Oregon Beach News, Wednesday 10/1 – From Coast to Creek: Volunteers Mobilize for SOLVE’s 2025 Beach & Riverside Cleanup, Razor Clamming Returns to North Oregon Beaches Today & 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

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Oregon Beach Weather

Small Craft Advisory Issued: 2:46 AM Oct. 1, 2025 – National Weather Service

...HAZARDOUS SEAS WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM PDT EARLY THIS MORNING...
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM PDT FRIDAY...

* WHAT...South winds at 10 to 20 kt and very steep and hazardous seas 14 to 18 ft.

* WHERE...All areas.

* WHEN...For the Hazardous Seas Warning, until to 5 AM PDT Wednesday. For the Small Craft Advisory, from 5 AM Wednesday to 5 AM PDT Friday.

* IMPACTS...Strong winds and very steep seas could capsize or damage vessels. Low visibility conditions are expected.

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

From Coast to Creek: Volunteers Mobilize for SOLVE’s 2025 Beach & Riverside Cleanup

From September 20 through September 28, families, community organizations, and individuals across Oregon and Southwest Washington came together for the annual Beach & Riverside Cleanup, in partnership with OnPoint Community Credit Union. The statewide effort, and centerpiece of Fall with SOLVE, aligned with three significant environmental dates: International Coastal Cleanup Day (September 20), National Public Lands Day (September 27), and World Rivers Day (September 28).

This year, approximately 822 volunteers across 14 counties participated in 77 events, from the Oregon Coast to inland rivers and urban neighborhoods. Together, they collected an estimated 9,784 pounds of litter and marine debris (equivalent to the weight of three school buses) while restoring habitats and preparing green spaces for the months ahead. Volunteers cleared approximately 743,420 square feet of invasive plants (covering an area the size of 13 basketball courts), mulched and maintained plants and trees, ensuring green spaces are prepared for the months ahead.

“This year’s Beach & Riverside Cleanup showed the strength of community partnerships: From expanding established programs like Pick It Up, Bend! to celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with community groups like Loco por la Aventura,” said Kris Carico, CEO of SOLVE. “For nearly four decades, this cleanup has been at the heart of our work, uniting thousands of volunteers to protect the places we love. It remains one of the most important opportunities we have each year to care for our rivers, beaches, and neighborhoods, and to ensure they remain healthy for generations to come.”

Razor Clamming Returns to North Oregon Beaches Today

Clatsop beaches will reopen for razor clam harvesting on Wednesday, Oct. 1 following the annual conservation closure that began back on July 15, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) announced.

These roughly 18 miles of Clatsop County coastline are considered a treasure trove for people looking to dig up their supper from the shore. During the spring, thousands of people regularly visit these beaches for clamming, but the fall harvesting season tends to attract fewer visitors as tides roll out later in the evening.

Surveys in the area have come back with good results. ODFW biologists found that there were 1.47 young clams per square meter of beach, up from the 20-year average of 0.75 clams. Likewise, the overall count was about 2.47 clams per square meter — the third-highest in recorded history.

During the fall, most of the clams are still pretty young, so don’t expect them to be more than 2.5 to 3 inches long.

“Be very selective this fall. For the best chance to find a larger clam, target only the large clam shows – the ones that are bigger than a nickel,” ODFW shellfish biologist Matt Hunter said. “Once the young clams start growing in spring 2026, digging could be much more successful. But you still need to focus on the biggest shows to find those larger clams.”

Remember, you need a shellfish license to go clamming. And there’s a 15-clam daily limit — sorting and releasing the clams aren’t allowed, and you have to harvest your own clams.

Although the conservation closure is ending, there may be intermittent closures because of high levels of a naturally-occurring toxin (domoic acid) that can occasionally be found in the clams. ODFW advises residents to always call the shellfish safety hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or check the ODA shellfish closures website before harvesting for the most current information.

Wellness Coalition – A community collaboration focused on mental health, wellness, and suicide prevention for servicemembers, veterans, and their families is set for Sunday, October 5th, at Three Rivers Casino.

The West Lane Mental Health and Wellness Coalition, Crisis Response, the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians, and the Returning Veterans Project will host a free screening of the acclaimed documentary Here. Is. Better. Showtime is 2 PM, with complimentary snacks and beverages provided. Organizers encourage registration online, though it’s not required.

FEMA Floodplain Rules Could Effect Florence

FEMA’s proposed floodplain rules could bring serious consequences to Florence, according to Chamber of Commerce President Bettina Hannigan. She says the changes could raise construction costs by nearly 29 percent, add thousands of dollars a year to mortgages, and even jeopardize access to the National Flood Insurance Program. Hannigan notes this isn’t just about policy—it affects whether local families, teachers, and healthcare workers can afford to live here. Public comments are being accepted through October 6th. Details are available from the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce.

Bonneville Power Administration To Get Wave Energy Harnessed at Oregon State University Test Site

Oregon State University’s new wave-energy testing facility off the coast of Newport could be kicking out its first volts of electricity as companies begin testing devices capable of harnessing the powerful wave energy.

The region’s largest power transmitter, the federal Bonneville Power Administration, will be the lone customer for that emissions-free energy. In a recent agreement with PacWave — OSU’s test facility developed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and the state of Oregon — BPA agreed to buy all power generated at the site, which is licensed to produce up to 20 megawatts of electricity per hour, enough to power several thousand homes.

Dan Hellin, director of PacWave, said it’s unlikely the facility will get close to that output as companies test nascent wave energy technology, but it will help the center and the experimental companies gin up a bit of revenue and appeal to investors.

“We’ve worked for over 12 years to develop this, so it’s kind of exciting to actually, hopefully soon, have some steel in the water generating power,” Hellin said.

He expects at least two of the three companies that have so far signed on to test at the facility will be ready to get started by next fall.

PacWave provides all the infrastructure companies need to connect their wave-energy devices to infrastructure for distribution on land. From the station, four subsea cables, each about 50 miles long, connect devices in the ocean to onshore facilities where researchers can move and monitor energy. The power the companies generate will be delivered to BPA and its customers via the Central Lincoln Public Utility District’s distribution facility. According to the agreement, BPA will buy the power at a market rate set by the Western Energy Imbalance Market, an energy trading market operating across 10 states.

The speed at which the facility begins operating, and that companies begin testing, depends too on reliable funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, Hellin said. The wave energy industry is not under the same pressure that offshore wind and solar have faced under the current administration, he insists, and PacWave earlier this year got the blessing to move forward in its operational phase, following the completion of its construction phase, from Chris Wright, U.S. energy secretary.

“We took that as a very positive sign for the wave energy, marine energy, industry,” Hellin said.

Like all newer, renewable energy sources, wave power cannot become cost competitive with other sources until the technology is perfected, Hellin said.

“Now wind and solar are competitive, if not cheaper, than some of the traditional forms of power generation. Wave is still at that early stage,” he said. https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/briefs/bpa-will-get-power-of-wave-energy-harnessed-at-oregon-state-university-test-site/

The Newport Public Library is partnering with WorkSource Oregon to provide job seekers the necessary tools to find employment.

WorkSource Oregon’s Business and Employment Specialist Lonnie Martinez will present classes about skills and tools for job seekers at a new monthly program titled “WorkSource Oregon at the Library.”

