West Coast Health Alliance recommendations show vaccines ‘safe, effective’ 

(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, is thankful for the community support to find Carsyn and Abel Woolfolk.

Carsyn Woolfolk, age 5, and Abel Woolfolk, age 7, are children who went missing from Portland on Sept. 4. They were found Sept. 17.

Sometimes when a child is missing they may be in significant danger and ODHS may need to locate them to assess and support their safety. As ODHS works to do everything it can to find these missing children and assess their safety, media alerts will be issued in some circumstances when it is determined necessary. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.

Report child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).  This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.

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September 17, 2025

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

State, local officials discuss West Coast Health Alliance vaccine recommendations, vaccine access updates for Oregon today at 5 p.m

PORTLAND, Ore.—State and local officials have scheduled a virtual media briefing for 5 p.m. today—Wednesday, Sept. 17—to discuss new vaccine recommendations from the West Coast Health Alliance, vaccine access updates, and the 2025-2026 respiratory virus season.

Members of the media can join via Zoom at https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1617974314?pwd=4PbgSfKyRg7RGjAnAb0Re2NsRYfzL3.1. A livestream for the public is available via YouTube at https://youtube.com/live/2TydWPMLOVc.

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PORTLAND, Ore. — Get outside with your community while improving the natural beauty of Oregon and Washington’s public lands! On Saturday, Sept. 27, the Bureau of Land Management will be restoring hiking trails, pulling weeds at pollinator gardens, picking up trash on the beach, and enhancing natural habitats with the help of National Public Lands Day volunteers.

Held annually on the fourth Saturday in September, National Public Lands Day has helped volunteers restore America’s public lands since 1994.

Last year, the Bureau of Land Management hosted 132 events across the country. Over 9,000 volunteers got outside, contributing over 54,000 hours of service worth over $1.6 million towards the improvement of their favorite natural places.

“National Public Lands Day is one of our most important events,” said Morgan Rubanow, BLM Oregon/Washington volunteer program specialist. “Each year, volunteers leave these natural spaces healthier and more beautiful, all while getting outside and enjoying the great outdoors.”

At NPLD events, the BLM provides volunteers with tools, safety gear, and materials needed for each project.

Ready to get involved? Find a few of the events held in Oregon and Washington this year below:

• Pick up trash and remove vegetation at the Steward Pond Disc Golf Course in Eugene, Ore.
• Beautify the beaches at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area in Newport, Ore.
• Restore habitats and remove fences in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument near Ashland, Ore.
• Improve trails at the Fishtrap Recreation Area in Sprague, Wash.
• Remove weeds from the pollinator gardens in the Wood River Wetlands near Klamath Falls, Ore.
• And many more!

Learn more and find the full list of NPLD events at blm.gov/national-public-lands-day.

-BLM-

The BLM manages roughly 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.

Salem, Ore. – If you missed the April 15 tax filing deadline you can still file your 2024 taxes. Thanks to the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Tax Infrastructure Grant Program free tax filing help is available through October 15. There is no penalty for filing now if you are due refund money.  In fact, now is an excellent time to get free tax filing help because there are many open appointments for free help.

The ODHS Tax Infrastructure Grant Program funds community organizations throughout the state to offer free tax filing help for people who qualify. See below to pick the best location for free tax help.

Some taxpayers choose not to file a return because they don't earn enough to be required to file. But if you don’t file, you may miss out on receiving money back due to possible refundable tax credits. Examples include the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Oregon Kids Credit.

Free help is also available to anyone who may have received a letter from the Department of Revenue or the Internal Revenue Service about their tax filing. Taxpayers may also receive letters about a change to their return or an amount owed. Free tax filing organizations can help with the appropriate response to these letters, including translating them if necessary.

The ODHS Tax Infrastructure Grant Program funds culturally relevant or culturally specific organizations, Tribal governments and rural community organizations to help educate and provide free tax filing help for people with low incomes. Help is available in multiple languages. The grant money is also used to increase the number of certified tax preparers in Oregon.

Where to get free help filing taxes:

• 211Info: Call 2-1-1 or email help@211info.org for a list of all the free tax    filing help.

• Oregon State University (OSU); vita@oregonstate.edu; 541-737-3371; Corvallis, Bend, Eugene OSU VITA website:
• CASH Oregon; info@Cashoregon.org; 503-243-7765; Portland, Beaverton, Gresham
•  Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO); TAX@irco.org; 971- 427-3993; Portland, Ontario
•  Centro de Servicios Para Campesinos; debbiec@Centrodspc.org; 503-982- 0243; Woodburn
•  Latino Community Association; info@latinocommunityassociation.org; 541-382-4366; Bend, Redmond
• United Way Jackson County; unitedwayofjacksoncounty.org; 541-864-5092; Medford

•  Moneywise Oregon; dan@moneywiseoregon.org; 541-670-5054; Coos Bay, Roseburg

For more information, visit the Help Filing Taxes webpage: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/pages/tax-help.aspx#help.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 17, 2025

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 Nonfarm Payroll Employment Adds 6,900 Jobs in August

In August, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 6,900 jobs, following a revised gain of 100 jobs in July. August’s gains were largest in health care and social assistance (+2,500 jobs); leisure and hospitality (+1,500); government (+1,100); and other services (+1,000). Losses were largest in wholesale trade (-1,100 jobs).

Health care and social assistance continued its rapid expansion of the past several years, adding 11,600 jobs, or 3.8%, during the past 12 months. Nursing and residential care facilities added 400 jobs in August and 3,900 jobs, or 6.8%, since August 2024. Hospitals, which added no jobs in August, grew the second fastest of health care’s component industries in the past 12 months (+2,900 jobs, or 4.6%). Social assistance (+2,400 jobs, or 3.0%) and ambulatory health care services (+2,300 jobs, or 2.2%) had slower growth over the year.

Leisure and hospitality grew 2.0% in the past 12 months, gaining 4,100 jobs, following little change the prior two years. Since last August, most of its published component industries added between 2% and 4%. Amusement, gambling, and recreation grew the fastest, adding 1,500 jobs, or 6.7%. In contrast, full-service restaurants cut 1,200 jobs, or 1.8%. 

Wholesale trade declined rapidly in the past 12 months (-4,300 jobs, or -5.5%). All three wholesale component industries shrank substantially in that time: merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods (-1,500 jobs, or -4.9%); merchant wholesalers, durable goods (-1,000 jobs, or -2.5%); and wholesale trade agents and brokers (-900 jobs, or -13.0%).

