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
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Willamette Valley Weather
Today– Showers before 11am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 11am and 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. High near 59. South wind around 9 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday– Partly sunny, with a high near 67. East southeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon.
Thursday– A 20 percent chance of rain after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming west northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday– Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Saturday– Sunny, with a high near 72.
The University of Oregon Has Largest Ever Incoming Freshman Class
The University of Oregon announced they are seeing its largest ever freshman class this year. The same day the fall term started, the university said it is welcoming more than 4,600 freshmen students to campus.
Last fall, when UO and many other campuses were mostly shut down due to pandemic restrictions, the university saw just under 4,000 freshmen.
“It’s a really exciting day,” said Roger Thompson, UO’s vice president for Student Services and Enrollment Management.
“It’s the first day of class. We have all of our students back on campus, and outside of the weather being a little drizzly, everything else looks really bright.”
Thompson said that freshman student number, 4,602 students exactly, is unofficial, and it may be a bit higher as the start of the term continues.
Along with being the largest freshman class, this year’s class is also the most racially diverse among domestic students, Thompson said. “We’ve actually set a record for diversity 10 of the last 11 years, so this is just simply building on a more diverse class,” he said.
This year’s freshman class also has the highest average high school grade point average ever: 3.73.
Besides freshmen, UO is also seeing a record in total new students overall, including transfer students, at more than 5,600 students.
One factor contributing to UO’s largest-ever freshman class is that the university is accepting a higher share of applicants. UO’s admission rate has increased over the past few years: it was 88% this year compared to 84% last year and 82% in 2019.
Many of those new students, as well as returning students, are living on-campus. Students began moving into on-campus residence halls in Eugene last Thursday. According to the university, 4,950 students were set to move-in over the course of last week.
“Our students, our new students in particular, they’ve had a really difficult 18, 19 months. Their high school junior basically through their senior year has been incredibly difficult and pandemic-impacted,” Thompson said. “So, I think there was sort of a pent-up energy for students to get back into college and get going with something that’s a little more normal.”
Oregon State University and Portland State University also saw increases in the number of students coming to live on campus, after a down year in 2020.
All of Oregon’s public universities have vaccine mandates. Thompson, at UO, said the vaccine requirement attracted students to campus. Currently, according to UO’s vaccination dashboard, 96.1% of students who have submitted their vaccination information — either proof of vaccination or a valid exemption — are fully vaccinated. There are still about 2,000 students who have not yet submitted that information.
Another unique facet of this newest class at UO is that it’s the first-ever recruited entirely virtually. “We did not have campus tours from March 2020 on,” Thompson said. “For the first time since 1876, when the University of Oregon opened, we recruited an entirely entering group of students virtually, and through technology.”
Oregon State Police is seeking public assistance with information regarding an injured person from Veneta found injured in Sherman County
On September 25, 2021, at approximately 11:58 A.M., OSP received a 911 call for a welfare check of a subject lying face down in the gravel in front of his silver 2015 Ford F350 crew cab pulling his 2019 Keystone Cougar travel trailer.
OSP Troopers found a truck and trailer matching that description on I-84 exit 109 westbound parked at the bottom of the off-ramp.
OSP Troopers made contact with the driver, who was now behind the wheel of the truck and unresponsive.
The driver was identified as Derek Martell (38). Derek Martell had severe head trauma and was life-flighted to an area hospital for treatment.
Derek Martell was returning home to Veneta, Oregon from an Elk hunting trip in Eastern Oregon with friends. Photos are of Derek Martell, his truck, and his camper.
OSP Troopers found out that Derek spoke to his wife at 11:30 A.M. and there were no reported issues. The 911 call was received 28 minutes later. Troopers located Derek at 12:26 P.M. and requested EMS at 12:27 P.M.
OSP is requesting anyone who might have been traveling from Arlington to Rufus during that time of day or anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Oregon State Police Dispatch at 1-800-442-2068 or OSP from your mobile reference case #: SP21274660. Oregon State Police
Lane Electric Awarded $20 Million For Holiday Farm Fire Reconstruction
Lane Electric Cooperative, which offers service in towns such as Blue River, Oakridge and others surrounding Eugene-Springfield area, is one of two electricity co-ops serving rural parts of Oregon to receive the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency grant.