WorkSource Oregon is a statewide partnership with the Oregon Employment Department and state, local, and nonprofit agencies, providing a variety of employment and training services to job seekers and employers in Oregon.

The first session of “WorkSource Oregon at the Library” will be conducted from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10 in the McEntee Meeting Room at Newport Public Library, 35 NW Nye St in Newport, with a presentation on resume writing. The programs are free and open to the public.

A successful job search starts with a good resume, and attendees will learn the basics of resume writing at this program, with the opportunity to ask questions regarding their resume, according to Newport Public Library Adult and Outreach Services Librarian Andrew Roth.

Roth explains that Worksouce does such presentations at the agency’s local offices, but presenter Lonnie Martinez reached out to the library to see if a partnership with the library could be developed.

“Some people feel intimidated by going into a government building, or they are looking for an area or a public place that they could go to, and we felt like this was a good match for us because we try to help everybody,” Roth said. “WorkSouce Oregon is the link between the employer and the job seeker, so the important part that we can help with is to get the tools job seekers need to find a job.” For more information about the program and the specific presentations, contact WorkSource Oregon at 541-757-4122.

Second Large Earthquake in Two Days Recorded Saturday Off Oregon Coast

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported Saturday afternoon’s quake was a 5.1 magnitude, about 140 miles west of Bandon.

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck off the coast of Oregon late Thursday night, around 11:45 p.m. Pacific time, approximately 142 miles west of Bandon, OR, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The quake, which was shallow at about 6 miles deep, did not pose a tsunami threat to the coast, and no damage was reported.  

These types of quakes in this area are fairly common and scientists say there’s no threat of a tsunami and no danger to anyone on land or at sea. Because the quakes are too far under the ocean’s surface to affect people.

For more information, visit the USGS website.

A Montana man affiliated with a forestry group at Oregon State University faces charges after allegedly using a hidden camera to capture images of women at a Newport hotel.

Court records show that a manager at the Holiday Inn Express reported to police on Sept. 15 that 38-year-old Saben Robert McKinnon was seen on security footage placing a camera under multiple hotel room doors. McKinnon was staying at the hotel with the forestry group, the manager informed police.

According to a probable cause affidavit, police contacted McKinnon at Oregon State University, where he admitted to what he called voyeurism. He said he recorded women in a state of nudity during his conference trip. McKinnon also confessed to similar activities in other states on different trips.

He is charged with two counts of first-degree burglary and two counts of first-degree invasion of personal privacy. McKinnon remains in the Lincoln County Jail with bail set at $200,000.

Burglary/ Invasion of Personal Privacy

Location: Holiday Inn Express, South Beach

Date/Time: September 14th, 2025

Details: On September 14th, 2025, the Newport Police were dispatched to the Holiday Inn Express in South Beach, on the report of suspicious activity involving a former guest of the hotel that occurred September 12-14, 2025. Officers learned an employee of the business had observed a male guest, later identified as Saben Robert McKinnon, 39 of Billings, Montana, placing a small camera under multiple guests’ doors. Officers were able to positively identify McKinnon through hotel records and DMV records.

A Newport Officer reviewed surveillance videos from the business and was able to observe McKinnon placing a small camera under guest doors and watching live images from within the guest’s rooms on his phone. The officer watched McKinnon repeat this process under multiple guest doors.

Further investigation revealed that McKinnon was a part of a large group of foresters staying at the hotel but had already left the Newport area when Newport Police were called. Officers were able to reach a group coordinator and learned McKinnon was currently staying in Corvallis, Oregon and attending a conference at Oregon State University.

Newport Officers coordinated with Corvallis Police, Oregon State Department of Public Safety, and Oregon State University to locate, question, and arrest McKinnon.

During the investigation officers learned McKinnon had been staying in hotels and motels across multiple states as part of his employment. Officers learned McKinnon was secretly recording individuals in their private hotel rooms while in various states of undress. McKinnon used a covert camera to view and record victims for a protracted period of time, possibly even for years. Officers learned McKinnon stored the recordings on his phone and laptop so that he could watch them later.

Newport Officers learned McKinnon had also used the camera while staying in a hotel in Corvallis, Oregon and worked with Corvallis Police on additional criminal charges there. The officers are working with other state and federal agencies to identify McKinnon’s travel itinerary to help identify additional crimes and victims.

McKinnon was transported to the Lincoln County Jail where he was lodged on the following crimes:

SABEN ROBERT MCKINNON, 39, OF BILLINGS, MT

• Burglary 1 x2

• Invasion of Personal Privacy 1 x2

The incident remains under investigation. If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Officer Eshleman of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455, or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net.

The Research Vessel Atlantis is at the Port of Astoria

One of my favorite ships is here in town: the research vessel Atlantis. She’s owned by the US Navy and operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, located on Cape Cod. She’s been doing research on underwater volcanoes in the Pacific in recent years. She comes into Astoria occasionally to change crews, pick up supplies, etc.

She’s a superstar of a ship, she’s been the subject of many documentaries about her and her famous submersible, the Alvin. We’ll talk about the ship and about times I have been fortunate to go aboard.. Podcast: Play in new window (SOURCE)

Repairs are set to begin this week at the Goose Pasture and South Jetty OHV staging areas on South Jetty Road

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area officials said that these areas will be temporarily closed for pavement repairs and lane line striping.

The Goose Pasture Staging Area and South Jetty Staging Area will be inaccessible from Thursday, Sept. 25, through Wednesday, Oct. 1. 

Visitors can still access the Oregon Dunes north riding area and South Jetty sand camps via the Siltcoos Beach OHV staging area. South Jetty Road will remain open to the public. The project aims to enhance public access and safety at these popular OHV day-use sites. It is funded by a grant from the Oregon Parks & Recreation Department ATV program.

The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and Siuslaw National Forest staff thank the public for their patience during the repairs. For more information, the ODNRA office in Reedsport can be contacted at (541) 271-6000.

U.S. 101 has reopened south of Bandon after being closed nearly 40 hours for emergency culvert replacement near Bearhead Mountain Lane.

The new 11-foot pipe replaces a 24-inch culvert that failed during last December’s storms. Traffic will be reduced to one lane for the next two to three weeks while crews pave and stripe the $1.25 million project, with delays under 20 minutes.

Courtesy ODOT

ODOT says the rapid replacement approach shortened the schedule from six months to six weeks, saving time and taxpayer dollars. Work is expected to be complete by mid-October.

The $1.25 million project replaced a 24-inch culvert that collapsed during a December storm, washing out the ground beneath the southbound lane. The new culvert, measuring 11 feet in diameter, is designed to better handle future high-water events.

ODOT opted for a rapid replacement strategy to avoid the high cost and logistical challenges of building a temporary detour, cutting down the total construction window from six months to six weeks. Yet it required the full closure of the highway for one weekend.

“We usually stage projects in a way that keeps our highways open to all travelers at all times,” said ODOT District Manager Glen Pederson. “But I think shortening the construction schedule will help reduce overall traffic impacts. And at a time when people are tightening belts, we thought it was best to keep costs down and save taxpayer dollars.”

ODOT staff estimated that constructing and removing a detour lane could have added another $1 million to the project cost.

Prime contractor Farline Bridge Inc. closed the highway at 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, and immediately began work with K&B Quality Excavating to dig out the southbound lane. Crews installed the new pipe overnight and rebuilt the roadway Saturday. Pederson credited the contractor’s preparation and speed.

