Shaping the Future of School Leadership in Rural Communities (Photo)ESD 105 - 12/02/25 3:54 PM
Shaping the Future of School Leadership in Rural Communities
Renewed funding ensures rural school leaders receive high-quality professional learning through UW Center for Educational Leadership.
We are thrilled to announce the continuation of the Aspiring Leaders program, thanks to renewed financial support from Ballmer Group. Before this expanded investment, College Spark Washington generously supported one year of programming for two initial cohorts, helping establish a strong foundation for the work. This vital five-year partnership ensures that local school leaders, particularly those serving rural communities, have access to high-quality professional learning delivered in collaboration with the University of Washington Center for Educational Leadership (UW CEL).
The Aspiring Leaders program is specifically designed to equip current and future school leaders with the skills and perspective needed to foster positive change within their schools. A key focus of the training is on lifting the voices of students to directly inform school strategies and create a positive, lasting impact on student learning experiences.
“The quality of leadership in our schools is directly tied to the success of our students,” said Alicia Jacob, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services at ESD 105. “Thanks to Ballmer Group’s investment, we can continue to partner with the experts at UW CEL to provide tailored, practical training that addresses the unique needs of our rural schools. This work is fundamentally about empowering leaders who will, in turn, empower our students.”
A unique and invaluable component of the program is the opportunity it provides for peer connection and regional collaboration. Leaders from various districts across the region can meet, observe, reflect, and grow together, creating a supportive network that extends beyond formal training sessions. This collaborative approach enhances professional reflection and accelerates the adoption of best practices.
The ongoing support from Ballmer Group highlights their commitment to strengthening regional educational systems and ensuring that students in all communities—especially those in rural areas—benefit from strong, visionary school leadership and feel a sense of belonging and relevance within their educational experience.
For more information, please contact: Alicia Jacobs, Assistant Superintendent
About ESD 105:
ESD 105 serves the educational needs of schools and students in South Central Washington. Through partnerships, internal collaboration, and innovation, ESD 105 serves and supports students, families, and communities by removing barriers and transforming lives.
U.S. Attorney's Office - District of Oregon - 12/02/25 3:24 PM
EUGENE, Ore.—A Douglas County, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for selling fentanyl and methamphetamine and illegally possessing firearms.
Glenn Allen Gearhart, 51, was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on October 18, 2024, Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT) detectives executed a search warrant on Gearhart’s residence and found evidence of drug dealing including methamphetamine, cocaine, drug records, a set of digital scales, packaging material, four loaded magazines, and ammunition. Just prior to the execution of the search warrant, Gearhart fled from deputies before hitting another vehicle and crashing into a patrol car. Gearhart had more than $5,000, fentanyl, and a round of ammunition on him. In his vehicle, he possessed a stolen pistol, an AR-style rifle, a short-barrel shotgun, another shotgun, and two ammunition cans full of ammunition.
On June 13, 2025, Gearhart was charged by information with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and felon in possession of a firearm.
On August 5, 2025, Gearhart pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, and felon in possession of a firearm.
This case was investigated by DINT and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Sweet.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
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USAOR.PublicAffairs@usdoj.gov
Oregon Dept. of Forestry - 12/02/25 2:33 PM
Veneta, Ore.--An energetic work party consisting of volunteers and staff from the Oregon Hunters Association – Emerald Valley Chapter, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Oregon Department of Forestry gathered at the Walker Point meadow habitat project site to remove invasive vegetation, including foxglove and thistle, earlier this year.
“This is the second year for the meadow, and our summertime pollinator monitoring found the restored meadow was buzzing with native pollinators including five bumble bee species, as well as numerous butterfly and other various bee and insect species,” said Randy Smith, ODF State Forests Wildlife Biologist.
It takes a lot of work to keep the native pollinator plants thriving at the meadow.
“All the partners came together for the day to remove the invasive plant species to reduce competition with the native pollinator plants that we seeded the previous year,” said Smith. “We removed everything by hand, eliminating the need to spray herbicides within the meadow,” said Smith.
