Oregon
Winter weather advisory issued for Oregon Cascade passes as snow returns to mountains
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Statesman Journal
A winter weather advisory has been issued for Oregon’s Cascade Mountain passes from Wednesday night into Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
A total of around 6 to 11 inches is forecast above 3,500 feet, likely impacting Highway 22 over Santiam Pass, Highway 58 over Willamette Pass and Highway 26 in the Mount Hood area.
“Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous,” NWS wrote.
Heavy snow is also forecast later in the week and over the weekend, according to advanced forecasts. It’s unclear how much snow will hit the mountains over the weekend.
The additional powder comes at a good time for Oregon. The amount of mountain snow in northwest Oregon has actually dropped below normal, although it remains slightly above normal statewide.
An additional boost of snow could help stave off the wildfire season and extend the winter recreation season at ski areas and sno parks.
Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 18 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on X at @ZachsORoutdoors and BlueSky at oregonoutdoors.bsky.social.
Oregon
Oregon spa advertised on escort website, offered commercial sex acts, police say
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Two people were arrested Tuesday on prostitution charges after search warrants were served on both a spa and home in Newport, authorities said.
According to Newport police, the investigation into Amazing Lotus Spa began in March after they learned it was advertising on a prostitution/adult escort website, as well as “alluding to commercial sex acts being offered at the spa.”
During the investigation, officers surveilled the business, and “observed activity inconsistent with the normal business patterns of legitimate massage establishments,” police said.
This led to the obtaining and execution of a search warrant on both the spa and a home located in the 800 block of Northeast Avery Street.
At the spa, investigators found evidence indicating they were operating without a license, police said.
At the 8th Street home, they found large quantities of cash, as well as “evidence related to services allegedly being offered at the spa beyond unlicensed massage activity,” officials said.
Both 63-year-old Jia Hui and 67-year-old Bing Li were arrested and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on charges of prostitution and practicing of massage without a massage therapist license.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact Newport police.
Oregon
Oregon Gov. Kotek, state leaders preview 2026 wildfire season
SALEM, Ore. (KATU) — As Oregon approaches the summer months, Governor Tina Kotek and other state agency leaders are preparing for wildfire season.
On Tuesday morning, Gov. Kotek joined the Oregon State Fire Marshal, the heads of departments like forestry and emergency management, and public utility spokespeople to discuss the 2026 wildfire season.
They will also be taking questions from reporters – you can watch the full press conference here:
The governor and departments that fight wildfires also gave a tour of the equipment they use in the field when battling blazes across the state.
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Oregon
Doggie Dash 2026 fundraiser supports Oregon Humane’s work with shelter animals
PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – A major fundraiser to support local shelter animals is coming up this weekend. Oregon Humane’s Doggie Dash 2026 helps pet families across the state.
Despite the name, this year’s event is going to the cats.
“Doggie Dash is one our biggest fundraisers we do,” said Dr. Steve Kochis, chief medical officer at Oregon Humane. “Sometimes we do see some cats at the event that are on a harness in a carrier or in a backpack. While we do have Doggie Dash as the name, we are Oregon Humane and still raise money for all the pets we help.”
Access to veterinary care
With Portland’s Doggie Dash right around the corner, Kochis wants people to be aware of some of the bigger issues Oregon Humane is trying to tackle.
“It’s been an ongoing struggle with access to services, access to veterinary care, and with that comes lack of access to spay and neuter services,” Kochis said. “And then it doesn’t take long for cats to reproduce and overpopulate.”
Kelly Bremken, a veterinary social worker at Oregon Humane, said a recent case in Marion County illustrates the problem.
“Recently in Marion County there was a family who had cats they loved very much, but without access to affordable spay and neuter in their area they became overrun with cats,” Bremken said.
Oregon Humane took in 35 cats from that home, including one named Snotty Pippins after the veterinary team had to clean out his sinuses.
Connecting people and pets to resources
Bremken’s job as veterinary social worker is to find the intersection between the help people need and their pets on cases like this one.
“We really think improving the life of the person can improve the life of the pet,” Bremken said. “We want that for everybody.”
Events like Doggie Dash make sure Bremken can continue to connect community members to the resources they need for their pets.
“We want folks to know they can call on us, get assistance, and we are there for the long haul,” Bremken said.
Oregon Humane’s Doggie Dash is one of the largest gatherings of pets and people on the West Coast. Registration is $25. Doggie Dash Portland takes place Saturday, May 9, at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. A Salem event is scheduled for Saturday, June 6.
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