See Road Camera Views around the Klamath Basin:

Lake of the Woods
Doak Mtn.
Hiway 97 at Chemult
Hiway 140 at  Bly
Hiway 97 at GreenSprings Dr.
Hiway 97 at LaPine

Around the State of Oregon

Measles Cases in Oregon

Health authorities in Oregon are currently on heightened alert following the state’s initial confirmed cases of measles for the year 2026 in Linn County.

As reported by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), two individuals have exhibited symptoms of this highly contagious virus. Officials are advising anyone who visited the Emergency Department of Lebanon Community Hospital between 8:53 p.m. on January 6 and 7 a.m. on January 7, or the Emergency Department of Albany General Hospital from 4:59 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. on January 7, to reach out to their healthcare provider without delay.

Measles is transmitted through the air and can remain viable for up to two hours after an infected individual has vacated the area. Typical symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and a rash that begins on the face before disseminating.

Public health officials emphasize the importance of individuals with symptoms to contact medical facilities in advance to mitigate the risk of further exposure.

Nurses Say Asante Is Requiring Them To Sign Away Bonus Pay Before Filling Shifts

Nurses at Medford’s Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center said a new policy requires them to sign a waiver giving up extra pay before filling holes in the hospital’s staffing schedule. Previously, nurses received bonuses for working a certain number of consecutive days.

The change in pay policy comes amid complaints of staff shortages.

The Oregon Nurses Association said the policy, which began in December, violates the union’s contract and that the group has filed a grievance with the National Labor Relations Board. The union said the waivers, which many nurses refuse to sign, have led to dozens of unfilled shifts per day.

“Asking people to sign a waiver is not incentivizing them to work, and not incentivizing people to work is leaving us short-staffed,” said Fred Katz, an Asante nurse and union chairperson.

The Oregon Health Authority is investigating dozens of complaints against Asante for violating state staffing requirements. The agency, which is working through a backlog, fined Asante $34,000 for violations in June alone.

“I don’t think the fines quite make up the difference in what it would cost to run the operation as it is dictated by the law,” Katz said. “So that may be a deliberate choice. I don’t know what their thinking is.”

Over the holidays, multiple Asante departments faced a nurse shortage, with the critical care unit forced to close because it only had two nurses on duty, said ONA spokesperson Kevin Mealy.

“Nurses were in their scrubs ready to work, but Asante turned them away at the door because they refused to sign away their rights to fair pay,” Mealy said.

A spokesperson for Asante said they “do not respond to unfounded and inaccurate accusations.”

Katz said the union had worked out scheduling details with Asante during the pandemic. But things have changed under new Asante leadership.

“This new administration, I don’t think, is as eager to follow the law or as eager to pay people the incentive to come in and work,” Katz said.

He noted that staffing requirements were established to ensure patient safety and experience, as well as nurses’ well-being.

“What I want is for patients to get what they need in a timely manner, for nurses to have a reasonable shot at doing a great job and going home and being proud of the job they do,” Katz said.

Oregon passed its hospital staffing law in 2023. The potential of civil penalties for hospitals began in June.

Poor leadership with budgets continues from liberal Governor Tina Kotek, who has not been able to stabilize maintaining essential services at the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).

ODOT is still confronted with potential layoffs and service cutbacks, alongside an anticipated budget shortfall of $242 million. In advance of the February session, Kotek is appealing to legislators to reallocate funds from current transportation budgets to support core operations.

Additionally, the governor is seeking to repeal HB 3991 and establish a new direction moving forward. The governor indicated that she will convene with stakeholders, which include a bipartisan assembly of lawmakers and technical specialists, to formulate a new transportation funding and investment strategy for 2027. Meantime, road maintenance and projects won’t be getting anywhere. Stay tuned.

Justice Department Announces Charges Against Illegal Alien, Known Tren de Aragua Associate, for Violent Attack on Border Patrol Agents in Portland, Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore.—Today, the Justice Department announced criminal charges against Luis Nino-Moncada, an illegal alien and known Tren de Aragua (TdA) associate living in the Portland, Oregon area for violently striking a federal law enforcement vehicle.

