Willamette Valley News, Friday 10/14 – Bomb Threat In Downtown Eugene, Lane Transit District Dedicates Transit Station To Defazio

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, October 14, 2022

Willamette Valley Weather

AIR QUALITY ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PDT FRIDAY...

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency have continued an Air Quality Advisory, which is in effect until 6 PM PDT Friday

An Air Quality Advisory remains in effect. Wildfires burning in the region, combined with forecasted conditions will cause air quality to reach unhealthy levels at times through Friday. This includes Oakridge, as well as the Eugene Springfield area.

Pollutants in smoke can cause burning eyes, runny nose, aggravate heart and lung diseases, and aggravate other serious health problems. Limit outdoor activities and keep children indoors if it is smoky. Please follow medical advice if you have a heart or lung condition.

More information about air quality can be found at:
http://www.oregon.gov/DEQ
http://www.lrapa.org

Bomb Threat In Downtown Eugene

A bomb threat Thursday morning in downtown Eugene unfolded around 11:45 a.m. in the 4300 block of East Broadway Avenue.

Eugene Police said a man in a mask gave a downtown ambassador a note that included a bomb threat.

Police identified that man as 37-year-old Immanuel Williams. They say Williams then entered the Buy2 store on Olive and Broadway. He then went back outside brandishing a gun.

Workers at the Buy2 said things like this have been happening more frequently and even though there’s been increased police presence, sometimes they’re afraid to walk into work.

Williams is in Lane County Jail facing charges of disorderly conduct and trespassing.

Just this past weekend, police arrested nine people and charged six after they allegedly ran away from officers with masks and gloves on.

Eugene Police said over the last year, there has been an increase in gun violence in the downtown core. They have increased patrol to fight this.

Highway 20 Pedestrian Fatality

CORVALLIS, Ore. – On Thursday, October 13, 2022 at about 10:15 pm, Benton County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a vehicle vs pedestrian crash on Highway 20 near Independence Highway. Twenty-three-year-old Taylor Marie Harlow, of Corvallis, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Benton County Crash Team Investigators determined Harlow was standing or walking in the eastbound lane of Highway 20 at Independence Highway when she was struck by a 2014 Toyota Sequoia traveling eastbound on Highway 20. 

The driver of the Toyota was not injured and is cooperating with investigators. Based on what has been learned thus far investigators do not believe any crimes or traffic violations were committed by the driver of the involved vehicle. 

Highway 20 was closed for approximately two hours while the Benton County Sheriff’s Office Crash Team investigated the incident. 

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Oregon State Police and Oregon Department of Transportation. 

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Sgt. Lundy at 541-766-6858 or email rian.lundy@co.benton.or.us“>brian.lundy@co.benton.or.us

Lane Transit District Dedicates Downtown Springfield Transit Station To Defazio

To show its appreciation to U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Springfield) for what he has done in collaboration with Lane Transit District over the congressman’s 36 years representing Oregon’s 4th Congressional District, the Downtown Springfield Transit Station was dedicated to DeFazio on Thursday. DeFazio will retire from office in January 2023.

“The Springfield Transit Station is just one example of the generational impact Congressman DeFazio has had on our community,” said Caitlin Vargas, LTD’s board president. “Dedicating the station in his honor is a fitting way to recognize his storied career of public service.”

In 1999, a group of community members and elected officials identified a vacant site for a transit new station, between South A Street and the Mill Race, and Pioneer Parkway East and 4th Street, according to LTD. This location had been operated as a railroad junction beginning in 1891, when the Coburg to Springfield and Natron railroad line was constructed to support the bustling lumber industry. In its time, the Mill Race helped generate power, while the junction was a crossroads for commerce. It seemed fitting to the collaborators that the site could return to its historical roots as a transit station, a conduit for opportunities and a crossroads for people on the move.

In 2003, DeFazio, serving on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, which he would eventually chair, led the negotiations for the property sale from Union Pacific Railroad to LTD to build the station that would serve as a safe, aesthetic, and enjoyable place to invite people to downtown Springfield; enhance current and future LTD customer services and bus operations in the community; and be compatible with the surrounding area and encourage economic revitalization, LTD said in its dedication announcement.

A year later, the Downtown Springfield Transit Station opened to a standing room only crowd of community leaders, bus passengers, and transit advocates, with DeFazio helping cut the ribbon.

“Because of Congressman DeFazio’s unwavering support for public transportation, more than 1 million annual passenger boardings are recorded at the Springfield Transit Station by people commuting to work, school and other destinations in our community,” said Mark Johnson, LTD’s interim general manager. “Every time we board an LTD bus we need to thank Congressman DeFazio for the ride.”

Are you #ElectionReady in Lane County?

Election Day is quickly approaching, and the Lane County Elections office would like to encourage voters to be #ElectionReady for the November 8, 2022 General Election. Voters in Lane County must register to vote no later than October 18, 2022.

