August 26, 2025

Media contact: Jonathan Modie PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory lifted for Odell Lake

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has lifted the recreational use health advisory issued for Odell Lake in Klamath County.

OHA issued the advisory Aug. 14

Water monitoring has confirmed that the level of cyanotoxins in Odell Lake are below recreational guideline values for people. However, levels detected are still above OHA’s safety values for dogs, and owners should keep their pets away from the lake.

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

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

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

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

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PORTLAND, Ore.— Antonio Irving Benjamin, age 53 and a resident of Salem, Oregon, was sentenced to 144 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over 1,000 kilograms of marijuana and conspiracy to launder the proceeds.  He also agreed to forfeit assets worth more than $2 million dollars.
 

According to court documents, Benjamin and a previously convicted co-conspirator named Jered Hayward operated a large-scale illegal THC and psilocybin production and distribution facility headquartered in Salem, Oregon.  Benjamin supervised the operations and managed a number of employees who obtained cereal and candy products and infused or sprayed potent THC oils on them.  They then inserted the edibles into packages which mimicked legitimate consumer food products and sold them throughout the United States and internationally. While there was no evidence Benjamin deliberately targeted minors, the manner in which his organization packaged the edibles posed a risk to children, who are often unable to comprehend the fine print warnings that the packages contained THC products.
 

Benjamin’s organization utilized encrypted communications such as Telegram to market, sell and process orders, and straw businesses to mask money laundering transactions.  Benjamin had no permits or licenses to produce or sell these products; the entire operation was illegal.
 

Benjamin has an extensive criminal record, including two prior federal convictions for cocaine and fentanyl trafficking.  Because of these convictions, he is a career criminal under federal law.
 

Benjamin agreed to forfeit substantial assets which he admitted were related to the drug and money laundering enterprise.  As part of his guilty plea Benjamin and Hayward agreed to forfeit:

• The Salem production facility;
• More than $1 million in cash;
• $640,000 worth of cryptocurrency and bank account funds;
• More than $400,000 worth of gold and silver;
• Jewelry and a Rolex watch; and
• Twelve vehicles, two UTV’s, boats and
• A property located at 879 Railway Avenue NE, Silverton, Oregon.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Portland Police Bureau, United States Postal Inspection, Oregon State Police, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Salem Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Kemp Strickland and Christopher Cardani, Assistant United States Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

PORTLAND AREA MAN SENTENCED TO 70 MONTHS PRISON FOR SHOOTING ANOTHER WITH A DART

Case number: 24CR55909 and 24CR38394

Portland, OR- Multnomah County Circuit Judge Benjamin Souede sentenced 40-year old Joseph Naes to 70 months prison on August 25, 2025, for shooting another man with a barbed dart on a Max platform and for a separate case in which Naes assaulted and harassed his wife in a domestic violence incident.

Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Julian Samuels prosecuted the case for the state.

After the conviction and sentencing he said “this was an attack of unnecessary violence and hopefully this sentence brings a sense of closure and accountability to the victim and the community.”

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Transit Police, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, the Gresham Police Department and for their outstanding work on this case.

We would also like to highlight and recognize the work of MCDA Victim Advocate Alex Bidwell for his kindness and compassion toward the victims in this case.

The Facts:

On July 17, 2024 Joseph Naes used a sling shot to fire a six inch barbed dart into the back of a man named Logan Sharp. The two did not know each other but Sharp had broken up a domestic violence incident between Naes and his partner a week earlier.

In the dart shooting incident, both men happened to be on the Max platform at 16155 Burnside Street at the same time. The dart hit the victim in the back below his right shoulder. He was rushed to the hospital with a collapsed lung. He survived the injury.  Naes ran off after the incident but was later identified by investigators using police records and video from the Max platform.

                                                        ###MCDA###

PORTLAND, Ore.—Tracy Molina, 52, of Portland, Oregon, has been charged by information with failing to obey a lawful order.

According to court documents and information shared in court, on August 21, 2025, Molina entered the grounds of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in Portland. Molina failed to comply with the lawful direction of federal officers and was arrested.

Molina made her first appearance in federal court on August 22 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. She was ordered released pending further court proceedings.

Failure to obey a lawful order is a Class C misdemeanor and is punishable by up to 30 days in prison.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Protective Service and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

An information is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Vancouver, Wash. – City leaders and project partners will gather from 11 a.m. to noon tomorrow, Wednesday, Aug. 27, for the ceremonial groundbreaking of a new affordable housing community. The event marks the first construction milestone in the City’s efforts to develop Waterfront Gateway and continues the City’s commitment to creating affordable housing in Vancouver through the Affordable Housing Fund.
 

The project, located at 615 W. 6th Street and developed by Colas Development Group (CDG) and Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA), will transform the 0.92-acre site into a six-story 95-unit building. The City invested $1.27 million from its Affordable Housing Fund, sold the land for $1 to ensure affordability, leveraged the state’s construction sales tax exemption, and reduced impact fees to make this community possible.

This is the first of several developments planned for the 6.4-acre Waterfront Gateway District. The redevelopment will connect Vancouver’s Columbia River waterfront with its historic downtown. Waterfront Gateway advances the City’s Strategic Plan by providing much-needed housing to the area, including affordable housing; creating retail opportunities for local small businesses; and designing new public spaces for city events and gatherings.
 

Speakers include:

• Anne McEnerny-Ogle, Mayor
• Kim Harless, City Councilor
• Bill Iyall, Chairman Cowlitz Indian Tribe
• Tanna Engdahl, Cowlitz Indian Tribe
• Oscar Arana, NAYA
• Andrew Colas, CDG

For the duration of the event, media can park free of charge in the parking lot adjacent to the event site at 615 W. 6^th Street (enter from Esther Street).

What: New affordable housing project in Waterfront Gateway
 

Where: 615 W. 6th Street, Vancouver, WA 98661
 

When: 11:00 a.m. – Noon on Wednesday, August 27 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 
Contact: Sara Barger
sara.barger@4drecovery.org
503-960-0968
 

Discovery Academy and 4D Recovery Celebrate Opening of Oregon’s First Co-Located Recovery High School and Youth Recovery Community Center
 

Salem, OR — On Thursday, August 28, 2025, Discovery Academy and 4D Recovery will host a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony from 12:00–2:00 PM at their new joint location (3710 Portland Rd NE, Salem, OR 97301), celebrating the opening of Oregon’s first fully co-located recovery high school and behavioral health program.
 

This groundbreaking partnership offers adolescents with addiction and mental health challenges a supportive environment where they can thrive both academically and personally. Discovery Academy, operated by Willamette Education Service District, is open to Oregon students ages 14–21 and is currently serving youth from the Salem area. With a full academic program running September through June and a summer continuum of services, students receive structure, consistency, and a strong sense of belonging. The school day runs 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday, with Wednesdays dedicated to recovery-focused programming.
 

Principal Max Preminger explained that this integration is already transforming lives: “As Principal of Discovery Academy, I have seen powerful transformations in our students. The support level we provide has allowed students to show their true abilities, achieve academically, and recover. As we move into our first full school year, students now have a new resource under our roof. Having 4D Recovery in the same space means our students have educational, peer recovery, and clinical services right at their fingertips.”
 

That integration comes through 4D Recovery’s on-site presence. During the school day and throughout school breaks, 4D provides substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health treatment, recovery peer mentorship, and an adjacent recovery community center, giving students a safe place to connect, have fun, and build sober peer networks after school. “At 4D Recovery, we are passionate about supporting youth and families,” said Sara Barger, Director of Public Affairs & Relations at 4D Recovery. “We are working to expand adolescent services across Oregon and Washington. This is one more step toward that goal.”
 

“At the state level, the Oregon Department of Education sees this model as one to replicate. Kate Pattison, Director of School Choice, Option, and Recovery Education, framed the opening as a milestone: “The opening of Discovery Academy and 4D Recovery’s newest site marks a groundbreaking milestone for Oregon and the nation. As the first co-located recovery high school and youth recovery community center, this bold partnership with Willamette ESD and 4D Recovery ensures that students don’t have to choose between sobriety and school—they can have both. Recovery education is vital to whole-child success, and the Oregon Department of Education is committed to collaborating with partners statewide to expand opportunities that help young people heal, belong, and thrive.”
 

This partnership models an integrated continuum of care that fills a critical gap between treatment and education—reducing recurrence of use, increasing access to resources, and ensuring youth are surrounded by the care and community they need to succeed. In Oregon, where far too many young people lack recovery-centered supports that allow them to stay in school, the need for services like this has never been greater. By investing in programs that give adolescents both academic opportunity and recovery support, communities are not only addressing immediate challenges but also investing in the long-term health and future of Oregon’s children.
 

That future is supported by state policy. Senator Deb Patterson noted that the collaboration reflects legislative momentum: “Efforts like HB 2767 (2023) play a critical role in expanding educational opportunities that meet the unique needs of youth in recovery. By supporting integrated models that bring together academics, peer connection, and clinical support, Oregon is setting a standard for how communities can nurture resilience, support wellness, and create pathways to long-term success for our youth and families.”
 

For Dr. Joe Morelock, Superintendent of Willamette ESD, this partnership reflects the district’s deep commitment to innovation in education: “I’m proud that WESD is leading the way in the Mid-Willamette Valley with our Discovery Academy—a recovery high school that exemplifies our commitment to supporting students and families in building a strong foundation for their own success. This collaboration with 4D Recovery ensures an integrated experience with academics, peer connections, and behavioral health services. We believe this partnership will provide our students in recovery the support and opportunity they need to achieve graduation, build resilience, and light their path forward.”
 

The opening of Discovery Academy and 4D Recovery’s Salem site is not only a milestone for the Mid-Willamette Valley, but also a national model for how schools and recovery services can come together to change the lives of young people and families.
 

Pam Pearce, one of the founders of Oregon’s first recovery high schools—Harmony Academy—emphasized the unique value of this approach: “Discovery Academy and 4D Recovery are proof of what’s possible when education and prevention come together to support youth on their recovery journey. This is more than a school—it’s a lifeline, offering hope, structure, and opportunity for a brighter future.”

Kelso, WA – Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue has acquired a new piece of equipment to assist in moving patients downstairs and through tight spaces.

The new Stryker “Xpedition powered Stair Chair” device is used to navigate stairs safely and through tight spaces on medical calls when the patient has difficulty walking or it may worsen their condition.

The grant used to purchase the new battery-powered stair chair was awarded in February this year for $21,621 by The Health Care Foundation, located in Longview, WA.  Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue currently uses an older style Stryker stair chair that is carried by firefighters. The powered model is wider and has a greater weight capacity, has built-in lighting for darker environments, and will help to reduce on-the-job injuries of EMS providers.

This is the third grant Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue has applied for and received from The Health Care Foundation in the past ten years. HCF has also funded our pilot program for public CPR classes and advanced medical training manikins.

The Health Care Foundation was founded to perpetuate the community’s investment in Monticello Medical Center when it was sold in 1984.  Its mission is to promote the physical and mental health and healthcare of the people living within the service area of the Longview, Washington acute care hospital.  More on The Foundation can be found on their website: https://thehealthcarefoundation.org/grant-information/ .

Kelso, WA – Firefighters from Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue receive upgraded equipment that digitally alerts drivers on the road they’re approaching. Cowlitz 2 received five devices from the State of Washington, Washington Traffic Safety Commission, that run the program “Safety Cloud”, powered by the company HAAS Alert that will be installed on their front-line apparatus.

Drivers on the road, if they’re actively using popular mapping systems like Waze, Apple Maps, or standard mapping systems installed on 2018 and newer Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAM, along with 2024 and newer Volkswagen vehicles will receive a notification that an emergency vehicle is approaching or they are approaching an active emergency scene. This allows drivers to be alert, adjust their speeds, and pull the right.

The technology also allows firefighters to be notified of other approaching apparatus, intersections, etc. which can reduce risk of a collision. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an estimated 16,500 vehicle collisions involving fire apparatus were reported in 2023, often occurring at intersections.

There are no extra costs or steps the public needs to take with this technology; they will automatically receive notifications if actively using a mapping system listed.

Fire Chief Scott Goldstein comments on the addition to the fleet, “This alerting system will assist in keeping the public and our firefighters safe on the roadways. This technology bridges the gap between what the law requires and what actually happens on the road. When our lights activate, Safety Cloud gives drivers critical extra time to anticipate us and safely react – protecting both our personnel and the public we serve. Pull to the right for lights and sirens has been a public safety message in the fire service for a long time. With this technology now there’s an additional warning for folks”.

Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue joins more than 4,000 agencies nationwide already using this protection system, with HAAS Alert actively expanding to additional vehicle platforms.  For more information on HAAS Alert visit: https://www.haasalert.com/

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan is removing the Level 1 evacuation status for the area near Rice Road in Sweet Home.  Evacuation levels were put in place after a field fire broke out endangering nearby homes.

Yesterday, at 4:11 p.m., Linn County Sheriff’s Office received calls on 911 reporting a field fire on Rice Road near Upper Calapooia Drive, south of Sweet Home.   Deputies responded and started evacuating nearby homes while the Sweet Home Fire District personnel diligently fought the fire.  As deputies were conducting evacuations, Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management personnel were preparing to put a larger area into a Level 3 “Go now!” evacuation status.  However, fire personnel were able to quickly get a handle on the fire, making the Level 3 Evacuation unnecessary, and it was released as a precautionary Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuation status.

Fire personnel continued to attack the fire through the night and as of this morning they were mopping up the fire. 

Linn County Detectives responded and investigated the cause of the fire with the assistance of the State Fire Marshal.  The investigation showed the fire was started by a resident who was operating a pickup in a field of tall grass.  The fire burned about 25 acres, damaged a pumphouse, and destroyed an RV parked in the field.  There were no injuries.

When the investigation is completed, it will be sent to the District Attorney’s Office for review of criminal charges.

We want to thank all the fire personnel for quickly controlling the fire, and the Sweet Home Police Department for assisting with initial evacuations when the fire broke out.

Correction- The non-involved vehicle was also westbound and making a righthand turn into a driveway.

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

Salem, Ore. — As Labor Day Weekend approaches, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is encouraging families, horseback riders, hikers, and nature lovers of all types to consider exploring Oregon’s less-traveled state forest campgrounds, including Northrup Creek Horse Camp in the Clatsop State Forest.

