Supporting documents are available via the following link:  https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/997

Board of Directors Meeting Schedule & Information:  https://www.wwps.org/district/information/school-board/board-meeting-schedule

The City of Richland has received 24 applications from the following individuals seeking appointment to fill the vacant City Council Position No. 4:

Chrystyanna VanDyke

Leisa Moore

Andrew Rice

Todd Samuel

Anna Tadlock

Kyle Palmer

Britton Creer

Colleen Lane

Michael Shane Thorson

Anthony Sharpe

Heidi Mortensen

Kyle Saltz

Ragan Faylor

Pete Rogalsky

Nathaniel C. Davis

Devin Sutherland

Nathan Miller

Roy Keck

Samantha Mason

Kurt Schweiger

Mary Lipton

Eileen Harbertson

Edward Munoz

Colin Michael

More information on each applicant can be found at richlandwa.gov/bccvacancies.

The application period closed on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

The Richland City Council will review all applications during an executive session following the City Council meeting on January 20, 2026, at which time they will determine which candidates will advance to the interview portion of the process.

In-person interviews will be conducted during a special meeting on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, held prior to the regularly scheduled City Council workshop. The interviews will be open to the public but will not be broadcast. Following the interviews, the City Council will deliberate in a closed executive session as allowed by RCW 42.30.110(h). Should Council desire to take final action to appoint a candidate as authorized by the Richland City Charter, that action will occur immediately following the executive session. The regular City Council workshop will follow and will be broadcast as normal.

The candidate appointed to City Council Position No. 4 will be sworn in at the regular City Council meeting on February 3, 2026.

Per the Richland City Charter, the individual appointed will serve until the candidate elected in the November 3, 2026, General Election takes office.

Additional details, including meeting agendas and times, will be posted on the City’s website at www.richlandwa.gov/agendas.

For more information, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 509-942-7389.

MEDFORD, Ore.—An Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison today for attempting to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine purchased from the dark web.   

Dominick Jeffrey Aragon, 32, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release.

According to court documents, in February 2025, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) task force intercepted a parcel addressed to Aragon’s residence containing approximately one ounce of cocaine. In March 2025, they intercepted a second parcel destined for Aragon at the same address that contained two ounces of cocaine.

The investigation continued into April 2025, when USPIS and RADE seized two additional parcels addressed to Aragon at an acquaintance’s residence that contained controlled substances.

At the time of these offenses, Aragon was on federal supervised release after completing a 15-month federal prison sentence for distributing cocaine.

On September 29, 2025, Aragon pleaded guilty to attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.

This case was investigated by USPIS and RADE. It was prosecuted by John C. Brassell, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon and Olivia Mendez, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.  

RADE is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force supported by the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. RADE includes members from Oregon State Police, the Grants Pass Police Department, Josephine County Probation & Parole, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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

# # #

OHA, Clackamas County confirm new measles case 

Maryland Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Directing 11 Year Child to Engage in Sexually Explicit Acts Over FaceTime

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Mexican national unlawfully residing in the United States was sentenced to federal prison yesterday for felon in possession of a firearm after absconding from supervision for sixteen months.

Alfredo Terrero-Ortega, 28, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release.

According to court documents, on January 31, 2023, Terrero-Ortega was released from the Oregon Department of Corrections to post-prison supervision in the community. In June 2023, within five months of his release, Terrero-Ortega threatened to kill a woman and shoved her to the ground while she was holding her baby. He also strangled her. She reported the incident, and he absconded from his post-prison state supervision. On November 7, 2024, the U.S. Marshals found and arrested Terrero-Ortega in Portland. When arrested, Terrero-Ortega, had a black satchel containing a loaded 9mm pistol, methamphetamine, zip lock baggies, a phone, handwritten credit card information, and documents linked to Terrero-Ortega’s girlfriend.

On December 17, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a single-count indictment charging Terrero-Ortega with felon in possession of a firearm.

On October 2, 2025, Terrero-Ortega pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

The U.S. Marshals Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah K. Bolstad prosecuted the case.

# # #

Portland, OR – DOGAMI and other state permitting agencies have issued draft permits for the Grassy Mountain gold mine project and will hold a public hearing for the draft permits on January 29, 2026, from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm PST (5:00 pm – 7:00 pm MST) at the Vale Senior Citizens Center, 100 Longfellow St S, Vale, OR 97918. People can make comments in person at the hearing or submit written comments prior to February 6, 2026, as previously outlined in the draft permit public notice.

