FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
May 23, 2026

Child Struck by Vehicle at Suttle Lake

On May 23, 2026, at approximately 1:52 p.m., the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was advised of a medical emergency at the Link Creek Campground near Suttle Lake. Information relayed from Deschutes County dispatch indicated that a six-year-old child had been struck by a vehicle and was unconscious and not breathing.

Deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office responded, along with the Oregon State Police, Black Butte Police Department, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District. Life Flight Network also responded.

Family members and nearby campers immediately began life-saving efforts. Family members transported the child to the designated landing zone while additional adults from nearby campsites assisted in providing aid until emergency responders arrived.

At approximately 2:30 p.m., deputies arrived at the intersection of Highway 20 and Suttle Lake Road, where the child had been transferred to an air ambulance. The child was flown to St. Charles Bend and was later pronounced deceased.

Deputies remained with and supported the child's family, who are from the Redmond area, alongside hospital chaplains and Oregon State Police personnel.

A five-year-old child witness who had been with the six-year-old at the time provided information regarding the events leading up to the incident. According to the child witness, the two children had run from the lakeshore area to their campsite to retrieve a stuffed animal and were returning toward the lake area. The child witness stated she stopped when she observed a vehicle towing a travel trailer approaching.

Based on information gathered during the investigation, investigators believe the six-year-old child unknowingly entered the area between the tow vehicle and travel trailer combination, where contact occurred with the trailer.

Witnesses stated the vehicle and trailer were moving at an extremely slow speed at the time. Information gathered during the investigation indicates the children approached from the right rear area of the tow vehicle and trailer combination, an area that may have limited the driver's visibility. Investigators believe this contributed to the driver not realizing an impact had occurred.

The driver, a man from the Portland area, remained on scene and cooperated fully with responders. At this time, investigators have found no indication of impairment or criminal behavior.

Responding agencies documented the scene and assisted medical personnel, ensuring all relevant details were recorded while also providing support to those involved in this tragic incident.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office extends its deepest condolences to the family and all those affected by this tragedy. Out of respect for the family's privacy, no identifying information regarding the child or relatives will be released.

For media inquiries, please contact the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer.

Respectfully,

Jason Pollock, Sheriff

Shady Pines Festival, the immersive, community-built campout hosted by Shady Pines Radio, returns July 16 – 19, 2026, to Camp Tasty’s in Sandy, Oregon. Now in its fifth year, the beloved festival continues to bring an eclectic, genre-spanning lineup to the woods just outside Portland—this time with a special artistic collaboration to mark the milestone.

To celebrate its 5th anniversary, Shady Pines Radio has teamed up with Portland-based artist Wokeface to create its official festival artwork. Known for her psychedelic, joy-forward illustrations, Wokeface’s work explores themes of self-love, connection, and the magic of being alive. Since launching her practice in 2016, her colorful, surreal characters have appeared across murals, street art, and playful merchandise designed to delight the inner child and soften the edges of reality.

“Shady Pines has always been about lifting up Portland’s creative community, so teaming up with Wokeface for our 5th anniversary just felt right,” says founder Brian Bauer. “We’ve loved seeing her work around town for years, and her playful, heartfelt style really matches the spirit of the festival and the community that’s grown around it.”

Produced by Shady Pines Radio, the festival is shaped by volunteers, artists, and attendees who believe in connection over consumption. It’s the kind of place where strangers become campmates, musicians become collaborators, and everyone plays a role in creating the experience.

This year’s lineup features a wide range of local and regional favorites, including Jonny’s Day Out, Hippie Death Cult, Jujuba, Federale, Family Worship Center, Haley Johnsen, Mic Crenshaw, Small Paul, Night Heron, and Los Mal Hablados, with dozens more artists spanning indie, psych, folk, funk, punk, rap, and beyond. In addition to the music, attendees can expect interactive art installations, workshops, local food and craft vendors, and signature Shady Pines moments like the Thursday night Open Mic, Saturday morning kazoo parade, pop-up performances, and delightfully weird surprises around every corner.

Known for keeping things intentionally accessible, Shady Pines offers affordable tickets, food, craft brews and opportunities to attend for free through volunteering. The event is also family-friendly – kids 12 and under get in free, and this year also features kid-centric activities and performances by artists such as Red Yarn.

Weekend and day passes are available now, as well as special group discounts for purchases of 4 or more adult tickets. Prices will rise as the event date grows closer, so now is the best time to secure a spot at one of the Pacific Northwest’s most welcoming and creatively charged festivals. Volunteer sign-ups and Visual Artist applications are available on the festival’s website for those looking to get involved behind the scenes.

For tickets, volunteer opportunities, or more information, visit www.shadypinesfestival.com.

About Shady Pines Radio
Shady Pines Radio is an online community radio station broadcasting 24/7 via app, website, and smart devices. Home to nearly 100 Portland-area DJs, the station features local and under-the-radar music, comedy, interviews, and experimental programming. Its mission is to energize and support the local arts scene by connecting people through broadcast and in-person events like Shady Pines Festival.

Families invited to experience Oregon Trail history through immersive weeklong outdoor adventure

SALEM, Ore. — Registration is open for the 2026 Oregon 4-H Wagon Train, a one-of-a-kind living history experience that invites participants to travel portions of the historic Oregon Trail by horseback, covered wagon and on foot. The 4-H Wagon Train is an outreach program of Oregon State University’s Extension Service. It has been held every year since 1982 and is the only 4-H Wagon Train club in the country.

“The Wagon Train is more than a camp. It’s a transformative experience that connects people to Oregon’s history, the outdoors and each other,” said Wayne Beckwith, a Wagon Train leader whose ancestors traveled the Oregon Trail. “Many families come back year after year because of the friendships, life lessons and memories created along the trail.”

A Living Oregon Trail Experience

The 2026 Wagon Train will take place July 12–18, 2026, along the historic Barlow Road, the final land route pioneers used to reach the Willamette Valley before arriving in Oregon City. Organizers encourage those interested to register by June 28, 2026. Participants do not need prior wagon train experience to participate. They will spend one week immersed in pioneer-style living. They set up camps each night, care for horses, cook outdoors and learn Oregon history and leadership skills while traveling across Oregon landscapes.

Tune-Up Weekend Offers Preview of Wagon Train Experience

In advance of the July trek, the organization will host its annual Tune-Up Weekend June 6–7, 2026, at the Oregon Outdoor Education Center in West Salem. The event offers newcomers and returning participants an opportunity to meet organizers, experience wagon train activities, learn pioneer skills and prepare for the summer journey.

