Bend Fire & Rescue, in conjunction with the Central Oregon Fire Chiefs Association, reminds you that outdoor debris burning will close tonight for the Bend area.

Outdoor debris burning will be open as conditions allow in the rural areas surrounding Bend until midnight tonight, Thursday, April 30. Debris burning is not allowed within Bend city limits, per City of Bend Ordinance.

Backyard fires, which include warming fires, campfires and cooking fires are typically allowed year-round in the city of Bend and the surrounding areas covered by Deschutes County Rural Fire Protection District #2, when following Bend Fire & Rescue burning regulations. Additional restrictions can be placed on campfires during peak temperatures to reduce fire risk.

Please check restrictions every time you burn by calling the Bend area information hotline at 541-322-6335. Learn more about burn regulations and permitting at bendoregon.gov/burninginfo.

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El Departamento de bomberos y rescate de Bend, con la colaboración con la Central Oregon Fire Chiefs Association (Asociación de jefes de bomberos del centro de Oregon), anunció que el jueves se prohibirá la quema de residuos al aire libre en la zona de Bend.

Se permitirá la quema de residuos al aire libre, siempre que las condiciones lo permitan, en las zonas rurales de los alrededores de Bend hasta la medianoche esta noche del jueves 30 de abril. Según la normativa municipal de la ciudad de Bend, está prohibido quemar residuos dentro de los límites de la ciudad.

Por lo general, las fogatas en jardines de casa, como las fogatas para calentarse, los fogones y los fuegos para cocinar, están autorizados durante todo el año en la ciudad de Bend y en las zonas circundantes que abarca el Departamento de protección contra incendios n.º 2 de Deschutes, siempre que se respeten las normas sobre quema de residuos del Departamento de bomberos y rescate de Bend. Pueden imponerse restricciones adicionales a las fogatas durante las horas de mayor calor para reducir el riesgo de incendio.

Puede averiguar las restricciones cada vez que vaya a encender una fogata al llamar a la línea de información de la zona de Bend, al 541-322-6335. Para obtener más información sobre la normativa y los permisos para quemas, visite bendoregon.gov/burninginfo.

MEDIA ADVISORY
April 30, 2026

CONTACT:
Sam Tenney, Communications Coordinator

sam.tenney@dpsst.oregon.gov

503-931-4069

Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony to honor fallen officers

The 2026 Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem. The ceremony is held annually to honor the state’s law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

The Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial bears the names of 199 officers who have died in the line of duty since the 1860s. These include law enforcement, corrections, and parole and probation officers from city, county, state, tribal, and federal agencies. The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) and Oregon’s law enforcement community are grateful that no new names were added to the memorial this year.

Families, colleagues, and loved ones of fallen officers gather at the ceremony each year to preserve the memories of those whose names adorn the memorial. It is a significant and meaningful event for DPSST and Oregon’s law enforcement community, who remain committed to ensuring that the sacrifices of these officers are never forgotten.

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

DPSST is honored to hold the ceremony each year in partnership with the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, Oregon Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, and statewide law enforcement associations.

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About DPSST

The mission of the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) is to pursue excellence in training and accountability for public safety professionals. DPSST certifies and licenses police, corrections, and parole and probation officers, as well as regulatory specialists, emergency telecommunicators and medical dispatchers, criminal justice instructors, private security providers, private investigators, fire service professionals, and polygraph examiners in the state of Oregon.  DPSST works with public and private safety agencies around the state to provide basic, leadership and specialized training at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem and regionally throughout the state.

For more information on the Oregon Fallen Law Enforcement Officer Memorial, please visit https://www.oregon.gov/dpsst/Memorials/LawEnforcement/Pages/default.aspx.

On May 6, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. the Oregon Historic Cemeteries Grant committee will meet to score and rank the applications for the Oregon Historic Cemeteries Grant program. The meeting will be held online at 1:00 p.m. Interested parties may register to access the meeting by Zoom. The meeting agenda includes the registration information.
 

The recommendations from the committee will be forwarded to the Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries for final review and approval on May 27, 2026.
 

State law established the seven-member Commission to maintain a listing of all historic cemeteries and gravesites in Oregon; promote public education on the significance of historic cemeteries; and help obtain financial and technical assistance for restoring, improving and maintaining their appearances.
 

Special accommodations for the meeting – including translation services – may be made by calling 503-986-0690 at least 72 hours prior to the start of the meeting. For information about the grants contact Kuri Gill at 503-986-0685 or by e-mail: i.Gill@oprd.oregon.gov">Kuri.Gill@oprd.oregon.gov.

PORTLAND, Ore.—Two Romanian nationals unlawfully residing in the United States pleaded guilty for their role in a conspiracy to steal benefits from low income and food insecure individuals and families.

Aramis Manolea, 35, and Cristina Manolea, 35, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States.

According to court documents, from April 2025 through November 2025, A. Manolea and C. Manolea conspired to use stolen Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) account information and PINs to fraudulently purchase SNAP-eligible items, like infant formula. The stolen goods were packaged in storage units and loaded into vans and trucks for shipment to California. In total, A. Manolea and C. Manolea are responsible for  stolen benefits valued at almost $27,000.

On November 12, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a 26-count indictment charging A. Manolea, C. Manolea and their co-conspirators with conspiracy to defraud the United States, unauthorized use of access devices, possession, production, and trafficking of device-making equipment, and aggravated identity theft.

A. Manolea and C. Manolea face a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. C. Manolea will be sentenced on May 22, 2026, and A. Manolea will be sentenced on May 29, 2026, before a U.S. district court judge.

As part of the plea agreement, A. Manolea and C. Manolea agreed to pay restitution in full.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation are investigating the case with assistance from the United States Marshals Service for the District of Oregon, Eastern District of California, and the Central District of California, and the Oregon Department of Human Services. Geoffrey A. Barrow and Nicholas D. Meyers, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon, are prosecuting the case.

On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

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April 29, 2026

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

OHA seeks 14 organizations to host AmeriCorps VISTAs in 2026, 2027

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority’s AmeriCorps VISTA Partnership Project is seeking 14 organizations around the state to host full-time volunteers for one to three years to work on projects that build local capacity to alleviate poverty and improve public health.

Organizations are invited to host one or more VISTA members who serve from Aug. 10, 2026, through Aug. 9, 2027. Projects, which must focus on economically disadvantaged communities, can last up to three years.

Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations, as well as local, state, Tribal or federal agencies in Oregon can become an AmeriCorps VISTA host site. Host sites identify significant program-level work that will help build local capacity to reduce poverty and improve public health. Host sites provide a financial match, direct the project, supervise and mentor the VISTA member, and provide necessary administrative support to complete the goals and objectives of the project.

Cost: OHA offers two cost options

• Classic, $15,000 (annual)—This is the standard VISTA rate and reflects the full cost of participation. Organizations with substantial funding and resources are expected to contribute at this level to support the program’s sustainability and impact.
• Subsidized, $4,000 (annual)—OHA supports a limited number of subsidized VISTA positions to ensure accessibility for organizations and communities with significant financial constraints. These positions are intended for organizations with extremely limited resources. 

Costs subject to change annually. Note: Metro-area host sites are required to pay an additional $1,200 to pay for a one-year transit pass for the member.

Due date: Applications are reviewed and approved on a rolling basis between now and May 11, 2026. Contact OHA’s AmeriCorps VISTA staff as soon as possible before starting the application process to ensure alignment with OHA goals and federal AmeriCorps priorities.

• Contact: Caroline Tydings, 503-432-7574, oline.d.tydings@oha.oregon.gov">Caroline.d.tydings@oha.oregon.gov

What AmeriCorps VISTA members do: AmeriCorps VISTA members spend one year in full-time service to address the needs of low-income communities and improve public health. All projects focus on building permanent public health infrastructure in communities to help them more effectively bring individuals and communities out of poverty. Projects are developed by the host site and must only focus on economically disadvantaged communities.

