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
Friday, December 13, 2024
Willamette Valley Weather
Eugene Police Using Drones as First Responders
A new program utilizing drones to act as first-responders which uses real-time situational awareness, allows the Eugene Police Department (EPD) to assess incidents before deploying officers. The program is funded by the Community Safety Payroll tax.
EPD say drones can evaluate situations faster than a ground response with the ability to reach a scene within minutes in addressing the community needs over the phone.
The drones are used for crimes in progress such as theft and property crime and provide crucial support during high-risk situations, like bank robberies and armed criminal incidents.
“It’s those mid-level, mid-level important calls that I think is where we really make a difference with the systems that we have,” Williams said. “We’re already quick, but it’s those other calls where we really can beat officers on the ground, where there is an in-progress, there is a potential for a suspect to be caught.”
EPD says privacy is also top of mind, and that resident’s private information will be protected.
“You picture this thing being up there and then you just have this 360 degree view of the world in detail,” says Sgt. Williams. “The better way to think about it is take your cell phone, look at something that’s 400 feet away from you, and see if you can actually tell any detail. The reality is that the technology is more limited in what we’re actually getting.”
The program’s four drones can only fly for 30 minutes at a time. The thermal capabilities help enhance police efforts to locate suspects. EPD began tracking the program’s efficiency in May of 2024, and reports since then it has responded to:
- 445 calls for services
- 15 suspects have been captured
- 22 people have been arrested
The drones were first-on-scene responders 76% of the time and 28% of the calls were cleared without patrols responding in person per EPD.
LCSO Case #24-6557 – Phone Scammers Posing as Law Enforcement Steal $14,000 from Lane County Resident
On December 11th, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a Cottage Grove-area resident who was scammed out of $14,000 over the phone.
A relative of the victim received a phone call from a person claiming to be a sergeant with our office. The scammer informed the relative he failed to appear for court and was held in contempt.
To “avoid arrest,” the relative was instructed to pay $7,000 for two separate criminal charges, or go to jail. Having no way to pay, the relative reached out to the victim, who pulled cash from savings and followed the scammer’s instructions for payment: in Bitcoin, through a CoinFlip ATM machine.
Due to the use of Bitcoin and VPN phone numbers, this case is likely unsolvable. This type of scam is very common, and we receive reports of similar scam callers almost every day (thankfully with no money lost in most cases).
Scammers often have official-sounding voicemail inboxes, have victims’ personal information, and attempt to be intimidating over the phone. Their numbers on caller ID may even appear to be ours.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office will NEVER ask for money by phone, text, or email. We will NEVER call you about missed jury duty.
If you are contacted by someone claiming to be a Lane County Sheriff’s Office employee and you think you are being scammed, please hang up and contact our dispatch center at 541-682-4141. If you are a victim of a phone or internet scam, report the incident to the FBI at www.ic3.gov. — Please share with your friends and family!
Springfield Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing and Manufacturing Semi-Automatic Rifles and Silencers
A Springfield, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison Tuesday for illegally possessing and manufacturing over 100 semi-automatic firearms and silencers.
Andrew Rogers, 40, was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release.
According to court documents, in 2022, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received tips from concerned citizens that Rogers frequently purchased firearm parts. Investigators learned that in June 2022 alone, Rogers spent thousands of dollars on more than 120 firearm parts and accessories.
On June 30, 2022, during a search of Rogers’ residence, investigators located 62 complete semi-automatic firearms, 45 silencers, several incomplete firearms, several hundred rounds of ammunition, and hundreds of firearm components, including magazines, triggers, and optic systems. Additionally, investigators found psilocybin, methamphetamine, a drill press, firearm manufacturing tools, and a 3D printer with a partially printed part for an AR15 rifle. Rogers’ wife estimated there were more than 100 firearms in the residence and that Rogers had manufactured most, if not all, of the firearms in his possession.
The same morning, officers conducted a traffic stop of a motorcycle Rogers was operating and conducted a search of the backpack he was wearing. Inside, officers found methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, a knife, and a semi-automatic pistol without an identifiable serial number. Rogers was arrested and placed in custody.
On July 1, 2022, investigators sought and obtained a search warrant for Rogers’ storage unit in Springfield, Oregon where they found 26 pistols, five rifles, four suppressors, and an assortment of firearm parts. A search of the Federal Licensing System (FLS) and National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR) database systems returned no results for Rogers, meaning he was not licensed to manufacture, import, or sell firearms. The same day, Rogers was charged by criminal complaint with possessing controlled substances with the intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and unlawful possession of unregistered silencers.
On August 13, 2024, Rogers pleaded guilty to illegally possessing and manufacturing silencers.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Lane County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Adam E. Delph, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Lane County Youth Services hosting free community holiday meal on Wednesday, Dec. 18
The free 15th Annual Community Holiday Meal with Lane County Youth Services is coming up on Wednesday, December 18. All community members are invited and welcome to join Lane County Youth Services in celebrating the holiday season with food prepared by students in the Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Education Center Culinary Arts Program. The meal includes turkey, baked ham, several traditional side dishes, and dessert.
“Our annual Holiday Meal is something our students look forward to all year,” said Senior Juvenile Justice Supervisor Shellye Reynoso. “It’s a chance for them to demonstrate their skills and to do something wonderful for their community. We’re all looking forward to inviting people back this year and feeding them really well while we celebrate the holiday season.”
The meal will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 18, in the Lane County Youth Services Carmichael Room (2727 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Eugene).
The meal is free and open to everyone. It also includes a free raffle for prizes and free food boxes to take home. No reservation is required.
About the MLK Education Center: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Education Center serves middle and high school students who have an active case with Lane County Youth Services. This program is a collaboration between Youth Services and the Lane Education Service District (Lane ESD). In addition to academics, the MLK Education Center provides vocational opportunities, including in the culinary arts. The Culinary Arts Program offers youth the opportunity to learn different jobs involved in food service and catering. Students gain skills and learn to safely use the equipment in an institutional and commercial kitchen that prepares meals for youth in detention, a residential treatment program, and more. Students may participate in all aspects of catering including preparing foods, serving, and customer service.
EPD investigating shooting at City Nights
At 2:02 a.m. on December 8, Eugene Police Patrol was downtown and called in shots fired at City Nights, 77 W. Broadway.
Initial information is that a suspect fired inside the bar and struck two patrons. One has critical injuries and one was treated and released. EPD investigations is continuing to follow up.