During a targeted enforcement operation on Thursday last week, Nino-Moncada is alleged to have repeatedly struck a federal law enforcement vehicle, placing Border Patrol agents in harm’s way and resulting in significant damage to federal property. Nino-Moncada is in the country illegally, having previously been ordered removed by an immigration judge in 2024.

“Anyone who crosses the red line of assaulting law enforcement will be met with the full force of this Justice Department,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This man — an illegal alien with ties to a foreign terrorist organization — should NEVER have been in our country to begin with, and we will ensure he NEVER walks free in America again.”

Nino-Moncada has been charged with aggravated assault of a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon and depredation of federal property in excess of $1,000. Nino-Moncada is scheduled to make his Initial Appearance today at 1:30 PM PST.

According to the complaint, Border Patrol agents initiated a targeted immigration enforcement operation on a vehicle believed to belong to a female involved in a TdA prostitution ring. The female was sitting in the passenger-side seat of the vehicle at the time of the enforcement operation. This female had previously been arrested by Border Patrol in El Paso, Texas and later failed to report to immigration authorities. According to law enforcement reports, the female is believed to have been involved in a shooting stemming from a bad prostitution deal.

After commanding Nino-Moncada to exit the vehicle, Nino-Moncada is alleged to have placed his vehicle in reverse, colliding with an unoccupied Border Patrol vehicle with enough speed and force to cause significant damage. Nino-Moncada continued the forward and reverse maneuver multiple times, striking the Border Patrol vehicle multiple times. A Border Patrol agent interviewed by FBI special agents described being fearful that Nino-Moncada could strike them and other Border Patrol agents with the target vehicle. After the attack, Nino-Moncada and the female passenger fled the scene in the target vehicle.

Damage to the border patrol vehicle was significant. Serious damage was sustained to the front bumper, resulting in the bumper being torn from the vehicle, both headlights being destroyed, the front driver-side quarter panel being dented, including the fender liner being detached, and the driver side rear-passenger door and quarter panel being dented.

In an interview following the incident, Nino-Moncada admitted to intentionally ramming the Border Patrol vehicle in an attempt to flee and stated that he knew it was an immigration enforcement vehicle.

 

Portland agitators continue to clash with police after 2 illegals were shot by federal immigration agent.

Agitators and protesters continue noisy disruption near Portland ICE building, total arrests reach 84.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents confronted and shot a man and a woman Thursday afternoon in a medical clinic parking lot near Adventist Health hospital in Southeast Portland, authorities and witnesses said.

The man was wounded in the arm or leg and the woman in the chest,according to dispatch audio and Portland police sources. They are believed to be a married couple. Their conditions have not been released at this time.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, said agents were trying to make a traffic stop at the time of the shooting. She characterized it as self-defense.

She said agents had targeted one of the truck’s occupants as a “Venezuelan illegal alien affiliated with the transnational Tren de Aragua prostitution ring” who had been involved in a recent shooting in Portland. The driver was a Tren de Aragua member, she said.

“When agents identified themselves to the vehicle occupants, the driver weaponized his vehicle and attempted to run over the law enforcement agents,” she said.  “Fearing for his life and safety, an agent fired a defensive shot. The driver drove off with the passenger, fleeing the scene. This situation is evolving, and more information is forthcoming today.”

Video from last night showed officers in riot gear pushing forward as agitators crowded the street, leading to shoving and jostling during the nighttime confrontation.

Authorities said officers repeatedly ordered demonstrators to move to the sidewalk so that traffic could remain open. When those directives were ignored, officers moved in and made targeted arrests.

According to DHS, the driver — who is believed to be a member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) — allegedly, “weaponized the vehicle and attempted to run over the law enforcement agents” after agents identified themselves as law enforcement, prompting an agent to fire a defensive shot. The driver fled the scene with a passenger, officials said.

Following the incident, leftist Portland Mayor Keith Wilson called on ICE to “halt all operations” in the city until a full and independent investigation can take place.

“We know what the federal government says happened here,” Wilson said during a news conference Thursday night. “There was a time when we could take them at their word. That time has long passed.”

