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, August 12, 2022
Willamette Valley Weather
University of Oregon’s President Leaving to Northwestern University
The University of Oregon’s president is leaving to lead Northwestern University, according to a message that went out to the campus community Thursday morning.
UO President Michael Schill has been with the school since 2015. He’s currently one of the longest-serving presidents working at an Oregon public university following the recent departures of other leaders.
Schill’s resignation marks a period of unusual turnover at Oregon’s public universities. The state’s largest university, Oregon State, hired Jayathi Murthy as president in June after its last permanent president resigned amid controversy. Stephen Percy, the president of Portland State University, announced he was retiring at the end of the upcoming academic year, after heading the school since 2019. And Eastern Oregon University officials reported last week that their president, Tom Insko, was resigning to take a job in the timber industry.
“During his seven-year tenure at the UO, President Schill has significantly propelled the university forward, and so it is no surprise that he would be recruited by one of the most prestigious academic research institutions in the world,” UO Board of Trustees Chair Ginevra Ralph sent in her message to campus.
According to the university, UO’s board of trustees will work to appoint an interim president. The university expects the interim president to begin their position before the start of the upcoming fall term.
The board will discuss the process and search for the next permanent president at its September meeting.
Eugene Pride Festival This Weekend
Eugene’s Pride in the Park will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at Alton Baker Park, 100 Day Island Road.
The Eugene Pride Festival is back and better than ever!
Presented by OnPoint Community Credit Union, the Eugene Pride Festival is a free, community event focused on celebrating authenticity, sharing resources, and forming connections within our community. In addition to providing a day of festival fun, the event is also a fundraiser for the William “Bill” Sullivan Scholarship Fund which awards scholarship money each year to LGBTQIA+ youth for undergraduate studies at community college and/or university.
Join us Saturday, August 13th at Alton Baker Park for music, dancing, food, art, workshops, and more. Come out and be you!
Kick off Pride Saturday by grabbing breakfast at Spectrum and then marching to EugPride Fest!
A celebration of all that makes our community great, featuring:
live entertainment- delicious food and drinks – community partners – local vendors – family activities and more!
MORE INFO: https://www.eugenepride.org/
Eugene’s Electric Vehicle Startup Arcimoto Removes CEO Mark Frohnmayer
Eugene’s electric vehicle manufacturer Arcimoto has abruptly removed CEO Mark Frohnmayer, promoting another executive to run the company on an interim basis.
Arcimoto’s announcement Friday didn’t explain the rationale for the sudden change, but the company’s stock is severely depressed and it’s been struggling for months against supply chain shortages. Shares fell another 1.5% in early trading Friday.
Frohnmayer started at the company in 2007 and is its largest shareholder. He remains chairman and will have a new executive role as “chief vision officer,” focused on “key technology development programs for the future of sustainable mobility.”
The interim CEO is Jesse Fittipaldi, 47, who joined Arcimoto in 2015 and has been chief strategy officer since 2020.
“We endeavor to continue the vision set forth by our founder Mark Frohnmayer, who built Arcimoto from the ground up, starting with a napkin sketch and a dream to build the right tool for the job of daily driving,” Fittipaldi said in Friday’s announcement.
Arcimoto makes quirky, three-wheel electric vehicles that it hopes could find a niche in the emerging market for clean, alternative transportation. The vehicles start at $18,000.
In a regulatory filing Thursday, Arcimoto indicated it actually removed Frohnmayer as CEO a week ago but didn’t announce the change at that time. The company said it appointed a three-member executive committing, including Fittipaldi and two other executives, to make business decisions during the interim period.
Arcimoto did not say how long it expects Fittipaldi to serve as interim CEO or what kind of search the company plans to undertake to find a permanent CEO. In his new role, Frohnmayer said, he will focus on “articulating the long-term vision of the company through key partnerships and future product and technology initiatives.”
The company sold 24 vehicles in the first three months of the year and reported revenues of $650,000, compared to $1.4 million in the same period of 2021. Arcimoto’s quarterly losses totaled $12.9 million.
Arcimoto had $5.2 million in cash on hand at the end of March, according to its financial filings, down from nearly $17 million at the end of December. The company reports second-quarter financial results Monday.