If anyone has tips in this case they are asked to please call Detective Travis Cooper, 541.682. 5187, or email TCooper@eugene-or.gov. Case 24-18674
Families in Lane, Linn, Benton, Douglas, Yamhill and Washington counties recognized for their forest management by Oregon Tree Farm System
The Oregon Tree Farm System honored family forest landowners for the exceptional management of their forests at its annual meeting in November. Top honors went to Douglas County’s Kesterson family as Oregon’s Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year for 2025.
Receiving a Silver Award at the Oregon Tree Farm’s Annual Meeting were Tom and Julia Tibbs of Washington County for their multi-resource management of their 300 forested acres near Buxton.
Others being recognized for exemplary management of their family forests included:
- Rich Clark from Benton County
- John and Alesanne Dugan from Lane County
- Steve and Katie Kohl from Linn County, and
- Neil Schroeder and Laurie and Jim Marsh from Yamhill County
The Kesterson family’s 2,200-acre property near Elkton in Douglas County has been in the family since 1905. Currently under the leadership of fifth-generation owner Gary Williamson, the property is managed for wood, recreation, wildlife and water quality.
The property has approximately nine miles of river frontage along the Umpqua River. Their Big K Guest Ranch offers fishing, rafting, and accommodations for family and corporate gatherings.
The family manages 1,500 acres of forest for timber and wildlife habitat, and approximately 700 acres of pasture and hay fields for a herd of 90 cows.
Wildlife habitat and water quality are a focus on both the forested and streamside areas.
With much to be proud of managing the property, Gary Williamson states that he is most proud, blessed, and honored to be a part of a family that has been caring for the property for five generations, with his children being part of the sixth.
Oregon joined the Tree Farm System in 1941 and has recognized and honored family forest landowners as Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year every year since 1966, except in 2021 the first year of the COVID pandemic.
More Holiday Festivities:
🎄12/14 from 10-7pm Creswell’s Winter Lights – Parade starts at 5pm
🎄 5th Street Public Market: Snow shows every Friday & Saturday at 6pm
🎄 5th Street Market Ally: Light Shows to Music Tues-Sun at 6:45pm
🎄 5th Street Market Ally: Movies in the Market- Mondays at 6pm: December 9th – HOME ALONE December 16th – THE GRINCH December 23rd – ELF
Tips To Purchase a Permit to Cut Your Christmas Tree From an Oregon National Forest
The holiday season is upon us, which means the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree is on. For those looking to bring home a real tree, permits are available now for all Oregon national forests.
Christmas tree permits are available for purchase online at recreation.gov (with an added $2.50 processing fee charged by the website) and at local U.S. Forest Service offices or from local vendors.
Permits are $5 each, and each permit allows the cutting of one Christmas tree. Households can purchase a maximum of five permits.
For downloadable maps of tree-cutting areas and a list of local vendors selling tree permits, go to bit.ly/WNFtree .
Fourth-grade students can receive a free tree permit by getting their Every Kid Outdoors pass and entering the voucher or pass number when prompted on Recreation.gov or by visiting a Forest Service office.
𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗿𝘀: 𝗟𝗮𝘇𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗰. 𝟭𝟭
The Lazy Days Mobile Home and RV Park, rebuilt by Homes for Good after the Holiday Farm Fire, has 20 2-bedroom modular homes that are available to rent for Holiday Farm Fire survivors.
You may be eligible if: 
You were a renter who lost your primary residence in the Holiday Farm Fire. You lost the home you owned in the Holiday Farm Fire and you either did not own the property it was on or you owned the property but it is now unbuildable.
𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟭 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲, 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘀. Applicants should be at no more than 80% of the Area Median. For example, 80% AMI means:2 people = $57,050 annual income 4 people = $71,300 annual income Rent is $1000 per month and includes utilities (water, sewer, garbage). Two ADA-accessible units are available.
Funding to provide the modular homes to fire survivors is provided by Oregon Housing & Community Services. Homes for Good is property owner and has led construction on the site. Lane County is assisting with the application process. 
Learn more: http://www.homesforgood.org/…/lazy-days-rv-and-mobile…
Apply starting December 11: www.cognitoforms.com/LaneCounty1/LazyDaysApplication
Declutter and donate to reduce holiday waste: BRING now collecting reusable materials at Lane County’s Glenwood Transfer Station to reduce holiday season waste
With the holiday season here, BRING encourages residents to clear out their old, reusable items to make room for the new. This year, Lane County residents can donate directly at the Glenwood Transfer Station, where BRING recently opened a donation site in partnership with Lane County Waste Management and St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County. This site offers residents a convenient one-stop solution for donating, recycling, and disposing of household and building materials, promoting reuse while reducing landfill waste.
With increased holiday activities, waste generation can increase by as much as 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. BRING and Waste Wise Lane County—a part of Lane County Waste Management—encourage the community to consider sustainable practices like reuse, especially during high-waste times of the year. BRING’s new collection site allows residents to easily donate gently used building materials, garden supplies, furniture, tools, and more, helping these items find new life and reducing their environmental impact.
“We are excited to expand our services to the Glenwood Transfer Station,” said Sonya Carlson, BRING’s executive director. “With this new location, we aim to make it convenient for people to donate reusable building materials that might otherwise end up in the landfill. Items like bricks, windows, doors, fencing, lumber, sinks, and tiles can all be repurposed into new projects, helping both our environment and community.”
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that construction and demolition (C&D) debris accounts for more than twice the amount of municipal solid waste, with 600 million tons of C&D debris generated annually in the United States. BRING’s efforts at the Glenwood site and its main location are part of a larger initiative to help Lane County achieve its goal of recovering 63 percent of its waste stream through reuse, recycling, and composting.
Since the Glenwood donation site opened in August, BRING has already diverted 32,579 pounds of reusable materials from the landfill. By donating at this auxiliary location, community members can contribute to BRING’s Planet Improvement Center, which provides affordable, environmentally-friendly options for local DIYers, contractors, and residents looking to repurpose quality materials.
Residents planning renovations or holiday declutter projects are encouraged to gather reusable materials for donation and save a trip by combining it with their visit to the transfer station. For a full list of accepted items or to learn more about the waste reduction initiative, visit www.bringrecycling.org.
About BRING: BRING is a Eugene-based home and garden thrift store committed to recovering construction waste and building materials from the waste stream, providing environmental education to Lane County communities, and highlighting the importance of reuse. Today, we focus on the urgent issues of consumption, climate change, and community resiliency. Through these initiatives we fulfill our mission to provide vision, leadership and tools for living well on the planet we share. BRING has consistently been voted one of the “100 Best Green Workplaces in Oregon.”
About Waste Wise Lane County: Waste Wise Lane County— a part of the Lane County Waste Management Division—empowers residents, schools, and businesses with education, tools, and resources that can be used to reduce waste, conserve resources, and live more sustainably. For more information, visit lanecountyor.gov/wastewise.
