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, January 24, 2022
Willamette Valley Weather
- Air Stagnation Advisory until January 26, 04:00 PM PST
- Dense Fog Advisory until January 24, 12:00 PM PST
Today– Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 52. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday– Areas of fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 52. West wind 3 to 5 mph.
Wednesday– Areas of fog before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 52. Light north northwest wind.
Thursday– Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.
Friday– A slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 52.
The Oregon State Police Seeking Public Assistance After High-Speed Chase in Eugene Turns Out To Be A Kidnapping
A high-speed chase involving one vehicle and multiple law enforcement agencies including Eugene Police Department and Oregon State Police ended near the Owosso Bike Bridge.
On January 23, 2022, at approximately 10:34 am The Oregon State Police began a pursuit with a black Nissan Pathfinder after the driver was observed assaulting a female passenger. The pursuit began in Eugene, entered Springfield, and then returned to Eugene. The vehicle drove onto a bike path behind the Valley River Mall endangering bicyclists and pedestrians while continuing to elude. Due to the ongoing danger to the community, an Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife pickup contacted the vehicle. The Pathfinder lost control and spun to a stop down an embankment.
The male driver was taken into custody without further incident. The female passenger was found to be a missing 17-year-old juvenile, who was released to the Department of Human Services.
The driver was identified as Timothy Wayne Emra (45) of Eugene. Emra was taken into custody for eluding, reckless driving, reckless endangering x9, felon in possession of a weapon, kidnapping, coercion, assault 4, PCS methamphetamine, DUII, criminal driving while suspended, tampering with physical evidence, and interfering.
The Oregon State Police are seeking public assistance with information from individuals, who were on the bike path during the pursuit. If you were utilizing the bike path and were passed by the pursuit, please contact the Oregon State Police Dispatch at 1-800-442-2068 or OSP (677). Reference Case # SP22018204.
The Oregon State Police were assisted by Lane County Sheriff’s Office, Eugene Police Department, Springfield Police Department, and the Oregon Department of Transportation. Oregon State Police
Cougar Sighting Reported At Spencer Butte
Eugene police received reports of a cougar sighting early Sunday morning. An animal that was reported to be a cougar was spotted roughly two minutes up the trail from the parking lot of Spencer Butte, officials said.
Oregon State Police responded and checked the area, but officials said they didn’t find a cougar. Officials with the Lane County Sheriff’s Office were also made aware of the sighting.
If you see a cougar or other large predator, the best places to call are the nearest Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife office, your local Oregon State Police, or the landowner or manager.
Man Assaults 7/11 Clerk
A man was asked to leave a downtown Eugene 7/11 store who then assaulted a clerk early Sunday morning, Eugene Police said.
Officers say 57-year-old Emerson Sims entered the 7-Eleven on 6th Avenue after standing outside for some time.
An employee told Sims he would have to leave if he wasn’t shopping.
When the employee went to escort him Sims out of the store, police say Sims pushed the employee and threw a cup of liquid in his face.
Sims has been charged with assault and criminal trespassing in the second degree.
Oregon reports 10,947 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 20 new deaths
There are 20 new COVID-19-related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 5,936, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported 10,947 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 bringing the state total to 570,892.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (40), Benton (181), Clackamas (845), Clatsop (80), Columbia (201), Coos (200), Crook (114), Curry (28), Deschutes (663), Douglas (226), Gilliam (1), Harney (1), Hood River (43), Jackson (661), Jefferson (213), Josephine (243), Klamath (253), Lake (11), Lane (1,196), Lincoln (109), Linn (480), Malheur (99), Marion (1,221), Morrow (43), Multnomah (1,487), Polk (261), Tillamook (38), Umatilla (317), Union (68), Wallowa (20), Wasco (72), Washington (1,280) and Yamhill (252).
OHA briefs media on rising hospitalizations, surging cases
Health Officer and State Epidemiologist Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., briefed media Friday on the latest developments in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although cases and hospitalizations are surging, Sidelinger spoke about the difference Oregonians are making by wearing masks, indoors and outdoors, by restricting gatherings and by staying home when sick or upon a positive test.
“There is some light at the end of this very dark tunnel. The recent modeling suggests that cases could peak within the next week or so with hospitalizations – a lagging indicator – peaking in the following weeks,” he said.
