The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Oregon Beach Weather
Active Weather Alerts – National Weather Service
...HAZARDOUS SEAS WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM PDT THURSDAY... ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM PDT THURSDAY... * WHAT...North winds 20 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and steep to very steep and hazardous seas 8 to 11 ft. * WHERE...Conditions hazardous to small craft are expected north of Cape Arago with very steep and hazardous seas expected south of Cape Arago. * WHEN...Until 8 AM PDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds and steep to very steep, hazardous seas could capsize or damage vessels. Bar crossings will become especially treacherous. * View the hazard area in detail at https://go.usa.gov/x6hks
Oen Nicholson Sentenced To Life At Oregon State Hospital for North Bend Quadruple Murder and Kidnapping
Court documents state the man accused of the horrific murders of four people in North Bend, kidnapping a woman in Springfield, and bringing her to Wisconsin before turning himself in has been found guilty except for insanity in a stipulated facts trial and he will be committed to the Oregon State Hospital for the rest of his life.
Court documents said that in June 2021, Oen Evans Nicholson, 34, murdered his father, Charles Nicholson, at the RV campground near the Mill Casino in North Bend. Court documents said Oen then stole his father’s truck, hit and killed Anthony and Linda Oyster, then shot and killed Jennifer Davidson at the Herbal Choices marijuana dispensary in Florence.
Court documents said Oen then kidnapped Laura Johnson from the Gateway Mall parking lot in Springfield, and forced her to drive him to Wisconsin, where she was able to convince him to turn himself in to authorities.
Court records show Nicholson was charged with twelve counts of first-degree murder, two counts of failing to perform the duties of a driver, two counts of recklessly endangering another person, and two counts of first-degree kidnapping. Court records show a lengthy court procedure, where the prosecutor, defense attorneys and OSH doctors went back and forth on Nicholson’s fitness to aid and assist in his own defense. At one point, Nicholson tried to dismiss his attorneys and represent himself, claiming “it’s my case. I just think I’d rather handle it myself,” court records show.
Court documents show that Nicholson was diagnosed as having schizophrenia with paranoid delusions, and continues to suffer from this mental illness. Court records said that Nicholson’s schizophrenia makes him believe that the federal government or people working for the federal government intend to kill him, and that he must kill them to defend himself. Court documents claim that Nicholson believed all four of the people he killed were federal agents. Court documents also claim that due to his delusion, Nicholson believes to this day that two of the people he killed are still alive.
In a stipulated facts trial held on April 14, 2025, Nicholson was found guilty except for insanity on four counts of murder, two counts of recklessly endangering, and one count of kidnapping. Court documents show Nicholson was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in Oregon State Hospital under the supervision of the Psychiatric Security Review Board. Court records also show that the PSRB will inform Laura Johnson of any orders or hearings related to Nicholson, as well as if he is conditionally released, discharged, or escapes custody.
Tufted Puffins: Protecting a Coastal Icon April 17 Lecture
The Cannon Beach History Center & Museum invites the public to an informative lecture on tufted puffins on Thursday, April 17 at 4:00 p.m., featuring Lisa Habecker, Volunteer and Education Coordinator for the Haystack Rock Awareness Program. Habecker will delve their fascinating behaviors, migration patterns, and the challenges they face, including climate change, habitat loss, predation pressures, and food scarcity. Despite their declining numbers in the southern range, the tufted puffin remains a symbol of resilience in the North Pacific.
Haystack Rock is home to Oregon’s second-largest tufted puffin colony, offering a unique opportunity to study these charismatic seabirds from shore. The Haystack Rock Awareness Program (HRAP) has been dedicated to protecting Haystack Rock’s marine and bird life for over 40 years. Through community engagement and public education, HRAP fosters a deeper understanding of the fragile ecosystem at Haystack Rock, encouraging conservation efforts to preserve this unique habitat for future generations. HRAP staff and volunteers provide on-the-beach education, lead guided tidepool explorations, and support scientific monitoring to ensure the protection of this critical environment.
Attendees can also view Friends of Haystack Rock’s (FOHR) 20th Anniversary temporary exhibit, which celebrates two decades of conservation, education, and advocacy efforts at Haystack Rock. The exhibit highlights FOHR’s mission to promote the preservation and protection of intertidal life and birds that inhabit the Marine Garden and Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge at Haystack Rock. FOHR accomplishes this in cooperation with the Haystack Rock Awareness Program (HRAP), other partners, and the community. Visitors will explore interactive displays showcasing educational initiatives, research projects, and conservation efforts that continue to make a lasting impact on this natural treasure.
This free event is held in partnership with the 12 Days of Earth Day events organized by the City of Cannon Beach’s Parks & Community Services Committee. The lecture will take place on Thursday, April 17th at 4:00 PM at the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum, located at 1387 South Spruce Street, Cannon Beach, OR. Seating is limited, and guests are encouraged to arrive early to secure a spot.
For more information, visit www.cbhistory.org or contact the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum at info@cbhistory.org. (SOURCE)
The Great Oregon Coast Garage Sale Starts Friday
The 25th annual Great Oregon Coast Garage Sale returns over Easter weekend —- The Great Oregon Coast Garage Sale is April 18-20, 2025. Explore home decor, tools, books, furniture and unique finds while enjoying scenic coastal towns.
From Otis to Depoe Bay, more than 70 participants open their garages, driveways and yards to bargain hunters, collectors, and treasure seekers.
Each participating location is listed on an easy-to-navigate garage sale map. View addresses, sale hours and descriptions of the items for sale. Some sellers include their preferred payment methods.
View the Great Oregon Coast Garage Sale map here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=18kkhdroP9JihcSD2f376KUxgfvC9nOQ&hl=en&femb=1&ll=44.911217158709334%2C-123.97164985000002&z=11
Be sure to bring cash, reusable bags, snacks and a water bottle to make the most of your garage sale experience.
Lincoln County High School Seniors and graduates, Are you interested in serving your communities? The scholarship application for the Retired Sheriff John O’Brien Memorial Scholarship closes on Tuesday (4/15/25).
This $2,500 scholarship can help you jumpstart your education. Our communities deserve dedicated, caring public servants, and you deserve to be supported on your journey to become one. Eligibility: Graduates from any high school in Lincoln County with a GPA 3.0 or higher, pursuing further education in Criminal Justice or a related field. Value: $2,500 Deadline: April 15, 2025 Website: https://lincf.org/
Death Investigation Update
On April 15, 2025, at about 10:00 AM, the North Coos Dispatch Center received a report of a deceased male on the tidal flats in the Coos Bay approximate to Hedge Lane near Cape Arago Highway. The Coos County Sheriff’s Office responded and found the male clearly deceased.
The man did not have any identification on his person. Fingerprints were obtained and the man was identified as 27 year old George L. Watson IV. There were no apparent signs of foul play. Next of Kin have been notified and the cause of death remains under investigation.
Operation Dredge the Bay: North Bend Sweep Results
From Feb 7 to Mar 14, 2025, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office, alongside Coos County Parole & Probation, North Bend Police Department, United States Marshal Service, and the Oregon State Police Sex Offender Registration Unit, conducted a 5-week operation targeting 75 sex offenders in North Bend and Coos County.Key Results:
66 offenders compliant
25 non-compliant (5 later registered)
7 unable to locate
12 enforcement actions: 4 arrests, 2 citations, 4 warnings, 2 warrants served
1 new photo captured
98 total compliance checks performed
13 offenders registered post-contact
Bonus: 11 non-sex offender arrests with 11 warrants served
The City of Reedsport is accepting applications to fill council position #5. Councilor Rich Patten recently resigned.
