Oregon State Hospital maintains compliance with CMS

Month-Long Black History Month Exhibit Opens at the State Library of Oregon 

The City of Richland Parks and Public Facilities Department is now accepting applications for its 2026 Park Partnership Program, offering up to $40,000 in matching grant funds from the Park Reserve Fund to support community-driven improvements to City parks, trails, open space, and recreational facilities.

The Park Partnership Program is designed to support projects that:

• Improve or expand park and recreational opportunities for the general public
• Encourage private investment and community participation in developing park amenities
• Enhance quality of life for Richland residents

Eligible applicants may include community groups, nonprofit organizations, and other partners interested in working collaboratively with the City to enhance public recreational spaces.

Important 2026 Application Dates

• Application Window: January 21 – March 2, 2026
• Application Deadline: March 2, 2026, by 5:00 p.m.
  (Deadline includes completion of the application interview with Parks & Public Facilities staff.)
• Mandatory Oral Presentation to the Parks & Recreation Commission:  April 9, 2026

More information regarding the program, including a link to the application can be found at www.richlandparksandrec.com/ParkPartnership.

Important Program Notice

Beginning in 2027, the Park Partnership Program will transition to one annual application cycle, held in the fall, with grants awarded the following spring.

2026 will be the only year with two separate application periods. A second application window will open in fall 2026 as part of this transition.

Applicants are encouraged to plan accordingly and take advantage of this year’s unique opportunity to apply during either cycle.

Additional details, including eligibility requirements, application materials, and submission instructions, are available on www.richlandparksandrec.com/ParkPartnership.

SALEM, Ore. – The annual Arts Build Communities grants will fund more than 50 organizations located across the state of Oregon, helping organizations and arts leaders address community needs through the impact of art.

Each awardee will receive $5,000 in FY2026 to address a community issue or need through the arts. These grants are made possible through a funding partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Oregon Arts Commission.

“Grant requests for this program have surged 160% over the past five years,” said Amy Lewin, Director of the Oregon Arts Commission. “This cycle, we could only fund one-third of applications, but the projects supported will spark creativity, strengthen communities, and activate key spaces across Oregon.”

Among the many notable organizations and projects to receive grant funds for FY2026 is the City of Lowell’s new initiative in partnership with The Maggie Osgood Library, titled “Making Lowell an Art Community,” a hands-on collaborative project with professional artists who will work with members of the community to create art projects together. Another highlight includes the High Desert Museum in Bend, which with its Intergenerational Learning Film Project will harness the power of visual storytelling to raise awareness of contemporary Native communities and the continuation of knowledge across generations.

“These grants start at the local level, where artists and organizations are closest to the needs and opportunities in their communities,” shares Jason Holland, Oregon Arts Commission chair and grant panel chair. “By supporting locally driven projects, the program recognizes creativity as essential to healthy, livable communities—especially in places and populations that have historically had fewer resources. This strengthens access to the arts and helping communities respond to challenges in ways that are inclusive, collaborative and rooted in place.”  

The FY2026 recipients include:

All Ages Music Portland dba Friends of Noise, Portland

To support “Band Slam: A City-Wide Battle of the Bands” in 2026. This series of competitions will be hosted at different high schools and nonprofit sites, providing opportunities to youth artists and youth sound engineers.

The Artist Mentorship Program (AMP), Portland
To support houseless youth ages 14–25 by providing holistic arts and music programming and cultural outings that expose youth to theater, dance, concerts, movies, museums, and public arts spaces. 
 

Bag & Baggage Productions, Hillsboro

To support its mainstage production of “Antíkoni,” a new play by Nez Perce playwright Beth Piatote, with a cast of nine actors, featuring strong, complex Native women characters.

Central Oregon Symphony Association, Bend

To support the expansion of music education and outreach in Central Oregon by increasing staff capacity and enhancing access to performances and programs. Efforts will prioritize K–12 students and underserved communities in Madras, Prineville and La Pine.

City of Lowell, Lowell

To support “Making Lowell an Art Community,” a hands-on project where professional artists will work with members of the community to create art projects at The Maggie Osgood Library.

Color Outside the Lines, Portland

To support “Home in Our Hands: A Youth Mural Project.” This large-scale mural, located in central Portland, will be created in collaboration with first-generation Hispanic and migrant youth alongside Mexican artists.

Echo Theater Company, Portland

To support PopRock, a physical theater ensemble composed of adults who desire to perform and have experienced barriers due to disability. PopRock trains, rehearses and performs at the Echo Theater.

enTaiko, Portland

To support Project “ROU,” a March 2026 collaborative concert at Portland Community College Sylvania Performing Arts Center with enTaiko and guest artists Shinkyo, a Deaf taiko ensemble from Japan in their U.S. debut.

Ethos Inc, Portland

To support Ethos’ Music Outreach Program, which provides low-cost afterschool and summer music education to community partners who reach low-income and historically underserved youth.

Eugene Ballet, Eugene

To support Eugene Ballet’s Access to Dance programming. Funds will be used for artist fees, to provide transportation, to pay for student scholarships, and to pay for theater time and staff time for a comprehensive dance program.

Fishtrap Inc., Enterprise

To support the Fishtrap Reads program, designed to engage every person in Wallowa County. Funds will be used to purchase 400 books for area schools and libraries and provide a mix of in-person and online events and school activities.

Gather:Make:Shelter, Portland

To support 1-2 weekly arts workshops throughout 2026 at three transitional shelter villages built and managed by WeShine for people experiencing houselessness; and present participants’ work in an exhibition at the Gather:Make:Shelter Gallery.

Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre Northwest, Portland

To support “Creative Movement for Community Learners” at the Community Transitional School in an 8-week, twice-a-week free community program in the spring of 2026.

Huitzilopochtli, Woodburn

To support all three seasons of the Aztec Dance Circle (ADC) program. Funds will be used for securing operational activities that are free of charge for all Latinx and low-income participants.