Shares were trading Friday morning at $3.18. Frohnmayer owned nearly 20% of Arcimoto’s shares in June, when the company issued its annual proxy statement. He is the son of former Oregon attorney general and University of Oregon president David Frohnmayer.
Be Prepared in Case of Wildfire
First responders train hard to prepare for wildfires and other disasters. Residents need to do the same, according to the Klamath County Fire Agencies that compiled the online Oregon’s Ready Set Go guide to reduce the risk of a fire harming people and property.
People who have been evacuated know there is no extra time to figure out what to take. And those in a rush may forget a vital item or bring too much.
There is always the possibility that you may have to leave your car, so pack just what you need to keep your emergency “go bag” as light as possible in case you have to carry it on foot or use public transportation.
Unlike an earthquake, in which systems like water, electricity and cellphone towers may be compromised for days or longer a wildfire go bag should have what you need to reach safety.
Shelters most likely have food, water, first-aid supplies and toilet paper, but not your lifesaving medicines, driver license or some other form of identification, and spare keys to your house and car.
The online resource Rx Open provides information on the operating status of healthcare facilities in areas impacted by a disaster.
“Knowing when to leave, what to take, where to go and how to get there will help keep you and your family from being caught in smoke, fire or road congestion while evacuating during a wildfire,” according to Oregon’s Ready Set Go.
Don’t stop to assemble a bag if your neighborhood or house is on fire, or you’ve been told to evacuate. An area can quickly be consumed by fire. Heat, smoke and ash make it difficult to breathe, and blinding smoke makes day look like night.
Every thing is replaceable, say disaster experts, except people.
Before disaster strikes
Emergency preparedness experts suggest, at minimum, three actions you need to take now to improve your family’s safety during and after a disaster:
- Sign up to be informed of an oncoming hazard.
- Have an escape plan: Make sure everyone in your household knows how to safely exit dwellings, where you will all reunite and how you will contact each other in case power lines or phone signals aren’t working. Also plan how you will care for your pets in an emergency.
- Have a durable emergency “go bag” ready with essentials.
This checklist helps you know what to pack. Firefighters encourage everyone to take personal responsibility and learn what you can do today to prevent and prepare for wildfire.
The Dangers Of Wildfire Smoke Can Be Far Reaching
A tossed cigarette, a campfire left unattended, even intentional actions can be the fuel that starts devastating wildfires.
But the fire isn’t the only danger as wildfire smoke can travel thousands of miles and come with problematic, even lethal results to those in its path.
“Smaller fire, you get a small, tiny column that’s going to be controlled by the ground level wind and topography,” Jef Chase said. “A little larger fire where it’s burning on steeper ground, that topography wants to help the fire climb and push the column up.”
Coos Forest Protective Association District Specialist Jef Chase says the higher that column of smoke goes, the closer that smoke gets to upper-level winds.
“Fires that go plume dominated, where you see the giant smoke columns that are up in that 20-30,000 feet is they’re creating their own weather, and that smoke’s going to go where it goes, and all you can do is look at where your jet stream might push it and try and warn people.”
In September of 2020, NASA satellites picked up traveling wildfire smoke making its way from California to New York City.
That was due to the strength of the fires. Chase says the hotter the fire, the higher the smoke is pushed up into our atmosphere.
The height a column reaches then decides how far that smoke can travel.
And while you can’t keep the smoke from moving, you can take precautions.
“We try to of course use our social media and the news outlets to warn people if we’re going to get heavy drift smoke. If you have air conditioning, that’ll help filter it. Keeping windows and doors closed as much as possible will help keep it out.”
Also invest in a quality air filtration system, wear an N95 mask, and do what you can to keep ash out of your home including using doormats to wipe off shoes before entering your home.
We want to keep you informed about COVID-19 in Oregon. Data are provisional and change frequently. For more information, including COVID-19 data by county, visit our dashboard: http://ow.ly/H0Vz50KiczN
OHA introduces new monkeypox (hMPXV) website
PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon Health Authority today launched a new website dedicated to helping people in Oregon learn more about the ongoing monkeypox outbreak that has affected 89 countries and 49 states as of Aug. 10.
The new website includes information for the public, clinicians, public health and community organizations; the website is also available in Spanish.
