Oregon Beach News, Friday 2/20 – YACHATS LIONS Announces Launch of Bird City Yachats, Monks in Yachats, Newport Seafood & Wine Festival & Other Local and Statewide News…

The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com

Friday, February 20, 2026

Oregon Beach Weather

Gale Warning Issued: 3:11 AM Feb. 20, 2026 – National Weather Service

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST EARLY THIS MORNING...
...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 PM PST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Steep seas 7 to 9 ft at 10 seconds through early this
morning. South winds increase to gales this evening, 25 to 35 kt
with gusts up to 45 kt and wind driven seas become very steep
and hazardous 10 to 15 ft through Saturday morning. Wind driven
seas increase further Saturday afternoon 13 to 18 ft, then ease
back down to 12 to 16 ft by Sunday morning.

* WHERE...All areas.

* WHEN...For the Small Craft Advisory, until 4 AM PST early this
morning. For the Gale Warning, from 10 PM this evening to 4 PM
PST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Strong winds and very steep seas could capsize or
damage vessels. Bar crossings will become extremely difficult
and dangerous. Low visibility conditions are expected.

* View the hazard area in detail at https://go.usa.gov/x6hks

Here’s the overview of our weather outlook, but be sure to check out what we’re predicting in your area: https://www.farmersalmanac.com/extended-forecast

YACHATS LIONS Announces Launch of Bird City Yachats

Bird City Yachats (BCY) will hold its official launch on March 1st, 1:30 PM at the Yachats Lions Hall when Bird City Oregon will present the designation to the Mayor of Yachats. This will be followed by a talk entitled “Taking Refuge on the Oregon Coast”, a history of our coastal wildlife refuges, which provide critical seabird nesting habitat. BCY is sponsored by the Yachats Lions Club.

In the Fall 2025 the city of Yachats was awarded an Oregon Bird City, the first bird city on the Pacific Coast. This certification rewards cities for their efforts to help wildlife. Bird City Yachats (BCY) is part of a national program, Bird City Network ( https://birdcity.org/) of more than 300 “Bird” cities across the country. A steering committee for BCY has been established to encourage our citizens to protect and enjoy our precious wildlife and to develop projects for their protection.

BCY projects range from education (e.g., speaker series, bird walks) to removing threats (e.g., bird strike prevention) and marketing (e.g., website, ads promoting Yachats as a birding destination). Birds have unique threats. One that kills millions of birds a year is striking windows. In that regard BCY been working with the city manager on window treatments for the new pavilion that will minimize bird strikes. Open pipes and chimneys that can trap birds are another threat. Working together with Seven Capes Bird Alliance, BCY has surveyed 24 state parks in Lincoln County and identified over 150 open pipes which we will help cap.

BCY now has a website (https://birdcity.org/oregon/yachats) and information available at the Visitor Center on birds and birding sites. This month we will unveil a photo exhibition of local birds and wildlife in the children’s section of the new Yachats library.

Established in 1950, the Yachats Lions Club serves Yachats and South Lincoln County. With our motto of “WE SERVE”, we provide service for eyeglasses and exams, hearing aids and exams, eye screening in Lincoln County schools, pancake breakfasts, crab feed, lunch bunch, speaker series, peace poster and flag day events in our schools, and community use of our clubhouse. Through community donations to the Yachats Lions Thrift Store our sales allow us to donate to local needs such as student scholarships, food pantries, school programs, and conservation projects.

Lions Club International is the world’s largest service club organization with a network of 1.4 million men and women in more than 200 countries and geographical locations. We serve where we live, as well as globally, and we have fun doing it. For more information, contact Lion Jim Welch at 970-217-4424 or jameswelch1009@gmail.com

Newport Seafood and Wine Festival – February 19-22. Enjoy tasting many different wines, food, chowder competition, entertainment and more! Get your tickets at www.seafoodandwine.com

Tibetan Monk Tour Starts Along Oregon Coast

Bringing a beautiful gift to coastal cities, four Tibetan monks from Gaden Shartse Phukhang Monasteries in India are touring the Oregon coast this February, with week-long stops in Lincoln City, Yachats and Newport. Organized by Lincoln County Friends of Tibet in conjunction with the Lincoln County Cultural Center and the Yachats Chamber of Commerce, the tour brings the rich and colorful music, sights, and art of Tibetan culture to our coastal audiences. The tour’s purpose is to promote intercultural understanding, and share the timeless wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism’s many practices for promoting peace and personal healing.

The monks are here to raise critical funds for housing, health, and education facilities at the “monastery-in-exile” back in southern India. The Oregon stops are part of a 6 month tour throughout the western United States. The Oregon coast tour begins Wednesday, February 11th thru February 15th at the Lincoln City Cultural Center, 540 NE Hwy 101 in Lincoln City. Then moves on February 17th thru February 22nd to the Yachats Commons, 441 Hwy 101 North in Yachats. They finish up the coastal Oregon tour February 24th thru March 1st at Newport’s Samaritan Center for Health Education, 740 SW 9th Street.

The monks will be creating a different sacred “sand mandala” in each of the three stops: Green Tara (Lincoln City Cultural Center), symbolizing Enlightened Action; Avalokiteshvara (Yachats Commons), symbolizing Compassion; and Manjushri (Samaritan Center for Health Education in Newport), symbolizing Wisdom. The mandalas are made by using specially made metal funnels with narrow tips that the monks vibrate with a metal rod, directing the individual grains of sand into the brocade-like figures, patterns, and symbols that decorate the mandala.

Each sand mandala requires long hours of daily work by the monks, culminating in a ritual

“dissolution” of the finished art work, when the mandala is ritually swept up, and the sand taken to pour into the ocean as an offering to beings of the sea. The dissolution of the mandala symbolizes the impermanence of all created things. Sand mandalas are an ancient sacred art used by Tibetan monks and nuns to represent celestial abodes of various “bodhisattvas” or the “Great Beings” of Tibetan Buddhism. It will take the monks a full week in each location to create the colorful and intricate sand mandala designs.

The public is invited and encouraged to come witness the meditative process of the mandalas’ creation throughout the visits, and observe the monks while they work. The mandalas may be viewed from 10am – 5pm each day at each location while they are working on them. Throughout the weeks the monks are here, they will also be offering Tibetan Buddhist rituals and ceremonies, as well as talks, cultural presentations, and family-friendly workshops. In Newport, a special “Monks & Momos” dinner benefit will be offered, with Tibetan stuffed dumplings (momos) handmade by the monks.

In Yachats, special ceremonies marking Tibetan New Year or Losar will be performed the first three days of the visit there. Additional highlights of the three week-long visits include:

* “Butter Sculpture” workshops in each city, along with a demonstration of Tibetan calligraphy, an all-ages and family friendly event. Butter sculptures (or “tormas”) are small, generally abstract figures made of dough and decorated with floral designs or other patterns. They are used in certain ceremonies as ritual offerings, and in the monasteries, can reach heights of 10 feet. In the workshop, participants will learn to make small, handheld ones.

* Tibetan Cultural Nights: featuring a special ceremony with chanting and Tibetan sacred music, followed by a demonstration of the often hilarious and acrobatic “Tibetan monastic debate”, followed by a Q&A with the monks.

* Ceremonies and rituals for overcoming adversities, promoting compassion and understanding, and for personal health and healing.

* Talks and presentations by the senior monks on topics like “Aging, Death, and Rebirth”,

“Lojong” or “mind training” practices, and beginning meditation.

In Newport-only, on Friday, February 27th, the monks will present a very special “Monks and

Momos” benefit dinner, with Tibetan stuffed dumplings (momos) made by the monks. This is a very limited seating offering and the only “tickets in advance” event during the three weeks.

In Yachats February 17th – 22nd, the visit by the monks coincides with Tibetan Lunar New Year, or Losar.

So in addition to the Avalokiteshvara sand mandala, the monks are offering several special evening ceremonies that are traditionally performed during Losar, and will only be presented in Yachats. In Lincoln City, the monks are offering a presentation on basic Buddhist philosophy: The Four Noble Truths, and a “How to” workshop on Meditation.

Special personal blessings, as well as house, land, and business blessings are also being offered by the monks, and can be scheduled by contacting Lincoln County Friends of Tibet.

