Update: Please RSVP if you will attend at (541) 531-8203

 

MEDIA ADVISORY:

 

JCSO to Unveil Oregon's First Law Enforcement Incinerator Thanks to Generous Cow Creek Tribe Donation; Media Invited to Ribbon Cutting

 

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. – The Jackson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) invites members of the media to a ribbon-cutting ceremony tomorrow, Thursday, October 15, at 11:30 a.m., to unveil Oregon's first incinerator dedicated specifically to law enforcement use.

 

The new incinerator was made possible by a generous $275,000 donation from the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, at no cost to Jackson County taxpayers. The American-made equipment will provide JCSO and other law enforcement agencies with a safe, efficient way to destroy seized illegal drugs.

 

The acquisition addresses a critical need following the December 2024 closure of Oregon's only municipal incinerator, which previously served as a primary drug disposal facility for law enforcement agencies.

 

MEDIA EVENT DETAILS:

 

What: Law Enforcement Incinerator Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

When: Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 11:30 a.m.

Where: 620 Antelope Road, White City, OR

 

Media are asked to arrive by 11:15 a.m., as the ceremony will begin promptly at 11:30 a.m. See attached directions.

 

Media are invited to attend for photo, video, and interview opportunities and to learn more about the equipment and its benefits to law enforcement agencies throughout the region.

 

PORTLAND, Ore.— A Sacramento County, California, man charged in a wire fraud scheme made his initial appearance in federal court Tuesday before a U.S. magistrate judge. A federal grand jury in Portland has returned an indictment charging 35‑year‑old Daejon Labrayae Delenar Love with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon.

 

According to the indictment, Love and a co‑conspirator solicited victims to invest in fraudulent high‑yield investment opportunities, including an “expedited account” that promised unusually large and rapid returns. To gain victims’ trust, Love allegedly presented himself as a wealthy real estate investor or a current or former NFL player.

 

The indictment further alleges that Love used online dating and social media profiles containing fabricated personal and financial information, developed romantic relationships with victims, and staged displays of wealth to persuade victims to send cash or wire funds. Instead of investing the money as promised, Love allegedly used it for personal expenses, including travel, lodging, high‑end vehicles, clothing, jewelry, and other purchases.

 

Love was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and was ordered detained pending a jury trial scheduled to begin on December 15, 2026.

 

If convicted, Love faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. He will also be required to forfeit any property obtained with proceeds from the scheme.

 

The FBI is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bryan Chinwuba and Christopher Cardani are prosecuting the case.

 

An indictment is only an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 

In April, the Department of Justice announced the establishment of the National Fraud Enforcement Division, a new unit dedicated to investigating and prosecuting fraud. The division supports the President’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, led by Vice President J.D. Vance, which coordinates government‑wide efforts to reduce fraud, waste, and abuse in federal benefit programs.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 14, 2026

Contact Information: 

umenauer@employ.oregon.gov">Gail Krumenauer, State Employment Economist, (971) 301-3771

Video and Audio available at 10 a.m. PT

David Cooke, Economist (971) 375-5288

Oregon’s Unemployment Rate Was 5.0% in September

Oregon’s unemployment rate was little changed at 5.0% in September and 5.1% in August. It has held to a tight range between 5.0% and 5.3% for the past 19 months, since March 2025 when it was 5.0%. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.2% in September and 4.1% in August.

 

In September, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 5,800 jobs, following a revised gain of 2,600 jobs in August. September’s gains were largest in construction (+2,000 jobs); health care and social assistance (+1,700); and leisure and hospitality (+1,300). Losses were largest in retail trade (-1,500 jobs).

 

In the past 12 months, payroll employment rose by 2,600 jobs, or 0.1%. Health care and social assistance continued its rapid growth during the past four years by adding 12,100 jobs, or 3.8%, in the past 12 months. Other services (+1,600 jobs, or 2.4%) and private education (+1,300, or 3.6%) were the other major industries that added the most jobs since September 2025. Manufacturing (-4,300 jobs, or -2.4%) cut the most jobs in that time, followed by government (-4,000 jobs, or -1.3%).

 

Construction employment drifted upward during April through August, then jumped higher by 2,000 jobs in September. In the past 12 months, each of the three component industries expanded: construction of buildings (+900 jobs); specialty trade contractors (+500); and heavy and civil engineering construction (+100).

 

Several industries rebounded over the most recent two months. Government added 1,300 jobs since July, following losses in prior months. Nonetheless, it has cut 4,000 jobs in the past 12 months. Manufacturing added 1,700 jobs since July, partially reversing steady declines during the past three years. Leisure and hospitality's September gain reversed losses in June and July.

Next Press Releases

The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the September county and metropolitan area unemployment and jobs data on Tuesday, Oct. 20, and the next statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for October on Wednesday, Nov. 18. 

About Workforce and Economic Research

The Workforce and Economic Research Division of the Oregon Employment Department develops and distributes quality economic and workforce information to help Oregonians make informed decisions and support a thriving economy. Staff collect data from state and federal records and surveys; analyze the available information; and share insights with the public in a variety of ways, including regular reports, publications, and the website, QualityInfo.org.

---

The Oregon Employment Department (OED) is an equal opportunity agency. OED provides free help so you can use our services. Some examples are sign language and spoken language interpreters, written materials in other languages, large print, audio, and other formats. To get help, please call 503-947-1444. TTY users call 711. You can also send an email to communications@employ.oregon.gov.

 

El Departamento de Empleo de Oregon (OED) es una agencia de igualdad de oportunidades. El OED proporciona ayuda gratuita para que usted pueda utilizar nuestros servicios. Algunos ejemplos son intérpretes de lengua de señas e idiomas hablados, materiales escritos en otros idiomas, letra grande, audio y otros formatos. Para obtener ayuda, por favor llame al 503-947-1444. Usuarios de TTY pueden llamar al 711. También puede enviar un correo electrónico a communications@employ.oregon.gov.

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SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) announced funding approvals by the Oregon Housing Stability Council to develop or preserve 480 affordable rental homes and 36 homes for purchase in Newport, Grants Pass, Eugene, Lincoln City, Bend, Portland, and Hillsboro.

 

“Oregon is one of the greatest states because of the people who call it home and the communities that define it,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “We are grateful to local leaders who are working to ensure Oregon is a state of opportunity for everyday Oregonians, where people can afford to live and raise families.”

 

The rental investments include new housing for older adults, family-sized apartments, and housing for people with behavioral health needs. The approvals also support rehabilitation of existing affordable apartments, helping residents maintain access to stable housing.

 

The homeownership investments include homes prioritized for qualified hospital employees and survivors of the 2020 Echo Mountain Fire in Lincoln City, as well as new homes within a resident-owned community for older adults in Grants Pass.

 

The rental and homeownership approvals are as follows:
 

Home Type	Construction Type	Number of Homes	Location
Rental	New construction	32	Newport
Rental	Preservation	103	Grants Pass
Rental	New construction	45	Eugene
Rental	New construction	100	Hillsboro
Rental	New construction	143	Portland
Rental	New construction	57	Portland
Homeownership	New construction	9	Lincoln City
Homeownership	New construction	2	Grants Pass
Homeownership	New construction	25	Bend

 

The Housing Stability Council also approved the last available funding for the Older Adult Housing Program (OAHP), which was established through House Bill 3589 (2025) as part of the Senior Housing Development Initiative to expand Oregon's supply of affordable and accessible rental housing. This program is designed to support the expansion of accessible, affordable housing for older Oregonians, enabling them to age in place by leveraging state subsidies.

