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
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Willamette Valley Weather
UPDATES on these fires currently burning in our area of the state.
Bedrock Fire: A changing weather pattern will result in clearer air across most of the Bedrock Fire area today. Increased visibility will allow firefighting aircraft to fly, if needed, in support of efforts on the ground. Much of the fire perimeter, while not yet declared contained, is now in what fire managers call “patrol status.” The fire lines along much of the north, east and southern sections have been secure for many days but firefighters are still working, patrolling and taking any necessary actions to keep remaining pockets of fire inside the perimeter.
Progress on the fire meant the Lane County Sheriff was able to reduce level 3 evacuations down to level 2 yesterday. Established level 2 evacuations will remain in place. Evacuated residents in those areas can return home but should be ready to leave again, if conditions change.
The most active area remains to the south of Little Fall Creek on the northwest corner of the fire area, between Deer Mountain and Forest System Road 1818. The fire has been gradually moving downhill toward the creek. Firefighters have been creating and strengthening bulldozer and hand lines, as well as preparing roads to use as control features. Cooler temperatures and higher humidity today should help moderate fire behavior and give firefighters time to complete that work. When preparations are complete and if conditions are right, firefighters plan to “burn out” the area between Little Fall Creek Road and the advancing fire. This will help secure that portion of the line by carefully reducing the amount of fuel near the perimeter.
A large “finger” of fire on the eastern side of the fire is smoldering but fire managers, aided by scientific analysis, feel confident the fire will not grow significantly in that area. It is burning in the footprint of the 2021 Gales Fire.
Evacuations: Level 2 evacuations remain in place on the Bedrock Fire, though all Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations have been reduced. A searchable evacuation map is on the Lane County website. There is a shelter for people and small pets at Lowell High School for evacuees from the Bedrock and Lookout Fires. There is a large animal shelter at the Lane County Fairgrounds in Eugene.
Smoke: The daily West-Central Oregon Smoke Outlook provides a detailed air quality forecast for the Bedrock Fire and other nearby fires. Fire and Smoke Map (fire.airnow.gov/) is another source for air quality information.
Weather: Cooler temperatures are expected through midweek, along with higher humidity levels. Temperature inversions that cause smokier conditions overnight are expected each night.
Safety and Closures: The Willamette National Forest implemented an Emergency Area Closure to ensure the safety of the public and fire personnel. An emergency closure order for the Salmon Fire has been lifted. The closure map for the Bedrock Fire is available on InciWeb. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction over the Bedrock Fire area. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BedrockFire2023/
Lookout Fire: A community meeting will be held Wednesday, from 5:30-6:30 pm at McKenzie River High School. The meeting will be broadcast on the Lookout Fire Facebook page at 8 pm: https://www.facebook.com/LookoutFire2023
Current Situation: Cooler temperatures and higher humidity limited fire behavior at the Lookout Fire on Monday. Dense smoke stayed in place over the area until late in the day, grounding helicopter operations. Firefighters mopped-up ash-pits and hot spots along the 700 road on the fire’s southwest flank, and containment is expected to increase in this area in the coming days. North of the 700 Road, bulldozer lines are in place to help utilize Road 2633 as a holding feature on the fire’s west flank. Cooler weather limited the effectiveness of tactical firing operations planned on the western side of the fire yesterday. Firefighters are prepared to conduct those strategic burning operations as conditions allow.
On the northeast and southeast flanks, the fire is backing toward Deer Creek Road, where crews and heavy equipment are preparing the road to be used as a control line. Crews are installing pumps and hose along the McKenzie River to check the fire’s spread and protect values at risk such as homes and utility infrastructure.
Winds from the west may increase Tuesday afternoon as the smoke inversion layer begins to lift. A warmer weather trend is expected to return to the fire area on Wednesday.
Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) task forces are meeting with incoming U.S. Forest Service (USFS) structure protection crews to discuss completed preparation work, locations of installed protection systems, water sources, and status of critical infrastructure. This information exchange is an important step in the demobilization of OSFM task forces, allowing them to return to their communities while ensuring adequate resources remain on site. As OSFM begins to reduce resources committed to the fire, NW Team 6 will have structure protection crews in place and coordinate with local resources to ensure community safety. There are currently five OSFM task forces on the fire, which will begin demobilizing this morning with the remainder leaving on Wednesday.