All proceeds go directly to the Gaden Shartse Phukhang monks building projects at the monastery in India, and are tax-deductible.

For a complete schedule of all events during these three weeks, go to https://LCFriendsofTibet.org or on Facebook: Lincoln County Friends of Tibet. For all other questions, contact LincolnCountyTibet@gmail.com or call 530-748-9365.

K9 Nix Helps Local Girl Scouts Earn Their Animal Helper’s Badge
Lincoln City Police 

On Monday, February 16^th, 2026 the Lincoln City Police Department K9 Nix was able to lend a paw to local Girl Scout Troop 10143 who are working on their Animal Helper’s Badge. K9 Nix, along with Curry of Guide Dogs for the Blind, demonstrated how animal partners can help keep people safe by relying on the connection between humans and animals.

K9 Nix continues to be a special part of our Department and local Community, which goes far beyond her abilities in tracking and apprehension. We are lucky to have her as an animal ambassador. It was only with assistance from financial contributions by the citizens of Lincoln City that we were able to launch our K9 Program in the first place and we continue to express our gratitude for their ongoing support!

Fatal Crash – Highway 101 – Coos County

On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 6:09 a.m., the Oregon State Police responded to a three-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 101 near milepost 223 in Coos County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a white Ford F-150 towing a flatbed trailer, operated by Matthew Rafael Gonzalez (30) of St. George, Utah, was traveling northbound on Hwy. 101 near Lakeside when it struck black ice. The operator lost control, struck the guardrail, crossed into the southbound lane, and collided with a tan Chevy Tracker operated by James Ervin Bramhall (64) of Lakeside. A blue Dodge 1500 pickup, operated by John Paul Burgmeier (24) of Coos Bay, then rear-ended the flatbed, also due to black ice on the roadway.

The operator of the Chevy Tracker (Bramhall) was declared deceased at the scene. The operator of the Ford F-150 (Gonzalez) had reported minor injuries. The operator of the Dodge 1500 (Burgmeier) was reportedly not injured.

The highway was impacted for approximately 3.5 hours during the on-scene investigation. OSP was assisted by the Lakeside Fire Department, Houser Fire Department, Winchester Bay Fire Department, Lower Umpqua Ambulance, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

ODOT Traffic Alert: Full Bridge Closure – Astoria Megler Bridge Date Changed to February 26

The overnight closure of the Astoria-Megler Bridge has been rescheduled to Thursday, Feb. 26, due to weather. The closure will allow crews to remove the former toll booth structure on the Oregon-side on-ramp after inspectors identified a potential safety concern.

During a recent inspection, bridge engineers found damage to the wood roof, which could be at risk of collapsing during inclement weather, and recommended removing it as soon as possible to reduce risk to travelers. The bridge itself remains safe for travel. This emergency work is focused only on the deteriorating toll structure.

Important Siletz Community Survey

The city of Siletz is racing against time to correct what local leaders say is a deeply flawed income survey, one that could cost the community millions of dollars in affordable funding for a new wastewater treatment plant. City of Siletz officials say they first learned of the problem after years of planning with multiple government agencies to finance a long-needed replacement for the town’s aging wastewater treatment facility. During what is known as a “one-stop” meeting, Siletz leaders sat down with agencies such as the Department of Environmental Quality, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other state entities to map out grants, low-interest loans, and loan-forgiveness programs that could make the project financially feasible.

As part of that process, the city renegotiated and modernized its water and sewer agreement with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. The tribe agreed to pay its proportional share of the new plant, roughly 45 percent to the city’s 55 percent. With a new agreement in place and a $3 million federal grant secured with the help of Representative David Gomberg, it appeared the project was finally on solid footing. That changed abruptly when the city was told its median household income had spiked so dramatically that Siletz no longer qualified for many of the favorable funding options it had been promised. According to the data, the city’s median household income had jumped from somewhere in the $30,000–$40,000 range to about $83,000.

Local officials immediately questioned the accuracy of that figure, saying it does not match what anyone sees on the ground in Siletz. They describe the town as a working-class community with older homes, modest vehicles, and many residents employed in service jobs, mill work, or commercial fishing—not the sort of place where an $83,000 median household income is realistic. Siletz Mayor Willie Woreman pressed state and federal officials on how the number had been calculated, he were told it was based on Census Bureau and HUD housing data. The timing raised additional questions locally, because the income jump appeared shortly after the city had completed its one-stop planning process, and it did not fall in a normal census year.

Despite repeated inquiries, city staff say they never received a clear explanation of why or how the number changed so dramatically. Officials gathered their documentation and tried to make the case that the new figure was wrong, but were told the data would not be revised and that they would have to wait five years for a new cycle. That answer did not sit well with Woreman, who feared that moving ahead under the higher income classification would mean relying on higher-interest loans with no forgiveness, forcing steep increases in water and sewer rates and leaving today’s children and grandchildren paying off debt long after the plant’s useful life.

Unwilling to accept that outcome, the city pushed back. With support from Representative Gomberg and others, Siletz officials lobbied for a path to challenge the number. Eventually they were told that if they wanted to contest the data, they would have to pay for their own survey, partnering with another qualified agency and proving, through statistically valid sampling, that the official income estimate is inaccurate. As a result the city secured grant funding and entered into a partnership with Portland State University to conduct what is essentially a localized, smaller-scale version of the census focused on household income. However, the burden of proof falls heavily on Siletz.

While the original federal process may have relied on a relatively small number of households to generate the $83,000 estimate, the city has been told it must obtain income information from at least 217 households to demonstrate that the median is lower. To reach the required sample size, the city and Portland State University have designed a multi-stage outreach campaign. In the first phase, Siletz mailed out approximately 276 postcards to randomly selected households. Each postcard includes a QR code that residents can scan with their phones, allowing them to complete the income survey online from home. The goal is to receive at least 217 valid responses, with a built-in allowance for a 20 percent non-response or failure rate.

If the initial mail-in and online response falls short, Portland State University staff will travel to Siletz to conduct door-to-door surveying. City leaders are working to get the word out now so that residents understand these visitors are legitimate and that the effort is not a scam. The survey itself is described as short and straightforward, asking primarily about household income, and officials emphasize that all responses are confidential. Should those steps still fail to generate enough responses, the city plans additional follow-up rounds, including phone outreach to households using city records and, if needed, another computer-generated random selection of residents to contact.

To encourage participation, the city is offering a modest incentive: a $10 credit on residents’ water and sewer bills for completing the survey. Officials acknowledge that $10 is not a large amount, but say it is both a gesture of appreciation for people’s time and a sign of how important the survey is to the community’s financial future. Mayor Woreman stressed that the push for accurate income data is not about government intruding into residents’ lives, but about protecting them. He added that the new wastewater treatment plant must be built regardless—the current infrastructure is outdated and the project cannot be deferred indefinitely.

However, if Siletz is forced to rely on high-interest loans with no forgiveness because of inflated income figures, the result will likely be significantly higher water and sewer rates, and long-term debt that could last far beyond the new plant’s 30-year design life. If the community can prove that its true median income is lower, Siletz may once again qualify for more favorable financing options, including loans with partial forgiveness. One scenario described involves a 50 percent loan forgiveness structure: if the city borrowed $4 million, repaid on time over a set period, the government could forgive half, leaving only $2 million to be fully repaid. Local officials say that kind of assistance could make the difference between manageable rates and unsustainable bills.

Throughout the process, Siletz leaders have emphasized that this is fundamentally about fairness and about making sure outside agencies see the community as it really is—a small, low-income coastal town where people work hard, support one another, and are “all doing fine together,” but are far from wealthy. The current outreach effort aims not only to gather data but also to build understanding. By talking publicly about the survey, explaining the stakes, and clarifying that Portland State University staff may go door to door, city officials hope residents will recognize the legitimacy of the project and the importance of their participation. Survey information can be found on the city of Siletz’ website. (SOURCE)

Newport’s Safeway will close this summer to make way for a new grocery store.

Employees at the 2220 N. Coast Highway Safeway just off U.S. 101 were notified last week that the grocer would not be renewing the lease on its 32,000-square-foot building — spurring rumors that the property might soon be demolished and replaced.