The electricity provider for parts of Lane County affected by the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire will receive nearly $20 million in federal grants to rebuild damaged power infrastructure.
Consumers Power Inc., which serves rural customers in Benton, Lincoln, Lane, Linn, Polk and Marion counties, is getting a $1.13 million FEMA grant to repair infrastructure.
Lane Electric Cooperative General Manager Debi Wilson said the utility plans to build a more resilient system by undergrounding the majority of its powerlines. She said putting the lines underground mitigates weather effects such as wind, snow, ice and landslides.
The Holiday Farm Fire was one of the large fires around Labor Day 2020 that burned more than 1 million acres statewide. The Holiday Farm Fire burned 173,000 acres of the McKenzie River Valley, destroyed about 400 homes and killed one person.
“I am pleased to see federal funds go directly to entities that will be on the front lines working to revive our rural communities and rebuild critical infrastructure. I will continue fighting to bring federal support that will help Oregon to rebuild and to prevent future wildfire destruction,” U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley said in a news release.
Lane Electric Cooperative restored power to all homes affected by the Holiday Farm Fire in October 2020 and has provided temporary power options to those rebuilding homes.
ODOT Tips for Driving in Rain
Heavy rain can create dangerous driving conditions including reduced visibility, reduced traction between tires and the road, and less predictable car handling. Before heading out, visit TripCheck.com to check your route, and give yourself more time to get where you are going. Also remember to:
- Slow down, especially through high water. Driving through several inches of water at high speed can cause you to lose control of the car.
- Be aware of the potential for hydroplaning, when your tires encounter more water than they can scatter. Your tire loses traction with the road and if this occurs, ease off the gas, gently apply the brakes and steer straight ahead.
- Keep your distance; you may need more time to slow down.
- Turn on your headlights to improve visibility.
- Disengage your cruise control.
- Check your brakes. After driving through a puddle, check that brakes are working properly by tapping them gently a few times.
For more tips on driving safely in Oregon’s challenging weather, visit ODOT’s website
Oregon Missing Persons
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Have-You-Seen-Me-Southern-Oregons-Missing-People-161249961222839/posts/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/341658526970132
https://www.facebook.com/groups/letsfindmichaelbrysonofficial/media
Oregon reports 3,606 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 27 new deaths
There are 27 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 3,606. The Oregon Health Authority reported 3,606 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 bringing the state total to 324,571.
The 27 new deaths and 3,606 new cases reported today include data recorded by counties for the 3-day period between Friday, Sept. 24, and Sunday, Sept. 26.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (26), Benton (54), Clackamas (320), Clatsop (85), Columbia (55), Coos (39), Crook (42), Curry (6), Deschutes (309), Douglas (77), Grant (23), Harney (22), Hood River (14), Jackson (149), Jefferson (42), Josephine (70), Klamath (32), Lake (10), Lane (381), Lincoln (35), Linn (227), Malheur (41), Marion (387), Morrow (5), Multnomah (463), Polk (23), Tillamook (11), Umatilla (101), Union (69), Wallowa (18), Wasco (20), Washington (373) and Yamhill (77).
Oregon reports 1,844 confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases on Sept. 24, 1,052 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases on Sept. 25, and 710 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases on Sept. 26.
The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup is recommending older and at-risk individuals receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster shot six months after getting fully vaccinated.
The workgroup released the recommendation late last week, allowing the booster to be given in Oregon, Washington, California, and Nevada. It’s recommended that people older than 65, people in long-term care facilities, and people 50 to 64 years old with underlying medical conditions get a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
A booster shot will also be available to people between 18 and 64 if they have underlying medical conditions or work in a job where they’re at higher risk of getting COVID-19.
Lane County Public Health will begin booster dose mini-mass vax clinics tomorrow at the Lane Events Center Main Auditorium.
Booster doses will be available for anyone:
- 65+ Years of age and 6 months pas true or second dose of Pfizer
- 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19;
- 18 through 64 years of age whose frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 puts them at high risk of serious complications of COVID-19 including severe COVID-19.
