(Salem) – Carsyn Woolfolk, age 5, and Abel Woolfolk, age 7, went missing with their mother Josee Marie Pyshny and father Daniel Scott Woolfolk from Portland on Sept. 4. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division believes that they may be at risk and is searching for them to assess their safety.

ODHS asks the public to help in the effort to find Carsyn and Abel. Anyone who suspects they have information about the location of Abel, Carsyn, or their parents Josee Marie Pyshny and Daniel Scott Woolfolk should call 911 or the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline at 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).

They are believed to be in the Portland Metro area or Vancouver, Washington.

Name: Carsyn Lee Woolfolk
Pronouns: He/him
Date of birth: March 31, 2020
Height: 42 inches
Weight: 40 pounds
Hair: Brown
Eye color: Brown
Other identifying information: Carsyn is on the autism spectrum and is non-verbal.
Gresham Police Department Case # 25-37531
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children # 2061078

Name: Abel Cole Woolfolk 
Pronouns: He/him
Date of birth: Aug. 27, 2018
Height: 48 inches
Weight: 55 pounds
Hair: Brownish blond
Eye color: Blue
Other identifying information: Abel has eczema and visible tooth decay.
Gresham Police Department Case # 25-37531
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children # 2061078

Sometimes when a child is missing they may be in significant danger and ODHS may need to locate them to assess and support their safety. As ODHS works to do everything it can to find these missing children and assess their safety, media alerts will be issued in some circumstances when it is determined necessary. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.

Report child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).  This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.

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Portland, OR — All are welcome to attend the next America 250 Oregon Commission meeting, which will be held virtually at 3:30pm on Monday, September 15. Register here if you would like to join the live conversation. If you are unable to attend, the meeting recording and minutes will be posted online at oregon250.org in the following weeks.

The meeting agenda is available online, with topics including a recap of the recent America 250 Washington, D.C., convening and the commission’s participation in the Oregon State Fair as well as details on the Oregon 250 Grant Program.

All are encouraged to visit the America 250 Oregon website to discover local community events and browse two digital photographic exhibits.

Submit Your Event to the America 250 Oregon Community Calendar

The America 250 Oregon Commission invites individuals, organizations, and communities across the state to participate in our state’s official 250th commemoration by hosting events that reflect the diversity, creativity, and history of Oregon. Whether you’re planning a lecture, festival, exhibition, performance, community conversation, or something entirely unique — the commission wants to hear from you!

To be featured on the America 250 Oregon community calendar, your event must align with at least one of the commission guideposts — the foundational values guiding our semiquincentennial commemoration effort in Oregon.

Fill out the Event Submission Form if you would like your event included on the America 250 Oregon community calendar. All submissions will be reviewed and could take up to 3 weeks for response. Please submit a separate form for each program, project, or event you plan to host. Approved events will receive the “America 250 Oregon Official Event” logo for inclusion on promotional materials.

America 250 Oregon Traveling Exhibitions

The America 250 Oregon Commission is currently offering two traveling exhibitions that are available to rent at no cost!

The Power of Place highlights Oregon’s awe-inspiring landscapes, from its rugged coastline to its tranquil valleys and majestic peaks, many of which have remained unchanged for centuries.

The Pursuit of Happiness shifts the focus to the people and communities of Oregon and the way we gather to celebrate the diverse cultures that define our state. 

Both exhibitions are also available to view for free online here.

Get Involved

If you or your organization is interested in getting involved with the America 250 Oregon commemoration, please contact egon.250@ohs.org">oregon.250@ohs.org or sign up for the official America 250 Oregon email list.

About the America 250 Oregon Commission

The mission of the America 250 Oregon Commission is to coordinate, provide guidance, and ensure that Oregon’s official observance of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States is inclusive and shares the histories of Oregon’s diverse populations, including the histories of the Indigenous peoples who have resided here since time immemorial. Learn more at oregon250.org.

Portland, Ore., September 2, 2025 – As the air turns crisp and the season shifts, SOLVE invites community members across Oregon and Southwest Washington to Fall into Action with SOLVE. At the heart of the season is the Beach & Riverside Cleanup, September 20–28, one of the largest volunteer events of the year. Registration is now open.

“Fall with SOLVE is about restoring and protecting the places we’ve spent the summer exploring,” said Kris Carico, CEO of SOLVE. “It’s about coming together to care for the places that matter most, from keeping school routes safe to preparing green spaces for the months ahead. It’s important to take action before rains wash litter into our waterways, and our local actions have lasting and far-reaching impacts. The Beach & Riverside Cleanup is the centerpiece of this season, connecting local efforts to global movements that protect our rivers, beaches, and public lands.”

Connecting Local Action to Global Movements
The 2025 Beach & Riverside Cleanup, in partnership with OnPoint Community Credit Union, spans ten days of statewide volunteer opportunities, from the Oregon Coast to urban neighborhoods in Oregon and SW Washington, and is tied to three days of global significance:

• International Coastal Cleanup Day (September 20): Uniting millions of volunteers worldwide to protect waterways from harmful trash and debris.
• National Public Lands Day (September 27): The nation’s largest single-day volunteer event focused on trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and native tree planting.
• World Rivers Day (September 28): Celebrating rivers and emphasizing the need to protect them.

For nearly four decades, the Beach & Riverside Cleanup has brought communities together to protect beaches, rivers, parks, and public lands. Over 60 projects are already open for registration, with opportunities for families, neighbors, community groups, and businesses to take part. From source to sea, volunteers will remove litter, restore natural areas, and create a visible difference across the region.

2025 Sponsors

SOLVE's Beach & Riverside Cleanup 2025, in partnership with OnPoint Community Credit Union, is proudly supported by Chevron, Clean Water Services, Harper Houf Peterson Righellis Inc., Knife River, KOIN, Malibu Rum, Metro, National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), Oregon Parks and Recreation, Tillamook, and Wells Fargo.

What You’ll See This Fall

With cooler weather and the energy of back-to-school season, SOLVE volunteers will:

• Clean up litter from neighborhoods, trails, parks, and waterways
• Restore habitats by removing invasive ivy and weeds
• Prepare green spaces for winter with mulch and maintenance
• Join forces with schools and community groups to inspire youth action 

Key Fall Events:

While the Beach & Riverside Cleanup is the centerpiece, Fall with SOLVE also offers a variety of ways for communities to get involved:

• Pick It Up!: Large-scale community cleanups in Milwaukie (September 6), Bend (September 20), and Vancouver (October 10) bring together residents, businesses, and volunteers to give city centers a fresh start this fall.
• Waterway Cleanup Series Wrap-Up (October 15): The summer-long effort in partnership with Clackamas Water Environment Services concludes with a cleanup at High Rocks Park, Gladstone.
• Monthly Detrash Portland Events: Ongoing cleanups in Portland’s business districts, focused on revitalizing key gathering areas.
• Neighborhood & School Route Cleanups: Supporting cleaner, safer pathways for students and families as the school year begins.
• Restoration Projects: Removing invasive species, mulching, and preparing natural areas for the winter months.

Get Involved
SOLVE invites individuals, families, schools, and businesses to take part in Fall with SOLVE by signing up for a project, hosting a cleanup, or supporting restoration efforts. Whether joining solo or with friends, family, or coworkers, every action helps protect waterways, restore habitats, and strengthen communities.

Looking ahead, there are even more ways to celebrate the season with purpose, from Giving Tuesday contributions to corporate volunteer projects and sponsorship opportunities. Support during this time helps sustain SOLVE’s year-round work and expand its impact across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

For more information and to sign up, visit solveoregon.org/seasons.

About SOLVE 

SOLVE brings communities together to take care of our environment and enhance our waterways. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots initiative to a national model of volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon, and SW Washington, to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas, while empowering a community of environmental stewards for our state. Visit solveoregon.org for more information. 

September 12, 2024

Media contacts: Timothy Heider, 971-599-0459, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Nye Beach health advisory lifted

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) today lifted a public health advisory for contact with ocean water at Nye Beach, located in Lincoln County.

The health authority issued the advisory Sept. 11, after water samples showed higher-than-normal levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters.

Results from follow-up tests taken by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) showed lower bacteria levels. Contact with the ocean water no longer poses a higher-than-normal risk.

Officials recommend staying out of large pools on the beach that are frequented by birds, and runoff from those pools, because the water may contain increased bacteria from fecal matter.

Oregon agencies participating in this program are OHA, DEQ and  the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

For more information, visit the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program website at http://www.healthoregon.org/beach or call 971-673-0440, or call OHA toll-free information line at 877-290-6767.

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PORTLAND, Ore.— Defendant Julie Winters, 46, of Portland, made a first appearance in
federal court yesterday after being charged by criminal complaint with assaulting a federal officer
and resisting arrest.

According to court documents, on August 20, 2025, Winters became hostile when deputies from
the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) attempted to place Winters under arrest for violating the
conditions of her pretrial release for an earlier charge of assaulting a federal law enforcement
officer. Winters began to fight and resisted arrest. After several minutes, the deputies were able
to handcuff and escort Winters to a holding cell. A short time later in the holding cell, Winters
had a medical incident, and the Deputy U.S. Marshals provided immediate care. The Deputy
U.S. Marshals removed the restraints as they waited for additional medical personnel to respond.
As soon as the restraints were removed, Winters began fighting with the Deputy U.S. Marshals.
Winters grabbed a Deputy U.S. Marshal by the hair at the base of the scalp and began to whip
the Deputy U.S. Marshal around by the hair.

Winters was on pretrial release for a separate incident on June 24, 2025, for which she was
indicted on two counts of attempted assault on an officer and intimidation of a federal officer
with a dangerous weapon.

According to court documents, on June 24, 2025, officers observed Winters attempting to light
an incendiary device next to the guard shack of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
office. As Federal Protective Service officers engaged with Winters, she pulled a large knife
from her backpack and began waiving the blade toward the officers. Winters threw the knife at
an officer, but it did not strike the officer. Winters began to flee but an officer deployed a taser,
bringing Winters to the ground. As officers attempted to secure Winters, she pulled a second
large knife from her waistband. Officers finally disarmed Winters and arrested her.

The case is being investigated by the United States Marshal Service and the FBI and is being
prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

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

SANTIAM STATE FOREST, Ore.—A group of Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) experts shared management insights, challenges and lessons learned from the recovery efforts in the Santiam State Forest after the 2020 wildfires with a team of South Korean researchers and graduate students from Oregon State University recently. 

“Oregon is known all over the world as one of the best, if not the best, in forest management both in the private and public sectors,” said Dr. Heesung Woo, Assistant Professor of Advanced Forestry Systems, Forest Engineering, Resources and Management at Oregon State University. “These researchers will be key to developing better forest management policy in South Korea and for them to see in person the forest and impact of large fires on the forest, then get to discuss how to recover from large fires with the ODF staff is invaluable.”

