Willamette Valley News, Tuesday 11/30 – Hospital Caregivers At Mckenzie-Willamette Plan Strike For Monday, Police Seek Public’s Help: Missing 77-year-old Woman

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, November 30, 2021

Willamette Valley Weather

Air Stagnation Advisory until December 2, 12:00 PM PST

Today– Patchy dense fog between 10am and 11am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 60. Calm wind becoming west northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Wednesday– Patchy dense fog before 11am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday– Patchy dense fog before 1pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday– Partly sunny, with a high near 51.

Saturday– A slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 56.

Hospital Caregivers At Mckenzie-Willamette Plan Strike For Monday

Hospital caregivers at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center represented by SEIU 49 plan to go on strike Monday.

The workers delivered a 10-day notice of their intent to hold an Unfair Labor Practice strike, the union said.

The workers plan to walk out at 7 a.m. on Monday, December 6, and remain on strike through Saturday, December 11, 2021.

“Despite several bargaining sessions with a federal mediator following their first strike, workers allege the unfair labor practices have continued and management has not addressed their safety concerns for patients and workers,” said Tara Noftsier, communications director for SEIU Local 49. Union members went on strike for 2 days in October.

Police Seek Public’s Help: Myrtle Creek woman, 77, missing since early Saturday morning

Police made a public appeal for help locating a woman who left home early Saturday morning and hasn’t been heard from since.

Myrtle Creek Police say Bonnie Jo Short, 77, left her residence around 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 27, 2021. She is about 5-foot-4 and weighs around 110 pounds with grey hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing blue slacks, a grey and black striped sweatshirt, black boots, and a grey robe.

Short was driving a silver 2015 Ford Escape bearing Oregon license plate 900MLJ.

“It is unknown where Bonnie may have gone, and her cell phone appears to be shut off,” police said. “If you have any information regarding Bonnie’s whereabouts or have seen her vehicle, please contact the Myrtle Creek Police Department immediately at 541-440-4471.”

Former Recruit Files Lawsuit Against Springfield Police

A former Springfield police recruit is now suing the department, alleging sexual harassment and gender discrimination.

In a labor complaint filed earlier this year, Amanda McIntyre said she had consensual sexual encounters with two co-workers before being fired in December 2020. Command staff reportedly told her she was fired because she lied about not having a relationship with one of the officers. She maintains they were not in a relationship.

McIntyre claims in the lawsuit she was sexually harassed by multiple peers when she was a recruit in the department and was treated differently for being a woman. Others reportedly told her she would have to get into bigger fights to prove her worth. Naked photos of her were allegedly distributed around the office as well.

Among the defendants named in the lawsuit are the Springfield Police Department, Officer Robert Weaver, Lt. Thomas Rappe, former chief Richard Lewis, the Springfield Police Association, and District Attorney Patty Perlow.

The suit, filed by McIntyre’s lawyer, Meredith Holley reports that McIntyre had consensual sex with Weaver, and about two months later, she started having consensual sex with Sgt. Dave Grice. McIntyre reports that the two agreed they were not in a relationship, and Grice is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

McIntyre said she was fired for saying she wasn’t in a relationship with the sergeant. However, McIntyre claims the men she had sex with weren’t punished at all. When investigators questioned Grice, they allegedly looked at his private text messages and photos and saw nude photos of her.

Holley alleges that discriminatory behavior is ingrained into the culture of the department.

“Springfield is a very male-dominated department and [McIntyre] had some differential treatment as soon as she got there,” Holley said.

The lawsuit is seeking a jury trial and adds that the matter of compensation would be put in the hands of the jury.

Holley said McIntyre was also placed on the “Brady List,” which is essentially a database that logs officer misconduct. She said that makes it very difficult to obtain a job in law enforcement moving forward. Removal from that list is a part of the compensation they’re looking for, among other damages.

Perlow declined to comment due to the active lawsuit. The City of Springfield said they take the allegations seriously, and they have identified several claims they do not agree with.

