John Denver Tribute Show Concert Coming To Ragland!

Ted Vigil is America’s premier John Denver tribute artist and he’s coming to the Ross Ragland theater on Saturday, October 3rd! 

Ted’s show embodies the late great music icon in look as well as voice with an unforgettable performance.  He has performed with John Denver’s own lead guitarist, Steve Weisberg, who described Vigil’s performance as “uncanny”.

Ted has performed at John Denver’s own “Windstar Foundation” in Aspen, CO, John Denver’s former home. Performing throughout the country, Ted Vigil has wowed sellout crowds from coast to coast and everywhere in between.

For this wonderful and exciting show, expect to hear John Denver’s most beloved hits, like “Take Me Home, Country Roads’, ‘Leaving on a Jet Plane’, ‘Annie’s Song’, ‘Rocky Mountain High’, ‘Thank God I’m a Country Boy’, ‘Sunshine on My Shoulders’, and many more.

You will definitely not want to miss this performance. Without question, this is the closest you will ever see, or hear, to the great John Denver.  Sat, Oct 3rd, 2026 at 7:00 pm. Click to buy tickets for the show at https://www.ragland.org/

Around the State of Oregon

Oregon’s Secretary of State Tobias Read has announced his intention to proceed with the midterm election in accordance with existing state law, despite the President’s recent executive order concerning vote-by-mail.

The left-leaning Secretary Read noted that the U.S. Postal Service has yet to release updated regulations regarding ballot mailing, which contributed to the High Court’s decision not to block the executive order.

He has directed county clerks to continue with their standard election preparations, ensuring that ballots for military and overseas voters will be dispatched shortly.

Read emphasized that he is in regular communication with the Postal Service to facilitate a seamless and unobstructed election process. Expect this to head to the U.S. Supreme Court to be solved along with other states who refuse to comply. The issue at hand, is to strengthen our American elections and eliminate voter mail-in fraud, which has been uncovered in many states.

As over 20 wildfires rage across 2.4 million acres in Oregon, wildfire officials are reiterating the importance of avoiding drone flights in these areas.

Drones present a serious hazard to firefighting aircraft, leading to potential grounding of planes and helicopters for extended periods until the drone threat is resolved. Such delays can exacerbate the spread of wildfires, according to the Oregon Department of Emergency Management.

Their message is clear: “If you fly, we can’t.” Kenji Sugahara, Director of the Oregon Department of Aviation, emphasized that unauthorized drones can jeopardize lives, as firefighting aircraft operate under extremely difficult conditions and may be forced to vacate the area when their presence is most critical.

Furthermore, the use of drones near wildfires is illegal and can result in severe federal penalties, including up to a year in prison and fines reaching $75,000, a risk that state officials deem unacceptable.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has declared the appointment of Rami Amaro as the new District Attorney of Lake County, effective immediately, following the resignation of Paul J. Charas.

Rami Amaro brings a wealth of experience as a litigator, with a background in criminal, civil, and appellate law, alongside significant expertise in business management. Additionally, she is engaged in community service and has held positions as both a pro tem judge and an administrative law judge.

Seaside Postmaster Charged with Distribution & Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

The Seaside, Oregon, Postmaster has been charged with possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material and production of obscene visual representations of child sexual abuse, announced U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon

Ryan Sherman, 36, has been charged by criminal complaint and made his initial appearance in federal court today.

According to court documents, Sherman was in possession of dozens of images and videos of child sexual abuse material. In addition to possessing images and videos Sheman produced obscene child sexual abuse images for people he talked to on the internet, taking innocuous photographs of children and using artificial intelligence (AI) to turn them into obscene images. Sherman exchanged child abuse material on SimpleX with other members of a chat group. When asked by an individual seeking obscene images whether he had any limit to the images he would or could create, defendant bragged that he had “none.” Sherman occupies a position of trust as the Postmaster for Seaside, Oregon.

On August 25, 2026, Sherman was arrested in Seaside, Oregon.

Sherman made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. magistrate judge. He was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.

The FBI and Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case, with assistance from the Seaside Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha Geiling 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.

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

The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced the availability of low-interest federal disaster loans for eligible small businesses and private nonprofit organizations affected by the ongoing drought that commenced on May 12.

The counties in Oregon that qualify include Benton, Deschutes, Harney, Klamath, Lake, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, and Polk, along with Modoc County in California and Washoe County in Nevada. Eligible applicants encompass small businesses, private nonprofits, faith-based organizations, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and small aquaculture enterprises.

The Economic Injury Disaster Loans are designed to provide working capital assistance for operational expenses incurred due to the disaster, with funding available up to $2 million. The interest rates are set at a maximum of 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for private nonprofit organizations, with loan terms extending up to 30 years.

Notably, no interest or payments are required during the first 12 months following the loan disbursement.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has reported that around 35,000 residents have lost their SNAP food benefits due to federal budget cuts, with rural areas of the state facing the most significant impact.

