The latest news stories and stories of interest in the Willamette Valley from the digital home of Southern Oregon, from Wynne Broadcasting’s WillametteValleyMagazine.com
Monday, February 5, 2024
Willamette Valley Weather.
Roadside Cleanup Work Continues On Hwy 126 In Western Lane County
Travelers on Highway 126 between Eugene and the coast will see delays for the next few weeks as crews continue clearing debris created by January’s ice storm.
Over the last two weeks, crews of Oregon Department of Transportation staff and contractors have been working to remove downed trees and other storm debris from the roadway and surrounding area. While a lot has been done to clean up the highway and make it safer, ODOT spokesperson Mindy McCartt said there is still more to be done.
“The trees in that area, they’re guesstimating the diameter is about 36 inches, and that’s a lot of hard wood,” she said. “It takes a long time to clear that kind of debris up.”
The highway itself is clear of limbs, McCartt said, but their focus is on cleaning up tree stumps and logs on the edge of the highway to the tree line.
According to McCartt, the department saw the most damage at Knowles Creek Tunnel, which is the starting point for two teams performing the clearing work. One smaller crew is performing work from the tunnel west toward the coast. The other, larger crew is working in increments eastbound on the highway, clearing sections of the road toward Veneta.
“They’re also having to assess and evaluate all of the trees along that highway for any potential damage or danger,” she said. “So cracked trunks, dangling limbs, trees leaning over toward the direction of the highway that could potentially fall if we got more wind.”
Once the crews are finished, they will do the same work on Highway 36. McCartt said the road is already clear, but trees off to the side also need to be assessed.
However, it may take a while before that work gets started.
“We are estimating that on 126 alone, we have another five weeks to get this tree debris cleaned up from the edge of the highway to that tree line,” McCartt said.
Man Arrested For Bias Crimes Against Local Synagogue
Chief Chris Skinner announced the arrest of a man for bias crimes against a local synagogue today during a news conference. Wednesday morning, Eugene Police detectives served a search warrant on a Eugene man’s home and subsequently arrested him on four counts of Bias Crime in the Second Degree after multiple incidents at Temple Beth Israel.
Eugene Police Investigations had a dedicated detective working on the 2023 cases of anti-Semitic tagging at Temple Beth Israel, 1175 E. 29th Avenue. These happened on August 20, September 11, and October 7. On January 14, 2024, there was another incident at the synagogue. The detective worked with the FBI and together they were able to identify a suspect, 34-year-old Adam Edward Braun, age 34.
The detective applied for and was granted a search warrant by a local judge. Eugene Police served the search warrant at Braun’s home today, January 31, and found Nazi-themed items. Braun was subsequently arrested and transported to Lane County Jail. Case 2400634
Follow-up state forests listening session for Lane County residents
State Forester Cal Mukumoto will be hosting a virtual listening session on Feb. 6 for Lane County residents who were unable to make it to last week’s in-person event due to the recent winter weather emergency starting.
The virtual listening session will start at 4 p.m. on Feb. 6. Advance registration is required and speakers will be called upon in the order they register. The Oregon Department of Forestry is asking that people only register if they are a Lane County resident who was unable to participate previously due to the weather event. A Zoom link and other information on providing comment will be provided by email following registration. For those who don’t want to comment but want to hear what others had to say, a recording of this virtual session—along with the one held earlier this week—will be posted to ODF’s YouTube channel.
These listening sessions are an opportunity for the public to share their thoughts or concerns specific to recent new modeling information related to draft Western Oregon State Forests Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and Western Oregon State Forest Management Plan (FMP) for 640,000 acres of state-managed forestlands in western Oregon. ODF recently shared the results of new modeling estimates of long-term timber harvest, revenue, habitat and carbon storage under the draft plans with the Board of Forestry. Mukumoto will consider the public’s input when he makes his recommendation to the Board of Forestry on the path forward for finalization of both plans. More information on the listening sessions is provided on ODF’s website.
In addition to last week’s in-person meeting in Eugene, the state forester also hosted a virtual session Monday afternoon. The final listening session for the general public will be held in Astoria on Wednesday. All members of the public can also share their thoughts or concerns about the new modeling information with the state forester in writing. All written comments must be received by Feb. 2 to give the state forester the opportunity to read and consider them. Email comments to estryinformation@odf.oregon.gov“>forestryinformation@odf.oregon.gov or mail them to State Forester Cal Mukumoto, Building B, 2600 State St., Salem, OR 97310.
