The latest news stories and stories of interest in Eugene-Springfield area and around the state of Oregon from the online digital home of the valley, WillametteValleyMagazine.com.
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
Willamette Valley Weather
TODAY Partly sunny with a high near 67.
Tuesday Areas of fog before noon. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Wednesday Partly sunny, with a high near 57. North wind 3 to 8 mph.
Thursday Patchy fog before noon. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 55.
Friday A slight chance of rain after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 55.
Saturday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51.
Today’s Headlines
Oregon reports 266 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, eight new deaths in the state
COVID-19 has claimed eight more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 627, the Oregon Health Authority reported this morning. OHA also reported 266 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 39,794.
The new cases are in the following counties: Clackamas (24), Coos (8), Crook (2), Deschutes (15), Douglas (1), Jackson (18), Josephine (1), Lane (40), Linn (2), Malheur (5), Marion (39), Multnomah (68), Polk (3), Tillamook (1), Umatilla (9), Washington (25) and Yamhill (5).
Update: A woman is facing charges in a crash that killed a Roseburg man Thursday night. Douglas County deputies responded to Highway 99 North near Deady Crossing outside Sutherlin at about 8 p.m.
Investigators said Breanna Adkins, 29, of Wilbur drove into the path of an oncoming vehicle driven by Carlos Rivas, 33, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Adkins was taken to Mercy Medical Center where she was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Deputies said Adkins was determined to be under the influence of intoxicants and was arrested. Her blood alcohol content was reportedly 0.157.
The woman was taken to the Douglas County Jail on charges of second-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault and driving under the influence of intoxicants.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have information related to the investigation should call 541-440-4458 or email dcso.pio@co.douglas.or.us. The sheriff’s office was assisted by the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, Roseburg Police, Sutherlin Police, Sutherlin Fire and Umpqua Valley Ambulance.
A woman was arrested Monday on manslaughter and driving while intoxicated charges that relate to a fatal 2019 crash.
Alysha Rae Greene, 31, was arrested by the Lane County Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Lane County Jail. On Sept. 9, 2019, LCSO responded to a single vehicle crash into a tree on Lanes Turn Road in Coburg.
The Pac-12 released its game cancellation guidelines for the upcoming seven-game season. I’ts complicated, but here it is for our sports fans:
Teams must have at least 53 scholarship players available each week, or a game could be canceled or postponed.
This includes specifics for three positions. Each team must have at least seven offensive lineman, one quarterback and four defensive lineman. If the amount of healthy players drops below those numbers, each team can still play if they elect to do so.
According to the Pac-12, events would be canceled or postponed if there is an inability to perform testing provided by the conference medical guidelines. Games also would be in jeopardy if there is an inability to isolate new cases within a team and perform contact tracing. Campus-wide or local community transmission that is considered unsafe by local public health officials could also cause a game to be canceled or postponed.
The Pac-12 also determined its protocols in deciding a host for the Pac-12 Football Championship Game, if a tiebreaker is needed.
The Pac-12 Football Championship Game, which was originally scheduled to be at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, is now a home-hosted format.
In the event of a tie, the host will be determined by head to head competition.
If that isn’t possible, the team with the best record against the next highest-placed common opponent would host. This is followed by the best record in common conference games.
If a game site is still undetermined the team with the highest College Football Playoff (CFB) ranking would be chosen to host followed by the highest ranking by SportSource Analytics.
The last resort to determine a host team would be a coin toss. The Pac-12 Championship Football Game is scheduled for December 18.
Around the state of Oregon
Hazarous Waste Removal in Jackson County
Recovery work expected to take place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., seven days a week
At the request of the State of Oregon and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has begun the work to survey, remove and dispose of household hazardous waste (HHW) from properties in eight counties affected by the Oregon wildfires. This HHW removal is Step 1 of the overall response and is available at no cost to property owners.
Fire-affected Oregon property owners now have a dedicated phone number – 541-225-5549 – to ask questions about EPA’s removal of household hazardous waste at their property or provide additional details about their property that will help speed the EPA removal work. The hotline offers service in both English and Spanish.
The removal of household hazardous waste is required before the property can be cleared of ash and debris. Property owners who have not already completed a “Right of Entry” (ROE) form with their county are strongly encouraged to do so to help speed cleanup operations in their area. See: Oregon’s Wildfire Cleanup website for more information on the needed forms.
EPA cleanup crews are now assessing and removing household hazardous wastes including products like paint, cleaners, solvents, pesticides, fuel, oil, batteries, and pressurized tanks. Once completed, EPA will post a sign indicating they’ve completed Step 1. See: Jackson County’s Wildfire Recovery website to sign your ROE for household hazardous waste removal.
Oregonians who lived or were employed in one of the following counties at the time of the recent historic wildfires – Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, and Marion – can now preregister for Disaster SNAP (DSNAP).
Due to the pandemic, the application will be online. If you need assistance, please call 2-1-1 or the Aging and Disability Resource Connection at 1-855-ORE-ADRC.