Oregon reports 2,598 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 5,142. The Oregon Health Authority reported 2,598 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 bringing the state total to 390,066.

The 27 new deaths and 2,598 new cases reported today include data recorded by counties for the period between Nov. 24 and Nov. 28.

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (17), Benton (32), Clackamas (300), Clatsop (29), Columbia (54), Coos (27), Crook (22), Curry (9), Deschutes (282), Douglas (87), Gilliam (1), Grant (2), Harney (2), Hood River (6), Jackson (136), Jefferson (25), Josephine (77), Klamath (23), Lake (1), Lane (177), Lincoln (35), Linn (123), Malheur (6), Marion (230), Morrow (1), Multnomah (417), Polk (28), Tillamook (20),Umatilla (11), Union (18), Wallowa (7), Wasco (1), Washington (340) and Yamhill (52).

Oregon reports 861 confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases on Nov. 24, 306 confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases on Nov. 25, 467 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases on Nov. 26, 519 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases on Nov. 27 and 445 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases on Nov. 28.

OHA expresses concern about Omicron, recommends vaccination

Oregon Health Authority is issuing a statement on the new COVID-19 variant known as Omicron, which the World Health Organization has classified as a variant of concern. The following is from Dean E. Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., health officer and state epidemiologist:

We know the emergence of the new variant of COVID-19, called the Omicron variant, is concerning for many Oregonians. We share that concern, and Oregon Health Authority epidemiologists are closely monitoring its transmission in other parts of the world.

What we do know is that the basic prevention steps we have long talked about remain the best ways to protect yourself against Omicron, Delta or any variant of COVID-19 that is circulating. Vaccination remains the best protection against COVID-19 infection and transmission, including most circulating variants.

Omicron has not yet been detected in the United States, but we expect it will be in the coming days due to its reported high transmissibility. Oregon has one of the most robust variant surveillance systems in the United States, and so far, no cases of Omicron have been detected in Oregon.

Omicron is reported to be more transmissible than the Delta variant as it’s quickly outcompeted Delta in South Africa, but we do not yet know how much more transmissible it is. We also don’t know how Omicron affects vaccine effectiveness against severe infection (hospitalization and death). The vaccines have remained highly effective against other variants, and we expect the same to be true with Omicron. We should have early answers in the coming weeks.

The best way to protect yourself against Omicron, or any variant of COVID-19 that is circulating, is to be vaccinated. Vaccination remains the best protection against COVID-19. Those who are not yet vaccinated should get their first COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. Those due for a booster – all adults either two months after a Johnson & Johnson vaccination or six months after a Moderna or Pfizer vaccination – should get it as soon as possible. Wearing a mask when inside public places as well as social distancing and handwashing remain incredibly important in the face of an emerging variant and high levels of community transmission.

We know that news of Omicron’s emergence will cause many people to experience some anxiety about the unknown. We also know there is a great deal of “pandemic fatigue” as cases, hospitalizations and deaths are reported daily. COVID-19 continues to disrupt our lives. I share these anxieties as we continue to face COVID-19.

I want to thank all of my public health colleagues and health care partners who continue to help protect us from COVID-19 and provide us all with quality care. Some communities – our communities of color and our Native American neighbors – have been especially impacted by COVID-19. But no Oregonian has been spared, so I want to thank all Oregonians for the steps they continue to take to protect themselves, loved ones and communities from this pandemic.

Video statement by Dr. Sidelinger:

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Wolf OR-93 Who Traveled From Oregon to Southern California Has Been Found Dead

Confirmation on Thanksgiving eve came from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife as they announced that wolf OR-93 had been found dead by the side of Interstate 5 in Kerns County, Calif. The department says it doesn’t suspect foul play, and the wolf likely died from being hit by a vehicle. He was 2 years old.

Wolf OR-93. (Photo courtesy of Austin James, Jr., Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.)