Management of state forests is guided by forest management plans that are adopted by the Board of Forestry (OAR 629-035-0030). Forest management plans are designed to provide a full range of social, economic, and environmental outcomes that provide the “greatest permanent value” to all Oregonians (OAR 629-035-0020). The draft HCP is how ODF will ensure compliance with the federal Endangered Species Act while implementing the forest management plan. The current approach of compliance through “take avoidance” is costly and complex. It also eventually results in limited habitat quality and durability, fewer acres available for harvest, greater legal risk, and less financial certainty. The HCP will support the overall goal of the updated FMP by improving certainty around both ESA compliance and timber harvests.
Lane Co. Government – Residents asked to fill out ice storm damage assessment form online
Lane County residents whose homes were damaged in the recent ice storm are being asked to fill out an online damage assessment form.
English: https://www.cognitoforms.com/LaneCountyOR/LaneCountyIceStormHousingDamageSurvey
Spanish: https://www.cognitoforms.com/LaneCountyOR/EncuestaSobreLosDa%C3%B1osMateriales
Both renters and property owners are encouraged to complete the form. The form will be used to help Lane County and its partners understand the long-term recovery needs of the community.
People should still work with their insurance companies to pursue reimbursement for eligible damages and repairs. There are currently no government resources available to repair private properties or businesses.
Nurses File Unfair Labor Practice Against PeaceHealth for Threatening to Cut Workers’ Health Insurance
PeaceHealth Continues Refusing to Meet with Nurses after Canceling Scheduled Mediation
(Eugene, OR) – The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) has filed an unfair labor practice charge alleging PeaceHealth executives responded to a strike notice by threatening to terminate health insurance for home care nurses and their families throughout Lane County. While nurses from PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Home Care Services remain willing to meet while preparing to picket PeaceHealth Feb. 10 – 24; PeaceHealth executives have refused to sit down with nurses and made plans to cut workers’ health insurance.
After receiving nurses’ original strike notice Jan. 19, PeaceHealth executives told workers it planned to terminate striking nurses’ health insurance along with any covered family members—including people with chronic health conditions or disabilities. Threatening to cut its own workers’ health insurance in retaliation for engaging in protected activities is a clear violation of federal law. The National Labor Relations Act prevents companies like PeaceHealth from threatening, punishing or retaliating against workers who engage in protected union activities including strikes.
“Even after everything PeaceHealth has put this community through over the last few years, threatening to cut its own nurses’ health care is a new low. This is a direct attack on local health care professionals and their families,” said ONA President Tamie Cline, RN. “Shame on the executives running PeaceHealth for putting profits before patients and the nurses who care for them. Why would anyone in this community trust PeaceHealth to provide health care for them when PeaceHealth refuses to provide health care for its own workers?”
The ULP states PeaceHealth broke federal law and its own internal policies by threatening to punish and retaliate against workers and their families for striking. The National Labor Relations Board adjudicates ULPs and can impose financial and legal penalties on companies like PeaceHealth which break federal law. The board is expected to open an investigation into PeaceHealth’s conduct.
“PeaceHealth has a bad reputation for threatening its own workers’ health care. While we are deeply disappointed PeaceHealth threatened to terminate health insurance for local nurses and their families at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Home Care Services—we were not surprised,” said ONA spokesperson Kevin Mealy. “Nurses are willing to sacrifice to make sure everyone in this community receives the care and respect they deserve and we’re prepared to ensure nurses and their families continue to have access to health insurance throughout this strike regardless of the dates.”
While nurses have offered to continue negotiating with PeaceHealth to try to reach a fair agreement and prevent a strike, PeaceHealth executives canceled their Jan. 23 meeting with nurses and a federal mediator and have refused to meet with frontline nurses since. PeaceHealth’s refusal to meet with nurses and bargain in good faith also violates the National Labor Relations Act.
