Willamette Valley News, Monday 8/31 – Springfield’s Rise & Shine Has Become The First Employee-Owned Caregiving Agency of Its Kind in Oregon, Longtime Disability Services Nonprofit Closes in Springfield & 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, August 31, 2026

Willamette Valley Weather

Weather conditions can allow even a small spark to quickly become a fast-moving wildfire. Help us keep Oregon safe by staying vigilant and avoiding activities that could start a fire. One less spark can make the difference.

Pollutants in smoke can cause burning eyes, runny nose, aggravate heart and lung diseases, and aggravate other serious health problems. Limit outdoor activities and keep children indoors if it is smoky. Please follow medical advice if you have a heart or lung condition. https://www.facebook.com/reel/1430921498857533

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

Please be #WildfireAware, know the evacuation levels, sign up for emergency alerts, and have a plan in the event you need to evacuate because of wildfire. FORECAST: www.weather.gov/fire SIGN UP: https://oralert.gov

As a reminder, the following are prohibited: Debris burning — Smoking in forestlands — Use of fireworks — Sky lanterns & target practice with exploding targets

Allowed only before 10 am and after 8 pm: Chainsaw use — Cutting, grinding, welding – Mowing/cutting of dried grass — Off road motorized vehicle use — Any other spark emitting internal combustion engine

It’s already extremely dry. Our ask: prevent sparking a wildfire. Check your tow chains. Don’t mow tall dry grass in the heat of the day Don’t park on tall dry grass

We’ve got prevention tips posted to our website to share with your friends and family. LEARN MORE: https://www.oregon.gov/…/pages/prevent-wildfires.aspx

U.S. Forest Service – Willamette National Forest 

Due to continued hot and dry weather and critically dry fuels, the Willamette National Forest has Fire Restrictions to help prevent wildfires.

The restrictions are for all Willamette National Forest lands, including within developed campgrounds and Wilderness areas. Stage 2 Fire Restrictions prohibit: Fires, campfires, and stove fires, including solid fuel, charcoal briquette, gas/jellied petroleum, pressurized liquid fuel or propane. Devices fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off are permitted when operated within a 3 foot perimeter devoid of vegetation. Chainsaw use. Generators must have a spark arrestor and be located in an area cleared of flammable material in a 10-foot diameter. Welding. Explosives. Use of vehicles off designated National Forest System roads and trails. Do your part to help firefighters by preventing human-caused wildfires. More info: https://www.fs.usda.gov/…/temporary-fire-restrictions

Lane County Stand Down – Friday, September 11

The Lane County Stand Down is an opportunity to thank, to honor, and to serve our Veterans, Reservists, National Guard, Active-Duty Service Members, and their family members for the sacrifices they have made to keep our nation strong and free.

Springfield’s Rise & Shine Has Become The First Employee-Owned Caregiving Agency Of Its Kind In Oregon

Rise & Shine Social Enterprise has transitioned to an employee owned companyl, giving its more than 250 employees an opportunity to build ownership in the Springfield company.

FaceBook REEL: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1400787398681241

Founder Cindy Koza made the announcement last week. Through its new Employee Stock Ownership Plan full-time employees over 18 will begin receiving company stock in 2027, giving the people who helped build the business a chance to share in its success.

Rise & Shine says the move makes it Oregon’s first employee-owned caregiving agency specializing in 24-hour residential services. The company serves more than 75 Oregonians with developmental disabilities across more than 20 locations.

“We were founded on social justice, and we had such a focus on bringing a positive social impact to the clients,” Koza said. “And now, by it being employee-owned, we can bring that social impact to the employees and their families and the whole community. So it’s really exciting to be able to bring that social impact full circle.”

Koza said the path to employee ownership began after a private equity firm approached her about buying Rise & Shine. She said the prospective buyer told her it planned to maximize profits while keeping wages low. Koza said that approach did not align with the company she had built, leading her to pursue employee ownership instead.

Rise & Shine hopes employee ownership will make caregiving a more sustainable career and give experienced workers another reason to stay in the field. That could help address high turnover across the industry. According to the Home Care Association of America, four out of five caregivers leave within their first 100 days on the job.

For people receiving 24-hour support, greater retention could also mean more consistency and more time with caregivers they already know and trust.

The transition comes as Oregon has taken steps to encourage employee ownership. In June 2025, House Bill 3646 went into effect, permitting public agencies may give preference when awarding certain contracts to businesses where employees own at least 50% of the company, either directly or through a qualifying employee stock ownership plan.

Koza hopes the transition will contribute to that momentum and encourage other Oregon business owners to consider employee ownership. She said the model can help businesses remain locally rooted while giving workers a greater share in their success. https://www.riseupcare.org/

Longtime Disability Services Nonprofit Closes in Springfield 

A Springfield-based nonprofit organization that supported individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1974 has closed. 

Alvord-Taylor provided 24-hour services to individuals living in group homes and also supported people living in their own homes. The organization closed June 30, executive director Mark Herbert told Lookout Eugene-Springfield. 

The organization has vacated its administrative office near the intersection of Highway 126 and Mohawk Boulevard and is transferring its group homes in Eugene and Springfield to Oregon Supported Living Program (OSLP), a Eugene-based nonprofit that provides similar services. 

Herbert said Alvord-Taylor’s expenses were exceeding its revenues. The program was almost entirely government-funded and he said state-set funding rates did not match inflation. 

“And so, what we determined is that the best way to support the individuals that we support, which is our critical priority, was to look for an opportunity to transition those individuals to other programs,” Herbert said. 

He said Alvord-Taylor started the process in December and worked with the state to notify each individual and their family that their current provider was going away and to give them options to choose their new care. He said 57 people were transitioned to new programs, 35 in group homes and 22 people in supported living. 

Herbert said the majority of individuals the organization was supporting have transitioned to OSLP, and some went to other agencies in the area. 

When a nonprofit dissolves, it is required to distribute its assets to another qualified charitable organization. 

Herbert said Alvord-Taylor is transferring its properties to three nonprofit organizations. These include StablePath Community Services, which provides financial management and other services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Mainstream Housing, a Eugene nonprofit that provides affordable housing options for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

The 24-hour supported residences are being transferred to the third organization, OSLP. 

“I think that the closing of Alvord-Taylor was a pretty unfortunate thing that happened, but in the grand scheme of how it all played out, I see this as a pretty massive win for the [intellectual and developmental disabilities] community in Lane County, but also just how nonprofits can work together to make sure that when we’re missionally aligned, that we can make sure that we’re providing a place for the communities that we support to land,” Jesse Belcher, executive director of OSLP, told Lookout. 

He said that it was “a pretty massive undertaking” for his organization. 

“But when we sat down and we talked about what this would look like, we really tried to maintain focus on the people that Alvord-Taylor was supporting and trying to find a way that they could continue to receive support in the homes that they’ve been living in for years,” Belcher said.

He said almost everybody that Alvord-Taylor supported in a 24-hour residential setting didn’t have to move to a new home. 

OSLP has assumed responsibility for 10 homes and is operating a program at an 11th home that another nonprofit took ownership of. Advertisement

Belcher said about 110 Alvord-Taylor employees applied for and were hired by OSLP. Herbert said the organization had about 180 employees when it closed. 

Alvord-Taylor had a budget of just under $13 million for the fiscal year ending June 2025, according to a tax form filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 

Herbert said the organization will submit a dissolution plan to the state for review. After all expenses have been paid and funds distributed, the board of directors will be dissolved.

Herbert was the organization’s executive director on a contract basis from 2017 to 2020 and then came back in April 2025. When asked how it felt to have to close Alvord-Taylor, he said it was “heartbreaking.” 

“When I came back in April to try to help them, that was certainly not the intent,” he said. “But when I realized that it was, it was very, very important to me that we managed that transition in a way that we minimize disruption to our most important stakeholders, which in order, are the people we supported, our employees and the community.” (SOURCE)

Deputies working DUI grant overtime through 9/7/26 (Lane Co. Sheriff’s Office)

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office does not have a dedicated traffic team or deputy assigned to DUI enforcement due to lack of funding. However, our deputies are committed to the safety of our community, and that includes our roadways. Now through September 7th, LCSO deputies will be working extra shifts as available on state funded grant overtime to help keep intoxicated drivers off our roads.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 11,904 total deaths in 2024 from alcohol-impaired traffic crashes. That is about 32 people every day, or one death approximately every 44 minutes. Over 800,000 Americans were arrested for DUI in 2024, making up roughly 11% of arrests for that year. 