The person selected will begin at the time of appointment and serve until the end of 2026. At the general election in November 2026, the position will be open for election for a new four-year term.
Applicants have to have lived in the city of Reedsport for the previous 12 months. City employees are not eligible to serve.
Those interested in applying for the position may pick up an application at Reedsport City Hall on Winchester Avenue or online at www.cityofreedsport.org. Anyone with questions about the position or the application process can contact City Recorder Rhonda Bryan at 541-271-3603 extension 1005.
Lincoln County voters will decide in the May 20 Election the fate of a proposed $73 million bond for the Lincoln County School District.
As a renewal, the 15-year bond, if approved by voters, would replace the current bond, which expires next year, without increasing the current tax rate, according to school district officials.
LSCD Superintendent Majalish Tolan is scheduled to present a review of the bond measure before the Lincoln City Rotary Club April 16, Tolan made a similar presentation before the Lincoln City Council March 24.
In her presentation, Tolen outlines the need in the district, referring to the LCSD long-term facility study, which identifies $93 million in capital improvement needs throughout the district’s 11 schools. Of that $93 million, $73.3 million is identified as projects requiring bond funding. According to Tolan’s presenmtation:
WHAT WILL THE BOND FUND – Safe, Secure and Accessible SchoolsNew/upgrades to security cameras, access controls, alarms lockdown systemsRepair and Update Again School BuildingsRoofsSidingPlumbingFlooringWindowsElectoralHVACRestroomsParking LotsFurnishings/EquipmentExpand Vocational Learning SpacesRevitalize/expand classrooms and Career & Technical Education labsConstruct Performing Arts Facilities at Waldport, Newport and Toledo High Schools
Technology Upgrades – Replace outdated technology hardware with innovative equipment that can be supported in all buildingsUpdate phone and communication systems.If the proposed measure does not pass, the health, safety, security, and maintenance projects would not be completed.
WHAT PASSING THE BOND MEANS – If passed, the proposed bond renewal is expected to maintain the current bond levy rate of $0.65 per $1,000 assessed property value.
If passed the LCSD will receive a matching $6 million dollar state grant. If passed 100% of the bond funds will be used locally for LCSD schools. If the measure passes, an independent citizen Long-Term Facility Update Committee would be established to ensure bond funds are spent as approved by the voters.
The school board’s bond decision follows a year-long process that included community input, staff consultation, facility expert assessments, and voter polling. A November survey of 400 likely voters indicated strong support for the measure, according to the media release.
Under Oregon law, voter-approved bonds can fund large-scale projects, including new construction, property purchases, remodeling, major maintenance, equipment, technology upgrades, and classroom improvements, but cannot be used for operating costs or salaries.
LCSD serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade in 11 regular schools, one online school for students in 7th and 8th grade, and three public charter schools, with a total of approximately 600 employees. Budgeted student enrollment for 2024-25 is 4,753, including the charter schools
In a published interview with the Lincoln County Leader in November of last year, School Board Chair Peter Vince said the need list is long.
“We’ve got facility reviews, and we’ve heard from principals and community members about what they wanted,” he said. “Every school needs something. Every school deserves something.”
LCSD Superintendent Majalise Tolan is encouraging everyone to reach out with any questions they have about the proposed bond.
“They can reach out to specific schools or to the LCSD Communications office at susan.schuytema@lincoln.k12.or.us,” Tolan said.
For more information, contact the Lincoln County School District at 541-265-92112.
Newport Oregon Police Department Scam Warning
Someone claiming to be from the Sheriff’s Office has been making phone calls to residents asking them why they missed their court date. This caller then asks the person to call them back at a specific phone number they provide. Don’t call the number they give you. Hang up! If you want to verify that you did not miss a court appearance, call 541-265-4236. That is the direct number to the Lincoln County Circuit Court.
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Statement Regarding Incident at Waldport City Council Meeting
On Thursday, April 10, 2025, Sheriff Shanks was requested to attend the Waldport City Council Meeting to present and answer any questions on an agenda item regarding the continuance of the police services contract between the Sheriff’s Office and the City of Waldport.
Leading up to the meeting, there were concerns from City Council members and the City Manager anticipating a disruption involving former Mayor Heide Lambert in response to a decision made by the City Council on April 3, 2025, which formally removed her from office in accordance with the city’s governing charter.
During the public meeting, Ms. Lambert took a seat at the council’s table and proceeded to make a statement. After being asked multiple times by members of the City Council to vacate the seat reserved for current officials, Ms. Lambert refused to comply which prohibited council from proceeding with the meeting.
Sheriff’s Office members attempted to de-escalate the situation. The Sheriff spoke with Ms. Lambert and explained she could leave the council table without consequences; he also explained the legal consequences pursuant to ORS 166.025 if she refused to comply with the lawful order to leave the council table. After continued refusal, Ms. Lambert was escorted outside and cited for disorderly conduct. She was released at the scene and then allowed to re-enter the building to attend the meeting in the public seating area with other community members.
In Oregon, public meetings, such as City Council meetings, are open to the public. While public attendance is allowed and encouraged, there are rules (such as Robert’s Rules of Order or local ordinances). This means someone disrupting those proceedings can legally be removed.
We recognize this event has caused concern and strong emotions within our community. Our office does not take such actions lightly. Regardless of a person’s status or position, the law applies equally to everyone. When a lawful order is issued and refused, our duty is to uphold the law while maintaining order and safety.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to transparency, impartiality, and respectful enforcement of the law.
Brooking’s Capella by the Sea Seeks Volunteers
The City of Brookings is calling for volunteers to help keep the Capella by the Sea open to the public beginning May 1st. The chapel was built in 2008 and donated in 2009 by Oscar-winning film producer Elmo Williams as a memorial to his late wife, Lorraine.
Michelle Robidoux is the Public Works and Development Services Administrative Assistant for the City of Brookings. “We like to keep the Capella open to the public May through October, and again during Nature’s Coastal Holiday,” Robidoux said. “But to do that, we rely on volunteers.”
Due to previous volunteers aging out, the city is now facing a shortage and hopes to recruit new faces. Volunteers work two-hour shifts, simply welcoming visitors and enjoying the calm space. “It’s a great way to meet people, build your resume, and give back to the community,” Robidoux said.
The Capella is typically open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, though hours may vary based on volunteer availability. To get involved, contact Michelle Robidoux at 541-469-1103. — https://www.brookings.or.us/facilities/facility/details/capellabythesea-2
Beachgoers Urged To Keep Distance From Molting Elephant Seals
— It’s molting season for elephant seals, and Oregon beachgoers are being urged to “share the shore.” Signs have recently gone up in Seaside advising residents to remain at least 100 yards away from the seals after a young elephant seal was found sunbathing there yesterday.
If you spot a sickly looking elephant seal on land, it is probably moulting. All elephant seals spend one month a year on land to moult; they undergo what is called a “catastrophic moult” in which they shed all of their fur along with the underlying layer of skin.
The molting process requires elephant seals to rest on land for multiple weeks while they shed their old coats and grow new ones. Elephant seals can be extra irritable during the molting process.
Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission New License Plate To Help Support Oregon’s Dungeness Crab Industry
Oregon’s Dungeness crab fuels families, $68M a year industry — According to the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission, Dungeness crab fishing typically brings in more money than every other type of fishing in the state.
For many people, when Dungeness crab is on the menu, it’s a go-to in Oregon. It’s a savory treat that fuels a multi-million dollar a year industry in the state. It’s a tradition that not only supports the state economy, but also families up and down the Oregon coast.
According to numbers from the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission, commercial crabbing has over the last decade pulled in an average of more than $68 million a year. Typically, Dungeness crab fishing brings in more money than every other type of fishing in Oregon, said Crystal Adams, the executive director of the commission, which supports and promotes the state’s crabbing industry.
