FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

BEND, OR—Each year, the Little Wonders program at the High Desert Museum transforms galleries and hallways into a space of first-time experiences for Central Oregon families. Now celebrating its 10^th anniversary, this collaborative program in partnership with NeighborImpact’s Head Start continues its mission of fostering community engagement by gifting annual memberships to families who might otherwise never step foot inside the Museum.

Little Wonders Family Nights create a special evening for families, friends and teachers to enjoy dinner, explore Museum exhibitions and engage in fun, hands-on activities—creating lifelong memories and providing access to a cultural institution they otherwise couldn’t afford to visit. This year’s events take place April 2 and April 9.

“As we celebrate 10 years of Little Wonders, we’re especially grateful to our partners at NeighborImpact Head Start and our sponsors,” said Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. “Together, we’ve helped create meaningful, shared experiences for families across Central Oregon—ensuring the Museum is a place where every child can feel welcome and inspired by our exhibitions, wildlife, and shared history.”

The Museum welcomes families from the Head Start program in Bend, La Pine, Sisters, Redmond and Prineville to these special evenings. Every family that registers for a Little Wonders Family Night, whether they can attend the event or not, receives a two-year family membership to the Museum. In 2025, the Museum gifted nearly 400 memberships.

"Ten years ago, we believed that every child—no matter their family's circumstances—deserved to stand in front of a living eagle, touch a piece of obsidian, and feel the wonder of discovery,” said Kim Brown, director of NeighborImpact Head Start. “A decade later, Little Wonders has proven something bigger than we imagined. When community partners come together around our most vulnerable kids, the ripple effects last a lifetime. We are more hopeful than ever about what the next 1o years will bring.”

NeighborImpact Head Start is a comprehensive early childhood program that supports children and families from prenatal stages through age five. Head Start and Early Head Start programs focus on preparing children for success in school while also equipping families with the tools, confidence, and support systems they need to help their children thrive long term.

The programs serve more than 600 children and their families across Central Oregon—a significant expansion from earlier years when the program served fewer than 300. That growth reflects both increased community need and a deep commitment to reaching more families with high-quality early learning opportunities.

In 2016, a conversation began between the Museum and NeighborImpact. From a shared commitment to family engagement and early learning, both organizations recognized that access to hands-on, enriching experiences outside the classroom is critical for young children. The program includes Museum access for participating families, funding for transportation, and two welcome nights of community engagement and educational exploration.

The impact of Little Wonders Family Nights at the Museum is evident in the way students light up as they spot one another—and especially their teachers—throughout the galleries. Many rush to greet familiar faces, and their enthusiastic reactions underscore the strength of those relationships and their role in helping children feel comfortable and engaged at the Museum.

“From the beginning, there was strong enthusiasm from local families to participate in the program,” said Whitelaw. “On our first Little Wonders night, we hosted 1,000 people. With the support of NeighborImpact staff, Museum educators, and our sponsors, we continue to create a welcoming, accessible experience for families.”

Little Wonders is made possible by Papé Family Foundation, RWN Foundation, Latino Partnership Program, Columbia Bank Community Impact Fund, NewSun Energy and Meta, with support from the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and MDU Resources Foundation.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM: 

The HIGH DESERT MUSEUM opened in Bend, Oregon in 1982. It brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2025 recipient of the Autry Public History Prize from the Western History Association and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow us on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. 

ABOUT NEIGHBORIMPACT:

NeighborImpact is a nonprofit serving Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Since 1985, we have worked across Central Oregon to meet essential needs, strengthen economic stability and expand access to opportunity. Programs span early childhood education, housing and homelessness services, energy assistance, food access and financial empowerment—supporting thousands of individuals and families each year. NeighborImpact partners with communities to create lasting, locally driven solutions that help people and places thrive. Learn more at www.neighborimpact.org.

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DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. (7 April 2026) – On Monday, April 6, 2026, at 3 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on Interstate 5 near milepost 90 in Douglas County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a white Freightliner commercial motor vehicle hauling a loaded trailer, operated by Brenden Larry Christensen (61) of San Diego (CA), had stalled on an uphill grade in the outside lane while traveling northbound on I-5 near Canyonville. The stalled Freightliner was struck by a maroon Honda CRV, operated by Davin Jack Smith (18) of El Sobrante (CA), causing the Honda and cargo in the Freightliner to catch fire. The CMV had stalled several times prior to the collision while climbing the grade.

The operator of the Honda (D. Smith) was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Honda passengers, Lawrence Wayne Smith, Jr. (60) and Annika Jace Smith (18), both of El Sobrante (CA), were transported by air ambulance to area hospitals with serious injuries.

Honda passenger, Ivan Amadeo Gonzalez (19) of Hercules (CA) was transported to an area hospital by ground ambulance with reported minor injuries.

The operator and two passengers in the Honda (D. Smith, L. Smith Jr., and A. Smith) are a father and twin children. The third passenger, Gonzalez, is a family friend.

The operator of the Freightliner (Christensen) was not injured. Impairment is believed to be a contributing factor in the crash and Christensen was arrested for DUII and manslaughter.

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

OSP was assisted by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Canyonville Fire Department, Glendale Valley Fire Department, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

 

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

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Mexican National pleaded guilty today for conspiring to distribute and distributing narcotics in and around Portland after being extradited from Canada.

Fernando Adolip Cruz-Lerma, 25, pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances.

According to court documents, in April and May 2019, Cruz-Lerma conspired with others to engage in drug trafficking. In April, Cruz-Lerma transported a victim from the state of Washington to Clackamas County due to a drug debt that the victim owed to members of the drug trafficking conspiracy. The victim was killed by members of the drug trafficking conspiracy in furtherance of the conspiracy. Cruz-Lerma assisted with leaving the victim’s body along a rural road in Clackamas County after the victim had been killed.

In May 2019, Cruz-Lerma distributed approximately two pounds of methamphetamine.

On June 6, 2023, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an superseding indictment charging Cruz-Lerma with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances and to use a communication facility and distribution of methamphetamine.

Cruz-Lerma faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $10 million. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years of imprisonment and five years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on July 8, 2026, before a U.S. district court judge.

As part of the plea agreement, Cruz-Lerma has agreed to pay restitution in full. Marcos Alonso Castillo-Bernal has previously been sentenced as part of this investigation.

