On Thursday, September 21, 2023, at 4:59 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy-34, near milepost 1, in Linn County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a Ford Fusion, operated by Jimmie Eugene Beck Jr (19) of Newport, was westbound on Hwy-34 in the fast lane. The Ford left the fast lane, crossing the center turn lane and into the oncoming eastbound lane where it struck a silver Nissan Versa, operated by Jennifer Davina Gere (43) of Lebanon, head-on. 

The operator of the Nissan (Gere) was declared deceased, by responding medical personnel, at the scene. 

The operator of the Ford (Beck Jr) was extricated from the vehicle and transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis with serious injuries. 

The highway was impacted for approximately 6 hours during the on-scene investigation.  The cause of the crash is under investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Benton County Sheriff's Department, Corvallis PD, and Corvallis Fire. 

Multi-Vehicle Crash - Interstate 84 - Umatilla County

On Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 12:35 PM, Oregon State Troopers from the Pendleton area command responded to a multi-vehicle crash, with at least one commercial motor vehicle fully engulfed in flames, on westbound I-84, near milepost 227. 

The Troopers arrived on scene and determined the crash involved at least seventeen separate vehicles. Three of the involved vehicles were completely destroyed by fire; including two Commercial Motor Vehicles and one passenger car. 

One motorist was transported to the hospital with serious injuries and life flighted to Kadlec hospital in Washington, while several other motorists suffered minor injuries. 

The interstate was closed for approximately 8 hours as the vehicles were removed and the area restored to allow safe travel. 

The preliminary investigation determined the contributing factors to the crash were limited visibility due to fog and vehicle speed.

OSP is encouraging motorists to driver slower when visibility is limited or roadway conditions merit reduced speeds.

OSP was assisted by CTUIR PD, Fire, and Ambulance, Pendleton Fire and Ambulance, the Umatilla County Sheriff's Office, Echo Fire Department, and ODOT. 

OSP Arrests Sexual Abuse Suspect- Asking Additional Victims to Report - Deschutes County

On Friday, July 14, 2023, Oregon State Police Major Crimes Section initiated an investigation involving sexual abuse occurring at the May Spa on Bellevue Drive within Bend Oregon and the Deschutes County area.  The victim reported she had been sexually assaulted by her masseuse during a routine session.  Through the course of the investigation, the suspect was identified as Jianming Tang.

On September 15, 2023, an undercover operation occurred with the assistance of the victim and during that investigation detectives established probable cause of the crime of Sexual Abuse in the 3^rd Degree.  Jianming Tang was arrested and lodged into the Deschutes County Jail.

The Oregon State Police would like to credit the victim for her bravery in participating in the undercover operation. OSP would also like to thank the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement team for their assistance, along with the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office. 

OSP understands there may be other victims who have not disclosed similar incidents.  To report any related or similar incidents involving the May Spa, please contact the Oregon State Dispatch Center at (541) 726-2525 or OSP and reference OSP case number SP23-216409.

Due to the on-going investigation and court proceedings, OSP does not have further information to release at this time.

On Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at approximately 7:26 A.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy-97, near milepost 289, in Klamath County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a black Jeep Cherokee, operated by Marci Ann Maples (51) of Klamath Falls, attempted to turn north (left) onto Highway 97 from Keno Worden Road. The Jeep entered the path of a southbound Dodge Ram 1500, operated by Charles Lavern Owens (55) of Los Angeles (CA), and was struck in the driver's side door. The operator of the Dodge attempted to avoid the collision, but was unable to do so. 

The operator of the Jeep (Maples) was life flighted to Sky Lakes Medical Center and was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

The operator of the Dodge (Owens) was transported to Sky Lakes Medical Center via ambulance with minor injuries. 

The highway was impacted for 2 hours during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by Keno Fire and ODOT.

OSP Fish and Wildlife Division is seeking public assistance in locating the person(s) responsible for the unlawful waste of Deer- Hood River County (Photo)

 

On September 3, 2023, at about 6:20 P.M., a Trooper responded to a call of a dead buck that was shot and left on Hood River County property not far from Odell, Oregon. A second doe deer, which was also shot and left, was reported that evening in the same area. No meat was salvaged from either deer.    