“It’s our livelihoods,” Adams said. “A labor of love. People do it because it’s in their blood and, you should support that. Support your industry, support your state, support local fishermen.”
Oregon is the dominate producer of Dungeness crab, where on average 16 millions pounds of crab are harvested per season, according the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife website. It’s considered the most valuable single species commercial fishery in the state.
A portion of the harvest stays in state and is sold at local grocery stores and restaurants — but most of Oregon’s Dungeness crab is processed and shipped all over the world.
“It’s a difficult thing to go do, but it’s a very positive thing and we just want everybody to try it and buy it and yeah, support us,” Reeves said.
Right now, the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission is working on a license plate that would help support Oregon’s Dungeness crab industry.
Celebrate Oregon’s coastal heritage and show your support for one of the state’s most iconic industries with the new Oregon Dungeness Crab license plate! This eye-catching design features a bold, bright orange Oregon Dungeness crab against a light blue sea background, inspired by the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission logo.
By purchasing this specialty plate, you’re not only adding a unique touch to your vehicle but also supporting vital programs that sustain and promote Oregon’s Dungeness crab fishery.”Get your License Plate Here – https://oregondungeness.org/new-licence-plate/ —- Learn More with Our FAQs
Cannon Beach Gallery · Calling All Art Instructors & Volunteers!
We’re hiring paid art instructors for our Summer Art Camp (July 14-18, 2025)! Earn $28 per hour for in-person teaching and prep time. Instructors can design their own curriculum and teach any medium in 2-hour sessions (10 AM – 12 PM or 1 – 3 PM)—or both—over the 5-day camp! Select your preferred age group and inspire young artists this summer.
We’re also looking for volunteers to assist instructors, help during lunch sessions, and supervise outdoor playtime 
.Inquire today and be part of an unforgettable creative experience! info@cannonbeacharts.org
Non-Profit at Risk of Shutting Down
A local nonprofit that has served the Florence area for more than three decades is facing an uncertain future. Memory Care Respite of Florence, which supports individuals living with dementia and provides relief for their caregivers, may be forced to close if it cannot fill several vacant board positions. According to the organization, recent life changes among its board members have left key roles unfilled, placing the group’s operations at risk. Memory Care Respite operates the Coffee Club adult day program and has been part of the community for 31 years.
Wildlife Center of the North Coast ->>> ALL ARE INVITED TO THIS FUN, FREE EVENT! Spring Festival May 10th & 11th, 2025 – 11am to 3pm
This fun, two-day festival is our Annual Spring Open House & Native Plant Sale, with free tours of our facility, fun activities for the kids, awesome raffle prizes, and visits with our Education Ambassadors. We will be announcing the winners of our 2025 Birds of a Feather Youth Art Contest & displaying all of the artwork that was entered.
Bring the whole family. Everyone is invited to this free-community event! All money raised from the Birds of a Feather Spring Festival will support our 2025 Birds of a Feather Annual Campaign. Donations to our Annual Campaign support our mission of promoting compassion, empathy, and respect for all life through wildlife rehabilitation, ecological teachings, and wildlife conservation.
Registration Now Open for the Annual Oregon Spring Cleanup
– Registration is live for the annual Oregon Spring Cleanup presented by Portland General Electric! With over 100 events already posted on the SOLVE website, now is the time to get involved. Litter cleanups and habitat restoration projects span Portland and SW Washington, the entire Oregon Coast from Astoria to Brookings, the Willamette National Forest, Southern Oregon—including Medford—and all the way to Baker City in Eastern Oregon.
The Oregon Spring Cleanup, celebrating Earth Month, takes place from April 12 to 22, 2025, culminating on Saturday, April 19. Individuals, families, community and corporate groups are encouraged to participate in this collective effort to keep our region clean and beautiful. Volunteers can sign up for existing projects or host their own events with support from SOLVE.
Longtime community partner, Portland General Electric continues to champion environmental volunteerism through SOLVE. As part of PGE’s commitment to environmental stewardship, they partner with SOLVE to bring communities together to provide clean and healthy environments for all.
“Earth Month is great reminder to take action and continue to enhance our communities,” said PGE’s vice president of policy and resource planning, Kristen Sheeran. “This Earth Month, we’re ready to roll up our sleeves with SOLVE and all of the volunteer partners to make a lasting impact on Oregon’s natural spaces.”
How to Get Involved
- Sign up: Find a volunteer event near you and register yourself or a group at volunteer.solveoregon.org/
- Lead your own event: SOLVE provides all the necessary resources, including supplies and disposal funds, to make hosting a project easy for you.
- Join the challenge: Rally your school, company, or community group to take part in the Trash Bag Challenge. Participants challenge others to either join an existing SOLVE cleanup or lead their own, sparking friendly competition and community pride – solveoregon.org/challenge
Supply Hubs: Making Coastal Cleanups More Sustainable
At SOLVE, we make it easy to lead a cleanup event. This year, new coastal supply hubs provide an additional way to access event materials, making it even easier to host litter cleanups along the Oregon Coast.
Through a partnership with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) and generous support from Knife River, SOLVE has established seven supply hubs along the Oregon Coast. These hubs—located at Cape Lookout, Fort Stevens, Port Orford Heads, South Beach, and Sunset Bay within OPRD parks, along with Heart of Cartm in Nehalem and Washed Ashore in Bandon—are stocked with supplies to support cleanups of up to 20 volunteers, reducing the shipment of single-use plastics to these areas.
Join the Trash Bag Challenge — New this year, SOLVE is also launching the Trash Bag Challenge, inviting schools, businesses, community groups, and organizations to challenge others to either join an existing cleanup or lead their own. This initiative is designed to spark friendly competition and community pride while making a tangible difference in local areas.
The Oregon Spring Cleanup 2025 is made possible by the generous support of Portland General Electric and other event sponsors, including AAA, CareOregon, Clean Water Services, Fred Meyer, Holman Enterprises, KOIN 6, The Oregonian, Lam Research Corporation, Metro, Lithia Driveway, Intel, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Swire Coca-Cola, The Standard, and PepsiCo.
For more information and to sign up, visit www.solveoregon.org/oregon-spring and be part of the collective effort to create a cleaner, greener Oregon.
About SOLVE – SOLVE brings communities together to take care of our environment and enhance our waterways. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots initiative to a national model of volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon, and SW Washington, to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas, while empowering a community of environmental stewards for our state. Visit solveoregon.org for more information.
Oregon’s Shore Acres State Park Volunteer Days – Chance to Give Back
Shore Acres State Park will host Garden Volunteer Days once a month April through September to give visitors a chance to volunteer in the garden.
Volunteers can learn how to prune a rose or maintain a 100-year-old-lily pond as they work alongside rangers in caring for the beautiful gardens at 89526 Cape Arago Highway, Coos Bay.
Garden Volunteer Days run 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.:
- April 18: Pond Cleanup including pulling out debris, fertilizing pond lilies and trimming shrubs along the pond. Rubber boots are highly recommended, and plan on getting wet. For ages 18 and older.
- May 16, June 20 and July 18: Garden cleanup including weeding, trimming, mowing, mulching, planting, rose pruning and pulling invasive plants. Ages 14 and older.
- Aug. 15: English Ivy pull to help remove this invasive species from the garden. For ages 14 and older.
- Sept. 19: Garden cleanup including weeding, trimming, mowing, mulching, planting, rose pruning and pulling invasive plants. Ages 14 and older.
