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, July 26, 2022
Willamette Valley Weather
Heat Advisory until July 28, 09:00 PM PDT
Bystanders Jump Into Action and Assist Rescuers With Medical Patient at High Rock
On a busy day for Sweet Home Fire, crews were grateful to receive assistance from the community. A medical patient in an area known as High Rock needed to be carried up a steep trail from the River.
Bystanders who were enjoying some recreation on a very hot day came together to assist rescuers. Several people formed a human chain to expedite the extrication of the patient to a waiting ambulance saving valuable time and making the most of the available resources. We are grateful to have a community that comes together to help those in need!
After Persistent Search, K9 Team Locates Suspect in Northwest Eugene
Early Tuesday morning at 1:49, July 26, an officer spotted Jordan Ryan Long getting into the passenger seat of a Toyota sedan in the 700 block of N. Danebo. The officer knew Long, age 32, had several felony warrants.
When the car took off, the officer initiated a traffic stop near the 1100 block of N. Terry. Long got out and initially walked away when told to stop, then picked up the pace and ran north on foot. To find Long, Officer Travis Palki and K9 Jax were called to the scene. They started tracking.
After searching quite a while, their persistence paid off when the team located Long hiding in a locked shed in the 1600 block of N. Terry. The owner of the shed gave police permission to open it and they found Long inside.
Long was compliant and taken into custody at 3:53 a.m. without incident. He was transported to Lane County Jail on his warrants and for Interfering with a Police Officer. Case 22-11244 Eugene Police K9 Unit
Coordinated Firefighting Effort Saves Home From Rapidly Spreading Rural Fire Near Sweet Home
Monday Sweet Home Fire Dist. received a 911 call at 11am for a fully-involved shed on fire that was spreading to nearby vehicles, vegetation, and a home.
Our amazing partners at the Oregon Department of Forestry South Cascade District responded with 4 engines and were stationed closer to the scene than we were. They were able to deploy lines to simultaneously prevent the spread of the fire into the surrounding vegetation, and to protect the residence which was beginning to burn.
Thanks to our partners at The Office of the Oregon State Fire Marshall (OSFM) and their grant for seasonal staffing, we were able to respond immediately with a staffed engine and a water tender for rural water supply. We were fortunate to also have a fantastic response from our volunteer firefighters as well. With the high temperatures we are experiencing, we needed every member of this well-coordinated team today and they did not disappoint.
Man Still Missing at Cottage Grove Lake
Sunday night just before 5:30pm, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received a call that a person at Cottage Grove Lake had gone underwater and not resurfaced. The involved, 74 year old Harry McIntire of Cottage Grove, had been reportedly boating with his wife near Primitive Campground prior to the incident.
Deputies along with Lane County Sheriff Search and Rescue personnel responded to the scene and searched into the night, however McIntire has not yet been located. The search has resumed this morning. Additional details will be released as they become available.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office is Currently Hiring Dispatchers
The open position is listed under ‘Communications Officer’. Other open positions include records officers and facility support officers. Contact 541-682-4069 for more information.Visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lanecountyor? to apply!
We want to keep you informed about COVID-19 in Oregon. Data are provisional and change frequently. Note: This report covers the three-day period from July 22 to July 24, 2022.For more information, including COVID-19 data by county, visit our dashboard: http://ow.ly/vmcC50K3T6t
Governor Brown and Other Western Governors Call On Congress To Quickly Pass CHIPS Act
Governor Brown, joined by a bipartisan group of Western state governors, called on Congress Monday to stay in session as long as is necessary to immediately pass the CHIPS Act, which would expand semiconductor manufacturing in the United States.
“Oregon is a leader in semiconductor development, and we need Congress to act now to ensure the United States continues to lead the way in technology and manufacturing,” said Governor Kate Brown. “Every state in the nation is impacted by the semiconductor shortage. The investments made by the CHIPS Act will expand domestic semiconductor manufacturing and grow our high-tech workforce, which is critical for our businesses and working families.”
A copy of the governors’ letter is available here.
Western states represent over half of the top 15 semiconductor workforces in the United States. Joining Governor Brown in submitting the letter to Congress were Idaho Governor Brad Little, Washington Governor Jay Inslee, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, and Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon.