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.0% in August and 4.9%, as revised, in July, after rising gradually over the past year from 4.2% in August 2024. Oregon’s 5.0% unemployment rate was 1.4 percentage points higher than the recent low of 3.6% during spring 2023. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.2% in July and 4.3% in August.

Next Press Releases

The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the August county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, Sept. 23, and the next statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for September on Wednesday, Oct. 15.

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PORTLAND, Ore.— Two Honduran nationals were extradited from Honduras to the United States to face charges for their roles in conspiring to distribute fentanyl in Oregon.

Teodoro Rodas Dubon, 32, and Erick Yojan Lopez Miralda, 38, made their initial appearances in federal court in Portland today.

According to court documents, special agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) learned that beginning in 2022, Rodas Dubon directed and controlled the distribution of bulk quantities of fentanyl throughout the Portland area. Following law enforcement actions against Rodas Dubon’s drug trafficking organization, Rodas Dubon returned to Honduras where he resumed coordinating the distribution of fentanyl throughout the Portland area. On February 22, 2024, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Rodas Dubon with conspiring to distribute fentanyl.

Additional court documents revealed Lopez-Miralda separately ran a fentanyl distribution cell operating in the Portland area in 2023. Following a multi-kilogram seizure of fentanyl, Lopez Miralda returned to Honduras. On April 3, 2024, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Lopez Miralda with conspiring to distribute fentanyl.

Rodas Dubon and Lopez Miralda were both arrested by Honduran authorities pursuant to provisional arrest warrants in January 2025. On September 15, 2025, both defendants were extradited to the United States to face federal charges in the District of Oregon. Both defendants made their initial appearances in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. They were each arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and ordered detained pending a jury trial scheduled to begin in November 2025.

“Rodas Dubon and Lopez Miralda’s extraditions to the District of Oregon send a critical message: the United States will relentlessly pursue and hold accountable those involved in trafficking fentanyl,” said United States Attorney Scott E. Bradford. “These cases reinforce our commitment to holding all individuals involved in illicit drug operations accountable for the devastating impact they’ve had in Oregon. I extend my gratitude to our federal and state partners and the Honduran authorities for their dedicated efforts in investigating, interdicting, and apprehending those involved, especially for the arrests and extraditions of Rodas Dubon and Lopez Miralda.”

“The Drug Enforcement Administration and our partners will aggressively pursue threats like these no matter where they come from,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “Mr. Rodas Dubon and Mr. Lopez Miralda are accused of serious crimes in the United States and we look forward to seeking justice in Oregon.”

These cases were investigated by the DEA with assistance from the DEA Tegucigalpa, Honduras Country Office, the Tigard Police Department, the Sherwood Police Department, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Westside Interagency Narcotics Team. It is being prosecuted by Paul T. Maloney, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with Honduran authorities to secure the defendants’ arrests and extraditions from Honduras.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

# # #

The contractor for the Badger Mountain South Developer is moving into the next phase of construction for the Dallas Road Roundabouts Project, which will bring important traffic changes later this week.

On Thursday, September 18, crews will pave the section of Trowbridge Boulevard between Dallas Road and Gateway Avenue for two-way traffic. Once the paving and striping are complete, this section of Trowbridge Boulevard will open to traffic on Friday, September 19.

Also beginning Friday, September 19, Dallas Road will close between Trowbridge Boulevard and Ava Way. During this closure, traffic will be detoured to Gateway Avenue using the newly paved sections of Trowbridge Boulevard and Ava Way.

This detour is necessary to support the full construction of the roundabout at Dallas Road and Ava Way. The closure and detour are expected to remain in place until early November 2025.

IRONMAN Event Considerations

The IRONMAN Triathlon, taking place Sunday, September 21, will also utilize the Gateway Avenue detour route during the bicycle portion of the race. To ensure smooth traffic flow and safety for participants and the public, uniformed flaggers will be stationed at key intersections, including:

• Trowbridge Blvd. & Gateway Ave.
• Ava Way & Gateway Ave.

Flaggers will release vehicles through the course whenever bicyclists are not present, helping to minimize wait times for drivers.

As always, emergency vehicles take priority. In the event of an emergency, athletes will be stopped, and flaggers will clear the way so police, fire, or medical crews can safely cross the bike course.

More information regarding traffic impacts from the IRONMAN race can be found at www.richlandparksandrec.com/IRONMAN. Residents are encouraged to visit the website and review the race routes and lane closures that may impact access in and out of their neighborhoods.

Travel Reminder

Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and follow the direction of flaggers and posted signage. The City of Richland appreciates the community’s patience during both the construction and the IRONMAN event. Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in work zones and respect posted speed limits to keep crews, athletes, and the traveling public safe.

Prineville, Ore. – Effective September 17, 2025, at 12:01am, the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District (COD) will be updating fire season restrictions. The fire danger level for the John Day and Prineville/Sisters Units will be reduced to MODERATE with Regulated Use Closure being lifted on these two units, which is a result of the recent rainfall.

Additionally, the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will be reduced to level 2 in MH-1 and in MH-4 (Hood River and Wasco County). The Dalles Unit will remain in HIGH fire danger and Regulated Use Closure will remain in effect across Hood River and Wasco counties within the Oregon Department of Forestry District protection boundary.

These changes to Regulated Use primarily affect ODF protected lands in: Harney, Grant, Morrow, Gillam, Umatilla, Wheeler, Crook, Jefferson, and Deschutes Counties. In all counties across COD, locally enforced burn bans remain in effect and should be followed. If you have questions regarding your local burn status, please reach out to your local ODF office or fire department.

The Oregon Department of Forestry urges residents not to become complacent in wildfire prevention. Though there has been widespread rain across the state, firefighters continue to respond to new lightning and human-caused starts. For tips on wildfire prevention, visit www.keeporegongreen.org  

Additional fire restrictions or regulations may apply depending on the various fire risks through the end of fire season. For more information on IFPL restrictions and public use restrictions, visit https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx.

For more information on the Central Oregon District and fire season regulations, visit https://odfcentraloregon.com/.

Portland, OR — The America 250 Oregon Commission, in partnership with Oregon Heritage and the Oregon Historical Society, is excited to announce the Oregon 250 Grant Program, supporting projects that commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. This grant program helps organizations create inclusive, community-focused projects that highlight Oregon’s diverse histories, traditions, and cultures.