Unlike high-traffic destinations across state forests or state parks that book up months in advance, many of ODF’s equestrian campgrounds still offer space for late-summer adventurers, even for those without horses. These quieter sites provide a chance to unplug, unwind, and connect with the outdoors—all while supporting sustainable recreation and forest education.

“Oregon’s state forests are spaces for everyone,” said Joe Offer, ODF’s Recreation, Education, and Interpretation Program Manager. “Our developed recreation sites provide opportunities for recreationalists of all sorts. Whether you're camping, hiking, riding horses, or just enjoying the trees, you're able to find a place for you in Oregon’s state forests, our common ground.”

Northrup Creek Horse Camp – A Hidden Gem for Horseback Riders and Campers

Tucked into the lush, shaded groves of the Clatsop State Forest, Northrup Creek Horse Camp is a peaceful retreat for equestrians and outdoor lovers alike. Designed with horse users in mind, it features eight campsites with corrals and space for trailers, along with three drive-up tent sites. Of the eight sites with corrals, three are available for non-equestrian campers looking for a quieter forest experience.

• Equestrian-Friendly: Eight spacious sites with 4-horse corrals and trailer parking.
• Trails to Explore: Trail networks start right at camp, offering scenic forest rides and hikes for all non-motorized users.
• Simple Amenities: Vault toilets, a hand-pump water source, and manure bins maintain the rustic charm of the site.
• Shared Experience: While designed for horseback riders, Northrup—and all ODF-managed equestrian campgrounds—also welcomes hikers, backpackers, trail runners, and families.

Reservations are required—and as of now, sites are still available for Labor Day weekend. For full details and to reserve your spot, visit ReserveAmerica – Northrup Creek Horse Camp.

Other Less Crowded Options?

In addition to Northrup Creek, ODF manages several under-the-radar campgrounds that typically enjoy lower visitation, even during busy summer weekends. These campgrounds are open to equestrian and non-equestrian visitors alike:

• Santiam Horse Camp (Santiam State Forest): Welcomes all non-motorized recreationalists with trail access right from camp in the beautiful Santiam Canyon.
• Stagecoach Horse Camp (Tillamook State Forest): Perfect for campers with or without horses, with direct access to Tillamook’s eastern trail system.
• Reehers Camp Horse Camp (Tillamook State Forest): A historic Civilian Conservation Corps site offering trails, rustic amenities, and quiet camping a mere few miles from the town of Timber.

Whether you're saddling up, lacing up your hiking boots, or simply seeking peace beneath the trees, these hidden gems offer a chance to enjoy Oregon’s forests without the crowds.

See ODF’s Recreation, Interpretation and Education website for a complete list of state forests recreation areas.

UPDATE: FIRE CAUSE - 08/26/25

A fire investigator determined that the fire was caused by an unattended candle that ignited nearby combustibles. In total, six units were affected by the fire, and up to ten residents were displaced as a result. The American Red Cross responded to the incident to provide additional assistance, in conjunction with our Hillsboro Public Safety Chaplains.

Bystanders provided raw video footage of the fire and granted permission to share it with the news media. 

• Barberry Drive Fire - Video 1 - Author: Roxelle Dixon
• Barberry Drive Fire - Video 2 - Author Name Not Given

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At approximately 8:56 p.m., Hillsboro Fire & Rescue was dispatched to a report of a fire at a 12-unit apartment complex located at 2050 NE Barberry Dr.

First-alarm crews arrived on scene around 9:00 p.m. and found heavy fire conditions, with flames visible from two second-story windows and extending through the roof. Firefighters initiated an aggressive attack while simultaneously conducting a search of the complex. By 9:09 p.m., the first-in crew reported the main body of fire had been knocked down.

Given the volume of fire and potential for rescue, the Incident Commander requested a second alarm to bring in additional resources. Crews quickly contained the fire and performed a thorough search of all impacted units. While there were initial reports of possible injuries, firefighters confirmed that no residents were injured.

Firefighters will remain on scene throughout the evening to fully extinguish hot spots and ensure the building is safe. A Hillsboro Fire Investigator responded to the scene to investigate. The fire investigation is ongoing, and no official cause has been determined.

Hillsboro Fire & Rescue was assisted on scene by Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Cornelius Fire Department, American Medical Response, Hillsboro Police Department, and Portland General Electric.

Yesterday afternoon just after 4pm Sweet Home Fire and ODF South Cascade were dispatched to a large natural cover fire on Rice Road in the Holley area just West of Sweet Home. The fire was rapidly spreading and reported to be moving toward homes. The Incident Commander immediately requested a second alarm assignment, and once on scene he upgraded it again requesting a third alarm assignment. The 2^nd and 3^rd alarm upgrades brought firefighters and apparatus from Brownsville, Halsey, and Lebanon Fire.  Also assisting with move ups to cover those agencies, were crews from Scio and Albany. Pacific Power responded to the scene and de-energized all power lines in the area. A type 1 helicopter was requested and responded providing direct air attack. A dozer was brought in as part of the ODF response, and was utilized for fireline construction. The Linn County Sherrif’s Office with assistance from Sweet Home Police, conducted evacuations.

The fire burned 25 acres, destroying one RV, damaging the siding on a pumphouse, and causing minor heat damage to multiple structures. There were no casualties or injuries reported. The cause of the fire was determined to be a pickup truck being operated in tall dry grass. The fire started underneath that pickup truck, which was able to escape the area undamaged. It then spread to the nearby RV and into both standing and cut grass fields as well as brush and heavy timber. Level 3 evacuations were ordered for the area of Rice Road and Crescent Hill Road, however those orders were quickly lowered to level 1 evacuations as crews stopped the forward progress of the fire by 5:24 pm.

As of this morning, the level 1 evacuations remain in place while crews continue to mop up the fire. For updated on evacuations, please follow or contact the Linn County Sherrif’s Office. The fire is currently 60% contained and crews expect full containment by the end of the day. Once full containment is achieved, all evacuation orders will be lifted. ODF South Cascade and Sweet Home Fire are being assisted today with mop up operations by Scio Fire and Albany Fire.

ODF South Cascade provided 6 engines, 1 water tender, 1 dozer and 4 overhead team members with a total of 18 personnel. Structural fire apparatus on scene included 9 engines, 7 water tenders, and 5 overhead team members, with a total of 40 personnel.

photo credit to Corbin Henderson, Lebanon Fire Photographer

ST. HELENS, Ore. [Aug 26, 2025] — The Columbia County Board of Commissioners has taken formal action following the completion of a workplace investigation involving Commissioner Casey Garrett. The investigation was conducted by an independent third party to ensure an objective and thorough review.

In response, the Board issued a Letter of Expectation to Commissioner Garrett, outlining required steps to ensure compliance with County rules and to protect staff. These steps include restrictions on certain interactions, participation in workplace training, and adherence to established personnel policies.

A redacted copy of the letter, entered into the public record, is being released with this statement. Redactions were made to protect the privacy of employees and departments involved.

The Board of Commissioners reaffirms its commitment to maintaining a safe, respectful, and professional workplace for all County employees and to upholding the public trust.

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Please be advised that the Bulletin does not include all calls for service to which officers respond.  Many calls do not require that a report be written; such as:

•Traffic Stops

•Advising/Referring a Person to the Proper Agency to handle their request

•Restoring the Peace

•Premise Checks

•Welfare Checks

•Flagged Down by Citizen

FIRE POLICY COMMITTEE

MEETING SCHEDULED

Please be advised that the Bulletin does not include all calls for service to which officers respond.  Many calls do not require that a report be written; such as:

•Traffic Stops

•Advising/Referring a Person to the Proper Agency to handle their request

•Restoring the Peace

•Premise Checks

•Welfare Checks

•Flagged Down by Citizen

Salem, Ore. –  Oregonians with a dream of “hitting the big one” have a chance to win a Powerball jackpot worth an estimated $815 million in Wednesday’s drawing. It’s the first time the Powerball has climbed this high since the $1.3 billion jackpot was won in Portland on April 6, 2024.  

The Powerball jackpot has been hit 11 times since the $1.3 billion dollar win in Oregon, with winning jackpots all under $700 million. Since the current jackpot run up began on June 1, Oregon has seen 546,633 winners and more than $7.6 million in total Powerball game winnings. Four Powerball jackpots have been won this year, including the $328.5 million prize won by a Beaverton man on January 18.

"With Oregon's two recent Powerball jackpot wins, the excitement for our players extends to their community and our retailers,” said Heidi Quiring, Oregon Lottery’s manager of player services. “A win of this size can have a significant ripple effect." 

A $50,000 winning Powerball ticket was purchased in Salem for the August 25 drawing, but the game’s top prize went unclaimed.

Oregon Lottery retailers who sell lottery tickets also earn commissions from the boost in ticket sales and bonus payments for lower tier wins. For instance, a retail location that sells a $1 million ticket would earn a $10,000 bonus.

Powerball is a multi-state jackpot operated by 44 states, plus the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

The Oregon Lottery recommends that you always sign the back of your ticket to ensure you can claim your prize. In the event of winning a jackpot, players should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings. Players have one year from the date of the drawing to claim their prize.

Celebrating 40 years of selling games since April 25, 1985, Oregon Lottery has earned more than $16.5 billion for economic development, public education, outdoor school, state parks, veteran services, and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org.

SALEM, Oregon— Tours of the historic building will be offered eight times a day Thursday through Monday starting this week and running through October when the building closes for the season.

Previously, the tours were offered three days a week due to low staffing levels this year. Now both the historic building and the Interpretive Center will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday. Access to the Kam Wah Chung building is only available during guided tours.

The Kam Wah Chung building is a National Historic Landmark that preserves the home and businesses of two Chinese immigrants, Ing "Doc" Hay and Lung On. For more than 60 years the building was a social, medical and religious center for Oregon's Chinese community.

Tours of the historic building will run at the top of every hour, the last one beginning at 4 p.m. The free, 45-minute historic building tour begins at the Interpretive Center at 125 NW Canton Street in John Day. Space is limited to 8 people per tour.  

For more information or questions about booking tours and operating hours, please call the park office at 541-575-2800.

If you don’t have the opportunity to visit this heritage site, you can learn more about the site and Chinese American history in Oregon through these online resources:

• Oregon Chinese Diaspora Project
• National Historic Landmark Nomination: Kam Wah Chung Company Building
• Oregon Encyclopedia: Chinese Americans in Oregon and Kam Wah Chung and Co.
• Oregon Historical Society: Beyond Chinatown: Uncovering Oregon’s Rural Chinese History and Centering Chinese History in Oregon and Herbs & Roots: A History of Chinese Doctors in the American Medical Marketplace

Evergreen Virtual Academy - 08/28/2025

EVERGREEN VIRTUAL ACADEMY NOTICE OF MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS August 28, 2025, 6:30PM Evergreen Virtual Academy Board Members are Hereby notified that a Session of the Board will be held via Zoom Webinar at https://evergreenvirtual-org.zoom.us/j/87931930355
Or Telephone:
Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 253 215 8782, +8 793 193 0355, +1 346 248 7799

What: After months of slow negotiations, advanced practice providers (APPs) with Legacy’s Specialty Departments are rallying to raise public awareness of their efforts to settle a fair first contract. The ONA-represented APPs have been bargaining with Legacy since May 2024. They are asking for continuing education guarantees, improved and clear leave of absence policies, affordable health insurance, and competitive wages in line with other healthcare systems.

When: Today, August 26, 2025

Rally and Sign Waving from 4:00-6:00 p.m.
ONA-represented employees bargaining for a first contract will be available for interviews.

Where: Outside Legacy Emanuel Medical Center
NE corner of North Stanton St and North Vancouver Ave, Portland

Why: APPs (nurse practitioners, physician associates and clinical nurse specialists) make up about a third of the providers with Legacy Medical Group but they have very little say in decision-making. They have worked for years to partner with Legacy leadership only to see their requests denied.

Like their RN colleagues, APPs in many departments are short-staffed and overworked making it difficult to retain existing caregivers or recruit new ones. Many APPs feel that they have not been provided with the right resources or support to do their jobs effectively. This has lead to high levels of frustration and moral injury.

Legacy Health is a private nonprofit health system that operates eight hospitals and more than 70 clinics in Oregon and Washington.

The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) represents a diverse community of more than 24,000 nurses and healthcare professionals throughout Oregon. Together, we use our collective power to advocate for critical issues impacting patients, nurses and healthcare professionals including a more effective, affordable and accessible healthcare system; better working conditions for all healthcare professionals; and healthier communities. For more information visit www.OregonRN.org.

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HILLSBORO, Ore. – Portland Community College announced the appointment of Vicky López Sánchez of Hillsboro as the permanent Vice President of Student Affairs, effective immediately.

López Sánchez, who had been serving as interim VP of Student Affairs this past year, holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Portland State University. She previously served as PCC’s Executive Dean of K12 & Community Partnerships, where she championed initiatives to strengthen pathways between schools, communities, and the college.

“This is an incredible honor, and I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue serving PCC students and our community,” López Sánchez said. “My priorities include strengthening student belonging and well-being, improving how we guide and support students through their journey, and ensuring our services reflect the diverse needs and aspirations of the communities we serve.”

The Office of Student Affairs oversees the full spectrum of the student experience — from admissions, advising, counseling and financial aid to student leadership and career services. The VP of Student Affairs leads PCC’s student support services and provides strategic leadership and direction for more than 35 departments, programs and services across the entire college.

“Vicky has served in the interim role with dedication, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to student success,” said PCC President Dr. Adrien Bennings. “Her deep understanding of student needs, collaborative leadership style, and vision for equity-centered support services have made a significant impact across the college. I look forward to her continued leadership as we work together to create a supportive and thriving environment for all students.”

López Sánchez is excited to continue leading in a role that is student-centered and outcomes-based.

“The best part of this role is uplifting others; students, staff, and communities,” she added. “I look forward to working with our team to remove barriers, reimagine what’s possible, and help students achieve their dreams.” 

IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

August 25, 2025

Press contact:

Monice Wong: mwong@portlandalliance.com

Suspect Indicted and Arrested for Sex Crimes

August 26, 2025

In June of 2025, Sherwood graveyard officers responded to a residence after being dispatched to a sex abuse in progress between 28-year-old Ramon Manibusan of Sherwood and a child victim known to him. Officers conducted an initial investigation and assisted with helping remove the child from the home. The Sherwood Police Investigations Unit immediately began investigating the allegations.

On August 5, 2025, the case was presented to a Washington County Grand Jury, and they indicted Manibusan on the following charges:

• Sexual Abuse in the First Degree (2 Counts)
• Sexual Penetration in the Second Degree

Following the indictment, a Washington County Circuit Court Judge issued a Secret Indictment Arrest Warrant. Manibusan was arrested by the Sherwood Police Department without incident and lodged at the Washington County Jail where he remains in custody.

The Sherwood Police Department would like to thank the Washington County District Attorney’s Office, the team at Cares Northwest, and the staff at St. Vincent Hospital for their assistance with this case.

PORTLAND, Ore.— Three Honduran defendants unlawfully residing in Oregon made their first appearances in federal court on Monday after being arrested and charged for trafficking fentanyl in downtown Portland last Thursday on National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day.

Antoni Yahir Pavon-Rosales, 18, has been charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Cristian Ravolales, 27, has been charged by criminal complaint with distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Kevin Concepcion Ramos-Espinoza, 34, has been charged by criminal complaint with distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

According to court documents, on August 21, 2025, investigators with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Portland Police Bureau (PPB) Central Neighborhood Response Team (NRT) and Bike Squad, PPB Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit (NOC), the Clackamas County Interagency Task Force (CCITF), and the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) conducted a fentanyl enforcement mission in downtown Portland.  Investigators observed defendant Pavon-Rosales attempting to sell fentanyl and arrested him, seizing 22.5 grams of fentanyl and $795.  The same evening, investigators observed defendant Ravolales engage in drug trafficking and arrested him, seizing 45.9 grams of fentanyl and $579.  Investigators also observed Ramos-Espinoza engaged in multiple acts of drug trafficking and arrested him, seizing 14.7 grams of fentanyl and $2,461. Defendant Ramos-Espinoza has two pending delivery of controlled substance cases in Multnomah County Circuit Court.

All three defendants made their first appearances in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge.  All three defendants were ordered detained pending further court proceedings.  Arraignments have been scheduled for September 24, 2025.

These cases were investigated by the FBI, PPB Central NRT and Bike Squad, PPB NOC, and the CCITF.  They are being prosecuted by AUSA Scott Kerin, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

CCITF is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program (HIDTA) and is composed of members from the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Canby Police Department, Oregon State Police, Clackamas County Parole and Probation, and the FBI.

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

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

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 100 times more powerful than morphine and 50 times more powerful than heroin. A 2-milligram dose of fentanyl—a few grains of the substance—is potentially enough to kill an average adult male. The wide availability of illicit fentanyl in Oregon has caused a dramatic increase in overdose deaths throughout the state.

If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.

If you or someone you know suffers from addiction, please call the Lines for Life substance abuse helpline at 1-800-923-4357 or visit www.linesforlife.org. Phone support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also text “RecoveryNow” to 839863 between 2pm and 6pm Pacific Time daily.

Please be advised that the Bulletin does not include all calls for service to which officers respond.  Many calls do not require that a report be written; such as:

•Traffic Stops

•Advising/Referring a Person to the Proper Agency to handle their request

•Restoring the Peace

•Premise Checks

•Welfare Checks

•Flagged Down by Citizen

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aug. 25, 2025

Contact:

Denise Johnson, 503-302-6344, oardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; white-space-collapse: preserve; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">boardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Board of Forestry will meet in person from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 3 and Thursday, Sept. 4 at Peavy Hall, PFSC 315, at Oregon State University College of Forestry, 1500 S.W. Jefferson Ave., Corvallis, OR 97331.  The Thurs. Sept. 4 meeting will be an off-site field tour to observe tethered logging in practice and discuss next steps.Both meetings are open to the public.  

An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, Edward Lawrence Nelson, died the morning of August 25, 2025. Nelson was incarcerated at Snake River Correctional Institution (SRCI) in Ontario and passed away at an area hospital. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified, and the State Medical Examiner will determine cause of death.

Nelson entered DOC custody on December 17, 2013, from Coos County with no parole date. Nelson was 77 years old.

DOC takes all in-custody deaths seriously. The agency is responsible for the care and custody of approximately 12,000 individuals who are incarcerated in 12 institutions across the state. While crime information is public record, DOC elects to disclose only upon request out of respect for any family or victims.

SRCI is a multi-custody prison in Ontario that houses approximately 3,000 adults in custody. SRCI has multiple special housing units including disciplinary segregation, intensive management, infirmary (with hospice) with 24-hour nursing care, and an administrative segregation unit. SRCI participates in prison industries with Oregon Corrections Enterprises including a contact center, laundry, and sign shop. SRCI specializes in incentive housing, specialized housing, individuals with mental health/medical vulnerabilities, education and trades programs, cognitive and parenting programs, and institution work programs. SRCI opened in 1991 and is the largest correctional institution in the state.

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UPDATE: 08/25/25 - Fire Cause Determination

A Hillsboro Fire & Rescue Fire Investigator has determined that an electrical failure of an electric blanket caused the fire. No additional information will be released about the victims. 

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Hillsboro Fire & Rescue is saddened to report that one of the victims rescued from the residential fire on August 16th has passed away from injuries sustained in the incident. The individual had been transported in critical condition to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, where they later died despite extensive life-saving efforts by firefighters, paramedics, and hospital staff.

The second victim remains under medical care.

The fire occurred on August 16th around 4 a.m. Upon arrival, firefighters made an entry into the home and located two victims within four minutes of arrival. Both were removed from the residence within eight minutes of the initial 9-1-1 call. Crews immediately began advanced medical interventions, and victims were transported to hospitals. Simultaneously, firefighters worked to suppress the fire and ensure the safety of neighboring residents.

Hillsboro Fire & Rescue recognizes the swift, coordinated actions of its firefighters, whose training and commitment made it possible to rescue both victims under extremely challenging conditions. Hillsboro Fire & Rescue was assisted by Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Hillsboro Police, and American Medical Response.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by Hillsboro Fire & Rescue and partnering agencies, and no official cause has been determined. “Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of the victim during this difficult time,” said David Downey, Fire Chief of Hillsboro Fire & Rescue. “We are grateful for the tireless efforts of our crews and the hospital staff who worked to provide every possible chance of survival.”

State of Oregon v. Michael Ray Solis

Marion County Circuit Court Case 23CR34138

Salem, OR – August 25, 2025 –  Marion County Circuit Court Judge Jodie A. Bureta has sentenced Michael Ray Solis, 21, to 25 years in the Oregon Department of Corrections without the possibility of parole for Manslaughter in the First Degree and Unlawful Use of a Firearm.

On July 1, 2023, Salem Police officers responded to reports of a shooting on Silverton Road NE. Medics arrived and found Steven Michael Hill, 34, deceased from a gunshot wound. Witnesses described three males running from the area, and surveillance video from nearby later confirmed those accounts. Through an extensive investigation, Salem Police Detectives were able to identify Solis as one of the individuals present at the shooting. Two witnesses present with Solis at the time identified him as the shooter, which Solis eventually admitted.

Investigators determined there was no prior known relationship between Solis and Hill, however Solis was associated with the 18^th street gang, while Hill had tattoos affiliated with a Native American, but often rival, gang.  The other two witnesses did not contribute to the criminal act and were not charged.

Solis was arrested on July 4, 2023, at the St. Paul Rodeo for being involved in a fight. Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy Jorge Ramirez detained Solis, and as the two walked toward the patrol vehicle, a handgun fell from Solis’s pant leg.  That handgun was later tested and found to be the firearm used to shoot Hill three days earlier.  Solis was released at that time, but arrested on July 17, 2023, when law enforcement had sufficient information to charge him with the death of Mr. Hill.  

The case was prosecuted by Chief DDA Brendan Murphy and DDA Justin Barbot-Wheaton.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy said: “This resolution was reached at the request of the victim’s family.  Although Solis was initially charged with murder, the family’s priority was a guaranteed conviction that would not be overturned on appeal.  I know they did not reach their decision lightly.  This sentence ensures the same minimum incarceration length as murder and acknowledges Mr. Solis taking accountability for his actions.   Most importantly, it provides Mr. Hill’s loved ones with a measure of justice and peace. The defendant will serve 25 years in prison with no chance of parole, bringing certainty to the family and a safer community.”

In Oregon, felony trial convictions may be appealed to higher courts, including the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Oregon.  Sentences and convictions are often overturned or reduced, even when the state follows the law as it exists at the time of trial.  By reaching a resolution that avoids a lengthy appeal process and costly trial, the DA’s office ensures a certain and final outcome for the victim’s family.   

The Marion County District Attorney’s Office acknowledges the hard work and dedication of the Salem Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation and arrest of Solis.

Murphy added: “But for the relentless work of Salem Detective Stuart Gamble and the other detectives at Salem Police, I am convinced this case would have remained unresolved.  Salem is lucky to have one of the best police departments I know of.”

District attorney Paige Clarkson echoed that statement: “Marion County is fortunate to have such diligent law enforcement investigators and partners.  Through their work, we were able to provide the family with some sense of justice.”

About Marion County District Attorney’s Office

The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for seeking justice through promoting accountability for criminal offenders; interpreting, enforcing, and executing law; responding to the concerns of victims and the public; and working cooperatively with members of the justice system.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OREGON CITY ANNOUNCES NEW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Oregon City, ORE. – The Oregon City Community Development Department will soon have a new face running the department, as Kelly Hart has been announced as the new Director.

With her most recent work happening in the city of Lebanon, Hart has more than 16 years of experience in municipal government, with many of those years spent in Community Development. Kelly has significant management and professional experience related to issues such as development, housing, economic growth and legislative affairs, which perfectly aligns with the position.

“Kelly quickly rose to the top when reviewing candidates for the Director position,” said City Manager Tony Konkol. “The Community Development Department, and City as a whole, will benefit from her experience and leadership style.”

Likewise, Hart said she is looking forward to joining Oregon City as well because of the City’s strong commitment to addressing important challenges with a collaborative spirit, which aligns well with her values.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Oregon City as Community Development Director. The city’s unique blend of history, natural beauty and opportunity for thoughtful growth really drew me here. I’m excited to collaborate with the talented team at Oregon City and the broader community to help guide development in a way that honors the city’s heritage while preparing for its future,” she said.

Hart replaces Aquilla Hurd-Ravich, who left earlier this summer for the same position in Tualatin. She will start at the beginning of October.

-END-

SALEM, Oregon— Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is seeking two volunteers to serve on the ATV Advisory Committee and ATV Grant Subcommittee starting Jan. 1, 2026.

The openings are four-year terms and include one representative for Class II (4wd/sand rails) and one representative for Class III (dirt bikes).

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

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

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

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

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

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

To apply for one of the open positions, go to the ATV-AC webpage and click the “Committee Interest Form” link at the bottom of the section. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. September 12, 2025.

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

Seattle – Over the last three weeks, federal, state, and local law enforcement have been working to dismantle a cartel-connected drug trafficking ring distributing fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin throughout western Washington.

What: Press briefing on takedown of Sinaloa- affiliated drug trafficking ring

When: Monday, August 25, 2025, 11:00 AM PT

Broadcast media, please plan to arrive by about 10:30 AM PT to clear security and set up.

Where: Drug Enforcement Administration Seattle Field Division, 300 5^th Avenue, Suite 1300, Seattle, WA 98104

Who:

• David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division
• Teal Luthy Miller, Acting United States Attorney, Western District of Washington
• Colin W. Jackson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations

There will not be a call-in line. Reporters may livestream the event if desired.

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

Christopher Brayton, age 11, is a child who went missing from Redmond on Aug. 18. He was found Aug. 24.

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.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

Contact: Colin Fogarty 

Director of Communications 

ty@oregoncf.org">cfogarty@oregoncf.org  

Oregon Community Foundation Invests $1 Million

in Bold Arts and Culture Projects

Creative Heights Projects Celebrate Creativity and Elevate Cultural Voices

PORTLAND, Ore. — An audio archive that celebrates people who stutter. An independent film with a TV/VCR as its central character. A video series about the Albina neighborhood’s historic Black music scene. These are just a few of the 14 thought-provoking arts and culture projects included in the latest round of Creative Heights grants from Oregon Community Foundation.

OCF announced today it will invest more than $1 million in projects that celebrate bold creativity, elevate cultural voices and explore community issues across Oregon. Grants ranging from $24,000 to $100,000 are designed to stretch the creative capacity of artists and culture bearers.

For example, Portland-based composer and interdisciplinary artist Luke Wyland, who is also a person who stutters, said his project “centers my commitment to the stuttering community by expanding the Library of Dysfluent Voices, an audio archive of people with speech differences, through in-person interviews collected in partnership with SPACE, a stuttering nonprofit. Contributors share reflections on life and their relationship to their speech, which are then transformed into immersive ‘voice portraits.’ These portraits will form the foundation for a multimedia installation and performance series that celebrates the richness and complexity of dysfluency.”

Artist and curator Steph Littlebird will use her grant to expand a Contemporary Indigenous Art Biennial exhibit with the Salem Art Association that showcases the artistic talents of Indigenous artists and fosters cross-cultural engagement.

“We are so thrilled to showcase the deep well of Indigenous talent in the Pacific Northwest,” said Littlebird. “We cannot wait for everyone to learn more about the Native creatives and innovators carrying culture forward through contemporary art.”

OCF’s Creative Heights initiative has invested roughly $1 million per year since 2014 — supporting 151 projects across visual art, performance, folk and traditional arts, film and media, literary arts, museum exhibitions, humanities, music, theater, dance, opera, history, cultural heritage, and multidisciplinary works.

“We want to support bold creative visions — not just to advance the careers of these artists, but also to enrich Oregon’s creative landscape. These projects give communities access to groundbreaking arts and cultural experiences,” said Jerry Tischleder, Senior Program Officer, Arts and Culture, Oregon Community Foundation. “Opportunities like these are rare. We have found that when given the resources they need to reach for the stars, Oregon's creatives deliver.”

