Advocacy Organization Calls on Oregon Lawmakers to Keep Their Promise to Fund Foundational Public Health Programs

 

PORTLAND, Ore. (May 06, 2025) Oregon’s 33 local public health authorities face severe and worsening workforce challenges, limiting their ability to protect the health and safety of Oregon’s 4.2 million residents. 

 

Those are the findings from a new report issued by the Oregon Coalition of Local Health Officials (CLHO), the advocacy organization for local public health authorities.

 

The most significant issues include inadequate pay, chronic understaffing, burnout, leadership turnover and a lack of training, recruitment and retention resources. 

 

“While these are not new challenges, they continue to worsen because of increased work coupled with drastic public health cuts at the federal level as well as chronic underfunding from all levels of government,” says Sarah Lochner, CLHO’s executive director. Ten years ago, Oregon lawmakers promised to fully fund essential public health programs like disease control, environmental health and emergency preparedness. So far, they’ve committed only half of the funding they promised. We’re calling on lawmakers this legislative session to keep their promise to fund these foundational programs.” 

 

The new report's findings and recommendations come from surveys and focus groups conducted in 2024 with public health administrators and human resource professionals in 29 of Oregon’s 33 public health authorities. 

 

“The biggest workforce challenges have been reduced budgets, laying off staff and cutting FTE.”

— Jackson Baures, Jackson County Division Manager

 

Key findings: 

• While the total number of full-time positions has increased since CLHO’s last workforce report in 2021, there are fewer nurses and epidemiologists, especially in rural counties.   
• Although average wages for many positions, including nurses, epidemiologists and administrators increased, wages in public health are still significantly lower than in the private sector, especially for nurses.
•  Inadequate pay, limited advancement opportunities and burnout are the top reasons public health workers leave their jobs.
• There is significant turnover among public health leadership. Between 2020-21, 16 public health administrators left their positions. Since then, another 17 have left.
• Many new hires lack basic public health training and skills needed to do their jobs.
• Counties struggle to recruit and retain qualified candidates due to limited resources; a lack of measurable diversity, equity and inclusion hiring goals; and a lack of affordable housing.

Key recommendations:

• Invest in competitive, sustainable compensation by increasing state funding and encouraging local investments.
• Fund tuition, scholarship, mentorship and leadership development programs in partnership with educational institutions.
• Expand job outreach by posting openings on culturally specific job platforms and through local and tribal colleges, particularly those serving historically excluded groups. 
• Offer recruitment incentives such as relocation assistance, housing assistance and sign-on bonuses.
• Create and implement a statewide DEI hiring framework.
• Develop a centralized, publicly accessible onboarding “Public Health Essentials Toolkit” that could be adapted to fit the specific needs of the local workforce.
• Build capacity among staff to assume leadership positions.  

The report concludes by stressing the importance of sustained funding increases to ensure that the public health workforce is prepared for the next pandemic, disease outbreak or environmental disaster. 

 

“We don’t wait until there is a fire to ask for funding for the local fire department. Their funding structure allows them to respond immediately when a fire starts. We should fund public health the same way–if we have to wait for another public health emergency to receive funding for essential programs, more people will suffer and more people will die," said CLHO Chair Philip Mason-Joyner, who oversees public health and health and human services in Clackamas County.

 

To get a copy of the full report or arrange an interview, please email info@oregonclho.org

 

CLHO is asking state lawmakers to invest an additional $65.2 million per biennium in local public health. Read about CLHO’s 2025 legislative priorities here.

 

 

 

 

SALEM, Oregon – The Oregon Heritage Commission will meet via online meeting on May 27. The meeting will include approval of the 2025 Oregon Museum Grant recommendations. To view the full agenda and/or to register for the virtual meeting visit here.
 

Special accommodations for the meeting – including translation services – may be made by calling (503) 986‐0690 or y.Newcomb@oprd.oregon.gov">Mary.Newcomb@oprd.oregon.gov at least 72 hours prior to the start of the meeting.
 

The Heritage Commission’s nine members represent a diversity of cultural, geographic, and institutional interests. The Commission is the primary agency for coordination of heritage activities in the state. This includes carrying out the Oregon Heritage Plan, increasing efficiency and avoiding duplication among interest groups, developing plans for coordination among agencies and organizations, encouraging tourism related to heritage resources, and coordinating statewide anniversary celebrations.
 

More information about the Oregon Heritage Commission is available online at www.oregonheritage.org and from Commission Coordinator Katie Henry at 503-877-8834 or y@oprd.oregon.gov">katie.henry@oprd.oregon.gov.  
 

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SALEM, Ore. — The Regional Forest Practice Committee for northwest Oregon will meet at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 16 at in the Clatsop Room, Building C, at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters, located at 2600 State St. in Salem. To join virtually, please use the Teams video conference information found on the agenda. To provide public comment, please email estresources.committees@odf.oregon.gov">forestresources.committees@odf.oregon.gov.

 

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Division and agency updates
• HCP status
• Compliance Monitoring Project update
• Operator of the Year Program revisions
• All streams crossing technical guidance review & technical guidance update

 

The public may attend in-person or online via Teams. Public comments will be accepted. 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.

 

Regional Forest Practices Committees are panels of citizens – mandated under Oregon law – that advise the Oregon Board of Forestry and may assist the Board of Forestry in developing appropriate forest practice rules. The committees are comprised of citizens qualified by education or experience in natural resource management. In 1971, the legislature enacted Oregon’s Forest Practices Act which includes three Regional Forest Practices Committees, serving the Eastern, Northwest, and Southwest regions of the state. Under Oregon law, a majority of the committees’ members must be private forest landowners and logging or forest operations companies.

 

Oregon’s forests are among the state’s most valued resources, providing a balanced mix of environmental, economic, and social benefits. View more information on the RFPC webpage.

Wallowa County, Ore. 12 May 2025- On Friday, May 9, 2025, at 7:22 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 82, near milepost 43, in Wallowa County.