Local home care nurses are striking to protect community health and safety and address PeaceHealth’s staffing crisis. The strike runs Saturday, Feb. 10 at 7 a.m. to Saturday, Feb. 24 at 7 a.m. outside PeaceHealth’s Sacred Heart Home Care Services Springfield office (123 International Way, Springfield, OR) Nurses will hold a kickoff rally Sat. Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. and invite community members to participate in the kickoff rally and join nurses on the picket line each weekday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Visit RespectOurNurses.com to learn more.
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 18,000 nurses and allied health workers throughout the state, including more than 90 nurses at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Home Care Services and nearly 1,500 frontline nurses at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center. ONA’s mission is to advocate for nursing, quality health care and healthy communities. For more information visit: www.OregonRN.org.
Eugene Springfield Fire and Eugene Police Respond To Vehicle Pedestrian Crash
Eugene, OR. Eugene Springfield Fire and Eugene Police responded to two separate crashes on Highway 99 North in Eugene Friday night. The most serious crash was a vehicle pedestrian crash in the 500 block of Hwy 99 N. Arriving officers initiated CPR on the victim until fire crews arrived to provide advanced life support. The victim was resuscitated by fire crews and transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries. shortly before the pedestrian crash fire crews responded to a crash at Hwy 99 and Dove Ln where Firefighters extricated one individual who had minor injuries and refused transport. Expect lane closures in the area while EPD investigated the crashes.
02/01/24 — LCSO Case #24-0543 — Hit & Run at Fern Ridge Christian Church
Update- 02/02/24 – The driver of the involved vehicle came forward and was contacted by a Deputy. He received a criminal citation for Hit & Run – Property Damage and Reckless Driving. He received a violation citation for Driving Uninsured.—
02/01/24 – LCSO Case #24-0543 – Hit & Run at Fern Ridge Christian Church
On Thursday night around 7:10 p.m., a vehicle struck the Fern Ridge Christian Church, causing extensive damage. The suspect vehicle is described as an older white Ford SUV. It will likely have significant front-end damage. Residents in the area are asked to check any cameras that may have captured the incident or the vehicle driving through the area around the time it occurred. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4150, option 1.
01/31/24 – LCSO Case #24-0522, 24-0523 – Wanted Subject Located by LCSO K9s
Just before midnight, a Lane County Sheriff’s Sergeant on patrol in the Pleasant Hill area noticed a vehicle drive slowly through an intersection, then accelerate away when he turned to follow. The Sergeant quickly found the vehicle in a driveway near Enterprise Road and Hendricks Road. Knowing the residents, he confirmed the vehicle did not belong.
The vehicle was associated with Cecil Rae Needham, 49. Needham, known to be a felon on post-prison supervision, had a warrant out for his arrest for Theft 2 and a Deputy had probable cause for arrest on an unrelated Theft 2 case. Needham is well known to Deputies for his attempts to elude arrest and hide from law enforcement. They also had recent information that Needham was armed with a handgun. A female, Alexis McKenzie Roccaforte Porter, 22, was contacted in front of the house. Porter said she had just been dropped off to see a friend who lived in an RV trailer behind the house. Again, knowing the residents, the Sergeant knew this to be false. Porter was arrested on an unrelated Theft 2 warrant.
Two LCSO canines, Ripp with handler Deputy Gardner and Bruno with handler Deputy Thomas, quickly responded and began searching the property. They soon located Needham hiding in thick brush in a tree line. Despite warnings about the canines, Needham refused to comply with commands to surrender. Finally, Ripp was sent in. Once Ripp had a firm bite on one of Needham’s legs, he gave up and followed Deputies’ commands. During their investigation, Deputies located a loaded firearm and significant amount of suspected methamphetamine belonging to Needham. After being cleared by a hospital for the bite injury, Needham was lodged at the Lane County Jail on the Theft 2 warrant and new charges for Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine – Felony, and Theft 2.
While our patrol deputies are out responding to calls all day every day, they also build relationships in the communities they live and work in. Conserving the peace, keeping our neighborhoods safe – and good job Ripp and Bruno!
Corvallis Farming Accident Takes Life of Dallas, Oregon Man
Corvallis, Ore. – On February 1, 2024, at approximately 2:45 p.m., Benton County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Corvallis Fire Department, responded to a tragic incident at a dairy farm south of Corvallis, in which a male lost his life.