Below are details about the Tune Up event in June and full Wagon Train experience in July:

Tune-Up Weekend

Dates:              June 6–7, 2026

Location:          Oregon Outdoor Education Center (formerly the Oregon 4-H Center)

                         5390 Four H Rd NW, Salem, OR 97304 

Cost:                $50 per participant. Cost includes all meals. Tune Up cost will be waived if participants sign up for 4-H Wagon Train at the same time.

Registration:    Contact Wayne Beckwith at .muleskinner@gmail.com">wb.muleskinner@gmail.com or 503-899-0123

2026 Oregon 4-H Wagon Train

Dates:               July 12–18, 2026

Route:               Historic Barlow Road

Cost:                 $350 per participant, plus $50 fee per animal. Cost includes all meals.

                         Financial assistance is available.

Registration:     Youth Registration

              Adult Registration

Questions about attending the Tune Up or full 4-H Wagon Train Experience? Contact Wayne Beckwith at .muleskinner@gmail.com">wb.muleskinner@gmail.com or 503-899-0123. More information and registration details are available at: www.4hwagontrain.org.

About the Oregon 4-H Wagon Train

The Oregon 4-H Wagon Train is a nonprofit educational program that provides immersive Oregon Trail experiences for youth, families and volunteers through outdoor living, historical education and leadership development. Founded in 1982, the program is the only 4-H Wagon Train club in the country. It continues to preserve Oregon pioneer history while fostering community, teamwork and lifelong learning.

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MULTNOMAH COUNTY (26 May 2026) – The Oregon State Police Criminal Division is asking the public’s assistance to locate a possible witness in a sexual assault investigation that occurred on May 24, 2026, in eastern Multnomah County.

On Sunday, May 24, 2026, Oregon State Police responded to a report of a sexual assault which had occurred at the Lewis and Clark Recreation Site near Troutdale. Investigators are seeking the individual who provided a ride to the female victim from the park to a local restaurant between 6:20 and 6:30 p.m. The victim described the individual as a white male driving a pickup truck. The man reportedly provided a ride to a female wearing a pink bathing suit top and shorts.

Investigators are asking the individual to come forward to make a statement. Anyone with information about this person is asked to call OSP’s Northern Command Center dispatch at 800-442-0776 or call OSP (677) from a mobile phone. Please reference case number SP26-169204.

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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.

SALEM, Ore. - Oregon National Guard service members participated in ceremonies across Oregon and Southwest Washington to honor individuals who died in defense of the nation on Memorial Day, May 25, 2026. As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Memorial Day takes on heightened significance, as the country pauses each year to honor those who sacrificed their lives to secure the nation's pursuit of liberty and cherished freedoms.

During the nation’s 200th anniversary in 1976, President Gerald R. Ford’s speech at Arlington National Cemetery on May 31 paused to honor the service members whose sacrifices spanned the nation’s history, linking their courage to the anniversary celebrations.

“As we mark this milestone of our national independence, however, we must not forget the lessons of history. Other nations have risen to great heights only to weaken in their resolve. We must not repeat their error. We must remain strong in our defense and steadfast in our resolve to uphold the principles with which we began two centuries ago.”

Speaking at the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Memorial Day celebration in Salem, Governor Tina Kotek highlighted that Memorial Day unites Americans in remembrance of the sacrifices made by service members.

"Memorial Day is not simply a tradition, it's a responsibility — a responsibility to remember the human cost of war, to honor those who never came home, and to ensure that their sacrifices are never forgotten,” she said.

Following Governor Kotek's remarks, Oregon Army National Guard Col. Russell Gibson, Government and Legislative Affairs Director and Commander, 82nd Brigade Troop Command, represented the Oregon Military Department and the State’s military community. He emphasized that the sacrifices made by Oregon’s sons and daughters should always be remembered.

"The men and women we honor today are not just names on a wall or statistics in a history book — they were sons and daughters, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers," Russell said.  "Their stories are our stories, and it is our sacred duty to preserve their memory and ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten."

Meanwhile, at a Memorial Day event at FirLawn Cemetery in Hillsboro, Oregon, Army National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Bertilson highlighted that when Oregon Soldiers deploy, "The impact is felt here as the families sacrifice when their loved ones are far from home."

Culminating the day is one of the major Memorial Day events at Willamette National Cemetery. Oregon Army and Air National Guardsmen, along with Navy, Marine Corps, and other military members, served as Color Guard and performed military duties for the ceremony.  A patriotic flyover conducted by the Oregon Air National Guard at the cemetery was one of nearly a dozen flyovers in cities and towns across the region, where the F-15 Eagles from the 142nd Wing flew in support of Memorial Day events.

“We are standing on Hollow ground,” said Wendall Pelham, the Keynote speaker and a Gold Star Father. “Men and women have given their lives so that we could spend this beautiful day together, sharing their legacies. Americans who answered their nation’s call, not because it was easy, not because it was safe, but because they believed there were things greater than themselves worth defending.”  

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Released Images:

260525-Z-ZJ128-1001: Carla Buyes (left), Gold Star mother of Cpl. Adam J. Buyes, U.S. Marine Corps, and Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek stand with a memorial wreath at Oregon Capitol State Park in Salem, Oregon, on May 25, 2026, prior to the Oregon Statewide Memorial Day Ceremony hosted by the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs. Cpl. Buyes, of Salem, Oregon, was assigned to the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and died Nov. 26, 2011, in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations during Operation Enduring Freedom. He was 21. (Oregon National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne)

260525-Z-ZJ128-1002-1005: Oregon National Guardsmen joined Oregon state and community leaders at Oregon Capitol State Park in Salem, Ore., May 25, 2026, for the Oregon Statewide Memorial Day Ceremony hosted by the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs. The ceremony honored fallen service members through a posting of the colors by North Salem High School JROTC, a reading of "In Flanders Fields," a flyover, and keynote remarks from Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek. Chaplain Col. Jacob Scott, Oregon Army National Guard, delivered the invocation and benediction, and Col. Russell Gibson, commander of the 82nd Troop Command Brigade and government and legislative affairs director for the Oregon Military Department, delivered remarks on behalf of the Guard and the state's military community. The ceremony concluded with the laying of a wreath by Gov. Kotek, ODVA Director Dr. Nakeia Council Daniels, and Carla Buyes, a Gold Star mother. (Oregon National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne)

260525-Z-LM216-1001-1004: A Memorial Day ceremony was held at Fir Lawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home in Hillsboro, Ore., to honor and pay tribute to all U.S. service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice, May 25, 2026. Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Bertilson, Oregon Army National Guard, was the guest speaker during the ceremony. (Oregon National Guard photo by 1st Sgt. Zachary Holden)

