Willamette Valley News, Wednesday 5/6 – Lane County Elections Livestream Running, Oral Arguments Start Today in Eugene Emergency Physicians Court Case and Planned PeaceHealth ER Changes & 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, May 6, 2026

Willamette Valley Weather

Be sure to check out what we’re predicting in your area: https://www.farmersalmanac.com/extended-forecast

Lane County Government – Lane County Elections Livestream Running

 · Watch our Lane County Elections livestream

Nothing good on TV? We got you. Our Elections livestream up! You can watch on YouTube and see the Lane County Elections Office as it works to receive, process and count ballots. It’s part of our commitment to transparency in elections. The livestream will remain active through the certification of election results on June 25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fyc69m_gGok

Oral Arguments Start Today (5/ 6) in Eugene Emergency Physicians Court Case and Planned PeaceHealth ER Changes

U.S. District Court Judge Mustafa Kasubhai said the CEO of ApolloMD and the owner of Lane Emergency Physicians were dishonest under oath after hearing additional testimony May 4 on day four of hearings for a preliminary injunction in Eugene Emergency Physicians’ lawsuit against PeaceHealth, ApolloMD, ApolloMD Business Services and LEP over planned staffing changes in Lane County emergency departments.

The lawsuit challenges the legality of a planned staffing change in Lane County emergency departments. PeaceHealth plans to change the current ED staffing group from Eugene Emergency Physicians to Lane Emergency Physicians, an LLC created by ApolloMD. The lawsuit alleges this change violates Senate Bill 951, which prohibits management services organizations from both providing administrative support for a practice and making medical care decisions.

Dr. Kim Ruscher, chief medical officer for the PeaceHealth Oregon system, testified on the RFP process, her personal experience utilizing ED services and the transition process from EEP to ApolloMD and LEP.

Rusher said ApolloMD’s application for the ED staffing contract stood out because Apollo has a “playbook” to work off of. She said she understood that the RFP process chose ApolloMD, which would then set up an LLC to provide physicians to staff the ED, as she said Apollo typically does.

She said the expiration of EEP’s three Lane County contracts in Florence, Cottage Grove and Springfield presented an opportunity to look at care provided at those three hospitals and seek improvements.

Ruscher said PeaceHealth’s three Lane County hospital EDs expect to see 100,000 patients a year across the three campuses in the coming years.

Judge calls out ‘playbook’ and prepares counsel for oral arguments

Kasubhai addressed ApolloMD’s “playbook” Ruscher referenced as a telling piece of information about who is in control of the doctors the MSO is hoping to staff local EDs with.

He said if the court is dealing with Apollo’s “playbook” that the MSO created, Apollo is acting as the coach or director in this scenario. Kasubhai said Apollo set up LEP not for the purpose of managing services, but as a liability control mechanism for ApolloMD and PeaceHealth.

Kasubhai said Senate Bill 951 “substantially changed the landscape,” of how MSOs conduct business in Oregon. He said the law prohibits de facto control over administrative, business or clinical operations and works to protect patient care under the assumption that independent clinical judgement from doctors is the sole route to quality patient care.

Kasubhai said that testimony from both Dr. Yogin Patel, CEO of ApolloMD, and Dr. Johne Chapman, owner of LEP, were dishonest. He said the language in the RFP document describing Apollo’s role is more expansive than offering supportive services.

“Dr. Chapman and Dr. Patel were not representing the truth accurately under oath,” Kasubhai said. “… They were being dishonest with the court.”

Kasubhai said he thinks SB 951 “surprised Apollo,” and that he doesn’t think the RFP process gave enough weight to the law, nor did Apollo pay attention to it.

Kasubhai said Apollo “took the wrong turn,” in front of him. He said Apollo’s model requires that it is the controller of the physician group it creates, but that the testimony from representatives was conformed and tried to, “shoehorn that this corporate entity that was set up would, in fact, be independent.”

“That was their biggest mistake in this litigation,” Kasubhai said. “… They would have been better if they simply admitted to the model they were using.”

There are still no final written agreements between any parties. Kasubhai said, “there is no light between LEP and Apollo,” and that the idea behind SB 951 requiring a written agreement in the statute is for transparency and opportunities to ensure that provisions of the law are honored in agreements between professional medical entities and MSOs.

****** Federal court hearings began April 27, 2026, regarding a lawsuit by Eugene Emergency Physicians (EEP) to block PeaceHealth from replacing them with ApolloMD, a Georgia-based firm, for emergency services in Lane County. EEP alleges the transition violates Oregon’s corporate medicine law (SB 951) and threatens patient care, while a federal judge has expressed frustration with testimony from the incoming group, Lane Emergency Physicians. 

• The Plaintiffs: Eugene Emergency Physicians (contractors for 35 years), Dr. Dan McGee, and local patient parents.
• The Defendants: PeaceHealth, ApolloMD, and the newly formed, Georgia-managed “Lane Emergency Physicians”.
• The Allegations: EEP argues that ApolloMD is creating a “shell game” to control medical decisions through Lane Emergency Physicians, violating Oregon’s 2025 law that bans management companies from dictating clinical care.
• The Court Action: U.S. District Judge Mustafa Kasubhai is hearing testimony to decide whether to grant a preliminary injunction to stop the, as The Register-Guard reports, planned, ApolloMD staffing changes in Cottage Grove, Florence, and RiverBend in Springfield.
• Judge’s Response: Judge Kasubhai warned on day three that the vague testimony from Lane Emergency Physicians owner Dr. Johne Chapman, who lives in Illinois and has no contract, “defies logic and credibility”.
• Community Impact: Over 7,000 people signed a petition against the move, and local physicians have expressed concern over a “staffing crisis” if the current team is replaced. 

The trial continues to determine if the contract transition crosses legal lines, with The Register-Guard reporting on the intensive, multi-day testimony.

SB 951 is a 2025 Oregon law that restricts management services organizations, or MSOs, and private equity from owning or controlling physician practices, aiming to preserve clinical independence and limit corporate influence in healthcare.

The lawsuit brought in March by EEP and two other plaintiffs alleges the emergency medical services partnership between PeaceHealth and ApolloMD, ApolloMD Business Services and Lane Emergency Physicians, violates corporate practice of medicine laws in Oregon.

