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2026 Wildfire Awareness Month: Have a Plan, Build a Go-bag, Get Insured, Be Ready to Evacuate 

SALEM, Ore. -- Oregon is going to be a tinderbox this wildfire season. With counties across the state already declaring drought emergencies, we are heading into what will be one of the driest seasons in more than a decade. As a result, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is asking you to get ready now: 

1. Pack your go-bags 
2. Know your evacuation routes – have a plan 
3. Sign-up for emergency alerts 
4. Be prepared if cell service goes down 
5. Know the evacuation levels 
6. Make sure you have enough wildfire insurance – have a recovery plan 

Pack Your Go-bags 

A go-bag contains essential items you may need to take with you in a hurry. Each household member (human and animal) should have an easy-to-carry emergency bag:  

In an easy to pack tote: 

• Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation) 
• Food:non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation) 

In individual backpacks: 

• Large bottle of water 
• Non-perishable snacks or meals ready to eat (MREs) 
• 7-day supply of medications (if possible) 
• A basic first aid kit
• Flashlight (hand-cranked or with extra batteries)  
• Back-up power cell (for charging your phone and electronics) 
• Extra charging cables 
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio(NOAA Weather Radio, if possible) 
• Extra clothing and personal items 
• Digital or printed copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, etc.) 
• Multi-purpose tool 
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items 
• Printed copy of family and emergency contact information 
• If possible, extra cash 
• Emergency blanket
• Printed map(s) of the area (make sure everyone knows how to read them) 

Know Your Evacuation Routes – Have a Plan 

Create an evacuation plan and make sure everyone in the family knows what it is. Visit OEM’s Be2WeeksReady page to find tips on how to prepare for evacuation or shelter in place. OEM also offers a wildfire evacuation checklist at wildfire.oregon.gov/prepare. 

Your plan should include: 

• A list of emergency contacts (printed and in every go-bag) 
• A safe meeting place in case family members get separated 
• Multiple evacuation routes from home, work, or school. comcan help with this, but everyone should also know how to read a paper map and how to get to safety. 
• Transportation arrangements, including pets and livestock. 
• A discussion with loved ones, friends and neighbors to ensure everyone understands the plan. 

Individuals with disabilities should plan ahead for transportation, equipment and service animal needs. Visit the Red Cross for tailored resources. If you have special medical needs, make sheltering arrangements some place that can accommodate your needs, because not all standard shelters can. 

For pet and livestock evacuation planning, visit Ready.gov/pets. Prepare a pet emergency kit with essentials like food, water, medications, identification and medical records. Livestock owners should arrange transportation and shelter options in advance—resources are available at Oregon Department of Agriculture. 

Sign-up for Emergency Alerts   

Visit ORAlert.gov to sign-up to receive alerts based on your zip code. If you're already registered, take a moment to log in and update your contact information. Also, check your phone settings to ensure wireless emergency alerts are enabled. 

Know where to find local emergency information, such as your county’s emergency management website and TripCheck.com. Follow local emergency services on social media, including the sheriff’s office, fire agencies and city or county pages. 

Be Prepared If Cell Service Goes Down  

Have a back-up plan for how you will communicate if cell towers burn in your area. Developing a family PACE plan (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency) is key to staying connected during a disaster. Many cell providers offer a Starlink add-on for a nominal fee, which allows your cell phone to access the internet and make web-based phone calls and texts, or send Facebook and WhatsApp messages even if you can’t connect to a cell tower.   

An example of a PACE plan for individuals: 

• Primary: Cell Phones 
• Alternate: Starlink service on your cell phone. 
• Contingency: Satellite communicators, separate from the satellite function on your phone (which prioritizes first-responder traffic) 
• Emergency: Short-range communication radios for talking to family, and a hand-cranked NOAA weather radio to receive alerts. 

Know the Evacuation Levels in Oregon 

Oregon uses a three-level evacuation system to keep residents informed and safe. Be familiar with “Be Ready, Be Set, Go Now!” notifications: 

1. Level One – BE READY (Green): Stay aware of the wildfire threat and get prepared. Pack your go-kit, check emergency contacts, and ensure those in vulnerable situations (older adults, children, individuals with disabilities, and livestock owners) are ready to evacuate if needed. 
2. Level Two – BE SET (Yellow): Be prepared to leave at any moment. This indicates significant wildfire danger. Voluntary evacuation is encouraged—especially for those needing extra time to relocate safely. 
3. Level Three – GO NOW! (Red): Evacuate immediately! This means extreme danger is present, and it is unsafe to remain in place. Emergency responders may not be able to assist further. Leave immediately without gathering belongings and check TripCheck.com or call 511 for evacuation routes. 

After evacuating, do not return until officials declare it safe. You can find additional wildfire preparedness resources at wildfire.oregon.gov. 

Make Sure You’re Insured – Have a Recovery Plan 

Finally, whether you rent or own, now is the time to make sure you have wildfire insurance and enough coverage to replace your house. If the worst happens, you will need to rely on insurance, savings, loans and donations to replace what was lost. Have a plan for how you will recover. Your standard renter’s or homeowners' policy doesn’t cover floods, landslides or wildfires. Talk to your agent to make sure you have the right kind and amount of insurance. 

• Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety – Wildfire Ready
• Division of Financial Regulation – Wildfires Insurance Resources
• Filing a homeowners claim after a fire(English) 
• Filing a homeowners claim after a fire(Spanish) 
• Division of Financial Regulation – Wildfires Messaging Toolkit

Additional Wildfire Preparedness Resources 

• OEM's Wildfire Alert Graphics
• OEM's Evacuation Level Graphics
• How to Talk About Wildfires
• Prevent Wildfires
• Stay Safe While Driving During Smokey Conditions
• Vehicles can cause wildfires so make sure yours doesn't 

Shortly after 2:30 pm on Sunday, May 24, 2026, multiple 911 callers reported a residence on fire in the Tumalo area on 76th Street.  First arriving fire crews from Bend Fire & Rescue found a heavily involved split level home with fire extending into adjacent brush and trees.  Neighbors on either side of the home were using garden hoses to prevent the vegetation from igniting and spreading.  The fire was quickly knocked down, but due to the extent of the fire and the lack of fire hydrants in the area, full extinguishment was delayed.  No one was at home at the time of the fire, and the Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents.  Losses are estimated at $500,000 to the structure and $75,000 to contents.  Mutual aid was provided by Cloverdale Fire, Redmond Fire, and Oregon Department of Forestry.

The fire is under investigation at this time.

With much attention right now on protecting your home and property from the threat of wildfire, it can be easy to overlook preparation for when a wildfire strikes.  This is a good time to make a plan - before there is a wildfire.  Have emergency supplies such as food, water, important documents, medications, and other essentials ready to go.  Have a plan for communication with family members, and when you are told to evacuate, do so quickly.  For more information on preparedness, visit our website at https://bendoregon.gov/departments/public-safety/fire-rescue/community-resources-programs/own-your-zone/

FIRE POLICY COMMITTEE

MEETING SCHEDULED

The Fire Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Madison Mancuso at (971) 433-7899 or madison.mancuso@dpsst.oregon.gov.

The meeting will be livestreamed on the DPSST YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@DPSST.

Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. Approval of Minutes of February 25, 2026 Minutes

3. Discretionary Case Review Quick Sheet
    Presented by Brooke Bell-Uribe

4. Gail F. Freer; DPSST No. 28436

Presented by Chantel Goettsch

5. Jakob K. Brandt; DPSST No. 40180

Presented by Chantel Goettsch

6. Logan M. Wigham; DPSST No. 38345

Presented by Chantel Goettsch

7. Fire Certification Review Task Force - Update

Presented by Brooke Bell-Uribe

8. Agency Updates

9. Next Fire Policy Committee Meeting - August 26, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting, subject to the public meeting law and it will be recorded. Deliberation of issues will only be conducted by Police Policy Committee members unless permitted by the Chair. Individuals who engage in disruptive behavior that impedes official business will be asked to stop being disruptive or leave the meeting. Additional measures may be taken to have disruptive individuals removed if their continued presence poses a safety risk to the other persons in the room or makes it impossible to continue the meeting.