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office cares about our community’s safety.  Do not become part of the statistics. Remember:

-Plan your safe ride home ahead of time 

-If you drink or use drugs, do not drive for any reason 

-If you know someone has been drinking or using drugs, don’t let them drive 

-If you host a party with alcohol, make sure all guests leave with a sober driver 

-And please, always wear your seatbelt! 

Please drive safe and help everyone start off the school year safely! 

Springfield Police Department  · Please be advised there has been a confirmed cougar sighting in the area of S 53rd St and Main St in Springfield.

The cougar was spotted up in a tree. Oregon State Police have been advised. We have attached some resources from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife on what to do if you encounter a cougar. Again, please exercise caution in the area.

El Departamento de Policia de Springfield quiere avisarle al publico que se ha visto un gato de montaña o puma trepado en un arbol en la area de las calles sur 53 y Main. Se hizo notificacion al departmento de policia del estado de Oregon (OSP). Hemos incluido unos folletos con informacion de lo que debe hacer si se encuentra en la presencia de el animal. Por favor tenga cuidado si esta en esa area.

If you live or work in Lane County, SIGN UP for LANE ALERTS. https://lanealerts.org

Create a FREE account with Lane Alerts, and you’ll get the notifications you need, based on your location. In the event of an emergency, alerts will be delivered to you according to the communication methods you register. Subscribe to alerts about evacuations, severe weather, flooding, police activity, and more. https://lanealerts.org

Benton County to host training for retailers of alcohol and tobacco, and cannabis products

Know the law. Stay in compliance. Help keep the community safe.

— The Benton County Health Department will conduct a free compliance training for local businesses selling alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis products. The training will take place on Saturday, September 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Benton County Kalapuya Building in Corvallis at 4500 SW Research Way. Interested participants should register for the training by September 23 .

This training will support owners and employees of tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis retailers in understanding how to stay in compliance with local and state laws on selling these regulated products. Attendees will learn how to identify a person’s age and spot a fake ID, how to use black lights and magnifying lenses to check IDs, and how to identify excessive alcohol consumption and signs of intoxication. The training will also offer information on fentanyl awareness and overdose prevention, including naloxone training.

“Retailers play a key role in helping prevent substance use and access by minors,” said Suzie Beaupre, Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Education Program Coordinator for Benton County Health Department.

“We really have two main goals with this training program,” said Beaupre. “The first is to prevent substance use among minors, and the second is to help support our local businesses in staying in compliance with the law.”

The training will be held in English, and language interpretation can be provided if requested. Free lunch will be provided, and participants will receive free handheld black lights for checking IDs and free naloxone kits for overdose response and prevention. Attendees can also participate in a drawing to win a gift card.

The training is offered by the Benton County Health Department’s alcohol, drug, and tobacco prevention and education programs, in partnership with their Risk Reduction program, Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC), and other community organizations.

Retailer training is a part of the department’s ongoing efforts to address the health impacts of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances. This includes promoting statewide awareness campaigns like Rethink the Drink and Smokefree Oregon, and regional campaigns like Fentanyl Aware.

People who work in places that sell alcohol, tobacco, or cannabis products can register for the training online or entonHealthyCommunities@bentoncountyor.gov“>email the department’s Healthy Communities Team for accommodations requests and more information.

Benton County Health Department — The Benton County Health Department is committed to protecting the health and well-being of everyone who lives in, works in, or visits Benton County. The Benton County Health Department focuses on preventing health problems before they occur. Their programs strive to create community conditions that help reduce health disparities, so all people have an equal chance for a long and healthy life. Español a continuación

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Mckenzie Watershed Alliance Employee Fired For Embezzlement

The McKenzie Watershed Alliance says it discovered more than $1.5 million in unauthorized payments tied to an employee, prompting state and federal investigations and the employee’s firing.

The Eugene Water & Electric Board said it’s looking into whether its funds were included in an alleged embezzlement at a nonprofit it collaborated with.

State and federal authorities are investigating whether federal funds were stolen from the McKenzie Watershed Alliance, according to reporting from Eugene Weekly and Lookout Eugene-Springfield.

The Alliance is the fiscal sponsor of the McKenzie Watershed Council, a stewardship organization based in Springfield, and has accepted federal grants on its behalf.

The Alliance’s Executive Director, Jared Weybright, told KLCC that they discovered the financial abnormalities in May.

He said there had been unauthorized payments from the Alliance to the Coast Fork Willamette Watershed Council, potentially totaling more than $1.5 million.

He said the Alliance and Coast Fork took immediate action after the discovery to secure their funding and alert authorities.

“The McKenzie Watershed Alliance employee associated with this matter was first placed on administrative leave and, after further investigation, their employment was terminated,” said Weybright. “We are working closely with legal counsel, our financial institution, and our insurer, to protect the organization and strengthen financial controls and policies.”

Weybright said they’re now cooperating with the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of the Inspector General and the Oregon Department of Justice Charitable Activities Section.

EWEB has worked with the McKenzie Watershed Alliance and Council on past watershed restoration work on Quartz Creek.

In a public statement on Monday, utility spokesperson Aaron Orlowski said none of its employees have been implicated in the alleged embezzlement. He said EWEB supports the continued investigation.

“We’re working to understand the extent to which utility funds may have been affected,” said Orlowski. “We are moving deliberately to confirm we have appropriate visibility into fund use, contractural performance, and risk management measures tied to the programs we support.” (SOURCE)

PeaceHealth Opens $76M Springfield Rehabilitation Hospital 

PeaceHealth has opened Springfield Rehabilitation Hospital, a freestanding facility in Springfield. It’s an inpatient acute rehabilitation hospital dedicated to the treatment and recovery of individuals who have experienced the debilitating effects of a severe injury or illness.

PeaceHealth held several open houses this week to allow the public to visit its new rehabilitation inpatient facility.

The new 67,000-square-foot facility is located on Game Farm Road, just around the corner from PeaceHealth RiverBend Hospital. It features the state’s first freestanding inpatient rehabilitation hospital and the region’s first dedicated traumatic brain injury unit.

The $76 million project has 42 beds and space to expand to 60 beds. The hospital also features a dedicated traumatic brain injury unit that can accommodate up to 12 patients.

Amenities include a 3,000-square-foot therapy gym with a supported harness walking track, a simulated apartment for relearning daily life skills, and a mock car to practice entering and exiting a vehicle. An outdoor courtyard offers a drift boat, putting green, and raised garden beds. PeaceHealth and LifePoint Rehabilitation jointly own and operate the facility. The hospital officially opens in September. https://www.peacehealthspringfieldrehab.com

Lane County seeking applicants for open Property Value Appeals Board seat

The Lane County Property Value Appeals Board (PVAB) is accepting applications through Friday, September 25, for a minimum of one open seat.

The PVAB is responsible for hearing appeals from taxpayers about the value of their property. It holds hearings where taxpayers present their evidence of incorrect value and then issues decisions about the value. The PVAB is authorized by law to hear appeals of the value of property, including real market, maximum assessed, specially assessed, or assessed values – it does not hear appeals of the amount of property tax paid. 

Qualified applicants:

• must be residents of Lane County.
• should have an interest or background in real property appraisal, finance or real estate.
• cannot be employed by Lane County or any other taxing district within the county.

Members of the PVAB receive a $15.00 per hour stipend, and paid training ahead of the first hearings is provided. The PVAB can meet up to 40 hours per week between February 1, 2027 and April 15, 2027.

Applications and more information about the PVAB are available at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/appeals and can be returned to PVAB@LaneCountyOR.gov or in-person to the Lane County Administration Office and Lane County Deeds & Records, both located at 125 E. 8^th Avenue, Eugene.

Delta Highway: Green Acres Road to Goodpasture Island Road Enhancements

A $25.5 million road enhancement project on Delta Highway from Goodpasture Island Road to Green Acres Road is set to begin in 2027. ​This project continues with planned improvements to the Beltline/Delta Interchange to make the area safer and relieve congestion. 

For this project, plans are:

• Widen and raise the existing bridge over Beltline Highway.
• Add one lane to southbound Delta Highway from Green Acres Road to the Goodpasture Road interchange.
• Add a second left-turn to the westbound Beltline Highway off-ramp onto Delta Highway.
• Upgrade the traffic signal at the Beltline Highway and Delta Highway interchange. 

