SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has deployed Complex Incident Management Team 3 (CIMT 3) to manage the Flat Fire north of Sisters and near Lake Billy Chinook.   

The fire started yesterday (Aug. 21) and is now estimated at 9,000 acres. The fire has exceeded the span of control of the local Type 3 Team, so the larger IMT was activated and will take command of the fire tomorrow (Aug. 23).

“This extreme heat and dry fuels have made control efforts hard,” said Ron Graham, Deputy Chief of ODF’s Protection Division.  “On the positive side, given the lower number of current fires state-wide there are a lot of resources available to send to the fire.”

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is overseeing evacuations in the affected area. Community members are urged to stay informed about evacuation levels and be prepared to act quickly. For the latest evacuation information go to the Jefferson County Sherrif’s Office evacuation zones page and the Deschutes County Sherrif’s Office Emergency Info page.

“This is tough for local community members,” said Graham.  “Earlier this summer they had to endure the Alder Springs Fires, now this one is adjacent to that burned area impacting many of the same folks.”

Earlier today Governor Tina Kotek determined that a threat to life, safety, and property exists due to the fire, and the threat exceeds the firefighting capabilities of local firefighting personnel and equipment, so she invoked the Conflagration Act for the Flat Fire.  That allows for more resources to be deployed to the fires to protect life and property.  See the news release here.

As firefighters continue to work to suppress fires around the state, ODF urges community members to help reduce the strain on firefighters by preventing new human-caused fires. Follow fire prevention guidelines and know the local fire restrictions currently in place: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx.

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Warm Springs, Oregon, man pleaded guilty today for assaulting his girlfriend with a pistol on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.

Henry Jonathan Andrews, 29, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon.

According to court documents, in October 2024, Andrews was driving with the victim on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. Andrews became angry and pulled out a pistol. He struck the victim multiple times in the head with the pistol. Fearing for her life, the victim jumped from the moving car to escape him. She suffered extensive and life-threatening injuries as a result of the assault.

On November 20, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a two-count indictment charging Andrews with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

Andrews faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on November 13, 2025, before a U.S. District Judge.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Warm Springs Tribal Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Pamela Paaso and Charlotte Kelley, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

Domestic violence is a serious crime that can include both physical and emotional abuse, and it is frequently hidden from public view. Many survivors suffer in silence, afraid to seek help or not knowing where to turn. The traumatic effects of domestic violence also extend beyond the abused person, impacting family members, friends, and communities.

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, please call 911.

If you need assistance or know someone who needs help, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Many communities throughout the country have also created support networks to assist survivors in the process of recovery.

The StrongHearts Native Helpline offers culturally specific support and advocacy for American Indian and Alaska Native survivors of domestic violence. Please call 1-844-762-8483 or visit www.strongheartshelpline.org for more information.

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PORTLAND, Ore.—A federal jury in Portland found Peter Igwacho, 64, a Cameroonian national residing in Anchorage, Alaska, guilty Thursday for wire fraud.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between April 2020 and October 2021, during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Igwacho filed at least five fraudulent applications for pandemic stimulus funds through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury and Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. The information on those forms, in support of his request for stimulus funds, was fraudulent. The applications submitted by Igwacho were filed on behalf of a sole proprietorship that did not, in fact, have actual business operations, payrolled employees, or the reported gross revenues. 

Further, upon receipt of the stimulus funds, Igwacho did not spend those funds on approved pandemic-related expenses but instead spent the money on personal expenses. The PPP and EIDL programs were designed to help small businesses facing financial difficulties during the Covid-19 pandemic.

On July 23, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a three-count superseding indictment charging Igwacho with wire fraud.

Igwacho faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on November 18, 2025, before a U.S. District Judge.

This case was investigated by the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General and Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. It was prosecuted by Robert Trisotto and Meredith Bateman, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

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(Salem) – Christopher Brayton (child), age 11, went missing with his father Christopher Brayton (father) from Redmond on Aug. 18. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division believes that Christopher Brayton (child) may be at risk and is searching for him to assess his safety.

ODHS asks the public to help in the effort to find Christopher Brayton (child). Anyone who suspects they have information about the location of him or his father should call 911 or the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline at 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).

They are believed to be traveling in a maroon Toyota truck with license plate 335NEC. They may be traveling towards Disneyland.  