Humans for Housing Education Inc, Portland

To support the “Humans for Housing Exhibition,” an immersive storytelling project launching February 2026 at Stelo Arts gallery in Portland.

Instaballet, Eugene

To support the growing Accessible Education Program, which provides free, on-site, accessible dance workshops where youth audiences co-create choreography with professional artists.

Jazz Society of Oregon, Portland

To support the 2026 Cathedral Park Jazz Festival, a three-day, outdoor, free-to-all jazz festival in the heart of North Portland, featuring Latin, Indigenous and Afro-jazz, and blues, all rooted in the history of our diverse community, presented to an average 9,000 to 12,000 audience members each year. The requested funds will be used for artist fees.

Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, Joseph

To support the 2026 Nez Perce Artists Exhibition in Joseph, Oregon, summer through fall of 2026. Presented in partnership with the ˀItam'yanáawit Small Business Program, the exhibit will feature approximately 20 artists.

Lane Arts Council, Eugene

To support expanded cultural programming for First Friday ArtWalks in 2026. This free community event is held the first Friday of every month. LAC will partner with Cultural Producers to develop, curate and present unique cultural programming.

Literary Arts, Inc., Portland

To support partnership with Woodburn High School to participate in Youth Programs. Requested funds will be used to support WHS students participating in Students to “the Schnitz”, which includes free tickets, ground transportation and books for students to attend Portland Arts & Lectures author talks.

Maxtivity, Philomath

To support “How We Weave Together,” a six-month community weaving project, taking place January through June 2026, and culminating in a public art installation in Philomath, Oregon.

Montavilla Jazz Festival, Portland

To support the Jessie Márquez: Cuban Jazz Exchange, a community-based music project that brings Cuban and Oregon artists together for performances and workshops in Portland during 2026. Requested funds will be used for artist fees.

Neskowin Coast Foundation aka Sitka Center for Art and Ecology, Otis

To support the K-8 Create: Rural Teaching Artists Program. Sitka will identify and select an artist to work with Sitka staff to deliver a series of workshops for rural Title 1 schools.

North Pole Studio, Portland

To support Public Art at Beaverton Transit Center. Requested funds will be used to cover artist commissions and artwork production. The project is in close collaboration with TriMet and their accessibility upgrades to Beaverton Transit.

Northwest Alliance for Alternative Media and Education, Portland

To support NAAME and the Oregon Youth Authority’s Office of Inclusion & Intercultural Relations in bringing arts and cultural programming to Oregon youth correctional facilities, providing a supportive community to develop and amplify youth’s creative voices.

Oregon Arts Watch, Portland

To support the highly successful “Cultural Hubs" series. These stories cover essential cultural centers, how they uniquely serve and reflect their communities, and prioritize rural and underserved populations. At least 25 stories, to be published in 2026, will reach 25,000 people, providing the hubs with greater visibility, wider audiences, and increased economic revenue. Requested funds will be used for professional fees and travel expenses.

Oregon Ballet Theatre, Portland

To support the Oregon Ballet Theatre’s “OBT2 Tour,” the company’s second performance tour to smaller communities throughout Oregon, which will increase access to professional-level ballet productions in rural areas.

Oregon Children’s Theatre Company, Portland

To support the development of an intergenerational new musical, “WY’EAST” in collaboration with Bag&Baggage of Hillsboro and Native Theater Project, an Indigenous-led organization. Requested funds will be used for artist fees, materials and supplies, and marketing costs.

Oregon Coast Youth Symphony Festival Association, Newport

To support the festival’s activities, revitalize high school orchestra programs and expand the size as well as the festival’s statewide music community. Funds will be used to pay expenses (food, housing, etc.).

Oregon East Symphony, Pendleton

To support “Mother Goose at the Symphony,” a free, family-friendly performance of Ravel’s “Mother Goose Suite” with live narration.

Oregon Origins Project, Portland

To support an encore performance of “Oregon Origins Project II: Seven Wonders” in Lakeview, Oregon, in November 2026. Requested funds will be used to fund the majority of artists’ fees.

Oregon Symphony Association, Portland

To support the Lullaby Project, a community program that hosts free songwriting workshops, performances and recording opportunities for families experiencing houselessness or incarceration.

Outside the Frame, Portland

To support the provision of new professional development workshop opportunities to Outside the Frame’s dedicated staff members and advanced current program participants.

p:ear, Portland

To support “UNSEEN LIGHT,” a project facilitated with homeless youth, using the photographic self-portrait as a tool to heal, foster visibility and challenge stereotypes about homelessness. Requested funds will be used for artist fees.

Phoenix Elementary School, Phoenix

To support the PES Community Collaboration Mural Education Initiative. Requested funds will be used for education, artist design and labor, paint and materials, scaffolding/lift rental, wall prep and sealing.

Portland Opera Association, Portland

To support the third installment of “Our Oregon,” a 10-year, five-part touring youth opera series that celebrates women from Oregon’s richly diverse communities. Our 2026 production will be “The Crown Maker,” an opera about Oregon’s own Eva Castellanoz.

Portland Playhouse, Portland

To support “If These Stoops Could Talk,” a day-long celebration of the history of Portland’s historically Black King Neighborhood, which will transform Portland Playhouse’s grounds into a living archive of memory, joy and resilience.

Portland Revels, Portland

To support our 2026 Spring Revels production, a collaboration with Theatre Diaspora, Oregon’s only professional Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander theatre company, which will be produced at a traditional theatre, then toured to culturally-specific community venues.

Portland State University Library, Portland

To support the Library Wayfinding Murals project to add artistic vibrancy to the PSU Library as well as clearer pathways to resources and services. Requested funds will be used for artist fees and supplies.