Eligible organizations — including nonprofits, local governments, public schools, universities, colleges, and federally recognized tribes in Oregon — may apply for grants of up to $5,000. Funding can support events, exhibitions, educational programming, collections development, research, and interpretation. Projects must align with the mission of America 250 Oregon and one or more of its seven guideposts, which are:

• To inspire Oregonians to participate in the work of forming a more perfect union.
• To highlight the importance of civics and history education in building a better future.
• To highlight the work of Oregon’s many history and heritage organizations.
• To encourage a robust, thorough, and honest examination of our collective history.
• To celebrate the unique traditions, arts, and cultures of communities throughout Oregon.
• To honor the service and sacrifice made by Oregon’s veterans.
• To celebrate the power of place through Oregon’s remarkable landscapes and scenic beauty.

A total of $100,000 in funding is available, with 50% dedicated to rural communities. This funding was provided by the Oregon State Legislature to the Oregon Historical Society for the purpose of supporting the work of the America 250 Oregon Commission.

“We are grateful to the Oregon State Legislature for providing funds that will encourage Oregonians across the state to create opportunities to commemorate this once-in-a-generation moment in our nation’s history,” said Kerry Tymchuk, Chair of the America 250 Oregon Commission and Executive Director of the Oregon Historical Society.

Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible projects, with two funding cycles:

• Cycle 1: September 15–November 1, 2025
• Cycle 2: January 1–March 1, 2026

The grant period runs through June 30, 2027, and applications are now being accepted.

More information about the Oregon 250 Grant Program can be found at oregon250.org, including the grant guidelines and grant application.

Submit Your Event to the America 250 Oregon Community Calendar

The America 250 Oregon Commission invites individuals, organizations, and communities across the state to participate in our state’s official 250th commemoration by hosting events that reflect the diversity, creativity, and history of Oregon. Whether you’re planning a lecture, festival, exhibition, performance, community conversation, or something entirely unique — the commission wants to hear from you!

To be featured on the America 250 Oregon community calendar, your event must align with at least one of the commission guideposts — the foundational values guiding our semiquincentennial commemoration effort in Oregon.

Fill out the Event Submission Form if you would like your event included on the America 250 Oregon community calendar. All submissions will be reviewed and could take up to 3 weeks for response. Please submit a separate form for each program, project, or event you plan to host. Approved events will receive the “America 250 Oregon Official Event” logo for inclusion on promotional materials.

America 250 Oregon Traveling Exhibitions

The America 250 Oregon Commission is currently offering two traveling exhibitions that are available to rent at no cost!

The Power of Place highlights Oregon’s awe-inspiring landscapes, from its rugged coastline to its tranquil valleys and majestic peaks, many of which have remained unchanged for centuries.

The Pursuit of Happiness shifts the focus to the people and communities of Oregon and the way we gather to celebrate the diverse cultures that define our state. 

Both exhibitions are also available to view for free online here.

Get Involved

If you or your organization is interested in getting involved with the America 250 Oregon commemoration, please contact egon.250@ohs.org">oregon.250@ohs.org or sign up for the official America 250 Oregon email list.

About the America 250 Oregon Commission

The mission of the America 250 Oregon Commission is to coordinate, provide guidance, and ensure that Oregon’s official observance of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States is inclusive and shares the histories of Oregon’s diverse populations, including the histories of the Indigenous peoples who have resided here since time immemorial. Learn more at oregon250.org.

Looking to start or grow your career in security? Join us on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at WorkSource Columbia Basin 815 N. Kellogg St., Suite D, Kennewick, WA 99336. Allied Universal, North America’s leading security and facility services company, is hosting an in-person hiring event for Security Professional Flex Officers.

Allied Universal is offering on-the-spot interviews, so come dressed for your next career. A resume appreciated but not required. Both entry-level and experienced roles are available with pay ranging from $17.01 - $21.66/hr. Veterans encouraged to apply - individuals who have served in the military are an integral part of Allied Universal and the company is committed to supporting veterans in our community.

Requirements:

• Must be 18+ years old
• High school diploma or GED
• Background check required

Come meet the team, learn about career growth, and take the next step toward a rewarding future in security. Don’t miss this opportunity to walk in, interview, and walk out with a potential job offer!

Can’t make it? Apply online at www.jobs.aus.com or check out the Flex Security Guard in Pasco at Allied Universal. Contact Korey Gaddis phone: (253) 549-1456 email: ey.gaddis@aus.com">korey.gaddis@aus.com

For questions, please contact Jose Sandoval

By phone: 509-734-5298

By email: Jose.Sandoval@esd.wa.gov

WorkSource and the Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council are an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Washington Relay 711.

WorkSource Columbia Basin programs receive support and funding from US Department of Labor grants. Read more about USDOL grant funding at Stevens Amendment | Benton-Franklin WDC (bentonfranklinwdc.com)

Oregon has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to extend the 10-day time period allowed to request replacement of food purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that were lost or destroyed due to the Flat Fire that started Aug. 21, 2025, in Deschutes and Jefferson counties.

New deadline for SNAP replacement benefits
Households in these two counties now have until Sept. 22, 2025, to report food losses and request replacement benefits.

What about other counties?
For individuals who live in any other county, the standard 10-day rule remains in effect. Replacement requests must be made within 10 days of the incident, and verification may be required.

How to request SNAP replacement benefits
People who experienced food losses due to the fires can submit a request for replacement benefits using one of the following methods:

• By phone: Call 1-800-699-9075 or 711 (TTY), relay calls welcome
• In person: Visit a local office (find one online)
• By Mail: (Requests must be received by the deadline)
  ONE Customer Service Center, PO Box 14015, Salem, OR 97309
• By email: Send requests to egon.Benefits@odhsoha.oregon.gov" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Oregon.Benefits@odhsoha.oregon.gov
• Online: Submit requests through a ONE Online account

The information necessary to make a request is available in the form 349D.

When does the waiver end?

People have until Sept. 22, 2025, to report food lost due to the fire. After this date, the standard 10-day reporting rule will apply.

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Warm Springs, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison yesterday for assault resulting in serious bodily injury and prohibited possession of a firearm.

Antoine Scott, 28, was sentenced to 28 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release.

According to court documents, in June 2023, Scott approached a truck on the Warm Springs reservation and began punching the passenger through the window. The passenger suffered a head injury as well as a hand injury requiring stitches.

After being released from custody, Scott absconded from pretrial supervision. When arrested in June 2024, police recovered two firearms from Scott’s residence. Jefferson County deputies also recovered methamphetamine from Scott’s sock.

On May 21, 2025, Scott pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury and prohibited possession of a firearm.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Warm Springs Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Pam Paaso.

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.