 U.S. District Court Judge Mustafa Kasubhai, who has heard witness testimony since Monday, to state that the concept that leaders such as Chapman “have no idea how this is set up— defies logic and credibility.”

2026 Primary Election Ballots in the Mail

The Lane County Elections office has placed ballots in the USPS mail stream for the 2026 Primary Election.

Lane County’s 21 ballot drop boxes will remain open until 8:00 pm on Election Day, May 19, 2026.  Drop boxes are open 24/7. A list of drop box locations is included with every ballot.

“We are excited to announce that ballots for the Primary Election are in the mail,” said Lane County Clerk Tommy Gong. “And Lane County Elections is ready to assist voters who have questions or need assistance making sure their ballots are cast.”

Voters can track the status of their mail ballot by visiting www.oregonvotes.gov/MyVote.

Voters may return their voted ballots in one of the following ways:

• Regular mail. Ballots must be postmarked no later than May 19, 2026 and received no later than May 26, 2026 to be counted.
• A 24/7 ballot drop box.
• Lane County Elections. Ballots can be turned in by May 19, 2026 directly to the Lane County Elections Office during business hours (open until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day).

Ballot drop box locations can be found online at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/elections.  And also statewide here: https://sos.oregon.gov/voting/Pages/drop-box-locator.aspx

As a reminder, Oregon is a closed primary state. All voters will have an opportunity to vote on issues and nonpartisan positions. Only voters who are registered members of political parties may vote for their respective party’s candidates in a primary election.

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.

Cottage Grove is facing a $4.6 million budget deficit due to significant accounting errors.

The city manager says the mistake came from improperly using financial management software and missing state-required audits over the last four years.

Cottage Grove is grappling with a proposed budget needing cuts ahead of adopting it for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, but Cottage Grove City Manager Mike Sauerwein admits much of those budget woes stem from the city improperly using financial management software, and with the mistake comes deeper cuts.

Outside of public safety, no department funded by the city’s general fund is safe from the cuts in the proposed budget with the city’s library, community promotions fund, and administration hit hardest.

Sauerwein says the city managed to miss the $4.6 million mistake mainly because of the city’s failure to complete state required annual audits over the last three years.

He says the city brought in a new management team for its finance department including two certified public accountants to to look at its past audits and get the city caught up on audits, and it’s through the work they were doing that they discovered the problem.

A final budget meeting is scheduled for May 19 at 6 p.m. at Cottage Grove City Hall where Sauerwein says the city expects to adopt the budget that will go into effect on July 1.

Eugene Man Charged with Assault on a Federal Officer

A federal grand jury in Eugene returned an indictment charging Ryan Bruce Gaither Jr., 37, with assault on a federal employee involving physical contact and aggravated assault on a federal employee causing bodily injury.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 27, 2026, Gaither spit on a U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Special Response Team officer and bit a second officer.

Gaither made his initial appearance in federal court today before a U.S. magistrate. He was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and ordered released pending a jury trial scheduled to begin on October 5, 2026.

If convicted, Gaither faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, 5 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.

Federal Protective Service is investigating the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Eugene Man Charged with Damaging Federal Property

A Eugene, Oregon, man made his first appearance in federal court today after allegedly destroying federal property while attempting to breach the Eugene federal building.  

Soren Emery Polzin, 18, has been charged by criminal complaint with depredation of federal property.

“The harm in this case goes beyond the thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to the federal building on January 30, 2026,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Scott E. Bradford. “Federal employees were trapped inside, terrified of what would happen if the building were fully breached. This was a riot, not a lawful protest.”

“This arrest marks a huge step forward in our investigation of the damage to the Eugene federal building on January 30, 2026,” said FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson. “Violence and destruction of property jeopardize the rights and safety of all citizens. The FBI will continue to pursue individuals who exploit a situation to pursue violent, extremist agendas—anarchists and other agitators who set out to sow discord and upheaval.”

According to court documents, on the evening of January 30, 2026, a group of individuals, including Polzin, damaged the exterior windows and doors and attempted to gain access to the Eugene federal building while federal civilian employees were inside. Polzin repeatedly banged on and kicked the lobby window, eventually shattering the window with his lower body.

Polzin made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. magistrate judge. He was ordered released pending further court proceedings.

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.

The FBI is investigating the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

53 year old female rescued from Blue Pool

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 12:00 PM, Linn County dispatch received a call of an injured hiker at Blue Pool.

The patient, a 53 year old female from Terrebonne, had severely injured her knee while hiking at Blue Pool.  Due to the steep terrain and difficulties accessing the area, Linn County Search & Rescue immediately began mobilizing their technical rope rescue team.  The Upper McKenzie Rural Fire District, Lane County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, and Eugene Mountain Rescue responded and assisted in the rescue. 

Linn County SAR worked with the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to coordinate support from the United States Coast Guard with a helicopter.  SAR members prepared the patient for helicopter transport and the Coast Guard operated a hoist-rescue.  The Coast Guard transported the patient to a nearby airfield where she was transported by the Sweet Home Fire District to the Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend in Springfield. 

During this call, a separate SAR incident was reported in the Pamelia Lake area of Linn County, and Sheriff Duncan would like to thank the Marion County Sheriff’s Office SAR team for handling this call.  

4J School District Lays Off 170 Employees Due to Budget Crisis

Over 170 employees at Eugene School District 4J received layoff notices Friday afternoon as the district works to address it’s budget shortfall. This included over 100 licensed educators that were let go.

Protesters held a rally near district headquarters Friday night. Affected staff and activists gathered at Washington Jefferson Park before marching to the Eugene School District 4J office.

The staffing cuts come as 4J tries to balance a budget deficit of more than $40 million for the upcoming school year. Officials say they relied on federal funding from the pandemic and financial reserves to provide services over the past few years, but now need to make adjustments.

According to the district’s Director of Communications, Kelly McIver, the layoffs will not take full effect until the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year.

Officials say roughly 90% of their budget is spent on staff. “You have to look at cutting those ongoing expenses, which, you know, for public school districts, it is primarily its employees,” McIver said. “We’re going a long way toward doing that. We’re going to have more work to do next year.”

