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, July 8, 2022
Willamette Valley Weather
Lane County Law Enforcement Steps Up Traffic Patrols Near Oregon Country Fair
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Police are taking measures to manage traffic in the Veneta area during the Oregon Country Fair this weekend.
Officials with the LCSO and OSP say they will be conducting highly visible traffic enforcement patrols in the Veneta area during the Oregon Country Fair, which is being held this July 8 through July 10. Law enforcement says they will be focusing on enforcing DUII laws as well as speeding, seat belt and cell phone violations. Officials say patrols began today and will continue through July 11.
Officials say the Oregon Country Fair annually brings high volumes of vehicle and pedestrian traffic to the area. Due to the resulting congestion, officials say they’ve posted lower speed limits in the area as well as restrictions against parking and U-turns along Highway 126 and Suttle Road. Flaggers will be present at the Fair’s main entrance during peak times to control traffic in the area.
Eugene Airport Ready for World Athletics Championships and Increased Flights
The Eugene Airport and the World Athletics Championships are rolling out the red carpet as it’s the first place many athletes and employees will see when they arrive in Eugene.
“We’re the first impressions they get. We’re the ones who really make or break their experience,” said Jeff Faust, a volunteer stationed at the airport for Oregon22.
“You’ll see in the terminal we are dressed up for the event, and yes we rely heavily on our volunteers all year, but also especially now,” said Cathryn Stephens, the director of the Eugene Airport. “We are working closely with the organizers and we have some tools we can use.”
Stephens said they partnered with a translator service to help when needed.
Jeff Faust has been the greeter at the airport for other major track events like the U.S Olympic trials and the Prefontaine Classic. Faust said his job is to be the welcoming committee for the athletes and employees when they arrive.
“The second phase is to make sure that they get transported from the airport to whatever accommodations they are going to have,” Faust said.
Parking is going to play a big role at these games as well as here at the Eugene Airport. Many spots at the airport are already filled up. Whether the plan is to park in the short term lot, the long term lot or the economy lot, Stephens said there is a way to check how many spots are still open.
“It’s pretty handy because before you come to the airport, if you’ve got a flight on Friday, you can check on Thursday evening to see how full those lots are,” Stephens said.
She says the airport now has eight airlines that fly to and from Eugene, up from five in 2021. There are also bigger planes flying here to bring more people.
Oregon State Police Ready for World Athletics Championships
The State of Oregon, along with Travel Oregon and the University of Oregon will host the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 and welcome 2,000 of the world’s best track and field athletes from over 200 countries to #Oregon.
For the first time, the World Athletics Championships will take place on U.S. soil. There is no better place for Team USA to compete than at Hayward Field.
Visit www.Worldchampsoregon22.com to learn more about the events happening July 15-24, 2022, at the newly reimagined Hayward Field at the University of Oregon in Eugene.
With so many people coming to visit from all over the world, let us show them how enjoyable Oregon is. That means helping our visitors travel safely around our state.
Be prepared for an increase in motor vehicles on Oregon’s highways- give yourself extra time to get to your destination whether it be to work, the store, or the #WCHOregon22.
Know before you go- use www.tripcheck.com to know about any traffic delays, crashes, or construction projects.
Always obey the rules of the road- everyone deserves to get to their destination safely.
Like your momma always said, “Let’s be on our best behavior while we have guests in our home.”
How gas prices have changed in Eugene in the last week
Oil and gas prices are declining as fears of a recession loom large.
West Texas Intermediate crude, the U.S. benchmark, and Brent Crude, the world benchmark, briefly dipped below $100 per barrel this week. Regular gas prices hovered at $4.75 per gallon on July 7, down more than 25 cents in three weeks. Ten states have seen gasoline prices decrease by at least 10 cents per gallon just in the last week.
Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in Eugene-Springfield, OR metro area using data from AAA. The cheapest gas stations are from GasBuddy. Gas prices are current as of July 7. State gas tax data is from World Population Review. Connecticut and New York have temporarily suspended gas taxes to help consumers while the cost of gas has increased.
