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, August 26, 2022
Willamette Valley Weather
Semi Truck Rollover Blocks Traffic On Beltline For Hours
A crash involving a semi-truck has shut down the Beltline Highway interchange to Delta Highway in Eugene Friday morning, (Oregon Department of Transportation tweet)
Officials said the crash closed the eastbound Beltline Highway exit to north and southbound Delta Highway; however, the Lane County highway itself is still open in both directions.
Photos shared on Twitter show the semi’s trailer leaned up against a cement barrier along the highway and debris strewn across the roadway.
Drivers should expect delays and are urged to use other routes. ODOT said crews will clean up the crash through the morning but there is no estimated time of reopening.
Lane County Sheriff’s Office Search Warrant Served on Illegal Marijuana Operation West of Junction City
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office recently received a tip regarding a very large-scale illegal marijuana growing operation west of Junction City. Lane County Sheriff’s Deputies applied for, and were granted a warrant to search the involved property located in the 26000blk of High Pass Rd. Given the substantial size of the operation, officials from several area law enforcement agencies assisted with the execution of the search warrant.
Authorities executed the warrant just after 7:00am yesterday morning and located approximately 32 separate green houses being used to cultivate marijuana plants at various stages of maturity. In total 8,716 illegal marijuana plants were seized and destroyed.
Several migrant workers, believed to be victims of human trafficking, were located on site and found to be living in deplorable and unsanitary conditions in the adjacent forest. The workers were detained, interviewed, and released after being provided with information regarding local support services available to them.
Julian Marin, 27, was located nearby and determined to be in charge of the operation site. Marin was charged with the Illegal Manufacture of Marijuana and found to have an out of county warrant from an unrelated offense. Evidence indicates that this criminal grow operation was being funded and overseen by an organized criminal organization based in Mexico.
The extent of the environmental impact from this illegal operation remains under investigation. Lane County Code Compliance officials were present during the execution of the search warrant. They noted the green houses, along with electrical and irrigation systems, were unpermitted and contained numerous code violations. Code Compliance will be conducting appropriate follow-up and enforcement.
The Oregon State Water Master’s Office also responded to the scene and discovered violations related to the unlawful use of water at the site, for which their office will conduct appropriate follow up.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance with the investigation: Springfield Police Department, Eugene Police Department, Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Oregon Department of Forestry.
Lane County Sheriff Respond to Shooting Assualt Then Find Shooter Deceased Due to Self Inflicted Gunshot
——— At approximately 2:25pm Thursday, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received a phone call from a female claiming to have been shot at a residence in the 24000 block of Forest Ct. in Veneta. The female stated that her ex-boyfriend shot her and she believed he was still inside the house.
Upon arrival deputies worked quickly to render emergency aid to the injured female. They located her on the front porch of the residence with multiple gunshot wounds. Deputies evacuated her from the porch and into the hands of paramedics. She was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Her condition remains unknown at this time.
Deputies are on scene and are working to make contact with a male who is believed to still be in the residence. Please avoid the area until this situation is resolved. LCSO Case #22-4793
*UPDATE* – 08/26/22 Last night deputies located a deceased male inside of the residence. The male had injuries consistent with what appeared to be a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound. The female victim remains at an area hospital where her condition is described as critical, but stable. There is no ongoing threat to the public.-
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/aM2350KsBi7
As Oregon schools prepare to welcome back students, districts are paying out millions in employee hiring and retention bonuses.
Some of the biggest rewards are going to employees in the hardest to staff categories, including bus drivers, special education teachers and school psychologists. Other payouts are going to every returning teacher in a district, even as virtually all teaching positions are filled.
Nearly all of Oregon’s 219 school districts and education service districts applied for a portion of $100 million of employee bonus money the Legislature allocated this year.
Districts also have been awarded $1.7 billion in federal COVID relief money, more than $1 billion of which Oregon districts have left to spend. Districts are allowed to use that money for a broad range of needs, including to maintain, retain and recruit staff.
Across the state, superintendents say they face teacher shortages for certain grades and specialties, including special education and bilingual teachers, along with shortages of bus drivers, custodians, special education aides and auxiliary staff.
