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, April 3, 2023
Willamette Valley Weather
Eugene Police Will Step Up Enforcement During Distracted Driving Month
Eugene Police recommend drivers put down, or better yet turn off, their cell phones while driving or they may potentially face hefty fines.
In support of a statewide campaign known as “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.,” Eugene Police Department (EPD) will be placing particular emphasis on distracted driving enforcement throughout April, authorities said.
State law prohibits driving while holding or using electronic devices with very few exceptions, police officials said. Police said drivers distracted by devices like cell phones, tablets or laptops pose a safety hazard to pedestrians and drivers alike.
A driver’s first offense not involving a crash is a Class B violation with a fine of up to $1,000, police said. Police said the fine may be suspended if the driver completes a distracted driving avoidance class within four months but the violation will remain on the driver’s record.
Police said a second offense, or a first offense involving a crash, is a Class A violation and fined upwards of $2,500. A third offense within 10 years is a Class B misdemeanor and may include a $6,250 fine and up to one year in jail, authorities said.
Use of hands-free or built-in devices are legal for drivers 18 years or older, police said. Authorities also said that drivers may also use handheld devices while parked, but not stopped in traffic.
Exceptions are rare, but include police, fire or emergency medical service providers, two-way radio operators or truck or bus drivers who operate under federal CDL rules, police officials said.
More information can be found on a PSA issued by EPD.
Linn County Deputies Find Stolen Vehicle Suspect Drowned in Calapooia River
Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports that on March 29, 2023, at 3:53 p.m., the Linn County Dispatch Center received a 911 call regarding a suspicious vehicle. The caller reported finding a friend’s pickup, which had been stolen several days prior from a farm located at Venell Place in Corvallis, Benton County.
The caller and their associates followed the stolen pickup and provided updated location information as deputies responded to the area. Deputies located the stolen 2015 Ford F550 flatbed in the area of Wirth Road in Tangent, as it drove into a grass field, followed by two citizens who were also in pickups. The stolen Ford pickup crashed into an embankment against a tree near the Calapooia River, and the driver fled on foot from the pickup towards the river. The driver was later identified as Elijah Lyle Robb, 43, of Corvallis.
Robb was seen by witnesses running through thick brush where he jumped in the river and attempted to swim across the strong current as deputies arrived and began trying to locate him. Robb was then witnessed swimming back to the bank, where he became hidden in thick brush hanging over the water. Due to the thick and tall brush, deputies had to cut and climb over 100 yards to get to the bank of the river to try and locate Robb. Sheriff’s Office drones were used to help find Robb and spotted some clothing in the water through the brush. Deputies believed this to be Robb hiding in the water.
Deputies were unable to reach the clothing in the water they believed to be Robb, so the Sheriff’s Office Water Rescue team was called to assist. As deputies tried to get to where Robb was spotted, it was noticed that he was not moving in the water. Once deputies made it to the bank above where the clothing was, they found Robb floating face down in the water and he appeared deceased under the brush. The Water Rescue team was able to get to the location and confirm Robb was deceased and removed him from the water.
Responding deputies also located a 2005 Ford Focus nearby in which witnesses indicated was associated with the stolen vehicle. Deputies found and detained Vanessa Morton, 38, Jesse Michael-Corona, 20, William Connell, 43, and Angie Nisly, 37, all from Albany. Investigators were able to determine that Morton, Michael-Corona, Connell and Nisly had been with Robb while committing several burglaries in the area earlier that day. Investigators recovered a large amount of jewelry and several electronic devices that had been reportedly stolen from the burglaries.
Jesse Michael-Corona was arrested and charged with two counts of Burglary in the First Degree. Angie Nisly was arrested on outstanding warrants for her arrest. The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests and charges are likely. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Kyle Connelly of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office at 541-967-3950.
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by multiple citizens, Albany Police Department, Albany Fire Department, Linn County Road Department, and the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office.