Anyone can get monkeypox. However, during the current outbreak, most cases have been detected among gay or bisexual men or men who report having sex with other men. Monkeypox is spread primarily through close, skin-to-skin contact, which may include sex, cuddling, massage and kissing.
To protect yourself and others, be aware of your health. Monkeypox may start with fever, achiness or sore throat, but may also start with just a rash or sores. If you’re feeling sick and notice any new rashes – especially on the genitals or around the anus – avoid close, skin-to-skin contact and talk to a health care provider (or call 211 if you don’t have one).
Let your provider know, before the appointment, that you think you might have monkeypox and cover any lesions you have. Ask your provider about monkeypox testing. Even if you are not in a high-risk category, but you think that your symptoms or rash are concerning for monkeypox, talk to your provider. Testing may be recommended for you.
The new monkeypox website includes a weekly summary of case data and will be updated on Wednesdays.
As of Aug. 10, 95 people have tested positive for monkeypox in Oregon. Cases have been reported in Clackamas (3), Columbia (1), Coos (1), Lane (17), Marion (1), Multnomah (57) and Washington (15) counties.
These data are preliminary and subject to change. —– https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/Monkeypox/Pages/index.aspx?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Media briefing on monkeypox (hMPXV) Dean Sidelinger, M.D., health officer and state epidemiologist at OHA, will join Patrick Luedtke, M.D., Lane County’s senior public health officer, and Katie Cox, executive director of The Equi Institute, to give an update on the state’s response to the outbreak and reporting of cases in Oregon,
Wildland Firefighter Killed on Big Swamp Fire near Oakridge
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, jointly with the United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, is saddened to announce the passing of a wildland firefighter assigned to the Big Swamp Fire near Oakridge, Oregon.
On Wednesday, August 10, shortly after 12:30 pm, 9-1-1 dispatchers received information regarding a wildland firefighter that was critically injured after being struck by a tree. Umpqua Valley Ambulance and REACH Air Medical Services were dispatched to the scene. Despite lifesaving efforts by EMS personnel assigned to the fire, the firefighter, 27-year-old Collin Hagan of Toivola, Michigan succumbed to his injuries. Hagan was
a wildland firefighter assigned to the Craig Interagency Hotshot Crew based out of Craig, Colorado.
Once the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Douglas County Medical Examiner’s Office were notified, Hagan’s body was flown from the Toketee Airstrip to the Roseburg Regional Airport by REACH Air Medical Services helicopter. Firefighters from the Bureau of Land Management, United States Forest Service, Roseburg Fire Department and Douglas County Fire District #2 stood together to honor Hagan as his body arrived and was transferred to the care of a funeral service provider. The firefighters then provided an honor escort to the funeral home.
The Oregon Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that Gov. Kate Brown was within her authority to grant clemency during the coronavirus pandemic to nearly 1,000 people convicted of crimes.
Two district attorneys, Linn County’s Doug Marteeny and Lane County’s Patricia Perlow, along with family members of crime victims, sued the governor and other state officials earlier this year to stop the clemency actions.
The attorneys took particular issue with Brown’s decision to allow 73 people convicted of murder, assault, rape and manslaughter while they were younger than 18 to apply for early release.
The legal action alleged Brown granted clemency to people who had not sought early release through the standard legal process. Most of the people receiving clemency were either medically at risk during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic or had helped with wildfire fighting efforts during the historic Labor Day fires of 2020.
Marion County Circuit Court Judge David Leith rejected most of the challenger’s arguments but ordered the parole board to halt all release hearings for the 73 juvenile offenders. The governor then appealed the ruling.
Oregon Approved To Issue An Additional $46 Million In Pandemic EBT Food Assistance To 80,000 Young Children
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) received approval from the federal government to provide additional food benefits for young children whose families received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits between September 2021 and May 2022.
These additional food benefits will provide approximately $46 million in additional food assistance for 80,000 young children in Oregon. The additional food benefits will be issued to families’ existing EBT cards in Fall 2022, with the exact dates yet to be determined.
Eligible families will receive an extra $63 food benefit per child on their EBT card for every month the children were ages 5 or younger and their family was receiving SNAP benefits. Families can receive up to $567 in additional food benefits for each child who is eligible.