The Annual Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt
It’s time once again for one of the Willamette Valley’s most beloved traditions: the seventh annual Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt, taking place across the Willamette National Forest and Umpqua National Forest.
Between November 15 and Dec. 25, 2024, two hundred locally-crafted wooden ornaments will be hidden along two-dozen trails in both forests—where eagle-eyed hikers can seek them out and register to win this year’s grand prize, which includes a two-night getaway in the Willamette Valley. Here’s more information: https://www.willamettevalley.org/ornament
Eugene Police Department – Embrace the season of giving by donating hoodies to high school-aged kids!
As temperatures drop, let’s wrap our community in warmth and kindness. Clean out those closets and drop off your gently used or new hoodies at our designated collection points.For those who prefer a convenient option, consider donating gift cards that will be used to purchase hoodies.
Send your gift cards to the Eugene Police Department:Community Engagement Supervisor, Cherie Nelson300 Country Club Rd. Eugene, OR 97401 Your contribution will ensure teenagers stay snug and stylish this winter. Let’s come together to make a difference—one hoodie at a time!
Community Call to Action as New Senior Leadership Closes Down White Bird Clinic’s Front Room
The announcement of the closure of White Bird Clinic’s Front Rooms department by the new Senior Leadership Team is leaving staff and community members in shock, particularly during ongoing union negotiations.
Front Rooms is a key entry point for low-barrier services at the clinic and has been a staple in the Eugene community, serving some of the most vulnerable people for 50 years.
Miles Shepard, a Front Rooms employee and bargaining team member, says, “The front rooms department and the workers that make it happen are an absolutely vital service in Eugene.”
Described as a lighthouse for those in need, White Bird’s Front Rooms serves as a lifeline for more than 100 people per day, offering resources like housing assistance, food, mail distribution, and case management referrals.
The announcement has added uncertainty for the clinic’s Front Rooms and NEST department employees, who have been bargaining with the white bird for 10 months.
Shepard says, “We’re certainly getting pushed further into financial insecurity, potentially not being able to get other jobs and this sort of thing. I know we’re all really worried about this. You know, we’ve certainly worked really hard on this contract, and we really want the opportunity to see it through.”
Budget problems are being blamed for the permanent closure on December 13.
White Bird is facing a 20% cut of their funding from Pacific Source — a loss of $3.6 million. Front Rooms operates at a nearly $1 million deficit every year.
According to the Executive Director of White Bird, Front Rooms, lacking federal or state-mandated funding requirements, needs to close to sustain White Bird’s overall operations.
“We have to be smart about how we offer services,” says Executive Director Jeremy Gates. “That building, we’re not having dark doors. We’re not disappearing from what we call our campus, our 341 main campus area. We will still have staff there. Clients will still come to us.”
The closure has sparked concerns about the direction of the White Bird Clinic.
Advocates argue that closing the Front Rooms could harm White Bird’s reputation and ability to serve the community effectively.
“There has seemingly been a push by other organizations around Eugene to go for a more institutionalized approach to social services,” explains Dante Morrison, a NEST employee and bargaining team member. “A lot of our clients report to us that they don’t necessarily feel welcome in other spaces where, pretty much no matter what, as long as somebody comes to us, they’re gonna get a sandwich, they’re gonna get seen.”
Adds Gates, “This strictly boils down to a combination of being efficient and reducing duplicate services or allowing an opportunity to provide the same service but in a different part of coupled with a very large and unexpected and sudden budget reduction, revenue reduction – a budget loss. Threading that needle is not easy, and there’s no intent to change our service models or how we provide care to folks.”
Some of the Front Rooms’ services will be absorbed by other White Bird departments, but the closure will leave gaps in accessibility for hundreds of vulnerable clients.
Nine employees are also facing layoffs. The organization says it’s committed to supporting those employees through severance packages, counseling services, and job placement assistance.
“We are trying to eliminate as much of the burden and ease the steps back into the workforce,” Gates says. “We are also trying to ensure all of the employees are eligible to apply and try to essentially land another job within White Bird that they qualify for.”
Gates and Front Rooms employees describe losing Front Rooms as heartbreaking, its closure leaving behind a legacy that has shaped Eugene’s social services landscape for decades.
White Bird released the following statement afternoon:
The decision to close our Front Rooms program was not made lightly. It reflects the difficult reality of a significant and unexpected reduction in funding. The PacificSource Per Member Per Month (PMPM) funding, which has been a cornerstone of our budget and accounts for over 20% of our revenue, will expire on December 31.
While this change is challenging, we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing the support and care our community relies on. No services are ending and will continue through our programs like CAHOOTS, NEST and our Harm Reduction Treatment Center.
Key Services:
- Mail service will continue at our main location (341 E. 12th).
- Eyeglass voucher program will continue at our main location (341 E. 12th) and will soon be available at all physical White Bird locations.
- Food distribution will continue at our NEST location (323 E. 12th).
- Gear distribution will move to our Harm Reduction Treatment Center, where clients can access not only supplies but also additional resources and support.
Our priority during this transition is twofold: to support the incredible team members impacted by this change and to ensure the community experiences as little disruption as possible.
This decision, though painful, is part of a larger effort to use our resources in the most effective way to meet the greatest needs of the people we serve. White Bird Clinic remains unwavering in its mission to care for our community with compassion and respect.
Follow @wbfrnestunion to stay up to date on the workers’ struggle. SOLIDARITY WITH WHITE BIRD WORKERS!SOLIDARITY WITH WHITE BIRD CLIENTS! https://www.instagram.com/p/DClWeGAxcWW/
You can find information on White Bird Clinic’s budget at Pro Publica Nonprofit Explorer. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/930585814
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
“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)
Starting in the new year, White Bird Dental Clinic will offer more walk-in clinic times. Currently, we offer walk-in clinics at 1415 Pearl St. every Monday and Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. In January, we will also add every other Friday at 7:30 a.m. Find more information at whitebirdclinic.org/dental
Operation Winter Survival Stockpile
Lane County Health & Human Services, in partnership with the First Christian Church today announced the launch of Operation Winter Survival Stockpile. The operation is an effort to create a stockpile through donations of clothing and other supplies that will help those in our community experiencing homelessness better brave the elements.
“Every winter those in our community who are without shelter are faced with life-threatening temperatures and weather,” said Maria Cortez, Lane County Human Services Program Coordinator. “These donations will be absolutely crucial to helping these community members stay warm and stay alive.”