Name: Christopher Brayton
Pronouns: He/him
Date of birth: Feb. 1, 2014
Height: 5-foot-8
Weight: 184 pounds
Hair: Brown
Eye color: Brown
Redmond Police Department Case #25-25538
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children #2059189

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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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

Media hotline: 503-813-6018 

Pacific Power urges customers to conserve energy now

Extreme weather across the region is causing higher than normal demand for electricity, and Pacific Power is encouraging our customers to reduce electricity consumption now. Pacific Power is asking all customers to voluntarily take steps to reduce energy use to help reduce strain on the electrical grid. 

Customers can take the following steps to help reduce the strain on the grid:

• Switch energy use to off-peak hours (from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.) whenever possible. 
• Limit use of appliances that generate heat – including dishwashers, ovens and clothes dryers – to the evening or early morning. 
• Turn off lights, computers, televisions and appliances when not in use. 
• Use fans to keep air moving inside your home. 

For more information about energy conservation, visit PacificPower.net/SummerCooling .

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About Pacific Power 

Pacific Power provides safe and reliable electric service to more than 800,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. The company supplies customers with electricity from a diverse portfolio of generating plants including hydroelectric, natural gas, coal, wind, geothermal and solar resources. Pacific Power is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, with over two million customers in six western states. For more information, visit PacificPower.net.  

Salem, OR—The Oregon Department of Revenue is encouraging Oregon taxpayers to participate in an anonymous IRS feedback survey on tax preparation and filing options, which will run through September 2, 2025.

Oregon is one of 25 states that partnered with the IRS to provide a free option for taxpayers to file tax year 2024 returns electronically directly with the IRS and the state. More than 13,000 taxpayers filed their 2024 Oregon state income tax returns with Direct File Oregon, including almost 4,700 who first filed their federal returns with IRS Direct File.

“It’s important for Oregon taxpayers to take this opportunity to provide their valuable feedback to the IRS on free tax filing options,” said Oregon Department of Revenue director David Gerstenfeld. “Oregon counts on us to create a clear and easy experience for our customers and free tax filing options help us meet that mission.”

The Oregon Department of Revenue, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS encourage taxpayers to share their perspectives and help inform this important congressional report.

To participate, visit the Free Online Tax Preparation Feedback Survey or the IRS.gov landing page. Participation is anonymous.

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MALHEUR COUNTY, Ore. (Aug. 22, 2025) - On Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 7:52 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 95, near milepost 47, in Malheur County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a northbound Subaru Legacy, operated by Barry Thomas Hostler (48) of Truckee (CA), struck the rear of a northbound Case International 7220 (tractor), operated by Jesse Dean White (67) of Jordan Valley, that was moving at slow speeds.

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

The operator of the Case International (White) was reportedly uninjured.

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

OSP was assisted by the Malheur County Sheriff's Office and ODOT.

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About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) 
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in 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.

LANE COUNTY, Ore. (Aug. 22, 2025)- On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 9:36 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Highway 58, near milepst 48, in Lane County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a westbound Nissan Sentra, operated by Joseph Bowers Luker Sr. (74) of Eugene, left the roadway for unknown reasons, traveled down an embankment, and rolled to its side.

The operator of the Nissan (Luker) was declared deceased at the scene.

The highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by ODOT.

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About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) 
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in 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.

HILLSBORO, Ore. - Oregon National Guard senior leaders and elected officials break ground for the new Hillsboro Readiness Center in a ceremony, August 21, 2025, in Hillsboro, Ore.

The new Hillsboro Readiness Center is located just one mile east of the original armory, which was built in 1954. The new facility will extend the National Guard’s capabilities in Hillsboro for the next 50 years. 

“As we break ground for the wonderful new readiness center, we look forward to continuing this legacy of connection and collaboration with Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment and Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment,” said Hillsboro Mayor Beach Pace. “We are excited for the future and remain deeply committed to the Hillsboro community.”

The 45,000 square-foot facility will include a drill floor, unit administrative areas and offices, storage, classroom space, and a kitchen. These updates will give the Oregon National Guard proper space to accomplish their mission. 

The project will also include a 20,000 square-foot storage facility for the M777 howitzers with pass-through bay doors, allowing the field artillery Soldiers to safely store and protect their equipment.