 

More detailed information regarding each project can be found in the Housing Stability Council meeting packet.

 

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.

Monday, October 12, 2026

Contact: Heidi Hagemeier, Arts & Culture Communications Coordinator, heidi.hagemeier@biz.oregon.gov, 971-518-0966

 

Oregon Arts Commission awards $1.3 million in Sustaining Arts Program grants to 317 organizations statewide

 

SALEM — The Oregon Arts Commission has awarded more than $1.3 million in grants to 317 arts and culture organizations across Oregon through its Sustaining Arts Program for fiscal year 2027.

 

The Sustaining Arts Program supports nonprofit arts organizations that offer ongoing, high-quality outreach programs and arts services or artistic programming in their communities. Awards are based on a funding formula that considers an organization’s annual expenses, the number of applications received and available grant funds. This fiscal year—from July 2026-June 2027—grant awards range from $1,000 to $18,000.

 

“Arts and culture is part of the vibrancy of Oregon - sparking discovery, conversation and connection,” said Oregon First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson. “These grant awards are a vital investment in creating access to arts and culture for all Oregonians.”

 

“We know there’s a multiplier effect in providing funding support for arts and culture,” said Oregon Arts and Culture Director Amy Lewin. “These organizations energize local economies and their communities by providing cultural opportunities in every corner of the state. We’re pleased to support their ongoing work.”

 

Funds for this grant program are provided by the state of Oregon general fund through its support of the Oregon Arts Commission and by the National Endowment for the Arts through a grant to the Arts Commission.

 

Grant category key:

Group A Organizations with annual expenses of less than $150,000.
Group B Organizations with annual expenses equal to or greater than $150,000.

FY2026 Sustaining Arts Program grants awards by region:

Central

Jefferson, Deschutes and Crook counties

 

Group A

Cascade Chorale Association, Bend: $1,000

Central Oregon Mastersingers Inc, Bend: $2,250

Ellipse Theatre Community, Bend: $2,000

Kaycee Anseth Legacy Foundation, Bend: $1,000

OperaBend, Bend: $1,000

Ballet Bend, Bend: $1,000

 

Group B

BendFilm Inc, Bend: $7,025

Cascade School of Music, Bend: $7,025

Scalehouse, Bend: $5,000

SFF Presents, Sisters: $7,525

SSJ Inc, Sisters: $5,000

Sunriver Music Festival Inc, Sunriver: $5,000

Tananáwit, Warm Springs: $5,000

High Desert Museum, Bend: $15,000

Tower Theatre Foundation Inc, Bend: $8,000

 

Greater Eastern – North

Gilliam, Morrow, Umatilla, Wheeler and Grant counties

 

Group B

Pendleton Center for the Arts, Pendleton: $5,000

Oregon East Symphony, Pendleton: $5,000

 

Greater Eastern – South

Harney and Malheur counties

 

Group A

Drexel H. Foundation, Vale: $2,000

 

Group B

Painted Sky Center for the Arts, John Day: $5,000

 

Portland Metro

Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties

 

Group A

Airlie Press, Portland: $1,000

Amadeus Chamber Orchestra, Portland: $1,000

Anonymous Theatre Company, Tigard: $1,000

A Notion, A Scream, Portland: $1,000

Aspen Meadow Band, Colton: $2,500

Aurora Chorus, Portland: $2,500

Bach Cantata Choir, Portland: $2,250

Bells of the Cascades, Tualatin: $1,000

Cathedral Park Performing Arts Collective, Portland: $2,250

Creative & Emerging Technology Institute, Portland: $5,000

Classical Up Close, Tigard: $1,000

Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann Micheal O Domhnaill Branch of OR, Portland: $1,000

Community Jams, Portland: $2,000

Conchords Chorale, Tualatin: $1,000

Shaun Keylock Company, Portland: $1,000

Dance for Parkinson's Oregon, Lake Oswego: $1,000

Elbow Room, Portland: $5,000

Elevate Unity Inc, Portland: $2,250

EnTaiko, Portland: $2,500

Fool House Art Collective, Lake Oswego: $1,000

Friends of IFCC, Portland: $2,500

FROGTOWN, Portland: $1,000

From the Ground Up, Portland: $5,000

Future Prairie, Portland: $1,000

Greater Portland Flute Society, Portland: $1,000

Heidi Duckler Dance Northwest, Portland: $1,000

Immigrant Story, Portland: $2,250

In Mulieribus, Portland: $2,500

ISing Community Choir, Beaverton: $2,500

Many Hats Collaboration, Portland: $2,250

Media-Rites, Portland: $1,000

Medicine Bear Native American Spiritual Encampment, Portland: $2,500

Misfit Academy, Portland: $2,000

MusicOregon, Portland: $2,250

Music Workshop, Portland: $5,500

Cascadia Composers, Portland: $1,000

New Moon Productions, Portland: $1,000

Northwest Dance Theatre, Tualatin: $2,500

Oregon Alliance of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Portland: $1,000

Oregon Chorale, Hillsboro: $2,250

Oregon Origins Project, Portland: $2,500

Performance Works NW, Portland: $2,250

Piano Santa Foundation, Portland: $1,000

Portland Area Theatre Alliance, Portland: $5,000

Portland Chamber Music, Portland: $1,000

Portland Child Art Studio, Portland: $2,500

Portland Fire Fighters Pipes and Drums, Portland: $1,000

Portland Panorama, Portland: $2,500

Portland Radio Project, Portland: $2,250

Portland SummerFest, Portland: $2,500

PUSH FOLD, Portland: $2,500

Radix Vocal Ensemble, Portland: $1,000

Renegade Opera, Portland: $1,000

Risk/Reward, Portland: $2,250

Rose City Pride Bands, Portland: $2,000

Shady Pines Radio, Portland: $2,500

Sincere Studio, Portland: $2,500

Siren Nation Inc, Portland: $1,000

Stage Fright Festival, Portland: $1,000

Swan Songs, Portland: $1,000

Takohachi Inc, Portland: $2,500

The Artback, Portland: $1,000

The Wave Elements Global Music, Portland: $1,000

Tualatin Valley Community Band, Tigard: $1,000

Tualatin Valley Symphony, Tigard: $1,000

Unlock the Arts, Portland: $1,000

Westside Orchestra Association, Hillsboro: $1,000

Women in Film-Portland, Portland: $1,000

Zephyr Clarinet Choir, Tigard: $1,000

 