At 11:30 pm on Thursday, May 21 2026, multiple 911 callers reported a structure fire near Boyd Acres Rd in NE Bend.  First arriving fire units found two residences heavily involved in fire with extension into nearby brush and trees and a second alarm was called. The fire was knocked down quickly, with fire progression stopped within 45 minutes. Assistance was received during the incident from Redmond Fire & Rescue, Cloverdale Fire, and Sunriver Fire.  Both residences were uninhabitable with one a total loss, and Red Cross assistance was requested for the residents.  Losses are estimated in excess of 1 million dollars.  

The fire is under investigation at this time.  

The fire did extend into adjacent brush and trees, but was quickly stopped by fire crews.  Wildfires and wildfire losses aren't just in rural areas, they can occur even within City limits.  Taking simple steps, such as clearing combustible material within 5 feet of the house and using non-combustible ground cover, can greatly reduce the risk of losing your home to wildfire.  For more information on reducing wildfire risk, visit https://bendoregon.gov/departments/public-safety/fire-rescue/community-resources-programs/own-your-zone/

GRANT COUNTY, Ore. (22 May 2026) – The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is seeking information regarding the killing of a collared wolf in Grant County.

On the morning of May 18, 2026, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife contacted Fish and Wildlife troopers regarding a mortality signal from a collared wolf from the Desolation Pack. ODFW and OSP responded to the scene and located the deceased male wolf which died from an apparent gunshot wound. The location of the deceased wolf was on public land adjacent to USFS Road 10, at Desolation Meadow. This location is approximately 3.25 miles northwest of Olive Lake. 

The preliminary investigation indicated the wolf was likely shot from the roadway sometime during the late evening of May 14, 2026, through the early morning hours of May 15, 2026.

Anyone with information is asked to contact OSP Fish and Wildlife through the Turn In Poachers (TIP) hotline at 1-800-452-7888 or by calling OSP (677) from a mobile phone. Please reference case number SP26-160166. TIP reports may be anonymous.

Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators

The Turn In Poachers (TIP) program is a collaboration between the Oregon State Police, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Wildlife Coalition, Oregon Outfitter and Guides Association, and the Oregon State Marine Board.

The TIP program offers preference point rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of big game mammals.  

Preference Point Rewards

5 Points: Bighorn Sheep

5 Points: Rocky Mountain Goat

5 Points: Moose

5 Points: Wolf

4 Points: Elk

4 Points: Deer

4 Points: Pronghorn Antelope

4 Points: Bear

4 Points: Cougar

The TIP program also offers cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of the following fish and wildlife species. Cash rewards can also be awarded for habitat destruction, illegally obtaining hunting or angling license or tag, lending or borrowing big game tags, spotlighting, or snagging.

Cash Rewards

Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) cash rewards:

$2,000 Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, or Moose

$1,000 Elk, Deer, or Antelope

$600 Bear, Cougar, or Wolf
$400 Game Fish & Shellfish
$400 Snagging/Attempt to Snag

$300 Habitat destruction

$200 Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags

$200 Unlawful lending/borrowing big game tag(s)

$200 Game Birds or Furbearers

$200 Spotlighting

Rewards for Game Fish & Shellfish and Snagging/Attempting to Snag are sponsored, in part, by Northwest Steelheaders Association and Coastal Conservation Association.

Oregon Wildlife Coalition (OWC) Cash Rewards:

$500 Hawk, Falcon, Eagle, Owl, Osprey

$500 Cougar, Bobcat, Beaver (public lands only), Black bears, Bighorn Sheep, Marten, Fisher, Sierra Nevada Red Fox

$1,000 Species listed as “threatened" or “endangered" under state or federal Endangered Species Act (excludes fish)
$10,000 for Wolves east of Highway 395 and $11,500 for Wolves east of Highway 395 and north of Highway 20

Oregon Outfitters & Guides Association (OOGA) Cash Rewards:

$200 Acting as an Outfitter Guide for the Illegal Killing of Wildlife, Illegally Obtaining Oregon Hunting or Angling Licenses or Tags, or Illegally Offering to Act as an Outfitter Guide as defined in ORS 704.010 and 704.020.

How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity:

TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or OSP (677)

TIP email: TIP@osp.oregon.gov (monitored Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

For more information visit the Oregon State Police Turn-in-Poachers (TIP) web page.

# # #

About the Oregon State Police

Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that is charged with protecting the people, wildlife, and natural resources in Oregon. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon.

SALEM, Ore. — The Emergency Fire Cost Committee (EFCC) will meet at 10 a.m. on June 2 in the Tillamook Room, Building C, Oregon Department of Forestry at 2600 State Street in Salem. To join virtually, please use the Teams video conference information found on the agenda.

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Financial status of the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund (OFLPF)
• Weather update
• Executive report
• Administrative Branch report
• Status of large fire cost collection efforts
• Mitigation planning and implementation
• Status reports on EFCC work groups
• Protection Division report
• Administrator report

The meeting is open to the public to attend in-person or virtually via Teams. Public comments will be accepted near the end of the meeting. Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged by calling at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-881-8292 or by email at na.m.hobbs@odf.oregon.gov">lorna.m.hobbs@odf.oregon.gov.

The Emergency Fire Cost Committee (EFCC) oversees the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund (OFLPF), established by the Oregon Legislature as a fund with the purpose of providing funds for fiscal year budgets of forest protection districts, investments in supplemental fire prevention, detection or suppression resources that enhance fire protection in the state and issuing loans to the Oregon Department of Forestry or forest protection associations that relate to wildfire costs. View more information on the EFCC webpage.

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Lake Oswego, Oregon, man has been charged with sexually exploiting minor victims online and in person across multiple states and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Alex Miller Eldridge, 36, has been charged by criminal complaint with sexual exploitation of children and possession and distribution of child pornography.

According to court documents, since May 2025, Eldridge used multiple online accounts to sexually exploit minors in multiple U.S. states and at least one foreign country. In December 2024, Eldridge flew from Hawaii to Pennsylvania to sexually abuse a minor victim he met on the Discord application. Eldridge recorded his sexual abuse of the minor victim and later sent those videos to multiple other minor victims.

Eldridge used the Discord and Session applications to engage in sexually themed chats with additional minor victims in 2025 and 2026. He directed one minor victim in Colorado and another in Greece to send him videos of themselves engaging in sexually explicit conduct, which he then threatened to distribute online. Discord also reported him for distributing multiple files of CSAM in November 2025.

Investigators executed a search warrant at Elridge’s home on May 20 and located additional evidence of sexual exploitation of minors and CSAM activity. Evidence found on Eldridge’s cell phone showed that he distributed CSAM on Discord the day before his arrest.

Eldridge made his first appearance in federal court yesterday before a U.S. magistrate judge, who detained Eldridge pending further court proceedings.

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.

Homeland Security Investigations is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mira Chernick is prosecuting the case.

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

Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children is encouraged to contact HSI at (866) 347-2423 or submit a tip online at report.cybertip.org.

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

# # #

Award includes school donations to support local classrooms

PORTLAND, Ore. — OnPoint Community Credit Union has announced the four winners of the 2026 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education Educator of the Year awards, who will each have their mortgage or rent paid for a year:

• K-5 Educator of the Year: Ashley Reich, 4th-grade teacher at Holt Elementary School in Eugene, Ore.
• 6-8 Educator of the Year: Mikael Benson, 6th-8th grade Math and Gardening teacher at Harrison Park Middle School in Portland, Ore.
• 9-12 Educator of the Year: Stephanie Fitzgerald, 9th-12th grade Mathematics, Leadership and Education 101 teacher at Colton High School in Colton, Ore.
• Gold Star Educator of the Year: Kali Dalton, Counselor at Coweeman Middle School in Kelso, Wash.

OnPoint will pay the mortgage or rent for a year for each of the four Educators of the Year. They will also each receive $2,500 for their schools. The four runners-up will receive $5,000 each and $1,500 for their schools.

“Great educators do much more than teach lessons. They encourage students to believe in themselves and create meaningful connections that last far beyond the classroom,” said Rob Stuart, president and chief executive officer, OnPoint Community Credit Union. “This year’s honorees demonstrate extraordinary dedication, compassion and leadership, and we are proud to celebrate the lasting impact they have on their students, schools and communities.”

The OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education has awarded more than $1 million in prizes to more than 350 local educators and schools since 2010. The 2026 campaign will award an additional $193,000 to deserving K-12 educators and schools.

2026 Educators of the Year

The four winners of the 2026 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education Educator of the Year awards are:

K-5 Educator of the Year – Ashley Reich

4th grade, Holt Elementary School, Eugene, Ore.

