The latest news stories and stories of interest in the Willamette Valley from the digital home of Southern Oregon, from Wynne Broadcasting’s WillametteValleyMagazine.com
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Willamette Valley Weather
Wildfires continue to produce smoke in the Pacific Northwest. Breathe a little easier by keeping up to date on air quality conditions and concerns at Fire.AirNow.gov.
10/2 – Smoke and Air Quality Update 6 AM 10/2/24A dry cold front will move over the region today with slightly cooler temperatures. Smoke production will increase on any active fires as winds increase aloft and surface levels. The HRRR smoke modeling graphic shows where smoke is projected to move by later this afternoon/evening. Air quality will be impacted for locations directly downwind or nearby any active fires. Full model loop located here: https://www.weather.gov/mfr/wildfire
Seasonal Climate Forecast September – November 2024
https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/naturalresources/documents/weather/dlongrange.pdf
We’re not out of the woods just yet… DON’T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN – Just because we got a tiny bit of rain, it’s going to be dry for the next bit of time and Fire 
Season is still in progress.
Many people let their guard down because fall has arrived. Major fires can get started in October and November. Fire season will not end until we really hit full speed on the cooler weather, rain, and snow coming to stay. Until then, be vigilant and do everything you can to prevent the spark that could be the next serious fire.
Please take precautions to avoid sparking a human-caused fire, be familiar with evacuation levels, and have a go-kit ready in case you need to leave your home.” — We’ve had an unprecedented fire season already. Don’t be that spark that could lead to a tragedy! Check Conditions
Arrest Made in Fern Ridge Trail/Amazon Creek Rape
Court documents show show that the man charged on Monday with the alleged rape on Fern Ridge Trail in Eugene was also being sought for assaults in Lincoln and Josephine County.
Eugene Police Violent Crimes Unit contacted Timothy Joel Colnar, age 42, regarding this case at Lane County Jail on September 29, where he was incarcerated on an unrelated warrant. He is being charged with Rape in the First Degree, Sexual Penetration, Sex Abuse in the Third Degree, and Assault in the Fourth Degree.
Case 24-11629 – Previous information: Rape reported near Fern Ridge Trail/Amazon Creek — On August 8 at 10:50 a.m., Eugene Police responded to report of a rape on Fern Ridge Trail/Amazon Creek by an unknown male. The female victim described the suspect as white, about age 40, with brown hair and last seen wearing a black/white sleeveless shirt with writing along the back, green shoes and a tattoo on one of his arms. The suspect was pushing a bicycle and later used it to flee. This case has been forwarded to VCU for investigation.
If anyone has suspect information, they are asked to contact the non-emergency line at 541.682.5111.
Court records show Timothy Joel Colnar, 42, had a warrant issued for fourth-degree assault and harassment on September 12 in Lincoln County, after a woman showed up at the Chinook Winds Casino back in January with a black eye. Court documents said the woman said her boyfriend had punched her in the face, but told a security guard she had deserved it and she was afraid of Colnar. That guard called police, the woman refused to speak with them and charges were not filed until September 2024. Court records from Lincoln County show Colnar’s last known address was in Shelton, Washington.
In Josephine County, Colnar was charged with fourth-degree assault involving a different woman who was allegedly assaulted in a hotel room in November 2021, according to court documents. Colnar, whose address was listed as in Grants Pass at the time, allegedly struck the woman in the mouth, splitting her lip. He was released from jail but failed to appear at any additional court hearings, and a warrant was issued for his arrest in February 2022.
Court records show Colnar was arrested by Eugene police on September 26 for the warrant out of Lincoln County. While Colnar was in jail, officers with Eugene Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit identified him as a suspect in a rape that occurred on August 8 on Eugene’s Fern Ridge Trail. Colnar now stands charged with first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, and first-degree sexual abuse.
The Lane County District Attorney has filed a motion to prevent Colnar from being released from the local jail, citing him as a danger to the victim and the public. A judge is set to consider that motion on October 4. Colnar’s next court date is set for November 4.
The Eugene Police Department would like to offer the following general personal safety tips:
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times
- Do not get into someone’s car even if they display a weapon. It is better to fight back in the street where help is closer at hand and other people may hear your calls for help
- Walk confidently and don’t avoid eye contact
- Don’t let strangers into your ‘space.’ Keep plenty of distance between yourself and people you don’t wish to approach you
- Don’t stop to talk with strangers asking for directions or other types of help as this can be a ploy to get close for an attack
- If you feel you are in danger or being followed, call 9-1-1
- If grabbed, fight back and make as much noise as possible
- Use the buddy system when walking after dark. You should know the person you are walking with well enough to trust them
- Walk in lighted areas as much as possible and don’t walk too close to bushes, alleyways or other places where attackers can conceal themselves
Lebanon Fire District Highlights Cancer Risks for Firefighters During Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Lebanon Fire District is using this time to shed light on the heightened cancer risks faced by firefighters. Cancer has become the leading cause of death in the fire service, with firefighters regularly exposed to dangerous substances that significantly increase their risk of developing various cancers, including breast cancer.
“Our firefighters face many dangers every day, and long-term health risks from cancer-causing substances are a serious concern,” said Chief Rodondi of Lebanon Fire District. “It’s important to raise awareness and advocate for better protections for our team, as cancer is the leading cause of death in our profession.”
Throughout October, Lebanon Fire District crews will wear pink t-shirts in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, helping to raise awareness of the dangers firefighters face and supporting the fight against cancer. This includes exposure to harmful substances like PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” which have been linked to cancer and other serious health issues.
For more information about our efforts and how you can support breast cancer awareness and firefighter safety, visit www.lebanonfire.org/.
Sweet Home Fire Responds to Possible Hazmat Incident at Safeway
At 10:20 AM Tuesday morning, Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District was dispatched to a “Hazmat Incident” at 1540 Main Street in Sweet Home with the information of a possible gas leak and people not feeling well. During the initial investigation, Sweet Home Fire personnel used a gas monitor in an area in the back of the building where there was a strong smell of something resembling sulfur.
The monitor alerted to carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide which is a gas that can be considered highly toxic at certain levels. The detection was strongest in an area with various cleaning chemicals in storage, a floor sink, and natural gas powered water heaters, so the decision to evacuate the structure was made.
Northwest Naturas Gas and the State Hazmat Team were then notified and the area was cleared and monitored until those organizations could arrive to determine the source of the detection. After it was determined that the smell was not from the natural gas system and gas levels were at a safe enough level, fire personnel were able to investigate further. It was determined that the source of the gas was from several batteries located in a floor cleaning machine and a pallet jack that had batteries that were possibly failing during the charging phase and were producing carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide.
The machines were removed from the building and fans were used to clear the building of any remaining gases. The building was determined “all clear” by fire personnel at approximately 1:20 PM. One employee was evaluated for nausea and breathing problems by Sweet Home medics with no transport. We would like to thank Northwest Natural Gas and the State Hazmat Team for their rapid response in bringing their expertise to this incident.
