PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Since the beginning of the year, 13 positive measles cases have been reported.

According to the Oregon Health Authority, most of those cases are due to people being unvaccinated or having an unknown vaccination status.

“This is well above our number for last year and is approaching our number that we saw in 2024 when we had an outbreak in the summer, and we’re only three months into this year,” Dr. Dean Sidelinger, with the Oregon Health Authority, said during a news conference on Friday.

The worry is that this number could grow, especially because OHA has released new exposure sites for the measles. One of these places is the Safeway at 2800 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.

Officials say if you visited that Safeway at any of the following times, you may be at risk:

• Between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday, March 26.
• Between 2 p.m. and midnight Friday, March 27.
• Between 2:20 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, March 28.
• Between 2 p.m. and midnight Sunday, March 29.

Other exposure sites include the Lark Café in West Linn on March 27 and Pho.Com in Gresham on March 25.

If you’re worried about contracting the measles at places like Safeway or other exposure sites, Sidelinger says you don’t necessarily need to worry.

“It can linger in the air for a couple of hours after that, and that’s why we sometimes see these windows being a few hours long, because it’s when the person has spent time in those locations plus some time after they left, things that can help clear that from the space quicker,” Sidelinger said.

If you’re worried you’ve been exposed or have questions about the vaccine, you’re urged to contact your doctor.

Oregon softball returns to the friendly confines of Jane Sanders Stadium following an eventful two-week, seven-game road trip that included five wins as well as a fair share of drama.

The No. 18 Ducks (26-9, 7-2 Big Ten) took two of three games against both Purdue and Northwestern and have now won 11 straight series in conference play going back to the start of the 2025 Big Ten season.

They’ll try and make it 12 straight this weekend against Iowa (21-13, 5-7), which is in town for a three-game series April 3-5.

“I really like how this group is working together,” Oregon coach Melyssa Lombardi said Wednesday afternoon. “You can see they enjoy playing together, they enjoy being right in the heat of the moment together. You can see it just by the way they come on and off the field and how they respond to things that are happening in the game.”

The most impressive win during the Ducks’ recent road trip was a 24-12 victory on March 23 against Big Ten foe Indiana in what was a one-off nonconference game sandwiched between their series against the Boilermakers and Wildcats. Oregon rallied from a 7-0 deficit to beat the Hoosiers and set program single-game records for runs, RBIs (23) and hits (21).

The road trip ended with some controversy as the Ducks beat the Wildcats in a game called in the bottom of the seventh and Oregon leading 7-3.

A new state audit found safety inspections are not consistently being completed or documented at some Oregon state parks.

The audit, released by the Oregon Secretary of State’s Audits Division, examined operations at overnight campgrounds and found required inspections at multiple parks were missed or undocumented – in some cases for years.

“Oregonians love their state parks and have been able to safely enjoy them for decades,” Secretary of State Tobias Read said. “The findings in this audit will help protect that important legacy and our public dollars.”

Auditors found that buildings used by employees, many of which are also accessed by the public, volunteers, and contractors, were not consistently inspected as required under OSHA rules and agency policy.

At least one location had no inspection records for three years.

Beyond safety inspections, the audit also identified significant problems with how the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) tracks its assets.

According to the report, the agency’s asset management system contains unreliable and incomplete data, including missing records, untracked equipment, and items incorrectly labeled as inactive or missing.

Auditors say those gaps increase the risk of lost property, inaccurate financial reporting, and inadequate insurance coverage.

“These problems risk Oregonians’ safety and taxpayer money through avoidable lawsuits and fines,” the Secretary of State’s office wrote in a press release.

The audit issued eight recommendations, including the need to establish consistent inspection protocols, improve training and accountability, and replace the agency’s outdated asset management system.

In response, a spokesperson for OPRD said it agrees with the findings and has already begun making changes.

“OPRD thanks and acknowledges the audit’s findings and appreciates the Audits Division’s work,” said Interim Director Stefanie Coons. “The safety of our visitors and the protection of Oregon’s state parks have always guided our decisions, and we remain committed to strengthening the systems that support that responsibility.”

The agency says improvements were already underway during the audit and include updating policies, strengthening safety practices, and modernizing its asset tracking system. Officials say new fees will help fund upgrades to ensure the system is functional moving forward.

Oregon’s state park system sees roughly 51 million visitors each year and includes more than 250 properties, over 2,000 buildings, and a wide range of infrastructure, from campgrounds and restrooms to roads, docks, and historic structures.

The Department does not regularly receive state general fund dollars. It is primarily funded through visitor fees, lottery funds, and recreational vehicle registration fees.

Auditors say improving oversight will be key to ensuring those assets and the people who use them are properly protected.

Read the full audit below: