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, February 21, 2023
Willamette Valley Weather
Brace For More Winter Weather in the Region
Heavy snow will blast Oregon’s mountain roads while the Willamette Valley will have a good chance of sticking snow Tuesday night and through Wednesday.
The Willamette Valley’s lowest elevations are most likely to see just a dusting to 1 inch of snow, with slightly more hitting in the hills and higher elevations in cities such as Portland, Salem and Eugene.
The system could bring school delays or cancellations, particularly in the hills and higher elevations on the edge of the valley, and into the foothills around 700 to 1,000 feet.
Elevations at or above 500 to 800 feet could see around 2 to 4 inches of snow — and potentially more. That mid-elevation snowfall will likely impact a significant impact to higher parts of Willamette Valley. The amount of snow ramps up between 1,000 to 2,500 feet, where current estimates call for 9 to 15 inches of snow.
On Oregon’s highest mountain passes — such as Santiam Pass (Highway 20), Willamette Pass and Government Camp (Highway 26) — around 1 to 2 feet of snow is forecast.
Travel through the mountains is likely to be very challenging given that snow will be sticking to roadways beginning at fairly low elevations, making travel from Salem or Eugene to Central Oregon hazardous at best. “Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility,” a winter weather warning from NWS said.
Beyond Wednesday, temperatures are expected to stay chilly and there will be a chance for more low-elevation snow but it looks less likely than the system that will hit us Tuesday thru Wednesday.
Local Police Investigating Hate Messages Being Dropped In Neighborhoods
Local police want tips on who’s leaving hate messages across Eugene and Springfield.
Residents have reported finding plastic baggies weighed down with wood pellets in their neighborhoods containing contain anti-Semitic and anti-Black Lives Matter messages. They appear to be left overnight when it’s dark and there are few witnesses.
This has been happening now for over a year with no suspects being found and seems to be escalating now. The sightings began again a month ago in the Thurston area of Springfield, and more recently around Tugman Park in Eugene’s South Hills.
The baggies mirror similar incidents reported in recent months in Florida, Georgia, New York, and California.
Both Springfield and Eugene police say they have investigators on the case. A Eugene Police spokesperson says they’ve taken 50 separate calls over the past weekend, alone.
In a statement, the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Lane County says it’s disturbed by the flyers, adding “hate against one of us is hate against all of us.”
The JCRC adds though that while the intent of the group behind the messages is to spread animosity, division and fear, it’s “deeply moved and heartened” by community members who’ve reported the baggies and denounced them.
Late last month, four men – including a known neo-Nazi active in California – were cited for distributing similar anti-Semitic material in Palm Beach, Florida. It’s unknown at this time if they are connected to the baggies distributed in the Eugene-Springfield area.
Residents can call both departments’ non-emergency lines if they see the baggies or have tips on who’s responsible.
Non-emergency lines for local law enforcement: Eugene Police (541)682-5111 — Springfield Police (541)726-3714 — The Oregon Dept. of Justice also requests people report hate/bias crimes and incidents on their non-emergency line: 1-844-924-BIAS (1-844-924-2427) —- If there is an emergency, always call 911.
Opponents Of Natural Gas Ban In Eugene Are Gathering Signatures
Opponents of the natural gas ban in Eugene have a petition on the streets with thousands of signatures as they look to overturn the ban and let voters have a say.
On February 6, Eugene city councilors voted 3-5 to oppose sending the issue of banning natural gas in new construction to Eugene residents for a vote.
A motion was then made to move forward with the proposed ordinance, and that was approved in a vote of 5-3. The ban only applies to new low-rise residential buildings.
Supporters of the ban argue it will help the city move towards its climate goals and is more about the good of the community, and not each individual person.
Opponents of the ban have until March 9 to gather 6,460 valid signatures to put the issue on the November ballot. Right now, the petition has more than 6,000 signatures. If they meet the requirement, the measure would appear on the ballot during a future election. That likely would be the May or November election, but the timing would depend on when the county clerk verifies signatures.
More information on the petition: https://www.eugeneresidentsforenergychoice.com
Oregon State Fire Marshal invests $2.7 million in wildfire risk reduction projects across Oregon
The Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is excited to announce a $2.7 million investment in wildfire risk reduction projects across Oregon. This strategic one-time investment is being made at the local and county levels through community wildfire protection plans (CWPP).
Projects will happen in 25 CWPP planning areas located in Baker, Benton, Clackamas, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Lake, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Malheur, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Wallowa, Wheeler, and Yamhill counties.
Projects include promoting wildfire-specific community risk reduction efforts, community education, defensible space projects, home assessments, media campaigns, signage, fuel mitigation programs, and grant funds.
One of the projects is in Morrow County, which will receive money to help landowners with defensible space projects and educate community members about best practices. Project managers plan to host yard debris pick-up events and help with defensible space work.
“We are happy to have the money to implement our planned work,” Heppner Fire and Rescue Chief Steve Rhea said. “Projects all over the state are worthy of this funding, and we appreciate the investment and the attention from the OSFM in rural communities.”
The OSFM’s fire risk reduction specialists worked with local CWPP planning groups to determine where funding was needed. This selection process was based on actionable projects, underserved communities, and the risk of fire in or near communities.
The funds are part of the OSFM’s Fire Adapted Oregon initiative, available because of Senate Bill 762.
To learn more about wildfire risk reduction and response investments, visit the agency’s grants and Investments in Action pages.