260525-Z-CH590-1056: Military members of a Joint Service Honor Guard team post the Colors to begin the Memorial Day Observance held at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon, on May 25, 2026. This year marked the 76th annual Memorial Day Observance at Willamette National Cemetery, one of three national cemeteries in Oregon (the others being Roseburg and Eagle Point). (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

260525-Z-CH590-1261: Wendall Pelham, a Gold Star Father, delivers the keynote address during the Memorial Day Observance at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon, on May 25, 2026. This year marked the 76th annual Memorial Day Observance at Willamette National Cemetery, one of three national cemeteries in Oregon (the others being Roseburg and Eagle Point). (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

260525-Z-CH590-1594: Family, friends, visitors, and other mourners of the fallen move among the thousands of American flags displayed at the gravesites at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon, following the Memorial Day Observances held on May 25, 2026. Memorial Day is dedicated to honoring all those who died in service to the United States during both peacetime and war. This year marked the 76th annual Memorial Day Observance at Willamette National Cemetery, one of three national cemeteries in Oregon (the others being Roseburg and Eagle Point). (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

260525-Z-CH590-1379: Military members of a Joint Service Honor Guard team perform a rifle salute during the Memorial Day Observance held at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon, on May 25, 2026. This year marked the 76th annual Memorial Day Observance at Willamette National Cemetery, one of three national cemeteries in Oregon (the others being Roseburg and Eagle Point). (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

260525-Z-CH590-1402: Oregon Army National Guard Chaplain (Maj.) Wesley Moldogo delivers the Benediction at the conclusion of the Memorial Day Observance at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon, on May 25, 2026. This year marked the 76th annual Memorial Day Observance at Willamette National Cemetery, one of three national cemeteries in Oregon (the others being Roseburg and Eagle Point). (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

260525-Z-CH590-1329: Two Oregon Air National Guard F-15 Eagle jets assigned to the 142nd Wing at Portland Air National Guard Base conduct a patriotic flyover during the Memorial Day Observance at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon, on May 25, 2026. This year marked the 76th annual Memorial Day Observance at Willamette National Cemetery, one of three national cemeteries in Oregon (the others being Roseburg and Eagle Point). (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

Media Contact: 503-934-3310  |  licinfo@oem.oregon.gov" rel="noopener" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(0, 42, 92);" target="_blank">OEM_Publicinfo@oem.oregon.gov

2026 Wildfire Awareness Month: Have a Plan, Build a Go-bag, Get Insured, Be Ready to Evacuate 

SALEM, Ore. -- Oregon is going to be a tinderbox this wildfire season. With counties across the state already declaring drought emergencies, we are heading into what will be one of the driest seasons in more than a decade. As a result, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is asking you to get ready now: 

1. Pack your go-bags 
2. Know your evacuation routes – have a plan 
3. Sign-up for emergency alerts 
4. Be prepared if cell service goes down 
5. Know the evacuation levels 
6. Make sure you have enough wildfire insurance – have a recovery plan 

Pack Your Go-bags 

A go-bag contains essential items you may need to take with you in a hurry. Each household member (human and animal) should have an easy-to-carry emergency bag:  

In an easy to pack tote: 

• Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation) 
• Food:non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation) 

In individual backpacks: 

• Large bottle of water 
• Non-perishable snacks or meals ready to eat (MREs) 
• 7-day supply of medications (if possible) 
• A basic first aid kit
• Flashlight (hand-cranked or with extra batteries)  
• Back-up power cell (for charging your phone and electronics) 
• Extra charging cables 
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio(NOAA Weather Radio, if possible) 
• Extra clothing and personal items 
• Digital or printed copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, etc.) 
• Multi-purpose tool 
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items 
• Printed copy of family and emergency contact information 
• If possible, extra cash 
• Emergency blanket
• Printed map(s) of the area (make sure everyone knows how to read them) 

Know Your Evacuation Routes – Have a Plan 

Create an evacuation plan and make sure everyone in the family knows what it is. Visit OEM’s Be2WeeksReady page to find tips on how to prepare for evacuation or shelter in place. OEM also offers a wildfire evacuation checklist at wildfire.oregon.gov/prepare. 

Your plan should include: 

• A list of emergency contacts (printed and in every go-bag) 
• A safe meeting place in case family members get separated 
• Multiple evacuation routes from home, work, or school. comcan help with this, but everyone should also know how to read a paper map and how to get to safety. 
• Transportation arrangements, including pets and livestock. 
• A discussion with loved ones, friends and neighbors to ensure everyone understands the plan. 

Individuals with disabilities should plan ahead for transportation, equipment and service animal needs. Visit the Red Cross for tailored resources. If you have special medical needs, make sheltering arrangements some place that can accommodate your needs, because not all standard shelters can. 

For pet and livestock evacuation planning, visit Ready.gov/pets. Prepare a pet emergency kit with essentials like food, water, medications, identification and medical records. Livestock owners should arrange transportation and shelter options in advance—resources are available at Oregon Department of Agriculture. 

Sign-up for Emergency Alerts   

Visit ORAlert.gov to sign-up to receive alerts based on your zip code. If you're already registered, take a moment to log in and update your contact information. Also, check your phone settings to ensure wireless emergency alerts are enabled. 

Know where to find local emergency information, such as your county’s emergency management website and TripCheck.com. Follow local emergency services on social media, including the sheriff’s office, fire agencies and city or county pages. 

Be Prepared If Cell Service Goes Down  

Have a back-up plan for how you will communicate if cell towers burn in your area. Developing a family PACE plan (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency) is key to staying connected during a disaster. Many cell providers offer a Starlink add-on for a nominal fee, which allows your cell phone to access the internet and make web-based phone calls and texts, or send Facebook and WhatsApp messages even if you can’t connect to a cell tower.   

An example of a PACE plan for individuals: 

• Primary: Cell Phones 
• Alternate: Starlink service on your cell phone. 
• Contingency: Satellite communicators, separate from the satellite function on your phone (which prioritizes first-responder traffic) 
• Emergency: Short-range communication radios for talking to family, and a hand-cranked NOAA weather radio to receive alerts. 

Know the Evacuation Levels in Oregon 

Oregon uses a three-level evacuation system to keep residents informed and safe. Be familiar with “Be Ready, Be Set, Go Now!” notifications: 

1. Level One – BE READY (Green): Stay aware of the wildfire threat and get prepared. Pack your go-kit, check emergency contacts, and ensure those in vulnerable situations (older adults, children, individuals with disabilities, and livestock owners) are ready to evacuate if needed. 
2. Level Two – BE SET (Yellow): Be prepared to leave at any moment. This indicates significant wildfire danger. Voluntary evacuation is encouraged—especially for those needing extra time to relocate safely. 
3. Level Three – GO NOW! (Red): Evacuate immediately! This means extreme danger is present, and it is unsafe to remain in place. Emergency responders may not be able to assist further. Leave immediately without gathering belongings and check TripCheck.com or call 511 for evacuation routes. 