 

The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Subaru Impreza, operated by Andrew Victor Singer (50) of Wallowa, crossed the center line and struck a westbound Toyota Rav4, operated by Jeffrey Michael Stein (38) of Elgin, head-on.

 

The operator of the Subaru (Singer) was declared deceased at the scene.

 

The operator of the Toyota (Stein) suffered reportedly serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital.

 

The highway was impacted for approximately six hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

 

OSP was assisted by the Wallowa County Sheriff's Office, Wallowa 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.

May 12, 2025

Media contact: Franny White, anny.l.white@oha.oregon.gov" style="color: rgb(6, 66, 118); text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: 100%;">Franny.l.white@oha.oregon.gov, 971-349-3539

OHA seeks your help to make health care more affordable

New committees, public hearing provide opportunities to brainstorm solutions

SALEM, Ore. – Are you concerned about paying for a health emergency or routine care? Do you have an idea that could make health care more affordable? Oregon Health Authority (OHA) wants to hear from you.

“Everyone deserves quality health care, but growing medical costs make that increasingly challenging,” said Antonio Germann, M.D., a family physician who is vice-chair of the Oregon Health Policy Board, a citizen-led body that oversees OHA. “We need to tackle this complex issue to ensure our future health, and we’re inviting people to share their personal experiences and expertise with us to help us address it.”

About 83% of Oregon adults worry about being able to afford health care in the future, and 43% have struggled to pay their medical bills, according to a 2024 survey. Concerning statistics like this prompted OHA to make strengthening affordable health care for all a pillar in its strategic plan. It also led the Oregon Health Policy Board to seek the public’s help in identifying a broad range of solutions by serving on committees and participating in a June 10 public hearing.

Oregonians are invited to submit applications to serve on two new committees focused on health care affordability. May 16 is the extended deadline to apply for both committees. Applications and more information are available on the Committee on Health Care Affordability and Industry Advisory Committee webpages. Once their members are chosen, the committees plan to meet beginning this summer. Additional details are below.

The Committee on Health Care Affordability, also simply called the Affordability Committee, is seeking diverse voices. Its members may include people who receive health care, employers that purchase insurance, health economists and health policy experts.

The Affordability Committee will be supported by the Industry Advisory Committee, which also aims to include a variety of perspectives, ranging from health insurers to providers, hospitals and health industry leaders. Health care professionals in small or independent practices, and those who specialize in primary care, behavioral health, oral health or pediatrics are particularly encouraged to apply to the industry committee.

Comment at public forum

Both committees will build on the work of OHA’s Sustainable Health Care Cost Growth Target program, which seeks to limit Oregon’s health care cost increases to 3.4% per person annually. Between 2021 and 2022, the state’s health care spending grew by 3.6%, slightly more than the target.

Every year, the Health Care Cost Growth Target program holds a legislatively required public hearing to discuss recent trends in health care spending and highlight what’s driving health care cost growth. The 2025 public hearing will specifically explore behavioral health and pharmacy spending trends and will also focus on policy ideas to improve health care affordability. Information and potential solutions discussed at the event will help inform the new committees’ future work. People are also encouraged to share their personal stories and ideas about health care affordability during the hearing. See below for details on how to participate.

What: Health Care Cost Growth Public Hearing

When: 10 a.m.-Noon PT Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Details: Hybrid virtual and in-person meeting to discuss health care costs in Oregon, including recent trends, their causes and ideas for slowing cost growth.

Get involved: Consumers, clinicians and businesses are invited to share their concerns about and experiences with health care costs. Email written testimony or sign up to provide spoken comment at e.CostTarget@oha.oregon.gov" style="color: rgb(6, 66, 118); text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: 100%;">HealthCare.CostTarget@oha.oregon.gov.

Webpage: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/HP/Pages/cost-growth-target-public-hearings.aspx

Zoom meeting:

https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1610883159?pwd=PAveuaEZgsT4KLXVPXm8WduVGatWCa.1

Meeting ID: 161 088 3159

Passcode: 371696

One tap mobile: +16692545252,1610883159# US (San Jose)​

In-person meeting: Salem, Oregon (details will be added to Oregon Health Policy Board meeting webpage)

SALEM, OR – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and other fire prevention experts are urging everyone to exercise caution when disposing of yard debris this spring. There have already been 32 escaped debris burns reported on ODF-protected land in 2025, nearly double the amount compared to this time last year. The average size of a spring escaped debris burn is about one acre, or the size of a football field, and generally requires suppression from the local fire protection agency.

 

Over seventy-five percent of wildfires in Oregon are human caused, with escaped debris burns topping the list. With forecasters becoming increasingly confident that this season will be hotter and drier than normal, now is the time to practice wildfire prevention. As grass and vegetation begin to dry out, the risk of a fire creeping away from a debris burn pile increases. Make sure to weigh your options and have all of the fire prevention tools in place before lighting the burn pile or incinerator.

 

Besides burning, preferable options for brush removal include composting or recycling. Check with your local disposal company for recycling options.  

 

But if burning now is the only option to dispose of yard debris, fire prevention specialists ask people to follow safe burning practices.

• Call before you burn—Regulations vary by location. Call your local district, fire protective association, fire department, or air protection authority to learn about current burning restrictions or regulations, and if you need a permit.
   
• Know the weather—Burn early in the day and never burn on windy days, because fires can spread out of control more easily.
   
• Always have water and fire tools nearby—When burning, have a shovel and charged water hose or a bucket of water on hand to put out the fire.
   
• Clear a 10-foot fuel-free buffer around the pile—Make sure there are no tree branches or power lines above.
   
• Keep burn piles small—Large burn piles can cast hot embers long distances. Keep piles small, maximum of four feet by four feet. Add debris to the pile in small amounts as the pile burns.
   
• Burn only yard debris—State laws prohibit burning materials, treated wood or trash that create dense smoke or noxious odors.
   
• Never use gasoline or other flammable or combustible liquids to start or speed up your fire.
   
• Stay with the fire from start to finish—NEVER leave your debris burn unattended. State law requires monitoring debris burn piles at all times, until it is out cold. This law is intended to ensure sparks or embers that jump from the fire can be put out quickly.
   