# # #

(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, asks the public to help find Jordan Cushing, age 15, a child in foster care who went missing from Portland on Sept. 14. She is believed to be in danger.

ODHS asks the public for help in the effort to find Jordan and to contact the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233) if they believe they see her.

Jordan is known to frequent North Portland, Gresham and Vancouver.

Name: Jordan Cushing
Pronouns: She/her
Date of birth: Sept. 14, 2010
Height: 5-foot-3
Weight: 115 pounds
Hair: Brown
Eye color: Hazel
Portland Police Bureau Case #PP253581
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children #2061296

Sometimes when a child is missing they may be in significant danger and ODHS may need to locate them to assess and support their safety. As ODHS works to do everything it can to find these missing children and assess their safety, media alerts will be issued in some circumstances when it is determined necessary. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.

Report child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).  This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.

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SALEM, Oregon— The Recreational Trails Program is accepting grant applications through Nov. 15 for the approximately $1.6 million in grant funds available for the 2025 grant cycle.

Grants are available for constructing new trails, restoring or improving existing trails, trailhead facilities, trail building and maintenance equipment, land or easement acquisitions, safety and education, accessibility assessments of trails, and water trails.

The federally funded reimbursement grant program provides matching grants to construct, expand or improve public trails for motorized and non-motorized use. Interested applicants must submit a letter of intent via https://oprdgrants.org by October 15. Applications are due Nov. 15. New applicants must create an account online.

The grant program is open to local governments, park districts, state and federal agencies, tribal governments, other public land managers and nonprofits.

The Recreational Trails Program is funded through the Federal Highway Administration and administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). Since 1993, the program has funded over 550 projects across Oregon.

Information about the program, including the grant manual, application instructions, program schedule, and a webinar recording is on the Recreational Trails Program web page: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/GRA/Pages/GRA-rtp.aspx

Questions can be directed to Jodi Bellefeuille, Recreational Trails Program coordinator, at ellefeuille@oprd.oregon.gov">jodi.bellefeuille@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-856-6316.

Get ready to make a strong impression at the upcoming WSU-TC/CBC Career Day by attending this exclusive career prep event tailored specifically for veterans, military spouses, and National Guard members. Join us on Tuesday, October 8, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at WorkSource Columbia Basin, located at 815 N. Kellogg St., Suite D, Kennewick, WA. Mock interviews will be held from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM.

This event offers expert resume guidance to help you effectively translate your military and civilian experience into a standout resume. You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in mock interviews with veteran-friendly employers and receive immediate feedback—an invaluable way to sharpen your interview skills. Spots for mock interviews are limited, so please reach out to Jose Sandoval to reserve your place. In addition, you’ll be able to network with HR professionals and peers who’ve successfully transitioned to civilian careers.

Don’t miss this chance to gain insider tips, build confidence, and connect with employers who value your service and experience. For more information, contact Jose Sandoval at (509) 734-5298 or email Jose.Sandoval@esd.wa.gov.

WorkSource and the Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council are an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Washington Relay 711.

WorkSource Columbia Basin programs receive support and funding from US Department of Labor grants. Read more about USDOL grant funding at Stevens Amendment | Benton-Franklin WDC (bentonfranklinwdc.com)

RAYMOND REES NATIONAL GUARD TRAINING CENTER, Ore. – The Oregon Army National Guard is transforming its unmanned aircraft systems training at the 249th Regional Training Institute, introducing advanced platforms while developing innovative solutions to meet evolving battlefield requirements.

During September 2025, the Regional Training Institute at Rees Training Center hosted two distinct training events that showcase Oregon's expanding role as the state's center for drone operations. A specialized Master small Unmanned Aircraft Systems pilot course focused on the Flightwave Edge 130 system from Sept. 3-5, followed by the broader Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems course running Sept. 3-12.

The training represents a significant evolution from the RQ-11B Raven systems that were divested in March 2024. Students now learn on the RQ-28A Sky Ranger, officially designated by the Army for Short Range Reconnaissance missions, along with the more advanced Edge 130 platform.

"The course itself is 10 days, but with optimal weather conditions and smaller class sizes, we could potentially complete the comprehensive training in about five days," said Staff Sgt. First Class Mannen, the course manager. "That includes all the classroom instruction and flight operations, which allows me to give students more hands-on flight time."

The Edge 130, manufactured by Red Cat Holdings' Flightwave division, represents a significant upgrade in capabilities. The aircraft features vertical takeoff and landing with transition to fixed-wing flight, providing 60 minutes of flight time in vertical mode and 90 minutes in fixed-wing configuration.

"The edge 130 has three different payloads on it right now," explained Peter DeJoseph, a Flight Trainer Three with Red Cat Holdings. "You have the gimbal 360 payload that can gimbal 360 around, has 10 times zoom, and has electro-optical infrared functionality on it. And then the other payload is the mapping array where you can set a survey of an area."

The training methodology has also evolved. Red Cat's approach includes a Learning Management System that students access two weeks before arrival, allowing them to complete theoretical modules at their own pace.

"They get two weeks and go through each module and learn," DeJoseph said. "When they get through a module, they can take a 15-minute practice, take out that part of the system, build up the aircraft, go through the ground control station, build missions, download maps, and be all hands on with that learning module system."

Perhaps the most innovative aspect of Oregon's UAS program is the development of custom-built aircraft designed to supplement expensive commercial systems. Lt. Col. Mark Timmons, RTI commander, initiated this effort after recognizing the financial constraints of relying solely on $45,000 commercial platforms.

"These systems cost $45,000 apiece, so talking with Sgt. 1st Class Mannen, here do we go once we get them here and we want to loan these out to various UAS operators? Well, what's going to happen? We know what's going to happen. They're going to crash," Timmons explained.

Working with Echo MAV, a company that specializes in NDAA-compliant components, Oregon has developed prototypes that cost between $2,000-$5,000 including ground control stations. The initiative draws inspiration from similar programs at the 101st Airborne Division and 25th Infantry Division.

"The opportunity for us to be able to essentially design and build by 3D printing our own aircraft, partnering with a company who are experts in the technology piece of it and the compliance piece of it, putting those two efforts together gives us an Oregon-made, essentially US-made system," Timmons said.

Oregon's UAS training builds on infrastructure established through partnerships with the U.S. Navy. The state operates the Unmanned Aerial System Operating Facility in Boardman, a $13 million, 12,400-square-foot facility that opened in April 2023. While the RQ-7B Shadow Tactical UAS no longer operates from that facility, it established Oregon as a significant player in unmanned systems training.

