The latest news stories for Eugene-Springfield and around the state of Oregon from WillametteValleyMagazine.com
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2020
Willamette Valley Weather
This Afternoon Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Overnight, cloudy with a low of 56.
Thursday Mostly cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 82.
Friday Sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming north 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Partly sunny, with a high near 76.
Sunday Showers likely, mainly after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 66.
Today’s Headlines
The state of Oregon’s death toll from COVID-19 is unchanged from yesterday and remains at 192, the Oregon Health Authority reported this morning.
Oregon Health Authority reported 191 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of yesterday.
The new cases reported today are in the following counties: Clackamas (25), Coos (1), Deschutes (2), Hood River (1), Jackson (1), Jefferson (2), Klamath (7), Lane (1), Malheur (2), Marion (17), Morrow (3), Multnomah (44), Polk (1), Tillamook (1), Umatilla (19), Union (19), Wasco (4), and Washington (42).
Today, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) released an update to the number of COVID-19 case investigators and contact tracers statewide, showing that Oregon counties now have 500 people able to carry out case investigations and contact tracing functions.
Many counties in Oregon continue to hire and train staff to be prepared for any surge in cases. This staffing estimate is based on county reports to OHA.
In addition to county staff, OHA has just under 100 staff ready to assist counties with case investigation and contact tracing in the event of an outbreak. Some of the OHA staff have been deployed to recent outbreaks in Union and Lincoln counties, along with state epidemiological resources and additional forms of support.
As of June 15, the current statewide total of county and state contact tracers is now about 600 people, an increase of 359 from a prior survey conducted in late April.
OHA also recently announced funding opportunities for Community Based Organizations (CBOs) throughout the state as part of the COVID-19 response, including working on contact tracing. OHA considers CBOs central to the success of this work to integrate methods, tactics and strategies that are most responsive to the needs of people of color, people with disabilities, immigrant and refugee communities, Tribes, Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers and LGBTQIA+ communities.
The Office of State Fire Marshal, the Oregon Fire Service, natural resource agencies, Oregon licensed fireworks wholesalers, and safety experts are asking Oregonians to “keep it legal and keep it safe” when using all fireworks.
The 2020 Oregon fireworks retail sales season opens June 23 and runs through July 6. The OSFM and its partners want everyone to know what fireworks are legal to use in Oregon without a permit, where they are allowed to be used, and how to use fireworks safely Residents who plan to visit public lands and parks for the July Fourth holiday are asked to leave all fireworks at home.
The use of fireworks is prohibited in national parks and forests, on Bureau of Land Management lands, on U.S. Fish and Wildlife properties, on state beaches, in state parks, and in state campgrounds. Oregon law prohibits the possession, use, or sale of any firework that flies into the air, explodes, or travels more than 12 feet horizontally on the ground, without a permit issued by the OSFM.
Fireworks commonly called bottle rockets, Roman candles, and firecrackers are illegal in Oregon, without a permit.
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is distributing $55,000,000 in COVID rental relief funds and $15,000,000 in Energy Assistance to local organizations statewide.
“Rental and energy assistance provides immediate relief to people in crisis,” said OHCS Executive Director Margaret Salazar, “I am very happy we were able to act swiftly to get these additional resources into communities to help our friends and neighbors who are struggling to make ends meet.”
At the June Joint Emergency Board meeting, state lawmakers unanimously allocated $95 million in Coronavirus Relief funds to OHCS for housing stabilization, rent assistance and energy assistance. $55,000,000 is dedicated to emergency rental assistance. These resources will augment the COVID Rent Relief Program announced by the state in May. Eligible tenants must have had their ability to pay rent impacted by the COVID pandemic and live at or below 80% in Area Media Income (AMI) of the county for which they reside.
“This rent relief will help to ease the financial strain on Oregon families who have been unable to pay rent due to COVID-19, but we have more work to do,” said Governor Kate Brown. “I will continue to work with legislative leaders, community partners, and Oregon Housing and Community Services to help Oregonians who are struggling financially to stay housed during this pandemic.”
The rental relief funds were distributed to Community Action Agencies (CAAs) across the state. The Oregon Legislature also provided $15,000,000 in Energy Assistance to Oregonians financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Oregonians concerned about their ability to make upcoming rent payments or concerned about keeping the lights on should contact 211 to find out about assistance options in their area. CAAs and key partners are taking applications for assistance from residents in their service area. These services are provided free of charge by CAAs.