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

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Portland Police Bureau, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Clackamas County Interagency Task Force (CCITF). The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon is prosecuting the case.

CCITF, led by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, works to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations operating in and around Clackamas County, and reduce illegal drugs and related crimes throughout the community. The task force is comprised of members from the Canby Police Department, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, the FBI, and the Oregon National Guard Counterdrug Task Force. CCITF is supported by our community with the passage of the Public Safety Levy and grant funding from the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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PORTLAND, Ore.—An Aloha, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison yesterday for accessing with the intent to view child sexual abuse material while on probation for a 2023 conviction for sex abuse.

Thomas Allen Vetsch, 56, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and 10 years of supervised release. He is a registered sex offender due to a 2006 conviction for encouraging child sex abuse.

“Protecting our children is the District of Oregon’s top priority,” said U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford. “Today’s sentence reflects our commitment to holding repeat offenders accountable.”

“Mr. Vetsch’s 10-year sentence is clearly warranted, as he is a repeat offender with previous convictions for sexual abuse of a minor and accessing child sexual abuse material,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Seattle acting Special Agent in Charge April Miller. “HSI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify those engaged in the exploitation of children, whether directly or indirectly, and will continue to seek out and arrest those who access these materials.”

According to court documents, on July 22, 2024, investigators searched Vetsch’s residence and seized a laptop containing 43 images of child sexual abuse material.

On August 20, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Vetsch with transportation of child pornography and access with intent to view child pornography.

On January 12, 2026, Vetsch pleaded guilty to accessing with intent to view child pornography.

This case was investigated by HSI. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mira Chernick and Pamela Paaso.

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

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

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(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, is thankful for the community support to find Marcus Taylor Carmicle.

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. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.

Report suspected 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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(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, asks the public to help find Marcus Taylor Carmicle age 12, who went missing from Milwaukie on April 6. They are believed to be in danger.

ODHS asks the public for help in the effort to find Marcus Taylor Carmicle and to contact 911 or local law enforcement if they believe they see Marcus.

Marcus is suspected to be in the Milwaukie area.

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. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.

Report suspected 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.

Child Legal Name: Marcus Taylor Carmicle

Child Preferred Name: Marcus

Pronouns: he/him

Age: 12

Height: 5’8

Weight: Average build, 130 pounds

Hair color: Dark/black hair

Eye color: brown eyes

Specific Identifying Characteristics: He was wearing a black t-shirt, black pants, and a black head wrap

Milwaukie Police Department Case# 26-1787

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) Report #: 2083327

Date Missing: April 6, 2026

Suspected and/or frequented location(s): Trimet stops, Milwaukie area

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SALEM, Oregon—The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission will convene April 21-22 for a virtual meeting.

On April 21 commissioners will hold a work session from 1-3 p.m. on operations, rulemaking and best practices.

On April 22, commissioners will convene an executive session at 8:30 a.m. virtually to discuss acquisition priorities and opportunities, and potential litigation. The Executive Session will be held pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(e) and (h) and is closed to the public.

A business meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. virtually and will be open to the public. All public commission meetings are streamed live to YouTube at https://bit.ly/oprdlive.

Anyone may attend or listen to the business meeting; instructions on how to listen will be posted on the commission web page prior to the meeting. The business meeting includes time for informal public comment not related to items on the agenda.

Registration is required to speak during the informal public comment portion. Register online at https://bit.ly/registerapr2026commission. The deadline to register to speak at the meeting virtually is 5 p.m., Apr. 20. Time per speaker is limited to three minutes. Please submit written public comments by 5 p.m. April 20 to ccomment@oprd.oregon.gov">OPRCcomment@oprd.oregon.gov.

The full agenda and supporting documents are posted on the commission web page. Notable requests:

• Request to approve grant recommendations for the following:
  • Recreational Trail Program
  • Land and Water Conservation Fund
• Request to approve construction contracts for Silver Falls North Gateway Visitor Center.
• Consideration of a petition to open rulemaking regarding extra vehicle fees for motorhomes. The public is invited to comment on whether rules should be changed to allow visitors with a motorhome to bring one additional vehicle at no charge. Currently fees are only waived if the vehicle is towed in along with the motorhome.
• Request to approve adoption of proposed amendment to rules regarding operations of unmanned aircraft systems in state parks and along the ocean shore.
• Request to open rules for proposed changes to public works procurement and land and water conservation fund grants.

Anyone needing special accommodations to attend the meeting should contact Denise Warburton, commission assistant, at least three days in advance at burton@oprd.oregon.gov">denise.warburton@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-779-9729.

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

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April 6, 2026

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

OHA, DEQ finalize 2026-2027 Oregon beach monitoring list

Agency shares list of state beaches to be sampled for bacteria

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Oregon Beach Monitoring Program (OBMP) has released its list of coastal recreation areas it will be monitoring for the presence of bacteria during 2026 and 2027.

The OBMP, based at the Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division, monitors some of the most frequently visited beaches in the state. The list of monitored beaches includes those where the program has found bacteria present, or beaches for which local partners and the public have requested monitoring due to potential pollution.

• To see a video about Oregon’s beach monitoring effort, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82GVixgeGsM

Every two years, as part of an adaptive sampling plan, OHA and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) re-evaluate beaches and sampling locations to ensure available resources best protect public health. Based on OBMP’s evaluation criteria, the following list contains Oregon beaches that DEQ and OHA will monitor in the 2026 and 2027 seasons, from late May through late September of each year. A copy of the beach evaluation is available upon request by sending an e-mail to: each.Health@oha.oregon.gov">Beach.Health@oha.oregon.gov.

