishing a financing strategy for critical environmental projects.

Lovell previously served as salmon policy coordinator and counsel for Trout Unlimited, where she sought effective science-based state and federal policy solutions and helped draft Oregon's first recovery plans for Oregon Coast Coho and for Lower Columbia and Willamette coho, chinook, and steelhead. Prior to that role, Lovell served as assistant university counsel at Cornell University.

Lovell holds a J.D. from Cornell Law School with a focus in public law and a B.S. in environmental science from Bucknell University.

She has served on multiple DSL advisory groups, including the Elliott State Research Forest Board and a committee reviewing Oregon’s rules for wetlands and waterway permitting and mitigation.

Under Oregon law, the State Land Board appoints the DSL director to a four-year term.

Vicki L. Walker, who served as DSL director from 2018 until her retirement on June 30, announced her intent to step down in December 2024.

At Wednesday’s meeting, the Board will also consider appointing Deputy Director Bill Ryan as interim director and setting a bond amount for the position, as required by statute.

Meeting Details and Agenda

Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 10 a.m.

This special meeting of the Land Board will be held virtually only. Watch the meeting livestreamed online on the DSL YouTube channel. The full meeting agenda and materials are available on the DSL website.

The public may submit written testimony or sign up to provide spoken testimony (by phone or virtually) during the meeting. Advanced sign-up is required. The deadline is 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, July 9.

If you need assistance to participate in this meeting due to a disability, please contact Arin Smith at 503-986-5224 or in.n.smith@dsl.oregon.gov">arin.n.smith@dsl.oregon.gov at least two working days prior to the meeting.

About the State Land Board and the Department of State Lands: The State Land Board consists of Governor Tina Kotek, Secretary of State Tobias Read, and State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner. Established by the Oregon Constitution in 1859, the Land Board oversees the state’s Common School Fund. The Department of State Lands is the Land Board’s administrative agency, managing the lands and resources that help fund Oregon’s public schools and protecting the state’s waterways and wetlands for the many benefits they provide.

###

Salem – Training and educating Oregon workers is essential to creating and maintaining safe and healthy workplaces. To help expand training and education opportunities, the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) offers a grant program that funds ideas to improve the safety and health of Oregon workers in high-hazard industries. And we are ready to help you transform your ideas into results.

The division is accepting grant applications to create innovative workplace safety or health training or education projects. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3. Oregon OSHA prioritizes  projects that engage workers on essential workplace safety or health topics. Projects may include an immersive training video or a well-designed safety publication or a multi-media package of best practices for a specific job task.

Go online to learn about how to apply or contact Theodore (Ted) Bunch at 971-375-8001 or email e.bunch@dcbs.oregon.gov">theodore.bunch@dcbs.oregon.gov.  

The grant program focuses on high-hazard industries in Oregon, including forestry, construction, and agriculture. A grant application may concentrate on a specific work process, targeting a reduction or elimination of related hazards. Any labor or employer group, educational institution that is affiliated with a labor or employer group, or other nonprofit entity may apply.

Grants may not be used to pay for projects that are purely for research, ongoing activities, or for activities required by law. Only new or substantially expanded projects will be considered for funding. Oregon OSHA is seeking project ideas that advance workplace safety and health training or education. We are not looking for ideas that handle concerns that have already been addressed. Materials produced by grant recipients cannot be sold for profit. All grant materials become available to the public. Depending on the type of project, some materials will be housed in the Oregon OSHA Resource Center while some will be available online.

Some examples of past grant projects include:

• Translation into Spanish of pesticide labels used in reforestation in Oregon and Washington
• Development of a series of toolbox talks addressing suicide prevention in the construction industry
• A virtual reality training for health care providers to help identify hazards related to infection control and prevention in hospitals
• Creation of safe-design guidelines for anchoring systems used as part of logging operations
• An educational program for nurses to prevent ergonomic-related injuries
• Videos and related training aids describing the most prevalent health hazards in construction: silica, lead, noise, and asbestos
• Spanish-language flip charts designed to help prevent heat illness among forest workers

The Oregon Legislature launched the Occupational Safety and Health Education and Training Grant Program in 1990. Award recommendations are made by Oregon OSHA’s Safe Employment Education and Training Advisory Committee, a group with members from business, labor, and government.