You can read more and participate in an online open house where you can

• Learn more about the work planned.
• Find out what road closures, detours and other impacts you can expect during construction.
• Learn how you can stay connected and get updates about this project during construction.
• Ask questions and share your thoughts.

https://www.oregon.gov/odot/projects/pages/project-details.aspx?project=22627

Lane County Announces 2026–2027 Community & Economic Development Grant Applications

Beginning August 19, Lane County will begin accepting applications for the 2026–2027 Community & Economic Development (CED) Grant Program. This competitive grant opportunity is designed to support high-impact projects or programs that increase wages or jobs, provide business assistance, support business innovation, and revitalize Main Streets, downtowns or commercial districts across Lane County.

To support applicants in creating strong proposals, Lane County will host a virtual informational webinar on Wednesday, August 26, at noon. Staff will explain the grant and answer questions from attendees. A recording of the presentation will be made available on the CED Grant website.

The CED Grant Program is soliciting applications from 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations operating in Lane County and cities serving Lane County residents. There is $200,000 in funding available to provide grant awards between $5,000 and $30,000. Priority will be given to proposals that foster inclusive economic growth and align with the County’s strategic development goals.

“The Community and Economic Development Grant is a helpful resource that we are proud to offer,” said Jason Harris, Lane County’s Community and Economic Development manager. “We are always so impressed with the ways our cities and community partners leverage these funds to increase prosperity and support our business community throughout the region.”

Program objectives include:

• Increasing employment or wages in targeted sectors including advanced manufacturing, healthcare, food and beverage manufacturing, biosciences, technology, and childcare.
• Facilitating industry or business innovation, engagement or business development which may include supporting accelerators, incubators, or apprenticeship programs.
• Providing business technical assistance, training or support services to entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small businesses.
• Improving Lane County downtowns and Main Streets by revitalizing physical and visual assets to create a business-friendly environment.

Application Details and Timeline 

• Applications will be available to download on Lane County’s procurement site, Bid Locker, starting August 19, 2026.
• A virtual informational webinar will be presented Wednesday, August 26, at noon at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/CEDgrant.
• Submissions must be sent via email to CED@LaneCountyOR.gov.
• Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2026.
• Only one application per organization will be accepted.
• Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applications will be screened for completeness and then evaluated using four core criteria: economic development impact, outcomes and performance, program clarity, and budget and funding. Bonus evaluation points are given to programs or projects that address under-represented or underserved populations, add value to our economy, and for applicants who have not received CED grant funding previously.

Learn more by visiting www.LaneCountyOR.gov/CEDgrant or by contacting CED@LaneCountyOR.gov.

Las solicitudes y aplicaciones también están disponibles en Español.

About Lane County Community and Economic Development:
Lane County Community and Economic Development is your Oregon Video Lottery dollars at work! Community and Economic Development programs support building vibrant communities by partnering with local business, supporting organizations, cities, special districts and economic development agencies to facilitate community development and create economic prosperity. This program fosters economic opportunity across Lane County with a specific focus on rural and unincorporated communities.

EWEB will keep power lines in neighborhoods at higher risk for wildfire on “wildfire safety settings” for the rest of the summer.

Approximately 10% of EWEB customers — primarily in the South Hills and Southwest Hills — are served by these circuits and may experience more frequent and longer outages than they would under normal operating conditions. Depending on conditions, these settings will remain in place until late September or early October — an investment in resiliency during a high-risk season. Read more details at: https://www.eweb.org/…/eweb-to-maintain-wildfire-safety…

City of Springfield, Oregon Government  · We are hiring!

Looking for an opportunity to make a difference in the Springfield community? We are hiring for several positions across the organization: • Public Works Technician | Apply by August 30 • Senior Planner | Apply by September 7

From maintaining the services our community relies on to planning for Springfield’s future, there are many ways to build a meaningful career in public service. Learn more and apply: https://springfield-or.gov/city/human-resources/careers/

Eugene Water & Electric Board and Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center 

 ·The Cascadia Subduction Zone is capable of a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and strong shaking from smaller earthquakes. The magnitude of this earthquake and the accompanying tsunami pose significant challenges to the entire Pacific Northwest.

Community lifelines will be impacted. Utilities such as electricity, drinking water, and sewer services may be significantly impacted. Understanding what to expect during an earthquake is critical for response, recovery, and whole community preparedness.

That’s why EWEB, the Eugene Family YMCA, and the Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center have partnered to break down the complexities of understanding and preparing for a seismic emergency.

Representatives from the UO’s Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center and Earth Science Department will present: – History of earthquakes on the Cascadia Subduction Zone – Why recurrence is likely – What an earthquake will feel like in the Eugene Metro area – What impacts are likely to affect the Eugene Metro area

The session will be offered on the following dates at the Eugene Family YMCA: – Tuesday, September 15, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. – Wednesday, September 30, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. – Wednesday, October 14, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. – Wednesday, October 21, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. – Monday, October 26, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Register today – spots are limited:https://www.eugeneymca.org/…/communi…/eweb-programming-y

City of Eugene Gets Inquiry to Build Data Center at Former Hynix Campus

An unidentified company that has Eugene’s former Hynix campus under contract has asked the city to confirm that a data center and several other uses are permitted under the property’s zoning.

To oppose the proposed data center project at the former Hynix campus, you can contact Eugene city leadership and the planning department through several direct channels. Contact Elected Officials and LeadershipYou can voice your concerns directly to the city council, mayor, and city manager.

• Email: Send your comments to mayorcouncilandcitymanager@eugene-or.gov.
• Phone: Call the City Manager’s office at 541-682-5010.
• Mail: Address physical letters to 500 East 4th Ave, Suite 302, Eugene, OR 97401.
• Rule: Include your full name, home address, or ward number so your comments are officially recorded and distributed. Anonymous comments are not shared with the council.

Contact the Planning and Development DepartmentBecause the current inquiry is undergoing a zone verification review, you can submit inquiries or comments regarding the E-1 zoning requirements to the department handling the request.

• Phone: Call the department directly at 541-682-5086.
• In Person: Visit the Permit Information Center at the Atrium Building, 99 W. 10th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401 (Open for walk-ins Monday–Friday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.).

Attend a City Council Meeting

• Public Comment: You can sign up to speak during the public comment portion of regular Eugene City Council Meetings.
• Schedules: Review the upcoming schedule, agendas, and virtual attendance links via the city’s Webcasts and Meeting Materials portal.

FAQs: Understanding City review of allowed uses of the property at 1830 Willow Creek

On July 14, 2026, a request for a Zone Verification was submitted to the City of Eugene that could include “Data Center Use, Manufacturing, Research and Development, Advanced Manufacturing, Warehousing, Office Uses, and customary accessory and support uses associated with those uses” on the former Hyundai/Hynix semiconductor campus located at 1830 Willow Creek Circle in west Eugene. READ MORE: (SOURCE)

Food for Lane County  Summer Food Program for Kids 

In partnership with PeaceHealth, which donated $50,000 to the program, and Yogi, a tea company that donated $5,000, the program will distribute free lunches at dozens of sites in Lane County from June 22 to Aug. 21.

Click on Lunch locations below:

Creswell Eugene Dexter Junction City Oakridge Springfield Thurston Triangle Lake Veneta

According to Carolyn Stein, the executive director of Food for Lane County, the PeaceHealth donation and Yogi donation helped minimize a funding gap of over $100,000. Even so, Food for Lane County has to pay out of pocket to fill the remaining gap.  

According to the Oregon Department of Education, about 75% of Lane County children qualify for free or reduced-cost lunch. 

Last year, Stein said the free-food program served about 50,000 meals to kids throughout the summer, and they expect that number to increase by an additional 10,000 this summer. 

“Food for Lane County’s mission is to engage our community to create access to food, and we do that with many partnerships with organizations and businesses across the community,” Stein said. “We went to PeaceHealth because they have a shared value to make sure that no child in our community goes hungry and they stepped up in a big way to help us meet the need in our community.”

The lunches will be served on a first-come basis, between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Kids, 18 years old or younger, can receive meals, regardless of income. 

Burrito Brigade Buys Building to Create Community Food Hub

Burrito Brigade has bought the old Center for Appropriate Transport building at 455 West 1st Ave. in the Whiteaker neighborhood to create a new community food hub.

The organization is asking the community to help support building renovation goals. Burrito Brigade needs $300,000 more to fully complete a commercial kitchen installation, food storage infrastructure, ADA-compliant upgrades and critical improvements needed.

Jennifer Denson says “This project has always been community driven. Since Waste To Taste’s start in 2020 we have not looked back. We just keep rescuing more food and growing more organized and it’s incredible to watch the impact and difference we make when we work together,”

Hundreds of volunteer hours weekly are dedicated to rescuing more than half a million pounds of food annually from grocery stores, small businesses, institutions, large food generators and local farms. This community-powered food rescue serves fresh local vegetables and fruit alongside diet and culturally specific products.