10/1 
FIRE IS NOW OUT– 1300 BLOCK OAK STREET SE, ALBANY
Third suspect sentenced in shooting on W. 18th Avenue
Dejuan Debrail Stevens, age 24, of Eugene, has been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years for his role in the double homicide which occurred at 2810 W. 18th Avenue on January 20, 2023.Stevens pled guilty to two counts of Murder in the Second Degree and one count of Robbery in the First Degree. This is the last defendant in this case.
The previous defendants were also sentenced in August 2024. The incident occurred January 20, 2023. EPD responded to 2810 W 18th Avenue to what became a double homicide. The two victims, Breanna Don Dapron, age 20, and Dylan Wayne George, age 31, were both struck by gunfire fired through the living room window. George died at the scene, while Dapron died later in the hospital from her injuries. Three suspects were identified and arrested.
The getaway driver, Mridul Raghav, age 21, of Eugene was previously convicted of two counts of Robbery in the First Degree and sentenced to 150 months Department of Corrections plus 36 months post-prison supervision. On August 16, 2024, the identified shooter, Vaughn Pierre Derry Jr., age 24, of Eugene, took a plea deal wherein he received a life sentence for the murders, with a possibility of parole after 30 years. He also pled guilty to Robbery and received 90 months to run concurrent with his life sentence.
Benton and Lane counties encourage Duck and Beaver fans to celebrate safely for football season
College sports fans across Oregon are thrilled about the return of football season. With both Oregon State University and University of Oregon playing at home this weekend, the health departments for Benton and Lane counties are joining together to encourage people to stay safe when it comes to excessive alcohol use.
Sporting events and binge drinking often go hand in hand. That can contribute to unsafe driving and dangerous behaviors on and off the road. As people in Oregon gear up to celebrate their favorite teams, Benton and Lane counties want to remind everyone about the importance of driving sober and drinking less.
Excessive drinking impairs your judgment, slows your reaction times, and increases the likelihood of making fatal decisions. This football season, make a commitment to yourself and your loved ones: Celebrate safely and don’t drive under the influence.
“Football games are a great opportunity to come together and to celebrate our favorite sports teams, but alcohol doesn’t always have to be the focus,” said Suzie Beaupre, Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Education Program Coordinator for Benton County Public Health. “If you are going to drink, all football fans should make a plan before they start the celebration to keep our roads and community safe. We need a new way to think about alcohol, as many of us cross the line into drinking too much, partly because society makes it so easy.”
Over 2,500 people in Oregon die from alcohol-related causes every year, including cancers, heart disease, liver disease, violence and vehicle crashes. The share of Oregon adults who drink excessively is bigger than most of us realize, more than 1 in 5. Most people in this group are not affected by alcoholism or an alcohol use disorder.
“While rooting for the Ducks or Beavers, remember that after the game we’re all on the same team when it comes to getting home safely,” said Luis Pimentel, Alcohol and Drug Prevention Education Program Coordinator for Lane County Public Health. “Whether you are at the game or at home watching, out at a bar, or at a college party this weekend, these environments can lead to binge drinking, which can be dangerous.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) definition of excessive drinking includes both heavy drinking and binge drinking:
- Binge drinking is when a man has 5 or more standard drinks in one setting or occasion. For women, it’s 4 or more drinks.
- Heavy drinking, the kind that can harm your health long-term, is 15 drinks or more a week for a man. For a woman, it’s 8 or more drinks.
It is also true that for some people, drinking any alcohol is too much. And no matter who you are, drinking less is better for your health than drinking more.
Tips for this football season:
- If you are going to host an event to watch the game, it’s important to have non-alcoholic options available for those choosing not to drink or who want to drink less.
- Avoid asking people why they aren’t drinking or pressuring them to drink more.
- Always arrange to have a designated driver to ensure you aren’t driving buzzed or drunk. That could include calling a rideshare or a taxi.
- Drink plenty of water and eat food while you’re drinking.
- Consider swapping every other drink with water or a non-alcoholic beverage option, or watering down a drink with more ice or low-sugar mixer.
- If you’re going to drink, set a limit for that event.
- Count your drinks when you’re at an event or out with friends. You can use an app to track your drinks.
Benton and Lane counties support Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Rethink the Drink initiative to address the health harms caused by excessive drinking. This initiative isn’t telling people to stop drinking, but asks people to pause for a moment and think about the way alcohol is prevalent in their own lives and communities.
Go Beavers! Go Ducks!
If you or someone you care about is suffering from alcohol dependence or an alcohol use disorder, free confidential resources and support are available online or by calling or 1-800-923-435.
Benton County Public Health – Benton County Public Health is committed to protecting the health and well-being of everyone who lives in, works in, or visits Benton County. Benton County Public Health focuses on preventing health problems before they occur. Their programs strive to create community conditions that help reduce health disparities, so all people have an equal chance for a long and healthy life.
Lane County Public Health – Lane County Public Health strives to promote and protect the long-term health and the well-being of individuals, families, and our community. Lane County Public Health plays a critical role in protecting and improving the health of people across Lane County by providing a range of services aimed at promoting healthy behaviors; preventing diseases and injuries; ensuring access to safe food, water, clean air, and life-saving immunizations; and preparing for and responding to health emergencies.
Rethink the Drink aims to build healthier communities by decreasing excessive drinking and the harm it causes to individuals, families, and communities. Rethink the Drink raises awareness of the effects of excessive alcohol use across Oregon. It aims to start conversations about alcohol’s role in our own lives and communities. This initiative emphasizes health equity, noting that Black and Indigenous communities, and those with lower incomes or education, face higher rates of alcohol-related diseases due to systemic inequities. Rethink the Drink is committed to OHA’s larger goal to end health inequities in our state by 2030. Watch the video.
Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices. This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please contact the Public Information Office at 541-766-6800 or pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.
Prescribed Burns at Mt. Pisgah
Lane County Parks, in cooperation with the Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah, as well as US Fish & Wildlife Service and Rivers to Ridges partners, have been conducting ecological – or prescribed – burns at the Howard Buford Recreation Area (HBRA) weather permitting. The ecological burns will help enhance prairie and savanna habitats within the park.
“We are fortunate to have one of the biggest blocks of remaining prairie and oak habitats left in the Willamette Valley here in Howard Buford Recreation Area,” said Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah Stewardship Director Jason Blazar. “Ecological burns are an important part of preserving that habitat for future generations. We work closely with Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority and our Rivers to Ridges partners throughout the area to make sure burns are safe and will not disrupt nearby neighbors.”
Lane County parks and partners have conducted more than a dozen prescribed burns in HBRA since 1999. Executing ecological burns is always dependent on weather and ensuring atmospheric conditions will disperse smoke upward and away from densely populated areas. If postponed, an update will be provided to the community by notification to the media and on Facebook and Instagram at @LaneCountyParks.
For the safety of park visitors, the following trail closures will be in place during days of the ecological burn:
Meadowlark East Closures:
- East Trailhead parking lot
- Trail 2 east of Trail 24
- Trail 3 south of Trail 56
- Trail 4 east of Trail 24
- Trail 6 east of Trail 56
- Trail 46
Signs will be posted at the park notifying visitors of the trail closures. A trail map is available online.