The day-long field tour in the Santiam included stops and discussions at burned areas, completed salvage logging areas, and places that had been replanted with trees.

“One big takeaway I’ve learned from this visit is the importance of good access to forests through a basic road system,” said Dr. Sanghoon Chung, from the South Korean National Institute of Forest Sciences.  “In Oregon, I was struck by how forest roads played a vital role not only in enabling the deployment of ground-based equipment for building firebreaks and controlling wildfires, but also in supporting post-fire recovery by transporting seedlings and facilitating salvage logging. It was a powerful example for us to learn from.”

While the historical and social context of Korea’s forests differs from that of Oregon, the commitment to post-wildfire restoration remains equally strong. Forest recovery and restoration are entangled with complex social, policy, and economic interests.

“Conflicts among stakeholders are inevitable during the forest restoration process, and relying on one-sided claims rarely leads to reasonable outcomes. What is essential, however, is our collective commitment to ensuring that forests can once again deliver their full range of vital functions,” said Chung.

The group plans to apply the lessons and information ODF provided to shape their forests. 

 “These researchers and the students in this group who choose to go back will be key in developing forest policy now and in the future,” said Dr. Woo. “ODF has given us great insights and many things to consider.”

Even with all the challenges, Dr. Woo is optimistic about the future forests of South Korea.

“Many people here don’t realize how small South Korea is,” said Dr. Woo. “It’s only about 40 percent the size of Oregon, yet nearly 64 percent of the country is covered by forests. So, with the small size, we have a better chance of making changes quicker to promote healthy forests.  We also see how Oregon has a cooperative social license with many groups to work together to improve forests, and we hope to gain interest from our people to value and care about the forest in the same way.”

Although there is no formal agreement between South Korea and Oregon on sharing forest research and management, the relationship has been strong for years

.

“One of the first tours I ever gave working for ODF was to a South Korean delegation in 2015,” said Kyle Kaupp, ODF’s Santiam Unit Forester.  “It’s been amazing now to share more than 10 years of great work and lessons learned the hard way in the same forest with this group.  They understand the challenges of forest management, and hopefully, we gave them some perspective and practical lessons on how to do that better back home.”

For more on the Santiam recovery efforts, visit: Oregon Department of Forestry : Restoring the Santiam State Forest : Recreation, education & interpretation : State of Oregon

For more on the South Korean Forest Service, visit: Korea Forest Service - Forest In Korea > Korean Forests at a Glance

APPLICANT REVIEW COMMITTEE

MEETING SCHEDULED

The Applicant Review Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Juan Lopez (503) 551-3167.

To view the Applicant Review Committee's live-stream and other recorded videos, please visit DPSST’s official YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/@DPSST.

Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. Approve July 23, 2025, Meeting Minutes

3. Juan Rios, DPSST No. 66172; ODOC/Oregon State Penitentiary

    Presented by Cindy Park

4. Inquiry Closure Memos – Information Only

    Presented by Cindy Park

5. Next Applicant Review Committee Meeting – October 23, 2025, at 11:00 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 Applicant Review 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.

Deschutes County, Ore. – The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Community Action Target Team (CATT) participated in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign over Labor Day weekend, marking the first year the agency has joined this national effort. The campaign focused on identifying impaired drivers and addressing other dangerous driving behaviors that put the community at risk.

Over the holiday weekend, the CATT team stopped 90 motorists. Those stops resulted in:

• 87 warnings

• 26 citations

• 8 arrests

• 3 DUII

The Sheriff’s Office reminds everyone that impaired driving is 100% preventable. To keep our roads safe, please:

• Plan ahead and choose a sober driver before heading out

• Use a taxi or rideshare service if you’ve been drinking

• Take the keys from friends or family who may attempt to drive impaired and help them get home safely

• Call law enforcement if you see a suspected impaired driver

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office will continue to focus on the five fatal behaviors most often linked to serious and fatal crashes: lane safety, occupant safety, distracted driving, speed, and impaired driving.

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A Eugene area millwright is the latest winner of Oregon's Game Megabucks, after claiming an $8.1 million jackpot in the August 16 drawing.

The ticket was sold at the Alvadore Gas & Store, located in the unincorporated community in Lane County, Ore. It’s the first jackpot win for store owners Hukam and Chandni Sharma, who earn a bonus check of $81,000 for selling the winning ticket.

“It’s something I never expected because nothing like this happens here,” said Chandni Sharma. “Our community is so excited for us.”

Sharma said the couple plans to reinvest the bonus money into their family business by adding a kitchen and deli to the store to serve meals. It’s something their customers, many of whom work on nearby farms, have been asking for.  

“It’s exciting to see a locally owned business continue to invest in their future,” said Oregon Lottery Director Mike Wells. “The impact of a bonus like this can really have a ripple effect in the community.”

Oregon’s Game Megabucks has some of the most favorable big prize jackpot game odds in the world. In 2024, a Milwaukie man was the winner of an $8.4 million Megabucks jackpot. The jackpot resets to $1 million after someone wins. 

The Oregon Lottery recommends that you sign the back of your ticket to ensure you can claim any prize. In the event of winning a jackpot, players should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings. Players have one year from the date of a drawing to claim their prize.

Media members can find photos from today’s event here.

Celebrating 40 years of selling games since April 25, 1985, Oregon Lottery has earned more than $16.5 billion for economic development, public schools, outdoor school, state parks, veteran services, and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org.

BEND, Ore. – The Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) has selected a buyer for the Stevens Road Tract, a more than 260-acre property in southeast Bend. Hayden Homes, a privately owned homebuilder based in Redmond, Oregon, will develop a new neighborhood based on the requirements of House Bill 3318 (2021). 

The Stevens Road Tract, located near 27th Street and Reed Market Road, is poised to become an unprecedented new community that will help meet the growing demand for housing in Bend. This planned development will include approximately 2,500 residential units. Guided by state legislation and in partnership with the City of Bend, the neighborhood will guarantee long-term housing affordability through 20 acres of deed-restricted affordable and workforce units for rent and homeownership. A significant portion of these deed-restricted homes will be prioritized for local educators and school district workforce. Stevens Road Tract will also include market-rate housing, parks, and transportation options that support walking, biking, and transit.

Once finalized, the land sale proceeds will be added to Oregon’s Common School Fund. The Fund generates earnings that are distributed to public school districts across the state each year.

“The Stevens Road Tract reflects what is possible when state lands are managed with both purpose and vision,” said Kaitlin Lovell, director of the Oregon Department of State Lands. “This sale will support Oregon’s public schools through the Common School Fund and help address a critical need for affordable housing in one of our state’s fastest-growing communities. It is especially meaningful that educators, those who dedicate their lives to our children’s futures, will be among those who benefit most.”

Hayden Homes is known for its track record in building homes that working families can afford. The company’s nonprofit organization, First Story, provides zero-down, zero-interest home loans to qualifying buyers, including educators and first-time homeowners.

“Hayden Homes is honored to be selected for this innovative housing project,” said Steve Klingman, president of Hayden Homes. “Stevens Road Tract will impact generations of Oregonians not only by providing attainable homeownership and long-term housing affordability in Bend, but also through an investment in public schools statewide. Our local educators are hometown heroes who are instrumental in building a strong community. Hayden Homes is proud of our longstanding commitment to building homes priced for educators and other hardworking Oregonians.” 

The sale is being managed by Cushman & Wakefield, which also represented the state in the successful sale of the adjacent Stevens Ranch property in 2020. Together, the two developments will add more than 600 acres of planned housing and community infrastructure to southeast Bend.

.

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www.oregon.gov/dsl

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sept. 10, 2025

Contact: Heather Hendersen, committee assistant, estlands@odf.oregon.gov">committee.of.family.forestlands@odf.oregon.gov

SALEM, Ore. — The Committee for Family Forestlands (CFF) will meet virtually on Wednesday, Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. To join virtually, please use the Teams video conference information found on the meeting agenda on the  CFF web page. 

The morning agenda includes an opportunity for public comment followed by updates regarding:

• Forest Resources Division

• Small Forestland Owner (SFO) Assistance and Incentives

• SFO Office Training

• SFISH/SFO Support and Forest Health

• Board of Forestry.

Scheduled after lunch is:
 

• Discussion of the open conservation position

• A presentation by committee member Dave Bugni: “Where’s My Newly Replanted Forest? The importance of Attaining Free-to-Grow Status”

• Roundtable discussion.
   

The meeting is open to the public to attend online via Teams. 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 503-945-7200 or by email at estryinformation@odf.oregon.gov">forestryinformation@odf.oregon.gov.

The 13-member committee researches policies that affect family forests, natural resources and forestry benefits. Based on its findings, the committee recommends actions to the Oregon Board of Forestry and the State Forester. View more information on the CFF web page. 

September 10, 2025-Redmond, Oregon — Redmond Fire and Rescue is proud to announce its official recognition as a Peds Ready EMS agency by the Oregon Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Program. This designation reflects the department’s commitment to providing high-quality emergency medical and trauma care to pediatric patients in the Redmond community.

The Oregon EMSC Program reviewed, verified, and accepted Redmond Fire and Rescue’s application, granting initial recognition through October 31, 2027. Renewal of this recognition will occur every two years, with the first renewal reminder scheduled for August 2, 2027.

As part of the recognition, Redmond Fire and Rescue will receive a certificate and decals for each licensed ambulance vehicle. While affixing the decals is encouraged to promote awareness, it is not mandatory.

“We are honored to be recognized as a Peds Ready EMS agency,” said Luke Jerome, EMS Training Captain for Redmond Fire and Rescue. “This achievement underscores our dedication to delivering exceptional emergency care to children and families in our community.”

The Oregon EMSC Program may feature recognized agencies in quarterly reports and on its official website, highlighting their efforts to improve pediatric emergency services across the state.

Rachel Ford, MPH, Program Manager for the Oregon EMSC Program, expressed appreciation for Redmond Fire and Rescue’s commitment:

“Redmond Fire and Rescue is going above and beyond in their care of pediatric patients. The Oregon EMSC Program thanks them for their dedication to the provision of pediatric emergency medical and trauma care in their community.”

For more information about the Oregon EMSC Program and the Peds Ready EMS recognition, visit Oregon Health Authority – EMS for Children.

September 10, 2025

Media contacts: Erica Heartquist, 503-871-8843, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Nye Beach health advisory issued Sept 10

High bacteria levels prompt OHA recommendation to avoid water contact

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is issuing a public health advisory today for unsafe levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters at Nye Beach in Lincoln County. People should avoid direct contact with the water in this area until the advisory is lifted.

Unsafe levels of fecal bacteria can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections, and other illnesses. Children, elderly and those with a compromised immune system should use extra caution as they are more vulnerable to illness from waterborne bacteria.

Visitors should avoid wading in nearby creeks, pools of water on the beach, or in discolored water, and stay clear of water runoff flowing into the ocean. Levels of fecal bacteria tend to be higher in these types of water sources.