Group B

21ten Theatre, Portland: $5,000

Alberta Abbey Foundation, Portland: $7,025

Friends of Noise, Portland: $7,025

All Classical, Portland: $12,000

Architectural Foundation of Oregon, Portland: $7,025

Art in Oregon, Portland: $5,000

Art in the Pearl, Portland: $5,000

Artists Repertory Theatre, Portland: $7,115

Clackamas County Arts Alliance, Oregon City: $5,000

A-WOL Dance Collective Inc, Portland: $5,025

Bag & Baggage Productions, Hillsboro: $5,250

The Beaverton Arts Foundation, Beaverton: $10,000

Beaverton Symphony Orchestra, Beaverton: $5,000

BodyVox Inc, Portland: $7,115

Boom Arts, Portland: $5,000

Broadway Rose Theatre Company, Tigard: $10,000

Caldera, Portland: $10,000

Cappella Romana Inc, Portland: $7,015

Chamber Music Northwest, Portland: $8,000

Clackamas Repertory Theatre, Oregon City: $5,025

CoHo Productions, Portland: $5,000

Corrib Theatre, Portland: $5,000

Cracked Pots, Portland: $5,000

Curious Comedy Productions, Portland: $5,115

CymaSpace, Portland: $5,115

Echo Theater Company, Portland: $7,025

Choral Arts Ensemble, Portland: $5,000

Ethos Inc, Portland: $7,025

Experience Theatre Project, Beaverton: $5,000

Film Action Oregon, Portland: $12,000

Friends of Chamber Music, Portland: $6,025

Gather:Make:Shelter, Portland: $5,025

Hand2Mouth, Portland: $5,000

Hellenic-American Cultural Center & Museum, Portland: $5,000

Imago the Theatre Mask Ensemble, Portland: $5,015

In a Landscape, Portland: $7,025

Independent Publishing Resource Center, Portland: $5,000

Lakewood Theatre Company, Lake Oswego: $8,000

Literary Arts Inc, Portland: $12,000

Live Wire Radio, Portland: $5,250

MetroEast Community Media, Gresham: $7,525

Metropolitan Youth Symphony, Portland: $7,025

Miracle Theatre Group, Portland: $5,025

Montavilla Jazz Festival, Portland: $5,000

My Voice Music, Portland: $6,025

New Expressive Works, Portland: $5,000

North Pole Studio, Portland: $5,000

Northwest Children's Theater & School Inc, Portland: $10,000

Northwest Professional Dance Project, Portland: $7215

Old Church Society Inc, Portland: $5,250

Open Hearts Open Minds, Portland: $5,000

Open Space, Portland: $5,025

Oregon ArtsWatch, Portland: $5,015

Oregon Ballet Theatre, Portland: $15,000

Oregon BRAVO Youth Orchestras, Portland: $7,015

Oregon Center for Contemporary Art, Portland: $5,025

Oregon Children's Theatre Company, Portland: $7,075

Oregon International Ballet Academy, Portland: $5,000

Oregon Repertory Singers, Portland: $5,115

Oregon Society of Artists, Portland: $5,025

Oregon Symphony Association, Portland: $18,000

OrpheusPDX, Portland: $5,000

Outside the Frame, Portland: $6,075

Pacific Youth Choir, Portland: $5,015

PassinArt: A Theatre Company, Portland: $5,000

Phame Academy, Portland: $6,025

Play It Forward, Beaverton: $5,500

PlayWrite, Portland: $5,000

Portland Art Museum, Portland: $18,000

Portland Baroque Orchestra, Portland: $7,000

Portland Center Stage, Portland: $15,000

Open Signal, Portland: $1,000

Portland Cultural Dance Collective, Portland: $5,015

Portland Drama Club, Portland: $5,000

Portland Experimental Theatre Ensemble, Portland: $5,015

Portland Gay Men's Chorus, Inc, Portland: $5,250

Portland Institute for Contemporary Art, Portland: $8,000

PDX Jazz, Portland: $7,075

Portland Lesbian Choir, Portland: $5,000

Portland Opera Association Inc, Portland: $13,000

Portland Piano International, Portland: $5,025

Portland Playhouse, Portland: $7,775

Portland Revels, Portland: $5,000

Portland Street Art Alliance, Portland: $7,015

Portland Taiko, Portland: $5,000

Portland Youth Philharmonic, Portland: $7,525

Profile Theatre Project, Portland: $6,000

Regional Arts & Culture Council, Portland: $1,000

Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater, Portland: $5,000

Resonance Ensemble, Portland: $5,000

Scarlet Sails Cultural Foundation, Beaverton: $5,000

SCRAP Creative Reuse, Portland: $7,115

Shaking the Tree Theatre, Portland: $5,000

STAGES Performing Arts Youth Academy, Hillsboro: $5,000

Sticky Culture, Portland: $2,000

Street Books, Portland: $5,000

Stumptown Stages, Portland: $5,025

Synth Library Portland, Portland: $2,250

The Portland Ballet, Portland: $6,025

The Vanport Mosaic, Portland: $5,000

Third Angle New Music Ensemble, Portland: $5,000

Third Rail Repertory Theatre, Portland: $5,025

Tilikum Chamber Orchestra, Portland: $1,000

Vibe of Portland, Portland: $5,000

Western Alliance of Arts Administrators Foundation, Portland: $7,025

White Bird, Portland: $7,025

Willamette Light Brigade, Portland: $6,025

Willamette Writers, Portland: $5,000

Write Around Portland, Portland: $5,000

Arts for Learning Northwest, Portland: $7,525

Young Musicians & Artists, Portland: $5,500

Youth Music Project, West Linn: $8,000

 

Mid-Valley

Yamhill, Polk and Marion counties

 

Group A

Arts Alliance of Yamhill County, McMinnville: $2,000

Focus on Book Arts, Monmouth: $1,000

Keizer Homegrown Theatre, Keizer: $1,000

McMinnville Film Festival Foundation, McMinnville: $2,250

Oregon Artists Series Foundation, Salem: $1,000

Oregon Community Theatre Alliance, McMinnville: $1,000

Salem Big Band, Salem: $1,000

Salem Orchestra, Salem: $1,000

Salem Pops Orchestra, Salem: $1,000

Salem Youth Symphony Association, Salem: $2,500

Silverton Arts Association, Silverton: $2,000

Oregon Spirit Chorus, Salem: $2,500

The Moxie Initiative, Salem: $1,000

Oregon Symphony Association in Salem, Salem: $5,000

Western Oregon University Development Foundation, Monmouth: $2,000

Theatre 33 of Willamette University, Salem: $2,500

 

Group B

Chehalem Center Association, Newberg: $7,025

Historic Elsinore Theatre, Salem: $7,025

Pentacle Theatre, Salem: $5,175

Salem Art Association, Salem: $5,500

Oregon Symphony Association in Salem, Salem: $5,000

Willamette Master Chorus, Salem: $5,000

Yamhill Enrichment Society, McMinnville: $5,025

 

North Central

Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman counties

 

Group B

Columbia Center for the Arts, Hood River: $5,000

Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association, Hood River: $5,000

 

North Coast

Clatsop, Columbia, and Tillamook counties

 

Group A

Arts Council of Clatsop County, Astoria: $1,000

Astoria Arts and Movement Center, Astoria: $2,500

Astoria Visual Arts, Inc, Astoria: $2,250

Columbia Chorale of Oregon, Warren: $1,000

North Coast Chorale, Astoria: $1,000

The Writer's Guild, Astoria: $2,000

Tolovana Arts Colony, Cannon Beach: $2,500

Trail's End Art Association, Gearhart: $1,000

 

Group B

Hoffman Center, Manzanita: $2,500

Liberty Restoration Inc, Astoria: $7225

Ten Fifteen Productions, Astoria: $5,000

 

Northeast

Wallowa, Union and Baker counties

 

Group A

Eastern Oregon Film Festival, La Grande: $2,500

Grande Ronde Symphony Association, La Grande: $2,250

 

Group B

Crossroads Creative and Performing Arts Center Inc, Baker City: $5,115

Art Center East, La Grande: $5,000

Fishtrap Inc, Enterprise: $5,015

Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, Joseph: $5,250

 

South Central

Klamath and Lake counties

 

Group A

Klamath Music, Klamath Falls: $2,000

 

Group B

PLAYA, Summer Lake: $5,015

 

South Coast

Douglas, Coos and Curry counties

 

Group A

Bay Area Community Concert Band, Coos Bay: $1,000

Dolphin Players Inc, Coos Bay: $1,000

Oregon Coast School of Art, Gardiner: $5,000

Redfish Music Festival, Port Orford: $1,000

South Coast Folk Society, Coos Bay: $1,000

Wild Rivers Coast Foundation for Dance, Brookings: $2,500

 

