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
Friday, January 28, 2022
Willamette Valley Weather
Air Stagnation Advisory until January 28, 04:00 PM PST
Today– Widespread frost, mainly before 9am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 52. Light and variable wind.
Saturday– Widespread frost, mainly before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 54. Calm wind.
Sunday– Rain likely, mainly after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday– A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly before 4pm. Snow level 1800 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44.
Tuesday– A slight chance of rain and snow before 10am, then a slight chance of rain. Snow level 700 feet rising to 1700 feet in the afternoon. Partly sunny, with a high near 44.
SquareOne Villages and Peace Presbyterian Church Partner to Build More Affordable Homes
SquareOne Villages purchased 3.6 acres of property from Peace Presbyterian Church to build 70 affordable homes off River Road.
“We have been in conversations with the congregations for just about two years now working on this deal,” said Dave Bryant, executive director of SquareOne Villages. “I mean the framework for the deal we set a number of months ago, but there just all the little details to work out. We were able to take property of the title last week.”
Bryant said in addition to the housing units, an estimated 9,000 square feet of existing buildings on site will be used to host community meetings, events and meals.
Future residents must meet two different criteria in order to live here. “The first is people must be in the range of 40 to 80 percent of area media income,” said Bryant. “The other is individuals need to understand that this property is different than a normal one you rent. This is a “co-operty” where you have a responsibility to share in the management and taking care of the facility. You are a part homeowner.”
Bryant said in addition to the housing units, an estimated 9,000 square feet of existing buildings on site will be used to host community meetings, events and meals.
Pastor Glenn Edwards of Peace Presbyterian Church said the new development is a sign of hope.
“Until we put our heart into solving this problem, there is no answer. SquareOne Villages is born of a commitment of compassion and justice and affordable housing for all people,” Edwards said.
Edwards said the partnership allows the church to have a say in the name of the project and who SquareOne Villages looks at for possible residents.
As of now if plans stay on schedule, residents could start applying for a place in the spring or summer of next year with a move in date coming in fall 2023.
Eugene City Council Will Sell Steam Plant Property For $1 To Developers
The Eugene City Council voted unanimously Wednesday evening to sell a historic industrial building to local developers for the sum of one dollar.
Built in 1931, the steam plant once supplied power for local buildings. It was shut down in 2012 and has sat along the Willamette River near downtown. Developers Mark Miksis and Mark Frohnmayer have proposed turning it into a public gathering place with a boutique hotel, offices and cafes. At a work session Wednesday, City Community Development co-director, called the distinctive building an industrial cathedral.
Mayor Lucy Vinis agreed and said it’s spectacular. “You know, we have private developers, local, local, private developers who care about this community, putting over $49 million into this and working to fill the gap,” Vinis said. “That’s extraordinary.”
City Councilor Jennifer Yeh pointed out that the city has used urban renewal funds in the past to tear down historic buildings and then regretted it.
“This is an opportunity to correct what we’ve done in the past,” she said.
$1.5 million of the city’s Urban Renewal Funds are earmarked for the $56 million project. There’s still a $5 million spending gap but the city plans to ask the state legislature for help.
The low sale price of a dollar is due to the extensive work needed to make it safe for human habitation. Construction on the steam plant could begin by September 2023.
Cottage Grove’s Historic Village Green to be Partially Developed into Apartment Complex
Developers of the ‘Pine Springs Apartment complex project met with community members in Cottage Grove on Thursday to gather feedback about the planning process.
The 120-unit complex is to be built on eight acres of the same property as the recently closed Village Green Hotel. Teresa Bishow, a consultant on the project, said the hotel was a beloved staple in the community.
“So far what we’ve heard is very strong community support for new apartments [and] new housing in Cottage Grove,” Bishow said.
She said about 30 people attended the meeting and many of them had questions about the hotel operation.
This new project will leave about 40 guest rooms of the hotel standing along with the restaurant and bar. The plan is to also keep the RV Park and as well as additional space for future new commercial uses on Row River Road.
Bishow said the hope is that this opportunity could allow for a new operator to come in and run the hotel, though on a smaller scale than usual. The goal is to begin construction by next spring.
Oregon reports 7,871 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 19 new deaths
PORTLAND, Ore. — There are 19 new COVID-19-related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 6,067, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported at 12:01 a.m. today.
OHA reported 7,871 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 613,221.