A new incident base of operations is now in place in Walterville, in addition to the one at the McKenzie Bridge airstrip. Motorists are advised to use caution with increased fire vehicle traffic in the Camp Creek Road area and throughout the Highway 126 corridor.
Evacuation Centers: An evacuation center is in place at Lowell High School for evacuees and small pets from the Bedrock and Lookout Fires. A large animal shelter is set up at the Lane County Fairgrounds in Eugene.
Evacuations: In Lane County, there is a Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation notice for Taylor Rd., North Bank Rd., all areas north of Highway 126 between Mill Rd. and Drury Ln., Mona Campground, Lookout Campground, H.J. Andrews Headquarters and the area west of Highway 126 from Scott Rd. north into Linn County.
There is a Level 2 (Be Set) for areas north of Hwy. 126 west of the .5 mile mark on Mill Creek Rd. to Blue River Reservoir Rd. at the 1501 junction, The area south of Hwy 126 to the McKenzie River from the east end of McKenzie River Dr. to the McKenzie River Bridge just east of Taylor Rd, Highway 126 from the Highway 242 junction to Scott Rd., Paradise Campground, FS Rd. 302, Belknap Springs Rd. S., Belknap Hot Springs Rd., the area east of Highway 126 from Scott Rd. north into Linn County.
There is a Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuation notice for Areas south of Hwy. 126 from Blue River Reservoir Rd. east to the east end of McKenzie River Dr., McKenzie River Dr. and areas directly to the south and east, The area south of Hwy 126 from the McKenzie River Bridge just east of Taylor Rd. to Scott Creek Rd., Belknap Springs Rd. S, Hwy 242 to FS Rd. 220, Yale Ln., Camp Yale Rd., FS Rd. 2643 southeast to the 445 spur.
For Lane County evacuation updates visit: https://www.lanecountyor.gov/cms/one.aspx?pageId=19729054
In Linn County, there is a Level 3 (Go Now) for Olallie Campground, Trail Bridge Reservoir & Campground, and the trail systems and roadways north of the Linn County line, and west of Highway 126, extending north to intersection of National Forest Service Road 730 and Highway 126.
A Level 2 (Be Ready) for the area from the east side of Olallie Campground east to the Willamette National Forest Boundary, north along boundary to Ice Cap Campground and Trailhead, then west to encompass Lakes End Campground and trail system, and south in line with the intersection of National Forest Service Road 730 and Highway 126 (entrance to the Carmen-Smith Hydroelectric facility). Tamolitch Falls/Blue Pool and Smith Reservoir are within this Level 2 (be set) Evacuation Zone.
Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuation zone for areas north of Ice Cap Campground, extending east to the Willamette National Forest boundary, and north in line with Highway 20. This includes all areas around Clear Lake, and Clear Lake Campground. For current information please see Linn County’s website at: https://www.linnsheriff.org/2023/08/lookout-fire-update-august-17-2023-330-p-m/
Closures: Highway 242, McKenzie Highway, is closed between milepost 61-76, 14 miles west of Sisters, Oregon to just east of the junction with Highway 126. Highway 126 is currently open. Please monitor Trip Check for any updates at: https://tripcheck.com/
Willamette National Forest closures can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd552029Restrictions:Fire Restrictions are in placeon the Willamette National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/willamette
Smoke Outlook: Available at: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/4c92bc1a?
Information Line: 541-215-6735 8am-8pm| Email: 2023.lookout@firenet.gov
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LookoutFire2023
PeaceHealth announces beginning of comprehensive process to close the University District hospital in Eugene
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PeaceHealth today announced the beginning of what will be a comprehensive process to close its underutilized University District hospital in Eugene. Upon receiving regulatory approval, the health system plans to transition Inpatient Rehabilitation, Emergency Department and related medical services to PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend, located less than 6 miles away in Springfield. Ambulatory Services, including PeaceHealth Medical Group clinics and Home & Community services, will remain open and ready to serve the needs of the community in Eugene. PeaceHealth intends to continue providing Behavioral Health services at University District until there is a sustainable alternative in the community.
“After careful consideration and an ongoing ethical discernment, PeaceHealth has decided to close the hospital at University District,” said Alicia Beymer, chief administrative officer PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center, University District. “As the needs of the Lane County community evolve, PeaceHealth services and sites of care also need to evolve to ensure compassionate, high-quality care now and in the future. We believe consolidating some services at RiverBend will provide an enhanced care experience.”
