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, January 26, 2026
Willamette Valley Weather
Winter is here! Here’s the overview of our winter outlook, but be sure to check out what we’re predicting in your area: https://www.farmersalmanac.com/extended-forecast
Only Grocery Store in Drain Closing
Ray’s Food Place is the only grocery store in Drain and it’ is going to close next month. The last day is set for February 13. This follows the US Bank across from Ray’s Food Place which shut down on January 15th.
Drain, Oregon, known as the “Gateway to the Pacific,” is a historic timber community in Douglas County located 8 miles west of I-5 (Exit 162). It serves as a, scenic, direct access point to the Oregon Coast via Highway 38, which runs west to Reedsport (roughly 55 miles away).
C&K Market, a Medford based company, owns Ray’s Food Place, and announced the closure of the Drain location on January13. Their president, Rocky Campbell, provided the following statement: “This was not an easy decision. The Drain community welcomed us into their daily lives, and we are sincerely thankful for the strong relationships built along the way.”
The closest grocery store for Drain residents will soon be a at least a 15 to 20 minute drive away. Their only choices for getting groceries is either going to Cottage Grove or Roseburg. This will impact people too who have long made it a point to stop in Drain before heading to the coast.
Eugene and around the state, as well as all across our country hold Candlelight Vigils for Alex Pretti
Eugene event puts focus on improving safety, health for workers with training, learning opportunities
A two-day event in Eugene will offer employers and workers opportunities to hear from experts about how to create and maintain safe and healthy working conditions. Topics include everything from the importance of safety committees and the keys to a successful safety culture to best practices for electrical safety and tips on designing a strong heat-illness prevention program.
Oregon Occupational Safety and Health (Oregon OSHA) – a division of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services – joins the Cascade Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals and Lane County Human Resource Association in encouraging employers and workers to attend the 21st biennial Cascade Occupational Safety and Health Conference, to be held March 3-4 at the Graduate by Hilton Eugene, 66 E. Sixth Ave.
On Tuesday, March 3, the conference will feature a keynote presentation by Dale Lesinski, vice president of DiVal Safety Equipment. His presentation, “Safe 4 the Right Reasons,” will show attendees how delivering a personal reason to adopt safe behaviors is essential to achieving desirable outcomes. Making safety and health personal, and appealing to human nature – along with positive messages – lead to safe and healthy behaviors that are sustainable, according to Lesinski.
Lesinski will also conduct a breakout session focusing on the keys to building a successful safety culture, including employee engagement, sustainability, safety messaging, emotional intelligence, and organizational safety structure.
The Cascade Occupational Safety and Health Conference also features a special networking event at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3. The event involves the Cascade Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals, Women in Safety Excellence, and the Lane County Human Resource Association. It will provide attendees an opportunity to meet safety and health professionals in the region and to learn about the organizations. Light refreshments will be served. Those interested may RSVP to Leigh Manning, leiman@saif.com, by Saturday, Feb. 28. Attendees will receive an email confirmation before the event.
The conference, which includes awards, exhibits, and lunch, offers a variety of workplace safety and health topics. They include:
- I’m on the Safety Committee, Now What?
- Oregon’s Best-Kept Secret: Unlocking the Employer-at-Injury and Preferred Worker Programs
- Fall Protection: Formal Equipment Inspections
- Make the Unseen Seen: Managing Psychosocial Risks at Work
- Is It Getting Hot in Here? Oregon OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention Rule Requirements
- Is That Confined Space Permit Required? Yes or No?
- Foundation of Trust
- What to Expect from an Oregon OSHA Inspection
- Behavioral Health Emergency and Disaster Management
- Confined Space: Elements of an Effective Program
Registration for the two-day event is $295. Tuesday-only attendance is $150. Wednesday-only attendance is $150. Register now: safetyseries.cventevents.com/cascade26. For more information about Oregon OSHA safety and health conferences, go online, send an email to egon.conferences@dcbs.oregon.gov“>oregon.conferences@dcbs.oregon.gov, or call 503-947-7411.
### About Oregon OSHA: Oregon OSHA enforces the state’s workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit osha.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.
The 2026 Mayor’s Art Show is on Display at the Hult Center
The 2026 Mayor’s Art Show is on display at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts in Eugene through February 22, featuring over 50 local artists in the Maurie Jacobs Community Room, main lobby, and upper balcony. The exhibition, celebrating local creativity, is free to the public and open Tuesday-Friday 12-5 p.m. and Saturday 12-3 p.m.
For 2026, MAS will be on display in three locations within the Hult Center for the Performing Arts: the lower level (Maurie Jacobs Community room), the main lobby and the upper balcony. Artwork was selected by a committee of artists and arts professionals and curated to highlight the creativity and accomplishments of artists who enrich our community through visual arts every day.
- Location: Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Eugene, OR.
- Dates: January 6 – February 22, 2026.
- Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 12-5 p.m.; Saturday, 12-3 p.m..
- Highlights: Features 50+ local artists, with selections from the Maude Kerns Art Center’s Teen Mayor’s Art Show.
- Action: Visitors can vote for the People’s Choice Award.
Police Seek Leads After Man Found Dead in Cottage Grove
UPDATE @ 1/21/2026 4:21pm: The victim in the shooting death from yesterday has been identified as Eusebio Pablo Pablo age 50 of Cottage Grove. The death is being investigated as a homicide. There is no new suspect information to share at this time. There is no further information available at this time.
On January 20, 2026 at about 5:30 AM officers with the Cottage Grove Police Department responded to a report of a male who was found on the ground, unconscious and bleeding in the 1500 Block of HWY 99 in Cottage Grove.
When officers arrived, they found an adult male with an apparent gunshot wound. Officers attempted CPR but the male was pronounced deceased at the scene after medics arrived.
Witnesses in the area reported hearing gunshots and seeing an unknown person wearing dark clothing running from the area. No suspects have been identified or located at this time.
The name of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. This is an active investigation and the Cottage Grove Police Department is being assisted by the Lane County Sheriff’s Office and the Lane County District Attorney’s Office. If anyone has any information about this investigation, they are asked to call the Cottage Grove Police Department at 541-942-9145 ext. 1.
Love is in the air this February – Lane County Clerk’s Office performing Valentine’s Day marriage ceremonies
The Lane County Clerk’s Office will help couples tie the knot or renew their vows on Valentine’s Day this year.
“What better day to marry your sweetheart than on Valentine’s Day?” said Lane County Clerk Tommy Gong. “All of us at the Clerk’s Office are excited to be able to offer couples the opportunity to schedule marriage ceremonies on the holiday this year.”
There are 32 slots available to schedule on a first come, first served basis. Ceremonies will be conducted in 30-minute intervals from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 14, at the County Clerk’s Office at 125 E. 8th Avenue, Eugene.
Four Clerk’s Office employees will officiate the marriages.
To schedule a ceremony, couples must first obtain a valid marriage license from the Clerk’s Office (125 E. 8th Avenue, Eugene). To obtain a marriage license, couples fill out the online Marriage License Application and then must visit the Clerk’s Office at least three days before the ceremony to complete the license process. Couples already married may consider renewing their vows on Valentine’s Day too; no new marriage license required.
The marriage license fee is $60 and a marriage officiated by the County Clerk is $117. Additional details, including license requirements and scheduling information, can be found on the Lane County Clerk’s website.
By Name List will be Utilized in 2026 for Homeless Count
The 2026 Lane County Point in Time Count (PIT) will not be conducted this year. The practice of doing a Point in Time count began in 2005, with an annual requirement for conducting a sheltered count, and a biennial requirement for conducting an unsheltered count. At that time the count was the most reliable way of tracking trends related to homelessness and the Poverty and Homelessness Board chose to do the count annually. Thanks to technological and process innovations, the Lane County Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) system and its By Name List, has become a much more accurate, reliable and dynamic way to track trends on a monthly and yearly basis.
Over 30 agencies and 140 different programs enter data into the HMIS system on a daily basis. This equates to high system coverage and data quality. In fact, the OR-500 CoC has been primarily utilizing a modified version of the HBNL to conduct the PIT count since 2021. The only “street count” that has occurred since that time, with HUD’s authorization, is within targeted areas and completed by trained street outreach workers in order to identify those least likely to be included in the HMIS. In the past several counts, fewer than 130 people on average have been added to the primary count completed through HMIS. Community members are encouraged to review the By Name List Tableau pages to learn more about homelessness in Lane County.
Full unsheltered PIT Counts are required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on a every other year basis and are not a requirement of the State of Oregon. As Lane County conducted an unsheltered count in calendar year 2025, there is no requirement for Lane County to conduct an unsheltered PIT Count in 2026.