OHA hosts media availability
OHA will host a media availability at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 28, featuring Dr. Dean Sidelinger, state health officer and state epidemiologist. Members of the media can participate by joining this Zoom link.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (34), Benton (59), Clackamas (522), Clatsop (71), Columbia (76), Coos (151), Crook (106), Curry (47), Deschutes (454), Douglas (216), Grant (2), Harney (31), Hood River (35), Jackson (395), Jefferson (88), Josephine (144), Klamath (140), Lake (4), Lane (869), Lincoln (96), Linn (350), Malheur (96), Marion (989), Morrow (34), Multnomah (1,101), Polk (174), Sherman (5), Tillamook (35), Umatilla (179), Union (85), Wallowa (25), Wasco (44), Washington (936) and Yamhill (278).
A new study is revealing the road to “super immunity” has multiple paths as researchers are comparing the antibody response from both COVID-19 vaccination and natural infection.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) studied people who were first vaccinated then infected or infected and then got the vaccine. They discovered that, regardless of the route, the immune response revealed antibody levels that were at least 10-times more potent than just the immune response from vaccines alone.
OHSU experts are suggesting the new findings are pointing to the end of the pandemic getting closer and closer as, over time, the virus will run into an ever-expanding pool of human immunity. The latest study of ‘super immunity’ was performed before the recent emergence of the Omicron coronavirus variant. It was published online Tuesday in the journal Science Immunology.
Oregon Health Authority: With so much information out there about COVID-19, it can be hard to keep track of what’s true and false. For instance, you may have heard that COVID-19 tests can’t detect the Omicron variant. Thankfully, that’s false! If you do test positive and have questions, visit our Test Positive page (govstatus.egov.com/or-oha-covid-19-positive-test) or call our COVID-19 Case Support Hotline at 866-917-8881.
Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day is January 28 — See if you qualify for up to $6,728
(Salem) – As the Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day approaches on Friday, January 28, the Oregon Department of Revenue and the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) are encouraging all workers with income in 2021 to check their Earned Income Tax Credit eligibility.
The Earned Income Tax Credit, which may give families up to $6,728 back when they file taxes, is a federal and state tax credit for people making less than $57,414 per year. Many Oregonians miss out because they simply don’t know about it, especially those that aren’t required to file taxes.
Even if you aren’t required to file taxes, you may still qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit. If you do, you will need to file a federal and state return in order to get this refundable credit.
Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day is a nationwide effort to increase awareness about the Earned Income Tax Credit and free tax preparation sites. There are volunteer organizations, such as Metropolitan Family Services and AARP that can help you file your taxes for free or at a reduced cost. More information can be found on the Oregon Department of Revenue website.
Basic qualifications for EITC include:
- All filing statuses are eligible, but some have specific requirements that must be met in order to qualify.
- You, your spouse, or any qualifying child must have a Social Security number.
- Your earned income in 2021 must be below certain limits based on your number of qualifying dependents.
- You may be eligible even if you do not have a qualifying child.
The Department of Revenue and ODHS are working with other state agencies and community partners to encourage taxpayers to learn more about this credit and find out if they’re eligible.
Taxpayers can use the IRS EITC Assistant to check their eligibility further. The assistant is available in English and Spanish.
CASH Oregon provides free or low-cost, in-person tax preparation services throughout Oregon. To see its locations, visit www.cashoregon.org. People can also dial 2-1-1 to find free tax return preparation sites.
For more information on the EITC, visit https://www.eitc.irs.gov/. For questions about Oregon taxes, call the Department of Revenue at 503-378-4988.
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.
OregonHealthCare.gov sees highest number of enrollees in years
Salem, Ore. – During the 2022 open enrollment period, 146,602 Oregonians enrolled in health insurance coverage, the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace announced today.
The federal government extended the open enrollment period for 2022 health coverage from 45 to 76 days (Nov. 1, 2021, to Jan. 15, 2022). This extra window of time enabled more Oregonians to enroll in health coverage than either of the past two years (141,089 people in 2021 and 145,264 people in 2020).
In addition, the American Rescue Plan Act (2021) has made health insurance purchased through the Marketplace more affordable than ever. Individuals and families will pay less for health insurance thanks to financial help available through OregonHealthCare.gov.
“I am elated to see more Oregonians taking advantage of the tremendous savings available on health coverage through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace,” says Chiqui Flowers, administrator of the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. “Health coverage is essential to helping Oregonians seek the care they need to stay healthy. We are encouraged to see the benefits the American Rescue Plan Act and extended open enrollment period will have on the ability for people to seek the care they need.”