Organizations interested in becoming a host site should review the OHA VISTA Host Site webpage for more in-depth information and reach out to oline.d.tydings@oha.oregon.gov">caroline.d.tydings@oha.oregon.gov to schedule time to discuss a potential project.

Application materials:

• OHA VISTA Host Site Application Instructions and FAQs –  August 2026
• Application to Host an OHA AmeriCorps VISTA Member – August 2026
• OHA VISTA Recruitment Timeline – August 2026

Host site information session: Interested in hosting an AmeriCorps VISTA at your organization? Join this webinar to learn about the program, host site requirements, application process, and more.

• When: Fridays through May 15 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Pacific Time. Join here

For more information about hosting an AmeriCorps VISTA, visit OHA’s VISTA website.

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CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore. (29 April 2026) – The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is asking for the public’s help to identify the person of interest in the removal of eggs from a migratory bird nest near Rivervilla Park in Clackamas County last year.

Fish and Wildlife troopers were provided photos of a male subject wearing a blue t-shirt, blue shorts, white athletic shoes, and carrying a backpack. The individual was seen removing eggs from a bird nest located along the railroad trestle near Rivervilla Park in Milwaukie. The incident is believed to have occurred in June 2025; however, it was not reported until March 2026.

Migratory birds are protected by both federal and state laws in the United States. They are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) of 1918, which makes it illegal to hunt, kill, sell, purchase, or possess migratory birds, including their nests and eggs, without proper permits or outside of legal hunting seasons.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the Turn-In-Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-452-7888, OSP (677) from a mobile phone, or email TIP@osp.oregon.gov. Reference case number SP26-137992.

Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators

The Turn In Poachers (TIP) program is a collaboration between the Oregon State Police, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Wildlife Coalition, Oregon Outfitter and Guides Association, and the Oregon State Marine Board.

The TIP program offers preference point rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of big game mammals.  

Preference Point Rewards

5 Points: Bighorn Sheep

5 Points: Rocky Mountain Goat

5 Points: Moose

5 Points: Wolf

4 Points: Elk

4 Points: Deer

4 Points: Pronghorn Antelope

4 Points: Bear

4 Points: Cougar

The TIP program also offers cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of the following fish and wildlife species. Cash rewards can also be awarded for habitat destruction, illegally obtaining hunting or angling license or tag, lending or borrowing big game tags, spotlighting, or snagging.

Cash Rewards

Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) cash rewards:

$2,000 Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, or Moose

$1,000 Elk, Deer, or Antelope

$600 Bear, Cougar, or Wolf
$400 Game Fish & Shellfish
$400 Snagging/Attempt to Snag

$300 Habitat destruction

$200 Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags

$200 Unlawful lending/borrowing big game tag(s)

$200 Game Birds or Furbearers

$200 Spotlighting

Rewards for Game Fish & Shellfish and Snagging/Attempting to Snag are sponsored, in part, by Northwest Steelheaders Association and Coastal Conservation Association.

Oregon Wildlife Coalition (OWC) Cash Rewards:

$500 Hawk, Falcon, Eagle, Owl, Osprey

$500 Cougar, Bobcat, Beaver (public lands only), Black bears, Bighorn Sheep, Marten, Fisher, Sierra Nevada Red Fox

$1,000 Species listed as “threatened" or “endangered" under state or federal Endangered Species Act (excludes fish)
$10,000 for Wolves east of Highway 395 and $11,500 for Wolves east of Highway 395 and north of Highway 20

Oregon Outfitters & Guides Association (OOGA) Cash Rewards:

$200 Acting as an Outfitter Guide for the Illegal Killing of Wildlife, Illegally Obtaining Oregon Hunting or Angling Licenses or Tags, or Illegally Offering to Act as an Outfitter Guide as defined in ORS 704.010 and 704.020.

How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity:

TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or OSP (677)

TIP email: TIP@osp.oregon.gov (monitored Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

For more information visit the Oregon State Police Turn-in-Poachers (TIP) web page.

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About the Oregon State Police

Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that is charged with protecting the people, wildlife, and natural resources in Oregon. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon.

PORTLAND, Ore.—A former Postal Service employee pleaded guilty yesterday for engaging in a scheme to steal money orders from the U.S. Postal Service.

Jessica Alires, 46, of Nehalem, Oregon, pleaded guilty to misappropriation of postal funds.

According to court documents, from September 2024 through December 2024, as a U.S. Postal Service employee in Wheeler, Oregon, Alires voided money orders in the U.S. Postal Service electronic system after issuing them to paying customers. She then reissued the money orders and took them for herself. Alires also issued herself money orders reporting false cash and debit and credit payments to cover the cost of the money orders she issued to herself.

In addition to her money order scheme, Alires stole a credit card in the mail and charged $500 to purchase a money order and stole a letter from the mail containing $200 in cash.

On February 19, 2026, Alires was charged by information with misappropriation of postal funds.

Alires faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. She will be sentenced on October 14, 2026, before a U.S. district court judge.

As part of the plea agreement, Alires has agreed to pay restitution in full.

The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Cardani is prosecuting the case.

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Leading one of the largest ecological and cultural restoration projects in the American West, Parry receives the pre-eminent prize awarding collaboration in solving environmental challenges in the region

Press Kit Link - Images and Messaging

Bend, OR — April 29, 2026 — The inaugural Schnitzer Prize of the West was awarded to Brad Parry, the Vice Chairman of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation in Ogden, UT and leader of the Wuda Ogwa Cultural and Land Restoration Project. The $50,000 award granted by the High Desert Museum in Bend, OR is the first of its kind in the American West, celebrating and honoring uncommon collaboration and innovation in solving the legacy challenges of the region. Parry will receive the prize during a ceremony in Portland, OR on May 16, 2026.

Parry was awarded for his leadership transforming the site of the 1863 Bear River Massacre in Preston, Idaho, where more than 400 tribal members were killed in one of the deadliest acts of violence against Native Americans in U.S. history, into a place of ecological and cultural healing. When the Tribe purchased the 350-acre site from private owners in 2018, it also became an opportunity to bring wider awareness to a long-overlooked piece of history.

“How we view the restoration is a project not just of restoring the land, but restoring the spirit of forgiveness, and that starts with a small seed. We bring volunteers that come out to plant those seeds, and when they plant it, they bring new friends and family with them. Restoration brings brightness, hope, resilience, and remembrance, but most of all, it brings forgiveness of the past to continue forward in the future. And that’s what this project is,” says Rios Pacheco, Northwestern Shoshone spiritual leader.

Through his collaborations with Tribal members, local farmers and ranchers, academics, state and local governments, and community groups, Parry has built one of the most efficient models of watershed restoration in the American West. Despite scarce resources, ongoing institutional and local tensions, and financial restraints, Parry’s work is successfully restoring the land to its natural state by putting the creek back in its historic path and removing what didn't belong. Under his leadership, the project is removing invasive species, planting more than 70,000 native plants, restoring wetlands, and freeing the flow of a Bear River tributary. Water is now able to flow more freely downstream, benefitting local farmers, neighboring communities, and ultimately the Great Salt Lake—returning an estimated 10,000 acre-feet of water annually to the lake, which is in its own ecological crisis due to a climate-driven drought. Also central to the restoration project is Parry’s vision for a Cultural Interpretive Center, which will memorialize the site’s history as a landmark to the Northwestern Shoshone’s resilience and their long journey to federal recognition.