Participants should be prepared to travel a short distance on uneven ground at the service site. Service will take place outdoors, and volunteers should be comfortable wearing work gloves and using hand tools. Gloves, hand tools and morning snacks are provided. Bring a lunch.
Closed-toed shoes are recommended. Wear something you don’t mind getting dirty. Please contact Park Ranger Jess Hayward with any questions at Jess.hayward@oprd.oregon.gov or 541-888-3732.
Shore Acres features a formal garden with plants and flowers from all over the world. It includes a Japanese-style garden with lily pond and two curated rose gardens that include All-American Rose Selections. Something is in bloom almost every day of the year: the first spring bulbs pop up in late February; rhododendrons and azaleas soon follow; roses bloom through the summer; and dahlias appear August through mid-October.
AMVETS Post 10 is set to host its annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at 10 a.m.
The event will take place at Kingsview Christian School, located at 1850 Clark St.
Children aged 0-12 will be divided into three groups—0-4, 5-8, and 9-12—for the egg hunts, with hiding spots becoming more challenging for older participants. The first 60 children to arrive will receive an Easter bucket to assist in their hunt.
In addition to the egg hunts, the event will feature photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny and visits from local first responders. Prize eggs and golden egg baskets will be hidden throughout the area, offering exciting rewards for lucky participants. Complimentary coffee and cocoa will be available while supplies last.
Lincoln Co. District Attorney’s Office Requests Help Solving Kelly Disney Homicide
WE NEED YOUR HELP! 17-year-old Kelly Disney was last seen in the early morning hours on March 9, 1984, walking eastbound on Highway 20 near U.S. 101 in Newport, Oregon. Kelly was observed on Highway 20 by several witnesses before disappearing and never being seen alive again.
In July 1994, Kelly’s skull was found in an abandoned vehicle near Big Creek Reservoir outside of Newport, Oregon. It appeared her skull had recently been placed at that location and her death was ruled a homicide. Kelly’s disappearance and homicide remain unsolved.
The Lincoln County District Attorney’s Cold Case Team is seeking information from the community in an effort to solve the 40-year-old disappearance and homicide of Kelly Disney. We believe there are individuals in our community who may have information that could assist in this investigation.
If you knew Kelly or heard about her disappearance, we want to hear from you. Whether you experienced something firsthand or heard information thirdhand, that information is valuable. No matter how insignificant you feel the information might be, we still want to hear from you.
It is never too late to come forward and share information. If you do not want to reveal the circumstances in which you obtained the information, you can report information anonymously. SUBMIT A TIP: CALL: (541) 265-0669 —- EMAIL: FindKellyDisney@co.lincoln.or.us
Respect Nesting Areas to Protect Threatened Snowy Plover on the Oregon Coast Through Sept. 15
– The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and Siuslaw National Forest remind visitors to the Oregon coast that it is plover nesting season — beachgoers can help recovery efforts for the threatened western snowy plover March 15 to Sept. 15.
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Sensitive plover nesting areas are identified on maps for the northern Oregon Coast and southern Oregon Coast. Signs may be present at trailheads with additional rules and limits, such as staying on the wet sand and no dogs even on a leash, to help protect the small shorebirds and their exposed nests during this crucial period. Visitors may also see rope fencing in dry sand areas; this fencing delineates some, but not all, of the critical plover habitat that should be avoided.
Recreation restrictions occur in designated plover management areas: stretches of beach along the coastline where plovers nest or might nest. These areas combined make up about 40 miles of Oregon’s 362 miles of shoreline.
Seasonal recreation restrictions have helped protect these small birds that nest on open sand along Oregon’s beaches. Nests, and especially chicks, are well-camouflaged. During the nesting season, human disturbances can flush adult plovers away from their nests as they attempt to defend their young. Left alone too long, or too often, eggs or chicks can die from exposure, predators or people.
Reminders for recreation on designated plover beaches March 15-Sept. 15:
- The following are not permitted: dogs (even on a leash), driving a vehicle, riding a bicycle, operating electric-assisted bicycles, camping, burning wood, flying kites or operating drones.
- Foot and equestrian traffic are permitted below the high-tide line on hard packed sand.
- Respect signs and barriers to protect nesting habitat.
“With the support of the public and improvements to plover habitat, we’re making great strides in reversing the decline of this species,” said Cindy Burns, Siuslaw National Forest wildlife biologist. “Keep doing your part to understand nesting season rules and to share the beach this spring and summer.”
More information on the snowy plover, including detailed maps of nesting sites, can be found on the Oregon State Parks website (oregon.gov/plovers) and on the Siuslaw National Forest website (https://t.ly/AKPAN). Visitors to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and Sand Lake Recreation Area can review Off-highway Vehicle (OHV) maps to identify unrestricted recreation areas and information on riding motor vehicles on the sand.
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.
The Columbia River Maritime Museum is looking for its newest crew member!
MUSEUM EDUCATOR — Full Time, Salary Position reporting to Director of Education
Full job description and employment application are available on our website – https://www.crmm.org/join-our-crew.html
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)
The Oregon Coast Aquarium New Tufted Puffin Oregon License Plates on Sale
One of Oregon’s most adorably iconic seabirds is coming to the front and back of a car near you. The Oregon Coast Aquarium has opened voucher sales for its new tufted puffin license plates.
The design, featuring a tufted puffin floating in the ocean and gazing down at some fish below, was created by the
aquarium’s graphic design and marketing coordinator, Cam Mullins.
Starring a tufted puffin—one of Oregon’s iconic seabirds–funds from the new license plate will benefit both the Aquarium’s animals and their wild counterparts. You can purchase a voucher now and exchange it at the DMV once the physical plates are available. We need to sell 3,000 vouchers to reach the production stage—meaning the sooner 3,000 vouchers are sold, the sooner production begins, and the sooner you’ll have your puffin plates in-hand. Read the full story at aquarium.org/puffin-plate-debut
: photo by OCAq’s Jeremy Burke
Tufted puffins are native to Oregon and nest on the rocky coast. The aquarium has a Seabird Aviary that sustains a flock of these sea birds and the profits from the license plates will go to benefit these puffins and their wild counterparts.
The voucher is available for purchase on the aquarium’s website. The cost covers the $40 surcharge fee and the money left over after the deduction of the DMV’s fees will go to support the Oregon Coast Aquarium’s
rehabilitation and conservation efforts. The aquarium is building a new marine wildlife rehabilitation center with
hopes of doubling the number of animal patients it can offer care to. FOLLOW on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/OregonCoastAquarium
Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay
Follow on Facebook: Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay
America 250 Oregon Commission Encourages Participation in Two Lights for Tomorrow – Oregon Historical Society
— On the night of April 18, 1775, Paul Revere, William Dawes, and others rode to Lexington, Massachusetts, warning minutemen and households about the approach of British forces. Behind him, lanterns in the steeple of the Old North Church were shining the agreed upon code made famous by poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “One if by land, and two if by sea.” The next day, April 19, were the battles of Lexington and Concord — and the colonists were well prepared.
As part of the nationwide commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the America 250 Oregon Commission joins semiquincentennial commissions across the country in Two Lights for Tomorrow, a multi-state initiative that reminds citizens everywhere that our shared history is grounded in coming together to build a more perfect union.
Oregonians are called to participate by shining two lights on April 18, 2025, in their homes and community spaces.
“The America 250 Oregon Commission hopes that communities across the state will join us in Two Lights for Tomorrow to kick off the semiquincentennial commemorations,” said Kerry Tymchuk, Executive Director of the Oregon Historical Society and Chairman of the America 250 Oregon Commission. “Any kind of light can be used in any size building, be it a home, office, museum, community center, or government building. Using the imagery of shining lights as a uniting call to action, Two Lights for Tomorrow reminds us of the importance of working together for a promising future.”
