PORTLAND, Ore.— A Cameroonian national residing in Anchorage, Alaska, was sentenced to federal prison today for fraudulently obtaining more than $172,000 in taxpayer money from emergency programs intended to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Peter Igwacho, 65, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $182,225.15 in restitution.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between April 2020 and October 2021, during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Igwacho filed at least five fraudulent applications for pandemic stimulus funds through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury and Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. The information on those forms, in support of his request for stimulus funds, was fraudulent. The applications submitted by Igwacho were filed on behalf of a sole proprietorship that did not, in fact, have actual business operations, payrolled employees, or the reported gross revenues. 

Further, upon receipt of the stimulus funds, Igwacho did not spend those funds on approved pandemic-related expenses but instead spent the money on personal expenses. The PPP and EIDL programs were designed to help small businesses facing financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On July 23, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a three-count superseding indictment charging Igwacho with wire fraud.

On August 21, 2025, Igwacho was convicted of all three counts following a three-day jury trial.

This case was investigated by the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General and Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. It was prosecuted by Robert Trisotto and Meredith Bateman, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit 

https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

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OHA, Clackamas County announce new measles exposure site 

PORTLAND, Ore.—An owner and president of a collection of healthcare staffing companies was sentenced to federal prison today for willfully failing to pay over employment taxes to the IRS on behalf of the companies he owned and operated.

Jeffrey A. Kruse, 56, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay over $2.8 million in restitution.

According to court documents, Kruse was the founder, owner, and president of a collection of healthcare staffing companies that provided temporary staffing of medical and healthcare workers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington. Kruse was in charge of payroll for the businesses and responsible for collecting and accounting for and paying over to the IRS on a periodic basis employment taxes for the businesses’ employees. Kruse falsely underreported and underpaid his employment tax obligations by creating two sets of tax forms for his employees – a false set of tax forms that he sent to the government that underreported his employees’ compensation and the employment tax due, and an accurate set of tax forms that Kruse sent his employees for use in reporting their own tax obligations.

Kruse’s conduct caused a total tax loss of over $3.6 million.

On June 20, 2025, Kruse was charged by information with one count of willful failure to collect, account for, and pay over trust fund taxes.

On August 6, 2025, Kruse pleaded guilty to count one of the information.

IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew T. Ho prosecuted the case.

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SALEM, Oregon--- The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Advisory Committee will meet March 10-11, 2026, at 9 a.m. to evaluate grant applcations from around the state for projects that support the development or improvement of recreational trails. Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) administers this federally funded grant program.

The meeting is open to the public, but there will not be time for public comments during the meeting. The committee will evaluate 34 applications over the two days. Approximately $2 million of RTP grant funds are available.

The meeting will be held on Zoom. Meeting details, including the agenda and list of project proposals, are available here: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/GRA/Documents/RTP-Agenda-March2026.pdf.

After reviewing the applications, the RTP Advisory Committee will make funding recommendations to the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission for review and approval at the Commission’s April meeting. Approved project proposals will then be sent to the Federal Highway Administration for final approval.

The RTP Advisory Committee consists of 10 members who represent various trail user groups and land managers. Eligible RTP applicants include local governments, state agencies, federal land management agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations.

RTP is an assistance program of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration. The program provides funds to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both nonmotorized and motorized uses, including hiking, biking, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, paddling, snowmobiling, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, four-wheel driving, or using other off-road motorized vehicles. Learn more about RTP here: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/GRA/Pages/GRA-rtp.aspx. 

For more information contact Jodi Bellefeuille, program coordinator at 503-856-6316 or ellefeuille@oprd.oregon.gov">Jodi.bellefeuille@oprd.oregon.gov, or visit the RTP webpage on the OPRD website. If special accommodations are needed to attend the meeting, contact Jodi Bellefeuille at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.

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Salem, Oregon — 2/26/2025 — Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Oregon, a leading early literacy nonprofit dedicated to ensuring young children have access to books at home, proudly announced today that it has mailed its 4 millionth book in Oregon, marking a major milestone in its mission to inspire a love of reading.

This accomplishment reflects years of collaboration between community partners, libraries, educators, and advocates who know that early access to books can profoundly shape a child’s future. In May of 2024 the State of Oregon launched the statewide expansion of the Imagination Library, offering matching funds to strengthen the work of local partners and boost both coverage and enrollment. As a result, in April 2025 the program reached full statewide coverage. Now, in 2026, more than one-third of the 4 million books mailed, 1,394,648 in total, have been mailed since the state joined the effort.

“It has been my joy to partner with the Imagination Library to get more books in the hands of kids by hosting read alouds across the state,” said Oregon First Lady, Aimee Kotek Wilson, of the many library events she has participated in to build awareness for this free resource for Oregon families. “Supporting early literacy initiatives like this is an investment in the bright future of our entire state.”

Started in 1995 by Dolly Parton, the Imagination Library was inspired by her father, who could not read or write—and by her belief that if you can read, you can do anything. The program first arrived in Oregon in 2007. It gifts free, high-quality, age-appropriate books directly to children and their families from birth to age 5. Research consistently shows that children who grow up with books in the home are more likely to develop critical literacy skills and succeed academically.

“Oregon is choosing to be architects of the future. This achievement represents 4 million opportunities for families to share a story, spark imagination, and build early language and literacy skills,” said House Majority Leader Ben Bowman, who has championed the Imagination Library in the legislature. “Over time, these small, consistent interactions lay the groundwork for kindergarten readiness—and they help our youngest kids fall in love with reading.”

Early literacy remains a pressing issue in Oregon, where many children enter kindergarten without foundational skills. By delivering books directly to families, the Imagination Library of Oregon helps remove barriers related to cost and access, levelling the playing field and empowering families.

“Each book mailed is a reminder to families that they are supported, valued, and equipped to be their child’s first and most important teachers,” said Department of Early Learning and Care Director, Alyssa Chatterjee. “Over time, shared reading moments become routines, and those routines become habits that support school readiness and academic success.”

As the Imagination Library of Oregon looks ahead, the organization remains committed to expanding its reach, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring that every child in Oregon has the opportunity to build their own personal library. Currently, 35% of all children under age 5 in the state are already enrolled, in many regions that number is over 50%. With sustained community support and strategic growth, the program will continue building a stronger future—one child, one book, and one personal library at a time.

For more information about the Imagination Library of Oregon or to enroll a child, visit imaginationlibrary.com/oregon.

MEDFORD, Ore.—A licensed real estate broker pleaded guilty Monday after avoiding reporting requirements and drafting fake property leases when her client’s illegal marijuana grow was raided.

Tyra Foxx, 46, pleaded guilty to avoiding reporting requirements and obstruction of justice.

According to court documents, between January 2020 through November 2020, Foxx was a real estate broker for Jose Orozco and assisted with his purchase of agricultural properties to grow hemp and marijuana. When Orozco purchased these properties, Foxx made large cash payments to the property owners outside of escrow, and knowing RE/MAX did not accept cash payments, converted $100,000 into money orders and used a third-party broker’s trust account to transfer over $2 million dollars into escrow accounts.

