WHAT:
Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, the Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation, donors, and community partners will celebrate the start of new Washougal Community Library construction. The event will include brief remarks from project leaders, followed by a ceremonial groundbreaking and photo opportunity.

WHO:
Remarks will be provided by:

• Jennifer Giltrop, Executive Director, Fort Vancouver Regional Library District

• Laura Klinger, Principal, Hacker Architects 

• Jennifer Wilkerson, Executive Director, Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation

WHEN:
2 to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15

WHERE:
Future site of the new Washougal Community Library, 222 Durgan St., Washougal 

VISUALS:
Speakers, project partners, and community members will participate in a ceremonial groundbreaking. Photos from the event will be available to the media upon request following the event. Architectural design renderings of the new space are attached. 

BACKGROUND:
The new, 14,000-square-foot Washougal Community Library will replace the community’s current approximately 2,300-square-foot library, which has served Washougal since 1981. The new library will provide dedicated spaces for children, teens, and adults; a large community room; meeting and study rooms; expanded collections and technology access; and an outdoor courtyard.

The new library will be built on a 17,250-square-foot downtown property donated to FVRLibraries in 2021 at 222 Durgan St., near Washougal City Hall and other planned civic improvements downtown. Construction is expected to begin shortly after the Oct. 15 groundbreaking, with the new library scheduled to open in 2028.

The $19.4 million project is supported through a combination of FVRLibraries funding, a Washington State Department of Commerce grant, and private philanthropy.

Learn more at www.fvrl.org/NewWashougalLibrary.

EUGENE, Ore.—A Bend, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for robbery and use of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Russell Ian Boggess, 43, was sentenced to 125 months in federal prison and 5 years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, on July 23, 2024, Boggess robbed a cannabis dispensary in Bend at gunpoint. Boggess was armed with a 9mm handgun, carried a bag, and wore a bandana covering his face. He pointed his gun at an employee and demanded the employee give him marijuana stored behind the counter. While pointing the gun near the employee, Boggess tried to fire the gun twice, but it jammed both times. Boggess then walked behind the counter and took the marijuana himself. Boggess pistol whipped the employee when the employee attempted to call 911.

Officers from the Bend Police Department (BPD) responded to the scene within minutes of the robbery and took Boggess into custody. BPD recovered the gun containing a 34-round magazine. The gun was later test fired and was found to be operational.

On September 19, 2024, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a 3-count indictment charging Boggess with interference with commerce by threats or violence, felon in possession of ammunition, and use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

This case was investigated by FBI and BPD. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Nelson and Assistant U.S. Attorney William McLaren.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.

# # #

At 6:46am on Wednesday October 7th, Cornelius Firefighters were dispatched to a reported commercial fire located at 2170 SW Lafollett Road, which is just outside the city limits in rural Washington County. While responding, crews observed a column of smoke and upgraded the incident to a 1st Alarm Fire. When firefighters arrived, they found a 17,000 square foot building with flames showing through the roof. Based on the size of the building, the first in chief officer upgraded the incident to a 2nd Alarm to bring additional resources to the scene. Firefighters began to attack the flames from the interior of the structure, but after approximately 15 minutes, those crews were withdrawn from the interior due to the roof becoming unstable. Crews transitioned to fight the flames from the exterior with hose lines as well as from a ladder truck. After fighting the flames from the exterior for 20 minutes, it was deemed safe enough for crews to re-enter the structure and extinguish the flames.

Full extinguishment of the fire was made difficult due to the roof section collapsing into the building and hiding several hot spots as well as difficult to access hot spots along the roof line. The incident was deemed under control almost two hours after the call was initially dispatched. Due to the rural location with no municipal fire hydrants nearby, fire crews had to bring water to the scene in 3,000 gallon water tenders. These water tenders would take turns shuttling water from the nearest fire hydrant in the city limits, which was a 1.25 miles round trip. One firefighter was assessed on scene for a minor extremity injury and did not require transport to a hospital.

The structure was originally built as a berry processing facility for the nearby agricultural community. The current use of the building was in the process of growing hemp. The building was divided into four sections, firefighters were able to keep the fire isolated to one of those four areas, with only smoke and water damaging the other three areas. The cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time.

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

Scene Information:

Engines - 7
Trucks - 2
Water Tenders - 7
Chiefs - 6

Total Fire Personnel: 59

A full evening of Western action, family fun and entertainment in Clatsop County

ASTORIA, OR — The Clatsop County Fair & Expo is bringing the excitement of roughstock rodeo to Clatsop County this fall with the Clash of the Cowboys Roughstock Rodeo, presented by Jason Kraushaar Contracting, LLC, on Saturday, November 14, 2026.

The indoor rodeo will feature an action-packed night of bulls, broncs and barrels, operated by Howell Rodeo Company. Rodeo fans and families are invited to experience the excitement of the arena, along with vendor exhibits and a variety of activities throughout the evening.

The fun begins before the rodeo with a free, family-friendly pre-show program at 4 p.m. hosted by the Clatsop County Fair & Expo. The pre-show will take place in the Exhibit Hall and outside the main entrance and is open to the public at no cost.

Visitors can enjoy retail vendors, food trucks, a mechanical bull, cash bar, dummy roping competition, music and more during the pre-show.

Event Schedule
Saturday, November 14, 2026
Clatsop County Fair & Expo
92937 Walluski Loop, Astoria, OR 97103

• 4 p.m. — Free Pre-Show: Exhibit Hall and food trucks outside the main entrance
• 6 p.m. — Indoor Arena Doors Open
• 7 p.m. — Clash of the Cowboys Roughstock Rodeo Begins

The rodeo will take place indoors with bleacher seating. Guests are welcome to bring a seat cushion for additional comfort. Free parking is available at the fairgrounds.

Ticket Information
Tickets are required for the Clash of the Cowboys Roughstock Rodeo.

Advance Tickets:

• Adults: $25 + ticket fees and taxes
• Children 10 and under: $10 + ticket fees and taxes
• Children under 24 months: Free when seated on a parent or guardian's lap

At the Door:

• Adults: $30 + ticket fees and taxes
• Children 10 and under: $12 + ticket fees and taxes

Tickets are available online at clatsopcofair.com. Sales are final. No refunds.

A Night of Western Action
The Clash of the Cowboys Roughstock Rodeo is designed to deliver an exciting night of Western entertainment for rodeo fans and newcomers alike. The evening will feature:

• Bulls
• Broncs
• Barrels
• Rodeo action operated by Howell Rodeo Company
• Vendor exhibits
• Food trucks
• Music and entertainment
• Dummy roping competition
• Mechanical bull
• Cash bar

With the combination of a free family-friendly pre-show and an exciting indoor rodeo, the event offers something for everyone — whether you're a longtime rodeo fan or looking for a fun Saturday night out.

The Clatsop County Fair & Expo is located at 92937 Walluski Loop in Astoria. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the free pre-show, grab some food, visit vendors and take part in the activities before heading into the arena. Go to clatsopcofair.com/ for more information.

###

Oregon Surgical Wellness Welcomes
Breast Surgical Oncologist Sara B. Cartwright, DO

Dr. Cartwright brings advanced training in breast surgical oncology and a care philosophy shaped by her early career as a registered nurse.

EUGENE/SPRINGFIELD, Ore. — Oct. 7, 2026 — Oregon Surgical Wellness (OSW), a division of Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Research Center (WVCI), is pleased to welcome Sara B. Cartwright, DO, a board-certified general surgeon and fellowship-trained breast surgical oncologist. As part of WVCI’s multidisciplinary breast cancer team, she will provide specialized breast surgical care for patients in the southern Willamette Valley and surrounding communities.

Dr. Cartwright completed her Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship at the University of Southern California, following a General Surgery Residency and dedicated research training at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She is board-certified in General Surgery and is an active member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons and the Society of Surgical Oncology.

Before attending medical school, Dr. Cartwright worked as a critical care registered nurse. Her bedside experience gave her an early understanding of how patients and families experience medical care, which she brings to her work as a surgeon today.

“What I enjoy most about caring for breast surgical oncology patients is the opportunity to teach about breast cancer and the shared decision-making process,” Dr. Cartwright said. “I want my patients to understand their diagnosis and treatment plan so they can make a surgical decision they feel comfortable with.”

Dr. Cartwright has contributed to surgical and breast cancer research through peer-reviewed publications, national presentations and educational initiatives. Her work includes research on breast cancer treatment and surgical outcomes as well as surgical education.

“I’m excited to work alongside wonderful partners at OSW and be a part of the WVCI multidisciplinary team to bring specialized breast oncology care to the community,”

Dr. Cartwright said.

Dr. Cartwright will see patients at Oregon Surgical Wellness, 3783 International Court, Suite 200, Springfield, Oregon. To make an appointment, call 541-735-3778. Physicians may fax referrals to 541-735-3772.

About Oregon Surgical Wellness

Oregon Surgical Wellness is a division of Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Research Center dedicated to providing specialized breast surgical care as part of a coordinated, multidisciplinary cancer program. Through collaboration across surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, imaging, genetics, supportive services and research, the team helps patients navigate diagnosis, treatment and recovery with care centered on their individual needs and goals.

About Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Research Center

Since 1997, Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Research Center has been a leader in advanced cancer treatment, serving the Willamette Valley and surrounding regions, including Albany, Corvallis, Eugene, Florence, Lincoln City, Newport and Springfield, Oregon. As an affiliate of The US Oncology Network and Sarah Cannon Research Institute, WVCI is committed to offering innovative, integrated care supported by advanced technology and extensive clinical research. For more information, visit www.oregoncancer.com.

Media Contact:
Christy Curtis | WVCI Liaison
541-632-3156
info@oregoncancer.com

Salem - Main Street America has announced Astoria Downtown Historic District Association (ADHDA) as a 2027 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) semifinalist. This prestigious award is the nation’s top award recognizing communities for their excellence in comprehensive preservation-based commercial district revitalization.

A jury of professionals and leaders in the fields of community and economic development and historic preservation convened to review a nationwide pool of applicants. After thoughtful deliberation, the jury unanimously selected eight semifinalists that demonstrate exemplary use of the Main Street Approach™ to lead community-based transformation strategies in their downtowns.

The 2027 Great American Main Street Award semifinalists are:

Center City of Amarillo, Inc. – Amarillo, Texas

Astoria Downtown Historic District Association – Astoria, Oregon

Downtown Excelsior Partnership, Inc. – Excelsior Springs, Missouri

Connect Downtown Johnson City – Johnson City, Tennessee

Village of Lake Orion DDA – Lake Orion, Oakland County, Michigan

Montpelier Alive – Montpelier, Vermont

Mainstreet Oceanside – Oceanside, California

Sapulpa Main Street – Sapulpa, Oklahoma

“The 2027 Great American Main Street Award Semifinalists are proud examples of the deep and lasting impact that Main Street programs can have on communities,” said Main Street America President and CEO Erin Barnes. “From reimagining after decline to rebuilding after natural disasters, these communities demonstrate the power of resilience, vision, and meaningful community engagement.”

Collectively, the 2027 GAMSA semifinalists have generated over $2.1 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 1,271 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 7,607 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 2,411 historic buildings, and leveraged 252,493  volunteer hours.

Competing for the Great American Main Street Award is a significant achievement in the Main Street Movement, and receiving the award is an esteemed honor. Since its establishment in 1995, only 118 of over 2000 Main Street programs have been acknowledged as GAMSA-winning communities.

"Being a semifinalist for the Great American Main Street Award is an enormous honor," says ADHDA Executive Director Quinn Haase. "Being named a semifinalist two years in a row now just speaks to the commitment the community of Astoria has made towards a preservation-based approach to revitalization. The work itself is the reward, but it is reaffirming to know that our efforts do not go unnoticed." 

ADHDA is a member of the Oregon Main Street (OMS) Network, the state coordinating program of Main Street America that supports communities in preserving and enhancing their historic downtowns. As one of Oregon’s longest‑serving Main Street organizations, ADHDA has become a model for place-based revitalization that strengthens local economies and honors authentic heritage.

“We are incredibly proud of ADHDA’s leadership in preservation‑based revitalization," says Oregon Main Street Coordinator Ami Keiffer. “Their dedication to community engagement and strengthening Astoria’s historic downtown exemplifies the best of the Main Street spirit. Being named a semifinalist reflects the hard work, collaboration, and creativity happening in Astoria every day, and Oregon Main Street is excited to support and celebrate them in this national spotlight.”

The 2027 Great American Main Street Award ceremony will be held at the opening plenary of the 2027 Main Street Now Conference in Detroit, Michigan, on May 3, 2027, where three semifinalists will be recognized as recipients of the coveted honor.

ABOUT THE ASTORIA DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT ASSOCIATION

For the past 40 years, the ADHDA (previously the Astoria Downtown Development Association) has been a faithful steward of the downtown and has strived to keep the unique culture and character of Astoria at the forefront. From the creation of outlandish events such as the Jane Barnes Revue and the Sea Lion Calling Contest, from our work in bringing almost $1 million in restoration grant dollars to our downtown buildings, to our running of community programs such as the Astoria Sunday Market and Artwalk, our commitment to the continued success of downtown Astoria is apparent in every bit of the work we do. For more information, visit www.astoriadowntown.com.

ABOUT THE GREAT AMERICAN MAIN STREET AWARDS

The Great American Main Street Award program recognizes communities exemplifying the use of the Main Street Approach™ to revitalize commercial districts. Winners are selected from a nationwide pool of applicants by a jury of Main Street professionals and leaders in the fields of community and economic development and historic preservation. Since the award’s inception in 1995, over 110 Main Street programs have been honored as GAMSA communities. For more information, visit mainstreet.org.

ABOUT MAIN STREET AMERICA

Main Street America leads a movement committed to strengthening communities through preservation-based economic development in older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. For more than 40 years, Main Street America has provided a practical, adaptable, and impactful framework for community-driven, comprehensive revitalization through the Main Street Approach™. Our network of more than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. For more information, visit mainstreet.org. 

ABOUT OREGON MAIN STREET
Oregon Main Street (OMS) partners with communities across the state to strengthen local economies, honor historic character, and foster vibrant, resilient downtowns. OMS is within Oregon Heritage at the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, and provides technical assistance, training, and a statewide network of support to communities of all sizes working to build vibrant, resilient commercial districts. Grounded in the Main Street

Approach™, the program empowers local leaders to celebrate heritage, foster economic vitality, and create welcoming places for all. More than 100 Oregon communities participate at various levels of the network, each demonstrating a shared commitment to preserving what makes Oregon’s downtowns unique. A 2022 Impact of Oregon’s Main Streets report found that between 2011 and 2021 Oregon Main Street communities helped generate $266 million in additional sales revenue in the State of Oregon and 2,400 jobs. For more information, visit www.oregonmainstreet.org.

###

VANCOUVER, Wash. —  As summer counted down, donation bins across the Vancouver area filled with new school supplies. During their Write from the Start school supply drive, the Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools accepts both physical and monetary donations.

For the 11th consecutive year, Dick Hannah Dealerships helped make the drive a success by providing $10,000 in matching funds. The community responded by raising an additional $11,925, bringing the total raised through the campaign to $21,925. 

The funds allow Vancouver Public Schools’ community school coordinators to purchase essential supplies in bulk, stretching donations further and helping ensure students have what they need throughout the school year. The monetary donations supplement more than $15,000 worth of school supplies collected through the Write from the Start drive, including notebooks, pencils, crayons and backpacks. 

With 53.9% of VPS students living below the federal poverty line, these donations help remove a significant barrier to learning.
 

In addition to its $10,000 contribution to Write from the Start, Dick Hannah Dealerships also donated $10,000 to the Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools’ general fund, bringing its total contribution to the Foundation this year to $20,000. The funds help with other Foundation areas of aid such as food, utility shut-off prevention for families, mental health supports, and more. 
 

Says Matt Berry of Dick Hannah Dealerships, “Helping students succeed in school aligns perfectly with our ‘Believe in Nice’ promise.”

PORTLAND, Ore.—United States Attorney Scott E. Bradford announced the continued work of the District of Oregon’s Government Fraud Task Force, bringing together federal law enforcement agencies and inspectors general to strengthen efforts to identify, investigate, and prosecute fraud against government programs and American taxpayers.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office hosted the task force’s most recent meeting on Monday, October 5, attended by federal prosecutors and representatives from participating agencies. The meeting focused on expanding intelligence and data sharing, developing new methods for identifying fraud, prioritizing investigative leads, and ensuring law enforcement resources are directed toward significant fraud schemes.

“Fraud against government programs is theft from the American taxpayer, and we are committed to using every tool available to identify and prosecute those who exploit these programs for personal gain,” said U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford. “By bringing our federal, state, and local partners together to share intelligence, prioritize the strongest cases, and strategically deploy investigative resources, we will more effectively detect fraud, hold offenders accountable, and protect taxpayer dollars.”

The agencies joining the Government Fraud Task Force at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Oregon include:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• IRS Criminal Investigation
• U.S. Department of Agriculture
• U.S. Department of Education
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• U.S. Office of Inspector General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Units
• U.S. Small Business Administration
• U.S. Social Security Administration

Key priorities of the Government Fraud Task Force include:

• Expanding information and data sharing among participating agencies to identify potential fraud schemes;
• Cross-referencing government databases and benefit records to identify suspicious activity and potentially ineligible or fraudulent recipients;
• Prioritizing and ranking fraud leads and referrals so investigative resources can be directed toward the strongest and most significant cases;
• Deploying investigative resources strategically to address fraud leads in areas where agencies may lack sufficient personnel;
• Using data analytics and financial investigative tools to identify unusual billing, benefit, grant, and contracting activity; and
• Conducting annual reviews to evaluate the task force’s impact and identify opportunities to strengthen fraud enforcement.