Unsafe levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters can come from both shore and inland sources including:

• Stormwater runoff
• Sewer overflows
• Failing septic systems
• Animal waste from livestock, pets and wildlife

Even if there is no advisory in effect, avoid swimming in the ocean within 48 hours after a rainstorm.

Ocean waters will be re-tested after an advisory is issued. Once bacteria levels are at a safe level, OHA will notify the public that the advisory is lifted.

While this advisory is in effect at Nye Beach, state officials continue to encourage other recreational activities (flying kites, picnicking, playing on the beach, walking, etc.) on this beach because they pose no health risk even during an advisory.

For the most recent information on advisories, visit the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program website at http://www.healthoregon.org/beach or call 971-673-0482, or 877-290-6767 (toll-free).

EVENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  -- September 10, 2025
Contact: Dianne Danowski Smith or Jeff Cole, Oregon Bioscience Association
news@oregonbio.org | linkedin.com/company/oregon-bioscience-association

Spotlight -- on Workforce, Smart Bio Policy, and AI in Health and Bio -- Shines at Oregon Bio’s 2025 Conference and Innovation Showcase September 29 – 30

(PORTLAND, Ore. - September 8, 2025)  — Oregon’s bioscience ecosystem will converge this fall at Oregon Bio 2025, the annual Conference and Innovation Showcase, taking place Monday, Sept. 29, and Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, at Portland Community College’s Rock Creek campus.

This year’s theme highlights how Oregon’s bioscience leaders are advancing innovation from lab to market while building a resilient workforce. The two-day program brings together industry executives, entrepreneurs, researchers, policymakers, and students to exchange insights, celebrate achievements, and foster collaborations shaping the future of biotech and life sciences in the Pacific Northwest. Plus, the renowned event centerpiece, the Innovation Showcase, is on par with its significant lineup of emerging researchers and startups.

“This custom-curated Oregon Bio event will feature a comprehensive and much anticipated scope of industry intel, resources and thought leadership; we’ll be hosting researchers, investors, strategists, operational and manufacturing experts, policy leaders and growth-minded bio professionals throughout this 2-day event,”  said Tim Brown, head of External Manufacturing Operations and Procurement at Vir Biotechnology Inc. and Oregon Bio’s Chair of the Board.

“This custom-curated Oregon Bio event will feature a comprehensive and much anticipated scope of industry intel, resources and thought leadership; we’ll be hosting researchers, investors, strategists, operational and manufacturing experts, policy leaders and growth-minded bio professionals throughout this 2-day event,”  said Tim Brown, head of External Manufacturing Operations and Procurement at Vir Biotechnology Inc. and Oregon Bio’s Chair of the Board.

“We are pulling in national and international bioscience and med tech pros and just as exciting, we’ll get to check out the emerging research and scientific collaboration through the Innovation Showcase,” said Liisa Bozinovic, Oregon Bio’s executive director. “Registration is now open; see our new event platform and start curating your conference.”

Conference Highlights:

• Thought leadership: Interface with Sophorn Cheang, Director of Business Oregon, and nationally recognized bioscience leaders
• Interplay: Discussion with state legislators around the intersection of advancing innovation through smart policy
• Federal insights: Presentations from national leaders at the National Institutes of Health
• Take-away tactics: Flash talks and breakout sessions covering workforce, discovery, funding, AI in healthcare, and more
• Call outs: Oregon’s bioscience excellence awards will honor the Bioscience Woman of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year and Legislator of the Year citing leading bio pros as well as networking at the well-known ‘Bio On’ reception
• Resourcing to get it done: Roundtables providing information on demand with tools, funding pathways and support
• Career integration: Navigating the Bioscience Job Market free session and networking opportunities throughout the events.

Innovation Showcase

The Innovation Showcase Pitch Challenge is a centerpiece of the conference, featuring Oregon and southwest Washington-based researchers and entrepreneurs competing in two tracks of Research and Startup Pitches. Industry experts will judge each entry and conference attendees will participate through votes in the People’s Choice category. Finalist presenters include:

Basic Research

• Arielle Isakharov, Ph.D. candidate, OHSU | Exploring Overlooked Neurons in the Retina
• Kenneth Riley, Jr., Ph.D. candidate, OHSU | Reconstruction of the Epigenetic Landscape from Fragmented DNA in Blood

Translational Research

• Danica Bojovic, Ph.D. candidate, Vollum Institute, OHSU | Vascular Dysfunction: Early Warning Sign for Dementia
• Maryam Sarlak, Ph.D. | Glucose Biosensor
• Tim Valuev, M.D. candidate, OHSU | Anatora: 3D Printing for Medical Education & Surgical Precision

Early-Stage Startups

• Danielle Benoit, Ph.D., Professor of Engineering, Knight Campus, UO and Co-founder, AsteriaRx | AsteriaRx: Musculoskeletal Healing Through Advanced Drug Delivery
• Daniel Gareau, Ph.D., Founder, SurgiVance | SurgiVance: Advanced Pathology for the Future of Medicine
• Nataliia Shchotkina, Ph.D., Post-doc Scholar, Knight Campus, UO | Next-Gen Tissue Repair Scaffolds for Affordable Regenerative Medicine

Later-Stage Startups

• Eduardo Ceballos, CEO, xBiologix | xBiologix: Color Biopsies in Clinics
• Linta Mustafa, MSc., CEO and Co-founder, Vitract | Gut Microbiome Genomics Platform for Precision Health
• Craig Stolarczyk, MBA, CEO and Co-founder, SynPlexity | Enabling High-Throughput Screening to Advance Biology

Registration and Venue

Venue: Portland Community College, Rock Creek Campus, 17705 N.W. Springville Road, Portland, OR 97229. Parking is available on-site for $5/day. Registration includes both days of programming and the ever-popular “Bio On” networking event. Register now at www.oregonbio.org/oregon-bio-2025:

• Oregon Bio Members:  $200
• Non-Members (Industry/Academic):  $325
• Non-Member Service Partners: $425

# # #

About Oregon Bioscience Association

The Oregon Bioscience Association is the unified voice for the local bioscience community, driving economic growth and impact of the life sciences sector across Oregon, southwest Washington, and the Pacific Northwest region.

Anchored in the mission of helping the medical device and health tech sectors grow, Oregon Bio offers members access to enterprise support, workforce and economic development, promotion of research collaborations, educational programs, leadership development, advocacy and networking.

The association’s leadership and work with national partners, including the BIO Innovation Organization (BIO), AdvaMed, and the Medical Device Manufacturers Association, have helped elevate Oregon and southwest Washington’s life sciences footprint.  According to the 2025 Economic Impact Report, data show $21.2 billion in economic output, including $6.8 billion in income and 74,925 jobs for $2.1 billion in wages across a growing 1,995 business establishments. Oregon’s current share of NIH funding is $346 million its last fiscal year. This represents high growth in every category over more than two decades.

For more information about the Oregon Bioscience Association, please visit www.oregonbio.org. Connect with us on LinkedIn.

PORTLAND, Ore. – Emerald ash borer (EAB) is a tiny green beetle from eastern Asia that is having a devastating impact on ash trees in North America, including northwest Oregon.  Across the U.S., millions of ash trees have been killed by the larvae of this pest. The larvae eat tissues under the bark, eventually killing infested trees.

First found in Oregon in 2022 at a school in Forest Grove, this summer the beetle showed up in traps in six new areas. Five of the sites were within the existing EAB quarantine boundary.

A trap was placed this summer at a sixth site in Multnomah County after Peter Van Oss, a private arborist with Teragan and Associates, noticed an ailing green ash tree in the parking lot of the David Douglas Aquatics Center in the Hazelwood-Mill Park area. Van Oss suspected it might be infested with EAB and alerted officials.

City and state officials then inspected the tree Van Oss had reported and saw signs of EAB infestation, such as dieback at the top and serpentine gallery marks under the bark. A single adult insect was trapped and sent to the United States Department of Agriculture, specifically to the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service’s Plant Pathogen Confirmatory Diagnostics Laboratory in Maryland, which confirmed it was EAB.

The other new sites where EAB was found this summer are:

• Hazeldale Park about a mile west of Beaverton
• Killin Wetlands Nature Park near Banks in western Washington County
• Five miles northwest of the town of Yamhill in Yamhill County
• Three miles southeast of Oregon City in Clackamas County
• Bureau of Land Management-administered land east of Scotts Mills in Clackamas County

“The pattern of spread in the eastern U.S. has been that populations at first increase slowly and the rate of natural spread is slow,” said Cody Holthouse, Manager of the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture’s Insect Pest Prevention and Management Program. “But within a few years there is a rapid build-up in the population and it spreads in all directions at a faster pace. That’s exactly what we’re starting to see with these detections.”

Holthouse said EAB is about half an inch in length and is hard to spot with the naked eye. It is not strongly attracted to traps, making early detections in novel locations difficult. “Finding one in a trap usually means there are quite a few already in that area,” he said.

Holthouse said the discovery in southeast Portland puts all of Multnomah County into the EAB quarantine zone. Other quarantined counties include Clackamas, Washington, Marion, and Yamhill counties.

“Quarantine is designed to prevent humans from spreading EAB by limiting movement of firewood or any other plant materials from ash, olive or white fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus),” said Holthouse.

A full list of quarantine regulations can be found here.

The City of Portland has been preparing for EAB’s arrival for years. It removed ash trees from its list of approved street trees in 2019. It completed a comprehensive response plan for dealing with EAB earlier this summer. 

 "Our approach to managing Portland’s urban canopy is rooted in community stewardship, science and long-term resilience," says City Forester Jenn Cairo. "By working with Portlanders to inventory trees and educate folks about best practices, and intentionally planting a diverse range of tree species, we’re building a more adaptable canopy, one that’s better equipped to withstand threats like the Emerald Ash Borer and other invasive pests. This proactive strategy helps safeguard the health of our urban forest for generations to come." 

For the past few summers, the Oregon Dept. of Forestry (ODF), in collaboration with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, made sticky purple traps available to numerous public land managers and soil and water conservation districts that agreed to place and monitor the traps.

“Traps contain a lure and are checked periodically during the summer when adult EAB are flying. It was in those traps that the beetles were found,” said ODF Invasive Species Specialist Wyatt Williams.

While it’s possible EAB could turn up in more traps when they are checked in September, Williams said most adults will have finished their short life cycle, laid their eggs, and died by October or November.

“At that point, further spread is almost entirely by humans moving firewood,” said Williams. “That’s why it’s recommended you buy or cut firewood within 10 miles of where you plan to burn it.”