“Farline Bridge deserves a lot of the credit for making this happen,” he said. “They began work two weeks ago, while one lane was still open, and got everything in place so they could hit the ground running as soon as we closed the highway Friday night.”

impact from the highway construction – which added some eight hours of driving time. However, some events in the region were hit by smaller numbers.

Although the highway is now open, drivers should expect single-lane travel through the work zone for the next two to three weeks while crews finish uppaving and striping. Flaggers will manage traffic, and delays are expected to remain under 20 minutes. Drivers are advised to slow down when traveling over the temporary rock surface.Best vacation packages

All work is expected to be completed by mid-October.

Pederson thanked the public for their cooperation.

“I would want to thank everybody for understanding the need to get this project completed before this coming winter,” he said. “We’ve gotten a lot of help from our community partners, emergency services, and regular folks sharing our messages on their phones and social media. This was a group effort, and I want to thank everyone involved.”

For current road conditions, visit www.TripCheck.com or the Oregon Coast Traffic, Roads Condition page.

Child Care Facility Coming to Florence

Child Care is one of the biggest concerns of families in Florence.  Facilities, caregivers and other resources are well below the need.  Costs for childcare can well exceed $1500 per month per child in most cases.  The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce has been a champion for more affordable child care and more facilities. 

One of the most recent efforts by a combined effort of the City of Florence and partners has been the Elm Park Early Learning Center.  Adrian Pollut is part of a board that will be facilitating the operations of the facility once construction is completed in fall of 2026.

“It’s gonna be a 5000 square foot center with 4 classrooms, each about 900 square feet, with restrooms for kids and adults, kitchens, administrative areas, storage spaces all of that stuff plus a 2000 square foot outdoor play area.”

Pollut says the new facility will add about 50% more childcare opportunities for the community.  The licensed facility will be looking for people to fill the teaching and aid positions.  Another board member, Connie Ford says they are looking for individuals that want to be part of the childcare workforce.

“They can at the beginning as an aid with some really basic certification and a background check and CPR and earn work experience hours up the chain of command up to a teacher level.”

The Elm Hill apartments are currently under construction with groundbreaking for the child care facility expected to come later this fall.  They say the hope is to be open in late 2026.

OPB article -Samaritan Health Services considered closing the birth centers at its hospitals in Lebanon and Lincoln City earlier this year.

The move drew pushback from nurses, community members and lawmakers. The health system recently announced it would keep the centers open for at least another year — but not without some changes.

Lesley Ogden is the CEO of both Samaritan’s North Lincoln Hospital in Lincoln City and Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport. She joins us to talk about what it takes to keep maternity services running amid rising health care costs, decreasing revenue and staffing challenges. https://www.opb.org/article/2025/09/15/think-out-loud-samaritan-birth-centers-lebanon-lincoln-city/

The South Coast Health Equity Coalition (SCHEC) announced the launch of The Reproductive Health Inclusion, Support, and Education CHW Workshop, a workshop where Community Health Workers will explore the relationship between justice work and health through expanding knowledge of historical policies that disproportionately impact various communities.

This workshop will take place October 11th, 12th, and 13th from 9am-4pm. If you would like to attend, please register at this link: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=AwM6YZlWoEae7xNoY48ooQlV-EQOIfRGrZUXM9H__NtURFI1S01JVjVFRjZINktLVUFLMU5QTTRWUy4u&route=shorturl

Florence Farmers Market Seeking Board Members

The Florence Farmers Market is looking for new members to serve on its Board of Directors and committees. Organizers say it’s just two to four hours a month, with board members meeting monthly and helping with areas like vendors, outreach, finances, or volunteers. No experience is required, only a passion for local food and community. The nonprofit market operates weekly on the Port of Siuslaw Boardwalk, providing fresh food and local products to Florence and surrounding areas. More information is available at florencefarmersmarket.org

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! 

ODF Looking for Firefighters – The Siuslaw National Forest is recruiting for fire positions to support wildfire preparedness and response in 2026.

Jobs include fire engine operators, forestry technicians, and prevention specialists. Applications are open now through September 23rd on USAJobs.gov. The Forest Service says these roles are critical in protecting communities during wildfire season and are open to U.S. citizens 18 and older. More information about positions and the Siuslaw National Forest can be found online at fs.usda.gov/r06/siuslaw.

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

Hunger in Oregon is rising — and federal and state cuts to food assistance are making it worse. In 2024, visits to food programs grew 31%, yet resources to meet this need are shrinking.

Programs like SNAP, which help 1 in 8 Oregonians put food on the table, are facing deep cuts — leaving more families, children, veterans, and elders to make impossible choices between food, safety, and shelter.

We need policies that protect access to food for all our neighbors. Because no one should have to choose between staying safe and going hungry.

Food is available for those who need it and by entering your zip code at OregonFoodFinder.or -You can see each local program’s contact information, hours of operation and what kind of distribution it is.

We partner with 1,200+ free food markets, pantries and meal sites all across Oregon and Southwest Washington — and welcome anyone and everyone who needs food. OregonFoodFinder.org

Oregon Department of Human Services  · Changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are coming due to requirements from H.R. 1, a federal law passed on July 4, 2025.

ODHS is making this announcement today so that those who may be affected can prepare. We expect more than 313,000 people enrolled in SNAP may be impacted by the H.R. 1 changes – especially older adults, immigrants, and people living in rural communities with limited access to transportation.

The changes won’t happen to everyone at once. They will roll out over the next year. The rules are complex, and you can find details in this news release: https://apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsroom/OR/ODHS/Posts/Post/odhs-announces-federal-changes-to-snap-so-thousands-of-oregonians-impacted-can-prepare

Here are some key things to know:

– Most changes will affect three main groups of SNAP recipients: households receiving utility assistance, able-bodied adults ages 18 through 64 with no child under age 14 in their SNAP group (including veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and young adults aging out of foster care), and certain lawfully present immigrants.

– For people who already get SNAP: The changes will affect those who applied or recertified between July 4 and Oct. 1, 2025. Notices will be sent around Oct. 15, 2025 to this first group of people who are impacted. The first group will have SNAP benefit reductions or closures on Nov. 1, 2025. For people approved for SNAP before July 4, 2025, the changes will happen over time throughout the next year and a notice will be sent.

– For people who apply or reapply for SNAP after Oct. 1, 2025: The new rules will apply right away.

If you think you may be impacted:

– Watch your mail for notices from ODHS and open them right away.

– If you think the work requirements may apply to you, don’t wait to start planning how to meet them. Call us at 833-947-1694 or SNAP.ABAWDTeam@odhsoha.oregon.gov

– Learn what other food resources are in your community. Our website may be able to help: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/food/Pages/default.aspx

We know these changes will be difficult, and we understand emotions will be high. We ask that everyone please be respectful in the comments so that people who need help may get their questions answered.

Trump Deploys Department of War Troops to Portland

The precise date and time of President Donald Trump’s promised troop deployment to Portland remains unclear, as Oregon National Guard officials say it’ll take a few more days than anticipated to get all 200 soldiers trained and ready.

But the Trump administration continued to make the case for the deployment, with Trump likening the scene in Portland to World War II in a speech to military brass Tuesday. He said during the same speech that he had suggested to the secretary of defense that cities be used as “training grounds” for the U.S. military.