“Brad’s visionary leadership is critical to this project's success. He’s deeply engaged with local biologists, ecologists, and engineers, as well as community groups like the Youth Coalition for Great Salt Lake. He understands that this work is intersectional, and he's brought together a coalition of stakeholders to make this ambitious project possible,” says Katie Newburn, Education Director of FRIENDS of Great Salt Lake. 

Launched in partnership with Jordan D. Schnitzer and the Harold and Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation, the inaugural Schnitzer Prize of the West celebrates Parry, his uncommon collaborations, and his innovative response to the urgent issues of sovereignty, ecological restoration, and water security. As the 2026 Prize Winner, Parry’s work illustrates a model for others across the region and the nation to follow.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to be the inaugural recipient of the Schnitzer Prize of the West, a recognition I proudly accept on behalf of the Wuda Ogwa project. This achievement embodies the resilience and unity of our Tribe, our people, and our community, building upon the legacy of those who came before us. At its heart, this work is driven by a steadfast commitment to caring for our land, revitalizing our connection to history and culture, and building bridges with other communities—an essential responsibility we must uphold for our future generations,” said Schnitzer Prize of the West 2026 Winner Brad Parry.

“The Schnitzer Prize of the West celebrates remarkable individuals working together collaboratively to compromise and forge policies that benefit us all, and not just for us and our children, but generations to come,” said Jordan D. Schnitzer, President of Schnitzer Properties and the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation.

Parry’s nomination was selected by an esteemed panel of 13 advisors with deep backgrounds in tribal leadership, ranching and farming, water policy and river restoration, and prominent academic centers focused on the American West. The panel evaluated nearly 100 nominations across 12 states. 

Among the nominations, the Advisory Committee also recognized four finalists—Amy Bowers Cordalis, Talent, OR; Kelley Delpit, Bend, OR; Julie Rentner, Chico, CA; and Laura Van Riper, Bend, OR—who will each receive a $2,500 cash prize during the Portland ceremony on May 16. More information on the selection committee and finalists are available on the High Desert Museum’s website.

Administered through the High Desert Museum, the Schnitzer Prize of the West will begin accepting new nominations in May 2026. Nominations for consideration for the 2027 Prize must be received by December 31, 2026 to be eligible. Nominees not selected in one cycle remain eligible in future cycles.

For more information on the Schnitzer Prize of the West, nominations, eligibility, and award cycles, please visit highdesertmuseum.org/schnitzer-prize.

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About Schnitzer Prize of the West 2026 Winner Brad Parry

Brad Parry is the Vice Chairman for the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation, where he also serves as the Tribe’s natural resource officer, currently managing and directing the Wuda Ogwa restoration project.  He is actively involved as a member of the Weber River Commission, the Bear River Commission, the Jordan River Commission, the Great Salt Lake Advisory, and the University of Utah’s Board for Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement.  Brad spent over 16 years with the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation, focusing on water quality improvement and Colorado River Basin salinity control. Brad spent his formative years in Syracuse, Utah, near the Great Salt Lake, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication from the University of Utah.  In his spare time, he enjoys golf, fishing, music, spending time with his family, and teaching about his cultural heritage.

About Jordan D. Schnitzer and the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation

Jordan Schnitzer has a vibrant legacy supporting the High Desert Museum. He is the visionary and sponsor of the Schnitzer Prize of the West.

Through the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation, Jordan carries on the legacy of his late parents and their belief that “to whom much is given, much is expected.” Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, the CARE Foundation and its leaders have given over $300 million to fund hundreds of nonprofit projects that touch lives and enrich communities.

Schnitzer is also a prominent West Coast businessman. He is President and CEO of Schnitzer Properties, one of the West Coast’s Top 10 private real estate owners with offices in six Western states. Schnitzer is also an ARTnews Top 200 Art Collector globally and shares his vast contemporary art collections at no charge to museums and institutions and supports accompanying programming, educational opportunities and publications.

About the High Desert Museum

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

Outdoor Burning to Close April 30^th Due to Increased Wildfire Risk

April 29, 2026 REDMOND, OR — This is a reminder for all residents within Redmond Fire & Rescue's Fire District. Due to increasing wildfire risk and the onset of an early wildfire season, all outdoor debris burning within Redmond Fire & Rescue’s District will close at midnight on April 30, 2026 and a burn ban will take effect.

Unseasonably warm and dry conditions, combined with declining fuel moisture, have significantly increased the potential for wildfires across the region. These conditions elevate the risk that escaped debris burns could quickly spread and threaten life, property, and natural resources.

Effective midnight April 30th, all forms of outdoor burning—including yard debris burning—will be prohibited until further notice. This closure is intended to reduce the likelihood of human‑caused wildfires during a period of heightened fire danger.

As a reminder, the closure of outdoor debris burning prohibits all of the following:

1. Backyard or open burning (branches, yard debris, etc.). This includes burn barrels. This includes the use of weed burners.

2. Agricultural burning (agricultural wastes, crops, field burning, ditches etc.).

3. Any other land clearing, slash, stump, waste, debris or controlled burning.

4. Bonfires

At this time the burn ban does not include;

1. Small outdoor cooking, warming or recreational fires at residential properties. These include portable or permanent fire pits, fire tables, and campfires, with a maximum fuel area of three feet in diameter and two feet in height in a safe location away from combustibles or vegetation and are fully extinguished after use.

2. Barbeque grills, smokers and similar cooking appliances with clean, dry firewood, briquettes, wood chips, pellets, propane, natural gas, or similar fuels.

If conditions change, additional restrictions may be put in place. Residents can follow Redmond Fire & Rescue’s website, Facebook and Instagram pages for current information.

Redmond Fire & Rescue urges residents to take wildfire prevention seriously by fully extinguishing campfires, properly disposing of smoking materials, ensuring spark‑arresting equipment is maintained, and complying with all fire restrictions. Alternative disposal options, such as chipping, hauling, or composting yard debris, are encouraged.

Public cooperation is critical to preventing wildfires and protecting Central Oregon communities during this early fire season. Updates on fire restrictions and wildfire conditions will be provided as conditions change.

EUGENE, Ore. - The Oregon National Guard teamed up with other military branches and veterans at the University of Oregon’s annual Spring Football game, transforming Autzen Stadium into a vibrant celebration on April 25, 2026. This traditional Spring Game brought the community together and honored military members, veterans, and their families with strong ties to Oregon.

Beneath clear blue skies, fans mingled with service members and caught an exciting glimpse of the Ducks’ upcoming NCAA football season. While the teams battled on the field, heartfelt tributes unfolded throughout the stadium, honoring those who have served the nation, state, and local community.

Right before kickoff, service members, veterans, families, and area first responders presented a large American flag on the field. Oregon Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Ben Pasi sang the National Anthem, and two F-15 Eagles fighter jets from the Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing in Portland flew a patriotic flyover as more than 45,000 fans cheered.

Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, The Adjutant General of the Oregon National Guard, had the honor of performing the ceremonial “Coin Flip” to officially start the game.

During the afternoon, military families and local veterans were recognized. At halftime, new recruits, along with current service members extending their service commitments, took the Oath of Enlistment, administered by Gronewold. The traditional post-game T-shirt exchange between service members and members of the football team closed out the afternoon, which saw the “Combat Ducks” beat the “Fighting Ducks” 17-10.