The Government Fraud Task Force focuses on fraud affecting federal programs and taxpayer dollars, including health care fraud, government benefits fraud, Small Business Administration loan fraud, Social Security fraud, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program fraud, trade fraud, and student aid fraud.

Participating agencies are also working together to investigate suspicious financial activity, False Claims Act referrals, and government claims data; and identifying connections between government beneficiaries and other law enforcement and government records.

These efforts support the U.S. Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative, and creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”), to enhance coordination among federal agencies and strengthen the government’s ability to detect and prosecute fraud.

Federal prosecutors and representatives of federal law enforcement agencies in the Government Fraud Task Force attended the October 5, 2026, meeting at the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse in Portland.

###

Date: TUES, Oct 27th

Time: 7 pm

Location: Alberta Rose Theatre

Tickets: $15-$45

Event Website: https://www.scienceontaporwa.org/events/alberta_oct_27_k9s-wolves/

Dog lovers! Dogs in conservation show! 10/27 in PDX
(Bonus - live demonstration with a dog on stage!)
When wolves run out of deer - what do they eat? Some have adapted their diets to eat fish. How widespread this surf-and-turf phenomenon? Dogs (and researchers) are out to find out.

Kayla Fratt is a PhD student at Oregon State University and a co-founder of K9 Conservationists.

Science on Tap is a science lecture series where you can sit back, drink a pint, and enjoy learning. Listen to experts talk about the science in your neighborhood and around the world. You don't have to be a science geek to have fun--all you need is a thirst for knowledge! For more information on this event or about Science on Tap, visit Science on Tap OR WA.

Attached:

B-roll from Wrap-Up event at High Rocks Park, Gladstone

WES-produced News Package

Portland, Ore., October 7, 2026 – A summer of hands-on action along Oregon’s waterways wrapped up in September. At High Rocks Park in Gladstone, 27 volunteers removed approximately 750 pounds of litter from the banks of the Clackamas River. The cleanup marked the final event of the ninth annual Waterway Cleanup Series, a partnership between SOLVE and Clackamas Water Environment Services (WES).

From May through September, the series supported 64 cleanup events across 10 counties, engaging 1,400+ volunteers who collectively removed over 24,000 pounds of litter from waterways and natural areas throughout the region. Volunteers also helped clear more than 10,000 square feet of invasive plants and mulch 2,700 plants, expanding the impact of the series beyond litter removal.

The series brought volunteers to a wide range of waterways and natural areas, from the Clackamas River to the Rogue River and Johnson Creek. Among the largest events were the Down the Clackamas River Cleanup, which drew 161 volunteers; the 34th Annual Rogue River Cleanup, with 150 volunteers; and the Johnson Creek Cleanup, where 133 volunteers helped remove more than 7,000 pounds of litter.

Together, these efforts help address litter where it can have an impact far beyond the place where it is found. Trash left on streets, riverbanks, parks, and other inland areas can be carried by stormwater into streams and creeks, eventually flowing into larger rivers and, ultimately, the ocean. Removing litter before it reaches these waterways helps protect wildlife and habitat while keeping rivers and recreational spaces cleaner and healthier for people to enjoy.

The impact of these efforts goes beyond the pounds of litter collected. Every piece removed is one small action that contributes to a larger impact, helping keep waterways cleaner for wildlife, recreation, and the people who rely on them.

“All of our cleanups are really vital to wildlife and the environment,” said Kris Carico, CEO of SOLVE.
“Most marine debris starts on land, so when we clean it up along our rivers, we help prevent it from reaching the ocean. It’s been a great season, and we’ve seen more and more volunteers coming out to make a difference.”

For nine consecutive years, SOLVE and Clackamas Water Environment Services have partnered to support volunteer-led cleanups and connect volunteers to the relationship between litter, stormwater, and water quality.

“Our rivers take care of us, so we need to take care of them,” said Ron Wierenga, Deputy Director of Clackamas Water Environment Services. “For nine years, our partnership with SOLVE has helped bring volunteers out to clean up our waterways and support clean water, public health, and the natural environment.”

The ninth year of the Waterway Cleanup Series marks another season of volunteers taking action to care for the region’s waterways, with the partnership now looking ahead to its 10th anniversary in 2027.

While the Waterway Cleanup Series has wrapped up for the year, opportunities to care for Oregon and Southwest Washington’s natural spaces continue year-round. From neighborhood cleanups to restoration projects, volunteers can find upcoming opportunities with SOLVE at solve.org.

About SOLVE 

SOLVE brings communities together to take care of our environment and enhance our waterways. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots initiative to a national model of volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon, and SW Washington, to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas, while empowering a community of environmental stewards for our state. Visit solve.org for more information or follow SOLVEPNW on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn.

About Clackamas Water Environment Services

Clackamas Water Environment Services produces clean water, protects water quality and recovers renewable resources. We do this by providing wastewater services, stormwater management, and environmental education. It's our job to protect public health and support the vitality of our communities, natural environment and economy. Learn more.

Vancouver, Wash. – County Manager Kathleen Otto is seeking two volunteers to fill open positions on the county’s Ethics Review Commission.

These openings are to fill two new seats for three-year terms which begin immediately and end Oct. 31, 2029. 

Commission members must be qualified in the area of ethical conduct in government. During their tenure, no member shall hold elected office or be an officer of any political party nor be a county employee. 

The commission is responsible for hearing, investigating, and ruling on complaints of violations of the code of ethics in Clark County Code 2.07.01, Code of Ethical Conduct, and the updated Ordinance No. 2026-07-02. The group has regular quarterly meetings and special meetings as needed. Meetings are hybrid with options to attend in-person or virtually. 

The county council is required to confirm commission appointees recommended by the county manager. 

Anyone interested in applying should send a letter of interest and résumé to Michelle Pfenning, Council Administrative Assistant, PO Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000 or michelle.pfenning@clark.wa.gov.   

Application deadline is 5 pm Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. 

Learn more about the Ethics Review Commission on the county’s website at https://clark.wa.gov/county-manager/ethics-review-commission.

Wildfire smoke rolls over the skies near Warm Springs - July 25 2026 ODOT

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Emergency Management is reminding eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, aquaculture businesses, and most private nonprofit organizations that they may qualify for U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loans following the severe storms and wildfires that occurred July 15–August 24, 2026.

These low-interest, long-term working-capital loans help organizations meet ordinary financial obligations they are unable to meet because of the disaster.

The federal declaration covers the Oregon counties of Baker, Clackamas, Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Hood River, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Lane, Linn, Malheur, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler, and Yamhill.

Key SBA Wildfire Disaster Loan Details

• Application deadline: July 1, 2027
• Loan amounts: Up to $2 million, based on economic injury
• Interest rates: 4% for businesses and agricultural cooperatives; 3.625% for nonprofits
• Loan terms: Up to 30 years, based on ability to repay
• Eligible use of funds: Working capital only (loans cannot be used to refinance existing debt)
• Insurance requirements: Flood or hazard insurance may be required depending on location
• More information: MySBA Loan Portal

Drought Disaster Loans Also Still Available

SBA continues to offer low-interest federal disaster loans to eligible small businesses and private nonprofit organizations impacted by ongoing drought conditions in Oregon. Additional information is available on the MySBA Loan Portal.

Drought Disaster Deadlines and Affected Counties

Drought beginning March 24

Counties: Benton, Clackamas, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Polk, Wasco, Wheeler, Yamhill

Application deadline: March 1, 2027

Drought beginning April 1

Counties: Baker, Clackamas, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Lake, Malheur, Marion, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wasco, Wheeler

Application deadline: March 1, 2027

Drought beginning May 12

Counties: Benton, Deschutes, Harney, Klamath, Lake, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Polk Application deadline: April 13, 2027

Drought beginning June 23

Counties: Grant, Malheur, Union, Wallowa

Application deadline: May 10, 2027

Technical Assistance for Native-Owned Businesses

The SBA Office of Native American Affairs offers technical assistance to help Native entrepreneurs navigate SBA programs, including access to capital, federal contracting, and business development resources. Support is available for tribal enterprises and Native-owned small businesses working to start, grow, or recover from disaster impacts.

More information is available on the Office of Native American Affairs website. If phone lines are busy or unresponsive, applicants are encouraged to use the online contact form or alternative SBA customer service channels.

Additional Assistance for All

Businesses and organizations can apply online at sba.gov/disaster. Additional assistance is available by calling the SBA National Support Network Center at (866) SBA-HELP or by emailing customerservice@sba.gov" style="color: rgb(59, 116, 181); text-decoration: none; text-size-adjust: 100%;">disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

Background on this Declaration

Governor Tina Kotek requested federal agricultural assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on July 29, 2026, following wildfire‑related losses across Oregon. USDA subsequently conducted damage assessments and, on September 21, approved a Secretarial Disaster Designation for Gilliam, Klamath, Wasco, and Wheeler Counties, as well as 13 neighboring counties. This designation makes affected agricultural producers eligible for USDA emergency loan programs.

Following USDA’s action, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued a corresponding disaster declaration on September 24. This allows businesses in the same primary and contiguous counties to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). SBA declaration OR‑20030 is linked to the USDA wildfire disaster designation, while OR‑20031 stems from the Governor’s direct request.

Update

Vancouver Police were notified that the pedestrian who was critically injured has died. 

The charge of Vehicular Assault will be updated to Vehicular Homicide. 

The Traffic Unit investigation is continuing and there are no further updates at this time. 

###

Vancouver, Wash. – On October 5, 2026, at around 9:45 p.m., Vancouver Police responded to NE Andresen Rd./NE Van Mall Dr. for the report of a collision involving two vehicles and two pedestrians.

The driver of a Toyota RAV4, traveling westbound on NE Van Mall Dr., with a green light, was hit by the driver of a Jeep traveling southbound on NE Andresen Rd. who ran the red light at the intersection. The collision caused the Jeep to flip and strike two pedestrians who were in the south crosswalk on NE Van Mall Drive, crossing with the signal. One of the pedestrians, a 34-year-old female, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The male pedestrian, 43 years old, was transported to an area hospital in critical condition.

The driver of the Jeep, Noah Merchant, 26 years old, was arrested for DUI, Vehicular Homicide, Vehicular Assault, and Reckless Driving and was booked into the Clark County Jail. His passenger, a 20-year-old female, was arrested for Minor in Possession.

The Vancouver Police Department Traffic Unit is continuing the investigation.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Vancouver Fire Department to Conduct Live-Fire Training at Station 5

VANCOUVER, Wash. — The Vancouver Fire Department will conduct live-fire training today at Fire Station 5, from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

During the training, residents and businesses in the surrounding area may notice smoke, fire apparatus, and increased activity at the station throughout the day. The smoke and fire observed during this time will be part of planned, controlled firefighter training.

Live-fire training is an important component of preparing firefighters for the conditions they may encounter during an actual structure fire. These controlled exercises allow firefighters to work in realistic heat and smoke while practicing critical skills, including:

• Hose advancement and fire attack
• Fire control
• Search and rescue
• Fireground communication
• Coordinated company operations
• Decision-making under changing fire conditions

The training also supports the ongoing proficiency requirements for Washington firefighters. Under WAC 296-305-05502, firefighters who perform interior structural firefighting in immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) conditions must receive live-fire training appropriate to their assigned duties at least once every three years. The regulation also requires ongoing training and proficiency development to help prevent the degradation of critical firefighting skills.

Live-fire evolutions are conducted by qualified fire service instructors and follow required safety procedures and standards.

While the majority of firefighter training does not involve live fire, controlled live-fire exercises provide an important opportunity for firefighters to bring individual skills together in realistic conditions. This preparation helps ensure crews are ready to perform effectively when those skills are needed during an actual emergency.

The Vancouver Fire Department appreciates the community’s understanding and support as firefighters conduct this important training.

Media Contact:

Captain Raymond Egan

aymond.egan@cityofvancouver.us">raymond.egan@cityofvancouver.us

360-869-3914
Vancouver Fire Department
City of Vancouver, Washington

On October 6, 2026, at approximately 3 p.m., the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a body in the Columbia River near the tip of the sandbar. Deputies responded and recovered the body shortly afterward.  The body was identified as David Kalousdian, who was reported missing from the same general area on October 1, 2026.

The investigation determined that David’s inflatable life vest did not have a recharge kit installed, which rendered it ineffective.  The recovery concluded the search launched after his kayak was found adrift in the Columbia River.  Search efforts included the Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol vessel and Search & Rescue plane.

Although the search ended sadly, the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office is honored to have recovered David’s remains and hopes this provides his family with some sense of closure.

Vancouver, Wash. — The Washington State Auditor’s Office recently issued its annual audit reports on Clark County activities.  For 2025 the state auditors did not identify any reportable findings in the areas reviewed, resulting in “clean” audit opinions.

In addition, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) recently awarded the Clark County Auditor’s Office with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its 2024 Annual

Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition for governmental accounting and financial reporting. This is the 45th consecutive year the Auditor’s Office has been recognized for the excellence of its financial reporting.

The GFOA also honored the Clark County Auditor’s Office with an Award for Outstanding Achievement for its Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR). The PAFR is a user-friendly report that summarizes information from the county’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. The Auditor’s Office produced the county’s first PAFR in 2020. This is the fifth consecutive year the office has received this recognition. 

“Proper accounting and financial reporting deliver accountability and transparency to the public. Our work reveals how the county used taxpayer dollars and if they were used for their designated purpose. I’m proud of our team for their commitment to provide accurate information to the public and pleased the county received clean audits from the state,” said Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey.

The first report from the Washington State Auditor’s Office contains the results of their audits of the county’s compliance with requirements for: 1) accounting, financial reporting, and 2) federal grants. The second report describes the county’s compliance with state laws, regulations, policies, and controls over the safeguarding of public resources. Audit reports from the Washington State Auditor’s Office can be found on their website. The county’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and Popular Annual Financial Report are available on the Clark County Auditor’s Office website.

WEST LINN, OR—October 6, 2026—The City of West Linn received $392,400 for the first phase of implementing the West Linn Waterfront Vision Plan, which provides a framework for transforming the City’s underutilized waterfront areas. The goal is to facilitate reinvestment opportunities, improve multimodal access, provide access and connections to the Willamette River, and highlight the natural and cultural heritage of the area.

"This historic investment from Metro is an exciting step toward turning West Linn’s Waterfront Vision into reality,” said West Linn Mayor Rory Bialostosky. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to work alongside our community to plan what the future of this area can look like and build on the vision residents have helped shape. This funding gives us a tremendous opportunity to move from vision to implementation and create a waterfront that serves our community for generations to come.”

Adopted in November 2025, the plan establishes a long-term vision for the City’s 275-acre waterfront, with opportunities for housing, economic development, public river access and preservation of the area’s natural and cultural heritage.

Phase 1 focuses solely on the Historic City Hall District at the north end of the waterfront area. It will include zoning, development code, and comprehensive plan amendments; transportation and economic feasibility analyses; infrastructure assessments; and evaluations of public access and environmental conditions. Community engagement will continue throughout the project.

The City has worked with community members since 2016 to shape the Waterfront Vision Plan. The City Council has prioritized a coordinated approach to reconnect fragmented areas, clarify development pathways and encourage reinvestment.

Partners supporting the grant application included commercial property owners in the Historic City Hall district, Willamette Falls Locks Authority, Portland Gas & Electric, the Confederated Tribe of the Siletz, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, and the Willamette Falls Trust. Community Development Director Steve Koper thanked area property owners and tribes for providing letters of support for the implementation project.

ABOUT THE GRANT PROGRAM

Metro’s 2040 Planning and Development Grant Program helps communities implement the region’s long-term growth vision. Funded by a regional excise tax on certain construction projects, the program supports planning that expands housing and employment opportunities, encourages economic development and enables complete, equitable neighborhoods.

Learn more about Metro’s 2040 Planning and Development Grant Program.

SALEM, OR — A coalition of Marion County, the City of Salem, the City of Stayton, and the Santiam Water Control District made their case in federal court today, asking the U.S. District Court to halt the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ plan to drain Detroit Lake below its minimum conservation pool this fall. Their arguments centered around concerns of harm to water for drinking, firefighting, and agriculture for more than 220,000 downstream residents. After hearing arguments from all sides, U.S. District Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai took the matter under advisement and is expected to issue a ruling in the coming weeks.

“We made our case today, and we made it clearly: the Army Corps is moving forward with a catastrophic plan without safeguards for the people who depend on this water,” said Commissioner Colm Willis, Chair. “Whatever the outcome, we will keep using every tool available to protect our residents, our water, and our local economy.”

Marion County will provide an update once the Court issues its decision.

Read the full release: www.marioncountynews.org/news/marion-county-makes-its-case-in-federal-court-to-stop-detroit-lake-drawdown

The Willamette River Water Coalition (WRWC) Board Meeting will be held Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 4:45 p.m.

This meeting will be held virtually; there will not be an in-person meeting option. If you wish to join this virtual meeting, please email ine.desau@tvwd.org">katherine.desau@tvwd.org or call 503-848-3078 by 12:00 p.m., October 13. 

The Board meeting agenda packet and additional information regarding the WRWC are available on the website: https://willametteriver.org

A donation of cedar, three summer articles, and Kelso High School Advanced Wood Tech students are coming together to create dozens of new homes for some important—and declining—members of the local ecosystem.