Clatsop County

• SEASIDE BEACH – Seaside
• CANNON BEACH  – Cannon Beach
• TOLOVANA SP BEACH  – Cannon Beach

Coos County

• BASTENDORFF BEACH   –  Coos Bay
• SUNSET BAY SP BEACH   –  Coos Bay

Curry County

• HUBBARD CREEK BEACH  – Port Orford
• HARRIS BEACH SP – Brookings
• MILL BEACH – Brookings
• CRISSEY FIELD RECREATION SITE – Brookings

Lane County

• HECETA BEACH  – Florence

Lincoln County

• D RIVER SP BEACH – Lincoln City
• BEVERLY BEACH – Newport
• AGATE SP BEACH  – Newport
• NYE BEACH  – Newport
• SEAL ROCK SP BEACH – Seal Rock
• SILETZ BAY – Lincoln City
• ONA BEACH (Brian Booth – Beaver Creek State Park) – Seal Rock
• ROADS END – Lincoln City (new for 2026/2027)

Tillamook County

• SHORT SAND SP BEACH – Arch Cape
• MANZANITA BEACH – Manzanita
• ROCKAWAY BEACH – Rockaway
• TWINS ROCKS BEACH – Twin Rocks
• OCEANSIDE – Oceanside
• CAPE KIWANDA – Pacific City
• NESKOWIN SP BEACH – Neskowin

When laboratory testing of water samples taken at monitored beaches indicates levels of bacteria above recreational guideline values, OHA issues an advisory, urging visitors to avoid contact with water at the beach. OHA advisories encourage people to avoid wading in nearby creeks, pools of water on the beach, or in discolored water.

Beach advisories are only issued for beaches that are actively being monitored within the May-September sampling window. Other beaches will be investigated for inclusion in the upcoming beach monitoring seasons.

OHA and DEQ work together to evaluate beaches for monitoring based on several criteria. These criteria are: pollution hazards present, previous beach monitoring data that identify water quality concerns, type and amount of beach use, and public input.

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

Unsafe levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters can come from both shore and inland sources including stormwater runoff, sewer overflows, failing septic systems, and animal waste from livestock, pets and wildlife.

For more information and current beach monitoring conditions, visit our beach monitoring website.

Contact OBMP by email at each.Health@oha.oregon.gov">Beach.Health@oha.oregon.gov or call 1-877-290-6767.

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April 6, 2026

Media contact: Erica Heartquist, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Measles exposure locations confirmed at Solar Nails, Pho Keizer in Keizer

PORTLAND, Ore. – Two new measles exposure locations have been identified, and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Marion County public health officials are urging people to talk to a health care provider about their risks if they believe they were exposed.

People might have been exposed if they were at the following locations at these dates and time:

• Solar Nails, 4910 River Road N., Keizer, between 12 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. Monday, March 30.
• Pho Keizer, 3400 River Road N., Keizer, between 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 30.

People who were at this locations during these dates and time periods should immediately contact your health care provider and let them know they may have been exposed to someone who has measles. The health care provider can determine whether you are immune to measles based on your vaccination record, age, or laboratory evidence of prior infection.
 

Facts about measles

Measles spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. People are contagious with measles for four days before a rash appears and up to four days afterward. The virus particles also can linger in the air for up to two hours after someone who is infectious has left the area.

Measles typically starts with a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. A rash usually follows, beginning on the face and spreading to the rest of the body. Symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure to a person with measles. Common complications of measles include ear infection, lung infection and diarrhea. Swelling of the brain is a rare but much more serious complication.

Measles can be dangerous, especially among children younger than 5, adults older than 20, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems. In developed countries in recent years, one to three of every 1,000 measles cases has been fatal. The measles vaccine is highly effective at providing protection, as two doses of the MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing the virus. The risk of severe disease from measles for people who are up to date on their vaccines is very low.

What to do if you suspect measles in your household

Public health officials urge people experiencing symptoms of measles not to arrive unannounced at a medical office if they:

1. Have a measles-like rash, or
2. Have been exposed to measles within the previous 21 days, AND have any other symptom of measles (such as fever, cough or red eyes).

Whenever possible, individuals planning to seek medical care should first call your health care provider or urgent care center by telephone to create an entry plan to avoid exposing others in waiting rooms.

Learn more about measles at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/Pages/measles.aspx.

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SALEM, Ore. — The Adaptive Management Program Committee and Independent Research and Science Team (IRST) will meet at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 13 in the Santiam Room, Building D, ODF Headquarters, 2600 State Street, Salem. To join virtually, please use the Teams video conference information found on the agenda.

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Presentation on HCP Biological Goals and Objectives (BGOs) & Chapter 6
• Presentation on Compliance Monitoring Program
• Presentation on ODFW’s Monitoring Program
• Discussion about the Effectiveness Monitoring Strategy

The meeting is open to the public to attend in-person or online via Teams. Public comments will be accepted near the start of the meeting. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-945-7200 or by email at ogram@odf.oregon.gov">adaptivemanagementprogram@odf.oregon.gov.

The 13-member committee The Adaptive Management Program Committee helps determine if forest practices are meeting their goals to protect natural resources through a science-based and transparent process. The committee sets the research agenda that the Independent Research and Science Team (IRST) implements. View more information on the AMPC webpage.

(Salem) – Governor Tina Kotek has proclaimed April to be Child Abuse Prevention Month in Oregon, and the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) asks everyone in Oregon to learn how they can help prevent, recognize and report child abuse in their communities.

As Governor Kotek’s proclamation states, “In order to solve the public health issue of abuse and neglect we must work together to change hearts and mindsets through storytelling and sharing, elevating lived experience, centering the needs of families, breaking down bias and barriers, and inspiring action.”

“When families are struggling to meet their basic needs and are in crisis, this can increase the risk of child abuse,” said Rolanda Garcia, interim director of the ODHS Child Welfare Division. “When we work together to help families access the supports and resources they need to thrive, we prevent child abuse.”

One way to help is to learn about the supports and programs available to help families who are in crisis. Sharing information about local food banks, how to enroll in food and cash benefits, and sharing information about supports and services that a family might need helps to strengthen families and protect children.

Recognizing and reporting child abuse

People are also encouraged to learn the warning signs of child abuse and to confidentially report any child safety concerns they have to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233). The Oregon Child Abuse Hotline receives calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

There are three warning signs of child abuse:

• Physical signs present on the child.
• Behavioral signs or statements made by the child.
• Behavioral signs or statements made by the parent or caregiver.

To help everyone in Oregon know how to recognize these warning signs and know what to do if they see them, there is an interactive training online that is free for the public to take. The training also helps people identify types of child abuse, learn how to report, and recognize when a family needs material or economic assistance.

Oregon’s Sanctuary Promise

All information reported to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline is confidential. ODHS is committed to upholding Oregon’s Sanctuary Promise law, we do not assist with immigration enforcement, and we do not share information for that purpose.