Public agencies in Washington County, where EAB was first detected three years ago, have been preparing for its spread beyond Forest Grove. For example:

• Beaverton is protecting nearly 500 ash street trees in good condition by injecting them with emamectin benzoate. This systemic insecticide has proven very effective at preventing infestation by EAB while being safe for humans, pets, and wildlife, including pollinators.
• Hillsboro is conducting a tree inventory of public and right-of-way trees. This data will help locate ash tree populations and inform the city’s EAB response plan. To protect its ash trees, Hillsboro will also be treating approximately 500 healthy public ash trees along the western and southern city boundary. This will create a buffer zone from current outbreaks as a phase one response plan.

Outside Washington County:

• Salem has been treating high-value public ash trees to protect them ahead of EAB’s arrival.
• Keizer, with help from ODF, is inventorying its street trees to find how many are ash.
• Portland recently completed its EAB response plan, which among other things involves the treatment of public trees in good condition in low-canopy neighborhoods, and the pre-emptive removal of ash trees in poor condition to spread the cost out over several years.

What you can do

If you think you’ve seen an emerald ash borer, ODF and ODA ask that you first make sure it’s not a common look-alike bug.

“You can find a good description and photos comparing EAB to other common insects in Oregon that are also green in color at OregonEAB.com,” said ODF EAB Specialist Kat Bethea. “If you can capture the beetle in a jar or other container that’s ideal, but at least try and take a clear, close-up photo. This helps us identify the insect in question much more easily.”

Bethea said people suspecting they’ve found EAB should report it over the phone to 1-866-INVADER or online at https://oregoninvasiveshotline.org/reports/create. Attaching a clear photo is important. Bethea said people who know they have an ash tree and notice a decline should report it the same way.

“Any ash tree can be infested, including native Oregon ash as well as non-native street, park and yard trees. Signs of infestation include thinning and yellowing leaves, bark splitting, D-shaped holes in the tree bark, and shoots from buds on the trunk or branches,” said Bethea.

Matt Mills, who is also an EAB Specialist with ODF, said, “You can find whether or not you’re in an EAB-infested area or close to one by checking an online map we’ve created. It shows the five counties where firewood from hardwood trees cannot be removed. That quarantine also covers any part of ash, olive or white fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus).”

People who want to protect their ash trees before they become infested should consider the same treatment Beaverton and Salem are using to protect their public ash trees. “The insecticide is injected at the base of the trunk and gets taken up into the tree canopy and is quite effective at protecting the tree from both adults and larvae,” said Mills.

Mills said treatments must be done before trees are damaged and repeated every two or three years by a licensed pesticide applicator.

“That’s why we recommend only treating high-value trees in good condition,” he said. “Ash trees planted in the wrong place to reach their mature size, such as under powerlines, should be removed as time and funds permit and replaced with species that aren’t susceptible to EAB.” 

Homeowners might also consider replacing young ash trees while they are still small and starting over by planting a species that is not susceptible to EAB.  “This gets new tree canopy jump-started in urban areas where ash trees will be lost if not treated,” Mills said.

                                                                   # # #

A three-day event in southern Oregon will feature a variety of workshops and presentations designed to help employers and workers improve on-the-job safety and health. Topics include hazard identification, fall protection, safety committees, confined spaces, respiratory protection, cultural change, and human resources concerns.

In addition to addressing many safety and health topics, the Southern Oregon Occupational Safety & Health Conference – to be held Oct. 14-16 at the Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites in Ashland – offers a preconference workshop with first aid, CPR, and automated external defibrillator certification, and a professional development workshop on leadership and resolving conflicts. A special guest of the conference, Scott Shumway, principal of Emiment LLC, will lead the Tuesday, Oct. 14, workshop on leadership and conflict resolution.

The conference is a joint effort of the Southern Oregon Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals and Oregon OSHA.

The three-day event features keynote speakers, including Jeff Crapo of Ethos Consulting Team LLC and Ethos Academy. On Wednesday, Oct. 15, Crapo will engage participants in fostering a positive team culture where people look out for one another, remain motivated under pressure, and communicate effectively – even when delivering tough messages.

Other conference topics include:

• Discussing Our Culture: The Intersection Between Physical and Psychological Safety
• Safety Training for Employees
• Preventing Serious Injuries and Fatalities
• Risk Assessments: Choosing the Right Control Measures
• Practical Strategies for Enhancing Your Safety Culture
• Who’s Minding the Store? Perspectives From Emergency Management

Conference registration fees include early bird pricing and discounts, as well as different pricing for workshops and conference days. More information about conference options, programs, and registration are available online. Register now. For more information about upcoming workplace safety and health conferences visit Oregon OSHA online.

###

About Oregon OSHA:

Oregon OSHA, a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, enforces the state's workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. For more information, go to osha.oregon.gov.

The Department of Consumer and Business Services is Oregon's largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. For more information, go to www.oregon.gov/dcbs/.

Bend, Ore. – The recent Flat Fire sparked a dramatic surge in registrations for the Deschutes Alerts program across Deschutes County, with over 3,500 new sign-ups in less than a week. On August 23 alone, over 1,300 residents registered in a single day. That brings the total sign-ups to 70,976 across the county.

Deschutes Alerts is the county’s official emergency notification system, allowing people to receive urgent warnings about evacuations, severe weather, hazardous materials incidents, law enforcement activity, missing or endangered persons, and other threats to public safety. Alerts can be delivered via text message, phone call, email, TTD/TTY, and more based on the locations you care about.

Post-fire data developed by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management team shows that people all over the county signed up, not just in areas impacted by the Flat Fire. The large spike in new registrations occurred when the Flat Fire was most active and threatened several neighborhoods and about 4,000 structures, including homes.

“Emergencies can happen with little or no notice, and the Flat Fire was a reminder of how quickly situations can change,” said Ashley Volz, Emergency Services Coordinator for the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. “Deschutes Alerts is one of the best ways for you and your family to stay informed and safe when minutes matter. And it’s designed for other emergencies when public safety is at risk, not just wildfires."

Deschutes Alerts is reserved strictly for emergencies. It is not used for general updates or informational purposes. Notifications are sent only when residents should take protective actions such as evacuating, sheltering in place, or being on the lookout for a dangerous individual. Alerts are only sent to households directly affected by a fire or other emergency. Your home is not impacted if you don't receive one.

People who have signed up for Deschutes Alerts are most familiar with messages about the pending danger of active wildfires. They are only sent to people within evacuation areas once a wildfire begins to threaten people and structures. The Sheriff’s Office uses an alert system with three evacuation levels:

• Level 1 – Be Ready: Be aware of danger in your area and prepare for possible evacuation.
• Level 2 – Be Set: Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. There is significant danger.
• Level 3 – Go Now: Leave immediately. Danger is present, and there is no time to gather belongings.

In addition to notifying residents of escalating danger, Deschutes Alerts also informs people when the emergency has passed or when evacuation levels have been lowered from Level 3 to Level 2, providing clear guidance on when it is safe to return home.

Sign Up Before an Emergency

One of the most important steps people can take is registering before an emergency occurs. Waiting until an event unfolds may be too late to receive the first critical alert, especially during fast-moving incidents like wildfires or law enforcement emergencies.

People must use their physical address (not a P.O. Box or mailing address) when registering. Providing a physical address ensures that you receive alerts pertinent to your area. Emergency managers draw an alert area on a map, and people who have registered an address inside that boundary receive the notification. You may not receive an alert without a physical address in the system, even if you live in the impacted area.

How to Register

Signing up for Deschutes Alerts is quick and free. Call the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office at 541-388-6501 for assistance registering, or sign up online at: deschutesalerts.org

The service area includes Deschutes County, Crooked River Ranch, and Camp Sherman. Deschutes Alerts is made possible through the OR-Alert program, a statewide alert and warning initiative. Visit oralert.gov to find your county’s alert and warning program.

Contact Information:

Jason Carr, Public Information Officer
(541) 904-5863
jason.carr@deschutes.org

###

TILLAMOOK COUNTY, Ore. (September 10, 2025) – On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 8:25 a.m., the Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle fatal crash involving a pedestrian on Highway 6 near milepost 30 in Tillamook County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a white Freightliner semi-truck, operated by Scott Lee Gotchall (64) of Portland, was traveling eastbound on Highway 6 near milepost 30 when a pedestrian, Jaime Cristobal Aguilar Herrera (25) of Beaverton, entered the lane of travel for an unknown reason and was struck by the semi-truck.

The pedestrian (Aguilar Herrera) was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The operator of the semi-truck (Gotchall) was not injured.

The highway was impacted for approximately 3.5 hours during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office, Tillamook Fire, 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.

EMBARGOED UNTIL 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 10, 2025

PORTLAND, Ore. – Emerald ash borer (EAB) is a tiny green beetle from eastern Asia that is having a devastating impact on ash trees in North America, including northwest Oregon.  Across the U.S., millions of ash trees have been killed by the larvae of this pest. The larvae eat tissues under the bark, eventually killing infested trees.

First found in Oregon in 2022 at a school in Forest Grove, this summer the beetle showed up in traps in six new areas. Five of the sites were within the existing EAB quarantine boundary.

A trap was placed this summer at a sixth site in Multnomah County after Peter Van Oss, a private arborist with Teragan and Associates, noticed an ailing green ash tree in the parking lot of the David Douglas Aquatics Center in the Hazelwood-Mill Park area. Van Oss suspected it might be infested with EAB and alerted officials.

City and state officials then inspected the tree Van Oss had reported and saw signs of EAB infestation, such as dieback at the top and serpentine gallery marks under the bark. A single adult insect was trapped and sent to the United States Department of Agriculture, specifically to the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service’s Plant Pathogen Confirmatory Diagnostics Laboratory in Maryland, which confirmed it was EAB.

The other new sites where EAB was found this summer are:

• Hazeldale Park about a mile west of Beaverton
• Killin Wetlands Nature Park near Banks in western Washington County
• Five miles northwest of the town of Yamhill in Yamhill County
• Three miles southeast of Oregon City in Clackamas County
• Bureau of Land Management-administered land east of Scotts Mills in Clackamas County

“The pattern of spread in the eastern U.S. has been that populations at first increase slowly and the rate of natural spread is slow,” said Cody Holthouse, Manager of the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture’s Insect Pest Prevention and Management Program. “But within a few years there is a rapid build-up in the population and it spreads in all directions at a faster pace. That’s exactly what we’re starting to see with these detections.”

Holthouse said EAB is about half an inch in length and is hard to spot with the naked eye. It is not strongly attracted to traps, making early detections in novel locations difficult. “Finding one in a trap usually means there are quite a few already in that area,” he said.

Holthouse said the discovery in southeast Portland puts all of Multnomah County into the EAB quarantine zone. Other quarantined counties include Clackamas, Washington, Marion, and Yamhill counties.

“Quarantine is designed to prevent humans from spreading EAB by limiting movement of firewood or any other plant materials from ash, olive or white fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus),” said Holthouse.

A full list of quarantine regulations can be found here.