On October 13, 2020, Foxx received $175,000 from Orozco to purchase agricultural property in Josephine County, Oregon. Foxx did not file a Form 8300 upon receipt of the funds as required, but instead, transferred the money to a client trust account at another real estate office. This caused a Currency Transaction Report to be filed in that real estate office’s name rather than Orozco’s name.  

After learning that law enforcement had raided one of Orozco’s illegal marijuana grows, Foxx drafted fake property leases for Orozco and suggested he place phony construction liens to be levied on the property to prevent it from being forfeited by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

On February 23, 2026, Foxx was charged by an amended superseding information with avoiding reporting requirements and obstruction of justice.

On count one, Foxx faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $500,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. On count two, Foxx faces 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. She will be sentenced on May 11, 2026, before a U.S. District Court judge.

Jose Orozco previously pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering and is scheduled to be sentenced April 6, 2026, before a U.S. District Court judge.

The Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team, HSI, and IRS investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Brassell is prosecuting the case.

# # #

Please find the attached press release announcing Camp Spark’s second-decade milestone and the launch of the 2026 season. A digital media kit with supporting photos and video from Camp Spark is available HERE.

Starting tomorrow, 15 youth athletes who are blind or visually impaired will participate in adaptive winter recreation at Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp through the Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA). Camp Spark is offered at no cost to families and has served 648 youth over the past decade, investing nearly $3 million to expand access to outdoor recreation.

Should you like to cover the story in more depth, media are invited Saturday (2/28) from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. to capture adaptive snow activities and interview leadership and campers. I will coordinate media onsite, and Programs Manager Matt Coelho will be available for interviews.

Please let me know if you’re interested, and we’d welcome your coverage in helping share this important program. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Blind Youth Take on Winter Sports at Mt. Hood as Camp Spark Enters Its Second Decade

VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON (February 26, 2026) — The Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) will launch its 2026 Camp Spark season February 27–March 1 at Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp, bringing together 15 youth athletes who are blind or visually impaired for a winter weekend focused on independence, resilience, and belonging.

The three-day Youth Winter Session marks the start of Camp Spark’s second decade of impact. Throughout the weekend, campers will participate in adaptive snow sports, team activities, and esteem-building challenges designed to build self-trust in a supportive environment. For many participants, it represents their first time navigating winter recreation, learning to snowshoe with a guide, moving confidently across snow-covered terrain, and experiencing the freedom of outdoor adventure in a setting intentionally designed for them.

Camp Spark is offered entirely at no cost to participating families, ensuring that financial barriers never prevent a child from accessing life-changing outdoor experiences. Each session costs approximately $4,500 per athlete to operate and is made possible through community support and philanthropy.

“Camp Spark is more than a weekend camp,” said Billy Henry, Founder and CEO of NWABA. “For many of our athletes, it’s the first time they try snowshoeing, and sometimes the first time they spend a night away from family. Those moments help shape how they see themselves and what they’re capable of.”

Over the past 10 years, Camp Spark has hosted 42 adaptive camp sessions across winter and summer seasons, becoming a cornerstone of NWABA’s youth programming. In its first decade alone, the program has:

• Served 648 youth athletes who are blind or visually impaired

• Achieved a 90% year-over-year camper return rate

• Seen approximately 75% of campers continue into other NWABA programs

• Provided 1:1 camper-to-staff support to prioritize safety and individualized instruction

• Invested nearly $3 million so the camp remains entirely free for participating families

Beyond the numbers, Camp Spark’s lasting impact is evident in its alumni. Several former campers now return as mentors and staff leaders.

“When former campers come back to serve in leadership roles, that’s when we know the impact is real,” says Matt Coelho, Programs Manager of Camp Spark & Youth Services. “Our goal is simple: every child deserves the opportunity to explore, grow, and feel fully included. Camp Spark builds that foundation.”

To learn more about Camp Spark or how to participate as a camper, volunteer, or supporter, visit www.NWABA.org.

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About NWABA

The mission of Northwest Association for Blind Athletes is to provide life-changing opportunities through sports and physical activity to individuals who are blind and visually impaired. Today, NWABA is a rapidly expanding 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides more than 5,000 program and service interactions to children, youth, adults, and military veterans with visual impairments through tailored programming which improves self-confidence and self-esteem, promotes independence, creates an inclusive community of supporters, and builds the skills necessary to succeed in all areas of life including school and employment.

For Immediate Release: Feb. 26, 2026

Media Contact:  Communications@employ.oregon.gov;

Anna Johnson, Senior Research Analyst, Anna.L.Johnson@employ.oregon.gov

Oregon Private Job Vacancies Flatten Out in 2025

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon private employers reported 58,500 job openings at any given time in 2025. This was essentially unchanged from the 57,800 job openings seen in 2024, according to new data from the Oregon Employment Department’s Job Vacancy Survey.

In research published today, senior research analyst Anna Johnson reports that the health care and social assistance industry saw the strongest level of hiring in 2025, with over a quarter of all vacancies coming from companies in that sector. Most job openings across the state tended to be for full-time and permanent positions. Vacancies with higher education requirements also had a greater likelihood for prior experience requirements, and higher average wages.

Oregon saw record high levels of job vacancies in the recovery from the pandemic recession in 2021 and 2022. Vacancies returned to pre-pandemic levels in 2024 and 2025. For the full analysis, see the article Oregon Private Job Vacancies: 2025 Job Vacancies Remained Flat.

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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PORTLAND, Ore.—A federal jury in Portland, Oregon, found Brandon Charles Nelson, 40, guilty yesterday of escape after failing to report to the Northwest Regional Re-entry Center (NWRRC) in Portland.

According to court documents, Nelson was convicted of felon in possession of a firearm and sentenced to 36 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release. On Feb. 25, 2025, after violating his release conditions for a third time, Nelson’s supervision was revoked, and he was sentenced to 12 months in prison and 18 months of supervised release. While in custody at Victorville Federal Corrections Institute (FCI), Nelson met criteria for placement in a residential re-entry center and was referred to the NWRRC. He was approved to travel unescorted and required to report no later than Nov. 20, 2025. Nelson absconded and failed to report as directed and required. Victorville FCI reported Nelson as an escapee to the United States Marshals Service (USMS) on Nov. 21, 2025, and the USMS arrested him on Dec. 5, 2025, without incident.

On Dec. 16, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Nelson with escape from custody.

Nelson faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on June 8, 2026, before a U.S. District Court judge.

The USMS investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Arin Heinz prosecuted the case.

# # #

Sunriver, Ore. -- On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 8:38 a.m., the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team arrested Bend resident Paul Alfred Akehurst, 40, in the Sunriver area without incident.

Akehurst was wanted on multiple active Deschutes County warrants, including two felony warrants for Criminal Driving While Suspended or Revoked, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Identity Theft. Deputies had also developed probable cause for additional charges, including Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering, and Driving While Suspended or Revoked.

The arrest followed an ongoing investigation and recent incidents in which Akehurst fled from law enforcement in a vehicle and drove recklessly toward the public and responding deputies.

Akehurst surrendered without incident after deputies served him with a court-authorized warrant. He was arrested and lodged at Deschutes County Adult Jail on outstanding warrants.

Additional charges may be included pending further review. 

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PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for sex trafficking three minor victims.

