Willamette Valley News, Monday 4/28 – UO Student Workers Go On Strike, Eugene Marathon Keeps Setting Records & 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

Monday, April 28, 2025

Willamette Valley Weather

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

UO Student Workers Go On Strike

Thousands of undergraduate student workers at the University of Oregon will strike on Monday.

The University of Oregon Student Workers Union declared its intent to strike weeks ago as it bargained with the Eugene university over student pay, the worker grievance process and the employee pay cycle. The student union and university negotiated through the weekend, but had not reached an agreement as of Sunday evening, the university said.

The union was formed just a few years ago and represents roughly 4,000 students who work as resident assistants, dining hall workers, memorial union employees and more. When it was formed, University of Oregon students believed it was the largest majority undergraduate student worker union in the country.

Pay remains a key sticking point between the students and university as the two sides work out a contract. The average student salary at the university is $15.34 an hour, spokesperson Angela Seydel said. The lowest pay starts at $14.70 and the highest positions start at $18. In a news release on Sunday night, student worker representatives said they want a minimum pay of at least $18.50 an hour. MORE INFO: https://dailyemerald.com/164723/campus/uosw-to-strike-tomorrow-morning/

Eugene Marathon Keeps Setting Records

The Eugene Marathon is the largest marathon in the Pacific Northwest. Thousands of runners worldwide came to TrackTown USA to experience the magic of this marathon. This year, they say more than 15,000 runners from 29 countries had signed up to push to the finish line. RESULTS: https://www.eugenemarathon.com/

Oregon National Guard celebrates with the Ducks at the University of Oregon Spring Football Game

Members of the Oregon National Guard supported the University of Oregon Ducks annual spring football game on April 26, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. 

The Oregon National Guard held recruiting displays outside the stadium, giving the public a chance to interact with military equipment and speak with service members. 

“We get to showcase what we do, some of the vehicles we have, and what we’re capable of,” said Master Sgt. Brandon Chase, Oregon Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Noncommissioned Officer In Charge of Eugene, Springfield, and Corvallis. “We’re letting them know that we live here and we serve here and we’re huge Duck fans.”

Prior to kickoff, service members, veterans, and their families held a large U.S. flag in the center of the field as Oregon Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Duane Reno with the 234th Army Band sang the national anthem. As the flag was walked off the field, two F-15 Eagles assigned to the 173rd Fighter Wing at Klamath Falls flew overhead.

During halftime, new recruits and some currently serving members of the military took the Oath of Enlistment in the end field. 

At the conclusion of the game, more than 125 service members lined up with the football team to participate in an “End of Game Exchange.”

Three of four University of Oregon students whose visas were revoked on “unspecified criminal charges” have now been reinstated. Final visas are expected to be reactivated soon

As of noon today, three of four University of Oregon students who have had their student visas revoked have officially been reinstated, with the remaining student’s visa status expected to be reinstated as part of federal action, according to UO Spokesperson Eric Howald.

On March 28, one UO student’s visa was revoked for “unspecified criminal charges.” On April 8, The Daily Emerald reported that three additional students’ visas were revoked for the same reason. However, The Emerald later learned that one of those students, who goes by Jane Doe due to ongoing litigation, had her visa revoked on April 4. 

Doe’s visa was revoked because of 2019 criminal charges that were later dropped the same year. The Emerald was unable to verify any specific criminal charges against the remaining three students.

“Since that time, and with the help of outside legal counsel, all four students have found pathways to remain in the U.S. legally. Additionally, as of noon on April 25, three students have had their visas reactivated, one via legal action,” Howald said in an email statement to The Emerald.

According to Howald, the federal government revoked the visa status of students who appeared in criminal records checks, but did not do further research into the allegations of the students’ involvement. The students who were employed by the university will now also be able to resume work, according to Howald.