The gray male wolf was an Oregon native, believed to have been born into the White River pack, near Mount Hood, in 2019. He gained a level of wildlife notoriety by traveling nearly 1,000 miles south, into California—his collar tracking him as far as San Luis Obispo County.

In April, OR-93′s radio collar went silent and wolf advocates feared the worst. But then, Kerns County residents began reporting sightings of a wolf with a distinctive purple collar, and it seemed OR-93 lived on. Alas, now the fears are validated.

“I’m devastated to learn of the death of this remarkable wolf, whose epic travels across California inspired the world,” Amaroq Weiss, senior wolf advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a press release responding to the news.

Though the CDFW is quick to point out that California was once a wolf habitat, OR-93 was the first documented wolf to travel that far south since 1922.

In 2011, an Eastern Oregon wolf, OR-07, gained national notoriety as the first to be tracked in the state of California since 1924. He eventually settled his pack in Oregon. One of his sons started a pack in Northern California. His daughter, OR-54, traveled as far south as the Lake Tahoe Basin before she was found dead two years ago.

Young wolves typically roam over long distances when they reach adult age, looking for new packs and mates. Wildlife researchers call this dispersing. According to the CDFW, there are around 20 known wolves in California, but they all live in Northern California.

“OR-93′s epic California journey was a beacon of hope in a time when other states are waging a brutal war on wolves, killing them by the hundreds,” Weiss said in another release. “He was simply doing what wolves do, heading out on his own, searching for a mate. I always knew the odds of his finding another wolf on the Central Coast were slim to none, but his relentless wanderings seeking a kindred spirit connected him to the hearts of so many. He won’t be forgotten, and we’ll honor his memory by continuing to fight for the safety of wolves everywhere.”

OSP Find Cocaine Worth Hundreds Of Thousands Of Dollars In Dog Crate

Oregon State Police say they found drugs inside a dog crate on Monday in Marion County. Its estimated street value is $228,000.

Courtesy- OSP

At around 11:00 a.m., a trooper stopped a van traveling northbound on Interstate 5 for a traffic violation. During the stop, the trooper observed signs of criminal activity.

The driver of the van gave consent to have their van searched. OSP K-9 Titan was used and found the presence of controlled substances he’s trained to detect.

Six kilograms of cocaine were found in the back of the van hidden inside the dog crate. The driver was identified as 63-year-old Humberto Alzarez Plascencia of Chino, California.

Oregon Car Repair Shops Will Need to File Bond With DMV Before Seeking ‘Mechanic’s Lien’ in New Bill

Disputes over payment for car repairs can sometimes cost vehicle owners and auto mechanics money, time and in some situations the car itself.

The 2021 Oregon Legislature passed a law to create some financial breathing space for these disputes under House Bill 2311. The new law will take effect Jan. 1, 2022.

Car owners don’t need to do anything, but automobile repair businesses need to prepare.ADVERTISING

Under current Oregon law, if an auto repair business does not receive payment for repairs to a vehicle, it has the right to apply for a possessory lien through DMV and to sell the vehicle to recover its costs. This “mechanic’s lien” is based on Oregon Revised Statute 87.152.

Under HB 2311, as of Jan. 1, 2022, auto mechanics must first have a surety bond or an irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of $20,000 filed with DMV before they can apply for a mechanic’s lien. This protects vehicle owners in case a mechanic’s lien is found to be invalid, DMV said.

As of Jan. 1, DMV will not accept mechanic’s lien applications without the bond or letter on file first unless the claimant also:

  • is a franchised dealership, as defined under ORS 650.120(5);
  • is a manufacturer, as defined under ORS 650.120;
  • holds a towing business certificate issued under ORS 822.205; or
  • is a national auction company titling the vehicle pursuant to ORS 87.152(3).

Those required to file a surety bond or letter of credit must certify to DMV every year, in writing, that the bond or letter remains in effect.

