Youth Step Up For Safety - Drug Take Back, Safe Driving Awareness And Car Care Skills (Photo) - 04/25/26

Happy Valley, OR — Happy Valley Youth Council members from multiple area high schools are stepping up today to make a meaningful impact—leading efforts to keep their peers safe both on the road and in their communities.

The event is taking place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Happy Valley City Hall, located at 16000 SE Misty Drive, Happy Valley, Oregon 97086, bringing together local partners, public safety officials, and youth leadership in a day focused on prevention, education, and hands-on learning.

In partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Happy Valley Police Department, teens are helping coordinate a Drug Take Back event aimed at removing unused and expired prescription medications from homes, reducing the risk of misuse and keeping dangerous substances out of the hands of young people.

In recognition of April as Teen Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the second half of the event focuses on promoting safe driving habits among teens. Youth Council members are actively engaging their peers with critical messaging about avoiding distractions behind the wheel, including the importance of never texting while driving, while also helping deliver hands-on learning and practical safety guidance.

Community partners are playing a key role in the day’s success, with Les Schwab Tire Center providing demonstrations on tire safety and maintenance, including how to change a tire, and AAA teaching participants how to check oil, replace headlights, and perform basic vehicle upkeep. Meanwhile, Happy Valley Police Department officers are reinforcing road safety principles and sharing real-world guidance on applying safe driving practices every day.

Beyond awareness, the event emphasizes empowerment by equipping teens with essential life skills such as changing a tire, replacing a blinker, checking oil, and ensuring their vehicles are safe and functioning properly.

The Mayor of Happy Valley and City Council are proud to support these efforts and the leadership demonstrated by the community’s young residents. City leaders will be present throughout the event, actively participating and showing their support for the Youth Council’s work to promote safety and responsibility among their peers.

Today’s event highlights the initiative and dedication of Happy Valley Youth Council teens, who are not only spreading important safety messages but also building lifelong skills for themselves and others—helping shape a safer, more informed community for the future.

Happening Today! Community Comes Together In Happy Valley To Reduce Wildfire Risk (Photo) - 04/11/26

Today, the City of Happy Valley, in partnership with the Oregon National Guard, Clackamas Fire, National Charity League, Boys Team Charity, and dedicated community volunteers, are actively working at Happy Valley Nature Park/Mt. Scott Nature Trail to reduce wildfire risk ahead of the summer season.

This effort is supported by a Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant from the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office (OSFM) and focuses on removing hazardous vegetation in steep, densely wooded areas of the park. Crews are clearing invasive species such as blackberries, trimming low-hanging branches, and thinning young trees that create “ladder fuels,” which can allow fire to rapidly climb from the ground into the tree canopy and intensify.

Work is concentrated along the park’s edges near residential neighborhoods, where crews are creating a 15–20 foot defensible space buffer to help slow or stop the spread of wildfire. These proactive measures are designed to better protect nearby homes, improve access for emergency responders, and strengthen the community’s overall resilience during the upcoming wildfire season.

This effort reflects the strength of a community working together, demonstrating how partnerships, volunteerism, and shared responsibility play a critical role in reducing wildfire risk and building a safer, more resilient Happy Valley.

“This is a great example of what can be accomplished when partners and volunteers come together with a shared goal of keeping our community safe,” said Steve Campbell, Director of Public Safety for the City of Happy Valley.  “By taking action now, we are reducing risk and helping ensure Happy Valley is better prepared for the months ahead.”

Media are welcome on-site today to observe the work in progress, capture visuals of crews operating in steep terrain, and speak with project partners about the importance of wildfire preparedness and prevention.  The event will be taking place from 8am-5pm.  

For more information or to coordinate interviews, please contact Steve Campbell at  971-563-4641 or stevec@happyvalleyor.gov.

City Of Happy Valley Prepares For Wildfire Season With Community-Wide Fuel Reduction Effort Happening This Saturday, April 11th 8am-5pm (Photo) - 04/08/26

The City of Happy Valley is taking proactive steps to reduce wildfire risk ahead of the summer season through a collaborative fuel reduction project at Happy Valley Nature Park & Mt. Scott Nature Trail on April 11th from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This effort is made possible through a Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant awarded by the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office (OSFM) and brings together a strong network of partners, including the Oregon National Guard, Clackamas Fire District, National Charity League, Boys Team Charity, and dedicated community volunteers.

Crews will be working in steep, densely vegetated areas where thick underbrush and invasive species, such as blackberries, combine with low-hanging limbs and young fir trees to create “ladder fuels” that allow fire to climb into the canopy and increase in intensity. Work will focus along the park’s edges near residential areas, where crews will clear these fuels and thin vegetation to create a 15–20 foot defensible space buffer that helps slow wildfire spread, protect homes, and improve safety for emergency responders.

This project reflects the City’s commitment to taking action before wildfire season begins, reducing hazardous fuels now to strengthen the community’s ability to withstand and respond to wildfire threats during the potential dry summer months.

Members of the media are invited to attend Happy Valley Nature Park/Mt. Scott Nature Trail on April 11 between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM to observe this important work in action, capture visuals of crews operating on steep terrain, and speak with project partners about local wildfire preparedness efforts.  The closest address to the nature park is 12180 SE Greiner Ln. 

Media please see the attached map on where to park and the main information site.