The public notice, meeting agenda, and related documents are available at: https://www.oregon.gov/dogami/mlrr/Pages/Calico-GrassyMtn_projectDocuments.aspx

For further information, contact the DOGAMI Albany office at (541) 967-2083 or email: mation.grassymtn@dogami.oregon.gov">information.grassymtn@dogami.oregon.gov.

###

BOARD ON PUBLIC SAFETY STANDARDS AND TRAINING

MEETING SCHEDULED

The Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026, in the Governor Victor G. Atiyeh Boardroom at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167 or juan.lopez-hernandez@dpsst.oregon.gov.

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

Amended Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. Meeting Minutes

Approve the October 23, 2025, Meeting Minutes

3. Fire Policy Committee

a. Fire Policy Committee Update – Chris Heppel, Chair

b. Consent Agenda (The following items to be ratified by one vote)

A. Christopher Wade, DPSST No. 30403; Christmas Valley RFPD – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the FPC on November 19, 2025.

4. Criminal Justice Policy Committees

a. Police Policy Committee Update – Scotty Nowning, Chair

b. Telecommunications Policy Committee Update – Michael Fletcher, Chair

c. Corrections Policy Committee Update – Jennifer Cameron, Vice-Chair

d. Consent Agenda (The following items to be ratified by one vote)

A. Shane Bond, DPSST No. 59946; DOC/Union County Sheriff's Office – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the CPC on December 16, 2025.

B. John Deardorff, DPSST No. 42771; DOC/Oregon State Correctional Institution – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the CPC on November 12, 2025.

C. Mark Farmer, DPSST No. 55203; Multnomah County Sheriff's Office – No Action

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the PPC on November 20, 2025.

D. Emily Fisk, DPSST No. 61817; DOC/Deer Ridge Correctional Institution – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the CPC on November 12, 2025.

E. Jesus Gutierrez, Sr., DPSST No. 61908; DOC/Snake River Correctional Institution – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the CPC on November 12, 2025.

F. Michelle Hubbard, DPSST No. 31820; DOC/Oregon State Correctional Institution – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the CPC on November 12, 2025.

G. Erica Hurley, DPSST No. 29900; Portland Police Bureau – No Action

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the PPC on November 20, 2025.

H. Bonnie Kessell, DPSST No. 46671; Umatilla County Community Corrections – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the CPC on November 12, 2025.

I. August Lowthian, DPSST No. 61677; Washington County Sheriff's Office – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the CPC on November 12, 2025.

J. Jonathan McNichols, DPSST No. 60995; Salem Police Department – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the PPC on November 20, 2025.

K. James McQueen, DPSST No. 55471; Hillsboro Police Department – Revoke

Seven (7) to two (2) vote to recommend to the Board by the PPC on November 20, 2025.

L. Kathleen Williams, DPSST No. 43028; Bureau of Emergency Communications – No Action

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the TPC on August 12, 2025.

M. Committee Appointments

Police Policy Committee

• • Anel Ceric – Non-Management Law Enforcement. Re-appointment to the PPC, 2nd term effective January 25, 2026.
  • Michelle Duncan – Oregon State Sheriffs' Association. Re-appointment to the PPC, 2nd term effective January 25, 2026.
  • Warren Hensman – Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police. Appointment to the PPC, 1st term effective January 22, 2026.

5. Private Security/Investigator Policy Committee

a. Private Security Investigator Policy Committee Update – Dan Lenzen, Chair

b. Consent Agenda (The following items to be ratified by one vote).

A. Proposed Rule Changes for Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 259-060-0120, 259-060-0135, 259-060-0136, 259-060-0300, 259-060-0310, 259-060-0320, and 259-060-0380

Related to Emergency Suspension

6. DPSST Recommendations (The following items to be ratified by one vote each)

a. Advisory Discussion of Upcoming Changes to the Basic Police Program

b. Approval to Study Implementation of Fee Schedule for Registration to Regional Training Courses

c. Approval to Study Implementation of Fee Schedule for Use of DPSST Facilities

d. Proposed Rule Changes for Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 259-008-0001

     Recommended Repeal

e. Proposed Rule Changes for Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 259-030-0005

    Relating to the Authority of the Director of the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training

f. Workgroup/Rules Advisory Committee Request

    Related to Law Enforcement Officer Certification Maintenance Requirements Per OAR 259-008-0065

g. Imposition of Civil Penalties – House Bill 2527

h. Imposition of Civil Penalties – House Bill 2527/Senate Bill 300

7. Agency Updates – Agency Director, Phil Castle 

8. Next Meeting Date: April 23, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting, subject to the public meeting law and it will be recorded. Deliberation of issues will only be conducted by Board 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.