Eugene Street Crimes Unit Arrests Woman After Search Warrant Service
On March 28, Shelly Lee Hart, age 51, was contacted by Eugene Police Street Crimes Unit. SCU executed a search warrant at her residence in the 1700 block of Grove Street for weapons, drugs, and stolen property. There had been a prior search warrant at the same location for similar crimes in February 2022 and police received tips activity there had resumed.
Several unreported overdoses had occurred at the location, creating a more exigent need to stop the narcotics distribution at the house.
During the search warrant on March 28, SCU seized approximately 20 grams or more of fentanyl, 10 grams or more of methamphetamine, five grams or more of cocaine, packaging material, two firearms (one stolen), and stolen property from Jerry’s Home Improvement was recovered and seized. They also seized evidence of manufacturing and delivery of drugs.
The listed charges have been referred to the Lane County District Attorney’s Office for Hart’s prosecution. Additional charges of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Elude by Foot, and Escape in the Third Degree will be referred for two other individuals under investigation at the residence. The Lane County Sheriff’s Office responded and took possession of property recovered in one of their cases (from Jerry’s Home Improvement) and issued Hart a Citation in Lieu of Custody for Theft in the Second Degree under their related case number.
RELATED CASES:
EPD 21-16431 (Stolen Firearm)
LCSO 23-00835 (Theft from Jerry’s Home Improvement)
Charges:
Unlawful Manufacturing Controlled Substance Schedule II (fentanyl)
Unlawful Delivery Controlled Substance Schedule II (fentanyl)
Unlawful Possession Controlled Substance Schedule II (fentanyl) (CDO)
Unlawful Possession Controlled Substance Cocaine (CDO)
Unlawful Possession Controlled Substance Methamphetamine (CDO)
Felon in Possession of a Firearm
Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon
Escape in the Third Degree
Theft II – LCSO case 23-00835
Street Crimes Unit is funded by Community Safety Payroll Tax. SCU partners with other services to help solve issues, maximize services, and meet community needs. The tax was passed to provide funds to support the Community Safety System. Funding will help providefaster, more efficient safety responses, deter crime, connect people to services, engage and help at-risk youth, support more investigations, and court services, and hold those who commit crimes accountable.https://www.eugene-or.gov/3946/Community-Safety-Initiative
SCU is funded by the City of Eugene’s Community Safety Payroll Tax and works in concert with communities to help solve issues. The unit focuses on prolific offenders, who are identified through intelligence-based policing, public tips, and other sources. They proactively respond across the city to quality-of-life issues as they arise, using all available resources and partners such as community groups, neighborhood associations and city services. SCU is dedicated to targeting immediate and acute community safety system issues while working toward mission-critical enhancements that need to be addressed through a longer-term and broader community safety initiative.
Traffic collision involving bicyclist results in fatality
Update 03/31/2023 | 4:30 p.m. –The driver, Landis, is a special agent with the US Drug Enforcement Administration and was on duty at the time of the collision.
No Salem Police employees were present at the time of the crash; however, the two agencies have a long-established partnership through a task force. Due to those circumstances, the Salem Police Department has requested the Keizer Police Department lead the investigation.
As this case is ongoing, no other details are available for release at this time. Any further information will be issued by the Keizer Police Department.
# # # Originally published 03/29/2023 | 1:33 p.m. – Salem, Ore. — At approximately 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28, Salem Police patrol officers responded to the scene of a traffic collision involving a bicyclist and the driver of a pick-up truck at the intersection of Leslie and High STS SE.
The preliminary investigation by the Salem Police Traffic Team revealed the bicyclist was riding southbound on High ST approaching Leslie ST when the driver of the truck traveling eastbound on Leslie ST entered the intersection and crossed the bicyclist’s path of travel, resulting in a collision.
The bicyclist, 53-year-old Marganne Allen, suffered critical injuries and was transported to Salem Health where she later died.
The driver of the pick-up truck, Samuel Landis, age 37, was not injured. He remained on the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.
The intersection remained closed for approximately four hours as the incident was investigated, and the scene cleared.
No citations have been issued or arrest made as the Traffic Team investigation into the collision continues. No further information is available for release.
Mask requirements in healthcare settings lifting April 3
PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is reminding communities that workers, patients and visitors in healthcare settings statewide will not be required to wear masks starting Monday, April 3.
Healthcare settings include, but are not limited to, hospitals, mobile clinics, ambulances, outpatient facilities, dental offices, urgent care centers, long term care facilities, counseling offices, school-based health centers and complementary and alternative medicine locations.
Some health care settings may decide to continue requiring masks even after the statewide requirement is lifted.
Anyone who wants to continue to wear a mask can do so, including in public places and in workplaces. Wearing a mask remains an effective way to reduce transmission of respiratory viruses. OHA continues encouraging people to wear a mask in any setting – including health care settings – if they are sick, have health conditions that put them at high risk for severe illness from a respiratory virus exposure (or lives with someone at high risk), or any time wearing a mask makes them feel more comfortable.
The order, which has been in effect since August 2021, will be rescinded on Monday, April 3. To learn more, find additional information on OHA’s masking page: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/covid19/Pages/Masks.aspx
Oregon to Review Health Coverage for 1 in 3 State Residents
State reviews benefits for Oregon Health Plan members as continuous eligibility under federal COVID-19 emergency ends
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will review income eligibility for approximately 1.5 million Oregon Health Plan (OHP) and Medicare Savings Program (MSP) members starting April 1, 2023, after federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) protections for continuous eligibility will end. State health officials urge OHP members to review any notices they receive from OHA about their health benefits and respond promptly with any requested information.
State administrators need updated information to determine whether a member remains eligible for coverage for OHP and other Medicaid-funded services and supports.
During the federally-declared COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) extended coverage for all Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) members. This extension is ending today, March 31, 2023.
What to expect – When the pandemic began, the federal government allowed states to keep people on Medicaid once they became eligible. During an historic health emergency, OHP grew to nearly 1.5 million people, or one in three Oregonians.
Today marks an end to the federally enhanced Medicaid coverage. While most people will continue to qualify for existing benefits, OHA is required to review eligibility for all OHP members by mid-2024. Oregon will begin to notify OHP members starting in mid-April.
“We want to do everything we can to make sure Oregon Health Plan members stay covered as long as they are eligible,” said OHA Medicaid Director Dana Hittle. “It’s important for OHP members to keep their address up to date with us and for people to respond to any notices they receive. We know this process can be stressful for many members. We don’t want anyone to lose health coverage because of a missed notice.”
All OHP households will receive a renewal notice over the next ten months. It is very important that people understand that everyone will receive a notice and receiving a notice does not mean that action is required. The notice will tell members what they need to do, or if they don’t need to do anything at all.
If someone is determined to be no longer eligible for OHP, they will have 60 days before their OHP benefits will end. State officials will work to connect people who lose eligibility for OHP to the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace to find other health coverage. The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace (OHIM) will be sending information to people who are no longer eligible for OHP benefits and advising of potential coverage options and financial help through the Marketplace. People who do not enroll through the Marketplace will receive a second notice 30 days before their Oregon Health Plan benefits end.
The Marketplace Transition Help Center will be available starting April 13 to help people understand their options, how to transition to the Marketplace, and to find help from local health coverage experts.
“We are committed to helping eligible Oregon Health Plan members maintain their coverage,” said Hittle. “We don’t want anyone to fall through the cracks. We want to protect and expand health coverage so more children and adults have access to the health care they need.”
Extending health coverage – Oregon plans to allow children to stay on Medicaid until age six and allow everyone else up to two years of eligibility regardless of changes in income and without having to reapply. No other state provides more than one year of guaranteed eligibility.
The state has also created a safety net for those who through redetermination no longer qualify for Medicaid but have an annual income below 200% of the federal poverty level, which amounts to about $29,000 for individuals. This safety net will allow someone to keep the coverage they have.
OHP members who have questions about the renewal process can call the ONE Customer Service Center (1-800-699-9075 or TTY 711) or local health coverage experts to assist with the renewal process in a free one-to-one visit.