The sheltered count is required by HUD and is derived solely from HMIS and made up of data entered daily by local shelter and transitional housing programs. Lane County will submit the sheltered count as required. A 2027 unsheltered PIT Count is expected to occur. To learn more about the shelter beds and other programs in Lane County visit the Homeless Response System Inventory Tableau pages.
Lane County recruiting for task force that will develop new land banking program for housing production
A new seven-member task force will be responsible for creating the priorities and goals, measures of success, reporting standards, and other requirements for Lane County’s new housing land banking program.
“We desperately need housing in Lane County,” said Lane County Housing Production Manager Eric Mongan. “While Lane County Government doesn’t directly develop real estate, we can and should have a role in identifying buildable land that can be purchased and incentivized for housing development.”
The task force will create the framework for the program, which will then be adopted by the Board of County Commissioners. The program is funded with $2 million in Oregon Video Lottery funding.
Letters of interest must be submitted by February 9, 2026. The Board of County Commissioners will appoint five of the task force members in early March with the County Administrator selecting the remaining two members. The task force will begin meeting in March and is expected to hold between six and eight one-hour meetings over the course of several months. – More information and application materials are available at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/HousingTaskForce.
NW Natural has released a multi language notice that will also go to every customer regarding how to best identify a NW Natural Utility Worker when they come to your home or are nearby.
There has been reports of ICE agents disguising as utility workers to lure people out of their homes. Please stay aware.
“We are aware of reports of individuals impersonating utility workers in order to gain access to residents. Please note:
Our workers who show up at your home should either be wearing a uniform and a utility badge or wearing a badge that says “CONTRACTOR.” Their vehicles should be similarly marked with a NW Natural company logo and/or “CONTRACTOR.”
If someone comes to your house and asks for access to your home or for you to come outside:
- Our employees will never ask for immediate access to customers’ homes. They often will go to a back or side yard to access a meter.
- In most situations, if there is a reason a NW Natural employee would need to go inside a customer’s home (such as a safety check or inspection), they would have set this up with the customer in advance.
If you want to verify if someone at your home is a NW Natural employee or contractor, you can call our customer service line at 503-226-4211 or 800-422-4012. If you suspect an imposter, call 9-1-1 immediately.” https://www.nwnatural.com/…/2025-utility-and-contactor…
Survey asking residents how they protect themselves, their homes, and community from wildfire
Lane County Emergency Management is asking people to take a short survey to help local agencies better understand how households and communities are taking action at the household level to reduce wildfire risk. The survey is intended to help Lane County identify what actions people are taking in their community as well as the barriers that prevent households from acting. The survey is available through January 30, 2026.
The survey is available in English and Spanish:
- Take the Wildfire Risk Reduction Survey in English
- Completa la encuesta sobre reducción del riesgo de incendios forestales en español
The QR codes attached can also be used to access the survey in English and Spanish.
The survey is part of Lane County’s work with the Oregon Department of Forestry and other partners to update the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). The plan was last updated in 2020.
A successful CWPP provides a community with a set of goals, actions and resources specifically designed to address the threat of wildfire. These goals, actions and resources can help:
- enhance public safety
- improve economic resiliency through the identification and protection of critical infrastructure and businesses at risk
- restore and protect ecosystem health
- raise public awareness about wildfire risks
- inform landowners and property owners of their shared responsibility in wildfire protection
- build new partnerships between local, state, and federal firefighting agencies, community organizations, and businesses
An up-to-date CWPP is also required before local communities can receive funding for hazard mitigation and recovery work through the National Fire Plan, FEMA mitigation grants and other resources. Please consider taking 15–20 minutes to weigh in and complete the survey!
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
Too many seniors in Lane County spend their days in silence – without food, warmth, or a friendly face. You can change that and make a difference in our community.
Senior & Disability Services is urging residents to support the Senior Meals Program, which includes Meals on Wheels, by volunteering or donating. Volunteers play a crucial role in delivering meals, providing companionship, and conducting safety checks for homebound seniors.
“We are needing volunteers to step up across the county and help us deliver meals, help us package meals in order to meet the growing demand of Meals on Wheels across our community,” said Marisa Andrews, community program manager, Lane County Senior and Disability Services.
The organization is also participating in a national campaign by Meals on Wheels America to highlight senior isolation, inspired by the carol “Silent Night.” This campaign emphasizes the importance of community support, especially as demand for services rises amid federal funding cuts. See REEL: https://www.facebook.com/reel/707071019133999
Community members are encouraged to volunteer for Meals on Wheels or Café 60, ensuring these vital services continue. For those unable to volunteer, donations to the Senior Meals Program can help ensure no senior is left hungry or alone this season. Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LCOGSeniorAndDisabilityServices
Join the Senior Meals Program as a volunteer and help ensure no senior is left hungry or alone. Every meal delivered is more than food – it’s a lifeline. 
Sign up to volunteer today: https://bit.ly/3I8T7eP
Update on Lane County PacificSource,Trillium and OHP
Effective February 1, 2026, PacificSource Community Solutions is no longer a Coordinated Care Organization (CCO) in Lane County, with roughly 90,000 Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members transitioning to Trillium Community Health Plan. This change, caused by contract negotiations regarding reimbursement rates, aims to ensure continuous coverage, with most members automatically moving to Trillium. Key Updates and Actions for Members
- Transition to Trillium: Most OHP members, including those with Medicare (“dual eligible”), are moving to Trillium, which will become the primary CCO in the area.
- No Loss of Coverage: OHP benefits remain the same, and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is ensuring uninterrupted coverage.
- New Member ID Cards: Members will receive new Trillium ID cards before the February 1, 2026, transition.
- Provider Continuity (Transition of Care): Trillium is allowing temporary, continued access to current PacificSource providers for 30 days (physical/dental) to 60/90 days (behavioral/complex care).
- Exceptions: Some members, such as American Indian/Alaska Native, may move to OHP Open Card (fee-for-service) instead of Trillium, with the option to choose to move to Trillium.
Important Information for Providers
- Transition of Care Period: Trillium is encouraging providers to continue treating members during the transition, allowing for 30, 60, or 90 days of care, depending on the service type and member needs.
- Formulary and Prescriptions: Trillium is working with providers to transition prescriptions to its formulary, allowing 30 days for switches.
- Waitlist/Network Concerns: While some providers have reported issues with the onboarding process, Trillium has indicated they have the capacity to handle the influx of new members.
For the latest, direct information, members and providers should monitor updates from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) website and Trillium Community Health Plan’s dedicated transition page.
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 16th in the area of Birch Street and 2nd 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 16th, 2025, please call the Junction City Police Department at 541-998-1245.
The many ways trees protect human health will be the focus of the 2026 Oregon Urban and Community Forestry Conference to be held June 4 in Eugene at Venue 252.
Registration for the conference—We Thrive When Trees Thrive—is now open at https://www.oregoncommunitytrees.org/2026-conference
This annual conference is put on by the non-profit organization Oregon Community Trees in partnership with the Oregon Department of Forestry and USDA Forest Service. It is open to anyone interested in urban tree issues and their impact on people and communities.
Keynote speaker will be Geoffrey Donovan, a natural resource economist with the private consultancy firm Ash and Elm Consulting, LLC. When he was a researcher based at the USDA Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Research Station, Donovan published a ground-breaking study that found each tree planted in Portland by the non-profit Friends of Trees was associated with significant reductions in non-accidental and cardiovascular human deaths. Donovan had access to years’ worth of tree planting data from Friends of Trees. Specifically, he used the planting data from the nearly 50,000 trees that organization had planted in Portland neighborhoods since 1990. Donovan was able to rule out other possible explanations for the lower death rate like race, education, and income, by using the statistical models using data from the American Community Survey. The findings were published in December 2022 in the journal Environmental International.
Continuing education credits will be available for conference attendees.
Opportunities to be a speaker, panelist or poster presenter are open until Jan. 31. Visitwww.oregoncommunitytrees.org/2026-conference to apply.
Early-bird registration pricing remains $150. Students can register for $80. Ticket includes entry, lunch, snacks, and networking social hour following the conference. Scholarships are available for those with an expressed financial need.
About Oregon Community Trees
The mission of this non-profit, Oregon-based organization is to promote healthy urban and community forests through leadership, education, awareness and advocacy. OCT serves as the advisory committee to the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Program.