Eric Lamont Harris, 51, was sentenced to 292 months in federal prison and 10 years of supervised release.

According to court documents, Harris began trafficking 15-year-old Minor Victim 1 in Spring 2022. Minor Victim 1 was a ward of the state and reported missing in March 2022. Harris began trafficking 16-year-old Minor Victim 2 in June 2022. In July 2022, Harris brought Minor Victim 1 and Minor Victim 2 from Portland to Kennewick, Washington, with the intent that they engage in prostitution at a hotel he booked in Kennewick. After Minor Victim 2’s parents reported her missing, the FBI and Kennewick Police recovered Minor Victim 1 and Minor Victim 2 in Kennewick. Harris met 17-year-old Minor Victim 3 in June 2022 and began trafficking her in August 2022.

Each victim lived with Harris while he trafficked them. Harris booked hotel rooms for the minor victims’ commercial sex dates, transported them to and from those dates, facilitated the posting of online escort advertisements featuring the minor victims, and received thousands of dollars’ worth of commercial sex proceeds from the minor victims.

On September 16, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an eight-count second superseding indictment charging Harris with transportation with intent to engage in prostitution, three counts of sex trafficking of a child, three counts of sex trafficking of a child – benefitting from participation in a venture, and sexual exploitation of children.

On November 6, 2025, Harris pleaded guilty to the eight-count indictment on the fourth day of his ten-day trial.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the Portland Police Bureau, the Kennewick Police Department, and the Medford Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charlotte Kelley and Robert Trisotto prosecuted the case.

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

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

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SALEM, Ore. — The Board of Forestry Governance Committee will meet virtually at 9 a.m. on Monday, March 2. To join, please use the Zoom video conference information found on the agenda.

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Finalize Board Policy Manual (BPM) language updates
• Finalize agenda development document
• Develop plan to update board governance performance evaluation
• Discuss adding a Roberts Rules/Meeting Protocol section to the BPM
• Plan our presentation for the Board of Forestry (BOF) meeting on March 4
• Schedule next meeting

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">boardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov.

This standing board committee recommends policies (or policy changes) to the board pertaining to governance issues and processes including the oversight and management of the Board Policy Manual, orientation and training of new board members, the evaluation and improvement of the board, the repository of board materials, and oversight of the written conflict of interest policies, procedures, and review of annual or special statements of board members. Learn more about the committee.

DPSST Telecommunications Curriculum Advisory Committee Membership Opportunity

The DPSST Telecommunications Curriculum Advisory Committee (TCAC) is currently seeking interested individuals for membership. 

Who Should Apply?

We already have strong representation from managers and supervisors and are looking to expand our membership to include line staff, coaches, and trainers from various agencies across the state, representing different agency sizes.

TCAC Overview and Member Responsibilities:

The TCAC operates as a subcommittee of the DPSST Telecommunications Policy Committee (TPC), with all members appointed by the TPC. Responsibilities include convening bi-annually or as needed by DPSST to review curriculum for Telecommunications and Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), Field Training Manuals, and EMD cards. Members, serving as subject matter experts (SMEs), will recommend updates and revisions based on these reviews.

Length of Service and How to Apply:

The commitment is for a minimum of two (2) years. Interested individuals are invited to submit a letter of interest to Kathy.Fink@dpsst.oregon.gov by March 10, 2026.

Applications will be reviewed, and selections will be made to create a well-rounded committee.

Bend, Ore. -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Blake Mogan, 36, of Sisters, in connection with multiple stolen vehicle investigations spanning December 2025 through February 2026. The cases involved heavy equipment and other vehicles taken from locations throughout Sisters, Redmond, and Bend.

Deputies first encountered Mogan on December 9, 2025, when he was arrested in Redmond after operating a stolen construction loader taken from a nearby job site. Following that incident, law enforcement agencies in the region began investigating additional thefts with similar methods and patterns.

On February 17, 2026, deputies located an abandoned and heavily damaged Sisters School District Suburban on Buckhorn Road. Evidence recovered from the vehicle, along with onboard video footage, identified Mogan as the individual responsible for the unlawful entry into the school district’s transportation building and theft of the vehicle.

On February 23, 2026, the Sheriff’s Office responded to a stolen City of Sisters F450 crane truck. Deputies coordinated with partner agencies and located the vehicle on a forest road northwest of Sisters. Mogan was contacted and taken into custody without incident. During the investigation, deputies also recovered a stolen utility trailer associated with the case.

Throughout the interviews, Mogan admitted to involvement in multiple vehicle thefts, including prior incidents under investigation by the Sheriff's Office, the Bend Police Department, and the Black Butte Police Department.

Mogan was arrested and lodged at the Deschutes County Adult Jail on numerous charges, including:

• Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle
• Burglary in the Second Degree
• Theft in the First Degree
• Criminal Mischief
• Criminal Trespass
• Driving While Suspended

Mogan also faces a parole violation detainer related to previous convictions. These cases remain under investigation, and additional charges from partner agencies may follow.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office thanks the Sisters School District, City of Sisters Public Works, Black Butte Police Department, and the Bend Police Department for their continued partnership throughout these investigations.

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SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) will host a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, from 6-7 p.m. PST. This meeting gives customers a chance to share their thoughts on Cascade Natural Gas Corporation’s proposal to raise customer rates. Earlier that day, PUC staff will hold a virtual workshop from 2-4 p.m. to give customers an opportunity to learn more about the proposed rate increase and ask questions.

Cascade Natural Gas filed a request with the PUC to increase the amount of money it collects from customers by $16.4 million or 15.82 percent. If the request is approved, a typical residential customer using an average 59 therms of natural gas per month would see their bill increase by about $11.07 (from $63.63 to $74.70 per month). Actual bill changes will vary depending on customer type (residential, commercial or industrial), how much gas is used, and the rate each customer pays.

Cascade Natural Gas reported the increase is needed to pay for system safety and reliability improvements, and growing operations and maintenance costs.

This is the company’s first general rate case since 2020. The filing is undergoing a nearly year-long review by the PUC, the Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board, and other stakeholders. This public meeting is part of the review. The PUC Commissioners will make a final decision in October of this year. The Commissioners may approve or modify Cascade Natural Gas’ request and will only approve rate increases if fully justified by the company. Any new rates would take effect October 26, 2026.

Informational Workshop

When: Tuesday, March 3, 2026, from 2-4 p.m. PST

This virtual/phone-in workshop provides an opportunity to learn about Cascade Natural Gas’ proposal and ask questions of PUC staff. This session is informational only; public comments will not be taken.

Zoom link and phone-in details: https://bit.ly/4s1tjTk

Ways to Comment

Community members can share their comments on Cascade Natural Gas’ rate request in several ways.

Comment at the virtual public meeting

When: Tuesday, March 3, 2026, from 6-7 p.m. PST

This meeting may run past 7 p.m. to allow more people to comment. The Commission will work to provide an opportunity to comment for those who join before 7 p.m. The meeting will end at 7 p.m. if no members of the public are waiting to speak. To ensure time to comment, please join as close to 6 p.m. as possible.  This event will not be livestreamed.

Zoom link and phone-in details: https://bit.ly/4kRYXQQ

Spanish translation services are offered at no charge for community convenience. To access translation services, sign in to Zoom and choose English or Spanish at the bottom of the screen. Translation is not supported for participants joining by phone.