The no-barrier access free grocery store, known as Waste-to-Taste, provides households the ability to supplement other systems of support that often have eligibility requirements. Waste-to-Taste serves more than 10,000 households annually.

Rescued food is also redirected through other sustainable distribution channels. Food scraps and spoiled food are diverted to feed farm animals like chickens, goats and pigs, sanctuary animals at a local emu ranch and wolf rescue, and even a mealworm farm.

According to Burrito Brigade, the community connection and creativity around food in the kitchen includes partners in many mutual aid food projects facilitating hot meals, food preservation, community-led cooking classes, food micro-entrepreneurs and youth workforce training. The new community food hub will open its doors to the public in 2027. You can DONATE here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-help-us-build-a-food-hub

Skinner Butte Park summit parking lot is now closed to motorized vehicles due to fire danger. The closure will remain in effect until October.

City of Eugene’s Parks and Open Space, in cooperation with Eugene Springfield Fire, have closed the Skinner Butte parking lot and summit road. It will be closed until sometime in October.

There has been a history of illegal firework activity and brush fires, particularly during the summer season.

Closing this area to vehicles helps reduce that risk. The summit will remain accessible to pedestrians and cyclists (no e-motorcycles) by numerous trails and the paved road that leads to the summit.

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 Department of Human Services – Many Oregonians may qualify for SNAP work or activity rule exemptions without realizing it

Could you qualify for an exemption to SNAP work or activity rules? Contact us so we can talk about your situation and your options! Common reasons people might qualify include:- You’re pregnant.- You’re physically or mentally unable to work.- You’re already working enough hours to meet the requirement.- You’re participating in a qualifying education or training program.- You have moved to an exempt county or waived Tribal land.- You are responsible for caring for a child or another person, depending on their circumstances.

Learn more about exemptions in this news release: https://apps.oregon.gov/…/many-oregonians-may-qualify…Or visit https://oregon.gov/snapworkrules to find information about SNAP work rules and more.

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. 

8/31/2026 — Gas Prices in Oregon Today

‘A lot of fire season left:’ Gov. Kotek urges caution ahead of Labor Day

International help and Oregon National Guard filling the gaps for state’s strained wildfire resources

After spending her morning flying across the state to observe active wildfires near Mount Hood and northeast Oregon, Gov. Tina Kotek warned Oregonians to stay alert as the state still has more than a month until the end of the fire season. 

“It’s really horrifying to see the type of fire damage that’s already occurred,” Kotek said in a press conference Thursday afternoon.

Oregon’s wildfire peak typically lasts between July to September, but experts say dry winters and hot springs and summers are exacerbating conditions contributing to one of the most active wildfire seasons in state history.

More than 1,600 wildfires in Oregon this year have scorched roughly 2.5 million acres, a record since 2024. The fires have destroyed at least 36 homes and 80 other structures, according to the Oregon Department of Emergency Management’s Oregon Fires Dashboard. At least one fire, the Big Grass Fire along the Oregon-Idaho border, has a perimeter of more than 600 miles. 

Oregon has more than 9,000 personnel fighting those fires, the Oregon Journalism Project reported. 

Kotek flew over the Grasshopper and Austin fires located south of Mount Hood, as well as the Cottonwood fire between Sherman and Gilliam counties. Additionally, Kotek flew to Pendleton to visit Oregon National Guard troops, who she thanked for assisting with the state’s wildfire response since late July.

The National Guard is using six of its helicopters to put out wildfires in what are sometimes 30 flights a day. Troops have logged 350 flight hours and dropped 1,400 buckets carrying 1.5 million gallons of water since they were deployed to active wildfires in late July.

Oregon State Forester Kacey KC said the state has also relied heavily on the help of 52 firefighters from Australia and New Zealand who came to aid Oregon firefighters with the Grasshopper and Austin fires.

“Right now every geographical area across the U.S. is strained for resources, so normally the resources we rely on when we have a heavy fire season are not available,” KC said. 

Kotek praised the collaboration between international personnel, National Guard troops as well as state and federal firefighters. However, there’s still a lot of fire season left, she said. 

Kotek emphasized the need to remain cautious ahead of Labor Day, which she said is a particularly dangerous weekend for Oregon after Labor Day fires in 2020 burned more than 1 million acres, destroyed more than 5,000 homes and businesses and resulted in 11 deaths. 

“If you’re camping or doing anything on your property, please be fire safe,” Kotek said. “Do not start a fire. We’ve got a lot of people out fighting fires across our state.”

Human-caused fires account for 73% of all fires from 2000 to 2025, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry. 

“People are pretty tired. We have people who have been doing this for 35, 45, 50, 60 days,” Kotek said about the state’s firefighters. “Hopefully they can get a little bit of rest so they can stay on for the rest of the fire season.”  (SOURCE)

Oregon Division of Financial Regulation extends wildfire emergency order 30 days, keeping pause on cancellations in place

The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) issued a wildfire emergency order and bulletin in late July for people affected by the state’s wildfire situation. That order was to expire this weekend. However, DFR extended it today for another 30 days to Sept. 29. The ZIP codes listed in the bulletin remain covered.

“Wildfire season is not over, and the last thing consumers should be worried about is receiving a cancellation or nonrenewal notice right now,” said Oregon Insurance Commissioner TK Keen. “Extending this order gives consumers breathing room to focus on their families and recovery while making sure coverage stays in place.”

As a reminder, this order requires all property and casualty insurance companies to take proactive measures to protect people in wildfire affected areas. The order:

• Suspends cancellations and nonrenewals
• Establishes a grace period for premium payments for all insurance policies issued, delivered, or covering a risk in the affected areas
• Extends deadlines for policyholders to report claims or submit other claims-related communications
• Requires all insurers to take all practicable steps to provide opportunities for policyholders to report claims

If your home or property was damaged by the wildfires, contact your insurance company as soon as possible to discuss your situation and learn next steps. If you still have concerns, the division’s consumer advocates are here to help. Call 888-877-4894 (toll-free) or email .insurancehelp@oregon.gov“>dfr.insurancehelp@oregon.gov.

Visit the DFR’s wildfire insurance resource page to view the order, bulletin, and more insurance information.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST WILDFIRE UPDATE

Oregon is facing heightened fire risks today, August 31, 2026, as the National Weather Service has issued Red Flag Warnings. Strong winds up to 25–35 mph combined with critically low humidity and historically dry vegetation are threatening to cause rapid spread or new ignitions. While several massive summer blazes have reached high containment, firefighters remain on high alert during this record-breaking season that has seen over 2.5 million acres burned across the state.

Status of Major Active Wildfires:

• Austin Fire (Clackamas County): This uncontained blaze has ballooned to over 10,700 acres and remains at 0% containment. It is actively burning in the Mt. Hood National Forest, prompting Level 3 “Go Now” evacuations. Recent light showers did little to slow its growth as it crossed portions of the western fire line. Highway 224 remains closed.
• Wrights Spring Fire (Klamath County): Located in the Fremont-Winema National Forests near Sprague River, this 55,134-acre fire is 90% contained. Crews are reinforcing lines, but Level 3, 2, and 1 evacuation orders are still active for surrounding rural communities like Bly Mountain and Yonna Woods.
• Rowe Creek Complex (Wheeler/Crook Counties): Oregon’s massive 373,927-acre complex is now 92% contained. Crews are focused heavily on mop-up operations, using infrared maps to track down deep, lingering heat signatures in heavy logs and stumps.
• Paradise & Hagen Fires (Umatilla National Forest): Firefighters are utilizing strategic tactical burning to bring these fires closer to containment lines. The Paradise Fire sits at 9,466 acres (15% contained) while the Hagen Fire has reached 45% containment.

General Fire Containment Summary:

Wildfire / Complex	Acreage	Containment Status
Rowe Creek Complex	373,927	92%
Hay Creek Complex	200,292	100%
Grasshopper Fire	93,953	83%
Shingle Fire	73,183	95%
Bench Fire	67,079	90%
Wrights Spring Fire	55,134	90%
Henry Fire	29,844	97%
Akawa Butte Fire	27,491	99%
Coyote Fire	17,460	96%
Austin Fire	10,700	0%
Paradise Fire	9,466	15%

🗺️ Critical Resources for Evacuations & Travel — Because fire behavior, road closures, and air quality fluctuate rapidly, residents should utilize official tracking platforms before traveling:

• Evacuation Maps: Check real-time statuses using Oregon’s RAPTOR tracking map or local county sheriff’s pages.
• Road Closures: View live traffic adjustments and highway conditions on TripCheck.
• Smoke Updates: Track local pollution and breathing safety recommendations via the Oregon Smoke Information Blog.