After evacuating, do not return until officials declare it safe. You can find additional wildfire preparedness resources at wildfire.oregon.gov. 

Make Sure You’re Insured – Have a Recovery Plan 

Finally, whether you rent or own, now is the time to make sure you have wildfire insurance and enough coverage to replace your house. If the worst happens, you will need to rely on insurance, savings, loans and donations to replace what was lost. Have a plan for how you will recover. Your standard renter’s or homeowners' policy doesn’t cover floods, landslides or wildfires. Talk to your agent to make sure you have the right kind and amount of insurance. 

• Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety – Wildfire Ready
• Division of Financial Regulation – Wildfires Insurance Resources
• Filing a homeowners claim after a fire(English) 
• Filing a homeowners claim after a fire(Spanish) 
• Division of Financial Regulation – Wildfires Messaging Toolkit

Additional Wildfire Preparedness Resources 

• OEM's Wildfire Alert Graphics
• OEM's Evacuation Level Graphics
• How to Talk About Wildfires
• Prevent Wildfires
• Stay Safe While Driving During Smokey Conditions
• Vehicles can cause wildfires so make sure yours doesn't 

Shortly after 2:30 pm on Sunday, May 24, 2026, multiple 911 callers reported a residence on fire in the Tumalo area on 76th Street.  First arriving fire crews from Bend Fire & Rescue found a heavily involved split level home with fire extending into adjacent brush and trees.  Neighbors on either side of the home were using garden hoses to prevent the vegetation from igniting and spreading.  The fire was quickly knocked down, but due to the extent of the fire and the lack of fire hydrants in the area, full extinguishment was delayed.  No one was at home at the time of the fire, and the Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents.  Losses are estimated at $500,000 to the structure and $75,000 to contents.  Mutual aid was provided by Cloverdale Fire, Redmond Fire, and Oregon Department of Forestry.

The fire is under investigation at this time.

With much attention right now on protecting your home and property from the threat of wildfire, it can be easy to overlook preparation for when a wildfire strikes.  This is a good time to make a plan - before there is a wildfire.  Have emergency supplies such as food, water, important documents, medications, and other essentials ready to go.  Have a plan for communication with family members, and when you are told to evacuate, do so quickly.  For more information on preparedness, visit our website at https://bendoregon.gov/departments/public-safety/fire-rescue/community-resources-programs/own-your-zone/

FIRE POLICY COMMITTEE

MEETING SCHEDULED

The Fire Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Madison Mancuso at (971) 433-7899 or madison.mancuso@dpsst.oregon.gov.

The meeting will be livestreamed on the DPSST YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@DPSST.

Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. Approval of Minutes of February 25, 2026 Minutes

3. Discretionary Case Review Quick Sheet
    Presented by Brooke Bell-Uribe

4. Gail F. Freer; DPSST No. 28436

Presented by Chantel Goettsch

5. Jakob K. Brandt; DPSST No. 40180

Presented by Chantel Goettsch

6. Logan M. Wigham; DPSST No. 38345

Presented by Chantel Goettsch

7. Fire Certification Review Task Force - Update

Presented by Brooke Bell-Uribe

8. Agency Updates

9. Next Fire Policy Committee Meeting - August 26, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting, subject to the public meeting law and it will be recorded. Deliberation of issues will only be conducted by Police Policy Committee members unless permitted by the Chair. Individuals who engage in disruptive behavior that impedes official business will be asked to stop being disruptive or leave the meeting. Additional measures may be taken to have disruptive individuals removed if their continued presence poses a safety risk to the other persons in the room or makes it impossible to continue the meeting.

At 11:30 pm on Thursday, May 21 2026, multiple 911 callers reported a structure fire near Boyd Acres Rd in NE Bend.  First arriving fire units found two residences heavily involved in fire with extension into nearby brush and trees and a second alarm was called. The fire was knocked down quickly, with fire progression stopped within 45 minutes. Assistance was received during the incident from Redmond Fire & Rescue, Cloverdale Fire, and Sunriver Fire.  Both residences were uninhabitable with one a total loss, and Red Cross assistance was requested for the residents.  Losses are estimated in excess of 1 million dollars.  

The fire is under investigation at this time.  

The fire did extend into adjacent brush and trees, but was quickly stopped by fire crews.  Wildfires and wildfire losses aren't just in rural areas, they can occur even within City limits.  Taking simple steps, such as clearing combustible material within 5 feet of the house and using non-combustible ground cover, can greatly reduce the risk of losing your home to wildfire.  For more information on reducing wildfire risk, visit https://bendoregon.gov/departments/public-safety/fire-rescue/community-resources-programs/own-your-zone/

GRANT COUNTY, Ore. (22 May 2026) – The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is seeking information regarding the killing of a collared wolf in Grant County.

On the morning of May 18, 2026, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife contacted Fish and Wildlife troopers regarding a mortality signal from a collared wolf from the Desolation Pack. ODFW and OSP responded to the scene and located the deceased male wolf which died from an apparent gunshot wound. The location of the deceased wolf was on public land adjacent to USFS Road 10, at Desolation Meadow. This location is approximately 3.25 miles northwest of Olive Lake. 

The preliminary investigation indicated the wolf was likely shot from the roadway sometime during the late evening of May 14, 2026, through the early morning hours of May 15, 2026.

Anyone with information is asked to contact OSP Fish and Wildlife through the Turn In Poachers (TIP) hotline at 1-800-452-7888 or by calling OSP (677) from a mobile phone. Please reference case number SP26-160166. TIP reports may be anonymous.

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.

SALEM, Ore. — The Emergency Fire Cost Committee (EFCC) will meet at 10 a.m. on June 2 in the Tillamook Room, Building C, Oregon Department of Forestry at 2600 State Street in Salem. To join virtually, please use the Teams video conference information found on the agenda.

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Financial status of the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund (OFLPF)
• Weather update
• Executive report
• Administrative Branch report
• Status of large fire cost collection efforts
• Mitigation planning and implementation
• Status reports on EFCC work groups
• Protection Division report
• Administrator report

The meeting is open to the public to attend in-person or virtually via Teams. Public comments will be accepted near the end of the meeting. Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged by calling at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-881-8292 or by email at na.m.hobbs@odf.oregon.gov">lorna.m.hobbs@odf.oregon.gov.