Deputies arrived and located David Breyman III, 56, of Dallas, who was unconscious, not breathing, and did not have a pulse. Deputies and citizens on scene attempted lifesaving efforts but were unsuccessful.
Corvalis Fire Department personnel arrived soon after and were able to assist getting Breyman unpinned by removing part of the wall. They also attempted life saving measures without success.
The incident involved a truck carrying 27 tons of corn meal feed. Breyman was alone and in the process of unloading the feed by using the trailer’s unloading mechanism. It appeared the feed caused the gate to swing open and push him against the barn wall, causing him to be pinned.
A farm worker was nearby and heard Breyman yell. The worker used his phone to call for help and shut off the trailer unloading mechanism to stop it from piling up more feed.
Breyman was from Dallas, Oregon and working for a trucking and feed company based out of Polk County.
“We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family, said Sheriff Jef Van Arsdall. “Your dedication to put food on our tables does not go unnoticed and we’re terribly sorry for your loss.”
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Operation Winter Survival Supply Stockpile Drive Need Ongoing
Lane County Health & Human Services, in partnership with the First Christian Church of Eugene’s Helping Hearts program and White Bird, today announced the launch of Operation Winter Survival Stockpile. The operation is an effort to create a stockpile through donations of clothing and other supplies that will help those in our community experiencing homelessness better brave the elements.
Items can be dropped off on weekdays between 10 A.M. and 2 P.M. or by appointment. Items can also be purchased on Amazon and sent to First Christian Church at 166 Oak St. Eugene, OR, 97402.
The Operation’s Amazon Wish List can be found at: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2XR33GS1ULV8Z?ref_=wl_share
Distribution of items will be prioritized to homeless outreach providers such as CAHOOTS that come into direct contact with individuals who are unhoused and unsheltered. Preferred donation items include:
- Clothing such as rain ponchos, wool socks, thermal underwear, gloves, beanies and footwear
- Items like tents, blankets, hand warmers, tarps, gift cards, and laundry cards
- Tools such as flashlights, batteries, and other survival supplies
For more information on Operation Winter Survival Stockpile, please contact Maria Cortez at ia.Cortez@lanecountyor.gov“>Maria.Cortez@lanecountyor.gov
Oregon Receives $60 Million For Rental Support And Social Services
The Biden administration announced this week it’s awarding more than $3 billion to thousands of programs nationwide to fight homelessness.
That amount, for 2003 Continuum of Care grants, marks a new high, the administration said.
“We are doing all we can to get people off the street and into permanent homes with access to services,” said Marcia Fudge, the Housing and Urban Development secretary in a release. “That is why we are making sure the service providers on the frontlines of this crisis have the resources they need.”
The grants include more than $60 million for Oregon nonprofits and other entities to support programs that house young people and others from Portland, Medford and Ashland to Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties. A total of 140 applicants won grants ranging from more than $8 million to $10,000. More than $50 million is allocated to current programs to keep them going, while more than $4 million is aimed at keeping young people housed. More than $2 million is for new initiatives in Clackamas, Lane, Marion, and Multnomah counties, along with about the same amount for planning initiatives.
Oregon’s six Democratic lawmakers in Congress – Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Reps. Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle and Andrea Salinas – welcomed the money in a joint statement.
“These new and continuing awards are vital for communities and individuals in need of critical housing resources and support. I won’t stop working to ensure Oregonians in every corner of the state have access to safe, dependable, and affordable housing,” Merkley said.
A large share of the money is going to nonprofit and government programs in the Portland area.
Home Forward, the public housing authority for Multnomah County, won the biggest grant of nearly $8.4 million. The money will be used to fund several ongoing programs that currently serve nearly 500 households by helping them with rent and social services.
“We are very grateful to HUD for this vital funding support that allows us to keep up with rent increases while maintaining our current service levels for the nearly 500 households in our community who rely on this assistance,” Martha Calhoon, a spokesperson for Home Forward, said in a statement.
The programs help a range of low-income people, including those with chronic addictions or who’ve been chronically homeless, people with HIV who have a mental disability, veterans who’ve been homeless, households with at least one person with a disability and heads of households suffering from severe and persistent mental illness.
Most are on Medicaid, and they pay 30% of their adjusted gross income for rent. If they have no income, they pay nothing.