Visitors to the park should be aware of localized smoky conditions and the presence of fire crews within the park during the burn.
Follow Lane County Parks on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
Other partners in this effort include EcoStudies Institute, TheNature Conservancy, Bureau of Land Management, Oregon Department of Forestry, and Pleasant Hill-Goshen Fire.
Why the County conducts ecological burning:
Ecological burns are an essential management tool to sustain and expand native plant communities in these rare Willamette Valley habitats. The Willamette Valley was once dominated by savannas and prairies rich with diverse grass and wildflower species. These now-rare ecosystems require regular disturbance, such as fire, to maintain native species and to prevent conversion of open prairie to a closed woodland or forest. Historically, disturbance was provided through regular intentional burning by Native people or ignition by lightning. Many of our native prairie wildflowers, such as camas and Bradshaw’s lomatium, have evolved with fire for thousands of years and flourish after a site is burned.
Ecological burns in the park’s prairies accomplish several biological and fire safety goals including improved seed germination, removal of built-up thatch, and short-term soil fertilization. All these factors help native, grassland species thrive, including the declining Western Meadowlark (Oregon’s state bird), which nests in prairies and other open grassland habitats. In addition, prescribed burns protect the open prairie structure, as well as reduce the future risk of high intensity wildfires through the removal of standing, dead vegetation.
𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟒
Join a fun-filled evening of connection and celebration at the Communities of Color and Allies Network (CCAN) First Friday! All are welcome at this all-ages event with free food, networking opportunities, puzzles and games. Hosted in collaboration with Springfield Public Schools – OR and Springfield Utility Board, with special guests from Catholic Charities.
Bring your family and loved ones to connect with others in a relaxing, safe space where you can make new friends and build meaningful relationships.
Friday, October 4, 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Willamalane Adult Activity Center (215 W. C Street, Springfield)
LCOG Senior & Disability Services – FREE 6-week workshop
REGISTRATION IS OPEN Join us for a FREE 6-week workshop in Springfield where we will provide you with tools to better navigate life’s “ups and downs” and increase your health knowledge. Maybe it’s arthritis. Or high blood pressure. Or even cancer, depression, or COPD. Your doctor told you what to call your condition – but it’s been up to you to figure out how to live with it…every day.
Tuesdays, October 22nd – November 26th 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. at Willamalane Adult Activity Center —- You’re not alone. But it might feel that way. Living Well with Chronic Conditions can help. — Registration is required, please call 541-682-4103 or email LivingWell@lcog.org.
INSCRIPCIONES ABIERTASÚnete a nosotros para un taller gratuito de 6 semanas en Springfield, en donde te proveeremos de herramientas para manejar mejor los altibajos de la vida e incrementar su conocimiento acerca de la salud. Probablemente acerca de la artritis, presión arterial alta, o hasta acerca de cáncer, depresión, o EPOC. Su médico le ha dicho como se llama su condición, pero depende de usted el averiguar como vivir con ello cada día.No esta solo(a), por favor llame a 541 682 4103 o envíe un correo electrónico a LivingWell@lcog.org
Lane County Government – We hope our tips this month have helped you #GetYourKitTogether for National Preparedness Month.
Be sure to periodically check your kit to ensure items are still good and in working order. Replacing items as needed will help ensure your kit is ready when you need it. Practice your family communications plan and do emergency drills a few times per year. For more resources and information on preparedness, emergency alerts and emergency response, visit www.LaneCountyOR.gov/prepare#NationalPreparednessMonth
The Lane County Elections Office was notified again on September 23 that the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles had mistakenly marked an additional 35 non-U.S. citizens as eligible to vote in Lane County and those people were subsequently registered by the Oregon Elections Division.
After a careful audit, Lane County Elections can confirm one mistakenly registered non-citizen returned a ballot in Lane County. Lane County will follow up with that person, who now lives out of state, to determine whether they had achieved citizenship before returning that ballot.
The additional non-citizen registrations have been removed from Lane County’s active voter roll and they will no longer receive ballots, including for the upcoming November 5 General Election. Those 35 people will be contacted by letter to inform them of the error.
These 35 people are in addition to the 11 people Lane County Elections was notified of on September 13.
Lane County remains committed to a transparent and accountable elections process and is appreciative of the Oregon Elections Division’s ongoing effort notify election officials across the state of this error. To learn more about election security in Lane County, visit www.LaneCountyOR.gov/electionsecurity.
If you have evidence that an election law is being violated, including evidence of unlawful voting, it should be reported at sos.oregon.gov/investigation.
To register to vote, visit here!
Benton County Sheriff’s Office Announces Community Emergency Response Team Training Course
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office is excited to announce an upcoming Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training course, designed to enhance local emergency preparedness and empower community members with critical skills.
The CERT Training program is a comprehensive initiative aimed at addressing local hazards while providing participants with essential education and hands-on skills training.
The course includes 12 hours of online coursework, followed by 16 hours of in-person training.
Participants will benefit from the expertise of local professional responders, State-certified trainers, and knowledgeable volunteers who are subject matter experts. This robust training ensures that individuals of all abilities can gain valuable preparedness skills in a safe, positive, and inclusive environment.
The CERT Training course emphasizes hands-on practice, enabling participants to gain practical experience while fostering a collaborative spirit. By joining this program, individuals not only contribute to their own preparedness but also to the overall safety and well-being of their communities.
The course includes:
- Disaster Preparedness
- CERT Organization
- Disaster Medical Operations – Part 1
- Disaster Medical Operations – Part 2
- Disaster Psychology
- Fire Safety and Utility Controls
- Light Search and Rescue Operations
- Terrorism and CERT
- Course Review and Disaster Simulation
Benton County CERT Fall 2024 Schedule:
- October 10 (Thursday evening)
- October 25 (Friday evening)
- October 26 (Saturday, all day)
- October 27 (Sunday morning)
Interested individuals are encouraged to register early to secure their spot. Participants must be 18 years of age or older. If younger, participants may attend if accompanied by a parent/guardian.
The 12-hr online training must be completed to attend classroom training beginning October 10. To register, go online to Benton County Oregon CERT training.
For more details, please contact t@bentoncountyor.gov“>cert@bentoncountyor.gov or leave a message at 541-766-6050.
Many of the roads, trails and general forest areas within the Umpqua National Forest are closed to provide for public and firefighter safety. For more information and a map of the closed areas go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices/…Portions of the Bureau of Land Management, Northwest Oregon District, managed public lands, roads, sites, and trails are closed to all forms of public access.
For more information and a map showing the closure go to: https://www.blm.gov/…/docs/2024-07/orwa-fpo-nwo-072024.pdfPhoto: Road closure signs at the start of Sharp Creek Road
For further information visit the Inciweb links for each Cottage Grove-Lane 1 fires below: Lane 1: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/…/or77s-Cottage-Grove-lane-1Clark 900: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/or770s-clark-900Quartz: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/orupf-quartzJack Saddle: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/orupf-jack-saddleAdam Mountain: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/orupf-adam-mountainMineral: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/orupf-mineralPuddin: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/orupf-puddinHours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM E-mail: 2024.lane1@firenet.gov Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CottageGroveLane1Fires2024
Lane County Government — Part of being prepared for an emergency is knowing how you will receive emergency alerts and life safety information. Lane County uses several tools to alert residents.