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:
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
RAVEN-Radical Assistance — They need an indoor space for the winter! And have a GoFund Me to Help
Hi Friends, the good people at RAVEN are diligently trying to find some indoor space to use for the winter. We would love to offer some respite from the weather along with the other basic needs that we are providing. Please help us find some under utilized space, preferably close to the downtown core, that we can use to take care of our neighbors in need. Any and all ideas are welcome! We appreciate all of your donations. We are always in need of operational funds, clothing, blankets & camping gear.
Any ideas appreciated for Indoor Space! They are providing food, basic need supplies and human connection to our neighbors in need. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572229470271
GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-raven-continue-services-for-vulnerable-neighbors?attribution_id=sl:ebb2169e-6901-4025-a221-274235ce05c0&lang=en_US&ts=1760736364&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link
Every story helps us advocate for food access and fight hunger in our community.
We’re receiving lots of questions about SNAP, and many offers of help from our incredible community. This post from Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) provides some helpful information about the potential delays to SNAP benefits. If you are a SNAP recipient with questions about your benefits, ODHS is your go-to. Their website is at https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/food/pages/default.aspx
Willamette Valley Crisis Care
Current and former CAHOOTS workers have started a new organization: Willamette Valley Crisis Care! Check ’em out on instagram (here) and facebook (here) and share the news that they’re ready to bring back CAHOOTS as CAHOOTS 2.0.
TransPonder — TransPonder is excited to be expanding!
We will be moving some of our programs and services to the new home of The Lavender Network, and our offices will be closed from November 3-7 to allow us time to do that. Staff will still be monitoring phones and emails and our Food Program will continue uninterrupted.
At our new Willamette location (1590 Willamette St.), you will find our Behavioral Health Program, the Legal ID Change Program, Resource Navigation, Sylvia’s Closet, and our free Lending Library.
We will also continue to have offices at our Maxwell location (440 Maxwell Rd.) which will house our Food Program, the Youth Empowerment Project, our Job Skill Program, administrative offices, and our community events.
We appreciate your patience as we embark on this new stage for TransPonder!
Check out the upcoming events, clubs, classes, groups, and gatherings in this week’s newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/…/transponder-happenings-sept14-sept20
Waste To Taste – Got an Extra Can or Two? Let’s Fill the Little Free Pantries Together!
Our Little Free Pantries are running low—and for some neighbors, these are their only source of food right now.If you’ve got:
A few extra cans
A box of pasta
Unopened hgiene items
Kid-friendly snacks…you can make someone’s day a little easier.
Just place your donation directly into any Burrito Brigade Little Free Pantry around town. No sign-up, no questions—just community caring for community.
Find a pantry near you: BurritoBrigade.org/pantries It’s a simple act with a big impact. Support our Mission: BurritoBrigade.org
White Bird Clinic – · Crisis intervention is a 24/7 need in our community, and CAHOOTS, as part of White Bird Crisis Intervention programs, responds.
White Bird CAHOOTS Springfield Coverage: 11 am – 11 pm, 7 days a week (541-726-3714)
White Bird Clinic
This year marks 60 years of community health centers transforming care across the U.S. At White Bird Clinic, we’re proud to be part of this legacy – bringing whole-person care to our community’s most vulnerable neighbors for more than 50 years! From medical and dental services to harm reduction and crisis response, we’re here to meet people where they are.Learn more about community health at the link below: https://www.nachc.org/about-nachc/history-of-chc/
Whole Community News Report on CAHOOTS:
Since December of 2023, Eugene lost the University District hospital and the Hourglass Crisis Center, and as of last week, CAHOOTS. These were no-barrier treatment access points for our most vulnerable neighbors to receive care when experiencing a mental health crisis. READ MORE: https://wholecommunity.news/2025/04/20/public-comments-ask-city-not-to-lose-cahoots-too/
Contact for Services — Phone: CAHOOTS is dispatched within the Springfield urban growth boundary through the non-emergency number, 541-726-3714.
Starting in the new year, White Bird Dental Clinic will offer more walk-in clinic times. Currently, we offer walk-in clinics at 1415 Pearl St. every Monday and Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. In January, we will also add every other Friday at 7:30 a.m. Find more information at whitebirdclinic.org/dental
EWEB Emergency Water Stations
The final emergency water station has been officially installed in Eugene as part of the Eugene Water & Electric Board’s disaster preparedness plan.
This is where people can access water in case of earthquakes, wildfires, or other events that could disrupt or limit access to the city’s water system.
Other locations are the Eugene Science Center, Howard Elementary School, Prairie Mountain School, Amazon Park-YMCA, the Sheldon Fire Station, and the Lane Events Center and Fairgrounds.
All seven locations across the city of Eugene draw their water from underground wells. The intent is to provide individuals up to two gallons of water a day during an emergency. MORE INFO at EWEB: https://www.eweb.org/projects/emergency-water-stations
Oregon Food Bank · Find free food sites near you using OregonFoodFinder.org.
If you can’t make it to a food location, someone else can pick up food for you.You will just need to print and fill out the Authorized Representative form at https://lnkd.in/dsskUpkQ, and have them take it with them to the food sites. You can find step-by-step instructions at https://lnkd.in/dVBRxn-A.
Worried about recent changes or losing assistance?
Here are resources that can help:
211Info: Dial 2-1-1 or visit the211Info food webpagefor information and referrals to more than 1,500 food resources across Oregon.
Oregon Food Bank: Use the Oregon Food Bank’s Food Finder Mapto find over 100 food pantries, free food markets or hot meal programs near you.
Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon (ADRC): Call 855-673-2372 or visit theADRC food webpage to find local meal programs and food boxes in your area.
Colder overnight temperatures this week prompt home heating fire safety reminder from Oregon State Fire Marshall
With below freezing overnight temperatures and recent home fires related to heating, the Oregon State Fire Marshal would like to remind Oregonians about the importance of fire safety. Since January 1, the agency has investigated 10 home fires across the state from various causes.
“These fires come as a tragic reminder of the importance of home heating fire safety, the second leading cause of home fires every year in Oregon,” State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “Following fire safety guidance and testing smoke alarms regularly are important steps every Oregonian can take this winter.”
The Oregon State Fire Marshal offers these tips:
- Keep things that burn, like paper, curtains, bedding, or furniture, at least three feet away from all heating equipment, including fireplaces, wood stoves, and pellet stoves.
- Always plug space and portable heaters directly into a wall outlet and never into an extension cord or power strip.
- Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
- Keep space heaters out of the way of foot traffic. Never block an exit.
- Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
- Test smoke alarms at least once a month.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly half of heating equipment fires (46%) occurred in the three-month period from December through February. In the first two weeks of 2026, three fire-related deaths were reported to the Oregon State Fire Marshal. – For more home heating safety tips, visit the OSFM’s website.
Candle Vigil to Remember and Honor Alex Pretti in Ashland Oregon Singing America the Beautiful.
facebook.com/reel/1433873148072526/?s=single_unit
ONA Statement on the Shooting of Alex Pretti, an ICU Nurse For Veterans
Oregon Nurses Assn.
— The Oregon Nurses Association is outraged, heartbroken, and profoundly disturbed by the fatal shooting of 37-year-old registered nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026. Alex was an intensive care unit nurse and union member at the VA hospital who dedicated his life to caring for military veterans and their families. A life devoted to healing was cut short — gunned down in the streets by federal agents while speaking out.
Our deepest condolences go out to Alex’s family, his patients, his colleagues, and the people of Minneapolis as they grieve this senseless and devastating loss.
A nurse’s job is to care for their patients — but they are also ethically bound to speak out in the face of injustice and human rights violations. Provision 8.2 of the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses is clear: “Where there are human rights violations, nurses ought to and must stand up for those rights and demand accountability.” That is exactly what Alex was doing.
No one should be targeted by federal agents for speaking out. No nurse should be killed for standing up for human rights.
ONA members in Oregon are reporting growing fear and distress as they encounter federal agents in healthcare settings, particularly at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. The killing of a nurse is intensifying these fears and could create unsafe conditions for patients, their families, and frontline caregivers alike. Healthcare settings must be places of care, not sites of intimidation or terror.
The Oregon Nurses Association stands in unequivocal solidarity with immigrant communities, with nurses, and with all frontline healthcare professionals across the country who are demanding accountability and an independent investigation. Federal enforcement tactics that endanger lives and traumatize communities have no place in a just society.
We call on all major healthcare systems in Oregon to stand up for nurses, publicly denounce this killing, and to hold ICE and similar federal agents accountable in healthcare settings.
A nurse who spent his life caring for veterans was killed by his own government for speaking out. He deserves justice.