A total of 12 agencies involved with the grant provide housing, addiction treatment, mental health and other social services. Those agencies include Central City Concern, a large provider based in Portland; Multnomah County; Cascadia Health, one of the largest behavioral health care agencies in the state; and the Veterans Affairs.
Central City Concern won its own grant of $3.4 million, the second biggest. Spokesperson Juliana Lukasik said the money is dedicated to a program that provides long-term housing stability for people with high needs, including those with addictions, severe and persistent mental illness and the chronically homeless.
Those in the program pay 30% of their rent. Last year, the program served about 185 people, including nearly 160 who’ve been chronically homeless. Lukasik said about 60% had retained housing for more than five years while about 95% had stayed housed for more more than one year.186 client served
Like Home Forward, Central City Concern works with other agencies, including the Native American Rehabilitation Association, to provide health care and other services, and it uses people who’ve experienced homelessness themselves as peers to help those in the program.
The third biggest grant, nearly $3 million, went to the Washington County Department of Housing Services. A spokeswoman, Emily Roots, said in a statement that the money will be used to help house about 200 households. To qualify, participants must have a disability and be chronically homeless at the time of acceptance into the program.
They are required to pay 30% of the rent, and they’re housed in apartments, Roots said. A variety of services are offered such as behavioral health treatment, aging and disability services, HIV/AIDS services and general case management. (SOURCE)
Treasury Proactively Returning $10 Million in Unclaimed Funds to Oregonians
Individuals will receive funds through the ‘Checks Without Claims’ initiative in February
Salem, OR—Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read announced today Treasury will be proactively returning approximately $10 million in unclaimed property this month to individuals as part of the agency’s 2024 ‘Checks Without Claims’ initiative.
“We’re excited to reconnect thousands of individuals with their unclaimed funds without requiring any action on their part,” Treasurer Read said. “In addition to collecting and safeguarding Oregonians’ unclaimed property, Treasury is committed to returning these assets and helping to bolster our citizen’s financial well-being.”
Through ‘Checks Without Claims’, Treasury will proactively disburse payments to verified owners of unclaimed property reported to the state’s Unclaimed Property Program in 2021 and 2022. Payments, via check, will be mailed to individuals this month and accompanied by an additional confirmation letter from the Treasurer.
In 2023, Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Program conducted ‘Checks Without Claims’ and reconnected more than 18,000 individuals – from Oregon and 47 other states – with their unclaimed funds.
With over $1 billion in unclaimed funds currently held by the state, ‘Checks Without Claims’ is one of many efforts to reconnect more Oregonians with their unclaimed money and property. Payments distributed through ‘Checks Without Claims’ represent unclaimed property reported to the state in 2021 and 2022 by various businesses and organizations that were unable to return funds to the rightful owner. Common examples of unclaimed property include uncashed checks, forgotten bank accounts, tax refunds, credit balances, investment accounts, payroll checks, refunds, and more.
Nearly one in seven people in the United States has unclaimed property. To help raise awareness around unclaimed funds, Treasury joined programs across the country this week to celebrate National Unclaimed Property Day, held annually on February 1. In fiscal year 2023, more than $5.4 billion dollars in unclaimed property was returned to its rightful owners according to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators.
Typically, individuals need to file a claim with Oregon’s Unclaimed Property Program and complete the verification process to receive the funds they are owed. Treasury conducts ‘Checks Without Claims’ to proactively verify some owners of unclaimed assets and facilitate payments directly to them. Checks distributed will vary in amount between $50 and $10,000.
Searching for unclaimed funds is free and easy. Interested individuals are encouraged to visit Treasury’s unclaimed property website at unclaimed.oregon.gov.
More information about ‘Checks Without Claims’ is available online at https://unclaimed.oregon.gov/app/checks-without-cl… Questions about unclaimed funds or “Checks without Claims” can be directed to Oregon’s Unclaimed Property Program via email claims@ost.state.or.us or phone at 503-378-4000.
About Oregon State Treasury
Oregon State Treasury improves the financial well-being of all Oregonians. We provide low-cost banking, debt management, and investment programs for governments and empower Oregonians to invest in themselves and their loved ones through the Oregon College Savings Plan, Oregon ABLE Savings Plan, and OregonSaves.
