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
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Willamette Valley Weather
- Air Stagnation Advisory until January 28, 04:00 PM PST
- Dense Fog Advisory in effect from January 27, 02:50 AM PST until January 27, 12:00 PM PST
Today– Areas of fog before noon. Otherwise, mostly cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 49. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday– Widespread frost before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Calm wind.
Saturday– Patchy fog before 10am. Widespread frost, mainly before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 54. Calm wind.
Sunday– Rain, mainly after 10am. High near 49. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday– Rain likely. Snow level 2100 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45.
J.H. Baxter Plant To Shut Down
After announcing plans in place to clean up contamination, the embattled wood treatment facility, Baxter Plant, will be stopping production, according to the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency.
LRAPA reports that a lawyer for J.H. Baxter & Co. informed them last week about the decision. The lawyer said they plan to stop production on Jan. 31.
The plant, located at 3494 Roosevelt Boulevard, has been under fire for many years over concerns about pollution.
Harmful dioxins were recently found in properties surrounding the facility, leading the Department of Environmental Quality to require soil removal projects.
An embattled wood treatment facility will be stopping production, according to the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency.
LRAPA reports that a lawyer for J.H. Baxter & Co. informed them last week about the decision. The lawyer said they plan to stop production on Jan. 31.
The plant, located at 3494 Roosevelt Boulevard, has been under fire for many years over concerns about pollution.
Harmful dioxins were recently found in properties surrounding the facility, leading the Department of Environmental Quality to require soil removal projects.
The facility treats wood for telephone poles and railroad ties with preservative chemicals to help them last longer. While this work is effectively shutting down, a skeleton crew will be on site, according to officials.
Protests Lead To Shutdown Of Mobile Vaccine Clinic In Cottage Grove
Protests at a planned two-week COVID-19 drive-thru vaccination clinic at Bohemia Park have led to the clinic shutting down indefinitely, according to Cottage Grove city staff.
The City of Cottage Grove had been working with Lane County Public Health, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on the operation of the clinic.
Initially, plans were to conduct vaccination clinics in the Bohemia Park parking lot daily from Jan. 22 through Feb. 4.
As of Monday (Jan. 24), the clinic had shut down early and there were no set plans to relocate.
Though he did not cite specific reasons, an organizer with OHA indicated the presence of the protesters influenced the decision to shut down.
In its two days of operation over the weekend, the clinic conducted 96 vaccinations the first day and 15 the second. The organizer, who did not share his name, attributed the drop in vaccinations to the protesters’ presence, which ultimately impacted the decision shut down the clinic.
City Manager Richard Meyers was more directly critical of the protestors’ presence at the entrance of the parking lot.
“It’s appalling that they think that they have a right to intimidate others and to force their pressures or ideas on others,” he said. “Other people interfering with someone else exercising their rights is not patriotic and is not the right thing to do. They have every right to come and get their vaccinations, without intimidation, without inhibitions, without oppression or anything else along that line.”
Reportedly, around 30 protesters had appeared on Saturday, the clinic’s first day, but Monday morning saw a turnout of just under 20.
Many of the protesters interviewed by The Sentinel on Monday said they supported the freedom of people to choose, but felt a duty to raise awareness about the safety and efficacy of COVID vaccinations, several protesters citing a problem of “informed consent”.
While leading national health authorities such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have repeatedly touted the vaccines as “safe and effective”, demonstrators reject this narrative and contend that adverse effects are much higher than claimed.
They also took particular issue with parents who use the mainstream health authority information in deciding to vaccinate their children.
“We just want the truth,” said a protester who would not share their name.
Another sticking point for those demonstrating the vaccine clinic was the use of public funds to run the operation when plenty of local pharmacies have made the vaccine available, some suggesting that the clinic may even draw potential customers away from those pharmacies.
The reference to public funds seemed to be in regard to the use of FEMA and OHA to run the operation as there was no cost to the city for the clinic.
