Willamette Valley News, Friday 6/18 – Eugene Police Anticipate Crime Increase Everywhere- Not Just Near Olympic Trials, Suspect Arrested After Two Eugene Break-Ins

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, June 18, 2021

Willamette Valley Weather

Today– Sunny, with a high near 80. North wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Saturday– Sunny, with a high near 83. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

Sunday– Sunny, with a high near 89. North wind 6 to 9 mph.

Monday– Sunny and hot, with a high near 96.

Tuesday– Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.

COVID UPDATES

Oregon reports 300 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 1 new death

There is one new COVID-19 related death in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 2,745. The Oregon Health Authority reported 300 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 bringing the state total to 205,988.

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (6), Benton (5), Clackamas (22), Clatsop (6), Columbia (8), Coos (2), Crook (2), Curry (7), Deschutes (11), Douglas (15), Harney (5), Hood River (1), Jackson (14), Jefferson (3), Josephine (15), Klamath (5), Lane (26), Lincoln (7), Linn (18), Malheur (5), Marion (27), Morrow (2), Multnomah (35), Polk (10), Umatilla (20), Union (1), Wasco (2), Washington (17) and Yamhill (3).

Oregon Health Authority launches new version of vaccination metrics dashboard

Today, OHA launched a new version of its vaccination metrics dashboard. Changes include race and ethnicity vaccination rates released at the regional level and age groups for 60 years and older reported as 10-year groups. New graphs now include people remaining to reach 65% vaccinated in each population, by age group and county as well as by race and ethnicity and region. You can also view data over time by date of first dose to understand vaccination uptake, or by date of last dose to understand when the vaccination series was completed.

Check out this new version here.

Vaccinations in Oregon

Today, OHA reported that 16,106 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry. Of this total, 8,643 doses were administered on June 16 and 7,463 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry on June 16.

The seven-day running average is now 15,444 doses per day.

Oregon has now administered 2,415,419 first and second doses of Pfizer,1,692,352 first and second doses of Moderna and 160,253 single doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.

As of today, 2,340,646 people have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 2,077,399 have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series. The number of adult Oregonians needing vaccinations to reach the 70% threshold is 55,697.

A daily countdown can be found on the OHA vaccinations page

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).

To date, 2,910,285 doses of Pfizer, 2,205,820 doses of Moderna and 299,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines 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.

COVID-19 hospitalizations

The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 151, which is 11 fewer than yesterday. There are 37 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is no change from yesterday.

The total number of COVID-19 positive patient bed-days in the most recent seven days is 1,151, which is a 13.3% decrease from the previous seven days. The peak daily number of beds occupied by COVID-19 positive patients in the most recent seven days is 174.

The total number of patients in hospital beds may fluctuate between report times. The numbers do not reflect admissions per day, nor the length of hospital stay. Staffing limitations are not captured in this data and may further limit bed capacity. More information about hospital capacity can be found here.

LOCAL HEADLINES:

Eugene Police Anticipate Crime Increase Everywhere- Not Just Near Olympic Trials

With the U.S. Olympic Trials just days away, scheduled to begin June 18–27 at Eugene’s newly-renovated Hayward Field, the Eugene Police Department is reminding residents and guests of the anticipated crime increase everywhere, not just the vicinity of the Trials.

SportsOne, Inc., sells partnerships for 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials -  Track and Field in challenging market - oregonlive.com

With crowds anticipated at the event, EPD is partnering with the City of Eugene, Lane County, the Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), TrackTown USA, University of Oregon, and The Oregon Fusion Center to remind the public that everyone plays a role in keeping communities safe while highlighting the nationwide “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign.

“Our area will be a target-rich environment for criminals due to the increase in tourists, local residents on vacation, as well as all the distractions and congestion that a large event of this nature attracts,” EPD says. “You can actually help protect your property as well as others.”

The Eugene Police Department is asking you to be alert, take every precaution and please report any suspicious behavior or Unauthorized Entries of Motor Vehicles. Above all, EPD hopes you thoroughly enjoy the Trialsas well as everything our beautiful Emerald City offers.