The four-acre Walker Meadows site is located about 13 miles west of Veneta and is at an elevation of 2,300 feet. It’s at the top of Walker Point, where there are also three communication towers and an ODF smoke detection camera. The 2020 wildfires prompted a timber sale to reduce fire risk and limit potential damage to infrastructure from falling trees from the 84-year-old timber stand on the point. At the same time ODFW was looking for suitable sites for an upland meadow. The two agencies worked together to prepare the site, with ODFW receiving grant funding to remove 4.3 acres of stumps and level the ground to make the area ready for replanting. Last year all the planting of native species was completed.
Now the project is seeing good results in its second year.
“The meadow is not just for pollinators but a wide ranges of wildlife,” said Smith. “Donated nest boxes installed the first year successfully fledged violet-green swallows, and ODFW Conservation Strategy Species including western bluebirds and purple martins this nesting season.”
It also provides good forage for larger mammals like deer and elk and an array of small ones too.
“The Oregon Hunter’s Association—Emerald Valley Chapter was looking for a volunteer project, and this project aligned with both our goals,” said Smith. “Four acres doesn’t sound like a big area until you start pulling those weeds. They were key in providing enough people to get those invasive plants out.”
Recently after native plants finished flowering, ODFW mowed a large portion of the meadow to promote native plant development, improve forage quality for wildlife, and further reduce invasive plant competition.
“Our goal is to keep this going for years to provided unique habitat and long-term research on species of interest,” said Smith. “A huge thank you to our partners for continuing work to maintain a unique habitat feature in the Coast Range.”
For more information on ODF’s efforts see the State Forests webpage under the heading of “Conservation and Restoration”
For more information on ODFW, see their Wildlife Division website.
For more on the Oregon Hunter’s Association—Emerald Valley Chapter, see their Facebook page.
Attached Media Files: A group of volunteers pull out invasive foxglove from the Walker Point meadow habitat project site. The volunteers from the Oregon Hunters Association – Emerald Valley Chapter, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Oregon Department of Forestry worked to keep native pollinator plants thriving at the meadow. , This group of snag trees that were intentionally left standing in the middle of the meadow project provides a place for nest boxes, a trail camera, and even the pollinator habitat sign for this special project. The snags provide critical habitat for a variety of species. , The meadow was seeded with native plants, and they grew quickly the first year. , The meadow was mowed this summer, the second year of the project, to promote native plant development, improve forage quality for wildlife, and further reduce invasive plant competition.
Oregon Historical Society - 12/02/25 12:34 PM
Portland, OR — Kick off the holiday season on Sunday, December 7 at Holiday Cheer: A Celebration of Oregon Authors. Visit with more than 65 local writers from 12pm to 4pm as you sip on hot cocoa, enjoy festive treats, and get a jump on your holiday shopping! Admission is free and includes access to both the book sale and museum exhibitions.
This year, some of the Pacific Northwest’s most prominent authors will be at OHS selling everything from children’s books to guidebooks to mysteries to histories! Featured authors include New York Times bestselling historical fiction author Kristina McMorris, Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read, journalist and podcaster Leah Sottile, and Steve Prefontaine biographer Brendan O’Meara. View a full list of participating authors at ohs.org/holidaycheer.
To add to the festivities, the popular Meier & Frank Santaland display will be back on view! Generations of Oregonians have fond memories of the downtown Portland Meier & Frank department store’s Santaland. A ride on the iconic Monorail and a chance to sit on Santa’s lap became a Christmas tradition for many families. Following the closure of Macy’s downtown store (which purchased Meier & Frank in 2005), a small number of items from Santaland were donated to OHS, which have been displayed annually since 2018. Come share in the holiday cheer with a visit to this nostalgic display, featuring Rudolph, animatronic elves, holiday decor, a model of the beloved monorail. The well-remembered Cinnamon Bear costume from Lipman’s holiday traditions will also be on display.
The museum galleries will be open from 12pm to 5pm. In addition to Santaland, featured exhibitions will include:
- She Flies with Her Own Wings, a look at Oregon’s golden age of aviation in the 1930s that shares how flight reshaped lives and technology.
- June Drake: Preserving the Past to Shape the Future, a retrospective of photographer June D. Drake’s work documenting life in Silverton, Oregon, and surrounding areas and the evolution of rural Oregon over six decades.