Drug Addiction, Housing and Homelessness Dominate Legislative Session
When Oregon lawmakers return to Salem for their 35-day session starting Feb. 5, they will face the same issues that topped their agenda last year — housing and homelessness, and mental health and addiction treatment.
Unlike legislatures in other states, according to a recent survey by The New York Times, Oregon will not have pitched political battles over abortion and gun rights this year. They went through those last year. Although the Democratic majorities prevailed, a walkout by Senate Republicans that thwarted business for six weeks forced Democrats to scale back the scope of abortion rights and gun regulations.
But lawmakers will have plenty to deal with.
Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek has proposed $500 million to jump-start housing production — something she didn’t do in the 2023 session — and $100 million more for efforts to help unhoused people, avert evictions and move people into housing.
Attached to the money are proposals to fund water and sewer lines and other infrastructure needed for housing construction, simplify the local permit process, and give cities a one-time option to expand beyond their urban growth boundaries to allow development. Her proposal for the latter failed at the close of the 2023 session, and it remains to be seen whether the issue can be resolved.
Meanwhile, lawmakers will deal with a proposal from a joint committee to ease barriers to addiction treatment. But most of the attention — and criticism — has focused on a provision to reinstate criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of specified drugs in a reversal of what voters approved in Measure 110 in 2020. The penalties were converted into violations punishable by a maximum fine of $100 or a referral for drug evaluation.
Treatment advocates say the proposal is a step backward. But law enforcement advocates say the proposal does not go far enough and that penalties should be stricter. Their argument may not end with the session’s close by a deadline of March 10, but with another ballot measure for the Nov. 5 general election.
The Legislature’s only duty in its even-numbered-year session is to ensure a balanced budget, although the state’s two-year budget is adopted in the odd-numbered year, when the session runs for 160 days.
Dan Rayfield, a Democrat from Corvallis who is serving his final session as speaker of the Oregon House, says lawmakers are being asked to do a lot of other things, but the 2024 session will go by fast and lawmakers will be unable to deal with every issue brought before them.
“You have to do your work ahead of time if you are going to be successful,” he said.
Read more about Kotek’s housing and homelessness bill here. Learn more about Measure 110 reforms here . (SOURCE)
OHCS awards $20 million to boost affordable modular housing production in Oregon
SALEM, ORE. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) awards $20 million to modular housing developers to boost production of these homes throughout Oregon. The developers will prioritize supplying modular housing that is affordable to state and local governments following a wildfire or other disaster, low-income housing construction and middle-income housing construction.
“Oregon needs affordable and middle-income housing in all shapes and sizes,” said OHCS Director Andrea Bell. “Investing in the production capacity of modular homes is vital to increasing housing options particularly in rural communities.”
Housing is considered modular when building sections are built in a factory and then put together at the intended site. The modular method of housing development can help accelerate affordable housing production as it can lower construction costs and reduce construction schedules compared to traditional building methods.
OHCS created the Modular Housing Development Fund to distribute the $20 million allocated through House Bill 2001 in the 2023 legislative session. The agency worked quickly to get funds out the door, opening applications for funding in November 2023. There were 17 eligible applicants, and the agency intends to award funding to the following four:
| Organization | Amount | City |
| Blazer Industries, Inc. | $5 million | Aumsville |
| Intelifab, LLC | $5 million | Klamath Falls |
| Pacific Wall Systems, Inc. | $5 million | Phoenix |
| Zaugg Timber Solutions, Inc. | $5 million | Portland |
“Thank you to the Oregon legislature and applicants. OHCS remains committed in being a partner in the collective journey to increase housing production across Oregon so everyone can have a safe, stable, and healthy place to call home,” said Bell.
Oregon Senate Republicans Cannot Run For Office Again After Walkout Per Ruling Mandates
Oregon Senate Republicans who participated in a historic 2023 walkout will not be allowed to run for office again, the Oregon Supreme Court announced Thursday morning.
In 2023, nine Oregon Senate Republicans walked off the job for 42 days in protest of a bill that protected abortion rights and gender-affirming health care.
Following this walkout, the Oregon Secretary of State ruled participating senators would be unable to run for office immediately after the current term due to Measure 113.
Voted-approved Measure 113 mandates that “any state legislator who accrues 10 or more unexcused absences during a legislative session shall be disqualified from holding legislative office” immediately following the current term.