Oregon National Guard have arrived and will be here for about 60 days, costing $4 million dollars to our taxpayers. Whether you agree or disagree, let’s respect the men and women in uniform and of Oregon.

Oregon National Guard leader tells troops ahead of Portland deployment: ‘We are professionals’

The head of Oregon’s Military Department urged Oregon National Guard troops to follow their oath and act with professionalism despite any misgivings they may have about President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy 200 Oregon troops to Portland.

In his Monday letter, Adjutant General Alan Gronewold encouraged troops to perform their duties while deployed but also took their potential hesitations into account.

“I know some of you may have strong feelings about this mission. That’s Okay. You are citizens first, but you’re also service members who took an oath to support and defend the Constitution and follow the orders of the President and the Governor,” Gronewold wrote. “That oath doesn’t come with an asterisk that says, ‘Only when I agree with the mission.’”

The letter is a striking acknowledgement of the political pitfalls of the deployment, which has triggered strong and emotional reactions from elected officials in Oregon and the general public. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said in his memo to Gov. Tina Kotek on Sunday that he was federalizing the troops to help protect federal personnel and facilities, namely the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in South Portland.

Protests outside the ICE building most nights since June have consisted of several dozen people. Federal officers themselves have been accused of “instigating” clashes with protesters and have been filmed hitting and shoving nonviolent protesters. The size of the protests grew after Trump’s Saturday announcement that he was sending troops.

Independent journalist Ken Klippenstein was first to report on Gronewold’s letter. Gronewold confirmed the letter’s authenticity in a text message to The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Kotek appointed Gronewald to lead the Oregon National Guard in 2023. He is a brigadier general and has been deployed in Kuwait, Germany, Afghanistan and Iraq.

In his letter, Gronewold told his guard members that the mobilization “doesn’t diminish” the guard’s overall mission in Oregon responding to wildfires and other natural calamities. He also asked guard members to be careful about what they post on social media, including refraining from posting operational details or getting into political arguments while identifiable as a member of the guard.

“I’ll be honest with you — I know this isn’t easy,” Gronewold wrote. “Some people in Oregon won’t understand or won’t support this mission. Some might even be hostile about it. But we’ve been through tough situations before. We are professionals who do our duties, regardless of how it’s received.” (SOURCE)

REEL: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1866935397567484

Oregon elected officials, community organizations, unions and other groups are urging President Donald Trump not to send federal troops to Portland, warning that such an action would ultimately harm the city’s economy and communities.

There have been ongoing protests outside of the Portland ICE field office since June, and despite them being mostly nonviolent, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has brought federal charges against 26 protestors for crimes including arson, assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest.

Trump in his social media post did not specify what legal justification he had to deploy troops to Oregon, what military branch would be used or other key details. The troops would be used to defend U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities from “domestic terrorists,” he said.

A 19th-century law, the Posse Comitatus Act, generally forbids military members from conducting domestic law enforcement. Kotek said she is coordinating with state Attorney General Dan Rayfield to see if any legal response is necessary.

“We will be prepared to respond if we have to,” Kotek said about a potential lawsuit against the federal government.

Kotek said she has not heard from any other state governors about their National Guard troops being called upon by Trump to be deployed to Oregon. Kotek, as head of the Oregon National Guard, has said repeatedly she would not deploy Oregon troops. She said she has been in touch with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and California Gov. Gavin Newsom to learn from their experiences with Trump’s federal troop deployments. The White House shelved plans to send the guard to Chicago after Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson made clear they would not cooperate, and Trump’s advisors warned it would draw legal challenges.

Oregon House minority speaker Christine Drazan, R-Canby, said in an email statement that she supports the federal military deployment.

“The ICE facility in Portland has been subject to months of dangerously chaotic protests that have put residents and federal agents in harm’s way. The governor’s assertion that there is no national security threat and the mayor’s assertion that everything is fine is tone-deaf,” she said.

Kotek said the federal intervention is counter-productive and more likely to incite than quell any violence. Renewed calls for protest at the facility at 4 p.m. Sunday were circulating on social media Saturday.

“Any federal takeover with military troops in our state is a threat to communities across Oregon. It violates our right to govern ourselves. It interferes with local law enforcement’s ability to fulfill their mission, and frankly, it drains taxpayer resources that could be better spent elsewhere,” Kotek said. “Again, I communicated that to the president directly: Oregon is our home. It is not a military target. Any deployment would be an abuse of power and a misuse of federal troops.” (SOURCE)

When asked whether he was still sending troops to Portland, which he described as “War ravaged” in a social media post Saturday, Trump said his administration would make a decision on that “pretty soon.”

“Well, I mean, we’re certainly looking at it,” Trump said. “You can’t have that. We don’t want that. They’re attacking our ICE facility and they’re attacking other federal buildings.”

Later Sunday, the Trump administration did make the decision to deploy troops to the state, federalizing 200 Oregon National Guard members, effective immediately, for 60 days. The state of Oregon and the city of Portland filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration in response.

During a Sunday morning phone interview with NBC White House Correspondent Yamiche Alcindor, though, Trump made some remarks that seemed to indicate he might be backing off his military plan for Portland.

Trump referenced a weekend conversation with Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, and he alluded to being told by Kotek that the reality in Portland is different from what’s being portrayed to him.

“I spoke to the governor, she was very nice,” Trump said. “But I said, ‘Well wait a minute, am I watching things on television that are different from what’s happening? My people tell me different.’ They are literally attacking and there are fires all over the place…it looks like terrible.”

Kotek said she told Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Saturday morning that troops are not needed, and she believes Trump does not have the authority to deploy the military to Portland.

“We can manage our own local public safety needs,” Kotek said. “There is no insurrection, there is no threat to national security.”

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said the ‘necessary’ number of troops needed that Trump referred to in his social media post is “zero.”

A Pentagon spokesperson told the AP on Saturday that the Department of Defense would provide information and updates when available. On Sunday, it was the Department of Defense that sent the memo to Kotek informing her of the deployment of Oregon National Guard members.

Since June 2025, more than two dozen people have been arrested in connection with protests outside Portland’s ICE building on the south waterfront.

Most of the arrests occurred in the first month. The protests have generally decreased in size over time with reduced levels of confrontation, and law enforcement has maintained a watchful security presence at the building.

“This is an American city, we do not need any intervention,” Wilson said at a Saturday news conference. “This is not a military target.”

Still, in his interview Sunday with NBC, Trump referred to his yearslong perception of Portland as justification for his recent statements.

“They are attacking our ICE and federal buildings all the time,” Trump said. “You know, this has been going on for a long time. This has been going on for years in Portland. It’s like a hotbed of insurrection.”

On Saturday, a spokesperson for the Oregon National Guard, Lt. Col. Stephen Bomar, said in an email to the Associated Press that “no official requests have been received at this time” for Guard support. “Any requests would need to be coordinated through the Governor’s office,” he added.

Of the criminal cases, most are still ongoing. Three individuals pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of ‘failure to obey a lawful order’ and received 6 months of probation and fines. Another case was dismissed by federal prosecutors.

Others facing more serious charges, including felony offenses for assaulting federal officers, are set for trial later this year or in early 2026. Most of the arrests have led to misdemeanor charges, per a KGW analysis of court records. (SOURCE)

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth moved to mobilize 200 members of the Oregon National Guard into federal service in the city of Portland for 60 days.