For this week only, booster shots will be available by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please visit:
https://lanecounty.org/vaxclinics
LCPH will be able to vaccinate around 800 individuals per day with their booster dose. Currently over 500 individuals have signed up for tomorrow’s first clinic.
Booster Clinic Hours Will Be As Follows: T-Th: 9 am – 3 pm F, S: 10 am – 6 pm
More areas re-open in Santiam State Forest after 2020 Labor Day fires
Most of the Santiam State Forest south of Highway 22 will re-open October 1, along with non-motorized access to the Stout Creek block north of the highway.
This includes re-opening the Rock Creek area, which was not damaged by fire.
The Rock Creek Campground remains closed for the season. Additionally, the Santiam Horse Camp and associated trails are still closed as recovery efforts continue after 2020’s fires.
The Stout Creek area north of Highway 22 was affected by fire and is open to non-motorized access only.
Maps, closure areas, and anticipated re-opening timelines for popular areas are posted to the Santiam State Forest recovery site at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/recreation/Pages/santiam-state-forest.aspx. Re-openings will also be announced on ODF’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Note that the ODF North Cascade District is still in fire season, and some restrictions on public use are still in place. Visit Oregon.gov/odf and click “Fire Restrictions & Closures” for more information.
Many of the Santiam’s popular recreation areas, like Shellburg Falls, Rocky Top and Natural Arch, and the High Lakes area remain closed due to damage from 2020’s wildfires.
In closed areas, some of the recovery and restoration activities include re-establishing and repairing trails, replacing infrastructure like signs and bridges, removing hazard trees, and post-fire timber harvesting in some areas. Oregon Dept. of Forestry
Evacuation Advisory Lifted for Breitenbush Hot Springs Resort
As of 1:00 p.m. this afternoon, September 27th, 2021, all evacuation levels for Breitenbush Hot Springs Resort have been lifted. The decision to lift the Level 1 – Be Ready evacuation advisory was made after consulting with fire management officials who are leading response efforts on the Bull Complex Fire north of Detroit. While the evacuation levels have been lifted, many areas remain closed to the public due to the 2020 wildfires in the Santiam Canyon. We want to encourage residents to check ahead when planning a visit to outdoor areas in Marion County to ensure their destination is open to public access.
Regular updates on the status of the Bull Complex fire can be found by visiting https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7773/ or by following the Mt. Hood National Forest page on Facebook.
Fire danger, IFPL lowering, some fire restrictions lifting Friday in South Central Oregon
LAKEVIEW, OR — Shorter days, cooler temperatures and increasing humidity recovery are making it possible for the agencies of the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership (SCOFMP) to lift Public Use Restrictions in many areas, reduce the fire danger and lower the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) this Friday.
Public Use Restrictions will be lifted on the Fremont-Winema National Forest and the Sheldon-Hart Mountain and Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complexes. Restrictions will also be lifted on the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lakeview District with the exception of the Klamath River Canyon. Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Regulated Use Closures remain in effect.
The public is responsible for ensuring that they have reviewed and are aware of the restrictions in place for the landscape they plan to recreate or work on. The latest restrictions and regulations, including for ODF and the federal agencies, are available at https://scofmp.org/restrictions.shtml.
The Fire Danger is being lowered from “Extreme” to “High”. While days are getting shorter and humidity levels are increasing, fuels are still dry and caution should still be used to prevent wildfires.
The IFPL is being reduced from Level III to Level II (Partial Hootowl) on federal lands. Under IFPL II, the following may operate only between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m.:
- Power saws except at loading sites
- Cable yarding
- Blasting
- Welding or cutting of metals
Personal and commercial woodcutters are reminded of their responsibility to stay informed of current IFPLs and all restrictions that apply to activities conducted on public lands. Failure to comply with precautionary fire requirements may result in the issuance of a Violation Notice.
“We know the public is eager to get back to normal fall activities, like woodcutting and hunting camps,” said Interagency Deputy Fire Management Officer Coley Neider. “Conditions are improving enough to allow chainsaw use and campfires, but the forest and desert are still dry. We are asking everyone to be careful to not start a wildfire.”
If you have a campfire or are using a portable stove:
- Use metal fire rings or grills where available. Wood placed on a fire should never exceed the size of the grill or fire ring.
- If building a fire on the ground (in areas where permitted), select a location away from adjoining or overhanging flammable material, and ensure the ground beneath and around the fire is clear of all flammable materials.
- On windy days avoid building fires if possible.
- If you have a campfire, make sure it is fully extinguished before leaving the area. Douse fires with water and dirt, then stir with a shovel until it is completely cold to the touch.
- If you are using a portable stove, make sure the area is clear of grasses and other fine fuels. Prevent stoves from tipping and starting a fire.
For those working, recreating or traveling through area wildlands:
- Never throw cigarettes out the window of a vehicle. Instead, use ashtrays to prevent wildfires.
- Practice Leave No Trace principles—pack out cigarette butts and burned materials.
- Ensure chainsaws and other equipment, including generators, are maintained and have an approved spark arrester in good condition.
- Make sure off-road vehicles have a properly functioning catalytic converter or approved spark arrester.
- Never park a vehicle over dead grass and avoid driving through tall grass – your vehicle can ignite the fuels and start a fire.
- Ensure tires are properly inflated – tire rims on roads can throw sparks and start fires.
- If towing a boat or trailer, ensure safety chains are properly secured and not dragging.
- Discharging fireworks or use of incendiary ammunition or exploding targets is illegal.
“Fire season is continuing in Klamath and Lake counties and while the risk is reduced, current conditions can still carry wildfire quickly,” said Randall Baley, ODF Protection Unit Forester in Klamath Falls. “There is a need to remain vigilant over the coming weeks while conditions continue to gradually improve on public and private wildlands.”
Suspected wildfires should be reported to 911 as soon as possible.
South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership provides comprehensive wildland fire services to more than eight million acres of land administered by the Bureau of Land Management Lakeview District; Fremont-Winema National Forest; Oregon Department of Forestry Klamath-Lake District; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Klamath Basin and Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complexes; and Crater Lake National Park. The area encompasses federal, state, and private lands within south central Oregon and northwest Nevada.
Oregon Department of Human Services urges Oregonians to help one another be prepared before the next disaster
Honor those impacted by the 2020 wildfires by proactively preparing for future disasters.
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) joins the national observation of Preparedness Month during September by encouraging Oregonians to help one another in their readiness efforts.
“This past year’s extreme heat, wildfires and ice storms remind us of the importance of preparing ourselves for any kind of disaster, as well as our responsibility to help our neighbors, friends and family,” ODHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht said. “We urge Oregonians to use this heightened awareness and take action today to ensure their community is prepared before the next emergency strikes.”
“If you already have an emergency plan and kit, that’s great! Now’s the time to help others be prepared,” Ed Flick, director of ODHS’ emergency management unit said. “If you haven’t started, or haven’t finished your emergency planning, why not use this time to work with others to get it done? The experience of working together with another person can make this essential task easier.”
ODHS suggests Oregonians act now by taking these steps: · Be aware of potential hazards in the area and sign up for emergency alerts.
· Be “2 Weeks Ready” with at least two weeks’ worth of food, water and critical supplies. Learn how to assemble an emergency supply kit at Ready.gov or American Red Cross.
· Talk with your friends and family about being prepared. Ask if they have a plan yet and what concerns them about disasters. That can help you know where to prioritize planning efforts. · If your family or friends includes people with disabilities or older adults, learn about specific steps they might need to take to be prepared. Many of the tips for people with disabilities also apply to older adults. Understanding and preparing for needs like medications, mobility devices, equipment that needs electricity and specialized transportation can make the difference in a person being able to remain safely in place or evacuate.
· Do your friends, family or neighbors have language, cultural or religious considerations that need to be addressed? Have an early conversation about how to address those needs before disaster strikes.
· Talk with your neighbors. Are they prepared? Do any neighbors have specialized equipment, like a generator that could help another neighbor use their life-saving equipment? Or expertise like medical training? Develop a plan on who will check on neighbors in need during an emergency.
“Let’s all use the valuable lessons of the disasters we’ve experienced in 2021 to plan together so we can be more resilient and prepared for the future,” Flick said.