The City of Portland has been preparing for EAB’s arrival for years. It removed ash trees from its list of approved street trees in 2019. It completed a comprehensive response plan for dealing with EAB earlier this summer. 

 "Our approach to managing Portland’s urban canopy is rooted in community stewardship, science and long-term resilience," says City Forester Jenn Cairo. "By working with Portlanders to inventory trees and educate folks about best practices, and intentionally planting a diverse range of tree species, we’re building a more adaptable canopy, one that’s better equipped to withstand threats like the Emerald Ash Borer and other invasive pests. This proactive strategy helps safeguard the health of our urban forest for generations to come." 

For the past few summers, the Oregon Dept. of Forestry (ODF), in collaboration with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, made sticky purple traps available to numerous public land managers and soil and water conservation districts that agreed to place and monitor the traps.

“Traps contain a lure and are checked periodically during the summer when adult EAB are flying. It was in those traps that the beetles were found,” said ODF Invasive Species Specialist Wyatt Williams.

While it’s possible EAB could turn up in more traps when they are checked in September, Williams said most adults will have finished their short life cycle, laid their eggs, and died by October or November.

“At that point, further spread is almost entirely by humans moving firewood,” said Williams. “That’s why it’s recommended you buy or cut firewood within 10 miles of where you plan to burn it.”

Public agencies in Washington County, where EAB was first detected three years ago, have been preparing for its spread beyond Forest Grove. For example:

• Beaverton is protecting nearly 500 ash street trees in good condition by injecting them with emamectin benzoate. This systemic insecticide has proven very effective at preventing infestation by EAB while being safe for humans, pets, and wildlife, including pollinators.
• Hillsboro is conducting a tree inventory of public and right-of-way trees. This data will help locate ash tree populations and inform the city’s EAB response plan. To protect its ash trees, Hillsboro will also be treating approximately 500 healthy public ash trees along the western and southern city boundary. This will create a buffer zone from current outbreaks as a phase one response plan.

Outside Washington County:

• Salem has been treating high-value public ash trees to protect them ahead of EAB’s arrival.
• Keizer, with help from ODF, is inventorying its street trees to find how many are ash.
• Portland recently completed its EAB response plan, which among other things involves the treatment of public trees in good condition in low-canopy neighborhoods, and the pre-emptive removal of ash trees in poor condition to spread the cost out over several years.

What you can do

If you think you’ve seen an emerald ash borer, ODF and ODA ask that you first make sure it’s not a common look-alike bug.

“You can find a good description and photos comparing EAB to other common insects in Oregon that are also green in color at OregonEAB.com,” said ODF EAB Specialist Kat Bethea. “If you can capture the beetle in a jar or other container that’s ideal, but at least try and take a clear, close-up photo. This helps us identify the insect in question much more easily.”

Bethea said people suspecting they’ve found EAB should report it over the phone to 1-866-INVADER or online at https://oregoninvasiveshotline.org/reports/create. Attaching a clear photo is important. Bethea said people who know they have an ash tree and notice a decline should report it the same way.

“Any ash tree can be infested, including native Oregon ash as well as non-native street, park and yard trees. Signs of infestation include thinning and yellowing leaves, bark splitting, D-shaped holes in the tree bark, and shoots from buds on the trunk or branches,” said Bethea.

Matt Mills, who is also an EAB Specialist with ODF, said, “You can find whether or not you’re in an EAB-infested area or close to one by checking an online map we’ve created. It shows the five counties where firewood from hardwood trees cannot be removed. That quarantine also covers any part of ash, olive or white fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus).”

People who want to protect their ash trees before they become infested should consider the same treatment Beaverton and Salem are using to protect their public ash trees. “The insecticide is injected at the base of the trunk and gets taken up into the tree canopy and is quite effective at protecting the tree from both adults and larvae,” said Mills.

Mills said treatments ideally should be done before trees are damaged, and repeated every two or three years by a licensed pesticide applicator.

“That’s why we recommend only treating high-value trees in good condition,” he said. “Ash trees planted in the wrong place to reach their mature size, such as under powerlines, should be removed as time and funds permit and replaced with species that aren’t susceptible to EAB.” 

Homeowners might also consider replacing young ash trees while they are still small and starting over by planting a species that is not susceptible to EAB.  “This gets new tree canopy jump-started in urban areas where ash trees will be lost if not treated,” Mills said.

                                                                   # # #

MEDIA ADVISORY -

INFO EMBARGOED UNTIL

10 a.m. Sept. 10, 2025

Sept. 9, 2025

Contacts:

What: News conference at the site where emerald ash borer was first detected in Portland with remarks about Multnomah County going under a firewood quarantine on Sept. 10 and time for media questions by:

• Oregon Dept. of Agriculture’s Cody Holthouse, who heads the statewide Emerald Ash Borer Task Force
• City of Portland Parks and Recreation Urban Forestry
• Oregon Dept. of Forestry Invasive Species Manager and EAB specialists

When: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025

Where: David Douglas Swimming Pool, 13035 SE Taylor Court, Portland

Directions: Take SE Stark Street and turn south onto SE 130^th. One block south of Morrison turn east onto Taylor Court.

Visuals: Green ash tree showing signs of dieback. Pinned specimens of emerald ash borer and serpentine larval galleries. Map of locations in Oregon where EAB has been found.

                                                               # # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 9, 2025

BEND, OR — The 2025 High Desert Rendezvous—the High Desert Museum’s largest annual fundraising event—has set a new record, grossing over $700,000 to support the Museum’s exhibitions and programs.

The event, now in its 36^th year and considered one of the longest-running fundraisers in Central Oregon, took place at the Museum on Saturday, August 23. Attendees met wildlife, explored the Art in the West exhibition, enjoyed living history activities and gathered for a sumptuous dinner and live auction. The previous record-setting Rendezvous was in 2024.

The 2025 Rendezvous Honoree, the Tykeson Family Foundation, contributed to the event’s success. The Foundation makes a profound impact in Central Oregon through its steadfast dedication to education, health care and the arts. Led by Amy Tykeson, the former CEO of BendBroadband, the Tykeson Family Foundation supports the Museum’s many programs and initiatives.

“The Museum continues to make a tremendous impact in the region. We were honored to be recognized and are proud to play a role in furthering the important work underway for all of us to learn, convene, reflect and understand,” said Tykeson, who serves as managing trustee for the Foundation.

“We’re extraordinarily grateful to the Rendezvous attendees, the Tykeson Family Foundation, our Board of Trustees and this amazing community who have contributed to the ongoing work of this museum,” said Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. “This generosity helps us continue to grow our amazing exhibitions, educational efforts and programs to serve this dynamic region.”

Founded in 1982, the High Desert Museum brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert. The Museum every year opens up to nine new temporary exhibitions, cares for over 100 animals and welcomes thousands of school children for field trips. In the 2024-25 fiscal year, nearly 220,000 people visited the Museum.

The 2025 High Desert Rendezvous was presented by Bonta Gelato and Ferguson Wellman Wealth Management with support from Greenberg Traurig, LLP and Vista Capital Partners.

ABOUT THE 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, 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.

###

Portland, OR — The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for portions of central and eastern Oregon beginning at 1:50 p.m. PDT today through 11:00 p.m. PDT September 11. Heavy rainfall may result in landslides and debris flows in areas of steep terrain, as well as debris flows in and near burned areas from recent wildfires. The watch area includes central Oregon, the east slopes of the Oregon Cascades, the John Day Basin, the Ochoco-John Day Highlands, and the Southern Blue Mountains.

Find the latest information here: https://alerts.weather.gov/search?area=OR

Debris flows are rapidly moving, extremely destructive landslides. They can contain boulders and logs transported in a fast-moving soil and water slurry down steep hillsides and through narrow canyons. They can easily travel a mile or more. A debris flow moves faster than a person can run. People, structures, and roads located below steep slopes in canyons and near the mouths of canyons may be at serious risk.

If your home, work, or travel route is in a watch area:

• Stay alert. Track the flood watch by radio, TV, weather radio, or online. If told to evacuate, do so immediately.
• Listen. Unusual sounds might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together. A trickle of falling mud or debris may precede larger landslides. If you think there is danger of a landslide, leave immediately.
• Watch the water. If water in a stream or creek suddenly turns muddy or the amount of water flowing suddenly decreases or increases, this is a warning that the flow has been affected upstream. You should immediately leave the area because a debris flow may soon be coming downstream.
• Travel with extreme caution. Assume roads are not safe. Be alert when driving, especially at night. Embankments along roadsides may fail, sending rock and debris onto the road.

For more landslide and debris flow information: https://www.oregon.gov/dogami/landslide/Pages/debrisflow.aspx

###

An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, Ralph Stout Pettefer, died the morning of September 9, 2025. Pettefer was incarcerated at Snake River Correctional Institution (SRCI) in Ontario and passed away at the institution. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified, and the State Medical Examiner will determine cause of death.

Pettefer entered DOC custody on June 28, 1996, from Clatsop County with an earliest release date of November 12, 2032. Pettefer was 73 years old.

DOC takes all in-custody deaths seriously. The agency is responsible for the care and custody of approximately 12,000 individuals who are incarcerated in 12 institutions across the state. While crime information is public record, DOC elects to disclose only upon request out of respect for any family or victims.

SRCI is a multi-custody prison in Ontario that houses approximately 3,000 adults in custody. SRCI has multiple special housing units including disciplinary segregation, intensive management, infirmary (with hospice) with 24-hour nursing care, and an administrative segregation unit. SRCI participates in prison industries with Oregon Corrections Enterprises including a contact center, laundry, and sign shop. SRCI specializes in incentive housing, specialized housing, individuals with mental health/medical vulnerabilities, education and trades programs, cognitive and parenting programs, and institution work programs. SRCI opened in 1991 and is the largest correctional institution in the state.

####

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. (Sept. 9, 2025)- On Monday, September 8, 2025, at 2:18 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Highway 99, near milepost 12, in Jackson County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a southbound Subaru Legacy, operated by Cody Austin Jenkins (26) of Gold Hill, veered across the northbound lanes, broke through a fence, and entered the Rogue River. The vehicle was quickly submerged with no occupants observed escaping the vehicle. The Jackson County Search and Rescue Team responded and assisted with removing the vehicle from the river.

The operator of the Subaru (Jenkins) was declared deceased at the scene. There were no other occupants in the vehicle.

The highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Jackson County Search and Rescue, Rogue River Fire Department, and ODOT.

# # #

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 the documentation, investigation, and analysis of complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in the use of 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.

Central Oregon Partnerships for Youth (COPY), a program of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, is offering a class to prepare volunteers to become mentors for children with an incarcerated parent.

After initial training and background checks, volunteers are matched with a child that shares similar interests and commits to spending a few hours a week together for a minimum of one year. This time is often spent on outside activities, exploring the community, doing art or craft projects, or simply hanging out and talking.