Students in Joe McWilliam’s Advanced Wood Tech class are building owl nesting boxes, bat houses, and Mason bee houses as part of a hands-on Career and Technical Education (CTE) project combining woodworking, research, conservation, and community service. Each student is building at least two houses: one to install at home and one to donate for placement in the community. Some students were so inspired by the project, they decided to make even more. And the impact will continue to grow: all three Advanced Wood Tech classes offered throughout the school year will take on the project.

The timing is especially fitting for one of the project’s beneficiaries: October is Bat Appreciation Month, dedicated to raising awareness about the important role bats play in healthy ecosystems and the challenges facing their populations.

The idea began this summer when McWilliam read three different articles about declining populations of owls, Mason bees, and bats. While each species faces different challenges, the articles had something interesting in common: cedar is particularly well suited for constructing their homes. That caught McWilliam’s attention.

At the end of last school year, local business A&J Fencing Inc. donated approximately 3,000 pounds of cedar to Kelso School District’s CTE program. McWilliam saw an opportunity to put that generous donation to work while giving students valuable hands-on experience.

“As soon as I relayed this information to the students, they were on board,” McWilliam said.

Before picking up their tools, students researched how to properly construct homes for each species, including different nesting-box requirements for various types of owls.

The details matter. Owl boxes provide alternatives when natural nesting cavities are scarce. Mason bee houses require properly sized, smooth nesting tunnels to help protect the bees and their young. Bat houses provide dry, protected roosting spaces for animals that play an important role in controlling insect populations.

Once the houses are complete, McWilliam plans to contact state and local parks about possible placement. Houses may also be installed on private property throughout Kelso. Community members interested in placing one on their property may be able to receive a house in exchange for donating additional cedar to help students continue building.

The project gives students an opportunity to develop technical skills while using those skills to solve a real-world problem and make a difference beyond the classroom.

From one generous donation of cedar, Kelso High School students are building much more than woodworking projects. They’re building habitats, and giving some of their smallest and most important neighbors a little more room to thrive.

About Kelso School District

Kelso School District has a goal of 100% (bit.ly/ksd-100) of students graduating high school and having post-secondary plans for college, career, trades, or military. Our mission is to prepare every student for living, learning, and achieving success as a citizen of our changing world.

Vancouver, Wash. – The City’s Main Street reconstruction project, spanning the heart of downtown Vancouver from 5th to 15th, is complete ahead of the original spring 2027 completion schedule.

This reconstruction, 33 years in the making and a $26 million investment, makes it one of the City’s largest infrastructure projects, improves safety, fosters community, and supports economic development along lower Main Street.

Funds from the American Rescue Plan Act and a mix of local sources enabled the project to be completed.

Remarks from leadership, a performance from Metropolitan Performing Arts and live music from Liz Joy and Midnight Theory. This event is hosted in partnership with Vancouver’s Downtown Association.

Who: Attendees include:

• U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington
• Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle
• Vancouver’s Downtown Association Executive Director Michael Walker

When: 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7

Where: Kiggins Block of Main Street at 1011 Main Street, Vancouver, Washington 98660

Learn more about the Main Street Promise project.

RSVP to a.shepard@cityofvancouver.us">laura.shepard@cityofvancouver.us, 360-624-0747

###

COOS COUNTY, Ore. (6 Oct. 2026) – On Sunday, October 4, 2026, at approximately 7:35 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 540 near milepost 5 in Coos County.

The preliminary investigation indicated that a silver Chevrolet Aveo, operated by George Cole Cleveland (41) of Coos Bay, was traveling the wrong way, eastbound in the westbound lane, when it collided head-on with a white Toyota Tacoma operated by Aric Dwayne Allen Adkins (35) of Coos Bay.

The operator of the Chevrolet (Cleveland) was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The operator of the Toyota (Adkins) had reported minor injuries. During the investigation, Adkins was arrested on a DUII charge.

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

OSP was assisted by the Coos County Sheriff’s Office, Coos Bay Police Department, Charleston Fire and Rescue, and Bay Cities Ambulance.  

# # #

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

ASTORIA, OR — The deadline to register to vote in the November 3, 2026 General Election is Tuesday, October 13.

“Registering to vote is quick and easy,” said Tracie Krevanko, County Clerk. “You can sign up online at www.oregonvotes.gov or complete a registration card and send it by mail. Just make sure your card is postmarked by October 13 to be accepted.”

Voter registration cards are available from the Clatsop County Clerk and Elections Office, 820 Exchange St., Astoria, local post offices, public libraries and Department of Motor Vehicles offices. Cards can also be downloaded from the Oregon Secretary of State website and printed.

Voters who are already registered must update their registration if they have:

• Moved or changed their mailing address
• Changed their name
• Wish to change their party affiliation

You can find out your current registration status by going to the Oregon Secretary of State’s “My Vote” webpage.

Ballots will be mailed to registered voters on October 14.

More information on voter registration at clatsopcounty.gov.

###

The Multnomah Education Service District Board Finance Committee will meet at 1:00 p.m. on October 8, 2026. 
This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom.

https://multnomahesd-org.zoom.us/j/89770490430?pwd=b33Ys0hOqTUad2xweXULJBpkCvraoe.1
Passcode:317884

Hillsboro Police are asking for the public's help identifying two vehicles seen near SE Tualatin Valley Highway and SE Cypress Street on the night of September 19, 2026.

At approximately 11:38 pm, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and killed. The incident is under investigation as a possible hit-and-run.

Video collected by investigators shows a white sedan passing the pedestrian. At the same time, a silver pickup truck is seen turning right from SE Minter Bridge Road onto eastbound SE Tualatin Valley Highway. The pickup appears to stop on the highway for a few moments before continuing east.

We want to identify the owners and drivers of both vehicles. We believe they may have information about what happened. If you recognize either vehicle, or if you were in the area that night, please call 503-629-0111 and reference case 26-17945.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Council for the Homeless Celebrates 37 Years at Gathering for Change & Begins a New Chapter for the Agency by Revealing its New Name 

VANCOUVER, Wash. (Oct. 6, 2026)— Gathering for Change, Council for the Homeless’ annual fundraiser, brings together community members, partners, supporters, civic leaders, and advocates for an evening of storytelling, community impact, and kicking off the start of a brand-new chapter. “Honoring the Past. Embracing the Future,” is the theme of the evening, which celebrates 37 years of dedicated service and impact by the lead agency in the Homeless Response System for Clark County. Co-presented by Access Architecture and Walsh Construction, the evening champions the agency’s collaborative spirit toward collective action. 

For the first time, CEO Sesany Fennie-Jones will publicly announce the new name of the organization and reveal its new brand identity before a live audience. 

“Gathering for Change is an opportunity to celebrate the legacy of Council for the Homeless and look ahead to the future with hope and purpose,” states Fennie-Jones. “Our work is not changing. Our commitment to this community is not changing. In fact, we are more dedicated than ever, and look forward to stepping into a new chapter that reflects who we are today and where we are headed.” 

Since 1989, Council for the Homeless has served Clark County, working alongside dozens of community partners toward creating and delivering sustainable solutions to housing instability and homelessness. Gathering for Change invites the community to celebrate, support, and join this monumental time for the agency.  

Event Details:

What: Gathering for Change: Honoring the Past. Embracing the Future. 

When: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 | 6:30PM with doors opening at 5:00PM 

Where: Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Downtown Vancouver 

Purpose: Raise awareness, raise funds, announce new name, and celebrate! 

Ticket info: https://www.councilforthehomeless.org/events/gathering-for-change/ 

Note: This event will not be livestreamed this year, so guests must be present. 

For interview requests and media attendance, please contact Communications Manager Nneka Coxeff at (360) 989-4653 or ncoxeff@councilforthehomeless.org. 

###

About Council for the Homeless: Council for the Homeless (CFTH) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness in Clark County, Wash., 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 the delivery of homeless services through the Continuum of Care for Homeless Services in Clark County, Wash. 

PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon’s community colleges are bringing students back this fall. Portland Community College is working on the harder question: What will help them stay?

This fall term, PCC will transition from Emerging Hispanic Serving Institution to Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) status after reaching the enrollment threshold associated with becoming a HSI school -- 25% Hispanic undergraduate enrollment. Federal HSI grant eligibility is measured in full-time equivalents, alongside other requirements, including offering strategic initiatives focused on Hispanic student enrollment, retention, and success.

PCC’s Latine student enrollment grew by over 33% from 2021 to 2025 and the college's new credit students this fall are 32.1% Latine. Achieving full HSI status unlocks federal funding to strengthen bilingual support, culturally responsive teaching, and equity initiatives designed to help Latine students thrive.

“Becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution is about much more than reaching an enrollment threshold,” said Efraín Rivas-Flores, dean of College Access Programs. “It means looking closely at how we teach, advise and support students so Latine students and ultimately all students have equitable opportunities to belong, succeed and complete their goals.”

For PCC, the broader goal is changing how students experience college, from their first enrollment question through graduation or employment. PCC’s HSI Task Force is using the Seal of Excelencia framework to connect student data, effective practices and leadership accountability.

“We are examining the entire student experience, from the first application through graduation or transfer, to better understand where barriers exist and how we can remove them,” added Rivas-Flores.

Its College Access Latinx Initiative, known as CALI, demonstrates what that support can look like. Launched in 2022, CALI has served 122 students, all identifying as Latine, including 30 during the 2024–25 academic year. The cohort-based program combines bilingual family engagement, advising, emergency resources, academic planning and peer mentoring for Latine, first-generation, DACA and mixed-status students.

According to the program, participants completed 78% of attempted credits over three years, compared with 69% among Latine students outside CALI. First-year retention reached 100% for the first two cohorts, compared with 52.6% for Latine nonparticipants. The program also reports an average graduation rate of 92%.

“CALI shows what is possible when we intentionally design support around students’ experiences,” said Liz Mota, DREAMers and Latine Student Success coordinator. “We have seen students go from being the first in their families to navigate college to becoming paid peer mentors who now help the next generation find their own path forward.”

CALI was named a finalist in Excelencia in Education’s 2026 Examples of Excelencia. Former participants now return as paid peer mentors, helping students navigate financial aid, registration and college resources.

“Some of our strongest work is happening through programs that combine culturally responsive support with personal relationships,” Rivas-Flores said. “When students have trusted peers, advisers and community partners helping them navigate college, financial aid and other challenges, they are much more likely to feel that they belong here.”

Other efforts address barriers beyond the classroom. PCC formalized a partnership with SOAR Immigration Legal Services and the City of Portland for campus legal assistance and educational workshops. It secured a combined $267,000 in funding, $150,000 directly from the City Council and $117,000 from the Office of Civic Engagement, to support PCC students through immigration legal services and culturally responsive programming.  

Through La Bienvenida, 15 student leaders helped 45 students complete enrollment steps and connect with resources.

PCC is also examining financial aid access, achievement gaps and belonging while developing a framework that follows students from discovery and enrollment through completion and employment. Faculty and staff development will support more culturally responsive teaching and services.

“Our goal is to build a culture of ‘servingness’ across the entire college,” he said. “This cannot be the responsibility of one program or one division; it has to become part of how PCC designs its policies, curriculum, services, hiring practices and community partnerships.”

Learn more at: https://www.pcc.edu/unity/

About Portland Community College: Founded in 1961, Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon and provides training, degree and certificate completion, and lifelong learning to more than 57,000 full- and part-time students in Multnomah, Washington, Yamhill, Clackamas, and Columbia counties. PCC has four comprehensive campuses, 10 education centers or areas served, and approximately 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area. The PCC district encompasses a 1,500-square-mile area in northwest Oregon and offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning.

Visit PCC news on the web at http://news.pcc.edu/

For B-ROLL footage, visit PCC campus and student life highlight reel.

Klamath County Fire District 1 (KCFD1) responded to two escaped fires on October 5, 2026, highlighting that despite cooler fall conditions, grass and brush throughout the Klamath Basin remain extremely dry and capable of carrying fire rapidly.

At approximately 12:40 p.m., KCFD1 was dispatched to an escaped backyard fire in the 200 block of Michigan Avenue. Due to the fire’s location within a residential neighborhood and a large column of smoke visible from the area, the on-duty Battalion Chief upgraded the incident to a structural response.

The fire spread through open yard areas and damaged fencing on neighboring properties. Access to portions of the fire was difficult due to the residential setting. KCFD1 crews worked quickly to contain the fire and prevent further spread to surrounding properties and structures.

At approximately 2:00 p.m., KCFD1 crews had just cleared the Michigan Avenue incident and had not yet returned to quarters when they were dispatched to a second brush fire along Highway 97 South, south of the Main Street exit near the Wing Watchers Trail.

The fire was burning in dry grass and brush and was rapidly expanding as winds pushed the fire south. Access was challenging due to the fire’s location along the northbound side of Highway 97 between the highway and Lake Ewauna.

KCFD1 crews, with assistance from neighboring fire departments and agencies, including Kingsley Field Fire Department, Klamath County Fire District 4, and the Oregon Department of Forestry, were able to stop the fire’s advancement and bring the incident under control.

Crews remained on scene for approximately two and a half hours establishing fire lines, completing mop-up operations, and checking the burned area to ensure hot spots were extinguished and the fire would not rekindle.

These incidents serve as an important reminder that fall does not mean fire danger has ended. Grass, brush, and other vegetation remain extremely dry. Even light winds can cause an escaped fire to spread quickly and threaten nearby homes, property, roadways, and natural areas.

KCFD1 asks residents to remain cautious with any activity that could produce sparks, flames, or heat near dry vegetation. Never leave an outdoor fire unattended, maintain adequate extinguishing equipment nearby, and make sure all fires are completely extinguished before leaving the area.

Klamath County Fire District 1 would like to recognize the outstanding work of its firefighters and thank the neighboring fire departments and agencies that provided assistance during these incidents. Their coordinated response helped prevent additional property damage and further fire spread.

MEDFORD, Ore.—A Medford, Oregon, man pleaded guilty today to distributing fentanyl and admitted that it caused the death of another person.

Richard Scott Samuels, 60, has pleaded guilty to an indictment charging possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, announced the U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon.

According to court documents, a death was reported on May 15, 2025, and on August 6, 2025. Both were determined to be deaths due to a fentanyl overdose. Law enforcement investigated these deaths and learned that Samuels was alleged to be the supplier of the fentanyl that both the deceased had used.

On September 4, 2025, law enforcement arrested Samuels and seized from his person and residence, a phone, $5,332 cash, a handgun, and multiple drugs in approximate amounts; 283g fentanyl, 92g of heroin, 5g of meth, and 5g of cocaine.

On November 6, 2025, a federal grand jury in Medford returned an indictment charging Samuels with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Samuels faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, a $5,000,000 fine and four years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on December 17, 2026, before a U.S. district court judge.

As part of the plea agreement Samuels has agreed to forfeit any criminally derived proceeds and property used to facilitate his crimes identified by the government prior to sentencing.

This case was investigated by the FBI and Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by AUSA Sara Shaw.

###

Lightcast analysis finds college supports more than 11,000 regional jobs and delivers significant returns for students, taxpayers and communities 

Salem, Ore., October 5, 2026 — Chemeketa Community College generates $944 million in annual economic impact across Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties and supports 11,226 regional jobs, according to a new economic impact study conducted by Lightcast. The analysis found that Chemeketa’s impact is equivalent to approximately 3.1% of the region’s gross regional product and that one out of every 28 jobs in the three-county region is supported by the activities of Chemeketa and its students. 

The study examined Chemeketa’s economic impact as well as the return on investment the college provides to students, taxpayers and society. The analysis used employee, student and financial data from fiscal year 2023-24. 

“Chemeketa’s impact reaches far beyond our classrooms and campuses,” said Chemeketa President and CEO Jessica Howard, Ph.D. “Every student who gains new skills, earns a credential or degree, and takes that knowledge into the workplace strengthens our region. This study demonstrates that investing in our students is also an investment in local businesses, our workforce, and the long-term economic health of the communities we serve.”

The largest share of Chemeketa’s economic impact comes from its former students. Chemeketa alumni working in the region generated $809.5 million in added income during the study year through their higher earnings and the increased productivity of the businesses that employ them. That impact alone is equivalent to supporting 9,609 jobs. 

Chemeketa’s day-to-day operations also make a substantial contribution to the regional economy. During FY 2023-24, the college employed 1,182 full- and part-time faculty and staff, 80% of whom lived in the three-county region. Chemeketa had a payroll of $97.8 million and spent another $58.3 million on facilities, supplies, and professional services. Together with the resulting economic activity, college operations added $116.8 million in regional income and supported 1,315 jobs. 

Students themselves also contribute to the local economy. About 12% of Chemeketa's credit students came from outside the region, while other local students remained in the area because Chemeketa provided an educational option close to home. Spending by these relocated and retained students on housing, food, transportation, and other expenses added $17.7 million to the regional economy and supported 302 jobs. 

The study also found a strong financial return for students who invest in a Chemeketa education. For every $1 students invest in tuition, supplies, and forgone earnings while attending college, they receive an estimated $7 in higher future earnings. The average annual rate of return for students is 21.6%.

An associate degree also translates into substantially higher earning potential. According to the analysis, the average Chemeketa associate degree graduate earns approximately $9,200 more each year than a person with a high school diploma or equivalent working in Oregon. Over a working lifetime, that difference amounts to an estimated $377,200 in additional earnings per graduate. 

The benefits extend to taxpayers and the broader state economy. For every $1 of public money invested in Chemeketa, taxpayers receive an estimated $1.10 in return through increased tax revenue and public-sector savings. For every $1 invested in Chemeketa overall, Oregon society receives an estimated $5.90 in benefits through added income and social savings. 

