The latest news stories and stories of interest in the Willamette Valley from the digital home of Southern Oregon, from Wynne Broadcasting’s WillametteValleyMagazine.com
Friday, March 18, 2022
Willamette Valley Weather
Today– Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 8 mph in the morning.
Saturday– Rain before 11am, then showers likely after 11am. Snow level 3900 feet lowering to 2700 feet in the afternoon . High near 49. South wind 6 to 10 mph becoming west northwest in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Sunday– A 30 percent chance of showers. Snow level 1800 feet rising to 2700 feet in the afternoon. Cloudy, with a high near 51. South wind 3 to 6 mph.
Monday– A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 53.
Tuesday– Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Sex Offender Arrested In Junction City After Citizen Alerts Police
Junction City police arrested a non-compliant level 3 sex offender after a citizen recognized the suspect and called police.
Police say Danny Miner, a clerk at Jackson’s Food Stores near Seventh and Van Buren Streets in Eugene, recognized Garen Thies, 54, behind the store attempting to jump-start his car on Thursday at 6:36 p.m.
Miner recognized Thies from a news release issued by Junction City Police and aired on KEZI news earlier in the day.
Miner called Junction City police and told them where he had seen Thies. Eugene Police detained Thies until Junction City police arrived about 20 minutes later and took Thies into custody. He is in Lane County Jail.
Thies is facing multiple charges which include unlawfully being in a location where children regularly congregate, failure to report as sex offender and criminal trespass in the second degree.
Multiple Drugs/Firearms Found at Arrest in Rice Hill
In the evening hours of Tuesday, March 15th, detectives with the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT) arrested 40 year old Springfield resident Dustin Iseli for multiple drug and firearm related charges.
As part of an ongoing investigation, detectives contacted, and detained Iseli in the parking lot of the truck stop at Rice Hill. Also detained was 34 year old Springfield resident, Christina Samuel.
A search of Iseli’s vehicle revealed over one pound of suspected methamphetamine, 127 grams of suspected heroin, 2000 suspected fentanyl pills, 13 grams of suspected psilocybin mushrooms, and two loaded handguns.
Iseli was lodged at the Douglas County Jail on the following charges:
- Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine.
- Unlawful Possession of Heroin, Unlawful Delivery of Heroin, Unlawful Manufacture of Heroin.
- Unlawful Possession of Sch II Substance (Fentanyl), Unlawful Delivery of Sch II Substance (Fentanyl), Unlawful Manufacture of Sch II Substance (Fentanyl).
- 2 counts of Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
- Warrants for arrest out of Springfield PD, and Linn County.
Christina Samuel was cited for Reckless Endangering, and Driving While Suspended, and released from the scene.
Lane Community College Names New President
The year-long selection process concluded Wednesday night with a unanimous vote by the Board of Education. Lane Community College has named a new president.
Dr. Stephanie Bulger will be LCC’s eighth President. She’ll take the helm from Dr. Margaret Hamilton who’s retiring after leading the college since 2017. Bulger will assume the role of LCC president in July.
Bulger comes to the college with nearly two decades of experience in higher education. Most recently she was Vice Chancellor for Instructional Services at the San Diego Community College District.
LCC Board Chair Lisa Fragala said Bulger brings strong commitment to strengthening equity, diversity and inclusion.
“That’s a complex issue to approach but she comes at it from a very unique perspective in terms of her own lived experience,” she said. “One aspect was that ultimately LCC would like to become a Hispanic serving institution. And Dr. Bulger Has experience in that area.”
Fragala added that Bulger has a background in cyber security and economic development. And she’s paid close attention to lowering textbook costs through open educational resources.
“More than any other candidate she had a diverse approach to thinking about enrollment strategies that really reflect the unique times that we find ourselves in as we emerge from this pandemic,” she said.
Farmer & Rancher Disaster Relief Grant Program
During a Special Session in December 2021, the Oregon Legislature allocated $40 million towards grants for farmers and ranchers impacted by drought and multiple natural disasters like the 2021 ice storm and heat dome event.
Elise Higley, who chairs the Board of Directors for Our Family Farms, a Rogue Valley non-profit that advocates for regenerative agriculture, said many of the grants distributed through the Oregon Department of Agriculture did not make it into the pockets of those who were impacted by drought for only a portion of the season.
“If you irrigated last year at all you were ineligible to get money,” she said noting that the non-profit teamed up with other organizations to advocated for more funding during February’s short legislative session. The legislature passed SB 5561 allocating $1.5 million to create a disaster assistance grant program.
The grant, which covers last year’s crops is administered through the Oregon Food Systems Network a non-profit advocating for local and regional food networks and systems. You can apply by clicking here. The non-profit’s website provides more information about the grant and who qualifies. It will be hosting two virtual seminars to learn more on Tuesday, March 29 at 6:30-7:30 pm PDT and on Monday, April 4 at 10:00-11:00 am PDT.