“The university will continue to communicate with students, faculty and staff as concerns rise,” Howald said. “This ensures the affected students and communities will receive timely information from someone with expertise and previously established relationships.” (SOURCE)

Lebanon Fire Responds to Structure Fire Sparked by Unattended Burn Pile

 Lebanon Fire District crews responded Saturday  to a structure fire  in the 41000 block of Conser Hill Rd that was ignited by an unattended burn pile. The fire quickly spread, burning approximately one acre of surrounding grass and brush before firefighters were able to bring it under control.

Firefighters arrived on scene to find the blaze threatening nearby structures and vegetation. Crews acted swiftly to contain the fire, preventing it from causing further damage. No injuries were reported.

Lebanon Fire District would like to remind residents that burn piles should never be left unattended, and that fire safety guidelines must be followed, especially during dry conditions.

The cause of the fire has been confirmed as an improperly monitored burn pile. Lebanon Fire urges the community to remain vigilant to prevent future incidents

LCSO Case #25-1968 – Lane County Sheriff’s Office investigating deceased subject found south of Crow

Lane Co. Sheriff’s Office – 04/25/25 3:52 PMNews Release.png   On April 25th just after 11 a.m., Lane County Sheriff’s deputies and detectives responded to Gates Cemetary, south of Crow, after area residents discovered a deceased person on the property. The identity of the deceased is being withheld at this time. Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4141 and reference Case #25-1968.

Last week, a terrible crash at Amazon Park took the life of a beloved member of the Eugene community. Sharon Schuman, who died at age 79, was an accomplished musician, professor, community volunteer, mother and grandmother.

KLCC has written a tribute: https://www.klcc.org/human-interest/2025-04-25/a-force-to-be-reckoned-with-remembering-sharon-schuman

Pedestrian Fatality/Vehicle Crash at Amazon Parkway

UPDATE: Eugene Police is releasing the names of those involved in the crash: • Pedestrian Sharon Johnson Schuman, age 79, of Eugene • Driver Scott Shawn Stolarczyk, age 51, of Eugene The investigation by EPD Major Collision Investigation is ongoing.

PREVIOUSLY RELEASED INFORMATION: At approximately 9:45 a.m., today, April 23, a man was driving a Toyota Rav 4 northbound on the “s curves” in the 2500 block of Amazon Parkway when he lost control of his vehicle, drove over a curb, through the grass and hit a woman in her late 70s, who was walking on the bark path. The vehicle crashed into a tree, then rolled into the Amazon slough. The driver was initially trapped inside but crawled out through the back window. The pedestrian is deceased, and the driver has been taken to a local hospital. Eugene Police Major Collision Investigation team has responded and taken over the crash investigation.

Companies and President Operating J.H. Baxter Wood Treatment Facility to Pay $1.5M in Criminal Fines for Hazardous Waste and Air Pollution Charges

— Two companies responsible for the operation of the J.H. Baxter wood treatment facility in Eugene, Oregon, and their president, were sentenced Tuesday for hazardous waste and Clean Air Act violations. Collectively, they were ordered to pay a total of $1.5 million in criminal fines. In addition, the court ordered the companies to serve five years of probation and the companies’ president, Georgia Baxter-Krause, 62, of Deschutes County, Oregon, to serve 90 days in federal prison and one year of supervised release. 

Both companies — J.H. Baxter & Co. Inc. and J.H. Baxter & Co., A California Limited Partnership (collectively J.H. Baxter) — previously pleaded guilty to charges of illegally treating hazardous waste and knowingly violating the Clean Air Act’s regulations for hazardous air pollutants. Georgia Baxter-Krause previously pleaded guilty to two counts of making false statements in violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the federal statute governing hazardous waste management.

“On more than 100 different days, J.H. Baxter knowingly and illegally boiled off hazardous waste, emitting the discharge into the air,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “J.H. Baxter’s President, Georgia Baxter-Krause, then made false statements about the unlawful practice. Protecting the public’s health is among our highest priorities, and we will prosecute those who violate environmental laws.” 