During the study year, Chemeketa served 12,632 credit students and 4,636 non-credit students. The findings demonstrate how those students, along with Chemeketa employees and alumni, contribute to the economic vitality of the region through workforce participation, consumer spending, increased business productivity and higher lifetime earnings.

The Lightcast study concludes that Chemeketa creates value from multiple perspectives by supplying trained workers to regional businesses, increasing students’ lifetime earnings, generating additional tax revenue and contributing to a stronger and more prosperous economy. 

About the Study

The Lightcast analysis measures both Chemeketa’s direct economic activity and the long-term benefits generated for students, taxpayers, and society. The study uses Chemeketa’s FY 2023-24 academic and financial data, industry, and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Census Bureau, Lightcast economic modeling, and research examining the relationship between education and economic and social outcomes. 

####

For more than 55 years, Chemeketa Community College has committed itself to transforming lives and our community through exceptional learning experiences in the Mid-Willamette Valley. As the second largest multi-campus district in Oregon, Chemeketa serves more than 18,000 students annually at its Salem and Yamhill Valley campuses, as well as Brooks, Eola, Winema, Dallas, Woodburn and Chemeketa Center for Business and Industry (CCBI).

Chemeketa Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educational institution.

UPDATE (October 5, 2026): Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Identifies Man Found Deceased on October 1st

Read online: https://www.mcso.us/public-information/multnomah-county-sheriffs-office-identifies-man-found-deceased-october-1st

FAIRVIEW, Ore.– The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the identity of the man found deceased on October 1, 2026, near NE 227^th Avenue, north of NE Halsey Street in Fairview

Family notifications are complete and the man is being identified as 49-year-old Kerry M. Cottrell of Fairview.

The Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the official cause and manner of death, but initial reports indicate Mr. Cottrell died from a medical condition.

No further information is being released at this time.

### 

NEWS RELEASE (October 1, 2026): Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Suspicious Death in Fairview

Read online: https://www.mcso.us/public-information/multnomah-county-sheriffs-office-investigating-suspicious-death-fairview

FAIRVIEW, Ore. - The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a suspicious death in the location near NE 227^th Avenue, north of NE Halsey Street in Fairview.

At approximately 9:20 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026, emergency dispatchers received a report to 9-1-1 of a person down in the street behind a business, near the driveway to a shopping center.

Responding deputies and emergency medical personnel from AMR arrived within minutes and determined the individual had already died.

Detectives responded to the location and determined the person was a white man in his 40s or early 50s. Detectives conducted a thorough on-scene investigation, including interviewing several possible witnesses in the area.

NE 227^th Ave was briefly closed due to the investigation.

The victim’s identity will not be released until family notifications have been completed.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or who witnessed anything related to this event is urged to contact the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Tip Line by calling 503-988-0560 and referencing case number 26-45422.

Detectives do not believe there is any threat to the public. No additional information can be released at this time.

!!Update!! Connie G. Bender has been located along NW Frontage Rd. He is in stable condition and his family has been notified.

____________

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help locating 74-year-old Connie G. Bender.

Bender’s car, a blue/gray Toyota Corolla with AZ license plate #ZJA7DV, was found abandoned at 5605 NE Sundial Rd. in Troutdale. It had front end damage and personal property inside.

Bender has medical needs and is considered endangered. His last known contact was a phone call with his daughter on the morning of October 4, 2026.

Anyone who sees Connie Bender or has information about his whereabouts, is asked to call 911 and reference case # 26-46020.

SALEM, OR  ̵  A new home-care option is being introduced for adults who qualify for Medicaid-funded in-home services and supports.

The new option, called Agency with Choice, was created by Oregon House Bill 4129. It is for people who are eligible for Medicaid long-term services and supports through the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

Agency with Choice provides help with managing the recruitment, required training, scheduling, and supervision of an in-home care provider including supporting individuals with their back-up care needs. Agency with Choice is one of several in-home care options now available for people eligible for Home and Community Based Services through the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities (APD). It is also available to individuals served through OHA Behavioral Health Division’s Home and Community Based Services.

“Agency with Choice builds on Oregon’s commitment to honoring the preferences of older adults and people with disabilities,” said APD Director Nakeshia Knight, Ph.D. “It joins a broad continuum of long‑term care options designed to help people receive the right level of support in the way that works best for them.”

APD’s Agency with Choice program is for individuals who:

• Are age 60 or older;
• Are age 18 and older with a disability;
• Qualify for Medicaid long-term services and supports through APD; and
• Choose to receive these services and supports in their own home.

Individuals who are currently eligible for these services received a letter from APD describing the new option. There are no changes being made to other in-home care options.

OHA’s Agency with Choice option is available to individuals with mental health conditions who are eligible for Medicaid-funded in-home personal care services. Individuals of all ages can enroll in Agency with Choice if they are eligible for personal care services through the State Plan Personal Care program. Individuals age 21 and older may also enroll in Agency with Choice if they get services through the 1915(i) Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) program.

To qualify for 1915(i) HCBS, individuals must:

• Be age 21 or older;
• Have a current diagnosis of a Serious Mental Illness (SMI) as defined in OAR 410-173-0005;
• Have the need for help in at least two instrumental Activities of Daily Living; and
• Require the provision of one or more 1915(i) services at least monthly.

As directed by HB 4129, APD and OHA provide Agency with Choice through a contractor. GT Independence was selected through a competitive process managed by OregonBuys to provide Agency with Choice in Oregon.

Links to online and other resources for more information

• Read an online flyer about Agency with Choice offered through APD and find it in other languages on this ODHS web page.
• Learn about APD long-term services and supports care options on the ODHS website. Explore in-home options for receiving Medicaid long-term services and supports.
• Learn about 1915(i) HCBS, including OHA’s mental health residential and personal care services in the home on the 1915(i) HCBS website. Oregonians who may qualify and have questions should contact OHA’s 1915(i) Policy Unit at 1915i.MedicaidPolicy@odhsoha.oregon.gov.
• Inquire about a referral or assessment for mental health personal care for State Plan Personal Care or 1915(i) HCBS at Comagine Health at hpcasupport@comagine.org">bhpcasupport@comagine.org.
• Learn more about GT Independence on the company’s website and its Oregon services website.
• Contact a local office serving older adults and people with disabilities using the ODHS office locator tool.
• Learn about other help available for older adults and people with disabilities by visiting the Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon’s website.   

Oregon to begin enrollment in nationwide newborn genomic screening research study

Clark County Sheriff John Horch issued the following statement after the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office determined Deputy Bryson Layton’s use of deadly force during the May 7, 2025, encounter with Marc Fogle was lawfully justified:

Today, the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, following an independent investigation by the Washington State Office of Independent Investigations, concluded that Deputy Bryson Layton’s use of deadly force during the May 7, 2025, encounter with Marc Fogle was lawfully justified.

The incident began with Mr. Fogle’s arrest on suspicion of DUI. It escalated into a physical struggle in which Deputy Layton reported Mr. Fogle was attempting to gain control of his loaded firearm. An independent witness reported seeing Mr. Fogle pinning Deputy Layton to the floor and hearing Deputy Layton repeatedly tell him to stop going for his gun. Deputy Layton ultimately used a knife during the struggle, resulting in Mr. Fogle’s death.

The Prosecuting Attorney’s review found that a reasonable officer in those circumstances would have believed deadly force was necessary to prevent death or serious physical harm. The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office determined that Deputy Layton’s actions met Washington law’s objective good faith standard, and no further action is warranted.

The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations (OII) completed its independent investigation last spring and publicly released its investigative report on March 20, 2026. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office also previously released a critical incident video containing footage from Deputy Layton’s body-worn camera. Links to the Prosecuting Attorney’s determination, OII investigative materials, and CCSO critical incident video are available at: clark.wa.gov/sheriff/body-worn-camera-bwc-program.

Throughout this process, I have intentionally avoided debating this incident in headlines, on social media, or in competing public statements while the independent investigation and legal review were underway. It would not have been appropriate to reach conclusions before those processes were complete. Mr. Fogle’s death was a significant loss for his family and friends. Nothing in the investigative findings diminishes that, and I sympathize with their loss.

I am grateful Deputy Layton survived this encounter. I stand behind Deputy Layton, and I believe it is important to say that publicly. Today’s determination brings the criminal review of this incident to a close.

— Sheriff John Horch
Clark County Sheriff’s Office

Corbett Fire Department serves East Multnomah County and the Western Columbial River Scenic Gorge area....Cisterns (picture) will provide water to non hydranted area in the Scenic Gorge

The Oregon State Fire Marshal is hosting a Fire Prevention Month media event to highlight the growing fire risks associated with rechargeable batteries and to demonstrate safe charging, storage, and disposal of this technology. The event will feature brief remarks from agency leadership and subject matter experts, followed by live demonstrations of rechargeable battery best practices.

WHEN

Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026
Event begins at 11 a.m.
(Media safety briefing at 10:50 a.m.)

WHERE

819 Railway St.
Silverton Fire District – Station 1
Silverton, OR 97381

WHO

• Mariana Ruiz‑Temple, Oregon State Fire Marshal
• Bill Miles, Fire Chief, Silverton Fire District
• Rick Huechert, OSFM public safety training specialist
• Laura Chaffey, OSFM program coordinator for rechargeable batteries safety

Interview Opportunities

Following the demonstration, representatives from the Oregon State Fire Marshal and Silverton Fire District will be available for one-on-one interviews.

WHY

Rechargeable battery–related fires in Oregon have increased steadily in recent years, making public awareness and safe charging habits more important than ever. This event will offer clear visuals and expert interviews for media covering battery safety, home fire prevention, and Fire Prevention Month.

EVENT-DAY VISUALS

• Safe vs. unsafe charging practices
• Thermal runaway examples
• Battery failure warning signs
• Agency and fire district experts available for interviews

THERMAL RUNAWAY (RECHARGEABLE BATTERY FAILURE) VIDEOS

• Li-ion [rechargeable] 18650 Cells in Thermal Runaway (YouTube link)
• Intentional E-Scooter Overcharge (YouTube link)
• Thermal imaging Li-ion [rechargeable] cells in Thermal Runaway (YouTube link)

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Works, Parks and Nature, invites the public to help shape the future of the county’s parks, trails and natural areas by taking an online survey, available through Nov. 1. The survey is part of the county’s update of the Clark County Parks and Natural Areas System Plan.

The updated plan will guide park improvements, trail expansion, new recreational opportunities and long-term stewardship of natural areas in the county’s park system.

Survey results will help identify priorities, needs and a vision for improving parks, trails and natural areas in the county. The survey, which takes approximately five to 10 minutes to complete, is available in multiple languages. Additionally, respondents who complete the survey can enter to win one of five $50 gift cards. The survey is available at clark.wa.gov/public-works/parks-plan, now through Nov. 1.

Clark County residents, businesses and organizations are encouraged to share the survey flyer and get their friends, family, neighbors, patrons and members to participate.

More information is available at clark.wa.gov/public-works/parks-plan.  

For information about road and park projects, closures, opportunities for community input, and more, residents can follow Public Works on X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and Instagram and view information on Nextdoor. Residents can also visit clark.wa.gov/public-works to sign up for email notifications.

Go to clark.wa.gov/public-works/news to read this information in another language. Click the button in the top right of the page that says “Change language” next to a globe icon and choose your preferred language.

Vaya a clark.wa.gov/public-works/news para leer esta información en español. Haga clic en el botón en la parte superior a la derecha de la página que dice "Change language " junto al icono de globo terráqueo y elija su idioma preferido.

Чтобы прочитать эту информацию на русском языке, зайдите на сайт clark.wa.gov/public-works/news. Нажмите на кнопку Change language (“Изменить язык”) в правом верхнем углу страницы рядом с символом земного шара и выберите свой язык.

Перейдіть на сторінку clark.wa.gov/public-works/news, щоб прочитати цю інформацію українською. Натисніть кнопку Change language (Змінити мову) зі значком глобуса у верхньому правому куті сторінки та виберіть потрібну мову.

###

Salem, OR — The Department of Administrative Services (DAS) released the Oregon Agency Expectations: Three-Year Progress Report on Tuesday, showcasing statewide improvements in customer service, performance, coordination, and accountability since Governor Tina Kotek established her agency expectations in 2023.

In January 2023, Governor Tina Kotek issued a letter outlining 11 expectations for how Executive Branch agencies manage employee performance, improve services, modernize systems, plan for the future, and ensure accountability. She also directed DAS to provide the structure, tools, and oversight needed to support agencies in meeting these standards. DAS published the first progress report in June 2023.

Over the past three years, data show that agencies aligned strategic planning with statewide priorities, improved customer service, increased employee engagement, resolved overdue audit findings, and advanced technology and modernization efforts. These efforts have contributed to cost savings and to a more responsive and responsible government. Regular, standardized data collection has created a shared framework for tracking progress, leading to greater accountability across state government and increased transparency for the public.

“State government has a responsibility to work efficiently, effectively, and with accountability to the people we serve,” Governor Tina Kotek said. “When I set these expectations three years ago, I wanted to create a clear standard for how agencies operate and a way to measure their work. But progress is not the finish line – I will continue pushing for a government that delivers better services, uses taxpayer dollars responsibly, and makes it easier for Oregonians to get what they need from their state government.”

Among areas of progress, some examples include:

• Reducing operating costs: Co-locating agencies in state‑owned buildings and reducing reliance on private leases by the Department of Administrative Services have helped shrink Oregon’s office footprint by roughly 782,000 square feet since 2021, an 8% reduction. These changes generate about $12.9 million in annual savings. The Oregon Department of Transportation modernized its 30-year-old heavy truck permit program. Permit processing times dropped from days to minutes, carriers gained 24-hour access, auto-issuance of permits increased from zero to 45%, and call volumes also decreased by 45%. ODOT also eliminated 100,000 pages of paper annually, saving roughly $90,000 each year in materials costs alone, while reducing its environmental impact.
• Removing red tape for businesses: The Department of Revenue redesigned its business registration workflow, dramatically reducing processing times from 30 days to two days. Customer calls decreased by 40% and approved applications increased by 10%. These improvements make it easier for Oregon businesses to open, expand, and operate, strengthening the state’s business climate.
• Measuring audit progress through standardized reporting: Required agencies now report on audit twice per year, giving the Governor’s Office and the public visibility into audit findings and whether recommendations are being implemented. In the March 2026 Oregon Expectations Report, agencies reported 127 audit reports containing information on 787 recommendations. A consistent audit system ensures when problems are identified, agencies have a clear path to address them.
• Making the state of Oregon a more competitive employer: Agencies took an average of 71 days to fill positions in 2023, and the statewide vacancy rate exceeded 14%. That same year, Governor Kotek directed agencies to monitor hiring timelines and maintain an average time to fill under 50 days. The metric starts when a recruitment opens and ends when a job offer is made. By the second quarter of 2026, agencies are exceeding the Governor’s goal for the first time, reducing the average hiring timeline to 49 days.
• Developing new employees and increasing accountability: Partnering with labor unions, the Chief Human Resources Office implemented new statewide guidance for new employee orientation, customer service training, foundational manager training, performance feedback training, and benefits education. By 2026, participation rates in five-of-six categories increased over the rates at first measurement. Accountability improved at all levels, including among agency directors. By 2026, all directors on the job for a year or more completed evaluations known as Director 360s. In 2023, only 29 of 77 directors reported receiving a performance review within a year of service.
• Creating a more engaged, higher performing workforce: The number of engaged state employees increased by 6% to a total of 42% in 2026, outpacing the national average of 31%. The Department of Consumer and Business Services increased its overall engagement score from 3.99 to 4.17, a dramatic increase. In large organizations, raising an aggregate score by 0.1 can represent hundreds of individual mindset shifts and lead to lower turnover rates. The Oregon Department of Human Services reduced turnover from approximately 11% to 8%, including declines among employees of color and first year staff.
• Advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging: The Construction Contractors Board expanded access for Spanish speaking contractors and consumers. The agency now delivers multiple licensing and continuing education courses in Spanish, helping raise the Spanish exam pass rate from historic levels of about 30% to 56% as of June 2026. The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) has advanced equity through its grant programs, providing more than $2.3 million since 2024 to low and moderate income domestic well users with water supply issues.
• Poised to respond to emergencies and crises: Emergency preparedness across Oregon’s state government has advanced significantly over the last three years. Eighty-eight state agencies have now completed and submitted a Continuity of Operations Plan with the Office of Emergency Management. Only 42 agencies had such a plan in 2023, and many of them lacked sufficient detail.

Read the Oregon Agency Expectations: Three-Year Progress Report on the DAS website.

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

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. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.

Report suspected 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.

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Re-Imagined Radio continues its exploration of imaginative audio storytelling with "Breakfast @ Epiphanies," premiering at 1 p.m. Oct. 19.

The latest episode from Portland storytellers Jerrel McQuen and Marc Rose presents a collection of spoken word, poetry, sound design and reflection drawn from creative ideas first conceived more than 40 years ago. Together, the longtime collaborators describe the work as a sonic gallery of "fears, inspirations and meditations" spanning "musings and revelation, dead ends and beginnings." Unlike many Re-Imagined Radio productions that rely on dialogue-driven narratives, "Breakfast @ Epiphanies" foregrounds spoken word performances, using voice, sound effects and music to create meaning and spark the listener's imagination.