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RELEASED IMAGES:

260425-Z-CH590-1311: Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, The Adjutant General of the Oregon National Guard, administers the Oath of Enlistment to new recruits, along with current service members extending their service commitments at halftime of the annual University of Oregon Spring Football Game at Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon, on April 25, 2026. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

260425-Z-CH590-1729:  University of Oregon Head Football Coach Dan Lanning celebrates the conclusion of the annual University of Oregon Spring Football Game during the T-Shirt Exchange with a member of the Oregon Army National Guard at Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon, on April 25, 2026. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

260425-Z-CH590-1942: Members of the Oregon Army National Guard toss T-shirts to excited Duck Football Fans attending the annual University of Oregon Spring Football game held at Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon, on April 25, 2026. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

260425-Z-CH590-1430: Two F-15 Eagle Fighter jets from the 142nd Wing in Portland, Oregon, conduct the pre-game flyover at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, on April 25, 2026, prior to the kickoff of the annual University of Oregon Spring Football game. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

260425-Z-CH590-1421: Oregon Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Ben Pasi, sings the National Anthem during the annual University of Oregon Spring Football game, held at Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon, on April 25, 2026. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

260425-Z-CH590-1190: Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, The Adjutant General of the Oregon National Guard, performs the ceremonial “Coin Flip” to officially start the annual University of Oregon Spring Football Game, held at Autzen Stadium, in Eugene, Oregon, on April 25, 2026. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

260425-Z-CH590-1583: A large American Flag is quickly refolded after being presented on the football field during the playing of the National Anthem, as part of the annual University of Oregon Spring Football Game at Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon, on April 25, 2026. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

HAPPY VALLEY, Ore. – Six Oregon military veterans were inducted into the 2026 Oregon Military Hall of Honor during a formal ceremony held at Camp Withycombe in Happy Valley, Oregon, on April 18, 2026, in recognition of their acts of heroism and exceptional service to the nation.

The six inductees, all of whom served in the U.S. Army or the Oregon Army National Guard, are Specialist 5th Class Carston R. “Bud” Calkin, Sergeant First Class Riley E. Lott, Jr., Command Sergeant Major Brunk Conley, Major Charles “Larry” Deibert, Lieutenant Colonel Leonard DeWitt, and General Daniel R. Hokanson.

“The men chosen for this year's Oregon Military Hall of Honor have shown acts of valor ‘above and beyond the call of duty,’ as well as exceptional post-service contribution in the community or state,” said Daniel Lacy, a member of the Forward Assist Board of Directors and the Master of Ceremonies for the event.

Both Command Sgt. Maj. Conley and Gen. Hokanson began their careers on active duty before joining the Oregon National Guard. They addressed the audience, describing the military careers that took them to the highest levels of service at the Pentagon. Spc. 5 Carston, Sgt. 1st Class Lott, Maj. Deibert and Lt. Col. DeWitt were honored posthumously by friends, family members, and fellow veterans.

“This story is about the Oregon National Guard, and the organization that learned to love,” Conley said. “I became a team leader as I focused on being a guardsman and citizen-soldier.”

As the last of the six inductees to address the audience, Hokanson acknowledged both veterans who have worn the nation's uniform and those currently serving.

“I look at the example that each of us sets. I go back to whether someone served or not; that's important in how we conduct ourselves," Hokanson said. "We also need to tell our story to the next generation. That's why today's event is important.”

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Released Imagery:

260418-Z-CH590-1124: Oregon Army National Guard Gen. (ret.) Daniel R. Hokanson, former Adjutant General of the Oregon National Guard and Chief of the National Guard Bureau (left), receives his Hall of Honors citation from Daniel Lacy (right) during the 2026 Hall of Honors ceremony at Camp Withycombe in Happy Valley, Oregon, on April 18, 2026. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

260418-Z-CH590-1115: Oregon Army National Guard (ret.) Command Sgt. Maj. Brunk Conley, 10th Command Sergeant Major of the Army National Guard (left), receives his Hall of Honors citation from Daniel Lacy (right) during the 2026 Hall of Honors ceremony at Camp Withycombe in Happy Valley, Oregon, on April 18, 2026. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

260418-Z-CH590-1126: Oregon Army National Guard Maj. Gen. (ret.) Raymond F. Rees, former Adjutant General of the Oregon National Guard, presents the Hall of Honors induction citation to Suzanne Deibert, the wife of Maj. Charles “Larry” Deibert was posthumously awarded during the 2026 Hall of Honors ceremony at Camp Withycombe in Happy Valley, Oregon, on April 18, 2026. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

260418-Z-CH590-1104: An Oregon Army National Guard Color Guard presents the nation's colors during the playing of the National Anthem to open the 2026 Hall of Honors ceremony at Camp Withycombe in Happy Valley, Oregon, on April 18, 2026. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

Video B-Roll:  https://www.dvidshub.net/video/1003024/2026-oregon-military-hall-honors-induction-ceremony

SALEM, Ore. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) informed Gov. Tina Kotek that Oregon will not receive funding under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program as part of the 2025 December storms major disaster declaration. The December storms caused widespread damage across nine Oregon counties. Gov. Kotek has instructed the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to file an appeal of this decision.

The President approved the Governor’s request for a major disaster declaration on April 7, 2026, authorizing Public Assistance for Clackamas, Hood River, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Polk, Tillamook, Union and Yamhill counties. However, the denial of hazard mitigation funding leaves a significant gap in Oregon’s ability to reduce long-term risk and strengthen community resilience.

OEM Director Erin McMahon emphasized that hazard mitigation funding is essential for Oregon communities already strained by repeated severe weather.

“Our communities are doing the hard work of recovery, but they cannot reduce future risks alone,” McMahon said. “Federal mitigation funding is essential to protect infrastructure, safeguard lives and support long‑term resilience throughout Oregon. We are committed to advocating for this support.”

Severe impacts from December storms

The December 2025 atmospheric river brought record rainfall, destructive winds, widespread flooding, landslides and mudslides across the state. More than 300,000 Oregonians lost power at the height of the storm, numerous highways and interstates were closed, and one fatality occurred in Yamhill County.

A joint preliminary damage assessment identified more than $15.4 million in eligible public infrastructure damages, with Tillamook County experiencing the highest per‑capita impact at $154.29 per person.

This is the second time in the past year a major disaster declaration has been approved without mitigation funding. This move is historically unusual, as it was previously thought mitigating from future repeats of the same disaster was a prudent cost saving measure.

Also, for the first time, the state has not received any FY25 funding for post‑fire mitigation (HMGP‑PF) work. HMGP‑PF funding is traditionally made available alongside Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs)—but despite Oregon receiving five FMAGs last year, no HMGP-PF money was made available. FEMA has provided no specific reason for this change in precedent, other than stating the program is under broader review.

Why hazard mitigation funding matters

Hazard mitigation funding is designed to reduce or eliminate long‑term risk to people and property from natural hazards. Projects typically include:

• Stabilizing landslide‑prone hillsides
• Elevating or relocating repeatedly flooded structures
• Strengthening critical infrastructure such as utilities, bridges and transportation corridors
• Improving stormwater systems and restoring natural floodplains
• Hardening facilities that provide essential services during emergencies

Oregon has a demonstrated record of successful mitigation projects in communities including Reedsport, Coos Bay, Tillamook and Vernonia. FEMA estimates that every $1 invested in hazard mitigation saves $6 in future disaster costs.

“Without federal mitigation dollars, local governments lack the resources to build safer and more resilient systems,” McMahon said. “These projects reduce the impacts of future storms, save taxpayer dollars and prevent loss of life.”

Next steps in the appeal process

OEM will submit the state’s appeal and supporting documentation to FEMA and will continue working with federal partners throughout the review process. If the appeal is approved, Oregon will be able to pursue mitigation projects that reduce long‑term risks in the counties impacted by the December storms.

More information on Oregon’s disaster recovery efforts and emergency preparedness resources is available at Oregon.gov/OEM.

UPDATE: The subjects have been identified. No additional tips requested. 

La Grande, Ore. (28 April 2026) – The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is asking for the public's help to identify the individuals trespassing in the Mount Emily area of the Umatilla National Forest. The subjects were photographed in March driving UTVs and/or ATVs on closed roads and behind locked gates in violation of the Umatilla National Forest Travel Management Areas. 