The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) represents a diverse community of more than 24,000 nurses and healthcare professionals throughout Oregon. Together, we use our collective power to advocate for critical issues impacting patients, nurses and healthcare professionals including a more effective, affordable and accessible healthcare system; better working conditions for all healthcare professionals; and healthier communities. For more information visit www.OregonRN.org.
ONA Statement on the Detainment of a Family at Adventist Hospital
Oregon Nurses Assn.
Reports by The Oregonian on January 23 and Noticias Noroeste that a family was detained by ICE while seeking medical care for their 7-year-old child at Adventist Health in Portland are alarming, chilling, and deeply shameful. No parent should ever be forced to weigh their child’s health against the risk of detention. No child should be subjected to this level of fear. Every child deserves access to quality and timely healthcare.
Provision 8.2 of the Nurses Code of Ethics is clear: “Where there are human rights violations, nurses ought to and must stand up for those rights and demand accountability.” That is why we are speaking out.
Detaining a family while they seek medical care for a child is unconscionable and does not just violate the ethical obligations of frontline caregivers; it violates the fundamental ethical obligation of healthcare institutions.
ONA members—nurses and frontline caregivers across Oregon—have been warning for months about the devastating consequences of ICE enforcement occurring in or near hospitals. Hospitals must be places of healing, safety, and trust. When that trust is broken, families delay care or avoid it altogether, turning preventable and treatable conditions into life-threatening emergencies. For children, the consequences of delayed or denied care are especially severe.
When law enforcement actions intrude into medical spaces, patient care is compromised—and in this case, a child’s well-being was placed at risk. This unjustified action raises urgent and disturbing questions that demand answers. Did the child ever receive the healthcare they needed? What capacity does ICE have to ensure the medical stability of a child whose parents sought emergency care in a hospital setting? Who assumed responsibility for the child’s health and safety once the family was detained, and under what clinical standards? These are not abstract concerns; they are matters of life, health, and basic human dignity.
ONA calls on Oregon’s healthcare executives, hospital systems, and elected officials at every level to forcefully put an end to this heinous practice and to take immediate action to ensure that hospitals remain safe spaces for all families, without exception. ONA will continue to stand with immigrant communities, our patients, our families, and caregivers to demand accountability and protect access to care for all.
###The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) represents a diverse community of more than 24,000 nurses and healthcare professionals throughout Oregon. Together, we use our collective power to advocate for critical issues impacting patients, nurses and healthcare professionals including a more effective, affordable and accessible healthcare system; better working conditions for all healthcare professionals; and healthier communities. For more information visit www.OregonRN.org.
Oregon hospitals fall short in meeting national standards for preventing some health care-associated infection measures
OHA continues support for hospitals in improving infection control, but visitors to health care facilities can also help
Oregon hospitals made gains in lowering the number of health care-associated infections (HAIs) among hospitalized patients and meeting some federal infection reduction goals during 2024, according to newly published Oregon Health Authority (OHA) data.
But hospitals around the state fell short of meeting national standards—and when compared with hospitals nationwide—for reducing deadly surgical site infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, central line-associated bloodstream infections and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infections.
The Healthcare-Associated Infections Program at OHA’s Public Health Division annually publishes the hospital HAI data for 61 individual hospitals in Oregon. The HAI Program’s interactive data dashboard provides statewide summaries and facility-specific data of Oregon hospital performance on nine HAI metrics, with comparable national benchmarks.
OHA works to prevent infections because of the significant risk to patient safety. On a given day, one in every 31 patients in U.S. hospitals will get an infection in a hospital or health care setting. In 2024, Oregon hospitals reported 957 such injuries.
“No health care provider wants to see a hospital-associated infection in one of their patients,” said Dat Tran, M.D., MS, HAI Program medical director. “These data are intended to help hospitals and health care providers understand where they’re doing well and where they may need to step up their infection control efforts to prevent HAIs and keep patients safe.”
HAI Program staff use four methods to assess progress Oregon and individual health care facilities are making in reducing HAIs:
- Comparison to 2015 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HAI data used as a baseline to calculate a predicted number of HAIs.
- Comparison to national reduction goals set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to achieve 50% reduction in central line-associated bloodstream infections and hospital-onset MRSA bloodstream infections; 30% reduction in hospital-onset Clostridium difficile infections and surgical site infections; and 25% reduction in catheter-associated urinary tract infections.
- Comparison to 2023 statewide data to calculate a percent change for 2024.
- Comparison between 2024 statewide data and 2024 data reported by hospitals nationwide.
Among the HAI Program’s observations in this year’s data:
- With the exception of hysterectomy procedures, Oregon hospitals performed worse than the 2015 baseline for the four other reportable surgical site infections, including those resulting from colon procedures, coronary artery bypass grafts, hip prosthesis and knee prosthesis. Oregon hospitals saw more surgical site infections in 2024 compared with 2023.
- In 2024, Oregon hospitals performed better than the 2015 baseline for catheter-associated urinary tract infections, Clostridioides difficile infections, and surgical site infections following hysterectomy procedures.
- While Oregon acute care hospitals performed better than the 2015 baseline in 2024 for central line-associated bloodstream infections and MRSA bloodstream infections, Oregon critical access hospitals performed worse than the 2015 baseline for both infections.
- Compared with hospitals nationwide, Oregon hospitals performed similarly in 2024 for most measures but performed worse for catheter-associated urinary tract infections, Clostridioides difficile infections and MRSA bloodstream infections in critical access hospitals.
- Oregon hospitals met the HHS target in 2024 for Clostridioides difficile infections in both acute care and critical access hospitals. No other HAI metric met the HHS target in 2024.
- Similar to 2023, catheter-associated urinary tract infections and MRSA bloodstream infections in critical access hospitals continue to perform worse than the 2015 baseline and should be targeted for prevention.
New to the data dashboard is an “Antibiotic Stewardship” tab, which provides state- and facility-level information on use of seven core elements of antimicrobial stewardship. HAI Program staff found that 100% of Oregon hospitals met all seven core elements of stewardship in 2024.
To support Oregon facilities in improving their performance on these HAI metrics, OHA continues to:
- Conduct studies to assess and understand statewide and regional trends.
- Provide one-on-one infection control technical assistance to health care facilities statewide.
- Collaborating with CDC to offer direct-to-provider infection control education to ensure all health care staff have the tools to prevent health care-associated infections.
There also are infection prevention strategies that families, friends and the public visiting these settings can follow. Visitors to health care settings should frequently wash their hands, look for worsening signs and symptoms of infection, and notify providers of these signs and symptoms. Visitors should follow facility infection prevention policies and procedures. Most importantly, visitors should avoid visiting a facility if they are sick. — Click here to learn more about OHA’s HAI Program, the impacts of infection and prevention steps.
Oregon, IRS begin processing e-filed returns; First state refunds expected February 17
Salem, OR—As Oregon and the IRS begin processing electronically-filed tax year 2025 returns today, the Department of Revenue expects the first Oregon taxpayers to receive their refunds—including their share of the state’s $1.41 billion kicker—as soon as February 17.
The department announced earlier this month that taxpayers who choose to file paper returns face a significantly longer wait. For paper filed returns, refunds will not start being issued until early April.
To help taxpayers avoid missteps that could further delay their refund, the department is opening 2026 tax season with a series of best practices suggestions.
File a return to claim your kicker
The kicker is a refundable credit that will either increase a taxpayer’s Oregon state income tax refund or decrease the amount of state taxes they owe. It is not sent to taxpayers separately as a check.
Only taxpayers who filed a tax year 2024 return and also file a tax year 2025 return can receive a kicker. The credit is a percentage of Oregon personal income tax liability for the 2024 tax year.
Personal income taxpayers can determine the amount of their kicker using the “What’s My Kicker? calculator available on Revenue Online. To use the calculator, taxpayers will need to enter their name, Social Security Number, and filing status for 2024 and 2025.
File electronically, request direct deposit
On average, taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refund within two weeks. Those who file paper returns will experience a significantly longer wait in 2026 due to processing delays.
In the closing months of 2025, the IRS was late providing necessary tax forms and information to the Oregon Department of Revenue. As a result, the state’s processing of paper-filed Oregon personal income tax returns can’t begin until the end of March.
Taxpayers should file just once unless they need to make a change to their return. They should choose to either file electronically or by paper. Doing both will delay processing of their return.
Gather all tax records before filing
In a kicker year, taxpayers can be in a hurry to file their return so they can get their refund as soon as possible. The department warns taxpayers not to get in too much of a hurry. They should make sure they have all necessary records—including Form W-2s from their employers and Form 1099s reporting other income—needed to file a complete and accurate tax return to avoid errors.