“If You See Something, Say Something” is the hallmark slogan of a nationwide campaign launched by DHS in conjunction with the U.S. Dept. of Justice’s Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative, which serves as an example of how residents working together with law enforcement can make a difference to protect their communities.

The “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign respects individuals’ privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties by emphasizing behavior, rather than appearance, in identifying suspicious activity.

THEFT FROM VEHICLE TIPS:

Theft from a vehicle is one of the most common crimes in our area. In almost all cases, the victims had left property visible in the vehicle. There is one clear message, if you want to keep someone from breaking into your vehicle, don’t leave anything visible inside the vehicle! If you will follow this one simple rule, you will likely not become a victim of this crime.

  • Don’t park and then put something in your vehicle’s trunk and then walk away from the vehicle. If someone saw you put it in, they can usually access your trunk by breaking into your vehicle and accessing the trunk release. Instead, put the item in the trunk before arriving at your location. This is especially important at hiking/running locations, sporting events and shopping malls.
  • Secure vehicles by rolling up the windows and locking doors (even on a hot day – it is better to take a few minutes to air out a hot car than to discover a theft)
  • If you happen to observe suspicious activity, or any criminal behavior, please contact police at the earliest convenience.

Eugene’s Echo Hollow Pool Reopens Multi-Million Dollar Renovation

After being closed for over a year due to renovations, Echo Hollow Pool will reopen Monday, June 21st!

Echo Hollow Pool update - Issuu

The pool closed in February 2020 before the pandemic and crews worked for months redoing the area.

On Thursday, the Eugene Parks and Recreations Department held a “water cutting” ceremony to symbolically open Echo Hollow Pool. Three lucky swimmers got to go down the 19-foot water slide at Thursday’s event.

The project cost the city $11.5 million and was funded by a bond measure passed by voters in 2018.

The new Echo Hollow Pool now has space to host water polo practices and two springboards. The lap was deepened to 13 feet. A new activity pool was created with a splash play zone, water basketball, and two more swim lanes. 

Indoor spaces were also given an upgrade. The indoor pool was given a zero-entry ramp and the pool was also deepened. Locker rooms were also renovated with new private showers, new lockers, and a family changing room.

The Parks and Recreation Department said the facility is more energy efficient with new solar panels and LED Lighting.

Though the pool will open Monday, reservations will still be required because of current COVID-19 restrictions. Once those are dropped, community members can come and go as they please. 

For More: https://www.eugene-or.gov/3261/Echo-Hollow-Pool

Suspect Arrested After Two Eugene Break-Ins

 A Eugene man has been arrested after police say he broke into two homes. Rodney Retzman, 57, was taken to the Lane County Jail on charges of first-degree burglary, harassment and resisting arrest on Sunday.

At about 6 p.m. on June 13, police responded to the 500 block of East 12th Avenue to a report that a man had entered a home without permission and left, walking south on Patterson Alley.

Police say they located a man fitting the description on the 1200 block of Patterson Alley and asked him to stop. Retzman reportedly sat down on the steps of a home.

When a resident of the home went inside, Retzman followed and shut the door behind him, police said. The officer tried to get him to stop and went inside after. Police said the officer saw Retzman grabbing the woman as she tried to get out.

Retzman then reportedly charged at the officer, who pushed Retzman to the ground. When the suspect grabbed a bat, the officer used a Taser to take him into custody, police said.

Police added that investigation revealed Retzman had stolen an article of clothing from the first home.

AROUND the STATE of OREGON

Oregon Experiencing An Increase In Traffic Fatalities

Oregon is experiencing an increase in traffic fatalities compared to the same time last year, with a 32% increase, according to preliminary data.  As of June 14, 229 traffic deaths were reported statewide compared with 173 over the same period in 2020.

As traffic volumes return to normal and summer travelers start heading out, it may be time to brush up on basic rules of the road – all aimed at getting us where we’re going safely.

Traffic volumes across the state are approaching 2019 levels after falling sharply in the beginning months of the pandemic. And summer is traditionally a busy travel season.