Oregon reports 331 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 27 new deaths
PORTLAND, Ore. — There are 27 new COVID-19-related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 6,960, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported at 12:01 a.m. today.
OHA reported 331 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 700,960.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (10), Clackamas (12), Clatsop (5), Columbia (6), Coos (11), Crook (3), Curry (2), Deschutes (16), Douglas (10), Grant (9), Harney (1), Jackson (18), Jefferson (1), Josephine (21), Klamath (5), Lake (2), Lane (32), Lincoln (1), Linn (13), Marion (37), Multnomah (65), Polk (3), Umatilla (2), Union (2), Wasco (3), Washington (35) and Yamhill (6).
Salem Area Drug Trafficker and Ghost Gun Manufacturer Indicted in Federal Court
68 firearms and dozens of firearm components seized in raids targeting defendant
PORTLAND, Ore.—A federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment today charging a Salem, Oregon man for distributing counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl and operating the largest known privately made firearm or “ghost gun” manufacturing workshop in Oregon from the basement of his home.
Tyler Ray Harnden, 29, a Salem resident, has been charged with possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin, distribution of fentanyl, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
According to court documents, on February 16, 2022, federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and detectives from the Salem Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Section and Strategic Investigations Unit executed a federal search warrant on Harnden’s Salem residence. During their search, investigators discovered a large ghost gun manufacturing operation containing dozens of homemade firearm components and firearms in various stages of completion. Investigators also found and seized two pistols, three completed ghost guns, thousands of rounds of ammunition, 15 loaded high-capacity magazines, three drill presses and other assorted firearm manufacturing equipment, and approximately 200 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl.
Following his arrest, agents discovered additional evidence that Harnden had allegedly been paying people to conduct illegal straw purchases of firearms for him. Harnden would also use people with substance use disorders to purchase firearms for him in exchange for counterfeit oxycodone pills manufactured with fentanyl. Agents also learned that Harnden was storing firearms at a relative’s house and had tried to convince the relative to sell some of his firearms to generate money for his jail spending account. On March 15, 2022, ATF agents and Salem SIU detectives obtained and executed a federal search warrant on the relative’s house and seized four gun safes and 63 additional firearms belonging to Harnden.
Harnden is in state custody on a supervised release violation and will be arraigned on his federal indictment at a later date. If convicted, Harnden faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug of the District of Oregon made the announcement.
This case was investigated by ATF and the Salem Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott M. Kerin is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Ghost guns are homemade firearms without serial numbers assembled from kits or materials sold without background checks, making them easily acquired by criminals who otherwise would not be permitted to possess a firearm and nearly impossible for law enforcement to track. In May 2021, the Justice Department issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that would update the definition of “firearm” and related parts for the first time since 1968. This updated definition would close a regulatory loophole associated with un-serialized, privately-made firearms increasingly being recovered at crime scenes across the country.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Oregon Issues Bird Flu Alert for Chickens
HPAI is a highly infectious strain of bird flu. This deadly strain of bird flu has been detected in a bald eagle in British Columbia, posing a potential threat to hundreds and perhaps thousands of backyard flocks across Oregon as well as large commercial operations with millions of birds.
The strain is the same one that caused an outbreak in late 2014 and early 2015, forcing the destruction of millions of birds.
The virus poses little risk to humans. Infections in people are rare and are associated with close, prolonged and unprotected contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces.
But chickens, in particular, are highly susceptible to infection.
“It’s worrisome for backyard flocks,” said Kurt Williams, director of the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Oregon State University. “There’s no doubt about it.”
It also poses a risk to commercial operations. “It’s a virus and wild birds have a way of getting into commercial operations as well,” Williams said.
In Oregon, the poultry industry is worth $15.8 million, according to the state Agriculture Department. It is anchored by five commercial operations, with four focused on eggs and one that sells broiler chickens. About 40 farms work with those producers.
An epidemic of bird flu in those flocks would be devastating. To contain it, producers destroy their flocks.
“They don’t mess around with control of this pathogen,” Williams said.
Chickens that become infected can develop respiratory problems or diarrhea, but Williams said that hobbyists – and commercial producers – are most likely to find a bunch of dead birds before noticing any symptoms.
The discovery of the eagle comes at a time of soaring food prices prompted by supply chain issues, skyrocketing fuel prices and the war in Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine are major producers of wheat and corn. It also coincides with a bird flu outbreak in the eastern half of the United States.
Since February, the virus has forced the culling of nearly seven million birds in Wisconsin, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, Delaware, Kentucky and Indiana.
The virus has also been found in wild birds in Missouri, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee, according to the University of Minnesota . New infections have been announced every week.
The virus is believed to be spread by migrating birds. The main concern is wild ducks and geese interacting with domestic fowl, Sanchez said.
“Lots of migratory birds that use summer and breeding ranges in the northern hemisphere are migrating from places farther south into their northern range to follow food availability and to reach their breeding grounds,” said Dana Sanchez, extension wildlife specialist at Oregon State University. “If they pick up a pathogen, then they get up the next day and continue their journey.”