###

About Oregon OSHA: Oregon OSHA enforces the state's workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit osha.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Colin Fogarty, Director of Communications

Oregon Community Foundation, cfogarty@oregoncf.org

DON’T LET ANYONE DIM THEIR LIGHT

Black Education Elders Honored for Their Legacies Supporting Students

PORTLAND, Ore. — Believe in Black children. Draw inspiration and strength from your ancestors, elders and community. Build the school system students deserve. And don’t let anyone dim their light.

These were the messages from visionary Black educators honored this summer by Oregon Community Foundation. Some honorees led sweeping institutional change. Others built community organizations from the ground up. And many worked within the system to inspire and educate generations of Oregon students.

Honoring a Legacy of Service

The event “Honoring Our Legacy, Investing in the Future” marked Juneteenth and recognized 13 educators for contributions spanning more than 50 years. It was hosted by OCF’s Black Student Success Initiative.

“My grandmother’s mother was born into slavery. So this is not a theory for me,” said Ron Herndon, honored for his advocacy for Portland children and nationally recognized early childhood education leadership. “We have to build upon the strength that has been given to us through our ancestors.”

Herndon recommended that anyone working with Black students familiarize themselves with the works of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois, Booker T. Washington and Dr. Carter G. Woodson.

With those educators and authors in mind, Herndon co‑founded the Black Education Center and led the Portland chapter of the Black United Front, which helped end harmful student‑busing practices in Portland Public Schools in 1979 and influenced the selection of the district’s first Black superintendent, Dr. Matthew Prophet, in 1982. He later became director of Albina Head Start and president of the National Head Start Association.

“Honoring these leaders shows where we’ve been, how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go,” said Marcy Bradley, chief community engagement and equity officer for OCF. “Their work improved education for Black children and for all Oregon students.”

Stories of Courage and Commitment

The evening featured tributes from leaders inspired by those honored, including Joe McFerrin, president and CEO of Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center and Kali Thorne‑Ladd, CEO of Children’s Institute and co‑founder of KairosPDX. Marsha Williams, also a co‑founder of KairosPDX, served as emcee.

During a panel moderated by OCF President and CEO Lisa Mensah, Herndon and fellow honoree Dr. Harriet Adair shared personal reflections.

Adair recalled that her own mother was barred from teaching in Portland Public Schools. While her family and community believed in her, the system often did not.

When Adair was a high school senior her counselor expressed surprise that she intended to attend college after she’d been offered a scholarship to Bryn Mawr College, adding that Adair lacked the math classes to attend. Adair said she vowed never be the adult who kills a child’s dream.

Adair became a middle school teacher then principal of King Elementary School in a historically Black Northeast Portland neighborhood. She later earned a doctorate and served as assistant superintendent of PPS. Her former high school, once named for slave‑owning President James Madison, is now named for Leodis V. McDaniel, a Black principal who once led it.

Innovators Who Opened Doors

Another honoree reflected on how her grandfather inspired her.

“If my grandfather could get an education when it was against the law then I could learn to do anything,” said Renee Anderson, who battled racism to become a mathematics teacher in the 1960s and founded and led Oregon MESA for 40 years. The organization offers science, technology, engineering and math education and mentoring to students of color, girls and non‑binary students, low‑income students and those who are the first in their families to attend college.

“Now we call it STEM education but Renee Anderson did this long before it had a name,” Bradley said.

Advancing Equity in Education

Honorees included Dr. Darrell Millner, professor emeritus and former chair of Portland State University’s Black Studies Department, and Lolenzo Poe, who launched Multnomah County’s Schools Uniting Neighborhood program and co‑chaired the Portland School Board.