Other ways to comment

Please submit comments by June 15, 2026, using one of the following options:

• Public Comment Form online
• Email: licComments@puc.oregon.gov">PUC.PublicComments@puc.oregon.gov  
• Phone: 503-378-6600 or 800-522-2404 (all relay calls accepted)
• Mail: Oregon Public Utility Commission, Attn: AHD – UG 525, PO Box 1088, Salem OR 97308-1088
   

Stay Informed

To receive updates and public documents related to this case, request to be added to the distribution list. Email ings@puc.oregon.gov">puc.hearings@puc.oregon.gov or call 503-378-6678. Please include Docket No. UG 525 in the request.

# # #

Cascade Natural Gas General Rate Case: Docket # UG 525

The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) regulates customer rates and services of the state’s investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities, including Portland General Electric, Idaho Power, Pacific Power, Avista, Cascade Natural, and NW Natural. The PUC also regulates landline telephone providers and select water companies. The PUC’s mission is to ensure Oregonians have access to safe, reliable, and fairly priced utility services that advance state policy and promote the public interest. We use an inclusive process to evaluate differing viewpoints and visions of the public interest and arrive at balanced, well-reasoned, independent decisions supported by fact and law. For more information about the PUC, visit oregon.gov/puc.

View this release online.

Note: This story has been updated to reflect that both children and their mother have been safely located, and the children's names and photos have been removed to protect their identities now that public assistance is no longer required.

MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. (MCSO) – Tonight, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) issued an AMBER Alert for two missing and endangered children who are believed to be with their non-custodial mother.

Based on preliminary information, in December 2025, a Multnomah County judge granted temporary custody of eight-year-old [Name Removed] and seven-year-old [Name Removed] to their father. The court ordered supervised parenting‑time conditions for the mother, 37-year-old Ann Marie Quarles. 

On February 13, 2026, a family member dropped off both children with Quarles, but she did not return the children as expected. On February 20, 2026, the court determined Quarles to be in violation of the custody order and directed law enforcement to assist the father in recovering the children.

On February 24, 2026, MCSO went to Quarles’ apartment, located in the 2600-block of Southeast 145^th Avenue in Portland, but neither she nor the two girls were there. 

During the investigation, deputies were told Quarles may have left over the weekend with the girls. Due to the circumstances, MCSO law enforcement deputies requested assistance from MCSO detectives.

Deputies reached Quarles by phone on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, who told them she was in Moses Lake, Washington but refused to give her exact location. Deputies instructed her to contact local law enforcement, but she refused. Quarles also told deputies that she did not intend to comply with the court’s order. 

Detectives believe [Name Removed] and [Name Removed] may be in danger.

Although Quarles told deputies she is in Washington, that information has not been confirmed. There could be a chance she and the two girls are in Portland. 

[Name Removed] and her sister, [Name Removed], are both white females, approximately 4 feet tall and weighing between 40 and 45 pounds. They each have dark blonde hair and blue eyes.

Community members are urged to call 9-1-1 if they see [Name Removed] and [Name Removed] or Quarles. 

AMBER Alerts are issued to rapidly disseminate vital information to the public and partner agencies to assist in the safe recovery of children believed to have been abducted and are in imminent danger. 

An AMBER Alert is issued only when certain criteria are met, including:

• Reasonable belief that an abduction has occurred.
• The missing child is 17 years of age or younger and believed to be in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death.
• Sufficient descriptive information is available about the child, suspect, and/or suspect’s vehicle that can assist in the child’s recovery.
• Required information has been entered into national law enforcement information systems. 

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(Above photo: [Name Removed])

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(Above photo: [Name Removed]) 

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PORTLAND, Ore.—A Gearhart, Oregon, man pleaded guilty today for secretly filming a minor victim while nude and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Joseph Tyler Biamont, 35, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography.

According to court documents, Gearhart Police discovered that Biamont was in possession of a thumb drive containing secretly recorded videos of the minor victim while nude. The videos were filmed from what appeared to be a dummy smoke detector above the victim’s bed, behind a teddy bear, and from Biamont’s cell phone, depicting the minor victim going to the bathroom, showering, and changing clothes. Biamont is visible in some of the videos. Investigators also found files of CSAM of other minor victims on Biamont’s thumb drive and videos of an adult victim nude in the bathroom.

On May 6, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a six-count indictment charging Biamont with sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography.

On count one, Biamont faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years to life of supervised release. On count six, Biamont faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years to life of supervised release. He will be sentenced on August 19, 2026, before a U.S. District Court judge.

As part of the plea agreement, Biamont has agreed to pay restitution to the victims.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case with assistance from the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office and the Gearhart Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charlotte Kelley is prosecuting the case.

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

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Oregon Senate Bill 1570 will hold federal immigration officers accountable inside hospitals, protect patients’ and providers’ rights, and ensure everyone can access healthcare without fearing for their safety.

(SALEM, Ore.) – Healthcare workers applauded Tuesday as the Oregon Senate voted to pass the Healthcare Without Fear Act, Senate Bill 1570, to ensure hospitals are places of healing and trust; not fear or intimidation. The Healthcare Without Fear Act ensures federal immigration agents are accountable to the same standards as state and local law enforcement inside hospitals; safeguards patients’ private health information; and improves Oregonians’ health and safety.

“This bill is not abstract policy—it is a promise. A promise that Oregon’s hospitals will be safe spaces. A promise that violence and intimidation have no place in healthcare settings. A promise that caregivers can do their jobs without fear. And a promise that all patients are treated with the dignity, humanity, and protection they deserve,” said ONA President Tamie Cline, RN. 

The Healthcare Without Fear Act comes after recent federal policy changes have made hospitals, clinics, and schools targets for immigration enforcement actions from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In Oregon federal immigration agents shot two people in a hospital parking lot; arrested an entire family trying to take their sick 7-year-old daughter to the ER; and reportedly failed to follow protocols inside hospitals by entering restricted areas, exposing protected health information, and interfering with patients’ care. 

Senate Bill 1570 requires hospitals to create policies around all law enforcement interactions, designate a point person to interface with law enforcement to reduce burdens on frontline caregivers, and clearly designate public and private spaces. It protects patients’ privacy by classifying immigration status and place of birth as protected health information and empowers healthcare providers to share information about immigration rights or legal services with patients and their families.

“Our patients do not feel safe seeking necessary and life-saving medical care. This injustice strikes at the heart of our healthcare system,” said ONA member Jayesh Palshikar, RN. “The Healthcare Without Fear Act will protect providers and patients, hold federal officers accountable to basic hospital standards and begin restoring trust in our healthcare system.”

Following today’s successful Senate vote, the bill will move on to the House Committee on Health Care.

More information on the Healthcare without Fear Act can be found at OregonRN.org/CareWithoutFear. 

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The Governing Board of the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) will meet on Tuesday, March 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:50 p.m. This public meeting will be conducted as a teleconference.