Other grantees include:

enTaiko | $66,000
To support a multisensory taiko performance that creates an inclusive experience for deaf, blind, neurodivergent and physically disabled artists and audiences.

"Echoes of Inclusion reimagines Japanese taiko drumming as a shared language of rhythm and movement, where disabled, non-disabled, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, blind, and neurodivergent artists and audiences create together," said Kazuyo Ito, Artistic Director of enTaiko.

Jason Hill with Albina Music Trust | $100,000
To produce an episodic docuseries exploring the history and amplifying the legacy of Black music and culture in Portland's Albina neighborhood.

“The history of Portland’s Black music scene is pretty amazing and yet most know little about it. This series with the Albina Music Trust is an effort to honor these amazing artists and their legacies,” said filmmaker Jason Hill. “Plus, we have the opportunity to do this when many of them are still here, and we can capture their stories in their own words.”

Masami Kawai with Portland Art Museum | $100,000
For Valley of the Tall Grass, an independent feature film that follows the life of a TV/VCR and explores identity and cinema’s language through an Indigenous worldview.

“With my film Valley of the Tall Grass, I'm telling a story of Indigenous people who lost ties to their land and found themselves in Oregon, a place I call home,” said filmmaker Masami Kawai. “We don't always have our traditional ways intact and sometimes we've lost our language. But we carry connections to family and value ways to sustain life and forgotten objects, like the TV/VCR at the center of the film. The grant will help bring this story to life.”

Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland with Oregon East Symphony | $100,000
For Rhythms of a Homeland, an original performance to be staged outdoor on Nez Perce ancestral land, blending the symphonic works of Native composer Jerod Tate with Indigenous drumming, dance, and visual storytelling.

"When I sit in the Arbor on the Homeland grounds, I feel a powerful connection to the land and its history,” said Nancy Crenshaw, longtime board member for Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland. “When the drums beat, and the spirits come to life, I am overwhelmed. To see this project underway is like a dream, and I'm excited knowing that through the gift of music we will bring people and cultures together and offer hope for the future."

Find a full list of the new Creative Heights grantees here.

About Oregon Community Foundation

Since 1973, Oregon Community Foundation has worked to improve the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy. In partnership with donors and volunteers, OCF strengthens communities in every county in Oregon through grantmaking, scholarships and research. 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.

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Portland Fire Supports Neighbors and City During Action-Packed Day

On Friday, August 22, Portland Fire & Rescue managed a high volume of emergencies across the city and region, as extreme summer heat contributed to a series of complex calls. From supporting neighboring fire agencies at a large warehouse fire to handling residential and vehicle fires, false alarms, and unique rescue situations, Portland Fire crews demonstrated coordination and adaptability throughout a demanding day of service.

Portland Fire sent several engines and trucks to assist Gresham Fire in battling a four-alarm fire at a tire warehouse. The incident produced large smoke columns visible for miles and required resources from across the region. To ensure continuous service within Portland, fire crews moved up to staff vacant stations and responded to mutual aid calls from nearby cities.

With so many resources deployed, leadership across the department stepped in to maintain full coverage. When a residential fire was dispatched, Portland Fire’s Deputy Fire Marshal and Operations Chief assumed incident command roles. At the same time, six additional units were dispatched to Front Street for what was ultimately determined a false alarm.

Elsewhere, Portland Fire worked alongside Corbett Fire crews to extinguish a motor home fire on I-84 — an incident that would normally fall under Gresham Fire’s jurisdiction. In North Portland, Station 22 crews spent more than two hours addressing a smoldering brush fire in the Baltimore Woods Natural Area. Later in the evening, firefighters concluded the day by assisting an individual who had become trapped between the walls of two buildings.

Throughout the day’s diverse and challenging responses, Portland Fire & Rescue’s commitment to protecting the community and supporting neighboring agencies remained clear.

Quote:

“Days like this show the strength of our firefighters and the importance of regional cooperation,” said Rick Graves, Portland Fire’s Public Information Officer. “No matter how many calls come in, or how complex the circumstances, our crews stand ready to serve this community and support our partners across the region.”

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Update

Today police located Nikki Coker and Israel Gonzalez at a residenc in east Vancouver. SWAT responded to assist.

Nikki Coker was located safe.  Israel Gonzalez was taken into custody on outstanding warrants. 

The Vancouver Police Department Domestic Violence Unit is continuing the investigation.

No further updates are anticipated.

Vancouver, Wash. –  Nikki E. Coker is missing under suspicious circumstances and was last known to be with her estranged boyfriend Israel A. Gonzalez.

Detectives from the Vancouver Police Department Domestic Violence Unit are investigating. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Nikki Coker or Israel Gonzalez is asked to call 911. Photos of Israel and Nikki are attached to this release.

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At 2:10am on Sunday August 24th, Forest Grove Firefighters were dispatched to a reported brush fire in the 49000 block of NW Strohmayer Road in rural Washington County. A passerby discovered the fire and called 911 while also alerting the residents in a house directly in the path of the flames. Firefighters arrived minutes later to find a brush fire burning behind a house along a very steep embankment. Their first task was to protect the structure and make sure the residents evacuated. Firefighters were able to prevent the flames from spreading to the house and other buildings on the property. Other crews began to ascend the approximately 70 degree vertical slopes to begin extinguishing the flames as well as constructing containment lines. 
 

It took firefighters over two hours to deem the fire under control. This extended timeline was due to safety precautions taken with firefighters working in low light conditions in extremely steep terrain as well as working near damaged trees that had potential to fall on crews. Firefighters remained for several more hours extinguishing hotspots and strengthening the containment line. 
 

In total, the fire burned approximately one and a half acres of medium to heavy vegetation. There were no reported injuries. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Due to high temperatures forecasted for today, a fire crew is remaining on scene throughout the day to monitor the scene for hot spots. 
 

Forest Grove Fire & Rescue was assisted on scene by Banks Fire District, Hillsboro Fire & Rescue, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Cornelius Fire Department, Oregon Department of Forestry and Washington County Sheriffs Office. 
 

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Bend Fire & Rescue responded to a residential structure fire at 12:52 PM on Saturday, August 23 at 66135 White Rock Loop.  No one was at home at the start of the fire and upon returning the Home Owner heard smoke alarms and saw smoke coming from various openings in the structure and proceeded to call 911.

On arrival Bend Fire & Rescue extinguished the fire containing it to a small closest on the second story of the structure.  The fire cause has been determined to be a failure in the closet fluorescent lighting, spreading hot debris to combustibles below the light fixture.  No injuries were reported at the scene.

Bend Fire & Rescue would like to remind everyone of the importance of working smoke alarms.  Smoke alarms should be place on every level of your home (including the basement), inside each bedroom, and in the hallway outside each bedroom.  Some newer style smoke alarms contain lithium-ion batteries and can be effective for up to 10 years.  Additional information can be found on Bend Fire & Rescue website under “Community Programs”. 

(Gresham, Ore.) - A marathon mediation session resulted in ONA-represented nurses at Legacy Mt. Hood reaching a tentative agreement for their first contract. The tentative agreement now heads to all 440 RNs for a ratification vote.

“We’re proud to care for patients at Legacy Mt. Hood and serve the East County community. This tentative agreement demonstrates a real commitment to frontline caregivers, patients, and our community as a whole. If ratified, this contract will help recruit and retain nurses and ensure our patients receive the care they need and deserve,” said Jenni Suarez, RN at Legacy Mt. Hood and ONA Bargaining Team member.

Tentative Agreement Highlights

The tentative agreement includes several important wins for nurses and patients, such as:

• Just cause protections to prevent unfair discipline or termination.
• A strong grievance process with binding arbitration to ensure fair enforcement of the contract.
• A transparent, published wage scale that guarantees consistency and equity.
• Competitive wages in line with other hospital systems.
• Dedicated security staffing to keep frontline caregivers safe.
• Paid time off for nurses recovering from workplace assaults.
• A union shop to strengthen solidarity and support union growth.

“The closure of the Family Birth Center was what pushed us to form our union. We have worked tirelessly over the last two years to ensure a solid first contract we can be proud of. This contract is a fantastic foundation to build on for all the nurses who will follow,” said Christie Mikrut, RN at Legacy Mt. Hood and ONA Bargaining Team member.

The tentative agreement now moves to the full bargaining unit for a ratification vote.

Background on Legacy Health

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

Ten ONA bargaining units—representing nearly 3,000 caregivers—are currently negotiating with Legacy, seeking improvements in staffing, wages, benefits, transparency, and workplace safety. ONA’s sister union, Northwest Medicine United (NWMU), represents another 475 healthcare professionals, including physicians, who are also bargaining their first contracts with Legacy.

The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) represents a diverse community of more than 24,000 nurses and healthcare professionals throughout Oregon. Together, we use our collective power to advocate for critical issues impacting patients, nurses and healthcare professionals including a more effective, affordable and accessible healthcare system; better working conditions for all healthcare professionals; and healthier communities. For more information visit www.OregonRN.org.

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On August 19, 2025, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped a vehicle for expired registration when the driver, later identified as Randy Dean Manns, 56, of Alsea, attempted to evade them by pulling into a private parking space and exiting the vehicle. Manns was cited and his vehicle impounded.

During an inventory search, deputies discovered drug paraphernalia. Manns, who is on probation, was detained and a detainer was issued by his parole officer.

Following a search warrant, deputies found a loaded handgun, several ounces of methamphetamine, suspected additional illicit substances, and evidence of drug manufacturing and distribution.

Manns was lodged at the Lincoln County Jail and faces additional charges including Unlawful Possession and Manufacture of Methamphetamine (Commercial Drug Offense), and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has deployed Complex Incident Management Team 3 (CIMT 3) to manage the Flat Fire north of Sisters and near Lake Billy Chinook.   

The fire started yesterday (Aug. 21) and is now estimated at 9,000 acres. The fire has exceeded the span of control of the local Type 3 Team, so the larger IMT was activated and will take command of the fire tomorrow (Aug. 23).

“This extreme heat and dry fuels have made control efforts hard,” said Ron Graham, Deputy Chief of ODF’s Protection Division.  “On the positive side, given the lower number of current fires state-wide there are a lot of resources available to send to the fire.”

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is overseeing evacuations in the affected area. Community members are urged to stay informed about evacuation levels and be prepared to act quickly. For the latest evacuation information go to the Jefferson County Sherrif’s Office evacuation zones page and the Deschutes County Sherrif’s Office Emergency Info page.

“This is tough for local community members,” said Graham.  “Earlier this summer they had to endure the Alder Springs Fires, now this one is adjacent to that burned area impacting many of the same folks.”

Earlier today Governor Tina Kotek determined that a threat to life, safety, and property exists due to the fire, and the threat exceeds the firefighting capabilities of local firefighting personnel and equipment, so she invoked the Conflagration Act for the Flat Fire.  That allows for more resources to be deployed to the fires to protect life and property.  See the news release here.

As firefighters continue to work to suppress fires around the state, ODF urges community members to help reduce the strain on firefighters by preventing new human-caused fires. Follow fire prevention guidelines and know the local fire restrictions currently in place: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx.

KODY JENSEN SENTENCED TO 21 YEARS PRISON FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST TWO SEPARATE WOMEN 

CASE #

24CR65775

24CR30623

24CR25435

August 22, 2025

Portland, OR- Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Kelly Skye today sentenced 23-year-old Kody Richard Jensen to 130 months in prison (10 years and 10 months) for multiple crimes involving domestic violence against his victim.

He was convicted of:
Rape in the First Degree Constituting Domestic Violence

Sex Abuse in the First Degree Constituting Domestic Violence 

Assault in the Fourth Degree Constituting Domestic Violence

Harassment 

Coercion Constituting Domestic Violence

In a separate case, the defendant was sentenced August 7, 2025 to 125 months (10 years, 5 months) for domestic violence against a different victim. 

In that case he was found guilty on July 10, 2025 of Coercion, Kidnapping in the Second Degree, two counts of Assault in the Fourth Degree Constituting Domestic Violence, Attempted Assault in the Second Degree, and two counts of Tampering with a Witness. 

Judge Skye ordered the sentences be run one after the other leading to a total prison sentence of 21-years and 3 months.

In a third case ( 23CR32481) a woman reported being raped while incapacitated- both while conscious and unconscious by Jensen on July 7, 2023.

He was charged with two counts of Rape in the First Degree and two counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree. A jury found him not guilty on one of the rape charges and Judge Eric Dahlin acquitted the defendant on the other three charges on July 28, 2025.

The cases were prosecuted for the state by Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Mihnea Moga.

After the sentencing he said:

“I commend the victims for their bravery to come to Court and face their abuser throughout these trials. I am very pleased with the result and hope that this sentence provides them with some consolation that the defendant was held accountable for his horrific actions.”

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Detective Jordan Smith for his outstanding work on this case.

MCDA would also like to thank  Multnomah County District Attorney’s Victim Advocate Allison Miller  for the care and compassion they showed the victims in this case.

THE FACTS INVOLVING THE SENTENCE TODAY:

Court records show that Jensen was in a relationship with a woman and committed repeated acts of serious domestic violence and sexual assault from July 2023 to October of 2023.

According to the sentencing memo, the defendant was in a relationship with his victim. He is a violent individual who repeatedly abused his victim both emotionally and physically, seemingly at every chance he got. Defendant’s violence was not limited to impulsive reactions. In addition to his decision to cause physical injury to her, the defendant sexually assaulted the woman after being expressly told by her that she did not want to engage in the conduct. Despite breaking free from the defendant after being raped in one instance, Jensen’s conduct continued that night by grabbing her by the throat and slamming her on the bed. Then, he would not let her leave with her clothing, but she was able to escape with only her bra and pants. The defendant’s violence is further evidenced by the fact that he was recently convicted for crimes of domestic violence against another victim.

THE FACTS INVOLVING THE EARLIER CASE:

In that case, he caused physical injuries to the victim by hitting her, preventing her from leaving his room using the threat of violence, and throwing a phone at her head so hard that it left a scar to this day. He also showed up at her location and took her against her will to an unknown location. The defendant exhibited similar conduct in that relationship and caused permanent and significant damage to that victim. Any inconvenience in his mind merited a violent response. He has demonstrated a pattern of continuous domestic violence and extremely dangerous conduct. He has demonstrated the opposite of remorse by attempting to tamper with the victim to alter her testimony. 