PORTLAND, Ore.— A man from Delhi, India, was sentenced to federal prison today for conspiring with others to export controlled aviation components and a navigation and flight control system to end users in Russia, in violation of the Export Control Reform Act.

Sanjay Kaushik, 58, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and 36 months of supervised release.

“This was no lapse in judgment. It was a calculated, profit-driven scheme involving repeated transactions, substantial gains, and coordination with foreign co-conspirators, including sanctioned Russian entities,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Scott E. Bradford. “This defendant sought, on multiple occasions, to undermine safeguards critical to U.S. national security and foreign policy for his own personal gain.”

According to court documents and following today’s sentencing, beginning in early September 2023, Kaushik conspired with others to unlawfully obtain aerospace goods and technology from the United States for entities in Russia. The goods were purchased under the false pretense that they would be supplied to Kaushik and his Indian company, when in fact they were destined for Russian end users.

In one such instance, Kaushik and his co-conspirators purchased an Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS), which is a device that provides navigation and flight control data for aircraft, from an Oregon-based supplier. Components such as the AHRS require a license from the Department of Commerce to be exported to certain countries, including Russia. To obtain an export license for the AHRS, Kaushik and his co-conspirators falsely claimed that Kaushik’s Indian company was the end purchaser and that the component would be used in a civilian helicopter. Kaushik and his co-conspirators obtained the AHRS – which was ultimately detained before it was exported from the United States – on behalf of and with the intention of shipping it, through India, to a customer in Russia.

Kaushik was arrested in Miami, Florida, on October 17, 2024, pursuant to a criminal complaint and arrest warrant and has remained in custody since then.

On November 20, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a three-count indictment charging Kaushik with conspiring and attempting to export products in violation of the Export Control Reform Act and the Export Administration Regulations, specifically attempting to illegally export a navigation and flight control system from Oregon to Russia through India, and false statements in connection with an export.

On October 9, 2025, Kaushik pled guilty to count one of the indictment, conspiring to sell export-controlled aviation components with dual civilian and military applications to end users in Russia.

The sentencing was announced by Scott E. Bradford, United States Attorney for the District of Oregon, Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg of the National Security Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, and Special Agent in Charge Brent Burmester of the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), San Jose Field Office.

BIS Portland investigated the case, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Gregory R. Nyhus, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon and Trial Attorney Emma Ellenrieder of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section prosecuted the case.

# # #

RICHLAND, Wash. — Washington State University Tri-Cities is positioned to play a central role in the state’s most ambitious effort to advance sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), following the launch of the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator (CSAA).

Unveiled Jan. 8 at the Boeing Future of Flight in Everett, the accelerator will bring together state leadership, private-sector partners, research institutions, Tribal representatives, labor and community stakeholders to rapidly scale the production and adoption of low-carbon aviation fuels. Funded through a 2025 legislative appropriation and additional philanthropic support, CSAA is the most comprehensive initiative of its kind in the Pacific Northwest.

Two WSU Tri-Cities faculty from the Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Lab — BSEL Director Josh Heyne and Research Assistant Professor Harrison Yang — were on-hand during the launch event to demonstrate and discuss their lab's SAF testing programs with other guests. WSU system President Besty Cantwell was an invited speaker, and more than 210 government and industry leaders — including Washington Governor Bob Ferguson attended the event.

WSU Tri-Cities research driving real-world impact

WSU is a lead research partner in CSAA, leveraging more than a decade of national leadership in sustainable aviation. Much of that work is happening at WSU Tri-Cities, home to one of the most comprehensive SAF testing and evaluation facilities in the country: the Sustainable Options in Aviation Research (SOAR) Lab and BSEL.

“WSU Tri-Cities provides the applied research and testing capabilities that make this work real,” said WSU Tri-Cities Chancellor, Sandra Haynes. “From validating fuels to supporting certification and commercialization, our researchers are helping the industry bridge the gap between promising science and commercial scale.”

Directed by Heyne, BSEL operates in partnership with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and serves as WSU’s primary hub for SAF testing and characterization. Since 2024, the SOAR Lab within BSEL has supported emerging energy solutions by providing specialized testing methodologies and equipment to industry and academic partners.