WinCo signed a lease on the space in summer 2024, Dickerhoof confirmed to The Oregonian/OregonLive Tuesday. The majority employee-owned supermarket chain plans to open a Waremart grocery store in the former Safeway space.

Safeway’s lease on the building will end in August, Dickerhoof said, and WinCo will take over right away on Sept. 1.

The Newport Safeway will close on or before July 25, according to company spokesperson Jill McGinnis. The store has 90 employees, she said.

“Our team is working with the affected employees and the labor unions, where applicable, to attempt to find them work that is both consistent with the law and/or labor agreement,” McGinnis said in an email statement.

Wildlife Center of the North Coast

 ·We’re thrilled to welcome Oregon Film as a major event sponsor this year, joining our vibrant Wild Coast Film community. And, a very special thanks to Salty Raven for returning as a sponsor! Salty Raven was a major sponsor of the festival last year as well, and we are so grateful for their continued support.

With our sponsors’ generosity, every festival ticket purchased directly benefits wildlife rehabilitation and conservation education at the Wildlife Center of the North Coast.

Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Wild Coast Film Festival! Join us for four days of powerful storytelling celebrating conservation, wild spaces, and our connection to the natural world. While the final film lineup is still on the way, we can promise an unforgettable weekend. What to expect:• Inspiring films in curated film blocks• Guided nature and photo walks • Pop-up discussion panels• A festival party at the Columbia River Maritime Museum

Purchase single-block tickets or day/weekend passes at wildcoastfilm.org.

Together, we’re making a real difference for wildlife and our community. Thank you for being a part of this journey!

NW Natural has released a multi language notice that will also go to every customer regarding how to best identify a NW Natural Utility Worker when they come to your home or are nearby.

There has been reports of ICE agents disguising as utility workers to lure people out of their homes. Please stay aware.

“We are aware of reports of individuals impersonating utility workers in order to gain access to residents. Please note:

Our workers who show up at your home should either be wearing a uniform and a utility badge or wearing a badge that says “CONTRACTOR.” Their vehicles should be similarly marked with a NW Natural company logo and/or “CONTRACTOR.”

If someone comes to your house and asks for access to your home or for you to come outside:

• Our employees will never ask for immediate access to customers’ homes. They often will go to a back or side yard to access a meter.
• In most situations, if there is a reason a NW Natural employee would need to go inside a customer’s home (such as a safety check or inspection), they would have set this up with the customer in advance.

NW Natural is a company based in Coos Bay, OR that specializes in providing natural gas services to residential and commercial customers.

If you want to verify if someone at your home is a NW Natural employee or contractor, you can call our customer service line at 503-226-4211 or 800-422-4012. If you suspect an imposter, call 9-1-1 immediately.” https://www.nwnatural.com/…/2025-utility-and-contactor…

Anticipating Early 2026 Opening, Oregon Seeks to Block Potential Newport ICE Facility

Suspecting the federal government plans to open a large-scale Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility near Newport’s airport early next year, the state of Oregon asked a federal judge to block construction.

Lawyers for the state sought an injunction from U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken in an amended complaint filed last week as part of an ongoing lawsuit challenging the U.S. Coast Guard’s removal of a rescue helicopter from its Newport Municipal Airport facility in late October. They argued that the federal government is skirting federal environmental and coastal land use regulations which would require more notice for Oregon leaders should an ICE facility be constructed in the area.

Donor Offers $50K Reward in 40-Year-Old Case of Missing Oregon Coast Teen

Lincoln County authorities hope the recent offer from an anonymous donor of a $50,000 reward will lead to the remains of a 17-year-old Siletz girl who was last seen walking on U.S. 20 more than four decades ago.

An anonymous donor put up money hoping it will spur information that leads not only to Kelly Disney’s remains but also to the conviction of her killer, according to the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office.

The DA’s Office has confirmed that an anonymous donor offered the reward for any information leading to Disney’s remains and/or the conviction of her killer.

Information can be submitted anonymously at 541-265-0669 or online at FindKellyDisney@co.lincoln.or.us

READ MORE on CASE: https://lincolnchronicle.org/15597-2/

Wildlife Center of the North Coast · We need your help! 

Make a difference in wildlife rescue! Join our Wild at Heart Membership Program starting at just $5/month. Help us save lives! https://coastwildlife.org/wild-at-heart/

It’s been a busy summer here at the Wildlife Center of the North Coast, and our rehab clinic has gone through lots of supplies caring for patients!!

->> To help us restock and stay prepared for the next wave of wildlife in need, we’ve updated our Amazon Wishlist with the items we need most. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/LU97SQA0VPZA

Every donation—big or small—goes directly to helping orphaned, injured, and sick wildlife get a second chance at life. Check out our wishlist here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/LU97SQA0VPZA Thank you for being part of our wildlife rescue family! 

Friends of Haystack Rock  · We have puffins!

Check out our website, Friendsofhaystackrock.org to see them live! We have our webcam zoomed in on a couple active burrows. Your best chance to see them is in the morning between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Volunteers are being sought to help prepare and serve lunch three times a week at the Florence Senior and Activity Center.  

They serve lunch Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week. Both programs, the in-house dining known as Cafe 60, and Meals on Wheels, are very important in helping promote socialization and nutrition for older adults in Lane County.  Volunteer drivers for Meals on Wheels use their own vehicles, but they can be reimbursed for their mileage.  The Lane Council of Governments operates the Senior and Disabled Services in Lane County.  Alisa Andrion encourages potential volunteers to give her a call at L-COG, 541-682-1366.

Coos Bay Police Department –  WE’RE HIRING 9-1-1 DISPATCHERS

$4684 – $5972/Month DOQ — We offer:•A dynamic team environment •Alternative schedule benefiting work/life balance •Up to 5 weeks paid time off per year after the first year •The opportunity to serve your community

Our team members have come from a variety of work fields- no experience necessary! For additional information from the North Coos 9-1-1 Recruitment Team or to schedule a ride-along please email: join911@coosbayor.govhttps://www.coosbayor.gov/…/Compon…/JobPosts/Job/126/107

Gleneden Beach Community Club Events

Look what’s coming up soon at the Club… (sign up at glenedenbeach.org)

Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

Follow on Facebook: Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

Oregon Food Bank · Find free food sites near you using OregonFoodFinder.org.

If you can’t make it to a food location, someone else can pick up food for you.You will just need to print and fill out the Authorized Representative form at https://lnkd.in/dsskUpkQ, and have them take it with them to the food sites. You can find step-by-step instructions at https://lnkd.in/dVBRxn-A.

Worried about recent changes or losing assistance?

Here are resources that can help:

211Info:  Dial 2-1-1 or visit the211Info food webpagefor information and referrals to more than 1,500 food resources across Oregon.

Oregon Food Bank:  Use the Oregon Food Bank’s Food Finder Mapto find over 100 food pantries, free food markets or hot meal programs near you. 

Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon (ADRC): Call 855-673-2372 or visit theADRC food webpage to find local meal programs and food boxes in your area. 

State issues first 2026 income tax refunds for e-filed returns; Refunds for paper-filed returns won’t start until April

The Oregon Department of Revenue has begun distributing refunds for the 2025 tax year. Through February 17, the department has processed more than 500,000 electronically filed tax returns.

Most taxpayers can expect to receive their refunds within two weeks of the date their return is filed. Some returns, however, require additional review and can take up to 20 weeks before a refund is issued.

Oregon is returning a $1.41 billion revenue surplus “kicker” to taxpayers in 2026. The kicker credit will either increase a taxpayer’s refund or decrease the amount of state taxes they owe.

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. Taxpayers can determine the amount of their kicker using a “What’s My Kicker? calculator available on Revenue Online.

The department encourages taxpayers to file electronically. On average, taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refund within two weeks. Those who file paper returns will experience a significantly longer wait in 2026 due to processing delays.

In the closing months of 2025, the IRS was late providing necessary tax form information to the Oregon Department of Revenue. As a result, the state’s processing of paper-filed Oregon personal income tax returns will not begin until the end of March. The first refunds for paper-filed returns are not expected to be issued until April.