People who missed the open enrollment deadline may still have an opportunity to get health coverage through the Marketplace if they experienced a qualifying life event such as moving, involuntarily losing health coverage, having or adopting a child, marriage, a change in citizenship, and being released from incarceration. Enrolled tribal members and Alaska natives can enroll in health coverage at any time throughout the year.
Oregonians can preview plans and savings available to them by answering a few short questions at OregonHealthCare.gov. The website is also the best place to find a health insurance experts who can give one-on-one help with the application and enrollment process by phone, email, or in person. Visit OregonHealthCare.gov today to get started.
The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, a part of state government, helps people get health insurance when they do not have job-based coverage, and do not qualify for the Oregon Health Plan or another program. The Marketplace is the state-level partner to HealthCare.gov. For more information, go to OregonHealthCare.gov.
Oregon Army National Guard soldiers have returned from a nine-month deployment in Poland.
They were working in support of the European Deterrence Initiative as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve. They arrived on Tuesday at the Portland Air National Guard Base and were part of nearly 130 soldiers that were formally mobilized in April of 2021. On January 2nd, about 120 Oregon Army National Guard soldiers deployed to Poland
to support the same mission.
Oregon Zoo Unveils A New Plan To Save The Polar Bears
The Polar Bear Research Council (PBRC), composed of zoo professionals and polar bear researchers, released its 2022 master plan, developed to help protect polar bears through advanced research, according to an Oregon Zoo press release.
The PBRC 2022 Polar Bear Research Masterplan consists of research strategies and field techniques to collect data on polar bear health and welfare, physiological and behavioral ecology, and reproduction.
The Oregon Zoo stated that the collaboration between the council, zoo, and other scientists is imperative and urgent, “as climate change reduces Arctic Sea ice, polar bears struggle to find and catch seals, making it harder for them and their cubs to survive.”
U.S. Endangered Species Act classifies polar bears as a threatened species, and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Species Survival Commission reports the species is “at high risk of global extinction.”
“We still have gaps in understanding how climate change is affecting polar bears, so it’s essential that the bears in our care help scientists learn more about their species,” said Amy Cutting, interim director of animal care and conservation at the Oregon Zoo.
Cutting said that zoo bears are perfect candidates for research as they have helped scientists advance animal care. According to the Oregon Zoo, “In 2012, polar bears Conrad and Tasul became the first of their species to voluntarily give blood.”
According to an article from the Oregonian, zoo crews would traditionally need to hit polar bears with a tranquilizing dart to draw blood, as zoo experts say polar bears do not like to be touched. The Oregon Zoo said they designed a cage and trained the polar bears to lay their paw in a specific location, so it was easier for researchers to take blood samples while another zookeeper distracted the bear with treats.
After hearing about their research successes, polar bear scientist Karyn Rode said she contacted the zoo and asked Oregon Zoo for assistance.
The Oregon Zoo said in a press release that “polar bears are extremely difficult to observe in the wild, and Dr. Rode, a biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Changing Arctic Ecosystems initiative, believed the zoo’s training advances presented a unique opportunity to fill critical knowledge gaps.”
The polar bear named Tasul has been very helpful in finding how climate change affects wild polar bears by wearing “a high-tech collar to help calibrate tracking collars deployed on wild bears,” according to officials at the Oregon Zoo.
Nora and Amelia Gray, two polar bears, welcomed back in 2021 to the Oregon Zoo, have also helped scientists in their endeavors.
The Oregon Zoo said Nora helps scientists understand caloric requirements for polar bears in the wild by swimming in a chamber designed to measure oxygen. “Amelia Gray was outfitted with a “Burr on Fur,” a prototype tech innovation designed by 3M to give conservation scientists a better way to monitor wild bears,” according to an Oregon Zoo press release.
“We’re excited to be continuing our collaborations with our conservation science partners. And it’s a great way for zoo guests to see that important work in action,” Cutting said.
According to the Oregon Zoo, “many of the habitat’s features in the Polar Passage where Nora and Amelia Gray live were funded through donations to the Oregon Zoo Foundation from the community.” This Foundation states that it supports the zoo’s animal welfare, conservation, and education efforts. To learn more about the Oregon Zoo and its research, visit oregonzoo.org/recovery.
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/