Since opening in 2008, the RiverBend hospital has increased capacity and access, and the community’s reliance on University District has diminished, with patient volume declining to the point where the University District facility consistently generates losses averaging $2 million per month. University District now sees an average of just 95 patient visits daily, with an average of only 15.5 patients per month admitted as inpatients and only 7.5 patients per month admitted for observation. Only about two-thirds of patients present for routine medical care. The other one-third seek behavioral health services that would be better served by a crisis stabilization center planned for Lane County.
“We are committed to serving the people of Lane County and plan to increase our care and services over the coming years,” added Beymer. “By discontinuing services at University District, which have unsustainable negative operating margins, we can more effectively invest our resources to better meet the Lane County community’s current and emerging needs and ensure patients have access to the right care, in the right setting, at the right time.”
PeaceHealth outlined the next steps in what will be a comprehensive process involving the state and other community partners. The plan, which requires regulatory approval, focuses on the three core healthcare services currently provided at University District:
- Emergency Department – PeaceHealth intends to phase out Emergency Department services on the University District campus in November. The goal is to consolidate limited Emergency Department resources at RiverBend, which has available capacity and can accommodate additional emergency and in-patient volume. PeaceHealth also plans investments to expand patient access, including additional secure spaces for patients experiencing behavioral and mental health challenges.
- Inpatient Rehabilitation – PeaceHealth intends to temporarily relocate the 27-bed inpatient rehabilitation unit at University District to RiverBend in early 2024. Relocation will allow the service to remain available in the community through 2026, when PeaceHealth and LifePoint Health plan to jointly open a separate state-of-the-art 50-bed inpatient rehabilitation facility on the RiverBend campus. The new 67,000-square-foot hospital will double capacity and feature a 12-bed traumatic brain injury unit — a first for the area.
- Inpatient Behavioral Health – PeaceHealth intends to continue serving patients at the current behavioral health location at University District until there is a sustainable alternative in the community. This unit provides inpatient services for 1,100 vulnerable, often complex patients per year. PeaceHealth is collaborating with community partners on alternative care models and works with outpatient behavioral health entities in Lane County and beyond that provide wraparound services.
PeaceHealth is committed to retaining its valued caregivers as it evolves its care services in Lane County, finding equivalent positions within PeaceHealth’s Oregon network, including integrating qualified and interested University District caregivers into open positions at the RiverBend campus and other PeaceHealth locations.
About PeaceHealth: PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. PeaceHealth has approximately 16,000 caregivers, a group practice with more than 1,200 providers and 10 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. The Sisters shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for healthcare in their communities. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.
Oregon Nurses Association Statement on Potential Closure of University District Hospital
(Eugene, Ore.) – The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) bargaining unit leaders at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center were notified yesterday, August 21, that PeaceHealth is planning to close PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center University District in Eugene.
ONA is strongly opposed to PeaceHealth’s closure of University District hospital and calls upon management to reverse this dangerous and irresponsible decision immediately.
This short-sighted decision on the part of PeaceHealth management raises serious concerns not only for the more than 100 ONA-represented nurses who will be impacted by this closure, but also for the many hundreds of other staff at the hospital and the thousands of patients in Eugene who will lose access to emergency services.
At this time, it is unclear how PeaceHealth intends for the residents of Eugene to access crucial, life-saving services like those provided by the University District Emergency Department. This is particularly concerning given that wait times at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center Riverbend, the closest alternative hospital to University District, were over 18 hours for some patients just yesterday. Closure of the University District hospital would have an enormous impact on Riverbend’s capacity to provide care to the more than 200,000 people in Eugene and the surrounding areas.
The Medical Unit at University District would also close under PeaceHealth’s current plan. The Medical Unit, also known as the ACE Unit, or acute care for the elderly unit, provides specialized care for the region’s most vulnerable, elderly patients. PeaceHealth has not indicated if there are plans to create a similar unit at Riverbend.
ONA nurses were blindsided by this announcement. Nurses just settled a four-year agreement with the hospital after a lengthy and contentious contract negotiations. At no point during those negotiations were nurses given even the slightest hint that a closure of University District was on the table.
ONA is working closely with our union partners at PeaceHealth, including Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), and the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (OFNHP) on a coordinated response to this dangerous and harmful decision by PeaceHealth.