ABOUT FIRE ADAPTED OREGON – The OSFM’s Fire Adapted Oregon initiative was created to help prepare communities for wildfire and reduce its impacts. Fire Adapted Oregon offers education and training to empower communities to protect themselves and their property from wildfire. Learn more here.
ABOUT COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLANS (CWPP) – A CWPP is a plan developed by a community in an area at risk from wildfire. The community wildfire protection planning process is the collaboration between communities and agencies interested in reducing wildfire risk.
Oregon Legislature Considering Bill Proposed To Help Local Ukrainian Refugees
Oregon state Sen. James Manning Jr., D-Eugene, just introduced a bill to make the transition easier for Ukrainian refugees living across the state. Senate Bill 935 would allow those refugees to receive rental housing without a co-signer if it passes.
It would also waive the written and driving test for those looking to get a driver’s license if they already had a valid license in Ukraine.
Manning said this session he wants to make it easier for the more than 4,500 Ukrainian refugees living in Oregon during this time. “Cutting the red tape is very critical right now because they desperately need help, and we should be standing beside them, especially now, to help make life a little easier,” he said.
The group Giving Hope has worked directly with those refugees over the last year. The director there said the first hurdle is getting a sponsor to come to the United States, and often that sponsor can’t help with housing.
Manning said he worked with immigrant and refugee community organizations to create this bill, with the goal of addressing the biggest issues for this group head on.
2023-2024 Oregon Blue Book Cover Showcases Scenic Wonders
Oregon photographers’ cover images highlight our Columbia River Gorge and Oregon Coast Aquarium
The Oregon Secretary of State’s Office today revealed the cover images for the 2023-2024 Oregon Blue Book. The cover selections were made by Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan as part of judging the Oregon Blue Book Cover Photo Contest. Almost 1000 images were submitted as part of the contest.
The Oregon Blue Book is our state’s official almanac and fact book, published by the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office. The book is published in odd-numbered years and has been in continuous publication since 1911. Most recently, the books’ covers have included photography of some of Oregon’s most exceptional places.
“When you live in a state as beautiful as Oregon, it can be tough to choose just two images,” said Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan. “I was so impressed by the images submitted by Oregon’s vibrant amateur photography community. I hope this cover inspires every Oregonian to pick up the book or visit the Oregon Blue Book website and discover how this fact book can open our state up to them in a whole new way.”
The book’s front cover is a beautiful image of the Rowena Crest area of the Columbia River Gorge by photographer Micah Lundstedt of Eugene. Lundstedt captured the glowing morning sky and the landscape blanketed in colorful Balsam Root and Lupine flowers.
“Micah’s image reminded me of my time growing up in Dufur and The Dalles,” said Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan. “Those flowers each spring felt optimistic and hopeful. We’re really lucky to call this beautiful state home.”
“This photo was taken at sunrise on the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge near Rowena Crest,” said Micah Lundstedt. “My intention was to shoot east toward the rising sun, but I saw these amazing clouds catching the light to my left. I love how the colors of the flowers and sky complement each other.”
Lundstedt is a hobby photographer based in Eugene, Oregon.
The back cover for the 2023-24 Oregon Blue Book is a colorful capture of Oregon rockfish, made by Dale George of Grants Pass. George says he made this image while exploring the Oregon Coast on a solo trip. “I was at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport enjoying the displays,” said George. “These three rockfish in the underwater walkthrough tunnel area began exhibiting this interesting behavior. Luckily, they were near the glass, and I could get them in focus!” he said.
“I was inspired to choose this image by Dale George because the fish are so brightly colored and interesting,” said Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan. “Fish are also an important part of who we are as Oregonians. They’re part of our cultural heritage, economy and even our family stories.”
Dale George is a retired mechanic and hobby photographer who lives in Grants Pass with his wife of 39 years.
The Oregon Blue Book is our state’s official almanac and fact book, published every two years by the Oregon Secretary of State’s office. The book has been in publication since 1911. It contains listings and descriptions of government agencies and educational institutions. It also features an almanac, maps, facts about Oregon history and elections, as well as information on cities, counties, the arts, media, and other cultural institutions in Oregon.
A copy of the cover can be downloaded here. — The Oregon Blue Book can be purchased online and the digital Oregon Blue Book can be accessed at bluebook.oregon.gov.
U-Haul Driver Kills Pedestrian In Gresham; Truck Blocks MAX Line
A driver of a U-Haul truck struck and killed a pedestrian Monday afternoon, according to the Gresham Police Department. This happened near East Burnside Street and Southeast 167th Avenue at around 2:45 p.m.
The U-Haul truck ended up on the MAX tracks and kept trains from traveling in both directions until at least 5:30 p.m. The pedestrian, a woman, was taken to a hospital but died of her injuries. The driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with the police.
Newport Seafood & Wine Festival Starts Thursday
The Newport Seafood & Wine Festival is returning this week, after having to cancel the past two years.
The Newport Seafood & Wine Festival is Newport’s largest annual event. It started in 1977 with the intention to boost the local economy during the slowest time of the year.
Today, the four-day event draws thousands of visitors to Newport during the last full weekend February, boasting over 125 vendors: seafood vendors, craftspeople, and Northwest wineries all under a tented venue adjacent to the Rogue brewery in South Beach.
More than 300 volunteers, a dedicated volunteer committee, and local support from city and county agencies make this annual event possible. Presenting Sponsor Chinook Winds Casino Resort has generously supported the event for the past thirteen years. MORE INFO: Newport Seafood & Wine Festival