“This new readiness center will allow our Guard members to have a continued presence in the Hillsboro community, the same community in which they work and live,” said Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General, Oregon.

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The September quarterly meeting of the Veterans Advisory Committee to the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) will be held virtually and in person on Wednesday, September 3, in Room M-100 of Morrow Hall on the campus of Blue Mountain Community College, located at 2411 NW Carden Avenue in Pendleton. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. and will be followed by a town hall meeting at 11 a.m., which is open to the public.

Established in 1945, the Veteran Advisory Committee holds a distinct and fundamental role in advising the director and staff of ODVA. The nine members of the Veteran Advisory Committee are military veterans from all corners of the state, appointed by the governor to serve and act as advocates for veteran issues and veteran concerns across Oregon.

Following every quarterly business meeting, the committee holds a town hall inviting the public to raise questions or concerns about broad veteran issues or to share information with the committee and agency director.

Members of the community are also invited to submit written public comments to the committee by emailing odva_vaac@odva.oregon.gov. The Advisory Committee meets quarterly on the first Wednesday of March, June, September and December.

REGISTER TO ATTEND
Please register at events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/479e2265-6efc-43ec-b092-48d6b1917213@aa3f6932-fa7c-47b4-a0ce-a598cad161cf to attend the business or town hall portion of this meeting. Attendees will be allowed to participate during the town hall portion only and will be invited to turn on their camera and unmute mics during a recorded meeting that will be posted online at a later date.

The September 2025 Veterans Advisory Committee Quarterly Meeting Report is available on ODVA’s website here: oregon.gov/odva/Connect/Documents/September%202025%20VAC%20Quarterly%20Meeting%20Report%20FINAL.pdf. More information about the Veteran Advisory Committee can be found online at www.oregon.gov/odva/Connect/Pages/Advisory-Committee.aspx. 

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 service office online at oregon.gov/odva.

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SALEM, Ore.—When the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) deploys its people to a wildland fire they battle more than just the flames.

“It’s not hard to imagine the typical challenges that firefighters face – long shifts, hot and dry conditions, working in steep and brushy terrain, snags, poison oak, blisters - the list goes on,” said Chet Behling, Assistant District Forester for ODF’s Western Lane District.   “Firefighters have been accustomed to these conditions and have found creative ways to mitigate the physical challenges in order to focus on the job, and the mission of the assignment. However, there are mental strains to the work as well, and although they may be harder to see or imagine, we’re learning ways to better recognize, understand, and mitigate them.”

Firefighters’ work requires a sense of urgency, performance at high levels for long periods of time, and often includes high-stress environments such as mitigating hazards, protecting homes and communities from fire, and working around large fires’ unpredictable behaviors.

“All those elements add to the mental stressor component of the job,” said Behling. “Mental stressors combined with the physical challenges can certainly have a cumulative impact on a person’s mental or physiological health, especially on longer assignments or during lengthy fire seasons.”

To help staff navigate through these cumulative effects, Behling and fourteen other ODF employees were selected to be part of the department’s Peer Support Team. The team is an official internal resource with a focus on mental health awareness, better understanding and mitigating its effects, and ultimately building employee resiliency.  Each team member receives in-depth training and is required to maintain confidentially in all their interactions.

The Peer Support Team was officially launched before the 2022 fire season but had its beginnings in 2020, in the aftermath of the massive and destructive Labor Day fires, a non-fire related ODF employee death, and the impacts of the COVID pandemic.

There was no formal contact or program at ODF to help employees mentally process and navigate their recovery from these on-the-job traumatic experiences. There is now.

“Don Everingham, who worked closely with those impacted by the Labor Day fires, and Teresa Williams along with her coworkers in Klamath who had to overcome the unexpected death of a coworker, were instrumental in forming the group,” said Bob Arnsmeier a Peer Support Team member and the training coordinator for the Southern Oregon Area. 

All Peer Support Team members receive Critical Incident Stress Management training, and training specifically tailored to ODF by Responder Life. The department also covers travel costs for team members to talk with employees about the help available and respond to any area of the state after a critical incident. All team members are covered under Oregon statue to maintain confidentiality.

“The training, travel and confidentiality allows us to be more effective when helping our peers,” said Arnsmeier. “However, a main component to success is trust. We are naturally more comfortable with people we know, people who have similar experiences and people who have survived and then thrived after overcoming something really bad.”