You may also like: Free to use gas price widgets
Eugene by the numbers
– Gas current price: $5.42
— Oregon average: $5.45
— Oregon gas tax: $0.36 per gallon (#10 highest among all states)
– Week change: -$0.07 (-1.2%)
– Year change: +$1.76 (+48.3%)
– Historical expensive gas price: $5.57 (6/15/22)
– Diesel current price: $6.54
– Week change: -$0.02 (-0.4%)
– Year change: +$2.98 (+83.4%)
– Historical expensive diesel price: $6.59 (6/29/22)
Cheapest gas stations
#1. Costco: $4.85 (2828 Chad Dr, Eugene)
#2. 76: $4.89 (1395 OR-99 N, Eugene)
#3. Mobil: $4.89 (367 OR-99 N, Eugene)
Metros with the most expensive gas
#1. San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles, CA: $6.42
#2. Napa, CA: $6.40
#3. Salinas, CA: $6.32
Metros with the least expensive gas
#1. Warner Robins, GA: $3.94
#2. Albany, GA: $3.96
#3. Laredo, TX: $3.98
We want to keep you informed about COVID-19 in Oregon. Data are provisional and change frequently. For more information, including COVID-19 data by county, visit our dashboard: http://ow.ly/HxeA50JQZGCNote: The summary tables for some OHA COVID-19 dashboards will be temporarily unavailable Thursday July 7 from 5:00–6:00 p.m. while Tableau engineers perform routine maintenance. OHA appreciates your patience.
OHA releases COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough report
PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon Health Authority’s most recent update on COVID-19 breakthrough cases, released today, reported 45,843 cases of infection during the month of June.
Of those cases, 19,923, or 43.5%, were unvaccinated people, and 25,907, or 56.5%, were vaccine breakthrough cases. Among the breakthrough cases, 10,644, or 41.1%, were fully vaccinated and boosted.
To date, there have been 259,450 COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough cases in Oregon. Of those cases, 78,313, or 30.2%, were fully vaccinated and boosted at the time of infection.
To date, 2.6% of all vaccine breakthrough cases have been hospitalized, and 0.6% have died. The median age of vaccinated people who died is 80.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at protecting people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized and dying. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a COVID-19 primary series vaccines for everyone ages 6 months and older, and COVID-19 boosters for everyone ages 5 years and older, if eligible.
The latest breakthrough report can be found here.
Oregon Health Authority hosted a Zoom media briefing at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 7 – to discuss the latest on hMPXV (human monkeypox virus) in Oregon.
Tim Menza, M.D., Ph.D., senior health adviser for the hMPXV response at the OHA Public Health Division, will give an update on the state’s response to the national outbreak and reporting of cases in Oregon, and take questions.
Today, we gave an update on Oregon’s response to a national outbreak of hMPXV (human monkeypox virus) that includes at least six cases in Oregon. In the current hMPXV outbreak, an initial flu-like illness may occur. A rash can also appear at the same time or five days later, presenting more often on the genitals and around the anus. The rash can be subtle and may be painful or itchy as it moves through predictable stages, including what look like pimples, blisters and scabs. Sores may also be present inside the mouth, vagina or anus.
hMPXV has an incubation period of 6-13 days, but can be as long as 21 days. Illness lasts 2 to 4 weeks.hMPXV is not as contagious as COVID-19, but its control requires a coordinated, thoughtful public health response.“While anyone can be affected by hMPXV, the current global outbreak of hMPXV has largely affected gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men,” said Dr. Tim Menza, senior health advisor for OHA’s hMPXV response. “I point this out not to say that men who have sex with men are the only people at risk for hMPXV, but that right now our priority should be empowering men who have sex with men and the larger LGBTQIA+ and queer community and their health care providers with information, testing, prevention and treatment strategies.”Read our news release to learn more about how we’re emphasizing information-sharing, testing, vaccination and treatment as part of Oregon’s response to hMPXV: http://ow.ly/BZry50JR7x3
Fentanyl-driven overdoses sharply increasing throughout Oregon
OHA, counties, CBOs working to get word out about rescue drug naloxone
PORTLAND, Ore.—Drug overdose deaths in Oregon more than doubled between 2019 and 2021, with the increase driven largely by misuse of the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl, an Oregon Health Authority (OHA) analysis has found. Preliminary data indicate that this trend has continued in 2022.
Over the last 30 months, fentanyl has become a leading cause of overdose deaths, particularly among people who don’t have access to harm-reduction services. This trend is prompting urgent requests for supplies of naloxone, the rescue drug that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose.