Getting in a hurry can cause taxpayers to file before they have all the information necessary to report all of their income. If income reported on a return doesn’t match the income reported by employers, the return, and any corresponding refund, will be delayed.
Revenue Online
Revenue Online is the state’s internet tax portal and is the best way to communicate with the department.
Taxpayers with a Revenue Online account should make sure their information is current before they file. They should check their username, password, and address; and verify any estimated tax payments they’ve made.
Those who don’t have a Revenue Online account can create one. They can simply go to Revenue Online, click “Sign Up” in the box at the top right and follow the prompts.
Download Form 1099-G
The department reminds taxpayers that it no longer mails Form 1099-G to taxpayers. The form reports the amount of refunds, credits, or other offsets of personal income, statewide transit individual tax, TriMet transit self-employment tax, or Lane transit self-employment tax paid during the previous year.
Only those who itemized deductions on their tax year 2024 federal income tax return will need a Form 1099-G to file their tax year 2025 return. Those taxpayers can view and download their Form 1099-G through Revenue Online.
Taxpayers who received unemployment insurance or Paid Leave Oregon benefits in 2025 will receive a separate 1099-G by January 31 from the Oregon Employment Department.
Governor Kotek taps interim Oregon public defense head for permanent position
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek on Friday chose one of the state’s most experienced criminal justice analysts to take full control over the Public Defense Commission as the state moves closer to stemming its shortage of public defense attorneys.
The governor said that Kenneth Sanchagrin, the agency’s interim director, had shown progress on his efforts to reduce the number of Oregonians without a defense attorney provided by the state.
“Ken stepped in last April at my request, and he is delivering on the expectations I set forth to address the unrepresented crisis and end the needless delay of justice for defendants and crime victims,” Kotek said in a Friday statement. “The Oregon Public Defense Commission has a duty to provide attorneys to defendants who cannot afford them, and under Ken’s direction, there is a stronger coordinated effort among all branches of government to resolve this crisis with urgency and transparency.”
Oregon lawmakers in 2023 voted to give the governor more control over the agency, moving it from the purview of the Oregon Judicial Department to the executive branch and Kotek’s administration. The Oregon Senate will still need to confirm Sanchagrin’s formal appointment to the executive director role in the upcoming legislative session starting February.
The governor in April fired the public defense commission’s previous executive director, Jessica Kampfe, amid concern that the agency was not making enough progress, with more than 4,000 unrepresented Oregonians at that time. The crisis for years has left many Oregonians without a defense attorney if they cannot afford to hire their own, despite them being guaranteed representation by both Oregon’s and the United States’ Constitution.
Following Kampfe’s removal, Kotek tapped Sanchagrin, formerly the executive director of Oregon’s Criminal Justice Commission, to take the reins of the public defense commission as interim executive director. In June, he announced a 12-month, seven-point plan that sought to expand contracts with lawyers and nonprofits across the state, increase voluntary caseloads for available attorneys and work to onboard law students who can be supervised.
The governor’s office on Friday suggested those efforts appear to be working, saying in a press release that the number of defendants in the state without an attorney has “dropped significantly.” They pointed to a December 2025 report noting that unrepresented defendants in the state had decreased by 32% to 2,559 from 3,778 a year prior. One of the previously so-called “crisis” counties where the shortage has been most acute, Coos County, has seen three months of having “few to zero people without counsel,” Kotek’s office said.
On Friday, Sanchagrin characterized his work as the result of a collaborative approach with staff, courts, district attorneys’ offices and public defense providers.
“Together, we are working diligently to find and implement solutions that will reduce the number of unrepresented defendants,” he said in a statement. “We have made important progress, but more work remains. I look forward to building on these efforts to address Oregon’s constitutional obligations while creating a more sustainable, accountable and data-driven public defense system.”
Oregon relies on a patchwork of systems to provide defense attorneys for thousands of people accused of crimes, including through contracts with nonprofits and a “consortia” model through agreements with law firms.
The state’s trial representation division, with offices in areas such as Portland, Salem and Medford, has historically been the smallest unit aiming to provide representation for defendants. They take on specialized cases that require representation within seven days of a person being taken into custody or handle complex dynamics such as mental health, language barriers or lengthy investigations.
Lawmakers held off on significantly expanding the trial division’s team in the 2025 legislative session, but Kotek and the defense commission have been pushing for an expansion that would likely need legislative approval. In a December request to lawmakers to reroute $1.6 million toward the trial division, Sanchagrin wrote that the money would allow the commission to “replace the equivalent of four hourly caseloads while also funding two additional Trial Division attorneys with zero impact on the agency’s budget and no additional cost to the state general fund.”
Rep. Paul Evans, D-Monmouth, helped lead the push in 2023 for legislation that allocated around $90 million to overhaul the public defense system, and he previously told the Capital Chronicle he would be monitoring the agency’s progress going into the 2026 legislative session.
On Friday, he said that Sanchagrin is “doing well in a tough situation.”
“His continued leadership will provide critical stability as we pivot into the next phases of reform and improvement,” Evans said in a text message. “He has my personal and professional support.”
Before leading the state’s Criminal Justice Commission, Sanchagrin worked as the commission’s director of research. He also holds doctoral and master’s degrees in sociology from the University of Iowa, a law degree from Michigan State University, and a bachelor’s in history from the College of Charleston in South Carolina.
Tiffany Woods, a spokesperson for the public defense commission, confirmed that a new offer letter and salary will be issued for Sanchagrin should he be approved by the Oregon Senate. Sanchagrin does not know what the figure will be, she said, but until his confirmation, he will continue to receive his interim salary of $20,063 per month, or an annual rate of $240,756. (SOURCE)
Red Cross Declares Severe Shortage after Blood Supply Falls 35% in Past Month
- The American Red Cross is issuing a severe blood shortage after the national blood supply fell about 35% over the past month.
- A nationwide flu outbreak may be sidelining blood donors. Already, the flu has overburdened hospitals — and this blood shortage means they’re now being forced to triage critical blood products.
- With more winter weather forecast, the problem could worsen without immediate blood donor action. Last month alone, 400 blood drives were impacted by winter weather, causing thousands of blood donations to go uncollected.
- Those who may be eligible are urged to book an appointment now at RedCrossBlood.org.
Despite efforts to rebuild the national blood supply in recent weeks, the inventory has continued to drop at an alarming rate of about 35% over the past month — forcing the American Red Cross to issue a severe blood shortage. This comes as flu activity is exploding across the country, where overburdened hospitals are now being forced to triage critical blood products.
High flu activity in nearly every state may be sidelining donors, slowing efforts to rebuild vital blood inventories to help patients and relieve pressure on hospitals. The shortage is especially serious for types O, A negative and B negative. Without immediate action, patients who rely on transfusions — including trauma victims, mothers in childbirth, and people with sickle cell disease or cancer — face serious risk.
There’s no time to wait. Book an appointment now to give blood by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
“This time of year is always challenging for blood collection — but right now, the perfect storm of a long holiday season, record flu activity and winter weather are all impeding donation efforts,” said Dr. Courtney Lawrence, executive medical director for the Red Cross. “Every person’s blood donation can help save lives — plus you help ease the tremendous burden on our doctors and nurses, allowing them to focus on caring for patients.”
Intense winter weather and freezing temperatures are expected across much of the country in the coming weeks, potentially delaying or canceling blood drives and forcing vital units of blood to uncollected. Last month alone, about 400 blood drives were impacted due to extreme winter weather — more than three times the number of those affected during the same time the previous year. As a result, thousands of blood donations went uncollected.
‘I Had a Successful Ending Because the Blood I Needed Was There’
When emergencies like postpartum hemorrhage occur, the difference between life and death for a mother and her baby can hinge on the availability of a blood transfusion. Postpartum hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal deaths in the United States. These crises can happen suddenly — even in pregnancies without complications — underscoring the vital need for a ready supply of blood to help save lives.
For first-time mother Reihaneh Hajibeigi, childbirth complications caused her to hemorrhage and lose nearly 40% of her blood supply. She recalled that, as she crashed, a team of doctors rushed in to save her life, asking, “Where’s her blood? She needs this blood to save her life.”
“It was about 10 minutes from the time I started to feel faint until they had the blood in my system, and I was basically coming back to life,” Reihaneh said. “I think about the people who made it possible for me to live,” she said. Watch Reihaneh share her remarkable story of survival.
The Red Cross is also extending its thanks to those who come to donate Jan. 26-Feb. 28 with a $20 e-gift card to a merchant of your choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/Heart for details.
How to Donate Blood
Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment and learn more. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients.
- A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in
- Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.