The Peer Support Team gets most of its contacts and employees seeking help through word of mouth.

“Even though the group is relatively new, people know we are here to help,” said Arnsmeier.  “But if you aren’t familiar with us there is a great website with all our bios and backgrounds and you can find one of us that can not only relate to your situation but be there for you and likely have had a similar experience.”

Arnsmeier, who is in his 13^th year at ODF, also mentions in his bio on the website he worked for a county.

“I was a deputy sheriff for 10 years,” said Arnsmeier. “Unfortunately, I experienced a lot of deaths—suicides, crashes, children, and no one really wants to talk about those, but I will if it helps someone deal with their incident. The one that impacted me the most was an in the line of duty death of one of my coworkers in a car crash. After the incident we all kind of looked at each other with an implied ‘now what do we do?’ I think a lot of folks ask that ‘now what do I do’ question and this group can help.”

The Support Team is there to help anyone who needs it including full-time, seasonal, and those from other agencies and states battling an Oregon wildfire.

“Our seasonal firefighters work hard to keep fires small and are a valuable component to the program. They are highly valued in the agency and by the communities they serve, and are often part of a tight-knit group of firefighters with good camaraderie at their local office,” said Behling. “Come fall when fire season ends, they’re laid off and life may look drastically different having less daily structure and lack of a tight-knit work group. This could be a tough adjustment, and we are here for them.”

Others work through the impacts of life-changing events in addition to or apart from wildfire challenges: divorce, substance abuse, domestic violence, step-parenting, children with disabilities, and they often just need someone to talk to.

“We are here for you,” said Behling. “I’ve had personal or someone close to me experience in battling anxiety, panic attacks, stress management/feeling overwhelmed and more. No issue is too small if it impacts your work and personal life. I would look forward to understanding where you are, and how I could assist you to get you back on track. There is value in knowing you have someone to reach out to, and an even higher value in actually reaching out. If more is needed, we help with referrals to all sorts of resources and professionals.”

For those involved with firefighting the ODF has a contract with the Responder Life for additional support. There are also contacts for the employee assistance program and the ODF employee health insurance providers that have mental health benefits on the Peer Support Team webpage.

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) has adopted new fees for the Removal-Fill Program, which helps protect wetlands and waterways by requiring permits for projects that add or remove material from rivers, lakes, wetlands, and streams, and other waters throughout Oregon.

The updated fees take effect January 1, 2026. Applications received on or before December 31, 2025 will be charged current 2025 rates.

Key changes include:

• A five-year fee schedule with annual increases, starting in 2026.
• Fees that begin covering 60% of program costs in 2026 and rise to 80% by 2030.
• A tiered structure will set fees according to project size, complexity, and whether the project is for-profit or not.
• A five percent annual inflation adjustment.

Oregon’s Removal-Fill Program protects waters by reviewing projects such as bridge and boat ramp construction, culvert installation, or filling wetlands for development. When wetlands or waters are present, applicants must submit a wetland delineation report to identify the boundaries of the protected area.

Currently, permit fees cover only 21% of program costs. The remaining costs come from the interest accrued by the Common School Fund, which supports Oregon’s public schools. The new fee structure reduces this subsidy while giving applicants a clear schedule of costs for the next five years.

The new fees were developed with input from a rulemaking advisory committee and two rounds of public comment. DSL adopted the rules after considering feedback from communities, Tribes, industry, and other partners.

More information and the full fee schedule are available at oregon.gov/dsl/wetlands-waters,

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www.oregon.gov/dsl

SALEM, Oregon— The Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Program (LWCF) will start accepting applications Sept. 15 for the approximately $8 million in funds for the 2025 grant cycle.

Applications are due by Nov. 17. The LWCF is a federally funded reimbursement grant program that provides matching grants to state and local governments for land acquisition, development and rehabilitation for public outdoor recreation areas and facilities.

Eligible applicants are cities, counties, metropolitan service districts, park and recreation districts, port districts, federally recognized tribal governments and certain Oregon state agencies.

An optional webinar is scheduled 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Sept. 10 to provide information on the program and how to navigate the application process. Register for the live workshop at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4z-v0Hu-RnuaWfDOQjv_8Q.  

A recording of the webinar will be posted on the LWCF web page after September 10.

