Willamette Valley News, Wednesday 4/23 – Lane County Commissioners Issue Statement In Support of Immigrant and Transgender Community Members, How do we protect Social Security? | LIVE TOWN HALL | U.S. Representative Val Hoyle — Today at 3:30pm & Other Local and Statewide News…

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, April 23, 2025

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Stay updated with the National Weather Service and NOAA for the latest information on evolving conditions.

Lane County Commissioners Issue Statement In Support of Immigrant and Transgender Community Members

Tuesday, the Board of County Commissioners voted to issue a statement reaffirming Lane County’s commitment to upholding the Oregon Sanctuary Promise Act and supporting transgender community members.

Commissioners directed the creation of the statement in response to requests from members of and advocates for the immigrant and transgender communities. The statement was developed with insight shared during meetings with local community groups.

The statement recognizes the purpose of Lane County Government is to improve the lives of our community members. Every person in our community is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect. Every person in Lane County should feel safe to live authentically, enjoy public spaces, access public services, and participate in community life regardless of the language they speak, the color of their skin, their gender identity, or any other factor historically used to exclude people from services and community.

Lane County’s commitment is to:

• welcome diverse people into our community, including immigrant, refugee, and transgender people, and build our systems with all people in mind.
• uphold Oregon’s Sanctuary Promise Act to ensure immigrant and refugee communities do not fear local law enforcement and feel safe reporting crimes.
• not request immigration status of people seeking services, except as required by law.
• provide equal access to services and care, in the preferred language of the people seeking those services or care.
• provide accessible signage, public messages, documents, and forms in multiple languages.
• use every avenue permitted by law to support the State of Oregon in affirming the rights of transgender people of all ages to receive any gender affirming healthcare that has been deemed medically necessary by a qualified healthcare provider.
• uphold the rights of people to seek gender-affirming care in our community and not comply with any requests to seek, detain, or report people who come to our community seeking gender-affirming care.
• challenge federal policies that harm transgender people and agree to use every avenue permitted by law to assure equal access to healthcare, housing, education, and employment.
• update and create policies across Lane County to protect the rights of transgender people and immigrants.

Read the full statement and accompanying board memo online.

How do we protect Social Security? | LIVE TOWN HALL | U.S. Representative Val Hoyle — Today at 3:30pm

Oregon Heritage Commission to meet May 4-5 in Eugene, Coburg and online

Coburg – The Oregon Heritage Commission will meet May 4 in Eugene for a tour of the Museum of Natural and Cultural History and May 5 in Coburg for the Business Meeting. 

The agenda includes an update on the 2026 Oregon Heritage Plan process, a presentation by the Lane County Parks Advisory Committee on the County covered bridges, a presentation by the Oregon Museums Association on the updated strategic plan, a report on the historic resources survey work in Cottage Grove, a tour of downtown Cottage Grove by Coburg Main Street, and more. 

This meeting is open to the public and there is an opportunity at the beginning of the meeting for public comment. Public comment can be made in person, online, or by written submission. For online attendance, registration is required. To view the full agenda, register for the virtual meeting, or learn more about public comment options, visit here.

Special accommodations for the meeting – including translation services – may be made by calling (503) 986‐0690 or y.Newcomb@oprd.oregon.gov“>Mary.Newcomb@oprd.oregon.gov at least 72 hours prior to the start of the meeting. 

The Heritage Commission’s nine Governor appointed members represent a diversity of cultural, geographic, and institutional interests. The Commission’s nine advisory members include representatives from the Oregon State Library, Oregon State Archives, State Historical Records Advisory Board, Higher Education Coordinating Committee, Travel Oregon, Oregon Historical Society, Department of Education, State Historic Preservation Office, and the Department of Land Conservation and Development. 

The Commission is the primary agency for coordination of heritage activities in the state. This includes carrying out the Oregon Heritage Plan, increasing efficiency and avoiding duplication among interest groups, developing plans for coordination among agencies and organizations, encouraging tourism related to heritage resources, and coordinating statewide anniversary commemorations. —- More information about the Oregon Heritage Commission is available online at www.oregonheritage.org 

Lowell man convicted in sex abuse case after Sheriff’s Office investigation

On July 5, 2023, Lane County Sheriff’s detectives arrested Roscoe Rick Redden, 68, of Lowell, for multiple crimes related to a sex abuse investigation.   Detectives had begun investigating the report of sexual abuse after it was referred to them by DHS. Two minor juveniles under the age of 12 years old disclosed Redden, who was known to them, had sexually abused them multiple times.  

With prosecution by the Lane County District Attorney’s Office, Redden was convicted in mid-April by a jury of his peers of multiple crimes: – Two counts of Sodomy in the 1st Degree – Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the 1st Degree – Four counts of Sexual Abuse in the 1st Degree  

On April 21st, 2025, Redden was sentenced to 675 months (just over 56 years) in the Oregon Department of Corrections.   Thanks to DHS, Kids FIRST, and the Lane County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance on this case. – LCSO Case #23-3583

Police respond to shots fired call at apartment parking lot, man arrested

At 8:22 p.m. on April 22, Eugene Police were sent to an apartment’s parking lot in the 300 block of W. 11th Avenue after a report a gun had been fired.

They responded and found that a man later identified as 36-year-old Michael Allen Gutierrez, had been contacted by the apartment building’s security and told to leave after being in a dispute over the phone with a female tenant regarding property. Gutierrez yelled at the security guard who told him to leave.

Another man, age 41, who happened to be in the parking lot interjected himself and began physically fighting with Gutierrez. The security guard also became involved in the fight. During the altercation, there was a shot fired and all the involved fled the area.

During this call, multiple officers, drones, and K9s were deployed. Officers learned Gutierrez was contacting the tenant and told her he had been shot. They located Gutierrez several blocks away and took him into custody without incident.

Although he had not been shot, he was transported to a local hospital for treatment of a non-life-threatening injury, most likely from the fight and then transported to Lane County Jail on charges of Disorderly Conduct and Telephonic Harassment. Officers were unable to determine who had fired the round. Case 25-06433

On Monday, the Oregon State Police (OSP) apprehended Johnathan James Dowdy after his discharge from RiverBend Hospital, where he received treatment for injuries incurred in a collision on April 18th. — Umpqua Community College Student Athlete and Coach Killed in Tragic Accident

Dowdy, a 32-year-old resident of Coos Bay, is currently held at the Coos County jail and is facing numerous charges, including: Manslaughter in the First Degree (two counts), Assault in the Second Degree (three counts), Assault in the Third Degree (five counts), Reckless Endangering of a Person (fourteen counts), Aggravated Driving While Suspended or Revoked, Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving, Driving While Suspended –
Misdemeanor, and Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree.

These charges arise from an incident on Highway 42 in Coos County, where Dowdy’s westbound Chevrolet Silverado
crossed the centerline and collided head-on with an eastbound Chevrolet Express bus. The bus, driven by Jami Lea Strinz, 46, from Roseburg, was transporting ten members of the Umpqua Community College softball team.

———————- On April 18, 2025, while traveling from a softball game in Coos Bay, there was a tragic accident on the road involving members of Umpqua Community College’s athletics program. 

“We are deeply saddened to confirm that one of our student-athletes, Kiley Jones, and one of our coaches, Jami Strinz, lost their lives in the accident. Additional staff and students remain in hospitals in Eugene and Portland. UCC hearts are breaking with this news, and we ask the community to keep the families and all of those affected in their thoughts and prayers,” said UCC President, Dr. Rachel Pokrandt. 

“These individuals were cherished members of our campus—an exceptional student-athlete, and a passionate and talented coach. Our entire community is grieving this tragic loss, and our heartfelt condolences are with their families, teammates, and loved ones. We ask that you keep them in your thoughts and offer privacy for the families during this difficult time. Support services are available to all students, faculty, and staff. Please join us in holding space for grief and reflection as we honor these individuals.” 

