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, December 26, 2022
Willamette Valley Weather
Warmest Christmas Day on Record in Eugene
From freezing rain to the warmest Christmas day on record in Eugene happening all in one week, it’s been quite the start of winter so far.
Eugene just had the warmest Christmas on record with a high of 63°F. The old record of 62°F for Dec 25th occurred in 1913.
Hundreds Line Up at Alluvium Church For Free Christmas Meal
Hundreds of people lined up at Alluvium Church in Eugene to get a free Christmas meal, free clothes, and other resources.
Organizer Will Paradis said this was a community-driven effort, and they’ll give out around 2,000 pounds of food and groceries this Christmas.
“We are here with the best of intentions to serve everybody; the people who need it, who are insecure; we want to provide as much as we can as a spiritual community space for all the people that we can,” Paradis said.
The event went from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and everyone was welcome. Paradis said their goal is to make sure that everyone has a warm meal on Christmas Day.
“A lot of community donations, both from wonderful individuals and some organizations, like The Way Home and Food for Lane County, is a big supporter. We solicited donations for tents and sleeping bags and other specific items for the past couple of weeks,” Paradis said. Most of the food was donated by Food For Lane County, who provided warm food, cookies, snacks, and other groceries, but Voodoo Donuts donated 12 dozen doughnuts, and the Eugene Acoustic Concerts group provided additional funds.
Alluvium hosts free food events every Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., but Paradis said this is a Christmas tradition they hope to do every year from here on out.
One Person Dead In Early Morning Crash In Eugene
A single-vehicle crash has left one person dead and another person injured.
The crash occurred on North Washington Street and Clark Street by Skinner Butte Park right before 2:15 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 26th.
Eugene Police say the driver was traveling fast when he crashed into a cement power pole. Officials say de died at the scene.
A passenger in the vehicle was taken to PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend in Springfield with non-life threatening injuries.
The area was flooded with water because the crash destroyed a fire hydrant in the area.
Eugene Water and Electric Board and the City of Eugene have been informed of the damage to the pole and hydrant, and sent crews to check on any additional damage.
This is an ongoing investigation as Eugene police’s major collisions unit continues to determine the exact cause of the crash.
Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving
The weeks leading up to the holiday season are a busy period on America’s roads. To help keep drivers safe, our local law enforcement departments will work with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) during the national Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving drunk-driving-awareness campaign.
If you plan to go out and include alcohol in your celebration, make sure you refrain from driving. Review these facts and spread the word about the dangers of drunk driving.
- During the 2016-2020 December months, more than 4,400 people were killed in drunk-driving-related crashes.
- Drunk male drivers were involved in fatal crashes at a much higher rate (660) in December 2020 compared to female drivers (191).
- Approximately one-third of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers (with BACs at or above .08). In 2020, there were 11,654 people killed in drunk-driving crashes.
- Although it’s illegal to drive when impaired by alcohol, in 2020 one person was killed every 45 minutes in a drunk-driving crash on our nation’s roads.
- The rate of alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2020 was 3.1 times higher at night than during the day.
Plan for a Safe Celebration
Always remember to plan ahead when you will be celebrating with alcohol. If you plan to drink, make arrangements for a sober driver to take you home. Before you start celebrating this holiday season, look over these safety tips to keep you, your loved ones, and everyone else safe on the road.
- Plan ahead: If you wait until you’ve been drinking to make a smart decision, you might not. Before you have one drink, designate a sober driver who won’t be drinking.
- If it’s your turn to be the designated driver, take your job seriously, and don’t drink.
- If you see a drunk driver on the road, 911 immediately.
- Do you have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and let a sober driver get your friend home safely.
Atmospheric River To Bring Series of Storms and Wet Weather To The West
From freezing rain to the warmest Christmas day on record in Eugene happening all in one week, it’s been quite the start of winter so far.
It will be a wet week in the West as a series of low-pressure systems will bring stormy weather to the region.
An atmospheric river will bring rain to parts of Washington, Oregon and California starting Monday and overspreading more of the region with wet weather on Tuesday. Several inches of rain are possible throughout Monday and Tuesday.
In higher elevations, moderate to heavy snow is forecast for the Cascades and the Siskiyou Mountains. A Winter Storm Watch was issued ahead of the storm as the NWS expects snow upwards of 4 feet above 8,000 feet.
Strong winds are also expected, along with the threat of flooding and feet of snow.
“Very strong winds will become a concern as well on Tuesday,” the NWS warned. “Especially near the coast and at higher elevations as the center of this potent low is forecast to reach coastal Washington later on Tuesday.”
High Wind Warnings have already been posted ahead of the incoming system in parts of Oregon, California and Nevada.
And while there may be a lull in precipitation midweek, another low-pressure system will bring more rain and high-elevation snow by the end of the workweek and into the weekend.
Federal Study Confirms Oregon Spike In Homelessness
A recently released national report shows the number of people experiencing homelessness nationwide has remained relatively steady since 2016 despite the pandemic.
The report also shows what most Oregonians already know: The number of people sleeping on the streets in this state has spiked.
There were 582,462 people sleeping on the streets nationally during a single night in January this year, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development — a 0.3% increase since 2020.
Point-in-time counts are meant to provide a snapshot of who is sleeping on the streets on any given night, and they are often considered an undercount.
In Oregon, according to federal data, there were 14,655 people, an increase of 22.5% since 2020.
Margaret Salazar, who recently ran the Oregon Housing and Community Services state agency and now works for the federal Housing and Urban Development office as a Northwest regional administrator, said the numbers are “heartbreaking.”
She said a new plan from the federal government should help Oregon combat the crisis unfolding on the streets.