The Umatilla National Forest travel management operates under the 2005 Travel Management Rule guidelines, restricting motor vehicles to designated routes. The Umatilla travel management plan considers public access, resource protection, and wildlife in cooperation with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.  

For specific road closures or seasonal access restrictions, users should consult the most recent Umatilla National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Maps.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Oregon State Police Dispatch at 1-800-452-7888, OSP (677), or email at TIP@osp.oregon.gov. Please reference case number is SP26-113053.

Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators 
The Turn In Poachers (TIP) program is a collaboration between the Oregon State Police, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Wildlife Coalition, Oregon Outfitter and Guides Association, and the Oregon State Marine Board. 

# # #

About the Oregon State Police

Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that is charged with protecting the people, wildlife, and natural resources in Oregon. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon.

EUGENE, Ore.—A Burns, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for repeatedly stealing mail while working as a U.S. Postal Service employee at the Hines, Oregon Post Office.

Patrick Wright, 44, was sentenced to 45 days in federal prison and two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay over $2000 in restitution.

According to court documents, from January 2024 through June 2024, while working as a U.S. Postal Service employee, Wright opened mail and stole the contents, including money and gift cards.

On April 17, 2025, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a one-count indictment charging Wright with theft of mail by a postal employee.

Wright pleaded guilty today to Count One.

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

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey S. Sweet.

# # #

Bend Fire & Rescue has named Drew Whyte as the new deputy chief of prevention and fire marshal.

Whyte joins the department with 29 years of fire service experience. He began his career in 1998 as a firefighter/EMT with the Austin Fire Department in Texas. In 2001, he joined the San Jose Fire Department in California, where he served in multiple roles, including firefighter/paramedic, fire inspector, acting assistant fire marshal and arson investigator.

Whyte retired from San Jose Fire in 2024 and most recently served as assistant fire chief and fire marshal for the City of Berkeley Fire Department in California.

He holds a Master of Science in forensic science from Oklahoma State University and a Bachelor of Science in communications from Vermont State University.

As Bend Fire & Rescue’s deputy chief of prevention and fire marshal, Whyte leads the Fire Prevention Division and oversees community risk reduction efforts, including code enforcement, plan review, public education and fire investigations. He also supports major incident operations and serves as acting fire chief when needed.

“I believe wholeheartedly that having a robust fire prevention program can save lives, and my top priority in this role is maintaining the expectation that fire code is followed so Bend’s residents, visitors, businesses and firefighters are safe,” Whyte said.

“Chief Whyte brings exceptional leadership and deep fire prevention expertise to our organization,” Fire Chief Todd Riley said. “His experience in complex urban environments and commitment to community risk reduction will strengthen our Prevention Division and enhance the safety and resilience of Bend’s growing community.”

Whyte began his new assignment in February. He has purchased a home in Bend and is working to relocate his family in time to experience a Central Oregon summer.

In neighborhoods across Benton County, a quiet transformation is about to begin. It’s one that starts with as little as 50 square feet of soil and a willingness to try something new.

Nature Neighbors, a partnership of the Greenbelt Land Trust and the Benton Soil and Water Preservation District, is a new program in Benton County to help residents turn everyday spaces into thriving habitat for pollinators, birds and other wildlife. Through hands-on guidance, small grants and community support, the program empowers people to make meaningful environmental change where they live.

 

For Sara Roberts, the program is both a professional project and a personal mission.

 

Roberts, a community engagement coordinator with Benton Soil and Water Preservation District, leads outreach efforts that include public-facing programs, K-12 field trips and one-on-one support for property owners. At the heart of that work  is a simple idea: anyone can help wildlife, regardless of how much space they have.

 

“People don’t need a large property to make a difference,” Roberts said. “This program shows that even a small plot can create valuable habitat connections across neighborhoods and, ultimately, larger-scale wildlife corridors.”

 

The program also reflects a broader vision from Greenbelt Land Trust to connect people, land and wildlife across the region.

 

“Greenbelt Land Trust is co-launching Nature Neighbors with the Benton Soil and Water Conservation District, a demonstration of the strong partnership between these two organizations that goes back decades. Greenbelt sees collaborations as the key to successful conservation,” said Jessica McDonald, Greenbelt Land Trust executive director. “By jointly stewarding this emerging community program, we are leveraging the strengths of both organizations and building a program that is lasting.”

 

McDonald said even small actions taken by individual households can have a meaningful impact at a larger scale.

 

“Even a small native habitat can make a big difference for wildlife,” she said. “By transforming urban spaces, even micro yards, into flourishing mini native habitats, we are creating habitat stepping stones that traverse our communities, enabling wildlife to move, adapt and thrive.”

 

The Nature Neighbors program focuses on replacing invasive plants with native species, improving soil health and building landscapes that are more resilient to drought and wildfire. Participants receive guidance through a step-by-step certification process that includes site visits, a habitat handbook and personalized recommendations. Those who complete the program earn a yard sign recognizing their contribution to local habitat.

 

And the effort goes beyond plants.

 

Roberts said residents can incorporate features like birdhouses, water sources and pollinator habitat while learning how to make their spaces more supportive for wildlife overall.

 

Equity is also a key part of the program’s design. Mini scholarships and small grants help offset the cost of plants and tools, ensuring more people can participate.

 

“For those who need assistance, a volunteer cohort including students from Oregon State University can help with installation and maintenance, making the program more accessible to older adults and others who may not be able to do the work themselves,” she said.

 

Roberts said the idea for a program like this has been years in the making.

 

“When I first got into native plant gardening, there just wasn’t much support,” she said. “I remember doing all the research on my own and wishing something like this existed. This community has a strong culture of people who want to be a part of a growing habitat movement. We just needed a way to provide the right resources.”

 

Michael Ahr, executive director for Benton Soil and Water Conservation District, said the program is an opportunity to get more community members involved in practical, hands-on conservation work.

 

“We’ve spent a lot of time working with private landowners on larger properties,” Ahr said. “Nature Neighbors gives us a chance to engage smaller property owners in that same work, especially when it comes to controlling non-native species and improving habitat.When more property owners take part, the benefits add up across the community.”

 

Nature Neighbors builds on successful models across Oregon, including the Backyard Habitat Certification Program in the Portland metro area, and similar efforts in Marion, Polk, Lane and Yamhill counties. Now, Benton County is bringing that approach to its own communities, with a focus on local needs and partnerships.

 

For Benton County Sustainability Coordination Jennifer Brown, the program aligns closely with broader County goals that prioritize sustainability.

 

“The Nature Neighbors program helps people preserve and create habitat for pollinators, birds and other wildlife,” Brown said. “This program gives community members a meaningful way to make a difference.”

 

That impact extends beyond individual yards. By encouraging native plantings and better land stewardship, the program supports stormwater management, biodiversity and climate resilience across the County.

 

“It’s going to take us all to preserve what we have,” Brown added.

 

Community members interested in getting involved can enroll in the program and learn more at the Nature Neighbors website. An upcoming public information session on April 29 will offer a chance to explore how to get started and connect with program partners.

 

As more residents take part, the vision is simple but powerful: a patchwork of small, intentional spaces can grow together into something much larger.The path to healthier ecosystems can start right outside the front door.

 

###

 

PHOTO CAPTIONS

 

A before and after view of a small habitat project at a suburban home in Philomath. The lawn and weeds were smothered by wood chips before adding native plants. Photo credit: Sara Roberts 

 

Students at Mountain View Elementary created this pollinator garden with funding from Benton SWCD, bringing beauty and biodiversity to a previously-bare sidewalk strip. Photo Credit: Nancy Tovar

 

Sara Roberts at her own native wildflower garden.