Portland SummerFest (dba OPERA IN THE PARK Portland), Portland

To support OPERA IN THE PARK 2026: “Cruzar la Cara de la Luna.” This will be the first-ever free public performance of José “Pepé” Martínez and Leonard Foglia’s “Cruzar la Cara de la Luna” in summer 2026.

Profile Theatre Project, Portland

To support In Dialogue, a series of workshops, conversations, community-created exhibitions and performances connected to plays by Profile’s Featured Writers whose visions broaden perspectives on the world and deepen collective compassion.

push/FOLD, Portland

To support the sixth Union PDX - Festival of Contemporary Dance (Union PDX - Festival:26), featuring performances and classes from local, national and international dance artists. Requested funds will be used for artist fees.

Rejoice Diaspora Dance Theater, Portland

To create “BREAKIN,” a live performance, exhibition and community-center program to amplify and celebrate the history and present of Portland’s street and breakdancing community.

Rooted Ways: An Indigenous Cultural & Ecological Initiative, Dayton

To support Traditional Plant Gathering opportunities for tribal communities, wherein supplies are sustainably harvested for use in traditional art practices such as weaving.

Silverton Arts Association, Silverton

To support Youth Art Programming in Silverton, Oregon. These funds will be used to help purchase art supplies and pay teachers in a longstanding partnership with the Silver Falls School District.

The High Desert Museum, Bend

To support the Intergenerational Learning Film Project, which will harness the power of visual storytelling to raise awareness of contemporary Native communities and the continuation of knowledge across generations.

Third Angle New Music Ensemble, Portland

To support “Eras” at World Forestry Center and PRAx in May 2026, reaching new audiences with a newly commissioned work about wildfires, featuring poetry and a performance by the Oregon Repertory Singers Youth Choir.

Vanport Mosaic, Portland

To support Preserving Vanport Through Art, an initiative to catalogue, digitize and disseminate artistic work inspired by a decade-long memory activism led by Vanport former residents, flood survivors and their descendants.

Western Oregon University Development Foundation, Monmouth

To support Rainbow Dance Theatre: Expanding Arts Access in Polk County. This project will bring a world-class professional dance company to rural schools through a live performance at Rice Auditorium.

Wonderfolk, Portland

To support the creation of a public mural in Portland through the Unity Through Arts youth mentor program. Funds will support compensating artists for their time and expertise ($4,000) and cover essential supplies.

World Forestry Center, Portland

To support “FOREST HOPE & INNOVATION,” a groundbreaking multimedia exhibition that explores forest health and climate resilience through the fusion of art, science and design innovation.

Write Around Portland, Portland

To support “Building BIPOC Community through Library Partnerships.” Funding will support quarterly in-person writing programs for our BIPOC affinity program, Resonate, in 2026.

The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, funding and arts programs through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission became part of Business Oregon (formerly Oregon Economic and Community Development Department) in 1993, in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities. In 2003, the Oregon legislature moved the operations of the Oregon Cultural Trust to the Arts Commission, streamlining operations and making use of the Commission’s expertise in grantmaking, arts and cultural information and community cultural development. 

The Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by the Oregon Legislature and with federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust. More information about the Oregon Arts Commission is available online at: www.oregonartscommission.org.

PUBLIC SAFETY MEMORIAL FUND BOARD

MEETING CANCELLED

The Public Safety Memorial Fund Board meeting scheduled for January 22, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., has been cancelled due to a lack of quorum.

The next Public Safety Memorial Fund Board meeting will be determined as soon as possible.

BELLINGHAM, WA – The FBI Seattle Field Office, Lummi Nation Police Department,

Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, Bellingham Police Department, and other law enforcement

partners are investigating the disappearance of tribal member Besalynn Mary James, who was

last seen on January 20, 2025, at 1:16 p.m. at her residence in Bellingham, Washington, on the

Lummi Nation Indian Reservation. James was reported missing to the Lummi Nation Police

Department on January 25, 2025.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and

conviction of the individual(s) involved in the disappearance of Besalynn Mary James.

“FBI Seattle’s missing persons cases are a high priority as we and our partners seek to uncover

the answers that led to these painful disappearances,” said Jerald Burkin, Assistant Special Agent

in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “In Ms. James’s case, over the past year, law

enforcement has conducted multiple investigative actions across several states to try to discover

what happened and her whereabouts. We will continue to diligently investigate this case, no

matter how long it takes. We encourage anyone with information relating to Ms. James’s

disappearance to contact law enforcement immediately.”

James has ties to Boise and Nampa, Idaho; Nyssa, Oregon; and Sacramento, California. She is

believed to have been wearing a black jacket at the time of her disappearance. The rest of her

belongings were left behind when she went missing, and she also did not drive. James was never

known to go anywhere without her dogs, and they were left behind as well. Please view

additional demographic and descriptive information on the poster.

If you have any information concerning this case, please contact the FBI's Toll-Free tipline at 1-

800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or the FBI's Seattle Field Office at (206) 622-0460. You may

also contact your local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or you can

submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

FBI Seattle is one of the 56 FBI field offices located in the United States. The mission of the FBI

is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States. For more

information, visit www.fbi.gov or www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/seattle.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Jan. 22, 2026

CONTACT INFORMATION:

umenauer@employ.oregon.gov">Gail Krumenauer, State Employment Economist

(971) 301-3771

Video and Audio available at 10 a.m. PT

David Cooke, Economist (971) 375-5288

Oregon’s Unemployment Rate Was 5.2% in December

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.2% in both November and December. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.5% in November and 4.4% in December.

In December, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment dropped by 2,200 jobs, following a gain of 800 jobs, as revised, in November. December’s gains were largest in professional and business services (+1,100 jobs) and government (+500). Losses were largest in construction (-2,500 jobs); retail trade (-900); and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-900).

Professional and business services added 1,900 jobs during the last two months of 2025, recovering some of the jobs it lost during the first half of the year. Each of its three component industries rose between October and December, with administrative and waste services growing the fastest (+900 jobs, or 0.9%).

