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, February 12, 2025
Willamette Valley Weather
Stay updated with the National Weather Service for the latest information on evolving conditions.
Eugene Police Officers Help Wrangle Cow That Fell Out of Trailer in SW Eugene
Tuesday one of our Community Service Officers was dispatched to the area of 36th Avenue/Willamette Street for of all things: a cow that’d been found in the neighborhood. Reports stated the cow was spotted falling out of a trailer, and the driver did not realize it.
Two awesome community members (Sarah and Amira) were able to corral the cow into a nearby yard. Our hats off to them! Our CSO arrived, and then later so did one of our officers. The cow eventually ran out of the yard, and our CSO chased after him and was able to get him into another backyard.
Shortly after this, Lane County Animal Welfare arrived to give some expert help with transporting the cow to Greenhill. We imagine the owner was shook up to find his cow missing, and it wasn’t long before the owner called EPD stating he lost a cow. Dispatch was able to get the CSO in touch with him and the story had a happy ending with the owner being reunited with the cow we renamed “Houdini.” He is definitely a master escape artist.
Lane Events Center Launches Community Survey – Website to Kick Off Long-Range Planning Effort
Lane Events Center (LEC) is updating its Master Plan to help guide investment in the property over the next 10 to 20 years. The process, which will take place over the next six months, is beginning with a community survey.
The survey is open to everyone in Lane County and is available at www.LECMasterPlan.org through Monday, February 24. It is available in English and Spanish.
“We host hundreds of events every year and welcome people from across our community and the country,” said Lane Events Center Manager Corey Buller. “A master plan will help us continue to be a hub for our community, provide a gathering place, drive investment, and anticipate how we can best be a part of the community over the next decade.”
LEC is a multi-purpose site on 52 acres near downtown Eugene. It includes a 100,000 sq. ft. convention center, 18 rentable spaces and facilities, and 20 acres of outdoor event space. In a typical year, LEC accommodates up to 1,250 event days, drawing approximately 785,000 visitors to a variety of events including the Lane County Fair, trade shows, concerts, sporting events, community festivals, and educational programs.
The Master Plan process will help Lane County:
- Conduct an engagement process that gathers diverse perspectives and ideas
- Identify community needs, values, and priorities
- Shape a shared vision for Lane Events Center
- Develop community-guided designs concepts to bring the vision to life
There will be open houses to gather community input this spring. The proposed plan will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners for possible adoption this summer.
Stay up-to-date by signing up for email updates at www.LECMasterPlan.org.
About Lane Events Center Master Plan
The Master Plan is a comprehensive, long-term planning document that provides a strategic framework for the development, improvement, and management of LEC. An updated master plan will help guide investment in the property and help us prioritize infrastructure updates. This plan will support LEC as it continues to grow and adapt, serving as a hub for events, programs and emergency services that reflect the evolving needs and priorities of our community.
New Statewide 9-1-1 Software Testing Lab Announced
STAYTON, OR – Oregon’s State 9-1-1 Program announced today the establishment of their new State 9-1-1 testing lab capabilities located in Stayton. This lab will allow for the testing of new 9-1-1 system capabilities in a simulated environment before deploying them in a live setting.
This project was developed in partnership with both METCOM 911 (Marion Area Multi-Agency Emergency Telecommunications) and Willamette Valley Communications Center (WVCC) Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) that serve Marion County.
Previously, operators tested new 9-1-1 technology solutions by deploying them live in Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). This approach introduced significant risk to Oregon PSAPs–potentially affecting service availability and compromising the evaluation process–and is generally not considered an industry best practice.
“METCOM’s partnership with ODEM and WVCC has paved a path toward the future of 9-1-1 in Oregon,” MECOM Executive Director John Thompson, said. “Additionally, as new technologies in 9-1-1 continue to emerge, the space and newly installed equipment can be utilized in an environment and tested thoroughly without interrupting operations in other primary ECC’s.”
The Stayton facility, where the test lab is located, serves Marion County as a backup center to ensure 9-1-1 call services will still be provided if the primary Willamette Valley Communications Center (WVCC) or METCOM PSAP goes down. Partnership with the State 9-1-1 Program enabled the use of the facility to be expanded to support enterprise technology pre-deployment 9-1-1 lab testing capabilities.
“METCOM’s back-up ECC has evolved from a mostly vacant building with a few radios and limited access to fully capable dispatch center,” Thompson, said. “This center is not only a benefit to METCOM and WVCC but can provide the ability for ECC’s from across the state to relocate and access the technology to continue providing call-taking services to their citizens, in the event of a disaster, center evacuation or other needs.
The 9-1-1 test lab fully replicates the infrastructure necessary to support emergency calls from the public. The testing environment uses the same network and equipment currently used by primary PSAPs throughout the majority of the state Oregon. It also provides security access controls, facility monitoring, power management, staff facilities, and the delivery of automatic location information (ALI).
“We are very excited for this new partnership with METCOM 9-1-1 and WVCC and the launch of the new testing lab capabilities within Oregon,” Statewide 9-1-1 Manager Frank Kuchta, said. “Having access to a dedicated environment to confidently test and validate emerging public safety technologies while ensuring risk is reduced as we undertake significant modernization of the statewide 9-1-1 emergency communications system is invaluable.”
### It is the mission of Oregon Emergency Management to proactively develop emergency response, risk reduction and disaster recovery programs to better serve Oregonians during times of disaster. OEM prioritizes an equitable and inclusive culture of preparedness that empowers all Oregonians to thrive in times in crisis. The agency leads collaborative statewide efforts, inclusive of all partners and the communities we serve, to ensure capability to get help in an emergency and to protect, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies or disasters. For more information about the OEM, visit oregon.gov/oem.
Fire Crews rescue and transport one and over a dozen cats
Eugene Springfield Fire responded to a second alarm apartment fire in Springfield early Wednesday morning. Firefighters were dispatched to the Northgate Manor Apartments in the 1800 block of L St at 2:39 AM on February 12th. Engine 4 and Tower 3 arrived about 5 minutes after dispatch to find heavy fire from the 2nd floor of a two story garden style apartment building.
Firefighters immediately went to work searching for victims and attacking the well involved fire that had extended to another apartment and the attic. Given the number of units needing searched/evacuated and the volume a 2nd alarm was called to bring additional resources.
One occupant was transported for smoke inhalation and injuries related to jumping from the second floor. All other occupants were safely evacuated. Firefighters searched the spaces they could not access through traditional means of entry by entering the building through windows using ladders.
Several cats perished in the fire, but 15 (including several kittens) were rescued and taken to Station 3 where SPD could then pick them up. The cause is under investigation. Two units sustained severe damage, but several were saved thanks to a quick response and aggressive operations.
Lane County Sheriff’s Office – Deputies respond to crashes, make several DUI arrests over the week
Lane County Sheriff’s deputies continue to stop, and respond to crashes involving, impaired drivers. Please consider others on the road in the new year: – Plan your safe ride home ahead of time – If you drink or use drugs, do not drive for any reason – If you know someone has been drinking or using drugs, don’t let them drive – If you host a party with alcohol, make sure all guests leave with a sober driver – And please, always wear your seatbelt!