“The J.H. Baxter companies knowingly mishandled hazardous waste and repeatedly violated the Clean Air Act by venting hazardous substances directly into the air, right across the street from people’s homes. The company president then lied to cover up these crimes,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Jeffrey Hall for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Today’s sentencing highlights the significant penalties that Congress has provided for illegally treating or disposing of hazardous waste as well as the Agency’s continued efforts to ensure that Americans have clean air, land, and water.”

“The defendant companies boiled hazardous waste into our community’s air instead of properly dealing with it and Georgia Baxter-Krause lied when confronted about it,” said Nathan J. Lichvarcik, Chief of the Eugene and Medford Branches of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with our federal, state, and local partners to investigate and prosecute those who put Oregonians at risk in violation of federal law.”

According to court documents, J.H. Baxter used hazardous chemicals to treat and preserve wood at its Eugene facility. The wastewater from the wood preserving processes was hazardous waste.

To properly treat wastewater from its wood treatment process, J.H. Baxter operated a legal wastewater treatment unit to treat and evaporate the waste. For years, however, when J.H. Baxter had too much water on site, including process wastewater and precipitation, J.H. Baxter’s employees at the facility would transfer hazardous process wastewater to an available wood treatment retort to “boil it off,” greatly reducing its volume. J.H. Baxter would then remove the remaining waste from the retort, label it as hazardous waste and ship it offsite for disposal.

Photo sent to Georgia Baxter-Krause in 2019, depicting the inside of a J.H. Baxter retort after weeks of boiling hazardous waste, from the government’s sentencing memo in United States v. J.H. Baxter, et al., 6:24-cr-441 in U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon.

J.H. Baxter did not have a permit to treat its hazardous waste in this manner, as required by RCRA. Additionally, J.H. Baxter’s facility was subject to certain Clean Air Act emissions standards for hazardous air pollutants, which required it to minimize air pollution emissions. However, during the illegal treatment, employees were directed to open all vents on the retorts, allowing discharge to the surrounding air.

After Oregon inspectors discovered this activity, they requested information about the companies’ practice of boiling off hazardous wastewater. On two separate occasions, Georgia Baxter-Krause gave false information in response, which included information about the dates the practice took place and which retorts were used.

The investigation determined that Georgia Baxter-Krause knew J.H. Baxter maintained detailed daily production logs for each retort. From approximately January to October 2019, J.H. Baxter boiled off hazardous process wastewater in its wood treatment retorts on 136 known days. Georgia Baxter-Krause was also aware that during this time J.H. Baxter used four of its five retorts to boil off wastewater.

This case was investigated by the EPA Criminal Investigation Division with assistance from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Lane Regional Air Protection Agency, EPAs Pacific Northwest (Region 10) office, and the Oregon State Police. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. McLaren for the District of Oregon, Trial Attorneys Rachel Roberts and Stephen J. Foster of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section, and EPA Regional Criminal Enforcement Counsel Karla G. Perrin.

This case was an Environmental Crimes Task Force (ECTF) investigation. ECTF is an initiative in the District of Oregon that identifies, investigates, and prosecutes significant environmental, public lands, and wildlife crimes. ECTF leverages the resources and effort of federal, state and local regulatory agencies and law enforcement to protect human health, safeguard natural resources and wildlife and hold violators accountable. U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Oregon

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 

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. 

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  

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.

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

Loss of FEMA program spells disaster for hundreds of communities and their projects, including in southern Oregon

A lawsuit highlights Grants Pass in conservative southern Oregon, where FEMA has refused to release BRIC funding awarded for a $50 million water treatment facility.