 

Insect “hotels”, such as this one at Chintimini Wildlife Center, provide abundant habitat for a number of species of pollinators and other bugs, and are easy to build. Photo credit: Sara Roberts

CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (27 April 2026) – On Friday, April 24, 2026, at 10:59 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to single-vehicle fatal crash involving a bicyclist on Highway 380 near milepost .60 in Crook County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a white Ford Expedition, operated by Abigail Marie Hedges (36) of Prineville, was traveling southbound on Combs Flat Road (Highway 380) near SE 5^th Street in Prineville, when it struck a bicyclist, Monte Scott Greene (57) of Prineville.

The bicyclist (Greene) was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The operator of the Expedition (Hedges) was not injured.

Impairment is suspected to be a contributing factor in the crash and Hedges was arrested for DUII. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The highway was impacted for approximately four hours during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Prineville Police Department, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Prineville Fire Department, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.  

# # #

About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) 
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in documenting, investigating, and analyzing complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in using advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR-accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.

Portland, OR — The Oregon Historical Society (OHS) is among 12 recipients of an Oregon Heritage Excellence Award. Presented to individuals, organizations, and projects that have made outstanding contributions to preserving Oregon’s heritage, the 2026 honorees will be recognized at an Awards Presentation and Dinner on April 29 in Mt. Angel, Oregon, hosted in conjunction with the 2026 Oregon Heritage Conference.

OHS received the award for its work preserving and sharing the story of the Yasui family through digitization efforts, scholarship, curricula, and an original exhibition, The Yasui Family: An American Story.

What started with a donation of objects and business records from Homer Yasui in 1991 has led to a decades-long relationship with the family. Thanks to crucial grant funding, OHS has been able to translate and digitize many of the materials held in its research library collection and make them accessible through OHS Digital Collections.

Additionally, the Museum Collection Portal includes hundreds of records relating to the Yasui family, including recollections by Homer. It is due to the meticulous preservation efforts and thoughtful stewardship of the Yasui family that OHS has had the opportunity to offer a window into the lives of Japanese immigrants and their families in the decades before and after mass incarceration during World War II.

“The history of the Yasui family is both unique and similar to the experiences of other immigrants to the United States, and it truly reflects the complexity of the American story. All of us at OHS are very grateful that the Yasui family has entrusted us with their compelling collection of family history, thereby allowing us to share an incredibly timely story of the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship,” said OHS Boyle Family Executive Director Kerry Tymchuk.

“The Award recipients are representative of efforts and activities that are exemplary and go above and beyond for an individual, organization, and project, serving as a model for heritage preservation work in Oregon,” said Katie Henry, Coordinator for the Oregon Heritage Commission. “This year we had several nominations focused on the work of documenting, preserving, and sharing a more complete story of Oregon’s history.”

The Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards are a program of Oregon Heritage. Oregon Heritage is a division of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department that includes the State Historic Preservation Office and four State Commission/Committees: Oregon Heritage Commission, State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation, Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries, and Historic Advisory Review Committee. 

The Yasui Family: An American Story is on view at the Oregon Historical Society’s museum in downtown Portland through September 6, 2026. Museum hours are 10am to 5pm Monday through Saturday and 12pm to 5pm on Sunday. Admission is free every day for youth 17 and under, OHS members, and Multnomah County residents, who provide crucial operational support through the Oregon Historical Society levy. Learn more and plan your visit at ohs.org/visit.

About the Oregon Historical Society

For more than 125 years, the Oregon Historical Society has served as the state’s collective memory, preserving a vast collection of objects, photographs, maps, manuscript materials, books, films, and oral histories. Our research library, museum, digital platforms, educational programming, and historical journal make Oregon’s history open and accessible to all. We exist because history is powerful, and because a history as deep and complex as Oregon’s cannot be contained within a single story or point of view.

The Oregon State Marine Board held its quarterly meeting on April 23 at the Port of Tillamook and approved proposed rules for the Siletz River and denied a petition for a change in boat operations in the pass-through zone of McGuire Island on the Columbia River. The Board also approved a variety of boating facility grants under its Cycle Two funding opportunity.

Siletz River Petition to Prohibit Motorboats Upstream of Jack Morgan Park

After reviewing public testimony, written comments, and a summary from the Siletz River Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC), Board members considered options within its authority while also acknowledging the vast perspectives from property owners, anglers, guides, members of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The Board approved a proposed rule that allows small motors between Jack Morgan Park and Old Mill Park, with motors prohibited upstream of Old Mill Park. The Board also directed staff to hold two public hearings and a work session prior to its July meeting.

Next steps in the rulemaking process include filing the proposed rule language with the Secretary of State. A public comment period will open from May 1 to June 15, and the agency will solicit written comments on the rule language. Hearings will then be scheduled in May and June, along with a work session prior to July’s quarterly Board meeting. The Board will then have its next opportunity to approve, modify, or deny final rules.

McGuire Island Pass Through Zone Petition

A petition was received in February to replace the existing pass-through zone in the channel between McGuire Island and the mainland on the Columbia River with a slow no-wake zone. This area would extend from the south channel adjacent to McGuire Island, between the east end of Big Eddy Marina, and to the west end of McGuire Point Marina. The desired outcome from the petitioners included wake protection for floating homes and moorages, boating safety for all users, and increased serenity to the floating home and moorage community and wildlife.

The Board denied the petition and directed staff to work with METRO, the facility owner of the nearby Chinook Landing Marine Park and M. James Gleason Memorial Boat Ramp access sites, on signage to better educate boaters on the boat operations that are currently allowed in the pass-through zone. The Board also directed staff to work with local marine law enforcement and the agency’s Boating Safety Advocates to engage with floating homeowners and boaters using both access sites.

Boating Facility Cycle Two Grant Applications Approved

The Boating Facilities Program received 20 Cycle Two grant applications, highlighting $5.8 million in boating needs and requesting $3.3 million of the agency’s 2025-2027 facilities funding. The requests for Waterway Access Permit grant funds exceeded by over three times the available non-motorized waterway access funds. The motorized applications received for the Boating Facility Grant also exceeded available funds by nearly $300,000.

The following boating facility grant applications were approved:

Washington County Parks: Eagle Landing non-motorized boating access improvements. The project includes a floating kayak launch, a debris boom, a gangway that reduces slope, and an accessible route for recreational boating access that everyone can enjoy. The Board approved $375,000 in Waterway Access Grant funding, combined with $900,000 in applicant match, for a project total of $1,275,000. The project, developed over 10 years, is the second upgraded non-motorized access site on the Tualatin River.

City of Coos Bay: Empire boat ramp. The grant will replace the deflection booms and piling supporting the boarding docks. Upgrading the debris boom will reduce wave impact on the docks and boat ramp, improving boat launching and retrieving. The Board approved $595,192.86 in Boating Facility Grant funds, combined with $141,889.51 in applicant match, for a project total of $737,082.37.

Bureau of Land Management: Replace and expand the composting toilets at Whiskey Dick Boat-In Campground along the Lower Deschutes River. Newer models have a longer use life with fewer components to potentially break. The Board approved $117,384.61 in Waterway Access Grant funding to match $29,346.15 in applicant match for a project total of $146,730.76.

Lane County Parks: The grant will replace the boarding docks at Orchard Point Marina on Fern Ridge Reservoir. The Board approved $150,000 in Boating Facility Grant funding, combined with $182,985 in applicant match, for a project total of $332,985.

