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Central Oregon Community College employees prepare for strike as mediation continues

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Central Oregon Community College employees prepare for strike as mediation continues


BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Classified employees at Central Oregon Community College could go on strike Thursday morning if ongoing negotiations with the college do not result in a new contract. The union representing custodians, administrative assistants, enrollment staff, and other hourly positions voted to authorize a strike, with the earliest possible start at 5 a.m. April 2. Mediation is continuing, with two sessions scheduled before the deadline, on March 30 and April 1.

The dispute centers on wages and benefits for the college’s lowest-paid employees. According to union representatives, many COCC staff are facing food and housing insecurity despite performing essential roles that directly impact students every day. “It is mind-boggling that the college is refusing to pay classified employees a living wage when their own CFO confirmed the funds are available,” said Scott Dove, president of the Classified Association of COCC. The union argues that its proposal, which includes higher wages and improved benefits, would better support employees while sustaining long-term financial stability.

COCC President Greg Pereira, who has been in the role for nine months, said the college is committed to a fair and sustainable agreement. “We respect the right of our classified employees to participate in this process,” Pereira said. “COCC remains committed to reaching an agreement that supports the long-term health of the college and the students we serve.” The college has proposed a three-year contract with a 19.1% wage and step increase, along with benefits improvements. Officials say essential student services, including financial aid, veteran benefits, advising, and food services, are expected to continue with limited to no disruption even if a strike occurs.

Union representatives argue that the strike is about more than money; it is about dignity and fair treatment. Classified staff make up 122 positions at the college, including groundskeepers, IT professionals, laboratory specialists, and student services staff. “The educational experience of COCC students should be the college’s top priority, but instead the board and administration are prioritizing political power over fairness,” Dove said. The union also noted that, unlike the first-ever Oregon community college strike at Portland Community College, COCC strikers are prepared to remain on strike longer if necessary, thanks to strike pay.

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The college and union continue to work with mediators to avoid a walkout. COCC officials said they are coordinating with local law enforcement to ensure that any picketing is peaceful and lawful. Students and community members can track updates on negotiations at cocc.edu/negotiations.



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Oregon Ducks’ Most Important Returning Factor

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Oregon Ducks’ Most Important Returning Factor


The Oregon Ducks are returning 66 percent of their production from last season, according to ESPN. That’s the eleventh-highest in all of college football, but only the fifth-highest in the Big Ten Conference behind the No. 9 UCLA Bruins, No. 7 Minnesota Golden Gophers, No. 3 Nebraska Cornhuskers, and No. 2 Maryland Terrapins.

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The most important returnees for fifth-year coach Dan Lanning and first-year defensive coordinator Chris Hampton in 2026 come out on the edge with arguably the sport’s most dangerous pass rush duo.

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Oregon outside linebacker Teitum Tuioti, left, defensive lineman A’Mauri Washington, and outside linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei celebrate a sack by Tuioti as the Oregon Ducks host the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Nov. 14, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti

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The 1-2 punch of the senior outside linebacker duo in Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti will be the faces of the defensive end room in Eugene, Oregon. That pair will be the foundation of the newly-appointed Hampton’s group in the middle.

Tuioti was awarded All-Big Ten Third Team honors in the 2025 season, while Uiagalelei was named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. The two combined for 102 total tackles, 15.5 sacks, eight pass deflections, and two forced fumbles.

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Oregon inside linebacker Jerry Mixon, left, and Oregon defensive back Jadon Canady celebrate as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Jerry Mixon

Senior inside linebacker Jerry Mixon also announced that he would be returning to the Pacific Northwest with expectations of an even more expanded role.

Mixon has tallied 65 tackles (34 solo, 31 assisted), seven pass deflections, two interceptions, and 1.5 sacks throughout his collegiate career thus far. Based on the production in the given snaps this past season, he’s poised for a national breakout year inside Autzen Stadium alongside the tenacity of Uiagalelei and Tuioti.

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Oregon defensive lineman A’Mauri Washington celebrates a sack as the Oregon Ducks host the Indiana Hoosiers Oct. 11, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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A’Mauri Washington and Bear Alexander

Can’t forget to mention senior defensive lineman A’mauri Washington and redshirt senior defensive lineman Bear Alexander, each well over 300 pounds, who do heaps of the dirty work that goes unnoticed to the masses. Their explosiveness and overall physicality make them intimidating figures in their respective roles.

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Oct 25, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Isaiah Johnson (94) celebrates with defensive tackle D’Antre Robinson (6) after making a sack in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

More Returning, New Pieces on Oregon’s Defensive Line

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As for the promising underclassmen returning on the 2026 roster, there are plenty of them to go around.

  • Sophomore outside linebacker Nasir Wyatt
  • Redshirt sophomore outside linebacker Elijah Rushing
  • Sophomore inside linebacker Gavin Nix
  • Redshirt sophomore inside linebacker Brayden Platt
  • Redshirt sophomore inside linebacker Dylan Williams

The Ducks will have some new faces from across the country on the defensive front, coming out of the NCAA transfer portal.