In some districts, a lack of teachers has meant that a growing number of students are taught by substitute teachers and emergency teachers. Some teachers have been forced to teach during planning periods or to work more hours.
Since December of 2021, Sen. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland, has convened a working group that’s been studying Oregon’s teacher shortages and potential solutions. The group includes teachers; representatives from the Oregon Department of Education; the state’s largest teachers union, the Oregon School Boards Association; the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators; and several colleges and universities around the state.
The group is collecting data on teacher attrition. It last met in July to discuss findings, and Dembrow said one big one is an especially high turnover in administrators. “Teachers need to be supported, and that support needs to be stable,” he said.
Long term, Dembrow said the group needs to address working conditions in schools and make the job appeal to new cohort of teachers.
“I’m reminded of what really important work teachers do and how deeply satisfying that work can be under the right conditions. If we can make those conditions right, we can attract more young and mid-career people into the profession,” Dembrow said.
WILDFIRE UPDATES
Lightning threat will decrease over the region through the weekend as the pattern shifts. General winds are expected to increase substantially in central Oregon and central Washington first on Friday and then expand mainly to eastern Oregon on Saturday as an upper level weather system crosses the region.
This will bring on a brief cooling trend over the weekend with some light rain possible on the Cascade west slopes Saturday. Another warming and drying spell appears to be coming next week.
The potential for new significant fires will decrease because of diminishing lightning. However, rising general winds on Friday and Saturday will boost the risk of flareups for ongoing incidents and holdover fires.
Rum Creek. OR-MED-000243. IMT2, NW Team 13. 5 miles NW of Galice, OR. Start:8/17. Full Suppression. Cause:
Lightning. 959 (+50) acres. 0% containment. Timber. Active fire behavior. Evacuation notices. Trail and area closures.
Hog Creek 1. OR-MED-000236.IMT2, NW Team 13. 5 miles NW of Galice, OR. Start:8/18. Full Suppression. Cause:
Lightning. 32 (+0) acres. 95% containment. Timber. Minimal fire behavior. Last report on morning briefing unless
significant activity occurs.
Cedar Creek. OR-WIF-220180. IMT1, PNW Team 3. 15 Miles E of Oakridge, OR. Start 8/1. Full Suppression. Cause:
Lightning. 7,376 (+204) acres. 0% containment. Timber. Moderate fire behavior. Road, trail and area closures.
Windigo. OR-UPF-000234. IMT2, NW Team 10. 20 miles SW La Pine, OR. Start 7/30. Full Suppression. Cause:
Lightning. 1,007 acres (+0). 99% containment. Timber. Minimal fire behavior. Road, trail and area closures. NW Team 9 is
mobilizing today, in brief on 8/27 at 1700.
Potter. OR-WIF-220170. IMT2, NW Team 10. 8 Miles NE of Clearwater, OR. Start 7/31. Full Suppression. Cause:
Unknown. 628 (+0) acres. 94% containment. Timber. Moderate fire behavior. Road, trail and area closures. NW Team 9 is mobilizing today, in brief on 8/27 at 1700.
Big Swamp. OR-WIF-220189. IMT2, NW Team 10. 20 miles SW La Pine, OR. Start 8/01. Full Suppression. Cause:
Lightning. 110 (+0) acres. 94% containment. Minimal fire behavior. Road, trail and area closures. NW Team 9 is
mobilizing today, in brief on 8/27 at 1700.
Camel Hump. OR-UPF-000312. IMT2, NW Team 10. 34 miles W of Chemult, OR. Start 8/17. Full suppression. Cause:
Lightning. 6 (-2) acres. 80% containment. Timber. Minimal fire behavior. Road, trail, area closures. NW Team 9 is
mobilizing today, in brief on 8/27 at 1700.
Crockets Knob. OR-MAF-022199. ICT3. 19 miles N of Prairie City, OR. Start 8/22. Full Suppression. Cause: Lightning.
1000 (+775) acres. 0% containment. Brush and timber. Active fire behavior. Road, trail and area closures. NW Team 12 is mobilizing today, in brief 8/27 at 0900.
https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/content/products/intelligence/MORNINGBRIEF.pdf?2015-06-23%2021:26:00
Oregon Governor Candidate Betsy Johnson Qualifies To Be On November Ballot
State elections officials announced Thursday that Johnson had submitted far more than the 23,744 signatures needed to appear on the November ballot as an unaffiliated candidate.