- The Yasui Family: An American Story, which shares one Oregon family’s experiences of racism, incarceration, and their unwavering commitment to justice, reflecting broader civil rights struggles in America.
- “We Were All Living a Dream”, a photographic exhibition of Donna Pollach’s intimate portraits of feminist and lesbian communities in 1970s Portland, chronicling their activism, camaraderie, and challenges.
For 56 years, OHS has celebrated the state’s rich literary talents at this annual book signing event. Book sales at Holiday Cheer support the Oregon Historical Society’s mission to preserve our state’s history and make it accessible to everyone in ways that advance knowledge and inspire curiosity about all the people, places, and events that have shaped Oregon.
About the Oregon Historical Society
For more than 125 years, the Oregon Historical Society has served as the state’s collective memory, preserving a vast collection of objects, photographs, maps, manuscript materials, books, films, and oral histories. Our research library, museum, digital platforms, educational programming, and historical journal make Oregon’s history open and accessible to all. We exist because history is powerful, and because a history as deep and complex as Oregon’s cannot be contained within a single story or point of view.
Chief Marketing & Communications Officer
971.409.3761 (cell/text)
rachel.randles@ohs.org
Oregon Health Authority - 12/02/25 12:33 PM
December 2, 2025
Media contact: Timothy Heider, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov
Recreational use advisory lifted for Wapato Marsh at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
Continue to keep pets away as levels detected remain above educational guideline values for animals
PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has lifted the recreational use health advisory issued for Wapato Marsh at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge in Multnomah County.
OHA issued the advisory May 1.
Water monitoring has confirmed that the level of cyanotoxins in Wapato Marsh at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge are below recreational guideline values for people. However, levels detected are still above OHA’s educational guideline values for dogs, and owners should keep their pets away from these areas.
OHA advises recreational visitors to continually be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable.
Only a fraction of water bodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab.
When recreating, people, and especially small children, and pets should avoid areas where the water is foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green or blue-green, or if thick brownish-red mats are visible or bright green clumps are suspended in the water.
If people see these signs, avoid activities that cause you to swallow water or inhale droplets, such as swimming or high-speed water activities, and keep pets out of the area.
Cyanotoxins can still exist in clear water. When a bloom dies, toxins released may reach into clear water around the bloom. Blooms can be pushed into other areas, leaving toxins behind.
There also are species of cyanobacteria that anchor themselves at the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment, or can grow on aquatic plants and release toxins into clear water.
For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.
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Bend Fire & Rescue - 12/02/25 12:12 PM
Bend Fire & Rescue crews responded to a structure fire at a single-family residence in NE Bend. Three residents were home at the time. One reported waking to the smell of smoke, then hearing smoke alarms and noticing a large orange glow outside. Upon investigation, he discovered the roof—constructed of wood shake shingles—was on fire. He quickly alerted the other two occupants, and all evacuated safely without injury.
Firefighters arrived within minutes and fully extinguished the fire within approximately 30 minutes. The fire was contained to the roof and did not extend into the interior of the home.
The fire originated from the woodstove flue, which appeared to be original to the home. Over time, radiant heat likely charred the wood shake shingles and eventually ignited the roofing materials.
The entire roof will need replacement with a fire-rated material such as asphalt shingles, composition, or metal. The total loss amount is unknown at this time.
Home heating equipment, including woodstoves and fireplaces, is the leading cause of residential fires in Oregon, with approximately 450 incidents annually. Before lighting your stove or fireplace:
Ensure your flue is clear of debris.
Have your equipment inspected for possible failures. For home heating safety tips, call Bend Fire & Rescue at 541-322-6300.
541-385-6679, msteele@bendoregon.gov
Alternate Contact: Makayla Oliver, Bend Fire & Rescue Communications Manager
541-323-8571, moliver@bendoregon.gov
U.S. Attorney's Office - District of Oregon - 12/02/25 10:16 AM
PORTLAND, Ore.— A Pendleton, Oregon, man pleaded guilty today to sexually abusing two minors and engaging in sexual contact with a third minor.
Aaron William Pizer, 41, pleaded guilty to two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor and one count of Abusive Sexual Contact.
