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
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Willamette Valley Weather
Lane County Sheriff Arrests Man in Solicitation to Commit Murder Case
LCSO Case #23-0682 – The Lane County Sheriff’s Office received information on Friday, February 3rd of an attempted murder-for-hire plot. Investigator’s learned that 58-year-old John Robert Clarke had offered to pay a 3rd party an undisclosed amount of money to murder a person known to Clarke.
An extensive investigation determined probable cause to arrest Clarke for Solicitation to Commit Murder. Clarke was taken into custody by Lane County Sheriff’s Office detectives and lodged at the Lane County Jail.
Clarke is the co-owner of an RV dealership called “Oregon West, RV” in Creswell. Residents of Creswell who were initially unaware of the situation said they were shocked and disgusted when they heard the allegations.
After an extensive investigation, Detectives say they were able to determine probable cause to arrest Clarke for solicitation of murder. Clarke is being charged with a Class A Felony that is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of as much as $375,000.
This case has been referred to the Lane County District Attorney’s Office. Additional details are not available at this time. There is believed to be no ongoing threat to the public or victim in this case.
Corvallis Police Department Investigating Officer-Involved Shooting in Albany
On February 8, 2023 at approximately 9:38am Albany Police Officers responded to a welfare check on a suicidal male at a residence in Southwest Albany. It was determined the male was armed and currently at Freeway Lakes, located on Three Lakes Rd, in his vehicle.
Albany Police with the assistance of Linn County Sheriff’s Deputies attempted to contact the male in his vehicle. Family members were already at the scene attempting to communicate with the distraught male. A trained Crisis Negotiator was enroute to the scene.
Officers and Deputies attempted to diffuse the situation from a distance and asked the male to drop his weapon. Officers and witnesses saw the male subject armed with a pistol moving it to his head and down to his side. Officers and Deputies attempted to remove the family from the scene and get them to safety. Witnesses on scene were heard yelling, “No, no” as the subject proceeded to point his weapon at officers. The male subject pointed his handgun at Officers when two Albany Police Officers fired their weapons.
Officers immediately moved to provide first aid and ensured the family members and a bystander who was present were safe and unharmed. The male subject was found deceased near his handgun. All of the officers involved have been placed on Critical Incident Leave, per policy and national best practices, as the investigation continues.
The investigation is being led by the Corvallis Police Department in conjunction with the Linn County District Attorney’s Office and the Linn/Benton Major Crimes Team. Additional information and news releases will be made by Corvallis Police Department as it becomes available. Our deepest condolences go out to all of the families involved and the family members that had to bear witness to this tragic event.
Additional information will be released as it becomes available by the Corvallis Police Department. At this time there is no additional information available related to this incident. Any updates on the investigation will be disseminated via press release from the Corvallis Police Department.
Fatal Crash Highway 58- Lane County
On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at approximately 9:00 A.M., Oregon State Police and emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 58, milepost 59.
Preliminary investigation revealed a silver Honda Civic, driven by Cynthia Ann Waters (52) from Eugene, was eastbound when she lost control and struck a dump truck that was pulling a trailer. The dump truck driver, identified as Jesse Alan Rodolf (44) of Lakeview, was uninjured. Cynthia Waters was pronounced deceased at the scene. Icy road conditions are believed to be contributing factors in this crash.
The Oregon State Police was assisted by the Oakridge Fire Department, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Lane Transit District Changes Route Schedules
Lane Transit District will operate under a new schedule now, with reductions to eight routes, additions to one route, and scheduling shifts to three routes. LTD plans to prolong the suspension of three routes.
LTD attributed the cutbacks to a combination of reduced ridership and a shortage of drivers. The press release said ridership is at 70% of what it was pre-pandemic. LTD Chief Marketing Officer Pat Walsh said LTD is actively recruiting and that LTD can only provide the level of service it is staffed to deliver until positions are filled. Changes can be found on LTD’s website.
Governor Kotek Fires OLCC Director and Staff Who Were Buying Rare Bourbon For Themselves
A thirst for rare bottles of bourbon appears set to have cost the executive director and other top officials of Oregon’s liquor and marijuana regulating agency their jobs.
An internal investigation by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, obtained by The Associated Press via public records request Wednesday, concluded that Executive Director Steve Marks and five other agency officials had diverted sought-after bourbons, including Pappy Van Winkle’s 23-year-old whiskey, for their personal use.
The officials were paying for the whiskey, which can cost thousands of dollars a bottle, but they had used their knowledge and connections at the commission to obtain them, and consequently deprived members of the public of the spendy booze, the investigation said. And that violated Oregon statutes, including one that prohibits public officials from using confidential information for personal gain, the commission’s investigation said.
Governor Kotek on Wednesday asked the agency’s board of commissioners to remove Marks and the other implicated officials, alleging they “abused their position for personal gain.”
“This behavior is wholly unacceptable. I will not tolerate wrongful violations of our government ethics laws,” Kotek said in her letter to the board of commissioners.