Access to the LWCF application will be available online at oprdgrants.org when the grant cycle opens. New applicants must first request an account via the website before they are granted application access.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund Program is funded through the National Park Service and administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Since 1964, this national grant program has awarded more than $80 million in grant funds for Oregon recreational areas and facilities.

Additional information about the LWCF program, including the grant manual, application instructions and program schedule, is available on the Land and Water Conservation Fund web page.

For information, contact Nohemi Enciso at nohemi.enciso@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-480-9092.

EUGENE, Ore.— Jesus Paul Zazueta, 28, of Yakima, Washington, was sentenced today to 90 months in federal prison and four years’ supervised release for trafficking fentanyl.

According to court documents, on October 4, 2021, Zazueta was a passenger in a vehicle involved in an accident in Deschutes County, Oregon. Officers from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Police responded to the accident and received consent to search the vehicle. The officers located two bags in the trunk containing approximately five pounds of fentanyl pills and a semi-automatic firearm.

When questioned by officers, Zazueta admitted to trafficking the fentanyl and owning the firearm. Zazueta also admitted to packing the bag containing fentanyl and the firearm and expected to be paid for trafficking the fentanyl to Washington.

On July 20, 2023, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a two-count indictment charging Zazueta with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

On May 21, 2025, Zazueta pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Oregon State Police, and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Adam Delph, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 80 to 100 times more powerful than morphine and 30 to 50 times more powerful than heroin. A 2-milligram dose of fentanyl—a few grains of the substance—is enough to kill an average adult male. The wide availability of illicit fentanyl in Oregon has caused a dramatic increase in overdose deaths throughout the state.

If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.

If you or someone you know suffers from addiction, please call the Lines for Life substance abuse helpline at 1-800-923-4357 or visit www.linesforlife.org. Phone support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also text “RecoveryNow” to 839863 between 2pm and 6pm Pacific Time daily.

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August 20, 2025

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

Recreational use advisory issued for Hells Canyon Reservoir

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory today for Hells Canyon Reservoir due to the presence of elevated microcystin levels. The reservoir is in Baker and Wallowa Counties.

People should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas of the reservoir where blooms are present, as the major route of exposure is ingestion of water. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

OHA encourages people to visit Hells Canyon Reservoir and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

Drinking water

Drinking water directly from areas of the lake affected by a bloom is especially dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact campground management or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby campgrounds or day use areas.

Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotoxins. People who do not use a well or public water system and draw in-home water directly from an affected area are advised to use an alternative water source.

Children and pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size and level of activity. Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crust along the shore. This is regardless of a recreational use health advisory in place.

Dogs can become ill and die from water intoxication after drinking excessive amounts of water while swimming or fetching objects for long periods of time. Intoxication is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain function resulting from an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Water intoxication and heat stroke can cause similar symptoms as exposure to cyanotoxins.

Symptoms

Exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention.

Dogs can experience weakness, difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, loss of appetite and more. If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible.

Fishing

Fish caught from areas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks, so OHA recommends not eating fish from those areas. Those who decide to eat the fish should remove fat, skin and organs before cooking or freezing. Toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 1-877-290-6767, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

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August 20, 2025

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

Recreational use advisory issued for Thief Valley Reservoir

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory today for Thief Valley Reservoir due to the presence of elevated microcystins. The lake is in Baker and Union Counties.

People should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas of the reservoir where blooms are present, as the major route of exposure is ingestion of water. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

OHA encourages people to visit Thief Valley Reservoir and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

Drinking water

Drinking water directly from areas of the lake affected by a bloom is especially dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact campground management or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby campgrounds or day use areas.

Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotoxins. People who do not use a well or public water system and draw in-home water directly from an affected area are advised to use an alternative water source.

Children and pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size and level of activity. Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crust along the shore. This is regardless of a recreational use health advisory in place.

Dogs can become ill and die from water intoxication after drinking excessive amounts of water while swimming or fetching objects for long periods of time. Intoxication is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain function resulting from an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Water intoxication and heat stroke can cause similar symptoms as exposure to cyanotoxins.

Symptoms

Exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention.

Dogs can experience weakness, difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, loss of appetite and more. If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible.