###MCDA###

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Warm Springs, Oregon, man pleaded guilty today for assaulting his girlfriend with a pistol on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.

Henry Jonathan Andrews, 29, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon.

According to court documents, in October 2024, Andrews was driving with the victim on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. Andrews became angry and pulled out a pistol. He struck the victim multiple times in the head with the pistol. Fearing for her life, the victim jumped from the moving car to escape him. She suffered extensive and life-threatening injuries as a result of the assault.

On November 20, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a two-count indictment charging Andrews with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

Andrews faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on November 13, 2025, before a U.S. District Judge.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Warm Springs Tribal Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Pamela Paaso and Charlotte Kelley, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

Domestic violence is a serious crime that can include both physical and emotional abuse, and it is frequently hidden from public view. Many survivors suffer in silence, afraid to seek help or not knowing where to turn. The traumatic effects of domestic violence also extend beyond the abused person, impacting family members, friends, and communities.

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, please call 911.

If you need assistance or know someone who needs help, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Many communities throughout the country have also created support networks to assist survivors in the process of recovery.

The StrongHearts Native Helpline offers culturally specific support and advocacy for American Indian and Alaska Native survivors of domestic violence. Please call 1-844-762-8483 or visit www.strongheartshelpline.org for more information.

# # #

Meeting Notification for 08/25/2025

Hockinson School District

Board of Directors

Regular Meeting

Monday August 25th, 2025 at 6:00 pm

Meeting Location: Hockinson Community Center and Zoom

Zoom link available at http://www.hocksd.org">www.hocksd.org

KODY JENSEN SENTENCED TO 21 YEARS PRISON FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST TWO SEPARATE WOMEN 

CASE #

24CR65775

24CR30623

24CR25435

August 22, 2025

Portland, OR- Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Kelly Sky today sentenced 23-year-old Kody Richard Jensen to 130 months in prison (10 years and 10 months) for multiple crimes involving domestic violence against his victim.

He was convicted of:
Rape in the First Degree Constituting Domestic Violence

Sex Abuse in the First Degree Constituting Domestic Violence 

Assault in the Fourth Degree Constituting Domestic Violence

Harassment 

Coercion Constituting Domestic Violence

In a separate case, the defendant was sentenced August 7, 2025 to 125 months (10 years, 5 months) for domestic violence against a different victim. 

In that case he was found guilty on July 10, 2025 of Coercion, Kidnapping in the Second Degree, two counts of Assault in the Fourth Degree Constituting Domestic Violence, Attempted Assault in the Second Degree, and two counts of Tampering with a Witness. 

Judge Skye ordered the sentences be run one after the other leading to a total prison sentence of 21-years and 3 months.

In a third case ( 23CR32481) a woman reported being raped while incapacitated- both while conscious and unconscious by Jensen on July 7, 2023.

He was charged with two counts of Rape in the First Degree and two counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree. A jury found him not guilty on one of the rape charges and Judge Eric Dahlin acquitted the defendant on the other three charges on July 28, 2025.

The cases were prosecuted for the state by Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Mihnea Moga.

After the sentencing he said:

“I commend the victims for their bravery to come to Court and face their abuser throughout these trials. I am very pleased with the result and hope that this sentence provides them with some consolation that the defendant was held accountable for his horrific actions.”

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Detective Jordan Smith for his outstanding work on this case.

MCDA would also like to thank  Multnomah County District Attorney’s Victim Advocate Allison Miller  for the care and compassion they showed the victims in this case.

THE FACTS INVOLVING THE SENTENCE TODAY:

Court records show that Jensen was in a relationship with a woman and committed repeated acts of serious domestic violence and sexual assault from July 2023 to October of 2023.

According to the sentencing memo, the defendant was in a relationship with his victim. He is a violent individual who repeatedly abused his victim both emotionally and physically, seemingly at every chance he got. Defendant’s violence was not limited to impulsive reactions. In addition to his decision to cause physical injury to her, the defendant sexually assaulted the woman after being expressly told by her that she did not want to engage in the conduct. Despite breaking free from the defendant after being raped in one instance, Jensen’s conduct continued that night by grabbing her by the throat and slamming her on the bed. Then, he would not let her leave with her clothing, but she was able to escape with only her bra and pants. The defendant’s violence is further evidenced by the fact that he was recently convicted for crimes of domestic violence against another victim.

THE FACTS INVOLVING THE EARLIER CASE:

In that case, he caused physical injuries to the victim by hitting her, preventing her from leaving his room using the threat of violence, and throwing a phone at her head so hard that it left a scar to this day. He also showed up at her location and took her against her will to an unknown location. The defendant exhibited similar conduct in that relationship and caused permanent and significant damage to that victim. Any inconvenience in his mind merited a violent response. He has demonstrated a pattern of continuous domestic violence and extremely dangerous conduct. He has demonstrated the opposite of remorse by attempting to tamper with the victim to alter her testimony. 

###MCDA###

PORTLAND, Ore.—A federal jury in Portland found Peter Igwacho, 64, a Cameroonian national residing in Anchorage, Alaska, guilty Thursday for wire fraud.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between April 2020 and October 2021, during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Igwacho filed at least five fraudulent applications for pandemic stimulus funds through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury and Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. The information on those forms, in support of his request for stimulus funds, was fraudulent. The applications submitted by Igwacho were filed on behalf of a sole proprietorship that did not, in fact, have actual business operations, payrolled employees, or the reported gross revenues. 

Further, upon receipt of the stimulus funds, Igwacho did not spend those funds on approved pandemic-related expenses but instead spent the money on personal expenses. The PPP and EIDL programs were designed to help small businesses facing financial difficulties during the Covid-19 pandemic.

On July 23, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a three-count superseding indictment charging Igwacho with wire fraud.

Igwacho faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on November 18, 2025, before a U.S. District Judge.

This case was investigated by the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General and Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. It was prosecuted by Robert Trisotto and Meredith Bateman, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

# # #

(Salem) – Christopher Brayton (child), age 11, went missing with his father Christopher Brayton (father) from Redmond on Aug. 18. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division believes that Christopher Brayton (child) may be at risk and is searching for him to assess his safety.

ODHS asks the public to help in the effort to find Christopher Brayton (child). Anyone who suspects they have information about the location of him or his father should call 911 or the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline at 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).

They are believed to be traveling in a maroon Toyota truck with license plate 335NEC. They may be traveling towards Disneyland.  

Name: Christopher Brayton
Pronouns: He/him
Date of birth: Feb. 1, 2014
Height: 5-foot-8
Weight: 184 pounds
Hair: Brown
Eye color: Brown
Redmond Police Department Case #25-25538
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children #2059189

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, Ore. — Bridge-strengthening work on the 17^th Street NE bridge over Mill Creek will begin Aug. 25. This Public Works project is expected to be completed in October.

During construction, traffic will be shifted around the work area. Please use caution while traveling through the work zone.

The project includes installing an access platform under the bridge, removing the asphalt from the eastern half of the bridge roadway and installing additional reinforcing steel.

This is the final of four planned Public Works bridge-strengthening projects using funds from the voter-approved 2022 Safety and Livability Bond. This work will strengthen the bridges to allow heavier trucks to safely pass over local waterways.

Drivers and pedestrian should use caution, expect some delays and follow traffic control signage.

Site-specific information for each bridge can be found at https://www.cityofsalem.net/government/shaping-salem-s-future/safety-and-livability-bond.

Please continue to monitor the Current Road Conditions Map on the City of Salem website to receive up-to-date information on scheduled or emergency road closures in Salem: https://public-construction-salem.hub.arcgis.com/

For additional information, please contact the City of Salem at 503-588-6211 or service@cityofsalem.net.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

Media hotline: 503-813-6018 

Pacific Power urges customers to conserve energy now

Extreme weather across the region is causing higher than normal demand for electricity, and Pacific Power is encouraging our customers to reduce electricity consumption now. Pacific Power is asking all customers to voluntarily take steps to reduce energy use to help reduce strain on the electrical grid. 

Customers can take the following steps to help reduce the strain on the grid:

• Switch energy use to off-peak hours (from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.) whenever possible. 
• Limit use of appliances that generate heat – including dishwashers, ovens and clothes dryers – to the evening or early morning. 
• Turn off lights, computers, televisions and appliances when not in use. 
• Use fans to keep air moving inside your home. 

For more information about energy conservation, visit PacificPower.net/SummerCooling .

###

About Pacific Power 

Pacific Power provides safe and reliable electric service to more than 800,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. The company supplies customers with electricity from a diverse portfolio of generating plants including hydroelectric, natural gas, coal, wind, geothermal and solar resources. Pacific Power is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, with over two million customers in six western states. For more information, visit PacificPower.net.  

On Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 3:25 a.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a suspicious person walking between houses under construction in the 18000 block of NW Anastasia Drive in Bethany. The caller reported the suspicious person was leaving the location in a vehicle.

Responding deputies located the vehicle, a 2010 Nissan Versa, and identified the driver as 37-year-old Abel Arambula of Portland. Deputies noted duct tape had been placed over the license plate. Deputies also saw construction tools in the vehicle, and later learned that the vehicle was connected to a burglary at a construction site reported on August 7th, 2025.   

Deputies contacted the Sheriff’s Office Property Crimes Unit to assist with the investigation and applied for a search warrant to locate evidence of the burglary. At about 9:16 a.m., investigators executed the search warrant at Arambula’s residence and recovered multiple stolen items.

Arambula was arrested and transported to the Washington County Jail on three counts of burglary in the second degree, theft in the first degree, and criminal trespass in the first degree.

If you have any information about this incident and have not spoken to deputies, contact the Sheriff’s Office through non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111 referencing case number 50-25-10943. 

UPDATE: 8-22-25 3:10 p.m.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in connection with the August 18, 2025, robbery at the US Bank located at 6704 NE 117th Avenue in Vancouver.

Thanks to a public tip and diligent police work, investigators identified the suspect as 22-year-old Elijah Evans.

On August 21, 2025, at approximately 9:00 p.m., the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Detective Unit (TDU), with assistance from the Vancouver Police Department’s Crime Reduction Unit (CRU), conducted surveillance and located Evans at a residence in Orchards.

With additional support from CCSO and VPD patrol units, containment was established around the home, and an armored vehicle was positioned for safety. Evans exited the residence and was taken into custody without incident.

Detectives executed a search warrant at the residence and recovered key evidence, including clothing worn during the robbery and cash taken from the bank.

Deputies arrested Evans for Robbery in the First Degree (with a firearm) and two counts of Felony Harassment. They transported him to the Clark County Jail, where staff booked him on these charges.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the public for their assistance and the valuable tip that led to the swift identification and arrest of the suspect.

On August 18, 2025, at approximately 11:35 a.m., Clark County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were dispatched to a reported robbery at the US Bank at 6704 NE 117th Avenue in Vancouver.

The suspect implied they had a gun and robbed the bank. The suspect then left the bank and rode away on a bicycle.

If you have information related to the identity of the suspect (photos attached), please contact:

CCSO Sgt. Adam Beck
adam.beck@clark.wa.gov

HILLSBORO, Ore- On August 21, 2025, a Washington County jury found Over Francisco Ochoa-Lopez, age 27, guilty of kidnapping in the second degree. Deputy District Attorneys Rayney Meisel and Alyssa Camp prosecuted this case before Judge Janelle Wipper.

After participating in his trial for the first two days, the defendant failed to return to court for the conclusion of the proceedings. The remainder of the case was tried in abstention. A bench warrant was issued for his arrest. Anyone with information about the defendant’s location should contact law enforcement.

On September 17, 2023, the defendant approached a young child who was playing outside at an apartment complex in Beaverton. He did not know the child or her family. He picked her up and brought her to his apartment. She told him “no,” multiple times. Once inside, he closed the door and touched her chin. When he put her down, the child took the opportunity to flee the apartment and run home to her mother.

Beaverton police responded to the scene and obtained a description of the suspect. Mr. Ochoa-Lopez was located approximately half a mile away a short time later. He provided a false name and gave conflicting stories about where he was coming from. He was eventually taken into custody.

“While a conviction typically brings closure to a victim and their family, the defendant’s sudden and ongoing absence denies that relief, and represents a safety threat to our community. It is imperative that he be located so that justice can be fully served.” said DDA Meisel.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office commends the bravery of the victim and her family, and the work of the Beaverton Police Department on this case.

Authorities are actively searching for the defendant.

This morning a Washington County task force was requsted to deploy to the Flat Fire in Jefferson County. OSFM declared the Flat Fire as a conflagration this morning, August 22, 2025. Washington County agencies consisting of units from Hillsboro Fire & Rescue, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Forest Grove Fire & Rescue, and Banks Fire District created Task Force 44 and deployed for Sisters, Oregon at 1000 hours. Crews will remain on scene providing firefighting efforts for up to 14 days.

Drivers advised to use detour for east and westbound travel on SW Multnomah Blvd

PORTLAND, OR – Portland Water Bureau crews are repairing a main break at SW Multnomah Blvd and 54^th Avenue today, Friday, Aug. 22. Work is expected to last through the evening.

The City is advising drivers to avoid the area. Traffic is reduced to one lane, with a flagger directing traffic.  

Drivers should use caution while driving in the area. Keep your distance from crews, give flaggers plenty of space, and slow down when traveling through work zones.

Limited water service impacts

Water service is impacted for about 18 homes in an approximately six-block radius of the intersection. Impacted customers may be out of water or asked to boil water for the duration of the repair. If you have yellow or brown water at your tap and are impacted by a discolored water event, the Water Bureau is here to help. Report discolored water to the Water Quality Line. 

About the break

Crews are responding to a horizontal break in a 10-inch steel water main. The soil condition in the area and the depth of the water main could complicate the repair.  The first team on-site worked to stop the flow of water and pinpoint the location of the break. Today’s efforts will focus on replacing the damaged main.

About the Portland Water Bureau

The Portland Water Bureau serves water to almost a million people in the Portland area. Portland’s water system includes two great water sources, 54 tanks and reservoirs, and 2,250 miles of pipe. With 600 employees working on everything from water treatment to customer service, the Water Bureau is committed to serving excellent water every minute of every day. 