These additional food benefits are part of the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program, a temporary COVID-19 program meant to provide additional food support for children whose access to adequate and quality food may have been impacted by COVID-19.
Families whose EBT card has been lost or stolen should call the toll-free replacement card line at 1-855-328-6715 to request a replacement card as soon as possible. The replacement line is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
BLM Announces New Opportunity For Partnerships To Support Management Of Wild Horses And Burros
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Bureau of Land Management is announcing new grants available to public and private partners to help support the agency’s mission to manage and protect wild horses and burros. The funding opportunity is open to local and state governments, tribes, other federal agencies and non-profit organizations.
“The BLM is excited to continue our efforts at working collaboratively with institutions of education, non-profit organizations and other government agencies to manage and protect wild horses and burros on public lands,” said Holle’ Waddell, BLM Wild Horse and Burro Division Chief. “Whether it’s to help improve habitat quality, find good homes for our living legends, or apply birth control on the range, I encourage the broader wild horse and burro community to seriously consider this opportunity to partner with the BLM on these important actions.”
This is the second year that the BLM has invited proposals for wild horse and burro projects through a new streamlined and centralized funding opportunity. Grant sizes will range from $1,000 to $50,000.
An example of an on-going project awarded through the previous funding opportunity can be found in Oregon, where a public-private partnership helps dart difficult-to-reach wild horses with a birth-control vaccine. Thanks to the collaboration with local non-profit partner High Desert Strategies, 150 wild horses have been treated on public lands in eastern Oregon, which is slowing herd growth and reducing the need to remove animals to address overpopulation.
Partnerships formed through this funding opportunity will support critical activities important to the management of wild horses and burros. Proposed off-range projects will be accepted until October 31, 2022 and could include activities such as facilitating the placement of excess animals into private care or providing educational opportunities to the public. Projects to support on-range activities, such as building habitat improvements or applying fertility control to wild horses and burros, can be submitted November 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023.
Proposals to care for excess wild horses and burros in off-range facilities and proposals to fund research are not eligible under this funding opportunity.
Applicants may propose to partner with BLM field, district state and national offices. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the relevant BLM subject matter expert identified in the funding opportunity notice to discuss the type of projects that may be possible, and whether they would meet the requirements under this funding opportunity.
To learn more or for instructions on how to submit an application, visit the Notice of Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov.
-BLM- The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Bureau of Land Management Ore. & Wash.
The Dog Ate My Scratch-it
Aug. 11, 2022 – Salem, Ore. – Officials at the Oregon Lottery have seen Lottery tickets in many different states. Washed in a pair of jeans, dropped in a mud puddle, and even run over by cars. But earlier this week was a first.
The Oregon Lottery received a letter with a torn-up ticket and a picture of two dogs. That’s right, the dogs ate the Lottery ticket.
Nathan and Rachael Lamet of Salem sent the damaged ticket to the Lottery with a note and a picture of their two Alaskan Klee Kias, “Apple” and “Jack.” The Lamets have owned the dogs since they were puppies, “Apple” is 11 months old and “Jack” is two years old.
“For some reason we left the ticket on the ottoman and they decided it was delicious,” said Rachel Lamet. “I went to bed and when I woke up it was eaten to the point that I thought it was unable to be checked. But my husband thought it was hilarious and someone might get a good laugh at at the very least. He said it’s for sure a winner.”
Oregon Lottery personnel didn’t roll over, and fetched all the pieces of the ticket and were able to put the ticket back together, and soon realized Nathan was right. The “delicious” $3 Pharaoh’s Gold Crossword was an $8 winner.
When the Lamets found out they had won, and the check was being mailed to them, they couldn’t believe it was actually a winning ticket.
“That’s too funny,” Rachael said. “We are definitely getting more chew toys, they go through a lot. We love them, but they are crazy sometimes.”
The Oregon Lottery does mail-in claims so players can send in their winning tickets through the mail. Usually these claims are processed and paid within 10 business days.
Lottery officials recommend that you always sign the back of your tickets with each Oregon Lottery game you play, to ensure you can claim any prize you may win. In the event of winning a jackpot, players should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings. And above all, make sure the ticket is out of reach of any furry friends!
Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned nearly $14 billion for economic development, public education, Outdoor School, state parks, Veteran Services, and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org
Women Missing Since May 1st 2022 between Medford, Grants Pass and Roseburg per Oregon State Police (Jackson, Josephine and Douglas County)
MAKENNA KENDALL 5/3/2022 |
ERICA LEE HUTCHINSON 5/26/2022 |
MARIAH DANIELLE SHARP 6/12/2022 |
KAITLYN RAE NELSON 6/14/2022 |
BROOKLYN JOHNS 6/14/2022 |
DONNA LEPP 6/27/2022 |
BARBARA DELEPINE 7/4/2022 |
****KENDRA MARIE HANKS 7/7/2022 FOUND MURDERED 7/21/2022 |
CORI BOSHANE MCCANN 7/8/2022 |
SHYHAILA SMITH 7/12/2022 |
ALEZAE LILYANNE MARTINEZ 7/13/2022 |
RAVEN RILEY 7/13/2022 |
TAHUANA RILEY 7/13/2022 |
DANIELLE NEWVILLE 7/14/2022 |
CONNIE LORAINE BOND 7/19/2022 |
KARIN DAWN RUSSELL 7/19/2022 |
CHEYENNE SPRINGS 7/19/2022 |
KAREN ANNETTE SCIORTINO 7/22/2022 |
MARLENE HICKEY 7/23/2022 |
MAKAYLA MAY VAUGHT 7/23/2022 |
WENDY JEAN HAZEN 7/26/2022 |
SHAHE SOPHIA CATRANIDES 7/27/2022 |
NAVEAH LEIGH BILYEU 8/1/2022 |
DEBI ANN HARPER 8/3/2022 |
CHARLIZE D GIBSON 8/3/2022 |
Women Missing Since May 1st 2022 in Lane County per Oregon State Police
REISA RAQUEAL SIKEL 5/3/2022 |
HANNAH MARIE RHOTEN 5/17/2022 |
MARISSA ALEESA DAMBROSIO 5/18/2022 |
ISABELLA BROSOWSKEYOUNGBLOOD 6/7/2022 |
LOUISA DAY AVA 5/28/2022 |
AMY CHRISTINA SULLIVAN 6/1/2022 |
NIKKI ELIZABETH ZEREBNY 6/6/2022 |
SHADOW STAR SEVIGNY 6/17/2022 |
SHAUNA LEAH HOGAN 6/17/2022 |
AIRIONNA CHEALSEY RHODES 6/27/2022 |
KARISSA RENEE ADAMS 7/6/2000 |
VERONICA ESSYNCE DELERIO 7/6/2022 |
AUBRIE HANNA STEPHENS 7/10/2022 |
LARA IVEY STEINMETZ 7/11/2022 |
SARA LINDSAY SCHAEFER 7/12/2022 |
ANGELINA MARIE NAZAR 7/16/2022 |
LUCIA MARTHA PANNIER 7/17/2022 |
MALINA LINN COATS 7/20/2022 |
KATHY A VERNACCHIO 7/23/2022 |
JANE MARIE HOLLIMAN 7/23/2022 |
ASHLEY MARIE SEELEY 7/27/2022 |
LILLY ANNE WARMUTH 7/28/2022 |
MALINA LINN COATS 7/29/2022 |
JORDYN CLARA GOHL 7/31/2022 |
QAVAH ALAH TILLILIE 7/31/2022 |
TALYNN RYLIE MERTZ 8/1/2022 |
YASINIA CALLISTA GUTIERREZ 8/3/2022 |
As of 8/9/2022, there are now 51women missing between Medford and Eugene. Sadly Kendra Hanks has been found murdered, though that takes her off the list. We send thoughts and prayers to her family as well as the families of all missing people in our area.
51 women missing in just less than 3 1/2 months. That averages out to 15 missing per month. Something needs to be done.
This is just a small compilation of missing women and their pictures in the area. There are of course women missing all over Oregon and men and children missing too. We don’t mean to dismiss that, however, there is an inordinate amount of women who go missing each week and there could possibly be a connection with an anomaly or two here and there. Sadly most of them never get any attention. Family and friends must keep any information going and lead investigations so that they aren’t just forgotten.
https://www.oregon.gov/osp/missing/pages/missingpersons.aspx
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Have-You-Seen-Me-Southern-Oregons-Missing-People-161249961222839/posts/