Thursday’s shooting in Portland followed the fatal shooting of Renee Good during an ICE enforcement operation in South Minneapolis Wednesday.

 

Law enforcement in southern Oregon continues to search for a suspect who escaped from officers during a high-speed chase.

Billy Dean Gregory has several outstanding warrants, and additional charges are forthcoming following a car chase that began in Josephine County last week.

Despite sustaining damage from spike strips, officials report that Gregory accelerated into Ashland, where the pursuit was halted for safety considerations. The vehicle was subsequently discovered abandoned after a report of another stolen car in the vicinity.

Authorities advise residents not to confront Gregory directly, but to contact law enforcement if he is seen.

 

Eagle Point police are conducting an investigation into what they characterize as one of the most significant cases of animal neglect the department has encountered.

This follows the execution of a search warrant at a residence where 30 deceased dogs were discovered in a single freezer, alongside 54 live dogs residing within the premises.

Police Chief Jim Hamilton stated that the warrant was the culmination of an investigation lasting nearly two years, prompted by complaints from neighbors and multiple efforts to engage with the homeowner. The individual in question, identified as Jana Tepper, has been apprehended and is currently held at the Jackson County Jail on charges of aggravated animal abuse. In collaboration with Jackson County Animal Control, Mercy Flights, Jackson County Mental Health, and veterinarians from Rogue Valley Emergency Veterinary Hospital, police worked to remove and assess the animals.

Veterinary personnel volunteered their expertise to provide medical assistance prior to the transportation of the dogs to local shelters. Some of the surviving animals are being placed for adoption through Midwest Schipperke Rescue; however, not all dogs can be released due to ongoing legal matters.

 

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office announced that in December, it conducted investigations into several reported burglaries across the county, one of which involved a vehicle theft.

On December 27, 2025, the LCSO successfully recovered the stolen vehicle. Upon its recovery, the vehicle’s owner discovered numerous items of stolen property within the vehicle, which were later identified as being linked to a different burglary. Consequently, the investigation was broadened.

On January 3, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office obtained a search warrant, which was executed successfully on the same day at 88476 Christmas Valley Highway in Christmas Valley. The execution of this warrant led to the recovery of several more items of stolen property.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, multiple suspects have been arrested and charged in relation to the burglaries.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office urges the public to promptly report any suspicious activities. This investigation is still active.

 

Portland Woman Pleads Guilty to Abusive Sexual Contact 

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland woman pleaded guilty yesterday for engaging in sexual contact of an unaccompanied minor under the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement.

Teresa Valdovinos-Godinez, 34, pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact.

According to court documents, between September 12, 2023, and October 8, 2023, Valdovinos-Godinez engaged in abusive sexual contact with an individual in federal custody while she was working as a counselor at Morrison Mi Futuro, a residential facility for unaccompanied minors in Portland.

On August 12, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Valdovinos-Godinez with abusive sexual contact.

Valdovinos-Godinez faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release. She will be sentenced on April 2, 2026, before a U.S. District Court Judge.

As part of the plea agreement, Valdovinos-Godinez has agreed to pay restitution in full to the victim.

The Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kate Rochat and Pamela Paaso are 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.

 

MEDFORD, Ore. – Nearly 200 Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment were formally welcomed home Jan. 11 during a demobilization ceremony at South Medford High School.

The ceremony, presided over by Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold, Oregon’s adjutant general, honored the unit’s nine-month deployment to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula as part of the Multinational Force and Observers mission.

“Welcome home,” Gronewold said. “Those two words carry the weight of nearly a year of service, sacrifice, and separation.”

The 205-soldier battalion, designated USBATT 74 during the deployment, served alongside military forces from 14 other nations supervising the implementation of security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace.

“In a region marked by volatility and tension, you stood watch. You maintained peace. You prevented violations of that historic treaty,” Gronewold said. “You represented not just Oregon, not just the United States, but the cause of peace itself.”

Lt. Col. Joshua Rapp, battalion commander, said the mission provided security for two camps in the Sinai while operating remote observation sites monitoring key routes and airfields between Egypt and Israel.