• Put the fire out cold/completely—Drown the pile with water, stir the coals, and drown again, repeating until the fire is cool to the touch.
   
• Recheck burn piles—Return to the burn site periodically over several weeks to check for heat or smoke and refrain from adding new yard debris on top of old ashes. Burn piles can retain heat for several weeks and rekindle when the weather warms up and winds blow.
   
• Costs of run-away debris burns—State law requires the proper clearing, building, attending and extinguishing of open fires all year. If your debris burn spreads out of control, you may have to pay for suppression costs, as well as the damage to your neighbors’ properties, which can be extremely expensive.

As the summer fire season quickly approaches, consider putting off any burning until next fall or winter, when conditions are more favorable. Just cover a portion of the pile with plastic, such as a tarp, to keep dry until you decide to burn. Delaying your burn plans will give the debris more time to cure and prevent spring holdover fires.

 

More tips on wildfire prevention, including campfire safety, motorized equipment use, and fire-resistant landscaping can be found on the Keep Oregon Green website. Find public use restrictions for Oregon Department of Forestry protected lands before your burn.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                            

 

Corrects Location

 

Media Hotline: 503-813-6018

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

Pacific Power to describe wildfire protection efforts

 

WHAT:	In preparation for wildfire season, Pacific Power is inviting members of the media to its customer public forum in Medford to share key elements of its plans to prevent wildfire.   A Pacific Power meteorologist and spokesperson will be available for one-on-one interviews Tuesday afternoon ahead of the 5:30 p.m. public forum to discuss the company’s advances in weather modeling and fire forecasting and the company’s efforts to protect communities against wildfire. Members of the media interested in conducting an interview are asked to RSVP by emailing rez@pacificorp.com">simon.gutierrez@pacificorp.com.   Additional footage and photos will be provided upon request.
WHEN:	May 13, 2025, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
WHERE:	Hilton Garden Inn    1000 Welcome Way Medford, OR 97504
WHO:	Pacific Power Representatives

 

The Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries will meet via online meeting on May 27 at 1:00 p.m. The primary agenda item is approval of the 2025 Oregon Historic Cemeteries grants. The meeting is open to the public and the agenda includes an opportunity for public comment. Register for the meeting to receive online access information.

State law established the seven-member Commission to maintain a listing of all historic cemeteries and gravesites in Oregon; promote public education on the significance of historic cemeteries; and help obtain financial and technical assistance for restoring, improving and maintaining their appearances. For more information about commission activities, contact coordinator Kuri Gill at 503-986-0685 or by e-mail at i.gill@oprd.oregon.gov">kuri.gill@oprd.oregon.gov.

Special accommodations for the meeting – including translation services – may be made by calling (503) 986‐0690 at least 72 hours prior to the start of the meeting.

For call-in details and the agenda or more information about the commission, visit www.oregonheritage.org.

May 12, 2025

 

Media Contact: 
Colin Fogarty, Director of Communications
cfogarty@oregoncf.org

 

Oregon Community Foundation Welcomes to Board Leaders in Rural Advocacy, Iconic Businesses, Conservation, Law 

 

PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon Community Foundation’s Board of Directors has five new members who bring extensive experience in conservation, law, rural community development and leadership of iconic Oregon companies. The five new members were approved by unanimous vote by the OCF Board of Directors. 

 

“This an all-star group of civic and community leaders will bring a diversity of viewpoints and insight to advance our work,” said Lisa Mensah, President and CEO of Oregon Community Foundation. "The foundation’s next stage of growth will depend upon our ability to bring Oregonians together to deliver bold solutions.”

 

Deana Freres advocates for rural communities as founding board member of the Santiam Hospital and Clinics Foundation and co-founder the Santiam Canyon Wildfire Relief Fund. She served 18 years advocating for children through the relief nursery Family Building Blocks.

 

"I value the determination OCF shows to connect with communities from all over the state, especially in rural areas," Deana says.  "We share a goal to ensure these communities are vibrant, healthy, and have the resources they need to keep their economies thriving."

 

Chris Nemlowill is co-founder of fast growing and community focused Fort George Brewery in his hometown of Astoria, where he and his wife are “raising 3 kids playing 6 sports.” In 2024, the company installed the largest private single-building solar array in Oregon, providing more than 70% of the brewery’s electricity.

 

“I’ve been a promoter of community my whole life, so of course I’m drawn to an organization like Oregon Community Foundation,” he says. “I’ll do anything I can to help our communities remain great places to build a business and raise a family.”

 

Joth Ricci is former CEO of Dutch Bros., Stumptown Coffee and Adelsheim Vineyards. He co-founded TASTE for Equity, serves as Executive Chair at Burgerville, and teaches at Oregon State University’s College of Business.

 

“Serving on this board feels like a natural progression for me, after my work in communities all over this state and with organizations like the Oregon Business Council,” Ricci says. “This is an exciting time at OCF. What attracted me was the conversation around innovation, growth and change management that I hope can help drive community development across Oregon.”

 

Chuck Sams, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, served under President Biden as the first Native American Director of the National Park Service. He currently serves on the Northwest Power and Conservation Council and was on the board of the Gray Family Foundation, an OCF supporting organization.

 

“OCF represents a value and ethic that resonate with me. In Indian Country, you are measured not by your wealth but by how much you give,” Sams says. “OCF is committed to taking Oregon where it needs to go by spreading the wealth to improve the health of our state in multiple ways.”

 

Penny Serrurier is an estate planning attorney who has served on the Oregon Business Council and the boards of OMSI, Oregon Zoo Foundation, Oregon Symphony Foundation and Downtown Portland Safe & Clean. She spent 9 years on OCF’s Development and Marketing Committee.

 

“I am so excited to be joining the board of an organization that has contributed so much to Oregon communities through the years. I believe in the power of philanthropy, and I know that OCF has a critical role to play in the future of our great state. I am honored to be chosen for this leadership role.”

 

Read their full bios here and below.