Through 13 pieces performed by one or two voices, the episode explores themes of longing, technology's influence, artificial realities, historical memory and existential questions. The result is a deeply personal yet broadly relatable collection of observations and reflections shaped by the mysteries of existence, the passage of time and the accelerating pace of modern life.

"Breakfast @ Epiphanies" continues a tradition for McQuen and Rose, who have partnered with Re-Imagined Radio in recent years to revisit and reimagine stories from their alternate world of Farwan while uncovering previously unheard creative treasures. Previous collaborations include “Frequency 43” (2025), “Night of the Eclipsoid Man” (2024), “Asezhia” (2023) and “Twisted Epiphanies” (2022).

According to McQuen, the material featured in the episode has evolved across decades and artistic forms.

"Way back in the antediluvian 1980s, these ruminations started as a collection of intended lyrics," McQuen said. "Eventually I realized that the best lyrics sum things up in a single line. The later material became poetry. Now, in our beleaguered 2020s, this material has become spoken word."

The result is a collection shaped by the mysteries of existence, the passage of time and the accelerating pace of modern life, inviting listeners to reflect on both personal experience and shared human questions.

"Forty years of musings and revelation, dead ends and beginnings," McQuen said. "It's a big, wide weird world out there, and in a shorter than it should be single lifetime, you can only scratch the surface of the existential strangeness."

John F. Barber, producer of Re-Imagined Radio and faculty member in the digital technology and culture program at Washington State University Vancouver, describes the episode as another example of McQuen and Rose's distinctive approach to audio storytelling, where language and sound merge to create experiences that unfold inside the listener's imagination.

"Every episode shared by Jerrel McQuen and Marc Rose is a language-guided sonic bomb exploding on the widescreen of your imagination," Barber said. "For decades, McQuen and Rose have been collecting questions, observations and sparks of inspiration. In 'Breakfast @ Epiphanies,' they're finally uncorking some of that creative energy. Consumed straight. No chaser."

The episode invites listeners on a journey through memory, imagination and discovery. As the Grateful Dead famously sang, "What a long strange trip it's been." For McQuen and Rose, that trip continues.

"So dive in and sample the wares," McQuen said. "They span a broad range of stimuli and reaction. I hope you enjoy the journey."

About Re-Imagined Radio

Created in 2013 by Barber, Re-Imagined Radio explores sound-based storytelling across genres including drama, comedy, documentary and sound art. Through performances, broadcasts, streaming, podcasts and social media, the program reimagines radio storytelling for contemporary audiences.

New episodes premiere on the third Monday of each month. Re-Imagined Radio episodes air on KXRW-FM (99.9) in Vancouver, KXRY-FM (91.1 and 107.1) in Portland, and KNOM-AM (780) in Nome, Alaska. Listening links and an archive of past episodes are available at reimaginedradio.fm, which also features Re-Imagined Radio EXTRA, offering additional sound-based storytelling between monthly episodes.

About WSU Vancouver

WSU Vancouver is one of six campuses of Washington State University and the only four-year research university in Southwest Washington. The campus offers undergraduate and graduate programs that support workforce development, innovation and economic growth through strong partnerships with businesses, industries and community organizations.

# # #

Meals on Wheels People Celebrates 20 Years in Clark County, Launches $4 Million Here for Good Capital Campaign

New campaign will create a permanent Clark County Hub to expand meal delivery, emergency food storage, and medically tailored nutrition services 

(Oct. 5, 2026 – Vancouver, Washington) – Meals on Wheels People celebrated two decades of service in Clark County at its Here for Good 20th Anniversary Luncheon on Sept. 29, bringing together community members, volunteers, supporters, and local leaders to mark the milestone and launch a $4 million capital campaign for a permanent Clark County Hub. 

The new hub, located at 3307 NE 109th Ave. in Vancouver, will give Meals on Wheels People a permanent home in Clark County while expanding its capacity to store and deliver meals, respond to emergencies, and provide specialized nutrition services.  

The luncheon at the Heathman Lodge featured stories from people whose lives have been touched by Meals on Wheels People, including Tim Centner, a participant in the organization’s Medically Tailored Meals program. A video featuring diners at the Luepke Center and The Diner Vancouver and the connections they’ve built through Meals on Wheels People captured the stories and connections at the heart of the event.

Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle also addressed attendees, and KGW meteorologist Rod Hill served as emcee. The event’s Gold Sponsors were The Standard and Bank of America. 

20 Years — and More Than 3 Million Meals

Meals on Wheels People began serving Clark County in 2006. Over the past 20 years, the organization has delivered more than 3 million meals to people throughout the community. 

This past year alone, Meals on Wheels People provided 215,551 meals to 2,503 older adults in Clark County, supported by 271 volunteers who contributed 19,085 hours of service. 

The organization’s Clark County services have also expanded beyond traditional home-delivered meals to include dining centers, The Diner Vancouver, the Diners Club, the Pet Program, and Medically Tailored Meals — nutrition designed around the needs of people managing serious health conditions. 

For Tim Centner, medically tailored meals have become an important part of managing his health. 

“My kidney function had declined to 23%, and at 20%, you go on dialysis,” Tim said. “I got really worried. I have to really watch what I eat. Since Meals on Wheels People, my kidneys went up from 23% all the way to 45%. I’m really glad for the meals.” 

Building Infrastructure for What Comes Next

The Here for Good Capital Campaign will raise $4 million to transform a nearly 1-acre property on NE 109th Avenue into a permanent Clark County Hub. The site will include a new 7,500-square-foot warehouse and existing office space, expanding storage, delivery, and program capacity. 

The project has already received significant public support. Earlier this year, the Washington State Department of Commerce awarded Meals on Wheels People a $2.7 million grant toward establishing a centralized hub for medically tailored meals and older adult nutrition services in Clark County. 

The new warehouse will hold approximately 28,000 frozen meals — enough for up to four weeks of meals in an emergency, more than twice the capacity of Meals on Wheels People’s current rented warehouse in Southwest Washington. That reserve will help the organization continue delivering meals during severe weather, wildfires, supply disruptions, and other emergencies. 

The facility will also eventually serve as Meals on Wheels People’s Washington shipping hub for its Medically Tailored Meals program. Because the organization will own the property, resources that would otherwise go toward renting warehouse space can instead support programs and services. 

“Here for Good means being there when it matters,” said Jessica Morris, interim CEO of Meals on Wheels People. “We can’t know exactly what the future will bring. But we can build the infrastructure to be ready for it.” 

Clark County’s older adult population is growing quickly. By 2035, more than 1 in 4 Clark County residents is projected to be age 60 or older. The new hub is designed to give Meals on Wheels People the capacity and flexibility to continue serving the community as those needs change. 

To learn more about the Here for Good Capital Campaign, visit mowp.org/hereforgood. 

Media Interviews

Meals on Wheels People can arrange interviews with: 

Jessica Morris, Interim CEO, Meals on Wheels People
Organizational perspective on 20 years of service in Clark County, the Here for Good Capital Campaign, the new Clark County Hub, and the community’s changing needs. 

Tim Centner, Meals on Wheels People participant
First-person perspective on his experience receiving medically tailored meals. 

Meals on Wheels People volunteers
First-person perspective on volunteering with Meals on Wheels People, delivering meals, and connecting with older adults in the Clark County community. 

Media interested in scheduling an interview should contact Kelsey Allen at 503.953.8152 or kelsey.allen@mowp.org. 

### 

About Meals on Wheels People 

Meals on Wheels People has been changing lives, one meal at a time, since 1970. We provide meals and human connection to thousands of older adults and families in the greater Portland metro and Vancouver areas. Our services alleviate hunger and social isolation and empower older adults to live independently with dignity in their own homes. For more information, visit mowp.org. 

LOCATEDThe Vancouver Police are attempting to locate a medically vulnerable adult Cindi Benetti (67). Cindi is a white female who stands 5'6", weighs 130lbs with blue eyes and gray hair. She was last seen in the area of the 12200 blk of McGillivray Blvd. Vancouver, WA. She was wearing a gray sweater, pants and black shoes. Cindi is reported to have a tattoo on her right ankle of a flower and snake.

If you have information as to her location please call 311 or 911.

At approximately 11:38 a.m., Vancouver Fire Department crews responded to 7609 NE Vancouver Mall Drive for reports of smoke and fire.

First-arriving crews found an apartment actively on fire and quickly began working to extinguish the fire. While searching the apartment, firefighters located an occupant inside and safely rescued her from the building. She was brought outside, where she received medical care before being transported by American Medical Response (AMR).

A total of 33 firefighters responded to the incident, which was upgraded to a two-alarm fire due to the extent of the fire and the resources required.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Vancouver Fire Marshal’s Office.

(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, asks the public to help find Lilly Hunt, age 10, and Miley L Hunt, age 8,  who went missing from Eugene, OR on Oct. 2, 2026. They are believed to be in danger.

ODHS asks the public for help in the effort to find the children and to contact 911 or local law enforcement if they believe they see them. Lilly and Miley are suspected to be in the Eugene/Springfield area.

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. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.

Due to privacy and confidentiality laws (ORS 409.225 and 419B.035) the Oregon Department of Human Services is unable to provide additional details.

Report suspected 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.

Child Legal Name: Lilly Hunt

Child Preferred Name: Lilly Hunt

Age: 10

Height: 4 feet, 8 inches

Weight: 70 pounds

Hair color: brown

Eye color: brown

Specific Identifying Characteristics: NA

Law enforcement agency name and report #: EPD 26-15786

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) Report #: 2103578

Date Missing: Oct. 2, 2026

Suspected and/or frequented location(s): Eugene/Springfield, OR

Child Legal Name: Miley Hunt

Child Preferred Name: Miley

Age: 8

Height: 4 feet

Weight: 40 pounds

Hair color: brown

Eye color: brown

Specific Identifying Characteristics: NA

Law enforcement agency name and report #: EPD 26-15786

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) Report #: 2103578

Date Missing: Oct. 2, 2026

Suspected and/or frequented location(s): Eugene/Springfield, OR

DPSST Wildland Fire Certification Task Force
MEETING SCHEDULED

For Immediate Release

October 2, 2026

Contact: Brooke Bell-Uribe

(503) 569-8260

Notice of Regular Meeting

The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training Wildland Fire Certification Task Force will hold a regular meeting at 0900 on October 5, 2026. The meeting will be held virtually and recorded to be posted after. Any requests should be made before the meeting by calling Brooke Bell-Uribe at 503-569-8260 or rooke.bell-uribe@dpsst.oregon.gov">Brooke.bell-uribe@dpsst.oregon.gov.

Agenda Items:

• Meeting called to order at 0900
• Staff and Task Force Member Introductions
• Task Force Process
• Review and Discussion of Task Force and Staff Identified Memo Topics
  • Firefighter Type 1 Task Book – Task #13: Coordinate Aerial Resources
  • The Work Capacity Test (Pack Test)
  • Expiration timelines for training used toward certification
  • Gap classes (G‑131, G‑231)
  • Specific requirements listed on the certification application
  • Maintaining wildland certifications
  • Availability of an NWCG representative for Task Force and Fire Policy Committee meetings
  • Updates to Single Resource Boss Training Requirements
• Review Staff Recommendations and Action Items: 
  • Meeting Minutes (Consensus)
  • NWCG Standard (Vote)
  • Work Capacity Test & Oregon Administrative Rule (Vote)
  • Maintaining Currency & Oregon Administrative Rule (Vote)
• Review and Confirm Previously Discussed Topics:
  • New Levels of Certification (Consensus)
  • Task Books (Consensus)
  • Application(s) for Certification (Consensus)
  • Guide to Certification (Consensus)
• Next Steps and Conclusion of Meeting

Administrative Announcement

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

October 2, 2026

Media contacts: Erica Heartquist, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Sunset Bay State Park Beach health advisory lifted Oct 2

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) today lifted a public health advisory for contact with ocean water at Sunset Bay State Park Beach, located in Coos County.

The health authority issued the advisory September 30, after water samples showed higher-than-normal levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters.

Results from follow-up tests taken by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) showed lower bacteria levels. Contact with the ocean water no longer poses a higher-than-normal risk. Officials recommend staying out of large pools on the beach that are frequented by birds, and runoff from those pools, because the water may contain increased bacteria from fecal matter.

Since 2003, state officials have used a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant to monitor popular Oregon beaches and make timely reports to the public about elevated levels of fecal bacteria. Oregon state agencies participating in this program are OHA, DEQ and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

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

###

(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, asks the public to help find Amani Turner, age 15, who went missing from Oregon City on Sept. 28. They are believed to be in danger.

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

Amani Turner is suspected to be in North Portland area

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. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.

Due to privacy and confidentiality laws (ORS 409.225 and 419B.035) the Oregon Department of Human Services is unable to provide additional details.

Report suspected 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.

Child Legal Name: Amani Turner

Child Preferred Name: Amani

Pronouns: she/her

Age: 15

Height: 5-foot-9

Weight: 230 pounds

Hair color: Black/brown

Eye color: Brown

Oregon City Police report #26-019172

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) Report #: 2103035

Date Missing: 9/28/2026

Suspected and/or frequented location(s): North Portland

The Historic Trust Docent Volunteers Receive Outstanding Preservation Education Award
 

Vancouver, WA—Volunteers at The Historic Trust, who work primarily as docents leading tours of historic buildings, were recently notified of winning the Outstanding Preservation Education Award from the Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (DAHP) as part of the 2026 State Historic Preservation Officer’s (SHPO) Awards.
 

“In 2025, the team contributed more than 3,000 hours leading tours and supporting programs at Providence Academy and Marshall House in Vancouver,” The Trust wrote in the nomination for the award. “Their work connects visitors with the histories of these important sites.”
 

"The Historic Trust is powered by an incredible group of staff and dedicated volunteers who make everything we do possible,” said Temple Lentz, President and CEO of The Historic Trust. “We don’t often get the opportunity to shine a spotlight on our volunteers, who do the important work of interpreting these properties’ history and stories for the public. We jumped at the opportunity to nominate the team for this award, and it’s incredibly gratifying to see them recognized at the state level for their hard work and commitment.”
 

An awards ceremony will take place on October 6 in Ellensburg. To see a complete list of the 2026 Award Recipients when they are released, please visit: https://dahp.wa.gov/news-events/historic-preservation-month/2026-shpo-awards.
 

The Historic Trust docents lead weekly tours at Providence Academy and Marshall House on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10am-2pm. In addition to historic tours, volunteers also assist with summer events, Secret Spaces tours, and the annual Holiday Tea. Their generous gift of time and talent is vital to the mission of The Historic Trust.
 

The Historic Trust is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a vibrant community that preserves and celebrates its rich history while shaping its legacy for the future. The mission of The Historic Trust is to inspire civic pride and economic vitality through education, preservation, and celebration of our community’s history. For more information about The Historic Trust, visit https://www.thehistorictrust.org/ or call 360-992-1800. 

The Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation is the state agency responsible for preserving and promoting Washington’s archaeological and historic resources. DAHP works with communities, property owners, Tribes, federal and state agencies, and preservation organizations throughout Washington to identify, protect, and interpret the state’s cultural heritage.

HILLSBORO, Ore- On October 1, 2026, Pedro Jahen Garcia-Balderrama pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct in the second degree and was sentenced to two years of supervised probation by Washington County Circuit Court Presiding Judge Rebecca Guptill.
 

On August 8, 2026, the defendant attended a town hall event hosted by Oregon State Senator Janeen Sollman. During the event, the defendant became verbally disruptive and ranted about various topics. After a verbal exchange, the defendant approached Senator Sollman, grabbed the glasses from her face, and slammed them to the ground.
 

Officers with the Forest Grove Police Department responded to the area and located the defendant near the event. He was arrested without incident.
 

In addition to supervised probation, the defendant was also ordered to undergo anger management treatment, have no contact with the victim, and pay restitution.

OREGON CITY – Clackamas Community College’s Environmental Learning Center will host an afternoon of hands-on art, music and outdoor fun at its fall fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 17, from 3 to 5 p.m.

Guests can explore the center’s natural surroundings, enjoy crafts and games, and participate in two featured art activities. Entomologist and artist Heather Andrews will share her knowledge while guiding visitors through a painting activity with cockroach helpers. Guests can also make their own terrariums to take home. Art activity purchases include live music by Steven Soll and light refreshments.

The afternoon will feature the debut of the Bird Poop Drop raffle at 4:30 p.m. Feathered friends will help determine the lucky winners by doing their business on a grid of squares.

Art activity tickets include art supplies, music and refreshments. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for youth 18 and younger. Raffle tickets are $25 each. Raffle participants must be 18 or older and physically in Oregon when purchasing a ticket. Winners do not need to be present at the drawing.

The fundraiser will take place at the Environmental Learning Center at CCC, 19600 Molalla Ave., Oregon City. Parking is free.

For tickets and more information, visit the event registration page. This event is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Oregon City Foundation.

-30-

About the Environmental Learning Center

The Environmental Learning Center has a rich history as an educational resource for Clackamas Community College, regional schools, industry and the community. Located on the former site of a Smucker's processing plant, the center was created to demonstrate what people could do to reclaim industrial sites, address stormwater issues and restore wildlife habitats in urban areas. Each year, thousands of people visit to explore the 5-acre site and learn about watershed health. The site serves as an important stormwater facility for the college campus and provides critical wetland habitat for resident and migratory birds, such as the great blue herons, cedar waxwings and mergansers. For more information about the Environmental Learning Center, visit https://www.clackamas.edu/student-life/campuses-buildings-hours/environmental-learning-center. 