Rees Training Center now serves as the primary hub for Oregon Army National Guard drone operations, with capabilities extending beyond basic flight training to include intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance applications, mapping surveys, and potential support for environmental monitoring missions.

The versatility of the new systems opens possibilities for diverse mission support. Plans include using the Edge 130's mapping capabilities to conduct environmental surveys of the Rees Training impact area to locate burrowing owl habitats for the Oregon National Guard's environmental office.

"With the edge 130 we could task the platoon to do a map survey with the mapping payload and we can get a high fidelity aerial photography of that impact area for environmental, which is super cool," Timmons noted. The training also addresses modern operational challenges, including electronic warfare considerations and fiber optic drone flight capabilities, preparing soldiers for the evolving nature of unmanned operations in contested environments.

As the Oregon Army National Guard continues developing its UAS capabilities, Rees Training Center positions itself as not just a training facility, but as an innovation hub where soldiers learn to operate, maintain, and even build the unmanned systems that increasingly define modern military operations.

The September training courses represent another step in Oregon's journey from traditional UAS operations to a comprehensive program that combines commercial systems, custom-built platforms, and innovative training methodologies to prepare soldiers for the future of unmanned warfare.

                                                                                                                       -30-

Released B-Roll: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/976969/oregon-guard-advances-drone-capabilities-with-new-training-systems-b-roll

Released Social Media Info video: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/976974/oregon-guard-advances-drone-capabilities-with-new-training-systems

Released Photos: 

250903-Z-ZJ128-1001 Lt. Col. Mark Timmons, commander of the 249th Regional Training Institute, displays the damaged frame components from a catastrophic drone crash next to a 3D-printed replacement frame in a Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems classroom at Rees Training Center, Oregon, Sept. 3, 2025. The Oregon Army National Guard developed the capability to rapidly manufacture replacement parts for custom-built unmanned aircraft systems using 3D printing technology at Starbase Rees Training Center, allowing immediate repairs instead of waiting days for replacement systems from manufacturers. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

250904-Z-ZJ128-1002 From left, Sgt. Christopher Ferranti, Staff Sgt. First Class Gregory Mannen, and Staff Sgt. Michael Kimmel demonstrate ground control station operations during Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems training at the 249th Regional Training Institute, Rees Training Center, Oregon, Sept. 4, 2025. Red Cat flight trainer Peter DeJoseph instructed Oregon Army National Guard soldiers on the advanced capabilities of the Flightwave Edge 130 system, including mission planning, autonomous flight operations, and payload management. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

250904-Z-ZJ128-1003 Peter DeJoseph, left, a Red Cat flight trainer, observes as Staff Sgt. First Class Gregory Mannen, center, and Staff Sgt. Timothy Powers operate the Flightwave Edge 130 unmanned aircraft system during training at the 249th Regional Training Institute, Rees Training Center, Oregon, Sept. 4, 2025. The Edge 130 provides vertical takeoff and landing capabilities with transition to fixed-wing flight, offering up to 90 minutes of flight time and advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities for Oregon Army National Guard units. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

250905-Z-ZJ128-1004 Staff Sgt. First Class Gregory Mannen operates an RQ-28A Sky Ranger unmanned aircraft system on the parade field at Rees Training Center, Oregon, Sept.5, 2025. The RQ-28A serves as the Army's official platform for Short Range Reconnaissance missions and is the primary aircraft used in the Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems course at the 249th Regional Training Institute. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

250905-Z-ZJ128-1005 Staff Sgt. First Class Gregory Mannen instructs students on the components of the RQ-28A Sky Ranger system kit during a Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems course at the 249th Regional Training Institute, Rees Training Center, Oregon, Sept. 5, 2025. The 10-day sUAS course teaches Oregon Army National Guard soldiers mission planning, flight operations, and system maintenance on unmanned aircraft platforms used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

Press Release from the United States Attorney's Office, EDWA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Media hotline: 503-813-6018

Pacific Power Launches Wattsmart Battery Program to Boost Grid Reliability and Efficiency

Washington customers can now earn incentives while helping Pacific Power build a more sustainable and reliable energy system.

PORTLAND, Ore. (Sept. 15, 2025) — Pacific Power has rolled out its Wattsmart Battery Program, a forward-thinking initiative that enables customers to take part in building a smarter and reliable energy grid for the future. This program allows customers in Washington to earn financial incentives by integrating personal battery storage systems into the grid, helping support grid reliability and sustainability.

By enrolling, participants allow Pacific Power to manage their batteries as part of a distributed energy network, helping to optimize solar energy use, reduce carbon emissions and keep electricity prices low.

“Our goal is to create a more resilient and efficient grid that empowers customers to be a part of the energy solution,” said, Shawn Grant, director of customer solutions, for Pacific Power. “Through strategic partnerships and cutting-edge technology, the Wattsmart Battery Program helps communities optimize energy use and lower costs, especially during peak times in the summer.”

Participation in the Wattsmart Battery Program helps customers who have installed solar systems with backup batteries save on their energy bills and benefit their community.

Participation Benefits:

• Earn incentives for connecting batteries with the power grid. Participants get up to $600 per kilowatt as an upfront enrollment incentive as well as ongoing bill credits.
• Integrate renewable energy with the grid, reducing emissions.
• Provides emergency backup power during outages.
• Help keep electricity prices down.

To learn more or enroll, customers can visit PacificPower.net/Battery

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About Pacific Power

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

Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF) and Canine Companions will host a Puppy Matriculation Ceremony

Media invite

What:

Please join us as Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF) and Canine Companions host a Puppy Matriculation Ceremony to celebrate the service dogs raised by incarcerated women through the facilities unique training program. The event will include a heartfelt reunion with the graduated service dogs, the individuals they now assist, and the women who helped raise and train them. This is a unique opportunity for the women at CCCF to see the dogs thriving in their new roles – a powerful testament to the programs positive impact on everyone involved.

When:

Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 7:00 – 8:30 PM

Where:

Coffee Creek Correctional Facility 24499 SW Grahams Ferry Road Wilsonville, OR 97070

RSVP to: 

Amber Knight via email no later than 5:00 PM on September 19, 2025

Amber.N.Knight@doc.oregon.gov

Public Information Officer 503-507-3567 

Additional Information:

To learn more about Canine Companions, visit https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fcanine.org%2Fabout%2Fwho-we-are%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_name=%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010101994ee0fa36-22222425-69a7-47a0-942d-bfd997f1b192-000000/6c9pL6fbpy5PoFa79uZbE4qaLyptjl8KH5gN2TuuYno=422. Click or tap if you trust this link.">Who We Are - Canine Companions 

Background:

The dogs being celebrated spent their first 18 months at CCCF being cared for and trained by incarcerated women known as Puppy Handlers. During their time at the facility, the puppies learn their first 30 foundational skills. They then continue to a regional training center in California that teaches them advanced instruction and prepares them to become fully certified service dogs. This program offers incarcerated women the opportunity to contribute to society in a meaningful, purpose driven way.