“We are seeing a critical need for naloxone as many communities experience dramatic increases in overdoses due to fentanyl misuse,” said Dean Sidelinger, MD, MSEd, health officer and state epidemiologist at OHA. He noted that many counties have reported multiple opioid overdoses over the last several weeks, and that there has been a corresponding demand for naloxone. “We encourage everyone in Oregon to educate themselves and their loved ones—including young people—about the importance of naloxone, how to use it in an overdose emergency, and where people can access it.”
In 2021, nearly a third of Oregon’s counties saw more people die from fentanyl overdose than overdose from any other drug, OHA analysts found.
An overdose is always a medical emergency. Individuals should call 911 immediately after administering naloxone, and be aware that it may take multiple doses of naloxone to reverse the overdose. Oregon’s Good Samaritan law protects the caller and the person who has overdosed against possession and paraphernalia charges.
People who are taking prescription opioids should ask their health care provider or pharmacist for a naloxone prescription. Health insurance may cover the cost of naloxone. Individuals who want to have naloxone on hand for someone else should ask their pharmacist for a prescription. While health insurance usually will not cover this, coupons may be available online to offset the cost.
OHA’s Naloxone Rescue for Opioid Overdose webpage contains naloxone frequently asked questions and a map showing Oregon pharmacies that distribute the medicine. Anyone actively using opioids, or other illicit substances, can get naloxone and other harm-reduction materials at no cost through syringe service programs. Syringe service programs are available to anyone who uses drugs, regardless of whether they inject them. Here is OHA’s list of syringe and needle exchange services available in Oregon.
In addition, OHA is issuing the following warnings to people who use drugs:
- Unless a pharmacist directly hands you a prescription pill, assume it is counterfeit and contains fentanyl.
- Assume any pills obtained from social media, the internet or a friend are counterfeit and contain fentanyl.
- If you are using pills, don’t use alone and always have naloxone on hand and visible.
- Test your drugs with fentanyl test strips before you use them. Fentanyl test strips can often be accessed at local harm-reduction sites.
A review of State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS) and Oregon death certificate data by analysts from OHA’s Injury and Violence Prevention Section found that unintentional/undetermined drug overdose deaths increased from 496 in 2019 to 1,072 in 2021. The 2021 figure doesn’t include all fourth-quarter overdose deaths, which are still being tallied and analyzed.
Unintentional/undetermined fentanyl overdose deaths jumped more than 600% between 2019 and 2021, from 71 to 509, respectively. Of unintentional/undetermined drug overdose deaths in 2021, 47.5% were due to fentanyl; in 2020, fentanyl caused 32.1% of overdose deaths; in 2019, the drug was responsible for 14.3% of overdoses.
Overall, unintentional/undetermined overdoses from opioids, including fentanyl and heroin, also rose sharply during that time, from 280 to 739 deaths – a 164% increase. Unintentional/undetermined stimulant – methamphetamine – overdoses were up two-fold, from 325 to 658 deaths from 2019 to 2021.
While exact reasons for the overdose increases are unknown, public health officials have long suspected that disruptions to daily life due to the COVID-19 pandemic have been a factor. Those with substance use disorder have been hit particularly hard by job losses, school closures and social isolation resulting from restrictions put in place to limit exposure and transmission of the virus.
The COVID-19 crisis also interrupted ways people with substance use disorder can get help, such as mental health services, 12-step programs and ambulatory visits, Sidelinger says.
But an increase in availability of fentanyl also is a factor in Oregon’s overdose increases. According to an April 2022 bulletin by the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (OR-ID HIDTA), 40% of all counterfeit pills in circulation contain fatal amounts of fentanyl. The OR-ID HIDTA seized 1.5 million counterfeit pills in 2021, a 51% increase from 2020 and a 137% increase from 2019.
OHA is taking steps to reduce drug overdose deaths:
- OHA, in collaboration with OR-ID HIDTA, is working with public safety and public health partners to implement Overdose Mapping and Application Program (ODMAP), a real-time suspected overdose surveillance data system to mobilize an immediate response to a sudden increase in overdose events in local communities. HIDTA has recently found a large number of narcotic pill seizures by participating law enforcement agencies that appear to be pharmaceutical narcotics like oxycodone but are likely counterfeits containing fentanyl.