Instacart Accepting Oregon SNAP Now: Over 100 Oregon grocers, including Albertsons Company stores, are among the first to accept payments.
Digital grocery ordering company Instacart it will officially accept the Electronic Benefits Transfer and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (EBT SNAP) in 10 additional states, including Oregon.
A spokesperson for Instacart tells Oregon Business the SNAP integration is already available at 80 of Oregon’s 122 Albertsons locations and nearly 30 of its 92 Safeway stores.
“While we’re introducing EBT SNAP acceptance in partnership with Albertsons Companies today, we hope to add more retailers across Oregon in the future,” the spokesperson says.
Albertsons Companies customers in Oregon can use EBT SNAP to purchase groceries from four banners — including Albertsons and Safeway, with additional banners scheduled to be released on the Instacart app later this year.
The announcement by Instacart is part of a two-year long effort by the platform to expand its payment system to include SNAP after the federal SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot was launched by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2019. The program enabled 47 states, including Oregon, to allow SNAP beneficiaries to shop and pay for groceries online.
Instacart is not the first online grocer to accept payment through the federal food assistance program. In April Target announced it would begin accepting SNAP payments through its Shipt delivery service. Walmart and Amazon also accept SNAP payments.
Susan Morris, chief operating officer for Albertsons Companies said in the press release that the program is part of the companies’ “ongoing efforts to create a flexible and convenient shopping experience for all customers,” by offering options to customers with limited mobility or young children which do not allow them to do in-person shopping.
In the press release, Sarah Mastrorocco, vice president of access to food & nutrition at Instacart, said the online ordering company “look(s) forward to continuing to expand this program and enabling more retailers to accept EBT SNAP payments online through the Instacart Platform.”
Where available, EBT SNAP participants can now shop for pickup or delivery on the Instacart App and grocers’ Instacart Platform-powered websites Carrot Storefront and Carrot Storefront Pro.
Rural Oregon Airports To Receive Federal Funding
The Federal Aviation Administration has allocated around $17.5 million toward airports in rural areas of Oregon to improve runways.
The Eastern Oregon Regional Airport in Pendleton will receive $4,958,260 for runway reconfiguration. The Corvallis Municipal Airport will receive $2,789,363 for runway reconstruction and lighting updates. The Crater Lake and Klamath Regional Airport will receive $9,750,000 for runway reconstructions.
“Small airports’ reliable air service in rural areas is crucial for Oregonians and our state’s economy,” said Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). “I am gratified to see these dollars go toward improving critical runway infrastructure that is often taken for granted when flying. Investing in airport infrastructure lays the groundwork for airports in Corvallis, Pendleton and Klamath Falls to continue to support jobs, our state’s economic growth and tourism.”
Gas Prices Slowly Dropping in Oregon
Gas prices have been dropping across the U.S., and now Oregon pump prices are also seeing some relief.
Gas prices in the state are on average at $5.16/gallon, compared to the national average of $4.35/gallon, according to AAA data.
However, GasBuddy.com knows where the cheapest fuel prices are in Oregon
The counties with the highest average fuel prices in Oregon are Curry, Josephine and Multnomah, according to AAA. The counties with the lowest average gas prices are Marion, Linn and Hood River.
Heat WaveTargets Pacific Northwest
Summer is in full force for much of the United States as dry conditions take hold and sunshine blazes. After managing to avoid the worst Mother Nature has to offer for much of the summer, AccuWeather forecasters say the time has come for the northwestern United States to swelter amid unseasonable heat.
An area of high pressure is set to expand across the Pacific Northwest through much of the week which will make dry and hot conditions the norm for many across the region.
“This high pressure will set the stage for a prolonged period of well above-normal temperatures,” cautioned AccuWeather Meteorologist Joe Bauer.
High temperatures will steadily increase by a handful of degrees each day from Sunday into the traditional workweek across much of the Pacific Northwest and into southern British Columbia, Canada. Around midweek, temperatures are forecast to soar 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit (5-8 C) above normal.