On February 5th at about 2 p.m., a deputy observed a vehicle driving erratically on Franklin Boulevard in Eugene. The deputy stopped the vehicle and contacted the driver, Danielle Davis, 41, of Utah. The deputy determined Davis was impaired and informed her she was under arrest. Davis resisted arrest, requiring several deputies to safely handcuff her. Davis was lodged at the Lane County Jail for DUI and Resisting Arrest.
On February 6th at about 5:30 p.m., Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the intersection of Bob Straub Parkway and Daisy Street, Springfield, for a two-vehicle crash. Deputies contacted the drivers and determined Jordan Wade Carper, 45, of Fall Creek, was impaired at the time of the crash. Carper was arrested for DUI and lodged at the Lane County Jail.
On February 8th, just after midnight, deputies responded to a convenience store in the 86600 block of Franklin Boulevard, Eugene, after an intoxicated male drove to the location and attempted to purchase alcohol. A deputy arrived just as the vehicle left the parking lot, and stopped the vehicle. Deputies contacted the driver, Preston Marcus Nibblett, 22, of Pleasant Hill, and determined he was impaired. Nibblett was arrested and cited in lieu of custody for DUI.
About an hour and a half later, deputies responded to a single-vehicle crash into a tree off London Road, Cottage Grove. The driver and passenger, both juveniles, had significant injuries but were not cooperative with deputies or fire personnel. Both were transported to an area hospital for treatment. Deputies determined the driver was impaired. The driver was arrested and cited in lieu of custody at the hospital for DUI.
On February 9th at about 1 a.m., deputies responded to a dispute in the 3100 block of Pheasant Boulevard, Springfield. After they were on scene, an involved female arrived at the location in a vehicle. Deputies contacted the driver, Dani Sydney Lann, 51, of Eugene, and determined she was impaired. Lann was arrested and cited in lieu of custody for DUI.
DUI and crash investigations take a significant amount of time and community resources – for something that is entirely preventable. Drive safe. Drive sober!
Firefighters Contain Fire In Eugene Business
Eugene Springfield Fire is on scene of a commercial structure fire in Eugene’s River Rd area. Firefighters were called to a reported fire at an insurance office in the 900 block of River Rd at 5:47 PM on February 10th.
Callers reported seeing fire and broken windows in the business and additional information suggested bystanders broke the windows to try and extinguish the fire with portable extinguishers. Fire crews from Stations 2 and 11 arrived in about 5 minutes to find heavy fire in a strip mall building.
Firefighters aggressively attacked the fire and searched the occupancy, containing the fire to the business of origin and rescuing a cat. The fire is under control and under investigation.
Another Fatal Pedestrian Vehicle Crash in Eugene on Hwy 99
Eugene Police Patrol and Major Collision Investigations responded to 733 Highway 99 at 7:25 p.m. on February 8, after reports of a vehicle-pedestrian crash.
Officers arrived and began lifesaving measures, however the pedestrian, in his 70s, died on scene.
Initial investigation indicted the pedestrian, in his 70s, was attempting to cross the northbound lanes of Highway 99 when he was struck by a Chevrolet Tahoe being driven by a Eugene man in his 30s. The roadways were reopened to regular traffic at 1:40 a.m. on February 9. Case 25-02210
Juvenile Arrested for School Threats
On January 29, 2025 Albany Police Department responded to Albany Options School after receiving emailed bomb threats from an unknown suspect. Officers searched the school, including utilizing an Oregon State Police explosive detection K-9 and it was determined the school was safe. School was not canceled or delayed but officers were present as kids arrived at school as a precautionary measure.
Originally, the email appeared to originate from out of the country. Upon further investigation, Albany officers developed a lead and a suspect was identified.
Yesterday, February 10, 2025 officers and detectives conducted a search warrant and arrested a 17 year-old juvenile male at his residence in Corvallis, Or. Multiple electronic devices were seized as evidence and no explosive materials were located. The juvenile was transported to Linn-Benton Juvenile Detention Center where he is currently being held on two counts of Disorderly Conduct in the 1st Degree.
We would like to thank Oregon State Police for their assistance and Greater Albany Public Schools for their prompt actions. Our priority is always the safety of students and staff, and we will continue to remain diligent when responding to all threats.
2/10/25 – LCSO Case #25-0448 – Deputies attempting to identify male who followed child after school in River Road area
– Thank you to our community for your assistance with this incident. While deputies continue to follow up with community members, there is currently no indication of ongoing danger to the public at this time. On January 28th, an unknown male walking a dog followed a child walking home from River Road Elementary School, located on W. Hilliard Road, Eugene. The child was able to go to a neighbor who was home. The male later drove by the residence in a red Chevrolet Malibu sedan.
— The person was described white male, approximately 40-55 years old, 6′ 3″ tall, weighing 210 pounds. He was wearing a blue or gray beanie, tan jacket, blue jeans, and work boots. A photo was later obtained from a nearby store.
No crime was believed to have been committed, however the incident was concerning and law enforcement has been unable to identify the male. Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4141 and reference Case #25-0448.
Computer kiosks now available in Revenue regional offices to help taxpayers with free electronic filing
Oregon Dept. of Revenue
-Oregon taxpayers preparing their own taxes can now file their returns using computer kiosks set up in public spaces in Department of Revenue regional offices in Bend, Eugene, Gresham, and Portland during business hours.
The kiosks can be used to file taxes through the free fillable forms and Direct File Oregon e-file options.
Offices are located in:
Bend
951 SW Simpson Ave
Suite 100
Bend, OR 97702-3118
Monday — Friday 8 a.m. — 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m. — 1:30 p.m.)
Eugene
1600 Valley River Drive
Suite 310
Eugene, OR 97401-2160
Monday — Friday 8 a.m. — 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m. — 1:30 p.m.)
Gresham
1550 NW Eastman Parkway
Suite 220
Gresham, OR 97030-3832
Monday — Friday 8 a.m. — 5 p.m. (closed (12:30 p.m. — 1:30 p.m.)
Portland
800 NE Oregon St
Suite 505
Portland, OR 97232-2156
Monday — Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed 12 — 12:30 p.m.)
E-filing is the fastest way for a taxpayer to get their refund. On average, taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refund two weeks sooner than those who file paper returns and request paper refund checks.
“The computer kiosk offers a way to file electronically for those without a computer or those who fill out paper forms and want to transfer their data into one of the two available options to receive their refund sooner,” said Megan Denison, administrator of the department’s Personal Tax and Compliance Division.
Eugene Police Department — 911 Call Taker Career Information Night!
Thinking about a career in emergency communications? Join us on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the Emergency Services Training Center (1705 W. Second Ave, Eugene, OR) for an insightful evening about becoming a 911 Call Taker! 