If you are a mechanic or own an independent auto repair shop and need more information about filing a mechanic’s lien from DMV, please call DMV Customer Assistance at 503-945-5000 or 503-299-9999 in the Portland Metro Area.

Researchers Ask Oregonians To Take Photos To Help Document Sea-Level Rise During King Tide Event

The Oregon Coast is set to experience higher-than-normal tides this weekend, and researchers are asking Oregonians to take photos to help document sea-level rise as climate change worsens.

From Friday through Sunday, the Oregon Coast will be experiencing some of the highest tides of winter, known as king tides. King tides occur when the moon, earth, and the sun align at the closest points to each other, leading to enough gravitational pull to create larger-than-usual tides.

The Oregon King Tides Project is asking anyone with a camera to safely take and share pictures of the king tides, which can add about 3 feet to average tides. The resulting photo collection will help document and inform researchers on the impacts of sea-level rise, flooding, and erosion — all of which are becoming worse as global warming continues to play out.

The continued burning of fossil fuels is creating greenhouse gas emissions that are contributing to climate change. Those greenhouse gases are trapped in the atmosphere, raising average temperatures and in turn, melting glaciers and ice sheets around the world. That is adding more water to the ocean and increasing sea levels. The Pacific Island nations are already experiencing significant damage from sea-level rise.

The Oregon Coastal Management Program is one of two organizations involved with the Oregon King Tides Project. Coastal Shores Specialist Meg Reed said documenting king tides now gives us a glimpse of what we can expect for the future as climate change worsens and be better prepared.

“They can have big impacts on communities,” she said. “They can create erosion, flooding, have impacts to the natural infrastructure as well as human infrastructure and it’s important to look at those impacts and see how we can start adapting as a community to sea-level rise.”

She said king tides create the highest of high tides and the lowest of low tides, and they are predictable—which makes it a perfect opportunity to learn more about sea-level rise in our region.

“With sea-level rise, we just expect the same hazards that we already experience on the coast to get worse,” Reed said. “So potentially those flooding and erosion events that we already experience will maybe become more frequent will happen more often in the winter or they might become more extreme.”

Reed said some areas of concern are places like Rockaway Beach which experiences lots of flooding during a king tide event, as well as downtown Nehalem. Other areas include oceanfront properties and even areas like airports and railroads that are low-lying are areas of concern.

Vehicles were wading to get through the intersection of highway 101 and 7th Street. Taken at the peak of the King Tide Saturday Nov. 6, 2021.
Vehicles were wading to get through the intersection of Highway 101 and 7th Street. Taken at the peak of a king tide on Nov. 6, 2021.Tyler Sloan / Oregon King Tides Project

Right now, the Oregon Coastal Management Program is currently working on a sea-level rise planning guide for coastal cities to begin to think about how cities, residents and businesses can begin to adapt to sea-level rise and move those projects forward.

Short-term options include putting up structural measures like seawalls or riprap. Other options include preventing certain types of development from being built in hazardous areas and proactively removing structures that are on the coastline if possible.

The Oregon King Tides Project photo account currently has more than 3,000 images. Residents can submit their photos on the Oregon King Tides Project website. The project is a collaboration between the Department of Land Conservation and Development’s Oregon Coastal Management Program and the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition.

May be an image of 1 person and text that says 'MISSING $50,000 CASH REWARD for the successful location and physical recovery of Shane Sprenger Missing . Snce: 11/3/2021 Last Seen: 51160 Mckenzie Hwy Vida, Oregon Details: White male, 47 years old, 6'1 approx 180 lbs Shane was believed to be wearing camouflaged jacket and dark colored work pants. His truck was located on Mill Creek Road, near Blue Rive Reservoir. Please share and help us bring Shane home!! Thank you. Foul play has not been ruled out. Please share any information at all, that may lead to the whereabouts of Shane. PLEASE CONTACT LANE COUNTY SHERIFF AT 541-682-4150'

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Have-You-Seen-Me-Southern-Oregons-Missing-People-161249961222839/posts/

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