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, March 1, 2022
Willamette Valley Weather
Today– Rain. High near 58. South southeast wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Wednesday– Rain. High near 54. Southeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday– A 50 percent chance of rain, mainly before 4pm. Snow level 3500 feet lowering to 3000 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Calm wind becoming north northwest around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Friday– A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 4pm. Snow level 2500 feet. Cloudy, with a high near 47.
Saturday– Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48.
Police Seek Help with Serial Dumpster Arson in Downtown Eugene
Police are investigating 10 fires in trash bins reported Sunday in downtown Eugene.
“Starting around 6:40 a.m. on February 27, there were 10 trash bin and dumpster fires reported in the downtown Eugene area,” Eugene Police said. “Those fires were set over a span of about four and half hours. Buildings or vehicles were damaged by three of the fires.”
Arson detectives are investigating. This is not the first time this has happened.
Police said the fires were reported at Charnelton and W. 8th; in the area of W. 10th Alley; West Broadway at Charnelton; W. 11th and Charnleton; and other locations along W. 8th Avenue. Investigators ask anyone who may have tips to call them. Businesses in the area that may have surveillance video of the suspect are also asked to call (541) 682-5111 so detectives can review and collect the video.
Man Breaks in Businesses Twice After Being Released for First Break In
A man committed 2 business break-ins in the early morning hours of Monday, Feb. 28 before being arrested and transported to jail.
At around 4:07 a.m., Eugene Police officers responded to a reported burglary at Dari Mart on 111 North Monroe Street. The glass front door was broken and a man was inside.
Timothy Allan Hills, 54, appeared disoriented and was eating an item when police arrived. Hills was bleeding from the glass shards from the door.
Officers transported Hills to a hospital and left him for treatment with a citation.
At 6:13 a.m. Eugene Police officers responded to a similar call at Hutch’s Bicycles, 960 Charnelton Street. The front door was broken and Timothy Hills was inside pushing a bicycle toward the front door.
Hills was agitated and uncooperative during this interaction and threw a fire extinguisher at officers.
An officer spent some time talking calmly with Hills, who eventually crawled back out the hole he had made in the door to get in. Hills was incoherent and transported to Lane County Jail for Burglary in the Second Degree.
Police Ask for Public’s Help in Search For Victim’s Roommate In Albany Homicide
A 42-year-old woman, the roommate of a 75-year-old man whose death was ruled a homicide, is wanted for questioning in the case, Albany police officials said.
Elvin “Al” Pierce was found dead by officers around 9:10 p.m. Friday after a 911 caller reported a man was unconscious and not breathing. Investigators at that time said the circumstances surrounding his death were suspicious.
APD said Pierce’s roommate, 42-year-old Elizabeth Nicole Tyler Jimenez, wasn’t there at the home when officers found Pierce dead and they don’t know where she is.
Authorities did not specifically state whether Jimenez is a suspect or if there are any charges against her.
Pierce’s car, a tan 2004 Buick Park Avenue with Oregon license plate 081FAX, is also missing.
Jimenez, who investigators believe is currently without a job, is described as often visiting local soup kitchens. She also has skills as a masseuse and a seamstress, officials said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact APD at 541-917-7680 or APD Lt. Buck Pearce at 541-917-3209.
UPDATE: Cannabis extraction lab fire investigation
On Saturday, February 26, 2022, detectives with the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT) were informed of a commercial fire in the 300 block of Beaver Lane, in Roseburg, Oregon. The structure which was on fire was believed to be the site of a cannabis extraction lab.
DINT detectives arrived at the location and began an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire. DINT detectives learned the building was sub-leased to two separate companies, who conducted unrelated business out of the building.
Observations made from outside the structure indicated there was equipment associated with the extraction of cannabis. DINT detectives also spoke with individuals who confirmed the location was being used as an ethanol-based cannabis extraction lab.
The fire resulted in the complete loss of the structure and lab, as well as the neighboring businesses property.
DINT detectives later served a search warrant at the location to determine origin and cause of the fire, as well as the seizure of cannabis from the location.