The Emergency Fire Cost Committee (EFCC) oversees the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund (OFLPF), established by the Oregon Legislature as a fund with the purpose of providing funds for fiscal year budgets of forest protection districts, investments in supplemental fire prevention, detection or suppression resources that enhance fire protection in the state and issuing loans to the Oregon Department of Forestry or forest protection associations that relate to wildfire costs. View more information on the EFCC webpage.

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Lake Oswego, Oregon, man has been charged with sexually exploiting minor victims online and in person across multiple states and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Alex Miller Eldridge, 36, has been charged by criminal complaint with sexual exploitation of children and possession and distribution of child pornography.

According to court documents, since May 2025, Eldridge used multiple online accounts to sexually exploit minors in multiple U.S. states and at least one foreign country. In December 2024, Eldridge flew from Hawaii to Pennsylvania to sexually abuse a minor victim he met on the Discord application. Eldridge recorded his sexual abuse of the minor victim and later sent those videos to multiple other minor victims.

Eldridge used the Discord and Session applications to engage in sexually themed chats with additional minor victims in 2025 and 2026. He directed one minor victim in Colorado and another in Greece to send him videos of themselves engaging in sexually explicit conduct, which he then threatened to distribute online. Discord also reported him for distributing multiple files of CSAM in November 2025.

Investigators executed a search warrant at Elridge’s home on May 20 and located additional evidence of sexual exploitation of minors and CSAM activity. Evidence found on Eldridge’s cell phone showed that he distributed CSAM on Discord the day before his arrest.

Eldridge made his first appearance in federal court yesterday before a U.S. magistrate judge, who detained Eldridge pending further court proceedings.

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

Homeland Security Investigations is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mira Chernick is prosecuting the case.

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

Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children is encouraged to contact HSI at (866) 347-2423 or submit a tip online at report.cybertip.org.

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

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Award includes school donations to support local classrooms

PORTLAND, Ore. — OnPoint Community Credit Union has announced the four winners of the 2026 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education Educator of the Year awards, who will each have their mortgage or rent paid for a year:

• K-5 Educator of the Year: Ashley Reich, 4th-grade teacher at Holt Elementary School in Eugene, Ore.
• 6-8 Educator of the Year: Mikael Benson, 6th-8th grade Math and Gardening teacher at Harrison Park Middle School in Portland, Ore.
• 9-12 Educator of the Year: Stephanie Fitzgerald, 9th-12th grade Mathematics, Leadership and Education 101 teacher at Colton High School in Colton, Ore.
• Gold Star Educator of the Year: Kali Dalton, Counselor at Coweeman Middle School in Kelso, Wash.

OnPoint will pay the mortgage or rent for a year for each of the four Educators of the Year. They will also each receive $2,500 for their schools. The four runners-up will receive $5,000 each and $1,500 for their schools.

“Great educators do much more than teach lessons. They encourage students to believe in themselves and create meaningful connections that last far beyond the classroom,” said Rob Stuart, president and chief executive officer, OnPoint Community Credit Union. “This year’s honorees demonstrate extraordinary dedication, compassion and leadership, and we are proud to celebrate the lasting impact they have on their students, schools and communities.”

The OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education has awarded more than $1 million in prizes to more than 350 local educators and schools since 2010. The 2026 campaign will award an additional $193,000 to deserving K-12 educators and schools.

2026 Educators of the Year

The four winners of the 2026 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education Educator of the Year awards are:

K-5 Educator of the Year – Ashley Reich

4th grade, Holt Elementary School, Eugene, Ore.

Reich’s teaching philosophy is rooted in her belief that students learn best when they feel safe, valued and are genuinely excited to be in the classroom. Her 20-year teaching career has included high-needs schools, so she knows each child comes to her with different challenges and experiences. Reich ensures every one of them knows they belong and are accepted by building strong relationships with every student. She is known for celebrating each of their individual cultures, backgrounds and identities.

Reich established the Holt Student Council for 4^th and 5^th-graders, giving students meaningful opportunities to lead and use their voices. And she works with other Holt teachers, counselors and administrators every year to identify students who need winter coats. To date, that effort has delivered nearly 1,000 coats to students in need.

6-8 Educator of the Year – Mikael Benson

6^th-8^th grade Math and Gardening, Harrison Park Middle School, Portland, Ore.

Benson may be best known by his students for his intentionally quirky style. Think shorts with black socks, a math-inspired Hawaiian shirt and a dozen pens dangling from a lanyard. He leans into humor, knowing the laughter and energy it sparks help set a welcoming tone in his classroom. Benson believes that when students feel at ease, they’re more willing to take risks, challenge ideas, make mistakes and learn from them.

While his approach is playful, Benson’s commitment to his students is anything but. He works deliberately to ensure every student feels included and supported. Benson also revitalized the school’s outdoor learning garden, transforming it into a hands-on space where students explore soil science, teamwork, recycling and environmental care. In 2025, he organized a plant sale that raised more than $6,000, the highest amount the school has ever generated in a single year.

9-12 Educator of the Year – Stephanie Fitzgerald

9^th-12^th grade Mathematics, Leadership and Education 101, Colton High School, Colton, Ore.

In Fitzgerald’s classroom, mathematics isn’t taught as a set of procedures. It’s a way of thinking. She emphasizes problem-solving, perseverance and real-world application, helping students see math as something to actively engage with rather than simply complete. Fitzgerald’s students apply what they learn through hands-on experiences, such as making necklaces or simulating the car-buying process, giving them a deeper understanding of math’s relevance beyond the classroom.

She collaborated with another teacher to design an “Education 101” class for Colton students interested in teaching. In 2023, Fitzgerald chose to pursue a second master’s degree to expand dual-credit math opportunities for students. Since then, she has assumed responsibility for nearly every math course offered at the school while also serving as the leadership teacher, drama coach, junior class advisor and a mentor for new teachers.

Gold Star Educator of the Year – Kali Dalton

Counselor, Coweeman Middle School, Kelso, Wash.

Dalton knew she wanted to be an educator from an early age and gave a lot of thought to how she could have the greatest impact as an adult in a school environment. Today, she strives to ensure school is a safe and welcoming space for students, where they feel comfortable sharing their concerns with her and confident exploring what they want to do in life. Dalton says her role as a school counselor is to be that present, consistent adult, filled with compassion.

When Dalton saw a lack of social and emotional learning curriculum at her school, she spoke up and helped develop a scope and lessons now available to all students. She also led a team that created her school’s “Menu of Services,” started “Coffee with the Counselor” for parents and was a key leader in starting a mentorship program at her school.

