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
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
Willamette Valley Weather
Today- A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 10am. Snow level 1300 feet rising to 2600 feet. Partly sunny, with a high near 47. South southwest wind 5 to 7 mph.
Thursday- Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 48. Light and variable wind.
Friday- A 20 percent chance of rain before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. Light south southwest wind.
Saturday- Partly sunny, with a high near 50.
Sunday- A slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 49.
Oregon reports 619 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 23 new deaths bringing the state total to 143,978.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (2), Benton (16), Clackamas (59), Clatsop (8), Columbia (2), Coos (10), Crook (3), Curry (2), Deschutes (18), Douglas (15), Harney (3), Hood River (7), Jackson (54), Jefferson (5), Josephine (23), Klamath (18), Lake (3), Lane (32), Lincoln (5), Linn (10), Malheur (5), Marion (42), Morrow (1), Multnomah (135), Polk (21), Sherman (3), Tillamook (2), Umatilla (25), Union (9), Wallowa (3), Wasco (4), Washington (64) and Yamhill (10).
Vaccinations in Oregon
Today, OHA reported that 15,967 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry. Of this total, 10,712 doses were administered on Feb. 1 and 5,255 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry on Feb. 1.
Cumulative daily totals can take several days to finalize because providers have 72 hours to report doses administered and technical challenges have caused many providers to lag in their reporting. OHA has been providing technical support to vaccination sites to improve the timeliness of their data entry into the state’s ALERT Immunization Information System (IIS).
Oregon has now administered a cumulative total of 454,246 first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines. To date, 696,100 doses of vaccine have been delivered to sites across Oregon.
These data are preliminary and subject to change. OHA’s dashboards provide regularly updated vaccination data, and Oregon’s dashboard has been updated today.
State Now Requires Insurers to Cover COVID-19 Vaccinations
The State of Oregon now requires health benefit plans in Oregon to cover costs of vaccination for COVID-19, following an order by state Public Health Director Rachael Banks.
The Jan. 27 determination cites Oregon Revised Statute 743A.264 (2) and (3) in mandating that private health plans operating in Oregon not charge patients for most costs related to providing the vaccine. That includes the cost of all doses of the vaccine and associated supplies, and expenses for administering the shot, such as those related to staff time.
The Oregon Health Plan and Medicare programs do not charge patients for costs of vaccinations.
“We are in the midst of a devastating pandemic that has affected more than 142,000 people in Oregon and claimed almost 2,000 lives,” Banks said. “There should be no financial barrier to getting the vaccine, whether it’s a copay or administrative fee. Even small costs can be a big burden for people with limited resources, particularly considering the economic challenges people have faced for the last year.”
She said she encourages providers to bill patients’ insurance for any vaccination costs and avoid asking or expecting patients to cover vaccine administration costs.
In her order, Banks points to “[t]wo safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines (that) are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under Emergency Use Authorization.” Both vaccines — one made by Pfizer-BioNTech, the other by Moderna — “are currently available to eligible individuals in Oregon. More COVID-19 vaccines may become available following clinical trials and approval by the FDA.”
Therefore, the order continues, “having determined there exists a disease outbreak and that vaccination is necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the cost of vaccination for COVID-19 shall be covered by insurance …”
Oregonians who have questions about their insurance coverage are encouraged to contact their Coordinated Care Organization, insurance company or agent. If they still have questions or concerns, consumer advocates are available.
- Oregon Health Plan: Call Oregon Health Authority at 800-273-0557 (toll-free).
- Commercial insurance plans: Call the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation at 888-877-4894 (toll-free).
- Medicare: Call 800-633-4227 (toll-free).
Eugene Marathon Going Virtual for 2021
The Eugene Marathon is going virtual this April as the pandemic disrupts plans for the event for 2nd year in a row.
“When we opened registration in the fall, we were hopeful that 2021 would be our year to return to in-person races and to our roots at Hayward Field,” Race Director Ian Dobson said. “But as we have gone through the planning process, it has become clear that our community partners and the medical support staff we rely on will still be very busy serving our community in a significant way by providing treatment and vaccinations.”