Credit: APA vehicle at left drives down Rogue River Highway as light shines on the area Saturday, March 23, 2024, in Grants Pass, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)Author: Jack Brook (Associated Press)Published: 9:54 AM PDT April 28, 2025Updated: 9:54 AM PDT April 28, 2025

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) Says Federal Cancellation of Grant Program Impedes Oregon’s Ability to Prepare for Disasters

 – The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) outlined the impact the April 4 announcement from FEMA canceling the fiscal year 2024 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program has on Oregon.

The cancellation, detailed in a memo from Acting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Cameron Hamilton, outlines a review of BRIC programs from fiscal years 2020 through 2023 for programs communities depend on across the state.  

In addition, FEMA issued an updated advisory on April 16 further clarifying that: “as the program is concluding, the Fiscal Year 2024 BRIC funding opportunity is cancelled, no applications submitted will be reviewed and no funds will be awarded. In addition, for all BRIC applications from Fiscal Years 2020-2023, if grant funds have not been distributed to states, tribes, territories and local communities, funds will be returned either to the Disaster Relief Fund or the U.S. Treasury.” 

The BRIC grant program gives money to help communities prepare for natural disasters before they happen. For example, BRIC funds can be used to build better levees to help prevent the kind of flooding we’ve seen recently in Harney County. BRIC helps build safer roads, buildings, and other important things to keep people and property safe during a disaster. Currently, the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program is unaffected in Oregon. 

What this means:  

• Projects that were selected but not yet awarded won’t receive funding. 
• Ongoing projects may be delayed or stopped short of construction. 
• Money set aside for managing these efforts could be pulled back.  
• Without extensions or continued support, communities across Oregon will face delays or cancellations in vital infrastructure improvements designed to reduce risk and protect lives. 

FEMA is conducting a full review of active and obligated BRIC projects before further work to help Oregonians prepare for disasters in the future can continue.   

“These decisions will significantly impact communities across Oregon working to reduce disaster risk and invest in safer, more resilient infrastructure,” said OEM Director Erin McMahon. “We are actively working with federal and state legislators to communicate these financial impacts and with FEMA partners to gain clarity on next steps and timelines. I have directed my team to conduct our own review to see what projects may fit within other Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants through federal partners that are currently funded like the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant or other state grant programs.” 

The Impact on Oregon: 

• Federal share of BRIC projects: $140 million  
• Local matching share of BRIC projects: $90 million  
• Total local sunk costs: 8 of the 26 projects have a combined total of $8 million in sunk costs (details below). 
• Impact on submitted budgets: Due to funding delays and their effect on project timelines, even if the grants were reinstated, some projects will be priced out as they locked cost estimates years ago when inflation and tariffs were lower, but those locked in prices are set to expire and the new cost could be significantly higher.   

During remarks yesterday to the media, Governor Kotek referenced cuts to the BRIC grants: “These are bipartisan or nonpartisan community projects that everybody supports. I have not heard one rationale from the Trump Administration as to why they cancelled the BRIC grants.” She was speaking specifically about a project in Mapleton that received grant funding to assist with necessary upgrades to the town’s water infrastructure. You can view the full remarks at around the 25-minute mark here. 

To stay informed, OEM encourages interested parties to sign up for alerts when updates are posted on the federal action webpage: https://www.oregon.gov/oem/Pages/Federal-Changes.aspx 

Details about the 8 projects with sunk costs: 

City of Port Orford  –

Utility and Infrastructure Protection Project. This project aims to address vulnerabilities in the City of Port Orford’s drinking water supply infrastructure caused by earthquakes, drought, and wildfire. It includes the installation of water meters, as well as the design, replacement, and retrofit of strategic sections of the water distribution system. The grant would ensure that the city has sufficient water to meet average daily demand while maintaining adequate emergency storage to withstand and respond to natural hazards. The project would impact a population of 1,146 residents. 

• Federal Share: $6,566,537  
• Local Share: $691,214 
• Sunk cost: $273,350 

Medford Water Commission     

Utility and Infrastructure Protection Project. This project will conduct critical infrastructure improvements at four system locations as part of the Rogue Valley Water Supply Resiliency Program (RVWSRP). The goal is to enhance the resilience of the water system against seismic events, wildfires, and droughts caused by extreme weather conditions. 