She’ll face Democrat Tina Kotek and Republican Christine Drazan, in a three-way race that has attracted national attention both for its political dynamics and the fact it features three female candidates.
“This is a momentous day for Oregon,” Johnson, a former Democratic state senator, said in a statement. “We have an incredible opportunity this year to reject the extremes and elect an independent governor who will put Oregonians first.”
Johnson’s success in qualifying for the ballot has been expected from the moment she announced her gubernatorial bid last year. While most unaffiliated and third-party candidates make few waves, Johnson’s decades in state politics, her deep connections with political players and her aggressive campaigning and fundraising have made her impossible to ignore.
Johnson has handily outraised Kotek and Drazan so far, with help from well-known donors such as Nike co-founder Phil Knight and Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle. She’s also attracted endorsements from former Republican and Democratic elected officials, as well as many of the state’s major law enforcement organizations. Johnson announced their support Thursday.
“Oregon desperately needs a governor who will make safety, fighting crime and supporting the rights of crime victims a top priority,” Chris Bangs, president of the Oregon State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police, said in a statement released by Johnson’s campaign. “That candidate is Betsy Johnson.”
Johnson began collecting signatures in June, using a mix of campaign events around the state and paid signature gatherers. According to her most-recent campaign disclosures, the candidate spent more than $344,000 on the effort. She has reported raising more than $10.5 million in the race to date.
The money bought Johnson’s campaign peace of mind. When Johnson showed up in Salem to turn in signatures last week, she announced she had collected more than twice as many as the state requires to secure a spot on the ballot. Nearly 80% of those signatures, 37,679, were deemed valid, state elections officials said Thursday.
Johnson’s nonpartisan, politically centrist campaign is aimed at both Republicans tired of losing gubernatorial races and disaffected Democrats upset by issues like crime and homelessness.
“I have said that I am running to put the people of Oregon back in charge,” Johnson said in her statement Thursday, repeating a line she uses often while campaigning. “I’m not running for governor as a D or as an R, I’m running as an Oregonian.”
Whether that message is potent enough to override the inherent disadvantages of running without party backing is one of the race’s major questions. The other: Whether Johnson’s candidacy, if unsuccessful, will siphon more votes from Kotek, a former Oregon House speaker, or Drazan, a former Republican leader in the state House.
Oregon PUC Approves Income-Qualified Utility Discount to Benefit PacifiCorp Customers
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) approved PacifiCorp’s program to offer income-qualifying residential customers an ongoing discount to their monthly bills. To qualify, customers must be at or below 60 percent of the state median income (SMI) level.
House Bill 2475, passed during Oregon’s 2021 Legislative Session, gave the PUC authority to consider the financial burden of energy costs when making decisions about rates, bill credits, and program discounts for customers of investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities. This bill, known as the Energy Affordability Act, allows the PUC to consider equity in the ratemaking process to make energy more affordable for all Oregonians.
“Historically, income has not been considered when setting energy rates,” said Megan Decker, PUC Chair. ”This program will help provide relief to families who typically pay a higher percentage of their income to cover the cost of necessary utility services. We appreciate the collaboration among PacifiCorp, many organizations representing customers, and PUC Staff to offer a significant discount for customers.”
The monthly bill discounts are calculated as a percentage of the bill and are offered at two levels based on total household income when compared to the SMI level. View the current Oregon SMI energy assistance eligibility matrix to determine discount level eligibility.
| Total Household Income | Percentage of Bill Discount |
| At or below 20% of SMI | 40% discount |
| 21 – 60% of SMI | 20% discount |
To participate, PacifiCorp customers may be automatically enrolled at the 20 percent discount level due to their history of receiving energy assistance. Individuals wishing to apply, confirm their automatic enrollment, or request the higher discount may contact their local Community Action Agency or PacifiCorp at www.pacificpower.net/my-account/payments/bill-payment-assistance.html or call 888-221-7070 starting October 1, 2022 to enroll. At the time of enrollment, the customer will be asked to declare their household size and qualifying income in order to be placed in the appropriate discount tier.