Downloadable video file of Matthew Broderick talking about the Bird Poop Drop: https://wipapp.wipster.io/review/CUFDXwBqMCeoNwP4sh64fy8KgBTTnp_ZbgbnqeW8_oOkWNFTjw

Fall fun is taking over Happy Valley Park as Happy Valley Oktoberfest returns Saturday, Oct. 3, from 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. for a full day of food, music, entertainment and activities for all ages.

This FREE, family-friendly celebration brings the community together for a full day of Oktoberfest traditions, activities and entertainment. Festival-goers can enjoy live German music, grab a bite from a variety of food vendors, browse local vendor booths, or stop by the beer garden for a refreshing beverage.

There’s plenty for families to enjoy throughout the day, including a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, wagon rides, games and activities. Guests can also cheer on the always entertaining Wiener Dog Races, test their appetite during the pie eating contest, or watch adults 21 and older put their strength to the test during the Paulaner Stein Hoisting Contest.

Happy Valley’s Youth Entrepreneur Program will also be part of the festivities. Young entrepreneurs from the community will have booths featuring their handmade products, giving attendees a chance to shop local while supporting the next generation of small business owners.

Make a Plan for Your Ride

To help festival-goers plan ahead, Happy Valley Parks and Recreation is partnering with Uber and Lyft to offer a $10 ride credit for travel to or from Oktoberfest. Attendees can use the special QR code provided by the city to access the ride offer. Credits are available while promotional funds last and are valid for rides to or from Happy Valley Park on Oct. 3.

Whether you come for the German music, great food, beer garden, dog races, pumpkins or simply a fun fall day with family and friends, there’s something for everyone at Happy Valley Oktoberfest.

Event Details:
Date: Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026
Time: 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Location: Happy Valley Park, 13770 SE Ridgecrest Rd.
Admission: Free

Whether you come for the German music, great food, beer garden, dog races, pumpkins or simply a fun fall day with family and friends, there’s something for everyone at Happy Valley Oktoberfest.

For more information, visit hv.city/Oktoberfest.

PRINEVILLE, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management extends an invitation to apply for special recreation permits to provide non-motorized, river-related commercial outfitter and guide services, including fishing, and other recreation services on the eight-mile Chimney Rock Segment of the Lower Crooked Wild and Scenic River and 100 miles of the Lower Deschutes Wild and Scenic River. The applications will be accepted from October 1 – 30, 2026, and successful applicants would be able to start using their permit in the 2027 season.

“We see visitors coming from around the world to explore these beautiful rivers for a variety of reasons,” said Lisa Clark, Deschutes Field Manager. “Commercial guides can offer experiences like rafting, fishing, and paddleboarding for a range of audiences from youth to visitors requiring a more accessible opportunity in a safe, professional and sustainable manner.”

These Wild and Scenic Rivers are managed to ensure recreation use while protecting and enhancing the other outstandingly remarkable values like fisheries, wildlife and hydrology that prompted these rivers to be designated as Wild and Scenic. The number of available permits reflects this balance. This year interested individuals and companies will be applying for up to four new available Special Recreation Permits (SRPs) on the Lower Deschutes River. Up to two new SRPs will be awarded for the Lower Crooked River.

Application materials are available on the BLM Prineville website or by calling the Prineville District Office at 541-416-6700. Completed applications must be delivered to the BLM Prineville District, Deschutes Field Office, no later than 4:30 PM on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. Separate applications are required for each river.

Submission Address:

BLM - Prineville District
Attn: Katie Gosses                                     
3050 NE 3rd Street
Prineville, OR  97754

Applicants are urged to review the prospectus closely, as incomplete submissions will not be considered. For additional information, contact permit lead Katie Gosses at 458-287-1786.

-BLM-

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

The public is invited to attend free art events, including the opening reception of Archer Gallery's upcoming exhibit by award-winning artist Roger Allan Cleeves

VANCOUVER, Wash. — Archer Gallery at Clark College is hosting a new exhibit and an exciting lineup of public programs. All events are free and open to the public, and they will take place on Clark’s main campus at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way. Art Talks will be located in the Penguin Union Building (PUB), room 161. Light refreshments will be provided. Directions and maps are available online.

Located on Clark’s main campus, Archer Gallery serves the students and community by exhibiting contemporary art in a not-for-profit educational setting. Archer Gallery exhibits work by nationally and internationally renowned artists and connects the Clark College community with accessible and diverse perspectives from the contemporary art world.

Clark Art Talks hosts an art lecture series throughout the academic year for students and the community. Distinguished artists and art scholars from around the country share their experiences related to their art practices and provide unique insights into their varied career paths and artistic techniques. For more information about Archer Gallery’s exhibitions and art talks, and to watch videos of past art talks, visit archergallery.space.
 

UPCOMING EXHIBIT: ROGER ALLAN CLEAVES, PATH TO PROGRESS

Opening Reception: Tuesday, October 12, 2–5 p.m. at Archer Gallery

Art Talk: Thursday, October 22, 11 a.m. –12 p.m. in PUB 161

Artist Website: https://www.rogerallancleaves.com/

Path to Progress represents a chapter in Roger Allan Cleaves’s ongoing narrative universe, Forget Me Nots Land — a world where history, folklore, popular culture, and imagined futures come together. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Cleaves brings a perspective shaped outside the Pacific Northwest to Archer Gallery. He will join us for the exhibition opening and an artist talk, giving students and visitors an opportunity to hear directly about the ideas, stories, and visual references behind his work. Cleaves’s practice is deeply connected to Afrofuturism, a movement that brings together Black history, African traditions, fantasy, technology, and science fiction to imagine new possibilities for the future. Afrofuturist art matters because imagination can be a form of agency. By envisioning Black people as protagonists, explorers, inventors, and creators of future worlds, artists can challenge histories of exclusion and imagine futures in which Black life can thrive. This idea is at the heart of Forget Me Nots Land and its central character, Bookie, a young Black protagonist navigating an ever-expanding, otherworldly universe.

For Archer Gallery, Path to Progress offers an opportunity to consider how contemporary artists can engage with art history as something alive and changeable. Cleaves invites us to recognize familiar images, look at them differently, and consider who gets to shape the stories of the future. As one chapter of Forget Me Nots Land, the exhibition remains open-ended — an invitation to imagine new stories, new protagonists, and new futures.

Cleaves was born in Memphis, Tennessee, where he currently lives and works. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Memphis. During his tenure at the University of Memphis, he was one of fifteen undergraduate students selected from across the country to participate in the Yale Norfolk Summer program for the arts. Cleaves went on to study at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he earned his MFA.

Cleaves’ exhibit will be at Archer Gallery from October 1 through December 4, 2026.

CLARK ART TALKS, LECTURES, AND WORKSHOPS

Orlando Almanza Art Talk: October 26, 2–3 p.m. in PUB 161

Artist’s website: https://www.orlandoalmanza.com/

Orlando Almanza (b.1989, Las Tunas, Cuba) pulls us into his dreamworld of memory, myth and loss with ethereal landscapes, portraits and storytelling. His stories take place in the natural world where figures are intertwined with plants, animals, and light. The interconnectedness of his work points to the artist's deep dedication to nature and the unique way it connects with myths and storytelling across cultures. Each painting invites us in, to search for meaning and truth. Almanza received his B.A. in printmaking from the Institute of Superior Arts in Havana, Cuba.

Tentacle Tribe (Montreal) Lecture Demonstration: October 28, 2–3 p.m. in Archer Gallery

Artist’s website: https://www.tentacletribe.com/

Clark College Foundation Presents and Archer Gallery welcome "conceptual hip hop" dance company Tentacle Tribe (Montreal) for a Lecture Demonstration, including performance excerpts. This free public event will feature internationally renowned dancers sharing their unique vision for melding street and contemporary dance forms.

Steve Gardner Artist Workshop: October 29, 1–4 p.m. at Frost Art Center, Ceramics Lab

Artist’s Website: https://gardnerart.com/

Seattle artist Steve Gardner studied art and biology at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, then received his M.F.A. in ceramic sculpture from Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA. He sculpts his three-dimensional work in architectural terra cotta, using traditional techniques with new innovations in surface color. Both his gallery work and his architectural commissions focus on the human figure, surface pattern, and a sense of story. Recent architectural commissions have taken the form of large murals in cast glass and metal. Installations of his sculptures can be seen at SeaTac International Airport (Seattle, WA); The LaSalle Building (Baton Rouge, LA); the Snohomish Library (Snohomish, WA); the Vancouver School for the Blind (Vancouver, WA); the Denali Lodge (Denali, AK); and the Oregon Zoo (Portland, OR). He lives with his family in Ballard, Seattle, WA, USA.

Laura Ross-Paul Art Talk: November 3, 11 a.m. –12 p.m. in PUB 161

Artist’s Website: https://www.lauraross-paul.com/

Laura Ross-Paul has been painting professionally for over four decades. During that time she has been represented by nine West-Coast rallies from Seattle to LA, with solo exhibits at the Portland Art Museum, Oregon, The Column Gallery, Colorado College, Colorado: The Art Gym, Portland, Oregon; and important exhibits at the Arnot Museum, Elmira, New York; Palm Springs Art Museum,; Seattle Art Museum; Tacoma Art; the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (Eugene), The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (Portland), and The Schnitzer Family Collection.

Among her many awards, Ross-Paul has received the Bonnie Bronson Visual Arts Fellowship, an Oregon Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowship, and the Susan Cooley Gilliom Artist and Teaching Residency in Roseville, California. Her art has been singled out for prizes in regional biennials at the Portland Art Museum, Tacoma Art Museums, and Turtle Bay Museum in Redding, California; featured in the cable TV film Spy (1989); and appears on book covers including fiction by Charles Spaeth (2011) and Barbara Wilson (1993) and poetry by Judith Barrington (2015).

Diego Mancilla Art Talk: November 5, 11 a.m. –12 p.m. in PUB 161

Artist’s Website: https://di-nation.com/

Born in Mexico City, raised in Portland, Oregon — Mancilla is a creative spirit. From the moment he drew on MacPaint in 1998, all he wanted to do was design. Today, he focuses on working with companies and individuals to create design solutions through the use of typography, layout, color mashups, and a splash of creativity. He is a Digital and Graphic Designer.

Palmarin Merges Art Talk: November 16, 11 a.m. –12 p.m. in PUB 161

Artist’s Website: https://www.palmarinmerges.com/

Palmarin Merges is a Filipina American artist whose work draws from the desire to become more sustainable by re-using materials close at hand and by adapting restriction as a generative force for creation. Trained as a Printmaker, she now works primarily in mixed media, especially household waste - plastic, cardboard, etc. These common materials taken from the fabric of her daily life are processed and then transformed into pattern, collage and concrete poetry.

Raised in Hawaii and California, she left Oregon in Dec. 2019 with her husband to return to Japan, this time to Tokyo. Her adventures now include exploring a variety of traditional crafts and wandering the areas in and around the Yamanote Line.

Palmarin Merges holds an MFA Printmaking from the San Francisco Art Institute and has exhibited in Japan, the Philippines, San Francisco, and Portland, Oregon. She has previously taught Relief, Screenprint and drawing at Pacific Northwest College of Art, Marylhurst University and Pacific University.

About Clark College

Founded in 1933, Clark College is Southwest Washington’s largest public institution of higher education. Clark College provides residents of Southwest Washington with affordable, high-quality academic and technical education. This public community college offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs, including bachelor’s and associate degrees; professional certificates; high school diplomas and GED preparation; and non-credit community and continuing education. Clark serves almost 10,000 students including high school students, veterans, displaced workers, multilingual and mature learners. About three-quarters of its students are the first in their families to attend college.

Clark’s Fine Arts Program

Clark’s Art/Fine Arts program invites students to explore creative expression through a wide range of artistic media. Taught by professional artists and instructors with advanced degrees, courses provide a supportive environment for students to develop their skills and pursue their artistic ambitions. Whether students are beginning their journey or expanding their talents, students can choose from courses in painting, drawing, ceramics, photographic, and graphic design.

Learn more about Clark’s Art/Fine Arts program here.

All Are Welcome: Clark College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution. Learn more at www.clark.edu/nds.

The Oregon State Marine Board invites recreational boaters and others interested in the agency’s work to gather and engage with staff in a city near you. Ten Town Hall meetings are scheduled across the state from mid-October to mid-November. These meetings will give staff and ultimately the Board a better understanding of local boaters’ needs and gather attendee feedback on the agency’s proposed budget and legislative concepts.

The goal is to build stronger connections with local boaters, share what the agency does, and explain how boating dollars are used in communities. Staff will also be there to answer questions about boating safety, agency rules, grants, boating access, titling and registration, outfitter guides, and any environmental concerns.

The Town Hall meeting runs from 4 pm to 7 pm in an open format, so people can come and go as their schedules allow.

Visit the Marine Board’s Town Hall page for addresses and links to driving directions.

-End-

A new destination event celebrating the intersection of Indigenous and Western culture through fashion, art, and food will debut in Pendleton, Oregon, October 15–17. Interwoven: Where Cultures Meet, organized by Travel Pendleton, invites visitors to experience the people, makers, designers, artists, flavors, and stories that shape this corner of Eastern Oregon.

At the heart of Interwoven is the Interwoven Market, featuring 70 booths and artists representing more than 30 Indigenous Nations. Guests can shop, meet makers, watch demonstrations, participate in hands-on activities, and discover the creative work behind the event’s fashion collections.

Fashion takes center stage throughout the weekend, including shows featuring eight Unresidency designers who have spent six months developing collections inspired by their individual creative practices and connections to place. The weekend culminates with The Rodeo of Runway, a one-of-a-kind fashion show on horseback at the Blue Mountain Equine Center.

Food is woven throughout the experience with events held at Electric Sundown. The Taste of Umatilla County invites guests to sample pairings featuring local foods, First Foods, and regional libations. At Fashion Bites, eight chefs representing Indigenous culinary traditions, James Beard-recognized talent, and the vibrant Pendleton food scene will be paired with the Undresidency fashion designers to create small plates inspired by their runway collections. Together, the chefs and designers will explore the connections between place, ingredients, culture, and creative expression.

Community creativity will also take center stage through art activations and collaborative projects, including two community-designed pieces that will make their runway debut Saturday night. Created entirely at the Interwoven Market, the pieces will become a highly visible representation of collective creativity.

When the sun goes down, Interwoven becomes Unwoven. In partnership with VYBE, the after-hours experience transforms Electric Sundown into a lounge and nightlife destination, giving guests a chance to gather, unwind, and experience Pendleton after dark.

Organized by Travel Pendleton, Interwoven continues the story of culture at the heart of Pendleton’s community told through fashion, art, food, creativity, and connection.

Interwoven: Where Cultures Meet takes place October 15–17, 2026, in Pendleton, Oregon. Tickets, event information, and the full list of participating artists and designers are available at www.interwovenoregon.com.

This project is funded in part by a grant from Travel Oregon.

The Multnomah Education Service District Board Policy Committee will meet at 12:00 p.m. on October 8, 2026. 
This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom.

https://multnomahesd-org.zoom.us/j/84129078806?pwd=Kglcf6KPYWijnjIY5TBaLWayYIa6GB.1
Passcode:108883

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE

BOARD ON PUBLIC SAFETY STANDARDS AND TRAINING

MEETING SCHEDULED

The Executive Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a meeting at 2:00 p.m. on October 5, 2026, at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167 or juan.lopez-hernandez@dpsst.oregon.gov.

Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. Executive Session

The Executive Committee will hold an executive session to consider attorney-client privileged information. The executive session is being held pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(f). This session is closed to the public.

General Session

3. Nicholas Alberts, DPSST No. 58569; Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office

Administrative Announcement

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

CORRECTIONS POLICY COMMITTEE

SPECIAL MEETING SCHEDULED

The Corrections Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a special meeting at 10:00 a.m. on October 5, 2026, at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167 or juan.lopez-hernandez@dpsst.oregon.gov.

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

Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. Executive Session

The Corrections Policy Committee will hold an executive session to consider attorney-client privileged information. The executive session is being held pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(f). This session is closed to the public.

General Session

3. Nicholas Alberts, DPSST No. 58569; Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office

Administrative Announcement

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

DPSST provides reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access for people with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency. To request a sign language interpreter, translation services, or other accommodations, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167 or at nandez@dpsst.oregon.gov">juan.lopez-hernandez@dpsst.oregon.gov, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

DPSST proporciona acomodaciones rasonables para asegurar el acceso igual para personas con descapacidades y para personas con competencia limitada de inglés. Para pedir un interprete de lengua de señas, servicios de traducción, u otras acomodaciones, por favor de contactar a Juan Lopez marcando al (503) 551-3167, o a nandez@dpsst.oregon.gov">juan.lopez-hernandez@dpsst.oregon.gov, al menos de 48 horas antes de la reunión.

At approximately 2:08 p.m. on October 1, 2026, the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office received multiple reports of a small boat adrift near the end of the sandbar in the Columbia River.

A short time later, the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol located a fishing kayak in the area with its trolling motor still running. A search for the owner began immediately, with assistance from the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office plane, the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Police, and the Hood River Police Department.

The kayak’s owner was later identified as David Kalousdian of Hood River. He was not located during the search and is presumed deceased. Search efforts will continue, but the mission is now considered a recovery operation.

ASTORIA, OR — Clatsop County will mail 2026-27 property tax statements beginning mid-October, and all statements will be sent no later than October 25.

Property owners who are enrolled in e-Statements will receive their 2026-27 property tax statement by email instead of by mail.

Enrollment is now open for the 2027–28 tax year. To sign up, visit apps.clatsopcounty.gov/property/estatements/request/.