According to court documents, on or between July 10, 2016, and July 9, 2017, and on or between August 22, 2019, and August 21, 2020, Pizer sexually abused two minors under the age of sixteen on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. On April 19, 2024, Pizer engaged in sexual contact on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation with a minor under the age of sixteen.
On September 4, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a three-count indictment charging Pizer with Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Abusive Sexual Contact.
Pizer faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for counts one and two, a $250,000 fine, and five years to life term of supervised release. He faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison for count three, a $250,000 fine, and five years to life term of supervised release. He will be sentenced on March 12, 2026, before a U.S. District Court Judge.
As part of the plea agreement, Pizer has agreed to pay restitution in full to the victims.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Umatilla Tribal Police Department, and Pendleton Police Department are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassady Adams is prosecuting the case.
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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USAOR.PublicAffairs@usdoj.gov
WSU Tri-Cities - 12/02/25 9:05 AM
RICHLAND, Wash. — Washington State University Tri-Cities Cougar Tracks Continuing Education is offering an experiential workshop that teaches the fundamentals of pairing wine with food. The Art of Pairing workshop is scheduled for March 24, 2026, at the Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center in Prosser, Washington.
This immersive, hands-on workshop invites wine enthusiasts, hospitality teams, and tasting room professionals to explore food and wine pairing through guided tastings, interactive sensory exercises, and practical pairing challenges.
Led by two of Washington’s most respected wine consultants, April Reddout and Reggie Daigneault, participants will gain a deeper understanding of Washington varietals, flavor profiles, and pairing principles they can apply immediately at home or in the tasting room.
A Perfect Holiday Gift for Wine Lovers
With the holiday season approaching, registration for the workshop offers a unique, experience-based gift for friends, family members, or colleagues who appreciate Washington wine. The program provides an afternoon of learning, tasting, and connection—an alternative to traditional gift-giving.
A Workforce Training Opportunity for Wineries
Beyond individual interest, the workshop offers significant value to wineries seeking to elevate guest experiences, strengthen tasting room service, or invest in team development.
“Tasting room staff are the front line of Washington’s wine industry,” said Michelle Hrycauk Nassif, director of Cougar Tracks. “This workshop gives teams the practical skills and sensory confidence that support stronger sales, deeper guest engagement, and more memorable tasting experiences. It makes a great holiday gift or a professional advantage.”
Wineries are encouraged to register employees as a team-building activity, a professional development opportunity, or as part of their seasonal onboarding and training cycle.
To register or learn more about this event, visit the Cougar Tracks registration website.
About Cougar Tracks Continuing Education
Cougar Tracks at WSU Tri-Cities partners with regional industries to deliver responsive, high-quality workforce development programs that strengthen the local economy and elevate professional skill sets across the Tri-Cities and surrounding wine country.
Attached Media Files: WSU Tri-Cities Cougar Tracks is hosting the Art of Pairing workshop on March 24, 2026
Ore. Dept. of Public Safety Standards and Training - 12/02/25 7:19 AM
CORRECTIONS POLICY COMMITTEE
MEETING SCHEDULED
Notice of Special Meeting
The Corrections Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a special meeting at 10:00 a.m. on December 16, 2025, at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Juan Lopez (503) 551-3167 or juan.lopez-hernandez@dpsst.oregon.gov.
The meeting will be live streamed on the DPSST YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@DPSST.
Agenda Items:
1. Introductions
2. Shane Bond; DPSST No. 59946; Union County Sheriff's Office
Presented by Cindy Park
3. Agency Updates
4. Next Corrections Policy Committee Meeting: February 10, 2026, at 10:00am
Administrative Announcement
This is a public meeting, subject to the public meeting law and it will be recorded. Deliberation of issues will only be conducted by Corrections Policy Committee members unless permitted by the Chair. Individuals who engage in disruptive behavior that impedes official business will be asked to stop being disruptive or leave the meeting. Additional measures may be taken to have disruptive individuals removed if their continued presence poses a safety risk to the other persons in the room or makes it impossible to continue the meeting.