On Saturday, September 27, COPY will offer an orientation/training class. This 3½ -hour class covers program policies, how to establish a mentor relationship, the impact incarceration has on families, and communication skills. There is no cost to attend, but advanced registration is required.

For additional details please call 541-388-6651 or email COPY@deschutes.org Additional program information is available at the Sheriff’s Office web site at www.sheriff.deschutes.org/copy

LANE COUNTY, Ore (Sept. 9, 2025) - On Friday, September 5, 2025, at 8:43 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Highway 126E, near milepost 21, in Lane County.

The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Suzuki GXR motorcycle, operated by Lucas Charles Thomas (38) of Springfield, struck a deer around 3:00 a.m.. The collision caused the rider to lose control, leave the roadway, and travel down an embankment.

The operator of the Suzuki (Thomas) was declared deceased at the scene.

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

OSP was assisted by McKenzie Fire and ODOT.

# # #

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 the documentation, investigation, and analysis of complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in the use of 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.

COOS BAY, Oregon— The Sunset Bay Astronomy Festival returns to Sunset Bay and Shore Acres state parks near Coos Bay for a three-day event Sept. 25-27.

Activities include guided hikes, interpretive programs including JR Ranger programs, a night-sky photography workshop on Sept. 25 and a star party each night.

“Places like Sunset Bay and Shore Acres offer visitors a chance to see the natural world not only during the day but also at night. They’re special because they show us what the sky looked like everywhere before light pollution. Seeing the night sky in its full brilliance is powerful and, for many, even emotional,” said Park Manager Lee Ricci.

The astronomy festival gives visitors a chance to see and learn more about the night sky.

NOTE: Outdoor events are weather dependent.

Thursday Activities:

• 10 a.m.: Our Star, The Sun JR Ranger Program at Sunset Bay Interpretive Center
• 6 to 7:30 p.m.: Night Sky Photography Workshop. Sign up required. Email Kenneth.Page@oprd.oregon.gov to sign up.
• 7:30 p.m.: Navigating by The Stars program at Shore Acres Gardens
• 8 p.m.: Star Party with telescopes at Shore Acres
• Webpage with complete Thursday schedule

(Parking Permit is $10 per vehicle and required to park in the Shore Acres day-use parking lot.)

Friday Activities:

• 10 a.m.: Constellation Station Junior Ranger Program at Sunset Bay Interpretive Center
• 12-2 p.m.: Solar Viewing with special telescope at Shore Acres Observation Building
• 6-7 p.m.: Jellyfish: The Alien Next Door guided hike (meet at Shore Acres Observation Building for 1-mile hike)
• 7:30: How to Talk to Aliens Even if You’re Shy evening program at Shore Acres Garden
• 8 p.m.: Star Party with telescopes at Shore Acres
• Webpage with complete Friday schedule

(Parking Permit is $10 per vehicle and required to park in the Shore Acres day-use parking lot.)

Saturday Activities:

• 10 a.m.: Guided hike (Meet at Interpretive Center at Sunset Bay Campground for 1-mile hike)
• 12-2 p.m.: Solar Viewing with special telescope at Shore Acres Observation Building
• 7:30 p.m.: Imagining Other Worlds Night Program at Shore Acres
• 8 p.m.: Star Party with telescopes at Shore Acres
• Webpage with complete Saturday schedule

(Parking Permit is $10 per vehicle and required to park in the Shore Acres day-use parking lot.)

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland man made his first appearance in federal court today after assaulting a federal officer during ongoing protest activity near a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in South Portland.

Devin P. Montgomery, 49, has been charged by criminal complaint with the felony offense of assaulting a federal officer.

According to court documents, on the afternoon of September 4, 2025, Federal Protective Service (FPS) observed Montgomery operating an Unmanned Aircraft System, also commonly described as a “drone,” in a temporary flight restricted area near the ICE facility in Portland. The FPS advised Montgomery that flying a drone above or around the federal facility was prohibited due to the restriction imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration. Montgomery ignored FPS’s instructions and continued to operate the drone in the restricted area. Federal officers approached Montgomery, who became belligerent with the officers and began cursing at them. After his arrest, Montgomery spit in an officer’s face.

Since June 13, 2025, a total of 26 defendants have been charged with federal offenses committed at the ICE building, including assaulting federal officers, arson, possession of a destructive device, and depredation of government property.

Montgomery made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was released on conditions pending further court proceedings.

Felony assault of a federal officer is punishable by up to 8 years in federal prison. 

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

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Sisters, Ore. --  The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with incident command staff, has officially lifted all evacuation levels related to the Flat Fire.

With the fire now fully contained, the threat to the community has been significantly reduced. Citizens may continue to see fire crews in the area conducting mop-up operations and monitoring for hot spots.

The Sheriff’s Office extends its gratitude to the many local, state, federal, and contract firefighters, dispatch centers, public safety agencies, and community-based organizations that supported this response. Their coordinated efforts protected thousands of homes and structures, even as several were unfortunately lost.

Residents are reminded to remain cautious when entering previously evacuated areas, as hazards such as weakened trees and hot ash pockets may still be present.

For continued wildfire updates, visit the Central Oregon Fire Info webpage. 

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Salem, Oregon. Cinco años después de los devastadores incendios forestales que ocurrieron el Día del Trabajo del 2020, el Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Oregon (ODHS, por sus siglas en inglés) está rindiendo homenaje a los sobrevivientes, recordando a quienes perdieron la vida y sigue apoyando a las comunidades que continúan recuperándose. Los incendios forestales (en inglés) impactaron a 20 condados de Oregon y quemaron más de un millón de acres, destruyeron 5,000 estructuras y, lamentablemente, causaron la muerte de nueve personas. No todos se ha recuperado por completo, y ODHS mantiene su compromiso de darles apoyo mientras continúan con su recuperación.

“Los incendios forestales del 2020 dejaron claro que no solo debemos responder a los desastres, sino también construir resiliencia en todo lo que hacemos”, afirmó Liesl Wendt, subdirectora del ODHS que ayudó a crear la Oficina de Resiliencia y Manejo de Emergencias (OREM, por sus siglas en inglés) después de los incendios. “Hemos visto lo importante que es mantener a las personas en el centro de la planificación de emergencias”.

Los incendios destruyeron hogares, desplazaron familias y dejaron cicatrices profundas en todo el estado. Aunque muchas personas y familias todavía están recuperándose, hoy ODHS está más preparado para proteger a la población y responder a las emergencias.

Construyendo resiliencia después de los incendios

Los incendios forestales del 2020 mostraron que Oregon tenía deficiencias urgentes en sus sistemas de protección y respuesta a emergencias. Por esta razón, ODHS creó OREM para mejorar su capacidad de asistir a los habitantes de Oregon antes, durante y después de los desastres.

“En mi primer día como director de OREM, el 8 de septiembre del 2020, los incendios ocurridos el Día del Trabajo arrasaban el paisaje del oeste de Oregon. Más de 500,000 personas en Oregon estaban bajo órdenes de evacuación de nivel 1, 2 o 3. Eso es casi uno de cada ocho habitantes de Oregon”, dijo Ed Flick, director de OREM desde su creación. “Era mucha gente la que necesitaba refugio. Pero por el COVID, los refugios colectivos, como los gimnasios de las escuelas, no eran una opción”.

El equipo de OREM actuó rápidamente y comenzó a crear una red de refugios y proveedores de alimentos anticipando que la Cruz Roja le daría la responsabilidad del manejo de los refugios a ODHS.

ODHS es responsable de dar atención colectiva, que incluye alimentos y refugio, en el plan de respuesta a emergencias del estado.  Lo más importante es que OREM comenzó a establecer relaciones con las comunidades locales, siguiendo la idea de que todos los desastres se sienten primero a nivel local. “Los gobiernos estatales y federales están aquí para ayudar, pero movilizarse lleva tiempo. Las comunidades locales son las primeras en llegar y actuar durante las emergencias”, dijo Flick.

En el 2025, OREM cuenta con personal en todo el estado, incluyendo una alianza con las Nueve Tribus Reconocidas Federalmente de Oregon. Este personal conoce a sus comunidades y trabaja cada día para fortalecerlas y desarrollar la capacidad local.

Para mejorar la planificación en evacuaciones, OREM ha puesto a disposición de todo el estado un sistema de manejo de evacuaciones. OREM también ha mejorado la capacidad de ODHS para identificar y localizar a las poblaciones vulnerables que reciben servicios de ODHS. Cuando se anuncia una evacuación de emergencia, la red de oficiales de seguridad de OREM puede identificar a las personas que se encuentran en la zona de evacuación y asegurarse de que tengan un plan para llegar a un lugar seguro. Este sistema se utilizó recientemente en el incendio Flat Fire.

Después de los incendios del 2020, pasaron meses para poner en marcha el sistema de manejo de casos de desastre. Gracias a la Legislatura de Oregon, OREM ahora cuenta con una red de socios locales para el manejo en casos de desastre y con sus propios administradores de casos de desastre, que trabajan con las comunidades y las oficinas de ODHS para identificar cómo fueron afectadas las personas y ponerlas en contacto con los recursos.

Acerca de OREM

En los últimos cinco años, OREM ha dirigido los esfuerzos del estado en atención colectiva y recuperación de servicios sociales, así como la continuidad de las actividades de los programas de ODHS. Como parte de ODHS, la OREM trabaja en cuatro áreas principales:

• Agencia estatal principal para la función de apoyo de emergencia 6, que incluye la atención colectiva, ayuda de emergencia, vivienda y servicios humanos. OREM coordina el apoyo que las personas necesitan cuando son evacuadas de sus hogares.
• Agencia estatal principal para la función de recuperación estatal 4, enfocada en los servicios sociales. Esto ayuda a las comunidades a recuperarse de una forma más rápida y equitativa cuando hay una crisis.
  • Puede ver más información sobre las ESF (Funciónes de apoyo en casos de emergencia; Emergency Suppport Function) y los SRF (Fondos Rotatorios Estatales; State Revolving Fund) en el Plan Integral de Manejo de Emergencias de Oregon.
• Continuidad de las operaciones, garantiza que los servicios de ODHS sigan siendo accesibles para los habitantes de Oregon durante las emergencias y las interrupciones.
• Agencia estatal principal en el desarrollo de centros y redes de resiliencia y centros de calefacción, enfriamiento y aire limpio. OREM colabora con comunidades y organizaciones locales para crear capacidad para abrir centros que mantengan a las personas de Oregon a salvo.

Mirando hacia un Oregon más resiliente

“Cinco años después, seguimos acompañando a los sobrevivientes y honrando la resiliencia de las comunidades más afectadas”, dijo Wendt. “Oregon no se ha recuperado por completo, pero estamos mejor preparados que en el 2020. OREM está en el centro de ese esfuerzo por parte de ODHS, garantizando que los clientes y todos los habitantes de Oregon tengan el apoyo que necesitan cuando hay emergencias”.