About the Public Works Service Area

The Public Works Service Area keeps Portland running by managing the city’s water, sewer, stormwater, parks and transportation systems. It includes the Bureau of Environmental Services, the Portland Bureau of Transportation, Portland Parks & Recreation, and the Portland Water Bureau. Public Works ensures reliable infrastructure, invests in sustainability, and supports essential services that enhance daily life for Portlanders.

The City of Portland ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, or to file a complaint of discrimination, contact 503-823-4000 (311), Relay Service & TTY: 711, or 503-823-8064. Visit Portland Water Bureau’s Disability and Language Access page for more information.

503-823-4000 Translation and Interpretation 

Traducción e Interpretación  |  Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch  |  अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या

口笔译服务 |  Устный и письменный перевод  |  Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad

Письмовий і усний переклад  |  Traducere și interpretariat  |  Chiaku me Awewen Kapas

Vancouver, Wash. – All comments are welcomed and encouraged regarding the draft Clark County 2024 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) and substantial amendments to the 2023 Annual Action Plan. The CAPER details the accomplishments that were completed between July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, through funding received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Substantial amendments to the 2023 Annual Action Plan describe changes in the use of HOME Investment Partnerships program funds.

The full draft CAPER can be found at https://clark.wa.gov/community-services/cdbg-and-home-documents.

In accordance with Consolidated Plan performance report requirements at 24 CFR Part 91.520, Citizen Participation requirements at 24 CFR Part 91 Subpart B, and the county’s Citizen Participation Plan, draft performance reports and changes to the Annual Action Plan through this Substantial Amendment are advertised to provide opportunity for public comment.

A public hearing will be held Sept. 23, 2025, at 10 a.m. before the Clark County Council. Information about how to access this meeting is available at https://clark.wa.gov/councilors/council-meeting-information.

Comments about the CAPER or the proposed changes may be submitted by email to een.Ebrahim@clark.wa.gov">Nooreen.Ebrahim@clark.wa.gov.or by calling 564.397.7834.

Comments will be accepted through 11:59 pm Monday, Sept. 22, 2025.

Substantial Amendment Changes

Funding allocated to the Second Step Housing Market Rate Unit Acquisition project in the amount of $421,959 of HOME funds, including $93,670 of CHDO set aside funding, has been rescinded.

Change in Use of Funding: Unspent HOME funding set aside for Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO) is being reallocated as undesignated HOME funds. CHDO set aside funding of $93,670 from program year 2023 is being converted.

On March 10, 2025, the Urban County Policy Board met to recommend projects through the 2025 request for application process, including contingency projects when additional funding becomes available during the program year. The following activities will receive funding: 1) Columbia Non-Profit Housing's River and Main new construction of senior housing will receive $41,153 to fully fund their request of $300,000. 2) Share's Tenant-Based Rental Assistance program will receive $17,619 to fully fund their request of $278,500. Tenant-based rental assistance programs provide rental assistance and case management services to people experiencing homelessness. The balance, $363,187, will be included in the program year 2026 application process.

VANCOUVER, Wash. (August 22, 2025) — Council for the Homeless has released the 2024 Homeless Crisis Response System Report for Clark County, Wash., offering a detailed look at both progress and persistent challenges in addressing homelessness in the region.

In 2024, 8,894 people from 3,804 households experienced homelessness in Clark County. While this represents a less than 2% increase in the number of people from 2023, the number of households decreased by 14%, signaling a rise in the average size of families experiencing homelessness. Alarmingly, 58% of individuals identified as newly homeless — a percentage unchanged from the previous year.

“These numbers highlight the urgent need for more affordable housing and continued collaboration across the entire response system,” said Sesany Fennie-Jones, chief executive officer at Council for the Homeless. “The data makes one thing clear: Solving homelessness in Clark County will take all of us, working together, with the right tools and resources.”

The 2024 data reveals that 43% of households experiencing homelessness identified as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC). This is a reminder of the racial disparities that persist in housing access and stability.

Additionally, 2,583 children under the age of 18 were among those who experienced homelessness in 2024, underlining the need for family- and youth-specific solutions.

Despite the continued high demand, several positive outcomes emerged in 2024:

• 49% increase in families stabilized through rental assistance
• 10% increase in veterans entering housing programs
• 8% increase in youth and young adults (YYA) housed through coaching and financial support
• 91% of people who entered Permanent Supportive Housing in 2023 remained housed for at least one year
• 87% of those housed in 2022 remained stably housed after two years

“Each percentage point of progress represents a human seeking stability,” CFTH Chief Operating Officer Sunny Wonder said. “Behind every data point is a child, a parent, or a veteran who now has a safe place to sleep. We must continue to invest in what works and scale those solutions.”

The Homeless Response System relies on real-time, person-specific data tools, such as By-Name Lists and Case Conferencing, to identify people in need, coordinate services, and track outcomes. These tools have proven successful, particularly for vulnerable populations such as youth and young adults; veterans; and individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.  

In 2024, the CFTH Housing Hotline received nearly 70,000 calls, illustrating the scale of need and the crucial role of centralized access to services. With more than 5,000 people newly homeless in 2024 alone, the crisis is far from over. The need for data-informed, equity-driven housing solutions is critical to reversing this trend. Additional resources are needed to scale proven solutions and fulfill the mission to prevent and end homelessness in Clark County.

“Homelessness is not an individual failure; it’s a community challenge that requires community solutions,” Fennie-Jones added. “If we want to see fewer people without homes in Clark County, we must act boldly and collaboratively to remove the barriers that keep people from safe and stable housing.”

The full 2024 Homeless Crisis Response System Report for Clark County, Wash., is available at https://www.councilforthehomeless.org/by-the-numbers/annual-system-data/. A public dashboard displaying data from publicly funded homeless services agencies, updated monthly, is available at www.councilforthehomeless.org/system-dashboard.

# # #

About Council for the Homeless: Council for the Homeless (CFTH) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness in Clark County, WA, by providing community leadership, compelling advocacy, and practical solutions to solve homelessness on an individual and community level. Founded in 1989, CFTH serves as the lead agency and coordinated entry for delivery of homeless services through the Continuum of Care for Homeless Services in Clark County, WA.

Salem, OR—The Oregon Department of Revenue is encouraging Oregon taxpayers to participate in an anonymous IRS feedback survey on tax preparation and filing options, which will run through September 2, 2025.

Oregon is one of 25 states that partnered with the IRS to provide a free option for taxpayers to file tax year 2024 returns electronically directly with the IRS and the state. More than 13,000 taxpayers filed their 2024 Oregon state income tax returns with Direct File Oregon, including almost 4,700 who first filed their federal returns with IRS Direct File.

“It’s important for Oregon taxpayers to take this opportunity to provide their valuable feedback to the IRS on free tax filing options,” said Oregon Department of Revenue director David Gerstenfeld. “Oregon counts on us to create a clear and easy experience for our customers and free tax filing options help us meet that mission.”

The Oregon Department of Revenue, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS encourage taxpayers to share their perspectives and help inform this important congressional report.

To participate, visit the Free Online Tax Preparation Feedback Survey or the IRS.gov landing page. Participation is anonymous.

-30-

MALHEUR COUNTY, Ore. (Aug. 22, 2025) - On Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 7:52 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 95, near milepost 47, in Malheur County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a northbound Subaru Legacy, operated by Barry Thomas Hostler (48) of Truckee (CA), struck the rear of a northbound Case International 7220 (tractor), operated by Jesse Dean White (67) of Jordan Valley, that was moving at slow speeds.

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

The operator of the Case International (White) was reportedly uninjured.

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

OSP was assisted by the Malheur 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.

LANE COUNTY, Ore. (Aug. 22, 2025)- On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 9:36 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Highway 58, near milepst 48, in Lane County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a westbound Nissan Sentra, operated by Joseph Bowers Luker Sr. (74) of Eugene, left the roadway for unknown reasons, traveled down an embankment, and rolled to its side.

The operator of the Nissan (Luker) was declared deceased at the scene.

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

OSP was assisted by ODOT.

# # #

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

AMBOY, WASHINGTON – North Clark Historical Museum is in upper Amboy at 21416 NE 399^th St. in the renovated 1910 United Brethren Church. The Museum was incorporated in 1988 and opened to the public in June of 2000.

The Museum will be open on Friday, August 22^nd, and Saturday, August 23^rd from Noon to 4:00 pm.

Directors Basement Sale       August 22^nd & 23^rd                  Noon to 4:00 pm

This is a fundraiser for NCHM by the Board of Directors.  A portion of the sales will be donated to the Museum General Fund for operating expenses.

Household items, toys, women’s bike, old tools, saws, brass art, highchairs, Dog Kennel, a small desk, a refrigerator (in good condition), and many more misc. items.

Don’t miss the 2025 Museum Raffle Quilt!  The quilt was made by the Chelatchie Quilters.  Tickets are $1.00.  The proceeds go to the Capital Improvement Fund for major upkeep and repairs on the building, such as a new roof.

No Admission Fee.          Donations appreciated.                Wheelchair accessible.     Air conditioned.

For more information, please contact 360-247-5800 and leave a message or email museumnch88@gmail.com.

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The North Clark Historical Museum was founded in 1988 and is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors. The doors were opened in June of 2000. Mission Statement:   To preserve North Clark County’s natural and cultural history through collections and exhibits, and to sponsor educational programs and research opportunities for the enrichment of the public.

HILLSBORO, Ore. - Oregon National Guard senior leaders and elected officials break ground for the new Hillsboro Readiness Center in a ceremony, August 21, 2025, in Hillsboro, Ore.

The new Hillsboro Readiness Center is located just one mile east of the original armory, which was built in 1954. The new facility will extend the National Guard’s capabilities in Hillsboro for the next 50 years. 

“As we break ground for the wonderful new readiness center, we look forward to continuing this legacy of connection and collaboration with Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment and Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment,” said Hillsboro Mayor Beach Pace. “We are excited for the future and remain deeply committed to the Hillsboro community.”

The 45,000 square-foot facility will include a drill floor, unit administrative areas and offices, storage, classroom space, and a kitchen. These updates will give the Oregon National Guard proper space to accomplish their mission. 

The project will also include a 20,000 square-foot storage facility for the M777 howitzers with pass-through bay doors, allowing the field artillery Soldiers to safely store and protect their equipment.

“This new readiness center will allow our Guard members to have a continued presence in the Hillsboro community, the same community in which they work and live,” said Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General, Oregon.

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On August 21, 2025, Jordan Hall Fernandez (17) pled guilty to Unlawful Use of a Weapon with a Firearm as an adult and admitted to an allegation of Robbery in the First Degree with a Firearm in juvenile court for an armed robbery committed when he was 16-years-old.  At the time of the robbery, Hall-Fernandez was on parole from the Oregon Youth Authority.  Therefore, he also admitted to a probation violation in that separate case. The resolution of these cases were part of a stipulated negotiation by the State and Hall Fernandez to resolve the matter jointly in both Criminal Court and Juvenile Court.

For the adult conviction, Marion County Circuit Court Judge Lindsay R. Partridge sentenced Hall Fernandez to 60 months Department of Corrections. On the juvenile matter, Judge Partridge committed Hall Fernandez to the custody of the Oregon Youth Authority for placement at a closed custody youth correctional facility.

For juvenile adjudications, offenders may be held in custody or be paroled by the Oregon Youth Authority until they’re 25. If waived into adult court, however, individuals who commit crimes while under 18 receive adult-length sentences but are also automatically eligible for a “second look” (release hearing) halfway through their criminal sentence due to the 2019 legislative changes to Oregon law under Senate Bill 1008 (“SB 1008 (2019)”).

Sente Bill 1008(2019), changed the way Oregon charges youth that commit violent felonies, requiring that their cases begin in Juvenile Court.  Here, through stipulated resolution, the State and the defense agreed to the waiver into adult court and the sentence described above, avoiding a lengthy and expensive hearing in which the State has to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the youth had an “adult-like understanding” of the nature of his actions at the time of the offense, and that it is in his and the public’s “best interests” that he be waived into adult court.

Youth’s co-defendant, Barry Johnson, plead guilty to Robbery in the First Degree and Felon in Possession of a Firearm for the same incident on June 30, 2025, in Marion County Circuit Court case 24CR32532 and awaits sentencing before Marion County Circuit Court Judge Courtland Geyer on September 5, 2025.

 The other involved, co-defendant juvenile remained in juvenile court and has been adjudicated for Robbery in the First Degree with a firearm. He was also committed to the Oregon Youth Authority.

This case was investigated by Salem Police Department, with special thanks to Salem Police Detectives Pence Hodges and Griffin McDowell, as well as Officer Alicia Gomnes, who located the stolen vehicle used in the robbery. The criminal and juvenile matters were prosecuted by Marion County Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan P. Murphy and Deputy District Attorney Tim O’Donnell.

Since the passage of SB 1008 (2019), Hall Fernandez remains part of a very small number of youth in Oregon who have committed significant, violent criminal acts who have been waived by either agreement or hearing into adult criminal court. “This is an appropriate outcome” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy.  “It accounts for the seriousness of the offense with an adult conviction, which will prohibit him from possessing firearms in the future, but it also provides the defendant with the rehabilitative services of the Oregon Youth Authority.  Furthermore, it avoids an incredibly costly, lengthy and complicated waiver proceeding for Marion County taxpayers.” 

The September quarterly meeting of the Veterans Advisory Committee to the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) will be held virtually and in person on Wednesday, September 3, in Room M-100 of Morrow Hall on the campus of Blue Mountain Community College, located at 2411 NW Carden Avenue in Pendleton. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. and will be followed by a town hall meeting at 11 a.m., which is open to the public.

Established in 1945, the Veteran Advisory Committee holds a distinct and fundamental role in advising the director and staff of ODVA. The nine members of the Veteran Advisory Committee are military veterans from all corners of the state, appointed by the governor to serve and act as advocates for veteran issues and veteran concerns across Oregon.

Following every quarterly business meeting, the committee holds a town hall inviting the public to raise questions or concerns about broad veteran issues or to share information with the committee and agency director.

Members of the community are also invited to submit written public comments to the committee by emailing odva_vaac@odva.oregon.gov. The Advisory Committee meets quarterly on the first Wednesday of March, June, September and December.