As chief equity and diversity officer for PPS, Poe developed the district’s Racial Educational Equity Plan. The initiative helped raise Black student graduation rates.

“Lolenzo has been a giant force for equity in Portland and Multnomah County,” Thorne‑Ladd said, calling Poe “the Black godfather of Portland’s electoral and political scene.”

Solutions Rooted in Community

Many of those honored were instrumental in advocating for the Oregon Legislature's landmark investments in Black student success. They pushed for policies requiring community voice in how funds are spent and urged OCF to get involved.

Since 2019 OCF has invested more than $6 million in the Black Student Success Initiative and a network of 25 Black‑led, Black‑serving organizations that provide direction to funders on best practices from early childhood through post‑secondary.

“When you let the community that knows the challenge create the solutions what you get are practices that work for all children. Best practices spread out from one group of children to the next,” Bradley said.

Looking Forward, Looking Back

For Bradley, the event was as much about looking forward as looking back. Black student achievement continues to lag other groups in Oregon.

“Improving student achievement it’s a tough nut to crack,” she said. “There’s not just one place for educators to learn how to do it. The people we honored are bold and brilliant educators. We can all learn from them and draw courage for the challenging work that lies ahead.”

See a full list of the honorees and their biographies below.

Honoree Biographies

Ms. Barbara Ward

Believer. Cultivator. Guide.

“Belief doesn’t just happen. It comes from understanding who you are and that you have unlimited potential to change this world, just by being your unique self.”

Ms. Barbara Ward understands the power of belief. Serving as De La Salle North Catholic School’s counselor for 16 years, she believed in the future of thousands of young people who walked through her door. Guiding them on a journey into the rest of their lives, Ms. Ward is known by countless students as someone who not only knew they were destined for great things, but helped them discover it for themselves.

Born in 1952, Ms. Ward learned how to cultivate her own belief in herself at an early age, and in a time when every door to success was firmly shut. Facing the daily realities of oppressive systems that had no place for her, Ms. Ward would not be dissuaded, and she created her own. Her love of education not only flourished, but later became infectious, and she would spend the next decades of her career pouring into generations of students, illuminating their path to college and beyond. Thousands of North and Northeast Portland students credit Ms. Ward for opening up their futures and showing them that the world was waiting for the unique contribution only they could bring.

• Retired College Counselor, De La Salle North Catholic School

Ms. Cynthia Richardson

Champion. Path-maker. Mobilizer.

“No matter where you are, you go in, know who you are, and stand for what's right.”

The first African American high school principal of Salem-Keizer school district, Cynthia Richardson spent the last 44 years opening and walking through doors that had been closed for too long. And she taught her students that they could do the same.

Serving as a teacher, assistant principal and principal, district Director of Student Equity, Access, and Advancement, Vice Chair of the state Board of Education, and currently, the Chair of the Salem-Keizer School Board, Ms. Richardson has inspired thousands of young people to discover and live in their unique identities. Building deep and lasting relationships with students and families over the years, and nurturing their personal and academic success, Cynthia’s impact on her community and beyond will continue for generations to come.

• Principal, Salem-Keizer School District
• School Board Chair, Salem-Keizer Public Schools
• Director of Student Equity, Access, and Advancement, Salem-Keizer Public Schools

Dr. Darrell Millner

Truth-teller. Activist. Future-builder.

“We can’t change what happened in history ... the only thing we can change is what happens now."

As Professor Emeritus and former Department Chair of Black Studies of Portland State University, Dr. Darrell Millner is a widely recognized expert and preeminent scholar of the early 19th-century western movement of African-Americans, specializing in the Oregon and California trail experiences.