To date, BSEL researchers have tested nearly 500 SAF candidate samples from roughly 40 institutions across North America, Europe, and Asia supporting supply-chain validation, performance evaluation and federal policy efforts. Heyne was recognized last year as the most cited and most published researcher in the field, as well as the most productive author in SAF research from 2001 to 2023. He also holds the highest connection strength among researchers in the discipline — illustrating the breadth of his collaborations — contributing to WSU’s designation as the most collaborative institution in sustainable aviation research.

“With aviation expected to grow globally, sustainable fuels offer one of the most viable pathways for decarbonization in the next several decades” Heyne said. “Our focus here is on enabling industry to meet performance, safety, and economic targets that make commercial deployment possible.”

As part of CSAA, WSU Tri-Cities is partnering with Snohomish County to establish a Sustainable Aviation Fuel Research and Development Center at Paine Field Airport. The center will house the world’s first SAF repository, where fuel samples will be collected, tested, indexed and distributed globally to support research and commercialization efforts. WSU Tri-Cities experts will play a key role in fuel testing, design of novel SAF compositions, while collaborating with government, industry and academic partners to foster innovation, workforce development and economic growth in the region.

WSU’s SAF research also contributes to ASCENT, the Federal Aviation Administration’s Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuels and Environment, co-led by WSU and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Looking ahead

With aviation accounting for an estimated 2 to 3 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, leaders emphasized that SAF represents one of the most promising near-term strategies for reducing emissions while maintaining safety, affordability and reliability.

WSU Tri-Cities will continue to contribute its research expertise to ensure sustainable aviation fuels are developed responsibly and at scale.

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Brush Prairie, Washington, woman pleaded guilty yesterday and was sentenced for mail theft while working as a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employee.

Darcy Rae Nolan, 57, pleaded guilty to the information charging theft of mail by an officer or employee. Nolan was sentenced to two years of probation. The court ordered Nolan to pay restitution.

According to court documents, from February 2024 through December 2024, Nolan, as a city carrier for the USPS Parkrose Station Post Office, stole medications from the mail on at least 15 occasions by manipulating USPS records regarding parcels or opening parcels and stealing the medications. A search of Nolan’s purse and vehicle recovered approximately 137 pills and capsules that were later identified as five different types of prescription amphetamines.

On November 10, 2025, Nolan was charged by information with theft of mail by a postal employee.

The USPS Office of Inspector General investigated the case. First Assistant United States Attorney William M. Narus and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Trisotto prosecuted the case.

# # #

GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON THE

LAW ENFORCEMENT MEDAL OF HONOR

MEETING SCHEDULED

The Governor's Commission on the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor will hold a teleconference meeting at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 26, 2026, at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Shelby Alexander at (503) 378-2191 or shelby.alexander@dpsst.oregon.gov.

Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. Minutes for August 19, 2024, Meeting

3. Michael Snyder, DPSST No. 60486; Reedsport Police Department - Nomination for Medal of Honor

     Presented by Phil Castle

4. Next meeting - TBD

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting, subject to the public meeting law and it will be digitally recorded.

Salem, OR – The Oregon Housing Needs Analysis (OHNA) is part of Oregon’s statewide land use planning system that is intended to facilitate housing production, affordability and choice to meet housing needs for Oregonians statewide, outlined by House Bill 2001.

The Oregon Department of Administrative Services published the Office of Economic Analysis’ 2026 Production Targets and Adopted Methodology. The report presents both the final methodology and the initial statewide and regional results. The OHNA report will be updated and released annually by Dec. 31.

For more information on OHNA, visit the Office of Economic Analysis webpage.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICY COMMITTEE

MEETING SCHEDULED

The Telecommunications Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting on at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 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.

Amended Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. Approve November 5, 2025, Meeting Minutes

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

     Presented by Melissa Lang-Bacho

a. Emma Todd; DPSST No. 65491

     Basic Telecommunicator and Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certifications

b. Nicole Silbaugh; DPSST No. 52445

     Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Telecommunicator, and Basic Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certifications

4. Mileena Edwards, DPSST No. 61544; Warm Springs Police Department

     Presented by Melissa Lang-Bacho

5. Proposed Rule Changes for Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 259-008-0005, 259-008-0290, 259-008-0300, 259-008-0310, 259-008-0320, 259-008-0330, 259-008-0340, and 259-008-0400

     Amending Public Safety Professional Certification Denial and Revocation Standards and Processes

     Presented by Jennifer Howald

6. Agency Updates

7. Next Telecommunications Policy Committee Meeting: May 6, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting, subject to the public meeting law and it will be recorded. Deliberation of issues will only be conducted by Telecommunications 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.