If you or your organization is interested in getting involved with the America 250 Oregon commemoration, please contact egon.250@ohs.org“>oregon.250@ohs.org or sign up for the official America 250 Oregon email list.
About the America 250 Oregon Commission – The mission of the America 250 Oregon Commission is to coordinate, provide guidance, and ensure that Oregon’s official observance of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States is inclusive and shares the histories of Oregon’s diverse populations, including the histories of the Indigenous peoples who have resided here since time immemorial. Learn more at oregon250.org.
Health officials in Hood River County are investigating three cases of a rare and fatal brain disease known as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Two people have died and a third person is showing symptoms consistent with the disease. The disease has been confirmed in one of the deceased through an autopsy; the other two cases are considered probable, according to a statement from the Hood River County Health Department.
All three cases were diagnosed in the last eight months. County health officials declined to provide particulars about the individuals, such as their age, gender or town of residence.
“At this time, there is no identifiable link between these three cases,” a Hood River County statement said. The county has a population of about 24,000.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by misfolded proteins known as prions. These prions lead to rapid brain deterioration, resulting in severe neurological symptoms and death. Although the disease is known for its sporadic occurrence, clusters raise concerns among public health officials about potential environmental or dietary exposure.
Symptoms include issues with memory, walking, coordination, speech and behavior changes, according to experts. It does not spread through the air, water, touch or social contact, according to Hood River County health officials.
The disease is considered incurable and is always fatal. Roughly 350 cases are diagnosed in the United States every year, according to the National Institutes of Health .
The disease is rare in people, affecting roughly 1.4 people per million. However, because the disease takes years to develop, any person’s chance of developing the disease is closer to 1 in 5,000 or 6,000, said Michael Geschwind, a professor of neurology at UC San Francisco in the Memory and Aging Center. (READ MORE)
Another Missing Woman in Oregon Who’s Car Has Been Found But She is Still Missing
Search and rescue teams are looking for a 29-year-old Klamath Falls woman reported missing out of Harney County last week. The Harney County Sheriff’s Office says Kaylee Birt was last seen leaving The Fields Station in Fields, Oregon around 8:30 a.m. on Friday.
Reports indicate Kaylee was on a trip from Klamath Falls headed to Iowa, driving a golden colored 2008 Chevy Malibu with Oregon whale license plate #GW21073.
According to an update from the sheriff’s office, her car was found in a remote part of Harney County on Sunday, but she has not yet been located.
Search efforts are resuming Monday morning with the assistance of Lake County Search & Rescue, local ranchers on horseback, side-by-sides and four wheelers, as well as Oregon State Police and Grant County Search & Rescue with K-9s.
Kaylee is described as 5 feet 2 inches and 120 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. She has green and brown glasses and was last seen wearing a long-sleeve green shirt and white sweatpants with a Christmas tree design on them. She has a tattoo on her right wrist of a lighthouse and another one on her foot of a Christian fish and cross with Romans 8:31 Bible verse.
Anyone who has seen Kaylee or knows where she might be is asked to call 911 or contact the Harney County Sheriff’s Office at 541-573-6156.
There are a string of these cases in Oregon where the missing women’s vehicles are found, but they are still missing to this day.
Oregon labor official indicated on Friday that the state’s minimum wage will increase by 35 cents an hour starting July 1.
The annual increase, intended to keep pace with the Consumer Price Index, varies as Oregon has three different minimum wages to address variable living costs in other parts of the state.
Oregon minimum wage increases from July 1, 2025:
| REGION | NEW HOURLY WAGE | INCREASE % |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Oregon and most of Southern Oregon | $14,05 | 2.55% |
| Areas around Medford, Bend, and most of the Willamette Valley and the northern coast | $15,05 | 2.31% |
| Portland and its suburbs | $15,05 | 2,09% |
High inflation rates since the 2020 pandemic have pushed the minimum wage up sharply. Still, Oregon’s minimum wage is significantly higher than the federal minimum wage, which remains unchanged at $7.25 an hour since 2009.
Oregon’s Unemployment Rate Was 4.6% in March
Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.6% in March and 4.5% in February, after rising gradually over the past year from 4.1% in March 2024. Oregon’s 4.6% unemployment rate was the highest since August 2021, when the rate was 4.7%, and slightly higher than during the three years prior to the COVID recession that started in 2020. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.2% in March and 4.1% in February.
In March, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 7,300 jobs, following a revised gain of 1,600 jobs in February. March’s gains were largest in health care and social assistance (+4,600 jobs); professional and business services (+1,000); other services (+800); and wholesale trade (+700). None of the other major industries had a job change of more than 400 jobs.
The return of workers who were on strike at a major health care provider contributed to the one-month gain of 4,600 jobs in health care and social assistance during March. This industry has been leading private-sector job growth in Oregon over the past few years. It added 18,400 jobs, or 6.2%, in the 12 months through March, continuing a three-year streak of rapid growth.
Professional and business services added jobs in each of the first three months of the year, with gains totaling 4,500 jobs in that time. This reversed a generally declining trend in the industry during the prior two years when it shed 5,400 jobs during the 24 months ending December 2024.
Other services – an industry which includes religious organizations, membership associations, personal services, laundry services, and repair and maintenance services – has expanded steadily for more than four years. It employed 69,300 in March and is now well above its pre-pandemic high of 65,700 jobs in January 2020.
Lawmakers Move to Limit Rent Increases in Marinas and Manufactured Home Parks
Economists say rent caps stifle development but leading legislators say some renters are captive and easily exploited.
CHIEF SPONSOR: State Rep. Pam Marsh (D-Ashland), along with 19 Democratic co-sponsors (and zero Republicans)
WHAT IT WOULD DO: HB 3054 takes a concept Oregon lawmakers love and economists hate—rent control—and ratchets it downward in two specific sectors of the housing market: marinas and manufactured home parks. Following on the heels of 2019 and 2023 bills that enacted and subsequently lowered the nation’s first statewide rent controls, HB 3054 would limit annual rent increases at parks and marinas of more than 30 homes to 6%. It would limit rent increases in parks with 30 or fewer homes to 10%, or 7% plus inflation, whichever is lower.
PROBLEM IT SEEKS TO SOLVE: People who live aboard floating homes and in manufactured home parks often own their homes but rent either dock space or the ground upon which their homes rest. Residents of manufactured homes, which make up 7% or so of Oregon’s housing stock, tend to earn modest paychecks and are often seniors living on fixed incomes. Lawmakers say they are among the state’s most economically vulnerable residents and easily exploited. (READ MORE)
Oregon Department of Human Services Issues Card Skimming Alert
Electronic benefit theft is on the rise, according to the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS).
The ODHS is encouraging people to take steps to protect their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards from electronic theft. Electronic theft includes card skimming , card cloning, phishing and other similar methods.
“We know that many individuals and families in Oregon rely on the food and cash assistance they receive through their EBT cards to meet their basic needs and to get enough healthy food for themselves and their families,” ODHS Self-Sufficiency Programs Director Claire Seguin saod. “We urge everyone with an EBT card to take these simple steps to protect their benefits .”
How to protect your EBT card — Follow these three top tips for protecting your food and cash benefits:
Freeze your card between uses: When you’re not using your EBT card, freeze the card for extra protection. Simply unfreeze it when you’re ready to make a purchase. Visit the ebtEDGE website (ebtEDGE.com) or use the ebtEDGE mobile app and find “Freeze Card” under “Account Services.”Block out-of-state and online purchases: You can block these purchases to protect your card from unauthorized use. Visit the ebtEDGE website or use the ebtEDGE mobile app and find “Protect My Account” under “Account Services.” You can remove blocks at any time.Monitor your EBT account activity: Make a habit to check your account regularly for any unusual charges. If you see a charge you didn’t make, report it immediately .