Fatal Crash – Highway 126 – Lane County

– On Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 1:54 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a three-vehicle fatal crash involving two motorcycles on Highway 126 near milepost 2.7 in Lane County.  

The preliminary investigation indicated a white Volvo 240, operated by Lorna Marie Trujillo (50) of Florence, slowed to a stop in the eastbound lane of Highway 126 to make a left turn into a mobile home park near Rose Hill Road when it was rear-ended by a green Harley Davidson Heritage Softail motorcycle, operated by Brandon Taylor Oetken (38) of Florence, which sent the rider to the ground. A white Harley Davidson Ultra Classic motorcycle, operated by John Carlos Moreno (65) of Florence, then struck the rear of the green motorcycle causing the operator to lose control and lay the motorcycle on its side. The white Harley Davidson slid approximately 150 feet before coming to a stop. Good Samaritans stopped to render aid to the two down riders.

The operator of the green Harley Davidson (Oetken) was pronounced deceased at the scene.The operator of the white Harley Davidson (Moreno) was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. The operator of the Volvo (Trujillo) was transported to an area hospital as a precaution with reported complaints of pain.  

The highway was impacted for approximately one hour during the on-scene investigation. OSP was assisted by Western Lane Fire and Rescue, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, Florence Police Department, the Lane County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Lane County will participate by setting up donation barrels for staff to donate at Lane County owned properties.

“Food for Lane County is already seeing high numbers of pantry visitors at a time when our food supply has been limited due to federal program cuts. We want all Lane County residents to have the food and resources they need to thrive, and we’re very concerned about the welfare of our community if SNAP benefits aren’t available.” said Food for Lane County Director of Development and Communications, Rebecca Sprinson.

For individuals and families in need of food, please visit the FFLC food finder, at:

Food Finder

Those interested in donating can do so by visiting: https://www.foodforlanecounty.org/ways-to=give/donate or by calling 541-343-2822.

$18.95 can help feed 120 people.

Every weekend, the volunteer crew at Burrito Brigade rolls hundreds of delicious vegan burritos to help close the hunger gap here in Eugene. Each box of tortillas — just $18.95 — helps feed 120 neighbors.

Could you spare $18.95 to help? Even better — could you make it a monthly donation to keep those burritos rolling all year long?

Every dollar makes a difference in these times of need. Thank you for being part of the Brigade. Donate here: https://www.zeffy.com/donation…/we-rise-by-lifting-others Support our Mission: BurritoBrigade.org

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)

White Bird Clinic

This year marks 60 years of community health centers transforming care across the U.S. At White Bird Clinic, we’re proud to be part of this legacy – bringing whole-person care to our community’s most vulnerable neighbors for more than 50 years! From medical and dental services to harm reduction and crisis response, we’re here to meet people where they are.Learn more about community health at the link below: https://www.nachc.org/about-nachc/history-of-chc/

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/

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

EWEB Emergency Water Stations

The final emergency water station has been officially installed in Eugene as part of the Eugene Water & Electric Board’s disaster preparedness plan.

This is where people can access water in case of earthquakes, wildfires, or other events that could disrupt or limit access to the city’s water system.

Other locations are the Eugene Science Center, Howard Elementary School, Prairie Mountain School, Amazon Park-YMCA, the Sheldon Fire Station, and the Lane Events Center and Fairgrounds.

All seven locations across the city of Eugene draw their water from underground wells. The intent is to provide individuals up to two gallons of water a day during an emergency. MORE INFO at EWEB: https://www.eweb.org/projects/emergency-water-stations

Oregon Food Bank · Find free food sites near you using OregonFoodFinder.org.

If you can’t make it to a food location, someone else can pick up food for you.You will just need to print and fill out the Authorized Representative form at https://lnkd.in/dsskUpkQ, and have them take it with them to the food sites. You can find step-by-step instructions at https://lnkd.in/dVBRxn-A.

Worried about recent changes or losing assistance?

Here are resources that can help:

211Info:  Dial 2-1-1 or visit the211Info food webpagefor information and referrals to more than 1,500 food resources across Oregon.

Oregon Food Bank:  Use the Oregon Food Bank’s Food Finder Mapto find over 100 food pantries, free food markets or hot meal programs near you. 

Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon (ADRC): Call 855-673-2372 or visit theADRC food webpage to find local meal programs and food boxes in your area. 

5/6/2026 — Gas Prices in Oregon Today

Oregon honors fallen law enforcement officers at annual memorial ceremony

A ceremony held Tuesday, May 5 commemorated law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty in Oregon. The annual Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony honors the state’s fallen officers and those they left behind.

The event was held at the Oregon Public Safety Academy, site of the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial.

The ceremony was attended by the families, loved ones and colleagues of fallen officers, elected officials, and public safety professionals from throughout the state. Paying tribute to Oregon’s fallen officers, keynote speaker Adam Palmer, assistant commissioner with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, reflected on their courage, selflessness, and enduring legacy, and spoke of the respect shared between Canadian and American officers who stand together in honoring those who gave their lives in service.

“These officers made the ultimate sacrifice while performing their sworn duty to serve and protect our communities. They provided safety to others in moments of fear, and they served with unwavering courage and dignity that defines the very best of us,” Assistant Commissioner Palmer said.

The memorial bears the names of the 199 officers who have died in the line of duty since the 1860s. This includes law enforcement, corrections, and parole and probation officers from city, county, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies.

“This year, we are grateful that no new names were added to the Law Enforcement Memorial wall. We do not take that for granted,” said Phil Castle, director of the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST). “Today, we honor those whose names are already here, and we hold fast to the hope that this wall will remain unchanged for many years to come.”

The ceremony is a significant event that DPSST is honored to host each year in partnership with the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, Oregon Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, and Oregon’s various statewide law enforcement associations.

Oregon’s memorial ceremony is held ahead of National Police Week events in Washington, D.C. so that family members and coworkers can attend both memorial ceremonies. More than 23,000 officers who have died in the line of duty are honored on the national memorial.