UCC is continuing to gather details and will provide updates as appropriate.

Coos County, Ore. 19 April 2025- On Friday, April 18, 2025, at 9:56 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 42, near milepost 23, in Coos County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a westbound Chevrolet Silverado, operated by Johnathan James Dowdy (32) of Coos Bay, crossed the centerline into the eastbound lane and struck an eastbound Chevrolet Express bus, operated by Jami Lea Strinz (46) of Roseburg, head-on. The bus was occupied with 10 members of the Umpqua Community College softball team. 

The operator of the Chevrolet Silverado (Dowdy) suffered serious injuries and was transported to an emergency medical center.

The operator of the Chevrolet Express (Strinz) was transported with critical injuries and was later declared deceased at the hospital.

A passenger of the Chevrolet Express, Kiley Nevaeh Jones (19) of Nampa (ID), was declared deceased at the scene.

The other 8 occupants of the Chevrolet Express, whose identities are not being released at this time, suffered moderate to serious injuries and were provided emergency medical services.

The highway was impacted for approximately five hours during the on-scene investigation. Impaired driving is considered a primary cause of the crash.

Due to the on-going criminal investigation, additional details related to the crash are not available for release.

OSP was assisted by Myrtle Point Police Department, Coquille Police Department, Coos County Sheriff’s Office, Myrtle Point Fire, Coquille Fire, and ODOT.

Springfield Police Department · Incident: April Retail Theft Operation Location: Springfield

NARRATIVE OF INCIDENT: April 19, 2025, members of the Springfield Police Department Crime Reduction Unit partnered with loss prevention personnel from several Springfield businesses on a retail theft operation.

These operations resulted in 19 total arrests for various crimes. None of the arrested individuals made any attempt to pay for the items they had taken from inside the store. More and 250 stolen items were recovered, totaling nearly $3,000 worth of stolen property. All the recovered stolen items were later returned to the rightful owners.

SPD has engaged in multiple retail theft missions over the last year and will continue to partner with area retailers to address the issue. If you would like more information on ways to partner with SPD, please contact us at police@springfield-or.gov

Oregon Ducks Women’s Golf Win Big 10 Championship

Oregon won the Big Ten title in its first year in the league while claiming the second conference championship in program history, joining the 2021-22 team that won the Pac-12 Championship. 

With the conference title, the Ducks earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Regional round and will find out where they will be heading on Wednesday during the NCAA selection show.

The 2025 NCAA Women’s Golf Selection Show is scheduled for Wednesday (April 23) at 10 a.m. PT and will be broadcast on Golf Channel. The NCAA Regional round is scheduled for May 5-7 at six different sites with 12 teams at each site. Oregon will make its 17th consecutive NCAA Regional appearance after earning the Big Ten’s automatic bid. >>  https://goducks.com/news/2025/4/20/womens-golf-big-ten-champs-ducks-romero-run-away-with-conference-title?fbclid=IwY2xjawJzSKpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHph1Vd8IglW48R2VhGv_f-7s6do9bFce-_z0fwsK2ZMhk-5XuwIJHvSkPyEG_aem_sxk7Ooel2aVCexEckoJG_w

Whole Community News Report on CAHOOTS:

Since December of 2023, Eugene lost the University District hospital and the Hourglass Crisis Center, and as of last week, CAHOOTS. These were no-barrier treatment access points for our most vulnerable neighbors to receive care when experiencing a mental health crisis. READ MORE: https://wholecommunity.news/2025/04/20/public-comments-ask-city-not-to-lose-cahoots-too/

Eugene’s 2025-2027 Proposed Budget reflects commitment to stewardship and fiscal sustainability

Eugene City Manager Sarah Medary will present the City of Eugene’s 2025-2027 Proposed Budget to the Eugene Budget Committee on Wednesday, April 30, at 5:30 p.m. Information on how to access the meeting is available on the City’s Budget Committee website. The 2025-2027 Proposed Budget Document is available on the City’s website.  

“This year’s budget stands out as one of the most challenging in my career,” said Medary. “After so many years of pursuing efficiencies, consolidating services, and making difficult reductions, the room for further cuts without significant service impacts has narrowed considerably.” 

“As we enact these budget strategies and investments, our organization remains committed to long-term stability and is implementing several strategies to build a strong foundation for the future. These include collaborative long-range financial planning across all departments, the next community survey, strategic plan review, and hosting a long-term financial stabilization strategies workshop with the City Council later this year,” said Medary.  

Over the past five years, the City has worked to align resources more closely with community priorities. This began with the return of the Community Survey in 2022, which informed the City’s first Strategic Plan. The City also shifted to a two-year budget cycle, enabling greater flexibility, more effective long-term planning, and increased efficiency. At the same time, the City adopted a priority-based budgeting approach to better understand program-level costs and support more informed decision making. These process improvements allowed the City to continue making meaningful community investments, even while implementing necessary reductions across all service areas.   

Despite progress, like other cities across Oregon, the City’s General Fund (GF) continues to face a structural imbalance, as service costs outpace revenue. Contributing factors include property tax limitations, inflation, economic uncertainty, and growing demand for services. Assuming several of Council’s priority programs and services—funded on a one-time basis for the 2023–2025 biennium—are added as ongoing costs in the coming biennium, the GF gap totals $11.5 million per year or $23 million for the 2025–2027 biennium. 

City Council adopted a Fire Service Fee on February 10, 2025, as a new revenue source to stabilize the City’s fire services and reduce the General Fund gap to $3.5 million per year over the next biennium. The 2025–2027 Proposed Budget, released today, assumed this new revenue would be collected in the upcoming biennium. However, the Fire Service Fee has been referred to the ballot by petition, and the City will not be able to approve a budget that relies on revenue from the Fire Service Fee. As such, an amended budget addressing the full $11.5 million annual gap will be released Friday, April 25 and the City Manager will present a budget with $11.5 million in annual General Fund reductions to the Eugene Budget Committee on April 30, 2025.  

The Budget Committee is a standing committee that reviews the proposed operating and capital budget each biennium and makes a recommendation on the budget to the City Council for final adoption. The Committee is composed of an equal number of City Council members (8) and appointed citizen members (8). In addition to the April 30 meeting, the Committee will meet in-person at City Hall in the Council Chambers on the following dates (with virtual options available): 

• 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 14: Budget Deliberation and Public Comment 
• 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 21: Budget Deliberation and Public Comment 
• 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 28: Public Hearing and Recommendation to Council 
• 5:30 p.m., Monday, June 23: City Council Public Hearing and Action 
• https://eugene-or.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=7053

Historic Preservation Month activities connect present with past in Benton and Linn Counties

CORVALLIS, Ore.—Benton County invites all community members to dive into the past during Benton-Linn Preservation Month 2025. The Benton County Historic Resources Commission (HRC) and partner organizations will host more than 30 events for the May commemoration, starting April 24, that highlight the history of our area.

Established in 1973 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Historic Preservation Month is co-sponsored by local preservation groups, state historical societies, businesses and civic organizations across the country. Events throughout May promote historic places for the purpose of instilling national and community pride, promoting heritage tourism and showing the social and economic benefits of historic preservation.

Participants don’t have to be history buffs to appreciate the events in Benton and Linn Counties. These opportunities can be enjoyed by people with all levels of prior experience and historical knowledge. Scheduled events include:

• Exploring local restoration and renovation projects that will delight fans of HGTV and This Old House.
• Neighborhood and district walking tours that combine history with outdoor activity in the glorious spring weather.
• Opportunities to learn about early Benton County residents who don’t appear in history books, like people of color, women, queerfolk and immigrants.
• Hands-on project workshops: cleaning headstones at Crystal Lake Cemetery, repointing chimney brick, and restoring historic windows.