There are clear contractual implications for a closure of University District. PeaceHealth has indicated that they intend to reorganize the University District Emergency Department, the Float Pool and Rehabilitation Services, all of which will have direct impacts on ONA-represented nurses. Should a closure occur, major layoffs will also impact staff throughout the hospital.
ONA and our union colleagues are in contact with the Oregon Health Authority to determine if there are regulatory ways to stop this closure from happening. We will also be launching ways for the Eugene community to make their concerns known to PeaceHealth administration within the coming days.
The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) is the state’s largest and most influential nursing organization. We are a professional association and labor union which represents more than 16,000 nurses and allied health workers throughout the state, including 1,500 frontline nurses at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center Riverbend and University District and Sacred Heart Home Care Services. ONA’s mission is to advocate for nursing, quality health care and healthy communities. For more information visit: www.OregonRN.org.
Eugene Police Respond to Calls of Man Setting Fire in a Home
At approximately 10:35 p.m. on August 19, Eugene Police began to receive calls about a disorderly man at a home in the 2800 block of Van Avenue who was yelling and attempting to break into the home with a club, then starting a fire on the stove.
Eugene Police officers arrived and saw smoke coming from the residence. Officers found that the suspect, later identified as Nicholas John Hedberg, age 38, of Eugene, had left. Eugene Springfield Fire extinguished the fire.
Hedberg was reported to have been threatening another man, age 59, throughout the day. Because of this, the victim had left the home and was not there when Hedberg arrived. Eugene Police responded to the 2700 block of Brackenfern Road to contact Hedberg at his home. They located him in his open garage and Hedberg was taken into custody safely and without incident.
Officers applied for a search warrant, which was approved by a judge and recovered stolen property. Hedberg was lodged at Lane County Jail on charges of Arson in the First Degree, Burglary in the First Degree, and Menacing. Case 23-12369
Eugene Police Enforcing Click It or Ticket Campaign through September 3
Oregon Department of Transportation has funded a seat belt enforcement from August 21 through September 3 and Eugene Police will particularly be enforcing this during that period. The Eugene Police Department is reminding drivers about the lifesaving benefits of wearing a seat belt and proper child safety restraints as we all approach the end of summer and Labor Day.
Modern cars contain a lot of advanced occupant protection features, including air bags and crush zones. For those features to work effectively, correct seat belt and child safety seat usage is a must. And it’s not just about your personal safety – unrestrained vehicle occupants can injure others in the vehicle in the event of a crash. Proper use of occupant restraint systems is one of the best ways to maximize your chances of walking away from a crash.
Participating law enforcement agencies will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt law enforcement, writing citations day and night. In Eugene, the presumptive fine for a seat belt violation is $200. For more information on the Click It or Ticket mobilization, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/ciot. Online Resources:• Car Seat Types: Determine whether your child fits best in a rear-facing car seat, forward-facing car seat, booster seat, or seat belt.• Car Seat Recommendations: Review NHTSA’s recommendations for the best car seat for your child’s age and size. • Find and Compare: Find and compare car seats with NHTSA’s handy car seat finder, which also searches specific brands. Oregon Department of Transportation Seatbelts and Child Seats: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFC2K2AfdJMMore ODOT information on safety belts and child seats at: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TS/Pages/safetybelts.aspx
Lane County Property Value Appeals Board recruiting new members
The Lane County Board of Commissioners is seeking applications from people interested in serving on the Lane County Property Value Appeals Board for the 2023–2025 term.
The Board hears petitions for reduction of real market, assessed, and specially assessed values of property, and considers applications to excuse liability for penalties. At a hearing, based on evidence presented by the taxpayer and the County, the Board makes a determination of a property’s value, and issues an order. Training is provided.
To qualify to serve on the Board you must be a resident of Lane County and have an interest or employment background in real property appraisal, finance, or real estate. Applicants cannot be an employee of the County or any taxing district within the County.
“The Property Value Appeals Board plays a crucial role in ensuring fairness and accuracy in our local tax assessment system,” said Lane County Clerk Dena Dawson. “The Board provides a way for property owners to appeal their property’s values and engages citizens in the valuation process, promoting transparency and equity in property taxation.”
To learn more or download an application, visit www.lanecountyor.gov/appeals. The application deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 22, 2023. Applications can be sent to Lane County Deeds and Records, 125 East 8th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401.
