Kacey KC would lead an agency that manages 745,000 acres of Oregon forestland.
FILE: A log truck in the Tillamook State Forest pictured in a file photo.
Amelia Templeton / OPB
Gov. Tina Kotek has chosen Oregon’s next top forestry executive.
If approved by the state Senate, Kacey KC would be the first woman to permanently lead the Oregon Department of Forestry.
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KC has worked in forestry for more than two decades, most recently as the boss of the Nevada Division of Forestry. She was tapped as the President of the National Association of State Foresters in 2023.
“While I am not from Oregon, my experience at both the national and state level equips me to deepen key relationships while leading and supporting the strong work and mission of the Department,” KC said in a statement Thursday.
Kotek tapped KC for the job after state forester Cal Mukumoto resigned in January 2025 amid rising wildfire costs and controversy over multiple workplace conduct investigations into state employees. Kate Skinner, a longtime Tillamook district forester, served as the interim forester after Mukumoto’s resignation.
KC would lead an agency that manages 745,000 acres of Oregon forestland, including by helping fight wildfires. The agency is also responsible for implementing rules that seek to balance the state’s logging interests with the protection of vulnerable species.
“KC brings tenacity and a get-it-done style to her management approach and knows how to build strong partnerships across all levels of government to tackle complex challenges,” Kotek said.
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The Senate Committee on Rules will take up KC’s appointment during the February legislative session.
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Oregon FFA honors SAGE Center with Distinguished Service Award
Published 7:30 pm Monday, March 23, 2026
BOARDMAN — The SAGE Center & Event Center received the Distinguished Service Award at the Oregon FFA Convention in Redmond.
The award honors individuals and organizations that demonstrate exceptional support of FFA through financial contributions, volunteerism, and ongoing service. The convention took place March 19-22.
The SAGE Center was honored for its continued commitment to advancing agricultural education, leadership development, and community engagement throughout the region.
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“We are incredibly honored to receive this recognition,” SAGE Center Interim Manager Angel Aguilar said. “Supporting FFA and the next generation of leaders is at the heart of what we do. This award is a reflection of the strong partnerships we’ve built and the shared commitment to our community’s future.”
LINCOLN CITY, Ore. — Two Oregon men were arrested this month after undercover officers posed as minors in online stings, the Lincoln City Police Department reports.
On March 13, Mitchell Isham, a 58-year-old resident of McMinnville, was arrested after offering to meet with a minor for sex. Unbeknownst to Isham, the minor he initiated a sexually graphic conversation with was, in reality, an undercover officer posing as a minor.
Isham was arrested and booked into the Lincoln County Jail for two counts of Luring a Minor and two counts of Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the 2nd Degree.
Also on March 13, Richard Brotherton, 63, of Amity, was arrested after initiating a sexually graphic conversation with an undercover officer posing as a minor. Brotherton was arrested and booked into the Lincoln County Jail for Luring a Minor.
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LCPD Officers were assisted by the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office and the McMinnville Police Department.
On March 19, a Lincoln County Grand Jury issued a True Bill Indictment against Isham and Brotherton for the crimes. A “True Bill Indictment” is a formal indictment returned by a grand jury when they find sufficient probable cause to believe a person has committed a crime, authorizing the case to proceed to trial.
The Lincoln City Police Department encourages parents to monitor their children’s social media activity and discuss with them the possible dangers of communicating with strangers online. These investigations are conducted in a continuing effort to protect our children from predators who target children for sexual exploitation and to reduce crime and further enhance the safety of our community.
AUSTIN, Texas — Oregon was simply helpless against Madison Booker.
Texas’ three-time All-American forward did anything she wanted as she scored a career-high 40 points in a rollicking 100-58 win over Oregon on Sunday that earned the No. 1-seeded Longhorns a trip to the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive year.
Drive for layups? Easy. Her go-to mid-range jumper? Breezy. Step out for 3-pointers? Swish.
Booker set a Texas school record for most points in an NCAA Tournament game.
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It’s still 10 points shy of the overall tournament record of 50 set by Drake’s Lorri Bauman in 1982. But give her time. She’s got at least one more game coming up in Fort Worth, and if the Longhorns are going to play for their first national championship in 40 years, she could get four more.
Booker carried the Longhorns to the Elite Eight as a freshman and to Final Four last season.
“She’s a generational talent,” Texas coach Vic Schaefer said.
Texas forward Madison Booker (35) drives to the basket against Oregon forward Ehis Etute (35) during the second half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Austin, Texas. Credit: AP/Eric Gay
And an unselfish one. Schaefer often has to tell his star player to go get her shot instead of making the extra pass to a teammate.
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“I want her to hunt to go get a bucket,” Schaefer said.
That side of her is emerging now that it’s time to start collecting trophies.
Booker came in to the tournament averaging 18.9 points. She set her previous career high of 31 just a couple of weeks ago against Mississippi in the Southeastern Conference tournament, which Texas won.
The previous Texas tournament scoring record of 32 was set by Clarissa Davis in 1986 and Heather Schreiber in 2003. The 1986 team won the national title. The 2003 team made the Final Four.
“Coach Schaefer has pushed me into taking a big role, being aggressive on the offensive end,” Booker said.
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She was dominant from the start against Oregon, scoring 14 points in the first quarter. Bookers’ final stat line included 14-of-21 shooting, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and no turnovers.
“I’ve never seen that. I’d like to see it again,” Texas senior guard Rori Harmon said. “I saw the look in her eyes when she came in. I saw something special coming today.”