Resources and supports for families in Oregon

• Get help with food in Oregon
• Apply for medical, food, cash and child care benefits
• 211info.org (also by dialing 211) offers connection to local and regional resources for food banks, housing assistance, and mental health services.
• Lines for Life, a nonprofit dedicated to substance abuse and suicide prevention: call or text 988.
• ​Reach Out Oregon, a part of the Oregon Family Support Network, has a "warm line" at 833-732-2467 for parents, families and caregivers. It also has a website and a chat room.
• Oregon Child Abuse Solutions: https://oregoncas.org
• Prevent Child Abuse Oregon: https://preventchildabuseoregon.org
• Oregon Association of Relief Nurseries: https://www.oregonreliefnurseries.org

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April 6, 2026
Media contact: Marsha Sills, sha.sills@oha.oregon.com">marsha.sills@oha.oregon.com, 971-240-3344

Oregon State Hospital names permanent chief medical officer

SALEM, Ore. – Amit Bhavan, M.D., who has led Oregon State Hospital’s efforts to improve accountability and oversight as its interim chief medical officer (CMO), has been named as permanent CMO after a competitive search and selection process.

Bhavan has served as the hospital’s interim CMO since Aug. 1, 2025.

“Dr. Bhavan’s leadership was essential to OSH maintaining its compliance with Joint Commission and CMS,” said James A. Diegel, OSH Interim Superintendent. “His continued advocacy for clinical excellence on behalf of our patients ensures the hospital sustains its ongoing efforts to consistently provide every patient we serve with high-quality psychiatric care in a safe and therapeutic environment.”  

Bhavan has a deep commitment to the people of OSH – its patients and caregivers. He began working at the hospital in October 2020 as a unit psychiatrist and was named a supervising psychiatrist in May 2023. His experience working with OSH unit caregivers and patients ground him in his role as a hospital leader.

“Dr. Bhavan has demonstrated through his service as interim chief medical officer the kind of steady, mission-driven leadership that OSH needs,” said Oregon Health Authority Director Sejal Hathi, M.D., MBA. “He is the right person to lead the hospital’s ongoing clinical improvement efforts and will continue to play a vital role in strengthening OSH into a consistently safe, accountable, and reliable institution.”

Prior to joining OSH, Bhavan worked at Oregon Health & Science University as an assistant professor in psychiatry, and at Unity Center for Behavioral Health (Portland) as a child and adolescent inpatient psychiatrist. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree at University of Medicine & Health Sciences – Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis, and completed a residency in adult psychiatry and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry, both at Medical College of Wisconsin.

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PORTLAND, Ore.—A McMinnville, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison last Tuesday after possessing methamphetamine with the attempt to distribute in Yamhill County, Oregon.

John Billy Donnahoo, 52, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release.

According to court documents, on May 25, 2024, police officers executed a search warrant on Donnahoo’s residence and seized over one pound of methamphetamine, multiple firearms, ammunition, digital scales, and over $16,000 in cash.

On July 16, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a multi-count indictment. On November 19, 2025, Donnahoo pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the McMinnville Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott M. Kerin.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, April 6, 2026  

BEND, OR — A new exhibit at the High Desert Museum features vibrant murals, hand-drawn animations and freestanding, hand-painted art that offer a window into the daily lives of the people who harvest the fresh fruits and vegetables we bring to our tables. Opening Saturday, April 11, Miguel Almeida: Las Manos que dan de Comer (Miguel Almeida: The Hands That Feed) portrays everyday workers and community figures whose labor often goes unseen. 

Almeida, 33, comes from a long line of farm workers, a primary source of his artistic inspiration. Growing up amid the fertile fields of the Owyhee and Snake River valleys of Idaho—where he worked alongside his mother during some summers—shaped his connection to the land and the people who work it, themes central to the murals he creates around Boise, Idaho, where he is based.  

The art of this first-generation Mexican American prompts visitors to think not only about where our food comes from but also about the people who labor in the fields that sustain us. 

“The Museum explores how people and the landscape shape one another, and Miguel Almeida’s work brings that relationship to life in a powerful way,” said Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. “His images center the farm workers, inviting visitors to consider the human stories behind what often feels like an invisible process. The exhibition aims to open important conversations about conservation, land use, and agricultural practices through the perspectives of the people who are closely connected to the land.” 

The exhibition entrance signals a shift into this world. The gallery façade is transformed with bold color—pinks, teals, yellows and purples influenced by the artist’s visits to Mexico and fascination with the country on everything from architecture to pastries. Inside the roughly 1,000-square-foot space, large-scale murals anchor the gallery. 

At the center of the gallery, a hand-painted cutout figure of a worker more than 10 feet tall is surrounded by soil. The scent of the earth and ambient audio of field sounds further immerse visitors in that landscape. On either side of the gallery, hand-painted animations play. One follows a farmworker through the rhythms of a workday—from family life to the fields in all kinds of weather. The other traces the path of harvested food into the modern supply chain, contrasting the experiences of agricultural labor with the everyday act of shopping at a grocery store. 

“My hope, through this work, is that people make a connection to who is doing the hard work to feed us,” Almeida said. “I wanted to take it a step further and make sure we aren’t just reduced to a ‘labor force.’ We are also humans, with hopes and dreams who are here out of necessity to provide a better life for our children.” 

The exhibition, translated into Spanish by Almeida, came about after Dustin Cockerham, Senior Curator of Exhibitions and Collections at the Museum, discovered Almeida’s work while on a motorcycle trip in Idaho. Outside of Boise, he was struck by the smell of onions and produce from nearby fields when a mural caught his attention—its bold colors and stylized figures standing out against the working farmland. He began seeing more murals around the city, discovered it was the same artist, and contacted him. 

“There’s almost a comic-book superhero element to it,” Cockerham said. “It's a very contemporary style, influenced by skateboarding culture while also drawing from Mexican folk traditions. What’s compelling is how the artist uses this to illuminate bigger issues—our food systems, the land, agriculture—through the lens of the people whose labor is at the center of it.”   

Miguel Almeida: Las Manos que dan de Comer (Miguel Almeida: The Hands That Feed) is open through Sunday, October 11. It is made possible by the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, with support from Central Oregon Radiology Associates. 