Taxpayers can check the status of their e-filed refund by using the department’s Where’s My Refund? tool. The Department of Revenue recommends that taxpayers wait one week after they have electronically filed their return to use the Where’s My Refund tool. Paper-filed returns won’t show up in the Where’s My Refund? tool until processing begins in late March. Taxpayers mailing their return should wait two weeks after the department starts processing paper returns in late March or after mailing their return, whichever is later.

The Where’s My Refund? tool has been updated for 2026, providing clear messaging about the status of their return to taxpayers who are signed into their Revenue Online account. Taxpayers who don’t already have a Revenue Online account can create one by following the Revenue Online link on the department’s website. Taxpayers who don’t have a Revenue Online account can still use the Where’s My Refund? tool but won’t be able to see the updated features.

A video outlining the refund process and timelines is also available to help taxpayers understand the process.

Taxpayers should file just once unless they need to make a change to their return. They should choose to either file electronically or by paper. Doing both will delay processing of their return.

In addition to checking the status of their refund, taxpayers can make payments, or get tax forms by visiting the department’s website. Questions can be emailed to questions.dor@dor.oregon.gov.

Taxpayers can also call 800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), the department accepts all relay calls.

Oregon Republicans walk out of Senate ahead of vote on transportation referendum

Republicans last staged a quorum-denying walkout in 2023, protesting legislation on abortion access and preventing gun violence

Republicans in the Oregon Senate staged a walkout Wednesday afternoon ahead of a scheduled vote on a bill to reschedule a referendum on controversial transportation tax and fee increases from November to May.

Senators were scheduled to meet at 1:30 p.m., but no Republicans were present during roll call, prompting Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, to adjourn until Thursday morning. Senate Bill 1599, the proposal to move the date of the referendum, has since been listed on Thursday’s Senate agenda. While the House came to a brief standstill at the same time, four Republicans showed up, allowing lawmakers in that chamber to reach a quorum.

A spokesperson for Wagner did not immediately offer any comment, and Senate Republicans did not specifically attribute their absence to the transportation vote.

“Senate Republicans paused the process so there could be more meaningful discussions between the majority and the minority,” Ashley Kuenzi, a spokesperson for Senate Republicans, wrote in an email.

Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr, R-Dundee, and deputy leaders Cedric Hayden, R-Falls Creek, Dick Anderson, R-Lincoln City and David Brock Smith, R-Port Orford, did not immediately respond to texts and emails for comment.

The anti-tax transportation referendum has become a flash point over affordability issues in the state of Oregon, with Republicans castigating the state’s Democratic leadership for passing legislation during a fall special session to raise the gas tax, car registration and title fees and the payroll tax used for public transit.

New revenue from that legislation would have raised $791 million for the Oregon Department of Transportation’s 2025-27 budget, and raised $4.3 billion over the next decade, but the Republican-led “No Tax Oregon” campaign received enough signatures to pause those new revenue streams until a November referendum.

Republicans have portrayed the Democratic attempt to reschedule the referendum as an attempt to ensure an unpopular initiative is not on the same general election ballot as Gov. Tina Kotek and Democratic legislators.

Democrats have limited time to pass the legislation changing the referendum date, with the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office suggesting in legal guidance that the measure needs an emergency clause and signature from Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek by Feb. 25. House Speaker Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, told reporters Tuesday evening that she believed the bill was “on track” to meet that deadline.

Oregon Constitution requires presence of two-thirds majority members to work

Walkouts are a way for Republicans in Oregon’s mostly Democratic legislature to prevent legislation from advancing.

Oregon lawmakers need a two-thirds majority of members present to deliberate and pass bills — an unusually high quorum requirement in comparison to most states that only require a simple majority. In the Oregon Senate, where Democrats make up 18 of 30 seats, that means it needs at least 20 members present. The House needs 40 representatives out of 60 present.

Missing 10 or more days would have consequences for Republican legislators because voters in 2022 passed a constitutional amendment barring lawmakers with 10 or more unexcused absences from seeking reelection. Three current Republican senators — Hayden, Kim Thatcher of Keizer and Suzanne Weber of Tillamook – can’t run for reelection this year because they participated in a six-week 2023 walkout over Democratic bills on abortion, gender-affirming care and guns.

Several Republicans last year staged a boycott of the Oregon House, though they were unable to deny a quorum at the time. That came after Sen. Chris Gorsek, D-Gresham, raised his voice at Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis, R-Albany, during a heated committee hearing where the two debated how best to fund the state’s imperiled transportation system. She filed a legislative conduct complaint against him over the exchange, and Gorsek stepped down from his chairmanship.

In the House, deliberations temporarily came to a standstill despite lawmakers planning to resume session at 1:30 p.m to take up a bill that would empower Oregonians to sue federal law enforcement agents for violating their civil rights. Reps. Kevin Mannix, R-Salem, Dwayne Yunker, R-Grants Pass, Jami Cate, R-Lebanon and Greg Smith, R-Heppner, were all in attendance by around 2:10 p.m., allowing the chamber to reach a quorum. Rep. Darin Harbick, R-Rainbow, later joined his colleagues. The legislation passed by a 36-4 vote.

House Minority Leader Rep. Lucetta Elmer, R-McMinnville, could also be seen walking in and out of the chamber alongside Fahey. (SOURCE)

88th Annual Oregon Logging Conference – 2/19 to 2/21

Oregon Logging Conference – The Lane Events Center and Fairgrounds is buzzing with activity at the 88th Annual Oregon Logging Conference.

Oregon reports measles outbreak; new wastewater dashboard tracks measles virus by county

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) medical experts held a media briefing Thursday to give an update on the state’s response to recent measles cases in Oregon and across the country. They also will discuss new measles tracking methods.

The media briefing livestream for members of the public is available via YouTube at this link.

A new data tracking tool Oregon Health Authority (OHA) launched today shows the five confirmed measles cases identified in the state since Jan. 1 likely represent only a portion of infections occurring statewide, public health officials say.

To strengthen early detection, OHA today published a new measles wastewater surveillance dashboard showing viral concentrations by county and categorizing activity as very low, low, moderate or high over two-week periods.

Wastewater monitoring began Oct. 1, 2025, and complements traditional case reporting. Oregon submits data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Wastewater Surveillance System, which uses a high threshold for labeling samples as a “detection.” While that approach has shown sporadic detections of measles over time, Oregon’s analysis of viral concentrations indicates low-level measles activity across the state that has been increasing. For the two-week period ending Feb. 7, low levels of measles virus were observed in wastewater from nine counties.

“Wastewater surveillance serves as an early warning signal system, which gives communities a head start to prepare and empowers everyone to make informed decisions about immunization. Wastewater testing looks for the actual measles virus that causes illness in people, so it provides an early signal of community spread,” said Howard Chiou, M.D., Ph.D., medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at OHA’s Public Health Division.

“Measles is here in Oregon and spreading in the United States,” Chiou added, “and vaccination remains the best way for people to protect themselves. We encourage everyone to talk with a healthcare provider to ensure they and their families are fully protected.”

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus spread through the air when an infected person breathes, speaks, coughs or sneezes. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours, allowing it to infect up to 90% of unprotected close contacts and potentially cause serious complications, including pneumonia, brain inflammation and death.

Measles has been increasing nationwide since early 2025, with nearly 2,300 cases reported last year. Most cases occurred among unvaccinated children.

Guidance for providers and the public – Symptoms typically begin seven to 21 days after exposure and include cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis with high fever, followed by a rash that starts on the head or neck and spreads downward. People are contagious from four days before the rash appears until four days afterward.

Health care providers should report suspected cases immediately and consider post-exposure prophylaxis for exposed patients:

• MMR vaccine, within 72 hours of exposure.
• Immunoglobulin, within six days.

For most vaccine-eligible people 6 months and older, MMR vaccination within 72 hours is recommended.

Anyone not protected against measles is at risk. OHA encourages people to check vaccination status and contact a health care provider if they have questions.

For more information on measles, visit OHA’s measle page. The measles wastewater dashboard page is available here.

Call for Nominations: OnPoint Community Credit Union kicks off 17th Annual Prize for Outstanding Educators and Schools Making an Impact

OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education recognizes inspiring educators and schools with financial support, including paying four mortgages or rents for a full year

OnPoint Community Credit Union is asking the public to nominate exceptional educators for its 17^th annual Prize for Excellence in Education. The program will award $193,000 to eight outstanding educators and five schools across Oregon and southwest Washington.