Construction cut 3,000 jobs during the last two months of 2025, following relatively strong growth during July through October. At 113,900 jobs in December, it is close to its spring level, and slightly below its three-year average of 116,900 jobs during 2022 through 2024.

Holiday hiring in retail trade was 1,200 jobs below the normal seasonal pattern during the last two months of the year. Since early 2023, retail trade has trended downward. It employed 199,200 in December, which was 11,300 jobs, or 5.4%, below three years prior.

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities cut 1,400 jobs during November and December, following growth of a similar amount during the summer. It employed 78,200 in December, which was close to its three-year average of 78,500 jobs during 2022 through 2024.

Next Press Releases

The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the December county and metropolitan area unemployment and jobs data on Tuesday, Jan. 27. We are awaiting notification from the Bureau of Labor Statistics regarding publication dates for the rest of the year and will update our schedule of future releases as dates become available.

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

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

###

The Portland Police Bureau, in partnership with Crime Stoppers of Oregon, is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect involved in the shooting of two Portland Police officers.

On the evening of January 19, 2026, officers responded to reports of a subject making threats with a weapon in the area of NE 21st Avenue and NE Clackamas Street, in Portland, Oregon. During the encounter, the suspect fired multiple shots at officers. Both officers were struck and later transported to a hospital for treatment and are currently listed in stable condition.

The suspect is described as a Caucasian male in his mid-30's, facial hair, black baseball cap, black jacket over a gray hooded sweatshirt, black pants, and black shoes. He is believed to be armed with a knife and a handgun. He also was seen with a black backpack and a green shopping bag.

SALEM, Ore. — The Smoke Management Advisory Committee will meet virtually at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29. To join, please use the Zoom video conference information found on the agenda.

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Welcome and roll call
• Committee business
• Committee and agency reports
• Fall burning overview
• Smoke management fund updates
• Rulemaking process – Update and timeline
• Rule revision – Committee input and discussion
• Acres registered versus accomplished 2023-2025

The meeting is open to the public to attend virtually. There will be a period for public comment. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting by contacting y.berry@odf.oregon.gov">Shelby Berry at 503-949-5181.

Created by the Legislature in 1989, the five-member committee assists and advises the Oregon Department of Forestry in carrying out its Smoke Management Program. Members are appointed by the State Forester to serve a two-year term, which is renewable. View more information on the SMAC webpage.

PORTLAND, Ore.— A Guatemalan national unlawfully residing in the United States was sentenced to federal prison today for laundering money for drug traffickers in the Portland metropolitan area through her money service business La Popular.

Brenda Lili Barrera Orantes, 40, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release.  

According to court documents, Barerra Orantes owned and operated La Popular stores in Hillsboro, Beaverton, Woodburn, Odell, and Canby, Oregon, as well as in Vancouver, Washington. From August through November 2024, La Popular stores sent over $4.2 million dollars through wire transfers to places in Mexico associated with drug trafficking. During this same time period, Barrera Orantes and other co-conspirators accepted $49,500 in cash that was represented as drug proceeds and laundered it through La Popular stores.

Barrera Orantes accepted cash she believed was generated from drug dealing, and in exchange for a 10% commission, conducted wire transactions using techniques that made the laundered funds harder to detect, including using false sender information, structuring wire transfers into smaller amounts, and using different La Popular stores to help conceal the drug proceeds.  

On April 16, 2025, investigators executed federal search warrants at Barrera Orantes’ Beaverton residence and three La Popular stores in Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Vancouver and arrested Barrera Orantes. During the warrants, agents seized more than $300,000 in cash, a 2021 Cadillac Escalade, jewelry, and high-end clothing.

On May 13, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a 23-count indictment charging Barrera Orantes with money laundering and conspiracy, failure to file a currency transaction report, and failure to file a suspicious activity report.

On October 24, 2025, Barrera Orantes pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. She also agreed to forfeit her Beaverton residence and all the seized cash and other property involved in her money laundering offense.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Westside Interagency Narcotics Team. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher L. Cardani and Julia Jarrett prosecuted the case. 

Since 1985, the Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) has been required by statute (ORS 319.415) to conduct a fuel use survey every four years of a randomized sample of motorized boat owners, statewide. This statistical survey is conducted by Oregon State University (OSU) and asks boat owners about their fuel consumption from January 1 through December 31, 2025. Approximately 12,000 surveys were mailed statewide in the second week of January 2026. The survey aims to quantify the dollars that have already been paid by motorized boaters at the fuel pump or marine fueling station for boating activities in 2025.

Data collection will occur now through March, and all survey responses are anonymous. The data will then be analyzed, and a draft report will be prepared with preliminary results. Then, OSU submits a final report to OSMB by the end of June. In July, the Marine Board will follow established processes to calculate motorboat registration numbers with fuel consumption, which are forwarded to ODOT and the Department of Administrative Services. Once approved, fuel tax dollars are transferred back to OSMB and become part of the operating budget for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. The amount the agency receives back is dependent upon the survey responses and the number of registered motorboats in 2025.

Motorized boat owners who receive the survey are strongly encouraged to complete it. Every response is used to determine the calculated amount coming back to the Marine Board. Revenue is then returned to boaters for services including marine law enforcement, boating facility access grants, education, and many other programs.

Learn more about the Marine Board’s budget revenues and expenditures at https://www.oregon.gov/osmb/info/Pages/Business-Services.aspx.

-End-

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Troutdale, Oregon, woman pleaded guilty today in federal court for conspiring to violate the Clean Water Act by receiving and discharging industrial wastewater from a facility in Hillsboro, Oregon, to a sanitary sewer system.

Kayla Hartley, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Clean Water Act.