Watch the video below to learn more about those tools and decide which ones you will rely on in the event of an emergency or disaster. 
https://vimeo.com/565852770Sign up to receive Lane Alerts emergency alerts at www.LaneAlerts.org#NationalPreparednessMonth
Lane County Sheriff’s Office Still Seeking Suspect in Homicide
In June, a deceased female was located in the Cottage Grove area who appeared to be the victim of homicide. Lane County Sheriff’s detectives identified the victim as a missing person, Rozaleena Faith Rasmussen, 29, from Cottage Grove.
Detectives identified the suspect as Anthony Wesley Tyrrell, 31, of Cottage Grove. A nationwide warrant has been issued for his arrest. Tyrrell is described as a white male adult with brown hair, brown eyes, weighing approximately 165 pounds and standing approximately 5’9” tall. He was last seen with his head shaved and wearing a white shirt, black trench coat, black pants, and black boots.
Tyrrell is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call 911 and avoid approaching or contacting him.
“When It Hits The Fan”: Podcast by Lane County Emergency Management
This month on Lane County Emergency Management’s 𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐼𝑡 𝐻𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐹𝑎𝑛, Emergency Manager Tiffany Brown shares essential tips on what to do when staying home isn’t an option.
Tiffany dives into how to prepare your Go Bag, with everything you need to sustain yourself for 72 hours: water, medications, warm layers, and more. She also breaks down the 𝟲 𝗣𝘀 – the must-haves when you need to evacuate:
People & Pets 
Prescriptions 
Personal Computer 
Papers 
Pictures 
Plastic (credit cards, important IDs)Get ready, stay informed, and make sure you’re prepared for anything! 
Listen now: www.LaneCountyOR.gov/fan or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube
About Lane County Emergency Management – Lane County Emergency Management is committed to preparing the community for emergencies and disasters through education, planning, and response coordination. Listen at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/fan.
White Bird Clinic – · Crisis intervention is a 24/7 need in our community, and CAHOOTS, as part of White Bird Crisis Intervention programs, responds.
White Bird CAHOOTS Springfield Coverage: 11 am – 11 pm, 7 days a week (541-726-3714) — Eugene Coverage: 24/7 (541-682-5111)
Eugene Springfield Fire Reminder
It is National Fire Prevention Week and our friends at the NFPA have put out some great educational materials. During the entire month of October, our Fire Marshal’s Office team is providing 2nd grade classes with Fire Prevention Education and our crews will be visiting classrooms. We love an opportunity to interact with our community and spread awareness! #NFPA#FirePreventionWeek
Celebrate Fire Safety this October
– As the leaves change and cooler weather sets in, the Oregon State Fire Marshal and the Oregon fire service remind everyone of the importance of home fire safety. October is Fire Prevention Month, a time to focus on fire prevention and safety at home. This year’s theme, “Celebrate Fire Safety,” calls on Oregonians to take action to reduce fire risks and protect their loved ones.
In 2023, 2,518 home fires in our state resulted in $119.5 million in losses to homeowners. Cooking remains the leading cause of home fires, followed closely by home heating. Alarmingly, in 417 of those fires, no smoke alarm was present.
“Oregon’s first responders are unwavering in their commitment to protecting our communities by reducing home fires and preventing the devastating injuries they cause,” said Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple. “This Fire Prevention Month, we’re calling on all Oregonians to take proactive, life-saving steps to protect their families, their homes, and their future.”
There are several simple things Oregonians can do to lessen the chance of a home fire and increase safety:
- Install and maintain smoke alarms. Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas.
- Practice cooking safely. Never leave cooking unattended and always have a lid or cookie sheet nearby to smother small flames.
- Use heating equipment safely. Keep anything flammable at least three feet away from heating devices and always plug space heaters directly into the wall—never use extension cords.
- Create and practice a home fire escape plan. Make sure every family member knows at least two ways out of every room.
- Consider candle alternatives. Battery-operated candles reduce fire risk, but if you use real candles, always blow them out before leaving the room.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek proclaimed October as Fire Prevention Month. For more information about Fire Prevention Month, a link to the proclamation, and more tips to prevent the top causes of home fires in Oregon, visit our website.
Wyden Introduces Sweeping Court Reforms to Restore Public Trust as Supreme Court Faces Legitimacy Crisis
— U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today announced the introduction of new legislation to restore balance among the three branches of government, increase transparency to improve public trust in America’s courts, and modernize the courts to ensure greater access to justice for more Americans.
In the wake of recent rulings upending decades of precedent and evidence of unethical behavior, Wyden’s Judicial Modernization and Transparency Act would modernize the courts by expanding the Supreme Court to 15 justices over three presidential terms, prevent political inaction from bottling up nominations to the Supreme Court, and restore appropriate deference to the legislative branch by requiring a supermajority to overturn acts of Congress, among other modernizing provisions to improve access to justice.
The bill would also implement much-needed reforms to bring more accountability to the Supreme Court recusal process and improve transparency around potential financial conflicts and other unethical behavior.
“The Supreme Court is in crisis and bold solutions are necessary to restore the public trust,” Wyden said. “More transparency, more accountability and more checks on a power hungry Supreme Court are just what the American people are asking for.”
The bill modernizes the federal judiciary by:
- Expanding the Supreme Court to 15 justices.
- The expansion is staggered over a total of 12 years with a president getting to appoint one nominee in the first and third years of each presidential term.
- Establishing a new supermajority threshold to overturn acts of Congress on a constitutional basis at both the Supreme Court and Circuit Court level.
- Requiring that relief granted by lower courts in cases seeking to invalidate an act of Congress expire upon the issuing date of an opinion by the Supreme Court.
- Establishing a new process for Supreme Court nominations that are not reported out of committee within 180 calendar days to be automatically placed on the Senate calendar.
- Expanding the number of circuit courts to 15 and returning to the practice of assigning one Supreme Court justice to oversee each circuit.
- Expanding the number of circuits by splitting the Ninth Circuit and establishing a new Southwestern Circuit.
- Expanding the number of Circuit Court and District Court judgeships to improve access to justice.
The bill increases transparency to improve public trust by:
- Requiring all justices to consider recusal motions and make their written opinions publically available. Any justice would be recused from a case upon the affirmative vote of the justices.
- Requiring the public disclosure of how each justice voted for any case within the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
- Requiring the IRS to initiate an audit of each justice’s income tax return (and any amended return) as quickly as practicable after it is filed. Within 90 days of filing, the IRS would be required to publicly release the returns and provide an update on the status of the audit. Every 180 days thereafter, the IRS must update the public on the status of the audit. It will also release the ultimate findings of the audit.