  • North Carolina Tar Heels junior D’Antre Robinson
  • Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks redshirt senior Jerome Simmons
  • Howard Bison redshirt senior Derrick Brown Jr.
  • Oregon State Beavers redshirt freshman Bleu Dantzler

Looking even further down the road with Oregon’s pressure on the ball, these are the names from the incoming 2026 recruiting class. The entire class, with all positions, is ranked No. 4 in the country and No. 3 in the Big Ten, according to Rivals.

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  • Four-star EDGE Anthony ‘Tank” Jones
  • Four-star linebacker Braylon Hodge
  • Four-star EDGE Prince Tavizon
  • Four-star defensive lineman Tony Cumberland
  • Three-star linebacker Tristan Phillips
  • Three-star EDGE Dutch Horisk
  • Three-star defensive lineman Anthony Jones

One can make the case that this whole group will be even stronger and deeper than last season’s team, which made the College Football Playoff semifinals, with a healthy mix of returning veterans acting as defensive leaders, experienced talent in the trenches, and skilled freshmen with untapped potential.

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Oregon Lottery Pick 4 results for March 29

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The Oregon Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 29, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 29 drawing

1PM: 2-8-1-3

4PM: 2-8-1-3

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7PM: 1-9-8-1

10PM: 2-7-4-3

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Oregon Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 7:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 7:59 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Pick 4: 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily.
  • Win for Life: 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Megabucks: 7:29 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Oregon editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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John Day, Oregon: Camel population — 2 – East Oregonian

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John Day, Oregon: Camel population — 2 – East Oregonian


JOHN DAY — Grant County’s camel population doubled on March 20.

That’s when Hilde, the county’s famous 1,700-pound Bactrian camel, gave birth to Cora.

Talyn and Tabitha Elliott brought Hilde to the county about a year ago. The Elliotts didn’t know it at the time, but Hilde was beginning her 13-month-long gestation period with Cora before she arrived in John Day from Oklahoma.

“What happened is, Hilde was in a field with other female camels and a bull, and she wasn’t supposed to have her first heat until spring,” Talyn said. “She went into heat a year early, and the camel rancher knew she’d gone into heat but wasn’t sure if she’d actually been bred.”

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Talyn said it became apparent to Tabitha last summer that Hilde was pregnant, but he was skeptical. In the end, Tabitha was proven correct.

What followed was a gestation period that stretched through the summer, winter and into the springtime, ending with Cora’s birth March 20 on the hill behind the Elliots’ home up West Bench Road.

Talyn said Cora was between 65 and 105 pounds when she was born.

Proud mom

Hilde conducted a sort of official introduction of Cora on March 22 to drivers along West Bench Road, Talyn said, bringing her into the front yard to “show her off” to passersby. Hilde attracted attention from passing cars along the same road, and Cora was no different.

“She’s already getting a lot of socialization for sure,” Talyn said.

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Interacting with Cora behind the Elliots’ fence makes one thing apparent — Hilde is never far away.

She’s not threatening or intimidating, and she’ll let people get close to pet the baby — if Cora doesn’t eagerly approach the visitors first.

Talyn said as Cora gets older and larger, Hilde likely will be less protective. For now, Hilde and the occasional grunt she unleashes to remind people that she’s a watchful mom can be expected.

Hilde will nurse Cora for about a year. After that, Cora will move on to the alfalfa, grass hay, rose bushes, thistles and other plants that make up Hilde’s diet.

Hilde is 75% Bactrian, the two-humped camel variety, and Cora’s dad is 100% Bactrian, meaning Cora will have two prominent humps, just like her parents. Her coat will remain white, but its silver patches and streaks will become more prominent as she grows.

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Future plans

Talyn called Cora’s birth a welcome surprise and was ecstatic the calf was white instead of Hilde’s traditional brown.

Talyn and Tabitha’s two children, ages 14 and 12, were excited as well.

“They were just kind of in awe of the baby; it was cool,” Talyn said. “They didn’t know what to think at first, and then they just started loving on her, and it was cute.”

Talyn said he hopes to get Cora “excellently trained.” He’s already been picking up the calf’s feet to help her walk better.

The goal is to have Hilde and Cora walk in a line behind Talyn while he makes one of his famous walks through town.

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There may be interest to breed Hilde again, but Talyn said that can’t be done for at least two years, so he doesn’t have any plans to do so yet.

“I probably will want to have a little herd of camels,” he said, “but I’m not in any hurry to breed her again.”

For now, Talyn welcomes anybody who wants to make the trip up West Bench Road in John Day to stop by and catch a glimpse of Cora. He asks that visitors stay outside the fence to interact with young camel.

Those who want to keep up with Hilde and Cora can follow hildethecamel on Instagram.

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