New Oregon survey for businesses facing wildfire losses could inform disaster assistance  

Oregon officials are urging business owners who have closed their businesses, seen reduced customers and revenue or discovered physical damage due to ongoing wildfires to help inform future federal financial assistance efforts through a new survey. *** Oregonians interested in completing the survey can visit this link for the survey in English, and this link for the survey in Spanish.

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management announced the survey in a recent press release for businesses experiencing physical damage or economic losses from wildfires or wildfire smoke. State officials can use the information to make a stronger case for additional disaster funding, according to the agency.

Completing the survey doesn’t guarantee assistance, but the findings will document economic impacts to businesses and “help determine” whether areas of the state qualify for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans. 

The federal program offers funds to ensure businesses can continue offering health care benefits, pay rent and utilities and make debt payments, and businesses have a year to start repaying the loans, according to the federal agency’s website. Qualifying organizations must face “substantial economic injury” and include most private nonprofits, small agricultural cooperatives, and small businesses.

“As wildfires and prolonged smoke affect communities across Oregon, impacts can extend well beyond areas directly touched by fire,” state emergency officials said in the press release.  “Businesses may experience physical damage, closures, reduced customers, canceled events or activities, lost revenue, or other disruptions associated with wildfire and smoke conditions.”

The federal government has offered such assistance in Oregon before. The U.S. Small Business Administration in June announced that it would offer the loans to Oregon businesses, nonprofits and residents affected by straight-line winds, flooding, severe storms, landslides and mudslides during December. That assistance also included physical disaster loans for up to $2 million and came in response to a request for assistance from Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek days earlier.  (SOURCE)

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Statewide hotline available for Oregonians affected by wildfires and smoke

People anywhere in Oregon who have been affected by wildfires or wildfire-related air quality can call 1-833-699-0554 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The statewide hotline is available to people experiencing any wildfire-related impact, including those who:

• Lost a home or property
• Evacuated and have ongoing needs
• Are sheltering in place and have wildfire-related needs
• Are affected by wildfire smoke or poor air quality
• Have another need or concern caused by a wildfire

“During this difficult wildfire season, Oregonians impacted by fires deserve immediate and reliable access to the help they need,” said Governor Tina Kotek. “That’s why we’ve established a dedicated, 24/7 hotline – so that no Oregonian has to navigate this wildfire season alone or wonder where to turn to for help.”

The hotline is staffed by 211info. If a call is not answered, callers can leave a message and will receive a return call within one business day.

This hotline does not provide emergency evacuation assistance or help people locate immediate shelter. People who are in immediate danger, have a medical emergency, or need emergency help evacuating should call 911. People looking for information about shelters or other immediate resources can call 2-1-1. For current 211info operating hours, visit 211info.org.

People can also enter their contact information and describe their wildfire-related needs using the Oregon Wildfire Assistance web form. An ODHS staff member will review the information and follow up with them.

“This wildfire season is already affecting a growing number of Oregon Tribes and communities,” said Ed Flick, Director, ODHS Office of Resilience and Emergency Management. “Wildfires can affect people in many ways, even when their homes have not burned. We want people to know there is one place they can call to share what they are experiencing and learn what resources may be available.”

In previous years the hotline has been used to connect people who lost homes in disasters with recovery support. This year, the Oregon Department of Human Services is expanding it to people experiencing a broader range of wildfire impacts.

ODHS has informally coordinated individual assistance following Oregon disasters since 2020. This year, Governor Tina Kotek directed ODHS to be ready to formally activate individual assistance when needed as the state prepares to establish a formal program in 2027 under House Bill 4121.

211info and ODHS will work with local communities to connect people with existing programs and local resources. If those resources are not enough to meet the level of need, ODHS will work with state leaders to identify additional support and funding options.

The hotline does not guarantee financial assistance or eligibility for a particular program. Staff will listen to each caller’s experience, document their needs and help identify available resources and next steps.

Hotline information

• Call: 1-833-699-0554
• Available: 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• Missed calls: Leave a message and your call will be returned within one business day
• Shelter and other immediate resource questions: call 211
• Emergencies or emergency evacuation help: call 911

Third Quarter 2026 Economic and Revenue Forecast
State of Oregon 

Outlook Shows Steady Growth and Limited Recession Risk

Salem, OR – Oregon’s economy continues to demonstrate resilience as state leaders released the Third Quarter 2026 Economic Outlook and Revenue Forecast on August 26. The forecast, presented by State Chief Economist Carl Riccadonna and Senior Economist Michael Kennedy of the Department of Administrative Services Office of Economic Analysis (OEA), to the Senate Committee On Finance and Revenue, provides a transparent look at current economic trends and informs Oregon’s budgeting process for the coming biennium.

A More Balanced Economic Landscape

This quarter’s outlook highlights strengthening domestic demand across the U.S., even as consumers and businesses navigate higher energy costs and ongoing tariffs. Importantly for Oregon, recent state gross domestic product data shows that the state’s growth rate has closed much of the gap with national performance, an encouraging shift after several years of post-pandemic lag. Labor conditions remain stable, supported by a steady unemployment rate. However, inflation pressures continue to affect household budgets and business operations. Despite these headwinds, economists report that recession risks remain largely unchanged from earlier assessments, suggesting no significant increase in downturn likelihood.

Revenue Forecast: A Mixed but Manageable Picture

Revenue is estimated to be up $55 million for the current 2025-27 biennium and $538 million for the 2027-29 biennium compared to the previous forecast. While the overall picture is relatively steady, underlying trends vary:

• Strong withholding receipts are boosting personal income tax projections.
• Estimated corporate income tax payments are lower than expected.
• Estate tax collections continue to trail expectations.
• Higher interest earnings reflect persistently high interest rates.

These mixed indicators suggest the state may be transitioning from slower economic activity in recent years toward anticipated acceleration ahead. With ten months remaining in the biennium, Oregon’s projected General Fund ending balance stands at $400 million.

About the Office of Economic Analysis

The Office of Economic Analysis provides objective forecasts of the state’s economy, revenue, populations, corrections population and Youth Authority population. These forecasts are used across state government and by the public for a variety of reasons, including the state budgeting process. To explore recent reports or learn more about OEA’s forecasting work, visit the Office of Economic Analysis website.

‘Friends for Life’ aims to prevent overdoses among Oregon youth, young adults

New statewide resources give students, families and schools tools to prevent and respond to overdoses

—As students return to high school and college, Oregon and Washington state public health and education leaders are encouraging young people and their loved ones to look out for one another through Friends for Life, a new overdose prevention effort focused on teens and young adults ages 13 to 25.

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), in partnership with the Washington State Health Care Authority, are bringing resources to Oregon to help young people and families talk about fentanyl and other drugs, prevent overdoses, recognize the signs of an overdose and use naloxone.

“Young people want to be there for their friends, so we need to equip young people and the adults in their lives to talk openly about drugs, mental health and supporting each other,” said Tom Jeanne, M.D., MPH, deputy state health officer and deputy epidemiologist at OHA. “With Friends for Life, we’re recognizing the importance of relationships to keep our communities safe and healthy.”

The campaign offers practical, youth-focused resources in English and Spanish at www.orfriendsforlife.com, including information on fentanyl, fake pills, overdose prevention, naloxone, treatment and recovery.

“Our schools play an essential role in helping students build the knowledge, skills and trusted relationships they need to make healthy, informed decisions,” said ODE Director Charlene Williams. “By partnering with families, communities and public health leaders, we can give young people tools to recognize risks, support one another, and know what to do in an emergency.”

Oregon’s overdose deaths have declined over the past two years, reaching a four-year low in 2025. But fentanyl and methamphetamine remain major drivers of overdose deaths, with more than 90% of reported overdose deaths involving fentanyl, methamphetamine or both.

Young people ages 24 and younger accounted for 4% of Oregon’s overdose deaths in 2024. Although youth and young adults represent a small percentage of overdose deaths in Oregon, preventing substance use early in life dramatically reduces future risk of substance use disorder and other related health outcomes. Fifty-nine youth and young adults died from drug overdoses that year, down from 106 in 2023.

Importantly, more than half of youth overdose events involved someone else being present, meaning a friend, family member or other bystander may have been able to call 911 and administer naloxone.