You will need your property tax account number, name and email address to enroll.

Your property tax statement serves as the value notice and tax bill for the fiscal year (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027).  Property taxes are calculated based on your property’s assessed value and the tax rates of the districts serving your property. Some statements may also include additional taxes, special assessment fees, or charges.

Your statement summarizes the property’s Real Market Value (RMV), Assessed Value (AV), annual taxes, and payment due dates. If you believe the Assessed Value (AV) is incorrect, your appeal rights are outlined on the back of the statement.

This year’s changes reflect a 3% assessed value growth, new construction, and voter-approved levies and bonds. Property owners in affected districts may see increases greater than 3%.

Voter-Approved Measures and Legislative Changes – 2026–27

The following voter-approved measures and legislative changes will be reflected in the 2026–27 property tax statements:

• City of Warrenton – A 21-year bond for improvements to the wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal system, approved by voters in 2024, first levied on the 2026–27 property tax statements.
• Special Assessments – Property owners within diking district boundaries may see additional changes based on acreage and district rates.
  • Drainage Improvement District No. 1 has a significant rate increase for 2026–27, which may result in a noticeable increase.
• Rural Fire Patrol Assessments – Effective for the 2026–27 property tax year, because of the passage of HB 3940, you may see changes to Rural Fire Patrol District (RFPD) assessment charges, including:
  • Properties located within both city limits and an RFPD boundary are now subject to the RFPD assessment, including vacant land.
  • Improved properties outside city limits, the assessable acreage increases from 5 acres to 10 acres.
  • Vacant land outside city limits that are 10 acres or less and located within an RFPD boundary are now subject to the RFPD assessment.
• For general questions contact your local Rural Fire department.

Services Funded by Property Taxes

Clatsop County collects and distributes property taxes to 66 taxing districts that provide essential public services throughout the county, including:

• County Government – public safety, road improvements, elections, and public health
• Cities – police and fire protection, urban renewal projects, and other municipal services
• Education – K-12 schools, Clatsop Community College, NW Regional Education Service District
• Port of Astoria
• Rural Fire Districts and Special Districts

Payment Options and Due Dates

• Pay in full by November 16, 2026 — receive a 3% discount
• Pay two-thirds by November 16, 2026 — receive a 2% discount
• Pay in three installments:
  • November 16, 2026
  • February 15, 2027
  • May 17, 2027

Property owners who pay at least one-third by December 15, 2026 receive no discount.

Please refer to the back of your tax statement for complete payment options and due dates.

Payment Options

In Person

Clatsop County Tax Office
820 Exchange St., Suite 210
Astoria, OR 97103

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., excluding holidays. An ADA-accessible entrance is available on Exchange Street.

Drop Box

A secure payment drop box is available near the corner of 9th and Exchange streets.

Please do not confuse the tax payment drop box with the nearby ballot drop box.

An additional payment drop box is available inside the Tax Office for customers who want to drop off a payment without waiting in line.

By Mail

Payments must be postmarked by November 16, 2026, to qualify for a discount.

Under Oregon law, the U.S. Postal Service postmark is recognized as the official payment date. Because some mail is sent to a central processing facility before receiving a postmark, taxpayers are encouraged to mail payments early.

Make checks payable to:

Clatsop County Tax Collector

Mail payments to:
Clatsop County Tax Collector
820 Exchange St., Suite 210
Astoria, OR 97103

Online

Property taxes may be paid online. Visit Pay Taxes Online for payment options and fee information. Processing fees apply.

Automated Phone Payment

Call 855-233-4031 and provide your property tax account number to make a payment through the automated phone system. Processing fees apply.

Important Notes

• Mark your calendar. Clatsop County does not send reminder notices for the second and third payment dates if you choose to pay in three installments.
• Interest will be charged. Clatsop County does not have legal authority to extend payment deadlines or waive interest. Under Oregon law, interest will be charged on unpaid property taxes beginning December 16, 2026.
• Payments postmarked by the due date are considered on time. We encourage property owners to mail payments early to avoid potential delays. Consider using certified or other trackable mail for added assurance.
• Receipt. Your canceled check serves as your receipt. If you would like a payment receipt mailed to you, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your payment.

Understanding the Color of Your Tax Bill

• Yellow Tax Statement – County records indicate that a mortgage company or Oregon’s Senior Deferral Program will be paying the property taxes. If you have questions about who is responsible for making the payment, contact your mortgage company. Property owners remain responsible for ensuring their taxes are paid.
   
• Green Tax Statement – This indicates that the property owner is responsible for paying the taxes. Keep the top portion of the statement for your records and return the bottom portion with payment in the envelope provided.

Search Your Property Account

Clatsop County Assessment & Taxation provides a searchable online property account database with current property tax and assessment information.

Property owners can search by:

• Street address
• Property tax account number
• Taxlot Key, such as 80908CB07100

Visit www.clatsopcounty.gov/381/Assessment-Taxation and select Property Info. For more information go to ClatsopCounty.gov.

###

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Community Services has scheduled four public forums in October 2026 to discuss and get feedback on its low-income community needs survey conducted earlier this year. This feedback will be included in the final Community Needs Assessment report and will help determine spending decisions countywide.

These events are open to all. Registration is encouraged at  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MPRG2DL. Interpretation services will be provided upon request. Light refreshments will be available during in-person forums.

Community Forum in Battle Ground

• When: Monday, Oct. 5, 2026
  • Open house / data walk: 1–5 pm
  • Forum: 5:30–7:30 pm
• Where: Battle Ground Community Library
  • 1207 SE Eighth Way
  • Meyer Memorial Trust Community Room

Virtual Community Forum

• When: Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026
  • 10 am – noon
• Where: Zoom, link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82914439966
  • Meeting ID: 829 1443 9966

Community Forum in Vancouver

• When: Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026
  • Open house / data walk: noon–5 pm
  • Forum: 5:30–7:30 pm
• Where: Vancouver Community Library
  • 901 C St.
  • Columbia Room

Community Forum in Camas

• When: Monday, Oct. 26, 2026
  • Forum: 5:30–7:30 pm
• Where: Camas Public Library
  • 625 NE Fourth Ave.
  • Dual Meeting Rooms A & B

The confidential survey asked residents with low incomes about their family’s needs. Community Services will share data from the survey, and participants will have a chance to provide feedback and share their opinions on the findings.

Community Services is required to conduct a community needs assessment every three years. The results are used to help prioritize which programs and services will be funded in our community with Community Service Block Grant awards.

Case Is Part of the Homeland Security Task Force Initiative

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Fairview, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Matthew Moultrie, 41, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison and 4 years’ supervised release.

“Removing drugs and guns from our streets is vital to protecting Oregon’s communities. When offenders repeatedly threaten public safety, we have a duty to hold them accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon. “This sentence reflects the serious harm Mr. Moultrie has caused—and the danger he would have continued to pose—to Oregonians.”

“Mr. Moultrie showed a complete disregard for the law by trafficking deadly drugs while armed, despite a prior drug conviction and repeated encounters with law enforcement,” said Robert A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “This sentence holds him accountable and sends a clear message that DEA and our Homeland Security Task Force partners will work tirelessly to protect our communities. Through Fentanyl Free America, we are disrupting the fentanyl supply chain, reducing the availability of synthetic opioids, and saving American lives.”

According to court documents, the investigation began when Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents saw a courier from a Mexican drug trafficking organization (DTO) get in Moultrie’s car for an apparent drug transaction. The agents then stopped and searched Moultrie’s car and found about 220 grams of fentanyl, 65 grams of meth, and a gun.

Later, DEA agents and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies found Moultrie as he exited a motel room. Moultrie admitted to possessing a handgun and a half-pound of meth. Agents found 386 grams of meth, 5 grams of fentanyl, and two guns in his motel room.

Due to Moultrie’s criminal history, he is a career offender. His criminal history includes drug trafficking and firearms offenses.

On January 7, 2026, Moultrie pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the DEA, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police and Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lewis S. Burkhart.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Portland comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, USMS, IRS-CI, ATF, USPIS, CBP, TSA, U.S. Coast Guard, Oregon Air, Army National Guard Counterdrug program, and Oregon-Idaho HIDTA with prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

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

# # #

At approximately 2:00 a.m., a Beaverton Police Department patrol officer observed a Toyota Sequoia being driven recklessly along SW Tualatin Valley Highway. The officer saw the vehicle make an illegal U-turn, strike a concrete median, lose control, and continue driving erratically.

The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle near SW Tualatin Valley Highway and SW 178th Avenue. The driver failed to stop and fled northbound on SW 178th Avenue, running a stop sign and continuing to elude officers.

The driver of the Toyota lost control and crashed the SUV into occupied townhomes near SW Johnson Street. Despite significant damage to the residences, no occupants of the townhomes were injured.

Two juveniles fled from the vehicle on foot following the crash.

Beaverton Police K9 Ox was deployed to search for the teens. During the track, officers received information from community members who had seen the teens running through the surrounding neighborhood. K9 Ox and officers ultimately located one of the teens, who surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident. The second teen later returned home and was transported to a hospital for evaluation of injuries sustained during the incident.

Officers subsequently learned the Toyota belonged to the parent of one of the teenagers and had been taken without permission.

The teen believed to have been driving was lodged at a juvenile detention center on charges of Felony Attempt to Elude, Misdemeanor Attempt to Elude, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering, Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver (property damage), and Criminal Mischief in the First Degree.

Because the individuals involved are juveniles, the Beaverton Police Department will not be releasing their names or identifying information.

###

SALEM, Ore. — The Regional Forest Practice Committee for eastern Oregon will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8 at the ODF Office, 611 20th St., La Grande. To join virtually, please use the Teams video conference information found on the agenda. To provide public comment, please email estresources.committees@odf.oregon.gov">forestresources.committees@odf.oregon.gov.

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Division and field updates
• Compliance monitoring update
• Forest Practices Act training update
• Operator of the Year
• Workplan development
• Technical guidance development

The public may attend in-person or online via Teams. Public comments will be accepted. Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged by calling at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-945-7200 or by email at estresources.committees@odf.oregon.gov">forestresources.committees@odf.oregon.gov.

Regional Forest Practices Committees are panels of citizens – mandated under Oregon law – that advise the Oregon Board of Forestry and may assist the Board of Forestry in developing appropriate forest practice rules. The committees are comprised of citizens qualified by education or experience in natural resource management. In 1971, the legislature enacted Oregon’s Forest Practices Act which includes three Regional Forest Practices Committees, serving the Eastern, Northwest, and Southwest regions of the state. Under Oregon law, a majority of the committees’ members must be private forest landowners and logging or forest operations companies.

Oregon’s forests are among the state’s most valued resources, providing a balanced mix of environmental, economic, and social benefits. View more information on the RFPC webpage.

Corvallis, Ore. – The State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation (SACHP) will meet on October 15 and 16, in Corvallis to consider proposed nominations to the National Register of Historic Places. The meeting is open to the public and will be offered in a hybrid format, with virtual participation available via Zoom.

The meeting agenda includes guided tours, presentations, and hearings for eight proposed nominations and one thematic Multiple Property Document. Tours will take place on October 15. The business meeting will be held on October 16, at the Benton County Museum Collins Family Education & Event Space – 411 SW 2nd St. in Corvallis. Both in‑person and virtual attendance options are available for the business meeting; tour information and instructions for registering to attend the meeting virtually are posted on the SACHP webpage.

The business meeting will include a presentation on the Oregon Heritage Plan and a courtesy review of a federal nomination for the San Francisco-Seattle Airway Beacon #34 in Jackson County. Beginning at 10:00am, the committee will review The Paid Labor of Women in Oregon: 1878–1990 Multiple Property Documentation Form and the following National Register nominations:
 

• Edith Yang House in Corvallis
• Pine Tavern in Bend
• Bolton School in West Linn
• Sundance Natural Foods in Eugene
• Taylor’s Coffee Shop in Eugene
• Molalla Log House in Clackamas County
• Calaroga Terrace in Portland 
   

Copies of the proposed nominations, the full meeting agenda, and instructions for submitting public comment are all available on the SACHP webpage.

The SACHP is a nine-member governor-appointed citizen commission with credentials in many historic preservation-related fields, including archaeology, architectural history, historic architecture, anthropology, history, and museum management. Nominations recommended by the SACHP are forwarded to the National Park Service, which maintains the National Register of Historic Places under the authority of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. This effort aligns with the Oregon Historic Preservation Plan goal to increase the number and thematic diversity of Oregon properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It also supports the goals to include more voices and increase access to Oregon heritage that are part of the Oregon Heritage Plan.

The meeting is accessible to people with disabilities. Special accommodations may be made with at least 48 hours of advance notice by calling (503) 986-0690.

More information about the SACHP and the National Register of Historic Places process is available online at www.oregonheritage.org and from SACHP staff assistant Val Ballestrem at 503-930-1206 or allestrem@oprd.oregon.gov">val.ballestrem@oprd.oregon.gov.

###

October 19–23 proclamation recognizes more than 110 Oregon branches and loan offices, 2,365 jobs, and the role community banks play in small-business lending

SALEM, Ore. — Oct. 1, 2026 — Governor Tina Kotek has officially proclaimed October 19–23, 2026, as Community Bank Week in Oregon, recognizing the important role community banks play in supporting families, small businesses, and communities across the state.

“For well over a century, community banks doing business in Oregon have provided local financial services and have supported the prosperity and growth of our communities,” Governor Kotek said in the proclamation. “Community banks are an integral part of Oregon's overall economy through their community giving, dedication as good neighbors, and above all, their critical role in providing reliable financial services to Oregonians.”

Community banks serve Oregon through more than 110 branches and loan offices and provide more than 2,365 family-wage jobs. They make more than half of all bank loans to small businesses and play a significant role in local economic development, helping stimulate the economy, create jobs, and provide new opportunities.

“Community banks are deeply connected to the communities they serve,” said Scott Bruun, president and CEO of the Oregon Bankers Association. “They provide capital to local businesses, support community organizations, create jobs, and contribute to the economic vitality of communities across Oregon. Governor Kotek's proclamation recognizes the important role these banks play in the lives of Oregonians.”

During Community Bank Week, participating banks will celebrate with customer appreciation events, community service projects, food drives, financial education, and other activities that highlight the ways banks support the communities they serve.

“We invite Oregonians to join us in celebrating the banks that are investing in their communities every day,” Bruun said. “Community Bank Week is an opportunity to recognize the relationships, businesses, organizations, and community efforts that help Oregon communities thrive.”

About the Oregon Bankers Association
Established in 1905, the Oregon Bankers Association is a full-service trade association with a membership that includes state and national commercial banks, savings banks and trust companies doing business in Oregon. The mission of the OBA is to be the voice of Oregon banking.

The Oregon Bankers Association serves a dynamic, innovative and community-minded industry. The competitive nature of banking gives Oregonians and Oregon businesses a wide variety of choices for their financial services. In our collective endeavors, the Oregon Bankers Association and its members strive to ensure that Oregon remains a great place to do business and a great place to do banking. To learn more, visit www.oregonbankers.com.

### 

PORTLAND, Ore. —  On September 30, 2026, the United States Department of Justice sent grant award notifications, totaling more than $4.6 million, to organizations and cities in Oregon to continue and enhance their work for public safety work in Oregon. 

The United States Attorney’s Office wants to congratulate our local partners on their grant awards. The following are the recipients and their award amounts: Liberty House, $1,000,000.00, City of Gresham-East Multnomah Outreach Prevention Intervention, $1,005,000.00, Oregon CASA Network, $1,031,000.00, Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence Inc., $343,065.00, City of Beaverton-Behavioral Health Court, $500,000.00, and The City of Cottage Grove-Cottage-Grove Police Department $800,000.00.

“I thank these organizations for their work to keep our communities safe and congratulate them on their awards,” said U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon. “I am thankful the United States Department of Justice continues to support this important work and our partners throughout our Oregon communities.”

These funds come from Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants/Byrne Discretionary Grants Program and OVW Fiscal Year 2026 State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.

The work that will be funded include increased medical clinic services to children who are victims of abuse or neglect, work to prevent and combat juvenile delinquency, reduce youth involvement in violent crime, and strengthen coordinated public safety efforts for youth and families, behavioral health aimed at curbing recidivism, Court Appointed Special Advocates for children removed from their home due to abuse or neglect, supporting the work to assist survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and police department fleet modernization aimed at restoring community trust, and improving public safety.

# # #

On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, members of the Yamhill County Street Crimes and Narcotics (SCAN) Team, in conjunction with the Yamhill County Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and YCSO Rural Patrol Red Team, conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle as it entered the Walgreens parking lot in Newberg (OR). The occupants were suspected of trafficking significant quantities of controlled substances into Yamhill County.

Following the stop, Corporal Akin and K9 Puddles from Washington County Sheriff's Office responded to assist. K9 Puddles conducted an exterior sniff of the vehicle and provided a positive alert to the odor of controlled substances.

A search warrant was subsequently obtained and served, resulting in the seizure of approximately 2.2 pounds of methamphetamine, 6.8 grams of fentanyl, and additional paraphernalia.

Jeremy Brandon Tarozzi, age 43, of Carlton, was taken into custody and lodged in the Yamhill County Correctional Facility on charges of Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine and Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine – Substantial Quantity.

Sheriff Sam Elliott praised the efforts of the teams involved, stating, “Our detectives, deputies, and partner agencies continue to work tirelessly to keep dangerous drugs out of our communities. Their dedication and collaborative efforts are making a meaningful impact, one case at a time, in our fight against narcotics trafficking in Yamhill County.”

