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 30, 2023
Willamette Valley Weather
Community Meeting Today for the Lookout, Bedrock, Horse Creek, and Pothole Fires.
In-Person Wednesday August 30, 2023 5:00 pm McKenzie High School, 51187 Blue River Dr, Vida, OR
Local and Fire Officials will be onsite to respond to audience questions.
Facebook Recording of the Meeting will be posted: Wednesday August 30, 2023 at 8:30 pm on Facebook at Lookout, Horse Creek, and Pothole Fires 2023 and Bedrock Fire 2023.Questions posted on Facebook will be answered by Public Information Officers or forwarded to the appropriate officials.
Public reminder: Willamette National Forest closure orders remain in place around all four fire areas. These closures help provide firefighters with safer driving conditions and decrease the potential for search and rescue operations that could interrupt firefighting activities. Please see links to this information below.
Horse Creek, Lookout, Pothole Fires Total Personnel: 937
Resources: 54 engines l 15 crews l 13 bulldozers l 29 water tenders l 11 masticators l 8 helicopters
Horse Creek: Size: 597 acres l Start Date: August 24, 2023 l Cause: Lightning l Containment: 0%
Fire behavior was limited yesterday morning but picked up in the late afternoon when the marine layer lifted over the fire. Fire crews, equipment, and air resources are actively engaged in full suppression efforts in the Horse Creek drainage. Firelines on the north and west edges are holding well. The fire has been moving eastward due to terrain and winds. Some dozers and hand lines have been installed to check eastern fire spread. Today, as conditions allow, firefighters will fly a drone above the fire to detect hotspots near the fire’s edge.
Lookout: Size: 22,317 acres l Start Date: August 5, 2023 l Cause: Lightning l Containment: 17%
Cooler temperatures and higher humidity helped moderate fire behavior allowing firefighters to make good progress. Along the northern, western, and eastern flanks of the fire; fuel breaks are being prepared by tree fallers, fire crews, and heavy equipment along forest system roads that are being utilized as primary and alternate control lines to contain fire spread. On the southeast flank, near Belknap Springs, the fire has been slowly backing downhill toward completed containment lines near Highway 126. Where containment lines are confidently secured along the south edge, crews are beginning to remove unneeded fire equipment like fire hose and pumps, while continuing to hold and secure the fireline. Of particular concern for the safety of firefighters, are both live and dead trees falling near work areas.
Pothole: Size: 99 acres l Start Date: August 25, 2023 l Cause: Lightning l Containment: 0%
This fire is adjacent to the Three Sisters Wilderness. Yesterday firefighters installed critical direct fireline to contain fire on the northwest corner. Today they will continue identifying options to build fireline around the remainder of the northern flank.
Bedrock: Size: 31,592 acres l Start Date: July 22, 2023 l Cause: under investigation l Containment: 71%
Total Personnel: 696
Resources: 35 engines l 12 crews l 8 bulldozers l 27 water tenders l 8 masticators l 11 helicopters
There was no measurable growth on the Bedrock Fire yesterday. Firefighters continue to secure portions of the containment line along the northwest area of the perimeter. Across most of the fire, the focus has shifted to hauling out equipment, firehose, and pumps and repairing damage to the land and forest roads (grading, installing water bars, and re-contouring dozer lines).
All Fires — Cooler temperatures and higher humidity yesterday resulted in minimal fire growth on all fires. Firefighters and law enforcement officers maintain a presence in evacuated areas. Trained firefighters are flying Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) or drones through the smoke to provide infrared heat imaging to locate hotspots near control lines. Drones also support firing operations in areas that are hard to access, which reduces risk to firefighters.
Weather — Light rain is predicted over the fires today. Winds from the west may be gusty along ridgetops and where river and creek drainages align with winds. This condition often results in increased fire behavior where winds and drainages align. Cool, moist onshore flow is expected to continue through Labor Day.
Evacuation Centers: An evacuation center is in place at Westridge Middle School in Oakridge for evacuees and small pets from the Bedrock and Lookout Fires. A large animal shelter is established at the Lane County Fairgrounds in Eugene.
