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
Friday, October 13, 2023
Willamette Valley Weather
SAVE EUGENE’S HOSPITAL PROTEST Today, Friday the 13th 12 – 1pm
SAVE EUGENE’S HOSPITAL DIE-IN PROTEST
Friday, Oct. 13, 2023
Noon – 1 p.m.
Die-In demonstration at approx. 12:20 p.m.
Public sidewalks in front of PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center University District
1200 Hilyard Avenue, Eugene, Oregon
(Near the intersection of E. 13th Avenue and Hilyard Street)
Media are encouraged to attend.
(EUGENE, Ore.) – Frontline nurses and health care workers, elected officials, union leaders, students, and community advocates are leading a community Die-In demonstration in front of PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center University District Friday, Oct. 13 starting at noon. Dozens of participants will lie on the ground for 15 minutes to show PeaceHealth executives how many lives could be lost if they move ahead with plans to close University District this fall.
PeaceHealth’s dangerous and irresponsible decision to close University District would leave nearly 200,000 people in Oregon’s second largest city without a hospital–leading to longer waits, worse care, slower emergency response times and ultimately more deaths.
Since PeaceHealth announced its closure plans Aug. 22, frontline health care workers, elected leaders, unions, allies and activists have formed the “Save Eugene’s Hospital” coalition to demand PeaceHealth reconsider its disastrous decision and save lives by keeping University District open.
The campaign has received significant public support—including nearly 3,000 petition signatures—and has already won 3 key victories.
In response to our efforts, PeaceHealth has now committed to maintaining critical mental and behavioral health services at University District. It has also agreed to retain inpatient rehabilitation services in Lane County—despite electing to move the unit to PeaceHealth Riverbend in Springfield.
Finally, due to public pressure, PeaceHealth has announced it is considering creating an urgent care clinic on the University District campus.
Preserving these life-saving services is a monumental victory for advocates and local residents. Thanks to our work, people in Lane County will still be able to access essential mental and behavioral health care and sorely-needed rehabilitation services.
However, the promises we’ve won from PeaceHealth still fall short of fulfilling our community’s needs. Oregon’s second-largest city needs a full-service hospital to serve our citizens.
Friday’s Die-In demonstration will draw attention to the imminent danger Eugene’s residents will be faced with if PeaceHealth chooses to put profits ahead of patients and close University District.
Participants have chosen a 15-minute die-in to represent the amount of time it takes to travel by car from University District to the next closest hospital—PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center Riverbend in Springfield, OR. Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis called out this same concern during a “Save Eugene’s Hospital” press conference at University District Sept. 11.
“Make no mistake. The costs of this decision are high. Eugene Springfield Emergency and Rescue make approximately 4,500 trips to the emergency room every year. Consider the impact to our response time and cost. Our estimates are that every round trip transport will increase by 27 minutes. Think about what that means to people in West Eugene who have a heart attack or a house fire or another life-threatening crisis. Lives will be lost,” said Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis.
The Die-In demonstration will also include speeches from local health care workers, experts, advocates and elected leaders including State Senator James Manning.
The Save Eugene’s Hospital coalition has also received local and state support from:
- The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA)
- Lane Professional Firefighters IAFF-851
- CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets)/Teamsters Local 206
- White Bird Clinic
- Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation (GTFF) at the University of Oregon
- The local chapter of HealthCare for All Oregon (HCAO)
- Eugene-Springfield DSA
- Eugene Springfield Solidarity Network
- Operating Engineers Local 701
- SEIU 49
- The Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (OFNHP)
- Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis
- Lane County Commissioner Laurie Trieger
- State Senator James Manning
- and many others.
Learn more at www.SaveEugenesHospital.com.
Save Eugene’s Hospital
Join us in asking the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Governor Tina Kotek to do everything in their power to prevent PeaceHealth’s from closing Eugene’s only hospital!
Use this easy tool to email OHA and ask them to save Eugene’s hospital and protect Lane County residents: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/save-eugenes-hospital?source=direct_link&
- Learn more at www.SaveEugenesHospital.com.
1st press conference was livestreamed on the Oregon Nurses Association’s (ONA’s) Facebook page here.
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 Oregon. ONA’s mission is to advocate for nursing, quality health care and healthy communities. For more information visit: www.OregonRN.org.
SAIF Returns Nearly $12.3 Million to Lane County Economy
In September, SAIF announced a $135 million dividend for more than 52,000 employers statewide.
The checks are going out this week. SAIF policyholders in Lane County will receive nearly $12.3 million. That does not include state agencies.
Businesses and organizations will be receiving between 22 and 27% of their standard premium back.
Read the press release for more information on this year’s dividend.
Eugene man arrested for drug delivery and unlawful firearm possession
Note: Street Crimes Unit is funded by Community Safety Payroll Tax
During an investigation, Eugene Police Street Crimes Unit officers developed information Eugene resident Michael Thomas Russell, age 43, was involved in the distribution of narcotics in the Eugene area and was also in possession of and selling firearms. Russell is a convicted felon and barred from possessing firearms. Russell also had an outstanding warrant as well as an open domestic violence case. An SCU Officer applied for and a judge signed a search warrant for Russell’s residence in the 1700 block of Gilham Street. EPD SWAT, Lane County Sheriff’s Office, and EPD K9, Crisis Negotiation, and Drone teams collaborated to serve the warrant and Russell was safely taken into custody. SCU’s search yielded a stolen and loaded 9mm handgun, nearly 100 grams of methamphetamine, and evidence of distribution of narcotics.