The Benton County HRC coordinates with the State Historic Preservation Office and property owners to promote the preservation of local historic sites, objects and culture. The group aims to inspire celebration of the rich history of our structures and places, and the people connected to them, encouraging interest in preserving them for future generations.

“Historic preservation benefits communities, socially and economically,” said Morgan Driggs, Benton County planner and Historic Resources Commission liaison. “It builds local pride, keeps historic commercial areas vital, emphasizes what is unique about each place, and creates strong feelings of connection with the areas where we live and work.”

Most events are free and open to the public; some require reservations as space is limited. For a complete schedule visit bit.ly/bentonhpm.

Lane County Firewise Grant Program open for applications

Lane County’s Firewise Grant Incentive Program is accepting applications from residents in unincorporated Lane County beginning May 1 through 4:00 p.m. on May 30, 2025.

Firewise grants reimburse rural property owners for eligible costs related to reducing the risk of wildfire, such as clearing vegetation, replacing wood shake roofing, fire-resistant landscaping materials, noncombustible exterior siding, chimney spark arrestors, and more. Up to $15,500 in grant funding is available for each qualifying property.

Preference is provided to applications:

• from first-time applicants.
• to replace wood shake roofs.
• for dwellings outside of fire districts.
• for homes that burned in the Holiday Farm Fire
• from high fuels areas as mapped in the Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
• from applicants who recently received a letter from the Oregon Department of Forestry about the wildfire risk on their property.

People who have already received Firewise or Community Wildfire Risk Reduction grants are welcome to apply, but their applications will not be prioritized for funding.

Apply online at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/firewise. Paper applications are also available at the Lane County Public Works Customer Service Center (3050 North Delta Highway, Eugene).

Firewise grants are funded through Title III of the Federal Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Program – Section 601 of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. 

Free Household Hazardous Waste Roundup in Lowell on Saturday, April 26

The free Household Hazardous Waste Roundup will collect up to 35 gallons of household hazardous waste per customer on Saturday, April 26, in Lowell. Hazardous waste from businesses, schools, churches, government agencies or non-profits may be subject to disposal fees and those organizations must pre-register for the event.

When:  Saturday, April 26, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Where: Lowell Rural Fire Station, 389 N. Pioneer Street

Who: All community members are welcome to participate in the roundup.

What to bring: Up to 35 gallons of paint, household cleaners, lawn and garden chemicals, car care products, arts and crafts products, pool chemicals, fluorescent lamps and other household hazardous waste. Check labels for words like flammable, corrosive, poison, caution, and danger.

Please don’t bring: Empty containers, drums, radioactive or infectious waste, asbestos, pressurized cylinders, or explosives. Any empty containers can be safely thrown in the trash. For information about disposal of radioactive waste, asbestos or explosives call 541-682-3828 or 541-682-3899.

What about hazardous waste from businesses? Businesses that generate small amounts of hazardous waste may pre-register to bring that waste to this event. Businesses must pay for disposal of the waste, but most can save money by using this program rather than hiring a contractor.

Electronics recycling – The Cottage Grove, Creswell, Florence, Marcola, Oakridge, Rattlesnake, Veneta and Vida transfer stations accept the following items for free during normal operating hours: televisions, computer monitors, CPUs, printers, phones and laptops.  Maximum seven items per day. No commercial or floor-standing copiers, parts or dismantled units.

Please call 541-682-4120 for more information about hazardous waste disposal for households or businesses.

Filmed By Bike Film Festival Coming to Eugene

The exciting Filmed By Bike Film Festival is coming to Eugene on Friday, May 16. Based in Portland, Filmed By Bike showcases independent short films from around the globe, all centered around the themes of cycling and the great outdoors. 

The public is invited to join the City and community partners for an engaging event featuring 90 minutes of Filmed By Bike short films, local film submission winners, a raffle, and a community group ride to the venue. The theme for this year is Celebrate Cycling, Eugene! Cycling is a catalyst for personal growth and community building. An entry ticket purchase includes one raffle ticket, complimentary pizza, free bike valet provided by Cascadia Mobility, and free bike tune-up services from Shift Community Cycles. 

This event is part of the May is Bike Month celebrations. This event is also a fundraiser for Shift Community Cycles, whose mission is to remove barriers and empower more individuals and communities to join the world of bicycling. All ticket sales benefit their cause and the bicycle community.  

When: Friday, May 16. Doors open at 5 p.m., show starts at 6 p.m. 

Where: Straub Hall, University of Oregon campus

Who: University of Oregon Transportation Services, Shift Community Cycles, Cascadia Mobility, the City of Eugene and Lane Council of Governments 

Tickets: https://webikelane.org/filmedbybike2025  

About the local bicycle film contest: Event organizers are now accepting entries for short films (under three minutes) for the local bicycle film contest. The top two films will win a cash prize ($400 for first place, $100 for second place). Entries are due on April 26. Please see the webpage for film eligibility criteria and to submit a film: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeTrgOtiVN-LjL-s9s0n-S3elXR6BcNSDgBMOaBkRqU-5VqjA/viewform   

Note that films can be made with any type of camera (cinematic, phone, etc.). 

For more information about Filmed By Bike Festival Eugene 2025, visit: https://webikelane.org/filmedbybike2025  

Bushnell University School of Music and Performing Arts Spring Performances and Events

EUGENE – Bushnell University’s School of Music and Performing Arts is pleased to invite the community to spring performances and events offered by the students in University Choir, Bushnell Chorale, and Bushnell Jazz Ensemble.

Join us as we close the season with our energizing Spring Concert, April 26 at 7 p.m., at First Baptist Church in Eugene, bringing all the music students together in a program of exciting gospel music, cultural celebrations, utilizing a selection of classic and contemporary jazz repertoire.

At the end of April, we will announce the winner of ‘Song of the Year’—chosen from the five featured songs of Bushnell University’s 2024-25 Songwriters Contest. A professionally recorded EP of these fantastic songs will be released later in the year.

See more at bushnell.edu/events. The Bushnell events are free to the public and open to all ages. Program subject to change. LOCATIONS: Bushnell’s Ross Evans Chapel and First Baptist Church of Eugene —- Tickets: Free

Oregon Nurses Association –  “Patients at one of the Eugene-Springfield area’s two hospitals are being treated in a former call center and a former vending machine room. ”

Yeah. You read that right. A vending machine room. Unsuprisingly, since the closure of University District hospital in Eugene nearby Riverbend Medical Center has had an overwhelming number of patients.

Ever since the University District closure was announced nurses, doctors and other healthcare workers have anticipated these needs and have called on PeaceHealth to hire additional caregivers and restore or add care spaces. Read more https://ow.ly/xqt150Vv7fi

Yegishe Nazaryan, the former proprietor of the Corvallis Cannabis Club, received a nearly three-year federal prison sentence last week for his involvement in a bank fraud scheme exceeding $2.5 million, which financed his state-licensed marijuana retail operation and two unauthorized cultivation sites.

U.S. District Judge Michael J. McShane expressed difficulty in comprehending the motivations behind Nazaryan’s significant fraudulent activities, pointing out that he did not have a history of drug addiction, mental health issues, or a tumultuous upbringing. Rather, he had trained as a veterinarian in Armenia before relocating to the United States.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Gavin W. Bruce, Nazaryan and his associates opened more than 100 credit cards as part of the conspiracy, leading to bank losses surpassing $2.5 million.

