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
Monday, December 20, 2021
Willamette Valley Weather
Today– A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. Southeast wind 14 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Tuesday– A 50 percent chance of rain, mainly after 10am. Snow level 3800 feet rising to 4900 feet. Cloudy, with a high near 44. Light southeast wind increasing to 8 to 13 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday– Rain. Snow level 3500 feet rising to 4600 feet in the afternoon. High near 45. South wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible
Thursday– Rain. Snow level 2500 feet. High near 40. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Friday– Rain and snow, becoming all rain after 1pm. Snow level 1700 feet rising to 2600 feet in the afternoon. Cloudy, with a high near 39.
Suspects Still at Large in Road Rage Shooting Incident on 11th Street in Eugene
Eugene police are looking for the people involved in a road rage argument that ended with one man being shot and taken to the hospital Sunday.
According to the Eugene Police Department, officers responded to a report of someone wounded by a gunshot around 8:53 a.m. near 11th Avenue and Commerce Street.
When police arrived, they found the man who was shot and paramedics took him to the hospital. Police said the man’s injuries were not life-threatening.
No arrests have been reported yet, and police said they are looking for the suspects — reportedly a man with a baseball hat and sunglasses driving a silver or gray sedan with a red-haired, female passenger.
No further details about the circumstances leading up the shooting were immediately released.
EPD asked anyone with information about the shooting to call the non-emergency line at 541.682.5111.
In another related incident:
A man who was mistaken for a person involved in a shooting that occurred Sunday morning is speaking out after he was pulled over by police and put in handcuffs on Delta Highway.
“This was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever had happen,” Andrew Lasswell, who says he’s been an Uber driver in Eugene for several months said.
Eugene Police said Lasswell and a female passenger were mistaken for two people allegedly involved in a road rage shooting near Space Age Fuel in Eugene earlier that morning. The description of the vehicle police say was involved in the shooting was a silver sedan, possibly a Volkswagen, with two occupants including a man who was possibly Latino wearing a baseball hat and glasses, and a female who was possibly Latina with dyed red hair.
Lasswell said he noticed a police car pull behind him shortly after picking up a passenger in Eugene Sunday morning.
“It was of little note to me. I turned onto Delta Highway and noticed he had turned on behind me. That wasn’t of much note either,” Lasswell said. “He started following me really closely, about a car length behind for a mile past the Coburg Road exit.”
Shortly after, the police car’s lights turned on and Lasswell immediately pulled over, Lasswell said.
“We started getting commands shouted at us through a megaphone to roll the windows down and to stick our hands on the outside of the vehicle,” Lasswell said. “I have no idea what’s going on. My passenger in the back, a young woman, is terrified. So we complied.”
Using a PA system to give commands, police said they instructed the female passenger to get out of the car first. They said she was put into the back of a police vehicle. They then instructed Lasswell to get out of the vehicle and walk towards them.
“I did that and I back up and they put handcuffs on me,” Lasswell said. And not but 20 seconds later, a Lieutenant from the Eugene Police Department comes and orders the officers to take off the handcuffs.”
Lasswell said he was confused and terrified throughout the interaction.
Due to the nature of the alleged shooting that had occurred in the area a short time prior to the interaction between Lasswell and officers, this was a high-risk stop, Eugene Police said. They say it is expected for a person in this situation to be upset.
Police also said it was reasonable to stop the vehicle in the way they did because of the violent nature of a crime that had occurred in the area, and the resemblance between Lasswell’s vehicle and passenger to the vehicle allegedly involved in that crime.
Lasswell said he is still shaken up from the encounter and has a message for others in the community.
Eugene police said both Lasswell and his passenger were cooperative throughout the interaction. They said this resulted in a faster investigation.
Friends of Trees, International Paper and Arbor Day Foundation distributed 350 free trees in Eugene
Friends of Trees Director Erik Burke said the event is about helping the environment.
“These trees will help clean our air and water, cool the planet, provide oxygen, and so much more,” said Burke. “This is Friends of Trees first giveaway, and we are trying to provide as much support and educational materials as possible so the trees are planted in good locations and thrive.”
In total, the organizations gave away 150 native trees, 50 shade trees and 150 fruit trees.
Burke said they provided as much guidance to neighbors on where to locate trees and how to plant and care for them.
Oregon reports 1,072 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 5 new deaths
There are five new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 5,531, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported on Friday.