Department of Public Safety Standards and Training
Phone: 503-551-3167
E-Mail: juan.lopez-hernandez@dpsst.oregon.gov
Oregon Nurses Assn. - 12/02/25 5:03 AM
MEDIA ADVISORY: Strike Starts at Legacy Health Dec. 2
8 AM Press Conference from the Strike Line at Legacy Emanuel
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WHAT: Advanced practice providers (APPs) from Legacy Health hospitals and clinics in the Portland metro area and Southwest Washington will begin an open-ended strike against Legacy Health Dec. 2. APPs will hold a press conference from the picket lines Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 8 a.m. to discuss patient care concerns, the need to raise healthcare standards, and Legacy’s refusal to continue bargaining.
The APPs include nurse practitioners (NPs), physician associates (PAs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) who have been working to reach a fair contract agreement with Legacy for nearly two years.
WHEN: Strike Line Press Conference, Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 8 a.m.
WHERE: The strike line outside of Legacy Emanuel Medical Center (501 N. Graham St. Portland, OR 97227). See the green picket line location near the intersection of N. Vancouver Ave. and N. Graham St. on the included map for media use only.
WHO: APPs who are part of the Legacy Downtown/Specialties Bargaining Unit and care for patients at hospitals and clinics in Oregon and Washington.
- Rob Brookshire, PA
- Leigh Warsing, PA
- April Callister, PA
WHY: APPs are one of the fastest-growing professions in healthcare. They provide high-quality care directly to patients and are essential for expanding access to health care, reducing wait times, and ensuring patients and our community receive outstanding care.
After nearly two years at the bargaining table, APPs delivered a formal strike notice to Legacy executives on November 20 while offering to continue meeting with Legacy executives every day to reach a fair agreement that protects patients, enables Legacy to recruit and retain skilled caregivers, ends inequitable practices like unpaid work, and averts the need for a strike. Unfortunately, Legacy executives are illegally refusing to meet with APPs.
The APPs are represented by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA).
Strike lines will be established at Legacy Good Samaritan and Legacy Emanuel hospitals from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on December 2. Starting December 3, picket lines will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week. This is an open-ended strike.
Community members can visit OregonRN.org/RespectAPPs to learn more about ongoing negotiations, sign a community petition in support of the APPs, and stay informed about the impact of the potential strike.
A reminder to patients from APPs:
If you are sick, please do not delay getting medical care. Patients who need hospital or clinical care immediately should go to receive care. We would prefer to provide your care ourselves, but Legacy executives’ refusal to continue meeting with APPs has forced us to strike to advocate for you, our communities, and our colleagues. Going into a hospital or clinic to get the care you need is NOT crossing our strike line. We invite you to come join us on the strike line after you've received the care you need.
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Kevin Mealy, Mealy@OregonRN.org, 765-760-2203
Myrna Jensen, Jensen@OregonRN.org, 907-350-6260
Peter Starzynski, Starzynski@OregonRN.org, 503-960-7989
Oregon Dept. of Forestry - 12/01/25 1:20 PM
SALEM, Ore. — The Adaptive Management Program Committee will meet virtually at noon on Monday, Dec. 8. To join, please use the Teams video conference information found on the agenda.
The committee’s agenda includes:
- Elect co-chair to new two-year term (Substantial decision item)
- 2025 year in review
- 2026 work plan
- Update AMPC charter (Substantial decision item)
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.
Bend Fire & Rescue - 12/01/25 11:33 AM
Beginning on Friday, Dec. 5, Bend Fire & Rescue’s Santa Express will visit neighborhoods around Bend to collect donations of food, clothing and toys to support The Salvation Army this holiday season.
The Santa Express will visit three neighborhoods:
- Friday, Dec. 5: Southeast Bend – Foxborough, Larkspur and Sun Meadow neighborhoods
- Saturday, Dec. 6: Northwest Bend – Three Pines, Westside Meadows and Shevlin Ridge neighborhoods
- Monday, Dec. 8: Southwest Bend – Pine Ridge, River Canyon and Aspen Rim neighborhoods
Route details are available at bendoregon.gov/santa-express.
Santa and Bend Fire crews will begin at 6 p.m. each night, slowly walking the neighborhood routes and gathering donations. Community members are encouraged to meet Santa along the way with donations of non-perishable foods, new toys or gently used clothing. The Salvation Army has expressed an increased need for gifts for teenagers this year.