The investigation is on going and detectives are interested in the whereabouts of a possibly involved individual, 31-year-old Levi Miller, of Roseburg.
If you have information regarding this investigation, please contact DINT at 541-440-4474.
DINT was assisted by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Fire District #2, and the Oregon State Fire Marshalls office. Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT)
Oregon reports 1,694 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 40 new deaths
PORTLAND, Ore. — There are 40 new COVID-19-related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll 6,662, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported at 12:01 a.m. today.
OHA reported 1,694 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 693,929. The 40 new deaths and 1,694 new confirmed and presumed cases include data recorded from counties for the three-day period between Feb. 25 through Feb. 27.
Oregon reports 919 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases on Feb. 25, 460 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases on Feb. 26, and 315 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases on Feb. 27.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (5), Benton (49), Clackamas (154), Clatsop (8), Columbia (33), Coos (18), Crook (10), Curry (11), Deschutes (91), Douglas (48), Gilliam (2), Grant (3), Harney (4), Hood River (3), Jackson (84), Josephine (58), Klamath (40), Lake (4), Lane (139), Lincoln (27), Linn (82), Malheur (8), Marion (119), Morrow (1), Multnomah (337), Polk (42), Tillamook (10), Umatilla (14), Union (3), Wallowa (4), Wasco (6), Washington (234) and Yamhill (43).
OHA holds media briefing on lifting of mask requirements, marks second anniversary of Oregon’s first COVID-19 case
Today, Dean Sidelinger, M.D., health officer and state epidemiologist at Oregon Health Authority, and Colt Gill, director of the Oregon Department of Education, held a media briefing to announce the lifting of the general indoor mask requirements statewide and for schools on March 12.
Dr.Sidelinger’s comments, which include comments recognizing the second anniversary of Oregon’s first COVID-19 case, are here. Director Gill’s comments are here. A recording to the media availability is here.
Schoolchildren in Oregon — as well as in California and Washington — will no longer be required to wear masks as part of new indoor mask policies the Democratic governors of all three states announced jointly on Monday. “With declining case rates and hospitalizations across the West, California, Oregon and Washington are moving together to update their masking guidance,” the governors said in a statement.
In Washington and Oregon, all the requirements will lift on March 12. Federal mask requirements will still apply in high-risk indoor settings such as public transportation, airports and taxis. Rules for other high-risk indoor settings could also vary by state.
Oregonians donate $5.55 million to Cultural Trust in 2021 to support statewide arts, heritage and humanities organizations
Salem, Ore. – Donations to the Oregon Cultural Trust surpassed $5.55 million in 2021, a 6.7 percent increase over 2020’s record-setting results of $5.2 million. The funds will support grant awards to cultural organizations across the state this summer and continue to build the Cultural Trust’s permanent fund, now valued at more than $31 million.
“After an extraordinary increase of 13 percent in 2020, we knew that maintaining that growth would be an achievement,” said Cultural Trust Board Chair Niki Price. “To build on it so significantly demonstrates Oregonians’ continued commitment to helping our cultural community recover from losses suffered during the pandemic and rebuild.”
“A key campaign strategy for the last couple of years has been virtual presentations about how the cultural tax credit works,” said Cultural Trust Executive Director Brian Rogers. “Once cultural donors realize that a matching gift to the Trust will come back to them as a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit, they tend to step up. Especially when they know they will be strengthening the more than 1,500 cultural organizations we support across the state. It becomes a win win.”
The $5.55 million fundraising total includes 10,608 donations and 1,630 new donors. It also includes a record $608,270.75 raised through an ongoing partnership with the Willamette Week Give!Guide.
“Our partnership with Give!Guide continues to be a cornerstone of our campaign,” said Rogers. “It is a great way for people to learn about the Cultural Trust and the tax credit, bringing in 2,394 donations this year alone.”
More than half of the money raised will be distributed directly to Oregon’s nonprofit cultural community this summer; the remainder will grow the Cultural Trust permanent fund. Cultural Trust grants are distributed through five Statewide Cultural Partners – Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Heritage, Oregon Historical Society, Oregon Humanities and the Oregon State Office of Historic Preservation – as well as to 45 County/Tribal Cultural Coalitions, who regrant the funds in their communities, and directly to cultural nonprofits via Cultural Development Grants.