In his responses to questions from the investigator, Marks denied that he had violated Oregon ethics laws and state policy. However, he acknowledged that he had received preferential treatment “to some extent” in obtaining the whiskey as a commission employee. Marks and the other officials said they never resold the whiskeys they obtained.
“This incident underlines the importance of having public accountability,” said agency spokesperson Mark Pettinger. “The OLCC will need to work on rebuilding and restoring our public trust … and adhere to Oregon’s ethics laws.”
After taking office last month, Kotek, a Democrat who was a long-serving Oregon House speaker, asked for Marks’ resignation, but no reason was announced. Kotek said she learned of this business about the bourbon afterward.
The board of commissioners is appointed by the governor and in turn selects the executive director, according to a commission spokesman. The commissioners’ next regular meeting is next Wednesday. The agency is the state’s third-largest revenue generator.
Kotek has asked Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum to conduct an independent civil investigation into the extent of any wrongdoing and recommend stronger protocols for ensuring ethics laws are followed.
February is the last month Oregonians will receive increased emergency food benefits
- Most Oregonians who receive SNAP benefits will receive increased emergency food benefits in February.
- Approximately 416,000 SNAP households will receive approximately $71 million in emergency food benefits in addition to their regular SNAP benefits in February.
- February is the last month that the federal government will allow Oregon to issue these emergency food benefits.
- Households who receive SNAP will continue to receive their regular SNAP benefits after February, typically this is the amount households get between the first and the ninth of each month.
(Salem) – Most Oregonians who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will receive emergency allotments in February.
In February, approximately 416,000 SNAP households will receive approximately $71 million in extra food benefits in addition to their regular SNAP benefits. This will be the final emergency allotment provided to Oregonians.
March 2023 will be the first month since April 2020 that most people on SNAP in Oregon will only receive their regular SNAP food benefits.
“We know that many rely on these additional emergency food benefits to get enough healthy food for themselves and their families,” said ODHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht (he/him). “As Oregon continues to be impacted by COVID-19 and the rising cost of food, we know that without these emergency food benefits some in Oregon may experience hardship and hunger. We encourage people who are concerned to start planning for this change today. Having a plan ahead of time will reduce the chance of experiencing an emergency or crisis later. There are food supports available to everyone in Oregon, you can find what is available in your community by contacting our partners at 211, the Oregon Food Bank or by visiting needfood.oregon.gov.”
“It’s critical that Oregonians facing reduced support for groceries know that food remains available to all who need it,” said Susannah Morgan (she/her), Oregon Food Bank CEO. “Across rural, urban and suburban communities, more than 1,400 free food markets, pantries and meal sites are moving mountains to make sure families have the resources we need to fill the gap. And everyone is welcome — regardless of race, gender, religion or immigration status.”
“The end of the emergency allotments, as we all know, will be a very hard time for many folks and families, but we know there are great people at 211, ODHS and our partner agencies who stand ready to help and will lead with compassion to help the community navigate this change,” said Kerry Hoeschen (she/her), 211info emergency management director. “At 211info we are available 24/7 to provide information and referrals to agencies offering support for a wide variety of needs such as rent and utility payment support. This includes more than 1,000 food resources across Oregon and Southwest Washington like food pantries, farmers markets, community gardens, fresh food distribution and summer food programs for all Oregonians. To find out more about general resources and food programs contact us! Language interpreters are available.”
Current SNAP households will receive emergency allotments on Feb. 10. Emergency allotments will be issued Feb. 27 or March 1 for households who did not receive benefits in the first monthly issuance.
Oregonians who receive SNAP are encouraged to prepare for this change in the amount of food benefits they receive. Having a plan ahead of time will reduce the chance of experiencing an emergency or crisis later.
Find out what your regular SNAP benefit amount is. Knowing your regular SNAP benefit can help you budget. You can check how much your regular benefits are by accessing your EBT account online at www.ebtEDGE.com or by logging into your ONE account at Benefits.oregon.gov.
Questions about your SNAP benefits can also be directed to the ONE Customer Service Center at 1-800-699-9075. The ONE Customer Service Center is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Time.
Regular SNAP benefits are added to EBT cards between the first and the ninth day of the month.
Tell ODHS if your income has decreased. A decrease in your income may mean you qualify for more SNAP benefits.
Tell ODHS if there are more people in your household. An increase to the number of people in your household may increase your SNAP food benefits.
You can report changes to your income or household in many ways:
- Online at: Benefits.oregon.gov
- By mail at: ONE Customer Service Center, PO Box 14015, Salem, OR 97309
- By fax at: 503-378-5628
- By phone at: 1-800-699-9075 or TTY 711, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Time.
Know what food supports are in your area. There are many different organizations providing food support in communities throughout Oregon:
- Find food resources in your community: needfood.oregon.gov
- Find a food pantry: foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org
- Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, www.211info.org
Remember that SNAP has changed since April 2020. In addition to the temporary emergency food benefits due to COVID-19, SNAP has experienced other permanent changes that will support people’s ability to get enough healthy food for themselves and their families.