ABOUT THE MUSEUM:  

The HIGH DESERT MUSEUM opened in Bend, Oregon in 1982. It brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2025 recipient of the Autry Public History Prize from the Western History Association and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow us on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.  

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LINCOLN COUNTY, Ore. (3 April 2026) – On Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 7:41 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 34 near milepost 3 in Lincoln County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a maroon Chrysler Sebring, operated by Jacob Hendrick Walton (24) of Troutdale, was traveling westbound on Hwy. 34 near Waldport when the operator lost control of the vehicle and crashed into several trees on the westbound embankment.

The passenger, Jack Hendrick Walton (51) of Portland, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The operator (Jacob Walton) was transported by Life Flight to an area hospital with serious injuries.

Speed and suspected impairment are believed to have been contributing factors in the crash.

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

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

# # #

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

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. (3 April 2026) – On Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 6:01 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle fatal crash on Interstate 5 near milepost 95 in Douglas County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a silver BMW 320, operated by Siayrah Jade Steeley (25) of Salem, was traveling southbound on I-5 when it left the roadway for unknown reasons near the milepost 95 offramp near Canyonville. The vehicle traveled approximately 400 feet on the grassy shoulder before colliding with a tree. The vehicle traveled another 40 feet down the riverbank before coming to a rest and catching fire.

The operator of the BMW (Steeley) was pronounced deceased at the scene.

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

OSP was assisted by the South Umpqua Fire Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
 

# # #

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

UPDATE #2 (3 April 2026) - Maria Kilmer was located after she reached out to a family member and confirmed her identity. Investigators are continuing to review the circumstances leading to Ms. Kilmer’s disappearance; however, detectives have not discovered any evidence of a crime in connection with her disappearance. There are currently no pending criminal charges.

There is no ongoing concern for public safety.

We appreciate the assistance of our law enforcement partners who have helped with this investigation. Any additional questions may be directed to the Oregon State Police.

UPDATE (3 April 2026) – Maria Kilmer has been located. She is safe and unharmed. OSP would like to thank everyone who provided information and tips, as well as our law enforcement partners who assisted with the investigation.

MARION COUNTY (1 April 2026) – The Oregon State Police is investigating a missing person case involving 28‑year‑old Maria Linda Jade Kilmer.

Kilmer was last seen on March 28, 2026, at approximately 9 p.m. on Highway 22 near milepost 15. Her vehicle had run out of gas while she and a passenger were traveling to Salem from Lyons. According to the passenger, Kilmer left the vehicle and departed with an unidentified motorist who had stopped at the scene. She left behind her belongings, including her keys, purse, identification, and phone.

Kilmer has not been seen or heard from since and has been entered into law enforcement databases as a missing person.

Anyone with information regarding Kilmer’s whereabouts is asked to call 9‑1‑1 or contact Oregon State Police dispatch at 677 (OSP) from a mobile phone. Please reference case number SP26‑104740.

# # #

About the Oregon State Police

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

April 3, 2026

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

TODAY: Virtual media briefing on measles in Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will hold a media briefing today to give an update on the state’s response to recent measles cases in Oregon.

The media briefing is 1 p.m. today (Friday, April 3). Reporters can join via Zoom at this link. A livestream for members of the public is available via YouTube at this link.

Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., health officer and state epidemiologist at OHA, will discuss the latest measles data, recent OHA advisories about exposure locations, the agency’s work with local public health authorities to investigate cases, and what the latest wastewater sampling data show.

A total of 13 measles cases have been reported in Oregon so far in 2026.

Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease caused by the measles virus. Measles starts with a fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and sore throat, and is followed by a blotchy rash that begins on the face or at the hair line and then spreads all over the body.

For more information, visit OHA’s measles page.

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Salem, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is inviting public comment on planned projects, timber sales, and other management activities in state-owned forests.  

Starting April 3 through 5 p.m. May 18, Oregonians can weigh in on draft Annual Operations Plans for state forests on the Astoria, Forest Grove, Klamath Falls, North Cascade, Tillamook, West Oregon, and Western Lane Districts. These plans lay out on-the-ground activities expected to take place in the coming fiscal year.

State forests by law must provide social, economic, and environmental benefits to Oregonians. To achieve the legal mandate, these lands are managed to create healthy productive forests, high-quality habitat for native fish and wildlife, clean water, benefits and revenues to rural communities and timber related economies, as well as recreation and educational opportunities.

Overall goals and strategies for forest resources are established in long-range Forest Management Plans, which are refined into more specific objectives in Implementation Plans. Annual Operations Plans describe discrete activities to achieve the objectives laid out in Implementation Plans. ODF is seeking input on the draft Annual Operations Plans, which can be viewed on the State Forests’  Annual Operations Plans website.

Common topics in the Annual Operations Plans include:  

• Timber harvest operations  
• Recreation improvement and maintenance projects  
• Forest road construction, maintenance, and improvements  
• Reforestation/replanting and young stand management activities  
• Habitat improvement for native species  
• Invasive species management  

The most useful input speaks to these specific activities and whether they are consistent with longer-range plans, offer suggestions to improve efficiency or effectiveness, correct errors, provide additional information, and are solution oriented. Activities that affect fish and wildlife habitat are reviewed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, while operations that may affect threatened and endangered fish and wildlife habitat are shared with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  Activities that may affect sensitive plants are reviewed by the Oregon Department of Agriculture. 

ODF offers several avenues to comment on Annual Operations Plans:  

• Online comments can be submitted through ODF’s comments page.
• Comments can be emailed to: odf.sfcomments@oregon.gov
• Comments can also be mailed to ODF Public Affairs, 2600 State St., Salem, OR 97310. 

Media kit:

• Soundbites:
• • Andrea Bell, Director, Oregon Housing and Community Services

  • Vickie Ybarguen, Executive Director, Housing Authority of Yamhill County

• Stratus Village – B-roll video footage
• Photographs

April 3, 2026

Media Contact: Kim Lippert, OHA

erly.l.lippert@oha.oregon.gov">Kimberly.l.lippert@oha.oregon.gov

971-323-3831

Jessie Schirrick, OHCS

equests@hcs.oregon.gov">hcs.mediarequests@hcs.oregon.gov

503-881-1607

Agencies, partners, residents celebrate opening of Stratus Village affordable housing community in Yamhill County

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Health Authority (OHA) joined Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), community partners, local leaders and residents earlier this week to celebrate the opening of Stratus Village, a new affordable 175-unit housing development in Yamhill County that includes a number of units for people experiencing persistent mental illness.