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Warm Springs, Oregon, man has been charged with possessing multiple firearms as a felon and eluding police officers after a high-speed chase.

Edward Francis Jones, 32, has been charged by criminal complaint with felon in possession of a firearm and fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer.

“Running from justice puts lives at risk and threatens the safety of everyone around us,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Scott E. Bradford. “I am grateful to our federal and local law enforcement partners for their commitment to protecting the community by locating and removing this dangerous fugitive from our streets.”

“The U.S. Marshals Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force is thankful to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Madras Police Department, Prineville Police Department, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon State Police for arresting Jones,” said Acting U.S. Marshal for the District of Oregon Pete W. Cajigal. “The unwavering dedication, relentless hard work, and steadfast diligence of these agencies stand as a powerful testament to the exceptional caliber of law enforcement that safeguards and serves our communities.” 

“Our community is safer because of our partnerships with local, state, tribal, and federal agencies, said Acting FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephanie Shark. “Those partnerships allowed us to take both weapons, and a felon in possession of those weapons, off our streets.”

According to court documents, on November 6, 2025, Warm Springs Police officers were patrolling on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation when they observed a Hyundai sedan that matched the description of a stolen car. As the officer checked the license plate, the driver placed the car into drive and drove at a high speed into a field. As the officer activated his overhead lights and sirens, the car came to a sudden stop after hitting something. A male, identified as Jones, exited the car and began running. Officers attempted to chase Jones but lost sight of him.

Inside the stolen car, officers found a loaded 9mm handgun with an obliterated serial number sitting on the driver’s seat. Officers also found alcohol, fireworks, a backpack containing a bag believed to contain methamphetamine, a baggie of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and approximately 94 rounds of ammunition. A second backpack was found inside the vehicle with mail belonging to Jones.

On January 7, 2026, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputies observed a female known to be affiliated with Jones in a Chrysler 300. Officers initiated a traffic stop for an expired registration. The vehicle did not stop and continued traveling through Madras, Oregon, at extremely high speeds, passing vehicles and driving into oncoming traffic. The car ultimately lost control and crashed. A male exited the driver’s seat and fled on foot. Drone operators from the Prineville Police Department located the fleeing suspect approximately 100 yards east. Officers contacted the suspect, identified as Jones, and took him into custody. Inside the car, officers observed a handgun lying on the driver’s side floorboard. An additional blue pistol belonging to the female occupant was also found on the driver’s side floorboard.

Jones has been wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service since May 29, 2025, for two separate supervised release violation cases with underlying felon in possession charges. Law enforcement has attempted to arrest Jones multiple times. The FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Prineville Police Department, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Warm Springs Police Department, Hood River Police Department, and Wasco County Sheriff’s Office participated in the search for Jones.

Jones made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.

The FBI is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charlotte Kelley is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

# # #

PORTLAND, Ore.— An Oregon City, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for selling drugs after an investigation into an overdose death led to his prosecution.

Toren Paul Flom, 32, was sentenced to 140 months in federal prison and four years of supervised release.

“Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of this crime. This defendant is a career offender with prior felony drug convictions and was on post-prison supervision when he sold drugs to the victim here,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Scott E. Bradford. “Drug crimes are not victimless – they tear families apart and weaken our communities as a whole, creating wounds that endure long after the crime itself.”

“Driven by greed, this drug dealer chose to put deadly drugs into our community with no regard for the lives and families harmed,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Seattle acting Special Agent in Charge April Miller. “Flom’s sentence means he can no longer contribute to overdoses or cause more heartbreak for victims and their loved ones. HSI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify, disrupt, and dismantle drug trafficking organizations that profit from this suffering and to protect the safety of our neighborhoods.”

“I’m grateful for the continued collaboration among law enforcement agencies to hold dangerous drug traffickers accountable,” said Portland Police Chief Bob Day. “Cases such as this help reduce the amount of dangerous drugs in our city and the devastating impact they have on so many lives.”

According to court documents, on June 2, 2024, law enforcement responded to an emergency call regarding a deceased victim who had overdosed on multiple controlled substances. The investigation revealed that Flom had distributed multiple controlled substances to the victim prior to his overdose death. Ultimately, investigators were not able to conclusively establish that Flom was the sole source of drugs that caused the victim’s overdose death. Nonetheless, investigators pursued a criminal investigation into Flom’s drug trafficking activities. Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Flom’s residence in July 2024 and seized approximately 7.2 gross kilograms of psilocybin mushrooms, 1.29 gross kilograms of ketamine, 1.2 gross kilograms of cocaine, 607 gross grams of MDMA, and 102 grams of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).