“In the weeks leading up to Election Day, voters have multiple ways to ensure they are ready to vote and have their voices heard,” said Lane County Clerk Dena Dawson. “My team and I are working diligently to ensure the success of the November 2022 General Election by providing convenient and safe voting options.”

The voter registration deadline is October 18, 2022. If a voter registration form is hand-delivered, it must be received no later than 5:00 pm at the Election Office (275 W 10th Ave., Eugene) on that day. If mailed, it must be postmarked no later than October 182022. If registering via www.oregonvotes.gov, it must be completed no later than 11:59 p.m. on October 18, 2022.

Ballots will be mailed starting on October 20, 2022.  To track the status of a ballot, visit www.oregonvotes.gov/MyVote.

Voters may return their ballot by regular mail, ballot drop box, or at the Elections Office. For ballot drop box locations, visit www.LaneCountyOR.gov/elections.   

Voters with questions can email elections@lanecountyor.gov or call 541-682-4234.

About the Lane County Elections Office: The Elections Office, located at 275 W. 10th Avenue in Eugene, is responsible for conducting elections in Lane County.  The elections office manages voter registration, the processing of mail ballots, recruitment and training of election workers, and certification of elections. Lane Co. Government 

President Joe Biden to Visit Oregon

President Joe Biden is scheduled to arrive in Portland Friday, Oct. 14th, to participate in a Democratic function and on Saturday, Oct. 15, attend a fundraising event for gubernatorial candidate Tina Kotek, according to the White House.

the White House released further details about the agenda for Biden’s visit, though the timing and location of events were not released:

Friday, Oct. 14

  • Biden travels from Orange County, Calif. to Portland, where he’ll participate in a grassroots volunteer effort with the Oregon Democrats

Saturday, Oct. 15

  • Biden will attend a reception for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tina Kotek in Portland
  • Biden will give a speech in Portland about “lowering costs for American families”

President Biden last visited Oregon in April as part of a nationwide tour to promote the $1 trillion infrastructure bill that Congress passed late last year. Oregon is estimated to receive about $1.2 billion for transportation projects over the next five years.

In a speech delivered at a hangar near Portland International Airport, Biden highlighted several ongoing and planned upgrades to the airport as examples of the kind of infrastructure renewal that the new bill would bring.

Biden’s visit next week comes just a few weeks before Americans are set to vote in the Nov. 8 midterm elections. 

The typically deep-blue Oregon has emerged as a surprisingly competitive state this year, due in part to its three-way race for governor, where recent polls have showed Republican Christine Drazan with a narrow lead over Democrat Tina Kotek.

Oregon also has some competitive House races this year, with Democrat Andrea Salinas and Republican Mike Erickson facing off in Oregon’s newly-created 6th Congressional District and Democrat Jamie McLeod-Skinner and Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer battling it out in the state’s 5th District after McLeod-Skinner ousted Democratic incumbent Rep. Kurt Schrader in the May primary.

The Portland Police Bureau is warning about traffic delays this afternoon due to President Biden’s visit to Portland. It could impact freeways on an already busy Friday afternoon.

Community Bank Week Oct. 17-22

SALEM – Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has proclaimed Oct. 17-22 as Community Bank Week. The week honors local banks and their employees for their economic and civic contributions in communities across the state.

Oregon community banks provide more than 5,800 family wage jobs through more than 375 branch and loan offices, issue $13 billion in home purchase and refinance loans, and safeguard $37 billion in deposits. They also make 80 percent of all agriculture-related loans.

Oregon’s community banks, most of which are chartered by the Division of Financial Regulation, play an essential role in promoting the economic health and prosperity of the state. In some communities, they are the sole provider of banking products and services and sometimes the largest employer. Community banks donate millions of dollars each year to nonprofits and local organizations.

“Our state banks continue to support small businesses and agriculture in Oregon, as well as provide banking services and create thousands of jobs,” said TK Keen, administrator for the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. “State banks are also invested in their communities through their 64,000 volunteer hours each year and the millions of dollars they have pledged to support nonprofits and other endeavors throughout the state.”

State-chartered banks throughout Oregon are celebrating Community Bank Week in their local neighborhoods. To learn more about Oregon’s state-chartered banks, go to https://www.oregonbankers.com/local.html.

ODFW Issues Hunting Advisory: Warns Of Wasting Disease In Deer And Elk

A disease that is threatening deer has prompted ODFW to issie an advisory to Oregon hunters.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is recommending that deer and elk hunters have their game checked for chronic wasting disease (CWD) this season.

CWD has been detected in deer and elk in Idaho, near the Oregon border. Hunters transporting deer or elk carcasses during the first weekends of the respective hunting seasons for those animals will be required to stop at check stations in Prineville, Celilo and Elgin.

Chronic wasting disease is not known to affect humans but threatens deer and elk populations.

“There is no cure, no treatment or vaccine for the disease and it is fatal to all animals that become infected,” ODFW state Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Colin Gillin said.

Affected animals will appear healthy for several years following infection before symptoms appear.

