Simpson Park Cleanup (Photo) - 06/01/26

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports today her deputies ensured the last of those illegally camping in an area north of the Talking Water Gardens vacated the area. The property is privately owned, but the City of Albany was granted rights to use the property for recreation purposes since 1997.  

The property, located in Millersburg, outside the city limits of Albany, recently transitioned from an Albany Police Department jurisdictional response to the Linn County Sheriff's Office.

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office has had complaints about those illegally camping in the area from nearby neighbors, and others wanting to use the area recreationally but did not feel safe or comfortable visiting the area in its current condition. There have been numerous crimes, including assaults, out of control fires, stolen property, and drug activity involving those illegally camped at the property.  The condition of this property represents a significant public safety and environmental risk, including to those illegally camping at the location. In February, deputies investigated an incident of a male who suffered significant burns. The male later admitted he had overdosed on fentanyl and fell into his own campfire, resulting in serious injury to himself. 

The activity at the property directly violates the intent the property owners had for the property. Neither the property owners, nor the City of Albany’s parks rules allow camping, littering or destruction to the land. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office is committed to restoring this property to the condition it was intended for public use. 

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office developed a plan that would be carried out over several weeks. The goal was to be compassionate to those illegally using the property being forced to leave, while also restoring conditions and making the property safe for all.

On May 12, deputies from the Linn County Sheriff's Office, working alongside Albany Police Department Community Service Officers, an Albany Police Department Park Ranger, City of Albany Parks staff, employees from Community Helping Addicts Negotiate Change Effectively-C.H.A.N.C.E., and a contracted cleanup crew, conducted a walk-through of the Simpson Park property located north of Talking Water Gardens at 733 NE Waverly Drive, Albany, Oregon.  During this walk-through, deputies observed extensive damage to the property. Individuals had constructed numerous makeshift structures throughout the area, including a two-story structure.  There were also abandoned vehicles, boats, and kayaks on the property. Some areas had surveillance cameras installed with solar panel power and fenced compounds with animals.  In addition, Traeger style BBQ’s, thousands of bikes/bike parts, power tools and even a piano were located. Numerous trees and bushes had been cut down, human waste had been deposited throughout the property, and large amounts of household garbage and debris were piled high across the area. Discarded, uncapped hypodermic needles were also found on the ground.  Multiple campfires were actively burning while our deputies went through the area, creating a significant fire risk.

On this date, deputies made contact with 32 individuals illegally camping on the property. Employees from C.H.A.N.C.E. accompanied deputies throughout the walk-through to connect occupants with shelter and community resources to assist in their transition of being removed from the property in the weeks ahead. Multiple people at the location provided statements that they know people who have burglarized railcars and boxcars that stop overnight along the property, including stealing lumber off the railcars. In addition, other items are said to be stolen from neighboring properties in order to meet their needs. Deputies made seven arrests on outstanding warrants, to include charges of Assault II and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.

Deputies returned to the property on May 21st and contacted others camping at the property to notify them they needed to leave the area.  On this date, deputies arrested six people with warrants, and also recovered a stolen trailer that was originally stolen from the Albany area.

On May 28^th, deputies posted the area, giving a final warning for those illegally camping they needed to leave the property and remove their belongings.  Several more people were arrested on outstanding warrants.

Today deputies again returned to the property to clear it of anyone left illegally camping after the previous warnings to leave.  While there, they found two more people on outstanding warrants.  The remaining campers left the area without arrest.   

Tomorrow, on June 2^nd a contractor will begin the process of cleaning up the property and restoring it to its natural condition.

Sheriff Michelle Duncan wants the public to know her deputies will continue working with the property owner, partner agencies, and community organizations to return the property back to a condition that is satisfactory to the condition it was intended to be used.  Over the last few weeks, deputies have been openly communicating and treating those found to be using the property illegally with compassion, ensuring individuals are aware of resources to help them with their transition. However, Sheriff Duncan wants to make it clear when the clean-up and restoration process begins on June 2^nd, those committing illegal activity on the property, to include camping, littering, destruction of the land and vegetation may face criminal charges.

LINN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE INVESTIGATES INJURY CRASH ON STAYTON BRIDGE (Photo) - 05/18/26

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports on May 17, 2026, at approximately 9:17 a.m., the Linn County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a call of a head-on crash on Stayton Scio Road, near Stayton.  It was reported the vehicles were blocking the bridge and occupants were trapped in the vehicle.

Deputies responded and found the bridge leading into Stayton from Linn County was blocked and fire personnel were extricating Daniel Harnden, 77 of Stayton, from his black Chrysler 300. Harnden was soon transported to Salem Hospital for serious injuries. Deputies then contacted the second operator, Christian Ramon-Carbajal, 31, of Woodburn, who was operating a Hummer H3. Ramon-Carbajal showed signs of impairment.