Media wishing to attend will be required to complete a criminal background check. We ask that you arrive 30 minutes early to be processed through security.

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An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, James Daniel Gardner, died September 14, 2025. Gardner was incarcerated at Oregon State Correctional Institution (OSCI) in Salem and passed away at the facility. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified, and the State Medical Examiner will determine cause of death.

Gardner entered DOC custody on June 2, 2022, from Josephine County with an earliest release date of December 24, 2025. Gardner was 32 years old. Next of kin has been notified.

DOC takes all in-custody deaths seriously. The agency is responsible for the care and custody of approximately 12,000 men and women who are incarcerated in 12 institutions across the state. While crime information is public record, DOC elects to disclose only upon request out of respect for any family or victims.

OSCI is a multi-custody prison located in Salem that houses approximately 870 adults in custody. It provides a range of correctional services and programs including education, drug and alcohol treatment, mental health treatment, religious services, work crews, and transition planning. OSCI participates in prison industries with Oregon Corrections Enterprises, including a print shop and a contact center. OSCI was established by action of the 1955 Legislature and became fully operational on June 1, 1959.

####

Embargoed until Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 12:15 p.m. 

Embargoed until Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 2:45 p.m. 

PORTLAND, OR – September 15, 2025. The Lemelson Foundation today announced its relocation to a new office space at 2035 NW Front Avenue, Suite 501, Portland, OR 97209, in Portland’s Pearl District. The move reflects the Foundation's growth and commitment to fostering groundbreaking invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Oregon, across the U.S., and worldwide.

The environmentally-friendly and human-centered space represents a new chapter for the Foundation, offering an environment that will enhance collaboration, efficiency, and impact. The purpose-built space enables the Foundation's team to connect and innovate in new ways, and fosters a more open, fluid exchange of ideas among team members. 

“Our new office marks an exciting milestone in The Lemelson Foundation's evolution. This thoughtfully designed space is a reflection of our philanthropic commitment to the organizations and programs that support inventors and entrepreneurs,” shares Rob Schneider, the Foundation’s Executive Director. “We built this collaborative and dynamic environment to not only inspire our team and partners, but also to ignite the kind of innovative thinking that leads to a better world. We look forward to welcoming our partners, grantees, and community members to our new space."

The WELL- and LEED Platinum-certified building offers EV charging stations, a smoke-free campus, and a green roof, while the new office space is thoughtfully designed with sustainability at its core. Additionally, it features expansive collaborative zones, state-of-the-art technology for seamless global connectivity and virtual engagement, adaptable meeting spaces to accommodate diverse partnerships, and a focus on natural light and ergonomic design to boost creativity and well-being.

The Lemelson Foundation is fully operational at its new Portland location. Contact information, including phone number and email addresses, remains unchanged.  For more information on The Lemelson Foundation's philanthropic mission and initiatives, please visit www.lemleson.org.

ABOUT THE LEMELSON FOUNDATION: The Lemelson Foundation uses the power of invention to improve lives. Established in 1992 by prolific U.S. inventor Jerome “Jerry” Lemelson and his wife Dorothy, and guided today by the Lemelson family, the Foundation believes invention can solve many of the biggest economic, social, and environmental challenges of our time. A private philanthropy located in Portland, Oregon, and operating globally, The Lemelson Foundation has provided over $350 million in grants and other investments to hundreds of organizations around the world.

At 11:56 am on September 14, 2025 , Deschutes County 911 received multiple calls reporting an RV on fire in the Juniper Ridge Temporary Short Stay Area (TSSA).  On arrival in the area, which was south of Wiley Circle and about 75 yards east of Highway 97, a fully involved Class C motorhome was found. The fire extended to nearby vegetation and combustible materials, but was limited in spread due to fuel reduction work performed in the area earlier this year.  Crews were able to quickly knock down the fire, with assistance provided on scene by US Forest Service, Cloverdale Fire District, Oregon State Police, and Deschutes County Sheriff's Office.  Two individuals and a dog were displaced by the fire, a cat is still unaccounted for.  REACH was contacted to provide assistance to the occupants of the RV.  

Upon investigation, the exact cause of the fire could not be determined, but is believed to be accidental in nature.  

The limited spread of the fire today illustrated how defensible space works.  Due to work performed limbing up trees and removing excess vegetation in the Juniper Ridge area earlier this year, the fire was limited in size and able to be contained quickly.  Does your home have defensible space?  For more information on simple steps that residents can take to create defensible space around their home, visit https://www.bendoregon.gov/government/departments/fire-rescue/emergency-preparedness/own-your-zone.

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 is nearing completion of its Intersections Safety Improvements project, which has delivered traffic safety enhancements at locations throughout the community.

As part of the final phase, the Swift Boulevard and Wright Avenue roundabout will be closed from September 16 – 19, 2025, for final asphalt repairs. A clearly marked detour will guide drivers safely around the work zone. Crews are working to complete the closure as quickly and efficiently as possible, and the City appreciates the community’s patience during this final step.

With this closure, all other work associated with the Intersections Safety Improvements project has been completed. These improvements are designed to enhance safety, visibility, and reliability for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists in Richland.

For more information about the Intersections Safety Improvements project, visit: www.ci.richland.wa.us/safetyimprovements

(Salem) – Carsyn Woolfolk, age 5, and Abel Woolfolk, age 7, went missing with their mother Josee Marie Pyshny and father Daniel Scott Woolfolk from Portland on Sept. 4. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division believes that they may be at risk and is searching for them to assess their safety.

ODHS asks the public to help in the effort to find Carsyn and Abel. Anyone who suspects they have information about the location of Abel, Carsyn, or their parents Josee Marie Pyshny and Daniel Scott Woolfolk should call 911 or the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline at 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).

They are believed to be in the Portland Metro area or Vancouver, Washington.