Friends for Life includes:

• A free toolkit for schools and community organizations with materials in seven languages, including posters, wallet cards, rack cards and social media content.
• Technical assistance to help schools and community partners adapt the campaign for their communities.

Oregon’s Friends for Life campaign is supported by federal funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We hope Friends for Life can help us take care of each other by preventing addiction and drug use before it starts, as well as giving people the tools to stay safe,” Jeanne said. Learn more and access resources at www.orfriendsforlife.com.

Klamath Falls Homicide Investigation

On August 27th, 2026, at approximately 10:56 pm, officers with the Klamath Falls Police Department were dispatched to the 1900 block of Wantland Avenue for the report of a male subject who had been shot.

Upon arrival of officers, it was determined that 54-year-old Saul Eduardo Estrada had sustained life threatening injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene.

The Klamath County Major Crime Team was activated and began investigating the incident. The investigation led to multiple search warrants being served and the arrest of 46-year-old Joseph Kerekes.

Joseph Kerekes was lodged at the Klamath County Jail for the charges of Murder II, Unlawful use of a weapon, and Reckless Endangerment. The Klamath County Major Crime Team consists of the Klamath Falls City Police Department, Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, and the Klamath County District Attorney’s Office.

If you have any information regarding this incident, we encourage you to contact the Klamath Falls Police Department at 541-883-5336.

New survey asks Oregonians how they want transportation dollars spent

The group tasked with developing recommendations on how to maintain Oregon’s transportation system wants to hear from Oregonians about what they think the state’s transportation priorities should be in a new survey.   Oregonians can take the survey online at https://www.cognitoforms.com/ODOT2/ROTVSurvey.  

The Oregon Department of Transportation is facing a $200 million budget shortfall in the 2027-29 budget cycle. The gap marks the fifth budget cycle in a row where the agency will have to cut services and staff unless the Oregon Legislature finds a way to provide additional revenue. The agency’s budget shortfall stems from the rising cost of materials and labor, as well as flattening gas tax revenue as more people drive fuel-efficient and electric vehicles.

After spearheading several unsuccessful attempts at finding new revenue for the state’s massive transportation agency, Gov. Tina Kotek convened 12 transportation and business experts to participate in a workgroup to help come up with solutions to the agency’s budget gap. The group has until the end of the year to deliver funding recommendations to Kotek, though lawmakers asked to receive recommendations earlier.

The survey asks Oregonians their top six transportation priorities, how they think the agency should spend its limited funding and what reductions would impact them the most. 

Oregonians have until 6 p.m. Sept. 10 to complete the survey. Oregonians can also send their feedback to the workgroup’s email at rebuildingtransportation@odot.oregon.gov. — (SOURCE)

Seaside Postmaster Charged with Distribution & Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

—The Seaside Postmaster has been charged with possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material and production of obscene visual representations of child sexual abuse, announced U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon

Ryan Sherman, 36, has been charged by criminal complaint and made his initial appearance in federal court today.

According to court documents, Sherman was in possession of dozens of images and videos of child sexual abuse material. In addition to possessing images and videos Sheman produced obscene child sexual abuse images for people he talked to on the internet, taking innocuous photographs of children and using artificial intelligence (AI) to turn them into obscene images. Sherman exchanged child abuse material on SimpleX with other members of a chat group. When asked by an individual seeking obscene images whether he had any limit to the images he would or could create, defendant bragged that he had “none.” Sherman occupies a position of trust as the Postmaster for Seaside, Oregon.

On August 25, 2026, Sherman was arrested in Seaside, Oregon.

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

The FBI and Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case, with assistance from the Seaside Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha Geiling is prosecuting the case.

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

OHCS’ Long-Term Rent Assistance Program Helps More Than 1,900 Households Maintain Stable Housing Statewide

Program provides ongoing rental assistance and services to help Oregonians avoid homelessness

— More than 1,900 households and 3,000 Oregonians have had access to long-term rental assistance and supportive service since July 1, 2025, through an Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) program designed to help people remain safely and stably housed after exiting homelessness. The program recently expanded beyond Oregon’s more populous counties, now reaching rural communities across the state.

“Long term rental assistance is a lifeline for thousands of Oregonians. Oregonians are what make Oregon special and they should not have to face the impossible choice of fighting to pay rent or pay for other basic needs,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “Rural communities across Oregon know their neighbors and their needs, and long-term rental assistance gives local partners the flexibility and resources to deliver.”

While the largest number of households have been served in Deschutes, Lane, Washington, Jackson, and Multnomah counties, the program is also demonstrating significant demand in rural Oregon. In just under nine months since expanding to counties in the Balance of State, more than 500 people have received assistance. This includes households in Curry, Benton, and Clatsop Counties, as well as Eastern Oregon communities in Umatilla, Morrow, Gilliam, and Wheeler Counties.

“LTRA funding enables CAPECO to continue serving households whose housing situations remain fragile and who might otherwise return to homelessness” said Claudia Limón, program director at Community Action Program of East Central Oregon (CAPECO). “By providing ongoing support and resources, we can help families maintain stability, preserve their housing, and build a stronger foundation for long-term success.

The growing reach of the program reflects an important piece of Oregon’s response to homelessness: helping people not only move into housing but remain there.

LTRA provides rental subsidies and supportive services to eligible households to increase housing access and long-term stability for people exiting homelessness. The program was created in connection with Oregon’s emergency homelessness response to ensure people rehoused through state investments could access longer-term assistance when needed rather than risk returning to homelessness.

“LTRA has made a meaningful difference for households across Wasco, Sherman, and Hood River Counties by providing the stability they need to remain housed,” said Mid-Columbia Community Action Council Housing Stabilization Manager Mitzi Mason. “It gives us the opportunity to work alongside families and individuals during that period of stability, helping them build the skills, connections, and resources they need to maintain housing long-term. We’re seeing firsthand that when people have the security of a stable home, they have the time and space to focus on the other barriers that may have kept them from being stably housed in the past.”

For some households, the difference between becoming homeless again and remaining housed can be the availability of consistent assistance after short-term support ends. LTRA can help with rent and utilities and provide supportive services intended to address the individual circumstances that can threaten a household’s housing stability.

“We have a client that received a no-cause eviction,” said Clatsop Community Action Social Service Program Manager Merrill Mathre. “We entered the client in the LTRA program, and the client was rehoused within a week and is excited to continue her college education. As soon as she has graduated and is employed, she should be sustainable.”

The program also recognizes that homelessness and housing challenges can vary greatly from one community to another. LTRA is administered regionally and gives communities flexibility to decide how best to serve eligible households based on local needs. That flexibility can be particularly important in rural Oregon, where communities may face limited rental inventories, long distances between services, and other challenges that differ significantly from those in larger urban areas.

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 with low and moderate incomes. 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.

Public invited to comment on plan to possibly triple logging in eastern Oregon national forests

The U.S. Forest Service’s proposed revisions to the Blue Mountain Forest Plan would allow more logging and taking older trees in the name of wildfire prevention

Officials at the U.S. Forest Service are proposing new management plans for eastern Oregon’s Blue Mountains that include potentially tripling the amount of logging across 5.5 million acres in the next decade.

The Forest Service published a draft of proposed changes to the 35-year-old Blue Mountain Forest Plan last week. It would allow more logging, mining and grazing across four national forests spread across eastern Oregon, as well as parts of southeast Washington: the Malheur, Ochoco, Wallowa-Whitman and Umatilla National Forests.

The public has until Sept. 30 to submit comments on the 350-page draft proposal.Submit comments on the revised Blue Mountain Forest Plan here.

The draft plan describes increases in logging and animal grazing as important to local economies and to preventing wildfire.

It predicts everything from habitat conservation to forest carbon storage would improve over the long term if more logging is allowed because strategically logging and grazing parts of the forest would prevent wildfire, which officials characterize as the biggest threat to habitat and forest loss.

Environmental advocates disagree with the framing.

The Blue Mountains encompass Oregon’s largest protected wilderness areas. Conservation groups have expressed concern and outrage over the draft management plan, which they say could exacerbate area drought and water quality issues, wildfire risks and impact habitat for elk, wolverine, wolves, moose, owls and salmon.

“This plan seeks to open up and pillage one of the wildest places left in the U.S.,” Lauren Anderson, a climate forests manager at the nonprofit Oregon Wild, said in a statement. “The Trump administration is already taking a hatchet to protections for water, wildlife and the public’s voice. This plan is that philosophy in action, putting at risk the very values that make the Blue Mountains special.”