 “Oregon continues to invest in housing as a critical component of behavioral health,” said OHA Behavioral Health Director Ebony Clarke. “Stratus Village represents the kind of partnership and forward-thinking approach we need—one that recognizes stable housing as foundational to recovery, dignity and long-term well-being for people living with serious mental health conditions.”

Located at 2450 SE Stratus Ave in McMinnville, Stratus Village brings 10 units of Permanent Supportive Housing for people with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI). These housing units were funded in part through House Bill 5024 aimed at developing more housing options for those experiencing homelessness. The housing demonstrates Oregon’s ongoing commitment to addressing the housing and behavioral health needs.

“Stratus Village is a demonstration of our commitment to meeting the housing needs of all Oregonians,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell.  “Every person deserves an affordable and dignified life. Increasing service-enriched housing is one of the ways we are delivering housing growth that includes all people and all communities.”

“We’re excited to celebrate the completion of Stratus Village and bring 175 much needed, quality, affordable housing units to individuals and families in our community earning 30–60% of the area median income,” said Vickie Ybarguen, Executive Director of the Housing Authority of Yamhill County. “This development provides decent, safe and affordable housing, and creating opportunities that help community members position themselves for success.”

The project received $2.4 million from the Oregon Health Authority through House Bill 5024 and more than $44 million from Oregon Housing and Community Services through various programs including Local Innovation and Fast Track, Agriculture Workforce Housing Tax Credit Program, and 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.

Stratus Village is part of a statewide effort to increase housing stability, reduce homelessness and improve health outcomes for all people living in Oregon. By integrating supportive services with affordable housing, developments like Stratus Village strengthen communities and improve quality of life.

About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)

OHCS is Oregon's housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs.

About the Oregon Health Authority (OHA)

Oregon Health Authority is at the forefront of lowering and containing costs, improving quality and increasing access to health care in order to improve the lifelong health of Oregonians. OHA is overseen by the nine-member citizen Oregon Health Policy Board (http://www.oregon.gov/oha/OHPB...) which is working toward comprehensive health and health care reform in the state.

OHA includes most of the state's health care programs, including Public Health, Health Policy and Analytics, Health Systems Division, and Oregon State Hospital. Incorporating the state's health care programs within one agency gives the state greater purchasing and marketing power to begin tackling the issues of cost, quality, and access to care.

Arrest Video available for Download: https://vimeo.com/1179749398?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

JCSO Case 23-3977

MEDFORD, Ore. – A suspect wanted for 18 counts of child sex crimes is in jail today after an hours-long standoff with local law enforcement in south Medford. The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) arrested the barricaded suspect Thursday, April 2 at a residence in the 3400 block of South Pacific Highway in Medford. JCSO was assisted on scene by the Oregon Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ODOJ ICAC), Medford Police Department (MPD), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The suspect, Glenn Edward Rise, 38, of Medford, is charged with 18 child sex crimes including first-degree rape, and first-degree sexual abuse. The additional charges include two counts of first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, three counts of using a child in display of sexually explicit conduct, three counts of first-degree encouraging child sexual abuse, and eight counts of second-degree encouraging child sexual abuse. He is lodged in the Jackson County Jail.

SOCET began their investigation after Rise sent images of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) to undercover investigators which led to subpoenas, followed by a search warrant at the residence. The Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force (SOHTCTF) assisted in the investigation. During the warrant, investigators seized digital devices which were forensically examined by SOHTCTF for further evidence of child exploitation. During their examination, SOHTCTF located evidence documenting the sexual abuse of a local minor child and hundreds of CSAM images.  

SOCET is a joint inter-agency task force that started in June of 2020 to combat child exploitation. The task force consists of investigators from JCSO, MPD, ODOJ ICAC, and HSI, as well as prosecutors from our local, state and federal law enforcement partners in Jackson County. SOHTCTF is a joint inter-agency task force that consists of investigators from JCSO, HSI, and MPD. There is no further information available for release.

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April 2, 2026

Media contact: Erica Heartquist, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Measles exposure location confirmed at Safeway in Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. – A new measles exposure location has been identified, and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Multnomah County public health officials are urging people to talk to a health care provider about their risks if they believe they were exposed.

People might have been exposed if they were at the following location at these dates and times:

• Safeway, 2800 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland:
  • Between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday, March 26.
  • Between 2 p.m. and midnight Friday, March 27.
  • Between 2:20 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, March 28.
  • Between 2 p.m. and midnight Sunday, March 29.

People who were at this location during these dates and time periods should immediately contact your health care provider and let them know they may have been exposed to someone who has measles. The health care provider can determine whether you are immune to measles based on your vaccination record, age, or laboratory evidence of prior infection.

Families without a primary care provider can establish care at any of Multnomah County's seven primary care clinics or nine student health centers (based at high schools but open to anyone ages 5-18) by calling 503-988-5558 to make a new patient appointment.

Facts about measles

Measles spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. People are contagious with measles for four days before a rash appears and up to four days afterward. The virus particles also can linger in the air for up to two hours after someone who is infectious has left the area.

Measles typically starts with a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. A rash usually follows, beginning on the face and spreading to the rest of the body. Symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure to a person with measles. Common complications of measles include ear infection, lung infection and diarrhea. Swelling of the brain is a rare but much more serious complication.

Measles can be dangerous, especially among children younger than 5, adults older than 20, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems. In developed countries in recent years, one to three of every 1,000 measles cases has been fatal. The measles vaccine is highly effective at providing protection, as two doses of the MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing the virus. The risk of severe disease from measles for people who are up to date on their vaccines is very low.

What to do if you suspect measles in your household

Public health officials urge people experiencing symptoms of measles not to arrive unannounced at a medical office if they:

1.Have a measles-like rash, or

2.Have been exposed to measles within the previous 21 days, AND have any other symptom of measles (such as fever, cough or red eyes).

Whenever possible, individuals planning to seek medical care should first call your health care provider or urgent care center by telephone to create an entry plan to avoid exposing others in waiting rooms.

Learn more about measles at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/Pages/measles.aspx.