To help kick off Operation Winter Survival Stockpile, First Christian Church is hosting a one-day donation drive event where community members can drop-off donations and enjoy refreshments Monday, November 25th from 1 pm to 5 pm. After the donation drive, items can continue to be dropped off Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 2 pm. Items can also be purchased on Amazon and sent to 1166 Oak St., Eugene OR 97401.
The Operation’s Amazon Wish List can be found at: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2XR33GS1ULV8Z?ref_=wl_share
Distribution of items will be prioritized to homeless outreach providers such as CAHOOTS that come into direct contact with individuals who are unhoused and unsheltered.
For more information on Operation Winter Survival Stockpile, please contact Maria Cortez at ia.Cortez@lanecountyor.gov“>Maria.Cortez@lanecountyor.gov
Youth Empowerment Programs, City of Eugene – We’re thrilled to announce that our Winter-Spring 2025 Youth Empowerment Programs will be launching soon! 
Registration opens on December 10th for our FREE programs.
Some programs are drop-in, so no registration is required—just show up and get involved!
For more information and links to register, visit our website: https://www.eugene-or.gov/4888/Youth-Empowerment-Program
Pilots Report Mysterious Lights ‘Moving at Extreme Speeds’ Across Oregon Skies
At least four commercial pilots encountered mysterious lights over the weekend. Researchers theorize they could be flares from numerous Starlink satellites.
At least four commercial pilots encountered mysterious lights zipping through the skies above Oregon this past weekend.
One pilot flying an air ambulance reported a bright light streaking toward his Life Flight plane, with it suddenly reversing back toward the Pacific Ocean.
“Red in color — moving at extreme speeds. I don’t even know how to describe how fast it was moving,” the pilot told air traffic control.
On Sunday night, Dec. 8, the pilot of a United Airlines flight described unexpected lights in the sky above the Eugene area.
“We’re seeing three or four targets. They’re all altitudes. Up and down. It’s pretty crazy,” the pilot told air traffic controllers, who confirmed there was no military activity in the area.
The Life Flight pilot reported one of the lights was going in circles in a “corkscrew pattern” and showed up on his aircraft’s collision avoidance system.
“You are cleared to maneuver as necessary — a left or right to avoid the UFO out there,” an air traffic controller responded in the audio clip posted online.
Several brief video clips taken by pilots and their crew showed lights in the night sky, although objects are difficult to see because of the dark conditions.
“It’s weird. It’s red, circular shape, and it keeps zipping out towards the ocean and then coming back about 20 miles or closer to us — then it zips back to the ocean,” the Life Flight pilot told air traffic controllers on Sunday night.
Two Horizon Airlines pilots also reported seeing mysterious lights, according to an air traffic controller.
The flights each continued without further incident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acknowledged that a pilot saw unidentified lights but did not provide further comment.
So, what could it be?
“That appears to be Starlink satellites, most likely,” explained scientist and researcher Douglas Buettner, who led a study examining a case of five pilots who saw several bright moving objects over the Pacific Ocean in 2022.
The pilots, flying in two commercial aircraft, took photos and video of unrecognizable objects reported as unidentified aerial phenomena. Buettner and his colleagues determined the bright lights were flare from numerous Starlink satellites, launched by SpaceX to provide broadband internet.
“Literally all it is — it’s the sun hits the satellite just right, and it is being reflected back into your eye,” explained Buettner, deputy chief scientist of the Acquisition Innovation Research Center, led by the Stevens Institute of Technology.
He believes the eye-catching lights spotted by pilots over Oregon were most likely satellite flares — although without better data and clear video, he hasn’t ruled out other possibilities.
“I’ve had two other people look at it, and they say it is consistent with Starlink,” Buettner explained.
In August 2022, people in Oregon witnessed a string of Starlink satellites moving dramatically across the night sky.
Last month, the Pentagon director overseeing unidentified anomalous phenomena told lawmakers the Defense Department has seen an increase in reported UAP sightings, especially since satellite constellations such as Starlink were launched.
“We do have one example that I’m aware of where we were able to correlate a number of observations of interesting lights in the sky, and eventually, we concluded that it was multiple people observing Starlink flares,” Jon Kosloski testified at a Senate hearing. (SOURCE)
Stanley recalls 2.6 million mugs: See the full list of affected products
The recalled double-walled mugs were sold at a number of retailers nationwide including Amazon, Walmart and Target from June 2016 through December 2024.
Around 2.6 million Stanley travel mugs have been recalled in the U.S. after reports of burns caused by faulty lids.
The recall was issued Thursday for all Stanley Switchback and Trigger Action stainless steel travel mugs sold in the U.S. It includes all 12, 16 and 20 oz. versions of the mugs.
According to federal regulators, the threads on the screw-on cap the mugs use can shrink when exposed to heat and torque (like when somebody screws or unscrews the lid), causing the lid to detach.
Stanley reported 91 incidents involving the issue worldwide, including 16 in America. The company said 38 of those incidents caused burns, with 11 being serious enough to require medical attention.
The double-walled mugs come from the brand that went viral on social media, causing a buying frenzy earlier this year.
How to tell if your Stanley mug is included in the recall
All mugs included in the recall will have the Stanley logo on the front and bottom of the mug.
Switchback mugs will have one of the following product ID numbers on the bottom:
12 ounces
- 20-01437
16 ounces
- 20-01436
- 20-02211
Trigger Action mugs will have one of the following product ID numbers on the bottom:
12 ounces
- 20-02033
- 20-02779
- 20-02825
16 ounces
- 20-02030
- 20-02745
- 20-02957
20 ounces
- 20-02034
- 20-02746
You should stop using the mug immediately, and contact Stanley to get a free replacement lid shipped to you. The company can be reached by phone at 866-792-5445 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday, or online here. Affected customers can also go to www.stanley1913.com and click on the corresponding link to submit a claim for a replacement lid.
The Stanley mugs involved in the recall were widely available on the internet through Amazon and other online stores, and were on shelves at Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target and other stores nationwide. Their prices ranged between $20 and $50, depending on the model. https://www.Stanley1913TMrecall.expertinquiry.com
Data Center Energy Demands Could Trigger Blackouts
A panel of authorities on the data center industry told Northwest energy planners Wednesday that the tech sector will take all the electricity it can get its hands on, warning of severe consequences.
A panel of authorities on the data center industry told Northwest energy planners Wednesday that the tech sector will take all the electricity it can get its hands on, warning of severe consequences if the region doesn’t respond in time.
“We’re going to need to build more transmission faster than any time we have in the last 70 years as a region,” said Robert Cromwell, who consults with Northwest power utilities. He said the region is already flirting with rolling blackouts because peak energy demand is already near the region’s capacity to provide electricity.