Everyone should:

  • Plan ahead to avoid the frustration of unplanned delays and construction projects.
  • Know and follow traffic laws.
  • Be aware of surroundings.
  • Pay attention to weather and road conditions and drive accordingly.
  • Put cell phones on do not disturb (i.e., don’t use it while driving).
  • Focus on the important task at hand: walking, rolling, biking or driving.

Please Drive Safe!!

One of Portland’s Entire Officer Units Resigns

A team of 50 police officers who serve on a specialized crowd-control unit in Oregon and respond to Portland’s ongoing, often violent protests have resigned en masse after a team member was indicted on criminal charges.

During a Wednesday night meeting, officers, detectives and sergeants on the Rapid Response Team voted to resign from the team because of a perceived lack of support from City Hall and from the district attorney over the past year, according to the mayor’s office and officers.

The move by officers to disband their own team came a day after Officer Cody Budworth was indicted and accused of fourth-degree assault stemming from a baton strike against a protester last summer.

“I don’t think it is just an indictment that caused this to happen, I think it is a very long complicated history of things that have gone on over the last 14 months,” Acting Portland Police Chief Chris Davis said.

Davis said that while the officers on the unit have “left their voluntary positions and no longer comprise a team,” they will continue with their regular assignments.

The Rapid Response Team is an “all-hazard incident” unit that responds to natural or man-made disasters, large-scale searches and, most recently, public order policing or riots. Members of the team are trained in advanced skills related to crowd management, crowd psychology and behavior, team formations and movements, the use of enhanced personal protective equipment, use of force, and de-escalation and arrests.

Last summer, when Portland became the epicenter of Black Lives Matter protests following the murder of George Floyd, the team was on the front lines.

Many demonstrations devolved into clashes with officers late at night, and at times ended with vandalism, property damage and fires. The crowd-control team was the unit often directed to disperse groups after police declared unlawful assemblies or riots.

“Our entire organization has been put through something none of us have ever seen through our careers — and at a level and intensity that I don’t think any other city in the United States has experienced,” Davis said.

In late October, the president of the police union, the Portland Police Association, sent the mayor and police chief a letter, urging both to “stand up and publicly support Police Bureau members who voluntarily serve on the Rapid Response Team.”

“Our RRT members do not volunteer to have Molotov cocktails, fireworks, explosives, rocks, bottles, urine, feces and other dangerous objects thrown at them,” wrote Daryl Turner, then-president of the union. He noted that the team members volunteer for the work without any specialty pay.

On Thursday, Davis acknowledged that members of the team have been exposed and subjected to “unbelievable things” in the past 14 months, including ongoing protests, increased violence and the pandemic.

“I understand that those are very complex issues, but I also understand their perspective,” Davis said about the team’s decision. “If you put a human being through what they went through, that takes a toll.”

While protests have significantly decreased in the city, there are still small protests by self-described anarchists in contained areas of Portland.

Davis said in the event there’s a declared riot in the coming days, there will still be a police response from other officers within the bureau “with as close to adequate resources as we can get.”

Portland Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty, who has led efforts to defund the police and proposed disbanding the team last fall, said that the “resignations are yet another example of a rogue paramilitary organization that is unaccountable to the elected officials and residents of Portland.”

“Earlier this week, for the first time in Portland’s history, an officer from PPB’s Rapid Response Team was charged with a misdemeanor for assaulting a photojournalist during a protest last summer,” Hardesty said. “Ironically, we now see some PPB officers engaging in the act they showed so much disdain for last summer by staging their own protest.”

From May 29 through Nov. 15 last year, during the height of the social justice protests in Portland, the city’s police used force more than 6,000 times, according to a U.S. Department of Justice report.

Budworth marked the first Rapid Response Team officer to face criminal prosecution stemming from force used during a protest. The police union has called the prosecution politically driven, and said Budworth’s baton “push” to a woman’s head was accidental.

Also this week, authorities said a Portland Police Bureau detective is under review by the Oregon Department of Justice for possible criminal charges related to use of force at last year’s racial justice protests.

“I have confidence that the (Portland Police) Bureau will continue their mission to maintain public safety,” Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt said Thursday. “In the meantime, my office will continue to focus on the fair and just prosecution of criminal matters.”