Russell was lodged at the Lane County Jail on the following charges: Commercial Drug Offense- Methamphetamine Felon in Possession of a Firearm Tampering with Physical Evidence Assault 4- Abuse Prevention Act (Existing Case)Parole Violation Warrant
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.
Eugene Police Department · Multiple businesses’ windows damaged, seeking suspect tips
Between September 29 and September 30, a man damaged the windows of multiple businesses on Willagillespie Road, Country Club Road and Valley River Way. The Eugene Police Property Crimes Unit is asking the public for tips in this set of cases.
The suspect may wear glasses and be partially balding with a short, grey beard. He was wearing a black jacket, tan or camouflage pants, the same style tan/black hiking boots, and carrying a large, tan backpack.
Please send tips to Detective Jacob Lollar, JLollar@eugene-or.gov
Suspect Arrested in Death Investigation
*UPDATE* 10/10/2023 48-year-old Christopher Brown has been identified as a suspect in the death of a 52-year-old man that occurred at a residence on October 5, 2023, in the 2000blk of Harbor Dr. The victim had injuries consistent with an assault by a sharp object such as a knife. Lane County Sheriff’s detectives located Brown this morning shortly after 10:00am at a property in Chemult, Oregon. He was taken into custody without incident. Brown was transported to the Lane County Jail where he was lodged on charges including Assault in the First Degree, Manslaughter in the First Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. This victim has been identified as Rowdy Eugene Schmit. –
LCSO Case #23-5280 — The death occurred Thursday 10/05/23
At approximately 11:30am today, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a deceased person at a residence in the 2000blk of Harbor Dr. south of Springfield. Upon arrival, responders located the body of a deceased adult. The victim had injuries consistent with recently being assaulted by an edged weapon.
LCSO detectives responded to the scene to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death. During the investigation they identified 48-year-old Christopher Paul Brown as a person of interest.
Brown is described as a white male adult with graying brown hair and brown eyes. He stands approximately 5’08” and weighs about 155lbs. He is believed to be in the company of a white Pitbull type of dog (depicted).
Brown should not be approached as he is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts or this case is asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office. The identity of the deceased is being withheld at this time.
Corvallis Fire Station 2 Closed for Renovation
The Corvallis Fire Department closed Fire Station 2 Thursday for a major renovation. The station, located at 500 SW 35th St. on the west side of Oregon State University’s campus, will be closed for approximately 12 months.
During the closure, staff and equipment will be reassigned to other fire stations in Corvallis, although they will continue to respond to calls in the area of the community served by Fire Station 2. There will be increased response times in some areas due to the station closure but improved response times in other areas as Station 2 resources are being reassigned to other City Fire Stations.
The fire engine, backup ambulance, and other apparatus, together with the staff assigned to those units, will be temporarily reassigned to Fire Station 5, 4950 NW Fair Oaks Dr which was closed in 2012. The dedicated medic unit from Station 2 will be assigned to Fire Station 1.
The renovation project is the second in a series of planned City facility improvements designed to address longstanding building deficiencies that have accumulated over decades. At Fire Station 2, the focus will be on creating efficient, equitable, and safe indoor work areas, as well as adding an additional apparatus bay. A similar renovation project addressed these same issues earlier this year at Fire Station 3 on the north side of Corvallis.
For more information about the citywide facilities strategy, please visit www.corvallisoregon.gov/facilities.
ROAD CLOSURE: Clear Lake Road
Lane Co. Government
| Road Name: | Clear Lake Road (near Fern Ridge) |
| Location: | Long Tom River Bridge |
| Begin Closure: | Milepost 6.8 |
| End Closure: | Milepost 6.9 |
| Dates and times: | Monday, October 16, at 12:00 a.m. to Thursday, November 16, at 11:30 p.m. |
| Alternate routes: | Alvadore Road to Franklin Road and Territorial Highway |
| Reason for closure: | Bridge repair |
PART 2 – Newsweek Podcast Focusing on The Disappearance of Fauna Frey From Lane County
Here One Minute, Gone the Next —– PART 2 – Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel joins investigative journalist Alex Rogue to speak with Here One Minute, Gone the Next about the disappearance of Fauna Frey, the growing friction between citizen investigators and law enforcement, and the lack of resources in missing persons cases. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-disappearance-of-fauna-frey-pt2-feat-sheriff/id1707094441?i=1000630100040
PART 1 – John Frey joins Newsweek to discuss exclusive details about the case of his missing daughter that until now have been unavailable to the general public.
If you have any information on the whereabouts of Fauna Frey, call the anonymous tip line at 541-539-5638 or email FindFaunaFrey@gmail.com. — Help Find Fauna Frey #FindFaunaFrey FACEBOOK GROUP
Lane County – Let’s get ready to vote!
