The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is considering rate range increases for camping and facility fees for the public and is seeking comment on the proposed changes.

The rate increases are necessary due to increased utility costs, operations, maintenance needs and inflation, OPRD said in a news release. The rate range increases would not increase fees automatically. The range gives flexibility to adjust the fees within the range over time and avoids large increases all at once, OPRD said.

Examples for the proposed rate range changes include:

A full hook-up campsite with a current rate of $33 and rate range of $26 to $40 would see a proposed rate range increase of $33 to $52 for Oregonians and a range of $41.25 to $65 for out-of-state visitors.

A rustic cabin with a current rate of $52 and a rate range of $42 to $62 would see a proposed rate range increase of $52 to $81 for Oregonians and a range of $65 to $101.25 for out-of-state visitors.

An RV with a current rate of $120 and range of $100 to $120 would see a proposed rate range increase of $120 to $200 for Oregonians and $150 to $250 for out-of-state visitors.

The full list of proposed rate range changes can be found at bit.ly/3Sw0Uph.

How to comment on proposed Oregon Parks and Recreation Department rate changes

The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department said it would accept comments on the proposed changes through 5 p.m. Aug. 30.

Comments can be submitted by email, mail, online or during three public hearings.

Online: bit.ly/4cE5z0k

Mail: OPRD Department, attn: Katie Gauthier, 725 Summer St NE, Suit C, Salem, OR., 97301

Email: OPRD.Publiccomment@oprd.oregon.gov

A virtual hearing is planned for 5:30 p.m. July 31. Register at this link: bit.ly/3S7TOGZ.

In-person hearings are set for the following dates:

• 5:30 p.m., Aug. 6: Nehalem Bay State Park Meeting Hall, 34600 Garey St., Nehalem
• 5:30 p.m., Aug. 13: North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer St. NE, Salem. Must arrive by 6 p.m. to testify.

After the public comment period ends, the proposal, with any updates, is slated to go to the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission in September or November. Changes in rate ranges would not be effective until the budget is approved by the Oregon Legislature and signed by the governor in 2025.

Emma Logan is an outdoors journalism intern for the Statesman Journal. She can be reached at elogan@salem.gannett.com or on X @emmmalogan 

Oregon’s recruiting dominance continues as they target top running back prospect Tradarian Ball. The Texas native is set to visit the Ducks this week as he considers his top schools.  

Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks are dominating college football recruiting. The Ducks have emerged as a strong contender for four-star running back Tradarian Ball, who is set to visit Eugene when the dead period lifts this week.  

The Texas native has already received attention from top programs nationwide, holding over 40 offers from various power-five programs. Ball has received offers from USC, Ohio State, Miami, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Georgia, Florida State, Missouri, Oregon, and more.   

Ranked as the No.2 running back and No. 5 overall prospect in Texas by 247Sports, Ball is a coveted talent. His decision-making process will unfold throughout the summer, with a top 15 list expected by its end.  

Ball has been exceptional throughout his high school career. Last Season as a sophomore, Ball dominated the football field, earning district MVP honors after rushing for 1,290 yards and 14 touchdowns. The prospect also collected 25 receptions for 411 yards and six touchdowns.  

A commitment from Ball would boost Oregon’s already talented running back room. Oregon’s Running backs are coached by Ra’Shaad Samples, who joined the Ducks in April after spending the 2023 season as the wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator at Arizona State. Samples was also the running backs coach for the Los Angeles Rams in 2022 after being hired as the youngest position coach in the NFL.  

Since Sample arrived in Eugene, he has contributed greatly to Oregon’s recruiting prowess. Four-star running back Dierre Hill and four-star running back Jordan Davison committed to Oregon to develop under Samples.   

“Coach Samples is one of the brightest young coaches in all of football,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said following Samples’ hire. “He will recruit relentlessly to bring the best young men we can find to our program. I am excited to see the impact Ra’Shaad has on our players’ development as we continue to build upon the storied history of running backs here at Oregon.”  

Ball will be in Eugene to evaluate the University of Oregon’s football program July 26-28. 

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Thunderstorms rumbling across Central Oregon late Sunday afternoon brought some lightning, heavy rain and pea-sized hail. They also sparked a few fires, one that burned about a half-acre off U.S. Highway 97 near 61st Street north of Bend.

Bend Deputy Fire Marshal Cindy Kettering said the fire reported just before 5:30 p.m. south of 61^st Street was the largest of three lightning-sparked blazes Bend Fire & Rescue crews responded to Sunday evening. The other two were single-tree fires in rural southeast Bend.

A National Weather Service spotter near Deschutes River Woods reported half-inch hail as the storm moved north toward Redmond.

The NWS warned shortly before 6 p.m. of a strong thunderstorm near Redmond and Terrebonne, moving north at 30 mph, with winds gusting to 40 mph and half-inch hail. They recommended, if outdoors, to consider seeking shelter inside a building.

That’s just what happened to thousands of music-lovers attending the closing night of this weekend’s FairWell Festival at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond.

Festival officials announced a weather delay and said on their website, “Due to an approaching storm, performances have been suspended momentarily. We expect this to be a temporary delay. Please head to the First Interstate Bank Center and await further updates.”

Someone told NewsChannel 21 about the event suspension and said, “Hope it passes quick … hot in here!” And later, festival organizers said the event had resumed.