Media advisory: Oregon’s first evacuation assembly point (EAP) equipment will be set up in Tillamook on Wednesday
Oregon’s first evacuation assembly point (EAP) equipment will be set up in Tillamook on Wednesday
WHAT: Tillamook County and ODHS Office of Resilience and Emergency Management emergency preparedness exercise
WHO:
- Mary Faith Bell, Commissioner, Tillamook County
- Randy Thorpe, Emergency Manager, Tillamook County
- Chad Knowles, Operations Chief, ODHS Office of Resilience and Emergency Management
- Kevin Tucker, President, Near Space Corporation
- Eric Waters, Business Development Manager, Near Space Corporation
- Michele Bradley, General Manager, Port of Tillamook Bay
WHEN:
- Wednesday, August 23, 2023
- The Tillamook County Board of Commissioners will hold a public meeting in a tent at the evacuation assembly point 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. Media is welcome to attend this meeting. If attending the meeting, please arrive by 8:30 A.M. to set up.
- Media availability will occur directly after the meeting, in the same space. 11:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.
- There will be time to get photos and videos of the various tents that comprise the EAP after 11:30.
WHERE: 5255 Long Prairie Road, Tillamook, OR. See attached map. Look for signs for Able Readiness 4, the name of this emergency preparedness exercise.
WHY: ODHS’ Office of Resilience and Emergency Management (OREM) supplied Tillamook County with two Conex boxes that contain food, water, tents and medical supplies to support 100 people at the EAP for two weeks in the event of an emergency. Evacuation assembly points are short-term locations for people to gather while emergency responders work to access the impacted area. The Tillamook-area EAP is located at Tillamook Municipal Airport. All 17 EAP tents will be set up on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of an emergency preparedness exercise. OREM, as the lead state agency for mass care (e.g. shelter, food and water), has staged these supplies in Tillamook because coastal communities will be isolated from responders in the immediate aftermath of the Cascadia earthquake. During this exercise, OREM will train community leaders on how to set up the EAP.
This news release was sent when the containers were delivered to Tillamook.
HOW: For interviews or additional information please contact Sara Campos (she/her), OREM public information officer at a.k.campos@odhs.oregon.gov“>sara.k.campos@odhs.oregon.gov or 971-208-1947.
Just south of the Oregon border along Hwy 199, the Diamond, Holiday, Kelly, and Prescott fires along with multiple other fires in the area have been grouped together in the “Smith River Complex.” This is along the route from Grants Pass to the coast.
To the west, the Smith River Complex of fires in Six Rivers National Forest totaled 6.25 square miles (16.2 square kilometers). Morning rain had also been expected there.
A section of U.S. 199 closed due to the fire.
The complex fires were among many ignited across the forest and the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation after more than 150 lightning strikes since Tuesday. Most of the fires remained small.
The Smith River Complex is approximately 40,000 acres with zero percent containment. Strong northeast winds affected the fire area overnight, but an inversion settled in, dampening fire behavior on most of the complex yesterday morning. Areas of the Kelly fire aligned with Stony Creek (north of Hwy 199) and Craigs Creek (south of Hwy 199) and made significant movement to the southwest growing approximately 2.5 miles in the early morning hours. The west side of the Kelly fire moved into the North Fork Smith Roadless Area.
Night shot of the Smith River Complex by Adan Castillo Uribe.
Josephine County Emergency Management
· Notice from Josephine County Sheriff:
Level 1 – BE READY Smith River North Complex FireNotice from Josephine County Sheriff. Level 1 – BE READY notice for: Forested area from Lone Mountain Road to Buckskin Peak.Monitor conditions. Find preparedness resources at RVEM.org. Act early if there is any reason you might need extra time. Leave right away if you feel you are in immediate danger.If conditions change quickly, this may be the only alert you receive.For more information, visit: www.rvem.org
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest (RRSNF), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) resources continue to be proactive by reopening old fire containment features and identifying areas of opportunity in protection of life and property.
Smith River Complex North update for Wednesday, August 23, 2023 Grants Pass, Oregon
Pushed by gusty winds, the Kelly Fire spread further north into the West Fork of the Illinois River valley yesterday. In response, local firefighters and resources from the Smith River Complex North concentrated on structure protection work around Lone Mountain and Elk, Blue, Dwight, and White Creeks. Protecting structures, powerlines, and resources along Hwy 199 are a high priority for this fire. Heavy smoke continues to hamper aerial operations.