According to the Eugene Marathon:
Over the fall and winter, the Eugene Marathon staff worked with partners at Lane County Public Health, the City of Eugene, the University of Oregon and PeaceHealth to plan for a COVID-modified, in-person event; but due to the current state of the pandemic and the projected timing of the vaccine roll out, it has become clear that putting on a safe, in-person event in April is not possible.
“We also acknowledge the impact that our event could have on COVID transmissions,” Dobson added. “The fact that we attract participants from all 50 states and around the globe is something we are extremely proud of, but right now it would clearly be irresponsible for us to put our community at risk by hosting an event with that sort of reach.”
All elements of the Eugene Marathon – including a live-streaming Finish Festival – will now take place virtually.
The final schedule will be announced in March. The Marathon notified all 2021 registrants by email. They have a week to defer their entry for free to 2022 or to stay in the virtual event.
“Life has changed significantly since we became the healthcare sponsor for Eugene Marathon in 2019. Through the challenges of the last year, it became apparent how socially conscious Eugene Marathon is as an organization. And this decision truly highlights their commitment to doing what’s right for our communities,” said Todd Salnas, chief operating officer, PeaceHealth Oregon. “We are proud to support this year’s virtual event and associated activities and look forward to the possibility of celebrating together in person at Hayward Field in 2022.”
“We are looking at innovative ways to approach the virtual race experience and make it as fun and interactive as possible,” Dobson said. “There will be multiple days of activities available throughout race weekend.”
The Virtual Race Weekend Experience will include:
- A custom Race Kit delivered to your door with special swag for each distance
- A “Hayward Magic” medal (stay tuned for a reveal)
- Drive-Thru Packet Pick-up option for local residents
- Marked courses in Eugene/Springfield with Start/Finish lines and mile markers
- A Race App that serves as a hub for time-tracking, results, announcements and prizes
- Interactive Virtual Health & Wellness Expo
- Virtual Finish Festival and Live-Streaming Pancake Breakfast
- Priority registration for 2022
The Eugene Marathon was established in 2007. For More Information: https://www.eugenemarathon.com
Oregon Bill Would Establish Homeless Guidelines –
A bill in the Oregon Legislature would outline how the state’s local leaders should deal with the homeless.
The measure, put forward by House Speaker Tina Kotek, would establish a standard for regulating homeless camping.
Local leaders could adopt policies that are “objectively reasonable.” What that means is up to interpretation. But supporters say cities would be able to restrict some camping but not all.
Federal courts have ruled outright bans are unconstitutional, so the new bill could help cities steer clear of lawsuits.
Eugene Still Dealing with Large Homeless Camp in West Eugene
Follow-up on a large homeless camp in west Eugene that was given the notice to either fix some issues or be cleared out. There are still are a few dozen people living there, and they say they’re attempting to clean up the camp and fulfill the notice in order to stay there.
“We did post a 48 hour notice on Thursday and that was intended to allow folks to come into compliance,” said Brian Richardson with the City of Eugene. The notices are posted with specific criteria to keep things safer in the surrounding areas.
“We have those specific rules so folks can know what they are and then if they’re camping in the right-of-way, they can try and comply with those rules,” Richardson said. “And if they can comply, then we’re letting folks camp and stay in place.”
The updated criteria include distancing of tents, as well as keeping the camp off roads and sidewalks. The City is also asking for no reports of crime at the campsite.
And if the camp doesn’t meet the criteria?
“At that point, we will then post a 24 hour notice to close that area so we can clean and clear it,” Richardson said.
After receiving a 48-hour camp clean-up notice last week, the urban camping site on 5th Street, between Fillmore and Almaden, is still standing. City officials visited the camp on Monday.
“They assessed the situation, our diligent clean-up efforts,” said JJ, who stays at the camp. “We asked and inquired of some of the biggest hurdles that they’re finding to be non-compliant. They told us and their answer as far as our status was they’re assessing it.”
On Sunday, city officials said they’ll leave the campsite untouched if the unhoused can adhere to Eugene’s public camping criteria.
“If they’re camping in the right of way, they can try and comply with those rules,” said Brian Richardson. “And if they can comply, then we’re letting folks camp and stay in place.”