According to court documents, from February through September 2020, Hartley, as the Director of Operations at the Northwest Slurry Solutions and Hydro Excavation, LLC (“Northwest Slurry”) facility in Hillsboro, marketed the company as able to accept and dispose of industrial wastewater, despite having no permit or authorization to discharge that type of waste. Under Hartley’s leadership, Northwest Slurry accepted approximately 500,000 gallons of industrial wastewater containing chemical pollutants including hydrofluoric acid, titanium, molybdenum, vanadium, arsenic, and other heavy metals. Northwest Slurry discharged those half-a-million gallons of pollution to the Hillsboro sanitary sewer.

When staff from Clean Water Services, which operates the sanitary sewer system in Hillsboro, visited Northwest Slurry’s facility, Hartley attempted to conceal the fact that her company was discharging industrial wastewater.

On July 15, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Hartley with conspiracy to violate and violating the Clean Water Act.

Hartley faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. She will be sentenced on May 12, 2026, before a U.S. District Court Judge.

This case was investigated by the EPA Criminal Investigation Division with assistance from Clean Water Services. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew T. Ho and William M. McLaren are prosecuting the case.

This case was an Environmental Crimes Task Force (ECTF) investigation. ECTF is an initiative in the District of Oregon that identifies, investigates, and prosecutes significant environmental, public lands, and wildlife crimes. ECTF leverages the resources and effort of federal, state, and local regulatory agencies and law enforcement to protect human health, safeguard natural resources and wildlife, and hold violators accountable. If you witness an event that may lead to an immediate threat to human health or the environment, please call 9-1-1. After alerting local emergency authorities, please also report incidents to the EPA’s Report a Violation website (https://echo.epa.gov/report-environmental-violations) or by calling the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.

# # #

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, despite an ICE detainer, Oregon public officials released Terrero-Ortega from the Oregon Department of Corrections to post-prison supervision in the community. If the detainer had been honored, Terrero-Ortega would have been deported to Mexico upon his release.

In June 2023 in Oregon, 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, Ore.—A man from St. Helens, Oregon, was sentenced to federal prison yesterday for ordering live-streamed child sexual abuse and traveling to the Philippines to engage in illicit sexual activity while working as a firefighter for the Lake Oswego Fire Department.

Kenneth Green, 57, was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison and a lifetime of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $50,000 special assessment under the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018.

According to court documents, from 2017 through 2019, Green paid for and received livestreamed shows featuring the sexual abuse and exploitation of children in the Philippines. During the shows, Green gave child sex traffickers in the Philippines specific instructions on how to abuse the children and received child sexual abuse material from the traffickers. Devices seized from Green’s residence pursuant to a search warrant revealed additional chats with child sex traffickers.

In 2019, Green spent months communicating with a trafficker in anticipation of traveling to the Philippines to abuse children. He discussed details related to travel, accommodations, and the sexual abuse of children ages 9 to 17 years old. In November 2019, Green traveled to the Philippines with the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with minors. Upon arriving, defendant claimed to get sick and could not meet with the trafficker.

On February 7, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a four-count indictment charging Green with sexual exploitation of children, receiving child pornography, interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual activity, and attempted foreign sex tourism.

On October 24, 2025, Green pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of children and interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual activity.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eliza Carmen Rodriguez and Charlotte Kelley prosecuted the case.

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

If you or someone you know are victims of human trafficking or have information about a potential human trafficking situation, please call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also submit a tip on the NHTRC website.

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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

WALLA WALLA — Walla Walla Public Schools has appointed Brandy Ross and Marit Rasmussen as permanent principals at Edison Elementary School and Sharpstein Elementary School, respectively. The appointments follow a comprehensive feedback process that included input from staff and families at both schools. District leaders considered this feedback carefully before making the final selections.

Ross has served as interim principal at Edison Elementary during the current school year. Prior to that role, she worked as a Learning Assistance Program (LAP) teacher at Edison. Ross brings additional administrative experience from the Wahluke School District, where she served for three years as principal of Mattawa Elementary Dual Language School before joining Walla Walla Public Schools.

Rasmussen has served as interim principal at Sharpstein Elementary this school year and brings nearly 30 years of experience in education to the position. She spent 11 years as a Learning Specialist at Berney Elementary School and began her teaching career in 1997 in the Federal Way School District. Her professional background also includes experience in Wenatchee-area schools and in California before relocating to the Walla Walla Valley in 2005.

Superintendent Dr. Ben Gauyan said both leaders have demonstrated the experience and commitment needed to lead their school communities.

“Brandy and Marit have already proven themselves through their leadership as interim principals,” Gauyan said. “They understand their schools, they support staff and students with intention, and they lead with clarity and care. Appointing them to these roles provides stability and strong leadership for both Edison and Sharpstein.”

The permanent appointments take effect immediately.

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SALEM, Ore. — The Adaptive Management Program Committee (AMPC) will meet virtually at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28. To join, please use the Teams video conference information found on the agenda.

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Questions & answers with Independent Research and Science Team (IRST) co-chairs regarding amphibians literature review
• Questions & answers with IRST co-chairs regarding request for proposals (RFPs) for research
• Discuss altering priorities of research projects
• Overview of AMPC-related elements from the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP)

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

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

SALEM, Ore. – Abandoned boats continue to harm Oregon’s rivers and coastlines. From huge vessels like the 100-foot Dredge Herb Anderson, removed from the Columbia River last year, to smaller recreational craft, these derelict boats leak harmful toxins, drift dangerously into navigational channels, and degrade water quality.

Oregon Department of State Lands has been leading the charge on this issue since launching the statewide Abandoned and Derelict Vessel (ADV) Program in Sept 2024.

“We can’t continue polluting our Oregon waterways or risking a large marine accident,” said Kaitlin Lovell, recently appointed Director at Oregon Department of State Lands, “The scope of this issue has motivated bipartisan legislators and community members along impacted waterways to come together for solutions.”