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PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for his role in an interstate drug trafficking organization.

Luis Garcia Zurita, 38, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release.

According to court documents, Garcia Zurita was both an interstate drug transporter and local distributor for a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization operating in Portland. In August 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) determined that Garcia Zurita was traveling from Los Angeles, California, to Oregon. Investigators conducted a stop of Garcia Zurita and subsequently applied for and were granted a search warrant for his vehicle. Agents seized from the vehicle approximately 4 kilograms of fentanyl pills and 2 kilograms of cocaine.

On March 5, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a two-count indictment charging Garcia Zurita with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine.

On December 1, 2025, Garcia Zurita pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

This case was investigated by the DEA, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Clackamas County Interagency Task Force (CCITF). It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul T. Maloney.

CCITF, led by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, works to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations operating in and around Clackamas County, and reduce illegal drugs and related crimes throughout the community. The task force is comprised of members from the Canby Police Department, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, the FBI, and the Oregon National Guard Counterdrug Task Force. CCITF is supported by our community with the passage of the Public Safety Levy and grant funding from the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program.

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

# # #

SALEM, Oregon – Oregon Heritage is pleased to announce that internationally recognized cultural heritage leader Monica Rhodes will deliver a keynote address on April 29^th at the upcoming Oregon Heritage Conference, inviting attendees to explore how preservation must evolve to meet the challenges of the future.

Rhodes, Founder of Rhodes Heritage Group, is widely known for advancing new approaches to cultural preservation at the intersection of people, place, and capital. Her work has influenced national policy, expanded access to preservation practice, and engaged millions in reimagining how history shapes the future.

Her keynote, “The Next Assignment: Why the Future Will Ask More of Us,” will challenge attendees to reconsider traditional approaches to preservation in an era shaped by artificial intelligence, climate instability, and growing public demand for complete storytelling. “We are entering unfamiliar futurescapes where the past is unstable, contested, and uncertain,” Rhodes notes.

A Rome Prize Fellow and Harvard Loeb Fellow, Rhodes has advised the White House on cultural heritage policy and serves on the board of the International Council on Monuments and Sites. Her work has been featured in national media outlets including The Washington Post, PBS NewsHour, This Old House, and Architectural Digest.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from Rhodes and engage with forward-looking ideas that connect historic preservation to civic innovation, community voice, and long-term resilience. Registration for the conference is now open. Registration is available to see Monica Rhodes only or to attend other conference sessions as well. To learn more and register to attend, visit Oregon Heritage Conference 2026.

April 2, 2026 

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

OHA urges against giving baby poultry as Easter gifts

PORTLAND, Ore. – As Easter approaches and families plan holiday gatherings, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is cautioning against buying chicks, ducklings or other baby poultry as gifts.

Close contact with the cute and cuddly critters can make children ill from Salmonella, which can sometimes be carried by chicks and the other Easter-themed animals. “Giving chicks and ducklings as gifts should be avoided,” said Emilio DeBess, DVM, public health veterinarian in the Acute and Communicable Disease Prevention Section at OHA’s Public Health Division.

“Young children characteristically will hug and even sometimes kiss the animals and often may not wash their hands afterward,” DeBess added. “Handling live poultry can lead to Salmonella infection, which can be especially virulent in children younger than 5 because their immune systems are not fully developed.”

Salmonella infections cause salmonellosis, which can result in diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever lasting three to seven days. Anyone with compromised immune systems, the very young and older adults could become very ill and even die of the infection.

Since 2020, five outbreaks of illnesses caused by Salmonella bacteria from baby chicks have occurred in Oregon, affecting at least 55 cases of salmonellosis. About half of the cases were children younger than 18.

OHA offers the following tips:

• Children younger than 5, older adults, or people with weak immune systems should not handle or touch chicks, ducklings or other live poultry, or rabbits.
• Make a general rule that after kids touch any animal, they immediately wash their hands with soap and water.
• If kids handle chicks, discourage them from nuzzling or kissing them.
• Don’t eat or drink in an area where animals roam.

For a quick reminder, check out this video.

For more information about baby birds and salmonella, visit http://public.health.oregon.gov/DiseasesConditions/CommunicableDisease/Pages/FS-Baby-birds-and-Salmonella.aspx

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April 2, 2026

Media contact: Erica Heartquist, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Measles exposure locations confirmed at Lark Café in West Linn and Pho.Com restaurant in Gresham

PORTLAND, Ore. – Two new measles exposure locations have been identified, and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Clackamas and Multnomah County public health officials are urging people to talk to a health care provider about their risks if they believe they were exposed.

People might have been exposed if they were at the following location at this date and time:

• Lark Café, 1980 Willamette Falls Drive #120, West Linn, between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. Friday, March 27.
• Pho.Com, 316 N. Main Ave., Gresham, between 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 25.

People who were at these locations during these dates and time periods should immediately contact your health care provider and let them know they may have been exposed to someone who has measles. The health care provider can determine whether you are immune to measles based on your vaccination record, age, or laboratory evidence of prior infection.

Families without a primary care provider can establish care at any of Multnomah County's seven primary care clinics or nine student health centers (based at high schools but open to anyone ages 5-18) by calling 503-988-5558 to make a new patient appointment.

Facts about measles

Measles spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. People are contagious with measles for four days before a rash appears and up to four days afterward. The virus particles also can linger in the air for up to two hours after someone who is infectious has left the area.

Measles typically starts with a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. A rash usually follows, beginning on the face and spreading to the rest of the body. Symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure to a person with measles. Common complications of measles include ear infection, lung infection and diarrhea. Swelling of the brain is a rare but much more serious complication.

Measles can be dangerous, especially among children younger than 5, adults older than 20, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems. In developed countries in recent years, one to three of every 1,000 measles cases has been fatal. The measles vaccine is highly effective at providing protection, as two doses of the MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing the virus. The risk of severe disease from measles for people who are up to date on their vaccines is very low.

What to do if you suspect measles in your household

Public health officials urge people experiencing symptoms of measles not to arrive unannounced at a medical office if they:

1. Have a measles-like rash, or
2. Have been exposed to measles within the previous 21 days, AND have any other symptom of measles (such as fever, cough or red eyes).