Oregon faces longer fire season due to historic heat, drought, fire experts warn

Oregon’s wildfire season started early this year and is expected to last into October, according to state fire experts.

The season is made more difficult by historic heat, drought and a potentially early El Niño weather pattern that could further stir up temperatures and lightning storms into the fall, fire officials said at a Tuesday news conference with Gov. Tina Kotek. Oregonians need to be proactive about protecting themselves and their properties from wildfire and behave far more cautiously when starting campfires or burning debris than in recent years, they advised.

“It’s not one thing that brings the wildfire season, it’s many things,” Kotek said.

Although May is officially Wildfire Awareness Month, the season’s first Level 3 fire — meaning residents were ordered to evacuate immediately — occurred in La Pine in March, burning 20 acres.

“All indications suggest a more challenging fire season ahead of all of us,” Kotek said.

Oregon’s winter was among the warmest on record and snow-pack across the Northwest was one-third of normal levels, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Last year’s wildfire season burned significantly fewer Oregon acres than in previous years, in large part because the Oregon Legislature allocated hundreds of millions of additional dollars to the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Both in turn beefed up preparation and response systems since the 2020 Labor Day Fires that became the most expensive in state history.

But most fires last year — more than 60% of wildfires — were started by humans, a disappointing reversal from years prior, which had human-caused fires trending downward. People burning yard waste and other debris is the number one cause of human-ignited wildfires, Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said.Download the Before You Burn app here.

She encouraged Oregonians who burn debris to download a new Before You Burn app developed with support from state and federal fire agencies, which will provide users information about local burn regulations, burn statuses, required safety measures and fire and weather alerts. About 700 Oregonians have downloaded it since it launched in April, she said.

Oregon’s new state forester, Kacey KC, said it’s likely that wildfire risk will be above normal east of the Cascades in rangeland areas beginning in June and above normal southwest of the Cascades by July, heading up further into forests that have experienced record-low snowpack this year.

Federal partners?

Oregon’s fire agencies have roughly 700 wildland fire fighters and 300 fire trucks ready to protect 16 million Oregon acres this season. They’ll rely as well on more than 300 local fire departments and federal and tribal wildland firefighters to respond in an emergency.

“We are ready, we are coordinated and we are all hands on deck as we prepare for the season,” Kotek said.

Oregon’s congressional Democrats have raised concerns that federal support could be lacking in light of budget and personnel cuts to the U.S. Forest Service over the last year. The cuts, according to a letter from Oregon’s senior U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, included 1,400 employees who hold the necessary certifications to support firefighting operations during a wildfire.

KC said she talks frequently with the Forest Service’s regional director — at least weekly as the state prepares and gets closer to the fire season — and that she’s been assured no wildland firefighters working for the Forest Service or U.S. Department of the Interior in Oregon have lost their jobs.

Although federal officials have been criticized for consolidating wildland firefighting efforts at both agencies to create the new U.S. Wildland Fire Service so close to the start of the fire season, KC said signs so far indicate that moving all firefighting efforts under the Interior as opposed to several agencies could be beneficial in the long run.

“They’re working together to figure out how to do this more effectively. And so I feel confident that this year, on a firefighting front, they’re going to be as active as they’ve always been, and that it may actually even be a little simpler,” she said.

Simple home hardening recommendations from state fire experts:

• Space trees and prune them to prevent fire from climbing up them and onto structures.
• Remove leaves, pine needles, mulch and other debris within 100 feet of structures or up to the property line.
• Clean roofs and gutters.
• Move combustible materials like mulch and firewood away from structures.
• Trim dead material from plants and trees, especially near the house.
• Do not plant directly under eaves. Leave at least a five-foot buffer between plants and structures.
• Know your evacuation routes, be two weeks ready and sign up for emergency alerts at OR-Alert.
• Know your local air quality smoke conditions by keeping up with DEQ’s Air now program: About AirNow | AirNow.gov.

https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/05/05/oregon-faces-longer-fire-season-due-to-historic-heat-drought-fire-experts-warn/

Pacific Power working toward rate stability for Oregon customers 

General rate case seeks stable rates in 2026, lower rates in first half of 2027 

Pacific Power has filed a general rate case with the Oregon Public Utility Commission with a plan that would keep rates stable in the near-term, deliver lower rates in early 2027 and delay a minimal residential rate increase until the third quarter of 2027.  

Under the proposal, residential customers would see stable bills in 2026, followed by decreases in the first half of 2027 and a minimal net rate increase in July 2027. If approved, interim rates would take effect June 5, 2026, and remain in place while regulators review the full general rate case. 

The company’s proposal addresses the rising costs of doing business and ensures critical investments in the grid, while keeping rates stable for customers. More information is available on the company’s Oregon rate proposal page. 

“Affordability is an ongoing concern for our customers,” said Rick Link, senior vice president of regulation and planning. “Our job is to deliver safe, reliable power and keep costs as low as possible, while making the necessary investments needed for long-term reliability. We’ve worked hard to manage what we can and provide predictability for our customers.” 

While reflecting Pacific Power’s commitment to affordability, the proposal also acknowledges several cost pressures affecting the delivery of safe and reliable electric service, including higher cost of materials needed to maintain and replace power lines, poles and other equipment, as well as rapidly rising insurance costs for wildfire risk. 

Participation in the Extended Day-Ahead Market showcases how Pacific Power is innovating to deliver value and help keep customer costs low. Since helping pioneer the Western Energy Imbalance Market, an energy market that provides access to the lowest-cost power available, the company has delivered more than $297 million in customer benefits to Oregon customers. Building on that proven track record, EDAM will further optimize how electricity is bought and sold on the open market, creating additional savings opportunities that will benefit customers. 

To assist vulnerable customers, the company offers the Oregon Low-Income Discount Program, which is helping over 70,000 of our most vulnerable customers across the state lower their power bills from 20% to 80%, depending on their income. More information is available at PacificPower.net/LID. Customers can also access a variety of bill support programs through local community action agencies, including the Oregon Energy Fund, Oregon Energy Assistance Program and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.   