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Oregon State Police Dispatch at 1-800-452-7888, OSP (677), or email at TIP@osp.oregon.gov. Reference case number SP23-281043.

Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators

The Turn in Poachers (TIP) program offers preference points or cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation, to a suspect, for the unlawful killing of wildlife, and or waste of big game. Cash rewards can also be awarded for turning in people who destroy habitat, illegally obtain licenses/tags, and for unlawful lending/borrowing of big game tags. Learn more: https://www.oregon.gov/osp/programs/fw/Pages/tip.aspx

PREFERENCE POINT REWARDS:

5 Points-Mountain Sheep

5 Points-Rocky Mountain Goat

5 Points-Moose

5 Points-Wolf

4 Points-Elk

4 Points-Deer

4 Points-Antelope

4 Points-Bear

4 Points-Cougar

 Oregon Hunters Association Cash Rewards:

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

$1,000 Elk, Deer, and Antelope

$600 Bear, Cougar, and Wolf

$300 Habitat Destruction

$200 Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags

$200 Unlawful Lending/Borrowing Big Game Tag(s)

$200 Game Birds or Furbearers

$200 Spotlighting

$200 Snagging/Attempting to Snag

$200 Game Fish and Shellfish

 Oregon Wildlife Coalition (OWC) Cash Rewards:

Birds

$500 Hawk, Falcon, Eagle, Owl, Osprey

All other protected avian species: see category below for listed species

Mammals

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

Species listed as “threatened" or “endangered" under state or federal Endangered Species Act (excludes fish)

$1,000 (e.g. wolf, wolverine, kit fox, red tree vole, Canada lynx, sea otter, Columbian white-tailed deer, California brown pelican, western snowy plover, California least tern, northern spotted owl, marbled murrelet, short-tailed albatross, streaked horned lark, yellow-billed cuckoo, leatherback sea turtle, olive ridley sea turtle, Oregon spotted frog, green sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtle) 

On Monday, September 18, 2023, at approximately 11:38 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 5, near milepost 44, in Jackson County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a Ford Mustang, operated by Charles Melvin Cole (85) of Central Point, was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate 5. The Ford struck a Dodge Durango, operated by Carl Melborne Dewitt Jr (67) of Grants Pass, head-on. After the crash, a Dodge ProMaster, operated by Evan Ryle Miller (30) of Bellingham (WA), struck debris and was damaged.

OSP was responding to the report of a wrong way driver approximately 3 minutes prior to the crash being reported.

The operator of the Ford (Cole) was declared deceased at the scene.

The operator of the Dodge Durango (Dewitt Jr) and passenger, Jeffrey Adam Dewitt (43) of Grants Pass, were transported to a local hospital for medical treatment of what is expected to be minor injuries.

The operator of the Dodge ProMaster was not injured.

The highway was impacted for approximately 3.5 hours during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Jackson County Fire, and ODOT.

On Sunday, September 17, 2023, at approximately 5:40 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle (motorcycle) crash on Interstate 5, near milepost 80, in Josephine County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a Harley Davidson motorcycle, operated by Caseton Paul Burruss (50) of Eugene, was northbound in the slow lane when it left the roadway and overturned. The operator was thrown from the motorcycle during the crash.

The operator (Burruss) was declared deceased at the scene.

The highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation.  

OSP was assisted by Azalea Fire, Glendale Fire, and ODOT.

On Saturday, September 16, 2023, at approximately 11:54 A.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Interstate 84, near milepost 260, in Union County.

The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Volvo commercial motor vehicle and trailer, operated by Victor Lee Jones (62) of St. George (UT), left the roadway, went through an ODOT fence, and struck a tree.  The impact caused the Volvo to catch fire and become fully engulfed.  The fire spread to a barn and the local fire departments responded to extinguish the fire.

The operator of the Volvo (Jones) was declared deceased at the scene.

The highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

OSP was assisted by La Grande Fire Department, Island city rural fire department, and ODOT. 