After a successful push during the state’s 2025 legislative session, two significant changes to state law came into effect on September 26, 2025.

• Streamlined Disposal: Allows the state to classify severely degraded ADVs as marine debris, opening a more efficient and cost-effective route for disposal.
• Reduced Administrative Burden: Allows authorized entities throughout the state to remove ADVs from the waterway without a time- and resource-intensive process, reducing delays and red tape.

“The legislative wins for this program might sound like words on a page, but these are the systematic changes we need to get these dilapidated vessels out of our waters,” said Democratic State Representative David Gomberg from Oregon District 10. In agreement was Republican State Senator Legislator Dick Anderson from Lincoln City, “This issue requires all of us to stay vigilant for ways to be more effective, and removing red tape is a good place to start.”

In addition to legislative progress, Oregon’s statewide ADV Program secured a $1,000,000 grant from the BoatUS Foundation, with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Debris Program. The dollars awarded to Oregon will support the removal and disposal of dozens of high-priority boats in counties throughout Oregon.

“Some of the really large vessels can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars when there is toxic material,” said Aaron Bretz, Deputy Director of the Port of Newport, “so obviously significant funding is required, but there’s also a lot of coordination with the Coast Guard, sheriff’s offices, environmental regulators, and companies equipped to perform the complex dismantling work.”

Coordination of involved parties was top-of-mind for Oregon Department of State Lands when updating the statewide ADV Program website to include new procedures for ADVs based on the changes in state law.

A remaining challenge for the nascent program is stemming the flow of ADVs into Oregon waterways.

“We pursue penalties against owners who fail to resolve their problems and leave DSL to address the hazards they’ve created,” said Josh Mulhollem, the Department’s Waterways Stewardship Program Manager. “But many of the biggest, most expensive cleanups are ships that have already drained the owner’s assets. Many people just don’t understand that bidding on a cheap ship at auction can lead to financial ruin.”

Despite the challenges that remain, momentum is building. With new tools, funding, and partnerships in place, Oregon’s ADV Program is chartering a clearer course toward cleaner, safer, waterways.

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www.oregon.gov/dsl
 

About Oregon’s Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Program:
The Oregon Department of State Lands oversees the statewide ADV Program which collaborates with other state agencies as well as community and federal partners to reduce the impacts of abandoned and derelict vessels, address waterway hazards, and collaborate toward long term solutions to prevent the addition of more ADVs to Oregon-owned waters.

About the BoatUS Foundation:
BoatUS Foundation is supporting projects selected through their nationally competitive grant program for the removal of abandoned and derelict vessels throughout coastal and marine areas of the United States, including the Great Lakes, U.S. territories, and Freely Associated States. In an effort to help educate and prevent future ADVs, the Foundation is also creating a national ADV database to track the scope of the challenge and measure success, document ADV prevention and removal activities to share with the public and support a national dialogue and education efforts on boating-related debris disposal. This project is supported by the NOAA Marine Debris Program

The Richland City Council has completed its review of applications submitted to fill the vacant City Council Position No. 4 and has selected five candidates to advance to the interview stage of the appointment process.

The following candidates were selected for interviews:

• Britt Creer
• Samantha Mason
• Kyle Palmer
• Andrew Rice
• Todd Samuel

Interviews will be conducted during a special City Council meeting on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, prior to the regularly scheduled City Council workshop. The interviews will be open to the public but will not be broadcast. Two candidates will participate remotely due to being out of state.

Following the interviews, the City Council will deliberate in a closed executive session as allowed by RCW 42.30.110(h) and make a selection in accordance with the Richland City Charter. Should the Council desire to take final action to appoint a candidate as authorized by the 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 newly appointed councilmember will be sworn in at the regular City Council meeting on February 3, 2026.

The individual appointed to City Council Position No. 4 will serve until the candidate elected in the November 3, 2026, General Election takes office.

Additional details, including the meeting agenda and interview schedule, will be posted on the City of Richland website at richlandwa.gov/agendas.

SALEM, Ore. — The Compliance Monitoring Program Committee will meet virtually at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29. To join, please use the Teams video conference information found on the agenda.

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Riparian pilot study update
• Roads and steep slopes methods update
• Compliance Monitoring Program story map update
• Review of charter

The meeting is open to the public to attend online via Teams. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting by emailing ta.l.friasbedolla@odf.oregon.gov">Marta Frias-Bedolla.

The CMP Committee assists efforts to monitor compliance with Forest Practices Rules. The committee advises ODF regarding monitoring projects and procedures. View more information on the CMPC webpage.

Salem, OR— With the start of tax season less than one week away, the Oregon Department of Revenue is providing guidance to help taxpayers file their return and claim their share of Oregon’s $1.41 billion kicker. Oregon will begin processing e-filed 2025 state income tax returns on January 26, 2026, the same day the IRS will begin processing federal returns.

You have to file a return to get your kicker

The kicker is a refundable credit that will either increase a taxpayer's Oregon state income tax refund or decrease the amount of state taxes they owe. It is not sent to taxpayers separately as a check.

Only taxpayers who filed a tax year 2024 return and also file a tax year 2025 return can receive a kicker. The credit is a percentage of Oregon personal income tax liability for the 2024 tax year.

Electronic filing is faster—especially in 2026

On average, taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refund within two weeks. E-filed returns will be processed in the order they are received, with the first refunds expected to be issued February 17. For paper filed returns, refunds will not start being issued until early April.

Due to the late receipt of tax forms and information from the IRS in late 2025, processing of paper-filed Oregon personal income tax returns is expected to be delayed until late March, a process that has historically begun in February.

The delay in paper return processing will mean that the department won’t be able to tell taxpayers who file paper returns that their return has been received until paper return processing starts at the end of March and their specific return enters processing. That also means information on paper-filed returns won’t be available in the “Where’s My Refund?” tool until that time.