- Requiring those nominated to the Court to include their most recent three years of tax returns in their publicly-available financial disclosure filings. In the case that a nominee does not disclose the tax returns within 15 days after nomination, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts would be instructed to obtain the tax returns from the Secretary of the Treasury and make them public. The Secretary of the Treasury is instructed to redact certain personal identity information.
A one-pager summarizing the bill is here.
A section-by-section of the legislative text is here.
The legislative text is here.
In July, as part of his ongoing efforts to reform and restore fairness to our country’s judicial system, Wyden introduced legislation to restore much-needed checks on Donald Trump’s radical right-wing Supreme Court by providing Congress with new authority to overturn judicial decisions that clearly undermine the congressional intent of laws following the Loper Bright decision. He also also introduced legislation to bring an end to the controversial practice of “judge shopping,” in which plaintiffs cherry-pick judges they know will hand down favorable rulings, leading to sweeping rulings that wield undue power over millions of Americans.
Governor Kotek Signs Executive Order to Restore Columbia Basin
Governor Kotek Affirms State Commitments to Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative. State agencies directed to chart a path forward to restore healthy and abundant salmon and steelhead fisheries in the Columbia and Snake rivers.
Governor Tina Kotek announced that she is directing state agencies to take all actions necessary and work cooperatively to fulfill the State of Oregon’s commitments to the Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative (CBRI).
“The Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative is the result of a historic, unified partnership with sovereign Tribal nations and the states of Oregon and Washington – and I am committed to full implementation of our agreement over the next decade,” Governor Kotek said. “My directives to state agencies will uphold our state’s commitment and complement other efforts by the state to build a resilient and adaptive future to climate change, while also positioning our communities for a prosperous economic future.”
The “Six Sovereigns,” made up of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, the Confederated Tribes of the Yakama Nation, the Nez Perce Tribe, and the states of Oregon and Washington, joined together to develop the CBRI.
In December 2023, the United States government agreed to a suite of actions memorialized in the federal commitments made by the Biden-Harris Administration in response to the CBRI, in conjunction with a Presidential Memorandum, and the federal commitments together comprise the Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement (RCBA).
In collaboration with the Biden-Harris Administration, a historic agreement was developed to work in partnership with the Six Sovereigns to restore wild salmon populations, expand Tribally sponsored clean energy production, and provide stability for communities that depend on the Columbia River System for agriculture, energy, recreation, and transportation. Developing clean, reliable, and affordable replacement power for the region prior to considering removal of existing dams on the Snake River is a priority of the agreement.
To achieve these outcomes, Governor Kotek is directing relevant Oregon state agencies to:
- By February 2025, develop a report that outlines program commitments and existing statutory or administrative needs and capacity.
- Twice annually, meet with the Governor’s Office to review coordination among the State of Oregon, the federal government, and the other Six Sovereigns for the purpose of assessing their work to achieve and accelerate full implementation of the CBRI and RBCA.
- By June 2025, and annually thereafter, report to their respective boards or commissions on their implementation of the CBRI and RBCA, including identifying opportunities to enhance their agency’s role in CBRI and RBCA implementation.
- By November 2025, and annually thereafter, convene with the Governor’s Office a meeting with the Six Sovereigns to discuss ongoing implementation efforts and opportunities for collaboration to optimize implementation by Oregon.
The Governor’s Executive Order also directs the Northwest Power and Conservation Council (NWPCC) to identify opportunities for the NWPCC to advance the goals of the CBRI and RBCA and, by April 2025, deliver a report to the Governor of the opportunities that have been identified and the actions that are needed to implement those opportunities. —– The full text of Executive Order 24-28 can be found here.
Red Cross Volunteers from Oregon and SW Washington on Their Way to Hurricane Helene
American Red Cross – Cascades Region
Support communities in the path of the storm by making a financial donation or scheduling an appointment to give blood
Thousands of people are dealing with the devastation left behind by Hurricane Helene and American Red Cross disaster workers are with them, providing comfort, support and relief.
More than 4 million customers – as many as 12 million people – are without power across impacted states. The danger isn’t over and people in affected areas are urged to heed the utmost caution before venturing outside. Helene is now a tropical storm threatening parts of the Southeast with dangerous flooding, damaging winds and tornadoes.
Thousands of people affected by Hurricane Helene need help now. Your donation enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) to make a financial donation or to schedule a blood donation appointment. Individuals can also text the word HELENE to 90999 to make a donation.
RED CROSS RESPONSE In just the past 48 hours, the Red Cross has opened or supported more than 140 shelters for nearly 9,400 individuals who have evacuated their homes. Red Cross teams managed 50 of these shelters overnight and supported more than 80 partner shelters with staff and supplies
The Cascades Region in Oregon and SW Washington has sent 10 volunteers already with more lining up to go. Just like volunteers from across the country who came to Oregon to support our wildfire evacuations this summer, our volunteers will be there as long as we are needed.
As deadly flooding continues and threatens additional communities, even more people will urgently need our support. Red Crossers are working closely with community partners and state and local officials to ensure help is available where needed.
Nearly 500 disaster workers are on the ground helping with hundreds more on their way. The Red Cross has also deployed numerous emergency response vehicles to help where needed. When it is safe to do so, Red Cross disaster responders will travel throughout affected communities, assessing the damage and distributing meals and relief supplies.
CANCELED BLOOD DRIVES Helene has canceled blood drives throughout Georgia and the Carolinas causing more than 1,000 blood donations to go uncollected, and this number is growing.
As communities feel the effects of Helene, patients are fighting their own battle. Some of these patients urgently need closely matched blood donations to weather their health crises. If you’re in a safe area, you have the power to be a lifeline.
Please schedule a blood donation appointment now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to help restock the shelves.
FIND A SHELTEREvacuation shelters are open across the region. You can find evacuation shelters on redcross.org, the free Red Cross Emergency app or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).You can also find shelters by following your local Red Cross and local emergency officials on social media, or by monitoring local news. If you need assistance finding or going to a shelter in the Big Bend region, call 800-729-3413 for help.
CLIMATE CRISIS Helene could be the start of a series of back-to-back storms that threaten the U.S. as additional systems form in the Atlantic.Experts report Hurricane Helene was able to grow and become more destructive because of hotter-than-average ocean temperatures caused by the climate crisis, which is bringing more frequent and intense disasters that upend lives. In response, the Red Cross is providing food, shelter and recovery support on a nearly continual basis.
Find safety steps for different emergencies ꟷ including hurricanes and power outages ꟷ here.
About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
Governor Kotek Calls On Federal Government To Cancel Offshore Wind Auction In Southern Oregon — Oregon Offshore Wind Auction Stopped For Now After Protest From Governor
Governor Kotek has asked the Bureau of Ocean Energy management to halt its efforts to lease property off the coast of Oregon, endorsed the withdrawal of the state from an intergovernmental energy task force. (https://kval.com/resources/pdf/0bcf3574-3321-4904-b771-84d483594586-GovernorKoteklettertoBOEMDirectorKlein_1727455319170.pdf )
This comes in the wake of a lawsuit filed by the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians which alleges BOEM conducted insufficient analysis of offshore wind energy impacts.