• Federal Share: $34,806,505               
• Local Share: $14,516,834 
• Sunk cost $1,875,370  

City of Grants Pass           

Water Treatment Plant Relocation Project. This project aims to relocate the Water Treatment Plant outside the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) to prevent system failure during a flooding event. The City of Grants Pass has made substantial investments in the comprehensive design of the project, contributing over 50% of the required cost match. The loss of federal grant funds jeopardizes the broader system project scope, which exceeds twice the federal contribution. To date, the city has invested over $5 million in pre-award technical engineering and design, in addition to sunk costs incurred during the subapplication process.  

• Federal Share: $50,000,000               
• Local Share: $60,800,302 
• Sunk cost: $5,000,000 

Clatsop County Government / City of Astoria Columbie Memorial Hospital        

Tsunami Vertical Evacuation Refuge Structure (TVERS) Project. This project integrates a Tsunami Vertical Evacuation Refuge Structure (TVERS) into the Columbia Memorial Hospital expansion, creating a multi-purpose facility designed to shelter the impacted population at an elevated level above tsunami inundation zones. 

• Federal Share: $13,897,122               
• Local Share: $5,955,909 
• Sunk cost $817,846 

Oregon Department of Land Conservation & Development     

Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. Updates to the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plans (NHMP) for the Burns Paiute Tribe, as well as Columbia and Umatilla Counties, aim to enhance emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts while mitigating the future impacts of natural disasters. 

• Federal Share: $488,653       
• Local Share: $152,704 
• Sunk cost $8,347 

Oregon Military Department – Office of Emergency Management (pre-OEM) 
FY2021 Grant Management Costs 

• Federal Share: $488,257       
• Sunk cost from the State of Oregon’s General Fund: $39,500  

Oregon Military Department – Office of Emergency Management (pre-OEM) 
FY 2022 Grant Management Costs   

• Federal Share: $19,695,731               
• Sunk cost from the State of Oregon’s General Fund: $73,141 

Oregon Military Department – Office of Emergency Management (pre-OEM) 
FY 2023 Grant Partnership Costs 

• Federal Share: $1,261,848  
  Sunk cost from the State of Oregon’s General Fund: $79,029 

# # # 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 the 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.

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 Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) and Oregon Trails Coalition will host eight virtual focus groups in May to better understand the needs of different types of trail users who use land and water trails throughout Oregon and not just at Oregon State Parks.

OPRD launched an online survey this month to collect feedback through April 30. The focus groups expand that effort and take a deeper dive into the needs of different trail users including mountain bikers, paddlers, hikers and adaptive equipment users.

The information from the survey and focus groups will help inform the Oregon Statewide Trails Plan, which provides guidance to OPRD as well as other federal, state, and local agencies and private sector partners. It outlines trends and issues, creates priorities for grant funding and recommends actions to improve trails over the next 10 years.  

Participants can join the 90-minute Zoom sessions to provide feedback. Anyone interested in joining, can register in advance using the links below:

• May 5: OHV / ATV Focus Group Noon to 1:30 p.m.
• May 7: BIPOC Nature Network Trails Plan Focus Group Noon to 1:30 p.m.
• May 8: Mountain Biking and Bikepacking Focus Group 4-5:30 p.m.
• May 14: Adaptive Equipment Users and Disability Trails Plan Focus Group Noon to 1:30 p.m.
• May 15: Winter/Snow Trail Focus Group (Non-motorized and motorized) Noon to 1:30 p.m.
• May 27: Hiking, Trail Running, Backpacking, Equestrian User Focus Group 4:30- 6 p.m.
• May 29: Paddling (Flat water and Whitewater) Focus Group 4-5:30 p.m.
• Agency Partners Trails Plan Focus Group Meeting TBD.