With a doctorate in education, Dr. Millner spent the last 50 years awakening students to the complex and largely unrecognized truth of the racist exclusionary laws of early Oregon, the richness of Afro-American Literature and Black cinema, and much more. Uplifting diverse histories in his scholarly work, Dr. Millner's equally profound contributions as Director of Multicultural Education for the Portland Public Schools have impacted thousands of young Oregonians. Dr. Millner's legacy points us all to the deep truths of history, and that when we acknowledge them, we have the power to revolutionize our future.

• Professor Emeritus, Former Department Chair of Black Studies, Portland State University
• Director of Multicultural Education of Portland Public Schools

Dr. Ernest Hartzog

Activist. Pioneer. Transformer.

“Learn the value of forgiveness, of love, and of brotherhood, as we work in the trenches to bring about equality in our nation.”

In 1969, following a massive ten-day student walkout, Dr. Ernest Hartzog was named San Diego’s first African-American high school Principal. Rooted deeply in the civil rights movement and with over 40 years in public and private education, ranging from Michigan and Pennsylvania to Washington D.C. and Oregon, Dr. Ernest Hartzog left an indelible mark across our nation’s educational landscape.

As he trailblazed the journey for equal rights in Oregon, including the desegregation of our state’s schools, Dr. Hartzog’s vision to widen avenues for those coming after him led to him founding the Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators and served as President of the National Alliance of Black School Educators. Today, as part owner of MJOD Consulting, a leadership and organizational development organization, Dr. Hartzog continues to invest his wisdom and leadership in his community.

• Adjunct professor at California Western University, San Diego and Portland State University
• Founder, Building Blocks to Success, Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators
• President of the National Alliance of Black School Educators
• Consultant at the Center for Studies of The Person, in La Jolla, Calif.
• Consultant for the National Training Laboratory for Applied Behavioral Sciences (NTL), in Washington D.C.
• Member of the Advisory board of the “I Have a Dream” Foundation and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

Mr. George Russell

Advocate. Powerhouse. Wayfinder.

“With the right mindset, the right belief system, and the willpower, we can find a way to do what’s best for our kids.”

Named Oregon’s Superintendent of the Year in 2005, George Russell served the Eugene 4J School District for over a decade, but his presence and influence in the educational system extend far and wide. Contributing to the Danforth Foundation’s Forum for the American School Superintendent and Harvard University’s Superintendent Leadership program, Mr. Russell has been recognized for his ability to mobilize great minds and action on behalf of this country’s young people.

His belief in the innate possibilities of all children has always driven his vision for and definition of success. As former President of the NAACP’s Education Committee and Executive Board Member with Blacks in Government, Mr. Russell’s influence in education and civic service has created multiple pathways for, and uplifted the dreams of, thousands of children and families and entire communities across Oregon.

• Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 First Citizen Award Winner
• Member of Oregon State Board of Education, Children’s Institute Board, Looking Glass Community Services Board and United Way of Lane County’s Advisory Board
• 2017 United Way Alton F. Baker Award winner
• NAACP board member and Chair of its Education Committee
• Executive board member of Blacks in Government
• 2005 Oregon’s Superintendent of the Year

Dr. Harriet Adair

Firebrand. Activator. Trailblazer.

“With the right kind of energy and level of support to students, they’ll do all sorts of phenomenal things.”

The self-proclaimed daughter of a “door-opener,” Dr. Harriet Adair confidently strode into Portland Public Schools in 1970 as a middle school teacher. Serving a district that at one point barred her own mother from teaching because of her race, Dr. Adair never doubted that she belonged in every room she entered. She spent the next 47 years making sure every child she met knew they belonged too. Moving to the rank of Principal and finally to Assistant Superintendent of the district’s Office of Early Learners, Schools and Student Supports, Dr. Adair’s imprint on the lives of children, from preschool to high-school graduation is unmistakable.

As her family’s sixth generation with a master’s degree, Dr. Adair earned her doctorate from Brigham Young University, and in turn, wove this legacy into mentoring the next generations of teachers and leaders of color. Awarded the President’s Award from the Confederation of Oregon School Administrators, Dr. Adair will go down in history as someone who changed the landscape of education — and the future of thousands of Oregon youth.