Reich’s teaching philosophy is rooted in her belief that students learn best when they feel safe, valued and are genuinely excited to be in the classroom. Her 20-year teaching career has included high-needs schools, so she knows each child comes to her with different challenges and experiences. Reich ensures every one of them knows they belong and are accepted by building strong relationships with every student. She is known for celebrating each of their individual cultures, backgrounds and identities.

Reich established the Holt Student Council for 4^th and 5^th-graders, giving students meaningful opportunities to lead and use their voices. And she works with other Holt teachers, counselors and administrators every year to identify students who need winter coats. To date, that effort has delivered nearly 1,000 coats to students in need.

6-8 Educator of the Year – Mikael Benson

6^th-8^th grade Math and Gardening, Harrison Park Middle School, Portland, Ore.

Benson may be best known by his students for his intentionally quirky style. Think shorts with black socks, a math-inspired Hawaiian shirt and a dozen pens dangling from a lanyard. He leans into humor, knowing the laughter and energy it sparks help set a welcoming tone in his classroom. Benson believes that when students feel at ease, they’re more willing to take risks, challenge ideas, make mistakes and learn from them.

While his approach is playful, Benson’s commitment to his students is anything but. He works deliberately to ensure every student feels included and supported. Benson also revitalized the school’s outdoor learning garden, transforming it into a hands-on space where students explore soil science, teamwork, recycling and environmental care. In 2025, he organized a plant sale that raised more than $6,000, the highest amount the school has ever generated in a single year.

9-12 Educator of the Year – Stephanie Fitzgerald

9^th-12^th grade Mathematics, Leadership and Education 101, Colton High School, Colton, Ore.

In Fitzgerald’s classroom, mathematics isn’t taught as a set of procedures. It’s a way of thinking. She emphasizes problem-solving, perseverance and real-world application, helping students see math as something to actively engage with rather than simply complete. Fitzgerald’s students apply what they learn through hands-on experiences, such as making necklaces or simulating the car-buying process, giving them a deeper understanding of math’s relevance beyond the classroom.

She collaborated with another teacher to design an “Education 101” class for Colton students interested in teaching. In 2023, Fitzgerald chose to pursue a second master’s degree to expand dual-credit math opportunities for students. Since then, she has assumed responsibility for nearly every math course offered at the school while also serving as the leadership teacher, drama coach, junior class advisor and a mentor for new teachers.

Gold Star Educator of the Year – Kali Dalton

Counselor, Coweeman Middle School, Kelso, Wash.

Dalton knew she wanted to be an educator from an early age and gave a lot of thought to how she could have the greatest impact as an adult in a school environment. Today, she strives to ensure school is a safe and welcoming space for students, where they feel comfortable sharing their concerns with her and confident exploring what they want to do in life. Dalton says her role as a school counselor is to be that present, consistent adult, filled with compassion.

When Dalton saw a lack of social and emotional learning curriculum at her school, she spoke up and helped develop a scope and lessons now available to all students. She also led a team that created her school’s “Menu of Services,” started “Coffee with the Counselor” for parents and was a key leader in starting a mentorship program at her school.

2026 Educator of the Year Runners-up

OnPoint will also award a $5,000 cash prize to each of the following 2026 runners-up and make a $1,500 donation to their schools for resources and supplies.

K-5 Educator of the Year Runner-up – Sam Wishart

1st Grade, City View Charter School, Hillsboro, Ore.

6-8 Educator of the Year Runner-up – Kristine Napper

6-8^th Grade Social Studies, Whitford Middle School, Beaverton, Ore.

9-12 Educator of the Year Runner-up – Heidi Friesen

9-12^th Grade Chemistry and Physics, Bend Senior High, Bend, Ore.

Gold Star Educator of the Year Runner-up – Yaneira Romero

Social Worker, James John Elementary, Portland, Ore.

Five Schools Receive Community Builder Awards

The 2026 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education also awarded one Oregon school $5,000 and four Oregon and southwest Washington schools $2,000 in Community Builder grants for special projects that enrich their communities:

Grand Prize Winner – $5,000 Community Builder Award

• Cedar Ridge Middle School: Kiln for Kids (Oregon Trail School District, Sandy, Ore.)

$2,000 Community Builder Award Winners

• Carus Elementary: Community Garden Space (Canby School District, Oregon City, Ore.)
• Mapleton School District: Community Makerspace Initiative (Mapleton, Ore.)
• Rex Putnam High School: Indoor Percussion Drum Replacement (North Clackamas School District, Milwaukie, Ore.)
• Woodland High School: Postsecondary Exploration Field Trips (Woodland Public Schools, Woodland, Wash.)

Click here to read more about this year's Community Builder winners, which OnPoint announced on May 6, 2026.

Honoring Founders' Legacy of Excellence in Education

Founded by 16 schoolteachers in 1932, OnPoint continues to honor its legacy today by improving access to quality education for everyone. Click here to learn more.

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About OnPoint Community Credit Union

OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union headquartered in Oregon, serving more than 648,000 members throughout Oregon and southwest Washington. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union’s membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 28 Oregon counties (Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler and Yamhill) and who lives, works, worships, or attends school in one of four Washington counties (Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, and Skamania), and their immediate family members. OnPoint Community Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). More information is available at onpointcu.com.

Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Award includes school donations to support local classrooms

PORTLAND, Ore. — OnPoint Community Credit Union has announced the four winners of the 2026 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education Educator of the Year awards, who will each have their mortgage or rent paid for a year:

• K-5 Educator of the Year: Ashley Reich, 4th-grade teacher at Holt Elementary School in Eugene, Ore.
• 6-8 Educator of the Year: Mikael Benson, 6th-8th grade Math and Gardening teacher at Harrison Park Middle School in Portland, Ore.
• 9-12 Educator of the Year: Stephanie Fitzgerald, 9th-12th grade Mathematics, Leadership and Education 101 teacher at Colton High School in Colton, Ore.
• Gold Star Educator of the Year: Kali Dalton, Counselor at Coweeman Middle School in Kelso, Wash.

OnPoint will pay the mortgage or rent for a year for each of the four Educators of the Year. They will also each receive $2,500 for their schools. The four runners-up will receive $5,000 each and $1,500 for their schools.

“Great educators do much more than teach lessons. They encourage students to believe in themselves and create meaningful connections that last far beyond the classroom,” said Rob Stuart, president and chief executive officer, OnPoint Community Credit Union. “This year’s honorees demonstrate extraordinary dedication, compassion and leadership, and we are proud to celebrate the lasting impact they have on their students, schools and communities.”

The OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education has awarded more than $1 million in prizes to more than 350 local educators and schools since 2010. The 2026 campaign will award an additional $193,000 to deserving K-12 educators and schools.

2026 Educators of the Year

The four winners of the 2026 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education Educator of the Year awards are:

K-5 Educator of the Year – Ashley Reich

4th grade, Holt Elementary School, Eugene, Ore.

Reich’s teaching philosophy is rooted in her belief that students learn best when they feel safe, valued and are genuinely excited to be in the classroom. Her 20-year teaching career has included high-needs schools, so she knows each child comes to her with different challenges and experiences. Reich ensures every one of them knows they belong and are accepted by building strong relationships with every student. She is known for celebrating each of their individual cultures, backgrounds and identities.

Reich established the Holt Student Council for 4^th and 5^th-graders, giving students meaningful opportunities to lead and use their voices. And she works with other Holt teachers, counselors and administrators every year to identify students who need winter coats. To date, that effort has delivered nearly 1,000 coats to students in need.

6-8 Educator of the Year – Mikael Benson

6^th-8^th grade Math and Gardening, Harrison Park Middle School, Portland, Ore.

Benson may be best known by his students for his intentionally quirky style. Think shorts with black socks, a math-inspired Hawaiian shirt and a dozen pens dangling from a lanyard. He leans into humor, knowing the laughter and energy it sparks help set a welcoming tone in his classroom. Benson believes that when students feel at ease, they’re more willing to take risks, challenge ideas, make mistakes and learn from them.

While his approach is playful, Benson’s commitment to his students is anything but. He works deliberately to ensure every student feels included and supported. Benson also revitalized the school’s outdoor learning garden, transforming it into a hands-on space where students explore soil science, teamwork, recycling and environmental care. In 2025, he organized a plant sale that raised more than $6,000, the highest amount the school has ever generated in a single year.

9-12 Educator of the Year – Stephanie Fitzgerald

9^th-12^th grade Mathematics, Leadership and Education 101, Colton High School, Colton, Ore.