“We observed military aircraft, vehicles, and equipment to ensure that both countries were abiding by what is directed in the peace treaty,” Rapp said.

The deployment tested the unit during a period of heightened regional tensions. The battalion faced a three-month lockdown period when MFO bases were identified as potential targets during conflicts in the region.

“There was about a 48 to 72-hour period where we were in full combat equipment for 24 hours a day, other than sleeping,” Rapp said. “We had to be inside a hardened building, we had to be in our full kit, even to go eat chow.”

Despite operational challenges, Rapp emphasized the mission’s unique aspects, particularly the multinational integration.

“What I would say the best thing about it was the level of multinational integration and the fact that we were working so closely with all our partners,” Rapp said. “There were 15 nations, including us, that we worked with on a daily basis.”

The battalion worked most closely with forces from Fiji, Colombia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Uruguay, and Japan, participating in combined training exercises and sporting tournaments that built international relationships.

The deployment also provided extensive training opportunities. Soldiers conducted air insertion training, aeromedical evacuation exercises, range time, and leadership courses, often integrated with multinational partners.

“The 1-186th Infantry really went above and beyond to train throughout the whole deployment,” Rapp said.

Command Sgt. Maj. Evan Garner emphasized the unit’s growth during the deployment.

“The battalion did come back stronger,” Garner said. “There was a multitude of opportunities for soldiers to train both within our units and battalions and then cross-train between nations. We worked with 15 different national partners over there and spent many, many hours and days learning about what they do and teaching them what we do also, so we have a better knowledge across the board of operations.”

Garner emphasized the teaching opportunities soldiers gained.

“Our soldiers got a chance to improve their abilities as teachers, not just of United States soldiers, but soldiers from different countries and other groups,” he said.

For many soldiers, the mission offered unique leisure opportunities uncommon in most deployments. Service members became certified scuba divers and participated in organized duty tours to Egyptian landmarks including the pyramids, Luxor, and Mount Sinai.

“My message to the soldiers and families is first off and most importantly, thank you,” Garner said. “Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for your service and thank you for being there for each other. The greatest thing about 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry is that we’re a family, and the family is what makes us able to do this mission.”

Garner also emphasized the importance of maintaining connections during the transition home.

“Be patient. Know that things have changed while we’re gone, and just work together as a team within your family,” Garner said. “Reach out to your soldiers. Since we were there 24/7 around everybody, I know it becomes more of a challenge once we get home, but reach out. It could be a call, it could be a text, a stop by—all of that matters and just shows that we continue to care and be there for our buddies.”

The battalion was mobilized Oct. 20, 2024, during a ceremony in Ashland and returned to Oregon on Oct. 3, 2025. Approximately 150 soldiers returned to Medford while about 50 service members arrived in Portland.

While most soldiers came from the 1-186th Infantry Regiment based in Southern Oregon, the deployment also included National Guard members from the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment and other Guard units across multiple states for specialized positions.

“This deployment to Egypt adds another distinguished chapter to that legacy—one that future generations of Oregon Guardsmen will look to with pride,” Gronewold said.

The 1-186th Infantry Regiment previously mobilized for the 2021 Presidential Inauguration security mission in Washington, D.C., Oregon’s COVID-19 response, and overseas operations in the Horn of Africa from 2019-2020, in Afghanistan from 2014-2015, and in Iraq from 2009-2010.

Gronewold concluded the ceremony by acknowledging the families who supported the deployed soldiers.

“To the spouses, parents, children, and loved ones who held down the home front while these Soldiers served overseas—your strength and resilience made this mission possible,” Gronewold said. “Thank you for your service to Oregon and to our nation.”

 

A conservative think tank based in Olympia, Washington, is taking legal action against the state of Oregon regarding a new statute that prohibits the impersonation of a union representative.

The Freedom Foundation, which claims to promote awareness among public sector employees about their rights to withdraw from union membership, initiated the lawsuit on December 31, the day prior to the law’s implementation, in the U.S. District Court located in Portland.

The lawsuit identifies Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, the Oregon Employment Relations Boards along with three of its leadership members, and five prominent unions, including the Service Employees International Union Local 503, the Oregon Education Association, and the Oregon American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 75.