“OnPoint was founded by teachers more than 90 years ago, and we honor our roots by celebrating educators in our community who inspire future generations,” said Rob Stuart, president and chief executive officer of OnPoint Community Credit Union. “Every day, educators help students build confidence, curiosity and opportunity. We invite the community to once again help us recognize these educators by nominating them for the OnPoint Prize.”

Four winning educators will have their mortgage or rent paid by OnPoint for one year. Four runners-up will each receive a $5,000 cash prize. The OnPoint Prize also includes the Community Builder Award for innovative school projects. Four schools will receive $2,000, and a fifth school selected by community votes will receive $5,000.

About the Nomination Process

Anyone can nominate an outstanding educator or apply for a Community Builder award at onpointprize.com. Educators may also nominate themselves. Applicants must be full-time or job-share classroom teachers, counselors, school administrators or librarians for grades Pre-K-12. They must work in an accredited public, private or charter school located within any county that OnPoint serves. OnPoint also accepts applications for the Community Builder awards within those same counties. The nomination period closes at 11:59 p.m. PST on Tuesday, April 7. Educator of the Year finalists and Community Builder winners will be announced on May 6.

Since 2010, the OnPoint Prize has awarded more than $1 million in prizes to 347 local educators and schools.

This year’s awards include:

• Educators of the Year: Four educators will have their mortgage or rent paid for one year and receive a $2,500 donation to their schools for resources and supplies. One educator from each category below will be chosen:
  • Grades K-5
  • Grades 6-8
  • Grades 9-12
  • Gold Star: This category recognizes one educator who is a pre-kindergarten teacher, school counselor, substitute teacher, librarian or school administrator.

Runners-up: Four educators, one from each of the above categories, will receive a $5,000 cash award and a $1,500 donation to each of their schools for resources and supplies.

• Community Builder Awards: One school, selected by community votes, will receive $5,000 for a project that will meaningfully improve that school or community. Four additional schools will each receive $2,000 for special projects.

About last year’s winners

The winners of the 2025 Educators of the Year who had their mortgage or rent paid over the last year were:

• Ricardo Barber, 3^rd grade teacher at Faubion Elementary, Portland, Ore.
• Rhiannon Young, 6^th-8^th grade teacher at Corbett Middle School, Corbett, Ore.
• Sophia Aguirre, 9^th-12^th grade English Language Development at Aloha High School, Beaverton, Ore.
• Hang Jones, Social Worker at Marysville Elementary School, Portland, Ore.

OnPoint awarded five Community Builder grants in 2025 to fund innovative school projects that inspire students, foster community, demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and reach a broad segment of the school community.

The $5,000 Community Builder Award, selected by community votes, went to Morningside Elementary School in Salem, Ore. The award funded new portable risers for the school’s choir program, giving every student a safe, visible place during performances and community events. Four schools received the $2,000 award:

• Abiqua School: Nature Trail – A Path to Outdoor Learning (Salem-Keizer School District, Salem, Ore.)
• Innovation Academy: Community Garden (Medford School District, Medford, Ore.)
• Sherwood Charter School: H.E.A.R.T Care Closet (Sherwood School District, Sherwood, Ore.)

Skyridge Middle School: Flood Recovery for Books (Camas School District, Camas, Wash.)

For information about the OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education, additional qualifications and contest rules, please visit onpointprize.com.

BLM launches public comment on western Oregon timber plan to advance Trump administration priorities

The Bureau of Land Management is inviting public input for proposed updates to resources management across 2.5 million acres of highly productive timberlands in western Oregon, an effort that underscores the Trump administration’s commitment to expanding domestic timber production and reducing reliance on foreign imports.

“Bringing timber production back to historic levels is essential for reviving local economies and reducing the threat of catastrophic wildfires,” said Acting BLM Director Bill Groffy. “President Trump has made it clear — enhanced domestic timber production is vital for our national security, economic prosperity, and effective wildfire management.”

A notice will publish in tomorrow’s Federal Register to open the comment period, which closes on March 23. Additional information is available at the BLM National NEPA Register, where comments may be submitted through the “Participate Now” option. Written comments may also be emailed to LM_OR_Revision_Scoping@blm.gov” style=”box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0, 94, 162);”>BLM_OR_Revision_Scoping@blm.gov or delivered to: Attention BLM OR930, 1220 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97204.

The BLM remains committed to supplying a secure, resilient domestic timber supply. In western Oregon, this commitment is rooted in the Oregon and California Revested Lands Sustained Yield Management Act of 1937, which ensures sustainable forestry practices that support communities and livelihoods.

Revenue from timber harvested on these lands is shared between the U.S. Treasury and 18 western Oregon counties—funding essential local services such as schools, libraries, public safety, and infrastructure projects. Each year, BLM timber sales support approximately 2,000 local jobs and generate more than $1 billion for local economies.

### 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.

Oregon State Parks to hire seasonal Park Rangers, Park Ranger Assistants

Oregon State Parks is hiring seasonal Park Rangers and Park Ranger Assistants for positions across the state for the 2026 season.

Hiring starts as soon as this month and runs through June with new positions listed on a rolling basis on the website. The positions last anywhere from four to nine months. Most seasonal staff work April through September, but some start as early as this month or work as late as December.

Seasonal staff help visitors access world-class experiences and ensure clean and safe park areas for everyone to enjoy. Duties include janitorial work, landscape maintenance, visitor education and visitor services.

Salaries start at $20.28 per hour for seasonal assistants and $23.79 for seasonal rangers. Both positions include comprehensive medical, vision and dental plans for employees and qualified family members. The positions also include paid sick leave, vacation, personal leave and 11 paid holidays per year. Student workers, ages 16 and older, who are enrolled in high school start at $20.27 or more per hour, depending on experience.

Several of Oregon State Parks’ top leaders started their careers as seasonal employees, including all three Region Directors.

“We are focused on developing an engaged workforce by partnering with staff on career development, investing in skill building and fostering a culture of belonging. Whether you’re here for a season or your entire career, you make a difference in protecting and promoting Oregon’s special places,” said interim Director Stefanie Coons.

Seasonal staff gain valuable skills working with experienced Park Rangers at parks around the state. Positions are available in Oregon’s coastal areas, scenic valleys, and mountain regions, offering opportunities to work in some of the most beautiful places in the Pacific Northwest.

For more information about current openings, visit https://bit.ly/oregonparkjobs. If you have any questions or need additional assistance in accessibility or alternative formats, please email Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Recruiting D.Recruiting@oprd.oregon.gov“>OPRD.Recruiting@oprd.oregon.gov.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, committed to diversity and pay equity.

Day Use Visits dip slightly in 2025, but Oregon State Parks remain a beloved destination

Oregon State Parks welcomed an estimated 51.46 million day-use visits* in 2025, a slight decrease from the record-breaking 53.85 million visits recorded in 2024, but visitation remains historically strong and widespread across the state.

While parks along the coast and in the Willamette Valley saw modest declines, Central and Eastern Oregon parks recorded a small increase, reflecting continued demand for outdoor recreation in every region.

The Oregon coast remains the system’s most popular destination, with 362 miles of publicly managed beaches. Day-use visits there dropped from 32.5 million in 2024 to 30.65 million in 2025. Willamette Valley parks also saw a decline, from 11.44 million to 10.71 million. In contrast, the Central and Eastern Oregon park visitation climbed to 10.09 million visits up from 9.89 million the year before.

Overnight stays followed a similar trend. Visitors logged 2.6 million camper nights* in 2025, down from 2.83 million in 2024. Temporary campground closures at popular parks like Collier Memorial, Silver Falls, Fort Stevens, and Nehalem Bay contributed to the decrease as critical maintenance and infrastructure work moved forward.

At the same time, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) continues to face high and rising costs to operate, maintain and protect park lands, facilities and visitor services. Aging infrastructure, increasing maintenance needs, and higher operating expenses have put sustained pressure on the system. While the agency has updated fees to better reflect current costs, those fees do not fully cover the cost of running and caring for Oregon’s state parks.