Current statistics from the Oregon Department of Human Services indicate that food insecurity affects one in eight Oregonians, including one in six children. The recent changes introduced by H.R. 1, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, include stricter federal work requirements and altered eligibility criteria for certain adults.

Experts highlight that lower-income families, households with children, communities of color, and rural populations are disproportionately affected by these changes. In response, the state has initiated a program aimed at assisting individuals in navigating the new SNAP qualification process.

Numerous Oregonians who must adhere to SNAP work or activity requirements may be eligible for exemptions due to factors such as health issues, employment, education, caregiving duties, or other personal circumstances.

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is urging individuals to reach out to the agency for a thorough assessment of their situations, ensuring they retain the food benefits for which they are eligible.

Presently, an impressive 93% of Oregonians under SNAP work or activity regulations qualify for such exemptions. Jessica Amaya Hoffman, the ODHS SNAP Director, emphasized that life changes can influence the applicability of these rules, noting that new caregiving responsibilities, health changes, or the commencement of a job or training program may alter one’s status.

She encourages individuals to contact the agency before making assumptions about their obligations, assuring them that ODHS staff will provide guidance and support in navigating their options.

Pumpkin Pi Spices Up Oregon Timber Sales, Earns $10.6 Million

Recent research indicates a positive outlook for the psilocybin treatment sector in Oregon.

A study conducted on psilocybin treatment clinics in Oregon and Colorado has revealed that these treatments are safe and yield encouraging results.

Findings from the Oregon Health Science University study highlight patient responses three months post-treatment, with seventy-five percent of participants reporting alleviation in symptoms related to PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, approximately twenty-five percent of patients noted an enhancement in their overall sense of well-being. Notably, only one percent experienced adverse reactions necessitating medical attention. The study will continue to monitor these patients to assess the long-term effects of the treatment.

A 68-year-old man from Eugene, Jorge Luis Ochoa, was arrested after police discovered him in a vehicle with two teenagers on Maxwell Road, as reported by the Eugene Police Department.

Officers responded to a call in the 1000 block of Maxwell Road on August 19^th, where they found Ochoa with a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old in the backseat.

Investigators from the Violent Crimes Unit revealed that Ochoa had met the teenagers at Washington Jefferson Park and offered them a ride, with subsequent actions during the encounter on Maxwell Road prompting criminal charges. The teenagers were taken to a local hospital for evaluation before being returned to their homes.

Ochoa has been booked into the Lane County Jail on a charge of second-degree sexual abuse, and the investigation is still ongoing.

Oregon WIC celebrates National Breastfeeding Month as more than 97% of participants initiate breastfeeding

An effort to add constitutional protections for hunting, fishing, farming and other traditional activities in Oregon has cleared an early procedural step on the road toward a possible spot on the November 2028 ballot.

The proposed constitutional amendment, known by supporters as the Oregon Freedom Amendment, would protect the rights of Oregonians to hunt, fish, farm, trap, ranch, grow food, practice what supporters describe as “diligent animal husbandry,” and participate in wildlife management.

The Oregon Secretary of State’s Elections Division has referred Initiative Petition 25 to the state attorney general, beginning the process of developing the measure’s official ballot title and summary.

The referral means supporters have met the initial sponsorship signature requirement required under Oregon election law. State initiative records identify Petition 2028-025 as an amendment designed to protect the rights to hunt, fish, farm, trap, ranch, grow food and participate in wildlife management.

“Putting it in the Constitution really sends a clear message that Oregonians and the Legislature are in support of solidifying these rights,” said Lauren Kuenzi, director of government and political affairs for the Oregon Farm Bureau.

The proposal follows another initiative that sought to significantly expand Oregon’s animal cruelty laws. That measure, IP-28, would have affected activities including hunting, fishing and pest control, but failed to gather enough valid signatures to qualify for the 2026 general election ballot.

Supporters of the Oregon Freedom Amendment say the proposal recognizes the important role that hunting, fishing, agriculture, ranching, trapping, food production, animal husbandry and wildlife management play in Oregon’s communities, economy and natural-resource heritage.

However, the latest development does not mean the measure has qualified for the ballot. The attorney general’s ballot-title process is only an early step. Supporters must still meet additional requirements, including collecting the required number of valid voter signatures, before Oregon voters could see the proposed constitutional amendment on the November 2028 ballot.

2-year-old found dead in Central Point, one hour after reported missing

Detectives are investigating the death of a 2-year-old child in rural Central Point.

According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, dispatchers received a call for a missing child in the 9900 block of Blackwell Road at 4:30 a.m. Deputies and Oregon State Police troopers arrived and immediately began searching for the child.

The child was found dead at 5:41 a.m. Detectives are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the death, after the child was found on a neighboring property.

The Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit responded to assist. The unit consists of detectives from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Medford Police Department, Central Point Police Department, Ashland Police Department and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.

The investivation continues and the case remains open and ongoing with detectives following additional leads.

SVU Detectives Arrest Medford Man on Rape, Sex Abuse of Teen Girl; Detectives Believe Suspect Has More Victims

MEDFORD, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) Special Victims Unit (SVU) detectives arrested a Medford man this morning at a business in the 500 block of the Medford Center.