To find out how to access these resources in your area visit 211info.org or call 2-1-1. The full list of Community Action Agencies, funding allocation amounts and service territories with contact information can be found here.
Beginning today, Oregon lawmakers will meet in person at the Oregon Capitol for a special session.
Even though Marion County is still in Phase 2 of reopening with gatherings capped at 50 people, 90 lawmakers are expected to assemble in the building for hours of debate and votes, as well as in smaller committee meetings to work bills. Senate Democrats’ spokeswoman Amanda Kraus said the Capitol is considered a workplace and the session is not a “gathering.”
Democratic leaders want to stick to the 25-person gathering limit by cycling lawmakers through the House and Senate floors in batches to carry bills and vote on them, with a handful of leaders from each party caucus remaining on the floor.
They plan to keep the Capitol closed to the public while streaming all meetings online and on screens outside the building, with opportunities to testify in writing and via telephone or videoconference call.
For Oregonians who have not yet received their Economic Impact Payment, filing their taxes may help them receive it.
The federal and state income tax filing deadline due to COVID-19 has been extended to July 15, 2020. Many people have not reveived this payment even though it’s been available for several months. All you have to do is file your taxes if you haven’t already. If you’re not required to file, visit irs.gov and use the “non-filers” tool to register for your payment.
Filing your taxes also might help you access extra money through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
The EITC can be a boost to you, your family, and community. If you worked last year and had income of less than $55,952 you may be eligible for the EITC. Even if you aren’t required to file a tax return, you may qualify for refundable credits. You can also file for the Earned Income Tax Credit for the past three years by filing a return, or amending a previously filed return.
In Oregon, 245,000 people received more than $524 million with an average amount of $2,139 from the Earned Income Tax Credit in 2019. But, potentially, many more were eligible.
AROUND THE STATE
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a social media post in which someone reported finding a noose at Whistler’s Bend park.
The post said it was found outside of a yurt over the weekend.
Authorities said they take reports of potential hate crimes seriously and will investigate “aggressively.”
At this time, the sheriff’s office has not been contacted by the person who posted the picture.
The State of Oregon has reached an agreement with several health insurance companies to continue providing expanded telehealth options through at least Dec. 31, 2020.
The agreement follows guidance issued by the Department of Consumer and Business Services and the Oregon Health Authority in late March requiring health insurance plans of all types to provide coverage for multiple telehealth platforms at the same rate as an in-person visit to limit in-person health care services.
This means health insurance companies will continue to provide coverage for expanded telehealth services for Oregonians and pay for these services at the rates they established during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to several major companies, the Oregon Health Plan will continue to offer pay parity and other allowances for many telehealth services, offering the same rate as an in-person visit for physical health services, behavioral health services, and some dental and long-term care services.
The Oregon Department of Human Services and the Oregon Health Authority are upgrading the eligibility system Oregonians use to apply for health coverage.
The upgrade is the first milestone in a larger project to make it easier for Oregonians to apply for health and human services benefits.
As we transition from the old system to the new one, there are two important considerations to be aware of:
- The online application will be unavailable from July 2-5 while the upgrade is in progress.
- Online applications that are not submitted by 4:00 p.m. PDT on July 2, 2020, cannot be transferred to the new system during the upgrade and will have to be restarted.
For Oregonians applying for Oregon Health Plan benefits online, it is important to complete those applications by July 2 or wait to start the application after July 6. Paper applications and applications completed over the phone are not impacted.
Oregonians can contact customer service at 1-800-699-9075 (TTY 711) to apply over the phone or request that an application be mailed to them. They can also download, print and mail a paper application. Both options are available in multiple languages.
After July 6, Oregonians can apply for the Oregon Health Plan online.
The Oregon ONE system will continue to be upgraded, in phases, through February 2021. Once the system is fully updated, all Oregonians will be able to use a single online application to apply for cash, childcare, food and medical benefits. They will also have the option to apply for any of these programs over the phone or in person at any local Aging and People with Disabilities, Area Agency on Aging or Self-Sufficiency Programs office that provides those benefits.
“This upgrade is just the first step in improving the way the state delivers health and human services benefits to Oregonians and their families,” said DHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht.
Please visit the DHS Benefits and Assistance page to learn more about the programs available to qualifying Oregonians.