OPRD is also navigating a projected budget shortfall, which means every visit, every pass, and every act of stewardship matters. Unlike many public services, OPRD does not receive general fund tax dollars. The system relies on user fees, a portion of the Oregon State Lottery revenue, and a share of recreational vehicle (R.V.) registration fees to keep parks open, safe and welcoming.

“Even with small year to year changes in visitation, the love people have for Oregon State Parks is clear,” said Interim Director Stefanie Coons. “We want to do everything we can to continue to provide high quality experiences and create treasured memories for our visitors. Every visit and every supporter truly make a difference in helping us care for these special places.”

Looking ahead in 2026, Fort Stevens State Park is scheduled to complete its campground utility this spring. Two more projects, safety upgrades at Cape Lookout and visitor center completion at Silver Falls, will break ground in 2026.

OPRD is also recruiting for its 2026 seasonal workforce, with park ranger and park ranger assistant positions open statewide. Park rangers and support staff play a vital role in keeping parks clean, safe, and enjoyable while offering educational and recreational opportunities for millions of visitors. Apply today on the Oregon State Parks website! (https://bit.ly/oregonparkjobs)

*Day use estimates are based on car counters and multipliers; overnight camping estimates are based on occupied sites and multipliers. Car counters occasionally require maintenance or replacement, which may affect individual park totals. The overall figures represent OPRD’s best estimates for tracking long-term trends.

E-File Your Taxes For Free At Regional Offices

With anticipated delays in paper return processing in 2026, the Oregon Department of Revenue reminds taxpayers planning to file a paper return that they can use public computer kiosks in the department’s regional offices to file their Oregon personal income tax returns for free and get their kicker and their refund sooner.

“The computer kiosks offer a way to file electronically for those without a computer or those who fill out paper forms and want to transfer their data into Direct File Oregon to receive their refund—and their kicker—sooner,” said Megan Denison, administrator of the department’s Personal Tax and Compliance Division.

The computers are set up in the public spaces of the DOR regional offices in Bend, Eugene, Gresham, Medford, and Portland. They are available during business hours to file state tax returns using Direct File Oregon.

On average, taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refunds two weeks sooner than those who mail in paper returns and request a check.

The additional wait will be even longer this year. The IRS was late providing necessary tax forms and information to the Oregon Department of Revenue late last year. As a result, the state’s processing of paper-filed Oregon personal income tax returns won’t begin until the end of March.

The department will begin issuing refunds for e-filed returns February 17. For paper filed returns, refunds will not start being issued until early April.

Offices are located in:

Bend, 951 SW Simpson Ave, Suite 100

Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

Eugene, 1600 Valley River Drive, Suite 310

Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

Gresham, 1550 NW Eastman Parkway, Suite 220

Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

Medford, 3613 Aviation Way, Suite 102

Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

Portland, 800 NE Oregon St, Suite 505

Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed 12 – 12:30 p.m.)

Now in its third year, Direct File Oregon is an interview-based program similar to commercial software and allows taxpayers the convenience and security of filing directly with the state of Oregon through Revenue Online.

Oregon Housing and Community Services and Tribal Nations launch first-of-its-kind housing initiative

The state announces the launch of the Tribal Housing Grant Fund (THGF), which is a first-of-its-kind program to provide state funds to help address the housing needs of the Nine Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon.

“The Tribal Housing Grant Fund creates a new framework for how the state works with the Nine Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon,” said Gov. Tina Kotek. “It represents a meaningful step forward in honoring our government-to-government relationship and ensuring Tribes have the resources and flexibility they need to address their critical housing needs.”

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) and representatives from Tribal Nations, including housing directors, health and human services directors, and council members, worked for more than a year to develop the program.

“The Tribal Housing Grant Fund is a landmark program that elevates Tribal self-determination in a state-funded program,” said Sami Jo Difuntorum, executive director of Siletz Tribal Housing Department and Housing Stability Council member. “The THGF will provide Oregon’s Nine Federally Recognized Tribes with critical housing resources, providing flexibility in program design.”

“The values, culture, and housing needs of communities are best understood locally,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “In consultation with Oregon’s Nine Federally Recognized Tribes, the Tribal Housing Grant Fund emphasizes self-determination and flexibility in how Tribes use state resources to address local needs. Honoring Tribal sovereignty, in its richest form, calls on us to operationalize this shared value.”

In the 2025 Legislative Session, lawmakers allocated $10 million to OHCS to establish the program. Program funds can be used for affordable rental housing and homeownership initiatives, as well as to maintain By and For Initiative-Native American Tribes of Oregon (BAFI-NATO) investments.

Tribal Nations will receive funds based on a formula that was previously used by the BAFI-NATO program, where each grantee receives a base amount along with Tribal enrollment numbers.

To obtain the funds, grantees must submit a housing plan every biennium outlining how they will use the money.

Eligible THGF program activities include:

• Homelessness response and prevention ​
• Affordable rental housing
• Homeownership support such as down payment and mortgage assistance
• Land acquisition, infrastructure, development, and rehabilitation ​
• Financial assistance and support services for households that qualify
• Capacity building​

Visit the THGF webpage for more program details.

About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)

OHCS is Oregon’s housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs.

The five-week Oregon legislative session started in February with more than 260 bills aimed at tackling issues from roads funding to data privacy to school funding to federal immigration and tax policies.

Now, halfway through the session and past the Feb. 16 deadline for bills to get voted out of subject-matter committees and onto the House and Senate floors for full votes, fewer bills remain. The dust has begun to settle around some proposals that died early without advancing, including several priority bills for Republicans in the minority in both the House and Senate.

Some of the session’s most controversial proposals that require raising money or making changes to existing law — such as attempts to tweak the state’s rollout of campaign finance contribution limits — are immune to general deadlines while they await hearings and votes in exempt rules, revenue or joint committees. Lawmakers have until the March 8 end of session to decide what to do with those measures.

Among the most ambitious proposals to die an early death was Senate Bill 1555, an attempt to overhaul the methodology used to figure out how much money the state sends to Oregon’s schools every two years. Both Republicans and Democrats on a joint interim committee and the Senate Education Committee had qualms about the process being rushed during the short session, while advocates argued it ultimately accepts a broken status quo that leaves some high needs schools underfunded. It died Friday in the Senate Education Committee.

“The problem isn’t going away and we need everyone back at the table during the legislative interim, working together until we find common ground and clear a path to get this right in 2027,” said Louis Wheatley, a spokesperson for Foundations for a Better Oregon, a nonprofit education advocacy group that had backed the bill.

Dead bills – Several Republican priority bills did not make it out of the committees where they were first introduced.

Among them was a bill proposed by Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis, R-Albany, to roll back greenhouse gas emission reduction targets under the Climate Protection Program, Oregon’s bedrock climate change law. Another, proposed by Rep. Alek Skarlatos, R-Canyonville, would have repealed a 2025 law that expanded unemployment insurance benefits to striking workers.

Two bills proposed by state Sen. Christine Drazan, R-Canby, died early, including one bipartisan bill to prohibit public health and harm reduction groups from handing out free hypodermic needles and syringes to drug users within 2,000 feet of schools or child care centers. The other bill would have allowed teachers to remove disruptive students from their classrooms, and required students be held back who are unable to demonstrate grade-level proficiency in core subjects in third grade. Both would have come up against legal challenges as they have in other states, critics pointed out.

On the Senate Floor on Monday, Drazan accused her colleagues of “posturing” and “virtue signaling,” about kids’ safety and learning rather than passing the two bills.

Another bipartisan proposal to exempt Woodburn from some of the state’s urban growth boundary limitations so more housing could be built, ideally for the area’s farmworker population, also died. Powerful farming groups, including the Oregon Farm Bureau, opposed the bill, stating that a process for requesting urban growth boundary expansions is already established in existing state law, and that Woodburn should follow that process.

A few ambitious bills brought by Democrats died early, including a revived proposal from the 2025 session that would have required Google and large tech companies to pay for the local news content those companies take at no cost, aggregate and profit from. The bill died after one public hearing due to a lack of support from moderate Democrats.

