Springfield Police Department officials announced new hires, promotions, and other recognition this past week:
• Stephani Rayl-Duxbury – Promoted to records supervisor after 19 years of service with SPD.
• Detective Lisa Duncan and Detective Katelyn Loper – who handle some of the most complex cases and work closely with the most vulnerable populations.
• Brian Austin – Recently moved from animal control to the newly created criminal intelligence analyst role. Brian began with SPD in 2011.
• Andrew Berry, James French, and Jeff Lee are officers joining from other agencies, bringing with them more than 20 years of combined law enforcement experience.
• William Kearney, animal control officer.
• Clay Beauvais, detention officer
• Rennie Rupp, community service officer
• Rachael Oskierko, police officer, attending the police academy and beginning her law enforcement journey.
“We’re building a department that reflects the values of professionalism, integrity, and service,” Chief Jami Resch said. “These individuals bring experience, commitment, and heart to the work, and I’m proud to welcome and recognize each of them.”
Oregon unemployment up to 4.6%
Oregon’s unemployment rate increased to 4.6% in March, up from 4.5% in February. This marks a gradual rise from 4.1% in March 2024 and is the highest rate since August 2021, when it was 4.7%. The current rate is also slightly higher than the unemployment rates experienced in the three years preceding the Covid-19 recession, which began in 2020.
In comparison, the U.S. unemployment rate was 4.2% in March, having been 4.1% in February.
In March, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment increased by 7,300 jobs, following a revised gain of 1,600 jobs in February. The most significant job gains in March occurred in the following sectors: healthcare and social assistance (+4,600 jobs), professional and business services (+1,000 jobs), other services (+800 jobs), and wholesale trade (+700 jobs).
The return of workers who had been on strike at a major healthcare provider contributed to the surge of 4,600 jobs in healthcare and social assistance during March. This sector has led private-sector job growth in Oregon over the past few years, adding 18,400 jobs – a 6.2% increase – during the 12 months leading up to March, thereby maintaining a three-year streak of rapid growth.
Additionally, professional and business services saw job additions in each of the first three months of the year, resulting in a total of 4,500 jobs during this period. This improvement marks a reversal from a declining trend in the industry, which had lost 5,400 jobs over the 24 months ending in December 2024.
The next statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for April will be released on Wednesday, May 14.
Business Climate Survey open
The Springfield Chamber’s 2025 Business Climate Survey is open. The annual survey helps the Chamber identify trends, challenges, and opportunities facing its local business community.
The input directly informs its advocacy efforts and program planning. The aggregated data will be shared with community leaders, elected officials, and stakeholders.
The survey deadline is Monday, May 13. Preliminary results at the State of Business Breakfast at the Ford Alumni Center that day from 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Survey: surveymonkey.com/r/MHHMMGF
