Right Now Oregon Weekly Roundup for the Week of August 9th

Wildfires, public safety, Portland politics and questions about government power shaped Oregon’s news last week. Here are the stories you may have missed. Wildfire season brings destruction and allegations of arson As firefighters confront another difficult season, authorities have accused several people of deliberately starting fires across Oregon and Washington. An Ontario newspaper employee faces nine first degree arson charges connected to fires that burned approximately 14,000 acres in Malheur and Baker counties. Another Oregon defendant faces domestic terrorism charges after allegedly declaring “war” on the United States and setting fires around Fossil. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Read: Oregon’s Fire Season Has an Arson Problem National Guard crews battle the 51,000 acre Hagen Fire Oregon National Guard helicopter crews joined the effort to protect homes and contain the Hagen Fire in Umatilla County. Black Hawk and Chinook crews dropped water in steep terrain while coordinating with firefighters on the ground. By Aug. 13, Guard aircraft had completed 632 bucket drops statewide during the 2026 season, delivering more than 676,000 gallons of water. Read: Oregon National Guard Helicopter Crews Work to Save Homes Portland DSA backs six candidates across three governments The Portland chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America endorsed six candidates for the Nov. 3 election, including two Oregon House candidates, three incumbent Portland city councilors and a Multnomah County Commission candidate. The slate represents a coordinated effort to expand the organization’s influence beyond Portland City Hall and advance policies including social housing, rent regulation, government health care and restrictions on fossil fuels. Read: Portland DSA Endorses Six Candidates Portland advances preliminary Moda Center renovation agreement The Portland City Council voted 8 to 4 to approve a nonbinding framework for renovating the city owned Moda Center. The term sheet allows Portland and Rip City Management to continue negotiating the financing, operation and long term future of the arena. A final agreement is expected to return to the council for consideration later this year. Read: Portland Council Approves Preliminary Moda Center Renovation Deal Visitor falls from South Falls after entering closed area A 20 year old Kentucky man fell approximately 177 feet from the top of South Falls at Silver Falls State Park after reportedly entering a closed area to pose for photographs. Oregon State Police said the man slipped and fell into the water below. Marion County Search and Rescue oversaw the recovery operation. Read: Man Falls 177 Feet at Silver Falls State Park Fentanyl dealer receives 21 year federal sentence A federal judge sentenced Hugo Gomez Soto to 21 years in prison for distributing fentanyl that caused the death of a 29 year old Portland man. Investigators arrested Gomez Soto after an officer used the victim’s phone to arrange another purchase. A federal jury convicted him of distributing fentanyl resulting in death and possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute. Read: Portland Man’s Fentanyl Overdose Death Leads to Federal Sentence FBI operation produces 86 arrests on tribal lands A three month FBI operation targeting gangs and drug trafficking organizations on tribal lands resulted in 86 arrests, charges against 50 people and the recovery of 156 weapons. Authorities also reported 62 drug seizures, including approximately 25 kilograms of methamphetamine and four kilograms of cocaine. The FBI did not release results by state, reservation or field office. Read: FBI Operation Targeting Gangs on Tribal Lands Opinion: The violence homeless women often do not report In a deeply personal commentary, Barbara Thayer describes the assaults and trauma she experienced while homeless. She explains why women on the streets may fear reporting abuse, including distrust of authorities, fear of retaliation and an informal code against cooperating with police. Her account highlights a form of violence that may never appear in official crime statistics. Read: The Unreported Violence on the Streets Opinion: Can government limit surveillance by expanding its authority? Ben’s Viewpoint examines the debate over automated license plate readers following Albany’s decision to end its contract with Flock Safety. The commentary supports firm restrictions on government surveillance but questions proposals that would also regulate cameras operated by businesses, homeowners associations and other private property owners. The central argument: protecting liberty from government surveillance should not automatically become a justification for expanding government control over private security systems. Read: When “Liberty” Requires More Government

Portland’s Anti-Auto Planning Has Deepened Congestion, Cut Transit Use and Driven Up Traffic Deaths, Cascade Report Finds

Roseburg Mayor Larry Rich Won’t Seek Reelection After 28 Years

For-Profit College Operator to Pay $1 Million Over Allegedly Inflated Graduation Rates

You May Have Missed