“We’re very excited about it. It’s bold,” Salazar told OPB.
The plan sets the goal of reducing homelessness by 25% by 2025 and encourages states to use the federal plan as a strategic guide.
The plan includes ideas on how to boost affordable housing and emergency shelters, but the real focus will be trying to keep people on the verge of losing their home keep it. The federal government also plans to offer more support to state agencies through both technical assistance, using available data to gain a sense of the problem, and also by providing more human power — sending people who can reach out to the unhoused population and help connect them with resources.
There was one notable semi-brighter spot in the federal data: The report shows a decrease of about 18.9% or 248 unaccompanied homeless youth in Oregon. Kids experiencing homelessness, however, are often referred to as “invisible children” because many intentionally try to go unnoticed.
Oregon Gov.-elect Tina Kotek has promised to make addressing the homeless crisis a priority.
Oregon Among States Raising Their Minimum Wages In 2023
Amid inflation and no changes on the federal level, multiple states will be raising their minimum wages in 2023.
The federal minimum wage in the U.S. is $7.25 , a rate that hasn’t changed since 2009. As of fall 2022, 15 states have minimum wage rates that match the federal minimum wage, down from 16 last year .
In the new year, 27 states will see an increase in their minimum wage. Most will take effect on January 1, but others will have to wait until further into 2023.
California will have the highest minimum wage rate at $15.50, up from the $15 it set in 2022. Only Washington, D.C. has a higher minimum wage of $16.10. D.C.’s wage will rise again in July, 2023 in proportion to the increase in the Consumer Price Index, according to its Department of Employment Services .
Oregon and Nevada won’t see their minimum wages increase until July, 2023. Then, Oregon’s rate will rise from the current $13.50 to a yet-to-be-determined number based on the Consumer Price Index, a figure released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Free Ranger-Guided Hikes at 20 Oregon State Parks On New Year’s Day
Rangers will guide hikes at Oregon state parks on New Year’s Day to kick off 2023. Choose from 24 hikes in 21 parks across the state. All hikes will be guided by a park ranger or volunteer who will share stories about the park’s history, geology, wildlife, and plants.
Known as “First Day Hikes,” the trips typically cover just a few miles and are considered family-friendly.
The tours are free and the $5 day-use parking fee is also being waived on New Year’s Day at every state park that normally requires a fee. A few of the guided hikes do require registration.
Rangers will cover park history, geology, wildlife and plants during the hikes at parks around the state from the high desert to the coast, according to a news release.
“A guided hike is great way to kick off 2023 in the outdoors and begin a new tradition or continue a longstanding family tradition,” said Lisa Sumption, director of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. “As our centennial year comes to a close, we’re excited to begin the next 100 years of Oregon State Parks and continue to offer year-round recreation.”
The hikes begin at different times and locations. To get information on each of the different treks, including length, difficulty and whether you need to register, go to https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=v.feature-article&articleId=263
“Remember to plan for winter weather, dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes, bring water and carry binoculars for viewing wildlife,” the news release said.
Here’s a list of the planned hikes at each state park.
Portland area
- L.L. Stub Stewart State Park: 10 a.m., meet at the Dairy Creek West meeting hall
- Milo McIver State Park: 10 a.m., meet at the Dog Creek Trailhead in the Riverside Day-Use Area.
- Milo McIver State Park: 1 p.m., meet at the Dog Creek Trailhead in the Riverside Day-use Area.
Columbia River Gorge
- Deschutes River State Recreation Area: 11 a.m., meet at the Oregon Trail Kiosk. Registration required.
- Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail: 10 a.m., meet at the Mark O. Hatfield East Trailhead on Rock Creek Road, Mosier. Bring your snowshoes or cross-country skis if there’s snow.
Willamette Valley/West Cascades
- Elijah Bristow State Park, Equestrian Ride: 11 a.m., foot in stirrup at noon, meet at the equestrian parking area for horse riding (bring your own horse).
- Elijah Bristow State Park: 10 a.m., meet at the main parking lot at the end of the park road near group picnic areas.
- Detroit Lake State Park: 11 a.m., meet at the Campground Visitor Center.
- Silver Falls State Park, Historic District Hike: 10 a.m., meet at the South Falls Lodge porch.
- Silver Falls State Park, Geology Hike: 10 a.m., meet at the South Falls Lodge porch.
Oregon Coast
- Bullards Beach State Park: 1 p.m., meet at the amphitheater.
- Fort Stevens State Park: 10 a.m., meet at the main parking lot next to the museum and visitor center.
- Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park: 10 a.m., meet at the Cleawox Lodge.
- Nehalem Bay State Park: 9 a.m., meet at the main parking lot.
- South Beach State Park, South Jetty: 10 a.m., meet at the new Jetty Trailhead, South Jetty Day-use Area.
- Sitka Sedge State Natural Area: 12 p.m., meet at the parking lot.
Southern Oregon
- Collier Memorial State Park: 10 a.m., meet at the Logging Museum parking lot. Call the park office, 541-783-2471 X21 to register by Dec. 30. Leave a message that includes name, contact info and number of people attending.
- TouVelle State Park: 1:30 p.m., meet at the day-use area by Area F at the far end of the park.
- Valley of the Rogue State Park: 10 a.m., meet at the amphitheater fire pit in the program area.
Eastern/Central Oregon
- Cottonwood Canyon State Park: 10 a.m., meet at the Experience Center.
- LaPine State Park: 10 a.m., meet at the Cougar Woods Trailhead. Registration required.
- Smith Rock State Park: 9 a.m., meet at the Welcome Center Yurt. Registration required.
- Tumalo State Park: 1 p.m., meet at the day-use entrance near the fee machine.