The Freedom Foundation contends that House Bill 3789, which was approved along party lines in both legislative chambers and signed into law by Governor Tina Kotek in June, infringes upon the First Amendment by discriminating based on content and viewpoint, thereby targeting political speech.

Under this law, union representatives are permitted to file lawsuits against individuals for $6,250 if they can demonstrate that someone has falsely impersonated a union representative.

 

Oregon’s Unemployment Rate Was 5.2% in November

Today, the Oregon Employment Department released monthly employment and unemployment data for November 2025, after a significant delay due to the federal government shutdown.

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.2% in November and 5.2% in September. The October unemployment rate is not available since underlying data was not collected due to the federal government shutdown that month. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.6% in November.

In November, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 1,600 jobs, following a loss of 2,000 jobs in October. November’s gains were largest in leisure and hospitality (+2,100 jobs) and health care and social assistance (+1,000 jobs). Losses were largest in government (-800 jobs) and information (-600 jobs).

Leisure and hospitality experienced an uptick in hiring recently, adding 3,900 jobs between July and November, following a stagnant period of employment from 2023 through mid-2025. Its component industry, accommodation and food services, has been particularly robust, adding 4,900 jobs since July.

Health care and social assistance continued its rapid expansion over the past several years, adding 10,900 jobs, or 3.5%, between November 2024 and November 2025.

Government employment cut 2,300 jobs between September and November. Federal government lost 800 jobs during the most recent two months as those taking early retirement incentives were recorded as dropping off payrolls in October.

The information industry cut 1,200 jobs between September and November. At 33,400 total jobs in November, it rapidly declined since reaching a peak of 37,300 jobs three years ago.

 

Oregon has enhanced its online voter registration system in anticipation of a crucial election season, enabling eligible voters without a state-issued ID to register digitally for the first time.

Voters can access the system via sos.oregon.gov by navigating to the voting section of the website.

Applicants lacking an Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles number can now indicate this directly on the form and proceed with the online registration process. These users are required to provide their name, residential address, date of birth, the last four digits of their Social Security number, and an uploaded image of their signature.

This modification arises from House Bill 4133, which was enacted by lawmakers in 2022. Previously, online registration was restricted to voters whose identity and signature had already been authenticated through the DMV. Individuals without qualifying identification were obligated to fill out a paper registration form, which was subsequently processed by county elections offices.

State election officials indicate that this update aims to modernize the registration system and eliminate obstacles for eligible voters, including those who no longer drive, have never possessed an Oregon driver license, or encounter difficulties registering by mail.

 

The Oregon DMV has now implemented a local preference system for rural customers who are scheduling behind-the-wheel drive tests for Class C driver licenses, which is the standard license for passenger vehicles.

Senate Bill 9 mandates that DMV field offices located in 20 rural counties prioritize applicants who either reside within the same county, are within 50 miles of a DMV field office, or live in one of the two counties that do not have a DMV office.

This legislation benefits customers residing in Baker, Clatsop, Crook, Curry, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Hood River, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Tillamook, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, and Wheeler counties. It is important to note that the DMV does not conduct drive tests in Gilliam, Morrow, Sherman, or Wheeler counties.

Customers from these counties have the option to schedule a local-preference drive test at any rural DMV office that provides this service.

 

Oregon Health Authority statement: West Coast Health Alliance continues to endorse AAP-recommended child, adolescent immunization schedules

Last week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) signed a decision memorandumto revise the Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule and significantly reduce the number of vaccinations routinely recommended for all U.S. children. Oregon parents may want to follow this highly recommended decision regarding vaccinations.

However, according to the West Coast Health Alliance, this decision may threaten an increase in vaccine-preventable diseases in children nationwide. Children getting sick from the diseases prevented by recommended immunizations leads to missed school for children, missed work for parents, and even hospitalization and death in some children.  

The current American Academy of Pediatrics Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule is based on established vaccine safety and effectiveness evidence. AAP recommendations consider:  

• When children are most vulnerable to diseases;  
• When vaccines work best with children’s immune systems;  
• The safety of vaccinations being recommended;  
• The risk of diseases in the United States;  
• Our current access to health care and immunizations; and 
• Cost effectiveness of implementing national recommendations for a particular vaccination.  