The last big outbreak in the United States was in late 2014 and early 2015. The first detection was in December 2014 in a backyard flock in Winston, south of Roseburg. Within a few months, the virus had spread across the country, leading to the death or destruction of thousands of chickens and turkeys in Oregon and nearly 50 million nationwide. They accounted for 12% of the country’s egg laying chickens and 8% of turkeys raised for meat.
The outbreak caused poultry and egg prices to soar while dozens of countries banned imports of U.S. poultry.
In recent weeks, China, Korea and Mexico, one of biggest export markets for the U.S., have restricted imports of poultry from certain states.
On Wednesday, the state Agriculture Department issued a public warning about the bald eagle and urged producers to be vigilant. Any unusual bird deaths should be reported to the U.S. Department of Agriculture at 866-536-7593.
“The best protection for birds are owners who practice effective biosecurity,” said Ryan Scholz, the state veterinarian. “We must be vigilant and strict with our biosecurity practices especially for backyard flocks, as well as educated on when and how to report potential avian influenza deaths.”
He added: “Our preparation could reduce the risk of infection among poultry and prevent or limit the impact of HPAI introduction in Oregon.”
If there’s a widespread outbreak, pathology experts at the OSU lab will be involved. “It will be on our radar, and we’ll be looking out for it,” Williams said.
Officials at the state Agriculture Department said if an outbreak occurs, they will work with federal officials and poultry producers to get rid of infected birds and dispose of the birds. Disposal sites vary depending on the size of the flock and local conditions, the department said in an email.
White City Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest of Rape Suspect: Deputy Finds Processed Illegal Marijuana, Guns, Cash
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) Patrol stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation on Wednesday at 2:50 pm near the intersection of Division Road and Avenue G in White City. The driver of the vehicle was found to have an outstanding arrest warrant for first-degree rape out of Jackson County. The driver was taken into custody and his vehicle was impounded because he did not possess a valid driver’s license. During the impound inventory, the deputy located approximately 20 lbs. of processed illegal marijuana.
Detectives from the Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) and Oregon State Police (OSP) Drug Enforcement Section responded to assist with the marijuana portion of the investigation. Investigators seized an additional two firearms from the vehicle and $6,869.
The suspect, Alejandro Alcala-Arroyo, 27, of White City, was lodged at the Jackson County Jail on the arrest warrant with a $5,000,000 bail. Charges related to the marijuana crimes will be added upon further investigation.
This case is an ongoing multi-agency investigation involving IMET and OSP. IMET consists of detectives from JCSO and Medford Police Department. JCSO Case 22-1391 Jackson Co. Sheriff’s Office
Join USDA for a Webinar on Applying to the Value Added Producer Grant Program in Oregon
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development invites you to participate in a free webinar on the application process for the Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program.
Rural Development is currently accepting applications for this program, which provides grants to develop new products from raw agricultural products or to expand marketing opportunities for value-added products.
Farmers, ranchers, and owners of producer-based rural small businesses in Oregon that plan to apply for the VAPG Program this year are encouraged to attend the webinar to learn more about the application process.
The webinar is Thursday March 31 from 3 until 4 pm. For questions, contact Erika Moellmer, Value Added Producer Grant Coordinator, (503)414-3333. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/03/01/2022-04293/inviting-applications-for-value-added-producer-grants
Police Ask for Public’s Help in Search For Victim’s Roommate In Albany Homicide – A 42-year-old woman, the roommate of a 75-year-old man whose death was ruled a homicide, is wanted for questioning in the case, Albany police officials said.
Elvin “Al” Pierce was found dead by officers around 9:10 p.m. Friday after a 911 caller reported a man was unconscious and not breathing. Investigators at that time said the circumstances surrounding his death were suspicious.
APD said Pierce’s roommate, 42-year-old Elizabeth Nicole Tyler Jimenez, wasn’t there at the home when officers found Pierce dead and they don’t know where she is. Authorities did not specifically state whether Jimenez is a suspect or if there are any charges against her.
Pierce’s car, a tan 2004 Buick Park Avenue with Oregon license plate 081FAX, is also missing.
Jimenez, who investigators believe is currently without a job, is described as often visiting local soup kitchens. She also has skills as a masseuse and a seamstress, officials said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact APD at 541-917-7680 or APD Lt. Buck Pearce at 541-917-3209.
Klamath County Sheriff’s Office Asks for Public’s Help in Search For Trucker Suspect
The first real clue to come in on all the missing person cases in the area. Help Klamath Falls Oregon Sheriff Office ID this trucker. He was the last to see this woman alive and could be the key to not only solving this woman’s disappearance but a number of the hundred other women missing in PNW. IF you have any information, please call (541) 883-5130
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Have-You-Seen-Me-Southern-Oregons-Missing-People-161249961222839/posts/