Data center demand is soaring because of artificial intelligence, which uses massive amounts of electricity for advanced computation. These powerful machines already consume more than 10% of all of Oregon’s power and forecasters say data center power use will be at least double that by 2030 — and perhaps some multiple higher.
If the Northwest fails to add enough generation and transmission to meet the growing energy needs, Cromwell said periodic blackouts are inevitable at times power demand is at its greatest. He used an industry term, “rotating load shedding,” to describe rolling blackouts, which briefly cut off power to homes, businesses and even hospitals that need electricity to provide life-saving care.
“Nothing will change policy faster than elected officials going to constituent funerals, and it won’t be for the better because it’ll be reactionary and less than fully thought through,” Cromwell told Wednesday’s meeting of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.
Oregon has one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing data center industries, owing in large part to some of the most generous tax breaks anywhere in the world. Data centers don’t employ many people, but the wealthy tech companies that run them enjoy Oregon tax giveaways worth more than $225 million annually. (READ MORE)
Albertsons gives up on Kroger merger and sues the grocery chain for failing to secure deal
Kroger and Albertsons in 2022 proposed what would be the largest grocery store merger in U.S. history.
Albertsons is giving up on its merger with Kroger a day after it was rejected in two courts and it is suing the grocery chain, saying it didn’t do enough to secure regulatory approval for the $24.6 billion agreement.
The move came the day after two judges halted the merger in separate court cases. U.S. District Court Judge Adrienne Nelson issued a preliminary injunction blocking the merger Tuesday after holding a three-week hearing in Portland, Oregon. An hour later, Judge Marshall Ferguson in Seattle issued a permanent injunction barring the merger in Washington after concluding it would lessen competition in the state and violate consumer-protection laws.
Kroger and Albertsons in 2022 proposed what would be the largest grocery store merger in U.S. history. The companies said a merger would help them better compete with big retailers like Walmart, Costco and Amazon.
Under the merger agreement, Kroger and Albertsons — who compete in 22 states — agreed to sell 579 stores in places where their locations overlap to C&S Wholesale Grocers, a New Hampshire-based supplier to independent supermarkets that also owns the Grand Union and Piggly Wiggly store brands.
But the Federal Trade Commission sued to block the merger earlier this year, saying it would raise prices and lower workers’ wages by eliminating competition. It also said the divestiture plan was inadequate and that C&S was ill-equipped to take on so many stores.
On Wednesday, Albertsons said that Kroger failed to exercise “best efforts” and to take “any and all actions” to secure regulatory approval of the companies’ agreed merger transaction.
Albertsons said Kroger refused to divest the assets necessary for antitrust approval, ignored regulators’ feedback and rejected stronger divestiture buyers.
Kroger willfully breached the Merger Agreement in several key ways, including by repeatedly refusing to divest assets necessary for antitrust approval, ignoring regulators’ feedback, rejecting stronger divestiture buyers and failing to cooperate with Albertsons.
“Kroger’s self-serving conduct, taken at the expense of Albertsons and the agreed transaction, has harmed Albertsons’ shareholders, associates and consumers,” said Tom Moriarty, Albertsons’ general counsel, in a statement.
Kroger said that it disagrees with Albertsons “in the strongest possible terms.” It said early Wednesday that Albertsons was responsible for “repeated intentional material breaches and interference throughout the merger process.”
Shares of Albertsons rose more than 2% at the opening bell, while Kroger’s stock rose slightly. (SOURCE)
As new data dashboard shows overdoses increased in 2023, Oregon keeps focus on multi-faceted plan to reduce substance use
PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority remains focused on increased efforts to reduce substance use—and is looking at new opportunities to expand prevention, harm-reduction, treatment and recovery services—as a state data dashboard shows an increase in overdoses during 2023.
Overdose fatalities continued to rise in 2023, with more than half of the unintentional overdose deaths involving an opioid or a stimulant, according to a new and updated data dashboard. State health officials are still gathering data for 2024.
OHA launched the update of its Oregon Overdose Prevention Dashboard to provide more timely data, highlight emerging trends, and give users the ability to download the data. The dashboard is an interactive tool for tracking state, county and demographic trends related to fatal and non-fatal overdoses.
The updated dashboard shows the extent to which polysubstance use is contributing to fatal overdoses and disparities in overdose deaths:
- Overdose fatalities continued to rise, from 1,383 deaths in 2022 to 1,833 in 2023.
- 53% of unintentional overdose deaths in 2023 involved both an opioid and a stimulant.
- Fatal overdose rates remain high in non-Hispanic, Black and American Indian/Alaska Native communities.
Oregon is working aggressively to stem the rise in overdoses with a multi-faceted plan intended to reduce substance use and get life-saving treatment to people faster and more efficiently. This includes:
- Expanding naloxone distribution and other harm reduction efforts to better align with community needs, including through our Save Lives Oregon project.
- Increasing access to medically assisted treatments for substance use.
- Scaling up peer support and intervention programs across the state.
- Stabilizing and supporting the substance use treatment workforce.
- Continuing education and prevention campaigns.
- The Legislature last year approved more funding for education for school-aged youth on the risks of substance use.
- More funding directed toward supplying schools with naloxone. Every middle and high school in the state is eligible to receive up to three opioid response kits, each with eight doses of naloxone.
In addition, since July 2021, the State of Oregon has reached agreement on national lawsuits against several companies—opioid manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies—for their roles in the opioid crisis. Through these agreements, nearly $600 million will be awarded to Oregon over 18 years. These funds will support substance use and overdose prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery strategies.
Finally, Gov. Tina Kotek’s 2025-2027 budget proposes $90 million for capacity-building for adult mental health services, substance use disorder residential treatment, and withdrawal management; $40 million for supporting deflection coordinators, peers and counselors who give individuals struggling with addiction the opportunity to avoid legal consequences and to seek treatment instead; and $25 million for targeted residential and community-based behavioral health and substance use disorder capacity, expansion of mental health services, prevention services for school-based health centers, and funding to expand youth suicide prevention work.
“Oregon’s overdose crisis has affected every community across the state, and the highly sensitive and traumatic nature of these events has caused harm, trauma and loss that impact the well-being of everyone,” said Liz McCarthy, overdose epidemiologist in OHA’s Injury and Violence Prevention Program (IVPP). “The impact fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses have on our communities shows how important this data can be, especially for data-driven decisions.”
Developed by the OHA IVPP, the updated dashboard gives public health officials, local agencies, and community organizations improved access to critical data. These resources aim to better inform efforts to reduce drug-related overdose.
The final 2023 death certificate data was only recently released. It typically takes nearly a year (and in this case 11 months) for all of the pending information, such as toxicology reports, to be gathered and analyzed. OHA will release 2024 data as soon as it is available.