• Principal and Assistant Superintendent, Portland Public Schools
• 2014 President’s Award from the Confederation of Oregon School Administrators
• Member of Oregon Governor’s Early Learning Council

Mrs. Joyce Braden Harris

Groundbreaker. Revolutionary. Leader.

“Culturally responsive education means using history and culture as bridges to children’s learning — making sure that you enter into their world.”

In 1969, Joyce Braden Harris came to Reed College on a full academic ride as one of only 17 African American students — and she never looked back. Recognized for her groundbreaking work in the national civil rights movement and education, Harris co-founded the Black Education Center, which provided free summer education to African American children in Portland. In 1974, the center became a full-time private school.

Awarded the Woman of Excellence in Education Award, among many others, Harris’s Baseline Essay on African-American Traditions in Language Arts has been recognized and adopted by hundreds of school districts across the country. Her years of teaching, activism and consultancy within the Portland Public Schools district and beyond have revolutionized curricula and ensured generations of children receive the equitable education they deserve.

• Co-founder, Black Education Center
• Member of Albina Ministerial Alliance Coalition for Justice and Police Reform
• Woman of Excellence in Education Award winner

Ms. Linda Jean Harris

Visionary. Dedicated Principal. Coach.

Linda Jean Harris is a retired educator who served for 33 years with Portland Public Schools, including as Assistant Superintendent. She holds degrees in Language Arts, Psychology, and School Administration, and earned her Superintendent’s Certification from Lewis & Clark College.

Following her PPS career, Linda spent 13 years at Self-Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) Academy as principal and administrative coach. Under her leadership, Woodlawn School earned state and national recognition, including the Title I Program of Merit for Math and a five-year national grant for High Performing Learning Communities. At SEI Academy, she helped the school receive the National Center for Urban School Transformation Award and the National Title I Distinguished School Award.

A firm believer in instructional leadership, Linda champions the belief that all students can learn at high levels.

Mr. Lolenzo Poe

Culture-shifter. Organizer. Justice-seeker.

“In our focus on educational equity, you cannot waver. If you commit resources, we can ultimately close the gap.”

Born and raised in North Portland, Mr. Poe’s pursuit of justice and equal access to education has marked a decades-long service in communities across the state. Earning his Bachelor’s degree and then Master’s of Public Administration at Oregon State University, Poe spent the next 32 years at Multnomah County, first directing the Department of Community & Family Services, and later as director of the Department of School & Community Partnerships. A founder of the acclaimed Schools Uniting Neighborhoods program, Mr. Poe’s influence and impact extend across communities throughout the state.

As the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Chief Equity and Diversity Officer and Director of Partnership Development for Portland Public Schools, Mr. Poe was instrumental in developing and driving the district's Racial Equity Plan, which resulted in astonishing achievements. In his own words, a “product of a community that took care of and loved its own,” Mr. Poe’s life and service have left a lasting and unwavering reflection of this love in action.

• Chief Equity and Diversity Officer and Director of Partnership Development, Portland Public Schools
• Director of Strategic Partnerships, Portland Public Schools
• Director, Department of Community & Family Services
• Director, Multnomah County Department of Community & Family Services
• Director of the Department of School & Community Partnerships, Multnomah County
• Co-chair, Urban League of Portland Board of Directors
• Founder, Oregon Schools Uniting Neighborhoods program

Mr. Ray Leary

Overcomer. Empowerer. Legacy-maker.

“By embracing the unknown, seeking relationships and building connections, you can create a momentum so great, you cannot be denied.”

Mr. Leary’s multifaceted leadership in the city of Portland has had a sprawling and sustained impact on its educational landscape as well as economic and civic development. A graduate of Jefferson High School in the 1970’s, and co-captain of one of the first ever all-Black Oregon State Championship winning teams, Mr. Leary blazed an early path of pioneering places, initiatives and accomplishments most had only dreamed of. As Director of Development of the Urban League of Portland, and the first African American commissioner on Metro’s Metropolitan Exposition Recreation Commission, Leary’s advocacy has always been rooted in his unwavering belief in the power of resilience, mentorship and empowering youth.