REGISTER TO ATTEND
Please register at events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/479e2265-6efc-43ec-b092-48d6b1917213@aa3f6932-fa7c-47b4-a0ce-a598cad161cf to attend the business or town hall portion of this meeting. Attendees will be allowed to participate during the town hall portion only and will be invited to turn on their camera and unmute mics during a recorded meeting that will be posted online at a later date.

The September 2025 Veterans Advisory Committee Quarterly Meeting Report is available on ODVA’s website here: oregon.gov/odva/Connect/Documents/September%202025%20VAC%20Quarterly%20Meeting%20Report%20FINAL.pdf. More information about the Veteran Advisory Committee can be found online at www.oregon.gov/odva/Connect/Pages/Advisory-Committee.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.

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HILLSBORO, Ore- On May 1, 2025, a Washington County jury found Megan Elizabeth Meek guilty of assault in the second degree. Deputy District Attorney Matt Wise prosecuted this case before Judge Theodore Sims.

On August 20, 2025, Judge Sims decided not to impose a 70-month sentence required under Measure 11 for this conviction and instead sentenced Ms. Meek to five years of supervised probation over the objection of the District Attorney’s Office.

Under State v Rodrigeuz/Buck, 347 Or 46 (2009), a sentencing court may impose a lesser sentence than otherwise required by Measure 11 if the court determines the Measure 11 sentence is disproportionate to the crime.

“While we respect the authority of the court to issue a sentence in this case, we strongly disagree with it,” said Stephen Mayer, Public Information Officer for the Washington County District Attorney’s Office. “Parents and caregivers who risk the death of children by exposing them to dangerous drugs like fentanyl should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Were it not for the heroic actions of the Beaverton police officers and first responders from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, this child would not be alive today. We intend to seek an appeal of this sentencing decision.”

On March 13, 2023, the defendant and her fiancé, Bret Mitchell Hollmann, began their day by smoking fentanyl pills that Mr. Hollman had purchased. Their two-year-old daughter was with them. Later that day, they planned to take the child to a babysitter so they could go shopping. They stopped at an area business along the way. Ms. Meek then went inside to make a purchase. When she returned to the vehicle, she put her bag containing multiple fentanyl pills and other drug paraphernalia in the backseat within reach of the toddler. The child was able to gain access to the pills and swallowed several of them.

When they arrived at their ultimate destination, the defendant and Mr. Hollmann noticed the child was actively overdosing on fentanyl. When officers from the Beaverton Police Department arrived, the child was unconscious, not breathing, and had no detectable pulse. The pair told officers that the child needed to have her stomach pumped because she had swallowed the fentanyl pills.

Officers administered two doses of Narcan to the child and saved her life, but she overdosed again once she reached the hospital due to the sheer amount of fentanyl in her system. Hospital staff had to put the victim on a Narcan drip for a full day to keep her alive.

Mr. Hollmann admitted to officers that he purchased the fentanyl pills. He was caught smoking additional fentanyl at the hospital while his daughter was undergoing treatment and was removed from the facility. He was later
sentenced to four years in prison after he pleaded guilty to assault in the third degree and unlawful possession of a schedule II controlled substance – substantial quantities.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office commends the life-saving efforts of the Beaverton Police Department, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, and hospital staff.

SALEM, Ore.—When the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) deploys its people to a wildland fire they battle more than just the flames.

“It’s not hard to imagine the typical challenges that firefighters face – long shifts, hot and dry conditions, working in steep and brushy terrain, snags, poison oak, blisters - the list goes on,” said Chet Behling, Assistant District Forester for ODF’s Western Lane District.   “Firefighters have been accustomed to these conditions and have found creative ways to mitigate the physical challenges in order to focus on the job, and the mission of the assignment. However, there are mental strains to the work as well, and although they may be harder to see or imagine, we’re learning ways to better recognize, understand, and mitigate them.”

Firefighters’ work requires a sense of urgency, performance at high levels for long periods of time, and often includes high-stress environments such as mitigating hazards, protecting homes and communities from fire, and working around large fires’ unpredictable behaviors.

“All those elements add to the mental stressor component of the job,” said Behling. “Mental stressors combined with the physical challenges can certainly have a cumulative impact on a person’s mental or physiological health, especially on longer assignments or during lengthy fire seasons.”

To help staff navigate through these cumulative effects, Behling and fourteen other ODF employees were selected to be part of the department’s Peer Support Team. The team is an official internal resource with a focus on mental health awareness, better understanding and mitigating its effects, and ultimately building employee resiliency.  Each team member receives in-depth training and is required to maintain confidentially in all their interactions.

The Peer Support Team was officially launched before the 2022 fire season but had its beginnings in 2020, in the aftermath of the massive and destructive Labor Day fires, a non-fire related ODF employee death, and the impacts of the COVID pandemic.

There was no formal contact or program at ODF to help employees mentally process and navigate their recovery from these on-the-job traumatic experiences. There is now.

“Don Everingham, who worked closely with those impacted by the Labor Day fires, and Teresa Williams along with her coworkers in Klamath who had to overcome the unexpected death of a coworker, were instrumental in forming the group,” said Bob Arnsmeier a Peer Support Team member and the training coordinator for the Southern Oregon Area. 

All Peer Support Team members receive Critical Incident Stress Management training, and training specifically tailored to ODF by Responder Life. The department also covers travel costs for team members to talk with employees about the help available and respond to any area of the state after a critical incident. All team members are covered under Oregon statue to maintain confidentiality.

“The training, travel and confidentiality allows us to be more effective when helping our peers,” said Arnsmeier. “However, a main component to success is trust. We are naturally more comfortable with people we know, people who have similar experiences and people who have survived and then thrived after overcoming something really bad.”

The Peer Support Team gets most of its contacts and employees seeking help through word of mouth.

“Even though the group is relatively new, people know we are here to help,” said Arnsmeier.  “But if you aren’t familiar with us there is a great website with all our bios and backgrounds and you can find one of us that can not only relate to your situation but be there for you and likely have had a similar experience.”

Arnsmeier, who is in his 13^th year at ODF, also mentions in his bio on the website he worked for a county.

“I was a deputy sheriff for 10 years,” said Arnsmeier. “Unfortunately, I experienced a lot of deaths—suicides, crashes, children, and no one really wants to talk about those, but I will if it helps someone deal with their incident. The one that impacted me the most was an in the line of duty death of one of my coworkers in a car crash. After the incident we all kind of looked at each other with an implied ‘now what do we do?’ I think a lot of folks ask that ‘now what do I do’ question and this group can help.”

The Support Team is there to help anyone who needs it including full-time, seasonal, and those from other agencies and states battling an Oregon wildfire.

“Our seasonal firefighters work hard to keep fires small and are a valuable component to the program. They are highly valued in the agency and by the communities they serve, and are often part of a tight-knit group of firefighters with good camaraderie at their local office,” said Behling. “Come fall when fire season ends, they’re laid off and life may look drastically different having less daily structure and lack of a tight-knit work group. This could be a tough adjustment, and we are here for them.”

Others work through the impacts of life-changing events in addition to or apart from wildfire challenges: divorce, substance abuse, domestic violence, step-parenting, children with disabilities, and they often just need someone to talk to.

“We are here for you,” said Behling. “I’ve had personal or someone close to me experience in battling anxiety, panic attacks, stress management/feeling overwhelmed and more. No issue is too small if it impacts your work and personal life. I would look forward to understanding where you are, and how I could assist you to get you back on track. There is value in knowing you have someone to reach out to, and an even higher value in actually reaching out. If more is needed, we help with referrals to all sorts of resources and professionals.”

For those involved with firefighting the ODF has a contract with the Responder Life for additional support. There are also contacts for the employee assistance program and the ODF employee health insurance providers that have mental health benefits on the Peer Support Team webpage.

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) has adopted new fees for the Removal-Fill Program, which helps protect wetlands and waterways by requiring permits for projects that add or remove material from rivers, lakes, wetlands, and streams, and other waters throughout Oregon.

The updated fees take effect January 1, 2026. Applications received on or before December 31, 2025 will be charged current 2025 rates.

Key changes include:

• A five-year fee schedule with annual increases, starting in 2026.
• Fees that begin covering 60% of program costs in 2026 and rise to 80% by 2030.
• A tiered structure will set fees according to project size, complexity, and whether the project is for-profit or not.
• A five percent annual inflation adjustment.

Oregon’s Removal-Fill Program protects waters by reviewing projects such as bridge and boat ramp construction, culvert installation, or filling wetlands for development. When wetlands or waters are present, applicants must submit a wetland delineation report to identify the boundaries of the protected area.

Currently, permit fees cover only 21% of program costs. The remaining costs come from the interest accrued by the Common School Fund, which supports Oregon’s public schools. The new fee structure reduces this subsidy while giving applicants a clear schedule of costs for the next five years.

The new fees were developed with input from a rulemaking advisory committee and two rounds of public comment. DSL adopted the rules after considering feedback from communities, Tribes, industry, and other partners.

More information and the full fee schedule are available at oregon.gov/dsl/wetlands-waters,

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www.oregon.gov/dsl

CORVALLIS, Ore. — September is National Preparedness Month, and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) Emergency Management team invites the community to its annual Preparedness Fair on Sunday, September 7, from 1-5 pm, at the Philomath Frolic & Rodeo Grounds. The event will run alongside the highly anticipated Public Safety Chili Cook-Off, making it a day full of education, fun, and community spirit.

Admission to the Preparedness Fair is free and located just outside the Chili Cook-Off gates. Families, students, and community members of all ages are encouraged to attend.

The Preparedness Fair offers hands-on opportunities to learn how to prepare for a wide variety of emergencies, including wildfires, floods, earthquakes, winter storms, and extended power outages. Visitors can explore interactive displays, pick up valuable preparedness materials, and meet face-to-face with local emergency response experts.

Featured preparedness topics include:

• Building an emergency “go-kit” for your family, pets, and livestock
• Long-term food and water storage techniques
• Wildfire awareness and home hardening strategies
• Emergency communication and alert systems
• Power outage and utility safety
• Community volunteer opportunities in emergency response

Participating partners include:

• BCSO Marine Patrol
• BCSO Emergency Management Volunteer Corps
• Benton County Community Development
• Corvallis Mountain Rescue Unit
• Oregon Department of Emergency Management
• Oregon State Fire Marshal
• HazAdapt
• Pacific Power
• Oregon Livestock Council
• Oregon Department of Forestry
• Corvallis Emergency Management
• American Red Cross
• City of Philomath Police Department
• Oregon State University Public Safety

Attendees can collect free emergency preparedness swag, resources, and toolkits to take home. In addition, kids will enjoy hands-on activities designed to make learning about safety fun and engaging.

“Disasters can happen anytime, anywhere,” said BCSO Emergency Manager Bryan Lee. “The Preparedness Fair is a chance for residents to gain practical knowledge, connect with experts, and take small but important steps toward keeping their families and neighbors safe.”

The event provides a unique opportunity to prepare while also enjoying the community atmosphere of the Chili Cook-Off, where local agencies compete for the best recipe while raising funds for public safety programs.

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Gresham, Ore.— Police are now offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of three suspects in the murder of 13-year-old Liam Spahnle-Bailey.  Spahnle-Bailey was killed in his sleep by a stray bullet on April 27^th. 

Today, the Gresham Police Department, Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, and US Marshals Service announced a $15,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of Anthony Hunter Jr, Xavier Hirsch, and Terrell Coy.

Police believe the suspects may have travelled out of the Portland area.  Hunter and Hirsh both have connections to Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas.  Terrell Coy has connections to Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. 

Anyone with information can contact GPD tip line at 503-618-2719 or toll-free at 1-888-989-3505.  Information can be sent directly to investigators via email at tin.Daly@GreshamOregon.gov">Martin.Daly@GreshamOregon.gov or iderich@GreshamOregon.gov">Lindsay.Friderich@GreshamOregon.gov.  Anonymous information can be submitted via Crime Stoppers, www.CrimeStoppersUSA.org.

OREGON CITY - On Aug. 7, Clackamas Community College President Tim Cook jumped into the Columbia River in Hood River to celebrate the completion of his run across Oregon this summer.

Over the course of 53 days and more than 1,400 miles, Cook ran to each of the 17 community colleges in Oregon to raise awareness and funds for student basic needs. The campaign, Running for Oregon Community College Students (ROCCS), kicked off on June 16 at Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Ore. From there he worked his way across eastern and central Oregon, then south to Klamath Falls, up the Willamette Valley, over to the coast up to Astoria, down through the Portland metro area and ending in Hood River.

During the run, Cook: 

• Ran 1,411 miles

• Averaged 27 miles a day, totalling 53 marathons

• Took 3,990,967 steps

• Climbed 64,183 feet, equivalent to two Mt. Everests 

• Burned 148,965 calories

• Lost five toenails

• Endured many blisters

• Wore out six pairs of shoes

• Drank 30 gallons of sport drink and 40 gallons of water

• Slurped 60 protein shakes, 45 popsicles, 10 smoothies and 12 cherry-dipped cones

• Ate 100 eggs, 15 oranges, 20 watermelons and 15 pints of blueberries

• Used eight cans of sunscreen

This ambitious campaign spotlighted the growing need for basic resources such as food, housing, child care and transportation that often create barriers to student success.

“Several years ago, I got really concerned about the number of students at CCC who were living out of their cars. I saw our food pantries get wiped out every week, and I started to really worry about their basic needs,” Cook said. “I wanted to do something like this to hopefully raise attention to the fact that students are struggling.”

ROCCS garnered attention not only at the state level, but at a national level, including from U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, who recognized Cook on the Senate Floor on July 23. He said, "President Tim Cook is running, not for office, but he is running for his students. He is pounding the pavement in the summer heat to highlight that when students’ basic needs are met, they can focus on education and create a brighter future for themselves, their families and their communities.” 

At Clackamas Community College, 38% of students reported food insecurity in a survey last spring. They also shared challenges with affording child care and transportation. Statewide, more than 200,000 community college students face ongoing challenges, with more than 40 percent reporting food insecurity and 20 percent reporting homelessness in the past year. A survey from The Hope Center highlights the pressing needs of Oregon's community college students:

• Food insecurity: Approximately 41% of students reported experiencing food insecurity within the previous 30 days.