The meeting agenda, including call-in information, is available at: https://www.oregon.gov/dogami/about/govboard/boardagenda_03_10_2026.pdf

The DOGAMI Governing Board sets policy, oversees general operations, and adopts a strategic plan every six years. The Board meets at least quarterly. As active members of their communities, Board members provide an important connection between Oregonians and DOGAMI’s mission of providing earth science information and regulation to make Oregon safe and prosperous.

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Polk County, Ore. (Feb. 24, 2026) - On Monday, February 23, 2026, at 9:51 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 22, at the intersection with Highway 51, in Polk County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a westbound Salem-Keizer Thomas school bus, operated by Chandra Jean Milkovich-Howard (33) of Turner, attempted a left turn onto southbound Highway 51. The school bus entered the path of an eastbound Honda Pilot, operated by Luke Richard Brittan (68) of Independence, causing a head-on crash.

The operator of the Honda (Brittan) was declared deceased at the scene.

The operator of the Thomas school bus (Milkovich-Howard) suffered reported minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital

The school bus was occupied by 2 adults and 30 students. One student suffered a reported minor injury and was transported to an area hospital.

The highway was impacted for approximately four hours during the on-scene investigation. An unsafe left turn is considered the primary cause of the collision. The Thomas operator was issued a citation for the unsafe left turn. The investigtion is on-going and will be forwarded to the district attorney when complete for consideration.

OSP was assisted by the Polk County Sheriff's Office and ODOT.

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About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) 
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in the documentation, investigation, and analysis of complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in the use of advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.

BASIC CORRECTIONS FIREARMS

WORKGROUP MEETING

SCHEDULED

Bend, Ore. – The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Management will conduct a targeted Deschutes Alerts test at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 25. This annual reminder message will be sent to approximately 2,500 residents who have indicated in their Deschutes Alerts profile that they have additional needs, such as mobility challenges, dialysis requirements, or reliance on electrically powered medical equipment.

This is not a countywide test. Only a small subgroup of Deschutes Alerts users will receive the message. The purpose of this reminder is to encourage residents with additional needs to review and update their emergency notification information.

Key Details

• Date & Time: Wednesday, February 25 at 10:00 a.m
• Who Will Receive It: Residents who have identified additional needs in their Deschutes Alerts account
• Why It Matters: Keeping this information current helps emergency responders prioritize outreach during disasters when time allows

Need Help?

• A call center will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on February 25 at 541-550-4888 for assistance with Deschutes Alerts accounts, password help, and updates
• Before the test, residents can call 541-388-6501 for account assistance
• After 2:00 p.m. on February 25, calls to 541-550-4888 will automatically route to staff desks for follow-up

The next countywide Deschutes Alerts test is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, which will include all registered users (approximately 70,000 people).

For those who rely on electricity for medical equipment or refrigerated medications, it’s also a good idea to contact your power provider about emergency preparedness options:

• Central Electric Cooperative: 541-548-2144
• Midstate Electric Cooperative: 541-536-2126
• Pacific Power: 1-888-221-7070

Deschutes Alerts is a vital tool for keeping our community informed about all types of emergencies or alerts that impact neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, or daily life. Sign up today at deschutesalerts.org

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Updated Press Release Attached 

SALEM, Ore. — The Emergency Fire Cost Committee (EFCC) will meet at 10 a.m. on March 3, 2026, 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:

• Harvest tax allocation for fiscal year 2027 (FY27) district budgets
• Weather update
• Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund (OFLPF) fiscal year 2025 (FY25) ending balance and current financial status
• Status reports on EFCC work groups
• Fiscal year 2025 (FY25) audit report
• Administrative Branch/Protection Division/Administrator reports

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.

Bend, Ore. – The 15-year-old male juvenile who left a secure J Bar J Youth Services facility on Sunday, February 22nd, was located and arrested Monday Afternoon. The Redmond Police Department responded to a call at Applebee’s in Redmond at 12:44 p.m. and took the juvenile into custody without incident.

The juvenile left the secure J Bar J Youth Services facility without authorization around 10:45 p.m. Sunday. The facility is located in the same building as Deschutes County Juvenile Community Justice on Britta Street in north Bend. The juvenile was housed in a secure Behavior Rehabilitation Services program and was not permitted to leave the facility. He is on parole for aggravated assault with a weapon.

J Bar J Youth Services leases housing units from Deschutes County Juvenile Community Justice but provides its own staffing and security. Participants are not free to leave and must complete a formal release process with their parole officer, including a 72-hour implementation plan. The juvenile did not initiate a release plan, and his parole officer issued an arrest warrant Sunday night for absconding.

Deputies with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office immediately began searching the area and issued a neighborhood alert to residents in the north Bend area to increase awareness and request assistance.

In accordance with Oregon law and standard practice, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office does not release the name or photograph of juveniles involved in juvenile proceedings.

The Sheriff’s Office thanks the Redmond Police Department for its assistance. 

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HAREFEST ANNOUNCES 2026 LINEUP

The Mother of All Tribute Festivals Continues to Set the Standard 

Canby, OR – (February 23, 2026) HAREFEST has announced its lineup for the 14th year of the annual tribute band music festival at the Clackamas County Fairgrounds & Event Center. The 3-day festival takes place July 16–18, 2026 and features 24 bands on two stages, including tributes to QUEEN, FLEETWOOD MAC, LED ZEPPELIN, DEF LEPPARD, EAGLES, MOTLEY CRUE, TOM PETTY, RUSH, AC/DC, ABBA, DURAN DURAN, FOO FIGHTERS, JUDAS PRIEST, HEART, ALICE IN CHAINS, THE CARS, BON JOVI, STEVE MILLER BAND, BILLY JOEL, BOSTON, BEASTIE BOYS, IRON MAIDEN, YACHT ROCK, and more. Each night features a finale set in the Event Center’s courtyard (dubbed “Hippie Hollow”) that includes a laser light show produced by Laser Gator. 

Harefest returns to the Clackamas County Fairgrounds & Event Center and is once again expanding its footprint to include additional RV parking and tent sites after selling out well in advance for several consecutive years. In all, nearly 500 overnight spaces are available for what’s been referred to as “The Coachella of Tribute Bands.” 

Other event highlights for this year’s edition of HAREFEST include: 

• An “After 5pm” ticket option for Friday and Saturday nights

• Video walls on each side of the main stage for enhanced concert viewing

• A Saturday morning “Yacht Rock Brunch” featuring Red Light Romeos

• The “Farewell Performance” of Anthem - Rush Tribute

• Rock Shop’s Headbangers Ball with special guests, closing out the festival and hosted by legendary Ozzy impersonator Tim Tugg of Crazy Train – Ozzy Osbourne tribute

Now in its 14th year, Harefest has grown from a regional gathering of tribute band fans into the cornerstone event of a multi-festival portfolio produced by Harefest LLC. In addition to Harefest, the company also produces Legends Reloaded, Capital City Retro Fest, 90’s Flannel Fest, and Seattle Retro Fest, further expanding its footprint as a tribute-focused festival producer in the Pacific Northwest.

“Over the past few years, we’ve been fortunate to grow beyond Harefest and launch additional festivals throughout the region,” said co-founder Jason Fellman. “But Harefest remains the event that started it all. It’s our biggest production, our most established tradition, and the one that continues to set the standard for everything we do. Every year we reinvest what we’ve learned across our other events to make Harefest even better.”