Election Day is quickly approaching, and the Lane County Elections office would like to encourage voters to get ready for the November 7, 2023 Special Election. Voters in Lane County must register to vote no later than October 17, 2023.
“It is so important for voters in Lane County to double-check their registration information and make any updates necessary,” said Lane County Clerk Dena Dawson. “It’s also critical that people who are eligible to vote but not registered know how they can get ready to participate in the upcoming election.”
The voter registration deadline is October 17, 2023. If a voter registration form is hand delivered, it must be received no later than 5:00 pm at the Election Office (275 W 10th Ave., Eugene) on that day. If mailed, it must be postmarked no later than October 17, 2023. If registering via www.oregonvotes.gov, it must be completed no later than 11:59 p.m. on October 17, 2023.
Ballots will be mailed starting on October 20, 2023. To track the status of a ballot, visit www.oregonvotes.gov/MyVote.
Voters may return their ballot by regular mail, ballot drop box, or at the Elections Office. For ballot drop box locations, visit www.LaneCountyOR.gov/elections.
Voters with questions can email elections@lanecountyor.gov or call 541-682-4234.
About the Lane County Elections Office:
The Elections Office, located at 275 W. 10th Avenue in Eugene, is responsible for conducting elections in Lane County. The elections office manages voter registration, the processing of mail ballots, recruitment and training of election workers, and certification of elections.
Oregon State Parks Ready for Saturday’s Annular Solar Eclipse
Oregon State Parks offers prime viewing spots for the Oct. 14, 2023, annular solar eclipse. Visitors to parks within the path of annularity will watch the moon partially cover the sun, which creates a ‘ring of fire’ because the moon appears slightly smaller as it passes.
“Our park staff are ready to help visitors safely view this phenomenon,” said JR Collier, deputy of Statewide Operations.
He added that a limited number of free eclipse glasses will be available at Oregon State Parks on the day of the event. He also emphasizes that safety is crucial while observing an eclipse.
Use ISO 12312-2 certified solar filters, avoid damaged filters, and consider projection methods. The eclipse glasses from the 2017 event are expired and shouldn’t be used.
Travelers coming to Oregon should prepare for potential traffic congestion, check local weather conditions, and pack essentials, including water, food, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Whether you’re an experienced eclipse enthusiast or a first-time observer, prioritize safety, and plan your trip to witness the ‘ring of fire’ against Oregon’s breathtaking landscapes and clear skies.
For more information and updates about viewing the eclipse from an Oregon state park, please visit https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=v.feature-article&articleId=327.
OHA launches data dashboard for transportation injuries
Interactive graphs detail state, county, demographic trends
PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has unveiled another interactive data dashboard to help people more easily track state, county and demographic trends in deaths and hospital visits related to a range of transportation-related injuries.
The Oregon Transportation Safety Dashboard, developed by the Injury and Violence Prevention Program at the OHA Public Health Division, improves access to the data among the public, state and local agencies, and community organizations that work to reduce incidence of transportation-related injuries and deaths.
“These dashboards make it easy for people to view injury and fatality data,” said Dagan Wright, Ph.D., M.S.P.H., senior injury epidemiologist and informaticist at the Public Health Division. “The transportation dashboard will help people understand transportation-related injury trends over time, characteristics of who is getting injured and by what types of transportation.”
The dashboard includes mortality, emergency department discharge and hospital discharge data in nine transportation categories, such as motorcycle, motor vehicle occupant, pedal cyclist and pedestrian. Data are aggregated for annual statewide trends, as well as a four-year average for county-level and demographic trends.
The new dashboard affirms trends that have made headlines in recent months:
- Overall, fatalities for transportation are increasing, specifically for motorcycles, pedal cyclists and pedestrians.
- An increased focus on emerging transportation modes that cause injury is necessary in order to get a full picture of changing trends. The dashboard includes a “pedestrian-involving wheeled device” category to capture popular new transportation modes like e-scooters.
“What we have seen in both non-fatal transportation injuries and deaths needs attention from our communities, especially for more vulnerable users,” Wright said. “Data dashboards like these help us monitor trends and better anticipate where to direct resources so we can reduce the burden of these injuries on individuals, communities and agencies.”
State Agencies Present Webinar for People Filing Homeowner Insurance Claims
Salem – Filing a homeowners insurance claim and repairing your damaged home can be a complicated and overwhelming process. To help answer homeowner questions about managing an insurance claim and performing related home repairs, Oregon’s Construction Contractors Board (CCB) has teamed with insurance regulators at the Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) to put on a webinar discussing the steps to take during this process.
“We take a strong interest in educating the consumer,” said Chris Huntington, administrator of the CCB. “Most of the time that means teaching consumers how to work with their contractor through a home remodel or repair, but dealing with an insurance claim adds a whole new element to the process. We want consumers to be educated on this process so they can protect themselves from initial claim through project completion.”
About the webinar – The webinar will take place on Oct. 24 at 11 a.m. During the presentation state experts will cover the following topics:
- How to file a claim with your insurance company
- Common problems that people experience when filing a claim, and how they can be avoided
- Resources when filing a claim, recovering from a natural disaster
- How to hire a licensed contractor
- Signs of a construction scam
- Resolving disputes with your contractor
At the end of the presentation, attendees will be invited to ask questions.