Learn about the role and responsibilities Hear directly from our dedicated staff Get your questions answered —- Job shadow and ride-along opportunities have resumed—an invaluable way to experience the job firsthand before applying! Can’t make it in person? Check out our virtual tour and get a behind-the-scenes look! https://www.eugene-or.gov/…/19190/CLCC-Virtual-Tour…
The Oldest Shoes in the World on Display in Eugene
The oldest piece of identified clothing — sandals found in southern Oregon — are older than the volcanic eruption, some 7,700 years ago, that created Crater Lake.
You can see them, behind a glass case, at the University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History.
If you go: Several examples of Fort Rock sandals are on display at University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History, 1680 E. 15th Ave., Eugene. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, with late hours until 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for children and seniors, $12 for a family of up to two adults and four children, and free for veterans, active-duty military, UO students, UO staff and children 2 and younger. Find more information at mnch.uoregon.edu. (SOURCE) Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oregonnaturalhistory
Federal Funding Update From Lane County
Lane County is closely monitoring changes at the federal level and any effect they may have on the services we provide to our community. At this time, there are no changes to our services, including at our Community Health Centers of Lane County.
At Lane County, we are guided by values regularly reaffirmed over the past 25 years by the Board of County Commissioners as part of our strategic plan: integrity, excellence, equity and respect.
Lane County continues to comply with federal and state law. Please remember, state law prohibits local governments and law enforcement agencies from sharing information with federal agencies regarding immigration enforcement without a signed judicial order. Lane County continues to ensure all medical privacy laws are enforced to fullest extent of the law.
Patients of the Community Health Centers of Lane County are encouraged to keep existing appointments and continue making future appointments. For patients enrolled in a Medicaid health plan, all insurances are still available and paying for services. Telehealth services are available in many cases. If a patient has questions about their individual care, they should contact their provider directly or reach out to the call center at 541-682-3550.
As we continue to learn more about how current and future executive orders and rule-making might affect Lane County services, information will be available at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/ServiceLevels. We remain committed to improving lives in our community.
Eugene Springfield Fire · The race is on!! We are collecting diapers to help the hundreds of families in our communities that are struggling to afford the basics currently.
We need your help to reach our goal of 3,000 diapers this month. For the month of February, we are collecting diapers for Lane County Diaper Bank. You can use the QR code on the flyer, OR go to the LCDB wish list at Walmart.com (https://www.walmart.com/…/99131937-06af-4350-aaed…) to have your donation delivered directly to the diaper bank. Or you can drop them off at the ESF Admin building – 1705 W 2nd Ave, Eugene, OR 97402
Springfield Utility Board Offers Generator Loan Programs to Enhance Customer Resilience
Although most power outages resolve quickly, major events like earthquakes, wildfires and winter storms can disrupt power for extended periods.
To assist customers with preparedness, Springfield Utility Board (SUB) is offering two new generator loan programs for its residential and small business electric customers.
“Having backup power, especially if you have a medical need, can provide peace of mind and additional safety while SUB crews work to restore power,” says Meredith Clark, community relations manager at SUB.
The new 0% interest loan programs are for portable generators and for generator transfer switches. Loans of up to $1,000 are available and customer’s repay the loan via their SUB bill.
Portable generators are particularly helpful for renters, and transfer switches assist those who want to integrate a generator into their home or business electrical system, Clark said. These devices allow customers to change the source of power from SUB’s system to an installed generator during an outage. Without a professionally installed transfer switch, the generator can back-feed electricity to SUB’s system through the main breaker and create a dangerous, even fatal, situation for line crews and customers.
SUB electric customers with a recent history of on time payments are eligible and encouraged to visit subutil.com for additional details, or to call SUB’s resource management department at 541-746-0963.
About Springfield Utility Board: Springfield Utility Board is committed to providing reliable, safe, and affordable utility services to our community. These new pilot programs are part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the resilience of our infrastructure and the safety of our customers during emergency situations. Springfield Utility Board
Catholic Community Services of Lane County · 
Urgent Call for Donations
Our **No-Cost Clothing Closet** is running low on supplies, and we need your help to keep serving our community! 
We’re looking for: Gently used or new clothes for all ages and sizes Coats, sweaters, sweatshirts Socks, gloves
**Drop-off Location:** 1025 G Street, Springfield, OR
**Hours:** M – F 9a-12p
Every item you donate brings warmth, dignity, and hope to someone in need. Let’s make a difference together!
Please share this post to help us spread the word!
Help Us Keep Lane County Warm! 
We’re launching the Cold Weather Shelter Drive to support our unhoused neighbors this winter. Donate new or gently used tents, blankets, sleeping bags, and tarps to ensure no one faces the cold alone.
Donation Locations: Visit our website for a full list of drop-off locations. http://www.ccslc.org/cwsd
Or donate directly at our Springfield Service Center:
Catholic Community Services
1025 G Street, Springfield, OR.
Together, we can make a difference! Call 541-345-3628 ext 1317 for more information
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 in an emergency.
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.”
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
Registration open 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
New Edition of the Oregon Blue Book Highlights John Day Fossil Beds and the Great Comet of 2024
Every odd-numbered year since 1911, the Oregon Secretary of State’s office has published the Oregon Blue Book, our state’s official almanac and fact book. Each edition of the book features beautiful, new cover images of Oregon captured by the winners of the Oregon Blue Book Cover Photo Contest.
The 2025-2026 Oregon Blue Book front cover features a stunning capture from the Painted Cove in the Painted Hills Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, near Mitchell. Photographer Matt Straite of Keizer made the image which he titled, “The Many Sides of Oregon.” The back cover includes an amazing astrophotography shot titled “Comet/C2023 A” by Nathan Rohde of Shady Cove.
“The Oregon Blue Book is an invitation to learn more about Oregon, engage with your neighbors, our government and our state’s history. It helps us understand what it means to be an Oregonian. The artists who’ve created these cover images captured some of that spirit, and I’m thrilled they’re a part of my first Oregon Blue Book as Secretary of State,” said Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read.
“So many people look right past the desert areas of the state, but there is so much beauty there,” said Straite. “I have always been drawn to images that show the work of mankind in nature, particularly when that work has been added to help others see the nature, like the work of the Civilian Conservation Corp. The way this trail bends at the end is such a strong draw to want to explore more.” Straite also said that he shot this image from the boardwalk, which is there to take people through the sensitive clay hills without harming them.
Nathan Rohde’s image of Comet/C2023 A3, also known as the “Great Comet of 2024” was made near his home. He said he’s always been fascinated by astrophotography and loved trying to capture the Milky Way and the Aurora, but after seeing posts online of other peoples’ images of the comet, he thought he could capture it too: “Living in Southern Oregon affords access to some relatively dark areas. On a tall clearing not far from Lost Creek Lake, I got set up about an hour before sunset and began scanning the sky with my lens fully extended. About 45 minutes after sunset, conditions were perfect and the pictures started coming through!” Rohde said the rolling hills in the foreground were an excellent way to provide scale and accentuate the sky.