- High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media. https://www.redcross.org/local/oregon.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqQ-oQRSOha1nl8QTzVG4BDk_UtPu7nK9Ao6jYxWqU1Acruynxs
The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation is a proud supporter of the Bank On movement, a nationwide effort to reduce barriers to banking access and increase the availability of safe and affordable bank and credit union accounts.
Bank On certified accounts do not have overdraft fees, have low monthly maintenance fees, and require just $25 to open an account. When consumers have access to affordable and safe checking accounts, they can avoid paying for costly check cashing services and money orders. Find a Bank On certified account near you at https://www.oregon.gov/bankonoregon/Pages/index.aspx.
Govenor Tina Kotek picks Nevada state forester as first woman to lead Oregon Forestry Department
Kacey KC would be the first permanent, female leader of the Oregon Department of Forestry in its 115-year history
After a year-long search, Gov. Tina Kotek has chosen Nevada’s state forester to take the helm of the Oregon Department of Forestry.
Kacey KC would be the first woman to permanently hold the director’s position in the 115-year-old agency’s history. The Oregon State Senate would need to confirm her appointment during the upcoming legislative session before she could take office on March 1.
KC, from Nevada, most recently spent eight years as Nevada’s State Forester Firewarden and three years as president of the National Association of State Foresters.
“Kacey KC brings tenacity and a get-it-done style to her management approach and knows how to build strong partnerships across all levels of government to tackle complex challenges,” Kotek said in a statement.
It’s also the first time Kotek has had the authority to choose the state forester, rather than leaving the decision to the governor-appointed Board of Forestry, following the passage of Senate Bill 1051 during the summer.
Leading up to the change in hiring authority in 2025, the Oregon Department of Forestry had been roiled by controversies in 2024, including going to the Legislature for emergency money to cover its wildfire season bills, executive investigations and firings over workplace misconduct, as reported by The Oregonian/OregonLive. Former director Cal Mukumoto resigned early last year at the urging of Kotek and the agency has been run by interim director Kate Skinner, who was previously lead forester in the Tillamook district.
The Oregon state forester reports to the governor and the forestry board, and oversees the management and protection of 745,000 acres of forestland owned by the state of Oregon, as well as wildfire protection for 16 million acres of forestland in the state. All of this requires negotiating the desires of environmentalists, logging companies, tribes and private property owners.
They also oversee a biennial budget of more than $570 million and roughly 1,400 employees. If confirmed, KC would earn $19,700 per month for the first six months on the job, after which her salary would increase to $21,069 per month, or roughly $252,000 per year.
KC holds a bachelor’s degree in forestry from the University of Montana and is an alumna of the Peace Corps, where she volunteered for two years on community forestry projects in Nepal. Afterward, she returned to her home state to work for the Nevada Division of Forestry, then spent 10 years working on wildfire fuels reduction programs at the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, including as program manager of the state’s Sagebrush Ecosystem Program.
She returned to the forestry division as a deputy administrator of wildfire management in 2015, and in 2018 Nevada’s governor appointed her as state forester firewarden.
In 2021, she was appointed by Congress to a national Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission to update the nation’s wildfire protection systems, and in 2023 her peers elected her president of the National Association of State Foresters.
“I am extremely excited for the opportunity to join the Oregon Department of Forestry team,” KC said in a statement. “While I am not from Oregon, my experience at both the national and state level equips me to deepen key relationships while leading and supporting the strong work and mission of the Department.” (SOURCE)
Oregon legislation poised to tackle ‘fishing expedition’ searches of license plate data
The idea comes as a result of a legislative workgroup convened last year to study the issue of inappropriate usage of automated license plate recognition software employed by law enforcement agencies in Oregon and nationwide
A powerful Oregon legislative committee chair is calling for increased “safeguards and protections” on the use of data collected by a controversial crime-fighting technology scanning license plates that critics fear the Trump administration will weaponize.
Sen. Floyd Prozanski, a Eugene Democrat who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, helped convene a group of law enforcement stakeholders, privacy advocates and legislative leaders, which met in December to tackle the issue as cities across the state have debated whether to turn off their cameras employing the technology. One vendor in particular, the Atlanta-based Flock Safety, has drawn condemnation from U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, who previously said the company is “unable and uninterested” in addressing abuses of its products.
But views among workgroup stakeholders were diverse, including law enforcement who have defended license plate readers as a valuable tool for intercepting crime to progressive activists who say such technology itself is far too vulnerable for abuse by the federal government. Critics of some license plate reading technology have pointed to instances where the software’s data has been accessed by federal immigration enforcement agencies or used to target out-of-state abortion seekers.
“At this point, Prozanski is leaning more towards putting up some guardrails that will make it safe,” Ky Fireside, an Oregon House candidate and Springfield-based progressive organizer who is part of the workgroup, told the Capital Chronicle in December. “But the fact of the matter is, there’s not anything you can do to make this kind of technology safe. It’s just designed to be abused.”
Prozanski, however, said in an interview that he values the technology for “legitimate, lawful enforcement purposes,” pointing to its use in the arrests of suspected criminals tied to a Pacific Northwest burglary ring targeting Asian American households, including in the Eugene-Springfield area.
He said he was also concerned about inappropriate data-sharing with the federal government or other states, as well as data brokers who are mining and selling such data for unlawful use. He added that law enforcement agencies across the state may be entering into contracts for the software without adequate data privacy protections, calling for similar protections employed by other Oregon state agencies for safeguarding information.
“They have protocols in place already on the duration of the length that can be held, (to) cross check for if someone’s making inquiries, to ensure that there has been something assigned to it, like a case number, and someone’s not going on what some people would call a fishing expedition and just picking out this request or that request,” Prozanski said. “That’s the type of stuff that we’re working on.”
Key to the debate over the license plate readers have been Oregon’s sanctuary laws, which prevent state and local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration enforcement without a court order. U.S. Border Patrol employed automated license plate reading technology in the 1990s, and it spread to police departments across the country in the next decade.
A November state court ruling in Washington found that the images captured by Flock’s license plate readers are not exempt from disclosure under public records law. Prozanski confirmed he is still considering a public records exemption for such information as well as increased audits, a pathway to allow individuals whose data is improperly accessed to receive redress and certification requirements for license plate reading software vendors.
A Flock company spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment about legislative efforts in Oregon, but company leadership have previously accused opponents of spreading misinformation, pointing to improved filters for sanctuary states.
“We’re working under state law of Oregon, and if someone is making queries for something that happened or potentially could be actionable in a different state, it’s not what their state law provides, it’s what Oregon provides,” Prozanski said. “So we’re going to maintain safeguards and protections for those within this state.”
The state has already funded the proliferation of the technology’s use across Oregon, though in cities such as Eugene, police have backed away from their contracts with Flock. In that instance, local authorities confirmed that a license plate reading camera in the area was turned on without the city’s consent.
Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding for law enforcement agencies across the state has gone toward the technology, drawing from an Oregon organized retail theft grant program, according to the state’s Criminal Justice Commission. As of December, however, there have been no instances where the agency has needed to investigate reports of state law violations involving the use of state funds for license plate reading technology, according to Ryan Keck, the commission’s director.
He said that his agency uses quarterly reports from recipients and can also conduct information audits within the scope of its grant agreements. If there were a reported violation, Keck said the agency would forward the matter for investigation.
For new grants issued after Dec. 1, 2025, however, the agency has tightened its purse strings. New contracts include additional language for returning any funds that have been spent outside the scope of the agreement, which includes requirements to comply with state laws, Keck said. The commission in October also agreed to establish a new methodology for determining how the retail theft grant money would be awarded.
“The Commission’s methodology prioritized applications to support local programs specific to organized retail theft (to include equipment) over applications solely requesting equipment with no specified support (ex: personnel, operations) to address organized retail theft,” he wrote in a statement.
“Moving forward, CJC will continue to monitor its grants in accordance with the terms of executed grant agreements, and remain responsive to any legislative changes,” he added.
In an interview Friday, Fireside said that while they appreciate the work the legislative workgroup has done, the deck felt stacked in favor of law enforcement.
The line in the sand they and other privacy advocates are drawing has to do with support for end-to-end encryption, the process by which secure data is encoded before it is transferred to its destination and decoded. Having such a safeguard would make it difficult for federal authorities to subpoena vendors for information stored securely by a law enforcement agency, Fireside said.
“They are trying to push for like, ‘Oh, well, it’s, it’s encrypted in transit, and it’s encrypted at rest’, and that just doesn’t mean anything,” they said. “It doesn’t provide any protection.”