OHA reported 1,072 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 bringing the state total to 405,292.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (4), Benton (19), Clackamas (67), Clatsop (3), Columbia (144), Coos (16), Crook (8), Curry (1), Deschutes (73), Douglas (18), Grant (1), Harney (3), Hood River (4), Jackson (43), Jefferson (5), Josephine (32), Klamath (9), Lake (2), Lane (77), Lincoln (6), Linn (45), Malheur (2), Marion (58), Multnomah (212), Polk (19), Tillamook (8), Umatilla (10), Union (1), Wallowa (2), Wasco (6), Washington (143) and Yamhill (31).
Note: Due to an error in laboratory reporting, we received 900 electronic laboratory reports (ELRs) for Columbia County Dec. 16. A large portion of these test results are duplicate test results from Aug. 2021. Because of the reporting error, case counts and percent positivity for Columbia County are high today. We are working to resolve this issue and will provide an update Monday, Dec.20.
Governor Kate Brown urges Oregonians to get booster shots to protect against Omicron
Earlier today, Governor Brown held a press conference to discuss Oregon’s ongoing response to COVID-19. She was joined by OHA Director Patrick Allen and state epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger, as well as representatives from Oregon Health & Science University.
Here is a link to watch the news conference with an American Sign Language simulcast from today.
Here are the talking points from OHA.
Oregonians must take all steps necessary to protect their health — and our state’s nurses — in the face of the coming Omicron surge
With the first cases of the Omicron variant already reported in Oregon, and as the variant continues to spread quickly across the globe, Oregon has only a few weeks to take immediate steps to prepare for yet another deadly surge in our state.
Governor Kate Brown’s announcement today of the dire predictions of the impact of Omicron on Oregon is a stark warning to all Oregonians to take immediate steps to protect themselves, our communities, and our health care systems.
For nurses, and for all health care workers in Oregon, this is a particularly crucial time: the state continues to face unprecedented staffing challenges in hospitals and clinical settings in every community. The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) is calling upon Oregonians to take all possible steps to protect their health in the face of this threat. By doing so, we can help mitigate the devastating impacts on our health care systems, and our dedicated nurses, from an Omicron surge.
OHSU’s modeling indicates that Oregon has a three-week window to prepare for the coming surge from Omicron – a surge that is likely to be more severe than previous Delta surges. There is no doubt that any surge in Covid infections will add additional pressure to our already strained health system, so taking steps now can have a significant impact. ONA looks forward to more details from the Governor on the state’s plans to support health care workers.
For now: If you are not vaccinated, get vaccinated. If you are vaccinated, get your booster shot.
In addition to vaccinations and boosters, please consider taking extra steps related to your family’s plans for upcoming holiday gatherings, including:
- Consider going virtual rather than in person. Everyone is exhausted by the ongoing impact of Covid 19, and Oregon’s nurses understand the frustration of having to be separated from our families and loved ones during the holidays. However, given the upcoming surge, please consider holding virtual gatherings, limiting the number of people who gather and ensuring high-risk individuals are protected from potential exposure.
- Wear a mask indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces if you are not fully vaccinated or have a weakened immune system. Fully vaccinated individuals should also wear a facemask indoors in areas with significant COVID-19 transmission or if gathering in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces with unvaccinated or high-risk individuals. If you’re not sure, it’s safer to wear a mask.
- Wash your hands. Handwashing is a proven tool to prevent disease transmission. Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Clearly communicate expectations. Even among family and friends, it can be difficult to know who is vaccinated or who is at a greater health risk from COVID-19. You can always ask about vaccinations and employ other health and safety measures like opening windows to improve indoor ventilation, meeting outside, maintaining social distance or asking unvaccinated guests to quarantine or get tested in advance.
- When in doubt, get tested. If you have COVID-19-like symptoms or have been recently exposed to COVID-19 you can visit your state’s health authority website to find COVID-19 testing options near you. You can also consider using a self-test at home before large gatherings as an extra precaution.
- Stay home if you are sick. If you have COVID-19 symptoms or are sick, stay home and avoid hosting or attending gatherings.
The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) is the state’s largest and most influential nursing organization. We are a professional association and labor union which represents 15,000 nurses and allied health workers throughout the state. Our mission is to advocate for nursing, quality health care and healthy communities. For more information visit: www.OregonRN.org.