The 2025-2026 Oregon Blue Book is available for presale purchase now at bluebook.oregon.gov/shop. These limited-edition books are $30 for the hardcover and $18 for the paperback, plus shipping and handling. A downloadable copy of the full cover for use by the media can be found in Oregon Blue Book Assets and Information here.
Frontline Caregivers to Pack the Room for Hearing on Legislation Requiring Hospitals to Disclose Strike Replacement Costs
– Providence caregivers will “pack the room” for a committee hearing on House Bill 2792, legislation that aims to create transparency and ensure that health systems in Oregon, which receive public funding, provide critical financial information to the public about what they are spending to replace striking workers.
The legislation, which was introduced by Representative Travis Nelson and Senator James Manning Jr., comes in the midst of the largest healthcare strike in Oregon history. Nearly 5,000 frontline caregivers from Providence hospitals and facilities across the state have walked off the job because of unsafe staffing, wages that are not competitive with other health systems, and cuts to workers’ healthcare, among other things.
“The costs associated with replacing employees during a labor dispute can be significant, and it is essential that hospitals be transparent about these expenses,” said Rep. Travis Nelson. “This legislation will provide the public, whose taxes help fund our hospitals, with a clearer picture of how healthcare dollars are being spent, and help stakeholders understand how much a hospital is paying to avoid settling fair contracts with their employees.”
The proposed legislation would require hospitals to submit a detailed monthly report to the Oregon Health Authority and to the Bureau of Labor and Industries outlining all the projected costs associated with hiring temporary workers or other staffing replacements in the event of a strike or lockout. The information would be made available to the public, allowing patients, employees, elected officials, and all Oregonians to understand the financial implications of a strike. Currently, hospitals are not required to disclose any of the costs associated with replacing striking workers.
The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA), which supports the legislation, estimates Providence is spending at a minimum, more than $25 million per week just on the wages of replacement nurses instead of using those additional resources to settle a contract and pay permanent caregivers, who live in Oregon, a competitive wage. Replacement nurses can make upwards of $8,000 per week just in wages, which is far more than permanent nurses who are out on strike.
“This legislation is an important step towards promoting fairness and transparency in healthcare,” said Kathy Keane, an registered nurse from Providence St. Vincent who is currently on strike. “Providence, one of Oregon’s largest health systems, has a troubling history of financial opacity. When workers go on strike to fight for better patient care and working conditions, hospitals often spend millions of dollars on replacement workers, but those expenditures remain undisclosed. This lack of transparency means that Oregonians–whose tax dollars help fund these hospitals–have no way of knowing how much of their money is being spent to undermine frontline healthcare workers rather than invest in patient care.”
The House Committee on Labor and Workplace Standards will be hearing the legislation on Monday, February 10 at 3 p.m. in the Oregon State Capitol, Hearing Room D.
During the committee hearing, frontline caregivers from Providence, who are currently on strike, will present testimony regarding the potential impact of the legislation. The hearing will be open to the public, and members of the media are encouraged to attend. The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) Represents A Diverse Community Of More Than 23,000 Nurses, And Health Care Professionals Throughout Oregon. Together, We Use Our Collective Power To Advocate For Critical Issues Impacting Patients, Nurses, And Health Care Professionals Including A More Effective, Affordable And Accessible Healthcare System; Better Working Conditions For All Health Care Professionals; And Healthier Communities. For More Information Visit Www.OregonRN.org.
Providence Medford Nurses Overwhelmingly Reject Tentative Agreement Amid Statewide Push for Safe Staffing and Fair Wages
Nurses at Providence Medford Medical Center have overwhelmingly voted to reject the contract offer from Providence management, joining nurses from seven other Providence hospitals across Oregon in calling for contracts that address longstanding systemic issues in patient care and workplace conditions.
Nurses at Providence Medford had until Feb. 8 at 4 p.m. to vote, with Medford nurses now joining their nursing colleagues in rejecting Providence’s latest offer.
The rejection of the contract offer underscores nurses’ demands for safe staffing standards, competitive wages to recruit and retain staff, and healthcare benefits that ensure caregivers can take care of their families. Providence’s proposals fail to adequately address these critical issues, which have contributed to ongoing burnout, understaffing, and wage inequities across their facilities.
This vote comes amid the largest healthcare strike in Oregon history, which began on January 10, 2025, and involves nearly 5,000 frontline nurses and healthcare workers at eight Providence hospitals. Nurses have maintained their strike with a unified voice, demanding that Providence meet their calls for change.
ONA’s bargaining teams have approached negotiations in good faith throughout this process, even as Providence claimed their most recent offer was the best they could make. To demonstrate their commitment to transparency, ONA presented the contract offer to their members for a vote, allowing frontline nurses to provide direct feedback on the terms of the settlement–which they have done, with a resounding “no.”
The rejection of Providence’s contract offer reflects the unified stance of Oregon’s frontline nurses, who remain committed to securing contracts that prioritize safe patient care, fair compensation, and a sustainable work environment. ONA has called on Providence to return to the bargaining table immediately to deliver a fair contract that addresses these systemic issues.
Oregon Couple Due in Court Tomorrow on Charges of Posing as Firefighters in Fake Truck
Lawmakers want to make impersonating firefighters a felony as convicted arsonist Dustin Nehl, 31, and his wife Jenni, 44, an atmospheric and fire science educator, are hit with misdemeanor charges and were due in a Van Nuys courtroom Tuesday.
Courtesy of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
On January 18, convicted arsonist Dustin Nehl, 31, and his wife Jennifer Hastings Nehl, 44, who describes herself as an “atmospheric & fire sciences educator,” pulled up to a checkpoint on the Pacific Coast Highway in a decommissioned fire truck dressed as firefighters.
The couple, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials say, were wearing T-shirts with the name of a nonexistent fire department in Oregon, Roaring River Fire. The fire truck they were driving – with California plates – was also emblazoned with the name of the bogus department and had been purchased at an auction.
In the truck were radios tuned to various first responder channels, hard hats, tactical vests and Cal Fire tees. A law enforcement source told Los Angeles the couple also had tools that could be used “for burglary or who knows what.” What is certain, police officials say, is that the Nehls were not first responders and had no legitimate reason to try to access the Palisades fire burn scar, which led to their arrests on misdemeanor charges last month.
They were slated to appear in a Van Nuys courtroom Tuesday for pretrial hearing.
The case has raised eyebrows in Los Angeles as the ATF continues to investigate the cause of the Palisades Fire especially given Dustin Nehl’s alarming history of using incendiary devices to set fires at a golf course and a water treatment plant in the town of Woodburn, Oregon. “This is a significant arrest not only because of the threat to our residents, but to city infrastructure and public safety,” then Woodburn Police Chief Jim Ferraris told reporters after Nehl was captured in 2016. Nehl was sentenced to five years in prison in 2017.