How to register – Registration for the webinar is free and can be completed online at the registration page. A link to the registration can also be found on the main page of CCB’s website at www.oregon.gov/ccb.
About the presenters – The webinar will be divided into two presentations, one from the CCB and one from DFR.
DFR is a division of the Department of Business and Consumer Services. DFR’s mission is to protect consumers from businesses that do not operate within statutes and rules. DFR also empowers and protects consumers while encouraging a financially stable, innovative, and competitive insurance marketplace. Presenters from DFR will provide in-depth information about working with insurance companies and filing a claim following a covered event.
The CCB is the regulatory agency that licenses contractors in the state of Oregon. In this role, CCB offers a range of consumer protections to individuals and businesses that hire licensed contractors, and provides information to consumers to help them make smart decisions when hiring contractors. CCB will present information about how to hire a contractor to perform home repairs, why it’s important to check the license, how to avoid construction scams and more.
“Filing a claim is an important step in recovering from unfortunate events,” said Andrew R. Stolfi, Oregon’s insurance commissioner and director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. “It is important to stay organized, work with licensed contractors, and get several estimates before beginning a repair.”
The presentation will go over all that information and more. Homeowners are encouraged to sign up online or call the CCB’s Education section with questions, at 503-934-2227.
Suggest a Stop for Governor Kotek on Her “One Oregon Listening Tour”
Governor Tina Kotek visited Klamath and Lake counties last week as part of her One Oregon Listening Tour.
Governor Tina Kotek is committed to visiting every county in Oregon in her first year in office and building strong, working partnerships across our state.
These efforts will focus on housing, mental health and addiction care, and education. You can suggest a stop here: https://www.oregon.gov/gov/pages/one-oregon-listening-tour.aspx
David’s Chair Places Life-Changing Electric All-Terrain Track Chair in the City of Gold Beach
Gold Beach, Oregon – David’s Chair Outdoor Mobility Systems (David’s Chair) has added another location for one of their electric all-terrain Track Chairs to be used for free.
The City of Gold Beach Visitor Center will be the new home and the seventh location where a Track Chair provided by David’s Chair will be permanently stationed.
CEO and Founder Steve Furst said, “The Gold Beach Visitor Center is the perfect location with easy beach access and amazing community support. The city of Gold Beach has been amazing to work with. Their enthusiasm to provide this service is inspiring.”
David’s Chair and Oregon Parks Forever have partnered to provide this new way to get out on the beach and into nature for people with mobility challenges. The two non-profits have set a goal of having 10 locations along the Oregon Coast where mobility challenged visitors can pick up and use an electric all-terrain Track Chair at no charge.
Anyone with mobility impairments, requiring the assistance of wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, canes or crutches, will be able to use these chairs at free of charge.
These chairs provide a new freedom for a mobility challenged park visitor – to get off the pavement and out into nature.
With increased accessibility to trails, lakes, rivers and beaches, through demanding conditions like sand, snow and mud, mobility-impaired visitors will be able to participate in activities never-before possible.
From birdwatching and fishing, to riding along the beach, to simply enjoying the fresh air and solitude of nature, these all-terrain chairs will invite many new people to share the wonders of the great outdoors in our parks.
See these chairs in action at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4KIrqu47WY
Track Chairs are currently available for free use at Tigard, Seaside, Manzanita, Pacific City, Netarts, Gold Beach and White City. Newport and Florence locations should be up and running by the end of October. Linn County Parks will have a chair in early November.
Two locations (Tigard and White City) also allow guests to pick up a trailer and chair and take it to their location of choice. Linn County’s location will also offer this “Tow and Go” opportunity.
Reservations for free use must be made at least three days in advance at: https://davidschair.org.
About David’s Chair Outdoor Mobility Systems — David’s Chair is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit based in White City, Oregon with a mission to provide people with mobility challenges the free use of electric all-terrain track chairs offering freedom and independence to get outdoors and experience terrain and conditions that would otherwise be unavailable to them. The organization currently has 20 electric all-terrain track chairs and 7 trailers, available in many areas of Oregon for use for free by people with mobility challenges who reserve them at www.davidschair.org.
Contact: Steve Furst, CEO 541/941-8976 steve@davidschair.org
About Oregon Parks Forever — Since 1995, Oregon Parks Forever has been raising funds to help fund programs and projects that enhance the experience and accessibility of Oregon’s parks & forests. Emphasis is placed on projects that protect existing facilities and amenities, increase park accessibility, provide healthy activities and educate the future stewards of our public lands. Oregon Parks Forever is a statewide nonprofit organization whose mission includes working with federal, state, local and tribal public land managers to enhance and preserve special places and experiences in all Oregon parks. For more information, visit orparksforever.org/
Contact: Seth Miller, Executive Director, 503- 913-8672
The Gold Beach Visitor Center — About Gold Beach — Gold Beach is located on Oregon’s coast along the Pacific Ocean just 40 miles north of the California border. Nestled between the mighty Pacific, the wild and scenic Rogue River, and thousands of acres of protected forest land, our attractions are always here, always open, just waiting for you to explore!