LCSO Case #25-1277 Search continues for Eugene man missing in the Hall Road area west of Cheshire

Lane County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue continues to search for Jonathan Allen House west of Cheshire. Yesterday, SAR K9 Mercy and her people searched additional areas.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue (SAR) continues looking for 63-year-old Jonathan Allen House of Eugene. House was last known to be in the 25600 block of Hall Road, west of Cheshire, as recently as March 15th.

The search has spanned a large, rugged area complicated by steep terrain and dense vegetation: – 50 miles of roadways – About 500 acres by ground – Far more area by drones Deputies and detectives have also spent about 40 hours analyzing cell phone data and combing through area security and game camera photos and videos.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the FBI and MMIW Search & Hope Alliance for their assistance on this case. Thanks also to Lane Fire Authority for allowing SAR to use their area fire station as a base of operations during ongoing searches, and to area landowners for their cooperation.

House is described as a white male adult, standing approximately 5’10” tall and weighing about 150 pounds. He has gray hair, blue eyes, and a mustache and stubble. He was last seen wearing glasses, a black or brown hooded coat, t-shirt, blue jeans, and work boots. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4141.

Lane County Government – Our friends at Eugene Water & Electric Board are hosting an in-person and online Financial Preparedness for Disasters Seminar on April 26

Learn more about how to document your home, review your insurance coverage, and be better prepared to recover financially from a natural disaster.

EWEB and the City of Eugene are working together to enhance community resilience by helping residents “Be 2 Weeks Ready”—not just with emergency supplies, but financially, too.Whether you attend in person or online, this free seminar is an opportunity to take control of your financial future and gain peace of mind.Now is the time to take action and be financially prepared for disaster. The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation will share simple steps to help you recover more quickly and completely from disaster.

Learn how to create a home inventory, organize financial records, review your insurance coverage, and get the most out of the claims process.Planning ahead can minimize stress, reduce financial hardship, and make recovery smoother and more manageable. Take advantage of this opportunity to protect your financial future.

Join the event in person at:
EWEB Roosevelt Operations Center
4200 Roosevelt BLVD
Eugene, OR 97402Or register to attend virtually at:
https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/…/6c5e9c79-a82b…

Presented by the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. Hosted by Eugene Water & Electric Board

Are you ready to vote, Lane County?

Election Day is quickly approaching, and the Lane County Elections Office would like to encourage voters to register to vote, or update their voter registration, now to be election-ready for the May 20, 2025 Special Election. Voters in Lane County must register to vote or make changes to their registration no later than Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

“We want all people who are eligible to vote ready to participate in the May election,” said Acting County Clerk Lorren Blythe. “So, it’s really important to get registered by the April 29 deadline. For voters who are already registered it’s still a good idea to double-check your registration and correct any errors ahead of time – that helps us make sure the voting process goes as smoothly as possible for voters.”

If a voter registration form is hand delivered, it must be received no later than 5:00 pm at the Election Office (275 W 10^th Ave., Eugene) on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. If mailed, it must be postmarked no later than April 29, 2025. If registering via www.oregonvotes.gov, it must be completed no later than 11:59 p.m. on April 29, 2025.

Local ballots will be mailed starting on May 1, 2025.  To track the status of a ballot, visit www.oregonvotes.gov/MyVote.

Voters may return their ballot by regular mail, ballot drop box, or at the Elections Office. For ballot drop box locations, visit www.LaneCountyOR.gov/elections.  

Voters with questions can email elections@lanecountyor.gov or call 541-682-4234.

About the Lane County Elections Office:

The Elections Office, located at 275 W. 10^th Avenue in Eugene, is responsible for conducting elections in Lane County.  The elections office manages voter registration, the processing of mail ballots, recruitment and training of election workers, and certification of elections.

Catholic Community Services of Lane County is seeking donations of new men’s underwear and gently used pants for men and women to support our neighbors in need.

Your generosity can make a real difference in someone’s life. If you have items to give, please consider donating today! Drop-off Location: 1025 G Street | Springfield, OR Hours: M-F 9a-12pThank you for helping us serve our community with dignity and care!

Mark your calendars! We’re collecting essential items to help restore dignity to local families in need:• Razors & shaving supplies • New socks • Feminine hygiene products • Toothbrushes, toothpaste & floss • Shampoo & conditioner • Soap & body wash • Cleaning supplies • Tissues • Diapers & baby wipesFind a complete list of needed items and all drop-off sites at http://www.ccslc.org/squeaky-clean-hygiene-driveYour donations create ripple effects of hope throughout our community. Get your items ready now—together, we’ll make a real difference for our neighbors in need.

SPRING INTO ACTION: DONATE TO OPERATION REFILL THE STOCKPILE

Operation Fill the Stockpile at First Christian Church- where community members can drop off donations and enjoy refreshments.

Donations will be accepted Monday through Thursday from 10 AM to 2 PM at First Christian Church. Items can also be purchased from the Amazon Wish List and shipped directly to 1166 Oak St., Eugene, OR 97401.

Lane County Health & Human Services, in partnership with First Christian Church, is calling on the community to Spring into Action by donating essential items for those experiencing homelessness. Operation Fill the Stockpile is an effort to collect much-needed clothing and survival gear to help our unhoused neighbors stay safe and warm during the colder months, as well as in the warmer months ahead.

“Spring is a time when many people clean out their homes and refresh their spaces. Instead of discarding unwanted items, consider giving them a second life by donating to those in need,” said Amy Wilson, Lane County Human Services Program Coordinator. “With unpredictable weather this time of year, these donations can be the difference between safety and hardship for those without shelter. Your generosity can make a life-saving difference for someone facing the elements.”

Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2XR33GS1ULV8Z?ref_=wl_share

Donated items will be distributed to local homeless outreach providers who directly support unsheltered individuals.

Everyone Village in Eugene accepts cans and bottles with no limit

Typically, BottleDrop redemption centers accept a daily maximum of 350 containers per person, but Everyone Village can accept as many as you have, whether it’s 50 cans or 5,000 cans.

Everyone Village, located at 3825 Janisse St., accepts unlimited cans and bottles three days a week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. They will be adding an additional day to the schedule in April.

REEL on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1136451074555235 FOLLOW: https://www.facebook.com/everyonevillage WEBSITE: https://everyonevillage.org

First Sundays – Native American Arts & Crafts Makers

First Sundays – Native American Arts & Crafts Makers 

1st Sundays of the month 10am to 4pm

Farmers Market Pavilion 85 E. 8th Ave, Downtown Eugene

Free & open to the public

Authentically made Native American arts & crafts makes this event unique. We transform the Pavilion into an event of Native American & Indigenous cultural sharing and a gallery of Fine Art, beadwork, Navajo made jewelry, crafts, beautiful wood carvings, and more. Featuring: Native American Cultural Performance at 1pm — www.naacm.org

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/565852770 Sign up to receive Lane Alerts emergency alerts at www.LaneAlerts.org#NationalPreparednessMonth

Eugene Springfield Fire   · ESF’s Young Women’s Fire Camp is now accepting applications.

The camp will run from June 23rd – June 27th this year. The deadline for sign up is May 1, 2025. You can sign up on our website at: https://www.eugene-or.gov/2983/Young-Womens-Fire-Camp.

“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)

Contact for Services — Phone: CAHOOTS is dispatched within the Springfield urban growth boundary through the non-emergency number, 541-726-3714.

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

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

Oregon college presidents join national move denouncing ‘political interference’ at U.S. colleges

Chemeketa Community College and Willamette University in Salem and Reed College and Lewis & Clark College in the Portland area signed the letter

Presidents of Willamette University and Chemeketa Community College joined more than 200 college leaders across the U.S. signing a letter Tuesday denouncing “unprecedented government overreach and political interference” in higher education.

“Our colleges and universities share a commitment to serve as centers of open inquiry where, in their pursuit of truth, faculty, students, and staff are free to exchange ideas and opinions across a full range of viewpoints without fear of retribution, censorship, or deportation,” the letter read. It was titled “A Call for Constructive Engagement.”