The request was met with a strong response by other state leaders, including Senator Wyden, “I don’t back down when it comes to deploying renewable energy projects, but even the pursuit of clean energy doesn’t mean running over the public process,” Wyden said. “I’m glad federal regulators hit the pause button on proceeding with this hasty auction process. I’ve been pressing for this to slow down because Oregonians on the coast deserve every opportunity to have an actual say in this issue affecting their lives and livelihoods.”
BOEM Postpones Oregon Offshore Wind Energy Auction
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced today that it is delaying the offshore wind energy auction planned for potential lease areas offshore Oregon due to insufficient bidder interest at this time.
On Aug. 29, 2024, the Department of the Interior announced the Final Sale Notice (FSN) for offshore wind leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore Oregon following engagement through the Oregon Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force, including coordination with the State of Oregon on advancing opportunities for leasing that would precede a multi-year process for site assessments and subsequent review of any specific project plans if submitted. The FSN set an auction date for Oct. 15, 2024, and included two lease areas offshore Oregon and identified the five companies qualified to participate in the sale. Following issuance of the FSN, BOEM received bidding interest from one of the five qualified companies.
In determining a future opportunity for a potential lease sale, BOEM will continue to collaborate with representatives from federal, state and local agencies and Tribal governments, to coordinate on potential leasing and support ongoing stakeholder engagement processes on broader offshore wind considerations, such as the state-led development of a strategic roadmap for offshore wind.
Since the start of the Biden-Harris administration, the Department has approved the nation’s first ten commercial scale offshore wind projects with a combined capacity of approximately 15 gigawatts of clean energy — enough to power 5.25 million homes. Since January 2021, the Department has held five offshore wind lease auctions – including a record-breaking sale offshore New York and New jersey and the first-ever sales offshore the Pacific Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico. Secretary Deb Haaland also recently announced a schedule of potential additional lease sales through 2028.
For more information on offshore wind in Oregon, visit: https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/oregon-activities. —– https://www.boem.gov/newsroom/press-releases/boem-postpones-oregon-offshore-wind-energy-auction
Oregon’s Income Growth is the 6th Fastest in the Nation
Oregon average incomes are growing at a rate of the sixth-fastest in the nation and have never been higher, even after accounting for inflation, says former state economist Josh Lehner.
Lehner was commenting on data released in an American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau which reveals that Oregon is extending its trend of declining poverty with average annual household income pegged at $81,160, or 3.1% higher than the national average.
Writing a poverty and progress report in the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis, Lehner says the incomes of typical state households have never been higher, growing by 6% before inflation in 2023, and 2.1% in real, or inflation-adjusted terms.
The average income earned by Oregonians from 2019 to 2023 increased by 19.5% in nominal terms. This figure reflects an increase of just 2.8% in real terms because of surging inflation. Oregon has the 21st-strongest inflation rate in the country.
Another state trend in recent years has been the narrowing gap in racial income disparities. Lehner says the growth of household income has been the strongest among Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC).
He says wages have been the biggest component driving household income, with average earnings of full-time workers rising 5.3% before inflation. Earnings have increased on average by 5.1% annually since 2019.
The strongest household income gains have been recorded in the Bend metro and the Rogue Valley, while Portland metro area is at or near the income gains seen elsewhere.
Overall, the 2023 survey shows that Oregon household incomes are continuing to rise, although poverty rates among some groups, in some locales, are much higher than statewide. (SOURCE)
Oregon wildfire season expected to last into mid-October
The bulk of the wildfires have burned through east Oregon grass and shrub, with about 25% of it in forestland, according to the Wildland Mapping Institute. More than one-third of all acres blackened have been on private land, and about 62% has been on federal land. Most wildfires are caused by humans, according to the interagency coordination center, but this year the bulk of blazes have started from natural causes, such as lightning.
The wildfires prompted Kotek to declare a statewide emergency and ask for federal help and regulatory flexibility for farmers and ranchers. She’s also invoked the Conflagration Act 17 times this year, with the latest invocation on Sept. 10 for the Service Fire in Wheeler County. The act unleashes resources to fight blazes that threaten lives, communities or key infrastructure. (SOURCE)
Preventing wildfires requires a collective effort from everyone—help mitigate the risk of human-caused wildfires and protect our forests and communities.
Monitor Fires in Oregon – Updated Daily
https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/state/oregon
Large Fires in Oregon Past 2 Weeks 10/2/24 9:00am per INCIWEB
| Incident | Type | State | Incident Size | UpdatedSort ascending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond Complex – ORUPF | Wildfire | Oregon | 11141 Acres | 2 seconds ago |
| Lane 1 Fire – OR77S | Wildfire | Oregon | 25952 Acres | 3 seconds ago |
| Homestead Complex – ORUPF | Wildfire | Oregon | 10258 Acres | 3 seconds ago |
| Rail Ridge – OROCF | Wildfire | Oregon | 166500 Acres | 39 minutes 4 seconds ago |
| North Willamette Complex – ORWIF | Wildfire | Oregon | 5394 Acres | 2 hours 9 minutes ago |
| Willamette Complex Fires – South – ORWIF | Wildfire | Oregon | 24128 Acres | 2 hours 14 minutes ago |
| Bachelor Complex Fires – ORDEF | Wildfire | Oregon | 11741 Acres | 20 hours 14 minutes ago |
| Red Fire – ORDEF | Wildfire | Oregon | 2200 Acres | 20 hours 48 minutes ago |
| Wiley Flat – OROCF | Wildfire | Oregon | 30186 Acres | 23 hours 36 minutes ago |
| Sandstone Fire – ORMHF | Wildfire | Oregon | 702 Acres | 5 days 16 hours ago |
| Fossil Complex – OR95S | Wildfire | Oregon | 24446 Acres | 5 days 22 hours ago |
| Buck Creek Fire – ORFWF | Wildfire | Oregon | 5758 Acres | 5 days 22 hours ago |
| Whisky Creek Fire – ORMHF | Wildfire | Oregon | 3203 Acres | 6 days 13 hours ago |
| Crazy Creek – OROCF | Burned Area Emergency Response | Oregon | 86968 Acres | 1 week ago |
| Flat Top and Firestone Fires – ORDEF | Wildfire | Oregon | Acres | 1 week 1 day ago |
| Middle Fork Fire – ORCLP | Wildfire | Oregon | 5286 Acres | 1 week 6 days ago |
| Shoe Fly Fire – OR95S | Wildfire | Oregon | 26817 Acres | 2 weeks 2 days ago |
Please Help Prevent Wildfires!
In these dry conditions, a single spark can cause a lot of damage. Learn how you can prevent wildfires by visiting the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s wildfire prevention page.
Tigard Mother and Daughter Indicted for Holding Three Victims in Indentured Servitude in Adult Foster Care Home
PORTLAND, Ore.—A mother and daughter from Tigard, Oregon were arraigned in federal court today after they were indicted for using force and threats to compel three victims, including a minor victim, to work for little or no pay in an adult foster care home.
