OREGON COAST, Oregon— Oregon State Parks will host Winter Whale Watch Week on the Oregon Coast Friday, Dec. 27 through Tuesday, Dec. 31.

Trained Oregon State Park volunteers will be stationed at 15 sites along the Oregon Coast from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help visitors spot gray whales on their southward migration to the calving lagoons in Mexico. 

The sites are some of the best places to watch for whales on the Oregon Coast. A map of volunteer-staffed sites is available online at the official event webpage: https://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=thingstodo.dsp_whaleWatching

“Now is a perfect time to see the whales as their population rebounds on the Oregon Coast,” said Park Ranger Peter McBride.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced an end to an Unusual Mortality Event impacting gray whales. Since then, the estimated population has increased by roughly 30% from 14,530 last year to 19,260 this year, according to NOAA. The numbers are on the rise overall, but the calf count is still low as the population continues to rebound.

“While there are more gray whales to see now on the Oregon Coast, the calves remain a rare and important sight,” said Michael Milstein, public affairs officer with NOAA Fisheries.

Winter Whale Watch Week provides an opportunity to see not only the gray whales but other coastal wildlife including birds and other marine mammals with help from trained volunteers and rangers. 

The Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 27-31. Visitors to the center can enjoy interactive whale exhibits and take in the panoramic ocean views. Binoculars are provided. Rangers from Oregon State Parks will also be on hand to answer questions about the whales.

All Whale Watch Week visitors are encouraged to dress for the weather, to bring binoculars and to follow beach safety guidelines such as remaining out of fenced areas, knowing the tide schedule and always keeping an eye on the surf. Go to https://visittheoregoncoast.com/beach-safety/ for a list of safety tips.

For more information about coast parks and campgrounds, visit oregonstateparks.org.

Visitors are encouraged to share their photos and videos from Winter Whale Watch Week on social media using #OregonStateParks and #ORWhaleWatch24.

Media Resources: photos available at this link.

An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, Albert R. Voorhes, died December 8, 2024. Voorhes was incarcerated at Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP) in Salem and passed away at the facility. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified, and the State Medical Examiner will determine cause of death.

Voorhes entered DOC custody on December 3, 1985, from Linn County with an earliest projected release date of February 27, 2041. Voorhes was 78 years old. Next of kin has been notified.

DOC takes all in-custody deaths seriously. The agency is responsible for the care and custody of approximately 12,000 men and women who are incarcerated in 12 institutions across the state. While crime information is public record, DOC elects to disclose only upon request out of respect for any family or victims.

OSP is a multi-custody prison located in Salem that houses approximately 2,000 adults in custody. OSP is surrounded by a 25-foot-high wall with 10 towers. The facility has multiple special housing units including disciplinary segregation, behavioral health, intermediate care housing, and an infirmary (with hospice) with 24-hour nursing care. OSP participates in prison industries with Oregon Corrections Enterprises including the furniture factory, laundry, metal shop, and contact center. It provides a range of correctional programs and services including education, work-based education, work crews, and pre-release services. OSP was established in 1866 and, until 1959, was Oregon’s only prison.

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SALEM, Oregon— The All-Terrain Vehicle Program is currently accepting grant applications for projects that support or enhance ATV Recreation Opportunities. Letters of intent are due Jan. 6, 2025. 

The ATV Grant Program provides funding statewide for off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation. Grant funds come from ATV user permit sales and a percentage of the gasoline tax revenue. The program has about $1.2 million in grants available for this funding cycle.

Eligible applicants include:

• Public agencies that have a responsibility of providing OHV recreation, including federal, Tribes and state agencies, local government (cities, town, counties) and Tribal governments
• Registered non-profit OHV clubs
• First aid and police service providers related to all-terrain vehicle recreation

Eligible projects include development, planning, land acquisition, emergency medical services, safety education, maintenance and law enforcement. 

Information about the program, including the grant manual, application instructions and program schedule, is on the ATV Grant Program web page: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/GRA/Pages/GRA-atv.aspx

Interested applicants must submit a letter of intent via the OPRD Online Grant System at https://oprdgrants.org by Jan. 6. Applications are due Feb. 6. If approved, funding would be available beginning July 1, 2025. 