Cancel your card and call the replacement line at 855-328-6715 or go to an ODHS benefits office .Remember, the ebtEDGE website and ebtEDGE mobile app are the only safe places to manage your benefits. Bookmark the ebtEDGE login page (cardholder.ebtedge.com) in your browser for quick access. Download the app on the Apple App Store or get it on Google Play .
Do not use any other website or app to check benefits.And, beware of scams. Only trust social media posts and messages from ODHS official accounts . Do not provide your EBT card number or PIN by phone or text. We will never ask for your benefits card information on social media.
Go to www.oregon.gov/odhs and search for “protect your EBT card and benefits” for more tips.If your benefits are stolenCancel your card immediately and request a replacement card.Weekdays: Call 855-328-6715.Weekends: Call 888-997-4447 to cancel your card. Then, during weekdays, call 855-328-6715 to request a replacement card.
How to request replacement benefitsSNAP benefits stolen through electronic benefit theft after December 20, 2024, cannot be replaced.Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)benefits stolen through electronic theft can be replaced. You can request replacement of stolen TANF benefits by contacting: Your family coachThe ONE Customer Service Center at 1-800-699-9075A local ODHS benefits office.
Find an office online at https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/pages/office-finder.aspx Resources to help meet basic needsFind a food pantry: foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org Learn about government programs and community resources for older adults and people with disabilities: Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon at 1-855-673-2372 or www.adrcoforegon.org . Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, www.211info.org Find local resources and support by contacting your local Community Action Agency: https://www.caporegon.org/
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden has announced he will hold town halls next week in Douglas and several other Oregon counties.
Heading into these seven open-to-all town halls between April 23rd and April 26th, Wyden has held 1,110 town halls in keeping with his promise to have at least one town hall each year in each of Oregon’s 36 counties.
Wyden said, “I promised Oregonians in every nook and cranny of our state that I would always make myself available to answer questions and hear their concerns and opinions”. Wyden said, “That in-person connection has always been essential, and it’s more crucial than ever now during these unprecedented challenges to continue those direct conversations so all parts of Oregon are heard”.
Wyden will have town halls on:
*Wednesday April 23rd in Wasco, and Umatilla counties
*Thursday April 24th in Grant and Harney counties
*Friday April 25th in Lake and Klamath counties
*Saturday April 26th in Douglas County. That event will begin at 3:00 p.m. in the Jacoby Auditorium of Umpqua Community College.
Wyden’s release said although these were the largest venues available for these town halls on these dates, space may still be limited. Doors will open one hour before the town hall start time for attendees. For everyone’s security, backpacks and large bags will not be allowed in the town halls.
Oregon GOP chair resigns after ‘deeply troubling’ revelations
The newly minted chair of the Oregon Republican Party stepped down Wednesday, amid revelations of ongoing personal financial woes and troubling abuse allegations from a 16-year-old divorce.
He’s been replaced by Vice Chair Connie Whelchel, right.
Courtesy Oregon Republican Party
Jerry Cummings, a pastor from Columbia County, said in a letter to party members Wednesday that the negative publicity from those matters would undercut his ability to help his party win back ground in the state.
“My position as chairman is not more important than my position as a dad,” Cummings wrote. “Given the choice between resuming a heated battle of mudslinging with the mother of my children in order to ‘hold on to the gavel’ or stepping down from party leadership to protect my children: that’s not even a hard call.”
The quick fall from party influence comes less than two months into Cummings’s tenure atop the Oregon GOP. It follows a story from the Oregon Journalism Project on Tuesday that detailed a litany of court proceedings that cast him in a negative light.
One of those is a 2009 divorce case that contains allegations Cummings’ ex-wife used to obtain a restraining order against him. They include claims of sexual violence, among other things.
Cummings has denied the allegations and wrote Wednesday that he has been “on record defending against these things for a decade and a half.” Court records show he was never charged with a crime based on his ex-wife’s account.
More recent legal troubles involve two 2024 civil filings that call Cummings’ fiscal responsibility into question. One case suggests he deposited invalid checks at OnPoint Community Credit Union, then withdrew more than $17,000 that didn’t actually exist. The other accuses Cummings of taking out $93,000 in business loans that he failed to make payments on.
The financial cases present a significant concern for a person at the helm of a political party. Cummings’ responsibilities as GOP chair included fundraising, and donors were unlikely to trust him with their checks after the lawsuits came to light.
With his departure, Oregon GOP Vice Chair Connie Whelchel has been elevated to the role of chair. In a statement, Whelchel called the new information about Cummings “deeply troubling.”
“These revelations were not known to the Executive Committee or Party leadership prior to their publication, and they are in no way reflective of the values or standards we hold,” said Whelchel, who lives in Deschutes County. “While these developments are deeply unfortunate, they will not derail our mission.”
The state GOP has churned through party leaders in the last five years, and Cummings’ resignation comes with a familiar twist: He blames his demise on fellow party members. . (SOURCE)
Oregon Delegation Urges Reversal of Cuts, Planned Layoffs at Social Security That Hurt State’s Seniors
Letter from Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Hoyle, Salinas, Bynum, Dexter cites disastrous decisions in Social Security field offices in Warrenton, La Grande and The Dalles
Washington, D.C. –U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today led his Democratic colleagues in the Oregon delegation – Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Janelle Bynum (OR-05) and Maxine Dexter (OR-03) – in urging the Social Security Administration to reverse its severe layoffs and threats of worse to come for services to the state’s seniors and people with disabilities.
In their letter to the Social Security Administration’s Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek, the Oregon lawmakers cited agency data showing staff in the Warrenton and La Grande field offices declined by at least 25 percent as a result of agency decisions to reduce its workforce. They also noted the field office in The Dalles has experienced a substantial drop in workers.
“These three rural field offices already faced staffing shortages before these cuts, with just twenty combined employees serving more than 232,000 Oregonians in ten counties and parts of Washington and Idaho,” the lawmakers wrote, noting how nearly every American interacts with the agency at pivotal moments in their lives.
“Access to in-person services is especially important for each of those moments, especially for people who have difficulty speaking by phone, who lack reliable internet access, and who have difficulty understanding program rules,” they wrote. “Any disruption in service, especially interruption of benefit payments, can be financially devastating for families. For many of these Oregonians, field offices are often their only channel of service. These field offices are located in predominantly rural areas, with the nearest field office more than 50 miles away from many users.”
“Additionally, more than 400,000 Oregonians lack internet access at home because the state’s size and rugged terrain make it costly and difficult to build broadband infrastructure,” the lawmakers continued. “Without in-person services, if those Oregonians have difficulty using a phone they are 100 percent cut off from their benefits.”
Nearly 1 million Oregonians collect Social Security benefits, and the lawmakers’ letter noted that the agency’s reckless actions have already inflicted a devastating toll on those Oregon beneficiaries and tens of millions more across America.
“Simply put, your decisions jeopardize Oregonians’ access to their Social Security benefits without providing any substantive plans to provide quality service to these communities,” they wrote. “We urge you to immediately reverse these changes and work to rebuild SSA’s workforce so it can serve the millions of Oregonians and Americans who depend on Social Security.”
A copy of the entire letter is here.
Central Oregon cultural events canceled over safety concerns
In Central Oregon, cultural groups are pulling back from organizing large public events due to concerns of participants being detained or deported by the Trump administration, with community organizers citing fears of violence against Black, Latino and Asian people.