SAIF returns with free ag safety seminars and new construction safety seminars
SAIF will be touring the state during the next few months to offer free agriculture and construction safety sessions.
SAIF has offered the agricultural safety seminars for nearly 30 years, helping Oregon’s farm owners, managers, and workers stay safe in one of the most hazardous industries. SAIF is adding construction safety seminars after a successful pilot last year.
The seminars are designed primarily for people working in the two industries but are open to anyone interested in safety and health—they don’t have to be insured by SAIF.
New construction seminars coming to four cities – SAIF is offering seven free construction seminars in four cities. The first will be on October 31, and they’ll continue through May. Three of the seminars will be presented entirely in Spanish. SAIF is also hosting English and Spanish webinars online.
Topics include how to prepare for an injury-free workday and how to respond to incidents and analysis. The seminars—which will be in Wilsonville, Eugene, Central Point, and Newport—will run from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Construction Contractors Board (CCB) and regular producer continuing education credits will be available pending approval from CCB and the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS).
More information, including registration details, can be found at saif.com/trainings under classroom trainings.
Ag seminars will be held in 17 cities – SAIF will conduct 30 free ag safety seminars in 17 cities across Oregon. The first will be on October 24. Seminars will continue through March and 10 of the seminars will be presented entirely in Spanish.
This year’s seminars will focus on four topics:
- Dealing with serious injuries and fatalities on the farm
- Anatomy of a “comprehensive consultation”
- Hot work/welding safety, including control measures, precautions, and PPE
- Driving safety—both on and off the farm
SAIF will also host online webinars in December and March in English and Spanish.
In-person seminars will be held in Bandon, Boring, Central Point, Corvallis, Eugene, Hermiston, Hillsboro, Hood River, Klamath Falls, Madras, Milton-Freewater, Mt. Angel, Ontario, Pendleton, Salem, The Dalles, and Wilsonville.
Spanish seminars will be held in Boring, Central Point, Hermiston, Hillsboro, Hood River, Madras, Mt. Angel, Salem, The Dalles, and Wilsonville.
All will run from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and lunch will be provided.
Employers with small ag businesses who attend the seminar, or watch the webinars, will meet OSHA’s instructional requirement—one of four requirements that exempt small agricultural operations from random OSHA inspections.
Three hours of technical and one hour of business continuing education credits are available from the Landscape Contractors Board. Four producer continuing education credit hours for licensed insurance agents are approved by DCBS.
More information—including registration details—can be found at saif.com/agseminars.
About SAIF – SAIF is Oregon’s not-for-profit workers’ compensation insurance company. For more than 100 years, we’ve been taking care of injured workers, helping people get back to work, and striving to make Oregon the safest and healthiest place to work. For more information, visit the About SAIF page on saif.com.
Oregon Heritage offers fall workshop across the state on Organizational Planning Without Fear or Anxiety
This fall Oregon Heritage is offering a free workshop on organizational planning and prioritization in five locations around the state, plus one virtual opportunity. These workshops are designed to help heritage non-profits, historical societies, museums, archives, libraries, and other related organizations approach work and project planning in a supportive environment.
This workshop series aims at removing that stigma and fear by providing support and a pathway for organizations who’d like to embark on goal-setting journeys or establishing workplans for projects and organizational priorities. This workshop is an interactive opportunity to lay stepping stones for where to begin on this process, especially when and where resources are limited for creating or executing a full-strategic plan, or there is hesitation or fear around that process.
The workshops will be presented by Kyrie Kellet, a skilled facilitator and planner in the heritage arena.Kyrie is a National Association for Interpretation Certified Interpretive Planner with over 20 years of experience in museums, parks, and gardens. She specializes in developing plans that allow organizations of all sizes to impact their communities in creative and meaningful ways. She has worked with a variety of small, volunteer-supported museums to leverage the strengths of their communities to do amazing things.
Workshop schedule:
- Baker City – October 27th, 1:00pm -4:00pm
- Woodburn – November 16th, 9:00am – 12:00pm
- McMinnville – November 21st, 9:00am – 12:00pm
- Grants Pass – November 30th, 1:00pm – 4:00pm
- Newport – December 4th, 1:00pm – 4:00pm
- Virtual – December 8th, 9:00am – 12:00pm
Attendees can find registration links at:
For more information about these workshops or other Oregon Heritage technical assistance, please contact Cam Amabile, at ile@oprd.oregon.gov“>cam.amabile@oprd.oregon.gov.
These workshops are a service of the Oregon Heritage Commission. For more information about Oregon Heritage programs and the Oregon Heritage Commission visit www.oregonheritage.org.
Salem insurance agent Tricia Klock has license revoked for fraud, identity theft
Salem – The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) has revoked the license of Salem-based insurance agent Tricia Klock for committing fraudulent activities, including identity theft, misrepresenting details of insurance policies to her clients, and raising coverage on a vehicle after an accident.
The division took action Sept. 20 by formally revoking Klock’s insurance producer license and assessing $11,000 in fines. The consent order on the division’s website.