An up-to-date and searchable evacuation map is available through Lane county’s website.
Lane County Evacuations: https://www.lanecountyor.gov/cms/one.aspx?pageId=19729054
Linn County Evacuations: https://www.linnsheriff.org/
Road 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/
Forest Closures: Closures can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd552029
Restrictions: Fire Restrictions are in place on the Willamette National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/willamette. Temporary Flight Restrictions remain in place over the Bedrock and Lookout fire areas.
Smoke Outlook: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/4c92bc1a The Fire and Smoke Map (fire.airnow.gov) is another source for air quality information.
Traffic Advisory – Eugene Police Department Hosting Motorcade Escort Training for Oregon Agencies
Please be aware that in Eugene on Wednesday, August 30, there will be multiple agencies from around the state training on motorcade skills.
Part of the training will involve conducting simulated motorcades through the city. During these motorcades, motorcycle and traffic vehicle officers will be blocking intersections while the motorcade passes through.
The closures will last no more than two to three minutes, more often less than one minute. If you encounter this, it will only be a short stop and we thank you in advance for your patience! Eugene Police is hosting the training to help motor and traffic officers hone the skills they need to safely provide escorts when they are required in their areas.
These types of events can be dangerous for officers. A recent example in Bellevue, Washington, underscores the importance and seriousness of the assignment. The training goal is to enhance the ability of officers to safely protect those visiting in our areas.
McKenzie Willamette Medical Center Using Online reservation system to Schedule E.R. Patients
Mckenzie Willamette Medical Center is using online scheduling to help reduce E.R. wait times.
The newly integrated system, called “In Quicker,” is found on the hospital’s website and lets the user select a time for an E.R. visit ahead of time to help reduce the amount of people waiting inside the hospital, and allow the patient to wait at home instead.
Emergency Department Manager Jan Montry said the scheduling system will help give staff the support needed to help as many patients as possible.
“Basically, it’s a tool that allows people patients with lower acute symptoms to save their place in line,” Montry said. “For us it improves our efficiency so we can spread out the arrivals and we can kind of know when people are coming.”
In the three months since the hospital started using it, they’re reporting reduced wait times in the waiting rooms and an increase in completed appointments. Montry said that 85% of patients are able to be seen as quick as 15 minutes.
Residents in Springfield feel that this scheduling system will be a massive positive for the community. Many saying that waiting for hours to be seen for something minor was a hassle. T.J. Johnson is a retired nurse who lives in Springfield, she said that getting people out of the waiting room and quickly into the hospitals data base is the best decision McKenzie-Willamette could have made.
“I’m just really thankful that this hospital is using that ability with technology to be able to get people through the system,” Johnson said. “People are sick that come to the emergency room and you don’t want to necessarily be sitting around someone hacking, coughing and sneezing and potentially putting yourself at risk if you don’t have to.”
The system will not be bypassing a patient who is in serious condition, and will only allow patients to schedule a E.R. visit if they are in a stable condition.
UPDATED RELEASE- The Douglas County Major Crimes Team continues to seek information from the public regarding the homicide of 78-year-old Terry Lea Deane.
Deane was found deceased in a residence in the 400-block of Coltrin Lane on Saturday, August 12, 2023. Since that time, the Douglas County Major Crimes Team has been actively investigating the case as a homicide. Investigators are making a second appeal to members of the community to come forward with any information which may help them to further the investigation. Specifically, they are interested in information about individuals or vehicles seen in the area between August 11 and August 12.
Detectives are also encouraging residents to be aware of suspicious people or vehicles in their neighborhoods and to report anything to law enforcement by calling (541) 440-4471.
### ORIGINAL RELEASE 08/14/2023 5:00 PM
OAKLAND, Ore. – The Douglas County Major Crimes Team is investigating the homicide of an Oakland woman.