This week, organizers announced separately that two marquee cultural events have been canceled. Press releases for both Latino Fest and Juneteenth cited concerns over safety for participants.
“There is heightened fear among immigrant community members due to recent immigration enforcement actions, anti-immigrant rhetoric, or rumors of raids or targeting,” Latino Community Association Executive Director Catalina Sánchez Frank said in a statement.
The nonprofit organizes Latino Fest in Madras every September, except for 2020 and 2021, when COVID paused nearly all community events.
The Father’s Group released a separate statement announcing Juneteenth would also not take place this year. The Black cultural event usually takes place in Bend’s Drake Park.
“In today’s increasingly volatile political climate, with rising incidents of racial aggression and threats—particularly toward Black and Latino communities—safety must come first,” according to a statement from the group. (READ MORE)
Oregon rejects Trump administration’s school funding threat over DEI policies
Top officials in Oregon are refusing to sign off on a demand from the U.S. Department of Education that requires states to abandon policies related to diversity, equity and inclusion if they want to keep receiving federal funding for schools.
The four-page letter from the federal education department says “the continued use of illegal DEI practices may subject the individual or entity using such practices to serious consequences,” such as eliminating federal funding for state education departments or school districts.
Earlier this week, Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal pushed back against the letter. Now, Gov. Tina Kotek and Director of the Oregon Department of Education Charlene Williams are doing the same.
“The Trump Administration’s threat to shortchange Oregon students hurts children and families and undermines the dedication and work of our educators,” Kotek wrote in a statement Thursday. “We will not tolerate this unwarranted and unlawful attempt to take away resources promised to Oregon students and paid for by the tax dollars we send to the federal government.”
In its letter demanding an abandonment of DEI policies, the U.S. Department of Education cites the Supreme Court ruling in SFFA v. Harvard. While that case involves race-conscious admissions policies at colleges and universities, leaders in the Trump Administration are using the decision as a basis for outlawing diversity policies “more broadly.”
Both Oregon and Washington officials argue that the states have already submitted the certifications and affirmations as required by federal law. In Oregon’s response letter, Williams argues that the demands in the April 4 letter from the U.S. Department of Education are “duplicative, unnecessary, and unduly burdensome.”
Williams’ response continues: “Oregon remains fiercely committed to its values of diversity, equity and inclusion, and we celebrate our differences and common humanity.” The letter claims a “moral and ethical obligation” to defend public education, and to ensure “children can learn and thrive in safe, welcoming, and supportive environments.”
Oregon’s response cites a handful of court cases that officials say suggest the need for regulatory processes to validate the sudden shift in education policy implied by the federal government’s letter. The state’s letter also says the demand from the federal government is “unclear” because terms such as “illegal DEI” are not defined.
In emphasizing the abrupt change underway since President Donald Trump returned to office, ODE’s letter noted a different attitude from education leaders during Trump’s first term. The letter said “former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos informed USDOE staff in 2020 that ‘[d]iversity and inclusion are the cornerstones of high organizational performance.‘”
Last month, Trump initiated an effort to close the education department entirely, on the heels of starting the process of firing numerous federal education staff.
The response from state leaders comes as local school officials in Oregon have been reaching out to parents and staff. In a message to the North Clackamas School District community Thursday, Superintendent Shay James reinforced support for values that “build relationships with students that honor their cultural heritage, foster their well-being, and engage each student to reach their full potential.”
James encouraged teachers to “continue focusing on what we can control: building trusting relationships with students and families, providing excellent instruction, and modeling calm and care.” (SOURCE)
Oregon could lose millions in childhood vaccine funding
Federal funds for childhood vaccines in Oregon could be cut by nearly $9 million, part of more than $2 billion in broader cancellations of pandemic-era federal public health spending, per government data.
Why it matters: Federal money helps fight preventable and sometimes deadly diseases like measles, which is now spreading in several parts of the country.
Zoom in: The cuts would amount to $8.9 million out of nearly $53 million total in public health grants awarded to the state by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
What they’re saying: “We’re talking about contractors losing their contracts and not being able to get paid, people who were working on vaccination programs not there anymore, and all of the supporting infrastructure that these funds provided evaporated in an instant,” says Josh Michaud, associate director for global health policy at health policy research and news organization KFF.
- States also get separate federal money for immunization efforts through programs like Vaccines for Children, Michaud notes — though many were counting on these grants as well.
Yes, but: A federal judge temporarily blocked the cuts last week after nearly two dozen states, including Oregon, filed a lawsuit against HHS. (SOURCE)
April is Safe Digging Month and NW Natural wants you to be safe and “Call Before You Dig”
Locating utility lines is free and the law.
– NW Natural, Oregon’s largest gas utility company and one of the state’s oldest companies, wants to remind people to “Call Before You Dig” as the weather warms up and more people are working in their yards. Spring marks the beginning of digging season for many as they tackle gardening, landscaping and construction projects.
To ensure the public stays safe and comfortable, it’s important to know where underground lines for natural gas, water and other important utilities are located before starting these projects. Fortunately, NW Natural is part of a free “Call Before You Dig” service to avoid striking lines and provide peace of mind before starting a project.
Locating utility lines is free and the law. Call 8-1-1 at least two business days prior to digging or you can go to Oregon 811: Dig Safely with Free Locate Requests (digsafelyoregon.com).
NW Natural crews respond to hundreds of dig-ins or damages each year in their service territories, illustrating why it’s important to call 8-1-1.
“Locating underground utility lines is an important step in the excavation process, it informs you what’s underground,” Damage Prevention Supervisor Jaimie Lemke said. “Whether it’s natural gas, electrical, water, sewer, or communications – all are essential services that need to be protected from damage.”
NW Natural is also encouraging people to download the NW Natural Safety App which allows users to add their own safety phone numbers, tap to report a rotten egg odor or call 8-1-1 before digging. The app is free and available to anyone.
Easter Bunny Express, April 19th! Get your tickets now
It’s spring, the flowers are blooming and the bunnies are hopping—time for a delightful spring train ride behind a steam locomotive!
Polson #2 is coming out of the Enginehouse to pull all three runs of the Easter Bunny Express Saturday, April 19. Trains leave at 1pm, 2:30pm and 4 pm. Come along to smell the flowers and take selfies with our Easter Bunny. Enjoy a scenic 45-minute ride along the Willamette River in Portland to Oaks Park and back.
Hop aboard the first ride of the season! Get your tickets at https://orhf.org/saturday-train-rides/.
More than six months after being listed for sale, Oregon’s renowned Mt. Bachelor will remain unsold.
Various reports indicate that POWDR, the resort’s parent company, has opted not to proceed with the sale. Mt. Bachelor, recognized as one of the most favored ski destinations in the United States, was put on the market last August.
The Utah-based company has owned the resort since 2001 and also listed Eldora Ski Resort in Colorado and SilverStar Mountain Resort in British Columbia for sale through JP Morgan Chase last year.
With the belt tightening of the federal government, according to the Oregon Health Authority, every county in Oregon and all nine federally-recognized tribal communities will feel the $117 million in funding cuts for OHA programs from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The OHA says the funding is being pulled through the Center for Disease Control and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Some of the COVID-era funding and grants were supposed to continue for another year or more.
The OHA says grants to support vaccine-preventable disease work as well as five grants that helped establish the 988 crisis line and were intended to aid in community substance use treatment, prevention, and recovery are among the programs experiencing a loss of funding in Oregon. Nationwide, over $11 billion of pandemic-response funds are being pulled back by the CDC.
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.
A new bill on the Oregon house floor is taking wide swings at allocating funding to pay for anticipated wildfire costs in the next biennium including a proposed surcharge on bottles and cans.