“Our team decided to update our Overdose Prevention dashboard based on feedback we received from the community and people who use the data,” McCarthy said. “The update allows users to explore the latest trends in overdose deaths, hospital visits and the substances involved, as well as download the data for more in-depth analysis.”
The dashboard covers a range of drug categories including fentanyl, heroin, opioids and stimulants, with data on overdose fatalities, emergency department discharges and hospital discharges.
A new page focuses on Oregon’s State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS) data. The new page offers additional information on unintentional overdose deaths in Oregon. One highlight is the “Drug of Interest” section for information on emerging substances, such as xylazine.
Oregon Guard leadership, support services meet with affected personnel following active threat event
SALEM, Ore. – Oregon National Guard Leadership met this morning with affected personnel following an active threat incident yesterday on December 10, 2024, at the Clackamas Armed Forces Readiness Center (AFRC), located on Camp Withycombe in Clackamas, Ore.
All members of the Oregon National Guard, State of Oregon employees and U.S. Army Reserve personnel who work at the building were accounted for, and the threat was resolved by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office without incident.
“While these types of situations are unsettling, they also remind us of the strength of our community and the importance of staying connected to those we serve alongside,” said Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, the Adjutant General, Oregon. “We will continue to work together to ensure our organization remains a safe, resilient, and professional environment.”
The Adjutant General with leadership from the unit, brigade and state levels met with affected personnel, together with representation from medical command, behavioral health, religious support, and the Resiliency Directorate.
“The safety and well-being of our Soldiers, Airmen, civilian staff, and the surrounding community is our top priority,” Gronewold said, “and we are grateful to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office and all the initial responding law enforcement agencies, for their swift and professional response, which prevented harm and ensured the safety of everyone involved.”
Camp Withycombe not only houses the Clackamas Armed Forces Readiness Center, home to multiple Oregon Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve units, but also serves as a supply depot and home to a training and equipment repair facility. The Oregon Military Museum is also located on Camp Withycombe.
Prosecutors Says Coos County Boy Was On the Radar of Child Welfare Workers When He Died and No Arrests Expected
Hypothermia and exposure contributed to the death of the 5-year-old Coos County boy whose body was found 2 miles from home last month, the Coos County district attorney said Wednesday.
Joshua James McCoy went missing Nov. 9. Joshua’s mother, Angela German, 43, told authorities she woke up from a nap she had taken with her son only to discover he was gone. The boy had autism, didn’t talk much and did not like to wear clothes, she said. Feeling uncomfortable in clothing is a common response for people with autism.
Three days later, on Nov. 12, the boy’s naked body was found down the road from his home on Stage Road in the unincorporated Coos County community of Hauser.
District Attorney Paul Frasier told The Oregonian/OregonLive on Wednesday that while the case remains under investigation, he does “not anticipate any arrests will be made in the near future.”
He said authorities are awaiting the results of toxicology tests and that the autopsy showed hypothermia was a “contributing cause of death.”
The child’s body was found partially under a bush about 20 feet from the road, according to a probable cause affidavit written by Coos County Sheriff’s Deputy BradLee Davis in support of a search warrant of German’s property.
Investigators saw no scratches, bruises or marks on his body. A deputy medical examiner examined Joshua’s body at the scene and found no signs of trauma, the deputy wrote.
The affidavit spells out the early hours of the investigation — and German’s involvement with child welfare authorities in two states.
Oregon child welfare authorities had recently obtained a “pick up order” for the boy that had been signed by Coos County Circuit Judge Matthew Muenchrath, the court filing states, though it does not provide a date when the order was signed.
German had been on the radar of the Oregon Department of Human Services for at least six months when the child disappeared. Child welfare workers opened a case on the family in May due to allegations of “neglect and mistreatment towards Joshua,” the affidavit says.
State workers documented “alcohol use, filthy home with food on the floor and human feces in the home,” according to the affidavit. The court filing says the Department of Human Services had a record of another welfare check and a second referral related to German’s care of her son in July.
German’s involvement with Oregon child welfare authorities contributed to her decision to leave for Utah, where child welfare officials also opened their own investigation, according to the affidavit.
Investigators were able to arrange “an emergency ping” by the carrier, which showed the phone within about a mile-and-a-half radius of the home, according to the affidavit. Joshua’s phone was 10 feet from his body when he was found. (SOURCE)
Designation of the Longest U.S. Highway as the “National Medal of Honor Highway”
– This week, U.S. Route 20, the nation’s longest road stretching from Newport, Oregon, to Boston, Massachusetts, will be officially designated as the “National Medal of Honor Highway” under legislation approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday. The 12 states along US Highway 20 account for about 62 percent of all 3,516 Medal of Honor awards presented since the Civil War.
The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military award for valor, presented by the President in Congress’ name. This section of U.S. Route 20 will honor 29 Medal of Honor recipients connected with Oregon who acted with “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty at the risk of his life” during combat with an enemy of the United States thus receiving our nation’s highest award for military valor during 8 wars over a 108-year period.
I was honored to support this effort and am even more gratified to have my House colleague’s support to pass it in the House this week.
I would also like to mention a Central Oregon Veteran, Dick Tobiason, who set out on a mission 11 years ago to name Highway 20 in honor of our Medal of Honor Veterans. Tobiason is the chairman of the Bend Heroes Foundation, which he founded in 2010 with his son. Bend Heroes Foundation has been coordinating the designation of 11 more state Medal of Highways and has led the charge in getting U.S. Route 20 designated in Congress. Dick Tobiason has made it his life’s work to ensure that Veterans and their families get the recognition they deserve. His lifetime of service and dedication to the Oregon Veteran community have been instrumental in bringing this recognition to fruition. I salute his efforts, his tenacity, and his relentless advocacy on behalf of Oregon Veterans and their families.
A full copy of the legislation renaming U.S. Route 20 as “The National Medal of Honor Highway” can be found by clicking here. A link to my letter regarding the U.S. Highway, here. —- (SOURCE)
Judge Seeks Leniency For Medford Man Who Shipped Marijuana Across Country After Inheriting Business From His Dad
A man who inherited a Medford-based shipping business from his father and mailed thousands of pounds of marijuana across the country apologized as he stood before a federal judge for sentencing Wednesday.
“I felt an absolute duty to take care of everything that he left behind, and clearly it was more of a mess than I anticipated having to clean up,” Matthew Sachen told U.S. District Judge Michael J. McShane.
Sachen’s defense lawyer said his client was unaware his dad had been shipping the marijuana for customers, but he continued to do so. “It’s unfortunate that I found myself in that predicament,” Sachen added. ” I take full responsibility. I felt like I was living kind of a bad dream.”