On Saturday, August 12, 2023, around 1:30 p.m., 9-1-1 dispatchers were notified of a suspicious death at a residence in the 400-block of Coltrin Lane in Oakland. Deputies and officers from the Sutherlin Police Department responded to the scene and determined the death to be the result of an apparent homicide. The victim was identified as 78-year-old Terry Lea Deane of Oakland.
The Douglas County Major Crimes Team was activated. The Sheriff’s Office assigned as the lead investigating agency. Investigators are urging anyone who may have information to call (541) 440-4458 referencing case #23-3096.
“Sometimes community members observe things in their neighborhoods and may not find them significant at the time, but to an investigator those details can make all the difference in solving cases and obtaining justice,” Lt. Kelley Bean said. “I would encourage anyone who has information to contact the detectives and allow them to vet the significance as it relates to the investigation.”
Tips can be made by calling 541-440-4458.
The Douglas County Major Crimes Team consists of investigators from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Roseburg Police Department and Oregon State Police working in consultation with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office.
The investigation is ongoing and, in an effort to protect the integrity of the investigation, additional details are not expected to be released at this time.
Up to $50,000 Reward for Information About Southside Post Office Armed Robbery
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect who robbed the Southside Post Office, located at 30 E 33rd Ave, Eugene OR 97405.
On August 16, 2023, at approximately 5:00 p.m., an unidentified male entered the Southside Post Office, brandished a firearm, and demanded money.
The subject was described as a white male, around his mid 50s, approximately 5’8″ to 6′ tall, weighing around 250 lbs. with several black painted fingernails. He was described as wearing a dark long sleeve shirt/jacket, dark baggy pants, and a gray baseball hat, with a white/beige bandanna covering his face.
Lane County Man Finds Community at Sole Support for Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon (PRO) will host its annual awareness walk and fundraiser, Sole Support for Parkinson’s at Alton Baker Park on October 1, 2023. The annual event brings people whose lives are impacted by a Parkinson’s diagnosis together with a caring and supportive community for a walk along the riverfront spreading awareness about this neurodegenerative disease with no cure. Funds raised remain in the local community to help people living with the disease through Parkinson’s Resources (PRO) exercise, education, and wellness programs.
Sole Supporters, such as Eugene resident Larry Bradley, look forward to participating this year. Bradley, a client of PRO and member of the Board of Directors shares “Sole Support was one of the first events I participated in after my diagnosis. It was there that I learned about all the programs and services available in our community and where I was able to make new connections and find the support to face Parkinson’s disease head on. I encourage anyone who has PD or cares for someone with the disease to get involved! “
People living with Parkinson’s disease and their families and supporters from across SW Washington will participate in this year’s Eugene event to show their support and spread awareness about Parkinson’s disease. Registration is required but free.
- Saturday, October 1, 2023
- Alton Baker Park
- On-site registration and check in opens at noon – Walk begins at 1:30pm
- ~1k and ~5k routes are walker and wheelchair friendly
- Registration is free – fundraising is encouraged
To register, find out more, or donate, go to:www.solesupport.org or call 800.426.6806
About Parkinson’s Resources: Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon (PRO) is a donor supported non-profit with the sole mission of advancing the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s, their families and caregivers. With three office locations (Bend, Eugene, Beaverton), PRO provides direct care and support of thousands of families in Oregon and SW Washington. Working to address issues faced by Parkinson’s patients and their families, we can significantly improve the quality of life for all touched by this disease.
To find out more about PRO’s services or to support our programs, go to: www.parkinsonsresources.org
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.” The fires have now spread into Southern Oregon. This is along the route from Grants Pass to the coast.
Oregon State Fire Marshal mobilizes resources to the Smith River Complex after conflagration is declared
SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the Smith River Complex to allow the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to mobilize structural firefighting resources to protect life and property. The OSFM is mobilizing additional firefighters, equipment, and an incident management team to provide structure protection for homes threatened by the Smith River Complex. The Smith River Complex began in California and has now burned across state lines into Oregon. Level 3 evacuation orders are in place. Last Thursday, OSFM mobilized two structural task forces through immediate response to protect communities near the Smith River Complex ahead of a conflagration declaration.
