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, March 14, 2022
Willamette Valley Weather
Today– Rain likely, mainly after 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 53. Southeast wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tuesday– Showers. Steady temperature around 49. Southwest wind 7 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Wednesday– Partly sunny, with a high near 55. Light south wind.
Thursday– A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.
Friday– A chance of rain, mainly after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.
North Eugene Storage Unit Fire
Eugene Springfield Fire crews, with the assistance of Lane Fire Authority, are actively engaged in a structure fire off of Irvington Road in North Eugene. Fire broke out in the storage unit complex just after 3 am and spread to multiple units, before being contained. Cause of the Fire is under investigation. No injuries have been reported, Eugene Springfield Fire
Police Release Mothers Name Of Baby Left Alone In Springfield Hotel
Police identified the woman found dead at a Springfield hotel room Monday as 28-year-old Mariah Sutton.
The baby was found Monday at about 7 p.m. at Quality Inn and Suites, 3550 Gateway Street.
According to police, the 6-month-old son was left alone in the room for four to five days. They said the child was found in a stroller car seat inside the hotel room.Police said the child is recovering well and is likely released from the hospital.
Department of Human Services is handling further arrangements for the child, according to police. Anyone with information about the case can call SPD at 541-726-3721.
Stand Off With Police After Springfield Man Assaults Two Women
Around 1:30 a.m. Saturday March 12th, Springfield police officers responded to a dispute at a residence on South 63rd Street where a man was reportedly assaultive and brandishing a handgun.
One of the initial victims called 911 after a physical dispute occurred there. She reported an assault had occurred between two occupants of the residence, 50-year-old Jack Rossi and his fiancé, who remained inside the home.
“She was also the victim of assault at the hands of Rossi and sustained multiple injuries,” SPD said. “After the assaults took place, Rossi produced a handgun and made menacing statements that he has killed people before and would kill her and his fiancé too.”
Police say Rossi was reported to have pointed the gun at both women in the residence while making such threats.
“Patrol contained the scene and started attempting contact with Rossi and the second female who were still inside the residence,” SPD said. “These efforts continued for more than an hour as Rossi refused to exit the residence.”
SWAT was activated at 2:46 a.m., the report said. “Patrol continued attempts to contact Rossi as SWAT was arriving on scene,” SPD said. Rossi emerged from the front door and was taken into custody without incident at 3:17 a.m.
Moments later, Rossi’s fiancé also exited the house. Once the scene was secured, detectives arrived and took over the investigation.
Ultimately, 2 handguns were seized from the residence, the report said. One was located under the couch cushion in the living room and matched the gun described by the initial caller/victim.
Rossi was lodged at the Lane County Jail for Menacing, Assault IV, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Unlawful use of a Weapon.
Grant Money Available To Help Those Affected By 2020 Wildfires To Be More Fire-Resistant When Rebuilding
Oregon homes and businesses damaged or destroyed by the 2020 wildfires can get financial help through a state and multi-county partnership.
Eight counties and the Oregon Building Codes Division are coordinating a grant program for rebuilding costs. Examples include $2200 towards roofing, and $350 for ventilation.
Mark Peterson of the Oregon Department of Consumer Business Services says this is all part of what’s called fire hardening.
“Fire hardening can include actions that can be taken to make a home or business more resistant to the damage from a wildfire, such as using materials for siding and roofing that resist ignition during a wildfire,” said Peterson. “Installing fire-resistant windows to protect openings, or using attic ventilation devices to help reduce ember intrusion.”
Peterson adds if someone has already started or finished their rebuilding efforts, they can still apply for over 6-thousand dollars in grant money.
The eligible counties are Lane, Clackamas, Klamath, Douglas, Jackson, Lincoln, Linn, and Marion.
Information can be found at: https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/Pages/firehardening.aspx
Oregon reports 411 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 15 new deaths
PORTLAND, Ore. — There are 15 new COVID-19-related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 6,869, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported Friday afternoon.
OHA reported 411 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 699,362.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (4), Clackamas (27), Clatsop (4), Columbia (6), Coos (8), Crook (5), Curry (2), Deschutes (30), Douglas (25), Grant (6), Harney (1), Hood River (2), Jackson (16), Jefferson (1), Josephine (15), Klamath (3), Lake (1), Lane (32), Lincoln (10), Linn (17), Marion (27), Multnomah (107), Polk (8), Tillamook (1), Umatilla (3), Union (1), Wasco (3), Washington (40) and Yamhill (6).
State health officials announce equity-focused COVID-19 resilience plan
OHA Director Patrick Allen, Dean Sidelinger, M.D. MSEd, health officer and state epidemiologist at OHA, and Colt Gill, director of the Oregon Department of Education, briefed the media today about lifting mask regulations and introduced the recovery phase of the pandemic response, with a focus on building community resilience and supporting local decision-making.
Director Allen’s comments are here. Dr. Sidelinger’s comments are here.
You can listen to the press conference here.
Oregon’s statewide mask mandate and face covering requirements at local schools has finally been lifted — effective Saturday. But masking requirements remain at health care settings locally and statewide under state
and federal orders. That means masking is still required at Oregon hospitals and medical facilities.
Oregon Gov. Brown has lifted the state’s mask mandate for most settings. It also allows for local school districts to chart their own paths on COVID rules. The Biden administration also still has federal mask mandates for airports, airplanes as well as rail and bus stations in place.