“We got an inquiry from Lane County Public Health to do a clinic,” explained Meyers. “They were looking for a location for possible drive-thru clinics and they asked if there were any possibilities down here.”
Organizers obtained a special event permit to use the Bohemia Park parking lot, for which the city does not charge a fee.
“It met all of our criteria,” said Meyers on Monday at the site of the clinic. “This is a legitimate use of the park space. They applied for a permit. We don’t judge the content of any event or activity — we can’t under the Constitution — and they met all the requirements.”
He reiterated that if the protesters’ concerns were about medical freedom, “Well, let the people come and get their vaccinations.”
Meyers said, too, that the protests would normally require a permit, but did not say whether the city would be strictly enforcing this at the time, instead choosing to keep protesters in public access areas which were outside the area already permitted for the vaccination clinic.
On the issue of informed consent, Meyers countered that information sources are ubiquitous and people choosing to get the vaccination should be allowed to do so without harassment.
“They’ve made the choice and they should be respected for that,” he said. “And a patriot would be defending their opportunities to come and get their vaccinations regardless of what their view is.”
While operating the clinic was not coming out of any local funds, Meyers added that “maintaining and taking care of the vandalism and issues that have arisen because of the protesters” was a cost, stating that public bathrooms at Bohemia Park were all simultaneously plugged.
The issue was taken up again at Monday night’s Cottage Grove City Council meeting where several of those representing the protests appeared in person and online.
Oregon reports 8,207 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, Oregon surpasses 6,000 COVID-19 related deaths
PORTLAND, Ore. — There are 54 new COVID-19-related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 6,048, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported at 12:01 a.m. today.
OHA reported 8,207 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 605,363.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (45), Benton (289), Clackamas (551), Clatsop (46), Columbia (92), Coos (158), Crook (110), Curry (33), Deschutes (541), Douglas (188), Gilliam (2), Grant (41), Harney (9), Hood River (51), Jackson (558), Jefferson (104), Josephine (224), Klamath (155), Lake (20), Lane (692), Lincoln (69), Linn (398), Malheur (78), Marion (910), Morrow (55), Multnomah (931), Polk (238), Sherman (6), Tillamook (48), Umatilla (198), Union (55), Wallowa (26), Wasco (82), Washington (911), Wheeler (14) and Yamhill (279).
“Today Oregon surpassed another heartbreaking milestone – the 6,000th COVID-19-related death. We’ve lost mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers. Coworkers and neighbors. These losses pain all of us,” said Dr. Dean Sidelinger, state health officer and state epidemiologist.
“What makes these losses more painful is that nearly all our most recent deaths could have been prevented by COVID-19 vaccines, which remain the best protection against serious illness and death.
“These losses also remind us that COVID-19 is still a formidable foe in Oregon, and the heart wrenching impact on our lives is not behind us yet.”
Hospitalizations from the highly contagious omicron variant of COVID-19 soon will exceed the peak from the delta variant, according to the Oregon Association of Hospitals & Health Systems.
“The next couple of weeks are going to be really tough, and it is important for people to understand that,” association President Becky Hultberg said during a Thursday, Jan. 20, press conference. “There is a war going on in our hospitals against this virus that isn’t visible to the public.”
“We have 1,059 confirmed and suspected hospitalized COVID-19 patients,” Hultberg said. “Our delta hospitalization peak was just over 1,200. We’re on track to exceed that peak possibly by this weekend, maybe early next week.”
Hultberg said hospitalizations have been growing steadily and it is accelerating. Shortages in treatments effective against the omicron variant — such as monoclonal antibody treatments and antiviral pills — have complicated hospitals’ responses, she said.
“This omicron surge is different than delta,” she said. “Delta hit Southern and Central Oregon harder than other regions of the state, but omicron is impacting all regions of the state and pretty much all hospitals in the state.”
She described the stress on hospitals as approaching a “breaking point,” but said there is good news.