Jenni Nehl, a National Weather Service-connected climate activist, has no criminal record, prosecutors say. But she does teach juvenile inmates about wind and fire, and encourages them to record rap songs called “Weather Slaps,” that contain lyrics like this one: “We needed help with the heat, so I am getting impatient. Wildfires running wild something breathtaking.” In a since-deleted Facebook post written on July 4, 2021, Nehl posted a photo of a wildfire with the caption, “Tired of just watching it burn? Then give the forests back to the loggers and learn.” (SOURCE)
Oregon DFR encourages people to protect themselves against relationship investment scams
Salem — The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) is warning people to be wary of an unexpected text or direct message from a stranger — it might be the first step in a relationship investment scam, also known as a romance scam or “pig butchering.” These scams often involve fraudsters contacting targets seemingly at random, using social media or common communication apps.
The scammer gains the target’s trust, often by starting a romantic relationship or a friendship. The scammer then starts to convince the victim to invest in phony investments, including fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes, before falsely claiming the initial investment grew significantly. The scammer then asks for more money and demands payment of fees or taxes if the victim requests to withdraw the funds. Even when the victim pays the withdrawal fees, the fraudster does not refund the victim’s money, but rather disappears with the funds without any further communication.
According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), there are several warning signs to be aware of involving these types of scams:
- Unexpected contact: Never respond to unsolicited messages from unknown contacts, even about seemingly benign topics, especially through text message or on encrypted messaging applications like WhatsApp or Telegram.
- Refusal to participate in video chats: If someone you have been messaging declines to interact face-to-face, they likely are not the person from the profile photo.
- Request for financial information: Don’t share any personal financial information with anyone you have never met in person. If a new virtual friend or romantic connection starts making financial inquiries, put the brakes on the relationship.
- Invitation to invest in specific financial products: Be wary of any unsolicited investment advice or tips, particularly from someone you have spoken to only online, even if they suggest you trade through your own account. Always question what a source has to gain from sharing tips with you and whether the transaction fits with your financial goals and investment strategy.
- Unknown or confusing investment opportunity: Carefully evaluate the product, as well as the person or company requesting your investment. Along with a basic search, try adding words such as “scam” or “fraud” to see what results come up. Consider running recommendations by a third party or an investment professional who has no stake in the investment and use FINRA BrokerCheck to see if the promoter is a registered investment professional.
- Unfamiliar trading platforms: Do extensive research before moving any money, particularly in an emerging market such as cryptocurrency, which has hundreds of exchanges and new avenues for trading that continue to evolve. Who controls the platform? What security measures are in place? How can you withdraw funds if needed? If you don’t know the answers to those questions, do not put your assets there.
- Exaggerated claims and elevated emotions: Take a closer look at any investment that offers much higher than average returns or is touted as “guaranteed.” Fraudsters will also often use their knowledge about you to appeal to your emotions — for example, “Don’t you want to have money to send your kids to college?”
- Sense of urgency about an upcoming news announcement or share price increase: Remember that insider trading is illegal. You should never trade in shares of a company on the basis of material, nonpublic information.
“Romance and crypto scams continue to be the source of significant losses for consumers,” said TK Keen, DFR administrator. “Consumers who receive contacts out of the blue through messaging apps on their phone or other means should be especially suspicious of those trying to entice them into cryptocurrency or any other investments.”
Several states and federal authorities have issued warnings about this type of fraud. In 2023, investment fraud caused the highest losses of any scam reported by the public to the FBI’s Internet Crimes Complaint Center (IC3), totaling $4.57 billion, a 38 percent increase from 2022. Frauds involving cryptocurrency, including relationship investment scams, increased from $2.57 million in 2022 to $3.96 billion in 2023, a 53 percent rise. DFR accepts consumer complaints relating to investment fraud and will forward other scam complaints to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Consumers should also report scams to the FBI’s IC3 at https://www.ic3.gov/. Learn more about relationship investment scams and how to outsmart scammers by visiting DFR’s website.
Anyone who thinks they may have been a victim of a relationship investment scam can fill out our online complaint form or contact DFR’s consumer advocates at 1-888-877-4894 (toll-free) or email .financialserviceshelp@dcbs.oregon.gov“>dfr.financialserviceshelp@dcbs.oregon.gov.
Oregon Ranked #2 in the nation for Firewise sites
Oregon Dept. of Forestry
–With 298 Firewise USA sites in good standing, Oregon is again ranked number two in the nation for number of Firewise USA sites. In 2024, Oregon added 32 new sites to create more fire-adapted communities.
Oregon is also honored to share the first Firewise USA site in the country that is located in two states, along the Oregon and California border in Lake County.
Along with being number two as a state in 2024, Oregon is also home to the number four and number five counties with the most sites in the nation: Jackson County with 74 sites and Deschutes County with 78 sites. These accomplishments would not have been possible without the dedication of community members and those that led the charge.
What is Firewise USA? Firewise USA is a program that helps guide communities in the process of protecting their homes and neighborhood from wildfire. The program is run by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and co-sponsored by the National Association of State Foresters and U.S. Forest Service. The Oregon Department of Forestry is responsible for administering the program in Oregon and is a resource to help communities create a community wildfire protection plan, find grants to fund projects, and give expert advice.
This work is not done alone. Through the help of ODF’s partners, community coordinators, and local fire departments, we all work together to complete assessments and help the community develop action plans for implementing wildfire risk reduction activities.
How does a community become a Firewise community? Starting the journey to become a Firewise USA site is as easy as picking up the phone and calling your local ODF office. Only a minimum of eight dwellings are required, meaning that your street, neighborhood or town can be a Firewise USA community.
The continuation and growth of the Firewise USA program in Oregon is just one way we can create more fire adapted communities and protect our neighbors.
Gym Roof at North Medford High School Collapses
No one was injured, school officials said, and other campus buildings are not in danger of collapsing.
Tuesday morning, several beams in the gym broke under the weight of the snow; students were placed on short lockdown as a precaution. At 10:47 a.m., the roof collapsed; emergency services responded immediately, and no injuries were reported.
Classes were canceled after the gym’s roof at North Medford High School collapsed under the weight of around 700,000 pounds of snow, according to school officials.
According to the school’s website, a crack in one of the gym’s trusses was discovered Friday afternoon. The gym was then evacuated, with Medford Fire, the city of Medford and engineering crews responding to reduce the snow on the roof, including shoveling, spraying and using ice melt and heat-tape cords. Athletic practices and PE classes were relocated to other buildings.
North Medford High School said an estimated 700,000 pounds of snow had accumulated on the roof.
According to the school, the gym is isolated from the rest of the campus, and students are being kept away from the area as crews assess damage. Students were released early, and school is also canceled for Wednesday.
Other buildings on campus are not in danger, having been inspected with no signs of structural damage.
The school stated that there isn’t any evidence of an engineering failure in the original construction and that the “gym performed well for 60 years before the extreme snow load caused the trusses to fail.” However, an engineering review will be performed once the structure is stabilized.
The gym had recently undergone a seismic upgrade, which prevented a full structural collapse. The reinforced walls remain standing, school officials said.