While the first three concerns are similar across countries, the last three concerns may differ considerably between countries. The AAP-recommended immunization schedule serves as a starting point for discussions between families and their providers, as it always has. Parents should continue to make informed decisions about the vaccines that their children receive based on discussions with their child’s health care provider.  

We do not expect these changes to affect insurer coverage for vaccines for this plan year. All child and adolescent immunizations recommended as of Dec. 31, 2025, will remain available and covered by public and private insurers however the changes create confusion and will put more children at risk of preventable diseases.   

The West Coast Health Alliance will continue to review available vaccine science and ensure continued access to recommended vaccines. Each state is examining the impact of these federal changes on vaccine access in our respective states. WCHA and AAP continue to support these longstanding recommendations including informed parental decisions for the best protection of their children. 

The West Coast Health Alliance was formed to ensure that public health recommendations are guided by science, effectiveness and safety at a time when CDC leadership changes, reduced transparency and the compromise of key advisory panels have called into question the federal government’s capacity to address the nation’s public health challenges.

 

Petitioners aiming to place a gas tax referendum on the November ballot submitted an additional set of signatures on Monday in Salem, bringing their total to approximately 250,000 signatures.

Chief petitioner Bruce Starr, who is the newly elected leader of the Oregon Senate Republicans, was among those who delivered the signatures to the Secretary of State’s Elections Office. The group asserts that this total exceeds three times the 78,000 valid signatures necessary to qualify the measure for the ballot.

Lawmakers approved the gas tax increase last fall, primarily along party lines, as a measure to avert hundreds of layoffs at the Oregon Department of Transportation. The legislation increases Oregon’s gas tax by six cents per gallon and highly raises certain DMV fees, expenses that petitioners contend many residents are unable to bear.

Several Republican lawmakers are supporting the referendum initiative, yet organizers maintain that the issue transcends party affiliations.

 

PACIFIC POWER IS STILL RESPONDING TO WEATHER-RELATED OUTAGES FROM STORMS

HAYDEN HOMES AND SIMPLICITY MOBILIZE TO FIGHT FOOD INSECURITY IN THE NORTHWEST

Year-end initiative contributes $66,000 to local food banks, more than 2,500 pounds of donated food, and dozens of volunteer hours

Redmond, Ore., Dec. 17, 2025—This December, Hayden Homes, Simplicity by Hayden Homes, and First Story undertook a major philanthropic campaign across the Northwest in support of organizations fighting food insecurity. 

The campaign included gifts totaling $66,000 to 15 nonprofit organizations across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Western Montana. In addition, a company-wide food drive totaled more than 2,500 pounds of non-perishable foods, which team members delivered to local food banks where they also contributed more than 60 hours of volunteer time. 

Community members facing food insecurity are experiencing a lack of consistent access to enough food for a healthy, active life, according to Feeding America, a leading data provider on the issue. Feeding America estimates that in 2023, about 14.2 percent of Oregonians, or 599,460 people, were food insecure. 

“While federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits have been restored, we know our region continues to face critical food insecurity,” said Brett Swanson, regional director at Hayden Homes. “It takes all of us to build a strong community, and at Hayden Homes, we are motivated by our Give As You Go™ philosophy to do what we can, when we can. Whether someone can give nonperishable items, a financial contribution, or an hour of their time to their local food kitchen, we hope our community members will join us to help feed our neighbors.”

Regional homebuilders Hayden Homes and Simplicity invest in the communities where they build, and the companies’ three philanthropic areas of focus include Food Security, Housing Solutions, and Youth and Education. The flagship of Hayden Homes’ giving initiatives is First Story, a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded by the company in 1998 to provide affordable homeownership opportunities to under-resourced families across the Northwest. Each year, First Story donates hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to nonprofit organizations whose work strengthens local communities.        