Harefest is a 21-and-over event. Tickets go on sale Friday, February 27 at 10 a.m. via Afton Tickets at harefest.com/tickets. 

LINKS 

Festival website: www.harefest.com

Additional Band Info: www.j-fell.com 

Logos / Images / Site Maps: https://bit.ly/HarefestMedia 

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February 23, 2026

Media Contact: Kim Lippert, erly.l.lippert@oha.oregon.gov" rel="noopener" style="color: rgb(6, 66, 118); text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">Kimberly.l.lippert@oha.oregon.gov, 971-323-3831 

Application deadline extended for OAC Council

SALEM, Ore. - Oregon Health Authority is seeking applicants to serve on the Oversight and Accountability Council (OAC), a Council established by Ballot Measure 110 in 2020. The OAC is a public body of the state of Oregon that advises the Oregon Health Authority on the grant program described in ORS 430.389

Members of the OAC serve four-year terms. Members may be eligible for a stipend to compensate them for their time engaged official duties of the OAC. OHA is seeking new members in the categories described below:

• An academic researcher specializing in drug use or drug policy
• A representative of a coordinated care organization

Application extended: To apply, submit an application here by 11:59 pm, March 15, 2026.

A team at OHA will review applications and inform applicants of appointments by March 31, 2026.

For questions or more information, email HRN@oha.oregon.gov" style="color: rgb(6, 66, 118); text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: 100%;">BHRN@oha.oregon.gov ,or contact Karli Moon at li.moon@oha.oregon.gov" style="color: rgb(6, 66, 118); text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: 100%;">Karli.moon@oha.oregon.gov or 971-240-8690.

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February 23, 2026

Media Contact: Amy Bacher, acher2@oha.oregon.gov" rel="noopener" style="color: rgb(6, 66, 118); text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">amy.bacher2@oha.oregon.gov  

Oregon Health Authority welcomes new Principal Ombuds

Bend, Ore. -- At 10:45 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, a 15-year-old male juvenile escaped from the Deschutes County Juvenile Detention Center located on Britta Street in north Bend.

The juvenile is described as a mixed-race male, thin build, approximately 6 feet 4 inches tall, with dirty blonde curly hair and glasses. He was last seen wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark pants.

Upon learning of the escape, deputies immediately began searching the area and issued a neighborhood alert to residents in the north Bend area to increase awareness and request assistance. Law enforcement personnel are actively working to locate the juvenile.

If you see someone matching this description or have information about the juvenile’s whereabouts, call 9-1-1 immediately. In accordance with Oregon law and standard practice, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office does not release the name or photograph of juveniles involved in juvenile proceedings.

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Eagle Crest, Ore. – On February 20, 2026, at 8:12 a.m., a deputy with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a passenger vehicle in the Sisters area after observing the driver operating aggressively, including brake-checking the deputy and driving over a roundabout. The driver failed to yield and continued through Sisters. Out of caution, the deputy did not pursue. The vehicle was last seen traveling west on Highway 20 past Black Butte.

The same vehicle was then observed returning to Sisters at 8:53 a.m. Deputies, assisted by Oregon State Police and the Black Butte Police Department, attempted another traffic stop. The driver fled east on Highway 20, prompting a pursuit. Deputies used a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT), but the suspect regained control and sped away at a high rate of speed. The pursuit was terminated for public safety as the vehicle headed toward Tumalo and Bend.

At 11:07 a.m., a concerned citizen in the Eagle Crest area reported a vehicle following them, making them feel uncomfortable. Deputies responded and identified the vehicle as the same one from earlier. Multiple spike strips were successfully deployed, and a second PIT maneuver brought the vehicle to a stop on Eagle Crest Boulevard.

The driver, Doug R. Greaser, 54, of Eagle Crest, tried to walk away and resisted arrest but was taken into custody and transported to St. Charles-Bend for further evaluation. Greaser was arrested on the following charges:

• Felony Attempt to Elude (3 counts)
• Reckless Driving (3 counts)
• Multiple counts of Reckless Endangering
• Assault on a Police Officer

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office thanks Oregon State Police, Black Butte Police Department, and the community for their assistance in safely resolving this incident.

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SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Board of Forestry will meet at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4. 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:

• State forester introduction
• Legislative session update
• Board of Forestry Governance Committee’s recommendations to the Board Manual and best practices
• Forest Trust Land Advisory Committee comments
• State Forests: Update on the rulemaking process for the Western Oregon Forest Management Plan and Performance Measures
• Governor’s Natural Resource Team update
• Update on the Adaptive Management Program
• Tethered logging rulemaking

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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Media hotline: 503-813-6018

PacifiCorp Announces Settlement of All Federal Claims for Damages from 2020 Labor Day Wildfires and 2022 McKinney Fire

Portland, Ore. (February 20, 2026) — PacifiCorp has reached a comprehensive settlement for $575 million resolving all known federal government claims for damages related to the 2020 Labor Day wildfires—including the 242, Archie Creek, Echo Mountain, Slater and South Obenchain fires—and the 2022 McKinney wildfire. 

“This settlement is another significant milestone demonstrating our ongoing commitment to resolve all reasonable claims related to the devastating fires that affected Oregon and California,” said Ryan Flynn, President of Pacific Power. “Setting aside claims arising from the Beachie Creek/Santiam Canyon fire, we have now settled nearly 90 percent of known claims for a total of more than $2.2 billion, providing certainty for customers and progress toward a financially healthy utility.”

PacifiCorp continues to invest in wildfire prevention and mitigation initiatives, including situational awareness, advanced monitoring technologies, enhanced vegetation management and system strengthening. The company remains dedicated to collaborating with regulators, legislators and customers to develop long-term solutions that address the growing threat of wildfire and other extreme weather events.

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About PacifiCorp

PacifiCorp is one of the lowest-cost electrical providers in the United States, serving two million customers. The company operates as Rocky Mountain Power in Idaho, Utah and Wyoming and as Pacific Power in California, Oregon and Washington. PacifiCorp provides safe and reliable service through a vast, integrated system of generation and transmission that connects communities as the largest regulated utility owner of wind power in the West. For more information, visit PacifiCorp.com.

MEDFORD, Ore.—A Central Point, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for felon in possession of a firearm after he and his co-defendants targeted an elderly victim and stole over $250,000 worth of gold, cash, and firearms.

Jonathan Anthony Kinsella, 53, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release. 

According to court documents, in August 2023, Kinsella, a convicted felon, came up with a plan and solicited his wife and friend to burglarize an elderly victim. Kinsella and the two co-defendants split approximately $103,000 in cash, $180,000 in gold coins, and five firearms. Police executed a search warrant at Kinsella’s residence and found a .40 S & W caliber pistol, a .30-30 Winchester caliber rifle, a Colt .38 Special revolver, and a 12-guage weapon made from a shotgun.

On February 1, 2024, a federal grand jury in Medford returned an indictment charging Kinsella with two counts of felon in possession of a firearm.

On October 20, 2025, Kinsella pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Judith Harper prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

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PORTLAND, Ore.—A Salem, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison yesterday for ordering live-streamed child sexual abuse material from child sex traffickers in the Philippines in exchange for money.