Omicron Poses a Serious Threat to Oregonians
Oregonians should get vaccinated, boosted, and continue masking
Lake Oswego, Ore. – September 30, 2021 – Becky Hultberg, President and CEO of the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health System, released the following statement regarding today’s press conference by Governor Kate Brown and forecasts about the omicron variant in Oregon.
“Today’s alarming forecast about the arrival and eventual spread of the omicron variant in Oregon is a stark reminder of the need to protect ourselves and our communities. Hospital staffing and capacity are overwhelmed from the delta surge, seasonal influenza, and patients needing urgent, delayed care. Now, more than ever, is the time to do all we can to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our neighbors from COVID. The single best thing you can do is to get vaccinated and receive your booster shot if you haven’t already. Please continue to wear a mask, physically distance, avoid large gatherings, and wash your hands regularly. It is not too late to protect yourself. The time to act is now. Our hospitals, our workforce, and our communities need your help so we can care for those who need us the most.”
About OAHHS: Founded in 1934, OAHHS is a statewide, nonprofit trade association that works closely with local and national government leaders, business and citizen coalitions, and other professional health care organizations to enhance and promote community health and to continue improving Oregon’s innovative health care delivery system.
A new study out of Oregon shows people who are vaccinated against COVID-19 and then get a breakthrough infection end up with super-immunity.
A study of patients by Oregon Health Science University finds that vaccinated people who get COVID-19 have
antibodies that are one-thousand percent more effective than antibodies that come from a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. The study shows it’s especially effective against the Delta variant, but they believe it would have the same effect against all variants.
Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Awards $600,000 in Grants to Support, Expand Campus Veteran Resource Centers
The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is pleased to announce it has awarded grants totaling $600,000 to expand Campus Veteran Resource Centers at 15 community colleges and public university and bolster other services aimed at helping Oregon student veterans. Veteran Resource Centers are vital in helping veterans transition from military service to college life, complete their educational and vocational goals and successfully transition back into the civilian workforce and community.
The purpose of the Campus Veteran Resource Center Grant Program is to augment these existing campus resources, by funding innovative and impactful projects or programs, designed to improve the lives of student veterans and help them succeed.
All 15 of the institutions who applied received a portion of the available grant funds. The grants ranged from $11,040 to $58,635. The proposed projects were evaluated by a committee composed of members from the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Advisory Committee, National Service Organizations, as well as veterans and education experts from across the state. ODVA Director Kelly Fitzpatrick had final approval for award funding.
“For many Americans, a post-secondary degree or course of study is a critical gateway to pursuing a successful career,” Fitzpatrick said. “Student veterans bring with them life experiences, can be older and have very different backgrounds than their peers, and may need additional supports to prepare them for the classroom.”
Highlights of the funded projects include:
• Funding for Campus Veteran Coordinators, who work to ensure student veterans have access to crucial benefits they have earned.
• The development of veteran-specific campus orientation and welcome programs for student veterans and their families.
• The establishment of peer mentor programs and other support services to foster deeper connections among peers, resulting in increased veteran retention and success in school.
• Purchase of technology and electronic equipment for student use.
• Purchase of tutorial software for veterans in the areas of college-level writing and math skills, tutoring or a lending library.
The recipients were Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton; Chemeketa Community College in Salem; Central Oregon Community College in Bend; Clackamas Community College in Oregon City; Klamath Community College in Klamath Falls; Lane Community College in Eugene; Linn-Benton Community College in Albany; Mount Hood Community College in Gresham; Oregon State University in Corvallis; Portland State University in Portland; Rogue Community College in Grants Pass; Southern Oregon State University in Ashland; Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay; University of Oregon in Eugene; and Western Oregon University in Monmouth.
Striking Food Workers Reach Agreement
With overwhelming support from the UFCW Local 555 Retail Negotiating Committee and the representatives Fred Meyer & QFC, both parties have reached a Fully Recommended Comprehensive Tentative Agreement for Local 555 members working under the Grocery, Meat, CCK, and Non-Food contracts in Oregon and SW Washington.
As a result of the Tentative Agreement, UFCW Local 555 is calling off the strike for Fred Meyer and QFC that was scheduled to run through Christmas Eve. UFCW Local 555 members said they were pleased that Fred Meyer and QFC recognized the ongoing hazard to its workers, with a settlement agreement that provides significant wage increases, added workplace protections, a secure retirement, and quality healthcare.