In April, Klock was convicted of four counts of ID theft, specifically converting the personal identification of each victim for Klock’s own use, “with the intent to deceive and defraud,” according to the consent order.
Klock misrepresented herself while doing business as an insurance agent, which DFR regulates. Klock violated several laws, including the following:
- Falsely telling an insurance investigator that coverage increased prior to an accident
- Instructing her client to falsely report to an insurance company claims investigator that Klock had previously contacted them about higher auto coverage
- Falsely representing that an insurance policy included full coverage for all vehicles in a family
- Increasing coverage for a family’s vehicles immediately after learning of a car accident
- Falsely representing to her client that a payment made would be applied to insurance premiums
- Lying about full coverage of an auto policy
Klock, who is also a travel agent, was accused in 2019 by former travel clients of stealing their money after not booking trips they paid for through her travel agency. According to her former clients, many had no places while others had no return trips booked in foreign countries.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance when dealing with travel agents and insurance providers. Consumers are urged to thoroughly check the credentials of agents and agencies they engage with, to ensure that they are dealing with reputable professionals.
The Division of Financial Regulation recommends the following precautions for consumers:
- Verify credentials: Always confirm the credentials of travel agents and insurance agents. Legitimate professionals will have proper licenses and certifications.
- Check references: Ask for and verify references from past clients. Reputable agents will have satisfied customers willing to vouch for their services.
- Review contracts carefully: Read all contracts and agreements thoroughly before making any payments. Ensure that all services and coverages are clearly outlined.
- Report suspicious activity: If you suspect fraudulent activity or encounter questionable practices, report it to the relevant authorities immediately.
Consumers are encouraged to stay vigilant and informed, protecting themselves from potential financial harm and ensuring their travel plans and insurance coverage are secure and legitimate.
If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, or have questions, please reach out to one of DFR’s advocates at 1-888-877-4894 (toll-free) or email .financialserviceshelp@dcbs.oregon.gov.%20″>dfr.financialserviceshelp@dcbs.oregon.gov.
### About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and www.dcbs.oregon.gov.
Internet Child-Luring Investigations Lead To Arrest Of Two Men in Lincoln City
Over the last several months, Lincoln City Police Officers have been conducting several online child-luring investigations. Posing as underage children on various social media platforms, the undercover officers went online and were subsequently contacted by adult men who offered to meet up with a person they believed to be a minor for sex or used online communications to solicit a child to engage in sexual contact or sexually explicit conduct. During the course of these investigations, the following arrests were made.
On October 2, 2023, 49-year-old James O. Robinson of Myrtle Point, Oregon, was arrested after he arrived at an undisclosed public location to meet up with a minor for sex. He was taken into custody by Lincoln City Police and subsequently transported to the Lincoln County Jail where he was lodged on criminal charges of Luring a Minor, Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the first degree, Attempted Rape III, and Attempted Sodomy III and Attempted Sexual Abuse III.
On August 21, 2023, 30-year-old Ryan R. Braddock of Otis, Oregon, was arrested during an unrelated incident. Prior to this arrest Braddock had been chatting online with two different undercover officers who were both posing as fifteen-year-old children. Throughout the course of the online conversations, he began engaging in inappropriate sexual dialogue with the purported minors and also wanted to meet up with them. Braddock was subsequently lodged in the Lincoln County Jail on criminal charges of, 2 counts of Luring a Minor, 2 counts of Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the second degree, and Parole Violation.
The Lincoln City Police would like to take the opportunity to encourage parents to monitor their children’s social media activity and discuss with them the possible dangers of communicating with strangers online. These investigations are conducted in an effort to reduce criminal activity and to further enhance the safety of our community.
Multiple Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT) Cases over Past Couple Months
The past two months have been busy ones for the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT). Drug cartel style illegal marijuana enforcement remains a high priority due to the devastation it causes to our local resources. Some examples of this are as follows:
- Unpermitted high water use, depleting our already strained ground water supply.
- Pesticides/herbicides/fertilizers are routinely misused, or even banned substances are used, again threatening our ground water supplies.
- Dangerous electrical and building code violations, and inhumane living conditions, causing an unsafe environment for all involved.
- Increased criminal activity perpetrated by some members of these criminal organizations.
- Community livability concerns.
During the past couple of months DINT has conducted enforcement actions on the following locations:
July 28, 2023 – 500 block of Shively Creek Road, Days Creek. Seized 2,337 illegal marijuana plants. No arrests at this point, investigation continuing.
August 2, 2023 – 200 block Hult St, Dillard / 800 block Dyke Rd, Dillard. Both locations are part of the same case. DINT executed search warrants at both locations and found 1,674 marijuana plants, and approximately 860 pounds of processed marijuana.
August 4, 2023 – 3,000 block of Boomer Hill Rd, Myrtle Creek / 700 block of Pruner Road, Riddle. DINT detectives seized large scale illegal marijuana extraction labs from each site, along with over 50,000 pounds of processed marijuana, 30,000 ML’s of marijuana extract, and 60,000 pounds of processed hemp. :
August 15, 2023 – 1000 block of Westside Road, Camas Valley. This is a former illegal marijuana site. DINT executed a search warrant at the location that revealed an enormous illegal psilocybin mushroom cultivation operation. DINT seized approximately 44,000 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms, an illegal firearm, and evidence of marijuana production. This is the largest psilocybin seizure on record in Douglas County.