 

About Oregon Community Foundation

 

Since 1973, Oregon Community Foundation has worked to improve the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy. In 2024, OCF distributed more than $211 million in grants and scholarships in every county in Oregon in partnership with donors and volunteers. 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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New Oregon Community Foundation Board Members 2025

 

Deana Freres

 

Deana Freres’ volunteer work centers around her passion for rural communities and the economies that lift them. Her advocacy promotes economic development initiatives, leverages the responsible management of natural resources, and ensures families have access to jobs, housing, education and quality healthcare in the communities where they live.

 

As a founding board member of the Santiam Hospital and Clinics Foundation, Deana plays a pivotal role in advancing rural healthcare initiatives and capital campaign strategies. She also serves on the board of the Stayton Public Library Foundation and is beginning her first term of service as a member of Oregon Episcopal School Board of Trustees. She recently concluded 18 years of service on the board of Family Building Blocks, a relief nursery where she supported child abuse prevention and family support services through legislative advocacy, capital campaigns and program governance.

 

Deana stepped into an unexpectedly significant role in disaster relief and recovery efforts following the devastating Lionshead and Beachie Creek wildfires in 2020. She co-founded the Santiam Canyon Wildfire Relief Fund (SCWRF), a nonprofit initiative in partnership with Santiam Hospital & Clinics. As a member of the SCWRF Advisory Committee and president of the Santiam Canyon Long Term Recovery Group, she coordinated survivor recovery grants, supports disaster case management, and organizes ongoing community rebuilding efforts, assisting over 1000 households impacted by the disaster.

 

Deana studied Management Science Engineering at Southern Methodist University and worked 10 years in project management and process design engineering before dedicating her time in support of nonprofits.

 

"I value the determination OCF shows to connect with communities from all over the state, especially in rural areas," Deana says.  "We share a goal to ensure these communities are vibrant, healthy, and have the resources they need to keep their economies thriving."

 

 

Chris Nemlowill

 

Chris Nemlowill is the co-founder of Fort George Brewery and Public House in his hometown of Astoria, Oregon.

After earning a marketing degree from Southern Oregon University, Nemlowill knew he didn’t want to work in a cubicle. Instead, he found his passion in home brewing and learned everything he could from mentors in Oregon and Europe. While attending international marketing classes, he was especially inspired by Germany’s community-centered, family friendly beer culture.

 

Back in Astoria, Nemlowill worked as a barista and developed his brewing craft on the side. In 2007, he co-founded Fort George Brewery and Public House and demand grew quickly. “We couldn’t make beer fast enough,” he says. The brewery eventually transformed a once-dilapidated warehouse — pigeons and all — into a full city block of community gathering space.

 

Fort George has grown to 150 employees. In 2024, the company installed the largest private single-building solar array in Oregon, providing more than 70% of the brewery’s electricity.

 

Nemlowill and his wife, Zetty, are raising “three kids doing six sports” while continuing to grow community partnerships in Astoria.

“I’ve been a promoter of community my whole life, so of course I’m drawn to an organization like Oregon Community Foundation,” he says. “I’ll do anything I can to help our state and our community remain a great place to build a business and raise a family.”

 

Joth Ricci

 

Joth Ricci is an innovative leader with a proven track record of driving growth and creating value. Over his 33-year career, he has led several well-known brands, serving as CEO of Dutch Bros., Adelsheim Vineyards, Stumptown Coffee and Jones Soda Co. His expertise spans business strategy, brand development and scaling organizations for long-term success.

 

Beyond executive leadership, Joth is committed to community impact and advancing equity. He is the Vice Chair of the Children's Institute, past chairman of the Oregon Business Council, co-founded TASTE for Equity, and served on the State of Oregon’s Racial Justice Council. He is the author of The System, and works with individual leaders and companies to build capacity and manage organizational dynamics.

 

Currently, Joth serves as Executive Chair at Burgerville and as an executive-in-residence at Oregon State University’s College of Business. He is an active board member for organizations including Upward Projects, The Oregon Fruit Company, Bamboo Sushi and Great Frontier Holdings.

 

 

Chuck Sams

 

Chuck Sams grew up on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Northeast Oregon, where he is enrolled as Walla Walla and Cayuse with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. He currently serves on the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. He most recently served under President Biden as the 19th director of the National Park Service, the first Native American to hold this office. 

 

Chuck has over 35-years of executive leadership that includes serving on the Northwest Power and Conservation Council as a Council member, Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director for the CTUIR, in addition to Communications Director and Environmental Health & Safety Officer and Planner and Special Sciences analyst with CTUIR. 

 

Other prior positions include Program Coordinator for the Community Action Program of East Central Oregon, House Manager/Field Supervisor for the City Volunteer Corps of New York, President/CEO of the Earth Conservation Corps, Executive Director of the Community Energy Project, Executive Director of the Columbia Slough Watershed Council, the National Director for the Tribal & Native Lands Program of the Trust for Public Land, Executive Director of the Umatilla Tribal Community Foundation, and President/Chief Executive Officer of the Indian Country Conservancy. 

 

He received his Master of Legal Studies in Indigenous Peoples Law from the University of Oklahoma School of Law and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Management, Communications, and Leadership from Concordia University. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center 'A' School. Upon graduation he served as an Intelligence Specialist with Attack Squadron 155 Silver Foxes, the Joint Intelligence Center Pacific Command and the Defense Intelligence Agency.  

 

He and his wife, Lori, and daughter Ruby live in Pendleton, Oregon.

 

Penny H. Serrurier 

 

Penny Serrurier is a partner at the law firm of Stoel Rives in Portland. For more than 25 years, she has provided nonprofit organizations with strategic solutions to their most pressing challenges. Penny works with higher education institutions, healthcare organizations, public charities and private foundations on issues involving governance, fundraising, advocacy, tax status, scholarship compliance and endowment management. Penny is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.

 

Penny grew up in Vermont. She earned a history degree from Middlebury College and graduated from Cornell Law School. Penny and her husband, Peter, raised two boys in Portland and have long been active in the Portland community. She serves on the board of directors of the Oregon Business Council and for Downtown Portland Clean & Safe. Penny has served as Board Chair for both the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) and the Oregon Zoo Foundation. 