2026 Educator of the Year Runners-up

OnPoint will also award a $5,000 cash prize to each of the following 2026 runners-up and make a $1,500 donation to their schools for resources and supplies.

K-5 Educator of the Year Runner-up – Sam Wishart

1st Grade, City View Charter School, Hillsboro, Ore.

6-8 Educator of the Year Runner-up – Kristine Napper

6-8^th Grade Social Studies, Whitford Middle School, Beaverton, Ore.

9-12 Educator of the Year Runner-up – Heidi Friesen

9-12^th Grade Chemistry and Physics, Bend Senior High, Bend, Ore.

Gold Star Educator of the Year Runner-up – Yaneira Romero

Social Worker, James John Elementary, Portland, Ore.

Five Schools Receive Community Builder Awards

The 2026 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education also awarded one Oregon school $5,000 and four Oregon and southwest Washington schools $2,000 in Community Builder grants for special projects that enrich their communities:

Grand Prize Winner – $5,000 Community Builder Award

• Cedar Ridge Middle School: Kiln for Kids (Oregon Trail School District, Sandy, Ore.)

$2,000 Community Builder Award Winners

• Carus Elementary: Community Garden Space (Canby School District, Oregon City, Ore.)
• Mapleton School District: Community Makerspace Initiative (Mapleton, Ore.)
• Rex Putnam High School: Indoor Percussion Drum Replacement (North Clackamas School District, Milwaukie, Ore.)
• Woodland High School: Postsecondary Exploration Field Trips (Woodland Public Schools, Woodland, Wash.)

Click here to read more about this year's Community Builder winners, which OnPoint announced on May 6, 2026.

Honoring Founders' Legacy of Excellence in Education

Founded by 16 schoolteachers in 1932, OnPoint continues to honor its legacy today by improving access to quality education for everyone. Click here to learn more.

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About OnPoint Community Credit Union

OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union headquartered in Oregon, serving more than 648,000 members throughout Oregon and southwest Washington. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union’s membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 28 Oregon counties (Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler and Yamhill) and who lives, works, worships, or attends school in one of four Washington counties (Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, and Skamania), and their immediate family members. OnPoint Community Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). More information is available at onpointcu.com.

Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Award includes school donations to support local classrooms

PORTLAND, Ore. — OnPoint Community Credit Union has announced the four winners of the 2026 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education Educator of the Year awards, who will each have their mortgage or rent paid for a year:

• K-5 Educator of the Year: Ashley Reich, 4th-grade teacher at Holt Elementary School in Eugene, Ore.
• 6-8 Educator of the Year: Mikael Benson, 6th-8th grade Math and Gardening teacher at Harrison Park Middle School in Portland, Ore.
• 9-12 Educator of the Year: Stephanie Fitzgerald, 9th-12th grade Mathematics, Leadership and Education 101 teacher at Colton High School in Colton, Ore.
• Gold Star Educator of the Year: Kali Dalton, Counselor at Coweeman Middle School in Kelso, Wash.

OnPoint will pay the mortgage or rent for a year for each of the four Educators of the Year. They will also each receive $2,500 for their schools. The four runners-up will receive $5,000 each and $1,500 for their schools.

“Great educators do much more than teach lessons. They encourage students to believe in themselves and create meaningful connections that last far beyond the classroom,” said Rob Stuart, president and chief executive officer, OnPoint Community Credit Union. “This year’s honorees demonstrate extraordinary dedication, compassion and leadership, and we are proud to celebrate the lasting impact they have on their students, schools and communities.”

The OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education has awarded more than $1 million in prizes to more than 350 local educators and schools since 2010. The 2026 campaign will award an additional $193,000 to deserving K-12 educators and schools.

2026 Educators of the Year

The four winners of the 2026 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education Educator of the Year awards are:

K-5 Educator of the Year – Ashley Reich

4th grade, Holt Elementary School, Eugene, Ore.

Reich’s teaching philosophy is rooted in her belief that students learn best when they feel safe, valued and are genuinely excited to be in the classroom. Her 20-year teaching career has included high-needs schools, so she knows each child comes to her with different challenges and experiences. Reich ensures every one of them knows they belong and are accepted by building strong relationships with every student. She is known for celebrating each of their individual cultures, backgrounds and identities.

Reich established the Holt Student Council for 4^th and 5^th-graders, giving students meaningful opportunities to lead and use their voices. And she works with other Holt teachers, counselors and administrators every year to identify students who need winter coats. To date, that effort has delivered nearly 1,000 coats to students in need.

6-8 Educator of the Year – Mikael Benson

6^th-8^th grade Math and Gardening, Harrison Park Middle School, Portland, Ore.

Benson may be best known by his students for his intentionally quirky style. Think shorts with black socks, a math-inspired Hawaiian shirt and a dozen pens dangling from a lanyard. He leans into humor, knowing the laughter and energy it sparks help set a welcoming tone in his classroom. Benson believes that when students feel at ease, they’re more willing to take risks, challenge ideas, make mistakes and learn from them.

While his approach is playful, Benson’s commitment to his students is anything but. He works deliberately to ensure every student feels included and supported. Benson also revitalized the school’s outdoor learning garden, transforming it into a hands-on space where students explore soil science, teamwork, recycling and environmental care. In 2025, he organized a plant sale that raised more than $6,000, the highest amount the school has ever generated in a single year.

9-12 Educator of the Year – Stephanie Fitzgerald

9^th-12^th grade Mathematics, Leadership and Education 101, Colton High School, Colton, Ore.

In Fitzgerald’s classroom, mathematics isn’t taught as a set of procedures. It’s a way of thinking. She emphasizes problem-solving, perseverance and real-world application, helping students see math as something to actively engage with rather than simply complete. Fitzgerald’s students apply what they learn through hands-on experiences, such as making necklaces or simulating the car-buying process, giving them a deeper understanding of math’s relevance beyond the classroom.

She collaborated with another teacher to design an “Education 101” class for Colton students interested in teaching. In 2023, Fitzgerald chose to pursue a second master’s degree to expand dual-credit math opportunities for students. Since then, she has assumed responsibility for nearly every math course offered at the school while also serving as the leadership teacher, drama coach, junior class advisor and a mentor for new teachers.

Gold Star Educator of the Year – Kali Dalton

Counselor, Coweeman Middle School, Kelso, Wash.

Dalton knew she wanted to be an educator from an early age and gave a lot of thought to how she could have the greatest impact as an adult in a school environment. Today, she strives to ensure school is a safe and welcoming space for students, where they feel comfortable sharing their concerns with her and confident exploring what they want to do in life. Dalton says her role as a school counselor is to be that present, consistent adult, filled with compassion.

