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11/29/2025

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11/21/2025

ODF worker injured at South Fork

The Oregon Department of Forestry confirmed one of their employees was injured during a tree-cutting operation Monday.

11/14/2025

November 14, 2025
Oregon Health Authority News Release

Families urged to stop ByHeart formula use to reduce infant botulism risk as national outbreak investigation continues
Oregon now has two cases tied to company's products

PORTLAND, Ore.—State agencies continue to track botulism cases linked to a nationally recalled infant formula—including two cases of infection in Oregon—but health officials say there are steps families can take now to reduce their babies’ exposure to the infection.

Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Department of Agriculture are collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and public health and food safety officials from other states to investigate the multi-state outbreak connected with consumption of powdered infant formula produced by ByHeart.

Howard Chiou, M.D., Ph.D., OHA medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations, says it is helpful that ByHeart, which manufactures the formula implicated in the infant botulism outbreak, has voluntarily recalled its products. That ensures the ByHeart formula remains off store shelves until federal, state and local health agencies complete their investigations.

It’s the ByHeart products that may still be on families’ shelves at home that are the biggest concern for Chiou and his public health colleagues in Oregon.

“Many parents and caregivers may still have ByHeart infant formula products in their pantries, and they may not be aware of the national recall and botulism outbreak, or perhaps they don’t think the ByHeart products they do have are affected,” Chiou says. “Our message is clear: Do not use ByHeart infant formula.”

Infant botulism is a rare illness that happens when a baby swallows Clostridium botulinum spores that grow in the gut and make toxin. The bacteria are commonly found in the environment, including soil, dust and honey. Infant botulism often starts with constipation and progresses to difficulty feeding, a weak and altered cry, and loss of muscle tone. Severe cases require hospitalization for specialized treatment.

Nationally, there have been 23 cases of infant botulism from 13 states identified in connection with the outbreak, including two infants from Oregon; ill infants have been hospitalized and there have been no deaths. ByHeart has issued a recall of all its infant formula and ODA is conducting recall effectiveness checks to ensure that all recalled product has been removed from stores statewide.

OHA and ODA urge people to stop using any ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula, including cans and single-serve sticks:

Label any leftover formula that your infant was fed as “DO NOT USE” and keep the container stored in a safe spot for at least a month in case your infant develops symptoms and the product needs to be tested. If no symptoms appear after a month, throw the leftover formula away.
Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the formula using hot, soapy water or a dishwasher. Special soaps or detergents are not needed.
If your baby has consumed recalled formula, it is important to recognize that most infants who have consumed the formula have not become sick. Watch infants for progressive symptoms, as they may take up to a month to appear. Testing for botulism is not available for infants without symptoms.

Seek immediate medical care if your infant develops any of these symptoms:

Poor feeding, with loss of interest in feeding for at least six hours or weaker suck
Difficulty swallowing
Loss of head control
Decreased facial expression
“I know this is a scary message for parents to hear, that the formula they have given their child might have made them sick,” said Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., state health officer and state epidemiologist at OHA. “We want to provide you the best information on who may be at risk, what symptoms to look for that your child may be getting sick, and steps you can take to help keep your baby healthy. Right now, we know of two babies who have gotten sick in Oregon, even though many more drank the formula we are talking about.”

For the latest information regarding this active investigation, consult the outbreak investigation websites from the CDC and FDA.

10/03/2025

10:15 AM

Transportation:
ODOT: Valley, No. Coast: OR 6 is closed about 5 miles west of Glenwood, near milepost 34, due to a crash. A detour is being set up in the area and this could be an extended closure. Please use an alternate route or delay your trip. Slow down and watch for emergency responders

09/24/2025

WARNING: THOUSANDS OF COUNTERFEIT M30 PILLS CONTAINING CARFENTANIL SEIZED IN WESTERN WASHINGTON

News Release from DEA Seattle
Posted on FlashAlert: September 24th, 2025 4:37 PM

SEATTLE- The Drug Enforcement Administration Seattle Field Division is warning the public after a seizure of counterfeit M30 pills containing carfentanil in Western Washington.

On Tuesday, September 16th, 2025, after a months-long investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Alcohol To***co and Fi****ms (ATF), Federal Way Police and Centralia Police seized 50,208 pills from a defendant at a Centralia gas station. A K-9 alerted to narcotics and located the pills inside the vehicle. The driver, from Pacific, Washington, was arrested and and is facing federal charges. The drugs were tested in the field and sent to the DEA Western Laboratory in Pleasanton, California for further testing. Lab tests revealed the pills did not contain fentanyl, instead they were carfentanil and filler, acetaminophen.

Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid originally developed for veterinary use, more specifically to tranquilize large animals such as elephants. It is extraordinarily potent and not approved for human use. In fact, it is estimated to be 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times stronger than fentanyl.