State Representatives John Lively and Bobby Levy introduced HB 3940, a bipartisan proposal aimed at funding wildfire prevention and suppression in Oregon. The bill creates new provisions, directing multiple funding sources towards the State Fire Marshal’s office to make up for a projected shortfall of about $300 million.
Sources include insurance and forest harvest taxes, the Oregon Rainy Day Fund, and a 5¢ surcharge on each beverage container sold in the state. Representative John Lively from Springfield says not every recommendation from the bill is meant to pass, but rather a combination of solutions.
Ashland Senator Jeff Golden says his own plan to hold back Oregon’s Kicker would help fund wildfire needs if HB 3940 doesn’t get through the legislature, or fails to raise enough money. The bill was sent to the House Committee on Climate, Energy, and Environment, but has not yet been scheduled for a public hearing.
Every year, the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony honors the state’s law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.
This year’s ceremony will be held Tuesday, May 6th at 1 p.m. at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem.
The annual event commemorates the more than 190 fallen officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the state of Oregon since the 1860s. This includes law enforcement, corrections, and parole and probation officers from city, county, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies.
The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training is proud to host the ceremony in partnership with the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, Oregon Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, and various statewide law enforcement associations.
Indigenous Speakers Series Returns to the Museum in April with Three Inspiring Events
BEND, OR — This coming April, explore identity, cultures and how to live the good life when the High Desert Museum’s Indigenous Speaker Series returns. Promising a vibrant showcase of Indigenous voices, the series features an array of Indigenous artists, storytellers, scholars and more who share their unique perspectives with the community.
“We are honored to once again collaborate with Indigenous knowledge holders to bring vital conversations to our visitors,” said Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. “The April events are a continuation of an effort to elevate Indigenous voices to share the issues and cultures of the High Desert.”
The three April events explore topics such as identity, creativity, community and portraiture. Two of the events are connected to an exhibition open now at the Museum, Frank S. Matsura: Portraits from the Borderland. Featuring 20-plus enlarged portraits taken by Matsura of Native peoples in the early 1900s, the exhibition provides visitors a unique look at life in Okanogan County in Washington state during a time of transition. The exhibition originated at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture in Spokane, Wash.
On April 1, Michael Holloman (Colville Confederated Tribes), a Washington State University associate professor and a curator of the original exhibition, will lead a panel discussion that looks deeper into Matsura’s life. “Frank S. Matsura: His Life and Portraits” also includes film and media scholar Glen Mimura and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Beth Harrington. The event will consider Matsura’s experiences as a Japanese-born photographer and his nuanced imagery of Native communities. Tickets are $5, with a 20% discount for Museum members and free entry for Tribal members. For tickets, visit highdesertmuseum.org/matsura-portraits.
Then, on April 25, the Museum will host LaRonn Katchia (Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs), the director of Pathfinders, for a discussion of the short film. Katchia, a Warm Springs/Wasco/Paiute filmmaker and storyteller, will be joined by Thyreicia Simtustus, Kahmussa Green and Kiahna Allen (Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs), who are featured in the film. Part of the Matsura exhibition at the Museum, the film explores how the three young leaders are finding their own paths in balancing Native and non-Native worlds. Tickets are $5, with Members receiving a 20% discount and free entry for Tribal members. For tickets, visit highdesertmuseum.org/pathfinders.
In between those two events, on April 17, the Museum will host Chris La Tray, Métis storyteller and award-winning author of Becoming Little Shell. La Tray will discuss the Anishinaabe word Mino-bimaadiziwin, meaning “the good life.” The concept emphasizes the importance of community well-being and living in harmony with the world around us. At its simplest, it is living a life in balance, but how?
Montana’s Poet Laureate from 2023-2025, La Tray is a descendent of the Pembina Band of the mighty Red River of the North and a member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. His first book, One-Sentence Journal: Short Poems and Essays from the World at Large, won the 2018 Montana Book Award and a 2019 High Plains Book Award. The event includes light refreshment and a no-host bar. Tickets are $12, with members receiving a 20% discount and free entry for Tribal members. For tickets, visit highdesertmuseum.org/the-good-life.
The Indigenous Speakers Series is made possible by The Roundhouse Foundation, with additional support from Author’s Unbound for the April 17 Chris La Tray event. For more information and to purchase tickets for Indigenous Speakers Series events, visit highdesertmuseum.org/indigenous-speakers-series.
ABOUT THE MUSEUM: THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM opened in Bend, Oregon in 1982. It brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2019 recipient of the Western Museums Association’s Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
The long-delayed deadline for REAL ID is now less than 2 months away. There’s a chance that full enforcement may get gradually rolled out, but May 7, 2025, is the changeover deadline.
Starting then, state-level ID cards, such as driver’s licenses, won’t be accepted for federal purposes, namely getting through airport security, unless it’s REAL ID-compliant.
If you plan to catch a domestic flight on or after May 7, you will be required to use a REAL ID. A little gold or black star in the upper right-hand corner is one of the easiest ways to know you’re holding a REAL ID.
In Oregon, it’s a black star. A REAL ID is an identification card that serves all of the same purposes of a standard drivers’ license or state-issued identification card. A federally-mandated switch to REAL ID for federal purposes, such as flying domestically, was originally signed into law by Congress in 2005.
The purpose is to establish “minimum security standards for license issuance and production,” according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website. The law, established four years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, came in response to federal calls for higher security standards in the U.S. Originally, the law mandated the switch to REAL ID by 2008, but it has been pushed back for various reasons due to logistical hurdles and later the COVID-19 pandemic.
Registration closes April 15 for the Bob Ross-inspired Happy Little (Virtual) 5K
Oregon Parks Forever — 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. Registration is now open for the 2025 Run for the Trees at www.orparksforever.org.
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 1st 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 19 and 27 (covering Earth Day and Arbor Day). Participants are encouraged to register by April 1 to ensure that your swag arrives before the event week. If you register after April 1, you may not receive your swag before race week. Registration will close on April 15.
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, the trees will be planted 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 fifth year, the Happy Little 5K has expanded its reach to include eleven other states. Together, Michigan, Oregon, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Maryland, Virginia and Tennessee will “lock arms” as they help raise awareness and funding for stewardship efforts in each state’s parks.
“We are thrilled to partner with Bob Ross, Inc. and these other eleven states on the Happy Little 5K concept as a way to honor the late Bob Ross and create a legacy event to plant trees,” said Seth Miller, Executive Director of Oregon Parks Forever.”
Oregon Parks Forever is joining this event as an expansion of our efforts to fund the replanting of trees killed by wildfires, heat domes and invasive insects. Over the past two years, Oregon Parks Forever has been able to fund the replanting of more than 800,000 trees across Oregon.
“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.”
Learn more about the program at www.orparksforever.org.
https://www.oregon.gov/osp/missing/pages/missingpersons.aspx
Oregon’s Missing Persons
Many times you’ll see postings without case numbers or police contact. There is rarely a nefarious reason why (the nefarious ones are pretty obvious). Usually the loved one tried to call to report their missing person and they are either refused or told to wait a day or two by people who are unaware of SB 351 and the laws that they are bound to when answering the phone. Many people don’t bother calling LE if their loved one is homeless or in transition because they believe LE won’t care. The biggest myth is the 24 hour rule.
In Oregon we don’t have those rules and an officer or person answering the phone is not allowed to decide. The law decides. We have Senate Bill 351 and it states that the police CANNOT refuse a request for any reason and they must begin working on it within 12 hours. The person making the report does not have to be related to missing person either.
Here is SB 351 written by families of the missing here in Oregon in conjunction with Oregon law enforcement officers. This should be common knowledge, please make it this way. https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/…/SB351/Introduced
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