In Oregon, Hayden Homes, Simplicity, and First Story gave $18,500 to local organizations including Albany General Hospital, ACCESS, Agape House, Food for Lane County, St. Vincent De Paul of Bend, NeighborImpact, and Thrive Central Oregon. The funds will support a variety of initiatives to ensure community members can feed their families not just at the holidays but throughout the year. 

“Our food network serves more than 80,000 individuals every month including children, families, and older adults,” said Scott Cooper, executive director of NeighborImpact. “When local private companies like Hayden Homes and Simplicity invest in the nonprofits and agencies that partner with NeighborImpact to alleviate hunger in Central Oregon, the entire system can do more to provide fresh, local food to pantries, meal sites, and shelters across our region.”

At the St. Vincent De Paul food bank in Bend, team members delivered 450 pounds of donated nonperishable items. And in Albany, fifteen Hayden Homes and Simplicity regional team members joined the Samaritan Albany General Hospital Foundation for a Backpack Assembly Event in support of the Hayden Homes/First Story Backpack Fund. This program provides healthy food backpacks for local patients and families struggling with food insecurity. In addition to filling 100 backpacks, the volunteer team also presented a $5,000 donation to further support the program. 

To learn more about Hayden Homes’ Give As You Go™ philosophy, visit www.hayden-homes.com. 

 

BLM APPROVES LITHIUM EXPLORATION IN SOUTHEAST OREGON

VALE, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management recently approved the expansion of lithium exploration activities in southern Malheur County, about 20 miles west of McDermitt, Nevada. 

With this approval, HiTech Minerals, Inc. is authorized to conduct lithium mineral exploration activities over the course of five years. Lithium has been on the Department of the Interior’s list of critical minerals since the list was established in 2017. 

“The HiTech lithium exploration project represents a significant step toward achieving the nation’s energy goals and reducing dependence on foreign critical minerals—key priorities under the President’s agenda,” said BLM Acting Malheur Field Manager Tara McLain. 

The project includes disturbance of up to 73 total acres created by 168 exploration drill sites across 7,200 acres of public lands, the construction of 22 miles of new access routes, and other temporary disturbances to store necessary equipment. 

Exploration drilling would occur annually between July 1 and November 30 for up to five years, and concurrent reclamation of the disturbances would occur after each drill season. Subsurface hydrological, geophysical, and geochemical data may be collected during the proposed drilling activities as well. 

Additional information, including the signed decision record, is available at the BLM National NEPA Register. For more information, please contact BLM Public Affairs Specialist Larisa Bogardus at 541-523-1407 or lbogardus@blm.gov.

 

Families in rural Oregon who are raising children frequently encounter limited opportunities for after-school activities that enhance social skills, academic achievement, and safety.

According to a survey conducted by the Afterschool Alliance, a national nonprofit organization, five out of six children in Oregon could gain from after-school programs but are unable to access them due to high costs or distance. For families residing outside urban centers, the closest program is often situated more than an hour away.

The survey revealed significant support for after-school programs from both Republican and Democratic parents. Some parents indicated that after-school activities enable them to work longer hours, increase their productivity, and alleviate concerns regarding their children’s wellbeing, as reported in the survey.

 

Beginning in February, air travelers in the United States who do not possess a REAL ID will incur a fee of $45, as announced by the Transportation Security Administration on Monday.

Although the updated ID has been mandatory since May, passengers lacking it have previously been permitted to pass through security with additional screening and a cautionary notice.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, 94% of travelers are already compliant, and the new fee aims to motivate travelers to acquire the ID. REAL ID refers to a state-issued license or identification card that complies with federal standards and fulfills enhanced requirements established following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

 

Help Raise Funds To Plant Trees in Oregon!

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

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

Participants can walk, run, paddle or roll to complete their 5K anywhere outdoors anytime between April 18 and 26 (covering Earth Day and Arbor Day).   

Participants are encouraged to register by April 1 to ensure that your swag arrives before the event week. Last year, we had to close registration early due to higher than anticipated participation, so register as soon as possible.  If you register after April 1, you may not receive your swag before race week. Registration will close on April 15, or earlier if more participants sign up than we have available swag.

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

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

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

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

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

Participants can register at www.orparksforever.org.

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

 

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