Please contact Ian Caldwell at (541) 410-5512 or Mike Law at (541) 991-1989 to discuss your project before submitting a letter of intent.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department operates the state of Oregon’s All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Program. The mission of the program is to communicate off-highway vehicle riding opportunities, laws and rules and to provide grant funding for off-highway vehicle projects.

Salem, Oregon – The Oregon Heritage Commission released the 2024 Oregon Heritage Vitality Study Report identifying the top issues impacting the operational vitality of Oregon’s heritage organizations and proposing six primary recommendations to comprehensively support the health of the heritage sector.

This study is an adaptation of the precedent setting Oregon Heritage Vitality 2010: The Challenge of the Past for Oregonians Today and Tomorrow study and report and documents the contemporary issues facing Oregon heritage organizations. Those that make up the heritage preservation sector in Oregon include, but are not limited to, Tribal, Federal, State, and Local Governments, museums, historical societies, historic cemeteries, Main Street organizations, libraries, archives, genealogical societies, archaeology, historic preservation, and any other organization and entity engaged in documenting, preserving and sharing Oregon’s history.  

“Oregon’s heritage resources and cultural materials, tangible and intangible, are at risk if the organizations serving as the stewards of these resources are not able to survive and thrive” says Oregon Heritage Commission Coordinator Katie Henry. “By gathering information from those on the ground doing the work, we can better understand and elevate how statewide processes, agencies and organizations can support these organizations that have such a vital role in Oregon’s communities across the state”

The 2024 Vitality Study was a partnership between the Oregon Heritage Commission and the University of Oregon’s Institute for Policy Research and Engagement (IPRE). It was shepherded by an Advisory Group representing statewide technical support organizations and agencies. It included a survey of Oregon heritage organizations, a literature review, and interviews and workshops with local heritage representatives. A total of 264 organizational representatives responded to a detailed survey, ten heritage sector representatives were interviewed, and nearly sixty organizations were represented in six workshops across Oregon.

The first recommendation calls for a taskforce or workgroup made up of heritage leaders and individuals from adjacent, relevant fields to discuss, research, and report on creative solutions related to coordination of collective case-making, service provision across the state and regionally, funding, and consider policy-level recommendations. 

Subsequent recommendations focus on:

• Communicating about resources
• Promoting the value of heritage
• Increasing funding options
• Fostering Community Connections
• Addressing facilities and operation needs

“The Commission recognized the importance of repeating this study at this time given events that have significantly impacted heritage organizations, and the world, over the past five years including the pandemic, disasters, and more,” says Commission Chair Rosemary Johnson. “It’s the Commission’s hope that State level agencies and actors will join the Commission in moving forward recommendations, especially as we approach the country’s 250^th anniversary which will provide an opportunity to highlight the important work of heritage organizations.” 

The Heritage Commission’s nine Governor appointed members represent a diversity of cultural, geographic, and institutional interests. The Commission’s nine advisory members include representatives from the Oregon State Library, Oregon State Archives, State Historical Records Advisory Board, Higher Education Coordinating Committee, Travel Oregon, Oregon Historical Society, Department of Education, State Historic Preservation Office, and the Department of Land Conservation and Development. 

The Commission is the primary agency for coordination of heritage activities in the state. This includes carrying out the Oregon Heritage Plan, increasing efficiency and avoiding duplication among interest groups, developing plans for coordination among agencies and organizations, encouraging tourism related to heritage resources, and coordinating statewide anniversary commemorations.

More information about the Oregon Heritage Commission is available online at www.oregonheritage.org and from Commission Coordinator Katie Henry at 503-877-8834 or katie.henry@oprd.oregon.gov. 

SALEM, Oregon— The day-use parking fee will increase from $5 to $10 per day at the 25 Oregon State Parks that currently charge for parking starting Jan. 2, 2025. The 12-month and 24-month permits will remain the same price in 2025. 

The permits cost $30 for 12 months and $50 for 24 months. Visitors can get a $5 discount on the 12-month permit for the month of December as part of Oregon State Parks’ annual sale.

Only 25 of the more than 250 Oregon State Parks currently require a day-use parking permit. The fee helps pay for operations and maintenance.