Name: Carsyn Lee Woolfolk
Pronouns: He/him
Date of birth: March 31, 2020
Height: 42 inches
Weight: 40 pounds
Hair: Brown
Eye color: Brown
Other identifying information: Carsyn is on the autism spectrum and is non-verbal.
Gresham Police Department Case # 25-37531
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children # 2061078

Name: Abel Cole Woolfolk 
Pronouns: He/him
Date of birth: Aug. 27, 2018
Height: 48 inches
Weight: 55 pounds
Hair: Brownish blond
Eye color: Blue
Other identifying information: Abel has eczema and visible tooth decay.
Gresham Police Department Case # 25-37531
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children # 2061078

Sometimes when a child is missing they may be in significant danger and ODHS may need to locate them to assess and support their safety. As ODHS works to do everything it can to find these missing children and assess their safety, media alerts will be issued in some circumstances when it is determined necessary. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.

Report child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).  This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.

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Portland, OR — All are welcome to attend the next America 250 Oregon Commission meeting, which will be held virtually at 3:30pm on Monday, September 15. Register here if you would like to join the live conversation. If you are unable to attend, the meeting recording and minutes will be posted online at oregon250.org in the following weeks.

The meeting agenda is available online, with topics including a recap of the recent America 250 Washington, D.C., convening and the commission’s participation in the Oregon State Fair as well as details on the Oregon 250 Grant Program.

All are encouraged to visit the America 250 Oregon website to discover local community events and browse two digital photographic exhibits.

Submit Your Event to the America 250 Oregon Community Calendar

The America 250 Oregon Commission invites individuals, organizations, and communities across the state to participate in our state’s official 250th commemoration by hosting events that reflect the diversity, creativity, and history of Oregon. Whether you’re planning a lecture, festival, exhibition, performance, community conversation, or something entirely unique — the commission wants to hear from you!

To be featured on the America 250 Oregon community calendar, your event must align with at least one of the commission guideposts — the foundational values guiding our semiquincentennial commemoration effort in Oregon.

Fill out the Event Submission Form if you would like your event included on the America 250 Oregon community calendar. All submissions will be reviewed and could take up to 3 weeks for response. Please submit a separate form for each program, project, or event you plan to host. Approved events will receive the “America 250 Oregon Official Event” logo for inclusion on promotional materials.

America 250 Oregon Traveling Exhibitions

The America 250 Oregon Commission is currently offering two traveling exhibitions that are available to rent at no cost!

The Power of Place highlights Oregon’s awe-inspiring landscapes, from its rugged coastline to its tranquil valleys and majestic peaks, many of which have remained unchanged for centuries.

The Pursuit of Happiness shifts the focus to the people and communities of Oregon and the way we gather to celebrate the diverse cultures that define our state. 

Both exhibitions are also available to view for free online here.

Get Involved

If you or your organization is interested in getting involved with the America 250 Oregon commemoration, please contact egon.250@ohs.org">oregon.250@ohs.org or sign up for the official America 250 Oregon email list.

About the America 250 Oregon Commission

The mission of the America 250 Oregon Commission is to coordinate, provide guidance, and ensure that Oregon’s official observance of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States is inclusive and shares the histories of Oregon’s diverse populations, including the histories of the Indigenous peoples who have resided here since time immemorial. Learn more at oregon250.org.

Portland, Ore., September 2, 2025 – As the air turns crisp and the season shifts, SOLVE invites community members across Oregon and Southwest Washington to Fall into Action with SOLVE. At the heart of the season is the Beach & Riverside Cleanup, September 20–28, one of the largest volunteer events of the year. Registration is now open.

“Fall with SOLVE is about restoring and protecting the places we’ve spent the summer exploring,” said Kris Carico, CEO of SOLVE. “It’s about coming together to care for the places that matter most, from keeping school routes safe to preparing green spaces for the months ahead. It’s important to take action before rains wash litter into our waterways, and our local actions have lasting and far-reaching impacts. The Beach & Riverside Cleanup is the centerpiece of this season, connecting local efforts to global movements that protect our rivers, beaches, and public lands.”

Connecting Local Action to Global Movements
The 2025 Beach & Riverside Cleanup, in partnership with OnPoint Community Credit Union, spans ten days of statewide volunteer opportunities, from the Oregon Coast to urban neighborhoods in Oregon and SW Washington, and is tied to three days of global significance:

• International Coastal Cleanup Day (September 20): Uniting millions of volunteers worldwide to protect waterways from harmful trash and debris.
• National Public Lands Day (September 27): The nation’s largest single-day volunteer event focused on trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and native tree planting.
• World Rivers Day (September 28): Celebrating rivers and emphasizing the need to protect them.

For nearly four decades, the Beach & Riverside Cleanup has brought communities together to protect beaches, rivers, parks, and public lands. Over 60 projects are already open for registration, with opportunities for families, neighbors, community groups, and businesses to take part. From source to sea, volunteers will remove litter, restore natural areas, and create a visible difference across the region.

2025 Sponsors

SOLVE's Beach & Riverside Cleanup 2025, in partnership with OnPoint Community Credit Union, is proudly supported by Chevron, Clean Water Services, Harper Houf Peterson Righellis Inc., Knife River, KOIN, Malibu Rum, Metro, National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), Oregon Parks and Recreation, Tillamook, and Wells Fargo.

What You’ll See This Fall

With cooler weather and the energy of back-to-school season, SOLVE volunteers will:

• Clean up litter from neighborhoods, trails, parks, and waterways
• Restore habitats by removing invasive ivy and weeds
• Prepare green spaces for winter with mulch and maintenance
• Join forces with schools and community groups to inspire youth action 

Key Fall Events:

While the Beach & Riverside Cleanup is the centerpiece, Fall with SOLVE also offers a variety of ways for communities to get involved:

• Pick It Up!: Large-scale community cleanups in Milwaukie (September 6), Bend (September 20), and Vancouver (October 10) bring together residents, businesses, and volunteers to give city centers a fresh start this fall.
• Waterway Cleanup Series Wrap-Up (October 15): The summer-long effort in partnership with Clackamas Water Environment Services concludes with a cleanup at High Rocks Park, Gladstone.
• Monthly Detrash Portland Events: Ongoing cleanups in Portland’s business districts, focused on revitalizing key gathering areas.
• Neighborhood & School Route Cleanups: Supporting cleaner, safer pathways for students and families as the school year begins.
• Restoration Projects: Removing invasive species, mulching, and preparing natural areas for the winter months.

Get Involved
SOLVE invites individuals, families, schools, and businesses to take part in Fall with SOLVE by signing up for a project, hosting a cleanup, or supporting restoration efforts. Whether joining solo or with friends, family, or coworkers, every action helps protect waterways, restore habitats, and strengthen communities.