Another proposal to require contractors and grant recipients accepting money from state agencies to attest they won’t transport individuals detained on behalf of federal immigration agents also died after a single public hearing. Most of the Democrats’ proposals to strengthen the state’s protections for immigrants and to push back on aggressive federal immigration enforcements continue to move closer to final votes.

Hotly debated, deadline exempt – Legislative leaders sent several hotly debated bills to committees unbound by deadlines. Among them are a bill to let teens vote in primaries, another to let local governments spend collected hotel taxes on things not related to tourism and to open the state’s primary elections instead of allowing only those registered with a party to vote for party candidates.

Two bills that would redirect the portions of the kicker tax refund to the state’s general fund or to public schools are still alive. The latter will have its first public hearing on Thursday in the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee.

A Republican bill that would require the state to replicate recent federal tax code changes that allow individuals to write off a portion of private school tuition from their federal income taxes is still alive and awaits vetting in the education subcommittee of the Joint Ways and Means Committee.

A bill sponsored by Democrats that would require more transparency from lobbyists about what bills they’re lobbying for or against on behalf of clients is on life support in the Senate Rules Committee, according to James Browning, executive director of the Pennsylvania-based nonprofit climate group F Minus who helped draft the proposal. The bill was sent straight to the Rules Committee the first day of the session and it hasn’t had any public hearing scheduled.

Browning suspects the bill will have an uphill fight against the Capitol Club, a trade group for lobbyists with its own office in the State Capitol in Salem, which registered 13 of its own members as lobbyists for the club for the first time in more than a decade at the beginning of the session. Though there’s been no public testimony against the bill, Browning said he was surprised the club beefed up its representation after meeting with F Minus’s Oregon Director Aidan Bassett.

“I’ve worked on similar bills in other states going back 20 years and I can’t recall a state lobbyist association fighting a transparency bill in such an organized and potentially overwhelming way,” Browning said in an email.

Dale Penn, president of the Capitol Club, said in an email that they registered those members to lobby on behalf of the organization in an effort to “ensure full transparency.”

“Because proposed legislation this session could directly affect Capitol Club and its members, we anticipate that legislators may seek input from our leadership,” he said. “Registering simply ensures that any such conversations occur in a clear and compliant manner under Oregon law.” (SOURCE)

Another year brings yet another wave of phishing scams, with senders impersonating ODOT and DMV. Do not fall for these tricks.

The DMV warns that if you receive an unsolicited text message purporting to be from ODOT or DMV, claiming that you owe money for an unpaid traffic fine or toll balance, it is a scam. Refrain from clicking any links or providing payment or personal identifying information.

These messages are fraudulent and intended to steal your personal and financial data. It is advisable to delete the message and block the sender. The most recent scam messages originate from unknown phone numbers and often start with alarming phrases such as, “Evasion Notice for Oregon Traffic Court” or “Final Notice – Toll Violation (Oregon).”

These messages assert that you have an outstanding traffic fine or toll balance and demand payment by a specified date to prevent enforcement actions and penalties. The texts may reference a fictitious Oregon State Administrative Code and encourage you to click on a deceptive URL that may appear legitimate because it contains ODOT, DMV, or oregon.gov.

The American Red Cross is making an urgent appeal for blood donations due to a nearly 35% decline in their supply over the last month.

The organization reports that winter storms and the flu season have intensified the shortage, resulting in hospitals facing challenges in meeting patient requirements. The Red Cross is responsible for supplying 40% of the nation’s blood, and the situation is critical, with blood being required every two seconds. Although 62% of Americans are eligible to donate, only 3% are currently participating, according to the organization.

From January 26 to February 28, donors will receive a $20 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice. The Red Cross urges eligible individuals to schedule an appointment via their website to assist in replenishing the blood supply.

The Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue has moved forward with a new bill intended to deliver substantial tax relief to more than 200,000 low-to-moderate income households in Oregon.

This legislation also fosters job creation while protecting $291 million in funding for education, health care, and public safety. Senate Bill 1507 accomplishes these objectives by eliminating tax loopholes that are commonly exploited by affluent individuals and large corporations.

The bill suggests the most significant expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit in Oregon’s history. This adjustment will raise the credit from 9% to 14% for individual taxpayers and from 12% to 17% for those with a child under the age of three. Furthermore, the bill introduces a new $25 million Jobs Tax Credit, aimed at reducing taxes for businesses that generate well-paying jobs within the state.

This credit is available to all industries but necessitates a net increase in jobs in Oregon to be eligible. The proposal also guarantees that tips and overtime compensation will remain exempt from taxation.

Call for Ideas: America 250 Oregon Commission Invites Public Input on National America250 Time Capsule

On July 4, 2026, America250 will bury the Semiquincentennial Time Capsule within Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. The stainless-steel cylinder, designed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, is designed to safely store commemorative objects for 250 years until the capsule’s opening on July 4, 2275.

Each state has been asked to contribute a submission that represents its people, stories, and values at this historic moment, and the America 250 Oregon Commission invites the public to share ideas for Oregon’s contributions.

Items should reflect Oregon and its people today and may include creative works, written reflections, or symbolic objects created with long-term preservation in mind. Submissions must fit within a 6″ x 5″ x 2″ archival storage box, ideally made of a nonreactive metal (gold, silver, copper, titanium, platinum) or consist of a single page of archival paper no larger than 8.5″ x 11″. Other materials (such as stone, fabric, glass, clay) may be utilized, recognizing that the potential for long-term degradation is increased.

Oregonians are encouraged to submit recommendations to egon.250@ohs.org” target=”_blank” title=”Oregon.250@ohs.org“>Oregon.250@ohs.org by March 1, 2026. Public input will help inform the Commission’s final selection, ensuring Oregon’s contribution reflects a broad range of perspectives and experiences. Oregon Historical Society 

About the America 250 Oregon Commission — The America 250 Oregon Commission was created through Senate Bill 1531, which was signed into law by Governor Tina Kotek on March 27, 2024. Chaired by the Oregon Historical Society’s executive director, Kerry Tymchuk, 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.

UNDER PRESSURE: A VOLCANIC EXPLORATION, AN EXHIBITION FROM OREGON’S HIGH DESERT MUSEUM, SHEDS NEW LIGHT ON THE RUMBLING GIANTS AMONG US

(BEND, Ore.) — For millions of years, volcanoes have been the most powerful force in nature. And for many in the West, the impact of volcanoes is forever tied to the May 18, 1980, eruption of Washington’s Mount Saint Helens. The science, spectacle, and significance behind these massive peaks will soon be at the center of an immersive new exhibition, “Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration,” which will run from Feb. 7, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027, at the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service recipient High Desert Museum in Bend, Ore.

On the heels of the Museum’s recent “Sensing Sasquatch” exhibition – which won the Western History Association’s prestigious 2025 Autry Public History Prize and earned national praise for exploring the Indigenous perspectives of what many call Bigfoot – comes the latest groundbreaking exhibition from the High Desert Museum. Under Pressure will take visitors on an educational, insightful, and thought-provoking journey into the forces that make volcanoes among the most majestic and often misunderstood natural wonders of the world, while exploring their individual stories and temperaments.

“From cultural and historical significance to the 1980 eruption of Mount Saint Helens, the Pacific Northwest and High Desert have a particularly long, complex, and symbiotic relationship with volcanoes,” says Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D., High Desert Museum executive director. “We live in their shadows, recreate on their slopes, and admire their beauty, but it’s the volcanoes’ ability to simultaneously cause destruction and creation that evokes feelings of awe. Under Pressure will provide an immersive and deep exploration.”

Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration, a groundbreaking new exhibition from Oregon’s High Desert Museum.

WHEN:            Feb. 7, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027

WHERE:          High Desert Museum (Spirit of the West Gallery)

                         59800 US-97, Bend, OR 97702 (map HERE)

COST:              Free with Museum admission or membership

   Active U.S. military and their families, as well as Tribal members, are FREE with ID

Among the highlights that visitors to Under Pressure can expect to encounter include:

• Engage the senses through interactive displays and exhibits, including volcanic rocks and a volcanic hazard map, to learn about cutting-edge volcano research.
• Hear stories and learn the significance of volcanoes to the people of the High Desert region.
• Get to know 4-6 individual volcanoes through biographies that explain the similarities and differences between them.
• Learn about present-day volcano hazards and how lava flows.
• Understand the technologies that scientists use to detect volcanic activity, which allow us to live among volcanoes while also enjoying their many benefits.