The letter, published by the American Association of Colleges and Universities, comes as the Trump administration has threatened to withdraw or freeze billions in research funding from universities, including at Harvard. The administration has maintained the universities being targeted have failed to protect Jewish students from harassment.

Jessica Howard of Chemeketa Community College was the only president of a public college in Oregon listed among the signers as of Tuesday. President Steve Thorsett of Willamette University also signed, joining the presidents of Reed College and Lewis & Clark College, both small liberal arts colleges in the Portland area.

Howard said she was invited to sign through an email list and was motivated by the sudden efforts to cancel research funding.

“It’s very concerning to me that the research that American higher education provides that drives forward innovations in health care, for example, and many other fields … the idea that that would be abruptly ceased without a process and a deep understanding of the consequences is really concerning,” she said.

Signatories include presidents of elite universities like Harvard and Yale, state schools, technical colleges and community colleges across the U.S. The letter says signers “reject the coercive use of public research funding.”

Visas for international students have also been abruptly revoked at many universities, including Portland State University, the University of Oregon and Oregon State University. In some cases, students have alleged they were targeted for participating in pro-Palestinian protests.

Willamette has not seen student visas revoked, according to a college web page last updated April 14.

A federal judge in Oregon on Monday ordered the government to reinstate visas for two Oregon students and blocked Immigration and Customs Enforcement from deporting them.

Howard said she tries to avoid politics, but felt compelled to demonstrate her strong support for academic freedom and concerns about the U.S. losing its position as a driver of research and innovation.

She said she can’t recall another time in her academic career when college and university research and operations were so politicized. Howard said she expects other Oregon colleagues to sign on to the letter.

Thorsett on Tuesday said he wasn’t available for an interview about his signature, but pointed to a long history of defending academic freedom during his career.

Twenty years ago, a committee that he helped lead at the University of California wrote the university system’s policy saying that faculty should be free to accept or decline research funding from any source. That came amid internal pressure to bar researchers from accepting money from tobacco companies.

The committee’s report said such internal restrictions, as well as external conditions like requiring researchers to be U.S. citizens, threatened academic inquiry and the university’s independence.

“The work is never done,” Thorsett said in a text Tuesday. https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/04/22/oregon-college-presidents-join-national-move-denouncing-political-interference-at-u-s-colleges/ This article was originally published by the Salem Reporter and is reprinted here with permission. 

OHCS announces $1.8 million in energy efficiency investments to reduce household costs

 — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) announces the first round of housing developments to be selected for this year’s Oregon Multifamily Energy Program (OR-MEP). This round allocates $1.8 million to improve energy efficiency in affordable housing in communities statewide. The investments aim to lower utility costs for low-income families while supporting long-term environmental sustainability. 

OR-MEP provides resources such as design assistance, cash incentives, and coordination with regional programs to support energy-efficient designs in affordable rental housing. The program support both existing buildings and new construction, Selected housing developments are located in Bend, Junction City, Grants Pass, Seaside, Corvallis, Gresham, Salem,  Woodburn, and Portland. 

“Housing costs are one of the most significant barriers Oregonians face. Alongside boosting housing production, this investment aims to support locally driven solutions that will reduce energy costs,” said OHCS Director Andrea Bell. “OR-MEP exemplifies our dedication to creating sustainable, energy-efficient housing solutions that serve the most vulnerable populations in Oregon.” 

This round of funding awards $778,000 to existing buildings and $1.047 million to new construction. Eligible projects are located within the service areas of Portland General Electric and Pacific Power. The program anticipates serving 898 households through this round of funding. 

OHCS, in partnership with TRC, Dragonfly Consulting, Encolor, Elevate Energy, and Unrooz Solutions, administers OR-MEP. The program is funded through the Public Purpose Charge, as outlined in House Bill 3141, which supports energy conservation and low-income housing initiatives in Oregon. The next application period for the program will open in July 2025. 

For more information about OR-MEP and to view the list of selected projects, please visit https://oregonmultifamilyenergy.com/2025/04/18/announcing-or-mep-open-enrollment-2025-round-1-selected-projects/.  —- Oregon Housing and Community Services 

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. 

Oregon’s unemployment rate climbed to 4.6% in March, marking the highest level since Aug. 2021, when it was 4.7%.

The increase follows a gradual rise over the past year from 4.1% in March 2024. In comparison, the U.S. unemployment rate was 4.2% in March.

Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment saw an increase of 7,300 jobs in March, building on a revised gain of 1,600 jobs in February.

Nonfarm employment refers to the number of employed people in the state who work outside of the agricultural industry, and includes the private sector and government agencies.

The largest job gains were observed in health care and social assistance, which added 4,600 jobs. Government jobs, including public education, saw a decrease of 300 jobs.

The growth in that sector was partly due to the return of workers who had been on strike at Providence Health & Services. Health and social assistance has been a leader in private-sector job growth in Oregon, adding 18,400 jobs, or 6.2%, over the past year.

Professional and business services followed with an increase of 1,000 jobs, while other services and wholesale trade added 800 and 700 jobs, respectively.

No other major industries experienced job changes with more than 400 positions.

Professional and business services also showed growth, adding 4,500 jobs in the first three months of the year. This growth reversed a previous declining trend, where the industry lost 5,400 jobs over the two years ending Dec. 2024.

The “other services” category, which includes religious organizations, membership associations, personal services, laundry services, and repair and maintenance services, expanded steadily for more than four years. It employed 69,300 people in March, surpassing its pre-pandemic high of 65,700 jobs in Jan. 2020.

ONA Statement: HHS Budget Proposal Will Devastate Nursing and Patient Care

The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) condemns the Trump administration’s proposed FY 2026 Health and Human Services budget, revealed in a leak of the White House Office of Management and Budget “passback” document, as a blatant attack on public health and nursing. If enacted, this plan would slash HHS’s discretionary funding by roughly one third, cutting the total from about $117 billion to $80 billion and endangering vital services nationwide.

Under this proposal, the National Institutes of Health budget would tumble from $47 billion to $27 billion, a 42% reduction, and eliminate the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) entirely. NINR is the only federal institute dedicated to nursing science, funding studies that improve symptom management for patients with chronic illness, develop equitable care models in rural and Indigenous communities, and drive innovations in patient safety. Without NINR, nurses lose the evidence base they rely on to deliver high-quality care.

All Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development programs, including scholarships, loan repayment, faculty development, advanced practice training, and the Nursing Workforce Diversity program, would also vanish. These programs recruit and retain students from underrepresented backgrounds, support nurse educators, and help place skilled nurses in medically underserved and rural areas. Eliminating them jeopardizes the future of a diverse nursing workforce precisely when Oregon and the nation face a chronic staffing shortage.

The draft also dismantles the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, rescinding over $1 billion in grants for overdose prevention, community mental health centers, school-based services, and harm reduction programs. This comes as one in five Americans experiences a mental health condition and recent data show U.S. overdose deaths had begun to decline, progress now at risk of reversal if proven prevention and treatment services are defunded.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would see its budget slashed from more than $9 billion to $5 billion, wiping out programs that combat diabetes, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, childhood lead poisoning, and emerging infectious threats. Removing these prevention efforts dismantles the very infrastructure that keeps communities safe and healthy.

We call on Congress to reject this proposal in full, restore funding for nursing research, workforce development, mental health and substance use services, and disease prevention, and protect the health of every community in Oregon and beyond.

###The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) represents a diverse community of more than 23,000 nurses and healthcare professionals throughout Oregon. Together, we use our collective power to advocate for critical issues impacting patients, nurses and healthcare professionals including a more effective, affordable and accessible healthcare system; better working conditions for all healthcare professionals; and healthier communities. For more information visit www.OregonRN.org.