- Oregon established a Harm Reduction Supply Clearinghouse to support agencies that serve people at risk of overdose, including offering community-based outreach, prevention and harm-reduction programs, withdrawal and substance use treatment programs, and rural and frontier first uniformed responders across Oregon. Currently, there are 127 organizations set up to order harm-reduction supplies online through the Clearinghouse. Organizations participating in the Clearinghouse have ordered nearly 130,000 doses of naloxone and other supplies, including syringes, wound care, PPE, disinfectants and personal hygiene products (to prevent COVID-19 and treat wounds).
- The PRIME+ (Peer Recovery Initiated in Medical Establishments) program provides peer-based harm reduction support for persons currently using drugs who present to medical settings. The program goals are to reduce overdoses and infections related to harmful drug use. PRIME+ peer support specialists assist people who are using drugs to access naloxone, safer use supplies, HIV and hepatitis C testing, primary care and substance use treatment, and more. The PRIME + program operates 23 sites in 20 counties in Oregon and has reported more than 20,000 contacts with community members and provided harm-reduction-centered peer support to more than 3,400 people who are using drugs in participating counties since January 2021.
- About 10,000 to 11,000 patients in Oregon are receiving methadone through Oregon’s opioid treatment providers (OTPs). Most OTPs are concentrated along the Interstate 5 corridor serving Oregon’s four largest metropolitan areas, although federal funds have helped with expansion to rural and frontier areas, such as the Oregon Coast, and central and eastern Oregon. As of spring 2022, Oregon also had about 2,100 practitioners federally certified to prescribe buprenorphine for treating opioid use disorder, although only around half of providers choose to use their certifications in any given year. Despite expansion efforts, coastal and rural communities in Oregon are still lacking in access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in many cases.
Health officials are reminding people that opioid use disorder can be successfully treated. Those who need help to stop using opioids can talk to their health care providers or view OHA’s list of resources. In addition, Oregon law allows lay people to carry and use naloxone, a medication that can be used to reverse an opioid overdose, on other people. Learn more about naloxone. If a person is using substances alone, the Never Use Alone Hotline 800-484-3731 can be a nonjudgmental and lifesaving point of contact for emergency services.
Oregon-based nonprofit Lines for Life and OHA recently launched the Safe + Strong Helpline at 1-800-923-4357 (800-923-HELP). The line offers free, 24-7 emotional support and resource referral to anyone who needs it—not only those experiencing a mental health crisis. The Safe + Strong Helpline is a response to needs for emotional support around disasters like COVID-19 and wildfires and was funded by the CARES Act. Callers are routed to a counselor who can provide emotional support, mental health triage, drug and alcohol counseling, crisis counseling or just connection.
Gun Safety Measure Poised To Appear On November Ballot
Supporters of a gun safety ballot initiative say they have gathered more than enough signatures to guarantee a statewide vote on a law that would require licenses for all gun owners. If voters approve it, the measure will require completed background checks and ban large-capacity ammunition magazines
Hundreds of volunteers for Initiative Petition 17 will continue collecting petition signatures across Oregon until Tuesday night, then deliver them to the Secretary of State’s Elections Division on Friday. As of Monday afternoon, organizers estimate that they’ve collected between 135,000 and 140,000 signatures – well above the 112,000 needed to make the ballot and ensure a comfortable buffer in case some aren’t valid.
The initiative would tighten Oregon’s gun laws, which allow gun ownership at 18 and requires criminal background checks before gun purchases, though a loophole in federal law allows firearms dealers to sell guns without a background check if it takes longer than three days to complete. The man who killed nine people in a racially-motivated shooting at a South Carolina church in 2015 acquired his gun that way.
If the measure were enacted, everyone would have to complete a background check, no matter how long it takes, and pass firearm safety training to obtain a permit before buying a gun. It would not apply to current firearm owners unless they purchase additional weapons after the law took effect.
The measure would also prohibit the sale of ammunition magazines that can contain more than 10 rounds, though people who already own large magazines could continue to use them on their property, while hunting or at shooting ranges.
The initiative would not ban assault-style weapons, which have been used in many mass shootings, though petitioners plan to work with legislators to pass such a ban in 2023. They initially planned to put that ban on the November ballot but decided it worked better to focus all their efforts on one initiative, a spokesperson said.