Check the website for more information including updates such as the time and link for the agency partners trails plan focus group: https://www.oregontrailscoalition.org/post/oregon-state-trails-plan-share-your-trail-user-experience-in-focus-groups-this-may

Roseburg Library gets grant to help enhance services for people with disabilities

The Roseburg Public Library is among more than a dozen rural libraries in Oregon that’s received a grant to help better serve people with disabilities.

The Roseburg Public Library, Sweet Home Public Library, Halsey, Oakridge, and Oakland Public Libraries were among Oregon libraries to receive grants under the program.

Roseburg Library Director Kris Wiley said the yearlong grant of $10,000 will help them develop accessibility resources. She told KLCC people with disabilities visit the library every day.

“We want to engage even more with them and give them the material that they want to use and the formats that they want to use,” she said. “We want to give them programming that excites them and makes them want to come back to the library and develop these relationships with libraries and librarians that are so important.”

Wiley said they’ll have community conversations to gather input for how to use the grant money. The sessions are 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 3 and then Thursday, June 19, at 6:00 p.m.

“I’ll bring the pizza,” she said. “I ask folks to bring their enthusiasm and ideas. And this will be a guided conversation with people with disabilities.”

She said caregivers are welcome, but she’d like the conversations to be with the folks they’re intending to serve.

Wiley said she would like this year-long grant project to have long-term impacts.

“My hope is that the programs will be so popular that they’ll be able to continue on a smaller scale,” she said.

When asked how federal program cuts may affect Roseburg’s ability to provide services, Wiley said she hasn’t seen any impact yet. She said their library’s funding is local. But, they’re keeping an eye on what’s happening at the various levels of government. She said the accessibility grant they received is privately funded by the American Library Association, in collaboration with the Association of Rural and Small Libraries. (SOURCE)

Thousands gather for 23rd Annual Autism Walk at Oaks Amusement Park

Thousands attended Portland’s Autism Walk, featuring resources and accommodations while participants challenged misconceptions about autism’s limitations.

Thousands went out to Oaks Amusement Park on Sunday morning for the 23rd Annual Autism Walk, an event aimed at raising awareness for autism spectrum disorder and fostering a more inclusive community. The event featured a half-mile walk, resource booths and activities designed to support families affected by autism.

The walk, which was organized by the Autism Society of Oregon, was a vibrant display of support and solidarity. Families from across the region came together to enjoy the day, which was filled with fun activities, but also designed to address the challenges many individuals with autism face.

“It is a day of fun and community resources, we have about 40 different community resource tables out here, it’s also a way to meet other people in the community because it can be very isolating,” said Tobi Rates, executive director of the Autism Society of Oregon.

The event also featured several accommodations for individuals with sensory needs.

For those who missed this year’s event, more autism awareness events will take place in Oregon throughout the summer. The next walks are scheduled for May 24 in Salem, June 21 in Eugene, and July 26 in La Grande. https://autismsocietyoregon.org/ — https://autismsocietyoregon.org/news-and-events/autism-walks/

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. 

Two Oregon high schools named national co-champions in U.S. Constitution contest

Portland’s Lincoln High and Salem’s Sprague High topped schools nationwide at a competition in Washington, D.C.

Two Oregon high schools have earned national recognition for their deep understanding of the U.S. Constitution, winning top honors at a prestigious civics competition in Washington, D.C.

Students from Lincoln High School in Portland and Sprague High School in Salem were named co-champions of the “We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution” national finals, hosted by the Center for Civic Education.

“Being the best at something in the country, especially something as challenging as this, it’s just insane,” said Theo Papavasiliou, also a sophomore on the team. “I want to commend all my teammates for making this experience possible.”

Roughly 50 miles (80 kilometers) south in Salem, the celebration was just as sweet but came from a much smaller team. Sprague High School seniors Colin Williams and Matthew Meyers competed as a duo — an unusual approach that paid off. After dedicating hundreds of hours to study, the two advanced through the state competition and stood out on the national stage.