Yesterday, smoke prevented helicopters from dropping water or retardant on the north edge of the Kelly Fire. The smoke also made it difficult to monitor the fire’s spread and exact location using aircraft. Winds from the north are expected today, which should reduce smoke along the north edge of the Kelly Fire. When the smoke lifts, aerial resources are ready to support firefighters on the ground. Resources assigned to the Complex will assist with initial attack on fires within the Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) and on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.
Currently assigned resources include seven helicopters for the Complex, nine engines, four crews, and five pieces of heavy equipment for the North, with more on order. With more resources arriving at the fire, the Smith River Complex North has added a night shift. These resources will be working overnight and monitoring the fire vicinity. They can respond quickly if there is an increase in fire activity. Del Norte County has issued a Level 3 evacuation notice from the Oregon/California border south. Specifics of this closure can be found at https://www.facebook.com/DelNorteOfficeOfEmergencyServices/.
Josephine County has issued a Level 2 evacuation notice along Hwy 199 south of mile post 39 to the California border, and a Level 1 evacuation for the community of O’Brien south of Rough & Ready Creek. For more information and maps, visit the Rogue Valley Emergency Management site at https://www.rvem.org. The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has implemented an area and road closure order for the Smith River Complex. Visit the forest website for additional information https://tinyurl.com/2s4hymku. Cooperatively responding agencies include the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, the Oregon Department of Forestry, BLM-Coos Bay District, BLM-Medford District, Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, Josephine County EMS, the Illinois Valley Fire Department and Curry County Sheriff’s Office. There will be a community meeting on Thursday, August 24 at 6:00 p.m. It will be held at the staging area across from 30159 Redwood Hwy, Cave Junction. The meeting will also be live-streamed on Facebook.
Kotek holds signing ceremony for bills on ghost guns, fentanyl and Oregon’s police training backlog
One of bills Gov. Tina Kotek highlighted on Monday, House Bill 2005, was one of the bills that Oregon Senate Republicans targeted with a six-week walkout.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek held a symbolic signing ceremony for seven new public safety bills Monday afternoon, touting legislation aimed at cracking down on “ghost guns” and fentanyl, bolstering Oregon’s overloaded public defender system and clearing a backlog at the state’s sole police academy.
The deadline for Kotek to sign bills from the 2023 legislative session has already passed; all of the bills she mentioned at Monday’s news conference were officially signed back in July, but the governor sought to highlight them as a group, declaring that they “represent concrete steps forward to ensure that Oregonians are safe and have trust in their justice system.”
The ghost gun bill was one of two bills targeted by a six-week walkout led by Senate Republicans earlier this year, which ended when Democrats agreed to scale down both pieces of legislation before passage — something Kotek acknowledged at Monday’s news conference, although she didn’t mention the parts that got cut.
“Because we know House Bill 2005 did generate some controversy in the legislature, and I want to thank the legislators and the advocates for getting that bill across the finish line,” she said. “It wouldn’t be here without your leadership, so thank you very much.”
The more expansive version of House Bill 2005 would have raised the minimum age to purchase most guns from 18 to 21 and given Oregon cities the option to ban firearms in public buildings, in addition to cracking down on untraceable firearms. The final version only maintains the ghost gun ban, establishing fines and jail time for the sale or possession of 3D printed guns with the serial numbers removed or unfinished gun frames and receivers.
Even the smaller version of HB 2005 ultimately passed the Senate on a relatively narrow vote — in terms of the legislature’s quorum rules — of 17-3, with 10 lawmakers absent or excused. Most of the other bills Kotek touted on Monday passed by large margins in both chambers.
The only other relatively close vote was for Senate Bill 337, which passed the Senate 17-8 with five absences. The bill aims to overhaul Oregon’s public defender system, but it made headlines during the legislative session when Kotek sent lawmakers a letter asking for amendments to the in-progress legislation.
The other five bills Kotek mentioned are:
- Senate Bill 5533 provides new funding for training and classes at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, Oregon’s only police academy. Mayor Ted Wheeler has cited a backlog at DPSST as one of the factors slowing down Portland’s efforts to fill police vacancies.