Pacific Power also offers a variety of ways to budget for energy expenses, including time of use and equal pay billing options, and energy use tracking offered online and through the company’s mobile app. In partnership with Energy Trust of Oregon, Pacific Power customers can access information and rebates to help improve their energy efficiency and lower their bills. Customers can call 1-888-221-7070 to discuss options.   

Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs to Host Statewide Memorial Day Event in Salem

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs will host Oregon’s annual Statewide Memorial Day Ceremony in person at 11 a.m., Monday, May 25 in view of the Oregon State Capitol Building.

This event honors Oregon’s fallen service members from all eras of service and will feature remarks by dignitaries and special guests along with ceremonial elements including a color guard, singing of the national anthem, a wreath laying and the playing of “Taps.”

The ceremony will be hosted at the Oregon State Capitol State Park, located directly across the street from the front entrance of the Oregon State Capitol Building, 900 Court Street NE in Salem. This event is being temporarily relocated from its traditional annual location at the World War II Memorial due to adjacent construction taking place on the Capitol grounds.

The event is open to the public, and uncovered seating will be provided for attendees. Accessible pathways and seating areas for those needing accommodations will also be available. Attendees are reminded to plan accordingly for Oregon weather.

For those unable to attend in person, the ceremony will also be livestreamed on ODVA’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/odvavet.

Statewide Memorial Day Events — In addition to the Capitol ceremony, ODVA maintains a Statewide Memorial Day Events Calendar highlighting local observances and community celebrations honoring Oregon’s fallen heroes.

To view events near you, visit oregondva.com/event-calendar.

Organizations and communities hosting Memorial Day events are encouraged to submit their event for inclusion on the calendar by using the “Add Your Event” link on that page.

If you have any questions, please contact ODVA at (800) 692-9666 or visit oregon.gov/odva.

Established in 1945, the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is dedicated to serving Oregon’s diverse veteran community that spans five eras of service members. ODVA administers programs and provides special advocacy and assistance in accessing earned veteran benefits across the state. Learn about veteran benefits and services, or locate a local county or Tribal veteran service office online at oregon.gov/odva.  

Airports across Oregon to receive $3 million in federal funds for improvements

Ten Oregon airports will receive $3.1 million in federal funding for upgrades, members of Oregon’s congressional delegation announced last week. 

“Small airports throughout our state need and deserve federal investments so Oregonians can count on them for small business support, emergency response, secure travel and more,” said U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat. “These federal resources advance those key objectives statewide, and I’ll keep battling for similar infrastructure investments to make all airports in Oregon better and safer.”

The Federal Aviation Administration is distributing the funding across the following airports: 

• The McMinnville Airport will receive $1 million to acquire and install a new wind cone to help pilots, as well as to build 12,500 feet of fencing and 10 gates.
• The Burns Municipal Airport will receive $418,000 to build a 1,600-square-foot building to store snow removal equipment. 
• The Florence Municipal Airport will receive $400,000 to acquire and install a new wind cone and segmented circle navigational aid for pilots. 
• The Troutdale Airport will receive $290,000 to reseal 13,000 feet of existing taxiways and joints.
• The Ontario Municipal Airport will receive $275,000 to build a new helipad.
• The Corvallis Municipal Airport will receive $246,000 to build a new taxi lane to provide airfield access to a hangar development area.
• The Lexington Airport in Morrow County will receive $160,000 to upgrade the light system on two runways.
• The Newport Airport will receive $137,000 to build a 5,250-square-foot hangar for aircraft storage.
• The Tillamook Airport will receive $137,000 to build a new fuel farm, including adding two fuel tanks and two self-service pumps.
• The Gold Beach Municipal Airport in Curry County will receive $78,000 to reseal 3,200 feet of runway pavement and 3,200 feet of taxiway pavement.

Local officials celebrated the funding investments.

“The role of the Burns Municipal Airport in terms of public safety is often overlooked,” Harney County Commissioner Rob Frank said in a statement. “It is an integral component of our wildfire response and emergency response for the entire region, and this investment in infrastructure is critical.”

In McMinnville, the airport investment means more security and safety, airport manager John Paskell said.

“As a developing regional general aviation airport, and as a significant economic asset and job creator in the community, continued federal infrastructure investment in airports is critical in ensuring their viability well into the future, particularly for airports in smaller communities like McMinnville,” Paskell said in a statement. “Those airport improvements go a long way and help protect and preserve the airport’s financial self-sufficiency while also improving the facility.” (SOURCE)

Oregon’s trees face harm from another hot, dry summer

Oregon trees are in for another difficult year due to climate change. Conditions this spring are already similar to those in 2015, when we experienced peak high temperatures and drought. That’s on top of a winter that tied 1934 for the warmest since accurate records were kept beginning in 1896, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Trees in Oregon have been experiencing chronic stress from hot droughts for at least a couple of decades. Although there have been a few breaks, the compounding of frequent, or long-duration warm and dry conditions have taken their toll on many trees. These conditions include:

• higher than average temperatures
• inconsistent precipitation, or more precipitation falling as rain than snow
• earlier snow melt.

Oregon Department of Forestry Forest Entomologist Christine Buhl said, “A warm or dry spring is particularly harmful for trees as this is their most active growing period. This stress reduces growth, weakens defenses against opportunistic insects and diseases, and can outright kill tissues or whole trees.”

Buhl said warmer conditions can also make conditions more favorable to tree pests. 

“Warm winters reduce pest deaths from cold, increasing their growth or number of pests. It also extends the range of less cold-tolerant pests, and lengthens their feeding periods,” she said.

Buhl has this guidance for landowners:

1. Plant species and seedlots (stock adapted to a specific area) only within their current and climate-projected range.
2. Avoid planting seedlings during dry seasons and keep roots moist and out of direct sun when planting for best establishment.
3. Reduce competition for moisture by controlling weeds and reducing stand density to the carrying capacity for the tree species, site quality, and climate.
4. If currently adapted species or seedlots are struggling, shift toward a nearby, more drought-tolerant seedlot, or in extreme cases a more drought-tolerant species
5. Native understory vegetation and mulch can help retain soil moisture.
6. Avoid root compaction from heavy equipment when the soil is wet.
7. Avoid fertilizing if the site is drought-stressed. Fertilizer increases biomass and therefore water requirements.