Another Missing Woman in Oregon Who’s Car Has Been Found But She is Still Missing

Search and rescue teams are looking for a 29-year-old Klamath Falls woman reported missing out of Harney County last week. The Harney County Sheriff’s Office says Kaylee Birt was last seen leaving The Fields Station in Fields, Oregon around 8:30 a.m. on Friday.

Reports indicate Kaylee was on a trip from Klamath Falls headed to Iowa, driving a golden colored 2008 Chevy Malibu with Oregon whale license plate #GW21073.

According to an update from the sheriff’s office, her car was found in a remote part of Harney County on Sunday, but she has not yet been located.

Search efforts are resuming Monday morning with the assistance of Lake County Search & Rescue, local ranchers on horseback, side-by-sides and four wheelers, as well as Oregon State Police and Grant County Search & Rescue with K-9s.  

Kaylee is described as 5 feet 2 inches and 120 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. She has green and brown glasses and was last seen wearing a long-sleeve green shirt and white sweatpants with a Christmas tree design on them. She has a tattoo on her right wrist of a lighthouse and another one on her foot of a Christian fish and cross with Romans 8:31 Bible verse.

Anyone who has seen Kaylee or knows where she might be is asked to call 911 or contact the Harney County Sheriff’s Office at 541-573-6156.

There are a string of these cases in Oregon where the missing women’s vehicles are found, but they are still missing to this day.

Oregon’s minimum wage will increase by 35 cents an hour starting July 1.

The annual increase, intended to keep pace with the Consumer Price Index,  varies as Oregon has three different minimum wages to address variable living costs in other parts of the state.

Oregon minimum wage increases from July 1, 2025:

REGION	NEW HOURLY WAGE	INCREASE %
Eastern Oregon and most of Southern Oregon	$14,05	2.55%
Areas around Medford, Bend, and most of the Willamette Valley and the northern coast	$15,05	2.31%
Portland and its suburbs	$15,05	2,09%

High inflation rates since the 2020 pandemic have pushed the minimum wage up sharply. Still, Oregon’s minimum wage is significantly higher than the federal minimum wage, which remains unchanged at $7.25 an hour since 2009.

Lawmakers Move to Limit Rent Increases in Marinas and Manufactured Home Parks

Economists say rent caps stifle development but leading legislators say some renters are captive and easily exploited.

CHIEF SPONSOR: State Rep. Pam Marsh (D-Ashland), along with 19 Democratic co-sponsors (and zero Republicans)

WHAT IT WOULD DO: HB 3054 takes a concept Oregon lawmakers love and economists hate—rent control—and ratchets it downward in two specific sectors of the housing market: marinas and manufactured home parks. Following on the heels of 2019 and 2023 bills that enacted and subsequently lowered the nation’s first statewide rent controls, HB 3054 would limit annual rent increases at parks and marinas of more than 30 homes to 6%. It would limit rent increases in parks with 30 or fewer homes to 10%, or 7% plus inflation, whichever is lower.

PROBLEM IT SEEKS TO SOLVE: People who live aboard floating homes and in manufactured home parks often own their homes but rent either dock space or the ground upon which their homes rest. Residents of manufactured homes, which make up 7% or so of Oregon’s housing stock, tend to earn modest paychecks and are often seniors living on fixed incomes. Lawmakers say they are among the state’s most economically vulnerable residents and easily exploited. (READ MORE)

A bipartisan coalition of Oregon legislators has declared that enough is enough regarding the overwhelming number of bills introduced this session.

On Wednesday, they proposed a measure that would restrict each lawmaker to a maximum of 25 bills per session. House Bill 2006 represents the Legislature’s effort to manage the unprecedented volume of bills filed this session, which exceeds 3,500 and marks the highest total in at least 25 years. This influx has overwhelmed staff, including state attorneys responsible for reviewing and drafting each bill, as well as analysts tasked with preparing reports on the potential impacts of these proposals on existing Oregon law.

The sheer volume has also complicated the ability of the public to monitor proposed legislation, resulting in crowded public hearings where Oregonians may have as little as 90 seconds to present their testimonies.

Additionally, legislators find themselves with reduced time to debate and consider bills and possible amendments.

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden has announced he will hold town halls next week in Douglas and several other Oregon counties.

Heading into these seven open-to-all town halls between April 23rd and April 26th, Wyden has held 1,110 town halls in keeping with his promise to have at least one town hall each year in each of Oregon’s 36 counties.

Wyden said, “I promised Oregonians in every nook and cranny of our state that I would always make myself available to answer questions and hear their concerns and opinions”. Wyden said, “That in-person connection has always been essential, and it’s more crucial than ever now during these unprecedented challenges to continue those direct conversations so all parts of Oregon are heard”.

Wyden will have town halls on:

*Wednesday April 23rd in Wasco, and Umatilla counties

*Thursday April 24th in Grant and Harney counties

*Friday April 25th in Lake and Klamath counties

*Saturday April 26th in Douglas County. That event will begin at 3:00 p.m. in the Jacoby Auditorium of Umpqua Community College.

Wyden’s release said although these were the largest venues available for these town halls on these dates, space may still be limited. Doors will open one hour before the town hall start time for attendees. For everyone’s security, backpacks and large bags will not be allowed in the town halls.

OHCS Down Payment Assistance program helps 269 Oregonians become first-time homeowners

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) announced its Down Payment Assistance (DPA) program helped another 269 Oregonians buy a home in 2024.

DPA-funded organizations disbursed almost $10 million to homebuyers, with an average of $28,315 per homebuyer for homes across Oregon that cost, on average, $339,689. Additionally, 150 of the homebuyers identified as first-generation and 55% identified as people of color.

Angele Graham of White City in Jackson County was one homebuyer who was able to get a new home using DPA. Graham’s journey to homeownership began in 2017, but a series of financial and health setbacks, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, prevented her from realizing her dream. Her situation became worse after her landlord sold her rental home and the new owner raised her rent by 60%.

Graham was running out of options until ACCESS, a community action agency serving Jackson County, received a DPA grant from OHCS that she was able to use for a down payment. Coupled with a USDA Direct Loan and a housing voucher provided by the Housing Authority of Jackson County (HAJC), Graham was able to close on a place she could call her own.

“Angele has set a wonderful example of perseverance and hard work to pursue a dream,” said Denise Lupton, housing supervisor at ACCESS. “During her long journey, she faced a lot of challenges but never gave up hope. Combined with local and state programs, such as OHCS’ Down Payment Assistance, Angele’s path to homeownership is now a reality. My team and I are so proud of her and are grateful to have been part of her homebuying process.”

OHCS’ DPA program, which is now funded by the Home Ownership Assistance Program (HOAP) and Construction Excise Tax (CET) proceeds, was created in 2011 and since has helped 1,543 households.

“It’s truly inspiring to see Angele achieve her dream of homeownership. Her story highlights the vital role that OHCS’ Down Payment Assistance program plays in creating pathways to stability and generational opportunity,” said Keeble Giscombe, director of Homeownership at OHCS. “This program empowers historically underserved Oregonians to invest in themselves, their families, and their futures. I’m thrilled for Angele as she experiences the many joys and rewards of homeownership.”

To learn more about OHCS’ various DPA programs, including one for veterans, visit the OHCS website. View OHCS’ homeownership data dashboards at https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/oregon.housing.and.community.services/vizzes and click on the DPA tab to get more detailed information. 

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. Visit OHCS’ website for more information.