ODFW has tested more than 24,000 elk and deer for the disease over the past two decades and has yet to detect the disease in Oregon. However, with the disease approaching Oregon’s borders after spreading from Colorado and Wyoming in the past 20 years the department is redoubling its efforts.

In addition to the mandatory check points during the first weekend of deer and elk seasons, ODFW is asking hunters to have their deer and elk checked by their local ODFW field office. The testing process is quick and non-destructive.

ODFW will contact hunters directly if an animal they submit is affected and will post negative results on the agency’s website. MORE INFO: https://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/health_program/chronic_wasting/

Nearly half a million Oregonians pledge to practice preparedness during this year’s Great Oregon ShakeOut earthquake drill

Practice Drop (or Lock), Cover and Hold On to reduce risk during an earthquake

SALEM, Ore. – Oct. 13, 2022 — Earthquakes can strike any time without warning, as many Oregonians experienced last Friday when a magnitude 4.4 quake occurred in Linn County. When the earth starts to shake, people need to know how to best protect themselves. 

The Great Oregon ShakeOut is part of a global drill for people to practice how to stay safe during an earthquake. Nearly half a million Oregonians have registered to take part in this year’s self-led Great ShakeOut drill at 10:20 a.m. on Oct. 20, pledging to Drop, Cover and Hold On for at least 60 seconds as if a major earthquake was occurring at that moment.

“The earthquake that struck Linn County last week rattled some folks and was a wake-up call that we live in earthquake country,” said Oregon Emergency Management (OEM) Director Andrew Phelps. “Knowing what to do when the earth starts shaking helps people reduce their risk and better protect themselves to prepare for earthquakes. Every person in Oregon should practice Drop, Cover and Hold On until it becomes a familiar routine. It’s an effective and no-cost addition to your preparedness plan.”

Emergency management experts and official preparedness organizations like the United States Geological Survey (USGS) all agree that Drop, Cover and Hold On is the appropriate action to reduce the chance of injury from falling objects and flying debris during earthquakes. When shaking begins or an earthquake alert is received on a cell phone:

  • Drop immediately onto hands and knees. This position protects people from being knocked down and allows them to stay low and crawl to a nearby shelter.
  • Cover the head and neck with one arm and hand. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter. If there is no nearby shelter, crawl next to an interior wall away from windows. Remain on the knees and bend over to protect vital organs.
  • Hold On until shaking stops. If under shelter, hold onto it with one hand and be ready to move with the shelter if it shifts. If there is no shelter, hold onto the head and neck with both arms and hands.

Those with mobility disabilities may need modified actions to the traditional Drop, Cover and Hold On approach, but the premise is the same: Immediately protect oneself as best possible, shielding the head and chest and staying in a safe position until the shaking stops. Earthquakes may be so violent that it’s impossible to walk, crawl, or steer a wheelchair, and people may be knocked to the ground when shaking starts. Those who use a walker, wheelchair or have other mobility impairments are urged to lock any wheels; bend over and cover the head and neck with arms, a book or a pillow; and hold on until the shaking stops.

Oregon averages around 70 earthquakes a year; 15 of those are large enough to be felt. Most are crustal quakes that occur at relatively shallow depths. However, the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) – a 600-mile fault located off the Pacific coast shoreline – puts Oregon at risk for a 9.0+ magnitude earthquake. A Cascadia quake could cause up to four minutes of shaking or rolling, followed by a tsunami of up to 100 feet in height that will impact the state’s coastal areas.

“A Cascadia quake will devastate the entire Pacific Northwest region, impacting critical infrastructure like energy, drinking water and sewer services, transportation routes and lifesaving health-care facilities for weeks to months or longer,” said Phelps. “Knowing this makes it even more important to build a culture of preparedness in the state. Half a million Oregonians practicing earthquake preparedness at the same time is impressive, but it’s not enough. We need to work toward every Oregonian registering for the Great Oregon ShakeOut as an important step toward keeping themselves safe in the event of a Cascadia quake.”

Additional simple and effective no-cost and low-cost measures people can take to prepare for an earthquake include securing their space by identifying hazards and securing moveable items, signing up to receive local emergency alerts and enabling Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on cell phones. People in Oregon, Washington and California who’ve opted into WEA automatically receive ShakeAlert earthquake early warnings notifications (for quakes in their area with a magnitude of 4.5 or greater), which can offer critical seconds of warning to seek cover from falling objects and brace themselves. 

There are currently two ShakeAlert-powered apps available for download on the app stores: QuakeAlertUSA and MyShake. Those who have the MyShake app will receive a TEST alert at 10:20 a.m. on Oct. 20 for the Great Oregon ShakeOut. 

OEM recommends people in Oregon be informed and knowledgeable about the hazards where they live and have an emergency plan and enough food, water and supplies to survive for at least two weeks following any disaster. The agency’s 2 Weeks Ready program offers several resources in multiple languages to help people prepare.

Learn more about the Great Oregon ShakeOut and register as a participant at Shakeout.org/Oregon.

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