Pre-registration will speed up your application and interview process. Eligibility and benefits will be based on your household income, resources, and disaster-related expenses. Pre??’registration does not guarantee eligibility or benefits.
Barring significant new wildfires, this will be the last regularly scheduled ODF fire situation report of this year. October rains have allowed the majority of ODF districts and fire protection associations to end fire season. The national fire preparedness level was lowered to 3 last week. With the Holiday Farm Fire now being managed by a Type 3 team, no ODF Incident Management Teams are currently deployed on wildfires.
Only one wildfire start was reported yesterday in Oregon, with no new acres burned reported.
Check ODF’s online public fire restrictions map to see what if any fire restrictions might still be in force for your area.
2020 Fire Season On ODF-Protected Lands
This fire season there have been 2,027 fires across all jurisdictions in Oregon and 1,221,324 acres burned. On ODF-protected lands, there have been 912 fires, close to the 10-year average of 918. In the past 10 years the average number of acres burned on lands protected by ODF has been 41,426. More than 13 times that amount – 551,816 acres – has burned this year.
Closures
Santiam State Forest is still closed to the public. Before heading out to hunt or recreate on other state or federal public lands, please check to see if there are any restrictions or closures due to the recent fires. There are still portions of some highways in wildfire areas that are closed. Use ODOT’s TripCheck to plan your route.
| Fire name | Acres burned | Containment | Location |
| Lionshead | 204,469 | 46% | 20 miles W of Warm Springs |
| Beachie Creek | 193,556 | 72% | 15 miles N of Detroit |
| Holiday Farm | 173,393 | 96% | 3 miles W of McKenzie Bridge |
| Riverside | 138,054 | 61% | 2 miles SE of Estacada |
| Archie Creek | 131,542 | 95% | 20 miles E of Glide |
| Slater | 44,597 in Oregon | 75% | 6 SE of Cave Junction (also in No. California) |
More Information
- ODF wildfire blog and Significant Fire Potential Map
- Oregon smoke blog
- Northwest Coordination Center – Regional Update and National Situation Report
- Inciweb (information on individual incidents)
Oregon’s COVID-19 cases have been surging to record levels for the past month. And it’s about to get a lot worse unless the state’s 4.2 million residents immediately alter their behavior, officials say.
New modeling released Friday shows that if transmission continues at its current rate, the number of newly identified cases — known as the case count — is expected to jump from 345 each day to 570 by November 5th.
Because most cases go undetected, officials estimate the actual number of Oregonians infected each day would be about 2,200 people. That’s a 69% increase and one that state health officer Dr. Dean Sidelinger describes as “troubling.” But even worse, if the rate of transmission increases over the next three weeks, the number of new cases reported each day could more than double to 740. That would translate to 3,400 Oregonians infected each day, whether their cases are identified or not.
Some experts say this is a highly plausible scenario because the virus is expected to spread more easily in coming weeks due to Halloween parties, trick-or-treating and cooler, wetter weather that prompts residents to spend more time indoors.
Authorities say a former Marion County sheriff’s deputy accused of theft, official misconduct and other charges was found dead at a Wilsonville hotel.
Sean Banks was found dead Saturday at the GuestHouse Inn & Suites near Interstate 5, according to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office. It appears he killed himself. In 2019, Banks was indicted on 25 counts of theft, official misconduct, tampering with physical evidence and computer crime, according to court records. The indictment alleges he stole guns, a camera and money. The results of an investigation into his death weren’t immediately available Monday morning.
Former child star Zachary Ty Bryan is facing charges after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend in Eugene. Police arrested the 39-year-old Home Improvement star Friday night. He’s accused of strangling his girlfriend and taking away her phone when she called 9-1-1. The incident comes just two weeks after the “Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift” star separated from his wife of 14 years. He was charged with strangulation, a felony, and fourth degree assault and interfering with making a report, both misdemeanors.
An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody (AIC) died October 19, 2020. He was incarcerated at the Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution and passed away at a local hospital.
He tested positive for COVID-19. He was between 50 and 60 years old. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified, and the Medical Examiner will determine cause of death. Department-wide, this is the sixteenth AIC to die who tested positive for COVID-19.
For more information on COVID-19 cases inside Oregon’s prisons, please visit DOC’s COVID-19 website. The agency is responsible for the care and custody of 14,000 adults in custody who are incarcerated in 14 institutions across the state.
DOC requires employees and AICs to wear masks if they cannot maintain six feet of social distancing. Wearing masks is mandatory at all times in health services areas, some work areas, and in food services areas. Face coverings have been provided to AICs and staff. If an AIC becomes ill and exhibits flu-like symptoms, CDC and OHA guidance for supportive care are followed. Institutions continue to clean and disinfect numerous times a day. DOC asks AICs to report symptoms of COVID to medical staff. Posters are in all DOC institutions encouraging individuals to maintain proper hygiene and to uphold appropriate social distancing to the extent possible. Health screening processes are in place before staff are allowed to enter facilities. This screening includes a temperature check and a screening questionnaire. Visiting remains closed until further notice.