The governor’s office received a memo from the U.S. Department of Defense at 9:05 a.m. Sunday. It indicated the Oregon members are among 2,000 to be mobilized nationwide “to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other U.S. Government personnel who are performing Federal functions.”

The memo said the chief of the National Guard Bureau will coordinate details of the mobilization with the Oregon National Guard’s adjutant general, along with the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and commander of the U.S. Northern Command.

Protests outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland have been consistent but small. Arrests outside the Portland ICE building have dropped throughout summer.

Kotek, along with other leaders, has said no troops are necessary in Portland and made the case to President Donald Trump in a phone call Saturday. She said Sunday she didn’t know when troops might be mobilized in Portland, or exactly how many.

“I am no longer in charge of the members (of the Oregon National Guard) that he will be calling up,” Kotek said.

Kotek and Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said Sunday the state had filed a lawsuit to block the deployment. (SOURCE)

Oregon sues Trump administration over unlawful federalization of National Guard.

REEL: https://www.facebook.com/reel/822383606886616

As of September 2025, health officials in Oregon have reported that cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) are increasing, consistent with typical seasonal patterns in the summer and fall.

The illness is highly contagious and spreads easily, particularly among young children in schools and daycares. Recent activity in Oregon

• Widespread outbreaks: Recent news reports indicate outbreaks spreading in Oregon as students return to school.
• Reported by Oregon Health Authority: The Oregon Health Authority has acknowledged recent HFMD activity in the state.
• Regional reports: In past years, specific outbreaks have been reported in Malheur County and on college campuses like George Fox University.

SymptomsSymptoms typically appear 3 to 6 days after exposure and can include:

• Fever: Often the first sign of the illness.
• Sore throat: Often develops a day or two after the fever begins.
• Painful mouth sores: These start as small red spots and blister, often appearing on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks.
• Skin rash: A non-itchy rash of red spots, sometimes with blisters, develops on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It can also appear on the buttocks and other areas.

Transmission and preventionHand, foot, and mouth disease spreads through bodily fluids, making good hygiene critical to prevent its spread. How it spreads:

• Close contact: Saliva, mucus from the nose, and fluid from blisters.
• Respiratory droplets: Sputum released from coughing or sneezing.
• Feces: The virus can be shed in stool for several weeks after symptoms disappear.
• Contaminated surfaces: The virus can live on objects like toys and doorknobs.

How to prevent spread:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces and shared items.
• Avoid close contact with sick people, and do not share utensils or cups.
• Keep children home from school or daycare while they have a fever or actively draining blisters.

Treatment and recoveryThere is no specific cure for hand, foot, and mouth disease. The focus is on supportive care to manage symptoms.

• Pain relief: Over-the-counter pain medication can help with fever and mouth pain. Do not give aspirin to children.
• Stay hydrated: Ensure the sick person drinks plenty of fluids. Cold drinks or popsicles can be soothing for mouth sores.
• Time to recover: The illness typically resolves on its own within 7 to 10 days.

Health insurance premiums to rise for thousands of Oregonians in 2026 unless Congress intervenes

Nearly 35,000 Oregonians who buy insurance through the state’s Affordable Care Act market will lose all financial help if enhanced tax credits aren’t extended

More than 111,000 Oregonians who buy health insurance through the state’s Affordable Care Act marketplace will pay significantly more for their plans next year unless Congress intervenes, and nearly 35,000 will lose all financial help paying for monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

That’s because congressional Republicans did not renew in their tax and spending bill passed this summer a pandemic-era enhanced tax credit meant to help lower the cost of plans for more than 24 million Americans and businesses who buy insurance through states’ Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces.

The credits expire at the end of the year unless Congress extends them. While Republicans hope to pass a stop-gap spending bill by Tuesday to avoid a government shutdown, Democrats have said they won’t consider any bill that does not extend the credits.

Without the credits, the average Oregonian buying health insurance through the marketplace will pay $127 to $456 more per month in 2026, depending on their income level, according to the Oregon Health Authority. Anyone making over 400% of the federal poverty level — that’s about $62,000 a year for a one-person household, $84,000 for a two-person household and $128,000 for a four-person household — would no longer receive the enhanced tax credits.

People over 400 percent of the FPL have always been able to access the Marketplace, but have been ineligible for financial help. The enhanced premium tax credits only extended eligibility for premium tax credit to people at incomes over 400 percent of the FPL.

The credits were introduced in 2021 as part of the American Rescue Plan, a COVID-19 stimulus package, and expanded income eligibility and access to marketplace plans, doubling by 2025 the number of Americans able to buy health insurance through states’ ACA marketplaces.

The credits increased the income ceiling for credit eligibility. Previously, households earning more than 400% of the federal poverty level annually could not get financial help from the tax credits. Under the enhanced credits, households above 400% of the federal poverty level have out-of-pocket premiums capped at 8.5% of their household income.

People over 400 percent of the FPL have always been able to access the Marketplace, but have been ineligible for financial help. The enhanced premium tax credits only extended eligibility for premium tax credit to people at incomes over 400 percent of the FPL.

If Congress does not extend the credits, premiums for Americans enrolled in health plans through ACA marketplaces will rise an average of 75% next year, according to analysis from KFF, a health policy organization.

Premiums differ based on age and geography, and the rises would impact more young, low-income, urban enrollees, as well as enrollees in rural areas with moderate incomes. Average premiums in rural areas are expected to rise 90%, according to the Congressional Budget Office, leaving about 4 million more Americans uninsured next year.

Republicans have argued that Congress can debate extending the enhanced tax credits in November or December, but open enrollment for the ACA marketplace plans opens in November.

Without the certainty that they can afford higher premiums if the credits expire, many will choose not to enroll at all and go without health insurance in 2026, said Oregon state Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner at a Thursday news conference hosted by Americans for Responsible Growth, a national advocacy group that works with state financial leaders.

Steiner, a physician who served as the state Senate’s chief budget writer before becoming treasurer, said that the rising premiums will have cascading effects through Oregon’s economy. That’s in part because many small business owners, who must by law provide employees with health insurance, buy that coverage through the state’s ACA marketplace and will have to pay higher premiums without the tax credits.

“They’re going to lay off people because they can’t afford payroll. That, in turn, will result in decreased revenues from both corporate and personal income taxes, which will have a huge impact on our state’s bottom line, since we are one of the few states without a sales tax,” she said.

It will also create conditions, she said, where people will go without insurance, avoid and delay getting medical help, and skip or be unable to work as their conditions deteriorate.

“Good health care is good for business. Businesses depend on healthy employees who come to the workplace ready and able to do their jobs, not call out sick, or be less productive because of their illnesses,” she said. (SOURCE)

Oregon’s U.S. Sen. Wyden presses U.S. Treasury secretary to release Epstein financial files

Wyden has been investigating disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s financial transactions for years and calling for more transparency from federal agencies

For several hours on Valentine’s Day in 2024, staff from Oregon U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden’s office and the Senate Finance Committee sat in a room in the U.S. Treasury Department reviewing, thousands of suspicious financial transactions made by deceased and disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The transactions totaled more than $1 billion and included payments to women from eastern European countries where many of Epstein’s alleged victims are from. Along with Wyden’s team, staff from the offices of Republican Sens. Mike Crapo of Idaho and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee reviewed the documents, according to Wyden. Spokespersons for Crapo and Blackburn did not respond to requests for comment from the Capital Chronicle.