“The good news is that most patients in the hospital with COVID-19 aren’t as sick as they were during the delta wave,” Hultberg said. “But the sheer number of patients, exacerbated by staffing and discharge challenges, has the potential to overwhelm the health care system.”
Hultberg called for more support for health care centers but thanked the deployment of National Guard members to Oregon hospitals. She said hospitals are facing staffing shortages from both sick calls and people quitting their jobs.
“Schools have gone remote, businesses have shut down, but that is not an option for a hospital,” Hultberg said.
Hospitals are relying on contract staffing instead, she said, calling it an expensive, but essential option that is not sustainable for the long term.
Delays in moving patients to places like long-term care facilities have put a wrench in discharges, which keeps hospital beds filled in the meantime with people who could find more appropriate care elsewhere, Hultberg said.
“Today, hospitals have 582 patients who could be discharged from the hospital but there’s nowhere for them to go,” she said. “They may need a nursing home, a rehab bed, behavioral health support or they may not even have a home to go to.”
Hultberg said it is “past time” for the issue to be addressed.
The Oregon Association of Hospitals & Health Systems is a trade organization that coordinates among local leaders in government, business and the health care community.
Employment Department Mailing 1099G Tax Forms
Jan. 26, 2022 (Salem, OR) — This month, the Oregon Employment Department will mail 1099G tax forms to the nearly 400,000 people who received unemployment insurance benefits in the 2021 tax year.
The 1099G form is used for filing both federal income taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and state income taxes to the Oregon Department of Revenue.
People can expect to receive the 1099G form by Jan. 31, 2022. Starting Feb. 1, the form will be on the Online Claims System under the tab “1099G Tax forms” toward the bottom of the page.
Sara Cromwell, unemployment insurance division deputy director for benefits, urges people to inform the Employment Department if they receive a 1099G and did not claim benefits in 2021.
“If you didn’t file a claim last year, this means someone may be trying to steal your ID. Please complete our online ID theft form or call 503-947-1995, so we can review the claim for possible fraud,” she said.
More information on the 1099G form is at unemployment.oregon.gov. For more information on what to do if your identity has been stolen, visit the IRS website and the department’s fraud resources web page.
Increased emergency SNAP benefits continue in February
- Most Oregonians who receive SNAP benefits will continue to receive increased emergency food benefits in February
- Approximately 380,000 SNAP households will receive approximately $61 million in extra food benefits in addition to their regular SNAP benefits
- Find resources to meet your basic needs: Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, www.211info.org
- Oregon Department of Human Services COVID-19 help center
Most Oregonians who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will receive emergency allotments in February.
The federal government has approved emergency allotments every month since March 2020. This gives SNAP recipients additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In February, approximately 380,000 SNAP households will receive approximately $61 million in extra food benefits in addition to their regular SNAP benefits.
“We know that many rely on these additional emergency food benefits to get enough healthy food for themselves and their families,” said Claire Seguin, deputy director of the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Self-Sufficiency Programs. “We also know that many Oregonians are still struggling to meet their basic needs and we encourage them to contact our partners at 211 and the Oregon Food Bank for support during this difficult time.”
Emergency allotments will be available on Feb. 11 for current SNAP households. New SNAP households will receive the emergency allotments Feb. 26 or March 2.
SNAP recipients do not have to take any action to receive these supplemental benefits as they will be issued directly on their EBT cards.
More information about emergency allotments is available at https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/ASSISTANCE/FOOD-BENEFITS/Pages/Emergency-Allotments.aspx.
Questions about your SNAP benefits should be directed to the ONE Customer Service Center at 1-800-699-9075.
If you are a SNAP household and your income or the number of people in your household has changed, it could impact your benefits. It is important to make sure ODHS has the most up-to-date information.