According to a statement from the principal, Allen Barber, on the school’s website, experts will be assessing the safety around the gym’s perimeter and developing contingency plans if the areas remain inaccessible.
Oregon Housing and Community Services helps create and preserve more than 500 affordable homes in Marion and Multnomah counties
Oregon Housing and Community Services
— Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) helps to significantly increase the supply of affordable homes by funding the creation and preservation of more than 500 homes in three affordable housing developments. The Barbur Apartments and Peaceful Villa in Portland and Orchard Park Apartments in Salem are set to receive more than $141.3 million in bond funding after the Housing Stability Council approved the financing last week.
The approval of this bond financing leverages more than $48.7 million of state resources, and $30 million of Oregon Affordable Housing Tax Credits. All three projects combined will bring in more than $10.6 million in annual federal tax credit equity investment.
“No matter where they live, all people of Oregon deserve to have a housing system that works for them. We must dedicate ourselves to making concrete housing progress that actually makes life better,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell.
Innovative Housing, Inc., is developing Barbur Apartments in Portland’s Hillsdale neighborhood. It will become a family-focused community with 149 affordable homes for people with incomes below 60% Area Median Income (AMI). Residents will have access to essential wraparound services tailored to meet the needs of immigrant and refugee families.
OHCS is also investing in innovative ways to transform existing affordable housing in response to Portland’s housing crisis. Home Forward’s Peaceful Villa is set to preserve its existing 70 homes and add 96 more homes, converting it into a new family community. The current residents will temporarily be relocated using the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. Once they move back, they’ll have options to rent one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes with services that include a food pantry, indoor and outdoor play areas, club house spaces, and a computer lab.
In Salem, Aberdeen Capital received $23 million to prevent the conversion of Orchard Park Apartment’s 224 homes to market rate rents after its affordability expired in 2021. This funding, which includes $3 million for immediate repairs, will ensure that rent remains affordable for people with incomes below 60% AMI. This investment is crucial to ensure housing stability for the current residents amid rising rents in the area.
Find more information about each affordable housing development in the Housing Stability Council meeting packet here.
About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) — OHCS is Oregon’s housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs.
Child sextortion cases in Oregon surge 857% since 2020
The number of sextortion and online solicitation reports in Oregon has skyrocketed 857% over the past five years, the Oregon Department of Justice announced Tuesday to mark Safer Internet Day.
The Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) said that increase happened from 2020-2024 based on cyber tips received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
- 2020: 197
- 2021: 233
- 2022: 288
- 2023: 409
- 2024: 1,886
Mark Williamson, asst. chief criminal investigator with ICAC, explained how sextortion happens. A child is “friended” on social media sites by someone — usually using a fake identity — who gains their trust. They form a relationship beyond friendship and that person asks the child to send them explicit photographs. Then, the person will demand money from the child, with the threat of releasing the explicit photos to everyone on that child’s social media friends list.
Oregon DOJ says, in most cases, the children keep it a secret because they are too embarrassed to tell their families and unsure of what to do.
Oregon lawmakers approved additional funding for ICAC last year, allowing it to quadruple in size, Oregon DOJ said. That allowed ICAC to clear out a large backlog of cases.
“Our investigators are dedicated to combating online threats,” Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said in a statement. “They are working with investigators across the country, and around world in some cases, to get justice for these kids and their families.”
Resources:
- 10 Best Practices for Internet Safety Programs
- How to get nude pictures of minors removed
- What children or families should do if they become a victim of sextortion
Oregon Sues to Block Musk’s Treasury Access, Fearing He Could Cut Funding to Vital State Programs
Oregon AG Joins 18 Other States in Lawsuit Over Alleged Illegal Data Exposure, Demanding Halt to Musk and DOGE’s Control Over Federal Payments
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield says giving Elon Musk access to the central payment system operated by the Treasury Department could allow him to block funding to critical state programs.
On Friday, Oregon joined 18 other State Attorney Generals in a lawsuit against the federal government to stop unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data and private information.
The lawsuit asserts that the Trump administration has illegally granted Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) access to the central payment system that includes the personal information of the American people, like Social Security numbers and bank account details.
Rayfield says access could enable DODGE to block payments to critical services like child and health care.
The coalition formed by the 18 attorneys general is calling for an injunction to stop the federal policy that provides Musk and DOGE with Treasury Department access and wants the policy to be declared unconstitutional and unlawful.
In a news release, Rayfield says the country has a ‘president and a billionaire who think they are above the rule of law.’
Rayfield says government decisions must be made in the ‘best interests of the American people,’ adding that ‘Oregon is committed to protecting the integrity of our financial systems.’ He described the federal policy as ‘reckless’ and an ‘unparalleled breach of national security and financial integrity.’
The Oregon Attorney General states that the Treasury is the ‘backbone of our economic stability’ and that unauthorized access could result in ‘catastrophic consequences for all Americans.’ (SOURCE)
The U.S. winter virus season is in full force, and by one measure is the most intense in 15 years. Oregon is one of 14 states with the most cases of flu in the nation.
One indicator of flu activity is the percentage of doctor’s office visits driven by flu-like symptoms. Last week, that number was clearly higher than the peak of any winter flu season since 2009-2010, according to data posted Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of course, other viral infections can be mistaken for flu.
But COVID-19 appears to be on the decline, according to hospital data and to CDC modeling projections. Available data also suggests another respiratory illness, RSV, has been fading nationally.
Some 14 other states, along with New York City, are now at the CDC’s highest tier of influenza activity: Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Overall, 43 states reported high or very high flu activity last week. Flu was most intense in the South, Southwest and western states. U.S. health officials recommends that everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccination.
About 44% of adults got flu shots as winter began, which is the same as last winter. But coverage of children is down, at about 45% this winter. It’s usually around 50%, according to CDC data.
House Democrat leaves congressional DOGE caucus, saying Musk is ‘blowing things up’
Democratic Oregon House member says ‘it is impossible to fix the system when Elon Musk is actively breaking it’
Rep. Val Hoyle, D-Ore., said on Thursday that she is leaving the congressional Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus due to Elon Musk’s cost-cutting measures in the executive branch.
Hoyle made the announcement via a statement and said her intentions on the caucus were to serve as a good steward for her constituents’ tax dollars and to make the government more streamlined and efficient.
However, she said Musk’s actions, which are separate from the congressional caucus, have made that impossible, and she claimed DOGE’s work is to find funds to give tax breaks to billionaires at the expense of working people.
“It is impossible for us to do that important work when unelected billionaire Elon Musk and his lackeys [insist] on burning down the government—and the law—to line his own pockets and rip off Americans across the country who depend on government services to live with dignity,” she wrote in an accompanying statement.
The newly minted agency, a key promise of President Donald Trump‘s re-election campaign, is tasked with slashing government waste and providing increased transparency when it comes to government spending. It was created via executive order and is a temporary organization within the White House that will spend 18 months until July 4, 2026, carrying out its mission.