ODHS mantiene su compromiso de mejorar continuamente. Para las personas que aún están reconstruyendo sus vidas, ODHS seguirá ayudando y conectando a las personas con los recursos que necesitan. OREM también seguirá ampliando las asociaciones, reforzando los sistemas de evacuación y atención e invirtiendo en iniciativas de resiliencia basadas en la comunidad, para que Oregon esté preparado para afrontar los retos del futuro.

Todos deberían inscribirse en el servicio de notificaciones de emergencia OR Alert para el condado en el que viven o los que visitan seguido. Visite listo.gov para aprender a prepararse para las emergencias.

Salem, OR – Five years after the devastating 2020 Labor Day wildfires, the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is honoring survivors, remembering those who were lost and lifting up the communities that continue to recover. The wildfires impacted 20 Oregon counties and burned more than 1 million acres, destroyed 5,000 structures and tragically took nine lives. Not everyone is fully recovered, and ODHS remains committed to supporting them as recovery continues.
 

“The 2020 wildfires made it clear that we must not only respond to disasters but also build resilience into everything we do,” said Liesl Wendt, ODHS deputy director who helped create the Office of Resilience and Emergency Management (OREM) in the wake of the fires. “We have seen firsthand how critical it is to keep people at the center of emergency planning.”
 

The fires destroyed homes, uprooted families and left lasting scars across the state. While recovery is still underway for many individuals and families, ODHS is better prepared today to protect people and respond to emergencies.

Building resilience after the fires

The 2020 wildfires revealed urgent gaps in Oregon’s emergency response and client protection systems. In response, ODHS launched OREM to strengthen its ability to serve Oregonians before, during and after disasters.
 

“On my first day as OREM director, September 8, 2020, Labor Day fires were sweeping across the Western Oregon landscape.  Over 500,000 Oregonians were under a level 1, 2 or 3 evacuation orders. That is nearly one in eight Oregonians,” said Ed Flick, director of OREM since its inception. “That is a lot of people who needed shelter. And because of COVID, congregate shelters such as school gyms were not an option.”
 

The OREM team quickly took action and began building a shelter and feeding vendor network in anticipation of the American Red Cross handing sheltering over to ODHS. ODHS is responsible for mass care, which includes food and shelter, in the state emergency response plan.  Most importantly, OREM began to build relationships in local communities, putting into practice the adage that all disasters are local. “The state and federal governments are here to help, but that takes time to mobilize. Local communities are the first on scene during emergencies,” Flick said.
 

Fast forward to 2025, OREM has staff located across the state, including a liaison to Oregon’s Nine Federally Recognized Tribes. These staff know their communities and work every day to strengthen relationships and build local capacity.
 

To improve evacuation planning, OREM has made an evacuation management system available statewide. OREM has also improved ODHS’ ability to identify and map vulnerable populations served by ODHS. When an emergency evacuation is announced, OREM’s network of safety officers can identify clients in the evacuation zone and ensure they have a plan to get to safety. This system was used as recently as the Flat Fire. After the 2020 fires, it took months to stand up disaster case management. Thanks to the Oregon Legislature, OREM now has a network of local disaster case management partners and its own disaster case managers who work with communities and ODHS offices to identify how people were impacted and connect people with resources.

About OREM

Over the past five years, OREM has led the state’s efforts in mass care and social services recovery, as well as business continuity for ODHS programs. On behalf of ODHS, OREM operates in four primary areas of work:

• Lead state agency for emergency support function 6, which covers mass care, emergency assistance, housing and human services. OREM coordinates the supports people need when they are evacuated from their homes.
   
• Lead state agency for state recovery function 4, focused on social services. This helps communities recover more quickly and equitably when crisis strikes.
  • Read more about ESFs and SRFs in Oregon’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.
     
• Continuity of operations, ensuring ODHS services remain accessible to Oregonians during emergencies and disruptions.
   
• Lead state agency for developing resilience hubs and networks and warming, cooling and cleaner air centers. OREM partners with local communities and organizations to build capacity to open centers that keep Oregonians safe.

Looking ahead to a more resilient Oregon

“Five years later, we continue to grieve with survivors and honor the resilience of the communities most deeply affected,” Wendt said. “Oregon is not fully recovered, but we are better prepared than we were in 2020. OREM is at the center of that effort for ODHS, ensuring that clients and all Oregonians have the support they need when emergencies strike.”
 

ODHS remains committed to continuous improvement. For those who are still rebuilding their lives, ODHS will continue providing assistance and connecting people with the resources they need. OREM will also keep expanding partnerships, strengthening evacuation and care systems and investing in community-based resilience initiatives so that Oregon is ready to meet the challenges of the future.
 

Everyone should sign up for OR Alert emergency notification for counties they live and frequent. Visit ready.gov to learn how to prepare for emergencies.

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is now accepting proposals for a new round of Veteran Services Grant funding aimed at expanding outreach and services available to veterans throughout Oregon’s rural, urban and Tribal communities.
 

The 2025 Legislature approved $972,653 to fund organizations that provide direct services at no cost to veterans. The Veteran Services Grant Program awards grants up to $250,000 to organizations through a competitive grant process.

The purpose of the Veteran Services Grant Program is to fund eligible proposals that help improve outcomes in areas such as health or behavioral health care, housing security and houselessness, employment opportunities or stability, education and training opportunities, transportation accessibility and availability, or other critical services within a community, region, or statewide basis.

Organizations eligible to apply for this grant include Tribal, regional or local governments, Oregon quasi-public agencies, Oregon intergovernmental entities formed under Oregon Revised Statute 190, and private nonprofit organizations designated as a federal 501(c)(3), 501 (c)(19) or 501(c)(23) tax exempt organizations with at least a one-year operational history.
 

“Partnering with diverse organizations throughout Oregon is crucial to ensure that every veteran in our state has access to the full range of earned benefits, services and resources they need in their own homes and communities,” said ODVA Director Dr. Nakeia Council Daniels. “This grant is an invitation to collaborate on community-led projects that improve veterans’ lives, promoting their health and wellbeing, secure housing, stable employment, educational opportunities, accessible transportation, and other critical services.”

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs will host a webinar at 10 a.m. on September 11, 2025, to provide additional information about the application process. Submit an Intent to Apply to register for the webinar and to receive additional information and any updates about the Veteran Service Grant during this open proposal opportunity.

The 2025 Veteran Services Grant application window closes at 11:59 p.m. October 13, 2025.

For more information about this grant or to apply, visit Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs : Veteran Services Grant : Grants : State of Oregon or contact ODVA Grants Coordinator Brenna Bandstra at renna.bandstra@odva.oregon.gov">brenna.bandstra@odva.oregon.gov or 971-388-8204.

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

Bend Fire & Rescue is alerting the community to a scam involving individuals who claim to be members of the Bend Fire Department and attempt to collect donations from businesses in exchange for promotion at an upcoming event.

Local businesses should be weary of callers requesting monetary donations on behalf of Bend Fire & Rescue. The scammer may reference an open house, and use phrases such as, “fire safety awareness program,” and “community fire stoppers.”

Scammers use many tactics to sound credible. Sometimes they will provide information like names of actual Department staff. They may also spoof their phone number to appear on caller ID as if they are calling from Bend Fire & Rescue. Additionally, they may even provide a professional looking invoice and payment portal to steal your information.

Things to remember about scams:

• Bend Fire & Rescue will never call to ask you for credit/debit/gift card numbers, wire transfers or bank routing numbers, or to make bitcoin deposits for any purpose.
• Never divulge personal or financial information to unknown callers.
• Authenticate any call you suspect to be a scam by checking its validity with Bend Fire & Rescue directly at 541-322-6300.
• Beware of the urgency to act quickly or threats – scammers want you to make your decision fast.

If you believe you were a victim of this scam, please report the incident to non-emergency dispatch by calling 541-693-6911. If you have not been victimized but have information related to this scam, please call the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline at 877-877-9392, or report online at doj.state.or.us/consumer-protection.

To learn more about scams and how to report them, please refer to the Federal Trade Commission website at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Salem – On average, Oregon employers will pay less for workers’ compensation coverage in 2026, the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) announced today. The decline in costs marks 13 years of average decreases in the pure premium rate – the base rate insurers use to determine how much employers must pay for medical costs and lost wages.

Underpinning the cost decreases is the success of Oregon’s workers’ compensation system, which includes programs to control costs and encourage early return to work, maintain good worker benefits, ensure employers carry insurance for their workers, resolve disputes, and improve workplace safety and health.

The numbers illustrate positive, long-term trends, including:

• Employers, on average, would pay 87 cents per $100 of payroll for workers’ compensation costs in 2026, down from 91 cents in 2025, under a proposal by DCBS. That figure is referred to as loaded pure premium and covers workers’ compensation claims costs, assessments, and insurer profit and expenses.
• The pure premium rate would drop by an average 3.3 percent under the proposal. In fact, the pure premium per $100 of payroll will have declined by 46.5 percent from 2017 to 2026.

The reduction in costs is due to fewer claims entering the system over time, along with claims being generally less severe, according to the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI). NCCI is the U.S. rate-setting organization whose recommendation DCBS reviews as part of its annual public process to decide rates.

Employers’ total cost for workers’ compensation insurance includes the pure premium and insurer profit and expenses, plus the premium assessment. Employers also pay at least half of the Workers’ Benefit Fund assessment, which is a cents-per-hour-worked rate.

The decrease in the pure premium of 3.3 percent is an average, so an individual employer may see a larger or smaller decrease, no change, or even an increase, depending on the employer’s own industry, claims experience, and payroll. Also, the pure premium does not consider the varying expenses and profit of insurers or modifications based on policyholders’ claim experience.

The stability of Oregon’s workers’ compensation system helps sustain the trend in lower costs. The system includes the Workers’ Compensation Division; Oregon OSHA; the Workers’ Compensation Board, which resolves disputes over the state’s workers’ compensation and workplace safety laws; the Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers, an independent advocate for workers on workers’ compensation and workplace safety and health; and the Small Business Ombudsman, an independent advocate for small business owners on workers’ compensation.

The premium assessment funds those successful programs.

The premium assessment, which is a percentage of the workers’ compensation insurance premium employers pay, is added to the premium. It would remain at 9.8 percent in 2026, the same as 2025, under the DCBS proposal. In fact, 2026 would mark the fifth-straight year the premium assessment remained at 9.8 percent.

“The continued decline in workers’ compensation costs shows the resiliency in making Oregon a safe place for workers,” said Sean O’Day, interim DCBS director. “That resiliency allows for good benefits for workers and reduced costs for employers.”

Meanwhile, the Workers’ Benefit Fund assessment funds return-to-work programs, provides increased benefits over time for workers who are permanently and totally disabled, and gives benefits to families of workers who die from workplace injuries or diseases.