The suspect, Evan James Sutherlin, 20, of Medford, is lodged in the Jackson County Jail. He is charged with first-degree rape, third-degree sexual abuse, and first-degree encouraging child sexual abuse.

The case started June 2nd, 2026, when JCSO deputies responded to a report of a then 19-year-old man sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl in the Jacksonville area. From there, SVU detectives took over the investigation leading to his arrest.

As SVU detectives continue their investigation, they believe Sutherlin may have more victims. Anyone with information about the pictured suspect is asked to call SVU Detective Jill Wenzel at 541-770-8928.

OREGON FREEDOM AMENDMENT

SALEM, OR — August 19, 2026 — The chief petitioner of Initiative Petition 25 (IP 25), officially known as the Oregon Freedom Amendment, announced a major procedural milestone in their effort to qualify for the statewide ballot. The Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division has formally referred IP 25 to the Oregon Attorney General to begin drafting the measure’s official ballot title and summary.

The referral to the Attorney General indicates that IP 25 has successfully met the initial sponsorship signatures threshold required by Oregon election law. The Oregon Secretary of State’s official initiative records identify Petition 2028-025 as:

“Amendment to protect rights to hunt, fish, farm, trap, ranch, grow food, and wildlife management”

“This is about protecting the people’s ability to continue the practices that have helped sustain Oregon communities for generations,” said Kari Goodheart, Chief Petitioner of the Oregon Freedom Amendment. “Hunting, fishing, farming, ranching, trapping, growing food, caring for animals and managing wildlife are deeply connected to Oregon’s land, culture, food supply and way of life. The people should have a constitutional safeguard for these activities.”

What is the Oregon Freedom Amendment (IP 25)?

The Oregon Freedom Amendment is a proposed state constitutional amendment for the November 7, 2028 general election, explicitly designed to establish constitutionally protected rights for individuals across Oregon.

• Constitutional Rights Protection: The amendment seeks to protect the rights of Oregonians to hunt, fish, farm, trap, ranch, grow food, practice diligent animal husbandry, and participate in wildlife management.

The Oregon Freedom Amendment is intended to place these activities and traditions within the protections of the Oregon Constitution, recognizing the importance of hunting, fishing, agriculture, ranching, trapping, food production, responsible animal husbandry, and wildlife management to Oregon’s communities, families, economy, and natural-resource heritage.

The U.S. Forest Service is allocating over $15 million to support 20 wood innovation projects throughout Oregon, aimed at enhancing active forest management, increasing manufacturing capabilities, and bolstering rural economies.

This federal investment of $15,091,037 is designed to sustain Oregon’s prominent position in the wood products sector while promoting forest health and mitigating wildfire risks. These efforts are part of a larger national initiative, with a total funding of $105.5 million through the USFS Wood Innovations Program.

The funding is categorized into three grant types, with $10 million allocated for Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance grants, which includes $2 million each for Prairie Wood Products in Prairie City to revitalize and modernize a sawmill, Malheur Forest Products in John Day to reopen a dormant sawmill, and Wren Hill Lumber in Philomath to enhance operational capacity and efficiency.

Beach & Riverside Cleanup Returns This September, Connecting Communities Across Oregon

The Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation (OLSHF) is proud to partner with the Tribal Charitable entities of Oregon to support Oregon’s K-12 students.

During the coming 2026-2027 school year the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation will receive generous grant funding from the Wildhorse Foundation, (Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla); the Three Rivers Foundation (Coos, Umpqua and Siuslaw); the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund; the Coquille Tribal Community Fund and the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation in support of the School Vision Screening Program (SVS).

All of the mentioned Tribal Foundations understand how important vision is to learning in K-12 students. Studies consistently show that 80% of learning in K-12 students is visual and that 25% of those students have correctable vision issues, yet only about 10% have the glasses they need. OLSHF’s School Vision Screening Program, with the help of tribal support, provides highest quality objective, efficient, equitable and safe vision screening to students throughout Oregon. The screenings are followed by resources for student families for low-cost/no-cost vision exams and eyeglasses. With the help of Oregon’s Tribes, OLSHF provided this service to over 200,000 students last school year, (2025-2026) and screened the 2-millionth student in 2024!

Funding from all five of the Oregon Tribal Foundations helps cover the costs of OLSHF School Vision Screening in almost 60% of Oregon Counties, including urban centers as well as rural and remote communities. When students can see to their potential, they have a greater ability to learn to their potential and have a better chance to contribute to their families, themselves and communities.

The Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation shares a long history of partnership with Oregon’s tribes, going back many years. OLSHF and the Lions of Oregon look forward to continuing to help students achieve their potential with their partners at the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation, the Coquille Tribal Community Fund, the Three Rivers Foundation, the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund and the Wildhorse Foundation, into Oregon’s future.

Thanks for reading the the news on BasinLife.com from Wynne Broadcasting.