South Valley/Mid Coast

Lincoln, Benton, Linn and Lane counties

 

Group A

Applegate Regional Theatre Inc, Veneta: $2,000

Arts and Business Alliance of Eugene, Eugene: $2,500

Coastal Voices, Newport: $1,000

Corvallis Guitar Society, Corvallis: $1,000

DisOrient Asian American Film Festival of Oregon, Eugene: $2,500

Eugene Gay Men's Chorus, Eugene: $2,000

Eugene Springfield Community Orchestra, Eugene: $1,000

Florence Regional Arts Alliance, Florence: $5,000

Free Shakespeare in the Park Theatre Company, Eugene: $1,000

New Zone Gallery, Eugene: $2,500

Oregon Brass Society, Eugene: $1,000

Oregon Coast Youth Symphony Festival Association, Newport: $2,000

Radical Alternative Development, Elmira: $1,000

Santiam Hearts to Arts, Mill City: $1,000

Springfield Community Concert Band, Springfield: $1,000

Generations Arts Academy, Harrisburg: $1,000

Willamette Valley Symphony, Eugene: $1,000

 

Group B

Radiant Community Arts, Eugene: $5,000

Ballet Fantastique, Eugene: $5,500

Children's Repertory of Oregon Workshops, Florence: $5,000

Community Center for the Performing Arts, Eugene: $6,025

Comunidad y Herencia Cultural, Springfield: $5,000

Corvallis Arts Center Inc, Corvallis: $5,250

Corvallis Fall Festival, Corvallis: $5,000

Corvallis Multicultural Literacy Center, Corvallis: $5,000

Corvallis Youth Symphony Association, Corvallis: $5,000

Cottage Theatre, Cottage Grove: $5,025

Eugene Ballet, Eugene: $1,000

Eugene Concert Choir, Eugene: $5,025

Eugene Opera, Eugene: $5,025

Eugene Symphony Association Inc, Eugene: $1,000

#instaballet, Eugene: $5,000

Lane Arts Council, Eugene: $7,025

Lincoln City Cultural Center Inc, Lincoln City: $5,250

Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts, Eugene: $5,000

Maude Kerns Art Center, Eugene: $5,015

Maxtivity, Philomath: $5,000

Music Education & Performing Artists Association, Eugene: $5,000

Sitka Center for Art and Ecology, Otis: $8,000

Orchestra Next, Eugene: $5,000

Oregon Coast Council for the Arts, Newport: $7,025

Oregon Contemporary Theatre, Eugene: $5,250

Oregon Mozart Players, Eugene: $5,000

Siletz Bay Music Festival, Lincoln City: $5,000

University of Oregon - Oregon Folklife Network, Eugene: $5,000

 

Southern

Josephine and Jackson counties

 

Group A

Women's Choral Society, Phoenix:  $5,000

Art Presence Inc, Jacksonville: $2,250

Ashland Children’s Theatre, Ashland: $2,000

Ashland New Plays Festival, Ashland: $2,500

Guitar Society of Southern Oregon, Ashland: $1,000

Ashland Flute Circle, Medford: $1,000

Oregon Art on a Mission, Talent: $1,000

Rogue Valley Symphonic Band, Talent: $1,000

Siskiyou Singers Inc, Ashland: $2,000

Ashland Independent Film Festival, Ashland: $5,000

Southern Oregon Guild, Cave Junction: $2,000

 

Group B

Storytown, Ashland: $5,000

Camelot Theatre Company, Talent: $7,025

Collaborative Theatre Project Inc, Medford: $5,000

Grants Pass Museum of Art, Grants Pass: $5,000

Oregon Shakespeare Festival Association, Ashland: $18,000

Peter Britt Gardens Arts and Music Festival Association, Medford: $18,000

Rogue Valley Art Association, Medford: $5,000

Southern Oregon Repertory Singers, Ashland: $5,000

Southern Oregon University Foundation - Chamber Music Concerts, Ashland: $5,000

Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon, Medford: $5,000

 

About the Oregon Arts Commission
The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, programs and funding for nonprofits and artists through its grants, special initiatives and services. Commissioners appointed by the Governor establish policies and provide advisory support for public investment in the arts. Nested within Business Oregon, the Arts Commission works to support the economies, educational opportunities and vibrancy of communities throughout the state. The Arts Commission is supported with funds appropriated by the Oregon Legislature, as well as by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Oregon Cultural Trust. Learn more at oregonartscommission.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

SALEM, Ore. — The Adaptive Management Program Committee will meet virtually at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20. To join, please use the Teams video conference information found on the agenda.

 

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Amphibians questions 1 & 2 into existing research agenda

The meeting is open to the public to attend 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.

PORTLAND, Ore.— A Granite Bay, California, man pleaded guilty today to cyberstalking his ex‑girlfriend and posting sexually explicit photos of her online.

Jason David Campos, 44, pleaded guilty to stalking and aggravated identity theft.

 

According to court documents, Campos harassed his ex‑girlfriend from 2009 to 2023 by posting intimate images and personal information about her online without her consent. He created social media and forum accounts using her name and, in some cases, encouraged others to contact or harass her.

 

In 2021, Campos created an email account using the victim’s maiden name and used it to impersonate her and obtain her confidential legal file. Later that year, he sent intimate images of the victim to her attorney from the same account.

 

In 2022, Campos sent emails to an account belonging to the victim, attempting to confirm her identity and referencing a minor family member whose name he obtained from her legal file. In 2023, he used an instant messaging app to distribute intimate images of the victim to strangers and directed them to contact an email account he controlled that had previously belonged to the victim.

 

On April 9, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland indicted Campos on charges of stalking, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Under the plea agreement, Campos pleaded guilty to stalking and aggravated identity theft.

 

Campos has agreed to pay full restitution to the victim and to her attorney for services provided in response to the fraudulent records request.

 

Campos faces a maximum of five years in prison for stalking and a mandatory two‑year consecutive sentence for aggravated identity theft, along with fines and supervised release terms.

 

Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 1, 2027, before a U.S. District Court judge.

 

“Today’s plea sends a clear message that those who use the internet to harass, intimidate and exploit others will be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford. “We remain committed to protecting victims of online abuse and ensuring offenders face the full consequences of their actions.”

 

The FBI investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory R. Nyhus is prosecuting the case, with support from Assistant U.S. Attorney Mira Chernick.

###

 

Over the course of the multi-year effort, the scope of the project expanded—at the request of user agencies—to incorporate additional new technologies and equipment that further strengthened system performance, redundancy, and long-term capability. Additional funding support from the Oregon Legislature, federal grants, partnerships with agencies such as the Oregon Department of Transportation and Oregon State Police, and contributions from member agencies helped complete the project.

 

ECSO extends its deepest gratitude and recognition to the citizens of Jackson County, the local Oregon legislators who championed and helped secure $2.5 million in critical state funding that made completion of this vital project possible. We also thank all of our user public safety agencies—law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services—whose partnership and commitment have been essential every step of the way; the local cities that comprise the ECSO membership; Jackson County for its leadership in carrying the voter-approved bond and ongoing support; and the ECSO Board of Directors for their steadfast guidance and dedication throughout this multi-year effort.

 

The new system delivers real-time operable and interoperable voice radio communications supporting day-to-day operations, mutual aid, and multi-agency responses across a diverse and demanding geographic footprint—from urban centers to remote mountainous terrain.

 

Ongoing coordination with fire and law enforcement agencies, as well as Jackson County Roads, Parks, and Animal Services, continues to ensure a smooth transition and maximize the system’s capabilities.

