IRS Warning against Scams Targeting Seniors on "World Elder Abuse Awareness Day"

Today is "World Elder Abuse Awareness Day" and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is joining other federal agencies to warn against scams targeting seniors. The IRS recently issued a warning about the rising threat of impersonation scams. These scams are targeting older adults by pretending to be government officials, aiming to steal sensitive personal information and money. By posing as federal agency representatives such as IRS agents, these fraudsters use fear and deceit to exploit their victims. The IRS has identified a concerning trend where fraudulent actors are increasingly targeting unsuspecting individuals, particularly senior citizens, by masquerading as IRS agents. Victims are pressured into making immediate payments through unorthodox methods such as gift cards or wire transfers under the pretense of resolving fictitious tax liabilities or securing false refunds. These scammers deploy advance techniques to fabricate a veneer of credibility including the manipulation of caller IDs to appear legitimate. Do not return the call using the number provided by the caller or the one displayed on the caller ID. If taxpayers are uncertain about the legitimacy of IRS communications, they can contact IRS customer service for verification at 1-(800)-829-1040. ...Read more

State Holding Local Open House Meetings on Wildfire Hazard Map and Programs

After two completed sessions in central and northeast Oregon, residents are being reminded of four remaining open houses about the state's new community wildfire risk reduction programs. The next two are in Jackson and Josephine counties. Next week's scheduled Oregon Department of Forestry events are in Central Point and Grants Pass. They are set for Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Jackson County Expo Park and for Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Grants Pass High School. The resource-fair style open houses are being held in the communities that have some of the highest levels of wildfire hazards within the wildland-urban interface. Each open house will begin with a short presentation and introductions, but visitors may stop in at any point during the event to get questions answered about the draft hazard map and associated community wildfire programs. Representatives from multiple agencies will be present to have one-on-one or small group conversations to help people understand the statewide wildfire programs. Those agencies include ODF, Oregon State University, Oregon State Fire Marshal, Oregon Building Codes Division, Oregon Division of Financial Regulation and Oregon Wildfire Programs Advisory Council. ...Read more

Grants Pass Skate Park Opened Friday and Caveman Pool will Open on Monday

The Grants Pass Skate Park reopened on Friday and Caveman Pool will open on Monday, giving local kids some great choices for summer recreation. The Grants Pass Family YMCA will operate Cavemen Pool under contract with the City of Grants Pass from June 17th-August 25th. The municipal swimming pool is located near Grants Pass High School at 801 NE 9th Street. Mornings at the pool are devoted to swim lessons, lap swimming and swim clubs, but every afternoon there is open swim between noon and 5 p.m.. The daily fee for open swim is $6.50 for adults, $5 for youth ages 5-17 and $12 for families. Kids 4 & under with an adult get in for free. Season passes are also available at $75 for youth, $125 for adults and $175 for families up to four, with $40 for each additional household member. Reservations are available for private parties or events from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information about Caveman Pool, call (541)-479-2569. The Grants Pass Family YMCA can be contacted at (541)-474-0001. ...Read more