In Fitzgerald’s classroom, mathematics isn’t taught as a set of procedures. It’s a way of thinking. She emphasizes problem-solving, perseverance and real-world application, helping students see math as something to actively engage with rather than simply complete. Fitzgerald’s students apply what they learn through hands-on experiences, such as making necklaces or simulating the car-buying process, giving them a deeper understanding of math’s relevance beyond the classroom.

She collaborated with another teacher to design an “Education 101” class for Colton students interested in teaching. In 2023, Fitzgerald chose to pursue a second master’s degree to expand dual-credit math opportunities for students. Since then, she has assumed responsibility for nearly every math course offered at the school while also serving as the leadership teacher, drama coach, junior class advisor and a mentor for new teachers.

Gold Star Educator of the Year – Kali Dalton

Counselor, Coweeman Middle School, Kelso, Wash.

Dalton knew she wanted to be an educator from an early age and gave a lot of thought to how she could have the greatest impact as an adult in a school environment. Today, she strives to ensure school is a safe and welcoming space for students, where they feel comfortable sharing their concerns with her and confident exploring what they want to do in life. Dalton says her role as a school counselor is to be that present, consistent adult, filled with compassion.

When Dalton saw a lack of social and emotional learning curriculum at her school, she spoke up and helped develop a scope and lessons now available to all students. She also led a team that created her school’s “Menu of Services,” started “Coffee with the Counselor” for parents and was a key leader in starting a mentorship program at her school.

2026 Educator of the Year Runners-up

OnPoint will also award a $5,000 cash prize to each of the following 2026 runners-up and make a $1,500 donation to their schools for resources and supplies.

K-5 Educator of the Year Runner-up – Sam Wishart

1st Grade, City View Charter School, Hillsboro, Ore.

6-8 Educator of the Year Runner-up – Kristine Napper

6-8^th Grade Social Studies, Whitford Middle School, Beaverton, Ore.

9-12 Educator of the Year Runner-up – Heidi Friesen

9-12^th Grade Chemistry and Physics, Bend Senior High, Bend, Ore.

Gold Star Educator of the Year Runner-up – Yaneira Romero

Social Worker, James John Elementary, Portland, Ore.

Five Schools Receive Community Builder Awards

The 2026 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education also awarded one Oregon school $5,000 and four Oregon and southwest Washington schools $2,000 in Community Builder grants for special projects that enrich their communities:

Grand Prize Winner – $5,000 Community Builder Award

• Cedar Ridge Middle School: Kiln for Kids (Oregon Trail School District, Sandy, Ore.)

$2,000 Community Builder Award Winners

• Carus Elementary: Community Garden Space (Canby School District, Oregon City, Ore.)
• Mapleton School District: Community Makerspace Initiative (Mapleton, Ore.)
• Rex Putnam High School: Indoor Percussion Drum Replacement (North Clackamas School District, Milwaukie, Ore.)
• Woodland High School: Postsecondary Exploration Field Trips (Woodland Public Schools, Woodland, Wash.)

Click here to read more about this year's Community Builder winners, which OnPoint announced on May 6, 2026.

Honoring Founders' Legacy of Excellence in Education

Founded by 16 schoolteachers in 1932, OnPoint continues to honor its legacy today by improving access to quality education for everyone. Click here to learn more.

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About OnPoint Community Credit Union

OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union headquartered in Oregon, serving more than 648,000 members throughout Oregon and southwest Washington. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union’s membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 28 Oregon counties (Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler and Yamhill) and who lives, works, worships, or attends school in one of four Washington counties (Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, and Skamania), and their immediate family members. OnPoint Community Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). More information is available at onpointcu.com.

Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Salem, Oregon – Twenty-six Oregon artists will access meaningful career development opportunities through the second round of 2026 Career Opportunity Program grants from the Oregon Arts Commission and The Ford Family Foundation.
 

Over $91,000 was awarded, including $46,665 from the Oregon Arts Commission for all artistic disciplines and $44,338 in supplemental funding for 12 established Oregon visual artists, visual arts writers and curators of visual arts through a partnership with The Ford Family Foundation’s Visual Arts Program. Grant funding received ranges from $1,041 to $7,000.
 

Career Opportunity grants support individual Oregon artists by enabling them to take advantage of timely opportunities that enhance their artistic careers. Most grants support the artists’ participation in residencies, exhibitions or performance opportunities.
 

"The creativity of Oregon artists and makers is so inspiring,” said Commission Vice Chair Jenny Stadler, who served as a panel chair. “I always look forward to learning more about the wonderful opportunities they are invited to participate in around the country and world."
 

“Artists are anchors of Oregon towns and cities,” said Kara Carlisle, president and CEO of The Ford Family Foundation. “By investing in artists’ research, training, dedicated work time and new exhibition opportunities, we’re not just amplifying their careers, we’re reinforcing the cultural fabric of our communities. We’re proud to join the Oregon Arts Commission in this shared commitment to impact.”

FY2026 Career Opportunity Program round two grant award recipients are:

Christian Burchard, Ashland

Oregon Arts Commission $1,664

To support the transportation of Burchard’s sculpture “Never Again II” from Ashland to the Wharton Esherick Museum in Paoli, Pennsylvania, for the exhibition “Breaking Ground.”

David Buckley Borden, Eugene

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

The Ford Family Foundation $5,000

To support the creation of an immersive art installation about forest ecology for the upcoming exhibition “Lookout Landscape” at the World Forestry Center in Portland, opening in fall 2026.

Adrian Chavez, Medford

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

The Ford Family Foundation $5,000

To support the creation of a new mural in downtown Phoenix, Oregon, celebrating local people, wildlife, and culture.

Srijon Chowdhury, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

The Ford Family Foundation $5,000

To support the production and presentation of a new large-scale installation and paintings for Chowdhury’s upcoming exhibition at Converge 45 in Portland.

Teah Cory, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

To support the development of industry-level skills in stop-motion animation through an online intensive with Aardman, the studio behind “Wallace and Gromit.”

William Cravis, Sisters

The Ford Family Foundation $4,000

To support a 13-week residency at the European Ceramic Work Center in Oisterwijk, Netherlands.

Joel Fisher, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

The Ford Family Foundation $5,000

To support the production of “Framework,” a solo exhibition in Los Angeles, including preparatory costs for printing, mounting, framing, and shipping.

Kristina Foley, McMinnville

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

The Ford Family Foundation $4,000

To support Foley’s participation in the 2026 XTANT Leadership Program and Textile Marketplace, a community gathering to celebrate the art of craft in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

Heather Goodwind, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

The Ford Family Foundation $1,655

To support a solo exhibition in Seattle, Washington, at LIC Gallery and participation in the Seattle Art Fair.

Marisa Grattan, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

To support Portland-based post-production finishing, color grading and delivery for Grattan’s approximately 20-minute documentary short film "ho‘oka‘awale / 疏离 (shūlí)."

Garrick Imatani, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

The Ford Family Foundation $4,050

To support the creation of work for both a group exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art at Maine College of Art in Portland, Maine, as well as a monthlong artist residency in Mexico City that concludes with an exhibition.

Emilie Kelly, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $1,041

To support Kelly’s endeavors as a writer, illustrator and comics creator at the Alaska Robotics Comics Camp.

Charlie Kralin, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

To support the purchase of equipment and software to complete an experimental stop-motion film for a solo exhibition at the Pacific Northwest College of Art’s Cauduro Gallery in Portland.

Shawna Lipton, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

To support the completion of a nonfiction manuscript of literary criticism at the Literary Journalism Residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.

Alexandra Lewis, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

To support the wider release of Lewis’s documentary “IROKO: Sacred Roots” through film festivals and in-person presentations.

Karina Lomelin Ripper, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

To support Mexican-American writer and director Ripper in attending the Latino Film Institute Inclusion Fellowship workshop: LALIFF Connect in Los Angeles.

William Morrow, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

The Ford Family Foundation $2,500

To support travel and on-the-ground expenses to participate in the International Association of Curators of Contemporary Art Congress in Turin and Milan, Italy.

Andrew Myers, Albany

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

To support an artist residency at Centrum in Port Townsend, Washington, as well as a solo exhibition at Linfield University.

Celeste Noche, Portland

The Ford Family Foundation $4,000

To support travel and production costs during the Interlude Artist Residency in Livingston, New York– the first major residency dedicated exclusively to supporting artists with families.