Find more information on trees and drought at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/documents/forestbenefits/drought.pdf

The Office of the Governor, in partnership with the Oregon Arts Commission, is proud to relaunch Art in the Governor’s Office. This program brings the works of some of Oregon’s most distinguished artists to the state Capitol to be displayed in the Governor’s Gallery (formerly the Reception Room).

This longstanding tradition, which began in 1975 and celebrates the diverse creativity of Oregon’s professional visual artists, returns this year after a pause due to the pandemic and the restoration of the Capitol building. It will feature a series of three exhibitions of renowned practitioners of photography and painting.

The 2026 series begins with an exhibition by Harrison Branch, an accomplished photographer and Oregon State University Professor Emeritus. Branch’s “Palladotypes: Unpublished Images” will be on display April 24 through July 16.

“With construction nearly completed, it’s so meaningful to be back in the Capitol – and restart the sharing of art in the Governor’s Office,” said Oregon First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson. “Oregonian artist Marie Watt so perfectly described the importance of art: ‘Art is a living, breathing part of our community. Art belongs to everyone, and it has the power to transform the way we see each other and ourselves.’ I encourage everyone who visits or works in the Capitol to stop by the Governor’s Office to view these beautiful pieces of art and photography.”

Featured Artist: Harrison Branch — Born in New York City and educated at the San Francisco Art Institute and Yale University, Harrison Branch has spent more than four decades at the forefront of photographic education and artistry. Joining Oregon State University faculty in 1972, Branch was instrumental in developing the university’s photography program.

Branch, who lives in Corvallis, is celebrated for his technical expertise with bellows cameras—large, intricate instruments that allow for extreme precision. His work deeply explores the “natural environment,” specifically focusing on the tonal relationships between silver and the superior platinum-palladium printing process.

“In the age of digital photography,” Branch said, “I prefer the traditional methods, which could also be called classical. To me this hands-on method brings the most joy and excitement. Watching an image materialize in the developing tray is still magical.”

His photographs, which often feature undeveloped natural areas, have been exhibited internationally, including at the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris and the George Eastman House.

Upcoming 2026 Exhibitions

Following the exhibition by Harrison Branch, the Governor’s Office will host two additional prominent Oregon artists:

Erik Sandgren (July 17 – Oct. 8): Sandgren’s work probes the figured landscape through the lenses of myth and history. He works in many media. His large-scale murals, paintings and prints are in private and public collections as diverse as the Maryhill Museum of Art and the Yale University Art Gallery.



Nancy Watterson Scharf (Oct. 9 – Dec. 31): Scharf is based in the Southern Oregon coast range, and her acrylic paintings provide a “voice for nature,” investigating the complex relationship between humans, animals and the ecosystems they share.

Public Access — The Governor’s Gallery is viewable most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitation information is available at 503-986-1388.

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is reminding political campaigns that placing signs within highway rights of way is prohibited.

ODOT regularly removes signs that are improperly positioned, as they can distract drivers, pose safety risks, and obstruct official road messages. Any campaign signs found in violation are taken down and stored at a nearby ODOT district maintenance office for a period of 30 days or until they are retrieved. While signs are permitted on private property visible from the highway, they must adhere to specific regulations, including a maximum size of 12 square feet.

Oregon Prescription Drug Affordability Board to host community forums to hear how prescription drug prices affect Oregonians

The Oregon Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) is hosting a series of community forums in April and May to hear from people about the high cost of prescription drugs and the effect it has on their lives and budgets.

The in-person forums will be held May 5 at the Salem Library, May 6 at the Redmond Library, May 12 at the Asian Health & Service Center in Portland, and May 18 at the Beaverton Library. Online forums are scheduled for April 28, May 11, May 13, and the online board meeting, May 20.

“We invite all Oregonians to join us at these forums and share your stories about the cost of your medications and how those costs impact your lives,” said Sarah Young, PDAB executive director. “All forums will have similar content, so choose the best option for your schedule. We would love to have patients, caregivers, and consumers join us to share their experiences. Hearing your stories will help inform the board as it reviews drugs to identify affordability challenges and high out-of-pocket costs for patients.”

The board conducts annual drug reviews and presents a list of medications that may create affordability challenges to the Oregon Legislature each year. This year, PDAB will review the following medications to evaluate their affordability and their impact on Oregonians and the state’s health care system:

• Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Ozempic (Type 2 diabetes)
• Humulin R U-500 (improve blood sugar control for those with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes who require more than 200 units of insulin per day)
• Keytruda and Verzenio (cancer)
• Xeljanz (autoimmune and inflammatory conditions)
• Ocrevus (multiple sclerosis)
• Skyrizi (immune-mediated inflammatory conditions)
• Tremfya (plaque psoriasis)
• Xolair (allergic and inflammatory conditions)

The feedback from the community forums will help inform PDAB’s drug review process. Each of the drugs and what they treat can be found on PDAB’s website.

The three online forums are:

• Tuesday, April 28, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. (zoomgov.com/join, meeting ID is 161 635 9753 and the passcode is OregonPDAB)
• Monday, May 11, from noon to 1:30 p.m. (zoomgov.com/join, meeting ID is 160 556 2737 and the passcode is OregonPDAB)
• Wednesday, May 13, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (zoomgov.com/join, meeting ID is 160 948 4958 and the passcode is OregonPDAB)

The four in-person forums are:

• Tuesday, May 5, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Salem at the Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty St. SE
• Wednesday, May 6, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Redmond at the Redmond Public Library, 817 SW Deschutes Ave.
• Tuesday, May 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Portland at the Asian Health & Service Center, 9035 SE Foster Road
• Monday, May 18, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Beaverton at the Beaverton City Library, 12375 SW Fifth St.

“We also invite everyone to share online feedback about the prescription drugs the board is reviewing,” Young said. “If you have been prescribed one of the drugs on the list, please answer the questions and submit the form.”

The feedback forms are located on the PDAB website and include options for patients, medical experts, safety net clinics, and others.

The Oregon Legislature created the board out of Senate Bill 844 in 2021 to protect Oregonians and the Oregon health care system from the high costs of prescription drugs. The board holds monthly online meetings that are open to the public. The board has eight members with backgrounds in clinical medicine or health care economics.