The 90 projects supported by Cultural Development Grants in FY2022 include:
- Access to culturally relevant celebrations and events involving traditional art, music and dance for Latinx families and the greater communityby Comunidad y Herencia Cultural in Springfield;
- An exhibit at the Favell Museum in Klamath Falls by Klamath Modoc artist Ka’ila Farrell-Smith — her first for her Native community. Her art explores the space between the Indigenous & western paradigms;
- Indexing, cross-referencing, digitization and expanded access to the Harney County Library oral history collection for the community, researchers and genealogistsby the Harney County Library Foundation in Burns;
- Access to robust, community-led art making and exhibition opportunities for BIPOC artists, cultural workers and residents in East Portland’s Jade District by the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon in Portland;
- Construction of the Arrival Plaza at Astoria Nordic Heritage Park, a cultural attraction for North Coast residents and visitors by the Astoria Scandinavian Heritage Association;
- The installation of a lift for better accessibility to the landmark Carnegie Library building in La Grande by Eastern Oregon Regional Arts Council, Inc.;
- Funding the Portland Chinatown History Foundation’s first paid executive director to further develop, sustain, strengthen and grow operations, programs and collaborations;
- Expanded access to the performing arts of India through a hybrid model of delivering the in-home experience of live concerts and master classes via social media by Rasika Society for Arts of India in Hillsboro; and
- The preservation of Historic Community Hall by strengthening wall supports and replacing damaged roof trusses by the Willamette Community and Grange Hall Historic Building Foundation in Corvallis.
For a full list of Cultural Trust grant projects, including links to Cultural County Coalitions and several hundred county projects they are funding this year, visit www.culturaltrust.org.
The exclusive contracted partner for the Cultural Trust’s 2021 fundraising campaign was Bell+Funk of Eugene.
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The Oregon Cultural Trust was established by the Oregon Legislature in 2001 as a unique means to reward Oregonians who invest in culture. Oregonians who donate to a cultural nonprofit and then make a matching gift to the Cultural Trust receive a 100% state tax credit for their gift to the Trust.
UPDATE: Body Recovered At Cape Arago State Park
Coos Bay Police are investigating the death of a man whose body was found at the bottom of a cliff at Cape Arago State Park. A vehicle that matched that of a reported missing person was found at the park Sunday morning. Search and Rescue, with the help of the Coast Guard, located 28-year-old Jordan Smith below a cliff.
A rescue ropes team recovered the body. The vehicle was towed. Smith’s girlfriend, who was at the site of the recovery, was taken to Bay Area Hospital accompanied by a chaplain.
Gas in Oregon is averaging more than 4-dollars a gallon.
Russia’s ongoing attack on Ukraine is fueling a surge in gas prices. Triple-A’s national average price for regular is up to three dollars and 61 cents a gallon, a penny higher than yesterday and eight cents higher than a week ago. The conflict has also pushed the statewide average above four dollars a gallon in Hawaii, Nevada, Washington, and California. Drivers in California are paying an average of four-82 a gallon.
Washington state Sen. Marko Liias has apologized to Oregon Gov. Kate Brown for disparaging her in a radio interview.
Brown, also a Democrat, opposes a 6 cent tax on exported fuel that is proposed in Washington Democrats’ $16 billion transportation package. Most of Oregon’s fuel comes from Washington, making it likely Oregon drivers will see the increase at the pump. Liias, an author of that transportation package, took aim at Brown when the subject arose midway through a radio interview. Liias wrote the apology a short time later.
Oregon’s emergency rental assistance portal will remain open longer than expected because more than 100-million dollars in funds are still available.
Officials say 289-million dollars in federal emergency rental assistance has been paid out to over 40-thousand households. Oregon Housing and Community Services will give at least a week’s notice before closing the portal. Oregon is ranked fourth in the nation for the percentage of funds paid out.