Fishing

Fish caught from areas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks, so OHA recommends not eating fish from those areas. Those who decide to eat the fish should remove fat, skin and organs before cooking or freezing. Toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 1-877-290-6767, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

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An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, James William Parrott, died the morning of August 20, 2025. Parrott was incarcerated at Two Rivers Correctional Institution (TRCI) in Umatilla and passed away in the infirmary. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified.

Parrott entered DOC custody on April 26, 2007, from Klamath County serving a life sentence. Parrott was 84 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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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE

BOARD ON PUBLIC SAFETY STANDARDS AND TRAINING

MEETING SCHEDULED

The Executive Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting at 11:00 a.m. on August 27, 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 at (503) 551-3167 or juan.lopez-hernandez@dpsst.oregon.gov.

Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. Approve April 4, 2024, Meeting Minutes

3. Temporary and Proposed Rule Changes for Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 259-030-0005

    Presented by Jennifer Howald

4. Next Meeting – TBD

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting subject to the public meeting laws and will be recorded. 

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. (Aug. 20, 2025)- On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 2:50 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Highway 99, near milepost 8, in Jackson County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a southbound Ford Ranger, operated by Katrina Ann Knight (59) of Grants Pass, left the roadway for unknown reasons, rolled, and struck a utility pole.

The operator of the Ford (Knight) was declared deceased at the scene. 

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

OSP was assisted by ODOT.

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About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) 
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in 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.

CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore. (Aug. 20, 2025)- On Monday, August 18, 2025, at 1:03 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a three-vehicle crash on Highway 26, at the intersection with Orient Drive, in Clackamas County.

The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound GMC Savannah, operated by Ivan Bahena (46) of Gresham, reportedly experienced a mechanical failure and rear ended a Honda Fit, operated by Bryan Ray Robinson (48) of Sandy, that was slowing to stop for the traffic light at the intersection with Orient Drive. The collision pushed the Honda into an eastbound Infinity QX5, operated by Cassandra Lea Bellingham (52) of Portland, that was stopped at the traffic light. 

The operator of the Honda (Robinson) was declared deceased at the scene.

The operator of the GMC (Bahena) suffered reported minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital.

The operator of the Infinity (Bellingham) suffered reported minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital.

The highway was impacted for approximately five hours. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

OSP was assisted by ODOT.

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About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) 
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in 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.

The Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement team (MADGE) has been working diligently to get drugs and firearms off of our streets and out of the hands of criminals. Recently, MADGE has seized nearly 40lbs of Methamphetamine along with firearms and other controlled substances. We would like to highlight two of the larger cases.

After a 5-month investigation, MADGE detectives arrested 44-year-old Christopher Boyd Stevenson at his residence in the 400 block of B Street in Ashland. This lengthy investigation resulted in a search warrant being served on Stevenson’s residence where over five pounds of Methamphetamine was seized along with five firearms and three ounces of Cocaine. Stevenson is a convicted felon and was lodged on the drug possession charges along with firearms related charges.

Then, on August 12^th, MADGE investigators conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by 45-year-old Juan Flores-Gutierrez. This traffic stop resulted in the seizure of 2 pounds of Methamphetamine. Investigators then located 32 additional pounds of Methamphetamine at Flores-Gutierrez’s residence in the 1200-block of West 8^th Street in Medford. This arrest was the result of a multi-year investigation into drug trafficking being conducted by Flores-Gutierrez from Southern California to the Medford area.

The MADGE team 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-support approach. MADGE is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), which is composed of members from the Medford Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Eagle Point Police Department, Oregon State Police, the District Attorney’s Office, Parole and Probation, the Assistant US Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the FBI.

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 MADGE. 

Reference Case # 25-9166 and 25-13602

SEASIDE, Ore. – It’s heartbreaking to see Providence close Seaside’s birth center. For nearly 50 years, nurses and healthcare professionals have been here to help newborns draw their first breath and provide trusted care before and after birth for families on the Oregon Coast. This abrupt closure sets our community up for failure and abandons expectant parents at one of the most important and vulnerable times of their lives.

Minutes matter for parents and newborns. Providence is forcing families to travel more than 30 minutes to Astoria or more than 75 minutes to Tillamook just to deliver babies.

This closure is devastating for young families but it will negatively affect everyone in our community. With no other options, moms will be sent to the ER leading to longer waits for everyone. This will affect people suffering from heart attacks and broken bones to COVID and car crashes.