Hoyle said she was alarmed about Musk’s team accessing sensitive Department of Treasury payment systems. She also accused his team of using intimidation tactics to “terrorize the hard-working public servants” who deliver these services. (SOURCE)
Officials warn SNAP users to prevent fraud
Oregonians who receive supplemental federal food benefits need to be more vigilant than ever against fraud, officials say: If their monthly benefits are stolen, they’ll be gone for good.
In the past, the federal government replaced benefits lost to fraud, but that policy changed late last year. The federal government is no longer replacing stolen benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
That could mean a total loss of tens of thousands of dollars in SNAP benefits in Oregon, primarily through “skimming,” according to officials from Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon. That happens when a device is inserted into a credit card reader and steals financial information when the card is run through the reader.
Only a small minority lose their benefits this way. Oregon has nearly 447,000 households receiving SNAP benefits. From Oct. 1 through Dec. 20, nearly 200 households had their benefits stolen, losing $77,000 in food aid.
The average household receives $310 in SNAP benefits, which are not meant to foot an entire food bill, but the money is often crucial for those who need it.
Jake Sunderland, press secretary for the Oregon Department of Human Services, said SNAP users should take several precautions to protect themselves from fraud:
- Only manage your account through the ebtEDGE website or mobile app, which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
- Freeze your card right away after each use and unfreeze it before you make purchases and block purchases made outside of Oregon or online through Cardholder.ebtEDGE.com.
- Keep your PIN secret and cover the keypad when you enter it.
- Check your account activity regularly and cancel your card immediately if you see purchases you didn’t make. (SOURCE)
Oregonians looking to renew their vehicle registration and get new tags can now do so at a handful of Fred Meyer stores around the state
The self-service express kiosks from Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services are designed to give Oregonians another way to renew their registration besides at a DMV office, online or by mail, according to a news release.
The kiosks are located in Fred Meyer locations in Salem and Eugene as well as in Beaverton, Bend, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Medford, Oak Grove and Tualatin. A location in Portland is coming soon and the DMV said it plans to offer more kiosks around the state in the future.
In Salem, the kiosk is at the Fred Meyer located at 3740 Market St. NE and allows users to pay by cash, credit or debit card. In Eugene, it’s located at the Fred Meyer at 3333 W 11th Ave. and will only allow payment via debit or credit card.
“We see these kiosks as a way to improve customer service, access and equity,” DMV administrator Amy Joyce said in the news release. “This program is the latest effort aimed at improving the DMV experience for our customers.”
The kiosks are ADA-accessible and registration renewal can be completed in English and Spanish. Users will be charged a $4.95 vendor fee for each transaction.
Customers will need to bring identification (license, permit, or ID card), insurance information and registration renewal notice. — Vehicle registration cards and license plate stickers will be printed after the transaction.
Registration Is Now Open For The Bob Ross-inspired Happy Little (Virtual) 5K Run for the Trees
Inspired by American painter and PBS television personality Bob Ross’ love of the outdoors, Oregon Parks Forever is sponsoring a virtual 5K race to help plant trees in Oregon’s parks & forests. Registration is now open for the 2025 Run for the Trees at www.orparksforever.org.
Participants can run, walk, hike, skate, paddle or roll to complete their 5K anywhere outdoors anytime between April 19 and 27 (covering Earth Day and Arbor Day). Participants are encouraged to register by April 1 to ensure that your swag arrives before the event week. If you register after April 1, you may not receive your swag before race week. Registration will close on April 15.
For $36 per person, each participant will receive a keepsake Happy Little T-shirt, a commemorative bib number and a finisher’s medal. All Oregon race proceeds support tree planting and forest protection efforts in Oregon parks. Ten trees will be planted in Oregon for each registration.
Gather your friends, family and/or colleagues and create your own walk or run. Make it fun!
Initially, the “Happy Little Trees” program began with a partnership between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Bob Ross Inc., with hundreds of volunteers helping to plant “happy little trees” at locations hard-hit by invasive pests and tree diseases. The partnership quickly expanded to include the Run for the Trees / Happy Little (Virtual) 5K.
As the Happy Little 5K gained popularity, more states have joined the effort. Now in its fifth year, the Happy Little 5K has expanded its reach to include ten other states. Together, Michigan, Oregon, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Maryland and Virginia will “lock arms” as they help raise awareness and funding for stewardship efforts in each state’s parks.
“We are thrilled to partner with Bob Ross, Inc. and these other ten states on the Happy Little 5K concept as a way to honor the late Bob Ross and create a legacy event to plant trees,” said Seth Miller, Executive Director of Oregon Parks Forever.”
Oregon Parks Forever joined this event as an expansion of our efforts to fund the replanting of trees killed by wildfires, heat domes and invasive insects. Over the past three years, Oregon Parks Forever has been able to fund the replanting of more than 800,000 trees across Oregon.
“The official Bob Ross 5K is probably our most favorite initiative,” says Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Company. “It’s the perfect blend of everything Bob held dear; nature, taking care of the environment, and happy trees too of course. He would have been so pleased to see how it’s getting so popular around the world.”
Learn more about the program at www.orparksforever.org.
IRS Direct File, Direct File Oregon Available – Income Tax Return Processing Began January 27
Salem, OR— Free electronic filing through the combination of IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon will open January 27 when both the IRS and the Oregon Department of Revenue begin processing e-filed 2024 federal and state income tax returns. Paper-filed return processing will begin in mid-February.
The IRS estimates that 640,000 Oregon resident taxpayers preparing their own tax returns in 2025 will have the option to electronically file both their federal and state income tax returns for free by filing directly with the IRS and the state.
Taxpayers are encouraged to use the IRS Eligibility Checker to see if they qualify to file directly with the IRS and the state.
E-filed returns will be processed in the order they are received. However, as in years past, the department won’t be issuing personal income tax refunds until after February 15. A refund hold is part of the department’s tax fraud prevention efforts and allows for confirmation that the amounts claimed on tax returns match what employers and payers report on Forms W-2 and 1099.
E-filing is the fastest way for a taxpayer to get their refund. On average, taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refund two weeks sooner than those who file paper returns and request paper refund checks.
The department reminds taxpayers that taking a few easy steps in the next few weeks can make preparing their 2024 tax return easier in 2025.
Free filing options open January 27 — In addition to IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon, other free filing options will also open January 27. Free guided tax preparation is available from several companies for taxpayers that meet income requirements. Free fillable forms are available for all income levels. Using links from the department’s website ensures that both taxpayers’ federal and state return will be filed for free.
Free and low-cost tax help — Free tax preparation services are available for low- to moderate-income taxpayers through AARP and CASH Oregon. United Way also offers free tax help through their MyFreeTaxes program. Visit the Department of Revenue website to take advantage of the software and free offers and get more information about free tax preparation services.
