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Boise/Southern Idaho News Releases for Thu. Mar. 12 - 6:23 pm
Thu. 03/12/26
Oregon Main Street recognized with Prosperity Award at the 2026 Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism
Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept. - 03/12/26 8:16 AM

SALEM, Oregon – On Monday, March 9, 2026, the Oregon Tourism Commission (dba Travel Oregon) announced the recipients of the 2025 Oregon Travel and Tourism Industry Achievement Awards at the 2026 Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism at the Oregon Convention Center. 
 

The Oregon Main Street Statewide Coordinating Program received the Oregon Prosperity Award. The Oregon Prosperity Award recognizes DMOs or businesses championing the value of tourism, whose vision and commitment help make Oregon's communities, tourism regions and state stronger visitor destinations, creating optimal economic impact.
 

Oregon Main Street Statewide Coordinating Program has offered a unifying model for community revitalization in 100+ towns statewide since 2008. Since then, Main Street’s tenets of promotion, organizational support, design, and economic vitality with a historic preservation lens, have activated and reactivated communities of all sizes, in every county of Oregon. As of 2021, the work of the Oregon Main Street program and partner organizations have resulted in $134.6 million total economic impact while offering free technical services for local programs, revitalizing downtowns and awarding millions of dollars in grants to communities across the state.
 

Currently, there are over 100 communities in Oregon participating in the Oregon Main Street Network which includes the following tiers: Accredited Main Street, Designated Main Street, Affiliated Main Street, Rural Regional Main Street, and Connected Communities. There is not a fee to participate in the Oregon Main Street Network.
 

Oregon Main Street is a program of Oregon Heritage in Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.
 

For more information on Oregon Main Street visit www.oregonmainstreet.org.
 

# # #

Kuri Gill, Oregon Heritage grants and outreach manager
503-383-6787, Kuri.Gill@oprd.oregon.gov
www.oregonheritage.org

| Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept.
Mon. 03/09/26
Ocean Shore Permitting process Rule Advisory Committee extended
Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept. - 03/09/26 9:00 AM

SALEM, Oregon—Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) will extend a Rule Advisory Committee (RAC) convened last fall to review ocean shore permitting and update rules to implement HB 2925 (2025). The committee will continue to discuss topics including application requirements and processing, emergency and general authorizations, enforcement and fees.

 

Rule Advisory Committee meetings began in December 2025 and will now continue through July 2026 (remaining meeting dates/times below). The public can watch the livestream on YouTube on OPRD Director’s Office live channel.  A recording will be available after each meeting.

 

OPRD will be updating rules relating to the ocean shore alteration permitting process for the first time in over twenty-five years. Topics will include application requirements and processing, emergency and general authorizations, enforcement, and fees.

 

Staff will review feedback from the committee, amend the draft as needed and then open the draft rules for public comment in fall 2026. Staff will review public feedback, amend the draft as needed and then present the rules to the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission for adoption in the spring of 2027.

 

Additional information and recordings will be available on the agency’s rulemaking website. https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PRP/Pages/PRP-Ocean%20Shore%20Alterations.aspx

 

Anticipated meeting schedule:

 

  • March 20, 1 - 4 p.m.
  • April 24, 1 - 4 p.m.
  • May 15, 1 - 4 p.m.
  • June 5, 1 - 4 p.m.
  • June 26, 8:30 a.m. – noon
  • July 28, 1 – 4 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

Katie Gauthier, external relations manager
503-510-9678
katie.gauthier@oprd.oregon.gov

Kevin Herkamp, Ocean Shore coordinator
971-376-1509
kevin.a.herkamp@oprd.oregon.gov

| Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept.
Fri. 03/06/26
DEA Search Warrants in Tri-Cities Result in Largest Drug Seizure in Eastern District of Washington History (Photo)
DEA Seattle - 03/06/26 11:00 AM
TriCities2.jpg
TriCities2.jpg
http://www.flashalert.net/images/news/2026-03/1182/187149/TriCities2.jpg

Over 164 Pounds of Fentanyl Powder and Over 200 Pounds of Methamphetamine

SPOKANE, Wash. – On March 3, 2026, the Drug Enforcement Administration executed federal search warrants at multiple locations in the Tri-Cities, Washington area that resulted in the largest seizure of controlled substances in EDWA history.


The federal search warrants were based on an ongoing drug trafficking investigation into Amador Sanchez and several co-conspirators. The investigation revealed Sanchez utilized multiple residences, including at least one residence in each of the Tri-Cities, to facilitate and conceal his illegal activities. Notably, Sanchez was on federal supervised release stemming from a previous federal drug trafficking conviction. The investigation is ongoing and Indictments are expected to be presented to a federal grand jury.


In total, approximately over 200 pounds of methamphetamine, over 164 pounds of powdered fentanyl, and over 5 pounds of cocaine were seized along with approximately $2,000,000 in U.S. Currency and 16 firearms were seized. Please note these are preliminary estimates.

 

“This historic seizure, the largest in the history of the Eastern District of Washington, marks significant progress toward a Fentanyl Free America,” said Robert A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “The extraordinary amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine removed from the Tri-Cities area would have devastated families and communities. Through strong enforcement, strategic partnerships, and increased public awareness, DEA remains unwavering in its commitment to disrupt the fentanyl supply chain and save American lives.”

 

“Removing this historic quantity of poison from our community is a true testament to the dedication, partnerships and tireless efforts of our team and our law enforcement partners,” said First Assistant Pete Serrano. “Removing this quantity of drugs, guns, and money from our communities will save lives – protecting the public will always be the top priority of my office and our state and federal partners. This is another example of excellent law enforcement collaboration and commitment to public safety.”

The charges contained in any Indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
 

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Tri-Cities Resident Office, which includes state law enforcement partners as well as federal agents from the United States Border Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, United States Marshals, and Homeland Security Investigations.

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DEASeattlePress@dea.gov



Attached Media Files: TriCities2.jpg , TriCities1.jpg , tricities9.PNG , tricities10.PNG , tricities11.PNG , tricities12.PNG , tricities20.PNG

| DEA Seattle