The nine senators petitioned against the Secretary of State’s upholding of the measure following the walkout.
The Republicans argued that Measure 113’s wording was ambiguous when voted upon by voters, and did not support the secretary’s interpretation and enforcement of the rule after the walkout.
The Supreme Court states that it is upholding the secretary’s interpretation and that the Republicans who participated in the walkout will be unable to run for office again.
The court says that “the ballot measure history uniformly supported the Secretary’s interpretation,” and that “the ballot title and the voters’ pamphlet expressly and repeatedly informed voters that the disqualification would occur immediately following the legislator’s current term.”
The court concluded that voters would have understood the disqualification to apply to the term of office immediately following the term in which a legislator accrued 10 or more unexcused absences.
This means nine Republicans and one Independent senator who staged the record-long six-week legislative walkout in 2023 cannot file for re-election in 2024 or 2026.
Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade Responds to Supreme Court Ruling on Measure 113
Salem, OR—The Oregon Supreme Court ruled today in favor of Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade’s interpretation of Measure 113, which disqualifies legislators with unexcused absences in 2023 from running for reelection in 2024.
“I’ve said from the beginning my intention was to support the will of the voters,” said Secretary Griffin-Valade. “It was clear to me that voters intended for legislators with a certain number of absences in a legislative session to be immediately disqualified from seeking reelection. I’m thankful to the Oregon Supreme Court for providing clarity on how to implement Measure 113.”
The Secretary announced in August she would direct the Elections Division to implement an administrative rule providing guidance to candidates on Measure 113, which was passed by voters in November 2022. Measure 113 states that 10 or more unexcused absences “shall disqualify the member from holding office as a Senator or Representative for the term following the election after the member’s current term is completed.”
Media Advisory: Oregon Employment Department Prepares Customers for New Unemployment Insurance System Launch
Oregon Employment Department Prepares Customers for New Unemployment Insurance System Launch
Frances Online will replace existing systems for benefit claims, with five-day migration at the end of February; Other OED customers to be impacted by the migration
JAN. 31, 2024 (SALEM, ORE.) – The Oregon Employment Department (OED) will migrate to a new online claim system for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits on Monday, March 4. The new system, Frances Online, will provide better service for claimants and employers. It is also the final rollout for the UI modernization project that has been years in the making.
“This is a great leap forward for anyone who needs access to unemployment insurance,” said David Gerstenfeld, director of the Oregon Employment Department. “As we’ve learned in the earlier phases of this modernization effort, Frances Online offers an easier customer service experience and will streamline the process of filing a claim.”
The migration of UI benefits to Frances Online will begin on Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. and go through 8 a.m. on March 4. A migration period like this is normal for any big technology project. OED will not be able to provide customer service for several OED programs during the migration. This is because the old UI systems and Frances Online (employer and claimant portals) will go offline.
Key Information for Current UI Claimants
Current UI claimants will not be able to file a weekly claim, check the status of a claim, make changes to claim information, make payments, respond to requests for additional information, or complete ID verification during the migration. Below are key dates that current claimants must follow to avoid potential benefit payment delays:
- Feb. 28-March 1: All UI phone lines are closed (closed regularly on weekends).
- Feb. 28 at 5 p.m.: Due date to file a weekly UI claim for the week of Feb. 18-24 to avoid payment delays. If the due date is missed, claimants can’t file their weekly claim until March 4. Their benefits will be delayed.
- Feb. 28 at 5 p.m.: Old UI systems go offline; UI Telephone Weekly Claim Line (800-982-8920) closes.
- March 4 at 8 a.m.: Frances Online goes live with UI benefits (including Contact Us form, chatbot, and live agent chat); UI phone lines open; Claimants can file prior weekly claims, but benefits will be delayed; and claimants can file a timely claim for the week of Feb. 25-March 2.
More detailed information about the migration impact for UI claimants can be found at unemployment.oregon.gov/frances. Staff at all WorkSource Oregon centers and OED Central Office in Salem won’t be able to answer claim questions during the migration. However, WorkSource Oregon offices and WorkSourceOregon.org will be open for job search, training, and career support.
Impacts to Paid Leave Oregon and Other Programs
Below are other key dates and information for OED customers.