“Carfentanil is like fentanyl on steroids,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Seattle Field Division. “The cartels traffic this incredibly dangerous substance in order to profit from our misery.”

Because of its strength, a nearly microscopic amount of carfentanil can induce a powerful, and often deadly, effect in humans.

In an effort to increase drug potency and profits, carfentanil has been found mixed with other drugs or pressed into pills that look like prescription painkillers. This increases the likelihood of fatal overdose and poisoning deaths, especially among users who are unaware they are ingesting such a powerful substance.

Over the past two decades, synthetic opioids have increased the threat of the ongoing opioid epidemic. Nearly 70% of all drug poisonings and overdose deaths in 2023 involved synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl. Also, among these substances is carfentanil, which stands out – at this time – as one of the deadliest fentanyl analogues. This white, powdery drug closely resembles other substances like fentanyl or co***ne, but its danger far exceeds that of nearly any other opioid on the street.

Carfentanil is a chilling reminder of how the opioid epidemic continues to evolve and introduces new threats at an alarming pace.

DEA, local law enforcement, and first responders have recently seen an increased presence of carfentanil in the illicit drug market, which has been linked to a number of overdose deaths in various parts of the country.

According to the CDC, deaths involving carfentanil increased approximately sevenfold – from 29 deaths from January to June 2023, to 238 deaths from January to June 2024. Carfentanil has now been detected in 37 states. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office reports six carfentanil related overdoses in 2024, and four so far in 2025.

The majority of carfentanil seizures throughout 2024 were in a pill or tablet form, not the typical powder form previously encountered. This trend is concerning due to the increased risk of overdose and deceptive appearance.

Exposure to carfentanil can cause respiratory depression or arrest, drowsiness, disorientation, sedation, pinpoint pupils, and clammy skin. The onset of these symptoms usually occurs within minutes of exposure. Its rapid effect on the central nervous system leaves little time for life-saving interventions.

Treating an overdose involving carfentanil is extremely difficult. While naloxone is widely used as an emergency antidote for opioid overdoses, it may not be effective against carfentanil in normal doses. Multiple, high doses of naloxone may be required, and even then, effective reversal of an overdose is not guaranteed.

One Pill Can Kill. To protect yourself, never take a pill that was not prescribed to you by a doctor and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. If you suspect someone has been exposed to carfentanil or is experiencing symptoms of overdose, call 911 immediately and administer naloxone, if available.

09/10/2025

FATAL CRASH – HIGHWAY 6 – TILLAMOOK COUNTY

News Release from Oregon State Police

TILLAMOOK COUNTY, Ore. (September 10, 2025) – On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 8:25 a.m., the Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle fatal crash involving a pedestrian on Highway 6 near milepost 30 in Tillamook County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a white Freightliner semi-truck, operated by Scott Lee Gotchall (64) of Portland, was traveling eastbound on Highway 6 near milepost 30 when a pedestrian, Jaime Cristobal Aguilar Herrera (25) of Beaverton, entered the lane of travel for an unknown reason and was struck by the semi-truck.

The pedestrian (Aguilar Herrera) was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The operator of the semi-truck (Gotchall) was not injured.

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

OSP was assisted by the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office, Tillamook Fire, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

09/09/2025

Final Update: Highway is open as of 12:15pm

Update as of 9:30am:

ODOT: Valley, No. Coast: OR 6 is reduced to one westbound lane about 9 miles west of Glenwood, milepost 30, due to a crash. Flaggers are directing traffic through the area. Expect delays for several hours. Consider delaying your trip or using an alternate route. Please slow down and watch for emergency responders.

Emergency Info for TUESDAY, September 09, 2025 08:45.

Transportation:
ODOT: Valley, No. Coast: OR 6 is closed 9 miles west of Glenwood, milepost 30, due to a crash. This closure could last several hours. Delay your trip or use an alternate route. Please slow down and watch out for emergency responders in the area.

07/25/2025

FIRE SAFETY EMPHASIZED AS 5 FIRES CONNECTED TO TARGET SHOOTING IN TILLAMOOK STATE FOREST QUICKLY PUT OUT

News Release from Oregon Dept. of Forestry
Posted on FlashAlert: July 25th, 2025 10:41 AM

TILLAMOOK STATE FOREST, Ore.—The quick actions of Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) crews and rural fire departments have put out five fires just since May connected to target shooting.

“These fires are all preventable,” said Stephanie Beall, acting District Forester for Forest Grove. “Thanks to timely reporting and quick response times by firefighting resources, these fires have been kept small so far, with the largest fire reaching only 1.5 acres, but it only takes a little bit of wind to quickly expand a fire if the fuel conditions are right.”

There is a long list of state forest shooting regulations and simplified dos and don’ts while target shooting that are good to follow for any area of the state. They are all important but there are some critical ones during fire season.