Whenever possible, individuals planning to seek medical care should first call your health care provider or urgent care center by telephone to create an entry plan to avoid exposing others in waiting rooms.

Learn more about measles at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/Pages/measles.aspx.

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SALEM, Ore. – Gov. Tina Kotek has proclaimed April 2026 to be Oregon Arbor Month statewide. This year’s proclamation recognizes the vital role trees play in protecting communities from climate change impacts, particularly extreme heat and rain events.

“Oregon’s Arbor Month is a chance for all of us to pause and appreciate the trees that cool our neighborhoods, protect our health, provide jobs and create clean water and air,” Oregon’s new State Forester Kacey KC said. “This month offers great opportunities for Oregonians to connect with trees, from community tree planting events to facilitated educational walks and so much more.”

A growing body of research, some of it done by Vivek Shandas of Portland State University in Portland, has shown that shade trees can greatly reduce heat. Numerous deaths are traced back to heat events each year. Neighborhoods with a greater percentage of their area covered by trees can be several degrees cooler than those with fewer large trees.

Portland-based researcher Geoffrey Donovan’s research has shown that planting more trees in low-canopy neighborhoods can reduce deaths from cardiovascular disease. Losing canopy can increase human deaths, with the greatest change felt in higher-income neighborhoods when trees that had been protecting residents from air pollution are lost to pests, diseases, or development.

This year’s proclamation states that, “Urban development and preservation of large, healthy shade trees demands a careful balance, because the resilience of our communities, the health and well-being of our residents, and the livability of our cities hinge upon the presence and preservation of such trees. Well-cared-for urban shade trees are literally lifesavers.”

Communities across the state will be adding to urban canopies with tree plantings throughout the month, including in La Grande, Beaverton, Central Point, at Central Oregon Community College in Bend, and elsewhere. There will also be tree art contests, tree walks, a tree book give-away by the State Library, public readings of tree books at the Bandon Library on April 23, and on April 25 the dedication in northeast Portland of the state’s newest arboretum, the Ainsworth Linear Arboretum. It was officially recognized earlier this year by ArbNet as Oregon’s seventh Level 1 Arboretum. ArbNet is the global network of arboreta administered by the Morton Arboretum in Illinois. Find a list of all Oregon recognized arboreta here.

To find an Oregon Arbor Month activity near you, check the website of your local government to see what activities are happening in your area.

                                                                                  # # #

Wildfire protection partners provide new public tool to prevent escaped debris burns

Debris burning site aims to reduce #1 cause of wildfires

SALEM, Ore.—Outdoor debris burning, also known as backyard debris burning, is the leading cause of human-caused wildland fires in Oregon. On average, the Oregon Department of Forestry responds to about 225 fires each year that result from escaped debris burns.

All Oregonians are encouraged to use the new statewide Before You Burn website or mobile application prior to lighting any debris, whether it be a small pile or in a burn barrel.

Before You Burn provides Oregonians simple, clear guidance on burning regulations and prevention measures for their specific location. The public can sign up for free by either downloading the Before You Burn app (available in both the Apple and Android stores) or visiting the beforeyouburn.net website.

Once on the site, or application, residents are prompted to enter their address. They will be immediately informed on whether burning is allowed for their location. If burning is allowed, they will receive instructions or options on local regulations that must be followed, like registering a burn or filing for a permit.

“We’re hoping that a central resource for all Oregonians will take the guess work out of who regulates burns, and what the process might be for an allowed burn, for residents in any location around the state,” said Levi Hopkins, ODF Protection Division Deputy Chief of Policy and Planning.

ODF and its fire protection and air quality partners have spent the last two years developing this multi-jurisdiction website and mobile application that aims to reduce the number of these preventable wildfires.

Before You Burn is only intended for backyard debris burning. It is not for campfires, agricultural burns, the burning of forest slash from harvest operations, or other types of burning. Residents should contact their local fire or air quality agency for regulations on these types of burning activities.

Ahead of this year’s fire season, ODF would like to remind the public that engaging in prohibited burning may make you liable for wildfire suppression costs. Suppression costs can reach millions of dollars for a single wildfire.

“Checking this new resource is a quick, simple step to take before causing Oregon’s next wildfire,” said Hopkins.

ODF serves as the lead agency for Before You Burn, working in partnership with

Western Fire Chiefs Association, structural fire departments across the state, Keep Oregon Green Association and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

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Governor Kotek Proclaims April 12–18, 2026 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Oregon
 

OEM 9-1-1 Program Manager Frank Kuchta chats with a 9-1-1 public safety professional during the 2025 launch of the 9-1-1 Testing Lab. Photo by Randy Hamar.

Salem, Ore. — Governor Tina Kotek has proclaimed April 12–18, 2026, as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Oregon, recognizing the critical contributions of the state’s public safety telecommunicators and 9-1-1 professionals.

Each year, hundreds of skilled telecommunicators across Oregon answer nearly 2 million emergency calls, providing life‑saving assistance to residents and visitors 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. These professionals are often the first point of contact in times of crisis, serving as the vital link between the public and emergency responders.

“Oregon’s telecommunicators play an essential role in keeping our communities safe,” said Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) Director Erin McMahon. “They are the steady, reliable voices during some of the most challenging moments in people’s lives. Their ability to provide calm, accurate direction and coordinate an emergency response in real time is nothing short of remarkable. This week is an opportunity to recognize their professionalism and commitment and the life‑saving impact of their work.”

Telecommunicators support law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical services, and many others across the public safety spectrum. They also play a key role in operations across federal, state, local, and Tribal government agencies, including emergency management, highway safety, and search and rescue.

“With Oregon progressing toward Next Generation 9‑1‑1, we are entering a new era of innovation in emergency communications,” said OEM 9‑1‑1 Program Manager Frank Kuchta. “But regardless of how technology evolves, the heart of 9‑1‑1 will always be the dedicated professionals who answer the call. Their skills, training and compassion save lives every day, and this proclamation honors their invaluable service.”

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is observed annually by public safety associations across the United States and Canada to recognize the dedication and professionalism of telecommunicators and their crucial role in safeguarding life and property.

For more information about Oregon’s 9‑1‑1 Program and OEM’s statewide work, visit Oregon.gov/OEM. Please share the love with our Social Media kit, and the #OregonTelecommunicatorsWeek.