Marie Gertrude Jean Valmont, 66, and Yolandita Marie Andre, 30, have been charged in a seven-count indictment with conspiring with one another to commit forced labor, committing forced labor, and benefitting from forced labor.
According to court documents, Valmont and Andre, the owners and operators of Velida’s Care Home in Tigard, began their trafficking scheme in 2023 when they convinced two adults and a child from Haiti to travel to the United States to work at Velida’s.
In early September 2023, all three victims arrived in Portland and were immediately taken to Velida’s where they were forced to work long, difficult hours for little or no pay. Valmont and Andre are also alleged to have taken their victims’ immigration paperwork and forbade them from leaving Velida’s under any circumstances. Valmont is further alleged to have thrown items at the victims, threatened to send them back to Haiti and have them killed, and threatened to call the police and make false theft allegations against them.
In the summer of 2023, authorities with the Oregon Department of Justice were alerted to the situation at Velida’s following the minor victim’s disclosure of her indentured servitude to a pediatrician. Shortly after, the minor victim was removed from Velida’s and placed in a foster home. On Thursday, the FBI arrested Valmont and Andre at Velida’s without incident.
Both defendants made their first appearances in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. They were arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and released pending further court proceedings.
Committing and benefitting from forced labor are both punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison per count of conviction.
This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Tigard Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Eliza Carmen-Rodriguez, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
If you or someone you know are victims of human trafficking or have information about a potential human trafficking situation, please call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also submit a tip on the NHTRC website.
If you believe a child is involved in a trafficking situation, you can also submit a tip via the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) CyberTipline or call 1-800-THE-LOST. FBI personnel assigned to NCMEC review information provided to the CyberTipline.
Oregon legislature takes up noncitizen voter registration issue in first hearing
A DMV review found that 1,259 people may have been mistakenly registered through Oregon’s automatic voter registration system without providing proof of citizenship.
Eligible residents who receive driver licenses or state ID cards are automatically registered to vote in Oregon, but in 2021 the state started allowing noncitizens to obtain driver licenses. According to ODOT, the mistake happened when DMV staff accidentally selected the wrong option on a computer menu when listing applicants’ identifying documents.
“This was truly a clerical error. We have a drop-down menu of documents that people can provide to prove their identity and age in DMV transactions, and that menu defaulted to U.S. passport or U.S. birth certificate,” said DMV administrator Amy Joyce.
ODOT initially announced on Sept. 13 that it had discovered 306 cases, and then announced Monday that the number had grown to 1,259 after a full review. In an FAQ ahead of the hearing, ODOT said the full review included all licenses and ID cards issued after Jan. 1, 2021, the day the DMV started allowing noncitizens to apply, totaling about 1.4 million records. REAL ID licenses were not included because they go through separate federal verification.
The data entry mistake doesn’t necessarily mean that all of the 1,259 people were not U.S. citizens, ODOT added — it just means the documentation they provided at the DMV to obtain a license did not include proof of citizenship, so it shouldn’t have been forwarded to the Secretary of State’s office to be added to the voter rolls.
ODOT and elections officials previously announced that only 10 of the people had actually submitted a ballot in any election over the past four years, and one of them was subsequently confirmed to have been a U.S. citizen at the time they voted.
At the hearing, elections director Molly Woon said her office is still checking the other nine and she expected to have final results by the end of the day, but added that the office has already confirmed that none of them voted in elections that were close enough that their votes could have affected the outcome. If the elections division finds that any of them were not citizens at the time they cast their ballots, their cases could be referred to the Oregon Department of Justice.
The Secretary of State’s office immediately deactivated the voter registration of the first 306 people and has now done the same with all 1,259 cases, Woon said, but added that they will all be notified of the change by the end of this week and given instructions for how to reactivate their voter registration if they can prove their citizenship.
Joyce and ODOT director Kris Strickler said the DMV has already updated its software to display the identification drop-down options in alphabetical order and added a confirmation pop-up if U.S. passport or U.S. birth certificate is selected. A manager in each DMV office is also now double-checking every transaction at the end of each day.
Most of the lawmakers on the committee appeared satisfied with ODOT’s remedial measures, with the bulk of the critical questions focused on why the agency didn’t detect the clerical error until an outside group intervened. (SOURCE)
Oregon State Parks to increase camping, parking and reservation fees for 2025
SALEM, Oregon— Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is increasing its camping, parking and reservation fees to keep pace with the rising cost of utilities, operations and maintenance.
Most of the increases range from $2 to $5 depending on the fee.
The park system has experienced record visitation as well as the impacts of rising costs and inflation. Utility costs for example have increased by 28% over the last 4 years, but most fees have remained the same. Depending on the fee, the last increase was anywhere from seven to 15 years ago for base fees.
“We know that raising fees by any amount can be challenging for visitors, and we don’t make this decision lightly. We try to keep costs and fees as low as possible to minimize the impact while still fulfilling our commitment to stewardship and recreation,” said OPRD Director Lisa Sumption.
Oct. 15, 2024: OPRD will increase its base camping fees for the first time since 2017. The increase applies to all camping reservations for 2025. Starting on October 15, 2024, all reservations made for 2025 stays will include the fee increase.
Increases in base rate by site type:
- $2 increase for misc. sites (includes teepees, meeting halls and other facilities)
- $3 increase for tent sites (includes horse tent sites, horse group sites, group tent) and primitive sites (includes overflow, fly-in and walk-to-sites)
- $4 increase for RV sites (includes full hookup, electrical, horse RV and group RV sites)
- $5 increase for cabins and yurts (includes rustic, mini, totem, and deluxe sites)
(Seasonal rate increases were adopted in 2020. The seasonal adjustments will be added to the new base rates. As in previous years, summer rates are $2 more for tent sites, $3 more for RV sites and $5 more for cabins/yurts.)
Jan. 1, 2025: OPRD will increase its reservation fee from $8 to $10 per site starting Jan. 1, 2025. This fee has not been increased since 2010.
Daily parking permit fees will increase from $5 to $10 at the 25 parks that charge a fee for day-use parking. Parking permit fees were last increased in 2009. The annual parking permit and the two-year permit fees remain the same at $30 for the annual permit and $50 for the two-year permit.
July 1, 2025: OPRD will expand the 25% out-of-state surcharge for RV campsites (required by state law) to all site types for out-of-state campers.
New camping rate ranges replace the existing ones. These ranges set the lowest and highest fees that OPRD can charge over time. It gives OPRD’s director the ability to change fees in the future as needed. The last rate range update was adopted in 2018.
OPRD has three main sources of funding: a little less than half comes from constitutionally dedicated lottery funds, about 15% comes from recreational vehicle license plate fees and roughly 35% comes from park fees from visitors. OPRD is not funded by taxes.
OPRD does offer a few resources and programs to help increase access to Oregon State Parks.
- Most Oregon State Parks offer free day-use parking. Current exceptions include this list of 25 parks online.