OnPoint Community Credit Union Invests $100K in Four Local Environmental Nonprofits

The funding is part of OnPoint’s Green Horizons initiative and will support nonprofits restoring nature, conserving wildlife and reducing e-waste  

OnPoint Community Credit Union is giving $100,000 to four local environmental nonprofits to mark Earth Day 2025. The investment is through KGW’s Good Energy Campaign sponsorship. Friends of the Columbia Gorge, Oregon Wildlife Foundation, Free Geek and The Nature Conservancy in Oregon will each receive $25,000 to help protect natural resources and wildlife in Oregon and Southwest Washington. 

OnPoint’s Green Horizons initiative supports organizations whose vital work helps address climate change.  Since 2021, the program has provided green auto and solar financing for members, sustainability perks for employees and more $500,000 in funding for local nonprofits protecting our region’s natural resources. 

“Dealing with climate change and preserving our planet isn’t just something that happens at a national or global level. Each individual and organization plays a key role,” said Rob Stuart, president and CEO, OnPoint Community Credit Union. “Our Green Horizons initiative empowers local partners to continue their boots-on-the-ground efforts. We are proud to support the people and organizations that fight to keep our environment sustainable for generations to come.” — For more information about OnPoint’s investment in building a greener future, such as telecommuting programs, employee volunteer opportunities, and other donations to environmentally-focused organizations, please visit: OnPoint Green Horizons. 

BLM issues nearly $28 million to western Oregon counties from timber revenue

The Bureau of Land Management has distributed more than $27.7 million in timber revenue payments to 18 western Oregon counties. The payments are supported by the timber harvested from public lands and support local services, including emergency response and education. 

“The BLM is working to protect our national and economic security, as directed in President Trump’s order, by immediately expanding American timber production,” said BLM Oregon/Washington State Director Barry Bushue. “We manage more than 2.4 million acres of some of the world’s most productive forests in western Oregon, and are committed to supplying a reliable, secure, and resilient domestic supply of timber, while providing jobs and other support to local communities through timber production.” 

The BLM manages this area, referred to as O&C and CBWR lands, as well as the funds generated from timber harvests in accordance with two laws. The Oregon and California Railroad and Coos Bay Wagon Road Grant Lands Grant Act of 1937 directs revenue from O&C Lands is shared between the U.S. Treasury and 18 western Oregon counties. The Coos Bay Wagon Road Act of 1939 directs revenue from CBWR Lands be paid in-lieu of tax payments to Coos and Douglas counties. 

This funding provides local communities with the means to construct new county buildings; develop fairgrounds and museums; support libraries, schools, and jails; and build flood-control dams and reservoirs. Beyond these direct payments to counties, the BLM timber program supports approximately 2,000 local jobs and generates more than $1 billion for local economies. 

BLM forestry and timber production supports economic security, reduces risks from wildfire, improves fish and wildlife habitat, and decreases the cost of energy production. Local communities rely on jobs that come from BLM-managed forests, and timber from public land feeds local industry. 

OHA to issue algae warnings when dog deaths reported  

As summer approaches, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reminds people heading outdoors to enjoy the state’s lakes, rivers and reservoirs to be on the look-out for potentially toxic cyanobacteria blooms.  

To help, OHA is adding a tool reporting the possible presence of cyanobacteria in freshwater lakes and rivers statewide. Starting immediately, OHA will issue pre-emptive public warnings following reports of dog illnesses or deaths possibly resulting from cyanotoxin exposure.  

“Each year, we receive reports about dog illnesses or deaths linked to a water body that may be affected by cyanobacteria, but the deaths are often unexplained, or the cause of the death isn’t immediately known,” said Linda Novitski, Ph.D., a recreational waters specialist in OHA’s Environmental Public Health Section.  

“These pre-emptive warnings will help us immediately takes steps to inform the public about the possible presence of cyanobacteria in a water body,” she said.

Toxin testing is only possible for certain types of cyanobacteria. When testing is done, results are typically available within two weeks.

Cyanobacteria are beneficial bacteria found in all fresh water worldwide. The bacteria can multiply into blooms in any water body under the right conditions—warm weather, sunlight, water temperature, nutrients and water chemistry.  

Many blooms are harmless, but some can produce cyanotoxins that make people and animals sick. Exposure to cyanotoxins occurs when water or algae mat material is swallowed while swimming, or when people inhale water droplets during high-speed activities such as water-skiing or wakeboarding. Symptoms of exposure to cyanotoxins include:  

• Diarrhea
• Cramps
• Vomiting
• Numbness
• Dizziness and fainting

Although cyanotoxins are not known to be absorbed through the skin, people with sensitive skin can develop a red, raised rash when wading, playing or swimming in or around a bloom.  

Some species of cyanobacteria live in the water or float on the top of the water surface. Other cyanobacteria, called cyanoHAB mats, anchor themselves to the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment, or grow on rocks or aquatic plants can release toxins into clear water. These bloom mats contain toxins that, if ingested, can be fatal to dogs and can make people sick.  

Dogs can get extremely ill, and even die, within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water. Problem signs include licking their fur or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crust along the shore.  

If, after swimming in a lake or stream, a dog exhibits symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, breathing problems, difficulty walking or standing, or loss of appetite, owners should get their pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible. 

“Enjoying lakes and rivers is such an important part of the Oregon experience,” said Novitski. “To have fun and stay safe this season, protect small children and dogs by avoiding anything you think might be a cyanobacteria harmful algae bloom in the water or in a mat attached to the bottom of the lake or river.” 

Cyanotoxins can still exist in clear water. When a bloom dies, toxins it released may reach into clear water around the bloom. Blooms can be pushed into other areas, leaving toxins behind. 

OHA advises recreational visitors to always be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms in the water and in mats attached to the ground or rocks. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable.  

Only a fraction of water bodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab. 

Oregon State Police investigating officer involved shooting- Josephine County

Oregon State Police investigating officer involved shooting in Josephine County.

On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, just after 12:00 p.m., a Josephine County Sheriff’s Office Deputy encountered a wanted suspect with a felony warrant, near the O’Brien Country Store, in O’Brien.  The suspect, Clinten Anthony Robertson (33) of Grants Pass, evaded the deputy and used his vehicle to ram the deputy’s vehicle, resulting in an officer involved shooting. 

Robertson was struck by gunfire during the incident and transported to Three Rivers Hospital in Grants Pass for medical treatment. No injuries to bystanders or law enforcement occurred during the incident.

The Josephine County Major Crime Team, which consists of the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office, the Grants Pass Police Department, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon State Police has been activated.  The Oregon State Police is leading the investigation.  No additional details will be released at this time. 

Pedestrian Fatality Near Grants Pass

On Tuesday, Oregon State Police responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian crash on Highway 199, near milepost 26, in Josephine County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a pedestrian, Kale Phillip Luke (31) of Grants Pass, was reportedly walking in the roadway when he was struck by a southbound Ford Escape, operated by Andrew Martin Vendrick (39) of Santa Rosa (CA).

The pedestrian (Kale) was declared deceased at the scene. The operator of the Ford (Vendrick) was reportedly uninjured. The highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation. OSP was assisted by Illinois Valley Fire and ODOT.

Registration Now Open for the Annual Oregon Spring Cleanup

– Registration is live for the annual Oregon Spring Cleanup presented by Portland General Electric! With over 100 events already posted on the SOLVE website, now is the time to get involved. Litter cleanups and habitat restoration projects span Portland and SW Washington, the entire Oregon Coast from Astoria to Brookings, the Willamette National Forest, Southern Oregon—including Medford—and all the way to Baker City in Eastern Oregon.

The Oregon Spring Cleanup, celebrating Earth Month, takes place from April 12 to 22, 2025, culminating on Saturday, April 19. Individuals, families, community and corporate groups are encouraged to participate in this collective effort to keep our region clean and beautiful. Volunteers can sign up for existing projects or host their own events with support from SOLVE.