In accordance with ORS 476.510-476.610, Governor Kotek determined that the fire poses a threat to life, safety, and property, and the threat exceeds the firefighting capabilities of local firefighting personnel and equipment. The governor’s declaration cleared the way for the state fire marshal to mobilize firefighters and equipment to assist local resources in battling the fire and further support a coordinated response.
The OSFM’s Blue Incident Management Team will be briefed and assume unified command of the Smith River Complex on August 29th at 8 a.m. The additional task forces are coming from other counties around the state through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System to protect life and property.
Pacific Power prepares for re-energization of Gasquet, Patrick Creek
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Today Pacific Power received permission from the Joint Incident Management Team on the Smith River Complex fires to access the Gasquet area and begin planning for re-energization of that community.
Pacific Power crews began the process of bringing a large commercial generator into the area, which is still under a Level 3 evacuation order. Those crews will be completing installation of that generator over the next two days. After the generator is successfully installed, Pacific Power crews will need to patrol all distribution lines serving Gasquet before re-energizing.
Re-energization will take place in coordination with the Joint Incident Management Team, who will be providing additional communication about when customers can return to their homes.
Because of damage to the power lines and infrastructure serving Patrick Creek, Pacific Power is unable to re-energize that infrastructure until crews can make the necessary repairs. As an alternative, Pacific Power will be providing each customer in that area with a residential generator to meet their electricity needs until the substation serving them can be safely powered up.
Due to continued wildfire activity in the transmission corridor serving Crescent City, it remains unsafe to re-energize the transmission line serving the city and surrounding areas. Pacific Power continues to closely monitor all fire activity in the region and will re-energize the transmission lines when it is safe to do so.
Red Cross Opens Shelter For Smith River Complex Fire
The Red Cross has set up a shelter at Rogue Community College, Redwood Campus in Grants Pass for people evacuated by the Smith River Complex Fire southwest of Obrien in Josephine County.
Anyone who needs shelter from this wildfire should go to the college at 3345 Redwood Hwy, Grants Pass, OR 97527 or call 1-800-Red Cross.
Preparedness info can be found here: https://redcrossblog.org/disaster/
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.
Air quality is the issue in Josephine County as well.
Residents of Cave Junction, O’Brien and the surrounding areas are dealing with very hazardous air quality.
The air quality index goes from 0 being the healthiest air, to 500 being the unhealthiest air. Portions of Josephine County hit that 500 mark today.
Residents say the smoke has affected their daily life.
The smoke from the Smith River Fire Complex is grounding air operations and the steep terrain is making it hard for ground crews to fight the fire.
Greg Fuhs, the public information officer for the north side of the complex, said residents might see smoke for a while.
Oregon State Fire Marshal mobilizes resources to the Tyee Ridge Complex after conflagration is declared
Here is the August 29th evening update for the #tyeeridgecomplex fires
Westbound lanes of Interstate 84 reopened following a several-hour operation to remove the two semitrucks that crashed into the Columbia River hours apart
Crews had to remove two cabs and four trailers from the water near Biggs Junction, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Oregon State Police and Sherman County Sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a semitruck crash just before 9 p.m. Friday night near milepost 103. The truck driver had crashed into an abandoned Mercedes that was parked on the shoulder of the freeway before going through the guardrail and into the river, police said.
The sheriff’s office said the driver swam to shore.
At 12:25 a.m. Saturday, a second semitruck hauling two empty fuel tanks crashed into an unoccupied Oregon Department of Transportation vehicle that was responding to the first crash. The semitruck left the road and crashed into the river in the same area as the first driver, police said.
A police log from Oregon State Police said the driver of the second truck “likely fell asleep,” but the log did not say what caused the first crash. No one was harmed in either crash.
Arrest Made In Death of Klamath Falls Toddler
On the morning of Sunday, August 27, 2023, at approximately 10:00 AM, detectives with the Klamath Fall Police Department (KFPD) formed probably cause and arrested 26-year-old Sydney Elizabeth Blosch for Murder in the Second Degree.