On October 1, 2021, regular SNAP food benefits were permanently increased by an average of about $36 per person, per month.
In January 2022, Oregon increased the income eligibility limit for SNAP up to 200% of the federal poverty level. This means that an individual with up to $2,265 in income per month, or a family of three with up to $3,838 in income per month, are eligible to receive SNAP food benefits.
Why emergency food benefits are ending after February 2023
The federal government has approved emergency allotments every month since April 2020. The 2023 federal spending bill ended funding for emergency allotments. Due to this change, the federal government will no longer allow Oregon to issue emergency food benefits after February 2023.
This means that February 2023 is the final month that ODHS is allowed to provide these emergency food benefits to people receiving SNAP in Oregon.
These emergency food benefits have provided people in Oregon with $1.86 billion in additional money for food since April 2020.
More information about emergency allotments is available at https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/ASSISTANCE/FOOD-BENEFITS/Pages/About-SNAP.aspx.
Resources to help meet basic needs
- Find food resources in your community: needfood.oregon.gov
- Find a food pantry: foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org
- Learn about government programs and community resources for older adults and people with disabilities: Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon at 1-855-673-2372 or www.adrcoforegon.org.
- Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, www.211info.org
- Find local resources and support by contacting your local Community Action Agency: www.caporegon.org/find-services/
- Oregon Department of Human Services COVID-19 help center
Administered by ODHS, SNAP is a federal program that provides food assistance to approximately 1 million eligible, families and individuals with low incomes in Oregon, including many older adults and people with disabilities. Oregonians in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP, child care, cash assistance and Medicaid. Learn more at https://govstatus.egov.com/or-dhs-benefits. For local resources in your area, such as food or shelter, please call 2-1-1 or reach out to the state’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) at 1-855-ORE-ADRC or 1-855-673-2372.
Paid Leave Oregon offers website in six languages, adds new features
SALEM – Paid Leave Oregon has refreshed its website, PaidLeave.Oregon.gov. In response to community feedback, the updated website is now available in six languages: English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese.
Other new features include:
- An interactive contributions calculator so employers and employees can figure out their payroll contributions
- A safe exit or “quick escape” feature – these buttons are used on websites for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors. The button helps web users quickly exit the site they’re browsing and will automatically open another page.
- Detailed information for both employers and employees, as well as new sections for self-employed people, healthcare workers, and service providers
- Videos that feature real Oregon business owners in our communities
Paid Leave Oregon allows employees to take paid time off for some of life’s most important moments. It covers leave for the birth or adoption of a child, for serious illness or injury, for taking care of a seriously ill family member, and for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or harassment.
Contributions to the program by large employers and all employees, regardless of employer size, started January 1. Benefits will be available to employees in September 2023.
### The Oregon Employment Department (OED) is an equal opportunity agency. OED provides free help so you can use our services. Some examples are sign language and spoken-language interpreters, written materials in other languages, large print, audio, and other formats. To get help, please call 503-947-1444. TTY users call 711. You can also send an email to communications@employ.oregon.gov.
Study Shows Oregon Has Most Expensive Cheese Pizzas In U.S.
A new study shows Oregon has the highest average price for a large cheese pizza in the United States, according to MarketWatch .
The new study from Slice, a pizza delivery app and technology platform, took the average prices of pizzas across all 50 states and found that Oregon’s average price of a plain cheese pizza was $26.94 — over $3 more than the second most expensive slice.
A new study from Slice, the pizza-delivery app and technology platform, found that Oregon had the priciest pizza in the country, with the cost of a large cheese pie averaging $26.94 last year. That’s more than twice the price of a pizza in the state where it’s cheapest — Oklahoma, where a large cheese pie ran $12.70.
The release of the Slice study is timed to coincide with National Pizza Day on Feb. 9. The study looked at data from 2022 among the nearly 19,000 independent pizza shops that are part of the Slice network.
Other pricey pizza states in Slice’s analysis of the 2022 data: Washington ($23.34 for a large cheese pie), Illinois ($22.52), Alaska ($21.74), Colorado ($21.23) and California ($21.19).
And the states joining Oklahoma at the lower end of the price spectrum: Minnesota ($13.88), Alabama ($14.80), Kansas ($14.96), North Dakota ($15.35) and Mississippi ($15.50).
Why are some states pricier for pizza than others? Obviously, economies vary from state to state — and that affects the cost of a variety of goods. But the situation with pizza involves certain particulars, says Slice founder and chief Ilir Sela.According to Slice’s founder Ilir Sela, there is a reason why Portland pies are so expensive.
Sela said that the type of pizza being served played a key role in the rankings, and Oregon heavily emphasizes “artisanal pizza.” That means pizzas with higher-end ingredients or pizzas made to a higher standard.
Another factor in pizza price was the number of pizza shops per capita, according to Sela areas with fewer shops tended to have higher prices.
Other findings from Slice’s study showed that ranch dressing appeared to be rising in popularity with a 9.7% increase in orders, and that pickles are predicted to be a popular new pizza topping.