Right now public safety is at risk as the camp is struggling to meet certain guidelines.
“Obviously garbage is a huge public safety concern,” JJ said. “People being in the road, huge public safety concern, and you’ve got to clear the sidewalks.”
Parking enforcement was out there on Tuesday morning issuing tickets and notices on illegally parked vehicles. But the campers have a solution to avoid these tickets.
“They put a 72-hour notice that you have to move 1000 feet or off the block face,” JJ said. “So a trip along the block and you can park right back in the same spot.”
Campers say they’re uneasy as they’re unsure how long they have before they’re forced to relocate.
“Our status is hour-by-hour right now and we’re trying everything we can to be compliant and play by the rules because we just want a spot to hunker down for the winter,” JJ said. “This pandemic, this economic downturn, regroup ourselves other resources and then move on.”
Although surrounding businesses say that they’re experiencing both physical damage and financial repercussions from the neighboring camp, claiming that they’ve experienced break-ins and vandalism.
As of Monday, city officials say they have yet to make an official next step.
On Sunday the city said that if campers don’t meet Eugene’s public camping criteria, the city will move forward with a 24 hour clean & clear notice.
Temporary Homeless Shelter Opens at State Fairgrounds in Salem
A temporary homeless shelter opened this week at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem.
The Pavilion at the fairgrounds can house 100 people and has been largely unused after the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancelation of events. An undetermined number of people also will be able to use the adjacent parking lot as a safe vehicle camping spot.
The temporary shelter is funded in part by the city of Salem, which allocated $733,000 in November for homeless shelters, and the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency. The shelter will have five staff members operating the shelter 24/7, and security will be provided.
Missing Child Alert — Missing child is believed to be in danger
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, asks the public to help find Shena Horton, age 14, who went missing with Kristopher Zion Kachel from Roseburg, Ore. on Feb. 1, 2021. ODHS is searching for her to assess her safety.
ODHS asks the public for help in the effort to find her and to contact 911 or local law enforcement if they believe they have information about the location of Shena or Kristopher Zion Kachel.
Name: Shena Horton
Pronouns: She/her
Date of birth: Dec. 10, 2006
Height: 5’1
Weight: 120 pounds
Eye color: Brown
Hair: Brown
Other identifying information: Shena has a slender build and braces
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Case #21-523
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children #1412445
Anyone who suspects they have information about the location of Shena or Kristopher Zion Kachel’s location should call 911 or local law enforcement.
A small number of children and young adults may be in significant danger when they run away or have gone missing. As ODHS works to do everything it can to find these missing children and ensure their safety, media alerts will be issued in some circumstances when it is determined necessary. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.
Report child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233). This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.
AROUND the STATE of OREGON
Salem Family Die of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning from Propane Heater
Carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected in the deaths of a father and daughter near Salem on Monday according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded to a property in the 5700 block of State Street after two people were found not breathing inside a fifth-wheel trailer. The 911 caller reported they went to the location after not hearing from the people since Saturday.
Deputies, along with crews from Marion County Fire District #1, arrived to the scene and both people inside the trailer were pronounced dead.
Following an investigation by the Criminal Investigations Unit, detectives believe the two people died due to carbon monoxide poisoning from a propane heater being used inside the trailer. The sheriff’s office identified the victims as Richard Yaple, 50, and his daughter, Hannah Yaple, 17. A dog and a cat were also found dead inside the trailer, according to the sheriff’s office.
To help prevent accidental deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning, the sheriff’s office shared to following safety tips:
- Choose a propane heater that’s the right size for your room or space, and carries the Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) label.
- Your indoor propane heater should have features such as a low oxygen sensor, high-temperature coated safety guard on the front, overheat protection and automatic shut-off if it tips over.
- Carefully read manufacturer’s instructions before using your propane indoor space heater.
- Make sure your propane indoor space heater is installed on a non-combustible surface away from where people walk and that it is positioned safely away from combustible materials such as furniture, curtains, doors, bedding and towels. If you use a wall-mounted room heater, make sure your wall material is non-combustible.