Eight months earlier, on December 29, 2022, KFPD responded to a report of a three-year-old male who was described to have fallen downstairs and was unresponsive. After arrival and care of first responders, the victim was transported to Sky Lakes Medical Center.
The victim would later be transported to Oregon Health Science University, where he succumbed to his injuries approximately one week later.
Beginning in December, KFPD Detectives investigated the scene. Their investigation would continue through the victim’s death and into the summer. Eight-month later, an in-depth investigation would determine that the injuries suffered by the child were inconsistent with statements provided by Blosch in December.
Therefore, on August 27, with probable cause, detectives arrested Blosch for the crime of Murder in the Second Degree.
“It was a lengthy investigation because it took a great deal of resources and time to establish the probable cause since the initial report was the child had fallen down the stairs, and the suspect denied any wrongdoing,” said KFPD Captain Rob Reynolds.
Upon arrest, Blosch, identified to arresting authorities as a transgender male, is being held at the Klamath County Jail on charges of Murder II.
At the time of this publication, it is unknown if Blosch was related to the victim.
If anyone has any additional information regarding this case, they are encouraged to contact KFPD Detective Joel Loudermilk at 541-883-5336 or call our anonymous tip line at 541-883-5334.
State Offers Help To The 552,000 Oregonians With Student Debt
The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation has released the state’s first analysis of residents’ student loan debt, and recommendations for how the governor and Legislature could help lighten the burden for current and former college students.
The report was conducted following the passage of Senate Bill 485 in 2021. The law called for changes to loan service renewal, declared an emergency and required an annual report.
The first of those annual reports states that the U.S. Department of Education owns $1.48 trillion in debt, which is 84% of the total student loan market, and guarantees an additional $143 billion of Federal Family Education Loan Program and Perkins loans. Since 2007, the federal student loan portfolio has grown more than 300%.
About 44 million Americans currently have student loan balances, compared to 28 million in 2007.
In Oregon, the report found, about 552,000 residents are student loan borrowers, with an average debt of $37,900.
Ombuds offers help, answers – SB 485 required the Department of Consumer and Business Services to appoint a student loan ombuds who could help members of the public with complaints or inquiries about student loans. The department’s first ombuds began working in June 2022.
As of June 1, 2023, the ombuds had received 34 complaints and 104 contacts from the public.
Borrowers most commonly asked the ombuds about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which forgives the remaining balance of student loans for full-time employees of governments or nonprofits who have been making qualifying payments for 10 years.
In March 2020, as part of a COVID-19 response, the U.S. Department of Education paused federal student loan repayment and collections. Interest was not accrued. These paused payments also counted toward PSLF, earning credit as though monthly payments were made. This pause will end Sept. 1.
In addition, there have recently been several announcements and changes to student loans that have caused some confusion.
- In April 2022, the U.S. Department of Education announced “Fresh Start,” an executive action to pull seven million student loan borrowers out of default.
- In August 2022, the Biden administration announced a plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt for eligible Pell Grant recipients. In November, the Sweet v. Cardona lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education led to a settlement, resulting in the promise that it must approve about $6 billion in debt forgiveness for 200,000 borrowers.
- The Federal Student Loan Literacy Act, which was introduced in 2022 but did not receive a vote, would have created a federal funding source for community groups to apply toward their work with student loan borrowers.
In 2022, the Oregon ombuds started a PSLF waiver awareness campaign. As of March 31, 8,770 Oregonians had been forgiven more than $557 million in student loan debt. This is up from $216 million for 3,480 Oregonians nine months earlier.
The ombuds expects PSLF will continue to be a common topic for loan borrowers who reach out. For more information on PSLF, visit studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.
Other common inquiries over the past year to the ombuds were about misinformation from debt loan servicers, collection mistakes and referrals from the Oregon Department of Justice.
Plans for next year – The ombuds’ first goal for the upcoming year is to continue building out the state’s borrower education program, which is intended to offer information and resources to those with student loans.