Bureau of Land Management: This grant funds the replacement of recreational boating safety, regulatory, and education signs along the John Day River main stem and North Fork. This is Phase 1 of sign kiosk replacements on the John Day River. The Board approved $36,010 in Boating Facility Grant funding, combined with $43,787.95 in applicant match, for a project total of $79,797.95

City of Gold Hill: This grant will fund archaeological reports for Gold Hill Sports Park on the Rogue River. This information will inform decisions for future boating access improvements. The Board approved $15,580 in Boating Facility Grant funding and $5,770 in Waterway Access Grant funding, combined with $5,675 in applicant match, for a project total of $27,025.

Wallowa County: This grant will fund replacing the 25-year-old boarding and ski docks at Wallowa Lake County Park. The Board approved $450,000, combined with $100,000 in applicant match, for a project total of $550,000.

The Board also approved the following requests for additional funding due to rising costs for materials:

• Douglas County: The county is in the process of its project improvement work at Cooper Creek East and West to replace the boarding docks and upgrade the parking. Inspection of the West access parking area revealed issues that need extra funding. The Board approved a cost increase of $400,000 in Boating Facility Grant funds to match $200,000 in applicant match for a total cost increase of $600,000.
   
• Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: Coyote Creek non-motorized Launch, parking, and vault toilet. The additional cost is due to unforeseen circumstances, including the need to install a sheet pile wall to support the abutment and gangway connections due to soil conditions, a modified stormwater treatment system, and increased material costs. The Board approved the cost increase of $140,000 in Waterway Access Grant funds to match $151,000 in applicant match from OPRD’s Recreational Trails Program for a total cost increase of $291,000.

Clean Vessel Act grant funding

• Columbia Crossings, LLC: This grant will fund the replacement of six marine sewage pumpout stations for Jantzen Bay, Tomahawk Bay, and Hayden Bay marinas, which are over 20 years old and managed by Columbia Crossings, LLC. These Marine Board-certified Clean Marinas have been maintaining the pumpout stations well past their expected useful life of 8-10 years. The Board approved $131,463 in federal Clean Vessel Act funds and $43,821 in state Boating Facility Grant funds, combined with $10,254 in administration, equipment, and applicant cash for a project total of $185,538.

A block of grant requests was deferred for future funding opportunities due to a variety of reasons, including timelines, permitting, and funding challenges.

For more details, meeting materials are available on the agency’s Public Meetings page.

-End-

Salem, Oregon -- This week, Emma Keen, a junior at Oregon School for the Deaf in Salem, will represent Oregon in the 2026 Poetry Out Loud National Competition in Washington, D.C. Her itinerary also includes a meeting with Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley and a tour of the Capitol.

Poetry Out Loud is a national recitation contest for high school students. Keen wowed judges in Salem for the state Poetry Out Loud title on March 7. She will compete in the national semifinals on Tuesday, April 28, in a group with the other Western states representatives starting at 2 p.m. PST. The competition will be live-streamed on the National Endowment for the Arts website. The link will be posted on the day of the competition.

Nine students will advance to the national finals, which will begin at 4 p.m. PST on Wednesday, April 29. It will also be live-streamed.

Closed captioning and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided for both the Poetry Out Loud National Semifinals and Finals.

Keen, who in addition to Poetry Out Loud is the student body president, in the drama club and an avid photographer, is excited to perform in the nation’s capital. For the competition, Keen selected “Low-Tide” by Edna St. Vincent Millay, “From One Who Stays” by Amy Lowell, and “I am Like a Leaf” by Yone Noguchi.

“My connection with the poems is strong _­-- I feel like the poems are in my soul,” Keen said. “I’m looking forward to being in Washington D.C., seeing beautiful sights, taking good pictures and meeting new people!”

“The performing of poetry allows students to express themselves freely, create connections, and showcase the bright future of Oregon’s arts community,” said First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson, who attended the Poetry Out Loud State Contest. “Congratulations to Emma Keen for representing Oregon in the national competition. Oregon is rooting for you!”

Poetry Out Loud is organized in Oregon by the Oregon Arts Commission in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts. Participants memorize and present poems, practicing public speaking skills while exploring the complexity of poetry.

A total of $50,000 in cash prizes and school or organizational stipends will be awarded at the national finals, including $20,000 for the Poetry Out Loud National Champion, and $10,000 and $5,000 for the second- and third-place finalists, respectively.

See video of Keen performing and being named Oregon’s champion by First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson.

The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, arts programs and funding for nonprofits and artists through its grants, special initiatives and services. Commissioners appointed by the Governor establish policies and provide advisory support for public investment in the arts. The Arts Commission is part of Business Oregon in recognition of the vital role the arts play in supporting the economies, educational opportunities and vibrancy of communities throughout the state.

The Oregon Arts Commission is supported with funds appropriated by the Oregon Legislature, as well as by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Oregon Cultural Trust. Learn more at artscommission.oregon.gov and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

2026 Board on Public Safety Standards & Training

 and Policy Committee

Open Vacancy – Recruitments

The Board on Public Safety Standards & Training (BPSST) and established Policy Committees have open vacancies looking to be filled. The current vacancies are as follows:

BPSST: All Board applications must be submitted through Workday.com and are reviewed on a rolling basis

• One member who is a representative of the collective bargaining unit that represents the largest number of individual workers in the DOC
• Public Member

Policy Committees: All Policy Committee applications must be submitted by June 18, 2026.

Corrections Policy Committee:

• One non-management corrections officer employed by the DOC
• One public member who has never been employed or utilized as a corrections officer

Police Policy Committee:

• One person recommended by and representing the Oregon State Sheriffs' Association
• One non-management law enforcement officer
• One public member who has never been employed or utilized as a police officer

Private Security/Investigator Policy Committee:

• One person representing the retail industry
• One person who is a private investigator licensed under ORS 703.430, and is recommended by the Oregon State Bar (will also serve on the PI Sub-Committee upon appointment)
• One person representing the public who has never been employed or utilized as a private security provider or investigator
• One person representing the manufacturing industry
• One person representing the hospitality industry

Private Investigator Subcommittee:

• Two currently licensed private investigators

Telecommunications Policy Committee:

• One person representing Emergency Medical Services & Trauma 
• One person representing the Oregon State Sheriffs' Association

To inquire about a vacancy, please visit Department of Public Safety Standards & Training : Board on Public Safety Standards & Training and Policy Committees : Boards and Committees : State of Oregon.

If interested in applying for a Policy Committee position, please complete and submit the Policy Committee Interest Form found under the ‘Board and Committee Resources’ section of the website listed above.

If interested in applying for a BPSST position, please complete the online application at Workday Board and Commission Opportunities. (Please note that an account may need to be created if not already in Workday)

For further information regarding the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training or its respective Policy Committees, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167 or juan.lopez-hernandez@dpsst.oregon.gov.

Thank you,

DPSST Board & Committees Staff

HOOD RIVER COUNTY, Ore. (27 April 2026) – On Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 5:58 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a fatal crash involving a pedestrian on Interstate 84 near milepost 66 in Hood River County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a person, Hunter Clay Miller (24) of Hermiston, was walking in the travel lane for an unknown reason when he was struck by an unknown vehicle traveling westbound in the slow lane on I-84 near Hood River. A black Harley-Davidson motorcycle was found several miles east of the crash; however, it is unknown if Miller was associated with the motorcycle.

Miller was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The highway was impacted for approximately 2.5 hours for the on-scene investigation.

Investigators are asking any witnesses or anyone with information to contact OSP Dispatch at 800-442-2068, or by calling OSP (677) from a mobile phone. Please reference case number SP26-135374.

# # #

About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) 
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in documenting, investigating, and analyzing complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in using advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR-accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.