- Never place anything on top of an indoor propane space heater.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home, or the space where you use your indoor propane space heater.
- Never leave an indoor propane heater unattended. Turn the heater off when you leave the room. And make sure your propane indoor space heater is turned off before you go to bed.
- If your propane indoor heater has a yellow or orange flame instead of a blue one, stop using it immediately because it is not burning properly.
- Use your vacuum cleaner’s hose attachment to carefully vacuum up any dust on the outside of the propane indoor space heater and on the grills.
- Never spray air fresheners, deodorants, aerosol spray cleaners or hair spray near an indoor propane space heater.
- Have your vented propane indoor space heater inspected annually.
- Make sure pathways to all of a space’s exits are clear when you’re using your indoor propane space heater.
Dog Rescued from Ledge of 300-foot Cliff Near Coos Bay
The dramatic rescued played out Friday at Golden & Silver Falls outside Coos Bay. Molly fell from a cliff , but landed on a tiny ledge. There is no cell service in the area, so a hiker left the Molly’s owner at the scene and ran a mile down the hill to drive back into cell range and call for help.
Firefighters and deputies responded to the scene. A firefighter rappelled the face of a 300-foot cliff to reach a black lab trapped on a small ledge 30 feet from the top. The rescuer put the dog in a K9 harness – and everyone back at the top pulled in unison to bring Molly the dog back to her owner as darkness fell.
“After hiking to the location it was determined a member of the Millington Fire Department would need to rappel down the clif, place ‘Molly’ in the K9 harness, and then both would be pulled back up the clif in unison,” the Coos County Sheriff’s K9 team recounted on Facebook, “all while having only minutes until darkness.”
They did it – “with the help of literally everyone on scene.”
State Offers Help for Oregonians with Wildfire-Affected Domestic Wells
Vouchers for free well testing available to eligible property owners, well users
PORTLAND, Ore. — Well users in Oregon whose properties were affected by wildfires can get help paying for water testing so they can stay safe from contaminants in their drinking water.
In October, the Oregon Legislature allocated funds to Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to support domestic well water testing for an estimated 2,000 households that rely on wells for drinking water and were affected by the 2020 wildfires. If demand exceeds supply, people with low income and communities of color will be prioritized.
Well users can find steps needed to access the funds at healthoregon.org/wells. Well owners will find guidance about how to first assess damage, then take actions to protect their wells, and finally test their well water to confirm it is safe to drink.
Curtis Cude, manager of the OHA’s Domestic Well Safety Program, urges well owners to “follow recommendations in the well damage assessment. Make sure you know what work you are authorized to do and when you need to hire a licensed professional.” Actions may include:
- Repair and replace damaged well components.
- Re-pressurize and refill the well.
- Flush water lines.
- Treat the well for microbial contaminants.
- Test (apply for free testing).
OHA will provide testing vouchers to well owners now through May 15, 2021. Well owners can select from a list of approved environmental laboratories in Oregon that will honor the vouchers for testing services. The tests will look for presence of bacteria, nitrates, arsenic, lead and chemicals that are hazardous byproducts of fire.
Applications can be found at healthoregon.org/wells
A Trump administration decision to roll back habitat protections for the northern spotted owl on federal forestlands in the Pacific Northwest is now drawing increased scrutiny from a group of Democratic lawmakers.
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden led the group, which includes Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Earl Blumenauer, in asking federal investigators to determine if former Interior Secretary Davd Bernhardt “overruled guidance by career officials” to remove federal protections for the threatened owl species.
In January, the US. Fish & Wildlife Service published a revised critical habitat designation for the northern spotted owl, excluding nearly 3.5 million acres of forestland from federal protections — much of that land in Oregon — and opening it for potential timber harvesting. The change reduced protected habitat for the owl species, as of 2012, by more than a third.
A trio of Democratic senators are pushing to make ending the federal ban on marijuana a major priority of the caucus this year.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Ron Wyden, D-OR, want to pass legislation that would end the federal prohibition on marijuana, which is legal in some states.