When Dalton saw a lack of social and emotional learning curriculum at her school, she spoke up and helped develop a scope and lessons now available to all students. She also led a team that created her school’s “Menu of Services,” started “Coffee with the Counselor” for parents and was a key leader in starting a mentorship program at her school.

2026 Educator of the Year Runners-up

OnPoint will also award a $5,000 cash prize to each of the following 2026 runners-up and make a $1,500 donation to their schools for resources and supplies.

K-5 Educator of the Year Runner-up – Sam Wishart

1st Grade, City View Charter School, Hillsboro, Ore.

6-8 Educator of the Year Runner-up – Kristine Napper

6-8^th Grade Social Studies, Whitford Middle School, Beaverton, Ore.

9-12 Educator of the Year Runner-up – Heidi Friesen

9-12^th Grade Chemistry and Physics, Bend Senior High, Bend, Ore.

Gold Star Educator of the Year Runner-up – Yaneira Romero

Social Worker, James John Elementary, Portland, Ore.

Five Schools Receive Community Builder Awards

The 2026 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education also awarded one Oregon school $5,000 and four Oregon and southwest Washington schools $2,000 in Community Builder grants for special projects that enrich their communities:

Grand Prize Winner – $5,000 Community Builder Award

• Cedar Ridge Middle School: Kiln for Kids (Oregon Trail School District, Sandy, Ore.)

$2,000 Community Builder Award Winners

• Carus Elementary: Community Garden Space (Canby School District, Oregon City, Ore.)
• Mapleton School District: Community Makerspace Initiative (Mapleton, Ore.)
• Rex Putnam High School: Indoor Percussion Drum Replacement (North Clackamas School District, Milwaukie, Ore.)
• Woodland High School: Postsecondary Exploration Field Trips (Woodland Public Schools, Woodland, Wash.)

Click here to read more about this year's Community Builder winners, which OnPoint announced on May 6, 2026.

Honoring Founders' Legacy of Excellence in Education

Founded by 16 schoolteachers in 1932, OnPoint continues to honor its legacy today by improving access to quality education for everyone. Click here to learn more.

###

About OnPoint Community Credit Union

OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union headquartered in Oregon, serving more than 648,000 members throughout Oregon and southwest Washington. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union’s membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 28 Oregon counties (Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler and Yamhill) and who lives, works, worships, or attends school in one of four Washington counties (Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, and Skamania), and their immediate family members. OnPoint Community Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). More information is available at onpointcu.com.

Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Salem, Oregon – Twenty-six Oregon artists will access meaningful career development opportunities through the second round of 2026 Career Opportunity Program grants from the Oregon Arts Commission and The Ford Family Foundation.
 

Over $91,000 was awarded, including $46,665 from the Oregon Arts Commission for all artistic disciplines and $44,338 in supplemental funding for 12 established Oregon visual artists, visual arts writers and curators of visual arts through a partnership with The Ford Family Foundation’s Visual Arts Program. Grant funding received ranges from $1,041 to $7,000.
 

Career Opportunity grants support individual Oregon artists by enabling them to take advantage of timely opportunities that enhance their artistic careers. Most grants support the artists’ participation in residencies, exhibitions or performance opportunities.
 

"The creativity of Oregon artists and makers is so inspiring,” said Commission Vice Chair Jenny Stadler, who served as a panel chair. “I always look forward to learning more about the wonderful opportunities they are invited to participate in around the country and world."
 

“Artists are anchors of Oregon towns and cities,” said Kara Carlisle, president and CEO of The Ford Family Foundation. “By investing in artists’ research, training, dedicated work time and new exhibition opportunities, we’re not just amplifying their careers, we’re reinforcing the cultural fabric of our communities. We’re proud to join the Oregon Arts Commission in this shared commitment to impact.”

FY2026 Career Opportunity Program round two grant award recipients are:

Christian Burchard, Ashland

Oregon Arts Commission $1,664

To support the transportation of Burchard’s sculpture “Never Again II” from Ashland to the Wharton Esherick Museum in Paoli, Pennsylvania, for the exhibition “Breaking Ground.”

David Buckley Borden, Eugene

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

The Ford Family Foundation $5,000

To support the creation of an immersive art installation about forest ecology for the upcoming exhibition “Lookout Landscape” at the World Forestry Center in Portland, opening in fall 2026.

Adrian Chavez, Medford

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

The Ford Family Foundation $5,000

To support the creation of a new mural in downtown Phoenix, Oregon, celebrating local people, wildlife, and culture.

Srijon Chowdhury, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

The Ford Family Foundation $5,000

To support the production and presentation of a new large-scale installation and paintings for Chowdhury’s upcoming exhibition at Converge 45 in Portland.

Teah Cory, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

To support the development of industry-level skills in stop-motion animation through an online intensive with Aardman, the studio behind “Wallace and Gromit.”

William Cravis, Sisters

The Ford Family Foundation $4,000

To support a 13-week residency at the European Ceramic Work Center in Oisterwijk, Netherlands.

Joel Fisher, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

The Ford Family Foundation $5,000

To support the production of “Framework,” a solo exhibition in Los Angeles, including preparatory costs for printing, mounting, framing, and shipping.

Kristina Foley, McMinnville

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

The Ford Family Foundation $4,000

To support Foley’s participation in the 2026 XTANT Leadership Program and Textile Marketplace, a community gathering to celebrate the art of craft in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

Heather Goodwind, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

The Ford Family Foundation $1,655

To support a solo exhibition in Seattle, Washington, at LIC Gallery and participation in the Seattle Art Fair.

Marisa Grattan, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

To support Portland-based post-production finishing, color grading and delivery for Grattan’s approximately 20-minute documentary short film "ho‘oka‘awale / 疏离 (shūlí)."

Garrick Imatani, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

The Ford Family Foundation $4,050

To support the creation of work for both a group exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art at Maine College of Art in Portland, Maine, as well as a monthlong artist residency in Mexico City that concludes with an exhibition.

Emilie Kelly, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $1,041

To support Kelly’s endeavors as a writer, illustrator and comics creator at the Alaska Robotics Comics Camp.

Charlie Kralin, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

To support the purchase of equipment and software to complete an experimental stop-motion film for a solo exhibition at the Pacific Northwest College of Art’s Cauduro Gallery in Portland.

Shawna Lipton, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

To support the completion of a nonfiction manuscript of literary criticism at the Literary Journalism Residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.

Alexandra Lewis, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

To support the wider release of Lewis’s documentary “IROKO: Sacred Roots” through film festivals and in-person presentations.