Voluntary self-identification of race and ethnicity information — New for 2025, Oregon taxpayers and Oregonians can voluntarily provide information about their race and ethnicity on Form OR-VSI when they file their 2024 taxes. Providing this information may be done separately from a tax return through Revenue Online. The information will be confidential. It can only be used for research purposes to analyze potential inequities in tax policy. The new option is a result of Senate Bill 1 in 2023.
Use Revenue Online to verify payments — Taxpayers can verify their estimated payments through their Revenue Online account.
Through Revenue Online, individuals can also view letters sent to them by the department, initiate appeals, make payments, and submit questions. Visit Revenue Online on the Revenue website to learn more.
Those who don’t have a Revenue Online account can sign up on the agency’s website.
To check the status of their refund after February 15, or make payments, taxpayers can visit Revenue’s website. You can also call 800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), we accept all relay calls.
The Oregon Department of Revenue is encouraging all workers with income in 2024 to check their EITC eligibility.
The Department of Revenue is working with other state agencies and community partners to encourage taxpayers to learn more about this credit and find out if they’re eligible for the credit, which is celebrating its 50th year in 2025. The IRS estimates that nearly 25 percent eligible Oregon taxpayers are not claiming the EITC. One Oregon organization says that adds up to an estimated $100 million in unclaimed credits. While many are unaware of the EITC and other credits, another hurdle is the need for free help filing tax returns. Free tax filing assistance is available at sites across the state.
The Earned Income Tax Credit is a federal tax credit for people for making up to $66,819 in 2024. Families may be eligible for a maximum refundable credit of $7,830 on their federal tax return, and a maximum Oregon Earned Income Credit of $940 on their state tax return. Certain taxpayers without children may also be eligible for these credits. Individuals may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Oregon EIC, and other credits, even if they are not required to file. To receive the refundable credits, however, they must file a federal and state tax return.
Department Of Revenue Volunteers Will Help Taxpayers Use Direct File Oregon To E-file Their Taxes For Free At Libraries Across The State
Salem, OR—Oregonians looking for assistance in electronically filing their taxes for free, could find help as close as their local library this tax season.
Volunteers from the Oregon Department of Revenue will be traveling to libraries in 17 different communities across the state in February, March, and April to assist taxpayers in using the free combination of IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon to complete their returns.
The one-day tax help clinics are planned at libraries in:
| Bandon | North Bend |
| Burns | Prineville |
| Coquille | Pendleton |
| Cornelius | Roseburg |
| The Dalles | Salem |
| Klamath Falls | Seaside |
| Lebanon | Sweet Home |
| McMinnville | Toledo |
| Tualatin |
Dates, times, and addresses for each clinic can be found on the Free Direct File assistance at local libraries webpage.
Last year, more than 140,000 taxpayers in 12 other states filed their federal tax returns using a limited IRS Direct File pilot program while nearly 7,000 Oregon taxpayers filed their state returns using the free, state-only Direct File Oregon option.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced in May that it would make IRS Direct File a permanent option for taxpayers and invited all 50 states to participate. Oregon was the first of 13 new states to accept the invitation from the IRS in June creating a seamless free e-filing system for both federal and state taxes.
With the two direct file systems connected, the IRS estimates that 640,000 Oregon taxpayers will be able to e-file both their federal and state returns for free in 2025.
The department believes that offering free assistance will help maximize the number of Oregonians who choose to use the new free option and make it possible for many who don’t have a filing requirement to file and claim significant federal and state tax credits for low-income families.
For example, the IRS estimates that one in five Oregon taxpayers eligible to claim the federal Earned Income Tax Credit are not doing so. One Oregon organization estimates that the unclaimed credits have totaled nearly $100 million in recent years.
Taxpayers should use the IRS eligibility checker to see if they’ll be able to use IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon. Eligible taxpayers should set up an IRS online account and an account with Oregon’s Revenue Online before they come to an event. Taxpayers attending an event should bring the following information with them.
- Social security card or ITIN for everyone on your tax return
- Government picture ID for taxpayer and spouse if filing jointly (such as driver’s license or passport)
Common income and tax documents
- Forms W2 (wages from a job)
- Forms 1099 (other kinds of income)
- Form SSA-1099 (Social Security Benefits)
Optional documents to download
- Canceled check or bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit
- Last year’s tax return
Taxpayers can signup for the new “Oregon Tax Tips” direct email newsletter to keep up with information about tax return filing and how to claim helpful tax credits.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Sites Open in Oregon: Program Provides Free Tax Prep to Thousands of Older Adults
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is providing free preparation now through April 15 throughout Oregon. Started in 1968, Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest free, volunteer-based tax assistance and preparation program and has served more than 80 million people. For the 2024 tax season, nearly 28,000 volunteers helped almost 1.7 million taxpayers, 965,000 of whom were adults over 50 with low income. Tax-Aide is offered in conjunction with the IRS, and AARP membership is not required.
“During the 2024 tax season, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers completed over 19,400 federal returns and 18,500 state returns in Oregon with refunds of nearly $39 million,” said AARP Oregon State Director Bandana Shrestha. “Even modest refunds can make an impact on financial resilience, especially for vulnerable older adults. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide helps put money back in the pockets of Oregonians every year by making sure they don’t miss out on the credits and deductions they have earned.”
Tax-Aide volunteers provide free tax preparation and filing services to all with a focus on adults with low to moderate income. Volunteers are trained and IRS-certified every year to ensure they understand the latest changes to the U.S. Tax Code.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers a variety of options to better meet the needs of taxpayers. Access to the different types of assistance varies by location.
- In-Person Service: Tax preparation is completed by an IRS-certified Tax-Aide volunteer on-site in one visit.
- One-Visit Scan: Tax documents are scanned at the Tax-Aide site and then Tax-Aide volunteers prepare the return remotely.
- Two-Visit Scan: Tax documents are scanned at the Tax-Aide site and then volunteers prepare the return remotely. During a second visit, taxpayers work with a volunteer to finalize their return and obtain a printed copy for their records.
- Drop-Off Service: Tax documents are left at the Tax-Aide site with a volunteer and the return is prepared remotely. During a second visit, taxpayers work with a volunteer to file their return and obtain a printed copy and their original documents.
- No Site Visit Required (Internet Access Required): Taxpayers upload tax documents to the IRS-provided software. Tax-Aide volunteers prepare the return remotely and work with the taxpayer to file the return electronically.
- Online Coaching: Taxpayers prepare their own return and receive online support from a volunteer to help them along the way.
- Facilitated Self-Assistance: Taxpayers schedule an appointment at a Tax-Aide site to work with a volunteer to complete and file their own return.
- Self-Preparation: Taxpayers prepare their own return using a software product that has been made available through the Tax-Aide website.
Users can find their nearest Tax-Aide location and assistance options through the Tax-Aide site locator. The site locator features a Tax-Aide chat bot that can help book an appointment, answer questions about the program, and transfer the conversation to a live agent if needed or requested. For more information, including which documents to bring to the tax site, visit aarpfoundation.org/taxaide or call 1-888-AARPNOW (1-888-227-7669)
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