- House Bill 2676 updates Oregon’s Victims Compensation Program to expand counseling eligibility and offer compensation for additional expenses such as counseling or funeral expenses.
- House Bill 2732 provides funding for Children Advocacy Centers statewide, which provide services when child abuse is suspected.
- House Bill 2320 creates a Juvenile Justice Policy Commission Tasked with analyzing policy and making recommendations to the legislature about how to improve Oregon’s juvenile justice system.
- House Bill 2645 creates misdemeanor penalties for possession of a gram or more of fentanyl — or five pills — allowing violators to be sentenced to up to a year in jail or a $6,250 fine, or both. (SOURCE)
Central Oregon Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Federal Prison
On August 16, 2023, a Deschutes County, Oregon woman was sentenced to federal prison for trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl to Oregon for distribution.
Krista Vela, 39, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.
“Today marks a significant victory in our ongoing fight against the scourge of methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking. With the successful arrest and conviction of Krista Vela, we have dealt a decisive blow to the criminal networks that seek to spread destruction in the central Oregon community,” said Sergeant Kent van der Kamp of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. “This outcome is a testament to the tireless efforts of the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team (CODE), and our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. We remain resolute in our commitment to ensure the safety of central Oregon, and this case serves as a powerful reminder that those who peddle in illegal drugs will face the full force of justice.”
According to court documents, in November 2020, as part of a broader drug trafficking investigation, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and CODE identified Vela as a key source of supply for a prominent area drug dealer. In early December, investigators seized several pieces of luggage being removed from a hotel room rented by Vela in Sunriver, Oregon. The bags contained drug packaging materials, a digital scale, a GPS tracking device, 15 kilograms of methamphetamine, and 2 kilograms of fentanyl. One of the bags also contained several pieces of paperwork with Vela’s name on them.
On December 6, 2021, Vela was charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to possess and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. Later, on April 21, 2022, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a two-count indictment charging Vela and an accomplice with conspiring with one another to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. On July 5, 2023, Vela pleaded guilty to both charges.
Vela’s sentence will run concurrent to an 84-month federal prison sentence imposed on March 16, 2023, in the District of Montana for a separate drug trafficking conviction.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, and CODE. It was prosecuted by Adam E. Delph, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
The CODE team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. CODE includes members of the Bend, Redmond, Prineville, Madras, Sunriver, and Black Butte Police Departments; the Warm Springs Tribal Police Department; the Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson County Sheriff and District Attorney’s Offices; the Oregon State Police; the Oregon National Guard; DEA; and the FBI. Updated August 22, 2023 (SOURCE)
Potential Impact of $24.6 Billion Kroger-Albertsons Merger on Oregon’s Grocery Market Competition
Kroger, Fred Meyer and QFC’s parent company, and Albertsons, Safeway’s owner, are on the verge of a substantial $24.6 billion merger. This move promises to reshape the retail landscape of the Pacific Northwest and bolster competition. Concerns are surfacing, though, regarding the potential reduction in shopping options for Oregon residents. Regulatory hurdles such as Federal Trade Commission (FTC) scrutiny over potential monopolistic results and price increases are also present.
Kroger’s CEO, Rodney McMullen, strongly backs the merge. He refers to the grocery industry’s drastic changes over the past ten years to support his point. He believes that the merger will fortify Kroger and Albertsons’ standing against big players like Walmart, Amazon, and Costco. Another objective of the merger is to enhance their online grocery wing in response to the growing trend of online grocery shopping.
However, industry analysts have a cautious outlook on the merger’s approval due to the FTC’s strict perspective on such proposals. They criticize the FTC’s interpretation of the grocery industry which might ignore major players such as Amazon or Costco. They warn that overlapping stores might need to be sold to preserve market competition, raising questions about finding willing buyers. The situation recalls the Albertsons-Safeway merger in 2015 which led to 150 stores being sold to a smaller grocer, who later went bankrupt. Such situations make it unclear whether the proposed merger will encourage competition or create a monopoly in Oregon’s grocery industry. PODCAST: https://www.oregonlive.com/podcasts/2023/08/what-a-kroger-albertsons-grocery-merger-could-mean-for-oregonians-beat-check-podcast.html?outputType=amp
Ticks and mosquitos: More patients buzzing into urgent care
PORTLAND, Ore. (August 22, 2023): In the midst of peak mosquito and tick season in Oregon, Dr. Anne Toledo, Chief of Urgent Care for Kaiser Permanente Northwest, reports she is also seeing more patients coming into urgent care with concerns about insect bites.