Prozanski, in the meantime, suggested there would be more than one proposal in the works, potentially for future sessions. Some ideas involve allocating additional funding, which is not feasible given the state’s current financial outlook, he told the Capital Chronicle, but could be in the future.
“This is probably the first beginning of more than one session dealing with this,” he said. “We’re not going to get everything done the first time.” (SOURCE)
Oregon Health Authority seeks new members for Oversight and Accountability Council
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is seeking applicants to serve on the Oversight and Accountability Council (OAC), a Council established by Ballot Measure 110 in 2020. The OAC is a public body of the state of Oregon that advises the Oregon Health Authority on the grant program described in ORS 430.389
Members of the OAC serve four-year terms. Members may be eligible for a stipend to compensate them for their time engaged official duties of the OAC. OHA is seeking new members in the categories described below:
- An academic researcher specializing in drug use or drug policy
- A representative of a coordinated care organization
To apply, submit an application here by 11:59 pm, January 30, 2026.
A team at OHA will review applications and inform applicants of appointments by Feb 13, 2026.
For questions or more information, email HRN@OHA.oregon.gov” style=”color: rgb(6, 66, 118); text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: 100%;”>BHRN@OHA.oregon.gov or contact Karli Moon at li.moon@oha.oregon.gov” style=”color: rgb(6, 66, 118); text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: 100%;”>Karli.moon@oha.oregon.gov or 971-240-8690.
For over 30 years the Yachats Lions Club has held an annual Crab Feed event in Yachats, Oregon. The annual trek to Yachats to eat Dungeness crab is a tradition for families and groups from across Oregon, Washington and beyond.
Our annual Yachats Lions Club Crab Feed is DINE-IN on Saturday, January 31, 2026! After selling out in 2025, the 2026 Crab Feed will now offer 4 seatings, 12:30 pm and 4:00 pm at the Yachats Lions Hall and 12:30 pm and 4:00 pm at the Yachats Commons.
Meals purchased will consist of “All you can eat Dungeness crab“, fresh locally baked bread, coleslaw, baked beans, and soda for $50.
Crab Feed 2026 Tickets – All You Can Eat
The $50 per person meal tickets are available for sale online at https://yachatslionsclub.org/ You can select the seating and order as many meals as you like. For more information please send an email to YachatsLionsCrabFeed@gmail.com.
Lion David O’Kelley, coordinator of the popular Crab Feed, says “We are very pleased to be offering the fund-raiser as we have done for so many years.” We get great support from the community and local businesses in Yachats, Waldport and Newport. South Beach Fish Market cooks and cleans the best tasting local crab you have ever eaten.
With our motto of “WE SERVE” among the many services we provide eyeglasses and exams, hearing aids and exams, eye screening in Lincoln County schools, pancake breakfasts, crab feed, lunch bunch, speaker series, peace poster and flag day events in our schools, and ommunity use of our clubhouse. Through community donations to the Yachats Lions Thrift Store our sales allow us to donate to local, student scholarships, food pantries, school programs, projects, and upkeep of the clubhouse.
In addition, donations are made to Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing as well as Lions Club International Foundation. Lions Club International is the world’s largest service club organization with a network of 1.4 million men and women in more than 200 countries and geographical locations. We serve where we live, as well as globally, and we have fun doing it. — The proceeds for this fund-raising event are for Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation.
Calling all artists: BLM seeks Artists-in-Residence at Rogue River Ranch, Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument during Freedom 250
The Bureau of Land Management is looking for two Artists-in-Residence: one at the historic Rogue River Ranch National Historic Site and another at the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument.
The selected artists will have the unique opportunity to capture these public lands during a milestone year as the Nation marks its 250th birthday and the BLM celebrates its 80th anniversary. The artists will receive one- to two-week residencies during the summer to create original work while immersed in some of Oregon’s most remarkable environments.
One artist and one alternate will be selected for each residency based on the following criteria: entry materials, residency proposal, professionalism, and creative vision. Applications must be submitted by Feb. 28. As part of the 2026 program, selected artists will also be part of the Freedom 250 celebration, paying tribute to the historic sites and special lands that have contributed to the Nation’s heritage.
“Artists provide a captivating lens through which we can explore our connection to public lands,” said Joel Brumm, Assistant Monument Manager. “Their work provides a unique perspective on these remarkable landscapes, highlighting our mission and role in public land management as we celebrate our 80th anniversary.”
Rogue River Ranch National Historic Site – The Rogue River Ranch residency will take place between June and August 2026 in a breathtaking setting deep in the Rogue Wild and Scenic River Corridor. The remote outpost is a two-hour drive or a 22-mile river trip from Grave Creek Boat Ramp. The selected artist will reside in the historic house.
Following their residency, the artist will share their vision in a public presentation at the Grants Pass Museum of Art on Oct. 2. Their work will be displayed at the museum for one month and then returned to the artist. The BLM is requesting digital copies of the artwork to promote the Artist-in-Residence program and public lands. The artist retains a non-exclusive use copyright.
In summer 2025, Artist Alisha Whitman created watercolors during her residency. She shared her experience with the BLM.
Artists of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, and there is no preference given to any style or medium.
Interested artists can learn more information and find an application at the Artist-in-Residence website, by e-mailing Tony Saunders at asaunders@blm.gov, or by calling 541-471-6642.
Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument – The Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument residency will take place in June 2026. The selected artist will be based at a travel trailer at Hyatt Lake Campground while exploring the environment and creating their art. The BLM is seeking visual artists for this residency.
Since 2017, the Artist-in-Residence program has allowed numerous artists to transform the monument’s natural and cultural resources into visual art, objects, and performances.
Last year’s Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument Artist-in-Residence was Paul Atkinson, a gifted photographer who spent his time studying and photographing the monument’s unique landscapes.
During their residency, the artist will share their experience and artistic vision in a public presentation. Following the residency, artists are asked to donate an original artwork piece, which they will retain the rights to.
Interested artists can learn more information and find an application at the Artist-in-Residence website, by e-mailing John Duwe at jduwe@blm.gov, or by calling 541-618-2320.
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
Raise Funds to Plant Trees in Oregon
Registration is open for the Bob Ross-inspired Happy Little (Virtual) 5K
Inspired by American painter and PBS television personality Bob Ross’ love of the outdoors, Oregon Parks Forever is sponsoring a virtual 5K race to help plant trees in Oregon’s parks & forests. You must register by April 1st in order to get your shirts and medal before the event.
Participants can walk, run, paddle or roll to complete their 5K anywhere outdoors anytime between April 18 and 26 (covering Earth Day and Arbor Day). Participants are encouraged to register by April 1 to ensure that your swag arrives before the event week. Last year, we had to close registration early due to higher than anticipated participation, so register as soon as possible. If you register after April 1, you may not receive your swag before race week. Registration will close on April 15, or earlier if more participants sign up than we have available swag.
For $36 per person, each participant will receive a keepsake Happy Little T-shirt, a commemorative bib number and a finisher’s medal. All Oregon race proceeds support tree planting and forest protection efforts in Oregon parks. Ten trees will be planted in Oregon for each registration. This year’s tree plantings will be placed in the Santiam Canyon.
Initially, the “Happy Little Trees” program began with a partnership between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Bob Ross Inc., with hundreds of volunteers helping to plant “happy little trees” at locations hard-hit by invasive pests and tree diseases. The partnership quickly expanded to include the Run for the Trees / Happy Little (Virtual) 5K.
As the Happy Little 5K gained popularity, more states have joined the effort. Now in its sixth year, the Happy Little 5K has expanded its reach to include fifteen other states. Together, all sixteen states will help raise awareness and funding for stewardship efforts in each state’s parks.
“We are thrilled to honor Bob Ross and continue our efforts to plant at least One Million Trees in Oregon.” said Seth Miller, Executive Director of Oregon Parks Forever. “To date, we have funded the planting of 850,000 trees.”
“The official Bob Ross 5K is probably our most favorite initiative,” says Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Company. “It’s the perfect blend of everything Bob held dear; nature, taking care of the environment, and happy trees too of course. He would have been so pleased to see how it’s getting so popular around the world.”
Participants can register at www.orparksforever.org. — For more information, contact Seth Miller at 503/966-1053 or seth@orparksforever.org
The Oregon Department of Revenue will open the application period in January 2026 for the Agricultural Employer Overtime Tax Credit.
Paying overtime to agricultural workers became a requirement of employers in Oregon as of January 1, 2023. In 2025, agricultural workers are paid overtime after they work 48 hours in one work week. If an employer paid overtime, they may qualify for a refundable personal or corporate income tax credit, regardless of the size of the business.