The large number of OHP redeterminations is expected to cause greater wait times, delays, and possible interruptions to people’s OHP benefits. OHP members are encouraged to respond as quickly as possible after they receive a request for information to avoid any possible delays. The fastest way members can provide an update is by going to benefits.oregon.gov and logging into their ONE account.
More information can be found here: OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp.
Legislature Approves $7.5 Million For Oregon Food Bank With COVID Food Benefits Gone
The Oregon Food Bank offers an assortment of food, including frozen vegetables like these beans. (Courtesy of the Oregon Food Bank)The Legislature soon will send $7.5 million to the Oregon Food Bank as hundreds of thousands of Oregonians deal with plummeting federal food benefits.
The state Senate voted 22-7 on Thursday to approve House Bill 5045, a budget rebalancing measure that reconciled the state’s accounts and provided $7.5 million to the Oregon Food Bank, along with extra money for public defense, hospital staffing and repairing weather-damaged roads. Gov. Tina Kotek advocated for additional funding for the food bank and is expected to sign the measure.
It coincides with a steep cut to federal food benefits. About 720,000 Oregonians qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The federal government increased monthly SNAP benefits when the COVID pandemic hit in spring 2020, but that temporary increase ended last month.
Oregonians who receive food benefits have gone from receiving an average of $450 per household per month to $270, with food prices significantly higher than before the pandemic.
Jason Stephany, a spokesperson for the Oregon Food Bank, said via email that the network of free food markets, pantries, meal sites and delivery programs it works with have seen a sharp rise in demand for food during the past few weeks.
“We’re only a few weeks into this federal cut to families’ grocery budgets, yet we’re already seeing new records set for Oregonians served in a single day at area food assistance sites,” he said.
The organization’s CEO, Susannah Morgan, previously told the Capital Chronicle the additional money would be enough to buy food through the end of June. By that time, the food bank anticipates more federal aid will flow in, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture received approval last fall to buy $2 billion worth of domestically produced food for food banks and school meal programs.
Separately, the state Department of Human Services announced this week that it will send $170 million in extra food aid to low-income families with young children.
Many Republicans object to the spending, saying the food bank is too involved in partisan issues —– The food bank’s funding was met with skepticism from many Republicans in the Senate and the House, where it passed 38-19 on March 20 with only Republicans opposed. Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis, R-Albany, said during the House debate that the Oregon Food Bank should not have publicly opposed the 2020 Republican walkout over climate change legislation, or publicly supported a 2022 law requiring overtime pay for agricultural workers or a pending measure to guarantee access to abortions and other reproductive care.
“If their focus was simply feeding Oregonians, I would not have a problem with the $7.5 million allocation to this organization,” Boshart Davis said. “But after the past years of watching this organization engage in very partisan activities, I do not have faith in providing millions of state dollars to a politically active organization.”
Sen. Daniel Bonham, R-The Dalles, read a nearly identical speech on Thursday, adding that he’ll draft a bill calling for an audit of the Oregon Food Bank to ensure none of the state funding it has received will be used for political activity.
Sen. Elizabeth Steiner, D-Portland and the Senate co-chair of the budget-writing Joint Ways and Means Committee, retorted that the budget measure explicitly prohibits the Oregon Food Bank from spending money on anything other than buying food.
“The money for the food bank is statutorily dedicated for food,” she said. “It cannot be used for anything else. The bill says explicitly it is for food purchases only.”
Stephany said the food bank tracks every dollar it spends, and that providing food alone isn’t enough to address the root causes of hunger and poverty.
“We need policies and investments that improve access to health care and housing statewide, especially in under-resourced small towns and rural and remote areas,” he said. “Since our founding, Oregon Food Bank has supported important legislation to ensure everyone in Oregon has access to the resources we need to thrive — regardless of race, gender, religion or immigration status.”