SALEM, Ore. –After an uncharacteristically warm winter, Oregon is experiencing various levels of drought and a record-low snowpack. May and June rainfall, or lack thereof, determines whether the state faces an early start to fire season. If the spring drying trend persists, the combination of these conditions sets the stage for extremely active and challenging wildfires this summer. Keep Oregon Green, in partnership with federal, state, tribal and local fire and emergency response agencies will be spreading the word about the steps we all can take to prevent the start of careless, unwanted wildfires this summer. Emergency response agencies encourage all Oregonians to take steps now to create defensible space around homes and outbuildings and become familiar with evacuation procedures.

Each year, over 70% of Oregon’s wildfires are started by people. Many are a result of escaped campfires and debris burn piles or overheated equipment and vehicles casting sparks or catching fire. During the 2025 fire season, the Oregon Department of Forestry reported that people were directly responsible for sparking 740 wildfires that burned over 20,000 acres. Any spark can gain traction in dry vegetation, spread quickly and impact lives, personal property, and the many benefits provided by Oregon’s scenic natural areas.

Before heading outdoors this summer, be sure to contact the agency or landowner who manages the land at your destination for an update on current fire restrictions or bans. Everyone should be familiar with these restrictions before building open fires or using equipment that could ignite a wildfire.

One Spark Changes Everything

Keep Oregon Green has been fighting wildfire with publicity since 1941. This season, the Association is unveiling a new campaign theme: ‘One Spark Changes Everything’. It highlights how everyday choices can either spark a negative or positive outcome. The campaign calls on the public to recognize risky outdoor behaviors that can lead to wildfires and predict the effects of their actions. Campaign artwork, PSAs, and additional wildfire safety tips can be found at keeporegongreen.org and various social media platforms.

Coming soon: More Wildfire Awareness Month tips

During May, a new wildfire prevention topic will be shared each week to help homeowners and outdoor enthusiasts learn how to prevent their outdoor activities from sparking the next wildfire. For more information, visit the websites for Keep Oregon Green at www.keeporegongreen.org, the Oregon Department of Forestry at www.oregon.gov/odf, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal at https://www.oregon.gov/osfm/education/pages/prevent-wildfires.aspx.

Follow Oregon wildfire news and prevention updates on social media: @keeporegongreen, @ORDeptForestry and @OSFM

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. (April 27, 2026) – On Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 10:59 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle fatal crash involving a pedestrian on Highway 42 near milepost 76 in Douglas County.

The preliminary investigation indicated that a red Ford Focus, operated by Leo Thomas Durden III (38) of Roseburg, was traveling westbound with a green light on Highway 42 when it struck a pedestrian, Vivian Kuntz (40) of Eugene, who was crossing from Grant Smith Road toward Highway 99 without a walk signal.

The pedestrian (Kuntz) was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The operator of the Ford (Leo Durden) and passenger, Caitlinn Ann Durden (35) of Roseburg, were not injured.

The highway was impacted for four hours during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by Central Douglas Fire and Rescue, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the Winston Police Department, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
 

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About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) 
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in documenting, investigating, and analyzing complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in using advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR-accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.

SALEM, Oregon— The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission approved several grant recommendations and rule updates, including use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in parks and along the ocean shore, at its April 22, 2026, virtual meeting.

OPRD will implement the UAS rules over the coming months to clarify where UAS operations will be allowed in state parks. UAS operations will only be allowed in designated park properties. 

In addition, the commission acted on several other rules including: 

• Adopted temporary rules for Public Improvement contracting. This will allow projects to continue moving forward this summer while permanent rules are developed. 
• Approved opening rulemaking for changes to the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant program.
• Denied a petition to open rulemaking to change the extra vehicle fee rule for motorhomes. This petition requested rules be opened to allow motorhomes to bring a non-towed extra vehicle at no charge. Commissioners found a continued need for the rule and determined circumstances have not changed sufficiently to warrant consideration of a new rule. 

The commission approved the following grant recommendations:  

• Recreation Trails Program: 17 grants totaling $2,065,768 (federal grant program administered by OPRD, represent portion of fuel tax for non-highway recreational use). 
• Land and Water Conservation Fund: 10 grants totaling $8,942,865 (federal grant program administered by OPRD, funding from oil and gas leases in coastal waters). 

Additional items included:  

• Confirming appointments to Audit and ATV committees. 
• Approving legislative concepts to propose for the 2027 legislative session. 
• Providing informational updates on real estate matters including potential purchase of Abiqua Falls properties, a property near Minam and an easement in the Blue Mountains for the Boardman to Hemingway project. 

The next commission meeting will be held virtually June 9 and 10, 2026. The full agenda packet is online.  

To watch the April commission meeting or any others, visit OPRD’s YouTube page and find supporting documents on the commission webpage.

The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission promotes outdoor recreation and heritage by establishing policies, adopting rules and setting the budget for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The seven members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. They serve four-year terms and meet several times a year virtually or at locations across the state.  

CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore. (27 April 2026) – On Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 11:06 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 26 near milepost 47 in Clackamas County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a gold Kia Sorento, operated by Daniel Lee La Blue (38) of Brightwood, was traveling westbound on Hwy. 26 near Rhododendron when it crossed over the highway for an unknown reason and struck a tree.

The Kia operator (La Blue), and sole occupant, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The highway was impacted for approximately one hour during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Hoodland Fire Department, AMR, the Clackamas County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

# # #

About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) 
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in documenting, investigating, and analyzing complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in using advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR-accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) and Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO invite the public to attend the Workers Memorial Day observance on Tuesday, April 28, in Salem. The ceremony will recognize, remember, and honor those who died of work-related injuries and illnesses in 2025.

The event will take place at noon at the Fallen Worker Memorial outside the Labor and Industries Building, 350 Winter St. NE, on the Capitol Mall. The memorial service, coordinated by Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, will feature remarks from union leaders, safety and health advocates, elected officials, and faith leaders.

During the ceremony, the names of Oregon workers who died on the job in the past year will be read aloud. The event will include a reading of Gov. Tina Kotek’s proclamation and remarks by Oregon OSHA Administrator Renée Stapleton and Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor.  

Oregon workplaces are safer and healthier today than in previous decades. Yet, there are still too many preventable on-the-job deaths each year.

“Oregon’s unions will always stand up against any attack on the safety and health of working people,” Trainor said. “On this solemn day, we honor the workers who did not make it home, and we call for stronger safety protections, real accountability for violators, and dignity on the job.”

Through a partnership of government, labor, and business working together to improve workplace safety and health, Oregon’s fatality and injury and illness rates have steadily declined for decades.

Nevertheless, the annual Workers Memorial Day observance serves as a reminder to renew our call to protect workers from workplace hazards. Under the Oregon Safe Employment Act, employers must maintain safe and healthy workplaces, and workers have a right to safe and healthy working conditions. Under the law, employers are required to know the rules that apply to their industry, and they must educate and train their workers. They are also required to comply with specific rules that apply to their workplace.

“Workers Memorial Day is not only a time to reflect and remember; it is a time to renew and strengthen our efforts to eliminate the risk of death in the workplace,” Stapleton said. “Going forward, we must revitalize our commitment to ensuring the right of all Oregon workers to on-the-job safety and health.” 

The annual Workers Memorial Day serves as a nationwide day of remembrance. The observance is traditionally held on April 28 because the U.S. Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act on that date in 1970.

Oregon OSHA encourages employers and workers to use its free workplace safety and health resources. Those resources include:

Oregon OSHA

• Worker rights and responsibilities
• Protect against retaliation
• Consultation services
• Technical services
• Keeping employees safe
• Education and training

DCBS Multicultural Communications Program

• Providing outreach to communities with limited English proficiency

Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers

• Independent advocate for Oregon workers, including guidance on workers’ rights and responsibilities in workers’ compensation and workplace safety and health

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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.

About Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO: Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO is the statewide federation of affiliated unions, representing more than 300,000 working Oregonians. Visit https://www.oraflcio.org/.