New Report Finds Hundreds Of Oregon’s Disabled Students Are Illegally Denied Full School Days
Dozens of school districts across Oregon continue to deny some students with disabilities their right to full school days as a means to deal with behavioral challenges and classroom disruptions, and the state Department of Education is shirking its responsibility to monitor and correct those denials, a new expert report has found.
Students with disabilities including autism, emotional disturbance and communication impairment were given as few as 10 or even five hours of instruction per week, despite a longstanding federal law requiring schools to offer such students access to the same sort of free public education as their non-disabled peers and with the least possible restrictions, the report says.
The report, written by a consortium of special education experts, documents that Oregon schools often give students with significant behavior issues reduced instruction time rather than greater attention and the individualized education they need to succeed. The experts were chosen by state officials and advocates for children with disabilities and paid by the Oregon Department of Education.
Oregon GOP Has New Chairperson
Oregon’s Republican Party has a new chair today to replace its interim leader from Josephine County.
The Oregon Republican Party (ORP) officially has Portland restauranteur Justin Hwang as its new Chairman today.
Hwang was elected as Vice-Chair in May, then moved up to fill the vacancy after Herman Baertschiger of Josephine County resigned as Chairman of the state party.
Hwang says, “I am humbled and honored to serve as the new Chair of the Oregon Republican Party. I want to thank the ORP delegates and ORP leadership, including former Chair Baertschiger, for believing in me. I’m excited to bring a fresh voice to the Party along with my years of experience as a small business owner. My colleagues and I are ready to get to work and we only have one vision in mind for 2022 – to elect more Republicans to office.”
Hwang says ORP is committed to doing the work to ensure Oregon Republican election victories this November.
ORP says Hwang is the first Asian-American and first Korean American to be serve as Chairman of the Oregon Republican Party, noting Hwang is a business owner with more than 30 restaurants across the Portland-metro area and a former state legislative candidate.
Senator Jeff Merkley is blaming the steep gas costs on price gouging by American oil companies.
To counter this, the senator is sponsoring a ‘big oil windfall profits tax’, a bill that would get money back into the hands of Oregonians, in the form of a check.
Senator Merkley says the bill would raise about 45 billion dollars from big oil companies. He also says he supports President Biden’s proposal to suspend the gas tax for short-term relief.
Oregon Republican Congressman Cliff Bentz has also been weighing in on gas prices on Twitter. Early last month he said it’s time to unleash American energy and quote “end this madness”.
Bottle Hunting Season Has Begun! — The Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative released the first clues Wednesday for the 2022 Oregon Hidden Bottle Hunt
Six commemorative bottles have been hidden around the state of Oregon to celebrate more than a half-century of Oregon’s Bottle Bill. Each bottle has been placed in parks and trails throughout the state.
Five daily clues as to the bottles’ locations will be revealed through Sunday. All clues can be found on the BottleDrop website.
The second clues for this years 2022 Oregon Hidden Bottle Hunt were revealed Thursday.
The hunt is divided into six geographical zones. Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook and Harney counties are in Zone 4. Klamath, Lake, Josephine and Jackson counties are in Zone 3. Eastern Oregon is in Zone 5. Southwest Oregon is in Zone 2 while Zone 1 has been split into an east and west region covering Portland and Northwest Oregon.
The green, refillable bottles come with a small, Oregon-shaped tag that says “The Oregon Bottle Bill: Promoting a legacy of recycling since 1971.” They will come with a small bag to keep the bottle in.
The winners get to keep the bottle and will get to choose one of the 5,000 BottleDrop Give nonprofit partners to receive a $1,000 donation.
Important Bottle Hunt rules
- Do not trespass on private property. All bottles are hidden in parks or trails open to the public.
- Do not go inside any buildings to look for bottles. All bottles are hidden outside.
- Do not dig for the bottles or otherwise damage/destroy any plants or structures at the park/trail, and bottles will not be hidden in any community garden spaces. The bottles may be concealed but will not be hidden in places that require damaging property in any way. You do not need to dig underground or destroy anything to access the bottles, and doing so is prohibited.
- Abide by any park/trail hours while you are hunting.
The Oregon Bottle Bill, signed into law on July 2, 1971, was the nation’s first beverage container redemption system that allowed people to get money back for returning bottles.
OBRC said the Oregon redemption rate was 83.9% in 2021, with Oregonians returning nearly 2 billion containers for recycling.
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