The day-use parking fee increase was announced in September along with increases in reservation and camping fees as part of an ongoing effort to keep pace with rising costs. The last parking fee increase was more than 15 years ago. 

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) 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. OPRD is not funded by taxes.

These resources and programs can help with access to Oregon State Parks. 

• Special access passes for free camping and day-use parking permits are available for:
  • Oregon foster parents, guardians and parents who have adopted Oregon foster children. 
  • U.S. veterans with a service-connected disability. 
  • Active duty U.S. military on official leave. 
• Parking fees are waived on the following days: The day after Thanksgiving, New Year’s Day and Oregon State Parks Day (first Saturday in June), which also includes free camping. 

OPRD will continue to explore options in the future that reduce cost as a barrier while earning needed revenue to maintain Oregon State Parks and manage congestion.

Hood River County, Ore 9 Dec 24- On Monday, December 9, 2024, at 5:11 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian crash on Interstate 84, near milepost 64, in Hood River County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a pedestrian, Michael Joseph Sampson (38) of Hood River, was reportedly running eastbound on the westbound on-ramp. The pedestrian entered the interstate and was struck by a westbound Volvo commercial motor vehicle and trailer, operated by Carl Ronald Frank (62) of Kelso (WA). 

The pedestrian (Sampson) was declared deceased at the scene.

The Volvo operator (Frank) was not injured.

The highway was impacted for approximately three hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Hood River Police Department, Hood River Sheriff's Office, Hood River Fire Department, 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.

The Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization of Umpqua Bank, has awarded 78 grants to local nonprofits across its footprint totaling $456,500. This marks the third and final cycle of Umpqua Bank’s 2024 Community Grants Program. This year, the Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation awarded $1.25 million in community grants to 212 nonprofits. 

“We are pleased to recognize the final recipients of our 2024 Community Grants Program. These exceptional nonprofits embody the spirit of giving back to the community,” said Randy Choy, Vice President of Philanthropy Programs and Managing Director of the Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation. “We are honored to support their missions and help create impactful change in our shared communities.” 

Since its formation in 2014, the Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation has invested more than $19 million across the Western U.S. Recipients receiving grants this cycle were selected for demonstrating a shared commitment to strengthening under-resourced communities across Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Arizona, Nevada and Utah. 

“As our 2024 Community Grants Program comes to a close, I am delighted to celebrate the unparalleled work of these nonprofits and the impact they’ve made in their communities,” said David Moore Devine, Chief Marketing Officer at Umpqua Bank. “We look forward to our 2025 Community Grants Program and continuing to support our outstanding nonprofit partners throughout the West.” 

For nonprofit organizations that are located in the bank’s footprint and interested in learning more about the Umpqua Bank Community Grants Program, information about the 2025 cycle will be available here early next year. 

During this cycle, the following recipients received grants between $5,000 - $10,000: 

OREGON 

ACE Mentor Program of Oregon 

Albertina Kerr Centers 

American Leadership Forum of Oregon 

CASA of Douglas County 

CASA of Clackamas County 

CASA of Lane County 

Children’s Cancer Association 

Columbia Gorge Children's Advocacy Center 

Elevate Oregon 

Habitat for Humanity (Mt. Angel Area) 

Japanese American Museum of Oregon 

Metropolitan Family Services 

Mt. Scott Park Center for Learning, Inc.  

Oregon Community Warehouse 

p:ear 

Portland Parks Foundation 

Portland State University Foundation (Oregon MESA) 

Project 48, Inc. 

Reedville Presbyterian Church dba Western Farm Workers Association 

Rose Haven 

Self Enhancement, Inc. 

SOLVE 

Together We Are Greater Than 

Transition Projects, Inc. 

Tucker Maxon School 

Umatilla County Historical Society 

WASHINGTON 

After-School All-Stars (Puget Sound) 

ArtsFund 

Blue Mountain Action Council 

Chelan Valley Hope 

Coalition for Preventing Abuse in Klickitat County 

Distributive Education Clubs of America  

El Centro De La Raza 

Foss Waterway Seaport 

Housing Hope 

Immanuel Community Services 

Kandelia 

North Thurston Education Foundation 

Okanogan County Community Action Council, Inc. 