The costs of providing this discount program are to be paid by PacifiCorp customers through a fixed charge of $0.36 on monthly bills for residential customers, assuming a 15 percent participation level in the program.
# # # The PUC regulates customer rates and services of the state’s investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities, including Portland General Electric, Idaho Power, Pacific Power, Avista, Cascade Natural, and NW Natural. The PUC also regulates landline telephone providers and select water companies. The PUC’s mission is to ensure Oregonians have access to safe, reliable, and fairly priced utility services that advance state policy and promote the public interest. We use an inclusive process to evaluate differing viewpoints and visions of the public interest and arrive at balanced, well-reasoned, independent decisions supported by fact and law. For more information about the PUC, visit oregon.gov/puc.
Investigation continues into Unidentified Female case from 1978- Union County
On August 27, 1978, the body of a young female was found in a wooded hillside outside La Grande, Oregon. Her identity was never determined. Almost, 44 years later the investigation into her case continues.
On August 16 and 17, 2022, Oregon State Police Forensics Service Division, State Medical Examiner’s Office Forensic Anthropologist, State Police Major Crimes Detectives, and members of the Union County Search and Rescue team conducted an operation on a rural property in Union County. The operation was in response to recent interest shown by cadaver dogs brought in by the Finley Creek Jane Doe Task Force involving the unidentified remains of the woman found in 1978.
Union County Search and Rescue conducted an intense grid search of approximately 3 acres around the original burial site and the recent locations of interest by the cadaver dogs. Over fifty bones were located by the search and rescue team. The State Medical Examiner’s Forensic Anthropologist examined each of the bones and none of them were determined to be of human origin.
Forensic Scientists and Detectives conducted excavations at the two points of interest from the cadaver dogs. They also excavated the original burial site. The three locations were examined thoroughly by sifting dirt and material through screens in an attempt to locate even the smallest of bone fragments or other evidence that could be of use in determining an identity through DNA testing. Unfortunately, nothing of evidentiary value was discovered during the operation.
The Oregon State Police and other law enforcement partners will continue to stay in contact with all interested parties in hopes of successfully resolving the identity of the Finley Creek Jane Doe and bringing closure to her family.
If you think you might have any information in this case, please contact the Oregon State Police Dispatch at 800-442-0776 and reference case #SP78-752103.
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System – NamUs is a national information clearinghouse and resource center for missing, unidentified, and unclaimed person cases across the United States. The case profile for this unidentified female can be found under Unidentified Person profile #UP11902: https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/11902?nav
Women Missing Since May 1st 2022 between Medford, Grants Pass and Roseburg per Oregon State Police (Jackson, Josephine and Douglas County)
| 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 |
| WENDY JEAN HAZEN 7/26/2022 |
| SHAHE SOPHIA CATRANIDES 7/27/2022 |
| NAVEAH LEIGH BILYEU 8/1/2022 |
| DEBI ANN HARPER 8/3/2022 |
| CHARLIZE D GIBSON 8/3/2022 |
Women Missing Since May 1st 2022 in Lane County per Oregon State Police
| REISA 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 |
| KATHY A VERNACCHIO 7/23/2022 |
| JANE MARIE HOLLIMAN 7/23/2022 |
| ASHLEY MARIE SEELEY 7/27/2022 |
| LILLY ANNE WARMUTH 7/28/2022 |
| MALINA LINN COATS 7/29/2022 |
| JORDYN CLARA GOHL 7/31/2022 |
| QAVAH ALAH TILLILIE 7/31/2022 |
| TALYNN RYLIE MERTZ 8/1/2022 |
| YASINIA CALLISTA GUTIERREZ 8/3/2022 |
As of 8/9/2022, there are now 51women missing 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.
51 women missing in just less than 3 1/2 months. That averages out to 15 missing per month. Something needs to be done.
This is just a small compilation of missing women and their pictures in the area. There are of course women missing all over Oregon and men and children missing too. We don’t mean to dismiss that, however, there is an inordinate amount of women who go missing each week and there could possibly be a connection with an anomaly or two here and there. 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/