The tax credit for employers is a percentage of overtime premium pay paid as wages.
All applications must be submitted no later than February 2, 2026.
The 2025 filing period marks the third year since eligible employers have been able to apply for the tax credit.
Applications can only be made through the department’s Revenue Online website. Qualifying agricultural employers who have not applied for the tax credit previously need a Revenue Online account to apply during the application period. No paper applications will be accepted. We have published a new video to help customers with their Revenue Online applications.
DOR encourages employers to prepare in advance to ensure an easier and faster filing experience. DOR’s webpage provides guidance for how to apply, documentation you may need, program information, and frequently asked questions to help employers apply for the tax credit.
For general questions about the Agricultural Employer Overtime Tax Credit, email: Ag.Overtime@dor.oregon.gov.
Tax practitioners with other tax or customer account questions are encouraged to contact a dedicated practitioner specialist by email at prac.revenue@dor.oregon.gov, or by phone at 503-947-3541.
NW Natural Warms Up Winter with “Fireside Friends” Pet Photo Contest
Customers are invited to share photos of their pets for a chance to win a prize; NW Natural is also supporting The Pongo Fund
NW Natural is inviting customers to warm up this winter and celebrate their pets with the launch of the Fireside Friends Sweepstakes. The contest offers the chance to win a prize while also supporting a local charity.
Running now through February 1, 2026, the sweepstakes welcomes customers to share photos of their furry friends enjoying the warmth and comfort of a natural gas fireplace for the chance to win a $200 Chewy gift card.
NW Natural has also pledged a $1,000 donation to The Pongo Fund Pet Food Bank, which helps support people and their pets throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington.
How to Enter: NW Natural customers can enter the sweepstakes via social media in two simple steps:
- Follow @nwnaturalgas on Instagram or Facebook. (Media can find some of the wonderful pet photos that have already been posted by customers on both platforms!)
- Post a photo of their pet(s) cozying up by their natural gas fireplace and tag @nwnaturalgas or use the hashtag #nwnaturalgas.
The contest is open now and entries will be accepted until February 1, 2026. For full terms and conditions visit nwnatural.com/FiresideFriends
About NW Natural
NW Natural is a local distribution company that currently provides service to approximately 2 million people in more than 140 communities through approximately 806,000 meters in Oregon and Southwest Washington with one of the most modern pipeline systems in the nation. NW Natural owns and operates 21.6 Bcf of underground gas storage capacity in Oregon. It is the largest natural gas utility in Oregon and one of the state’s oldest companies.
Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs
No veteran should be without a place to call home, and the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is committed to ending veteran homelessness in our state.
The new ODVA Houseless Veterans Program collaborates with federal, state, county, and Tribal agencies, veteran services offices, and community homeless service providers to meet the urgent and unique needs of Oregon’s diverse veteran communities challenged with housing stability.
In addition to advocating for Oregon veterans experiencing or at risk for houselessness, the program provides direct service to veterans and their families seeking federal and state veterans’ benefits, including access to local VA health care, documentation of service, as well as other available state benefits, and local homeless services organizations and low-income assistance programs.
If you or a veteran you know is dealing with homelessness, contact the ODVA Houseless Veterans Coordinator today at houselessvets@odva.oregon.gov or visit https://ow.ly/V4EH50VnL93 to learn more.
Staying Informed During a Communications Outage: Best Practices for the Public
Disasters can damage critical infrastructure, leading to temporary outages in cell service, internet, and power. When communication systems go down, it’s vital to be prepared with alternate ways to get emergency information and stay connected. Here’s how you can prepare and respond:
Have a Battery-Powered or Hand-Crank Emergency Weather Radio
- Why it matters: Emergency radios can receive Emergency Alert System (EAS) broadcasts via AM/FM or NOAA Weather Radio frequencies—even when cell towers and the internet are down.
- Note: Emergency radios do not receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) like cell phones do. Tip: Pre-tune your radio to your local emergency broadcast station (e.g., OPB in Oregon or NOAA frequencies).
Turn On WEA Alerts on Your Phone
- Make sure Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are enabled in your phone’s settings. These alerts include evacuation orders, severe weather warnings, and other urgent notifications.
- WEA messages are sent through cell towers—if cell service is out, WEA alerts will not be delivered. This is why having backup methods like a radio is essential.
Charge Everything in Advance and Have Backup Power
- Charge phones, power banks, laptops, and rechargeable flashlights before fire weather conditions worsen.
- Consider solar-powered chargers or car chargers as backups.
- If you are sheltering in place, a generator (solar or gas powered) is helpful.
Know Your Evacuation Routes in Advance
- Save printed or downloaded evacuation maps in case you can’t access GPS or navigation apps.
- Most mapping services (like Google Maps or Apple Maps) offer the ability to “Make maps available offline.” Download your area in advance so you can navigate even if cell towers or internet access are down.
- When in doubt, call 511 or visit the TripCheck.com website if you have cell service.
- Don’t wait for a notification—if you feel unsafe, evacuate early.
Print or Write Down Critical Contacts and Info
- Phone numbers of family, neighbors, and local emergency contacts.
- Address of evacuation shelters, veterinary services (for pets/livestock), and medical facilities.
- Your own emergency plan, including meeting locations.
- Have copies of vital documents in your go-bag and take video of your property (inside and out) for insurance claims later.
If Calling 9-1-1 Over Wi-Fi or Satellite, Check Your Location Settings
If you call 9-1-1 using Wi-Fi calling or a satellite-connected phone (like an iPhone or Android), your location might not be automatically visible to dispatch. Instead, it may rely on the emergency address saved in your phone’s settings.
- Update this emergency address when you travel or relocate—especially in evacuation zones or rural areas.
- Most importantly, always tell the dispatcher exactly where you are—include your address, landmarks, road names, or mile markers to help first responders reach you quickly.
Sign Up for Alerts Before There’s an Outage
- Register for OR-Alert and your county’s local alert system.
- Follow your local emergency management officials’ and bookmark resources like: wildfire.oregon.gov.
Prepare for Alert Delays or Gaps
- Know the three levels of evacuation:
- Level 1 – Be Ready
- Level 2 – Be Set
- Level 3 – GO NOW
- If you hear a siren, see a neighbor evacuating, or witness fire behavior increasing—take action even if you haven’t received an alert.
Be Your Own Info Network
- Check on neighbors, especially seniors or those with disabilities.
- Post printed signs with updates for those passing by.
In rural areas, community bulletin boards or fire stations may serve as local information points.
Support and Restoration in Progress
To help maintain emergency communications during this incident, OEM deployed eight Starlink terminals under the guidance of ESF 2 and the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC). A Communications Technician (Jeff Perkins) was also deployed to assess connectivity needs on the ground. These Starlink terminals have been providing service to the Lake County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Oregon State Police (OSP), Warner Creek Correctional Facility, and will soon support the town of Lakeview, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Lakeview Ranger Station. OEM’s Regional Coordinator (Stacey) is also on-site supporting the Lake County EOC. Coordination has been strong across local, state, and private sector partners. *** Update: As of 7/10/25 at 1:47 PM, fiber service has been restored.
Reconnect When Service Returns
- Once communications are restored, check official websites:
- Oregon.gov/oem
- Your county emergency management page
- TripCheck.com for road conditions
- Share verified info—not rumors—on social media or community pages.
Prepare for Delays in Restoration
- Communication may come back in phases. Damage to fiber lines or cell towers can take time to repair.
- Continue using backup methods and stay alert for updates via radio or in-person notices.
Final Tip:
In an emergency, CALL 9-1-1 to report life-threatening danger, not for general information. Use local non-emergency numbers or go to physical information points if needed. You can find more tips for preparing in OEM’s Be2Weeks Ready toolkit.
Oregon’s Missing Persons
Many times you’ll see postings without case numbers or police contact. There is rarely a nefarious reason why (the nefarious ones are pretty obvious). Usually the loved one tried to call to report their missing person and they are either refused or told to wait a day or two by people who are unaware of SB 351 and the laws that they are bound to when answering the phone. Many people don’t bother calling LE if their loved one is homeless or in transition because they believe LE won’t care. The biggest myth is the 24 hour rule.
In Oregon we don’t have those rules and an officer or person answering the phone is not allowed to decide. The law decides. We have Senate Bill 351 and it states that the police CANNOT refuse a request for any reason and they must begin working on it within 12 hours. The person making the report does not have to be related to missing person either.
Here is SB 351 written by families of the missing here in Oregon in conjunction with Oregon law enforcement officers. This should be common knowledge, please make it this way. https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/…/SB351/Introduced