“These geologic giants exist all around us, come in all shapes and sizes, and tell a story of our past, present, and future,” says Whitelaw. “With 350 million people living near an active volcano worldwide, the more we understand about volcanoes, the better we can exist alongside them.”

Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration opens to the public on Feb. 7, 2026, and runs through Jan. 3, 2027, in the High Desert Museum’s Spirit of the West Gallery. For additional information on exhibitions or to start planning your experience, visit highdesertmuseum.org.

Raise Funds to Plant Trees in Oregon

Registration is open for the Bob Ross-inspired Happy Little (Virtual) 5K

Inspired by American painter and PBS television personality Bob Ross’ love of the outdoors, Oregon Parks Forever is sponsoring a virtual 5K race to help plant trees in Oregon’s parks & forests.  You must register by April 1^st in order to get your shirts and medal before the event.

Participants can walk, run, paddle or roll to complete their 5K anywhere outdoors anytime between April 18 and 26 (covering Earth Day and Arbor Day).   Participants are encouraged to register by April 1 to ensure that your swag arrives before the event week. Last year, we had to close registration early due to higher than anticipated participation, so register as soon as possible.  If you register after April 1, you may not receive your swag before race week. Registration will close on April 15, or earlier if more participants sign up than we have available swag.

For $36 per person, each participant will receive a keepsake Happy Little T-shirt, a commemorative bib number and a finisher’s medal. All Oregon race proceeds support tree planting and forest protection efforts in Oregon parks.  Ten trees will be planted in Oregon for each registration.  This year’s tree plantings will be placed in the Santiam Canyon.

Initially, the “Happy Little Trees” program began with a partnership between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Bob Ross Inc., with hundreds of volunteers helping to plant “happy little trees” at locations hard-hit by invasive pests and tree diseases. The partnership quickly expanded to include the Run for the Trees / Happy Little (Virtual) 5K.

As the Happy Little 5K gained popularity, more states have joined the effort. Now in its sixth year, the Happy Little 5K has expanded its reach to include fifteen other states. Together, all sixteen states will help raise awareness and funding for stewardship efforts in each state’s parks.

“We are thrilled to honor Bob Ross and continue our efforts to plant at least One Million Trees in Oregon.” said Seth Miller, Executive Director of Oregon Parks Forever.  “To date, we have funded the planting of 850,000 trees.”

“The official Bob Ross 5K is probably our most favorite initiative,” says Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Company. “It’s the perfect blend of everything Bob held dear; nature, taking care of the environment, and happy trees too of course. He would have been so pleased to see how it’s getting so popular around the world.”

Participants can register at www.orparksforever.org.

For more information, contact Seth Miller at 503/966-1053 or seth@orparksforever.org

Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs

No veteran should be without a place to call home, and the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is committed to ending veteran homelessness in our state.

The new ODVA Houseless Veterans Program collaborates with federal, state, county, and Tribal agencies, veteran services offices, and community homeless service providers to meet the urgent and unique needs of Oregon’s diverse veteran communities challenged with housing stability.

In addition to advocating for Oregon veterans experiencing or at risk for houselessness, the program provides direct service to veterans and their families seeking federal and state veterans’ benefits, including access to local VA health care, documentation of service, as well as other available state benefits, and local homeless services organizations and low-income assistance programs.

If you or a veteran you know is dealing with homelessness, contact the ODVA Houseless Veterans Coordinator today at houselessvets@odva.oregon.gov or visit https://ow.ly/V4EH50VnL93 to learn more.

Staying Informed During a Communications Outage: Best Practices for the Public

Disasters can damage critical infrastructure, leading to temporary outages in cell service, internet, and power. When communication systems go down, it’s vital to be prepared with alternate ways to get emergency information and stay connected. Here’s how you can prepare and respond:

  Have a Battery-Powered or Hand-Crank Emergency Weather Radio

• Why it matters: Emergency radios can receive Emergency Alert System (EAS) broadcasts via AM/FM or NOAA Weather Radio frequencies—even when cell towers and the internet are down.
• Note: Emergency radios do not receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) like cell phones do. Tip: Pre-tune your radio to your local emergency broadcast station (e.g., OPB in Oregon or NOAA frequencies).

Turn On WEA Alerts on Your Phone

• Make sure Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are enabled in your phone’s settings. These alerts include evacuation orders, severe weather warnings, and other urgent notifications.
• WEA messages are sent through cell towers—if cell service is out, WEA alerts will not be delivered. This is why having backup methods like a radio is essential.

Charge Everything in Advance and Have Backup Power

• Charge phones, power banks, laptops, and rechargeable flashlights before fire weather conditions worsen.
• Consider solar-powered chargers or car chargers as backups.
• If you are sheltering in place, a generator (solar or gas powered) is helpful.

Know Your Evacuation Routes in Advance

• Save printed or downloaded evacuation maps in case you can’t access GPS or navigation apps.
• Most mapping services (like Google Maps or Apple Maps) offer the ability to “Make maps available offline.” Download your area in advance so you can navigate even if cell towers or internet access are down.
• When in doubt, call 511 or visit the TripCheck.com website if you have cell service.
• Don’t wait for a notification—if you feel unsafe, evacuate early.

Print or Write Down Critical Contacts and Info

• Phone numbers of family, neighbors, and local emergency contacts.
• Address of evacuation shelters, veterinary services (for pets/livestock), and medical facilities.
• Your own emergency plan, including meeting locations.
• Have copies of vital documents in your go-bag and take video of your property (inside and out) for insurance claims later.

If Calling 9-1-1 Over Wi-Fi or Satellite, Check Your Location Settings

If you call 9-1-1 using Wi-Fi calling or a satellite-connected phone (like an iPhone or Android), your location might not be automatically visible to dispatch. Instead, it may rely on the emergency address saved in your phone’s settings.

• Update this emergency address when you travel or relocate—especially in evacuation zones or rural areas.
• Most importantly, always tell the dispatcher exactly where you are—include your address, landmarks, road names, or mile markers to help first responders reach you quickly.

Sign Up for Alerts Before There’s an Outage

• Register for OR-Alert and your county’s local alert system.
• Follow your local emergency management officials’ and bookmark resources like: wildfire.oregon.gov.

Prepare for Alert Delays or Gaps

• Know the three levels of evacuation:
  • Level 1 – Be Ready
  • Level 2 – Be Set
  • Level 3 – GO NOW
• If you hear a siren, see a neighbor evacuating, or witness fire behavior increasing—take action even if you haven’t received an alert.

 Be Your Own Info Network

• Check on neighbors, especially seniors or those with disabilities.
• Post printed signs with updates for those passing by.

In rural areas, community bulletin boards or fire stations may serve as local information points.

Support and Restoration in Progress
To help maintain emergency communications during this incident, OEM deployed eight Starlink terminals under the guidance of ESF 2 and the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC). A Communications Technician (Jeff Perkins) was also deployed to assess connectivity needs on the ground. These Starlink terminals have been providing service to the Lake County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Oregon State Police (OSP), Warner Creek Correctional Facility, and will soon support the town of Lakeview, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Lakeview Ranger Station. OEM’s Regional Coordinator (Stacey) is also on-site supporting the Lake County EOC. Coordination has been strong across local, state, and private sector partners. *** Update: As of 7/10/25 at 1:47 PM, fiber service has been restored.

Reconnect When Service Returns

• Once communications are restored, check official websites:
  • Oregon.gov/oem
  • Your county emergency management page
  • TripCheck.com for road conditions
• Share verified info—not rumors—on social media or community pages.

 Prepare for Delays in Restoration

• Communication may come back in phases. Damage to fiber lines or cell towers can take time to repair.
• Continue using backup methods and stay alert for updates via radio or in-person notices.

 Final Tip:

In an emergency, CALL 9-1-1 to report life-threatening danger, not for general information. Use local non-emergency numbers or go to physical information points if needed. You can find more tips for preparing in OEM’s Be2Weeks Ready toolkit.

Contact us: Info@OregonBeachMagazine.com

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