Those needing assistance with food or presents can call The Salvation Army at 541-389-8888.
Can’t catch Santa Express this year?
Bend Fire is also hosting a season-long food drive for NeighborImpact. Donations of non-perishable food – such as canned fruits, vegetables, soups and peanut butter – can be dropped off at any Bend Fire station through Friday, Dec. 12. Items will be distributed to local pantries, meal sites and shelters.
Fire station locations:
- West – 1212 SW Simpson Ave., Bend
- East – 62420 Hamby Road, Bend
- North – 63377 Jamison St., Bend
- South – 61080 Country Club Drive, Bend
- Tumalo – 64725 Cook Ave., Tumalo
- Pilot Butte – 425 NE 15th St., Bend
Brady will be available for in-person interviews on Friday, Dec. 5 ahead of launching Santa Express
Alternate Contact: Makayla Oliver, Fire Communications Manager, 541-797-3584, moliver@bendoregon.gov
Can provide a video of 2024 for media if needed
Oregon Folklife Network - 12/01/25 10:30 AM
EUGENE, Ore. – December 01, 2025
Oregon Folklife Network faces a $56,000 gap in funding that needs bridging by January 31st, 2026. Oregon Folklife Network serves over 280 culture bearers in all 36 counties, bringing huge impact to local communities across Oregon, with two full-time staff and an annual budget of $300,000 per year. As the only state-wide folk & traditional arts program, Oregon Folklife Network provides essential support and programming to culture bearers, a subset of artists who are often overlooked and underserved in the broader arts & culture landscape.
Given the economic turbulence of the past year, even reliable funders like the National Endowment for the Arts and the University of Oregon have been forced to reduce support for Oregon Folklife Network. Through responsive fundraising efforts, Oregon Folklife Network has recouped some of these losses, but more support is needed. To bridge the remainder of the $56,000 funding gap, Oregon Folklife Network is turning to community.
“We’re so grateful for the generous donors who step up in this precarious moment,” says Oregon Folklife Network director, Emily Hartlerode. “Their dollars support not only individual culture bearers, but also the vitality of entire cultural communities who are at heightened risk right now.”
This giving season, Oregon Folklife Network invites the public to support Oregon’s traditional artists. “Celebrating cultural heritage is not only a way of preserving traditions, it is also a pathway to building empathy, unity, and a more compassionate society,” says one artist. Culture bearers can be found all over Oregon, and some earn prestigious recognition like Fields Artist Fellow Eddie Melendrez (Chicano Painting), National Heritage Fellow Feryal Abbasi-Ghnaim (Palestinian Embroidery), and Taproot Fellow Inna Kovtun (Ukrainian Singing).
Visit our secure giving portal to make a one-time or recurring donation and help Oregon Folklife Network bridge this short-term funding gap.
Oregon Dept. of Human Services - 12/01/25 9:43 AM
Salem – This month, the Oregon Department of Human Services published a new, quarterly report with key data points and information showing progress, challenges, and work under way to improve the Child Welfare system.
ODHS historically has provided monthly progress reports to the Governor, but has expanded the format so it can give the public access to more comprehensive information about Child Welfare.
“The work we do in Child Welfare is critical and impacts the lives of families and communities across the state every day,” said Liesl Wendt, ODHS Director. “We have heard loud and clear the need for increased transparency about how we are doing and what plans we have in place to make things better. This report is an important step in that direction.”
Highlights in this quarter’s report include:
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We are increasing the placement of children with relatives (family and friends), which is crucial for health child and adolescent development.
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ODHS is among only a few states that are meeting or exceeding all three of the federal standards for ensuring that children transitioning from foster care find permanent homes with families, either by reunifying with their parents or through guardianship or adoption.
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Through focused attention on staff recruitment, retention and professional development opportunities, we have reduced caseworker vacancies.
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The Family Preservation demonstration project aimed at keeping families together is showing positive results.
The report also includes key metrics tracked by the department, such as timely assessments, maltreatment in care, the number of children in care and foster care capacity, and the number and types of reports coming into the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline (ORCAH).
Earlier this year, ODHS initiated a Safety Action Plan to improve safety for children in care and those who come to the attention of the agency through ORCAH. The plan includes changes in screening, assessments, safety decision making and critical incident review.