Even though the weather is changing, and we are seeing some rain and colder temperatures, the fire danger is still high, outdoor burning is still closed. Fire danger levels have reduced to High from Extreme throughout Central Oregon, but we’re not done with fire season just yet. Warmer, dryer weather will return next week and the potential for wildfires return with those conditions. Multiple large fires still burn without full containment throughout Oregon. 

Central Oregon fire agencies are working collaboratively to determine the best time to open burning based on weather and fire safety factors. Escaped debris burning is the leading cause of wildfires in Oregon. Once a debris burn escapes, there is instant threat to your home, neighboring properties and forest lands. Ensuring the conditions are good for safe burning is key to allowing burning to commence. At this time, we don’t anticipate opening debris burning any earlier than end of October here in the Bend area. 

Remember to always check with your local fire agency about specific regulations in your area. This includes what is allowed or not allowed while camping, hunting, wood cutting and similar fall forest trips. There are many cities and communities, like the City of Bend, that do not allow debris burning year-round due to air quality concerns. Be sure to always check before your fire, every time. Being sure burning is allowed and safe to conduct is a great first step in preventing escaped fires. Call 541-322-6335 for up to date burning information for anyone living in an area covered by Bend Fire Department. 

www.bendoregon.gov/burninginfo 

www.centraloregonfire.org    

I-84 remains closed westbound between Exit 265 (5 miles east of La Grande) and Exit 216 (6 miles east of Pendelton) due to a multiple vehicle crash near milepost 227. I-84 eastbound is also closed between Exit 265 and Exit 216. OR 204 (Tollgate Highway) and OR 245 are closed to non-local traffic, as they are not viable routes for I-84. The highway is expected to be closed for a couple of hours. Continue to visit TripCheck.com or call 511 / 800-977-6368 for updates. Outside Oregon call 503-588-2941.

PORTLAND, Ore, — The Bureau of Land Management is waiving recreation day-use fees for visitors on September 23, 2023, in celebration of the 30th annual National Public Lands Day. NPLD is the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer event for public lands held annually on the fourth Saturday in September. To recognize 30 years of care and community and increase recreation access to public land, BLM leaders invite people to explore our unique and diverse natural landscapes and visitor facilities.

“National Public Lands Day serves as a connection between people and public lands,” said Barry Bushue, BLM Oregon and Washington State Director “Whether it’s your first time on public lands or your hundredth, we invite everyone to get outside and enjoy these national treasures across Oregon and Washington.”  

Within Oregon and Washington, the BLM’s standard amenity day-use fees will be waived at the following:

• Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area  
• Cape Blanco Lighthouse 
• Wildwood Recreation Site   
• Hyatt Lake Recreation Area  
• Gerber Recreation Area 
• Yakima River Canyon 
• Loon Lake Recreation Site  
• Alsea Falls Recreation Site  
• Shotgun Creek Recreation Site 
• Edson Creek Recreation Site 
• Spring Recreation Site  

The standard amenity fee waiver does not guarantee admission to some busy recreation areas where reservations for day-use, group sites, and overnight camping are recommended. Please contact the local BLM office if you have any questions about a recreation site you are interested in visiting. 

You can search all available BLM recreation opportunities to explore on your public lands at https://www.blm.gov/visit.

Want to join one of BLM's events and help restore America’s public lands? You can find a volunteer event near you at https://www.neefusa.org/npld-event-search.

Know before you go:

Be fire aware. Check for local fire restrictions and active fire closures.

Practice Leave No Trace principles and leave your public lands cleaner than you found them.

The fee waiver only applies to standard amenity fees for day-use at the recreation sites listed. The waiver does not apply to any expanded amenity fees for overnight camping, group day-use, and cabin rentals or individual Special Recreation Permit fees along permitted rivers.

Fee-free days occur each year in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Great American Outdoors Day, National Public Lands Day, and Veterans Day.

The remaining fee-free day in 2023 will be on November 11 in celebration of Veterans Day.

For more information about the BLM’s recreation fee program, please visit https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/permits-and-fees.

-BLM-

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