Brian Parham, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $1,960

To support a series of live “RISE: The Legacy of Black Guitar Heroes in Rock & Metal” performances.

Aejoo Park, Beaverton

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

To support Naomi Dixon's opportunity to coach and perform with Ooh La La, a BIPOC and queer all-women improv team, at the London Improv Festival in London, England, May 21-24, 2026.

Sara Parker, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

To support the premiere of “The House of the Heart,” a full evening-length interdisciplinary dance work at A-WOL Dance Collective, marking the culmination of a three-year research arc.

Ido Radon, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

The Ford Family Foundation $2,000

To support the production and presentation of a major installation in the 2026 Converge 45 triennial at the Center for Contemporary Art and Culture at the Pacific Northwest College of Art.

Aubrey Sloan, Willamina

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

To support “A Year and a Day,” a solo exhibition at Stark Street Studios and Gallery in Portland centering American working-class mothers through new ceramic works, invited collaborators, and public dialogue.

Mike Vos, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

The Ford Family Foundation $2,133

To support Vos’s first solo exhibition at Laura Vincent Design & Gallery in Portland of photographs and audio pieces made throughout Iceland.

Amber Whitehall, Portland

Oregon Arts Commission $2,000

To support Whitehall's refinement of the historic dance work “Trio A” by Yvonne Rainer.

The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, arts programs and funding for nonprofits and artists through its grants, special initiatives and services. Commissioners appointed by the Governor establish policies and provide advisory support for public investment in the arts. The Arts Commission is part of Business Oregon in recognition of the vital role the arts play in supporting the economies, educational opportunities and vibrancy of communities throughout the state.
 

The Oregon Arts Commission is supported with funds appropriated by the Oregon Legislature, as well as by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Oregon Cultural Trust. Learn more at artscommission.oregon.gov and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

All passes will be approximately 1,000 feet above ground level and about 400 mph airspeed. Flights could be canceled or times changed due to inclement weather or operational contingencies.

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Aerial b-roll: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/752272/142nd-wing-f-15-flight-gopro-footage

About the 142nd Wing:

The Portland Air National Guard Base employs 1400 Airmen who provide an economic impact of nearly $500 million to the region. The 142nd Wing defends our homeland with F-15 Eagle fighter jets, guarding the Pacific Northwest skies from northern California to the Canadian border through their Aerospace Control Alert mission as part of Air Combat Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Their mission is to provide unequalled, mission-ready units to sustain combat aerospace superiority and peacetime tasking any time, any place in service to our nation, state and community.

For more information, contact 142nd Wing Public Affairs at 503-335-4347.

Photo caption:

An F-15EX from the 142nd Wing performs a fly-by at the Oregon International Air Show in Hillsboro, Ore. May 17, 2026. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Casey Burruel)

SALEM, Ore. — The Certified Burn Manager Advisory Committee will meet virtually at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 1. To join, please use the Zoom video conference information found on the agenda.

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Welcome, introductions, new members
• Updated charter review and chair election
• CBM website - Directory
• Public comment
• Training deliveries - Updates and feedback
• Briefing on certified CBMs and trainees
• CBM for cultural burning
• CBM rule revision suggestions
• Updates
  • National CPBM Forum
  • Liability Pilot Program
  • ODF Prescribed Fire Manual

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

View more information on the CBMAC webpage.

Oregon's 2021 Legislature passed Senate Bill 762 requiring the Oregon Department of Forestry to establish a Certified Burn Manager Program. It is the duty of the Certified Burn Manager Advisory Committee to advise the Oregon Department of Forestry on the program.

The following is a Memorial Day message by Dr. Nakeia Council Daniels, Director, Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Memorial Day is among the most solemn days on our national calendar and in the hearts of millions of veterans and military families, this day is also personal.

It is not simply the beginning of summer or a long weekend. It is a national day earmarked for remembrance and a day for us — as a community, as Oregonians, and as Americans — to pause together and reflect on the extraordinary cost of the freedoms we enjoy every day.

Across generations, millions of men and women have answered the call to serve.

Too many never returned home.

Today, we remember and honor every life given in service to this nation.

Memorial Day grew out of the pain and loss of the Civil War — a conflict that deeply scarred our young nation and forever changed countless families.

In the years that followed, families and communities continued to gather in cemeteries to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers, ribbons, and flags. They came not as part of a national holiday, but as grieving parents, spouses, children, friends, and community determined to ensure those who died for this nation would never be forgotten.

Those humble acts of remembrance became what was first known as Decoration Day - the foundation of what we now observe as Memorial Day.

And nearly 160 years later, we continue that same tradition of honoring and remembering.

We gather to remember those who gave their lives in service to this nation and to honor not only the fallen, but also those still missing in action and the families who continue carrying the enduring weight of that loss.

More than 81,000 Americans remain missing in action from conflicts dating back to World War II. For many families, remembrance carries not only grief, but decades of unanswered questions and enduring hope.

Their absence reminds us that remembrance is not passive.

It requires acts.

And here in Oregon, we continue to demonstrate that commitment in visible and meaningful ways.

In 2015, Oregon law established that the POW/MIA flag be displayed in a place of honor alongside the United States and Oregon state flags at public buildings across our state. Two years later, that commitment was expanded to ensure the POW/MIA flag would continue flying indefinitely at public buildings, including public schools.

The POW/MIA flag serves as a reminder that our nation and our state will never forget those who have died in service to this nation and those who remain missing.

Today, more than 260,000 veterans call Oregon home. Many still carry the visible and invisible burdens of service. Some continue grieving brothers and sisters in arms lost decades ago. And military families across our communities continue carrying the weight of sacrifice every single day.

That is why Memorial Day is still observed today. Not simply as a tradition, but as a civic responsibility. A responsibility to remember the lives behind the names. To preserve their stories. To teach future generations the true cost of freedom.

As communities across Oregon gather this Memorial Day, I hope each of us takes a quiet moment to reflect on those who never returned home and on the families who continue carrying that loss forward.

May we honor them not only with ceremonies and words, but through service to one another, compassion for veterans and military families, and a continued commitment to building a nation worthy of their sacrifice.

Dr. Nakeia Council Daniels is a proud U.S. Army veteran and the Director of the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs (ODVA), overseeing services for more than 260,000 veterans.

Oregon’s waterways are therapeutic, no matter the activity. For mental health, physical fitness, angling, and spending time with friends and family. That is why recreational boating is one of the best ways to create memories. The Oregon State Marine Board advocates that all boaters be aware of their surroundings while on the water, have all the required safety gear, and ensure others know their recreation plans in case of an incident.
 

“Part of the boating experience is planning ahead, preparation of all the necessary gear, and ensuring your boat is ready for the water,” says Brian Paulsen, Boating Safety Manager for the Oregon State Marine Board. “And most importantly, wearing a properly fitted life jacket while boating should be at the top of everyone’s minds.”

The Marine Board has many resources to help boaters have a safe and enjoyable experience on all of Oregon’s waterways. The agency advises boaters to take the time to plan, including learning how to use the Marine Board’s interactive Boat Oregon Online Map. The map displays public boat ramps, local rules for boat operations and other information about a facility, like the facility owner and amenities. Make sure to check the weather forecast, water levels, and tides. Additionally, see if there are any reported waterway obstructions using the agency’s obstructions dashboard map. Boaters can also check the Marine Board’s website to find out what equipment is required based on the size and type of boat.

The Marine Board would like to remind ALL boaters and their passengers to:

• Boat Sober. Abstain from consuming marijuana, drugs, or alcohol, which impair judgment, reaction time, and coordination and contribute to dehydration. Boating demands sharp situational awareness. Pay attention to your surroundings and enlist the help of passengers to keep a lookout as well.
   
• All children 12 and under are required to wear a life jacket when underway on all boats (motorized and non-motorized). All boaters operating in Class III and higher-rated whitewater rivers are required to wear a life jacket.
   
• Be courteous to other boaters and share the waterway. Stage your gear in the parking lot or staging area regardless of your boat type. This makes launching faster and everyone around you happier.
   
• In Oregon, all motorboat operators with propulsion greater than 10 horsepower must take a boating safety course and carry a boating safety education card when operating the boat. Paddlers of non-motorized boats (kayaks, canoes, rafts, stand up paddleboards and their inflatable versions) are required to purchase a Waterway Access Permit. The Marine Board also offers a free, online Paddling Course (also available in Spanish) for boaters new to paddling activities.
   