Free e-filing options open January 26
Oregon residents who normally mail their paper tax return to the department should consider using Direct File Oregon, a free filing option available through Revenue Online, or other online tax preparation software, to e-file and receive their refund—and their kicker—sooner.

In addition to Direct File Oregon, other free filing options are also available. Free guided tax preparation is available from several companies for taxpayers that meet income requirements. Using links from the department’s website ensures that both taxpayers’ federal and state return will be filed for free.

All electronic filing software options approved for filing Oregon personal income tax returns can be found on the Electronic filing page of the agency’s website. Taxpayers seeking to hire a professional to prepare their taxes can find helpful tips in the department’s “How to Choose a Tax Practitioner” video.

Free and low-cost tax help

Free tax preparation services are available for low- to moderate-income taxpayers through AARP Tax Aide, VITA, and CASH Oregon. United Way also offers free tax help through their MyFreeTaxes program. Visit the Department of Revenue website to take advantage of the software and free offers and get more information about free tax preparation services.

How will U.S. Postal Service changes affect filing?

Taxpayers who choose to file a paper return, should mail it early. Due to changes at the U.S. Postal Service, returns mailed in after April 9 may not receive a postmark on time. Taxpayers who still want to mail their paper returns can take them to a local USPS office and request a postmark no later than April 15, 2026. 

Paper returns can also be physically deposited in drop boxes available on both the east and west sides of the Department of Revenue Building in Salem, or outside the DOR offices in Portland, Eugene, Medford, and Bend. A drop box at DOR’s Gresham office is available during business hours.

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MEDFORD, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management is looking for two Artists-in-Residence: one at the historic Rogue River Ranch National Historic Site and another at the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument.

The selected artists will have the unique opportunity to capture these public lands during a milestone year as the Nation marks its 250th birthday and the BLM celebrates its 80th anniversary.  The artists will receive one- to two-week residencies during the summer to create original work while immersed in some of Oregon’s most remarkable environments.

One artist and one alternate will be selected for each residency based on the following criteria: entry materials, residency proposal, professionalism, and creative vision. Applications must be submitted by Feb. 28. As part of the 2026 program, selected artists will also be part of the Freedom 250 celebration, paying tribute to the historic sites and special lands that have contributed to the Nation’s heritage.

“Artists provide a captivating lens through which we can explore our connection to public lands,” said Joel Brumm, Assistant Monument Manager. “Their work provides a unique perspective on these remarkable landscapes, highlighting our mission and role in public land management as we celebrate our 80th anniversary.”

Rogue River Ranch National Historic Site

The Rogue River Ranch residency will take place between June and August 2026 in a breathtaking setting deep in the Rogue Wild and Scenic River Corridor. The remote outpost is a two-hour drive or a 22-mile river trip from Grave Creek Boat Ramp. The selected artist will reside in the historic house.

Following their residency, the artist will share their vision in a public presentation at the Grants Pass Museum of Art on Oct. 2. Their work will be displayed at the museum for one month and then returned to the artist. The BLM is requesting digital copies of the artwork to promote the Artist-in-Residence program and public lands. The artist retains a non-exclusive use copyright.

In summer 2025, Artist Alisha Whitman created watercolors during her residency. She shared her experience with the BLM.

Artists of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, and there is no preference given to any style or medium.

Interested artists can learn more information and find an application at the Artist-in-Residence website, by e-mailing Tony Saunders at asaunders@blm.gov, or by calling 541-471-6642.

Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument

The Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument residency will take place in June 2026. The selected artist will be based at a travel trailer at Hyatt Lake Campground while exploring the environment and creating their art. The BLM is seeking visual artists for this residency.

Since 2017, the Artist-in-Residence program has allowed numerous artists to transform the monument's natural and cultural resources into visual art, objects, and performances.

Last year’s Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument Artist-in-Residence was Paul Atkinson, a gifted photographer who spent his time studying and photographing the monument’s unique landscapes.

During their residency, the artist will share their experience and artistic vision in a public presentation. Following the residency, artists are asked to donate an original artwork piece, which they will retain the rights to.  

Interested artists can learn more information and find an application at the Artist-in-Residence website, by e-mailing John Duwe at jduwe@blm.gov, or by calling 541-618-2320.

-BLM-

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

The Opioid Settlement Board allocates $13 million for Oregon's Behavioral Health Resource Networks (BRHNs)

The Oregon State Marine Board will hold its quarterly board meeting on January 29, beginning at 8:30 am at the agency’s office, 435 Commercial St. NE, Suite 400, in Salem.

Several items will be presented as informational only. Staff will also seek board direction and consideration of rulemaking on several other items.

Agenda Highlights:

• Director’s Agency Report
• Agency Budget Discussion – Board direction
• Don Lindley Property Discussion -Informational
• Boating Safety Section – Program updates
• Ana Reservoir Petition – Consideration for slow–no wake zone and potential rulemaking
• Upper Rogue River – Informational briefing
• Waterway Access Permit – Whitewater exemption, OAR 250-010-0760, board vote
• Siletz River Proposed Rulemaking – Board direction
• Executive Session pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(i), Agency Director review  

Public comments will be accepted in writing or during the meeting’s public comment period. To provide oral testimony, register by 5 p.m., January 25, with Jennifer Cooper at .cooper@boat.oregon.gov">jennifer.cooper@boat.oregon.gov or by mail: Oregon State Marine Board, Attn: Jennifer Cooper, 435 Commercial St. NE, Suite 400, Salem, OR 97301.

Meeting materials and live stream link are available on the agency’s Public Meetings page.

Meetings are conducted using the Microsoft Teams application, and viewing may require the installation of a free Teams app on mobile devices.

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The Marine Board is funded by boater-paid fees and marine fuel taxes—not lottery or general fund tax dollars. These funds support boating safety, education, environmental programs, and waterway access facility improvements statewide.