Pink Lemonade Project 

Sound 

The Sophia Way 

Vancouver Humane Society & Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals 

Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust 

Washington Vocational Services, Inc. 

Whatcom Museum Foundation 

World Affairs Council 

CALIFORNIA 

100 Black Men of the Bay Area, Inc. 

Alameda Health System Foundation 

Alchemist CDC 

California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce Foundation 

California Indian Museum & Cultural Center 

Chicano Federation of San Diego County, Inc. 

CIELO (Community for Innovation Entrepreneurship Leadership & Opportunity) 

Forget Me Not Children’s Services 

Fresno Community Development Financial Institution 

Habitat for Humanity International Inc. (Chico) 

Jefferson Economic Development Institute 

Junior Achievement USA (Northern CA) 

Local Initiatives Support Corporation 

Oceanside Theatre Company 

Sacramento Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. 

The Jewish Home and Senior Living Foundation 

IDAHO 

Boundary County Youth Crisis and Domestic Violence Hotline 

Humane Society of the Palouse 

Idaho Youth Ranch, Inc. 

Jannus, Inc. 

Women's and Children's Alliance, Inc. 

ARIZONA 

Civitan Foundation, Inc. 

Foster Arizona 

Inside Out Network, Inc. 

NEVADA 

Jeremiah Program 

Rebuilding Together Southern Nevada 

Reno Philharmonic Association, Inc. 

The Envirolution, Inc. 

UTAH 

Alliance House, Inc. 

Community Nursing Service 

Women of the World 

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About Umpqua Bank 
Umpqua Bank is a subsidiary of Columbia Banking System Inc., (Nasdaq: COLB) and a premier regional bank in the western U.S., with offices in Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and Colorado. With over $50 billion of assets, Umpqua combines the resources, sophistication and expertise of a national bank with a commitment to deliver superior, personalized service. The bank supports consumers and businesses through a full suite of services, including retail and commercial banking; Small Business Administration lending; institutional and corporate banking; equipment leasing; and wealth management. The bank’s corporate headquarters are located in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Learn more at: umpquabank.com. 
 
About the Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation 
The Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization of Umpqua Bank, recognizes the importance of building healthier, more resilient, better connected and inclusive communities throughout the eight-state footprint. It works to strengthen the communities Umpqua Bank serves by investing in organizations and initiatives that expand access to education and create economic opportunity for individuals, families and small businesses. The foundation was formed in 2014 to demonstrate Umpqua’s deep commitment to the communities it serves and has distributed $18 million across the bank’s footprint. 

PR 23-24                                                            

BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION
                                                                                 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, Dec. 9, 2024
CONTACT: Kevin Wingert, BPA, 971-207-8390 or 503-230-5131

Increased investments in infrastructure lead to proposed rate increases 

Portland, Oregon – The Bonneville Power Administration kicked off its formal rate case for fiscal years 2026 to 2028 with a proposal that acknowledges a need to recover increased costs after more than a decade of transmission and power rates at or below inflation. Power rates (effective power Tier 1 rate) are proposed to increase by approximately 10.8% and transmission rates are proposed to increase by an average of 24%. Simultaneously, BPA initiated a tariff proceeding for a proposed tariff that will be effective starting in fiscal year 2026.

“We worked with our customers and other regional stakeholders to develop a plan to meet their increasing load and resource requirement needs, while also meeting our other statutory obligations,” said Joel Cook, chief operating officer for BPA. “The proposed rate increases comes from a combination of inflationary pressure along with greater investments in maintaining and upgrading our power, transmission, and other infrastructure. These investments are critically needed to position Bonneville to meet the growing energy needs of the Pacific Northwest region.” 

BPA is a self-financing Power Marketing Administration and is legally required by statute to recover all of its costs through the rates it charges for producing and transmitting power throughout the Pacific Northwest. The proposed rates will be reviewed in a formal administrative hearing (BP-26 rate case), which continues until July 2025. If adopted, the proposed rates would go into effect October 1, 2025, and expire on September 30, 2028. 