• Fill out a float plan and leave it with friends and family. This way, they can call for help if you are overdue.

This information and more can be found at Boat.Oregon.gov. Use the search bar for the fastest content results.

May is traditionally the month recreational boating starts to pick up. Governor Kotek acknowledges how vital boating safety outreach is for educating visitors and Oregonians about safe boating and water recreation practices, aiming to decrease preventable deaths. May 16-22, 2026, has officially been proclaimed National Safe Boating Week.

The agency also invites boating and water enthusiasts to check out its “Welcome to the Water” flagship video, showing Oregon’s abundance and diversity of boating opportunities around the state.

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EUGENE, Ore.— A Coos Bay, Oregon, man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court for causing a child to produce child sexual abuse material (CSAM), attempting to cause an adult to produce CSAM with his minor child, and distributing CSAM to others.

Thomas Owen Barnett, 40, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child. 

According to court documents, between September and December 2023, Barnett encouraged a minor victim to create and send him CSAM.  In September 2024, Barnett distributed CSAM of that minor victim on Kik, an online chat platform, and sought money in exchange. The same month, Barnett posed as the minor victim online and asked a man in a foreign nation to make and send him CSAM depicting the man’s very young child.

On February 20, 2025, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a four-count indictment charging Barnett with sexual exploitation of a child, attempted sexual exploitation of a child, as well as possession and distribution of child pornography.

Barnett faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a supervised release term of five years to life. He will be sentenced on September 1, 2026, before a U.S. District Court judge. Additionally, Barnett has agreed to pay restitution to the victim and forfeit certain property. 

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the North Bend Police Department and the Coos County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by William M. McLaren, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children is encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

# # #

Deschutes County, Ore. — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Management and 9‑1‑1 is reporting strong engagement from the community following last week’s countywide Deschutes Alerts test, conducted on May 13, 2026.

Participation in Deschutes Alerts has continued to grow, which is reflected in the most recent data as residents updated their emergency notification information or created new profiles:

• 2,010 new Deschutes Alerts profiles created
• 2,685 existing profiles updated through the member portal
• 72,205 people received the test message on May 13
• 18,482 confirmed receipt

The Sheriff’s Office strongly encourages everyone who lives or works in Deschutes County to sign up for Deschutes Alerts or review their existing information anytime at deschutesalerts.org. Ensuring your information is accurate allows emergency notifications to reach you quickly during critical incidents such as wildfires, severe weather, or law enforcement activity.

If community members have questions or need help, they can call (541) 388‑6501. Sheriff’s Office staff are available to assist residents in updating or confirming their Deschutes Alerts profile over the phone.

Frequently Asked Questions about Deschutes Alerts and additional emergency preparedness information are available on the Sheriff’s Office website.

Website Resources:

• Deschutes Alerts
• DCSO Emergency Management

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EUGENE, Ore.— Two Colombian nationals unlawfully residing in the United States pleaded guilty in federal court for their roles in a multi-state burglary conspiracy that targeted Asian American small business owners in Oregon and Washington.

Derinson Martinez-Grandas, 34, and Steven Alexander Quiroga-Solano, 27, each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen goods.

According to court documents, in early October 2025, Martinez-Grandas, Quiroga-Solano, and their co-conspirators burglarized four homes belonging to victims in multiple states, including Oregon and Washington.

Martinez-Grandas, Quiroga-Solano, and their co-conspirators traveled state to state and targeted homes for burglary by performing internet research on potential Asian American targets. They stayed in short-term rentals and identified and surveilled potential burglary victims, all Asian American small business owners, and then performed reconnaissance on the victims’ residences.

When they carried out the burglaries, the defendants employed signal jamming technology, perimeter countersurveillance, and communicated on seven-way group calls. They entered their victims’ homes by shattering glass doors. Once inside, they ransacked residences, stealing United States and foreign currency, jewelry, designer handbags, purses, wallets, travel documents, and other valuables. After the burglaries, the crew returned to their short-term rental to package the proceeds for transport, transfer, or transmittal.

Following a burglary in Salem, detectives learned that the defendants returned to their rental in Eugene and executed a search warrant at the rental that night. Investigators recovered money and property, believed to be stolen from the various residences, more than a dozen cell phones, believed to be used by the burglary crew, evidence of money wires to Bogota, Colombia, and various Colombian travel documentation, including passports. They also located commercial-grade Wi-Fi signal jammers that were plugged in and charging following their suspected use during the burglary that day.

A search of their devices revealed additional evidence of the conspiracy, including sending and receiving coordinates for the houses they burglarized, surveillance communications, and shared messages highlighting the burglary targets from the preceding days.

For instance, Quiroga-Solano researched Chinese restaurants two days before the burglary crew victimized a family owning a Chinese restaurant. He was in the vicinity of a victim’s home in Gresham the night before it was burglarized, which authorities believe was in preparation for the following day’s burglary. Martinez-Grandas secured short term rentals for the crew in Auburn and Eugene and mapped the address of the Salem home on the day of that burglary. Both Martinez-Grandas and Quiroga-Solano returned to the Eugene rental to package stolen property the night of the Salem burglary.

Martinez-Grandas and Quiroga-Solano each face a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. They will be sentenced on July 14, 2026, before a U.S. district court judge.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Eugene Police Department with assistance from the Salem Police Department, the Auburn Police Department, and the Gresham Police Department.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. McLaren.

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Salem, OR – State Chief Economist Carl Riccadonna and Senior Economist Michael Kennedy presented the latest economic outlook and revenue forecast to the Senate Interim Committee on Finance and Revenue, and House Interim Committee on Revenue on Wednesday, May 20. 

What is different about this forecast?

At the beginning of the year, many economists forecasted the U.S. economy to grow faster in 2026 than it did in 2025. Stronger growth was expected to help improve a stagnant national labor market. However, tensions in the Middle East resulted in a severe energy price increase that is putting strain on consumers and businesses. As a result, economic growth forecasts for 2026 have been downgraded.

From a revenue perspective, ongoing financial market gains and resilient corporate profit trends are offsetting employment-related weakness.

Revenue Forecast

This quarter’s General Fund revenue forecast is now projected to be $345 million higher than the prior forecast. The increase is due to the Legislature’s action during the 2026 legislative session, which includes disconnecting from various provisions of the 2025 federal tax cuts (H.R. 1). These actions made up for some unexpected weakness in the economy and tax receipts to date. Without these actions, the forecast would have been down by $23 million.

About the Office of Economic Analysis

The state chief economist oversees the Office of Economic Analysis, within the Department of Administrative Services, and provides objective forecasts of the state’s economy, revenue, populations, corrections population and Youth Authority population. These forecasts are used across state government, and by the public for a variety of reasons, notably to inform the state budgeting process. For more information about the Office of Economic Analysis (OEA) and recent forecasts, visit the OEA website. 

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For Immediate Release: May 20, 2026

Media Contacts: 

umenauer@employ.oregon.gov">Gail Krumenauer, State Employment Economist, (971) 301-3771

Video and Audio available at 10 a.m. PT

David Cooke, Economist, (971) 375-5288

Oregon’s Unemployment Rate Was Unchanged at 5.2% in April

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.2% in each of the first four months of 2026. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.3% in both March and April.

In April, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 500 jobs, following a loss of 4,300 jobs, as revised, in March. April’s gains were largest in health care and social assistance (+1,900 jobs) and construction (+800). Losses were largest in professional and business services (-1,000 jobs); financial activities (-900); and retail trade (-800).

Health care and social assistance grew rapidly in the past 12 months, adding 12,500 jobs, or 4.0%. During the past four years, the sector grew rapidly and consistently, adding a total of 58,100 jobs, or 21.7%, since April 2022. In the past 12 months, each of its component industries grew quickly: social assistance (+5,500 jobs, or 6.6%); nursing and residential care facilities (+2,800 jobs, or 4.7%); ambulatory health care services (+2,500 jobs, or 2.3%); and hospitals (+800 jobs, or 1.2%).

Professional and business services continued to shed jobs at a pace similar to the past three years. This major industry cut 9,300 jobs, or 3.6%, in the past 12 months. Losses were large in each of its three component industries: administrative and waste services (-4,300 jobs, or -4.4%); professional and technical services (-3,200 jobs, or -2.9%); and management of companies and enterprises (-1,800 jobs, or -3.7%).