Co-Director of Self Enhancement, Inc., a nationally acclaimed youth empowerment program with a decades-long presence and impact in Portland public schools, Mr. Leary has brought forth his own deeply personal experience of persevering against all odds to create a future for all Portland children where dreams have the power to turn into legacies of change.

• Co-director of Self Enhancement, Inc.
• Director of Development of the Urban League of Portland
• Commissioner, Metro Metropolitan Exposition Recreation Commission

Mrs. Renee Anderson

Creator. Advocate. Firebrand.

“If my grandfather could get an education when it was against the law, then I could learn to do anything.”

Mrs. Renee Anderson’s journey to Portland came by way of San Francisco, where, as a young girl in the early 1960s, she was forced to fight through blatant racism and daily obstacles to pursue her dream of teaching mathematics. Not only did she achieve this dream, teaching at Berkeley and later as Director of the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Program at San Francisco State University, she made it her goal to do the same for thousands of young people coming after her.

In 1985, Anderson was recruited to launch the MESA Program for Portland Public Schools. She built the program from the ground up, and the results of her investment and commitment to equity in STEM over the last 40 years are incalculable. Today, her role on the Board of Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators, and as Co-Chair of the African American/Black Student Success Advisory Group for the Oregon Department of Education, Anderson’s deep belief in the endless possibilities of Oregon’s youth knows no bounds.

• Director, Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Program at San Francisco State University
• Founder, Portland Public Schools MESA Program
• Board member, Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators
• Outreach Director, Saturday Academy
• Co-Chair, African American/Black Student Success Advisory Group, Oregon Department of Education
• Program Coordinator, Black Student Success Network

Mr. Ron Herndon

Provoker. Uplifter. Reformer.

“Whatever I have been a part of in my life has been because of the influences of adults who pushed us towards excellence in education.”

Mr. Ron Herndon came to Reed College in 1968 on a Rockefeller scholarship and discovered entrenched racist and discriminatory systems as deep as he’d ever encountered. He and his colleagues spent their tenure at Reed involved in constant activism, and it was here that he co-founded the widely acclaimed Black Educational Center. In 1975, Herndon was named director of the Albina Ministerial Alliance Head Start Program, and later, organized the Portland chapter of the Black United Front to reform and eventually abolish harmful busing practices in Portland.

Instrumental in the hiring of the city’s first Black school superintendent, Herndon established himself as a leader in Portland’s educational system, but his advocacy for equality and justice can be seen across sectors of society. A recipient of the Gladys McCoy Award for “outstanding lifetime volunteer service dedicated to improving the [Multnomah] county community,” Mr. Herndon’s dogged determination to uplift community power has made, and continues to make, a lasting difference.

• Co-Founder, Black Educational Center
• Director, Albina Ministerial Alliance Head Start Program
• President, National Head Start Association
• Founder, Portland chapter of Black United Front
• President, National Head Start Association
• Gladys McCoy Award winner

Mr. Tony Hopson Sr.

Agitator. Pursuer. Radical.

“Because our young people were taught to see themselves as leaders, today they are in leadership positions themselves, in Portland and beyond.”

When Tony Hopson Sr. started a summer camp for Black students in Northeast Portland 44 years ago, he could never have imagined the organization it has become, serving approximately 17,000 Portland youth every year, and changing the trajectory of a generation of Portland families’ futures. Today, Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) is known for its wide-reaching presence in Portland’s public schools, providing opportunities and mentoring students to succeed in academics, leadership and life through college and beyond. A graduate of Jefferson High School and member of the historic 1972 basketball state championship team that faced insurmountable odds, Hopson’s personal and professional fight for justice began early in life and has never stopped.