August 15, 2023 – 1100 block of Reston Road, Tenmile. This case is related to the Westside Road case listed above. DINT executed a search warrant at this location and located an illegal marijuana grow consisting of over 12,000 marijuana plants.
August 22, 2023 – DINT detectives contacted the driver of a vehicle during a traffic stop on I-5 at milepost 161. The driver, 51 yr old Bryan Bakken of Springfield, was immediately detained regarding a warrant for his arrest from the US Marshall’s Service. Bakken was the subject of an ongoing investigation, and detectives had reason to believe Bakken was in possession of a large amount of narcotics. A search of Bakken’s vehicle revealed approximately 4 pounds of suspected methamphetamine.
Bakken was lodged at the Douglas County Jail on several narcotics charges, as well as the Marshall’s warrant.
September 6, 2023 – 2300 block of Azalea-Glen Rd, Azalea. In this case detectives executed search warrants at two neighboring properties simultaneously. This resulted in the seizure of 178 marijuana plants and approximately 124 pounds of processed marijuana. Additionally, detectives discovered one person, Wayne Picard, in possession of suspected child pornography. This investigation is ongoing. :
September 8, 2023 – 800 block of Tunnel Road, Glendale. Detectives executed a search warrant at this location and discovered approximately 450 marijuana plants, over 400 pounds of processed marijuana, and a small amount of cocaine.
September 20, 2023 – 600 block of Ranchero Road / 100 block of Fawn Lane, Glendale. DINT executed search warrants at both locations simultaneously, along with two other locations out of the county (one in Grants Pass and one in Medford). These search warrants resulted in the seizure of over 12,000 marijuana plants, 9,000 lbs of processed marijuana, and a small amount of cocaine.
September 29, 2023 – 6222 Upper Cow Creek Rd, Azalea. DINT executed a search warrant at this location and located 108 growing marijuana plants, 302 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 164 grams of suspected fentanyl, 3.5 grams of suspected cocaine, and small amounts of various other controlled substances.
October 6, 2023 – DINT and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office had been working on a joint investigation since July of this year. This case started as an investigation into a stolen vehicle that was recovered in the Roseburg area by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Suspicious items were found inside the stolen vehicle, and they were suspected to contain illegal narcotics. DINT detectives applied for a search warrant to open the items, and found a large amount of suspected fentanyl. In total, deputies and detectives located approximately 2 pounds of suspected fentanyl powder, along with evidence of fentanyl sales.
On October 6th, DINT detectives took the suspect into custody in the Eugene area. 35 yr old Mitchell Ramsey, of Gerber, California, was lodged in the Douglas County Jail on fentanyl related charges.
These are just a brief synopsis of some of the cases DINT has been working on recently. Some of these cases are complex and much more in depth than described here. Some of these cases are ongoing, and more arrests are anticipated.
DINT has worked on many other cases during this time period that are not mentioned here, either due to space concerns or to protect the integrity of ongoing investigations.
Oregon’s Vietnam Veterans War Memorial Hosts Fundraiser at Brothers Car Collection
The Vietnam War Memorial Fund (VWMF) will hold a fundraiser on Tues. Oct 24, 2023, 6-8 p.m. at Salem’s Brothers Car Collection to raise money for the memorial’s construction. Only 150 tickets will be sold for $50 each, with the hope that guests will learn more about the project and make additional donations on-site.
Steve Bates, President and co-founder of the VWMF, expressed the urgency of the fundraising efforts for the $5.5 million project that slowed due to COVID. “We hope to have the pre-construction process completed this fall so we can adopt an actual construction calendar for 2024,” said Bates. “But we must raise more funds to meet the 2024 construction goals. We are seeking support from additional charitable foundations and the public,” he added.
The Vietnam War Memorial will be in the southwest corner of the Willson Park portion of the State Capitol State Park, west of the Capitol Building, and south of the World War II Memorial. Bates said, “It is significant that these two wars be memorialized on the Oregon Capitol grounds as they are the two wars that caused the most Oregon casualties. The two memorials together will honor about 75% of Oregon’s war dead.”
The Brothers Car Collection is a private collection of more than 600 cars. Over 335 vehicles, including muscle cars and exotic sports cars, are on display in a 117,000-square-foot warehouse turned museum that is not open to the public.
Tickets are $50 and available in advance only at ocvvm.com/GAtix or on their Facebook event page. More details will be provided after ticket purchase in a confirmation email. Food will be available for purchase. The group is seeking raffle items as well as sponsors.
ABOUT THE MEMORIAL: The VWMF is a group of Oregonians committed to establishing the memorial to honor the men and women who served in the Vietnam War. The project aims to help bring peace to the suffering endured by those rejected after returning home. The 2021 Oregon State Legislature gave its final permissions by unanimously passing Senate Bill 319, establishing the Vietnam War Memorial on the Oregon State Capitol Grounds. On July 14, 2021, Governor Kate Brown signed that bill into law. Groundbreaking is tentatively scheduled for spring 2024.