National Red Cross Month Recognized as Local Volunteers Respond to Nearly 700 Disasters in 2021
Red Cross honors community heroes during annual Red Cross Month celebration in March
Celebrate by donating on Red Cross Giving Day, March 23; giving blood; or volunteering
Portland, OR (March 1, 2022) — Last year, local Red Cross volunteers responded to nearly 700 emergency disasters, including home fires and the Bootleg wildfire that burned more than 400,000 acres near Beatty, Oregon. These disasters resulted in 1,600 overnight shelter stays where volunteers provided food and comfort to affected individuals.
In March, the Cascades Region is honoring the volunteers who make its mission possible every day during Red Cross Month — a national tradition started nearly 80 years ago when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first national Red Cross Month proclamation recognizing those who give back through the American Red Cross. Each U.S. president has issued a proclamation ever since.
“When emergencies strike, our community rallies together to help families and individuals when it matters most,” said Dale Kunce, CEO, Red Cross Cascades Region. “We honor this dedication during our Red Cross Month celebration, and we invite everyone to turn their compassion into action by donating, volunteering, giving blood or taking a lifesaving skills course.
About 50,000 people across Oregon and SW Washington were trained in a lifesaving skill by the Red Cross Cascades Region in 2021 and blood donors helped us collect more than 182,000 units of essential blood for trauma patients and those receiving treatments like volunteer Linda Sanders’ daughter which inspired her to join the Red Cross.
“When my daughter was 11, she was diagnosed with leukemia and needed blood transfusions. This is my way of paying forward for my many blessings to have my daughter here today,” says Linda Sanders.
Hear from other local volunteers about what inspires them to give back by following the hashtag #MyRedCrossStory throughout the month March.
You too can give back during Red Cross Month. Visit redcross.org to make a financial donation, give blood, become a volunteer, or take a class in lifesaving skills, such as first aid and CPR. On March 23, you can also join our annual Red Cross Giving Day campaign by donating at redcross.org/givingday to help provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support and other assistance for people affected by disasters big and small.
Supporting video b-roll from the American Red Cross is available to download here.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
10th annual Klamath Independent Film Festival Accepting Film Submissions
Klamath Film, a nonprofit that promotes filmmaking in the Klamath Basin, is now accepting film submissions for the 10th annual Klamath Independent Film Festival through June 1. The festival, scheduled to take place Sept. 16-18 at the Ross Ragland Theater in Klamath Falls and simultaneously presented via livestream and on-demand, is entering its tenth year.
Dubbed “the premiere Oregon-centric film festival,” KIFF is the only film festival that exclusively showcases independent films made-in-Oregon, along with submissions from bordering California counties Siskiyou and Modoc.
Festival submissions are split into six categories based on geographic location as northern or southern Oregon, designated as either feature films (40 minutes or longer), shorts (under 40 minutes), and K-12 youth films. K-12 films should be no longer than five minutes.
As with 2021’s festival, prize money totaling $5,000 will be divided among the six categories. Any film completed no later than Jan. 1, 2021 and is made predominantly in Oregon or by an Oregon resident filmmaker is eligible to submit for consideration. Film selections for KIFF will be announced in mid-July.
Continuing a popular tradition, award-winning films from the six categories will receive a one-of-a-kind art piece trophy custom carved by the Southern Cascade Woodcrafters Guild along with a cash prize. MORE INFO: https://klamathfilm.org/festival/
JCSO received a call Thursday regarding a vehicle that had been left in the parking lot north of the Gold Hill Sports Park, according to a JCSO press release. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that the vehicle was rented by Walzer. JCSO Search and Rescue responded and completed a search of this area along the Rogue River. Neither Walzer nor any additional clues were located.
This is a busy recreational area which leads authorities to believe Walzer was most likely seen or contacted by someone.
“Walzer was in a silver Nissan pickup truck and most likely had a full-size camera,” the press release reads. “Investigation indicates Walzer may have left his vehicle over a week ago on Friday February 18.”
Walzer is 6’2” 220 lbs with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen waring a blueish-gray button up shirt and blue jeans.
If you have any information or have seen Walzer, please contact Sgt. Shawn Richards at 541-774-6800.
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/