In June, Sachen, 30, pleaded guilty to use of interstate facilities to promote or facilitate a racketeering enterprise, a felony.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Brassell sought a sentence of three years of federal probation while Sachen’s lawyer, Justin N. Rosas, argued for the “smallest sanctions available.” Rosas said Sachen has worked to help people everyday as a wildland fire paramedic since he sold his dad’s business and dreams of becoming a firefighter paramedic.
McShane questioned whether the U.S. Attorney’s Office had considered a diversion program instead to avoid Sachen from having a felony conviction on his record, considering he has no criminal history.
Describing the crime as the “definition of circumstance,” McShane gave the government a choice:
He’ll put Sachen on one year of probation if the government considers either a diversion program for Sachen or reducing the conviction to a misdemeanor at the completion of the probationary year.
Otherwise, the judge said he’ll close the case with Sachen’s felony conviction but not issue any further penalty or supervision, essentially what’s called a “sentence of discharge.”
“I don’t want to waste probation efforts keeping in touch with somebody who does not think like a criminal,” McShane said. “He’s not the typical client in federal court. I realize he made an incredibly stupid mistake when he found himself in the middle of a marijuana business he inherited. But he sold the business, got out of it.”
Sachen told investigators that he took over the ProPack & Ship business after his father’s death in late 2021 and continued what his dad had started.
He packaged the marijuana to avoid detection, stored the cash proceeds and created fake names for customers to avoid identification by law enforcement, according to the prosecutor.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has until next Wednesday to provide a response, before a formal sentence is entered.
Gas Prices Have Changed In Oregon In The Last Week
he national average for a gallon of gasoline is teasing drivers further this week, dipping to nearly $3 as the winter cold sets in, according to AAA. Travel demand is expected to dip through January, potentially pulling prices down further.
“The national average is tantalizingly close to falling below $3 a gallon, and it could happen in a few days,” AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross said in a statement.
GasBuddy, which tracks prices at thousands of retail gas stations across the country, recorded a $2.99 national average on Monday. The company’s analyst Patrick De Haan said in a statement that the milestone meant “that gasoline prices are slowly continuing to normalize after the massive shock waves brought on by COVID.”
Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in Oregon. Gas prices are as of December 6.
Oregon by the numbers
– Gas current price: $3.52
– Week change: -$0.04 (-1.2%)
– Year change: -$0.46 (-11.5%)
– Historical expensive gas price: $5.55 (6/15/22)
– Diesel current price: $3.83
– Week change: -$0.03 (-0.7%)
– Year change: -$0.77 (-16.8%)
– Historical expensive diesel price: $6.47 (7/3/22)
Metros with most expensive gas in Oregon
#1. Portland-Vancouver (OR only): $3.68
#2. Grants Pass: $3.67
#3. Medford-Ashland: $3.53
#4. Salem: $3.44
#5. Eugene-Springfield: $3.36
#6. Pendleton: $3.36
#7. Albany: $3.33
#8. Bend: $3.32
#9. Corvallis: $3.29
States with the most expensive gas
#1. Hawaii: $4.56
#2. California: $4.38
#3. Washington: $3.98
States with the least expensive gas
#1. Oklahoma: $2.53
#2. Mississippi: $2.63
#3. Texas: $2.63
This story features writing by Dom DiFurio and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.
Winter Whale Watch Week returns to the Oregon Coast Dec. 27-31
OREGON COAST, Oregon— Oregon State Parks will host Winter Whale Watch Week on the Oregon Coast Friday, Dec. 27 through Tuesday, Dec. 31.
Trained Oregon State Park volunteers will be stationed at 15 sites along the Oregon Coast from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help visitors spot gray whales on their southward migration to the calving lagoons in Mexico.
The sites are some of the best places to watch for whales on the Oregon Coast. A map of volunteer-staffed sites is available online at the official event webpage: https://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=thingstodo.dsp_whaleWatching
“Now is a perfect time to see the whales as their population rebounds on the Oregon Coast,” said Park Ranger Peter McBride.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced an end to an Unusual Mortality Event impacting gray whales. Since then, the estimated population has increased by roughly 30% from 14,530 last year to 19,260 this year, according to NOAA. The numbers are on the rise overall, but the calf count is still low as the population continues to rebound.
“While there are more gray whales to see now on the Oregon Coast, the calves remain a rare and important sight,” said Michael Milstein, public affairs officer with NOAA Fisheries.
Winter Whale Watch Week provides an opportunity to see not only the gray whales but other coastal wildlife including birds and other marine mammals with help from trained volunteers and rangers.
The Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 27-31. Visitors to the center can enjoy interactive whale exhibits and take in the panoramic ocean views. Binoculars are provided. Rangers from Oregon State Parks will also be on hand to answer questions about the whales.
All Whale Watch Week visitors are encouraged to dress for the weather, to bring binoculars and to follow beach safety guidelines such as remaining out of fenced areas, knowing the tide schedule and always keeping an eye on the surf. Go to https://visittheoregoncoast.com/beach-safety/ for a list of safety tips.
For more information about coast parks and campgrounds, visit oregonstateparks.org.
Visitors are encouraged to share their photos and videos from Winter Whale Watch Week on social media using #OregonStateParks and #ORWhaleWatch24.
Oregon State Parks Offering Discounted Parking Passes – Give the gift of the outdoors and save this season with the Oregon State Parks 12-month parking permit sale during December.
Shoppers can buy the annual parking permits for only $25 (regularly $30) from Dec. 1 through Dec. 31. The permit is good for 12 months starting in the month of purchase at the 25 parks that currently charge for parking.
The annual permit is an even better option for frequent park visitors in 2025 when day-use parking fees will increase from $5 to $10 on Jan. 2, 2025.
Purchasing permits is easy. Visitors can buy them online at Oregon State Parks store. They’re also available at select park stores operated by friends’ groups, park visitor centers and local businesses throughout the state. For a complete list, visit stateparks.oregon.gov.
The daily parking fee is required at the 25 parks that charge for day-use parking unless visitors have a 12-month or 24-month parking permit or a same-day camping receipt. The parking fee does not apply to those who hike, bike or use public transportation.
The 24-month permit is $50 and is also available at OregonStateParkStore. The cost for the 12-month and 24-month permits is not currently increasing. The permits are transferable from vehicle to vehicle.
Ways to get and give help this holiday season
‘Tis the season for connection and caring for one another. But we also know this time of year can be challenging for many families. So whether you need a little extra support, or are looking for ways to give back to your community, we’ve got some suggestions to make the holiday season special.