 

For more information, contact:

Director Tim Doney

Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon (ECSO 911)

400 Pech Road, Central Point, OR 97502

(541) 774-5061

tim.doney@ecso911.com www.ecso911.com

TILLAMOOK STATE FOREST, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) worked with the non-profit Trash No Land to make major improvements to the four shooting lanes at Wolf Creek in the Tillamook State Forest. They reopened the lanes this month after being closed for several weeks to complete the work.

 

“The improvements include increased yardage at the lanes, packed gravel walkways and staging areas, new signage, and fire and other safety improvements,” said Ben Burns, Recreation Facilities Manager for ODF’s State Forests Division. “Thanks to the $30,000 raised by Trash No Lands we were able to get all this work done in just a few weeks.”

 

One of the most notable improvements was the increased yardage for the lanes.

 

“The number one ask from target shooters using the lanes was increased yardage,” said Bill Cogley, president and co-founder of Trash No Land.

Lane 1 was 35 yards, and now it’s 120 yards. Lane 2 was 24 yards, and now it’s 70 yards, Lane 3 was 60 yards plus the 16-yard pistol berm, and it’s now 70 yards with the pistol berm slightly longer at 18 yards, Lane 4 was 80 yards and is now 106 yards.

 

“The 100-yard distance is important because that’s what most hunters and target shooters use to sight in their rifles,” said Cogley. “What people were doing is setting their target way up the backstops in areas with a lot of vegetation to get the 100-yards. During summer that was a big safety concern since those rounds had the potential to start fires.”

 

Cogley and Burns are confident the new 100-yard plus lanes will greatly reduce that hazard.

 

“We also did a lot of vegetation management before the contractor started work,” said Burns. “Crews from South Fork Forest Camp (SFFC) cleared out brush and dry vegetation on the sides and back of the lanes to improve fire safety.”

 

SFFC is jointly run by ODF and the Department of Corrections and does many construction and maintenance projects in Tillamook State Forest. They also provide trained fire crews during wildfire season.

 

The other big improvement at the lanes was the addition of gravel.

 

“These lanes often were a muddy mess six-to-eight months out of the year,” said Cogley. “It made it inconvenient and messy to stand and walk out to set up and retrieve targets. So, some folks were kind of lazy and didn’t want to walk through the mud to pick up their used targets and pack out their other trash if it was wet and muddy. Now the lanes have gravel walkways out to set up the targets and gravel behind the Jersey barriers where folks shoot from. Our hope is this will greatly reduce the trash left at the ranges.”

 

Although the walkways are not ADA compliant, they do provide better wheelchair access.

 

“One of our board members uses a wheelchair so he was an advocate for making the walkways easy to use for those with mobility issues,” said Cogley. “The compacted gravel makes that possible now.”

 

The other improvement was better informational signage.

 

“Increased use of visuals on the signs make them quicker and easier to read and the repaired wood kiosks at each lane should make them more durable,” said Burns

 

Trash No Land also repainted the concrete Jersey barriers with a camouflage design, scrubbed graffiti off of boulders and picked up trash.

 

“Our hope is with all these improvements the estimated 25,000 yearly users of the lanes will take better care of them,” said Cogley. “Without a doubt these are the best public land shooting lanes in the entire Northwest which is why you see so many shooters out here.”

 

Cogley appreciates the 10-year working relationship with ODF.

 

“Our non-profit became official back in 2017, and we started it because of ODF’s willingness to listen, work and improve Wolf Creek in a collaborative manner.  It’s truly a win-win for everyone.”

 

For more information about volunteer opportunities, see the Trash No Land website.

For current regulations, updates and closures, visit the Tillamook State Forest target shooting website or contact the ODF Forest Grove office at (503) 357-2191.

For more information about Trash No Land and volunteer opportunities, see the Trash No Land website.

October 13, 2026

Media Contact: Kristen Lambert, isten.Lambert@oha.oregon.gov" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Kristen.Lambert@oha.oregon.gov

Medicaid Advisory Committee Accepting Applications

External - New Applicants

• New applicants please apply externally HERE
  • You will be instructed to create a Workday profile using an email and password
  • Sign in, search for Medicaid Advisory Committee, and select the Apply button
• Detailed guidance on how to apply externally can be found - HERE

Internal – New Applicants

Applicants who are already board members applying for reappointment or would like to apply for another board, and/or current state workers, please apply internally:

• Log into Workday – HERE
  • On the homepage, click on Menu and then select
  • Click on Internal – Find
  • Search for Medicaid Advisory Committee and select the Apply
• Detailed guidance on how to apply internally can also be found – HERE

Only complete applications will be considered. A complete application consists of: contact information, short personal bio, responses to application questions, demographic information, uploaded resume, background check questions, voluntary disclosures, and additional tasks (prompted by Workday).

Applicants are subject to a background check, and additional vetting may apply for some board positions. Notifying us about something in your past does not necessarily mean that you cannot or will not be appointed; but, it is important that you disclose this information in the beginning of the process. Please ensure your fiscal responsibilities are in order when applying. Non-compliant issues may delay or jeopardize your potential appointment.

Contact: If you have questions, please contact Sarah Wetherson (mac.info@odhsoha.oregon.gov, 503-793-1920).

You can get this document in other languages, large print, braille or a format you prefer free of charge. Contact MAC.Info@odhsoha.oregon.gov or 971-304-9642. We accept all relay calls. 

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KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. — October 11, 2026 — Klamath County Fire District 1 (KCFD1) responded to a structure fire on Clinton Avenue in Klamath Falls on Sunday, October 11, 2026.

Fire crews arrived on scene approximately four minutes after dispatch and immediately initiated an aggressive offensive fire attack. The quick response and coordinated efforts of firefighters successfully contained the majority of the fire damage to the garage, with limited extension into the attic space.

 

A total of 14 emergency responders, operating with four fire engines and two command vehicles, responded to the incident. Their rapid actions helped prevent further fire spread into the residence, significantly reducing the potential for additional property damage.

 

No injuries to occupants or responding firefighters were reported.

 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

 

Klamath County Fire District 1 remains committed to providing prompt, professional emergency services to protect the lives and property of the community we serve.

 

Participants in the State Emergency Coordination Center during the 2024 State Level Exercise.

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is conducting its 2026 State Level Exercise, Getting Through Lahar’d Times, this week, October 13–16, bringing together state agencies, counties, Tribes, and community partners to test Oregon’s ability to recover from a major volcanic eruption.

 

Unlike most state-level exercises—which traditionally emphasize short-term disaster response—this year’s exercise focuses on long-term recovery, offering Oregon a rare opportunity to test its newly adopted Oregon Disaster Recovery Base Plan. Few states have the chance to meaningfully exercise recovery operations at this scale, making Getting Through Lahar’d Times an exceptional milestone for statewide preparedness.

 

This exercise is also the first in Oregon to integrate community members as special observers and evaluators, including volunteers, representatives from organizations active in disasters, and individuals connected with under resourced communities. Their involvement reflects OEM’s commitment to building a Ready and Resilient Oregon through whole community participation.

 

“I want to thank our community advising partners serving as special evaluators,” OEM Director Erin McMahon, said. “Your perspectives play a vital role in helping us understand how well the State Recovery Plan supports and includes the whole community. Your feedback will help us improve Oregon’s recovery strategies and make them stronger and more equitable. This is a first for Oregon and is emblematic of OEM's vision of a Ready and Resilient Oregon. Thank you especially to the leadership of Natasha Fox, Robert Quinn, and Quinn Butler, who worked toward a creative solution to develop this partnership.”