They wrote in a statement Monday that the “War on Drugs has been a war on people — particularly people of color.” In addition, they intend on providing so-called restorative justice for people who have been convicted of crimes related to marijuana use, according to their joint statement. In theory, restorative justice entails organizing a meeting between the victim of a crime and the offender so both participants can share their experiences of what happened. The end goal is to create a consensus for how an offender can atone.
Search & Rescue teams from the Curry County Sheriff’s Office found and rescued a group of four men who became stranded out in the snow-covered woods roughly between Gold Beach and Agness last week.
In the early morning hours of Wednesday, January 27, the Sheriff’s Office said it received a report from a Brookings couple that their two sons and two other men had gone up to the woods in the Wildhorse area and hadn’t returned. They were reportedly driving a red pickup truck. 30-year-old Sean Farris, 28-year-old Aaron Farris, 29-year-old Shawn Miller, and 21-year-old Bjorn Schaller had planned to go make a camp fire and cook together. When they did not return by midnight, and with increasingly bad weather, the parents became concerned. The father went up to find them himself, but got stuck in the snow before he could reach the area. By 4 a.m. on Wednesday, deputies and SAR members had responded, only to find that the winter storm had dumped heavy snow on the hills, making travel difficult.
The team used an ATV side-by-side with snow tracks to keep going higher into the hills. At roughly 2 p.m., deputies and SAR members found Schaller and Miller walking in deep snow, a few miles from where they had left the pickup truck that morning. SAR members cut several trees out of the roadway so that vehicles could reach them — finally taking the pair about ten miles down from the snowy hills to the intersection of the Agness and Wildhorse roads.
For the first time ever, consumers who don’t know a Girl Scout can now purchase Girl Scout Cookies online from a local troop for direct shipment to their door. Online ordering through the Girl Scout Cookie Finder officially opened February 1, offering a contact-free method that supports local girls while keeping safety and skill-building top of mind. Online ordering will be available through March 14, 2021.
Pandemic conditions in Oregon and Washington mean that customers won’t see the traditional Girl Scout Cookie booths they look forward to this year, but that doesn’t mean they can’t get their hands on the Thin Mints®, Samoas® and Tagalongs® they love. With the Girl Scout Cookie Finder—used in past years to locate a nearby cookie booth—customers can enter their ZIP code to find a local troop to purchase from through the Digital Cookie platform for direct shipment to their homes or donation to local organizations such as Meals on Wheels People. Though social distancing measures may keep families and friends apart, cookie customers can share joy and stay connected this season through a gift-box option that ships directly to others via the Digital Cookie platform.
Despite challenges this year, Girl Scouts throughout the region are showing resilience and creativity as they embrace their entrepreneurial spirits. From distributing thousands of door hangers in their neighborhoods, to virtual cookie booths and community presentations via video conferencing, to vehicle displays and more, girls are thinking outside the cookie box as they stay connected, learn and have fun through the cookie program. 100% of the proceeds from the Girl Scout Cookie Program stay local with the troop and Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington to power essential leadership programming and meaningful community impact.
Other Ways to Safely Purchase Girl Scout Cookies This Season
In addition to the Girl Scout Cookie Finder, customers who know a Girl Scout are encouraged to reach out to her to find out how she’s selling cookies in ways that meet local and state safety protocols. And starting February 19, customers can visit www.grubhub.com/food/girl_scouts to order via contact-free delivery from Grubhub in select areas including Portland, Eugene and Medford. Availability may vary based on location.
About the Girl Scout Cookie Program
A little more than a century ago, Girl Scouts began participating in what would evolve into the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world: the Girl Scout Cookie Program. The program helps girls fund life-changing experiences and learning for themselves and their troops all year long, while gaining valuable life skills like goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics. To learn more about the history of the Girl Scout Cookie Program, visit girlscouts.org.
About Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington
In partnership with more than 6,500 adult members, Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington prepares more than 11,500 girls in grades K-12 for a lifetime of leadership, adventure and success. GSOSW’s programs in civic engagement, financial literacy, the outdoors and STEM serve girls in 35 counties in Oregon, and Clark, Klickitat and Skamania counties in Southwest Washington. The Girl Scout mission is to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. For more information, please visit girlscoutsosw.org.