Treasury officials did not allow the staffers to make copies of the documents, only to take handwritten notes.

“And because you can’t take that stuff out of the room I asked, particularly, if the Republicans would be willing to join me in a subpoena that would get the rest of the information that was crucial, and they wouldn’t do that,” Wyden said. “And that was during the Biden years.”

Suspecting that there was and is far more financial information regarding Epstein in the treasury’s possession than they were shown, Wyden is introducing a bill that would force current U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to use his legal authority to turn over everything.

On Sept. 10, he introduced the Produce Epstein Treasury Records Act to compel Bessent to turn over all Epstein-related treasury records to Senate investigators. Wyden has asked Bessent twice, in March and June, to provide the files to the Senate Finance Committee to no avail. He has been unable to get the majority vote needed for the committee to issue a subpoena for the files, Wyden policy director Keith Chu said in an email.

The bill is the latest in a now three-year investigation Wyden and his staff have undertaken to understand Epstein’s sex trafficking network through his financial transactions with some of the world’s largest banks and powerful men.

“I’ve long felt that my biggest opportunities have been when I followed the money,” Wyden said.

An unnamed spokesperson for the U.S. Treasury it’s complying with the House Oversight Committee’s request earlier this month to receive some of the suspicious activity reports.

The reports are confidential and held by the treasury department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network called FinCEN. Although banks are supposed to report the activity in real time, the largest bank working with Epstein, JPMorgan, did not provide the reports to treasury until late 2019, after Epstein was arrested and charged with sex trafficking and died by suicide in a New York jail cell.

Wyden said the transactions show at the very least that the banks and the Internal Revenue Service were “asleep at the switch.”

“I want to find out what in hell kept these agencies from doing some audits,” he said.

Wyden first started looking into Epstein’s finances in 2022, connecting them to billionaire Leon Black, the co-founder of private equity firm Apollo Global Management. In 2023 and 2024, Wyden said he pushed “very, very hard to get the Biden people to do more,” and that then-Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s agency felt that they were providing him and Senate Finance members with more transparency when they allowed staff to see the suspicious activity reports, even if just for several hours.

“The reason that we got to do it is that we accepted their limits. You had to come in. You got it for a relatively short period of time, there were restrictions. That was kind of real pick and shovel stuff, getting what we got,” he said.

Calls for more transparency from the treasury and the Department of Justice following its investigation into Epstein have come from people across the political spectrum. Kentucky Republican U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie said Wednesday that he will soon have the 218 signatures needed to force a vote in the House vote on releasing federal investigative files on Epstein.

Wyden said it’s become a major concern to many of his constituents in Oregon.

“Oregonians come up to me at the checkout line at Fred Meyer, when I’m walking on the street, basically saying: ‘keep it up,’” he said. “They know that I’ve been asking Trump people, that I’m asking Pam Bondi repeatedly, and people want answers,” he said.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi in July said the Justice Department had wrapped its investigation into Epstein and found no evidence of a so-called client list, but has selectively released investigative files that were largely already public.

“I’m going to stay at it until the truth comes out. This has nothing to do with red and blue. It’s about the truth,” Wyden said. “There were huge sums of money — billions of dollars — moving around. So I want to make sure all the financial underpinnings come out.” (SOURCE)

Two crashes just 48 hours apart along Oregon 212 in Boring killed three people and collapsed a building this week.

The second crash happened around 6 a.m. Tuesday when a car went off the road and plowed into a building in the 28000 block of Southeast Oregon 212, the Clackamas County Fire Department said in a statement. The crash caused the brick building to partially collapse, bringing the roof down on the car and trapping the driver inside, fire officials said.

Firefighters shored up the building with supports to prevent it from collapsing further while they worked to free the trapped driver. The driver died while emergency responders drove him to a hospital, officials said.

Another person was inside the building at the time of the crash but was uninjured. Officials did not identify the driver or the business struck by the car. Photos released by the fire department show that the business is the Timber Pub & Grub.

Two days earlier, on Sunday, another crash in the area killed two people when an eastbound Dodge Caliber went off the road and collided with a shop called iCandy Lash Co. around 2:30 p.m., Oregon State Police said.

Police said the car briefly caught fire and that the impact killed the driver, 21-year-old Austin Gaberiel Roberts, and his passenger, Taylor Renee Wonderly, 19.

Two of the shop’s employees — Tiana Marie Owen, 22, and 24-year-old Gabriela Lorene Shirley — suffered serious injuries during the crash and were taken to a hospital. Both crashes are under investigation.

Oregon lawmakers are holding interim committee hearings in Salem from September 29 to October 1, 2025, to address the impact of federal budget reductions.

Legislators are concerned that federal cuts could affect essential state programs, leading them to make difficult financial decisions in the next session. Key details on the hearings:

• Purpose: The meetings are informational hearings where legislators and the public will discuss the repercussions of recent federal cuts. The topics covered will include impacts on state agencies, emergency management, health care, and education.
• Budget shortfall: Recent federal tax changes could cause Oregon to lose hundreds of millions in tax revenue. For instance, a new federal law could divert nearly $900 million in state revenue to taxpayers over two years, impacting critical services like the Oregon Health Plan and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
• Officials’ statements: House Speaker Julie Fahey emphasized the importance of these hearings for understanding the “onslaught of cuts and rollbacks”. Senate President Rob Wagner stated that the information gathered will help lawmakers make difficult decisions while preserving critical services for Oregonians.
• Potential actions: While these specific hearings are for gathering information, lawmakers are exploring options to address the budget issues. This could involve modifying Oregon’s tax code to break its link with federal tax law changes, potentially necessitating a special legislative session.
• Where to find information: Full agendas for the hearings and details on how to stream the sessions can be found on the Oregon Legislative Information System’s website (OLIS). https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025S1

Oregon Senate passes $4.3 billion transportation package

Oregon Republicans say they’ll push to refer the measure to the November 2026 ballot if it passes

The Oregon Senate on Monday in a party-line 18-11 vote passed a long-awaited transportation bill that will update the state’s funding sources for road maintenance and operations.

House Bill 3991 will raise about $4.3 billion over the next 10 years to fund road maintenance and operations by raising the gas tax by six cents, nearly doubling most vehicle registration fees and doubling the payroll tax used to support public transit from 0.1% to 0.2% of a paycheck  — among other fee hikes for electric vehicles. Gov. Tina Kotek plans to sign it.

The bill settles a growing gap in Oregon’s transportation budget and prevents transportation department layoffs, but advocates warn it’s just a temporary fix and overlooks key issues such as climate sustainability, traffic congestion and road safety near schools — all while Republicans pledge to bring the matter before voters in 2026.

Sen. Khanh Phạm, D-Portland and a co-chair of the joint committee that produced the bill, said that Oregonians are better off when they can safely travel to cities for concerts, deliver goods for small businesses and count on county roads being well-maintained and free of potholes.

“Oregonians demand and deserve nothing less than a government that wants to invest in connecting them to each other,” she said.What’s in the transportation package? 