Providence’s pattern of cuts will harm caregivers and the health and safety of communities up and down the coast; leaving us all with fewer choices, longer waits and worse healthcare. 

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Closing birth centers has become a dangerous trend in Oregon and across the U.S. More than 500 hospitals in the U.S. have closed their labor and delivery departments since 2010; contributing to rising maternal mortality rates. Since 2019, Oregon health systems closed birth centers at hospitals in Redmond, Baker City and Gresham and threatened to close birth centers in Lebanon and Lincoln City. 

Following public outcry and state intervention, Legacy was forced to reopen its birth center at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center in Gresham. Nurses, community leaders and elected officials are all actively pushing back against plans to close family birth centers at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital and Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital in Lincoln City. 

While the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) recognizes that Medicaid cuts and broader attacks on our healthcare system from the Trump administration are serious issues, Providence and other healthcare systems must confront their priorities as profit-driven businesses that dole out lavish executive salaries.  

 
Providence is a $30 billion corporation whose top executives take home millions each year. Patients and caregivers should not be forced to pay the price for corporate greed or political decisions beyond their control.  
 
It’s time for Providence to live up to its mission and make real investments in our communities and provide Oregonians with the care they deserve.  

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EUGENE, Ore.—A North Bend, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for sexually exploiting an Oregon child using the social media application Facebook Messenger.

Chistopher Jay Young, 40, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison and 15 years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, on January 20, 2024, Young, using Facebook Messenger, persuaded a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct, record the conduct, and send it to him.

On April 11, 2024, federal and state law enforcement officers from the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Oregon State Police, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lane County Sheriff’s Office executed federal search warrants on Young’s home and vehicles. Young was arrested and investigators seized his devices.

During a search of Young’s devices, investigators learned that Young used the minor’s social media account to communicate and request the child sexual abuse material and that Young had the minor’s Facebook login credentials saved in his phone.

On April 16, 2024, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a two-count indictment charging Young with attempting to use a minor to produce a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct and attempting to coerce or entice a minor to engage in unlawful sexual conduct. 

On May 6, 2025, Young pleaded guilty to attempting to use a minor to produce a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from HSI. It was prosecuted by William M. McLaren, Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, they re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

BAKER COUNTY, Ore. (Aug. 19, 2025)- On Monday, August 18, 2025, at 5:48 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Highway 26, near milepost 221, in Baker County. 

The preliminary investigation indicated a westbound Kawasaki Ninja, operated by Michael Allen Klaus (74) of Stanfield, lost control and slid into the westbound ditch. 

The operator of the Kawasaki (Klaus) was declared deceased at the scene. 

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

OSP was assisted by 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.

LINN COUNTY, Ore. (Aug. 19, 2025)- On Sunday, August 17, 2025, at 9:22 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Highway 20, near milpost 4, in Linn County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a westbound Toyota 4Runner, operated by Ryker Thomas Pittam (19) of Albany, swerved to avoid another vehicle attempting to make a left turn into a driveway. The Toyota lost control and rolled, ejecting the operator in the process.

The operator of the Toyota (Pittam) was transported to an area hospital and was later declared deceased.

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

OSP was assisted by the Linn County Sheriff's Office 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.

August 19, 2025

Media contact: Timothy Heider, 971-599-0459.

PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory lifted for Ross Island Lagoon and for the Willamette River south of the lagoon downriver to Wapato Bridge and Kelley Point Park

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has lifted the recreational use health advisory issued for Ross Island Lagoon and for the Willamette River south of the lagoon downriver to Wapato Bridge and Kelley Point Park in Multnomah County.

OHA issued the advisory August 12.

Water monitoring has confirmed that the level of cyanotoxins in Ross Island Lagoon and the Willamette River south of the lagoon downriver to Wapato Bridge and Kelley Point Park are below recreational guideline values for people.