On July 23, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a five-count indictment charging Flom with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, LSD, MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine.

On September 10, 2025, Flom pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

HSI and the Portland Police Bureau – Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassady A. Adams prosecuted the case.

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

# # #

(Salem, Ore.) — The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) is pleased to announce the release of the 2026 Veterans Benefit Magazine, now available online and in print. This annual free publication is one of Oregon’s most widely used resources for veterans and their families, connecting Oregonians with the full range of state and federal benefits they have earned through their military service.
 

What’s New in the 2026 Edition

The 2026 Veterans Benefit Magazine includes comprehensive updates and resources such as:

• Updated contact information for all 36 county Veteran Service Offices, Oregon Tribal Veteran Service Offices and special advocacy
• 2026 VA Disability Compensation Rates
• Updated veteran license plate information including the new motorcycle/moped plates
• Veteran-focused behavioral health and suicide prevention resources, including BeyondTheMilitaryUniform.com
• 2026 ODVA Veteran Home Loan Program rates and program details
• Locations for VA Medical Centers, Community-Based Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers
• State and federal resources on health and dental care, transportation, employment, education and more

This magazine is designed for veterans at every stage of life—from those who have recently transitioned out of the military to long-time community members seeking updated benefit information or support. This magazine serves as a trusted starting point and ongoing guide to the state and federal veteran benefits veterans have earned through their service to our nation. It also serves as a helpful reference for families and survivors, caregivers, service providers, and community partners.
 

The 2026 edition is available here: 2026 Digital Veteran Benefit Magazine and can also be accessed on ODVA’s website: www.oregon.gov/odva.

Printed Copies Available: Veterans, service organizations, community partners, and any member of the public can order free printed copies online at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/VeteransBenefitMagazine.

The digital version may be downloaded for offline use and shared freely.

Following a record-setting year for underground utility locate requests in Oregon, a new rule aimed at reducing damage has adjusted the ticket life for excavation projects from 45 days to 30 days.

Oregon set an all-time record in 2025 with 382,441 locate requests. It was fitting to reach this milestone on the 30th anniversary of the Oregon Utility Notification Center, more commonly known as Oregon 811. The Oregon Legislature created the agency back in 1995 to prevent damage to underground utilities and promote safe excavation.

“Each locate request represents a contractor or homeowner doing the right thing and using our free service to know what’s below before digging,” said Josh Thomas, Executive Director for the Oregon Utility Notification Center. “Whether you’re working on a small project or a large one, hitting a utility when digging can range from a minor annoyance to a life changing catastrophe – and in most cases it is avoidable.”

People planning to dig should request locates at least two business days in advance. Whether they call 811, request locates through Oregon811.com or use its free iPhone and Android apps, the service is quick, easy and costs nothing to use. The Oregon 811 system uses no tax dollars and is funded by more than 1,000 utilities statewide.

Starting this month, a new change is being implemented that could impact those working on large and long-term excavation projects. The life of an excavation ticket in Oregon has been reduced from 45 days to 30 days. This new deadline is noted on the dig tickets, and excavators are encouraged to consider this in their project planning.

“By reducing the ticket life from 45 days to 30 days, we’re ensuring that excavation projects are supported by the most accurate and up-to-date information,” said Melanie Lewis, Chairperson of the Oregon Utility Notification Center Board of Directors. “This enhances safety, minimizes risk, encourages communication, and helps protect underground infrastructure and the communities we serve.”

Oregon's previous 45-day ticket life deviated from industry best practices as an outlier compared to most other states. Especially in the winter and spring, rainy weather can cause locate paint marks to fade or wash away. The board approved the change after two years of meetings, testimony, and deliberations, which amended OAR 952-001-0010 (23).

For details on the status of related rule changes, visit digsafelyoregon.com/rulemaking.

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In 1995, the Oregon Legislature created the Oregon Utility Notification Center (OUNC) to establish a statewide notification system to reduce damages to underground facilities and to promote public safety related to excavation issues (ORS 757.547). The free service ensures that operators of underground facilities are notified of proposed excavation so the utilities can be located and marked in advance. For more information about the OUNC or the statewide notification system, go to Oregon811.com.