Bev Law, a forest scientist and professor emerita at Oregon State University who has studied extensively the potential forest carbon storage in Oregon forests, found that protected wilderness areas in the Blue Mountains contain the second highest proportion of above-ground carbon stocks in all of Oregon’s protected wilderness areas.

Nick Smith, a spokesperson for the American Forest Resource Council, a trade association representing the timber industry, said in a statement that the group is still reviewing the proposed updates but that change is overdue.

“These national forests face some of the highest wildfire, insect and disease risks in the West. At the same time, the region is steadily losing the sawmills, logging contractors and the skilled workforce needed to carry out active forest management and provide markets for the material that needs to come out of the woods,” he said.

The draft Blue Mountain Management Plan proposal also includes rescinding a 32-year-old rule called the Eastside Screens that prohibits logging trees that are 21 inches in diameter or larger on six eastern Oregon and Washington national forests. Forest Service officials attempted to rescind the rule during the first Trump administration, but conservation groups sued and it was blocked by a federal judge.

Forest Service officials have argued that some younger trees that grow fast should be able to be removed even if they are more than 21 inches in diameter, because they are crowding out other tree species that take longer to grow but are important to the forest ecosystems.

The proposal also assumes Congress will soon rescind the 25-year-old Roadless Rule, which prohibits road construction, logging and mining on roughly 60 million acres of public land, including about 2 million acres of forests in Oregon. That alone would increase the amount of land classified as open for logging in the Blue Mountains by 17%, according to the draft.

Most of the increased logging would take place in the Malheur National Forest, followed by the Wallowa-Whitman and then Umatilla national forests. (SOURCE)

Southern Oregon Wine Institute Celebrates Four Wine Medals with September 5 Event

ROSEBURG, Ore — The Southern Oregon Wine Institute (SOWI) at Umpqua Community College will celebrate four recent wine competition medals with Four Medals. Two Wines. One Celebration. on Saturday, September 5, from noon to 5 p.m.

SOWI’s 2023 Pinot Noir earned Double Gold at the Pacific Northwest Wine Competition and Bronze at the West Coast College & University Wine Festival. The 2023 Tempranillo earned Gold at the West Coast College & University Wine Festival and Silver at the Pacific Northwest Wine Competition.

During the September 5 event, guests can taste the award-winning 2023 Pinot Noir and Tempranillo alongside their newly released 2024 vintages. The afternoon will also feature small food pairings, additional SOWI wines at the Discovery Bar, and optional behind-the-scenes winery tours with Winemaker Joel Goodwillie.

Admission includes featured wine tastings, food pairings, the Discovery Bar, an optional winery tour, and a $10 credit toward wine purchased during the event.

Four Medals. Two Wines. One Celebration. will take place Saturday, September 5, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Southern Oregon Wine Institute at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg. Advance tickets are encouraged, and winery tour space is limited. Tickets and event information: Umpqua.edu/WineryEvents

Oregon Coast Astronomy Festival brings star parties, photography, hikes & more Sept. 10-12

COOS BAY, Oregon— The Sunset Bay Astronomy Festival returns to Sunset Bay and Shore Acres state parks near Coos Bay for a three-day event Sept. 10-12. 

Activities include guided hikes, interpretive programs including a night-sky photography workshop on Sept. 10 and 11 and a star party each night. 

“The astronomy festival takes place around the Sunset Bay management unit, with most activities centered at Sunset Bay and Shore Acres, and the event has grown in popularity over the years. It’s a fun way to experience the park at night and enjoy stargazing along the coast. This year we have an incredible team of volunteers and some very impressive telescopes, so we’re excited to welcome visitors—and keeping our fingers crossed for clear skies!” said Park Manager Lee Ricci.
 

The astronomy festival gives visitors a chance to see and learn more about the night sky. NOTE: Outdoor events are weather dependent. 

Thursday Activities:

• 2 p.m.: Our Star, The Sun solar viewing @ Sunset Bay Campground Interpretive Center
• 5 to 6:30 p.m.: Night Sky Photography Workshop. Sign up required. Email icci@oprd.oregon.gov“>Lee.Ricci@oprd.oregon.gov to sign up.
• 7:30 p.m.: How We Find Our Way in the Dark @ Shore Acres Garden
• 8 p.m.: Star Party with telescopes @ Shore Acres Garden
• Webpage with complete Thursday schedule

(Parking Permit is $10 per vehicle and required to park at all parking lots in the Sunset Bay Management Unity, including Sunset Bay Day-use areas and Shore Acres Day-use areas.) 

Friday Activities:

• 2 p.m.: Solar Viewing @ Sunset Bay Interpretive Center
• 4 p.m.: Earth: An Ocean Planet (guided hike) @ Shore Acres Observation Building
• 5 to 6:30 p.m.: Night Sky Photography Workshop. Sign up required. Email icci@oprd.oregon.gov“>Lee.Ricci@oprd.oregon.gov to sign up.
• 7:30: Imagining Other Worlds evening program @ Shore Acres Garden
• 8 p.m.: Star Party with telescopes @ Shore Acres Garden
• Webpage with complete Friday schedule

(Parking Permit is $10 per vehicle and required to park at all parking lots in the Sunset Bay Management Unity, including Sunset Bay Day-use areas and Shore Acres Day-use areas.) 

Saturday Activities:

• 2 p.m.: Solar Viewing with special telescope @ Shore Acres Observation Building
• 4 p.m.: How to Talk to Aliens – Even if You’re Shy @ Shore Acres Observation Building
• 7:30 p.m.: Exploring the Universe evening program at Shore Acres Garden
• 8 p.m.: Star Party with telescopes @ Shore Acres Garden
• Webpage with complete Saturday schedule

(Parking Permit is $10 per vehicle and required to park at all parking lots in the Sunset Bay Management Unity, including Sunset Bay Day-use areas and Shore Acres Day-use areas.)

L. L. Stub Stewart and Rooster Rock State Parks will host OMSI Star Parties this summer

— L.L. Stub Stewart and Rooster Rock State Parks will celebrate the night sky with free stargazing parties in July, August and September.

The parks are partnering with OMSI and Rose City Astronomers to host an OMSI Star Party 2026, which includes a presentation at dusk and stargazing from 9 to 11 p.m. Telescopes will be provided by volunteers, and visitors are welcome to bring their own. Depending on the weather, stargazers will search out stars, the moon, and planets.

“We love helping people experience the park in a different way. After dark, everything feels calmer, quieter, and a little more magical,” shared Park Ranger Jeremy Williams at L. L. Stub Stewart State Park.

These events are free. Parking in the day-use areas requires a $10 parking permit per vehicle or you can use an annual parking pass if you have one.

Visitors are encouraged to bring their own chairs, blankets, warm clothing, snacks and water. Bug repellent is always a good idea. Please use red flashlights to avoid interfering with the dark sky viewing. You can also cover your flashlight or smartphone with red electrical tape.

Star maps will be provided along with recommended astronomy apps that visitors can load on their phones if interested.

Visitors should arrive early to familiarize themselves with the area and park only in designated spaces. Overnight camping is not permitted in day-use areas, though campground reservations are available at stateparks.oregon.gov.

On the scheduled day for OMSI Star Parties, visitors should visit the OMSI website for possible weather-related cancellations. The long-range forecast looks promising for excellent viewing.

“Whether you come to Rooster Rock to count Perseids or simply to spend a peaceful evening under the stars, the meteor shower is a wonderful excuse to slow down, look up, and experience the Gorge in a whole new light”, said Park Ranger Elika Paki at Rooster Rock. “And if you lose track of how many shooting stars you’ve seen, don’t worry, that just means you’re doing it right.”

All events begin at dusk. We recommend arriving early to accommodate parking. Parks will close at 11:45 p.m.

Equinox Celebration | Saturday, September 12 at L. L. Stub Stewart State Park

You can find additional details about the event, parking logistics, whether pets are allowed, and how to request accessibility accommodations on the L.L. Stub Stewart State Park and Rooster Rock State Park event pages, and the OMSI event page.

Oregon State Parks often hosts stargazing events across the state. More opportunities can be found on Oregon State Parks’ event page.

High Desert Museum · Congratulations to Alexa Hagerty, winner of the 12th annual Waterston Desert Writing Prize!

Alexa, a writer and anthropologist, was recognized for “Salt, Cloud, Ghost: A Journey through Desert, Deep Time, and Digital Age,” a journey through Chile’s Atacama Desert where the extraction of minerals and data for AI meets the region’s long history of colonialism, dictatorship and disappearance.

She’s also the author of “Still Life with Bones: Genocide, Forensics, and What Remains,” a New York Times Editors’ Choice, one of the New Yorker Best Books of the Year, and winner of the 2024 Juan E. Méndez Book Award for Human Rights in Latin America.