While highs may fall short of records in most locations during the upcoming heat wave in the Northwest, above-average temperatures for a prolonged period of time will put the heat into dangerous territory for some residents and visitors alike.
The potential for dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke will increase dramatically, especially for those partaking in rigorous exercise and manual labor, experts warn. People are urged to drink plenty of fluids and take breaks from the heat when possible.
As temperatures surge and rainfall chances remain minimal, soil and brush will dry out substantially during the heat wave, according to Bauer.
“The heat wave will dry out fuels as the region enters the peak of the wildfire season,” Bauer said.
Spring to early summer rainfall has been average to above average over much of the Northwest. Ample rainfall and temperatures near average have helped keep fuels moist thus far. But that combination has also allowed more grass and shrubs to grow, which can become more sources for wildfire ignition as the vegetation dries out later in the summer.
Women Missing Since May 1st 2022 between Medford, Grants Pass and Roseburg per Oregon State Police
| MAKENNA KENDALL 5/3/2022 |
| ERICA LEE HUTCHINSON 5/26/2022 |
| MARIAH DANIELLE SHARP 6/12/2022 |
| KAITLYN RAE NELSON 6/14/2022 |
| BROOKLYN JOHNS 6/14/2022 |
| DONNA LEPP 6/27/2022 |
| BARBARA DELEPINE 7/4/2022 |
| ****KENDRA MARIE HANKS 7/7/2022 FOUND MURDERED 7/21/2022 |
| CORI BOSHANE MCCANN 7/8/2022 |
| SHYHAILA SMITH 7/12/2022 |
| ALEZAE LILYANNE MARTINEZ 7/13/2022 |
| RAVEN RILEY 7/13/2022 |
| TAHUANA RILEY 7/13/2022 |
| DANIELLE NEWVILLE 7/14/2022 |
| CONNIE LORAINE BOND 7/19/2022 |
| KARIN DAWN RUSSELL 7/19/2022 |
| CHEYENNE SPRINGS 7/19/2022 |
| KAREN ANNETTE SCIORTINO 7/22/2022 |
| MARLENE HICKEY 7/23/2022 |
| MAKAYLA MAY VAUGHT 7/23/2022 |
Women Missing Since May 1st 2022 in Lane County per Oregon State Police
| BREISA RAQUEAL SIKEL 5/3/2022 |
| HANNAH MARIE RHOTEN 5/17/2022 |
| MARISSA ALEESA DAMBROSIO 5/18/2022 |
| ISABELLA BROSOWSKEYOUNGBLOOD 6/7/2022 |
| LOUISA DAY AVA 5/28/2022 |
| AMY CHRISTINA SULLIVAN 6/1/2022 |
| NIKKI ELIZABETH ZEREBNY 6/6/2022 |
| SHADOW STAR SEVIGNY 6/17/2022 |
| SHAUNA LEAH HOGAN 6/17/2022 |
| AIRIONNA CHEALSEY RHODES 6/27/2022 |
| KARISSA RENEE ADAMS 7/6/2000 |
| VERONICA ESSYNCE DELERIO 7/6/2022 |
| AUBRIE HANNA STEPHENS 7/10/2022 |
| LARA IVEY STEINMETZ 7/11/2022 |
| SARA LINDSAY SCHAEFER 7/12/2022 |
| ANGELINA MARIE NAZAR 7/16/2022 |
| LUCIA MARTHA PANNIER 7/17/2022 |
| MALINA LINN COATS 7/20/2022 |
As of today, 7/6/2022, there are now 38 women missing in between Medford and Eugene. Sadly Kendra Hanks has been found murdered, though that takes her off the list. We send thoughts and prayers to her family as well as the families of all missing people in our area.
38 women missing in less than 3 months. That averages out to a little more than 12 missing per month. Something needs to be done.
This is just a small compilation of missing women’s pictures in the area. There are of course women missing all over Oregon and men and children missing. Sadly most of them never get any attention. Family and friends must keep any information going and lead investigations so that they aren’t just forgotten. https://www.oregon.gov/osp/missing/pages/missingpersons.aspx
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Have-You-Seen-Me-Southern-Oregons-Missing-People-161249961222839/posts/