Steven Daniel Griswold, 44, was sentenced to 262 months in federal prison and a lifetime of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $12,000 special assessment under the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018.

According to court documents, from 2018 through 2019, Griswold paid for and received livestreamed “shows” featuring the sexual abuse and exploitation of children as young as three years old in the Philippines. During the livestreams, Griswold gave child sex traffickers in the Philippines specific instructions on how to abuse the children and received child sexual abuse material from the traffickers. Griswold typically paid traffickers between $20 to $40 for the livestreams. Griswold left the United States for the Philippines in 2020 after learning he was under investigation for uploading child pornography to Snapchat in an unrelated case.

On November 14, 2023, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a four-count indictment charging Griswold with sexual exploitation of children, attempted sexual exploitation of children, and receiving child pornography.

Griswold was arrested in the United States in March 2024 after being deported from the Philippines. He was transported to Portland, Oregon, for his arraignment on May 9, 2024. On November 5, 2025, Griswold pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of children.

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

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

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

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PORTLAND, Ore.— PacifiCorp has agreed to pay $575 million to resolve the United States’ claims for damages resulting from six wildfires in Oregon and California.

The four Oregon fires are:

• The “242 Fire,” which began on Sept. 7, 2020, near Chiloquin and burned 8,916 acres of federal land;
• The “Archie Creek Fire,” which began on Sept. 8, 2020, near French Creek in the Umpqua National Forest and burned 67,000 acres of federal land;
• The “Echo Mountain Complex Fire,” which began on Sept. 7, 2020, near Otis and burned approximately 2,500 acres, including federal land; and
• The “South Obenchain Fire,” which began on Sept. 8, 2020, east of Eagle Point and burned 14,780 acres of federal land.

The two California fires are:

• The “Slater Fire,” which began on Sept. 8, 2020, on Slater Butte National Forest lands within the Klamath National Forest and burned 157,229 acres of federal land within the Klamath, Six River, and Rogue River Siskiyou National Forests; and
• The “McKinney Fire,” which began on July 29, 2022, on land next to the Klamath National Forest and burned 39,000 acres of federal land.

The settlement resolves the United States’ claims that PacifiCorp’s electrical lines negligently started all six fires. The settlement monies will help repay the United States for the substantial costs it incurred fighting the fires, which is critical because the U.S. Forest Service now spends more than half of its budget on wildfire suppression annually. Settlement funds will also be distributed to the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to restore some of the 290,000 acres of public land that were burned.

These recoveries are among the largest federal wildfire recoveries to date.

“The United States and PacifiCorp have reached a settlement that ensures fair compensation to the American taxpayer for fire-related damages,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “This agreement strikes a balance by addressing the government’s significant fire-suppression costs and loss of natural resources without preventing PacifiCorp from offering electricity at fair prices.”

“Wildfires remain a recurring threat to our natural resources, the safety of our communities, and their economic well-being. The costs of land losses and fire responses are substantial,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Scott E. Bradford. “Recouping the costs associated with these wildfires is a priority for our office, and this settlement achieves that.”

“This settlement served the Department’s longstanding policy of holding individuals and corporations responsible for damages caused by wildfires. Every fire impacting federal lands, no matter the size, is a priority,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Grant of the Eastern District of California.

This settlement is the result of a joint effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for Oregon and the Eastern District of California, the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of the Interior.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexis Lien of the District of Oregon and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara Amin and Kelli L. Taylor of the Eastern District of California handled the cases for the U.S. Attorney’s Offices.

The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. PacifiCorp continues to deny liability for these fires.

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Frontline caregivers vote to expand and extend historic contract agreement.

(BEND, Ore.) – Registered nurses overwhelmingly voted to ratify a two-and-a-half year contract agreement with St. Charles Bend Feb. 19. The new agreement builds on nurses’ historic 2023 contract which addressed rising costs, improved caregiver recruitment and retention, and rebuilt trust between frontline caregivers and St. Charles management. 

“This agreement shows what’s possible when nurses are treated as strategic partners,” said Rosa Brock, RN, ONA executive team chair at St. Charles Bend. “Working together we found a way to build on our successes, continue raising healthcare standards and ensure our community has a stable healthcare system with nurses they know they can rely on.”

KEY CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS

• Recruitment and retention improvements with wage increases of 7.5% spread over the next two and a half years
• Pay equity for nurse case managers and transfer center PLRN/TCRNs who will be placed on same salary scale as their nurse colleagues 
• Long-term healthcare stability with a new contract that continues through June 30, 2029

As the only level II trauma center east of the Cascades, nurses at St. Charles Bend are responsible for patients from across Central and Eastern Oregon and into Washington. During difficult economic times, nurses felt it was more important than ever to sign a contract that provides continuity and certainty for patients throughout the region.  

“A lot of our neighbors are struggling. Housing costs are up, the tourist industry is hurting and people are having trouble getting access to basic healthcare,” said David Hilderbrand, RN, ONA vice-chair at St. Charles Bend. “This contract stabilizes our community’s safety net. Your nurses aren’t going anywhere.”

Nurses and St. Charles management have been actively collaborating to address health and safety issues between bargaining sessions through a labor management committee. Nurses plan to continue working together with St. Charles management to keep building trust and solving problems as they arise. 

“Our last agreement helped us turn the corner and resolve a lot of our recruitment and retention issues,” said Brock. “Now that we’re more safely staffed, we can spend more time with each patient and focus on our passion; caring for our community.”

The new contract runs through June 30, 2029.

The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) represents more than 1200 registered nurses at St. Charles Bend along with providers at St. Charles Prineville, Redmond and Home Health and Hospice.

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The 2026 Oregon Heritage Conference: Stories, Culture, Place – Weaving Community Heritage will be in Woodburn and surrounding areas April 29 – May 2, 2026.
 

The conference is a time for people who share a common passion for Oregon’s heritage and history to come together to share insights, understand connections, develop relationships, learn new ways, reinforce the value of the work and leave energized to keep moving forward.
 

Designed to be interdisciplinary and cross-pollenating, the conference focuses on all sectors of cultural heritage, such as historic preservation, museums, archives, libraries, Main Streets, historic cemeteries, archaeology, Tribes, genealogy, public history, and local, state, federal government.
 

Communities are complex and varied, how they are viewed by visitors and residents is informed by the long history of human experience in that place and their own experiences. The 2026 Oregon Heritage Conference will explore the intersection of stories, culture and place to develop community heritage. This heritage is the anchor for participation, economic development, connection, and possibilities for a vibrant and healthy community. 
 

The City of Woodburn and Oregon Museums Association are valuable conference partners. Get conference details and registration information at www.oregonheritage.org. 

Highlights include:

• Keynote Speaker Monica Rhodes is an internationally recognized cultural heritage leader whose work is redefining how our nation understands memory and the future of historic places. She will be exploring the future of heritage work. This speaker was funded in part by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
• Celebrate with the Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards!
• Oregon Humanities Consider This – Labor, Farmworker Organizing, and Histories of Indigenous Communities in Oregon. Free and open to the public!

The sessions, workshops and tours will be spread throughout Woodburn and the surrounding area to help people preserving and sharing heritage and history in Oregon through 32 sessions, 6 topical networking meet ups, 8 workshops, 3 demonstrations, 10 tours, and a celebration of amazing heritage preservation work across the state.
 