 

Penny has supported and volunteered for many local nonprofits, including serving for several years on the Oregon Community Foundation’s Development and Marketing Committee.

 

“I am so excited to be joining the board of an organization that has contributed so much to Oregon communities through the years. I believe in the power of philanthropy, and I know that OCF has a critical role to play in the future of our great state. I’m honored to be chosen for this leadership role.”

Date of Report: May 9, 2025
Name: Martha Christine Wade

Age: 41

Sex: Female
Race: Caucasian
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 145
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Hazel

Information: Martha's family has not heard from her since October 2024. That contact was on the phone, but they did not know where she was. For the past year, Martha was known to be living in the transient camps and parks in Grants Pass.  She was last contact in person by Grants Pass Police on July 25, 2024.  Martha does not have a vehicle or known associates. The photo provided is from 2021. Martha has a scar on her neck and a ladybug tattoo on her right foot. 

If you have any information about Martha's whereabouts, please call the Josephine Couny Sheriff's Office or local Law Enforcement. 

Case: 25-10327

Phone: 541-474-5123

 

PORT ORFORD, Oregon—The entrance road to Cape Blanco State Park will undergo repairs May 13-15, and visitors should expect traffic delays.

 

Flaggers will direct traffic where the road narrows to one lane to accommodate road work. Please use caution and follow all road signs and speed limits for safety. Park staff appreciate visitors’ patience during repairs.

May 9, 2025

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

Recreational use advisory lifted for Emigrant Lake

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has lifted the recreational use health advisory issued for Emigrant in Jackson County.

OHA issued the advisory on May 1 due to the photo and satellite imagery evidence of potentially-toxin producing cyanobacteria near areas of high recreational use.

Water monitoring has confirmed that the level of cyanotoxins in Emigrant Lake are below recreational guideline values.

OHA advises recreational visitors to continually be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms. This is because blooms can shift quickly. They can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable. Some cyanobacteria move up and down in the water depending on light and nutrients, so what’s visible on the surface can change throughout the day. Wind and water movement can also affect where the bloom appears.

Only a fraction of water bodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab.

When recreating, people, and especially small children, and pets should avoid areas where the water is foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green or blue-green, or if thick brownish-red mats are visible or bright green clumps are suspended in the water. If you see these signs, avoid activities that cause you to swallow water or inhale droplets, such as swimming or high-speed water activities, and keep pets out of the area.

Cyanotoxins can still exist in clear water. When a bloom dies, toxins released may reach into clear water around the bloom. Blooms can be pushed into other areas, leaving toxins behind. There also are species of cyanobacteria that anchor themselves at the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment, or can grow on aquatic plants and release toxins into clear water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

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POLICE POLICY COMMITTEE

MEETING SCHEDULED

 

The Police Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting on May 22, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in the Governor Victor G. Atiyeh Boardroom at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167 or juan.lopez-hernandez@dpsst.oregon.gov.

 

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

 

Amended Agenda Items:

 

1. Introductions

 

2. Approve February 20, 2025, Meeting Minutes

 

3. Administrative Closures Consent Agenda (The following items to be ratified by one vote)
    Presented by Jennifer Levario

 

    a) Gregory Baldwin; DPSST No. 23593
        Basic Police Certification

 

    b) Todd Brightbill; DPSST No. 30976
        Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and Supervisory Police Certifications

 

    c) Brian Bryson; DPSST No. 33308
        Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and Supervisory Police, and Basic Corrections Certification

 

    d) Dexter Dixon; DPSST No. 30571
        Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Police Certifications

 

    e) Garrick Garland; DPSST No. 32091
        Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Police Certifications

 

    f) Dina Kashuba; DPSST No. 58371
        Basic Police Certification

 

    g) Hannah Ramsdell; DPSST No. 62592
        Basic Police Certification

 

    h) Larry Seymore; DPSST No. 41243
        Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Supervisory, Management, and Executive Police Certifications

 

4. Randy Clark; DPSST No. 23388; Central Point Police Department
   Presented by Melissa Lang-Bacho

 

5. Almedina Javor; DPSST No. 61328; Columbia River Inter-Tribal Police Department
   Presented by Melissa Lang-Bacho

 

6. Jeffrey Kienlen; DPSST No. 30358; The Dalles Police Department
    Presented by Melissa Lang-Bacho

 

7. Alan Lynn; DPSST No. 31664; Albany Police Department
    Presented by Melissa Lang-Bacho

 

8. Kent van der Kamp; DPSST No. 44640; Deschutes County Sheriff's Office
    Presented by Kathy McAlpine and Cindy Park

 

9. Applicant Review Committee Nominations

 

10. Agency Updates

 

11. Next Police Policy Committee Meeting – August 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

 

 

Administrative Announcement

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

Deschutes County, Ore. 9 May 2025- On Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 8:52 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 97, near milepost 156, in Deschutes County.

 

The preliminary investigation indicated a southbound Dodge Caravan, operated by Anthony Buddrick Torres (25) of La Pine, crossed the centerline and struck a northbound Kenworth commercial motor vehicle and trailer, operated by Florentino Cruz Aguilar (52) of Williams (CA), head-on. The collision caused both vehicles to become fully engulfed in flames and required local fire crews efforts to extinguish the fires.

 

The operator of the Dodge (Torres) was declared deceased at the scene.

 

The operator of the Kenworth (Cruz Aguilar) suffered reportedly minor injuries and was transported to an area medical center.

 

The highway was impacted for an extended period of time during the investigation and cleanup of the vehicles. The operator of the Dodge had been reported as suicidal prior to the crash and the crash is suspected to have been intentional.

 

OSP was assisted by the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, Sunriver Fire, Alfalfa Fire, La Pine 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.

on Thursday afternoon detectives with the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT) arrested a Riddle man on several fentanyl related charges.

 

At approximately 4:15 PM, detectives, with assistance from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling northbound on I-5 near milepost 83, which is in the Glendale area.  A search of the vehicle revealed approximately 115 grams of suspected fentanyl, along with a small amount of suspected methamphetamine.  34 year old Bobby Hogue, of Riddle, was detained at the scene.  