The bill would raise taxes and fees, including:

• A gas tax increase from $0.40 to $0.46, effective Jan. 1, 2026.
• An increase in annual registration fees from $43 to $85 for passenger vehicles; $63 to $105 for utility vehicles, light trailers, low-speed vehicles and medium-speed electric vehicles; and $44 to $86 for mopeds and motorcycles.
• Increasing title fees for passenger vehicles from $77 to $216
• Doubling the payroll tax used to support public transit from 0.1% to 0.2% until Jan. 1, 2028
• An increase to registration surcharges for electric and highly fuel-efficient vehicles, from $35 to $65 annually for cars with a 40+ mpg rating and from $115 to $145 annually for electric vehicles.
• Phasing in a mandatory road usage charge program for electric vehicles by 2031. Electric vehicle drivers have been able to opt into the OReGO program and pay 2 cents per mile in exchange for lower registration fees, and the proposed change would mandate electric vehicle drivers participate in that program or pay a flat $340 annual fee.

Within the first 25 minutes of floor debate, Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr, R-Dundee, attempted to block the bill from moving forward by offering two amendments, one of which would have freed up existing funds within the Oregon Department of Transportation budget and allowed the agency to direct it to immediate needs. Starr’s other amendment would have given Oregon voters the final say on whether to approve or reject the bill in the November 2026 general election. Both motions failed.

During a press conference after those motions failed, Starr said Republicans don’t want roads to deteriorate or for transportation employees to lose their jobs. He criticized Kotek and Democrats for not collaborating on a bipartisan transportation solution and said Republicans will work to create a referendum, or allow Oregon voters to reject or approve the legislation in the November 2026 election.

Sen. David Brock Smith, R-Port Orford, said many of his constituents can’t afford the tax and fee hikes in the transportation bill.

“It’s going to hurt my rural Oregonians more because they have lower income levels and have to drive farther for goods and services than anywhere else, and they’re not driving a fuel-efficient vehicle to do so,” he said at the conference.

Oregon Democrats expressed support for the bill, with some calling it a good start and others saying it’s insufficient.

“It does not reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it does not address seismic vulnerabilities, and it does not reflect the testimonies calling for clean air and reliable transit,” said Sen. Courtney Neron Misslin, D-Wilsonville. “So yes, I am disappointed… but I’m certainly voting yes because this bill is necessary to keep essential services of transit.”

Kotek in an afternoon press conference surrounded by supporters of the bill said she suspended 483 pending transportation department layoffs that would have taken effect Oct. 15 as soon as the bill passed the Senate, adding that the department is already behind on hiring for the winter season.

“We’re going to move forward with the assumption we have this,” she said, responding to Republican plans to challenge the measure through a referendum. “What I would say to folks is think twice about referring this. Let’s all come together as a state and make sure we have the right tools.”

While some Republicans said their voices weren’t heard in this bill, Kotek said the state needed a viable solution to filling the transportation department’s funding shortfall.

“There are a lot of people standing behind me who represent folks across the state who are registered Democrats, Republicans and independents,” Kotek said. “Unfortunately, I don’t think we saw something that was viable from Republicans. And as a result, they were not able to support (the bill).”

Kotek said she doesn’t know when the bill will reach her desk so she can sign it into law. (SOURCE)

Artificial intelligence is currently being employed in the training of 988 Oregon phone operators, who work on the suicide and crisis intervention line.

Anyone can reach out simply to converse when they are feeling sad, lonely, or angry. The objective of the Portland-based nonprofit, Lines for Life, is to avert substance abuse and suicide. They manage a range of crisis lines throughout the state, including various county lines.

At present, the nonprofit is leveraging artificial intelligence to assist operators in better preparing for the diverse crisis situations they may face. This is facilitated through ReflexAI.

Sam Dorison, the CEO and co-founder of ReflexAI, stated that the AI system also aids in pinpointing strengths and opportunities for improvement in interactions.

Oregon State Hospital (OSH) became custodian of the cremated remains of nearly 3,500 people who lived and died in state institutions between 1914 and 1973 – and whose remains were never claimed.

Since 2014, the cremains of 1,300 people have been identified and returned to families through the work of staff and volunteers. For more information about the cremains memorial, visit: https://ow.ly/9S3p50X379n

This year, the stories of 116 people now have a different ending. On September 23, Oregon State Hospital celebrated the reunification of those whose remains have been claimed by family over the past year at its annual cremains ceremony.

Oregon Heritage Commission launches public survey to learn how Oregonians participate in and value heritage activities across the state

The Oregon Heritage Commission is updating the Oregon Heritage Plan to strengthen heritage efforts across the state and lay the foundation for the Commission’s priorities over the next five years. To help inform the plan, the Commission has launched a statewide public survey to understand the heritage values that Oregonians hold and how they participate in heritage-related activities across the state.

The survey is open to the public until October 27 and is available in English and Spanish.

“This public survey is an opportunity to learn how Oregonians across the state engage with Oregon’s story through places, traditions, cultural materials, experiences, and more. We want to hear why these resources are important to Oregonians and what would make them more accessible,” said Commission Coordinator Katie Henry.

In addition to the public survey results, the plan will be informed by discussions with Oregon’s heritage preservation community and the results of the results of the 2024 Oregon Heritage Vitality Study. For more information on the planning process, please visit this Oregon Heritage Website.

The updated plan is expected to be open for public comment in early 2026. The final plan is expected to be adopted by the Heritage Commission in April 2026 at the 2026 Oregon Heritage Conference in Woodburn.

About the Oregon Heritage Commission
The Oregon Heritage Commission is a group of leaders from across the state that works collaboratively to champion resources, recognition, and funding for preserving and interpreting Oregon’s past. Founded in 1995 by the Legislature, the Heritage Commission is comprised of nine gubernatorial appointments and nine ex-officio members. The Commission is designated in ORS 358.570-595 as the primary agency for coordination of heritage activities in Oregon. More information on the Commission’s website.

Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Announce Bill to Restore NOAA’s Extreme Weather Database, Keep Americans Informed of Natural Disasters

Bill would reverse the Trump Administration’s reckless decision to terminate database which has recorded cost of natural disasters since 1980

—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined senate colleagues to introduce legislation that would reverse the Trump Administration’s reckless decision to terminate the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) extreme weather database which has been vital to keeping families, researchers, and policy makers informed on the cost of natural disasters.

The Measuring the Cost of Disasters Act would require NOAA to restore and maintain the Billion Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters database, which collects and makes public information on natural disasters resulting in at least $1 billion in damage each year in the United States.

“Whether it’s wildfires in Oregon or flooding in Texas hill country, deadly weather events have become a way of life for too many Americans,” Wyden said. “While Donald Trump forces his anti-science agenda on the American people and kneecaps federal emergency response, I’m all in to help communities better prepare for and respond to natural disasters. I’m proud to cosponsor the Measuring the Cost of Disasters Act to restore critical information for states and communities to do just that.”

“Oregonians know all too well the threat of climate chaos, which is fueling increasingly frequent and severe weather events that threaten our homes, businesses, and way of life,” said Merkley. “Trump’s move to terminate NOAA’s extreme weather tracker will just add to the devastation communities face. Having a complete understanding of the cost of natural disasters allows us to make smarter decisions about how to make our infrastructure more resilient to protect our communities. I’ll keep fighting for Oregonians to have the resources needed to respond to extreme weather and ensure that we have the data to act.”