More importantly, the forecast shows the difference everyone in Oregon is making by continuing to take preventive steps. The projected peak for hospitalizations is about 1,500 in early February.
Without the widespread adherence the state has seen from Oregonians, the curve would be much steeper – about 1,900 hospitalizations.
“The critical difference here in Oregon is you,” Sidelinger said. His full comments can be found here. A recording of the briefing is here.
Masks were burned in front of the Oregon Health Authority building in Portland as the agency took testimony on a proposal to make the indoor mask requirement permanent.
Under Oregon law, OHA can’t make another temporary extension of the rule. If it’s made permanent, the rule would be repealed when COVID-19 cases decline. Most people testified in opposition of the extension with many people saying they can’t trust the agency to eliminate the rule.
Oregon Office of Economic Analysis Says Wages Up and Unemployment at An All Time Low
By most measures the labor market is tight. The unemployment rate now stands at 4.1% which is lower than it’s been throughout Oregon’s history, other than the 2017-19 time period last cycle where the unemployment rate was roughly in the 3.5-4% range.
Wage growth and labor income overall are booming as a result. Average wages are up 17% since the start of the pandemic, and total wages and salaries in the state are 11% above pre-pandemic levels. Oregon Office of Economic Analysis forecast for wages has never been stronger, despite a somewhat lower employment outlook tied to the recession and slower population growth.
Over the past year — Dec ’20 to Dec ’21 — Oregon businesses added 107,000 jobs for a growth rate of 5.9%. The workers are coming back. Labor supply has increased. The state has now recovered more than 4 in 5 of the lost jobs at the start of the pandemic. Now, those gains are not quite as fast as businesses would have like, and the adjustments by businesses in terms of wage increases and the like are challenging. That being said, in an inflationary boom like we are in, firms have been able to not only absorb those higher costs but also pass them on to customers. (https://oregoneconomicanalysis.com/2022/01/21/labor-demand-in-oregon-graph-of-the-week/)
Keizer Woman Killed When Vehicle Crashed Into Her House
Authorities say a 67-year-old woman was killed when a driver accused of being under the influence of intoxicants crashed his vehicle into her Oregon home.
A 63-year-old man who was in the house in the town of Keizer north of Salem was seriously injured. Police say the driver of the vehicle left the roadway twice and hit a power pole before crashing into the home.
The woman died at the scene and the injured man was taken to a hospital for treatment.
The 41-year-old driver was arrested on multiple charges including manslaughter, reckless driving, driving under the influence and a probation violation.
Roseburg Rivers Edge RV Park Incident Under Investigation
On Thursday, January 20, 2022, deputies went to a trailer in the Rivers Edge Mobile Home Park to conduct follow up related to a criminal investigation.
When they arrived, deputies heard a gunshot from inside the trailer where they were contacting an individual; which prompted a several hour stand-off. Several law enforcement officers responded to the area and attempted to have the occupants to exit the trailer peacefully.
Area residents and a nearby school were notified of the situation, which was confined to the trailer unit, and asked to avoid the area.
The Sheriff’s Office Tactical Response and Crisis Negotiations Teams were activated and continued to diffuse the situation. After no response from the individuals inside, tactical action was taken which resulted in a female exiting the trailer a few minutes later.
The female, identified as 30 year-old Callista Mayfield of Roseburg, was taken into custody without incident. Deputies continued making attempts to have the male, 42-year-old James Robert Young of Roseburg, exit the trailer. During an interview following her arrest, the female indicated to law enforcement that Young had taken his own life.
Tactical team members entered the trailer and located Young deceased inside. The Douglas County Medical Examiner’s Office responded and is investigating the death as a suicide at this time.
Mayfield was transported to the jail where she was lodged on an arrest warrant out of Lane County. Next of kin has been notified. Douglas Co. Sheriff’s Office
Klamath Falls Man Arrested After Firing Shots Into Home With Child Inside
One man has been arrested by Klamath County Police after officers say that the man fire four rounds into a residence with a four-year-old child and adult inside.
Klamath Falls Police have identified Shane Whynot as the suspect who fired those rounds into the home and also a nearby vehicle.
Police say that the shooting occurred in the 200 Block of North Eldorado Avenue on Saturday January 22.