The administration has also sought to impose vaccine mandates and other pandemic requirements on health care workers and settings. Oregon health officials Friday declared an end to the emergency phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating they will now focus on helping the state recover from the damage wrought by the
coronavirus and prepare for a potential resurgence of disease. While the state expects there to be little danger of a surge in the immediate future, officials did not dismiss the possibility that one could come again.
So many people in Oregon have some protection from infection now that forecasts do not predict a rise in hospitalizations once the statewide mask mandate took affect Saturday. Average daily cases have fallen almost 95% since the omicron surge peaked and declines in hospitalizations have consistently beaten forecasts. While health officials don’t see any variants to be concerned about in the immediate future, the purpose of the new plan is to prepare the state in case the virus does come back in force.
Semi Carrying Cows Crashes Near Wilsonville
A crash on I-5 one mile south of Wilsonville has shut down the highway in both directions at around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. A semi trailer carrying livestock tipped over on Interstate 5 on Sunday, sending cattle onto the freeway, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue said.
The crash happened at about 2 p.m. near the Wilsonville exit. Witnesses at the scene report that there are cows walking on the roadway. Oregon State Police reported that roughly 25 cows were loose on the roadway following the accident. The semi truck driver was not seriously hurt in the crash.
Emergency officials closed down the north and southbound lanes while crews worked to corral the cows. most of the freeway was back open by about 4:30 p.m
Advisory Panel Seeks Public Comments on Paid Family and Medical Leave
An advisory panel seeks public comments as it writes rules for how Oregon will offer paid family and medical leave, which is scheduled to start next year. The Legislature approved the program in 2019. But last year, it extended the deadlines from Jan. 1, 2022, to Jan. 1, 2023, for the program to collect its first payroll taxes — workers will pay
60% and employers 40% of the fund — and from Jan. 1 to Sept. 3, 2023, for the first payments of benefits. Oregon will join eight states and Washington, D.C., with similar programs.
Workers who earn at least $1,000 during the previous year would qualify for up to 12 weeks of paid family leave, the maximum benefit set at $1,215 per week. Oregon’s program is more generous than a proposal last year by President Joe Biden for a federal program, which would offer up to $4,000 per month.
The advisory committee has scheduled a second virtual meeting from 9 a.m. to noon on March 17. It held a similar meeting March 10. Advance registration is required for participation: bit.ly/3w1Cdq2.
Senator Merkley Says Congress Ready to Pass Bill to Help Ukraine
Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley says there’s broad support in Congress to help Ukraine. The House passed a spending bill that includes 14-billion dollars to help Ukraine respond to the invasion by Russia. Merkley says the country needs anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons. Merkley says supporting Ukraine is vital to helping the country keep its democracy.
“They are resisting with everything they have and we have a moral responsibility to support them on the humanitarian side, on the military equipment side, to rally the nations of the world, the freedom loving nations of the world to support the fighters, the Ukrainian fighters,” Merkley said.
It’s unclear how fast the budget will pass in the Senate as some lawmakers have raised concerns over how quickly it was passed through the House.
Oregon Congressional Map Change and Candidates for New Districts
A retiring D.C. veteran, an intraparty challenger and a brand-new seat add up to a Congressional primary season like none in recent memory in Oregon. Due to 18-term Rep. Peter DeFazio’s retirement and the creation of a new district, Oregon is guaranteed to elect at least two new members to the U.S. House of Representatives this year. That hasn’t happened since 1998.
A total of 45 candidates have filed to run to represent Oregon in the House. By comparison, as recently as 2016, just 20 people were on the primary ballot across Oregon’s five districts. The surge in candidates is due in part to the added district, Oregon’s first since 1982. It comes thanks to the once-a-decade reapportionment of House members. Oregon’s population growth made it one of six states to gain at least one seat in Congress this year.
The new 6th District stretches from eastern Washington County, including parts of Beaverton, and to the south and west to include McMinnville and Salem. Sixteen people have filed to run for the seat: nine Democrats and seven Republicans.
Port of Newport to make major repairs this year to the seawall that supports Rogue World Headquarters in Newport
A $1.14 million appropriation from the State of Oregon will allow the Port of Newport to make major repairs this year to the 540–foot seawall that supports Rogue World Headquarters in Newport. Built in 1979, the seawall was under study by an engineering firm in 2021 after showing signs of considerable wear and corrosion. PBS Engineering reported that the seawall “is considered to have exceeded its useful design life” and predicted eventual failing of the corroded steel piles if measures weren’t taken to repair or replace the structure.
Last November, General Manager Paula Miranda outlined the options at a Port Commission meeting and recommended refurbishment at a price of $1.4 million, since it would not require relocating the tenant (Rogue) and would mean 20 more years of useful life for the structure. The Port’s administrative team was actively seeking grant opportunities when good news arrived.
State Rep. David Gomberg notified Miranda that $1.14 million in funding was expected to make it out of the short legislative session that began on February 1. The budget reconciliation that included the seawall funding was official passed on Friday, March 4.
“With that appropriation, roughly 80 percent of the project cost will be covered and we can get started on those major repairs to the seawall right away,” the general manager explained. “The Port is very thankful for Rep. Gomberg’s efforts in keeping this project in the forefront and we are grateful to the Oregon Legislature for its final approval.”
The seawall, which is on the south end of the South Beach marina, also has an attached dock that Port officials are hoping to upgrade when the project occurs. The Port is budgeting for that expenditure in its 2022/23 fiscal year budget, which begins in July.
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.
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
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Have-You-Seen-Me-Southern-Oregons-Missing-People-161249961222839/posts/