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges are anticipated.

Evergreen Virtual Academy -10/6/2026

EVERGREEN VIRTUAL ACADEMY NOTICE OF WORK SESSION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS October 6, 2026, 9:00AM 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

(Local note: Prescribed fire operations are expected to begin at the West Eugene Wetlands as early as Tuesday, Oct. 6, weather permitting. The project aims to restore, enhance and maintain habitat for prairie-related species while reducing hazardous fuels. It will also provide safe opportunities for recreation and education in the West Eugene area.)

BLM and USWFS Launch Prescribed Burn Season in the Pacific Northwest
Reducing the threat of wildfire and restoring public lands

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service will begin prescribed burning operations throughout Oregon and Washington as weather, fuel, and air quality become favorable. Operations will continue throughout the fall and winter. These burns are carefully planned to reduce hazardous fuels, protect nearby communities, and restore native ecosystems. Information about specific upcoming and active burns is available online.

“Prescribed fire is one of our most effective tools for reducing wildfire risk and improving habitat,” said Josh O’Connor, Northwest Geographic Area Fire Chief for the U.S. Wildland Fire Service. “By carefully planning and executing these burns, we’re helping protect communities and strengthen the health of our public lands.”

Techniques range from broadcast burning, which is the application of fire to an entire area, to hand and machine pile ignitions. These burns focus on increasing safety in the Wildland-Urban Interface and restoring ecological function to the landscape. Targeting built-up fuels and residual materials from previous thinning operations decreases the load of dead trees, branches, and underbrush that pose significant wildfire risks.

What the public should know

• During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight.
• Residents are encouraged to close windows at night to avoid smoke impacts.
• When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down and turn on headlights.
• People with heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, should ask their doctors about protecting themselves from smoke, and monitor their local air quality map.

All burns are carried out when weather, fuel conditions, and air quality are within prescribed parameters. Firefighters use a combination of natural features and constructed control lines to keep the fire contained, with protocols in place to minimize smoke impacts on nearby communities.

For more information, contact the BLM District Office or the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Geographic Area associated with the burn.

-BLM-

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

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service conducts operations in close coordination with the Bureau of Land Management. As a unified federal entity under the Department of the Interior, the USWFS integrates expertise to streamline wildfire prevention, response and recovery under our shared mission to foster fire-resilient landscapes and safeguard communities across America’s public lands.

DRIVING IN THE RAIN

Along with the official start of fall comes our rainy season. For some, driving in the rain, especially in the dark, causes anxiety. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, “nearly 5,700 people are killed and more than 544,700 people are injured in crashes on wet pavement” each year.

But being behind the wheel while it’s raining doesn’t have to be a nerve-racking experience. Here are some tips for driving in a downpour:

1. Think. Drivers need to stay alert and focused on what’s going on around them, especially during rain and other stormy weather.

2. Turn on headlights. It’s the law in all states to turn on headlights when visibility is low. Many states also require having headlights on when the windshield wipers are in use. While Oregon does not require motorists to turn on headlights when wipers are used, this can help increase visibility. Well-working wipers are an essential for driving in rain.

3. Beware of hydroplaning. Hydroplaning is what occurs when your tires are getting more traction on the layer of water on the road than on the road itself, resulting in your car sliding uncontrollably. It’s easy enough to hydroplane: All you need is one-twelfth of an inch of water on the road and a speed of more than 35 miles per hour. If you start to hydroplane, let off the accelerator slowly and steer straight until you regain control. Before rain, snow, or freezing temperatures begin, it is important to have quality tires for increased traction and safety.

4. Turn off cruise control. On rain, snow, ice, or other slick surfaces, cruise control may cause you to lose control. If you hydroplane while in cruise control, your car will actually go faster.

5. Slow down. Speed limits are designed for ideal conditions. That means driving when there is little traffic and good visibility. Plan for more time to get to your destination when it is raining.

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

###

SALEM, OR — This week, Commissioner Danielle Bethell was appointed to the National Association of Counties (NACo) Youth Housing and Homelessness Task Force. She is one of only 22 county officials nationwide selected to examine how counties can better support young people facing homelessness and housing instability across the country.

"I'm incredibly honored to be selected to be a part of this work," said Commissioner Bethell. “I look forward to working with county leaders from across the country, sharing about Marion County and Oregon, and bringing back ideas that will help us reach our local youth facing housing challenges."

More than 4.2 million youth and young adults experience homelessness in the U.S. each year. The task force is part of NACo’s Building Better Futures initiative.

"During my decades of public service, I have seen firsthand the multifaceted evolving challenges facing our youth," said NACo President George Dunlap. "Through this task force, we will have a unique chance to diagnose emerging concerns and align proven strategies, especially as it pertains to addressing youth housing instability and homelessness."

The task force will meet from October 2026 through July 2027 and will conclude its work at the 2027 NACo Annual Conference.

SALEM, OR (October 1, 2026) – Governor Tina Kotek has appointed Brendan Murphy as Marion County District Attorney, effective today, following outgoing District Attorney Paige Clarkson's retirement announcement. Murphy, having run unopposed, already secured the position in the May 2026 election and was slated to assume the role January 1, 2027.

Murphy has served as a Deputy District Attorney in the Marion County District Attorney's Office for 20 years, most recently as Chief Deputy District Attorney. In that role, he supervises the office's trial divisions, including domestic violence, child and sexual abuse, complex felony, firearm/violent crime, and juvenile divisions. He also oversees the office's officer-involved use of deadly force protocols, Brady protocols, and public records.

Beyond his prosecutorial work, Murphy co-chaired Marion County's Child Abuse Response Team from 2011 to recently and co-authored the chapter in the Oregon State Bar's 2017 Bar Book on best practices for crossover youth, or foster children who are also involved in the juvenile delinquency system. He currently serves on the Governor's Juvenile Justice Policy Commission. He has served on the Board of Directors for Liberty House, Marion County's child abuse assessment center, for approximately 14 years.

Murphy and his wife of twenty-one years are proud parents of three sons. In his free time, he spends time with his family and likes to fly fish and coach baseball.

###

Reducing the threat of wildfire and restoring public lands

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service will begin prescribed burning operations throughout Oregon and Washington as weather, fuel, and air quality become favorable. Operations will continue throughout the fall and winter. These burns are carefully planned to reduce hazardous fuels, protect nearby communities, and restore native ecosystems. Information about specific upcoming and active burns is available online.

“Prescribed fire is one of our most effective tools for reducing wildfire risk and improving habitat,” said Josh O’Connor, Northwest Geographic Area Fire Chief for the U.S. Wildland Fire Service. “By carefully planning and executing these burns, we’re helping protect communities and strengthen the health of our public lands.”

Techniques range from broadcast burning, which is the application of fire to an entire area, to hand and machine pile ignitions. These burns focus on increasing safety in the Wildland-Urban Interface and restoring ecological function to the landscape. Targeting built-up fuels and residual materials from previous thinning operations decreases the load of dead trees, branches, and underbrush that pose significant wildfire risks.

What the public should know

• During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight.
• Residents are encouraged to close windows at night to avoid smoke impacts.
• When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down and turn on headlights.
• People with heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, should ask their doctors about protecting themselves from smoke, and monitor their local air quality map.

All burns are carried out when weather, fuel conditions, and air quality are within prescribed parameters. Firefighters use a combination of natural features and constructed control lines to keep the fire contained, with protocols in place to minimize smoke impacts on nearby communities.

For more information, contact the BLM District Office or the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Geographic Area associated with the burn.

-BLM-

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

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service conducts operations in close coordination with the Bureau of Land Management. As a unified federal entity under the Department of the Interior, the USWFS integrates expertise to streamline wildfire prevention, response and recovery under our shared mission to foster fire-resilient landscapes and safeguard communities across America’s public lands.

Years of investment and regional leadership position PGE to save customers an estimated $14 million annually while strengthening grid reliability

Portland, Ore – Portland General Electric today began buying and selling energy through the California Independent System Operator’s (CAISO) new Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM), putting years of technology investment and regional collaboration to work for customers.

PGE is among the first utilities to participate in EDAM, which allows participating utilities to buy and sell energy in the day-ahead timeframe. Participation could save PGE customers approximately $14 million annually once the market is fully built out by optimizing supply, demand and transmission across a broader geographic footprint. In addition to lower costs, EDAM participation improves reliability and supports greater use of renewable energy.

“PGE has been long preparing for a reginal energy system that is dynamic and interconnected,” said Maria Pope, president and CEO of Portland General Electric. “Our early investments in advanced systems and operational capabilities as well as regional collaboration have positioned us to lead while staying focused on reliable service and affordability.”

EDAM builds on years of preparation at PGE. At its Integrated Operations Center in Tualatin, Ore., the company has invested in the technology, systems and operational expertise needed to manage an increasingly dynamic energy system. Since joining the Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM) in 2017, PGE has generated approximately $377 million in cumulative benefits for customers. The imbalance market, which is a real-time market operating in 15-minute and 5-minute intervals, has grown to include 24 participating entities serving nearly 80 percent of electricity demand in the West. That scale gives utilities a foundation to unlock even greater savings by expanding into the day-ahead market.

"PGE's participation in EDAM reflects the growing momentum behind regional market collaboration in the West," said Elliot Mainzer, president and CEO of the California ISO. "The addition of PGE expands resource diversity and strengthens the market's ability to deliver economic and reliability benefits to participants and their customers."

PGE's decision to join EDAM followed years of evaluating regional market options and active participation in EDAM’s design. Studies commissioned by PGE concluded that EDAM offered greater economic benefits than alternative market options. EDAM also enables more efficient use of the diverse energy resources available across the West, including hydropower and wind from the Pacific Northwest and solar generation from California and the desert Southwest.

About Portland General Electric Company

Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) is an integrated energy company that generates, transmits and distributes electricity to nearly 960,000 customers serving an area of approximately 2 million Oregonians. Since 1889, Portland General Electric (PGE) has been powering economies, delivering safe, affordable and reliable electricity while working to transform energy systems to meet evolving customer needs. PGE continues to make progress toward emissions reduction targets, and customers have set the standard for prioritizing clean energy with the No. 1 voluntary renewable energy program in the country. PGE is ranked a top ten utility in the 2025 Forrester U.S. Customer Experience Index. In 2025, PGE employees and retirees volunteered over 18,300 hours to more than 400 nonprofit organizations. Through the PGE Foundation, along with corporate contributions and the employee matching gift program, more than $5 million was directed to charitable organizations supporting economic growth and community resilience across our service area. For information: portlandgeneral.com/news. Contact Info: PGE Communications, PGECommunications@pgn.com; 503-464-2067

About the California ISO

The California Independent System Operator (ISO) is a nonprofit public-benefit corporation responsible for the reliable operation of California’s bulk electric grid. The ISO provides transmission planning, open and nondiscriminatory access to one of the world's largest high-voltage transmission networks and operates competitive wholesale electricity markets for the benefit of consumers.

About the Western Energy Markets

The Western Energy Markets include the Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM) and the Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM), which provide regional market coordination across the West. The WEIM, launched in 2014, helps participants balance electricity supply and demand in real time and has delivered billions in benefits to market participants and their customers. EDAM began operation in 2026 and extends those benefits into the day-ahead timeframe through broader regional coordination. The Western Energy Markets Governing Body has primary decision-making authority over market rules specific to the WEIM and EDAM.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding expected customer savings, reliability benefits, renewable energy integration and the anticipated benefits of PGE’s participation in the EDAM. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, changes in market conditions, energy prices, transmission availability, regional market participation, market design and implementation, regulatory developments, operational performance, weather, customer demand and other risks described in PGE’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and PGE undertakes no obligation to update them, except as required by law.

SALEM, Ore. - Look around your home, and you’ll likely see dozens of devices powered by lithium-ion batteries. Cellphones, tablets, laptops, power tools, toys, e-bikes, and more rely on these compact, high‑energy batteries. But when they’re damaged, dropped, or charged incorrectly, that stored energy can turn into a fast‑moving fire that is extremely difficult to extinguish.

The growing risk is exactly why the Oregon State Fire Marshal is sounding the alarm. New data from the OSFM Center for Fire Analytics, Intelligence, and Research shows Oregon fire agencies responded to 649 lithium-ion battery–involved fires from 2020 to 2025, with incidents increasing an average of 19% every year. In 2025 alone, firefighters responded to 161 battery-related fires; more than double the number reported in 2020.

“As lithium-ion batteries become more common in homes and garages, we’re seeing a steady rise in fires linked to damaged or improperly charged devices,” said State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz‑Temple. “Lithium-ion batteries are safe when used correctly. This October, we’re asking Oregonians to take charge of fire safety by learning how to charge their devices the right way.”

To kick off Fire Prevention Month, the Oregon State Fire Marshal is partnering with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to encourage Oregonians to “Charge into Fire Safety™.” The campaign focuses on everyday charging habits that can reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires and help keep homes and communities safer.

Here are a few simple steps every Oregonian should take to reduce the risk:

1. Use the charger and cord that came with your device or one approved by the manufacturer. The wrong charger can damage the battery and increase fire risk.
2. Charge devices on a hard, flat surface. Never charge devices on beds, couches, or under pillows, where heat can build up.
3. Stop using a device if it feels very hot, is swelling, smoking, or giving off a strange smell. These are signs the battery may be failing.
4. Unplug devices once fully charged to prevent excess heat and stress on the battery.
5. Charge larger items like e-bikes, scooters, and power tools outside and away from exits. These bigger batteries store more energy and can create larger fires.
6. When flying, keep devices where you can see them while charging. Never charge devices in overhead bins, and do not charge e-cigarettes or vapes on planes.

Learn More
Find lithium-ion battery safety tips, downloadable resources, and Fire Prevention Month materials at https://firepreventionmonth.oregon.gov.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL
Since 1917, the Oregon State Fire Marshal has been dedicated to protecting people, property, and the environment from fire and hazardous materials. The agency works with local fire agencies, communities, and partners to strengthen fire prevention, preparedness, and response statewide. The Oregon State Fire Marshal became an independent state agency in 2023.

Salem, OR—More than 2.1 million Oregonians have filed their tax year 2025 state personal income tax returns this year.

But with just two weeks before the tax filing extension deadline October 15, as many as 100,000 Oregonians are expected to sneak in under the wire.

“Every year we receive a large number of returns filed in the last two weeks before the extension deadline. If you forget and file after the extension deadline, you could be subject to additional penalties,” said Megan Denison, Personal Tax and Compliance Division administrator with the Oregon Department of Revenue.

“Our best advice for taxpayers is to get their returns in as soon as possible.”

In addition to filing sooner rather than later, the department offers the following information for taxpayers who still need to file their state return.

You must file a return to get your kicker

In 2026, Oregon is returning $1.41 billion in revenue above projections to taxpayers in the form of a “kicker” tax credit. The kicker is a refundable credit that will either increase a taxpayer's Oregon state income tax refund or decrease the amount of state taxes they owe. It is not sent to taxpayers separately as a check.

Only taxpayers who filed a tax year 2024 return and also file a tax year 2025 return can receive a kicker. Taxpayers can determine the amount of their kicker using the What’s My Kicker? calculator available on Revenue Online.

File electronically.

E-filing is the fastest way for taxpayers to get their tax refund. Nearly 96 percent of those who have already filed this year, have filed electronically. On average, taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refund sooner than those who file paper returns and request paper refund checks. Taxpayers should file just once. Sending a paper return through the mail after e-filing will delay a refund.

Free filing options

Taxpayers can use Free Fillable Forms to file their federal return and then use Direct File Oregon to file their Oregon personal income tax return directly with the state through Revenue Online. Other free electronic filing options are available for taxpayers that meet income requirements. Using links from the department’s website ensures that both taxpayers’ federal and state return will be filed for free.

Public computer kiosks for filing taxes with Direct File Oregon and free fillable forms are available in department regional offices in Bend, Eugene, Gresham, Medford, and Portland.

Information about all available free tax preparation software options is available on the Revenue website, along with a list of organizations providing free assistance.

Where’s my refund?

Taxpayers can check the status of their Oregon state income tax refund using Revenue’s Where’s My Refund? tool. The Department recommends logging in to your Revenue Online account to access enhanced tool features.

Taxpayers who don’t already have a Revenue Online account can create one by following the Revenue Online link on the department’s website.

Filing last-minute paper returns

Due to changes to US Postal Service processes in recent years, taxpayers dropping paper returns into a US Postal Service mailbox at this late date can’t be certain that their returns will be postmarked by the due date.

Taxpayers who want to mail their return can take their return to a USPS office during regular business hours no later than October 15, 2026 and make an in-person request to have their return manually postmarked at the counter before mailing it.

After hours, paper Oregon personal income tax returns can be deposited in drop boxes available on both the east and west sides of the Salem office; on the west side of the Portland State Office Building; or outside the DOR offices in Eugene, Medford, and Bend. A drop box inside DOR’s Gresham office is available during business hours.

The department doesn’t recommend using the state drop boxes for federal returns. Paper federal returns should be sent to the IRS. Federal returns dropped in the DOR drop boxes are date stamped and forwarded to the IRS, but the Department of Revenue can’t guarantee that the IRS will accept them as having been filed on time.

Visit www.oregon.gov/dor to get tax forms, see a list of approved tax preparation software products, check the status of your refund, or make tax payments. For questions not answered on our website, call 800-356-4222 toll-free (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 or email questions.dor@dor.oregon.gov. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), we accept all relay calls. Due to the number of calls Revenue receives during tax season, you may experience extended wait times.