Karina Lomelin Ripper, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

To support Mexican-American writer and director Ripper in attending the Latino Film Institute Inclusion Fellowship workshop: LALIFF Connect in Los Angeles.

William Morrow, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

The Ford Family Foundation $2,500

To support travel and on-the-ground expenses to participate in the International Association of Curators of Contemporary Art Congress in Turin and Milan, Italy.

Andrew Myers, Albany

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

To support an artist residency at Centrum in Port Townsend, Washington, as well as a solo exhibition at Linfield University.

Celeste Noche, Portland

The Ford Family Foundation $4,000

To support travel and production costs during the Interlude Artist Residency in Livingston, New York– the first major residency dedicated exclusively to supporting artists with families.

Brian Parham, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $1,960

To support a series of live “RISE: The Legacy of Black Guitar Heroes in Rock & Metal” performances.

Aejoo Park, Beaverton

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

To support Naomi Dixon's opportunity to coach and perform with Ooh La La, a BIPOC and queer all-women improv team, at the London Improv Festival in London, England, May 21-24, 2026.

Sara Parker, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

To support the premiere of “The House of the Heart,” a full evening-length interdisciplinary dance work at A-WOL Dance Collective, marking the culmination of a three-year research arc.

Ido Radon, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

The Ford Family Foundation $2,000

To support the production and presentation of a major installation in the 2026 Converge 45 triennial at the Center for Contemporary Art and Culture at the Pacific Northwest College of Art.

Aubrey Sloan, Willamina

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

To support “A Year and a Day,” a solo exhibition at Stark Street Studios and Gallery in Portland centering American working-class mothers through new ceramic works, invited collaborators, and public dialogue.

Mike Vos, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

The Ford Family Foundation $2,133

To support Vos’s first solo exhibition at Laura Vincent Design & Gallery in Portland of photographs and audio pieces made throughout Iceland.

Amber Whitehall, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

To support Whitehall's refinement of the historic dance work “Trio A” by Yvonne Rainer.

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.

All passes will be approximately 1,000 feet above ground level and about 400 mph airspeed. Flights could be canceled or times changed due to inclement weather or operational contingencies.

-30-

Aerial b-roll: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/752272/142nd-wing-f-15-flight-gopro-footage

About the 142nd Wing:

The Portland Air National Guard Base employs 1400 Airmen who provide an economic impact of nearly $500 million to the region. The 142nd Wing defends our homeland with F-15 Eagle fighter jets, guarding the Pacific Northwest skies from northern California to the Canadian border through their Aerospace Control Alert mission as part of Air Combat Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Their mission is to provide unequalled, mission-ready units to sustain combat aerospace superiority and peacetime tasking any time, any place in service to our nation, state and community.

For more information, contact 142nd Wing Public Affairs at 503-335-4347.

Photo caption:

An F-15EX from the 142nd Wing performs a fly-by at the Oregon International Air Show in Hillsboro, Ore. May 17, 2026. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Casey Burruel)

SALEM, Ore. — The Certified Burn Manager Advisory Committee will meet virtually at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 1. To join, please use the Zoom video conference information found on the agenda.

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Welcome, introductions, new members
• Updated charter review and chair election
• CBM website - Directory
• Public comment
• Training deliveries - Updates and feedback
• Briefing on certified CBMs and trainees
• CBM for cultural burning
• CBM rule revision suggestions
• Updates
  • National CPBM Forum
  • Liability Pilot Program
  • ODF Prescribed Fire Manual

The meeting is open to the public to attend virtually. There will be a period for public comment. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting by contacting y.berry@odf.oregon.gov">Shelby Berry at 503-949-5181.

View more information on the CBMAC webpage.

Oregon's 2021 Legislature passed Senate Bill 762 requiring the Oregon Department of Forestry to establish a Certified Burn Manager Program. It is the duty of the Certified Burn Manager Advisory Committee to advise the Oregon Department of Forestry on the program.

The following is a Memorial Day message by Dr. Nakeia Council Daniels, Director, Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Memorial Day is among the most solemn days on our national calendar and in the hearts of millions of veterans and military families, this day is also personal.

It is not simply the beginning of summer or a long weekend. It is a national day earmarked for remembrance and a day for us — as a community, as Oregonians, and as Americans — to pause together and reflect on the extraordinary cost of the freedoms we enjoy every day.

Across generations, millions of men and women have answered the call to serve.

Too many never returned home.

Today, we remember and honor every life given in service to this nation.

Memorial Day grew out of the pain and loss of the Civil War — a conflict that deeply scarred our young nation and forever changed countless families.

In the years that followed, families and communities continued to gather in cemeteries to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers, ribbons, and flags. They came not as part of a national holiday, but as grieving parents, spouses, children, friends, and community determined to ensure those who died for this nation would never be forgotten.

Those humble acts of remembrance became what was first known as Decoration Day - the foundation of what we now observe as Memorial Day.

And nearly 160 years later, we continue that same tradition of honoring and remembering.

We gather to remember those who gave their lives in service to this nation and to honor not only the fallen, but also those still missing in action and the families who continue carrying the enduring weight of that loss.

More than 81,000 Americans remain missing in action from conflicts dating back to World War II. For many families, remembrance carries not only grief, but decades of unanswered questions and enduring hope.

Their absence reminds us that remembrance is not passive.

It requires acts.

And here in Oregon, we continue to demonstrate that commitment in visible and meaningful ways.

In 2015, Oregon law established that the POW/MIA flag be displayed in a place of honor alongside the United States and Oregon state flags at public buildings across our state. Two years later, that commitment was expanded to ensure the POW/MIA flag would continue flying indefinitely at public buildings, including public schools.

The POW/MIA flag serves as a reminder that our nation and our state will never forget those who have died in service to this nation and those who remain missing.

Today, more than 260,000 veterans call Oregon home. Many still carry the visible and invisible burdens of service. Some continue grieving brothers and sisters in arms lost decades ago. And military families across our communities continue carrying the weight of sacrifice every single day.

That is why Memorial Day is still observed today. Not simply as a tradition, but as a civic responsibility. A responsibility to remember the lives behind the names. To preserve their stories. To teach future generations the true cost of freedom.

As communities across Oregon gather this Memorial Day, I hope each of us takes a quiet moment to reflect on those who never returned home and on the families who continue carrying that loss forward.

May we honor them not only with ceremonies and words, but through service to one another, compassion for veterans and military families, and a continued commitment to building a nation worthy of their sacrifice.

Dr. Nakeia Council Daniels is a proud U.S. Army veteran and the Director of the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs (ODVA), overseeing services for more than 260,000 veterans.