Details of the Tentative Agreement will be made public after members have had a chance to review the agreement and vote on it. Dates and times for ratification meetings will be forthcoming.
OSP Drug Enforcement Section serves search warrants on Unlicensed Marijuana Dispensary-Union County
On December 16, 2021, Detectives from the Oregon State Police Drug Enforcement Section as well as Troopers and other area law enforcement executed a search warrant at a La Grande area storefront named Highway 30 Cannabis which is located at 1709 Adams Ave, La Grande, OR. Law enforcement also served a secondary search warrant at an address of 61074 Stackland Road in Cove, OR which is related to the storefront operation.
This long-term investigation began after tips were called into law enforcement about the unlawful distribution of marijuana products from the business listed as Highway 30 Cannabis. Through multiple investigative techniques, law enforcement found that the business was not operating as a licensed dispensary through the State of Oregon. Investigators sought a search warrant for the crimes of Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana Item, Unlawful Delivery of Marijuana Item, Laundering a Monetary Instrument, and Engaging in a Financial Transaction in Property from Unlawful Activity.
Multiple items of evidentiary value were seized during the search warrants and an investigation is ongoing at this time. No arrests were made at the time of the search warrant service, however, arrests and charges are anticipated at a later date and time.
The Oregon State Police was assisted in the investigation by members of the La Grande Police Department, Baker City Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations.
Bicyclist Dies In Crash With Pickup On Hwy 101 in Clatsop County
A bicyclist died after being hit by a pickup truck driver along Highway 101 Saturday evening in Clatsop County, the Oregon State Police said.
Troopers responded to the scene around 6:11 p.m. Saturday on Hwy 101 near milepost 25.
According to OSP’s investigation, 34-year-old Jesse Holmes was driving a Nissan Frontier northbound along the highway when he left his lane and struck 59-year-old Zane Belshe who was riding his bike along the northbound shoulder.
Belshe did not survive the crash and he was pronounced dead at the scene, OSP said. Police did not immediately release further details on any ongoing investigation. The highway was closed for about 4.5 hours after the crash.
Restoration Project on Upper Klamath Lake
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is evaluating a major restoration project on the shore of Upper Klamath Lake that could benefit species both above and below the water’s surface. If carried out, it would be the largest wetland restoration effort ever attempted for Upper Klamath Lake.
According to a draft environmental assessment released this summer, the USFWS hopes to breach levees that currently separate the Barnes and Agency Lake units of Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge from the western shore of Agency Lake, the northern arm of Upper Klamath Lake. Doing so would reconnect and restore more than 14,000 acres of historic fringe wetlands back to the lake.
Originally diked and drained by the Bureau of Reclamation beginning in the 1940s, the wetlands that became Barnes and Agency Lake ranches hosted grazing cattle during summer and pumped water to flood-irrigate pasture in winter. Fourmile and Sevenmile creeks, which originally flowed into the lake through the wetlands, were channelized and
funneled into canals bordering the current property.
Reclamation purchased the plots in 1998 as water storage areas, allowing the creeks to flood them during the winter, then pumping that water into the lake in the spring to augment the Klamath Project’s water supply. However, pumping costs proved too expensive for Klamath Project irrigators and Reclamation abandoned the storage operation in 2013, transferring the land to Fish and Wildlife.
Since then, FWS has seasonally flooded the former ranches to produce emergent wetland habitat for bird species. According to the EA, more than 80,000 waterfowl have been counted molting on Upper Klamath Refuge in good years.
Family Asks for Help to Find Another Missing Woman in Josephine County
The family has started a Facebook page and asking for help with searching for Rachael. https://www.facebook.com/rachaelbehnkeSG/
The Grants Pass Police Department said 39-year-old Rachael Behnke was last seen dropping her child off at a Grants Pass school on Friday, December 10. She was reported missing on Monday.
According to investigators, Behnke left her cellphone at home and her current whereabouts are unknown.
Behnke was last seen driving a white 2016 Ford Explorer with Oregon plate 684 MTH. Last known location was at North Middle/Highland Schools area. Please check security cameras and Ring door bells.
Anyone with information regarding Behnke’s whereabouts is asked to call Grants Pass police at 541-450-6260.
Crisis of many missing women in and around Josephine County
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Have-You-Seen-Me-Southern-Oregons-Missing-People-161249961222839/posts/