Officers were able to pull video footage from the surrounding area and developed a suspect vehicle. The vehicle was later located in the 1900 block of Burns Street where officers detained Shane Whynot, DOB 1/25/1991, on scene and developed probable cause for his arrest.
During the search of the suspect vehicle, officers found empty shell casings, additional live ammunition and a stolen pistol that was consistent to the type of firearm used during the shooting. There was also a dealer quantity of suspected methamphetamine located in the vehicle.
Whynot has been booked and lodged at the Klamath County Jail for Attempted Murder x2, Unlawful Use of a Weapon x4, Disorderly Conduct, Reckless Endangering, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Theft I (Possession of a stolen firearm), Criminal Mischief I, DCS Methamphetamine and PCS Methamphetamine.
Police state that the investigation is still on-going.
SP Fish & Wildlife Division is seeking public assistance with Poaching Case of Four Antelope – Harney County
The Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division is seeking public assistance identifying the person(s) responsible for the unlawful taking of four antelope in Harney County.
On January 17, 2022, a Fish and Wildlife Trooper from Burns responded to a report of two dead, and two injured antelope on private property adjacent to Highway 78 near milepost 33 and Rodeo Lane. This location is about four miles south of Crane, Oregon.
The two severely injured antelope had to be euthanized due to their injuries and none of the antelope could be salvaged.
The unlawful take is believed to have occurred sometime during the evening of January 16 to the early morning hours of January 17.
OSP is urging anyone with information regarding this case to call the Oregon State Police Tip-line at 1-800-452-7888, OSP (677), or email at TIP@state.or.us. Reference case # SP22-013307.
Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators
The Oregon Hunters Association TIP reward offers preference points or cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Goat, Moose, Elk, Deer, Antelope, Bear, Cougar, Wolf, Upland Birds, Waterfowl, Furbearers, Game Fish and Shellfish. Cash rewards can also be awarded for turning in people who destroy habitat, illegally obtain licenses/tags, and for the unlawful lending/borrowing of big game tags. Oregon State Police
Missing child alert — Katelyn N. Smith is missing and is believed to be in danger
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, asks the public to help find Katelyn N. Smith, age 17, a child in foster care who went missing from Coos Bay on Jan. 20. Katelyn is believed to be in danger.
ODHS asks the public for help in the effort to find Katelyn and to contact 911 or local law enforcement if they believe they see her.
Katelyn is suspected to be in the Coos Bay area. She may be in the presence of a 17-year-old male, or Trayton W. Glass, age 20.
Name: Katelyn N. Smith
Pronouns: She/her
Date of birth: Aug. 3, 2004
Height: 5-foot-six
Weight: 120 pounds
Hair: Blue
Eye color: Brown
Other identifying information: Katelyn’s lower lip is pierced; she has a nose piercing.
Coos Bay Police Department Case #P20220240
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children #1441272
A small number of children in foster care may be in significant danger when they run away or have gone missing. As ODHS works to do everything it can to find these missing children and ensure their safety, media alerts will be issued in some circumstances when it is determined necessary. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.
Report child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233). This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.
Klamath County Sheriff’s Office Asks for Public’s Help in Search For Trucker Suspect
Please share!!! The first real clue to come in on all the missing person cases in the area. Help Klamath Falls Oregon Sheriff Office ID this trucker. He was the last to see this woman alive and could be the key to not only solving this woman’s disappearance but a number of the hundred other women missing in PNW. IF you have any information, please call (541) 883-5130
A 17-year-old was reported missing in Salem and detectives say the teen might be the victim of an online catfishing scheme.
Ezra Mayhugh, 17, was last seen on October 15, 2021 after being dropped off in downtown Salem by a friend, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said. He was reported as a runaway the following day when he did not return home.
Investigators say he might be in Washington or California. They hope to reunite Ezra safely with family members.
He’s described as about 5-foot 11-inches tall, weighing 130 pounds, with blonde hair and brown eyes.
If you have had contact with Mayhugh since October 15 or have other helpful information on his whereabouts, the sheriff’s office asks you to contact Detective M.J. Sphoon at 503-588-6808 or to submit a tip by texting TIPMCSO and your tip to 847411.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Have-You-Seen-Me-Southern-Oregons-Missing-People-161249961222839/posts/