The Oregon State Police is requesting the public’s assistance in locating the person(s) that shot and killed a doe Mule Deer on Hwy 26 near milepost 46 in Crook County.
On October 11, 2020, Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Troopers were notified that an unknown person(s) had shot and left to waste a doe Mule Deer.
It is believed the shooting took place sometime earlier the same day. Anyone who may have witnessed it would have been driving on Hwy 26 West of the Ochoco summit approximately one mile West of the Ochoco Christian Camp.
OSP Fish and Wildlife Troopers request that if you have any information regarding this incident to please contact the TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or *OSP(677) or TIP E-Mail: TIP@state.or.us (Monitored M-F 8:00AM – 5:00PM) – Trooper Barr is investigating.
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s (OPRD) All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Advisory Committee will meet 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Nov. 5.
On the agenda: ATV program and safety updates, ATV permit sales and trends, proposed Class IV ATV classification and operator requirement changes along with other committee and legislative updates.
Members of the public will be able to listen to the call; instructions on how to attend will be available online prior to the meeting on the committee meeting webpage: oregon.gov/oprd/ATV/Pages/ATV-committee.aspx#2. Public comments can be received via email at atv.safety@oregon.gov until 5 p.m. Nov. 4, 2020.
HINES, Ore. – Did you know the Bureau of Land Management has Resource Advisory Councils – made up of people just like you – that give citizen-based advice and recommendations on the management of public lands? These groups provide an opportunity for individuals from all backgrounds and interests to have a stronger impact on the decisions made for public lands. The Steens Mountain Advisory Council (SMAC) currently has five vacant positions and six positions with terms expiring in 2021 open for public nomination:
- a person interested in fish and recreational fishing in the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area (CMPA);
- a person who is a grazing permittee on Federal lands in the CMPA;
- two persons who are recognized environmental representatives, one to represent the State as a whole and one from the local area;
- a person who has no financial interest in the CMPA to represent statewide interests;
- a person who participates in mechanized or consumptive recreation in the CMPA, such as hunting, fishing, or off-road driving;
- a recreation permit holder or representative of a commercial recreation operation in the CMPA;
- a person who regularly participates in dispersed recreation in the CMPA, such as hiking, camping, nature viewing, nature photography, bird watching, horse back riding, or trail walking;
- a person to serve as the State government liaison to the Council;
- a private landowner within the CMPA; and
- a member of the Burns Paiute Tribe.
If you are interested in public land management on Steens Mountain, this is a great opportunity to share your expertise and work with a collaborative group. The SMAC has been successful in bringing diverse and often competing interests to the table to deal with issues of mutual concern. This inclusive approach has shown great promise as a means to creatively and successfully deal with long-standing problems of public land management. Consensus-driven recommendations often lead to sustainable outcomes that benefit natural resources and have a high level of public support.
“Resource Advisory Councils provide the BLM with vital feedback on current issues, concerns and proposals, and enable us to engage local communities and stakeholders to improve our management of public lands,” said BLM Burns District Manager Jeff Rose.
To nominate yourself or someone you know, submit a membership application and supporting letters of recommendation from the groups or interests to be represented to the BLM Burns District Office, 28910 Hwy 20 West, Hines, Oregon. Nominees will be evaluated based on their training, education, and knowledge of the Steens Mountain area.
The application deadline is November 13, 2020. Nomination forms can be picked up at this same location, by mail or phone request at (541) 573-4400, or online at: https://www.blm.gov/get-involved/resource-advisory-council/apply
The specific category the nominee would like to represent should be identified in the nomination form and letters of reference. The BLM and the Governor of Oregon will review the applications and submit recommended nominees to the Secretary of the Interior, who has the responsibility for making the appointments.
Appointed members must reside in the State of Oregon. The SMAC generally holds quarterly meetings in Hines, Bend and Frenchglen. Although members serve without monetary compensation, travel and per diem expenses are reimbursed at current rates for government employees. SMAC members are normally appointed to three-year terms.
For more information on the SMAC, call Tara Thissell at (541) 573-4400.
It’s the season for change at Lava Beds National Monument. Some lava tube caves that have closed to the public are now open while others that were open are now closed.
Park staff said the reason for changing access of the caves is done seasonally to “protect vital habitat for our bat colonies.” For the past several years, from about mid-October through mid-April the lava tubes that were closed to protect maternity colonies reopen while certain caves that are used by bats to hibernate through the winter will close. Winter closures include: Jupiter-Hercules Leg, Labyrinth-Lave Brook and the northern portion of Thunderbrook that connects Labyrinth-Lava Brook, Sentinel, and Sunshine. Caves that have reopened for the winter are: Blue Grotto, Ovis Cave /Paradise Alleys, Natural Bridge, and Thunderbolt Cave (to the gated area). Balcony Cave, which was closed earlier this year because of the Caldwell fire, will reopen at a later time.