 

A short time later, a search of Hogue's residence in the 3,000 block of Canyonville-Riddle Road revealed a small amount of suspected methamphetamine as well as a firearm.  Previously convicted felons are prohibited from posessing firearms.  

 

Hogue was arrested and lodged at the Douglas County Jail on suspicion of Possession, Delivery, and Manufacture of a Schedule II Controlled Substance, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

 

The Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT) is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles local, multi-state, and international drug trafficking organizations using an intelligence-driven, multi-agency prosecutor-supported approach.  DINT is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) and is composed of members from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Roseburg Police Department, Oregon State Police, Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, and the Bureau of Land Management.

The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives, including DINT.

Almost 45 years ago, in the early morning hours of July 18, 1980, Oregon State Police responded to a report of a deceased, unidentified male along Interstate 5 near Woodburn. A homicide investigation was opened and while extensive efforts were made to identify the victim, he remained a John Doe until April 2025.
 

In cooperation with the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office and the Orange County (California) Sheriff’s Department, OSP’s Cold Case Unit was able to positively identify the victim as Larry Eugene Parks. Parks was 30 years old at the time of his death and a Vietnam veteran. His family had lost contact with him in 1979, and was last seen in Pensacola, Florida. Until his identification last month, the circumstances of his disappearance were unknown to the Parks family.
 

The discovery of Parks’ body came a day after the body of Michael O’Fallon was found along I-5 near the Talbot exit, also in Marion County. Due to similarities in the evidence, investigators at the time suspected the two murders were related. Unfortunately, both investigations went cold as investigative leads dried up.
 

In 1983, Randy Kraft was arrested in Orange County, California, for murder. Kraft was ultimately convicted of 16 murders in California, although he’s suspected of committing more than 60 murders across the West Coast and Michigan. During Kraft’s trial and sentencing, evidence from the O’Fallon and Parks murders was transferred to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office to be used in court. The evidence remained in Orange County until 2024.
 

In January 2024, an investigator from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department reached out to the Oregon State Police Cold Case Unit regarding evidence related to the John Doe (Parks) case from 1980 and offered to help identify the remains using Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy.  John Doe’s blood sample was sent to Parabon Nanolabs and a genetic profile was developed. Investigators were able to use this information to locate possible family members. The family members submitted DNA samples for comparison which led to the positive identification of John Doe as Larry Parks.   

 

With Parks' identity confirmed, investigators are now working to bring resolution to the 45-year-old case.

 

# # #

 

About the Oregon State Police Cold Case Unit

The Cold Case Unit consists of investigators in OSP’s Criminal Investigation Division dedicated to resolving the agency’s unsolved homicide, missing persons, unidentified human remains, and suspicious death investigations. The unit is maximizing the use of forensic analysis and genetic genealogy in multiple cases. The unit has made tangible progress on cases as old as 50 years and is actively investigating 37 cold cases. 

SALEM, Ore. – The State Forests Advisory Committee will host a tour of forestland in the Clatsop State Forest on May 15 and meet on May 16 in Astoria and the meeting will have a virtual option via Teams.

 

The public is welcome at both events. The field tour agenda and meeting agenda are posted on the SFAC webpage.

 

Details

 

Field tour: Meets at 9 a.m. on May 15 at the Jewell Wildlife Meadows Area. RSVP is requested for the field tour so that attendees can be provided safety equipment. Tour attendees should provide their own lunch, refreshments and transportation suitable for traveling on forest roads. Please RSVP no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 to Emily Shook at emily.j.shook@odf.oregon.gov.

 

SFAC meeting: The committee will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 16, at the ODF Astoria District Office, 92219 Highway 202. Topics on the agenda include an update on the FY2026 Annual Operations Plans, performance measures, and financial/legislative/FMP/HCP updates. The public will have the opportunity to provide comments virtually or in person at the beginning of the meeting.

 

SFAC’s role

 

The State Forests Advisory Committee (SFAC) is comprised of citizens and representatives of timber, environmental and recreation groups as well as a representative from Oregon’s Native American tribes. The SFAC provides a forum to discuss issues, opportunities and concerns, and offer advice and guidance to ODF on the implementation of the Northwest Oregon State Forests Management Plan. The plan provides guidance for managing 616,000 acres within the Tillamook, Clatsop and Santiam State Forests, and several scattered state-owned forest tracts in Benton, Polk, Lincoln and Lane counties through a balanced approach to generate revenue while prioritizing environmental and social benefits.

 

Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Questions about accessibility or special accommodation for the meeting can be directed to the Oregon Department of Forestry at 503-983-3761.

What: Oregon Departments of Forestry and Corrections will be training more than 100 adults in custody (AICs) in various areas of wildland fire fighting for the upcoming season. These 10-person crews will then be qualified to deploy to fires and, during extreme fire danger events, will be pre-positioned in high threat areas to reduce response times.  

 

Visuals: See AICs rotate between four training stations: (All four stations will be going at the same time so news media can rotate between them as desired—these are all hands-on stations.)

 

Station #1 Pumps/Hose lay—AICs will receive a tour of an engine, learn to operate a Mark III pump, and construct a progressive hose lay.

 

Station #2 Fire Shelter Deployment—AICs will watch a 25-minute video in the tree cooler then deploy a practice fire shelter on the softball field.

 

Station #3 Handline construction/Tools—AICs will learn how to construct handline and will learn about each hand tool used in fire line construction.

 

Station #4 Mop-up—We will light burn piles and AICs will learn the process of mopping up after a fire.

 

People on-site available to interview: Various AICs participating in the training, ODF staff giving the training, and Forestry and Corrections staff who are assigned and work at South Fork. ODF will also have experts available

to talk about May being Wildfire Awareness Month and general information on the upcoming fire season.

 

When: May 14

 

Where: South Fork Forest Camp in the Tillamook State Forest. 48300 Wilson River Hwy, Tillamook, OR 97141-9799. It’s about 1.5 miles up a gravel road after the turnoff from the highway.