Longtime community partner, Portland General Electric continues to champion environmental volunteerism through SOLVE. As part of PGE’s commitment to environmental stewardship, they partner with SOLVE to bring communities together to provide clean and healthy environments for all.

“Earth Month is great reminder to take action and continue to enhance our communities,” said PGE’s vice president of policy and resource planning, Kristen Sheeran. “This Earth Month, we’re ready to roll up our sleeves with SOLVE and all of the volunteer partners to make a lasting impact on Oregon’s natural spaces.”

How to Get Involved

• Sign up: Find a volunteer event near you and register yourself or a group at volunteer.solveoregon.org/
• Lead your own event: SOLVE provides all the necessary resources, including supplies and disposal funds, to make hosting a project easy for you.
• Join the challenge: Rally your school, company, or community group to take part in the Trash Bag Challenge. Participants challenge others to either join an existing SOLVE cleanup or lead their own, sparking friendly competition and community pride – solveoregon.org/challenge

Supply Hubs: Making Coastal Cleanups More Sustainable

At SOLVE, we make it easy to lead a cleanup event. This year, new coastal supply hubs provide an additional way to access event materials, making it even easier to host litter cleanups along the Oregon Coast.

Through a partnership with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) and generous support from Knife River, SOLVE has established seven supply hubs along the Oregon Coast. These hubs—located at Cape Lookout, Fort Stevens, Port Orford Heads, South Beach, and Sunset Bay within OPRD parks, along with Heart of Cartm in Nehalem and Washed Ashore in Bandon—are stocked with supplies to support cleanups of up to 20 volunteers, reducing the shipment of single-use plastics to these areas.

Join the Trash Bag Challenge — New this year, SOLVE is also launching the Trash Bag Challenge, inviting schools, businesses, community groups, and organizations to challenge others to either join an existing cleanup or lead their own. This initiative is designed to spark friendly competition and community pride while making a tangible difference in local areas.

The Oregon Spring Cleanup 2025 is made possible by the generous support of Portland General Electric and other event sponsors, including AAA, CareOregon, Clean Water Services, Fred Meyer, Holman Enterprises, KOIN 6, The Oregonian, Lam Research Corporation, Metro, Lithia Driveway, Intel, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Swire Coca-Cola, The Standard, and PepsiCo.

For more information and to sign up, visit www.solveoregon.org/oregon-spring and be part of the collective effort to create a cleaner, greener Oregon.

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

Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs

No veteran should be without a place to call home, and the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is committed to ending veteran homelessness in our state.

The new ODVA Houseless Veterans Program collaborates with federal, state, county, and Tribal agencies, veteran services offices, and community homeless service providers to meet the urgent and unique needs of Oregon’s diverse veteran communities challenged with housing stability.

In addition to advocating for Oregon veterans experiencing or at risk for houselessness, the program provides direct service to veterans and their families seeking federal and state veterans’ benefits, including access to local VA health care, documentation of service, as well as other available state benefits, and local homeless services organizations and low-income assistance programs.

If you or a veteran you know is dealing with homelessness, contact the ODVA Houseless Veterans Coordinator today at houselessvets@odva.oregon.gov or visit https://ow.ly/V4EH50VnL93 to learn more.

Every year, the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony honors the state’s law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

This year’s ceremony will be held Tuesday, May 6th at 1 p.m. at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem.

The annual event commemorates the more than 190 fallen officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the state of Oregon since the 1860s. This includes law enforcement, corrections, and parole and probation officers from city, county, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies.

The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training is proud to host the ceremony in partnership with the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, Oregon Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, and various statewide law enforcement associations.

Run for the Trees Bob Ross-inspired Happy Little (Virtual) 5K

Oregon Parks Forever — 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.

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.  You must register by April 1^st in order to get your shirts and medal before the event.

Participants can walk, run, 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.  This year, the trees will be planted in the Santiam Canyon.

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 eleven other states. Together, Michigan, Oregon, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Maryland, Virginia and Tennessee 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 eleven 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 is joining 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 two 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.

Indigenous Speakers Series Returns to the Museum in April with Three Inspiring Events

BEND, OR — This coming April, explore identity, cultures and how to live the good life when the High Desert Museum’s Indigenous Speaker Series returns. Promising a vibrant showcase of Indigenous voices, the series features an array of Indigenous artists, storytellers, scholars and more who share their unique perspectives with the community.

“We are honored to once again collaborate with Indigenous knowledge holders to bring vital conversations to our visitors,” said Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. “The April events are a continuation of an effort to elevate Indigenous voices to share the issues and cultures of the High Desert.”

The three April events explore topics such as identity, creativity, community and portraiture. Two of the events are connected to an exhibition open now at the Museum, Frank S. Matsura: Portraits from the Borderland. Featuring 20-plus enlarged portraits taken by Matsura of Native peoples in the early 1900s, the exhibition provides visitors a unique look at life in Okanogan County in Washington state during a time of transition. The exhibition originated at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture in Spokane, Wash.

On April 25, the Museum will host LaRonn Katchia (Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs), the director of Pathfinders, for a discussion of the short film. Katchia, a Warm Springs/Wasco/Paiute filmmaker and storyteller, will be joined by Thyreicia Simtustus, Kahmussa Green and Kiahna Allen (Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs), who are featured in the film. Part of the Matsura exhibition at the Museum, the film explores how the three young leaders are finding their own paths in balancing Native and non-Native worlds. Tickets are $5, with Members receiving a 20% discount and free entry for Tribal members. For tickets, visit highdesertmuseum.org/pathfinders. 

In between those two events, on April 17, the Museum will host Chris La Tray, Métis storyteller and award-winning author of Becoming Little Shell. La Tray will discuss the Anishinaabe word Mino-bimaadiziwin, meaning “the good life.” The concept emphasizes the importance of community well-being and living in harmony with the world around us. At its simplest, it is living a life in balance, but how?

Montana’s Poet Laureate from 2023-2025, La Tray is a descendent of the Pembina Band of the mighty Red River of the North and a member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. His first book, One-Sentence Journal: Short Poems and Essays from the World at Large, won the 2018 Montana Book Award and a 2019 High Plains Book Award. The event includes light refreshment and a no-host bar. Tickets are $12, with members receiving a 20% discount and free entry for Tribal members. For tickets, visit highdesertmuseum.org/the-good-life.

The Indigenous Speakers Series is made possible by The Roundhouse Foundation, with additional support from Author’s Unbound for the April 17 Chris La Tray event. For more information and to purchase tickets for Indigenous Speakers Series events, visit highdesertmuseum.org/indigenous-speakers-series.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM:

THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM opened in Bend, Oregon in 1982. It brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2019 recipient of the Western Museums Association’s Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

The long-delayed deadline for REAL ID is now less than 2 months away. There’s a chance that full enforcement may get gradually rolled out, but May 7, 2025, is the changeover deadline.

Starting then, state-level ID cards, such as driver’s licenses, won’t be accepted for federal purposes, namely getting through airport security, unless it’s REAL ID-compliant.

If you plan to catch a domestic flight on or after May 7, you will be required to use a REAL ID. A little gold or black star in the upper right-hand corner is one of the easiest ways to know you’re holding a REAL ID.

In Oregon, it’s a black star. A REAL ID is an identification card that serves all of the same purposes of a standard drivers’ license or state-issued identification card. A federally-mandated switch to REAL ID for federal purposes, such as flying domestically, was originally signed into law by Congress in 2005.

The purpose is to establish “minimum security standards for license issuance and production,” according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website. The law, established four years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, came in response to federal calls for higher security standards in the U.S. Originally, the law mandated the switch to REAL ID by 2008, but it has been pushed back for various reasons due to logistical hurdles and later the COVID-19 pandemic.

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