“The lack of funding sources for coaching leaves many borrowers not knowing where to turn,” the report states. “To further borrower education, the student loan ombuds is hoping to expand the range of available presentations, record short videos, and gather more short-term and long-term policy recommendations.”
The ombuds will also be recommending policy changes to the Legislature. Short-term policy change goals include:
- More specific regulations for loan servicing.
- More protections for borrowers.
- Requiring people to be notified when they are eligible for loan forgiveness.
Long-term policy change goals include:
- Increasing supports to reduce the cost of college.
- Holding student loan servicers accountable for misinformation.
- Push for more student loan advocates at the university level.
For more information about the Student Loan Servicing Program, visit: dfr.oregon.gov/help/student-loan-help. For more information on federal student aid, visit studentaid.gov/. — (SOURCE)
Registration is Live for the Beach & Riverside Cleanup
– Get ready to participate in a time-honored tradition as SOLVE presents the Annual Beach & Riverside Cleanup. This eagerly anticipated event brings families and communities together to engage in beach cleanups, river cleanups, habitat restoration projects, and neighborhood litter pickup events throughout Oregon.
SOLVE is hosting over 60 project sites statewide between September 9th through September 17th – with the main events culminating on Saturday, September 16th. This extensive reach encompasses locations from the Coast to Portland, as well as the Willamette Valley, Central and Eastern Oregon. Volunteer registration is now live. Visit www.solveoregon.org to learn more about the available projects and to register for this impactful event.
From its inception in 1986, the Beach & Riverside Cleanup has evolved into a cherished annual event for countless Oregonian families. “It stands as a testament to our shared dedication to environmental stewardship, offering a safe and efficient way to make a lasting impact,” says Kris Carico, SOLVE’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our journey through the years has fostered a deep connection to Oregon’s waterways, from their origin to the sea. We encourage all fellow Oregonians to sign up for this statewide cleanup event.“
Since its start, the Beach & Riverside Cleanup has accounted for the removal of more than 2.5 million pounds of litter and marine debris. To put this in perspective, that’s equivalent to the weight of six Boeing 747 airplanes. Last year’s impressive effort involved almost 3,000 volunteers across 147 sites in Oregon, resulting in the collection and removal of approximately 50,000 pounds of discarded trash. September 16th is also International Coastal Cleanup Day and SOLVE is proudly joining forces with the Ocean Conservancy Group, contributing to a global endeavor aimed at preserving our coastlines.
SOLVE’s Beach & Riverside Cleanup is in partnership with Subaru of Portland, with additional support from OnPoint Community Credit Union, Bamboo Sushi, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Metro, BottleDrop, Knife River, Koin, Fred Meyer, Chevron, Clean Water Services, Tillamook County Creamery Association, and Tektronix.
About SOLVE — SOLVE is a statewide non-profit organization that brings Oregonians together to improve our environment and build a legacy of stewardship. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots group to a national model of volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains tens of thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas, and build a legacy of stewardship for our state. Visit solveoregon.org for more information.
The Oregon Employment Department provided updates on the new Paid Leave Oregon program.
Paid Leave Oregon aims to give workers and employers opportunities to take time for their families and personal needs. Applications opened earlier this month and the meeting, today gave more insight into how it works.
The program recognizes three types of leave: Family, Medical and Safe leave. If you’re eligible, you can take up to 12 weeks of paid leave, over a 52-week period.
It works through paying into the program, that’s called your ‘contribution rate’ which is one percent of your gross wages. If you work for a large employer, they are required to help you pay 40 percent of this amount.
At the meeting, staff behind the program say they are making sure each application is thoroughly reviewed.
Paid Leave Oregon director, Karen Humelbaugh said, “We received 4,631 applications and we have approved two thus far, which might seem small but it’s due to ramping up of processing, ID verification behind the scenes and thoroughly making sure we’ve trained our staff with real and complex claims.
Those who are eligible, can take paid leave as soon as September 3rd. You can see specific qualifications and the step-by-step process on their website: https://paidleave.oregon.gov