“The two most pressing problems are people bringing out and shooting exploding targets and shooting into stumps, logs or other debris,” said Beall

Exploding targets are banned year-round in all of Oregon’s state forests. Materials such as Tannerite can scatter hot debris in a large area quickly igniting dry fuels. But it’s not only exploding targets that are a concern, the hot lead of regular rounds that hits stumps and other natural backstops or targets can smolder for hours leading to fire starts long after the shooter has left the area. To minimize this hazard shooters should not put targets on or in front of logs, stumps or grassy areas.

“People are required to use manufactured targets on all state forests, with the exception being paper targets printed at home.” said Ben Burns, ODF’s Recreation Operations Manager. “Do not place targets on live trees, stumps, logs or in any dry brushy areas.”

The department has built several shooting lanes throughout the state forest system but even those can be a fire hazard if not used properly.

“The Wolf Creek shooting lanes have ranges from 20 – 70 yards,” said Burns. “It is important that people use the designated backstops and do not shoot beyond these borders into the vegetation beyond.”

Another rule of which many recreational users are not aware, is that anyone using a vehicle in state forests during the regulated use portion of fire season must have a shovel and either a gallon of water or a 2.5-pound (or larger) fire extinguisher in that vehicle.

Although not following the rules can endanger people and the forest itself, ODF’s emphasis is on education before enforcement.

“You can ask our recreation staff or any ODF employee to clarify the rules if you are unsure,” said Burns. “We are here to help everyone safely enjoy the forests no matter what activity they choose from hiking, biking, OHV riding, target shooting, camping and many other outdoor opportunities.”

However, for repeat offenders and forest users who put people in imminent danger, local law enforcement officers do patrol state forests and can issue citations on the spot and more.

“The Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office has three dedicated officers to patrol the Tillamook State Forest thanks to funds that come from the state’s ATV registration fees and matching grant funds from ODF,” said Burns. “We meet regularly with them to discuss issues and areas to patrol more frequently, and target shooting is an area of emphasis right now.”

But the emphasis remains on education and compliance.

“As someone who enjoys target shooting, I keep fire in mind as part of shooting safety,” said Beall. “I buy manufactured targets, lay down a tarp to catch my brass and check the area for garbage when I’m done.”

Taking fire risk into consideration as part of any recreation activity is one of ODF’s education focuses when talking to the public.

“Every year 70 percent or more of our wildland fires are started by people—all of those are preventable,” said Beall.

For more information on target shooting safety and rules go here.

For current fire danger levels and restrictions go here.

For a list of shooting lanes and other recreational site locations and details go here.

If you see a fire call 911. Also if you are a witness to the start of a fire and can provide information, eye-witness statements, video, photos or any other data, you can assist investigators by emailing them to [email protected]. This information helps our investigators in creating a full picture of what happened and identify a responsible party if there is one.

07/24/2025

07/23/2025

FATAL CRASH – HIT AND RUN – TILLAMOOK COUNTY

News Release from Oregon State Police
Posted on FlashAlert: July 23rd, 2025 11:15 AM

TILLAMOOK COUNTY, Ore. 23 July 2025 – On Sunday, July 12, 2025, at approximately 3:15 a.m., the Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle hit-and-run fatal crash on Highway 18 in Tillamook County near Grand Ronde.

The preliminary investigation indicated that a white Honda Civic, operated by Alejandro Christopher Velazquez Lopez (34) of Tillamook, was traveling eastbound on Highway 18 near milepost 14. The Honda left the travel lane and entered the eastbound shoulder, where a black Nissan Altima with a flat tire was parked. Three 17-year-old males were outside the Nissan, changing the flat tire, when the Honda left the roadway and struck all three juveniles. The Honda did not stop and continued driving eastbound on the highway.

All three male juveniles were transported to area hospitals with serious injuries. A 17-year-old female passenger was inside the Nissan at the time of the crash and was not injured.

OSP Major Crime Section detectives were immediately called to investigate and locate the operator of the Honda.

On July 14, 2025, OSP investigators were notified that one of the 17-year-old males died as a result of injuries sustained during the crash.

The operator of the Honda (Lopez) is believed to have left the country and there is an active warrant for his arrest.

The highway was impacted for approximately 11.5 hours during the on-scene investigation.


OSP was assisted by the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln City Police Department, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Tribal Police, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

01/16/2025

01/15/2025

PRESS RELEASE

A25-247 MISSING PERSON INVESTIGATION

JANUARY 15, 2025

On January 3, 2025, the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office received a report that 33-year-old Hailey E. Athay was missing. Athay is a white female, described as 5’-9”, 135 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes. Athay’s family last saw her in Kelso in November 2024.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who has information about Ms. Athay to contact Detective James Hanberry at 360-577-3092, regarding case A25-247.