OHA advises recreational visitors to continually be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable. 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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Grants Pass, OR. – Between September 2024 and January 2025, the Grants Pass Police Department began investigating several commercial burglaries occurring within the city. Not only were the businesses burglarized, but items valued between $100 and $1000 were taken, and property was intentionally damaged, in some cases adding up to more than $1000. The following businesses were victims of the burglary series:

• Bi Mart (Victimized twice)
• Cash Connection (Victimized twice)
• Highland Market
• Rogue Fly Shop
• Batteries Plus Bulb
• M Street Market
• Lucky Duck on Redwood Ave.
• Farmers Building Supply
• Don’s Bike Center
• Fields Home Improvement (in Josephine County)

During the months-long investigation, Anthony Boyd Mooney, a 33-year-old male of Grants Pass, was identified as the suspect. Last week, a Grand Jury panel heard testimony and indicted Mooney on the following charges:

• 12 counts of Burglary in the Second Degree
• 5 counts of Theft in the First Degree
• 11 counts of Criminal Mischief in the First Degree
• 7 counts of Theft in the Second Degree

The whereabouts of Anthony Mooney are currently unknown, but he has several warrants for his arrest. Anyone with information on Mooney's location should contact their local law enforcement agency to facilitate his arrest.

Further media inquiries should be directed to the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office.

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RELEASE DATE: August 19, 2025

INCIDENT: Fugitive Arrest on Nationwide Extradition Warrant

INCIDENT DATE: August 13, 2025

ARRESTED: Gabriel Isaac Frank Harrison, 22 year-old male

CHARGES: 1- Sexual Performance by a Child

                    2- Online Solicitation of a Minor During School Hours

                    3- Injury to a Minor x 2

DETAILS: On August 12, 2025, Detectives with the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office were contacted by the United States Marshal Service (USMS) regarding a fugitive wanted for multiple sex crimes stemming from an Oregon State Police Major Crimes investigation. The fugitive, identified as Gabriel Isaac Frank Harrison, was believed to be residing in Josephine County. Josephine County Sheriff’s Office Detectives and members of the USMS immediately began their collaborative investigation to verify the suspect’s location.

On August 13, 2025, as a result of the joint investigation, members of the USMS conducted surveillance operations on the suspect’s residence. USMS moved in and safely apprehended Harrison without incident. Subsequently, Josephine County Sheriff’s Office took custody of and arrested Harrison and lodged him in the Josephine County Adult Jail on a nationwide extradition warrant originating from Texas, where the victim is located. The charges for the warrant are Sexual Performance of a Child, Online Solicitation of a Minor, and Injury to a Minor x 2. Harrison will be extradited to Texas where he will face prosecution for the above crimes.

At the time of this press release the investigation is ongoing and no further details are being released.

RELEASE DATE: August 18, 2025

INCIDENT: Dog Attack Results in Death of a Child

INCIDENT DATE: August 16, 2025

REPORTING DEPUTY: Undersheriff Travis Snyder

DETAILS: On Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 1:31 PM, 911 received a phone call from a residence in the 1800 Block of Laurel Road, Cave Junction.  It was reported that a dog attacked a four-year-old female.  Deputies responded to the scene as well as personnel from American Medical Response and the Illinois Valley Fire Department.  Despite lifesaving measures performed, the child was pronounced deceased at the scene.  The child’s name will not be released.

The Sheriff’s Office began a death investigation with the assistance of personnel from the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office.  The dog, a Cane Corso/Rottweiler/ Pitt Bull mix was taken into custody by Animal Control personnel.  This case is still under investigation and no further information is currently available. 

JCSO Case 25-4391

RURAL EAGLE POINT, Ore. - Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon (ECSO) 911 Dispatch received a distress call Saturday, August 16 for a missing kayaker who disappeared into Agate Lake outside Eagle Point. The 911 call came in at 7:48 PM and reported a 27-year-old Medford man fell in the lake while kayaking without a life jacket. 

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) Marine deputies responded with both Fire District 3 and Fire District 4. First responders searched the water until after 10 PM but were unable to locate the man. 

The next morning, Sunday, August 17, JCSO Marine units along with Search and Rescue (SAR) Dive Team members resumed the search. Klamath County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived to assist.  At 7:34 AM SAR divers located the body of the missing man in the lake. Our condolences go to his family and friends. We will not be releasing the man’s name out of respect for his family’s privacy in this difficult time. There is no further information available for release.
 

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CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore. (Aug. 18, 2025)- On Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 2:21 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Highway 224, near milepost 45, in Clackamas County.

The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Suzuki GSXR-1000, operated by Tony James Gonzalez (52) of Molalla, failed to negotiate a curve, left the roadway for unknown reasons and struck the guardrail. 

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

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

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