You can report any changes to your income or household in many ways:
- Online at: ONE.Oregon.gov
- By mail at: ONE Customer Service Center, PO Box 14015, Salem, OR 97309
- By fax at: 503-378-5628
- By phone at: 1-800-699-9075 or TTY 711
Resources to help meet basic needs
- Find a food pantry: foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org
- Learn about government programs and community resources for older adults and people with disabilities: Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon at 1-855-673-2372 or www.adrcoforegon.org.
- Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, www.211info.org
- Oregon Department of Human Services COVID-19 help center
Administered by ODHS, SNAP is a federal program that provides food assistance to approximately 1 million eligible, low-income families and individuals in Oregon, including many older adults and people with disabilities. Oregonians in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP, child care, cash assistance and Medicaid. Learn more at https://govstatus.egov.com/or-dhs-benefits. For local resources in your area, such as food or shelter, please call 2-1-1 or reach out to the state’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) at 1-855-ORE-ADRC or 1-855-673-2372.
Oregon Resumes Rental Assistance Program
Oregon Housing and Community Services is once again accepting applications for their emergency rental assistance program, aimed at helping tenants facing eviction for nonpayment of rent.
OHCS says it will be a “limited reopening” expected to run 3 to 5 weeks, with roughly enough funding to provide assistance to 6,700-9,300 additional applications.
The portal to submit an application on the state of Oregon’s website is up and running.
For the last six weeks, OHCS has been on pause while they go through a backlog of applications to see if any money from the nearly $400 million in federal assistance and special session allocation was left to give out.
OHCS is first processing applications received before the Dec. 1 pause.
Households with the most need will have priority in accessing these resources, not a first-come, first-served basis.
Then, applications received on Jan. 26 will be processed after that, using the same means of identifying need to determine the order of processing.
Tenants who apply on Jan. 26 or after may receive safe harbor protections that prevent landlords from evicting tenants until their application is processed.
All safe harbor protections expire on Sept. 30, 2022.
The state provided the following information for renters who apply on or after Jan. 26 when the portal reopens
- Tenants who apply on Jan. 26 or after can receive safe harbor eviction protections that prevent landlords from evicting tenants until their application is processed. Tenants must show proof to their landlord that they applied for the program to receive the protections. Tenant applications will be paid based on the remaining funding available and are not guaranteed.
- Applications still awaiting landlord/tenant response at the time of closure are subject to funds remaining when application is finalized and approved, and prioritization scoring is applied and are not guaranteed for payment.
- Tenants at immediate risk of eviction should apply for rental assistance right away to access safe harbor protections and should contact a legal organization.
- Oregon Law Center’s Eviction Defense Project: 888-585-9638 or evictiondefense@oregonlawcenter.org
- Oregon State Bar: 503-684-3763 or legalhelp@oregonstatebar.org
- Tenants should expect a delay prior to processing and payment but can count on accessing their safe harbor eviction protections immediately.
OHCS and local program administrators (LPAs) have paid $235.4 million in federal emergency rental assistance to 33,770 households, up from $222.4 million and 31,816 applicants last week, through OERAP.
Oregon’s Worker’s Comp Expands Services
The State of Oregon’s independent advocate to help injured workers navigate the workers’ compensation system is changing its name and adding workplace safety and health as part of its services. The Ombudsman for Injured Workers is now the Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers.
It has expanded its role to also help workers protect their rights under Oregon OSHA’s laws and rules. The Office of the Ombudsman for Injured Workers was created in 1987. Since then, it has served as an independent advocate for
injured workers by helping them understand their rights and responsibilities, investigating complaints, and acting to resolve those complaints. It is an independent office that is part of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS).
Even though the office is taking on this new role, the needs of injured workers will still be met. In addition to expanding its services for helping Oregon workers understand their rights in workplace safety and health, the Ombuds Office will also work with the DCBS director and Oregon OSHA to identify ways to improve protections and
interactions with workers. The Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers can be contacted at 800-927-1271 (toll-free). Direct services are available in English and Spanish. Language service is used to help callers who speak other languages.
Klamath County Sheriff’s Office Asks for Public’s Help in Search For Trucker Suspect
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/