ABOUT OREGON AND THE VIETNAM WAR: The Vietnam War was a tumultuous period in American history, spanning two decades and becoming the longest war in recorded history. It lasted from November 1955 to May 1975. By 1968, the United States had over 500,000 military personnel on the ground in Vietnam, with 2.7 million Americans serving during the conflict. Tragically, 58,318 Americans died, including 710 Oregonians killed in action. Four Oregon families lost two sons each.
ABOUT VWMF: Vietnam War Memorial Fund’s website at www.ocvvm.com. The VWMF Store is found here. The Vietnam War Memorial Fund is a recognized 501(c)3 organization. Donations are also accepted by check to the Vietnam War Memorial Fund – P O Box 1448 – Boring, Oregon 97009 or by credit card at www.ocvvm.com.
Oregon is home to several fault lines that cause dozens of earthquakes every year. The most known earthquake threat is the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a 700-mile fault located off the Pacific coast that puts Oregon at risk for a 9.0+ magnitude earthquake.
A quake of that size could cause five to seven minutes of shaking, followed by a tsunami that would devastate coastal areas. October features several events reminding Oregonians to prepare and protect themselves before the ground starts shaking.
Wireless Emergency Alerts
“One of the most important steps people can take is to enable Wireless Emergency Alerts, or WEA, on their cell phones,” said Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) Director Erin McMahon. “WEA are short emergency messages sent to your phone to warn of an impending natural or human-made disaster, like an earthquake. WEA messages can provide immediate, life-saving information.”
ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning Notifications
People in Oregon, Washington and California who’ve opted into WEA automatically receive ShakeAlert earthquake early warning notifications for earthquakes in their area with a magnitude of 4.5 or greater, which can offer critical seconds of warning to seek cover from falling objects and brace themselves. ShakeAlert uses science and technology to detect significant earthquakes quickly and sends an alert to people on their cell phones. The alert makes a distinctive sound and displays a text message reading, “Earthquake detected! Drop, cover, hold on. Protect yourself.” This message is also available in Spanish for phones set to receive alerts in that language. Some cell phones with text-to-voice capability may read out the message text.
Great Oregon ShakeOut
An effective and no-cost way for individuals and families to practice earthquake safety is to register for The Great Oregon ShakeOut, a self-led earthquake drill taking place at 10:19 a.m. on Oct. 19. Nearly half a million Oregonians have already registered, pledging to Drop, Cover and Hold On for at least 60 seconds as if a major earthquake was occurring at that moment.
“Knowing what to do when the earth starts shaking helps people reduce their risk and better protect themselves to prepare for earthquakes,” said Director McMahon. “Most emergency management experts and official preparedness organizations agree that Drop, Cover and Hold On is the appropriate action to reduce the chance of injury from falling objects and flying debris during earthquakes. When people practice these simple steps, it becomes a routine that allows instincts to kick in when shaking starts.”
When the ground starts to shake, or you receive an earthquake alert on a cell phone:
- Drop immediately onto hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and allows you to stay low and crawl to a nearby shelter. If you use a wheelchair or walker, lock your wheels.
- Cover your head and neck with one arm and hand. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter. If there is no nearby shelter, crawl next to an interior wall away from windows. Remain on your knees and bend over to protect vital organs.
- Hold On until the shaking stops. If under a shelter, hold onto it with one hand and be ready to move with the shelter if it shifts. If there is no shelter, hold onto your head and neck with both arms and hands.
If you’re near the ocean and feel a large earthquake, Drop, Cover and Hold On until the shaking stops. Then walk inland and up to high ground. Do not wait for an official warning, as a tsunami could come ashore in a few minutes. Learn more about earthquake preparedness on OEM’s website.
ORAlert and Be 2 Weeks Ready
OEM also encourages people in Oregon to sign up for local emergency alerts from their county or tribe at ORAlert.gov; be informed and knowledgeable about the hazards where they live; and have an emergency plan and enough food, water and supplies to survive for at least two weeks following any disaster. The agency’s Be 2 Weeks Ready program offers several resources in multiple languages to help people prepare. Learn more at oregon.gov/oem.
Missing Yachats Man’s Vehicle Found in North Lane County
On 08/25/2023, Dustin Steyding was reported missing to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office after he left work on 07/22/2023 and hadn’t been located since. Dustin was living and working in the Yachats area.
Dustin was reported to be in good physical condition, having previously worked as a hot shot firefighter in New Mexico. Dustin is very experienced in the woods and commonly goes out for hikes to stay in shape. Without means to locate Dustin, Deputies entered Dustin as a missing person in a national database.
On 09/04/2023, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received a call from Dustin’s family after they located his vehicle on Keller Creek Rd, just outside of Lincoln County in Lane County. Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Deputies contacted the vehicle and determined it had been at the location for some time. Deputies were unable to determine Dustin’s direction of travel from the vehicle.
The vehicle having been located in Lane County, Lincoln County Deputies contacted the Lane County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team and arranged for their response the next day to started searching the area. After two days of searching, no clues to Dustin’s have been found.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Dustin Steyding should contact the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 541-265-0777 and reference case number 23S-07321.