- We also have special access passes for free camping and day-use parking permits for:
Next month, OPRD will open public comment on a proposal designed to give OPRD’s director more flexibility to decide which parks charge for day-use parking. The proposal would require day-use parking permits at all parks unless otherwise noted. The director would have the authority to waive the permit requirement as needed. There are no plans to charge at all parks, and OPRD would consider any changes carefully.
OPRD will continue to explore options in the future that reduce cost as a barrier while earning needed revenue to maintain our parks and manage congestion.
Measures On The Ballot For Oregon’s 2024 Election
Oregon voters will decidewhether to receive a $1,600 annual rebate through an increase in the corporate sales tax via a ballot measure that has received fierce pushback from lawmakers, local businesses and labor unions alike.
Why it matters: If Measure 118 passes, every Oregonian would receive an annual check, regardless of age or income, starting next year.
- The rebate would be paid for by a 3% gross receipts tax for all companies doing business in Oregon that make more than $25 million annually in sales.
- If passed, the new tax would generate $1.3 billion in revenue for the 2023-25 biennium, according to the Legislative Revenue Office.
The intrigue: This would be separate from the “kicker.”
Catch up quick: The measure is one of five initiatives Oregonians will vote on this November that could alter how the state governs its elections, businesses and elected officials’ salaries.
Here’s a brief look at the other four measures.
Measure 115 would amend Oregon’s constitution to allow the Legislature to impeach statewide elected officials — if both the House and Senate reach an affirmative two-thirds vote.
- Right now, Oregon is the only state without an impeachment doctrine.
Measure 116 would establish a commission to study and set the salaries and compensation for statewide elected officials.
- The yearly base pay for Oregon lawmakers is around $35,000. The study would look at all elected offices, including governor, secretary of state, judges, district attorneys, as well as state senators and representatives.
Measure 117 would establish ranked choice voting for federal and statewide elected offices.
- Portland voters will participate in the city’s first-ever ranked choice election this fall, while Multnomah County voters will use the system in November 2026.
Measure 119 would essentially make it easier for cannabis workers to unionize by requiring cannabis retailers, processors and labs to submit a labor neutrality agreement with a union in order to request or renew their operating license.
The bottom line: The last day to register to vote in order to participate in the Nov. 5 election is Oct. 15. (SOURCE)
DAS Publishes Oregon Annual Maximum Rent Increase for 2025
Salem, OR- Today, the Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS) published the annual maximum rent increase allowed by statute for calendar year 2025. The DAS Office of Economic Analysis has calculated the maximum percentage as 10.0%.
Implemented in 2019, Oregon law requires DAS to calculate and post to its website by Sept. 30, the maximum allowable annual rent increase percentage for the following calendar year. Per statute, the Office of Economic Analysis calculates this amount as seven percent plus the annual 12-month average change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, West Region (All Items), as most recently published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor, or 10%, whichever is lower. Only one rent increase may be issued in any 12-month period.
The allowable rent increase percentage for the 2025 calendar year is 10.0%. This applies to residential rental units 15 years and older. DAS will calculate and post the percentage for the 2026 calendar year by Sept. 30, 2025.
Since implementation in 2019, the rate has held around nine or 10%, with the exception of 2023 prior to July 6. The mid-year change was due to a change in the law that capped the rent increase at 10%.
Information about the maximum annual rent increase percentage, as well as the provisions of ORS 90.323 and 90.600 (statutes governing rent increases), can be found on the OEA website: https://www.oregon.gov/das/OEA/Pages/Rent-stabilization.aspx.
The Department of Administrative Services and the Office of Economic Analysis cannot provide legal advice. Those in need of legal advice should contact an attorney. Questions about the percentage calculation itself may contact OEA.info@das.oregon.gov.
OSP asking for the public’s help to locate wanted man — Oregon State Police
Suspect wanted for sex crimes in Oregon and Alabama
– Oregon State Police and the Mobile (Alabama) Police Department are seeking the public’s help to locate Adam Renk (39) who is wanted in both states for sex crimes against child victims.
On June 21, 2024, OSP detectives responded to a sexual abuse disclosure made by a minor. The minor disclosed Renk as the perpetrator. Renk has since been indicted on multiple crimes against a child victim under the age of 12. He is charged with Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree, Sodomy in the First Degree, and Sexual Abuse in the First Degree.
As part of their investigation, OSP detectives learned Renk had been charged in another case involving a minor victim in Mobile, Alabama. The Alabama charges include Child Sexual Abuse and Torture involving an 11-year-old victim. The victims in the two states are not related. Alabama law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Marshals Service are attempting to locate Renk who posted bond in Alabama and was released from pre-trial custody.
Renk was last seen leaving Alabama on August 7, 2024. He has ties to Oregon and Wasco County. He is believed to be traveling in a converted Ford Ambulance that is now painted two-toned white over gray. Renk is a white male, 6 ft. 1 in. tall, 175 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair.
Anyone with information about Renk’s whereabouts or information about possible additional victims is asked to contact the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office at 541-506-2580 or OSP Detective Cassie Bantz through dispatch at 800-442-0776 or by dialing OSP (677) on a mobile phone.
Portland Listed in the Top Five U.S. Cities for UFO Sightings
Top UFO Hotspots in the U.S: Where to Watch the Skies
Our fascination with UFOs taps into our innate curiosity about the unknown. According to the Pew Research Center, 65% of Americans believe that intelligent life exists on other planets. The luck and rarity of an UFO sighting further fuels our obsession and curiosity.
We’ve created a one-stop guide to reveal where in the U.S. you’re most likely to spot a UFO. By analyzing data from the National UFO Reporting Center, we were able to find the most common months, locations, and times you are most likely to see a UFO, sourcing data going all the way back to 2013. — Extraterrestrial adventure may be in your own backyard. You can use this tool to find where you can increase your odds of spotting an UFO in each state: https://www.betus.com.pa/casino-guide/usa-ufo-encounter-2024/
Oregon’s Missing Persons
Many times you’ll see postings without case numbers or police contact. There is rarely a nefarious reason why (the nefarious ones are pretty obvious). Usually the loved one tried to call to report their missing person and they are either refused or told to wait a day or two by people who are unaware of SB 351 and the laws that they are bound to when answering the phone. Many people don’t bother calling LE if their loved one is homeless or in transition because they believe LE won’t care. The biggest myth is the 24 hour rule.
In Oregon we don’t have those rules and an officer or person answering the phone is not allowed to decide. The law decides. We have Senate Bill 351 and it states that the police CANNOT refuse a request for any reason and they must begin working on it within 12 hours. The person making the report does not have to be related to missing person either.
Here is SB 351 written by families of the missing here in Oregon in conjunction with Oregon law enforcement officers. This should be common knowledge, please make it this way. https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/…/SB351/Introduced
Oregon State Police are reminding parents and students of the SafeOregon hotline.
It takes reports of potential threats against students and schools. The tips can be made anonymously. They can include safety threats, fights, drugs, weapons on campus, cyberbullying and students considering self-harm or suicide. A technician reviews the reports and assigns them either to police or school administrators. Tips can be made by phone, text, email or on the website https://www.safeoregon.com