About ODHS and disasters: Oregon’s emergency and recovery plans give ODHS responsibility to support impacted Oregonians during emergencies and recovery, at the request of and in partnership with local and tribal governments. This is in keeping with the agency’s primary role to assist people in meeting their basic needs while moving toward independence. ODHS is responsible for supporting the sheltering, feeding, emergency assistance and human services needs of people impacted by disasters. In this role, ODHS coordinates efforts among local and Tribal governments and nongovernmental organizations. Oregon Department of Human Services
Hillsboro Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Mail and Identity Theft Scheme
A Hillsboro, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison today for stealing hundreds of pieces of residential mail throughout the Portland Metropolitan Area and using the personal identity of one local resident to purchase a luxury car.
Dwayne Leroy Daan, 42, was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release.
According to court documents, between February and May 2020, Daan stole more than 800 pieces of mail from residences in Portland, Beaverton, West Linn, Milwaukee, and Hillsboro, Oregon. Some of the mail was stolen using a counterfeit U.S. Postal Service arrow key. On April 20, 2020, Daan used the stolen identity of a local resident to obtain a line of credit and purchase a 2018 Audi for $51,031 from a car dealership in Milwaukee.
On July 16, 2020, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a four-count indictment charging Daan with possessing stolen mail and a counterfeit U.S. Postal Service arrow key. Later, on June 29, 2021, a superseding criminal information added felony charges for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
On July 1, 2021, Daan pleaded guilty to possessing stolen mail and a counterfeit U.S. Postal Service arrow key, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft. A restitution hearing has been scheduled for December 20, 2021.
As part of a global resolution, Daan’s federal prison sentence will run concurrently with a sentence previously imposed in Washington County Circuit Court and a sentence to be imposed in Multnomah County Circuit Court for similar conduct. The Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office will dismiss charges pending against Daan as part of this resolution. Daan will serve his entire sentence in federal prison.
Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug of the District of Oregon made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, the Portland Police Bureau, West Linn Police Department, and Hillsboro Police Department. It was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon with assistance from the Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington County District Attorney’s Offices. — U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Oregon
DEA Warns of Fentanyl Laced Pills
The Drug Enforcement Administration issued a Public Safety Alert warning Americans of the alarming increase in the lethality and availability of fake prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine.
DEA’s Public Safety Alert, the first in six years, seeks to raise public awareness of a significant nationwide surge in counterfeit pills that are mass-produced by criminal drug networks in labs, deceptively marketed as legitimate prescription pills, and are killing unsuspecting Americans at an unprecedented rate.
The DEA Seattle Field Division which includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska have seen a 275% increase in seizures involving counterfeit pills containing fentanyl from 2020 to 2021.
Drug trafficking is also inextricably linked to violence. Twenty percent of DEA investigations in the Pacific Northwest result in the seizure of firearms and this year alone, DEA seized more than 2700 firearms in connection with drug trafficking investigations nationwide.
The vast majority of counterfeit pills brought into the United States are produced in Mexico, and China is supplying chemicals for the manufacturing of fentanyl in Mexico. These counterfeit pills have been seized by DEA in every U.S. state in unprecedented quantities. DEA laboratory testing reveals a dramatic rise in the number of counterfeit pills containing at least two milligrams of fentanyl, which is considered a lethal dose. A deadly dose of fentanyl is small enough to fit on the tip of a pencil.
Counterfeit pills are illegally manufactured by criminal drug networks and are made to look like real prescription
opioid medications such as oxycodone (Oxycontin®, Percocet®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), and alprazolam (Xanax®); or stimulants like amphetamines (Adderall®). Fake prescription pills are widely accessible and often sold on social media and e-commerce platforms – making them available to anyone with a smartphone, including minors.
Skeletal Remains Reported at Wallowa Lake Turn Out to Be Plastic Skeleton
A group that was fishing reported seeing skeletal remains 45 feet down on the bottom of Wallowa Lake last week.
“Assisted by the Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office further investigation showed that the item was not consistent with an actual human skeleton,” Oregon State Police said. “The next day OSP and members of the Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of a diver were able to recover the plastic skeleton.”