• Housing insecurity: About 52% of students faced housing insecurity in the past year, which includes difficulties such as affording rent, utilities or the need to move frequently.

• Homelessness: Nearly 20% of students experienced homelessness in the past year, indicating a lack of stable and safe housing.

“The CCC Foundation is incredibly proud of President Cook and his dedication to community college students. Every week, we receive multiple requests for basic need support, and the need is increasing. By the end of July 2025, the foundation had distributed nearly the amount it had distributed in the entire calendar year 2024. Requests for rent and utility bills are the most common, along with medical bills and transportation. When we can support a student's basic needs, they can stay enrolled and achieve their educational goals instead of worrying about their next meal,” CCC Foundation Executive Director Debra Mason said.

To date, the campaign has surpassed the goal of $150,000 and has nearly 800 donors, with funds being distributed directly to each participating college. To further support students’ basic needs, the CCC Foundation has created a new endowment that will provide help today and for years to come..

“To everyone who has aided the ROCCS campaign in any way, whether it was through donations, volunteering or cheerleading from the sidelines, thank you. The level of support and generosity we have experienced along the way gives me hope for our students and their futures,” Cook said.

There is still time to donate as the campaign is open through Aug. 30. To learn more or contribute, visit run4orccstudents.org. ROCCS was sponsored by Rivermark Community Credit Union, Johnson RV, Daimler Truck North America, The Ford Family Foundation, Jim Laden and Rep. Rob Nosse, and the CCC Foundation.

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Downloadable video: Clip of finish line event sponsored by Columbia Gorge Community College in Hood River. https://wipapp.wipster.io/review/CbbAVwBkSu87arELaJH_r5sarat6CNqKFa5ev5hIOiibeEaofA

Vancouver, Wash. – Due to the extreme fire danger, recreational fires will be prohibited throughout unincorporated Clark County effective immediately.

This recreational fire restriction is in addition to the general outdoor burning prohibition that was implemented on July 3. According to Fire Marshal Donna Goddard this is a preventive measure to help avoid the risk of grass or brush fires as a result of escaped campfires. Looking at current conditions along with the extended forecast, the ban goes into effect immediately and will remain in effect until further notice.    

Self-contained camp stoves, which are not banned, are a safe and easy alternative for outdoor cooking.

Creating a defensible space around a home helps prevent wildfires from spreading to a residence, or vice versa. Goddard recommends the following measures in both rural and urban areas:

• Remove fuel
  • Within 3-5 feet of foundations, outbuildings, garages and sheds
  • Within 10 feet of a house
  • Under decks and porches
  • From gutters, eaves, porches and decks
• Cut the lawn if it is brown. Dispose of debris and cuttings.
• Prune trees so lowest branches are 6-10 feet above the ground.
• Landscape with native and flame-resistant plants.

Learn more about preventing wildfires on the county’s website at https://clark.wa.gov/community-development/wildfire-prevention.

BACK TO SCHOOL

Many families find themselves getting ready for back to school. With many public and private schools throughout Lincoln County, motorists need to remember to slow down near neighborhoods and schools.

How do I know when the school zone speed limit is active?

A school speed zone is in effect each morning and afternoon when school is in session, when children are walking to and from school, and when there’s a chance they may be present. The speed limit is 20 mph in a posted school zone between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on schooldays. If the school zone is equipped with a flashing yellow light(s), the speed limit is in effect when flashing.

These speed limits help keep children safe. Many of our schools include students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. With varying ages, heights, and abilities, a parked car can obscure students’ view of traffic and your view of them. Students may be distracted while stepping onto the roadway or forget to look before crossing the street. Driving at 20 mph will give you more time to react and avoid a collision. The following chart reveals the distance required to stop at specific speeds.

Traffic crashes are one of the deadliest hazards our children face. Let's do our part when we pass schools by slowing down, watching, and expecting the unexpected. Everyone needs to do their part to ensure the safety of our children.

For more information and tips visit our website at www.lincolncountysheriff.net and like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon.

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Vancouver, Wash. – City leaders, community leaders, and development partners will gather from 11 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Aug. 27, for the ceremonial groundbreaking of a new affordable housing community. The event marks the first construction milestone in the City’s efforts to develop Waterfront Gateway and continues the City’s commitment to creating affordable housing in Vancouver through the Affordable Housing Fund.

“This groundbreaking symbolizes more than the start of construction; it is a sign of our commitment to creating affordable housing in Vancouver,” said Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle. “The partners assembled on this project represent a shared vision for equity, sustainability, and cultural inclusion, values that will shape the future of our Waterfront Gateway and ensure it remains a place where all Vancouver residents can thrive.”
 

The project, located at 615 W. 6th Street and developed by Colas Development Group (CDG) and Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA), will transform the 0.92-acre site into a six-story 95-unit building offering a mix of affordable studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. The City invested $1.27 million from its Affordable Housing Fund, sold the land for $1 to ensure affordability, leveraged the state’s construction sales tax exemption, and reduced impact fees to make this community possible.

Scott Edwards Architecture says that the building’s architecture is “influenced by Native American ancestry and tribal ties to the land and rivers—the exterior’s façade is inspired by the patterning of Native American-woven baskets made from native plants, the use of color and movement to represent the rivers, and movement in the building’s massing to visually break up its length while expressing the flow of a river.” The project features sustainability measures such as an on-site solar array, electric hot water heat pumps, and healthy materials in an all-electric building.
 

The partnership formed by CDG and NAYA worked closely with the City of Vancouver and Lincoln (Waterfront Gateway Master Plan Developer) to secure the affordable housing parcel for redevelopment. CDG and NAYA, with support from the Cowlitz Tribe and built by Colas Construction Inc., will deliver a community that is rooted in Native American culture and will attract Native American families and individuals earning between 50% and 60% of the area's median income.

This is the first of several developments planned for the 6.4-acre Waterfront Gateway District. The redevelopment will connect Vancouver’s Columbia River waterfront with its historic downtown. Waterfront Gateway advances the City’s Strategic Plan by providing much-needed housing to the area, including affordable housing; creating retail opportunities for local small businesses; and designing new public spaces for city events and gatherings.

The development is expected to be complete and ready to lease by February 2027.

Expected speakers include:

• Anne McEnerny-Ogle, Mayor 
• Kim Harless, City Councilor
• Tanna Engdahl, Cowlitz Tribe
• Oscar Arana, NAYA
• Andrew Colas, CDG

For the duration of the event, media can park free of charge in the parking lot adjacent to the event site at 615 W. 6^th Street (enter from Esther Street).

Two years ago, the Camp Creek Fire burned over 2,000 acres in the Bull Run Watershed, the highly protected forest that serves as Portland’s primary drinking water source. Fortunately, Portland’s water quality wasn’t affected. But the event underscores the crucial need to strengthen the resilience of the system we’ve worked so hard to build. 

As wildfires and other extreme weather events become more common, the Portland Water Bureau is proactively safeguarding our region’s most vital natural resource: our drinking water.

“We’re focused on the long-term value for Portlanders. By making these investments now, we can avoid higher costs and bigger risks later,” said Water Bureau Interim Director Quisha Light.

The Portland Water Bureau continues to prepare and protect the region’s drinking water against potential impacts from wildfire and other disasters. These efforts include:

• Building a new water filtration facility that will increase resilience against post-fire impacts
• Collaborative planning and patrols with the US Forest Service
• Investments in remote monitoring and early detection systems
• Active supply planning and maintaining our secondary groundwater supply as an alternate source

For the anniversary of the Camp Creek Fire, we’re inviting journalists to interview Water Bureau experts who can speak to the urgency of this work, the science behind it, and what Portlanders should know about how we protect their water. View our media kit here.

Quicker recovery

The Water Bureau is building a new filtration facility that will remove sediment from our water and allow us to safely serve Bull Run water after a fire or extreme weather event. Heavy rain can wash dirt, plant debris, ash, and other organics into our streams and reservoirs. This can be more pronounced following a wildfire. The Bull Run is currently unfiltered. Right now, if large amounts of dirt or organic material enter our supply, we can’t safely serve the water.

Once the filtration facility is up and running, our upgraded multistep treatment process will help address turbidity (sediment suspended in water) and other potential impacts to our water supply that can result from a fire, a landslide, volcanic activity, or a large storm. The ability to address these impacts through filtration will help our community access clean water, even after a disaster.

Better customer protection

The new filtration facility will greatly reduce the threat of a long-term outage of the Bull Run system and is one way the Portland Water Bureau is preparing for the future.

Today, we turn to our secondary source, groundwater from the Columbia South Shore Well Field, when we need to replace or supplement the Bull Run supply. But our groundwater supply can’t meet peak summer demand or provide 100% of our long-term supply. If we had to rely solely on groundwater for an extended period, we would likely need to ask customers to reduce their water use to help stretch our supply. Filtration can help us avoid that possibility.

Access to safe and plentiful water is critical to the health and vitality of our community. Investments in the filtration facility and in our groundwater system go hand in hand to improve the reliability of our drinking water supply for all customers.

Added health benefits

Filtration will not only provide stronger supply resilience—it will also help Portland comply with federal and state safe drinking water regulations today and in the future. The Water Bureau is required to build the filtration facility to remove the microorganism Cryptosporidium from our water. And filtration will also remove other harmful microorganisms and contaminants. One important health benefit is that, by removing organics, filtration will reduce regulated compounds such as disinfection byproducts that can cause health problems in people.

The new filtration facility is under construction, and the Water Bureau is working to have the new facility in operation by September 2027. When complete, this project will protect our drinking water and our community—helping us provide consistent high-quality drinking water and making our water system more resilient to future risks.

About the Portland Water Bureau

The Portland Water Bureau serves water to almost a million people in the Portland area. Portland’s water system includes two great water sources, 54 tanks and reservoirs, and 2,250 miles of pipe. With 600 employees working on everything from water treatment to customer service, the Water Bureau is committed to serving excellent water every minute of every day. 

About the Public Works Service Area

The Public Works Service Area keeps Portland running by managing the city’s water, sewer, stormwater, parks and transportation systems. It includes the Bureau of Environmental Services, the Portland Bureau of Transportation, Portland Parks & Recreation, and the Portland Water Bureau. Public Works ensures reliable infrastructure, invests in sustainability, and supports essential services that enhance daily life for Portlanders.

The City of Portland ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, or to file a complaint of discrimination, contact 503-823-4000 (311), Relay Service & TTY: 711, or 503-823-8064. Visit Portland Water Bureau’s Disability and Language Access page for more information.

503-823-4000 Translation and Interpretation 

Traducción e Interpretación  |  Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch  |  अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या

口笔译服务 |  Устный и письменный перевод  |  Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad

Письмовий і усний переклад  |  Traducere și interpretariat  |  Chiaku me Awewen Kapas

SALEM, Oregon— The Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Program (LWCF) will start accepting applications Sept. 15 for the approximately $8 million in funds for the 2025 grant cycle.

Applications are due by Nov. 17. The LWCF is a federally funded reimbursement grant program that provides matching grants to state and local governments for land acquisition, development and rehabilitation for public outdoor recreation areas and facilities.

Eligible applicants are cities, counties, metropolitan service districts, park and recreation districts, port districts, federally recognized tribal governments and certain Oregon state agencies.

An optional webinar is scheduled 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Sept. 10 to provide information on the program and how to navigate the application process. Register for the live workshop at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4z-v0Hu-RnuaWfDOQjv_8Q.  

A recording of the webinar will be posted on the LWCF web page after September 10.

Access to the LWCF application will be available online at oprdgrants.org when the grant cycle opens. New applicants must first request an account via the website before they are granted application access.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund Program is funded through the National Park Service and administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Since 1964, this national grant program has awarded more than $80 million in grant funds for Oregon recreational areas and facilities.

Additional information about the LWCF program, including the grant manual, application instructions and program schedule, is available on the Land and Water Conservation Fund web page.

For information, contact Nohemi Enciso at nohemi.enciso@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-480-9092.

PORTLAND, OR – The Department of Veterans Affairs will realign an additional $800 million this fiscal year as part of the Veterans Health Administration’s Non-Recurring Maintenance program, which makes infrastructure improvements to health care facilities to ensure safe and effective patient care.

The extra funding means more resources to repair and update aging VA facilities and technology.

The extra money will be spent on a variety of improvement projects at various VA health care facilities across the nation, including the Portland VA Medical Center, where the following improvements will occur:

• Correct FCA HVAC Deficiencies Bldg 2 Laundry/Warehouse (Vancouver)
• Renovate Building 20 in Vancouver to consolidate Dental services
• TK - Renovation of Hybrid OR Bldg 100 RM 132
• Install Access Ramp at Bldg. 1 CLC Vancouver

“This is another step forward in our efforts to make VA work better for the Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors we are charged with serving,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “Improved facilities, equipment and infrastructure help improve care for Veterans, and these additional funds will enable VA to achieve that goal.”

The additional funds will come from savings gleaned from various VHA reform efforts. The additions will bring total NRM program spending for fiscal year 2025 to $2.8 billion — a nearly $500 million increase from fiscal year 2024.

The improvements announced today are the latest in a growing list of VA accomplishments during the second Trump Administration, including:

• The backlog of Veterans waiting for VA benefits is down more than 37% since Jan. 20, 2025.
• Since Jan. 20, VA has offered Veterans nearly 1 million appointments outside of normal operating hours. These early-morning, evening, and weekend appointments are giving Veterans more timely and convenient options for care.
• VA has opened 16 new health care clinics across the nation since Jan. 20, 2025.
• The President’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request would add billions to VA’s budget.
• VA has made it easier and faster for VA-enrolled Veterans to access care from non-VA providers at the department’s expense.
• VA has implemented major reforms to make it easier for survivors to get benefits.
• VA is processing record numbers of disability claims, reaching 1 million claims processed for FY25 on Feb. 20 and reaching 2 million claims by June — both achievements were done in record time.

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Media Contact: Nick Choy

Public Affairs Specialist, VA Portland Health Care System

3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, Oregon 97239

Email: aymond.choy@va.gov">raymond.choy@va.gov or -publicaffairs@med.va.gov">vhapor-publicaffairs@med.va.gov

Phone: (360) 619-5960