Not only did the Oregon Health Authority report that mosquito populations are five times greater in Multnomah County this year, but Portlanders are reporting more ticks, too. The NextDoor neighborhood app is filled with reports of ticks crawling closer into town, latching on to people and pets in Southeast, Montavilla and Mt. Tabor.
Dr. Toledo attributes much of this increase in insects to climate change, which allows pests that carry infection, such as ticks, to live longer and wider ranging.
The good news? “Only some ticks can spread diseases to humans,” said Dr. Toledo. “In Oregon, Lyme disease is very rare and although the western black-legged tick can spread Lyme disease it is important to know what the other risks are and take preventive measures to protect yourself from these summer pests. Many ticks are so small – the size of a sesame seed – that people don’t even realize they’ve been bitten until a mark appears or the tick has grown big.”
Most of the time, all you need to do for a tick bite is relieve any symptoms you may have, which you can do at home. Some people may have an allergic reaction to a tick bite. This reaction may be mild, with symptoms like itching and swelling.
“In rare cases, a severe allergic reaction may occur,” said Dr. Toeldo. “You should seek immediate medical care if you have signs of infection, such as increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness around the bite; red streaks leading from the bite; pus draining from the bite; or a fever.”
Interviews available
Dr. Anne Toledo, Chief of Urgent Care for Kaiser Permanente Northwest, is available for Zoom interviews with media this Tuesday, August 22 from 4-4:30 p.m. and Wednesday, August 23 at 3 p.m. Additional times available early next week. Contact en.a.vitt@kp.org“>Karen Vitt to schedule.
Dr. Toledo is prepared to discuss:
- What are ticks and what happens if they bite you?
- Can you tell what bug has bitten you just from the bite mark? (Mostly no,but there are some classics I can teach about)
- What you can do to protect yourself from mosquitos and avoid tick bite
- How do you tell a local skin reaction from an infection caused by a bite?
- What you can do to protect yourself from mosquitos and avoid tick bites
- How to remove a tick and treat a tick bite
- When you should see a doctor for your insect bite
- Why Portland is seeing a rise in mosquitos and ticks – is it climate change?
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Governor Tina Kotek is urging Oregonians to apply for over 130 open positions on 12 new boards and commissions that were created by the Legislature.
They include hospital discharge challenges, juvenile justice, cybersecurity, universal health and more. Kotek says true progress requires each and every one to be engaged. Applicants should apply on the state’s website. https://oregon.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/SOR_External_Career_Site
Help your wildland firefighters. Most human-caused fires are avoidable. Help your wildland firefighters by actively practicing wildfire prevention. The fewer human-caused fires they have to respond to, the less our resources are strained and the more we can protect our firefighters from fatigue and burnout.
The Shaniko Hotel Reopens
If you’ve driven between Klamath Falls and the Washington border using Highway 97, you’ve driven through Shaniko.
After 16 years of closure, the Shaniko Hotel , located in Oregon’s famous ghost town, has reopened, this time under the management of the town’s volunteer firefighters.
If that sounds like an unusual arrangement, well, nothing in Shaniko is usual.
Shaniko remains a functioning municipality with about two dozen full-time residents. They practically take turns running the city.
Consisting of a handful of buildings dating to around 1900, Shaniko most likely survives because of its location along U.S. 97, which still brings traffic past the town.
Staff will tell you the hotel is definitely haunted, and it’s hard to tell if that’s because of actual spirits or a sales tactic. It does make an overnight stay more exciting.
While the town is small, Julianne Herman, secretary of South Wasco Fire & Rescue (and also employee of the hotel, and also Long’s girlfriend), said the town’s handful of firefighters responded to about 80 calls last year. Most of those were medical calls and highway crashes (such as the semi-truck that barreled through two buildings next to the Shaniko Hotel last fall.)
Visitors might notice a small blue rubber ball in one of the hotel hallways. Staff says this ball seemingly moves around on its own, played with by an unseen girl whom they call Amelia. Room 14, they said, is supposedly haunted by a woman named Nettie.
Thinking about an overnight stay? Shaniko is 215 miles north on U.S. Highway 97 from Klamath Falls. https://www.shanikohotel.com/