For more information, email pdab@dcbs.oregon.gov, call 971-374-3724 or go to dfr.oregon.gov/pdab.

### About PDAB: The Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) is in the Division of Financial Regulation, part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. The board was established under ORS 646A.693 to protect residents of Oregon, state and local governments, commercial health plans, health care providers, pharmacies licensed in Oregon, and others within the health care system in this state from the high costs of prescription drugs. Visit dfr.oregon.gov/pdab.

Tuition at Oregon’s seven public universities will increase again this fall, marking the twelfth consecutive year that the state’s four-year institutions have raised admission costs for new students.

This ongoing trend of relying on tuition hikes to fund university operations, coupled with insufficient state investment, has positioned Oregon’s public universities as the most expensive in the western United States, as reported by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.

Over the past decade, resident undergraduate tuition increases have outpaced inflation for six of those years, averaging an annual rise of 4.3%, which translates to approximately $430 more each year. Additionally, any proposed tuition increase of 5% or more requires approval from the state’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission.

Medford Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Abusing a Minor Victim

MEDFORD, Ore.—A Medford, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for sexually abusing a minor victim in his care and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

David Michael Burnett, 37, was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison and a lifetime term of  supervised release.

According to court documents, starting in June 2024, Burnett sent five videos of himself sexually abusing a minor victim in his care. Investigators seized Burnett’s devices and found over 300 videos and almost 8,000 images of CSAM.

On August 1, 2024, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a two-count indictment charging Burnett with sexual exploitation of children and distribution of child pornography. On February 3, 2026, Burnett pleaded guilty to both counts.

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Medford Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Judith Harper.

This case was brought in collaboration with Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

A new proposal from the federal government could change how housing programs and shelters treat transgender people across the country.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) wants to change part of a rule called the “Equal Access Rule.” Right now, that rule helps protect people from discrimination based on gender identity. The new proposal would remove “gender identity” and replace it with “sex.”

This means shelters and housing programs could place people based on their biological sex instead of how they identify. They might also ask for documents to prove it.

HUD Secretary Scott Turner said the change is meant to protect women and focus on what he called biological reality.

If the rule is approved, it would also remove some protections for transgender people in housing programs that receive federal money. It could even force local programs to follow federal rules instead of state laws, or risk losing funding.

In Oregon, state law already says it’s illegal to discriminate based on gender identity. Because of that, some housing providers say the new federal proposal could create confusion.

One worker from a local housing agency explained that organizations might have to choose between following federal rules to keep their funding, or following state laws that protect transgender people.

Right now, shelters in that area follow state law and allow equal access. But even small changes at the federal level could affect how they operate.

The proposal could also mean agencies need more staff training or face new legal risks.

The worker added that transgender people already make up a large part of the homeless population and could face even more challenges if the rule goes into effect.

The Salem Housing Authority said it’s too early to know exactly what will happen. They said any real changes depend on whether the proposal becomes an official rule.

For now, the proposal is open for public comment until late June.

Roseburg Police were called out last Tuesday morning after a woman allegedly attacked an orthodontist and exposed herself with children present.

Officers were called out to Current Orthodontics after Sarah Faith Raines, 40, of Roseburg started yelling at staff. A witness told officers that before they arrived, Raines had been yelling at staff before reportedly dropping trou in front of children.

An orthodontist at the location attempted to escort Raines from the property when he says she slapped him. Police located Raines nearby and took her into custody.

She is currently lodged at the Douglas County Jail on charges of harassment and disorderly conduct.

BLM Brings Oregon Folklife Programming to National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center

BAKER CITY, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management invites the public to explore Oregon’s living cultural traditions through a new interpretive folklife series at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center beginning this week.

The series aligns with America’s 250th anniversary by highlighting the people, traditions, and cultural knowledge that have shaped the nation over time. Visitors can experience firsthand how traditional arts connect past and present while supporting the BLM’s mission.

From April through October, visitors will have interactive opportunities that represent Native American, ranching, and rural lifeways. Presentations will take place daily at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Pacific Time, offering deeper insight into each artist’s craft and cultural background.

April 23-25, Sara Barton, traditional basket maker of Mono Lake Paiute and Yosemite Miwuk ancestry works closely with Burns Paiute weavers

May 7-9, Kathy Moss, cowboy poet, buckaroo, horse trainer, and rancher from Prairie City

June 18-20, Roberta Kirk, regalia maker, food gatherer, and bead and dentalium artist from Warm Springs, Tenino and Wasq’u

July 9-11, Cheryl Newhouse, spinner and weaver from Richland

August 13-15, Mildred Quaempts, dentalium artist from the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla

September 24-26, Clair Kehrberg, saddle and gear maker and leatherworker from John Day

October 15-17, Katie Harris Murphy and Mary Harris, regalia and beadwork artists from the Wallowa Band Nimiipuu, Cayuse, Umatilla, and Karuk Tribes

“This interpretive outreach brings people face-to-face with the traditions that continue to shape communities across Oregon,” said Robert Reis, acting manager for the Interpretive Center. “These demonstrations create a meaningful connection to the past through the skills and knowledge that are still practiced today.”

This series is designed to build long-term, high-quality cultural programming at the Interpretive Center, ensuring visitors can engage with authentic traditions and perspectives for years to come.

The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is located at 22267 Highway 86 in Baker City and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT. Admission fees apply. For more information, visit the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center website or call 541-523-1843.

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.

Staying Informed During a Communications Outage: Best Practices for the Public

Disasters can damage critical infrastructure, leading to temporary outages in cell service, internet, and power. When communication systems go down, it’s vital to be prepared with alternate ways to get emergency information and stay connected. Here’s how you can prepare and respond:

  Have a Battery-Powered or Hand-Crank Emergency Weather Radio

• Why it matters: Emergency radios can receive Emergency Alert System (EAS) broadcasts via AM/FM or NOAA Weather Radio frequencies—even when cell towers and the internet are down.
• Note: Emergency radios do not receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) like cell phones do. Tip: Pre-tune your radio to your local emergency broadcast station (e.g., OPB in Oregon or NOAA frequencies).