Since 1980, NOAA has maintained a database of all weather disasters in the United States totaling at least $1 billion in damage. The Billion Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters database has been essential in tracking how an exponential increase in climate-driven natural disasters over the last two decades has raised costs associated with disaster recovery. The database has also helped communities and lawmakers more effectively allocate resources before extreme weather events.

In 2024, the United States experienced 27 individual weather and climate disasters over $1 billion in damages, totaling more than $182.7 billion—the fourth highest on record behind 2017, 2005, and 2022. As the severity and cost of natural disasters continue to rise, research tracking the type and frequency of extreme weather events is crucial to ensuring the efficient allocation of resources and effective resilience strategies.

However, in May 2025, the Trump Administration discontinued the Billion Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters database as part of its efforts to destroy programs and research related to climate change. Cancelling this publicly available database threatens emergency preparedness, undercuts science research vital to fighting climate change, and weakens national and community-level efforts to reduce the cost of disasters.

The legislation was introduced by U.S. Senator Peter Welch, D-Vt. In addition to Wyden and Merkley, the legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Jack Reed, D-R.I., Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Tina Smith, D-Minn., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M.. —– A full text of the bill is here.

Oregonians who possess EBT cards must take measures to prevent the theft of their card number and PIN.

According to the Oregon Attorney General’s Office, there has been a 50 percent rise in the amount of money stolen from EBT accounts. They suspect that a traveling group is installing skimmers on card devices in retail locations.

These skimmers are frequently located in discount stores and small markets. EBT cardholders are advised to utilize the app to activate their card solely when making a purchase and to deactivate it afterward. It is also important to inspect card devices for any overlay skimmers.

Additionally, if the card device displays a yellow security sticker, ensure that it does not appear to be compromised. INFO: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/benefits/pages/protect.aspx

PLEASE Help Prevent Human-Caused Wildfires

As of the end of September 2025, more than 340,000 acres have burned across Oregon, with significant fires including the Moon Complex (nearly 18,000 acres by Sept. 29, 2025) and the Emigrant fire (over 32,000 acres). The total acreage burned is considerably lower than the record-setting year of 2024, but the season is still active and impacting various parts of the state.

9/30 – 11 pm #OregonFires 18 #evacuations#fires#prescribedburning#controlledburn#RxBurn#lowairquality4FIRES in EVALUATION MODE:18 Oregon Wildfires – many are silent fires between 1 to 3 acres. These silent fires can quickly turn into dangerous fires. Please stay alert and ready. There is prescribed/ controlled burning going on in Oregon at this time. The map shows those fires in green. The air quality in #lanecounty has improved.KELSEY PEAK FIRE #josephinecounty#currycounty 1039 ACRES – 97% containment. DOWNGRADED to Level 1 ( Be Ready) #currycounty – (last update 11 days ago)PINNACLE FIRE  2184 ACRES –#currycounty 10% containment LEVEL 3 EVAC GO NOWLEVEL 2 (Be Set) and LEVEL 1 (Be Ready) EVACUATION- Rogue River Trail under emergency closure.BACKBONE FIRE – 2543 ACRES #currycounty 4% containment DOWNGRADED TO LEVEL 2 ( Be Set) LEVEL 1 (Be Ready) EVACUATION – Rogue River Trail under emergency closure MOON COMPLEX FIRE  – 18,316 ACRES #cooscounty#currycounty10% – DOWNGRADED TO LEVEL 2 ( Be Set) LEVEL 1 (Be Ready) – There is a temporary shelter open at the Gold Beach Library at 94341 3rd St, Gold Beach, OR. Silent Fires and Evacuations can change very quickly, so please stay alert  and safe.

https://geo.maps.arcgis.com/…/a6c8f8e58ad642f4813732233…—————————————————CLINK FOR FIRES 

https://experience.arcgis.com/…/6329d5e4e13748b9b9f7f3…/ —————————————————-CLINK FOR FIRES  National Interagency Fire Center

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/—————————————————

State fire marshal mobilizes resources as conflagration invoked for Moon Complex Fire

The Oregon State Fire Marshal is mobilizing four task forces and its Green Incident Management Team to the Moon Complex in Curry County. The lightning-caused fire grew significantly Friday, pushed by strong winds, and is threatening homes and critical infrastructure near the communities of Agness and Illahe. In total, six structural task forces are mobilized to fire.

The Curry County Sherrif’s Office has levels 2 and 3 evacuation notices in place for several areas around the fire. Please follow the local sheriff’s office for evacuation information.

The state fire marshal resources will join two task forces sent through Immediate Response on Saturday morning, mobilized from Rogue Valley and Lane County.

“Challenging weather conditions yesterday pushed the fire into new areas and local resources need extra help protecting people, homes, and critical infrastructure,” State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “This is a good reminder that we are still in fire season and ask everyone to stay aware and do everything they can to prevent sparking a wildfire.”

This is the eighth time the Emergency Conflagration Act has been invoked in 2025.

Preventing wildfires requires a collective effort from everyone—help mitigate the risk of human-caused wildfires and protect our forests and communities.

Monitor Fires in Oregon – Updated Daily

Please Help Prevent Wildfires!

Learn how you can prevent wildfires by visiting the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s wildfire prevention page.

 Support Wildfire Relief by Recycling

There are 2 ways to donate:

 Online with funds from your Green Bag account: https://bottledrop.com/…/obrc-emergency-fund-online…/

 In-person by bringing your redeemable beverage containers to any full-service BottleDrop Redemption Center

All funds raised (and matched) will be split between the following nonprofits providing wildfire relief in Oregon: Oregon Chapter of the WFF , Red Cross Cascades Region, and United Way of the Columbia Gorge.Learn more: BottleDrop.com/Wildfire

Oregon Lottery Commission Adopts Rules for Winner Anonymity and Ticket Discounting

This weekend, a new law will require the names and addresses of Oregon Lottery winners to be anonymous. Previously, a winner’s name was public record under Oregon’s public records law. Under House Bill 3115, Oregon Lottery may not publicly disclose a winner’s name and address without the winner’s written authorization.

Today, the Oregon State Lottery Commission approved rules to implement the new law passed during the recent legislative session. Under the rules, Oregon Lottery may release other public information about a prize win such as the city in which the winner resides, the retailer that sold the winning ticket, the game played, and the prize amount. A winner may authorize Lottery in writing to use their name and photos but otherwise, Lottery will not release a winner’s name and address.

House Bill 3115 also prohibits the purchase or sale of a winning lottery ticket in response to a cottage industry of so-called “discounters.” The discounters buy winning tickets for less than their value from players, then cash them in for the prize amount. While some players choose to sell their tickets to avoid driving to an Oregon Lottery payment center, others may do so to avoid having their prize garnished for outstanding child support or public assistance overpayments, as required by Oregon law.

Under rules adopted by the Oregon State Lottery Commission, Lottery officials will evaluate prize claims to determine if the tickets were bought, sold, or claimed in violation of the law. If a winning ticket is found to be in violation, Lottery will deny the prize claim and confiscate the ticket.

You can find FAQs regarding winner anonymity on the Oregon Lottery’s website.

Celebrating 40 years of selling games since April 25, 1985, Oregon Lottery has earned more than $16.5 billion for economic development, public schools, outdoor school, state parks, veteran services, and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org.

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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