Ways to get holiday help:
1. Visit the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) holiday resources webpage
Our 2024 holiday resources webpage has a list of local organizations that can provide hot meals, toys, winter clothes and more for families and individuals this holiday season. The page is available in English and Spanish, and you can sort the list by county to find resources in your area.
2. Connect with 211info
Not seeing anything near you on our list? Dial 2-1-1 to connect with someone who can guide you to the support you need. You can also visit 211info.org, enter your zip code, and search for “Holiday Gifts/Toys,” “Christmas Baskets,” or “Christmas Meals.”
3. Reach out to your local ODHS office
We’re here to help! Our local office staff often know about upcoming events and resources in your community. We can also help you learn more about services that be accessed year-round, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Oregon Health Plan (OHP), and more.
Ways to give holiday help:
1. Donate to ODHS or a community organization
ODHS partners with many community organizations that collect donations, like food, clothes, and toys, that support children in foster care, older adults, families in need, and more. For 2024, we’ve compiled a list with some of the ways you can donate to help the families ODHS serves. Don’t see anything on the list in your area? Contact your local ODHS office for more suggestions. You can also make a financial contribution to ODHS and specify how you want it to be used by emailing dhs.volunteerservices@odhs.oregon.gov.
2. Volunteer
Your time is one of the most valuable gifts you can give. At ODHS, we have several temporary volunteer opportunities this holiday season for things like wrapping donations, delivering gifts, and helping at holiday parties for children in ODHS care. Email dhs.volunteerservices@odhs.oregon.gov to learn about holiday openings or to get involved longer-term. If that’s not for you, we also recommend reaching out to local nonprofits or community centers with missions you believe in to see how you can help.
3. Build community connections
Sometimes, the best way to give back is by simply showing up. Attend local events, check in on your neighbors, and spread the word about the ways to get help that we listed above. A little kindness and connection can go a long way!
The Salvation Army out of Monmouth says it received a very special gift in one of its red kettles this season.
In Polk County, an anonymous donor dropped in a gold coin apparently worth $3,000. That’s according to a local jeweler where the Salvation Army took it to get appraised. The good deed-doer dropped the rare coin in a kettle at a Bi-mart. The Salvation Army says the one-ounce coin is over a hundred years old.
The organization says it hopes the act of kindness will inspire others to donate what they can, so the non-profit can make the season bright for those in need.
Holiday Express Steams Up – Rides run every Friday – Sunday through Jan. 4.
The countdown is on! The first day of the highly anticipated Holiday Express is almost here, and it’s your chance to ride a train pulled by a historic steam locomotive—an unforgettable experience like no other.
Santa’s nearly ready—list checked, elves prepped, lights sparkling, and candy canes in hand. The only thing missing is YOU!
Get your tickets now for this beloved annual tradition. Create lasting memories with friends and family aboard the Holiday Express. Rides begin Nov. 29 and run every Friday – Sunday through Jan. 4.
Special Offer: Get 10% off select rides from Nov. 29 to Dec. 8! But don’t wait, tickets are selling fast.
Be part of the magic this holiday season. Reserve your seat today! Oregon Rail Heritage Center
Media contest invites Oregon high school students to promote young worker safety; entries due Feb. 21, 2025
Salem – High school students across Oregon are encouraged to put their video or graphic design skills on display by competing for cash prizes as part of a larger cause: increasing awareness about workplace safety and health for young workers.
The 2025 media contest, organized by the Oregon Young Employee Safety (O[yes]) Coalition, calls on participants to create an ad – through a compelling graphic design or video – that grabs their peers’ attention and convinces them to take the Young Employee Safety Awareness online training.
Participants get to choose the key message, theme, or tagline they believe will go furthest in capturing their audience and moving it to act. The target audience? Teen workers or teens who are preparing to work for the first time. The contest is now open for submissions. To compete, participants may submit either a graphic design or a video that is no more than 90 seconds in length.
Participants are expected to choose their key message, theme, or tagline in a wise and positive manner, including constructive and effective messages and language.
The top three entries in each of the two media categories will take home cash prizes ranging from $300 to $500. In each category, the first-place winner’s school, club, or organization will receive a matching award. Moreover, O[yes] will use the best of the submissions as ads in its ongoing efforts to improve on-the-job safety and health protections for teens.
While they carry out their projects, participants must ensure the health and safety of their team. No one should be endangered while creating their video or graphic design project.
The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, 2025.
Participants are encouraged to submit entries online. Submissions may also be mailed on a USB thumb drive or delivered in person.
For more information about the entry form and rules, contest expectations, and resources – including previous contest winners – visit the O[yes] online contest page.
The contest sponsors are local Oregon chapters of the American Society of Safety Professionals, Construction Safety Summit, Central Oregon Safety & Health Association, Hoffman Construction Company, Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Oregon OSHA, SafeBuild Alliance, SAIF Corporation, and the Oregon Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) Alliance.
### About Oregon OSHA: Oregon OSHA enforces the state’s workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit osha.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.
About the Oregon Young Employee Safety Coalition (O[yes]): (O[yes]) is a nonprofit dedicated to preventing young worker injuries and fatalities. O[yes] members include safety and health professionals, educators, employers, labor and trade associations, and regulators. Visit youngemployeesafety.org.
Lend Your Voice to Shape the Future of Emergency Management in Oregon!
SALEM, OR – November 19, 2024 – The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) invites all Oregonians to participate in shaping the future of emergency management across the state. On February 11, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., OEM is hosting its second annual town hall where community members and partners from all backgrounds can provide input and feedback on the agency’s 2023–2025 Strategic Plan and the OEM Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) plan.
The Strategic Plan serves as a blueprint for OEM’s commitment to delivering excellent customer service and building resilience within Oregon’s communities. The IDEA plan guides emergency management practices that address the needs of all communities, fostering equitable outcomes and inclusive resilience statewide. Feedback from this town hall will help guide OEM’s efforts to improve emergency preparedness, response and recovery in ways that serve every community across the state—before, during and after a disaster.
The town hall is open to everyone, and no prior emergency management experience is required. Closed captioning will be available, and a video and audio transcript of the event will be accessible upon request after the event.
Event Details:
Event: Oregon Department of Emergency Management’s second annual strategic planning and IDEA town hall
Date: February 11, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Meeting will be virtual; link will be sent as event nears.
Your feedback is critical in helping OEM serve Oregon’s diverse communities better and to foster an inclusive approach to emergency preparedness and resilience. We look forward to hearing from you at this important event.
For more information or questions, please contact Bobbi McAllister at obbi.mcallister@oem.oregon.gov“>bobbi.mcallister@oem.oregon.gov.
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