Looking ahead, there are even more ways to celebrate the season with purpose, from Giving Tuesday contributions to corporate volunteer projects and sponsorship opportunities. Support during this time helps sustain SOLVE’s year-round work and expand its impact across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

For more information and to sign up, visit solveoregon.org/seasons.

About SOLVE 

SOLVE brings communities together to take care of our environment and enhance our waterways. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots initiative to a national model of volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon, and SW Washington, to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas, while empowering a community of environmental stewards for our state. Visit solveoregon.org for more information. 

September 12, 2024

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

Nye Beach health advisory lifted

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) today lifted a public health advisory for contact with ocean water at Nye Beach, located in Lincoln County.

The health authority issued the advisory Sept. 11, after water samples showed higher-than-normal levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters.

Results from follow-up tests taken by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) showed lower bacteria levels. Contact with the ocean water no longer poses a higher-than-normal risk.

Officials recommend staying out of large pools on the beach that are frequented by birds, and runoff from those pools, because the water may contain increased bacteria from fecal matter.

Oregon agencies participating in this program are OHA, DEQ and  the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

For more information, visit the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program website at http://www.healthoregon.org/beach or call 971-673-0440, or call OHA toll-free information line at 877-290-6767.

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PORTLAND, Ore.— Defendant Julie Winters, 46, of Portland, made a first appearance in
federal court yesterday after being charged by criminal complaint with assaulting a federal officer
and resisting arrest.

According to court documents, on August 20, 2025, Winters became hostile when deputies from
the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) attempted to place Winters under arrest for violating the
conditions of her pretrial release for an earlier charge of assaulting a federal law enforcement
officer. Winters began to fight and resisted arrest. After several minutes, the deputies were able
to handcuff and escort Winters to a holding cell. A short time later in the holding cell, Winters
had a medical incident, and the Deputy U.S. Marshals provided immediate care. The Deputy
U.S. Marshals removed the restraints as they waited for additional medical personnel to respond.
As soon as the restraints were removed, Winters began fighting with the Deputy U.S. Marshals.
Winters grabbed a Deputy U.S. Marshal by the hair at the base of the scalp and began to whip
the Deputy U.S. Marshal around by the hair.

Winters was on pretrial release for a separate incident on June 24, 2025, for which she was
indicted on two counts of attempted assault on an officer and intimidation of a federal officer
with a dangerous weapon.

According to court documents, on June 24, 2025, officers observed Winters attempting to light
an incendiary device next to the guard shack of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
office. As Federal Protective Service officers engaged with Winters, she pulled a large knife
from her backpack and began waiving the blade toward the officers. Winters threw the knife at
an officer, but it did not strike the officer. Winters began to flee but an officer deployed a taser,
bringing Winters to the ground. As officers attempted to secure Winters, she pulled a second
large knife from her waistband. Officers finally disarmed Winters and arrested her.

The case is being investigated by the United States Marshal Service and the FBI and is being
prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

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

SANTIAM STATE FOREST, Ore.—A group of Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) experts shared management insights, challenges and lessons learned from the recovery efforts in the Santiam State Forest after the 2020 wildfires with a team of South Korean researchers and graduate students from Oregon State University recently. 

“Oregon is known all over the world as one of the best, if not the best, in forest management both in the private and public sectors,” said Dr. Heesung Woo, Assistant Professor of Advanced Forestry Systems, Forest Engineering, Resources and Management at Oregon State University. “These researchers will be key to developing better forest management policy in South Korea and for them to see in person the forest and impact of large fires on the forest, then get to discuss how to recover from large fires with the ODF staff is invaluable.”

The day-long field tour in the Santiam included stops and discussions at burned areas, completed salvage logging areas, and places that had been replanted with trees.

“One big takeaway I’ve learned from this visit is the importance of good access to forests through a basic road system,” said Dr. Sanghoon Chung, from the South Korean National Institute of Forest Sciences.  “In Oregon, I was struck by how forest roads played a vital role not only in enabling the deployment of ground-based equipment for building firebreaks and controlling wildfires, but also in supporting post-fire recovery by transporting seedlings and facilitating salvage logging. It was a powerful example for us to learn from.”

While the historical and social context of Korea’s forests differs from that of Oregon, the commitment to post-wildfire restoration remains equally strong. Forest recovery and restoration are entangled with complex social, policy, and economic interests.

“Conflicts among stakeholders are inevitable during the forest restoration process, and relying on one-sided claims rarely leads to reasonable outcomes. What is essential, however, is our collective commitment to ensuring that forests can once again deliver their full range of vital functions,” said Chung.

The group plans to apply the lessons and information ODF provided to shape their forests. 

 “These researchers and the students in this group who choose to go back will be key in developing forest policy now and in the future,” said Dr. Woo. “ODF has given us great insights and many things to consider.”

Even with all the challenges, Dr. Woo is optimistic about the future forests of South Korea.

“Many people here don’t realize how small South Korea is,” said Dr. Woo. “It’s only about 40 percent the size of Oregon, yet nearly 64 percent of the country is covered by forests. So, with the small size, we have a better chance of making changes quicker to promote healthy forests.  We also see how Oregon has a cooperative social license with many groups to work together to improve forests, and we hope to gain interest from our people to value and care about the forest in the same way.”

Although there is no formal agreement between South Korea and Oregon on sharing forest research and management, the relationship has been strong for years

.

“One of the first tours I ever gave working for ODF was to a South Korean delegation in 2015,” said Kyle Kaupp, ODF’s Santiam Unit Forester.  “It’s been amazing now to share more than 10 years of great work and lessons learned the hard way in the same forest with this group.  They understand the challenges of forest management, and hopefully, we gave them some perspective and practical lessons on how to do that better back home.”

For more on the Santiam recovery efforts, visit: Oregon Department of Forestry : Restoring the Santiam State Forest : Recreation, education & interpretation : State of Oregon

For more on the South Korean Forest Service, visit: Korea Forest Service - Forest In Korea > Korean Forests at a Glance

APPLICANT REVIEW COMMITTEE

MEETING SCHEDULED

The Applicant Review Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 24, 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.

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

Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. Approve July 23, 2025, Meeting Minutes

3. Juan Rios, DPSST No. 66172; ODOC/Oregon State Penitentiary

    Presented by Cindy Park

4. Inquiry Closure Memos – Information Only

    Presented by Cindy Park

5. Next Applicant Review Committee Meeting – October 23, 2025, at 11:00 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 Applicant Review 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.