A Statewide Exercise Built for Whole Community Engagement

As Oregon observes International Emergency Manager Awareness Month, agencies and partners statewide are preparing to practice the transition from emergency response to long-term recovery. Using a realistic volcanic eruption scenario, participants will:

• Conduct damage assessments
• Transition from response to recovery operations
• Set statewide recovery objectives
• Develop a State Recovery Action Plan
• Coordinate resource allocation under the Oregon Disaster Recovery Base Plan

Local, Tribal, and community partners are essential to the exercise’s success, bringing cultural context, local operational realities, and community specific needs into the planning environment.

“The value of these exercises is that they let us practice the hardest days of a disaster without the consequences of an actual event," Robert Quinn, OEM exercise officer, said. “We learn what works, what needs strengthening, and how we can better support communities when the real thing happens.”

Building on Lessons Learned

Oregon has a long history of using state level exercises to prepare for large and complex disasters.

• Cascadia Rising 2016 examined the first 72 hours after a simulated Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake.
• IronOR24 expanded the play into days four through seven, helping responders practice sustained operations and refine their transition into recovery.

The 2026 exercise now advances this progression by exercising recovery coordination—a phase rarely tested in statewide training.

“Every exercise is an investment in Oregon’s resilience,” McMahon said. “Our communities expect us to be prepared, and these statewide efforts help us strengthen the systems and relationships we rely on in a disaster.”

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Board of Forestry will meet for a planning retreat on Oct. 26 through 28. The retreat’s three-day itinerary will include an executive session, field tour and public meetings. The planning retreat offers the board and department leadership the opportunity to connect on their shared strategic plan.

 

The public can attend in-person at the Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites, 2525 Ashland Street, Ashland or observe via a livestream on the department’s YouTube page.

 

During this informal retreat, board members will focus on:

• Board member and executive team introductions
• Agency overview
• Vision for Oregon’s Forests
• Executive Session
• Executive Order 25-26 Climate Resilience Work Plan
• Board Work Plans
• Board discussion

View the agenda and retreat details.

 

The Executive Session will be closed to the public, except for members of the press who are permitted to attend by law. This Executive Session is held pursuant to ORS 192.660 (2)(f) to consider information or records that are exempt by law from public inspection as well as pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(h) to consult with legal counsel concerning the legal rights and duties of a public body with regard to current litigation or litigation likely to be filed.

 

This meeting will not have live public testimony, but written comments can be submitted before or up to two weeks after the meeting day by mail to the Board Support Office, 2600 State St., Salem, OR 97310 or email to oardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov">boardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov. Please include the appropriate agenda item and topic with the submission.

 

Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged by calling at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-302-6344 or by email at oardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov">boardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov.

 

The Oregon Board of Forestry consists of seven citizens nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Responsibilities include setting management direction for state-owned forests, adopting rules governing timber harvest and other practices on private forestland, and promoting sustainable management of Oregon’s 30-million-acre forestland base. Learn more about the board.

For immediate release

October 12, 2026

Contact Chris Nelson (503) 551-0531

 

TELECOMMUNICATIONS CURRICULUM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULED

 

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon is working to reduce wildfire risk, improve forest health, and protect communities by investing $10 million in projects that are part of the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) landscape resiliency approach. 

 

The current grant awards will fund joint projects in Douglas, Grant, Jackson, and Josephine counties. The projects will reduce hazardous fuels, restore fire-adapted landscapes, and improve landscape resilience across more than 6,400 acres. 

 

Forest Resources Division Chief Josh Barnard said, “with more than 2 million acres burned by wildfires in Oregon so far in 2026, this work has become more important than ever. Every responsibly managed acre helps reduce wildfire risk around communities and improves the long-term health of Oregon’s forests and rangelands.” 

 

The ODF landscape resiliency effort is Oregon’s primary all-lands investment hub to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires before fires even start. This approach supports efforts across public, private, and Tribal lands that are part of Oregon’s 20-year landscape resiliency strategy. The goal is to coordinate and complete landscape-scale work that helps forests and protects communities. 

 

This year’s investments continue Oregon’s commitment to put wildfire risk reduction and landscape resiliency dollars to work where it matters most – on the ground. 

 

“This year’s projects demonstrate what can get done when local communities, landowners, Tribes, federal agencies and partners work toward shared goals – protecting our communities and stewarding natural resources,” said Barnard. 

 

ODF is focusing on larger forest resiliency by reducing tree density in some areas and planting better adapted trees in others. 

 

“ODF is improving methods to enhance landscape resiliency to better protect our forests from large disturbance events,” said ODF Forest Entomologist Christine Buhl. “We are building tools to better diagnose problems and offering strategies and resources to landowners to help them do adaptive management. This includes metrics to help identify site and climate conditions and where stress is predicted. These tools and identification processes are a part of how we prepare and recover from stress from heat and droughts, insect pests and diseases, and wildfires.”

 

The projects funded in this round include: 

• Douglas County

ODF will invest $1.29 million through the Little River Landscape Resiliency Project. This project will create strategic fuel breaks along Lane Mountain, the Little River drainage and Cavitt Creek. These breaks will improve firefighter access and reduce wildfire intensity in high-risk areas. 

• Josephine and Jackson counties

The two southern Oregon counties will see $4.85 million invested through the Hotshot Rx Connect project. This project will thin forest stands and use prescribed fire across almost 2,700 acres. The work will reduce hazardous fuels, restore forest health, and improve wildfire response access. 

• Grant County

ODF is investing $3.46 million into the John Day Landscape Resiliency Project. The work will include thinning forests, removing junipers that compete with more valuable timber trees for water, and planning ongoing wildfire risk reduction across 3,400 acres. The plan will reduce wildfire risk and improve landscape resilience. One example is a 57-acre prescribed burn of thinned areas on private ponderosa pine forest near Monument. That burn was carried out by the Prescribed Burn Association, a collaboration that included OSU, ODF, Soil and Water Conservation Service, and local landowners.

 

This year’s investment lays the groundwork for future success. The funds will help develop new landscape plans that align priorities among the USDA Forest Stewardship Program, Natural Resources Conservation Service, ODF, and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. These plans pinpoint priority landscapes, improve coordination, and guide investments. 

 

ODF continues to strengthen this all-lands investment approach with ongoing funding and better coordination between local ODF districts, other public agencies, tribes, private landowners and local communities to identify and complete the highest-priority projects. 

 

Beyond funding individual treatments, ODF bridges state and federal programs through collaborative planning, leveraging investments, and coordinating cross-boundary work to produce larger, more meaningful impacts. 

 

An example of this coordinated work is the Central Oregon Shared Stewardship Project. Partners in the project, including ODF and multiple soil and water conservation districts among others, thinned ponderosa pine forest and cut brush along roadsides near Black Butte Ranch.  After the work was complete, this summer the 27,491-acre Akawa Butte Fire came through, burning part of the treated area.

 

“Because of the work done in this area, firefighters were able to fight the fire from safer places along roads where there was less fuel,” said ODF’s State Initiatives Grant Coordinator Jenna Nelson. “It also allowed fire fighters to immediately backburn the treated land without having to prepare it first, saving precious time. The back burns consumed fuel ahead of the advancing fire front, stopping it in those areas. Because treated areas burned with lower intensity, they will also have a better chance at recovering, with a high percentage of trees surviving.”

 

Landowners and partners interested in participating in future landscape resiliency projects are encouraged to contact their local ODF office. 

Previous Landscape Resiliency Program projects can be viewed at Oregon Department of Forestry : Landscape Resiliency Program : State of Oregon. 