 

Time: Meet at 9:30 a.m. (If you come at a later time, we will do our best to get you to all four stations, but you might miss a rotation or two.)

 

Please send an RSVP by May 12. RSVP to tim.l.hoffman@odf.oregon.gov and/or er.r.campbell@doc.oregon.gov">amber.r.campbell@doc.oregon.gov . For more information on the fire training contact: Tim Hoffman, ODF public affairs, for South Fork or corrections-related information contact Amber Campbell, DOC public affairs. (Note: Likely cells phone will not have coverage at South Fork.)

 

Special note: All AICs have signed photo releases. Many may not want to be interviewed; however, we will have several that will be available.

 

Background:

Oregon Department of Forestry : Adults in custody rehabilitation : Forest benefits : State of Oregon

Department of Corrections : Locations and Divisions : About Us : State of Oregon

The Oregon State Marine Board is amplifying its education and outreach program to meet boaters where they are, on the water and in Oregon communities. The agency’s seasonal boating safety advocates (BSAs) are already making a splash across Oregon, interacting with the public at schools, popular waterways, and other community events to promote boating and water safety.

 

“This program emphasizes the Marine Board's commitment to modernizing boating safety education and outreach,” says Brian Paulsen, Boating Safety Program Manager for the Marine Board. “We are focused on decreasing boating fatalities in Oregon. So many incidents are preventable and come down to education, understanding the risks, and having the right safety equipment for the activity. The BSAs will help reinforce how to play it safe.”

 

The BSA positions are not regulatory in nature but collect informal field data related to boating activities for safety and compliance. Advocates are approachable, and boaters are encouraged to share their passions and perspectives. “Engaging with boaters on waters across the state creates an opportunity to have conversations and learn what the agency can do to serve boaters better,” Paulsen adds. “BSAs are also eyes and ears for agency staff to help us gather observational data when they are out on the water.”

 

Learn more about the Marine Board’s Boating Safety Advocates and recreational boating in Oregon at Boat.Oregon.gov.

 

###

Medford, OR – On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at approximately 1:40 p.m., the Medford Police Department (MPD) received multiple reports of a shooting near the Bear Creek Greenway in the area of 8th Street. An MPD Community Service Officer (CSO), who was on the Greenway about one block away, heard the gunfire and quickly relayed information to responding officers.

 

Officers arrived within minutes and located the victim, an adult male, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. MPD officers, Medford Fire personnel, and Mercy Flights medics provided immediate life-saving aid.

 

Based on witness accounts and the initial investigation, officers promptly obtained and broadcast a description of the suspect. Within 15 minutes, an MPD detective located the suspect walking near the Medford Center by Tinseltown Theater. He was detained without incident.

 

The suspect, identified as 38-year-old William K. Triplett, was interviewed by MPD detectives and later lodged at the Jackson County Jail on a charge of Assault in the First Degree.

 

The victim was initially transported to a local hospital and later airlifted to Portland for advanced medical care. He remains in critical condition. His name is being withheld at this time.

 

Preliminary findings indicate that the suspect and victim were acquainted and had been involved in a verbal dispute, which escalated into a physical confrontation and ultimately led to the shooting.

 

The area surrounding the crime scene was temporarily closed for evidence collection and was reopened around 8:00 p.m.

 

This remains an active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact MPD. Reference MPD Case #25-7557

RELEASE DATE:  May 8, 2025

                                                   

INCIDENT: Marijuana Search Warrant

 

INCIDENT DATE: May 5, 2025

 

REPORTING DEPUTY: Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET)

 

CHARGES: 1- Arson Incident to the Manufacturing of a Controlled Substance

                    2- Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana

                    3- Unlawful Possession of Marijuana

                    4- Unlawful Appropriation of Water

                    5- Theft

                    6- Criminal Mischief

 

                     

DETAILS: On May 5, 2025, Rural Metro firefighters responded to a fire in an industrial building in the 300 block of Merlin Avenue. When firefighters arrived on scene, they discovered the commercial building was being used for an indoor marijuana grow. After the fire was extinguished, JMET arrived on scene and executed a search warrant for the premises.

 

During the execution of the warrant, over 1,300 marijuana plants were seized and destroyed while other evidence was found and photographed on scene. Additionally, State Fire Marshals were called to investigate the exact origin and cause of the fire. It was determined the fire was caused by manipulation of the electrical service, bypassing the electrical meter to supply power to the grow illegally.

 

At the time of this press release the investigation is ongoing. We urge anyone with information regarding this case to contact the JMET tip line at 541-474-5252.

Date: May 8, 2025

Case #: 2023-00043395

Incident: Canadian man arrested for July 2023 homicide

Date of Arrest: Dec. 17, 2024

Arrested: Cole Nikolaus Sinclair, 25-year-old Canadian citizen

 

A Canadian man, whose extradition is being sought by the United States, has been arrested and detained in Canada in connection with the homicide of Evelyn Jeanette Weaver.

 

After an extensive investigation, Bend Police identified 25-year-old Cole Nikolaus Sinclair as the suspect in the homicide of Evelyn Weaver. Sinclair was provisionally arrested on December 17, 2024, under Canada’s extradition process and remains detained in Canada at this time pending the outcome of his extradition proceedings.

 

 At this time, the Bend Police Department is not releasing further information due to legal restrictions.

 

Weaver, 28, was found dead in her home in July 2023. She was a victim of homicide. There is no indication at this time that Weaver and Sinclair knew one another.

 

Bend Police wish to thank the Oregon State Police Forensic Services Division, the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office and other agencies for their assistance in this investigation.

 

This remains an open, active investigation. We have included a photo of Sinclair. If you recognize Sinclair or had any encounters with him, please contact nonemergency dispatch at 541-693-6911 and request to speak with Det. Sgt. Tommy Russell.

 

 

Salem, Oregon - The Electronic Government Portal Advisory Board (EPAB) will meet at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2025. The meeting will take place remotely via the internet on Microsoft Teams and is open to the public. The agenda and handouts will be posted on the advisory board’s website.