Turn On WEA Alerts on Your Phone

• Make sure Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are enabled in your phone’s settings. These alerts include evacuation orders, severe weather warnings, and other urgent notifications.
• WEA messages are sent through cell towers—if cell service is out, WEA alerts will not be delivered. This is why having backup methods like a radio is essential.

Charge Everything in Advance and Have Backup Power

• Charge phones, power banks, laptops, and rechargeable flashlights before fire weather conditions worsen.
• Consider solar-powered chargers or car chargers as backups.
• If you are sheltering in place, a generator (solar or gas powered) is helpful.

Know Your Evacuation Routes in Advance

• Save printed or downloaded evacuation maps in case you can’t access GPS or navigation apps.
• Most mapping services (like Google Maps or Apple Maps) offer the ability to “Make maps available offline.” Download your area in advance so you can navigate even if cell towers or internet access are down.
• When in doubt, call 511 or visit the TripCheck.com website if you have cell service.
• Don’t wait for a notification—if you feel unsafe, evacuate early.

Print or Write Down Critical Contacts and Info

• Phone numbers of family, neighbors, and local emergency contacts.
• Address of evacuation shelters, veterinary services (for pets/livestock), and medical facilities.
• Your own emergency plan, including meeting locations.
• Have copies of vital documents in your go-bag and take video of your property (inside and out) for insurance claims later.

If Calling 9-1-1 Over Wi-Fi or Satellite, Check Your Location Settings

If you call 9-1-1 using Wi-Fi calling or a satellite-connected phone (like an iPhone or Android), your location might not be automatically visible to dispatch. Instead, it may rely on the emergency address saved in your phone’s settings.

• Update this emergency address when you travel or relocate—especially in evacuation zones or rural areas.
• Most importantly, always tell the dispatcher exactly where you are—include your address, landmarks, road names, or mile markers to help first responders reach you quickly.

Sign Up for Alerts Before There’s an Outage

• Register for OR-Alert and your county’s local alert system.
• Follow your local emergency management officials’ and bookmark resources like: wildfire.oregon.gov.

 Prepare for Alert Delays or Gaps

• Know the three levels of evacuation:
  • Level 1 – Be Ready
  • Level 2 – Be Set
  • Level 3 – GO NOW
• If you hear a siren, see a neighbor evacuating, or witness fire behavior increasing—take action even if you haven’t received an alert.

 Be Your Own Info Network

• Check on neighbors, especially seniors or those with disabilities.
• Post printed signs with updates for those passing by.

In rural areas, community bulletin boards or fire stations may serve as local information points.

Support and Restoration in Progress
To help maintain emergency communications during this incident, OEM deployed eight Starlink terminals under the guidance of ESF 2 and the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC). A Communications Technician (Jeff Perkins) was also deployed to assess connectivity needs on the ground. These Starlink terminals have been providing service to the Lake County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Oregon State Police (OSP), Warner Creek Correctional Facility, and will soon support the town of Lakeview, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Lakeview Ranger Station. OEM’s Regional Coordinator (Stacey) is also on-site supporting the Lake County EOC. Coordination has been strong across local, state, and private sector partners. *** Update: As of 7/10/25 at 1:47 PM, fiber service has been restored.

Reconnect When Service Returns

• Once communications are restored, check official websites:
  • Oregon.gov/oem
  • Your county emergency management page
  • TripCheck.com for road conditions
• Share verified info—not rumors—on social media or community pages.

 Prepare for Delays in Restoration

• Communication may come back in phases. Damage to fiber lines or cell towers can take time to repair.
• Continue using backup methods and stay alert for updates via radio or in-person notices.

 Final Tip:

In an emergency, CALL 9-1-1 to report life-threatening danger, not for general information. Use local non-emergency numbers or go to physical information points if needed. You can find more tips for preparing in OEM’s Be2Weeks Ready toolkit.

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

Taking Another Look at What Happened to Fauna Frey

Fauna was grieving the recent death of her brother, Dallas, when she set off from Eugene in June of 2020 heading to Grants Pass on what her family believes was both a healing trip and a mission to deliver gifts, silver coins inherited from Dallas, to a few friends.

But somewhere between motel check-ins and checkouts, something went terribly wrong. Her Jeep was found months later. She was never seen again. http://bit.ly/4l63Dle

We will start resharing podcasts and articles. For starters here is a story from Danielle Denham that appeared in the June 29, 2025 edition of That Oregon Life. Ms Denham worked closely with us to insure that the facts she presented were accurate.

Check out the nine episodes of the podcast Nowhere to be Found, a comprehensive, in-depth, sensitive treatment of the details surrounding Fauna’s disappearance. Hear from Fauna’s father, John, and her friends. Posted in spring of 2022, Amanda Popineau shares Fauna’s journey and the mystery that surrounds it. Go to Nowhere to be Found Season Two: Episode One “Under A Half-Moon.” https://podcasts.apple.com/kg/podcast/s2e1-under-a-halfmoon/id1532686678?i=1000512098162

We want to remind people that Fauna’s father is offering a huge reward for information that brings Fauna home.

Please if you have any information no matter how big or small let us know by calling the anonymous tip line or emailing. 

Tipline- 541-359-5638

Email – Helpfindfaunafrey@gmail.com

FOLLOW on FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/341658526970132

The Junction City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance locating a missing and possibly endangered person.

62-year-old Wade Felton Lloyd, of Junction City, was reported missing on November 20, 2025.  Mr. Lloyd was last seen on November 16^th in the area of Birch Street and 2^nd Avenue in Junction City. 

Mr. Lloyd normally stays close to the Junction City area, has close ties to his family, and his only transportation is an older motorized bicycle, which is also missing.

Mr. Lloyd is a slender white male, standing 6 feet tall with brown hair and hazel eyes.  Mr. Lloyd is without his cell phone, wallet, and his medications.  

The Junction City Police have exhausted all leads as to his whereabouts and is hoping that the community might recognize him or recall where they last saw Mr. Lloyd.   If you have information regarding Mr. Lloyd or have seen him on or after November 16^th, 2025, please call the Junction City Police Department at 541-998-1245.

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