                                                                                          # # # 

RELEASE DATE: October 9 ,2026

                                                         

INCIDENT: Animal Neglect Arrest

 

CASE: 26-27322

 

REPORTING DEPUTY: ACO Supervisor Audisio

 

ARRESTED:  Radomsky, Roxanda, 72 years old

 

CHARGES: First Degree Animal Neglect x 1

                    Second Degree Animal Neglect x 6

                                      

DETAILS: On October 4, 2026, Josephine County Animal Control received a complaint of possible animal neglect.  The following day, Animal Control Officers (ACO) made contact with Roxanda Radomsky to begin an investigation into the allegations. ACOs offered solutions and attempted to assist Radomsky with her situation and gave her a deadline to remedy the situation, to which she failed to comply with.

 

On October 8, 2026, Josephine County Animal Control Officers, assisted by Josephine County Sheriff's Office Detectives and Grants Pass Police Department, served a search warrant at Radomsky’s residence on NE Ridge Road in Grants Pass. During the search warrant, 4 dogs, 1 cat, and 2 large pigs were seized from inside of the residence. Radomsky was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Adult Jail on the above listed charges.  All 7 animals have been examined and are receiving necessary care.

 

At the time of this press release no further details are being released.

 

More information

Additional background and resources on becoming a member of the Governor’s boards and commissions can be found on the Governor’s website.

For questions about the LGBTQIA2S+ Subcommittee of the Governor’s Commission on Senior Services, send an email to tqia2s.commission@odhs.oregon.gov" target="_blank" title="mailto:lgbtqia2s.commission@odhs.oregon.gov">lgbtqia2s.commission@odhs.oregon.gov.

Salem, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry understands that with wildfire regulations changing at the city, county and state level, knowing what the fire restrictions are in your area may be confusing. Here are some quick Q&As to help clear up some of that confusion.

 

When can I burn my yard debris?

 

Across Oregon there are multiple jurisdictions that vary from city to county to state to federal, and each may have different restrictions on fire. While in fire season, debris burning is prohibited on ODF-protected lands. But what if you’re outside of ODF jurisdiction?

 

The easiest way to look up if it is safe to burn your yard debris is to visit beforeyouburn.net. The Before You Burn program simplifies and coordinates burns and provides real-time information to ensure the safety of Oregon’s communities. The online system empowers community members with the knowledge they need to comply with local regulations and burn responsibly.

 

What if I want to have a campfire?

 

Oregon is well known for its beautiful landscapes and forests, making outdoor recreation one of the most popular pastimes in the state. To keep these beautiful forests, it’s important to check the local regulations of the area or the regulations at state or national park you’re camping in. Campfires may be allowed but only in designated sites and, depending on fire danger, they may not be allowed at all.

 

Regulations may vary depending on where you are, so using the public resources available will make planning your trip much easier.

• Look up ODF fire regulations before recreating.
• Oregon State Parks has a trip planning tool that will give you all the information you need to know about the campsite you’re staying at. 
• Find the national forest you’re visiting and plan ahead.
• Learn about the different recreation activities and campground restrictions on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

The common theme, especially during this time of year, is to check local regulations before you go. Taking that extra step will help protect Oregon’s forests from wildfire and keep them open for recreation.

 

What about the prescribed fires around me? Is that safe?

 

Prescribed burning is a valuable tool for maintaining a healthy forest, reducing wildfire smoke and reducing risks to public safety. These fires are thoroughly planned throughout the year to meet ecological objectives and are only lit when weather and fuel conditions are favorable to protect sensitive communities and areas from their smoke. If conditions change and are deemed unfavorable, the burn is postponed.

Trails will be closed starting mid- and late October.

Port Orford, Ore. – Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is conducting several land and forest management projects in October. This is a regular part of OPRD’s stewardship and supports healthy ecosystems.

Check the park pages linked below for updates.

Humbug Mountain State Park

Humbug Mountain Trail will be closed for about two weeks starting Monday, Oct. 19. OPRD is managing a sudden oak death infestation in tanoak. Sudden oak death is an invasive pathogen that causes tanoak to die. The treatment is necessary to remove the infected and dead tanoak to reduce the spread of sudden oak death within the park and surrounding areas.

Within the 21-acre treatment area all tanoak will be cut down and the tree stumps will be treated with herbicide to limit resprouting. This treatment will also reduce the chances of wildfire risk by removing the unhealthy and dead trees. Initially discovered in Oregon in 2001, this pathogen spread within Curry County affecting private, state, and federal landowners.

Cape Blanco State Park

The horse trail system will be closed for about three weeks starting Monday, Oct. 26. OPRD is reducing tree density within this area to enhance habitat, specifically to support the state and federally listed endangered western lily.

This work will take place across 34 acres and include removing tree seedings, saplings and other trees to allow more meadow species to thrive and reduce encroachment in the sensitive western lily area.

MEDFORD, Ore.—A Grants Pass, Oregon, man pleaded guilty today to illegally possessing a gun he stole in a burglary, announced U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon.

 

Matthew Bertrand, 45, pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm. Bertrand is a felon, having been previously convicted five other times for burglary and theft.

 

According to court documents, on January 5, 2024, Central Point Police responded to a burglary in progress. A witness told police that the witness saw a man wearing a black ski mask, a black jacket, and blue jeans jump the fence and go inside a home.

 

When police arrived and spoke to the homeowner, they saw Bertrand flee through the back of the home. Police caught Bertrand after chasing him through multiple backyards. Bertrand had a black ski mask. Police recovered the gun belonging to the homeowner in the area where Bertrand ran.

 

Bertrand admitted to "rob[bing] the house", stealing the gun, and being in the victim's house on a prior occasion because the owner had "lots of toys."

 

On June 6, 2024, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a two-count indictment charging Bertrand with felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm. He will be sentenced on March 11, 2027, before U.S. District Court Judge Kasubhai.

 

Bertrand faces a maximum of life with a mandatory minimum of fifteen years’ imprisonment as an armed career criminal. He also faces a fine of $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a $100 fee assessment.

 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Medford Police Department, and Central Point Police Department are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Judi Harper is prosecuting the case.

 

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.

 

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ASHLAND, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management is developing a proposal to improve forest habitat on about 1,600 acres near Eagle Point. The area is overly dense with vegetation, causing increased competition between trees, limited habitat complexity, and increasing susceptibility to wildfire. The project would include limited timber harvest to speed the development of nesting habitat for the northern spotted owl and maintain healthy streams.

 

“By conducting this habitat improvement, we achieve our land management and forestry objectives, while providing timber to local mills, jobs to our neighbors, and revenue to western Oregon counties,” said Lauren Brown, BLM Ashland Field Manager.

 

 The BLM opened a 30-day public comment period on Oct. 7, for input on potential issues, impacts, and alternatives to be addressed in an upcoming environmental assessment.

 

“People are extremely helpful in identifying the highest priority areas, potential conflicts, and other topics important to them for us to consider,” said Brown.

 

Additional information about the project, including how to comment, is available at the BLM NEPA Register. To be most useful during the scoping process, comments should be specific and clearly identify potential issues, resource conflicts, treatment locations, reasonable alternatives, or other information relevant to the proposed project. General expressions of support or opposition, repeated statements, or lengthy submissions that do not clearly identify specific issues or relevant information may not provide the BLM with information useful for scoping. Commenters should clearly identify the specific concern, location, resource, or information they would like the BLM to consider.