“Keeping children safe is the fundamental goal of the Child Welfare system,” said Rolanda Garcia, interim Child Welfare director. “While we have made great strides, we know there is more work to do. The changes we are making through the Safety Action Plan aim to accelerate progress in improving outcomes for children and families.”
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American Red Cross - Cascades Region - 12/01/25 8:00 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Holiday Decorations Can Cause Home Fires ─ Follow These Safety Steps
Most candle fires occur during December
[PORTLAND, DECEMBER 1, 2025] The holidays are a wonderful time to get everyone together. Unfortunately, they can also bring a greater risk of a home fire. In a typical November and December, nearly 400 people in the Cascades Region will rely on the Red Cross after a home fire. December is also the peak month for home fires caused by candles and festive decorations.
As you prepare your home for the holiday season, remember fire prevention is key. To help prevent holiday decoration-related home fires, follow these safety tips from the American Red Cross:
- Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
- Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both. Check to make sure you have the right lights for where you are decorating.
- Replace any light strings with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the number of light-strands you can safely connect.
- Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
TREE SAFETY If you plan to decorate with a real tree, pick one with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched. Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 2” from the base of the trunk.
- Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights, and make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.
- Add water to the tree every day.
- Never use lit candles to decorate the tree and always turn off the tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.
- If you buy an artificial tree, look for a fire-resistant label. When putting it up, keep it away from fireplaces, radiators and other sources of heat. Never use electric lights on metallic trees.
CANDLES AND HOME FIRES Candles are cozy, but they can also cause home fires. Remember, a candle is an open flame ─ it can easily ignite anything that can burn. Think about using flameless candles ─ they can look and smell like real candles.
- Blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
- Avoid using candles in bedrooms or other areas where people may fall asleep.
- Keep candles at least 1 foot away from anything that can burn.
- Use candle holders that are sturdy and won’t tip over easily. Put candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface.
- Light candles carefully.
- Don’t burn a candle all the way down — put it out before it gets too close to the holder or container.
- Never use a candle if oxygen is used in the home.
SMOKE ALARMS Place smoke alarms on each level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. In addition to testing your smoke alarms once a month, change the batteries at least once a year, if your model requires it. Check the manufacturer’s date of your smoke alarms. If they’re 10 years or older, they need to be replaced because the sensor becomes less sensitive over time. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
HOME FIRE CAMPAIGN SAVE LIVES Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, working with community partners, has saved at least 2,519 lives by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans and installing free smoke alarms in high-risk areas across the country. To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit redcross.org/homefires.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood and is the primary blood supplier to 65 hospitals throughout Washington and Oregon; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
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Red Cross Cascades
Cell phone: (503)307-2060
rebecca.marshall2@redcross.org
Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept. - 12/01/25 8:00 AM
SALEM, Oregon— Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is gathering public comments on proposed changes announced last month to the rules guiding reservations, special access passes, rate ranges and fee waivers.
The proposed changes were announced last month in a press release. Public comments on the proposed rule change will be accepted through 5 p.m. Jan. 15, 2026, and can be submitted:
- Mail: OPRD Department, attn: Katie Gauthier, 725 Summer St NE, Suite C, Salem OR 97301
- Email: D.Publiccomment@oprd.oregon.gov" target="_blank">OPRD.Publiccomment@oprd.oregon.gov
A public hearing will be held for the public to provide comments.
- Virtual Hearing: 5:30 p.m. December 15, 2025. Register to attend the hearing at: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_civm2LvcQx-R0ZKCwHCwww
Most of the proposed changes are designed to improve the long-term financial sustainability of the state park system. The proposed changes to reservations are meant to maximize the availability of campsites for visitors.
OPRD faces a projected operational budget shortfall of $8 million for this biennium based on forecasts through November. The projected shortfall is down from the $14 million estimate due to a combination of revenue-generating strategies, including an increase in parking fee parks and overnight camping fee adjustments.
The shortfall is due to increasing costs, the impact of higher visitation and a decrease in projected Oregon Lottery funds for operations. Visitor fees do not cover the cost of operations, and Oregon State Parks does not receive general fund tax revenue for operations.