Along with rate adjustments, BPA also is proposing adjustments to the non-rate terms and conditions of its open access transmission tariff through a separate administrative process known as the TC-26 tariff proceeding. BPA held settlement discussions with prospective parties to the TC-26 and BP-26 proceedings in the fall that resulted in a settlement that became the initial proposal for updates and changes to BPA’s open access transmission tariff in the TC-26 tariff proceeding.

One aspect of the tariff settlement, the adoption of language and proposed charges related to Generator Interconnection Withdrawal Charge also resulted in a partial BP-26 rate settlement, which became part of the initial proposal for the BP-26 rate case.

Federal Register Notices for both the BP-26 and TC-26 were published on November 13 and the initial proposals were released November 22. With the publication of the Federal Register Notices, prohibitions of ex parte communications began. More information on ex parte can be found at the link below:

https://www.bpa.gov/-/media/Aep/rates-tariff/bp-26/FRN/BP26-TC26-PRDM-Ex-Parte-Rules-Letter-to-Parties.pdf

More information on the BP-26 Rate Case, including the initial proposal, can be found here:

https://www.bpa.gov/energy-and-services/rate-and-tariff-proceedings/bp-26-rate-case

More information on the TC-26 Tariff Proceeding, including the initial proposal, can be found here:

https://www.bpa.gov/energy-and-services/rate-and-tariff-proceedings/tc-26-tariff-proceeding

About BPA: BPA is a federal non-profit power marketing administration that delivers reliable, affordable and carbon-free hydropower produced in the Columbia River Basin to communities across the Northwest. BPA also owns and operates more than 15,000 circuit miles of high-voltage transmission lines and administers one of the largest, most comprehensive fish and wildlife conservation programs in the United States. More information about these and other activities is available on our Media Relations page.

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NEWPORT, Oregon— The Yaquina Bay Lighthouse will get a full exterior restoration in 2025. 

The lighthouse, built in 1871, is the only wooden lighthouse still intact on the Oregon Coast, and it’s the last example in the state of the combined lighthouse and living quarters. 

The Yaquina Bay Lighthouse served mariners for only a few short years before it was decommissioned in favor of the Yaquina Head Lighthouse in 1874. 

The lighthouse will close temporarily for restoration from Jan. 1 to June 2025, but the park will remain open. The $1.6 million project includes a complete rehabilitation of the exterior:

• Repair roof framing and chimneys
• Repair brick foundation
• Repair lantern
• Repair siding, doors and windows
• Install new roof
• Complete exterior paint

“This restoration work will help protect and preserve the historic structure for future visitors to enjoy,” said Brian McBeth, historic architecture project manager. 

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s mission includes protecting and sharing historic structures like the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse for the enjoyment and education of current and future generations. 

Each biennium, the department spends a portion of its project funds on historic restoration and maintenance. Upcoming projects include the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, Cape Foulweather Gift Shop at Otter Crest and Hughes House at Cape Blanco State Park. The Cape Foulweather Gift Shop will be closed Feb. through June 2025 with limited to no parking due to construction. 

For more information about the lighthouse and any updates to closures, visit the park page.

Umatilla County, Ore 8 Dec 24- On Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 10:09 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a commercial motor vehicle versus pedestrian crash on Interstate 84, near milepost 210, in Umatilla County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a westbound Volvo commercial motor vehicle and trailer, operated by Phill Culp (59) of Vancouver (WA), left the slow lane for unknown reasons, struck the guardrail and two pedestrians, before travelling down a steep embankment and rolling onto its side.

The pedestrians, John Charles Harrington (25) and Marcus Anthony Paul (24) of Pendleton, were both declared deceased at the scene.

The operator of the Volvo (Culp) suffered minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital.

The highway was impacted for five hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

OSP was assisted by Pendleton Fire, Pendleton Police Department, Umatilla Tribal Police Department, 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.

Marion County, Ore 8 Dec 24- On Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 7:13 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash on Hwy 22E, near milepost 15, in Marion County.

The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Dodge Challenger, operated by Jerome Francis Hurley (45) of Camarillo (CA), left the roadway for unknown reasons and struck a tree. The single occupant of the Dodge (Hurley) was transported to an area medical facility where he was declared deceased.

The highway was impacted for approximately three hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

OSP was assisted by Stayton Fire, Sublimity Fire, and ODOT.

# # #

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.