Manufacturing employment dropped 400 jobs in April, following steep losses over the prior three years. In the past 12 months, durable goods manufacturing cut 5,500 jobs, or 4.4%, while nondurable goods manufacturing cut 1,500 jobs, or 2.7%.

Next Press Releases

The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the April county and metropolitan area unemployment and jobs data on Wednesday, May 27, and the next statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for May on Wednesday, June 17. 

About Workforce and Economic Research

The Workforce and Economic Research Division of the Oregon Employment Department develops and distributes quality economic and workforce information to help Oregonians make informed decisions and support a thriving economy. Staff collect data from state and federal records and surveys; analyze the available information; and share insights with the public in a variety of ways, including regular reports, publications, and the website, QualityInfo.org.

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

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

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SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Board of Forestry will meet at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3. The meeting will be held in the Tillamook Room, Building C, at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters, located at 2600 State St. in Salem. The meeting is open to the public and will also be livestreamed on the department’s YouTube channel.

The board’s business agenda includes:

• Western Oregon State Forests Management Plan
• Forest Protection Association Budget
• Rangeland Fire Protection Association Budget

The full agenda is available on the board’s webpage.

Signing up for live testimony is required. Instructions are available online. Written testimony will also be accepted. Written comments can be submitted before or up to two weeks after the meeting day by mail to the Board Support Office, 2600 State St., Salem, OR 97310 or email to oardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov">boardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov. Please include the appropriate agenda item and topic with the submission.

Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-302-6344 or by email at oardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov" target="_blank">boardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov. 

The Oregon Board of Forestry consists of seven citizens nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Responsibilities include setting management direction for state-owned forests, adopting rules governing timber harvest and other practices on private forestland, and promoting sustainable management of Oregon’s 30 million-acre forestland base. Learn more about the board.

(SALEM, Ore.) – Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (ORPD) is offering digital 12-month parking permits starting May 21. For the same price as a physical parking permit – $60 for in-state residents and $75 for out-of-state residents – you can always have your parking permit with you.

“The digital parking permit check one more item off your packing list,” said Deputy Director JR Collier. “This is a modern, convenient and accessible way to visit Oregon’s state parks.”

Both daily and 12-month digital parking permits will be available on the Oregon State Parks website starting May 21. Some parks also have signs with QR codes that link to the website. Digital permits can also be ordered by phone at 1-800-452-5687. The phone line is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.

You can register up to two license plates under your 12-month digital parking permit. No proof of permit is required to park; your registered license plate is your permit. These permits are good for 365 days from the purchase date at all Oregon State Park day-use parking lots. You will get a reminder by email 30 days before the permit expires.

If you’ve already purchased a physical 12-month parking permit, it is still valid until it expires. You cannot exchange a physical permit for a digital one.

Learn more about getting a digital parking permit online.

About OPRD

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s mission is to provide and protect outstanding natural, scenic, cultural, historic and recreational sites for the enjoyment and education of present and future generations. The department houses the State Historic Preservation Office and manages Heritage Programs, the state’s ATV Program, Recreation Grants and Community Programs, and Oregon State Parks.

What:

The Bureau of Land Management invites the public to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence through three public events across Oregon in 2026. The events foster a deeper appreciation of our nation’s past, the beauty and value of public lands, and the work it takes to sustain the health and productivity of these lands for the use and enjoyment of generations to come.

The events are part of the national Freedom 250 commemoration and also recognize the BLM’s 80th anniversary of public land stewardship.

Media interviews and on-site visuals will be available at all three events.

Featured Freedom 250 Events:

1. Oregon Trail Days – Baker City, Ore.

When: Saturday, June 13, 2026 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT

Where: Geiser-Pollman Park, Baker City, Ore.

The signature Freedom 250 event for BLM Oregon/Washington, Oregon Trail Days transforms Geiser-Pollman Park into an immersive Oregon Trail experience featuring wagon rides, storytelling, live demonstrations, music, crafts, and games.
 

The free, family-friendly celebration highlights the role public lands play in preserving the landscapes and stories tied to America’s westward expansion. Additional programming will also take place at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center throughout the weekend.

2. Wood River Wetland Volunteer Day – Near Klamath Falls, Ore.

When: Saturday, June 20, 2026 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT

Where: Wood River Wetland, approximately 30 miles north of Klamath Falls, Ore.

This Freedom 250 volunteer event invites the community to assist with invasive weed removal and restoration work on public lands.

The event highlights the continued role Americans play in caring for public lands through volunteerism and stewardship.

3. Victorian Holiday Celebration – Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area

When: Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT

Where: Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, near Newport, Ore.

This coastal Freedom 250 event connects visitors to Oregon’s maritime history through a Victorian-themed holiday celebration at the Yaquina Head Lighthouse.

Activities may include caroling, historical parlor games, ornament crafts, interpretive storytelling, and live music.

Why:

As a dedicated custodian of America’s diverse landscapes and cultural heritage, the Bureau of Land Management in Oregon and Washington proudly celebrates the 250th anniversary of American independence with the nation.

From iconic landmarks like Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area to the historic Oregon Trail, BLM-administered public lands represent the spirit of the nation’s foundational principles. These events honor stories of exploration, resilience, stewardship, and public service woven throughout America’s history.

RSVP:

Media interested in attending any Freedom 250 event should contact Samantha Ducker at LM_OR_WA_Press@blm.gov">BLM_OR_WA_Press@blm.gov 

-BLM-

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

SALEM, Ore. — The Regional Forest Practice Committee for eastern Oregon will meet at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27 at the WorkSource Oregon – Pendleton Classroom, 408 SE 7th St., Pendleton. To join virtually, please use the Teams video conference information found on the agenda. To provide public comment, please email estresources.committees@odf.oregon.gov">forestresources.committees@odf.oregon.gov.

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Agency updates
• Abandoned roads inventory
• Forest Practices Technical Guidance update
• Fish survey protocol
• Perennial stream model development
• Committee discussion topics

The public may attend in-person or online via Teams. Public comments will be accepted. Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged by calling at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-945-7200 or by email at estresources.committees@odf.oregon.gov">forestresources.committees@odf.oregon.gov.

Regional Forest Practices Committees are panels of citizens – mandated under Oregon law – that advise the Oregon Board of Forestry and may assist the Board of Forestry in developing appropriate forest practice rules. The committees are comprised of citizens qualified by education or experience in natural resource management. In 1971, the legislature enacted Oregon’s Forest Practices Act which includes three Regional Forest Practices Committees, serving the Eastern, Northwest, and Southwest regions of the state. Under Oregon law, a majority of the committees’ members must be private forest landowners and logging or forest operations companies.

Oregon’s forests are among the state’s most valued resources, providing a balanced mix of environmental, economic, and social benefits. View more information on the RFPC webpage.

New data shows rising debt and limited emergency savings underscore the need for a financial reset

“Sustained high costs are making it harder for people to build savings or plan ahead,” said Meredith Bureau, Hillsdale branch manager at OnPoint Community Credit Union. “Spring is a good reminder to pause, take stock and get organized to build a stronger financial foundation.” 

Recent data from the Oregon State Treasury underscores just how widespread these financial challenges have become. The 2026 Oregon Financial Wellness Scorecard found nearly three of every four Oregonians are feeling cost pressures, 53% are struggling to pay bills and nearly half are unable to cover a $500 emergency expense. 

In response to these growing challenges, Bureau recommends a few practical ways to “spring clean” your finances: 

1. Inventory your finances. Start by listing all bank and retirement accounts, investments, credit cards, loans and medical bills, including balances, due dates and interest rates. Review the last 30–60 days of transactions to identify recurring expenses, such as utilities, subscriptions and credit card payments, and flag any that could be canceled, adjusted or renegotiated. Then, create a simple digital or physical filing system for statements and financial documents so everything is easy to access going forward. 

2. Clear out costly debt. Credit card debt and other high-interest balances can build up quickly, especially with average credit card interest rates at 21%. 

3. Reviewing rates and exploring options such as consolidation, balance transfers or a home equity line of credit (HELOC) may help reduce overall costs and simplify repayment. 

4. Tidy up your payment schedule. Many people are unaware that they can ask their financial institution or service providers to change their payment due dates. Aligning bills with your paydays and setting up automatic payments can create more consistency each month and reduce the risk of fees. 

5. Trim convenience spending. Food delivery, takeout and daily coffee purchases can add up quickly without much notice. Americans spend an average of more than $3,600 on dining out, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Preparing meals at home more often or limiting discretionary spending can free up money for savings or debt repayment. 