 

In western Oregon, the BLM manages timberlands under the Oregon and California Revested Lands Sustained Yield Management Act of 1937, which ensures sustainable forestry practices that support communities and livelihoods. Revenue from timber harvested on Oregon and California lands is shared between the U.S. Treasury and 18 western Oregon counties. This funding provides local communities with the means to construct new county buildings; develop fairgrounds and museums; support libraries, schools, and jails; and build flood-control dams and reservoirs. Each year, the BLM timber sales support approximately 2,000 local jobs and generate more than $1 billion for local economies. 

 

-BLM-

The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

 

2026 Board on Public Safety Standards & Training

 and Policy Committee

Open Vacancy – Recruitments

 

The Board on Public Safety Standards & Training (BPSST) and established Policy Committees have open vacancies looking to be filled. The current vacancies are as follows:

 

BPSST: All Board applications must be submitted through Workday.com and are reviewed on a rolling basis

• One member who is an administrator of a municipality recommended to the Governor by the executive body of the League of Oregon Cities
• One member who is part of a marginalized or historically underrepresented community
• One member who is a representative of the collective bargaining unit that represents the largest number of individual workers in the DOC

Policy Committees: All Policy Committee applications must be submitted by December 17, 2026.

 

Corrections Policy Committee:

• One non-management corrections officer employed by the DOC

Police Policy Committee:

• One person recommended by and representing the Oregon State Sheriffs' Association
• One person representing the public who has never been employed or utilized as a police officer, certified reserve officer, reserve officer or regulatory specialist and who is not related within the second degree by affinity or consanguinity to a person who is employed or utilized as a police officer, certified reserve officer, reserve officer or regulatory specialist.​

Private Security/Investigator Policy Committee:

• One person representing unarmed private security professionals
• One person representing the manufacturing industry
• One person representing the retail industry
• One person representing the hospitality industry
• One person representing the public who has never been employed or utilized as a private security provider or investigator

Private Investigator Subcommittee:

• One currently licensed private investigator

Telecommunications Policy Committee:

• One person recommended by and representing a statewide association of public safety communications officers
• One person representing Emergency Medical Services & Trauma 

To inquire about a vacancy, please visit Department of Public Safety Standards & Training : Board on Public Safety Standards & Training and Policy Committees : Boards and Committees : State of Oregon.

 

If interested in applying for a Policy Committee position, please complete and submit the Policy Committee Interest Form found under the ‘Board and Committee Resources’ section of the website listed above.

 

If interested in applying for a BPSST position, please complete the online application at Workday Board and Commission Opportunities. (Please note that an account may need to be created if not already in Workday)

 

For further information regarding the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training or its respective Policy Committees, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167 or juan.lopez-hernandez@dpsst.oregon.gov.

 

Thank you,

 

DPSST Board & Committees Staff

Aurora, Ore. – Oregon State Parks invites you to join award-winning author Silpa Kona for the launch of A Dragon in My Campground, a reading, and a Monster Watchers camping activity for kids and families on Oct. 17 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Books will be available at to purchase from the author and at the visitor center store.
 

Kona’s Monster Watchers series, which includes A Monster on My Trail, winner of a Moonbeam Children's Book Awards Gold Medal, and A Dragon in My Campground, winner of a Moonbeam Children's Book Awards Silver Medal, are a celebration of imagination, courage and exploring the outdoors.
 

In her own words, “I wrote it because I wanted kids—especially kids with big imaginations, big fears, or big feelings—to see themselves out on the trail. To know that being scared is okay. And that sometimes, the monster is just… a shadow with good PR.”
 

The event takes place at the Champoeg State Heritage Area visitor center. Pets are not allowed inside the building. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The event is free, but all vehicles must display a valid Oregon State Parks parking permit or camping reservation.
 

Oregon State Parks is committed to making our events accessible to everyone. If you require an accommodation or service to fully participate, please contact Park Ranger Jeremy Williams at 503-800-3958 at least three days prior to the event.

Oregon joins in the celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) this October. It’s a time to celebrate the contributions people with disabilities make in workplaces and recognize businesses that recruit and hire employees with disabilities.
 

This year’s theme of “celebrating value and talent” is reflected in Oregon throughout the year in the countless ways people with disabilities bring value to their jobs and communities.
 

“Our communities and economy are stronger when the talents and strengths of people with disabilities are part of the workforce,” said Allison Enriquez, Oregon’s Employment First Coordinator. “Working is also a cornerstone to people’s independence, well-being and community connection.”
 

In Oregon, the employment rate for working-age people with disabilities increased about 10 percentage points between 2015 and 2023, from about 37.8% to 47.7%, according to the Center for Research on Disability. Despite this progress, a substantial employment gap remains: in 2023, 47.7% of Oregonians with disabilities ages 18 to 64 were employed, compared with 79.7% of Oregonians without disabilities.
 

“This progress speaks to the strong supports Oregon put in place to help people with disabilities enter and stay in the workforce,” Enriquez said. “However, there is still work to do. Oregon is committed to ensuring employment supports remain strong so everyone has access to reach their potential and fully participate in their communities.”

NDEAM webinar series

Partners who deliver employment services invite everyone to join a series of webinars in October to celebrate workplace successes and educate the community about resources and services available for job seekers with disabilities.
 

Webinars are scheduled Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom. For details on each session and accessibility information, go to Oregon’s NDEAM event web page.

• Oct. 13 – Oregon as a Model Employer: Promoting employment and career advancement for people with disabilities in state and local government
   
• Oct. 20 – What is ableism and why it matters in the workplace
   
• Oct. 27 – Technology in employment: How assistive technology and AI can support people with disabilities at work
   
• Nov. 3 – Peer2Peer: An award-winning employment mentorship program for students with disabilities

These events are hosted by the Oregon’s Department of Human Services (ODHS) Office of Developmental Disabilities Services and Vocational Rehabilitation program, Oregon Commission for the Blind and the Oregon Department of Education.

Employment resources for people with disabilities

• Office of Developmental Disabilities Services has employment services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
   
• Vocational Rehabilitation helps people with all kinds of disabilities find and keep a job and advance in their careers.
   
• Oregon Commission for the Blind helps people with vision loss find and keep a job and advance in their careers.
   
• Ticket to Work is a free federal program for people who are blind or have a disability and receive Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income. People who are 18 to 64 years old and want to work may access this program to prepare for work and find a job.
   
• Employed Persons with Disabilities is a Medicaid program that helps people with disabilities go to work while keeping their Medicaid coverage.
   
• Oregon ABLE Savings Plan is a way people with disabilities can save for the future without the fear of losing needed government benefits.
   
• Free benefits counseling is available to answer job seekers’ questions about how working may affect their benefits.

Information on these programs is available on the ODHS web page “Get Help Finding a Job.”

The Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries (OCHC) will meet in Springfield at the Springfield City Hall Library Room, 225 5th Street, and via online meeting on October 22 at 1:00 p.m. The agenda includes discussion of the Oregon Heritage Plan, partnerships that support the Laurel Grove Cemetery and publications about historic cemeteries. The meeting is open to the public and the agenda includes an opportunity for public comment. Meeting information is on the agenda or you can follow this link to register for online access information.
 

The Eugene Masonic Cemetery visit will be October 23 at 11:00 a.m. Meet at the cemetery at  University Street and E 25^th Avenue.
 

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

Special accommodations for the meeting – including translation services – may be made by calling (503) 986‐0609 or erly.Spivey@oprd.oregon.gov">Kimberly.Spivey@oprd.oregon.gov at least 72 hours prior to the start of the meeting. For call-in details and the agenda or more information about the commission, visit www.oregonheritage.org.