Registration is available for Monica Rhodes keynote and the Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards alone and as part of the full conference registration.
 

Thanks to our conference sponsors: Oregon Correction Enterprises, America 250 Oregon Commission, University of Oregon Libraries, Historic Oregon Newspapers, Energy Trust of Oregon, and Proxi. And thank you to the 2026 Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards Sponsor Oregon Historical Society.

To learn more about the conference, visit www.oregonheritage.org. For additional questions, translation and accessibility needs contact Kuri Gill at i.Gill@oprd.oregon.gov">Kuri.Gill@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-986-0685.

SALEM, Oregon— Starting March 30, 2026, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) will no longer waive the parking fee at 22 additional day-use parks.

A day-use parking permit is currently $10 for in-state visitors and $12 for out-of-state visitors and is valid for the entire day of purchase at any Oregon state park.

Access to parks remains free for visitors who walk, bike, or use public transportation. Visitors who drive in can show valid parking by displaying a current hangtag from camping at an Oregon State Park or a current 12 or 24-month parking permit. Visitors who purchase parking permits online or via the parking QR codes can associate their license plates with valid payment.

Currently, OPRD requires a day-use parking permit at 46 parks and waives parking fees at over 150 parks across the state. The 22 additional parks were selected based on amenities and features that require maintenance and operation such as restrooms, trails, paving, irrigation, boat ramps and more. Parking fees help pay for maintenance, operation, and keep these offerings available for all visitors.

“These updates are about protecting the experiences visitors love,” said Interim Director Stefanie Coons. “We know fee changes are tough and we truly appreciate the support from visitors. These changes help us take care of things people count on like restrooms, boat ramps, and trails, so we can keep parks safe, clean, and welcoming for everyone.”

Oregon State Parks has three main sources of funding: a little less than half comes from constitutionally dedicated lottery funds, about 15% comes from recreational vehicle license plate fees and roughly 35% comes from park fees from visitors. It is not funded by general fund taxes.

For frequent visitors looking to save on parking, an annual parking permit is available for Oregon State Parks and can be purchased online. The 12-month parking permit costs $60 for Oregon residents. The 24-month parking permit is no longer for sale, but valid permits will be honored until they expire.

Additionally, March 30 also marks the start of a $10 fee at 19 RV dump stations across the park system. This fee helps cover the cost of maintaining this amenity and supports efforts toward more sustainable operations. Visitors can pay easily by scanning a QR code at the dump station or by paying online.

Whether you are visiting for the day or camping overnight, Oregon State Parks recommends that you visit the park webpage before your visit. Conditions can change quickly and some parks may have construction or seasonal closures.

Oregon state parks with parking fees added March 30, 2026:

• Agate Beach State Recreation Area
• Angel’s Rest Trailhead
• Banks-Vernonia State Trail
• Bob Straub State Park
• Brian Booth State Park
• Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic Viewpoint
• Cape Blanco State Park
• Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint
• Carl G Washburne Memorial State Park
• Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area
• Elijah Bristow State Park
• Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area
• Gleneden Beach State Recreation Area
• Governor Patterson Memorial State Recreation Site
• Lake Owyhee State Park
• Latourell Falls Trailhead at Guy Talbot State Park
• Molalla River State Park
• Oceanside Beach State Recreation Area
• Roads End State Recreation Site
• Umpqua Lighthouse State Park
• Wallowa Lake State Park
• William M Tugman State Park

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PORTLAND, Ore.—A Romanian national pleaded guilty yesterday in connection with an online intrusion into an Oregon state government office, along with multiple cyber attacks on other U.S. victims.

Catalin Dragomir, 45, formerly of Constanta, Romania, pleaded guilty to obtaining information from a protected computer and aggravated identity theft.

According to court documents, Dragomir sold access to a computer on the network of an Oregon state government office after obtaining unauthorized access to it in June 2021. During the sale of access to the computer, Dragomir provided the prospective buyer with samples of personal identifying information from the computer to prove he had actual access to the network. Dragomir also sold access to the computer networks of numerous other victims in the U.S., causing losses of at least $250,000.

On May 21, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a five-count indictment charging Dragomir with obtaining information from a protected computer, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft.

Dragomir was arrested in Romania in November 2024 and extradited to the United States in January 2025.

Dragomir faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release for obtaining information from a protected computer and a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in prison, a fine not to exceed $250,000, and one year of supervised release for aggravated identity theft.

He will be sentenced on May 26, 2026, before a U.S. District Court Judge.

As part of the plea agreement, Dragomir has agreed to pay restitution in full to the victims and forfeited cryptocurrency.

The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine A. Rykken for the District of Oregon and Trial Attorneys Benjamin A. Bleiberg and Alison M. Zitron of the Justice Department’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) are prosecuting the case. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs worked with the Romanian Ministry of Justice, Directorate for International Law and Judicial Cooperation, and the Romanian judiciary to secure the arrest and extradition of Dragomir. The Department of Justice also thanks Darkweb IQ for its assistance with the investigation.

CCIPS investigates and prosecutes cybercrime in coordination with domestic and international law enforcement agencies, often with assistance from the private sector. Since 2020, CCIPS has secured the conviction of over 180 cybercriminals and court orders for the return of over $350 million in victim funds.

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Tillamook Highway during December floods,, photo courtesy of ODOT

SALEM, Ore. — Gov. Tina Kotek has requested a major disaster declaration from President Donald Trump following severe storms that struck Oregon from Dec. 15 to Dec. 21, 2025. The request seeks public assistance for nine counties — Clackamas, Hood River, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Polk, Tillamook, Union and Yamhill — and statewide access to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.  

 "The scale of damage from December's severe storms impacted multiple Oregon communities, with more than $15 million in losses and needed repairs. Rural communities are stretched beyond their limits, and help from FEMA is urgently needed,” Governor Kotek said. “I'm requesting a major disaster declaration from President Trump because Oregonians did the hard work of showing up for each other and they deserve federal support to rebuild." 

The storms brought record rainfall, high winds and an atmospheric river that caused widespread flooding, landslides and mudslides. At the peak, more than 300,000 Oregonians were without power, and multiple highways and interstates were closed. One person died in Yamhill County. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) has created an interactive StoryMap detailing the event and its timeline. 

A joint preliminary damage assessment validated more than $15.4 million in eligible damages. Tillamook County had the highest per-capita damage at $154.29 per person. Without federal assistance, rural communities and consumer-owned utilities could face significant financial strain. 

“This storm struck our communities with little warning, leaving widespread damage and compounding the hardships from earlier storms and ongoing recovery efforts,” Erin McMahon, OEM director, said. “Local governments and utilities have worked tirelessly to protect lives and restore essential services, but the scale of destruction far exceeds what local resources can manage alone. Federal assistance is critical to help communities recover and build resilience against future disasters.” 

If approved, the declaration will provide funding for debris removal, emergency protective measures and repairs to roads, bridges, utilities and other public infrastructure. Hazard mitigation funding would support long-term projects to reduce future disaster impacts.

For more information on Oregon’s disaster recovery efforts and how to be better prepared for disasters, visit Oregon.gov/OEM.