Join us at the Museum on September 17 to celebrate Alexa and hear from keynote speaker Joy Harjo, the 23rd U.S. Poet Laureate. Tickets are $10, with a 20% discount for members.Get your tickets: https://ow.ly/hG2S50ZB6Xn

Check out Oregon State Parks with your library card

Borrow an Oregon State Parks parking permit for free at 82 libraries statewide.

– Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (ORPD) and the State Library of Oregon are partnering to offer free state parks parking permits to Oregon public libraries. There are currently 200 parking permits available at 82 libraries across the state.

“Oregon’s state parks are for everyone,” said OPRD deputy director JR Collier. “As we assess ways to manage our budget responsibly, we also want to uplift equitable access to our parks.”

Each participating library received up to four parking permits. These are the physical hang tags you check out from the library and put in your car. The permit covers parking in all Oregon State Parks day-use areas for one vehicle. Go to the Oregon State Parks website to find participating libraries. All you need to participate is your library card.

“Libraries help make life more affordable for Oregonians. This program leverages the existing borrowing system to help connects folks of all income levels with the beauty and splendor of Oregon’s State Parks,” said Wendy Cornelisen, State Librarian.

Both OPRD and the State Library contributed 100 parking permits to the program to distribute to libraries. The agencies determined how many passes each library would receive based on interest from the library, its proximity to a park charging a day use fee, and the size of the population it serves. The State Library purchased permits with Library Services and Technology Act funds from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.

OPRD first distributed parking permits to 28 libraries as part of a year-long pilot program starting in August 2024. Those passes were checked out more than 2,100 times. At the pilot’s conclusion, OPRD evaluated how to best move the program forward in the context of its changing fees. In 2027, OPRD and the State Library will continue to explore options for an expanded long-term program that will serve even more libraries and people in Oregon. Learn more about the OPRD Library Pass Program.

Oregon state agencies remind everyone to be informed and prepared 

— With the National Weather Service issuing a fire weather watchs  across large portions of north‑central, northeast and southeast Oregon, the state’s public safety services, natural resource agencies, and tourism office want to remind residents and visitors to practice wildfire prevention, prepare their home and a go-bag for evacuation, and know where to go for real-time alerts and information. 

According to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center’s predictive services, each year the Pacific Northwest is at elevated risk of significant fires from now until October.

With fire crews responding to new fire starts every day, Oregonians and our visitors need to be prepared for wildfires, help prevent future ones, and be aware of up-to-date conditions as they travel across the state.

How can people help prevent wildfires?

The Oregon Department of Forestry is urging the public to actively practice wildfire prevention as the state continues to put out new fires every day. Additional human-caused fires on the landscape will draw the firefighting efforts away from the lightning-caused fires and put extra strain on ground and aviation resources, which are already spread thin. YOU can help prevent wildfires by:

• Checking and following your local fire regulations. The majority of the state is either in high or extreme fire danger right now, meaning even the smallest of sparks could start the next large wildfire.
• Debris burning may be prohibited where you live.
  • Check local restrictions or contact your local ODF office.
  • Return to check on your burn site if you burned earlier in the year.
• Make sure your car has been recently serviced to avoid faulty parts throwing sparks.
• Don’t drag tow chains.
• Avoid parking vehicles on tall, dry grass.
• Recreate responsibly. Where campfires are allowed, make sure your campfire is DEAD OUT before leaving it by drowning it with water, stirring it with a shovel and repeating that process until it is cold to the touch. If there is heat coming off it, there are still embers that could reignite.

Take Simple Steps to Protect Your Home from Wildfire

The Oregon State Fire Marshal reminds Oregonians that summer is not the safest time to tackle large landscaping or defensible space projects. Hot, dry conditions increase the risk of starting a fire from using tools or equipment. There are small, safe steps you can take now to reduce wildfire risk around your home. The Oregon State Fire Marshal encourages everyone to plan ahead and do light cleanup tasks that protect your property without increasing fire danger.

Easy tasks to reduce risk in the first five feet around your home:

• Clear leaves, pine needles, and other debris from your roof, gutters, and under decks.
• Trim plants and bushes that are touching your home or growing under roof eaves. Give trees and shrubs space from each other and from structures.
• Remove dead plants and wood mulch. Use nonflammable materials like rocks or gravel near your home. Avoid bark mulch or dry grasses right next to buildings.
• Move firewood, propane tanks, and other flammable items at least five feet away from your home.
• Cover attic vents, soffit vents, and spaces under decks with 1/8-inch metal mesh to block embers.

Avoid using power tools or equipment that could spark a fire, especially during the heat of the day. Summer is a good time to plan defensible space projects, so you’re ready to work safely once wildfire season ends.

For more tips or help with defensible space, visit www.oregondefensiblespace.org or https://preventwildfires.oregon.gov.

How can I prepare myself in case I need to evacuate?

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) urges everyone to prepare for wildfires and other emergencies by knowing evacuation levels, staying informed, having a plan, and having a go-kit ready.

Evacuation Levels

• Oregon follows a three-level evacuation notification system, each structured around safety threat level.
• Oregonians should become familiar with “Be Ready, Be Set, Go!” evacuation levels to make informed decisions when receiving evacuation notices.
• OEM urges people to evacuate whenever they feel unsafe, conditions can change rapidly; individuals should always make the best decision for their safety.
• Following evacuation, people should not return to the area until public safety officials state it is safe.

Stay Informed

• Stay informed, sign up to receive evacuation at, ORAlert.gov remember to update information if need be.
• Find the websites for your county emergency management, sheriff’s office, or tribal police and follow them on social media.
• Check your phone settings to ensure wireless emergency alerts are turned on.
• Build redundancy into how you can access alerts. Have a personal C.E plan for what you will do if your cell phone stops working. A good place to start is a hand-cranked NOAA radio.
• If you use a third-party app for alerts and situational awareness and notice discrepancy information, default to the information provided by your local emergency management office.

Have a Plan

• Do you know what to do during an evacuation? This evacuation checklist explains what to do before, during and after an evacuation.
• Establish a communication plan with a list of important contacts and a safe place for loved ones to meet if they are separated during an emergency.
• Identify multiple evacuation routes from home, work, or school and plan for transportation needs.
• People with disabilities should consider individual circumstances and specific needs when planning for evacuation, such as special equipment, transportation, and service animals. Then plan extra time, when possible, this may mean treating a level 2 notice like a level 3 notice.
• Have an evacuation plan for pets, make a pet evacuation kit in a tote bag or pet crate, and plan for transportation and sheltering of large animals such as horses and other livestock.

Make a Go-Kit

• Assemble an emergency kit of essential supplies that can be grabbed quickly.
• Pack an easy-to-carry backpack or bag for each household member with health and safety items such as food, water, medication, flashlights, phone chargers, clothing, and important documents. Visit American Red Cross to learn more.
• Find more information and resources at Wildfire.Oregon.gov.

Recreate Responsibly

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) encourages visitors to know before they go when it comes to campfire restrictions. OPRD coordinates with local fire officials throughout the summer and bans open flames in high-risk areas around the state until conditions improve. Please check park webpages or the current fire restrictions list before your next visit. Thank you for helping to reduce the risk of wildfires.

Additionally, many waterways in eastern Oregon are currently being used by firefighting aircraft. Stay clear of the center of major waterways. Recreational boats can block aircraft from accessing the water, which means they will not be able to retrieve water to help put out nearby wildfires.

Occasionally, OPRD will need to evacuate a state park. Evacuations occur at level 2 or earlier depending on fire conditions and the time required to get in and out of the park. Please follow park ranger instructions to pack gear and evacuate. Any park closure information will be posted on the park web page and OPRD social media.

How do I know if I should change my vacation plans? 

Oregon is a large state, and while wildfires can disrupt travel in some regions, those impacts are often localized and can change rapidly as conditions improve or deteriorate. Because of this, it’s important to check current alerts at the resources below to see whether your destination is affected. If you’re looking for general guidance about traveling during wildfire season, read Travel Oregon’s Wildfire Travel FAQ.

Before You Go:

• Check road conditions at TripCheck.com or by calling 511. 
• Review and follow all local fire restrictions and closures. 
• Be aware of air quality conditions that could impact health and visibility. 
• View real-time hazard updates, maps, and fire information through OEM’s Wildfire Dashboard. 
• Sign up for emergency alerts at ORAlert.gov and ensure Wireless Emergency Alerts are enabled on your mobile device. 

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 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.

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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