• What: Meeting of the Electronic Government Portal Advisory Board  

• When: Thursday, May 15, 2025, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

• Where: Microsoft Teams (Join the meeting)

  • Call: 1-503-446-4951 | Conference ID: 714 054 549#

• Who: Members of the Electronic Government Portal Advisory Board

The Legislature established the advisory board with enactment of ORS 276A.270-276. The board will advise the State Chief Information Officer (CIO) on key decisions and strategic choices about how the state CIO manages and operates the state’s web portal services.

 

The Oregon.gov portal is the connection point for citizens to access state agency services and information on the internet. The board provides oversight to specific websites, services and online payments where agencies choose to utilize the State Chief Information Officer’s E-Government Program as their service provider.

 

With the board’s advice, the state CIO wants to make the Oregon web portal services and their operation as effective as they can be for Oregonians to interact with state government.  

 

 

TUALATIN, Ore. — The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) condemns the Trump administration’s sudden move to dissolve the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC). According to a May 6, 2025, report from NBC News, committee members learned last week that their 30-year-old panel had been terminated, despite having produced hundreds of evidence-based guidelines that hospitals and clinics rely on every day to keep patients and caregivers safe. Further coverage in The Hill confirmed the action is part of a broader effort to shrink public-health oversight.

 

HICPAC’s recommendations form the backbone of infection-prevention practices in Oregon and across the nation, informing everything from isolation protocols and hand-hygiene standards to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The committee’s work is indispensable to nurses who confront antibiotic-resistant bacteria, seasonal surges of respiratory illness, and potential future pandemics. Its abrupt removal strips health-care facilities of the expert playbook they need to stop minor infections from becoming deadly outbreaks.

 

“Healthcare workers remember what happens when politics overrides science,” said ONA President Tamie Cline, RN. “Eliminating HICPAC will drive up infection rates, prolong hospital stays, increase costs, and, most importantly, cost lives. Calling the committee ‘unnecessary’ insults every nurse and caregiver who has fought to keep patients safe through COVID-19 surges, RSV spikes, and emergent superbugs.”

 

ONA calls on President Trump, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and CDC acting director Susan Monarez to immediately reinstate HICPAC and fully fund its critical work. HICPAC and other essential advisory panels must remain free from extreme political interference. 

 

###

PORTLAND, Ore.—Today, the Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators. The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country.

 

“The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims—especially child victims—and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.”

 

“Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten. By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state and local partners, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.”

 

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is proud to be a part of Operation Restore Justice and seek justice for children who have been exploited or abused. A common thread in these cases and many others is that online predators will use any platform on the internet to contact unsuspecting children. These predators often pose as children themselves to trick their would-be victims,” said William M. Narus, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

 

“The FBI has zero tolerance for criminal actors who target the most vulnerable in our community—our children,” said FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Olson. “While we count Operation Restore Justice as a success, our work continues. We will use every resource available to us to pursue those who prey on children, as well as to help victims of abuse access tools to help them heal.”

 

Three individuals were arrested and charged with federal child exploitation crimes in the District of Oregon as part of Operation Restore Justice.

 

Robert Andrew Arias, 54, of Salem, Oregon, has been charged by indictment with distributing, receiving and possessing child pornography. He was arrested on April 28, 2025, at his residence in Salem and made his first appearance in federal court the same day. A jury trial is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2025.

 

Berret J. Brown, 40, of Vida, Oregon, has been charged by indictment with enticing minors, receiving child pornography, using a minor to produce a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct and transferring obscene matter to a minor. Between July and August 2024, Brown is alleged to have used Snapchat to entice multiple children into producing and sending him sexually explicit videos. Brown is also alleged to have used Roblox, a children’s online video game platform, to connect with minors. On April 30, 2025, Brown made his first appearance in federal court and was ordered detained pending a jury trial scheduled to begin on August 5, 2025.

 

Michael Joseph Cambalik, 35, of Beaverton, Oregon, has been charged by complaint with sexually exploiting a minor, receiving child pornography and coercing and enticing a minor. In December 2024, Cambalik, posing as a female minor, is alleged to have used Call of Duty, an internet-connected video game, to meet and coerce a then-nine-year-old child to produce and send him sexually explicit photos and videos. On April 30, 2025, Cambalik made his first appearance in federal court and was ordered detained pending his arraignment on May 29, 2025.

 

Those arrested nationwide are alleged to have committed various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors and child sex trafficking. In Minneapolis, for example, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while wearing his uniforms. In Norfolk, VA, an illegal alien from Mexico is accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sex. In Washington, D.C., a former Metropolitan Police Department Police Officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims.

 

In many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice. For example, a California man was arrested eight hours after a young victim bravely came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents at an online safety presentation broadcast from Albany, N.Y.

 

This effort follows the Department’s observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, and underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and raising awareness about the dangers they face. While the Department, including the FBI, investigates and prosecutes these crimes every day, April serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preventing these crimes, seeking justice for victims and raising awareness through community education.

 

The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.

 

The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.

The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.

 

Other online resources:

Electronic Press Kit

Violent Crimes Against Children

How we can help you: Parents and caregivers protecting your kids

 

An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

 

# # #

UPDATE: 5/7/25 1:30pm - Gregory has been located safely.

 

 

Original Information:

 

Missing Person: Gregory A. Hall

Age: 55

Sex: Male

Race: White

Height: 5'9"

Weight: 209

Hair: White/Blonde

Eyes: Blue

Case: 25-10133

 

Information: Gregory was last seen leaving his residence on Cedar Ridge Drive, Cave Junction, on May 6, 2025 around 10:30am.  He's driving a  white KIA Rio, OR license plate 299NJF. He was last seen wearing white floral swim shorts, a blue shirt, and brown shoes and left with his small Australian Terrier dog. Gregory is currently believed to be in the Illinois Valley area and frequents surrounding woods and rivers.  Search and Rescue has been activated to assist in the search. 

 

Please contact the Josephine County Sheriff's Office with any information at 541-474-5123.