The national finals simulate a congressional hearing, with students delivering prepared statements and answering questions on constitutional issues.

“We were just extremely excited,” Williams said. “It was absolutely crazy, and the whole room was standing and cheering. It felt very nice.” “It feels awesome, feels unbelievable. I’m very proud of what we did,” added Meyers.

In the end, both schools walked away as co-champions of a national competition, bonded by their shared achievement and deep appreciation for the Constitution.

“That’s probably the most fulfilling thing. We actually joked during the competition, ‘What if both Oregon teams could hold up the 1st place trophy?’ Then, we got that fulfilled,” said Lipke. “We’re very, very happy that we could share the championship with Sprague.”

“At the end of the day, we’re all citizens of the United States,” Williams said. “Even if there aren’t many legal responsibilities of citizenship, there are a lot of moral prerogatives that we have.”

OEM Director Visits Douglas County to Support Local Recovery Efforts

Roseburg, Ore. – Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) Director Erin McMahon visited Douglas County on Monday, April 21, to meet with local leaders, assess disaster-impacted areas, and support recovery efforts across the region. Director McMahon engaged with city officials, emergency managers, and long-term recovery partners in Myrtle Creek, Roseburg, and Drain. 

 

“Seeing these communities firsthand and hearing directly from local leaders underscores the importance of coordinated, sustained recovery support,” said Director McMahon. “OEM is committed to working alongside Douglas County and our state and federal partners to strengthen resilience and help communities recover from recent disasters.” 

The day began with a briefing at the Douglas County Emergency Management Building in Roseburg before traveling to Myrtle Creek for a meeting with City Manager Lonnie Rainville, Public Works Director Scott Adams, and Glide Revitalization Recovery Lead Kendall Melvin. Local officials discussed current recovery priorities and conducted site visits to observe ongoing challenges. 

Throughout the day, the OEM team toured several key sites including: 

• Garden Valley, Hubbard Creek, and Tyee Road, where landslides have disrupted access and infrastructure. 

• A major sinkhole location managed by the Roseburg Urban Sanitary Authority. 

• Residential areas in Sutherlin and Drain, highlighting local priorities for resilience and mitigation planning. 

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) coordinates statewide communication to support local jurisdictions during disasters. OEM also manages the processes required to request and access federal disaster assistance and does everything in its power to advocate for Oregonians to receive the maximum amount of federal support available. While OEM continues to work closely with Douglas County and community partners to assess damage and support recovery, the decision to grant federal assistance rests with the federal government.  

OEM’s Southwest Regional Coordinator Heather De La Rosa participated in the daylong tour. For more information on OEM’s recovery efforts, visit www.oregon.gov/OEM.  

# # # 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 the 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. 

Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) arrests two in Georgia custodial interference investigation- Josephine County

On Wednesday, April 23, 2025, the Oregon State Police received information from the Grants Pass Police Department of a custodial interference investigation which originated out of the Woodstock Police Department, Cherokee County, Georgia. OSP obtained additional information that the mother, Haley Noel Nelson (32), had illegally taken her two young children under the age of five (5), from Georgia, and fled to Josephine County. Nelson had an outstanding arrest warrant out of Cherokee County with two charges; Interference with Custody (Misdemeanor) and Interstate Interference with Custody (Felony). 

At approximately 1:30 p.m., RADE personnel observed Nelson with an adult male, Carlos Figueroa (28), and both children in downtown Cave Junction. RADE took Nelson into custody on her arrest warrant and detained Figueroa, without incident. During a subsequent search of the associated vehicle, a firearm was located in plain view. Figueroa, who is a convicted felon, was arrested for Felon in Possession of a Firearm (ORS 166.270). 

Both Nelson and Figueroa were transported to the Josephine County Jail where they were lodged. 

Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) Grants Pass-Child Welfare responded to assist with the children, who were unharmed. RADE was also assisted by the OSP Central Point Area Command-Major Crimes Section and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Medford Office Task Force. RADE is comprised of the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office, the Grants Police Department, the Oregon State Police and Josephine County Community Corrections. 

The Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) team confiscated nearly 150,000 potentially fatal doses of fentanyl that were en route to Grants Pass.

The total amount seized exceeded 10 ounces. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) states that ‘two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal depending on an individual’s body size, tolerance, and previous usage.’

The RADE team is composed of officers from the Grants Pass Police Department, Oregon State Police, Josephine County Community Corrections, the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office, and federal partners. The investigation into the fentanyl remains active.

The principal of St. Helens High School stepped down on Friday in response to ongoing public criticism following the late 2024 arrest of two teachers from the institution for purportedly sexually abusing students.

Katy Wagner had previously been placed on administrative leave after the allegations surfaced and was indicted on November 26 for charges including criminal mistreatment and official misconduct, according to court documents.

Stacey Mendoza, a spokesperson for the St. Helens School District, stated via email that the district will commence the search for a new principal, but she refrained from providing additional comments regarding Wagner’s resignation.

Wagner was subjected to significant public scrutiny, alongside the criminal charges, for allegedly neglecting to report concerns related to child safety prior to the arrests of former St. Helens teachers Eric Stearns and Mark Collins, as indicated by court records.

The state of Salem may impose severe penalties on Oregon’s power companies if they are determined to be negligent or responsible for igniting a wildfire.

Senate Bill 926 seeks to prohibit private electric companies from recouping costs associated with wildfire lawsuits if a court finds them negligent in causing a fire.

State Senator Jeff Golden, a Democrat from Ashland and a proponent of the bill, asserts that electric companies must provide compensation to the affected parties before addressing any financial obligations to their shareholders. Senator Golden emphasizes that numerous Oregonians continue to face challenges stemming from the 2020 wildfires, and this legislation prioritizes the needs of wildfire victims.

Senate Bill 926 enjoys bipartisan support and had a public hearing last month, although it has yet to be scheduled for a vote.

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. 

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.

The tenth anniversary season of ‘In a Landscape, Classical Music in the Wild’ commences in May and continues until September.

This season will feature 50 concerts showcasing classical music at two locations in Lake County: Summer Lake and Fort Rock, as well as the Alvord Desert. The Summer Lake concert is titled ‘Dark Sky Concert,’ as Summer Lake is recognized as an Oregon Dark Sky Park.

The performance at Fort Rock State Park is scheduled for September 13, followed by the Summer Lake Hot Springs concert on September 14.

Additionally, a performance near Jacksonville at Applegate Lake will take place on May 30, and another at the Alvord Desert on June 21.

The Fort Rock concert will start at 4 p.m. and conclude around 5:30 p.m., while the Summer Lake Hot Springs concert will begin at 9 p.m. and last approximately 1.5 hours due to the Dark Sky designation.

Tickets for individual concerts are priced at $50, or $135 for both performances, which includes two nights of camping at Summer Lake Hot Springs, with the camping fee charged per person. ‘Good neighbor’ tickets are also available for residents of Lake County.

Pianist Hunter Noack is curating a new program for this tour, which will encompass 50 concerts across six Western states: Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana.

The performances will take place at 10 new venues, including the recently reopened Kah-Nee-Ta in central Oregon. Noack will perform on a 9-foot Steinway concert grand piano.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs to sit near the stage, and wireless headphones will allow them to explore the surroundings while enjoying the music, creating a unique experience in the wild, particularly at Fort Rock, the Alvord Desert, and Summer Lake Hot Springs.

The series will kick off on May 10 in Goldendale, Washington, at the Maryhill Museum of Art. Tickets for the public can be purchased through the In A Landscape website at https://inalandscape.org.

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