Proposed Cancellation Policy
The proposed changes to the reservation policy discourage late cancellations and no-shows by incentivizing early cancellations. Refunds will no longer be provided for those who fail to cancel, which will help reduce unused reservations and open more opportunities for visitors to enjoy parks. The changes include:
- No refunds on the day of arrival.
- No-show reservations will not be refunded
- Refunds vary based on how long reservation is held, how close to arrival it is canceled.
Proposed Changes to Special Access Pass
Future Special Access Passes (SAP) for Veterans and foster families will be exclusively for those who live in Oregon, according to proposed changes. This will help ensure that limited resources are directed toward Oregonians. That update along with limiting the number of free days to 10 per year will reduce the fees waived by $2.2 million per biennium or 46% decrease in costs. Proposed changes include:
- Must be Oregon residents to participate.
- Waived overnight rental fees (up to 10 nights/year).
- Day-use parking permit fee waived.
- SAP Cancellations: Must cancel reservations to avoid losing benefit nights. Refunded nights will be based on length of time reservation is held.
Proposed Rate Ranges:
- Day Use Parking Permit fees: $7–$25 daily; $30–$100 (12-month); $50–$200 (24-month).
- Dynamic Pricing: Rates may vary by day of week, season, holidays, amenities, and demand.
- Proposed Rate Ranges
The updated fee ranges for campsites, cabins, yurts and group facilities based on market conditions and anticipated inflation. The new rate ranges will allow for greater use of demand pricing. This proposed change is part of a broader strategy to stabilize revenue and maintain high-quality park services.
Ultimately, these proposed changes are intended to keep Oregon’s parks open, well-maintained and welcoming for generations to come.
Once the public comment period ends, the proposal with any incorporated updates is slated to go to Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission in February 2026 for possible adoption. If adopted, new rules would be effective beginning March 1, 2026.
Bend Fire & Rescue - 11/30/25 11:58 PM
Bend Fire & Rescue was called to Miller Elementary School on NW Crosby 9pm Sunday evening for the fire alarm sounding. Fire crews located the cause of the alarm in the gymnasium at the back of the building. The fire sprinkler system had activated due to a fire in the custodians’ workshop located just off the gym. Additional fire crews were dispatched to assist with the fire. The fire was kept from spreading past the workshop by the fire sprinkler system though smoke and water did spread throughout the gym. Crews remained on scene for an hour to help remove smoke and water from the school. The principal and school district maintenance staff assisted.
The fire was found to have been caused by a lithium battery stored in a cabinet in the workshop. The battery failed and started burning inside the cabinet before burning through the doors and into the room. Once the heat built up in the room the fire sprinkler system activated and stopped the fires spread. Fire sprinkler systems are found in all the public schools in Bend, even the oldest schools have had systems retrofitted over the years. These systems prevent fires from spreading and causing catastrophic damage. The damage at Miller Elementary is fixable and should only disrupt school for a day or two. The Bend LaPine staff are working on making the school for kids to return. They will make the call on any delays or cancellations to accomplish the safe return.
There are many benefits to lithium batteries, but they also need to be used and stored with caution. If not used correctly or if they get damaged, these batteries can catch fire or explode, even days after the fact. This doesn’t happen to every battery that is damaged, but there are steps you can take to protect your home and business.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), here are safety tips for safe use and storage of lithium batteries:
•Purchase and use devices that are listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
•Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
•Only use the battery that is designed for the device.
•Only use the charging cord that came with the device.
•Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed, or on a couch.
•Do not keep charging the device or device battery after it is fully charged.
•Keep batteries at room temperature when possible. Do not charge them at temperatures below 32°F (0°C) or above105°F (40°C).
•Store batteries away from anything that can catch fire. Consider a non-combustible cabinet or lithium battery storage specific containers.
As always, never throw any lithium batteries into the trash. These batteries will end up in the landfill where the process of trash collection, dumping, and packing into the landfill can cause the damage needed to start a fire. A fire in the landfill is a major concern of any solid waste department. This includes items with built in lithium batteries such as flashlights, alarms, and other small electronics. Contact your trash service provider, your local landfill, or many electronics stores for safe recycling options in your community.