During the initial investigation, deputies learned Ramon-Carbajal was traveling south on Stayton Scio Road, when he struck a curb, then veered into the opposite lane of travel, striking Harnden head-on. Both vehicles sustained heavy front end damage.

Although serious, Harnden’s injuries appear non-life threatening.

Ramon-Carbajal sustained minor injuries and was transported to the Santiam Hospital for treatment. Deputies’ investigation showed Ramon-Carbajal was impaired while driving and was a contributing factor to the crash. Once released from the hospital, Ramon-Carbajal was transported to the Linn County Jail where he was lodged and charged with Assault II, Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. He also received citations for Driving Without an Operator’s License and Fail to Use Ignition Interlock Device (IID).

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by Stayton Police Department, Stayton Fire District, Sublimity Fire District, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Road Department, Santiam Hospital Paramedics and Linn County Road Department.

MISSING HIKER FOUND ALIVE - 05/14/26

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports at 11:30 a.m. this morning, searchers found Jerry Highsmith alive near a trail system around Duffy Lake.  Mr. Highsmith was experiencing symptoms of exposure and was unable to walk. A helicopter from the Oregon Army National Guard is currently on scene as a plan to get Mr. Highsmith to an area hospital is underway.

The efforts to find Mr. Highsmith involved over fifty searchers, including ground searchers, drones, K-9’s and aircraft.  The Linn County Search and Rescue Team was assisted by the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association Incident Management Team, Mary’s Peak Search and Rescue, Corvallis Mountain Rescue, Deschutes County Search and Rescue, Marion County Search and Rescue, Lane County Search and Rescue, Albany Police Department, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, United States Forest Service, Willamette Valley First Responder Chaplains, Oregon Department of Emergency Management, and the Oregon Army National Guard.

Sheriff Duncan would like to thank all the agencies and organizations that helped in the search for Mr. Highsmith.  Finding Mr. Highsmith alive would not be possible without their assistance.

ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports last night at 5:25 p.m., dispatch received the report of an overdue hiker in the area of Big Meadows Road, east of Idanha. The caller reported her father, Jerry Highsmith, 80, from Lebanon, went backpacking near Fir Lake and planned to return home by Tuesday at 5:00 p.m., ahead of anticipated incoming weather.

Deputies responded to the area and located Mr. Highsmith's vehicle parked at the Fir Lake trailhead off Big Meadows Road. A deputy and a Search and Rescue volunteer hiked into the Fir Lake area while additional Search and Rescue resources were being activated. Despite a thorough search of the trail and area around the lake, deputies were unable to locate Mr. Highsmith.

The Linn County Sheriff's Office activated its full Search and Rescue team, deploying searchers on the trail, who conducted a search through the night under heavy rain and thunderstorm conditions. Search operations have continued without interruption and additional support from neighboring counties has been requested to assist with additional search assignments today.

Mr. Highsmith is described as an experienced hiker, and likely well prepared for a couple of nights. He’s described as 5’10”, 200 lbs with medium length gray hair. His clothing description is unknown.

The Linn County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help. If you were in the Big Meadows Road area or near Fir Lake at any point over the last several days and may have seen or spoken with Jerry Highsmith, please contact us immediately at (541) 967-3950.  Please reference case number 26-01799. Any information, no matter how small, could be critical to bringing Mr. Highsmith home safely.

Search For Missing Hiker Ramps Up (Photo) - 05/13/26

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports last night at 5:25 p.m., dispatch received the report of an overdue hiker in the area of Big Meadows Road, east of Idanha. The caller reported her father, Jerry Highsmith, 80, from Lebanon, went backpacking near Fir Lake and planned to return home by Tuesday at 5:00 p.m., ahead of anticipated incoming weather.

Deputies responded to the area and located Mr. Highsmith's vehicle parked at the Fir Lake trailhead off Big Meadows Road. A deputy and a Search and Rescue volunteer hiked into the Fir Lake area while additional Search and Rescue resources were being activated. Despite a thorough search of the trail and area around the lake, deputies were unable to locate Mr. Highsmith.

The Linn County Sheriff's Office activated its full Search and Rescue team, deploying searchers on the trail, who conducted a search through the night under heavy rain and thunderstorm conditions. Search operations have continued without interruption and additional support from neighboring counties has been requested to assist with search assignments today.

Mr. Highsmith is described as an experienced hiker, and likely well prepared for a couple of nights. He’s described as 5’10”, 200 lbs with medium length gray hair. His clothing description is unknown.

The Linn County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help. If you were in the Big Meadows Road area or near Fir Lake at any point over the last several days and may have seen or spoken with Jerry Highsmith, please contact us immediately at (541) 967-3950.  Please reference case number 26-01799. Any information, no matter how small, could be critical to bringing Mr. Highsmith home safely.