The fund’s revenue comes from a cents-per-hour-worked assessment. The assessment would lower to 1.8 cents per hour worked in 2026. It would be the lowest rate since the inception of the cents-per-hour assessment in 1996.

The decrease in the pure premium will be effective Jan. 1, 2026, but employers will see the changes when they renew their policies in 2026.

Oregon’s workers’ compensation premium rates have ranked favorably compared to other states for many years. Oregon had the nation’s 14th least expensive rates in 2024, according to a nationally recognized biennial study conducted by DCBS.

The public hearings for the workers’ compensation assessment and the Workers’ Benefit Fund assessment are Thursday, Sept. 18, at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively.

Written testimony will be accepted through 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, by the Director's Office of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, P.O. Box 14480, Salem, OR 97309-0405.

The following cost chart summarizes the changes:

https://www.oregon.gov/DCBS/reports/cost/Documents/wc-summary.pdf

More information about Oregon workers’ compensation costs is at https://www.oregon.gov/DCBS/cost/Pages/index.aspx.

The loaded pure premium includes insurer costs, known as expense loading factors. Historic figures are adjusted to reflect the 2025 mix of employment and payroll.

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About Oregon DCBS: The Department of Consumer and Business Services is Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. The department administers state laws and rules to protect consumers and workers in the areas of workers’ compensation, occupational safety and health, financial services, insurance, and building codes. Visit dcbs.oregon.gov.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 8, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT
Sam Tenney, Communications Coordinator

sam.tenney@dpsst.oregon.gov

503-931-4069

Public invited to visit September 11 Memorial at the Oregon Public Safety Academy

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) invites the public to visit the September 11 Memorial at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem this Thursday, Sept. 11, to commemorate the victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks.

The academy hosts a permanent display of artifacts from the attacks that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people, including 343 firefighters, 71 law enforcement officers and 55 military personnel. In addition to the lives lost in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, thousands of first responders have succumbed to illness as a result of their heroic rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero.

Guests are welcome to view the memorial to honor the victims and all whose lives were impacted by the attacks. The gates of the academy, located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy. SE in Salem, will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for drop-in viewing. The memorial is located in the lobby of the academy; guests should follow the signs for the main entrance.

Artifacts displayed at the 9/11 Memorial include:

• A floor beam from either 5 or 6 World Trade Center, both of which sustained heavy damage in the September 11 attacks as the towers fell.
• A beam from the base of 1 World Trade Center, also known as the North Tower.
• A strap used to support mechanical systems in the towers
• A smaller floor beam from above the 50th floor of one of the Twin Towers
• A piece of aluminum used in the outer “skin” of one of the towers
• A piece of limestone facade from the outer wall of the Pentagon, taken from near where the aircraft impacted the building

The artifacts are accompanied by a video tribute to the first responders and victims, a painting by artist Ricardo Salazar which depicts the attacks on the World Trade Center, and the flags of New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania, which are displayed in memory of the lives lost in each of those states.

In addition to the 9/11 Memorial, the Oregon Public Safety Academy campus is home to memorials honoring the state’s fallen law enforcement officers and fire service professionals. The Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial honors 199 officers who have died in the line of duty since the 1860s, and the Oregon Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial honors 182 fire service personnel who have died in the line of duty since 1881. DPSST holds annual memorial ceremonies to honor the officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.

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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 IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

Contact: Colin Fogarty 

Director of Communications 

ty@oregoncf.org">cfogarty@oregoncf.org  

Oregon Community Foundation Invests Another $120,000

in Disaster Readiness and Recovery

Grants Mark Five-Year Anniversary of Labor Day Fires with Focus on Preparedness

PORTLAND, Ore. — Five years after the Labor Day megafires devastated parts of Oregon, 11 nonprofits are receiving new funding to help communities continue to recover and prepare for future disasters. Oregon Community Foundation today announced $120,000 in new grants from its Disaster Readiness and Response Fund.

The fund is an initiative that emerged from the 2020 wildfires. It provides rapid-response grants for immediate recovery and supports preparedness programs that help build more resilient communities. As a collective giving fund, anyone can contribute to it. An earlier fund to support wildfire recovery after the 2020 fires distributed $10.8 million over several years.

"The fires of 2020 changed Oregon forever — but they didn’t define us,” said Kim Koenig, Director of Statewide Community Programs and Disaster Resilience at OCF. “Oregonians came together then, and we’re coming together now to prepare for the future. We’re not just remembering what happened five years ago. We’re reimagining how Oregon shows up for each other long into the future.”

Devastating Megafires

The Labor Day fires that began on September 7, 2020 were fueled by high winds and dry conditions that resulted in 1.2 million acres burned, more than 4,000 homes destroyed and 11 deaths. The fires displaced thousands of Oregonians and left widespread destruction across the state, with major impacts in the Santiam Canyon, the McKenzie River corridor and southern Oregon's Rogue Valley.

The new grants support collaborative, community-based organizations that coordinate resources and services for long-term readiness and resilience in seven Oregon counties affected by the 2020 wildfires: Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Linn and Marion.

Recovery Continues

The funding also reflects the ongoing impact of the Almeda Fire in southern Oregon. Grants will support nonprofits that continue to serve survivors, including Talent Maker City, Rogue Food Unites, Firebrand Resiliency Collective, Coalición Fortaleza and United Way of Jackson County.

One person who experienced the devastation firsthand and worked on multiple fronts to respond is Dee Anne Everson, President and Executive Director of United Way of Jackson County. Everson, who also sits on the Board of Directors of Oregon Community Foundation, says funding partners responding to the 2020 wildfires had to collaborate closely to serve communities effectively. Everson adds that those partnerships yielded critical lessons for the future.

"We have to be prepared together,” Everson said. “I think we certainly learned that. It's really important in the world of philanthropy to talk to people on the ground who are doing the work. You want to make sure that all of us — wherever we are on the ground doing the work — stay deeply interconnected."

Earlier this year, OCF issued grants to support recovery from flooding in Harney and Douglas Counties and wildfires in the Columbia River Gorge, along with disaster preparedness efforts in Douglas, Lake and Harney counties.

Learn more and donate to the Disaster Readiness and Response Fund of Oregon Community Foundation.

Full List of New Disaster Readiness and Response Grantees

Clackamas County Voluntary Organization's Active in Disaster | Oregon City | $10,000

Coalición Fortaleza | Medford | $10,000

Firebrand Resiliency Collective | Ashland | $10,000

Glide Revitalization | Glide | $10,000

Jackson County Community Long Term Recovery Group | Talent | $10,000

McKenzie Valley LTRG of Lane County | Blue River | $10,000

Rogue Food Unites | Ashland | $10,000

Santiam Memorial Hospital | Stayton | $20,000

Talent Maker City | Talent | $10,000

United Way of Jackson County | Medford | $10,000

United Way of the Klamath Basin | Klamath Falls | $10,000

About Oregon Community Foundation

Since 1973, Oregon Community Foundation has worked to improve the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy. In partnership with donors and volunteers, OCF strengthens communities in every county in Oregon through grantmaking, scholarships and research. Individuals, families, businesses and organizations can work with OCF to create charitable funds to support causes important to them. To learn more, visit oregoncf.org.

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An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, Michael Anthony Panarites, died the morning of September 7, 2025. Panarites was incarcerated at Two Rivers Correctional Institution (TRCI) in Umatilla and passed away at the institution. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified.

Panarites entered DOC custody on May 12, 2025, from Multnomah County with an earliest release date of June 13, 2073. Panarites was 40 years old. Next of kin has been notified.

DOC takes all in-custody deaths seriously. The agency is responsible for the care and custody of 12,000 individuals who are incarcerated in 12 institutions across the state. While crime information is public record, DOC elects to disclose only upon request out of respect for any family or victims.

TRCI is a multi-custody prison in Umatilla that houses approximately 1,800 adults in custody. TRCI participates in prison industries with Oregon Corrections Enterprises including institution and industrial laundry, mattress manufacturing, and sewing. Other institution work programs include reparation and cleaning of irrigation ditches, maintenance of local baseball fields, and work with local cities and the Hermiston School District. The facility provides a range of correctional programs and services including education, religious services, and behavioral health services. TRCI opened in 2000.

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The Oregon National Guard welcomed home the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) in a demobilization ceremony at the Salem Armory Auditorium, September 6, 2025, in Salem, Ore. The 41st IBCT returned in July from a year-long deployment to Kosovo as part of the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission.

The 41st IBCT served as part of KFOR's 34th rotation, contributing to what the 41st IBCT commander Col. Peter Helzer described as, "the longest and most successful NATO mission in the history of the alliance." 

The deployment to Kosovo was crucial for maintaining peace and stability in the region, a mission that has been ongoing since 1999. 

“The 41st mission supporting Operation JOINT GUARDIAN directly supported our national interests and security, bringing value and pride to our state and our nation,” said Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, the Adjutant General, Oregon.

The brigade's support was widespread, encompassing security forces, logisticians, medical professionals, intelligence analysts, and a command team stationed at various locations, including Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Pristina, Kosovo; and Bondsteel, Kosovo.

They completed more than 4,000 security patrols, 13,000 public engagements, and 5,000 volunteer hours supporting communities in Kosovo.

Gronewold expressed his gratitude to the families and loved ones of the 41st IBCT Soldiers, thanking them for their resilience. “While your loved ones were deployed, you carried the weight of the home front with grace and courage,” said Gronewold. “Your sacrifices made their mission possible, and we recognize that their service is truly a family commitment.”

The 41st IBCT continues its long legacy of service, tracing its lineage back to the 41st Infantry Division that served in World War I and performed the longest overseas service of any division in the U.S., in the Pacific during World War II.

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Photos released:

250906-Z-UZ129-1009 Soldiers of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) stand at attention during their demobilization ceremony at the Salem Armory Auditorium, September 6, 2025, in Salem, Ore. The 41st IBCT returned home from a year-long deployment to Kosovo as part of the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Emily Simonson, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs Office)  

250906-Z-UZ129-1014 Col. Peter Helzer, commander of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), salutes the flag during their demobilization ceremony at the Salem Armory Auditorium, September 6, 2025, in Salem, Ore. The 41st IBCT returned home from a year-long deployment to Kosovo as part of the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Emily Simonson, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs Office) 

250906-Z-UZ129-1036 Soldiers of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) are welcomed home by their loved ones during their demobilization ceremony at the Salem Armory Auditorium, September 6, 2025, in Salem, Ore. The 41st IBCT returned home from a year-long deployment to Kosovo as part of the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Emily Simonson, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs Office) 

250906-Z-UZ129-1040 Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, the Adjutant General, Oregon, shakes hands with Soldiers of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) during their demobilization ceremony at the Salem Armory Auditorium, September 6, 2025, in Salem, Ore. The 41st IBCT returned home from a year-long deployment to Kosovo as part of the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Emily Simonson, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs Office)