January 20, 2026

Media Contact: Kim Lippert, 971-323-3831

erly.l.lippert@oha.oregon.gov" style="color: rgb(6, 66, 118); text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: 100%;">Kimberly.l.lippert@oha.oregon.gov

OHA, Jackson Street Youth Services celebrate Albany Youth Center opening

Albany, Ore.— Oregon Health Authority (OHA) joined Jackson Street Youth Services at a celebration Jan. 14 for a new youth center made possible by state investments that expand where young people in Oregon can get care. The new Albany Youth Center will support youth with early intervention, prevention and youth-focused behavioral health services.

Community leaders celebrate the ribbon cutting for Jackson Street Youth Services in Albany, expanding access to shelter and support for local youth

“When young people are in crisis, we need to meet them where they are and provide the stability, care, and dignity they deserve,” said Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek. “I’m committed to building more community-based, youth-centered spaces like this across the state because early support and prevention strengthen and improve long-term outcomes and create healthier communities for everyone.”

Through House Bill 5030, passed in 2023, OHA contributed more than $400,000 to support the development of the facility. The center provides youth experiencing homelessness with access to a kitchen, laundry and showers.

With $10 million in expansion funding dedicated to youth residential services and an additional $7 million invested in intensive in-home behavioral health programs that integrate substance use treatment for youth with co-occurring needs, Oregon is making a significant commitment to strengthening its continuum of care.

“There is tremendous value in investing upstream and supporting young people early,” said OHA’s Behavioral Health Division Director Ebony Clarke. “By increasing access to trauma-informed, culturally specific behavioral health resources, we improve long-term health outcomes, support youth success and reduce the likelihood of more intensive behavioral health needs later in life.”

OHA shares the Jackson Street Youth Services’ goal of supporting the health and well-being of youth in Oregon through access to behavioral health care, early intervention and prevention services.

 “This building represents far more than bricks and mortar,” said Kendra Phillips-Neal, executive director, Jackson Youth Services. “It represents nearly two decades of learning, growth, persistence and an unwavering commitment to young people experiencing homelessness.”

By removing barriers to care, expanding access and building sustainable, community-centered systems, OHA and partners continue to address the evolving  needs of Oregon’s youth and families.  Jackson Street Youth Services’ trauma-informed approach will foster safety, dignity and respect while equipping youth with the tools and services they need to thrive.  

The Albany Youth Center is located at 1025 Pacific Blvd. SE, in Albany. It serves as an outreach hub and provides crisis stabilization services to youth. For more information, call the Jackson Street Youth Services 24-hour hotline at 800-901-2904.

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Defendant Admitted Replacing Diverted Drugs with Saline, Impacting Treatment of More Than 200 Animals

PORTLAND, Ore. — Dr. Brenda Brown-Carlson, a Portland veterinarian, was sentenced to 60 months of supervised probation on January 13, 2026, in Multnomah County Circuit Court as part of a plea agreement. Brown-Carlson admitted to diverting controlled substances for her personal use and replacing them with saline, impacting the treatment of more than 200 animals at two veterinary clinics where she was employed.

“DEA has a long-standing relationship of trust and partnership with veterinary providers who are authorized to handle and administer controlled substance to care for animals that are sick,” said Robert A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “ Ms. Brown-Carlson abused that relationship and trust by diverting prescription drugs for her own personal use and, in doing so, compromised the care of more than 200 animals.”

Brown-Carlson pled guilty to one felony count of Tampering with Drug Records, two felony counts of Computer Crimes, and one felony count of Attempted Animal Neglect in the Second Degree.

According to court documents, Brown-Carlson diverted hydromorphone, a Schedule II controlled substance,  buprenorphine, a Schedule III controlled substance, and butorphanol, a Schedule IV controlled substance, for her own use. Rather than administering the appropriate doses of these medications, animals undergoing surgery and medical procedures received diluted doses, compromising their care.

Co-workers became aware of drug discrepancies and reviewed the clinics’ computerized drug-dispensing machine, records, and surveillance video. Video footage showed Brown-Carlson diverting controlled substances and refilling vials with saline.

The veterinary clinic reported the diversion to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Portland in February 2024. A Diversion Investigator from the DEA Seattle Field Division, Portland District Office, initiated an investigation and reviewed the evidence. During an interview, Brown-Carlson initially denied the diversion, even after being shown video evidence, and later admitted to the conduct, showing little remorse. She surrendered her DEA Certificate of Registration during the interview.

Following testimony by the DEA Diversion Investigator before a Multnomah County Grand Jury, a state indictment was issued. Brown-Carlson was arrested and charged with 14 felony counts of Tampering with Drug Records, 13 felony counts of Computer Crimes, and two felony counts of Animal Neglect in the Second Degree, involving more than 40 animals.

As part of the plea agreement, Brown-Carlson ultimately pled guilty to reduced charges and was sentenced to 60 months of supervised probation. Conditions of probation prohibit her from being employed by any business whose primary purpose is the treatment of animals. She is also prohibited from having contact with animals during probation, except that she may own and care for her own pets. She may not provide veterinary care for her own pets or for the pets of others, and may only have contact with other pets in the presence of their owners.

“This sentence makes clear that drug-related crime has consequences, but it also acknowledges that meaningful accountability includes addressing addiction through structured treatment to reduce the risk of re-offending in the future,” said Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez.

Action by the Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board regarding Brown-Carlson’s state veterinary license is pending. Civil penalties for violations of the Controlled Substances Act related to her DEA Certificate of Registration are also pending.

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Good morning,

Please see the attached release regarding Wapato High School’s annual Bean Feed. 

It is a fundraiser for cancer patient care in the Valley and anyone who wants to come enjoy a good meal and support a good cause is invited, so anything you can do to spread the word about this upcoming event is much appreciated.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Governor Kotek Secures $25 Million for OHA and Hospitals to Protect Maternity Care