Blood Bank Supply Low

 Bloodworks Northwest says the supply of Type O blood has dropped to its lowest level since the pandemic began. Bloodworks said the supply has fallen 50% in the past few months.

Overall, the supply of all blood types is down 45% The blood bank suspects lingering confusion over donor eligibility after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination, warmer weather leading to “now shows” and increased usage are to blame.

Effort To Remove Four Hydroelectric Dams On The Klamath River Cleared Another Regulatory Hurdle

The effort to remove four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River cleared another regulatory hurdle Thursday after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission allowed the dams’ original owner to exit its license to operate the facilities.

Specifically, FERC accepted a joint application to transfer the dams’ license from PacifiCorp to the Klamath River Renewal Corporation and the states of Oregon and California. Following the successful surrender of the license (which is its own separate FERC process), KRRC, a nonprofit, will direct contractors to remove the dams and restore the river within the reservoir footprints.

The Klamath dam removal effort hit a permitting roadblock last July, when FERC partially denied and partially accepted the license transfer application. Their decision required PacifiCorp to remain on the dam license during the removal, which the utility said went against a core tenet of the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement.

State And Federal Eviction Moratorium Set To Expire At The End Of June

With the state and federal eviction moratorium set to expire at the end of June, Oregonblawmakers are hastily working on an amendment to keep financially struggling tenantsbbhoused and avoid mass evictions next month.

The proposed “Safe Harbor” amendment on Senate Bill 278 would “pause” rental evictions for 60 days for tenants if they provide proof that they’ve applied for rental assistance. The state currently has $200 million, in federal aid, in the state’s rental assistance fund to help both tenants and landlords.

Another round of funding is expected to be available this fall. So far, officials from the Oregon Housing and Community Services said more than 16,600 households have started or completed the application to get rental assistance.

People in Oregon Receiving Unemployment Benefits Face Deadline

People in Oregon who are receiving unemployment benefits face a deadline this Saturday.  They need to be signed up for the iMatch Skills job search program.  

OED Unemployment | iMatchSkills Registration and Job Seeker Profile…

The Oregon Employment Department is bringing back requirements that were relaxed during the pandemic.  That includes proving that they’re looking for work.  By September 5th, all of the requirements that were in place before the pandemic will be in place again. 

Oregon Man Pleads Guilty To Swindling Millions In Pandemic Loans

A Lebanon, Oregon man has pleaded guilty to multiple charges after he took advantage of COVID-19 relief programs from the Small Business Administration and pocketed millions of dollars for personal use.

Andrew Lloyd, 51, pleaded guilty to bank fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Oregon.

Coronavirus Response | Department of Justice

Authorities say he applied for both Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) at several financial institutions, starting in April 2020. These programs were created by the federal CARES Act to provide emergency financial relief to Americans amid the coronavirus pandemic. He used numerous business names as well as information from relatives and business associates without their consent, according to the US Attorney’s Office.

Of the nine PPP loans Lloyd applied for, six were accepted, totaling a payout of more than $3.4 million. He also received an additional EIDL for $160,000. Authorities say Lloyd used the money to buy real estate and invested in securities, including putting nearly $2 million in an E-Trade account and buying more than 15,000 shares of Tesla, Inc.

Authorities seized Lloyd’s brokerage account in January of this year. In March, agents also seized another account that held more than $660,000 in securities and cash. “The securities and cash seized from Lloyd’s accounts are presently valued at more than $11 million,” according to the US Attorney’s Office.

On January 5, Lloyd was charged with wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering. Later, on June 6, he was charged with superseding criminal information with bank fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft.

After pleading guilty, part of his agreement includes paying more than $3.6 million in restitution to the US Treasury Department. He also forfeited the $11+ million in cash and securities, as well as the 23 properties he acquired with loan funds.

Lloyd will be sentenced on September 9.

Authorities noted that an accomplice of Lloyd’s, identified as Russell Schort of Myrtle Creek, was charged alongside Lloyd for similar conduct. He is expected to plead guilty on July 1.

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