6. Sweep away extra costs from your monthly bills. Cell phone plans, internet service, insurance and medical bills are often more flexible than they seem. Contact providers to ask about lower-cost plans, discounts, billing reviews or available rebates. Small adjustments can free up extra cash. 

7. Declutter with purpose. Research published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health shows clutter can interfere with financial well-being and contributes to indecision and procrastination, making it harder to stay focused on financial goals and follow through. This spring, take time to clean out closets, garages and storage spaces before making a new purchase. You may free up mental space and uncover items to sell, creating extra cash and reducing unnecessary spending. 

8. Ask for help. Spring is also a good time to check in with a financial expert. Your financial institution can be a valuable resource for getting started and staying on track. OnPoint, for example, offers access to financial experts in person at its 59 branch locations, making it easier to get one-on-one guidance. 

“Small changes can have a meaningful impact,” Bureau said. “The goal isn’t perfection. It’s creating a system that helps you feel more confident and prepared, even when costs remain high.” 

PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR SUB-COMMITTEE

MEETING SCHEDULED

Notice of Regular Meeting

The Private Investigator Sub-Committee of the Private Security/Investigators Policy Committee for the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., in the Governor Victor G. Atiyeh Boardroom at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST or Department) located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167.

The meeting will be live streamed on the DPSST YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/@DPSST?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery. Click or tap if you trust this link.">https://www.youtube.com/@DPSST.

Amended Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. Approve the February 17, 2026, Meeting Minutes

3. Private Investigator Summit Survey Results

Presented by Suzy Herring

4. Agency Update

5. Round Table

6. Next Scheduled Meeting - TBD

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting, subject to the public meeting law and it will be recorded. Deliberation of issues will only be conducted by Private Security/Private Investigations Policy Committee members unless permitted by the Chair. Individuals who engage in disruptive behavior that impedes official business will be asked to stop being disruptive or leave the meeting. Additional measures may be taken to have disruptive individuals removed if their continued presence poses a safety risk to the other persons in the room or makes it impossible to continue the meeting.

Salem, Ore. – The Oregon State Fire Marshal finalized Oregon’s defensible space model code, completing a multi-year effort directed by the Oregon Legislature to give communities clear, research-based guidelines for increasing wildfire resiliency. The code is available for voluntary adoption by cities, counties, and fire agencies.

The model code outlines straightforward steps property owners can take to create and maintain defensible space. Defensible space is the buffer you create between your home and the surrounding grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area. Proper defensible space can slow or stop the spread of wildfire and help protect your home.

These practices include maintaining a five-foot noncombustible zone next to structures, clearing dead vegetation, spacing trees appropriately, and removing ladder fuels that can carry flames from the ground into tree canopies.

What the Model Code Does

• Gives Oregonians a consistent and practical approach for reducing wildfire dangers around homes, businesses, and communities.  
• Provides Oregon‑specific guidance, such as how to space trees, remove dead vegetation, and maintain landscaping to slow the spread of fire.
• Uses nationally recognized wildfire safety standards as its foundation, ensuring the guidance is reliable and based on established best practices.

With wildfires affecting more communities across Oregon each year, the defensible space model code gives practical tools to support community preparedness.

Jurisdictions considering adoption of the model defensible space code will notify the OSFM using the notification form at defensiblespace.oregon.gov. More technical guidance is available from the OSFM upon request.

The OSFM offers free defensible space assessments to all Oregonian homeowners, renters, and businesses. These assessments are advisory only and offer customized defensible space recommendations to your home or business by the OSFM or your local fire agency.

For more information about defensible space and wildfire preparedness, or to request a free defensible space home assessment visit defensiblespace.oregon.gov and preventwildfires.oregon.gov. 

About the Oregon State Fire Marshal

The Oregon State Fire Marshal became an independent state agency in July 2023. The agency is dedicated to protecting people, property, and the environment from fire and hazardous materials. The Oregon State Fire Marshal works with local fire agencies, communities, and other partners to strengthen fire prevention, preparedness, and response statewide. Please note: the Oregon State Fire Marshal is no longer an office.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

BEND, OR — From canvas to photographs to sculptures, the annual Art in the West exhibition and online auction features the very best of art inspired by the High Desert. On Saturday, July 18, the High Desert Museum will unveil this year’s Art in the West exhibition featuring a captivating blend of traditional and contemporary artworks.

The exhibition celebrates the people, wildlife, landscapes, cultures and history of the region that stretches from the eastern slope of the Cascades and the Sierra to the Rockies. 

“The diverse artistry that continues to captivate our community in this exhibition, and the 2026 Art in the West collection in particular, is exceptional,” said Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. “These pieces reveal fresh, unique perspectives of the High Desert, challenging us to see the region's landscapes and cultures through a modern lens and deepening our collective appreciation for the West.”

Visitors to the Museum will be awed by the vast array of artworks ranging from landscapes to abstracts to baskets and photographs. Two artists’ works are recognized each year as part of the exhibition, one as Jury’s Choice and another as Curator’s Choice. 

The 2026 Jury’s Choice winner is Peter Dawson’s Infinity #3363, Eastern Oregon, a captivating and dramatic photograph of an expansive western sky above a stark High Desert landscape. Dawson is a photographer of the American West. His work has been featured at Modern West Fine Art in Salt Lake City, Utah, and The Oregon Center for Photographic Arts in Portland. His signature style has attracted commercial clients like Land Rover, Subaru, and Nike, as well as editorial features in The New York Times Magazine.

Growing up in Seattle, he became the self-assigned documentarian of every Dawson family adventure, captivated by the unique character of new places and people. He later honed his craft at Brooks Institute of Photography and now lives in Eugene, Oregon.

Natalie Kirk (Warm Springs) was taught basketry by master weaver and Warm Springs resident, Eraina Palmer. Both women worked together at The Museum at Warm Springs. Kirk’s work, Yamash in Thunderbird of Nch'I Wana, is the 2026 Curator’s Choice award winner. Made of yarn, smoked elk hide and seed beads, the colorful basket depicts the thunderbird against a bright blue sky. Kirk holds various awards for her basketry including Judges Choice awards for the years 2000 and 2026. She considers herself a contemporary weaver and artist, with her baskets included in collections at The Hallie Ford Museum in Salem, Oregon and The Autry Museum in Los Angeles, California. Kirk has taught basketry to many eager students throughout her years.

Those artists are just the tip of the iceberg, though. The 2026 exhibition boasts nearly 130 pieces crafted by acclaimed painters, sculptors, photographers and more, hailing from across the country.

Visitors and art enthusiasts can look forward to seeing works by national artists such as Arturo Garcia and local favorites like Judy Hoiness, Taylor Manoles, and Stuart Breidenstein. Garcia’s Nine Chiefs oil on canvas is a testament to the artist’s love for color, giving a unique perspective on both the subject and his preference to create depth to figures by applying layers of paint using palette knives. Manoles’ oil painting, Assurance, depicts a peaceful sunset over a dark forest, bright oranges and yellows blending into the blue of night.

Another artist returns to the Museum for Art in the West. Frank Buffalo Hyde’s GLHF - How the west was won #2 (acrylic on canvas) continues the renowned Indigenous artist’s use of color and graphic style to blend modern reality with Indigenous history. Boise, Idaho artist Miguel Almeida, whose exhibition Las Manos que dan de Comer (The Hands That Feed) is on view at the Museum, shares two pieces in Art in the West, both with his signature style of bright and bold colors inspired by his Mexican roots.

The entire 2026 collection will be on exhibit at the High Desert Museum and available for viewing through the Museum’s online auction page at highdesertmuseum.org/aiw. The 2026 Gallery Guide will go live beginning Monday, July 13, and online bidding will start on July 18 at 9:00 am, with the opportunity to purchase artwork outright. The auction is exclusively online, and shipping is available.  

The bidding concludes and the exhibition closes on Friday, October 2, at the Art in the West Closing Party at the Museum. Attendees will have the opportunity to mingle with participating artists, watch live demonstrations and enjoy food and libations. The event begins at 6:00 pm and the auction closes at 7:00 pm. Register today at highdesertmuseum.org/events/aiw-closing-party-2026.

Art in the West is made possible by Western Art Collector and American Art Collector magazines and Campfire Hotel, with support from High Desert Frameworks, 1859 Magazine and Willamette Valley Vineyards.  

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 and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2025 recipient of the Autry Public History Prize from the Western History Association and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow us on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.  

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