The measure includes $70 million for the Department of Transportation’s maintenance budget to pay for higher-than-anticipated repairs to weather-damaged state highways, though the department estimates most if not all of that money will be reimbursed by the Federal Highway Administration.
It also has $25 million for the Oregon Health Authority to help address staff shortages at hospitals across the state. Throughout the pandemic, the health authority has paid for nursing contracts and other temporary medical staff.
The measure further included $1.1 million for public defenders to represent clients convicted by non-unanimous juries. A December Oregon Supreme Court decision that made retroactive a U.S. Supreme Court ruling requiring unanimous jury decisions in serious criminal cases resulted in at least 225 people challenging their convictions. There could be up to 2,000 potential cases, according to legislative researchers.
Lawmakers are expected to spend millions more on public defense during the next two-year budget, as a shortage of public defenders has left hundreds of people unconstitutionally deprived of their right to an attorney.
Shooting At Central Point Skate Park
The Central Point Police Department is releasing new details involving Sunday’s shooting at Joel Tanzi Skate Park.
According to police, as of 4:21 p.m., investigators have confirmed the encounter between the male suspect and male victim “was not random, but rather a component of their interaction during a pre-planned meeting at the location.”
Central Point Police have also confirmed that multiple shots were fired at the victim, striking them multiple times.
Right now police are unsure where the suspect fled after the shooting. Police say they are still attempting to identify a suspect in the shooting and are working on getting security camera footage. Right now it is believed that the suspect drove away in a Subaru, but could not confirm any specific of the model and color with us.
The suspect is still at large and Central Point Police are asking residents to remain on standby and send in any video footage from the area. This is an ongoing investigation.
Proposed Oregon Senate Bill 611 Could Help Renters Who Are Struggling
With rents rising across the state, many renters are struggling to pay for a place to live. But a bill in the Oregon Senate may help take the pressure off — if it passes.
Oregon currently has the ninth highest average rent of all states in the United States. State lawmakers have written Senate Bill 611 in the hopes of establishing a lower state maximum rent increase to help lower-income residents. The bill would put a cap on rent increases that tenants currently face in addition to reducing exemptions for new housing construction. .
A work session for Senate Bill 611 is scheduled for Monday, April 3. There, legislators may or may not decide to move forward with the bill.
Oregon State Parks Officials Plan Changes At Smith Rock
Smith Rock State Park is poised to get a makeover this year, with state officials seeking public input on the plans.
The popular stop near Terrebonne is a magnet for rock climbers, photographers, nesting raptors and others seeking sublime views of Central Oregon.
The annual number of people visiting Smith Rock has tripled since 1991.
That’s when the park’s master plan was last updated. This year, state officials are revamping the plan, which promises to guide the construction of a new visitor center with better parking, traffic flow and improvements to some trails.
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department expects to publish a draft 20-year master plan on its website by April 10 and will take public comments on the document through May 15.
“People love this park, and they love it the way it is,” said OPRD planner Jenna Marmon. “We’re trying to make minor adjustments in both the physical park and the management strategies to resolve some of the bigger issues, while recognizing that love for the park.”
Parking concerns are top of mind, Marmon said, describing how drivers on the hunt for a spot will clog traffic by waiting or circling. Then, the overflow backs onto a Deschutes County road.
“It’s a safety concern,” Marmon said.
Statewide, Oregon’s most beloved day-use areas are increasingly popular, said OPRD spokesperson Chris Havel. He cited a 25% increase in daytime visits to state parks over the last decades, which outsteps the state’s population increase of 9%.
Improvements to state parks aim to do two things, Havel added: “Provide more service through existing facilities and open new opportunities without sacrificing park resources.”
On April 10, OPRD will host two informational meetings about its plans at Smith Rock: at 3 p.m. virtually, and at 6 p.m. in Bend, at the Bend Park and Recreation District Office, 799 SW Columbia St.
The draft plan will then be presented to the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission for adoption at its June 2023 meeting. MORE INFO: https://smithrock.com/news-all/public-input-time-on-master-plan-details-for-smith-rock-state-park-in-april