Hopson not only fought back the closure of Jefferson High School in 2010 but, through the work of SEI, achieved staggering results by moving the graduation rate from 54% to well over 93%. Though retiring as the organization’s CEO in 2024, Hopson’s commitment to empowering youth and holding Portland’s leaders accountable to unconditional and equal educational opportunities has no end date.

• Founder, Self Enhancement, Inc.

About Oregon Community Foundation

Since 1973, Oregon Community Foundation has worked to improve the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy. In 2024, OCF distributed more than $211 million in grants and scholarships in every county in Oregon in partnership with donors and volunteers. Individuals, families, businesses and organizations can work with OCF to create charitable funds to support causes important to them. To learn more, visit oregoncf.org.
 

###

Oregon Heritage, a division of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, awarded 20 grants totaling $300,000 for historic properties and archaeology projects. Six of the grants were awarded in the Diamonds in the Rough category. This grant funds façade enhancements that restore the historic character of the property. The other 14 grants were in the Preserving Oregon category for properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places and for archaeology projects.

Funded projects:

• Façade restoration grants in Burns, Lebanon, Malin, Portland, Roseburg, and Salem.
• One archaeology project:
  • Southern Oregon University for a study to develop a plastic identification tool.
• Preservation of 13 historic properties:
  • Kraus House, Aurora Colony Historical Society
  • Antelope School, Antelope
  • Marshfield Cemetery, Coos Bay
  • Madras Army Airfield North Hangar, Madras
  • City of Talent Town Hall, Talent
  • Train Depot, Wasco
  • Columbia County Courthouse, St. Helens
  • Fogelbo House, Portland
  • Bush House, Salem
  • Petersen Farm House, Deschutes County
  • Tillamook Air Museum, Tillamook
  • EM&M Building, Enterprise
  • Weissenfels Blacksmith Shop, Mt.Angel

These grants are approved by the State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation, a nine-member group that reviews nominations to the National Register of Historic Places. The members are professionally recognized in the fields of history, architecture, archaeology and other related disciplines.

For more information about the grant program, visit www.oregonheritage.org or contact Kuri Gill at i.gill@oprd.oregon.gov">Kuri.gill@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-986-0685.

Portland, OR — The Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation (OLSHF) is excited to announce its inaugural KTP (Keeping the Promise) Summer Soirée, a family-friendly open house event on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at The Aerie at Eagle Landing in Happy Valley.

The event celebrates 100 years of Lions service inspired by Helen Keller’s historic 1925 address to the Lions International Convention. In her call to action, she urged Lions to become “Knights of the Blind in my crusade against darkness.” This century-long commitment remains the heart of OLSHF’s mission, ensuring all Oregonians have access to essential vision and hearing care.

The KTP Summer Soirée will offer an informal, welcoming environment designed to introduce friends, family, and community members to OLSHF’s mission. Attendees can expect: Drinks and small bites, Mini golf and family-friendly games, Interactive program tables showcasing OLSHF’s impact, and Networking and celebrations of dedicated volunteers and supporters.

This summer's event also highlights a major milestone: OLSHF’s 2 millionth school vision screening. Since 1994, the School Vision Screening (SVS) program has grown into the largest of its kind in the nation, screening nearly 200,000 Oregon students annually and helping uncover vision issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.

“More than a party, this event is a celebration of a century of service and the community partnerships that make our mission possible,” said Kate Mayne, Marketing & Events Manager. “We invite everyone to join us, meet our team, and see firsthand how we’re keeping the promise to Helen Keller.”

Event Details:
Date: Thursday, August 7, 2025
Time: 4:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: The Aerie at Eagle Landing, Happy Valley, OR
Tickets: On sale through July 24 at olshf.org/ktp-summer-soiree
Transportation: Lyft discount codes available upon request; free parking on site.

For media inquiries or more information:
Kate Mayne
Marketing & Events Manager
Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation
Email: kate@olshf.org
Website: olshf.org
Follow us on social media: @olshf