- February 27 before 5 p.m.: Last day to file a new initial UI claim or restart a current claim until March 4.
- February 28 before 5 p.m.: Last day to file a new Paid Leave Oregon claim (including intermittent claims) until March 4.
- February 28-March 1: Paid Leave Oregon and Contributions & Recovery phone lines and online support closed (closed regularly on weekends).
- February 28 at 5 p.m.: Frances Online website, including all features and functions, will be offline, including the portals for claimants and employers. Customers will not be able to file a new or intermittent Paid Leave Oregon claim, file or amend tax reports, make payments, complete ID verification, create a Frances Online account, apply for Paid Leave Oregon assistance grants, or respond to requests for additional information during the migration.
- March 4 at 8 a.m.: Frances Online, phone lines, and online support reopen.
“We’ve been working for years to ensure that this transition works for our customers,” said Lindsi Leahy, director of the Unemployment Insurance Division at OED. “We know Oregonians depend on the benefits we provide. And we’re bringing on additional staff to ensure that, once the new system is live, we can help people get their benefits quickly.”
This is the third and final rollout for launching OED’s modernized benefits and contributions system. Last year, OED launched the new Paid Leave Oregon benefits program in Frances Online. In 2022, UI and Paid Leave Oregon tax/contribution programs were launched in the new system. UI benefits is the last major program migration for the UI Modernization Project, which the agency has been preparing for since 2018. The project baseline budget for the Paid Leave and UI system is approximately $106 million.
“We want our customers to know that we will help them navigate the migration to the new system,” said Renee Royston, director of the Modernization Division at OED. “Once we’re done, we’ll have a much easier-to-use online claims system with stronger protections against fraud and identity theft.”
OED encourages current UI claimants to check their mail daily, review all letters and messages, check unemployment.oregon.gov/frances, and follow OED on social media for important updates about the migration. Paid Leave Oregon claimants can visit paidleave.oregon.gov in the coming weeks to learn more about these impacts.
### The Oregon Employment Department (OED) is an equal opportunity agency. OED provides free help so you can use our services. Some examples are sign language and spoken-language interpreters, written materials in other languages, large print, audio, and other formats. To get help, please call 503-947-1444. TTY users call 711. You can also send an email to communications@employ.oregon.gov.
Four Suspected Drug Traffickers Face Federal Charges After Law Enforcement Seize 370 Gallons of Liquid Heroin
PORTLAND, Ore.—Four suspected drug traffickers with apparent ties to a Mexico-based transnational criminal organization are facing federal charges today after they were caught transporting nearly 370 gallons of liquid heroin.
Marco Antonio Magallon, 44; Luis Deleon Woodward, 26; and Jorge Luis Amador, 25, all of Yakima, Washington, and Santos Alisael Aguilar Maya, 32, whose place of residence is unknown, have been charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and possess with intent to distribute heroin.
According to court documents, on January 24, 2024, as part of an ongoing, multi-agency drug trafficking investigation, law enforcement obtained information that several individuals working for a transnational criminal organization were transporting a large load of illegal narcotics into the District of Oregon. Late in the evening of January 24 and in the early morning hours of January 25, 2024, investigators observed a rented moving truck driven by Amador and an accompanying red pickup truck traveling west on Interstate 84 near Bonneville, Oregon. Investigators observed the vehicles travel together to a motel in Tigard, Oregon, making one brief stop in a commercial parking lot in Beaverton, Oregon.
Later on January 25, investigators executed federal search warrants on the defendants’ motel room and two vehicles. They located and seized eight 55-gallon barrels containing approximately 370 gallons of a liquid narcotic inside the moving truck and two loaded handguns inside the motel room. All four defendants were arrested without incident. Investigators transported the seized narcotic, which weighed approximately 1.4 metric tons, to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) narcotics room. Lab tests later confirmed the barrels contained liquid heroin.
This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), WCSO, and the Westside Interagency Narcotics Team (WIN). It is being prosecuted by Scott M. Kerin, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
WIN is a Washington County, Oregon-based High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) task force that includes members from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Beaverton and Hillsboro Police Departments, Oregon National Guard Counter Drug Program, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), FBI, and HSI.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Oregon representative compared supporting LGBTQ+ people to supporting child abuse
The newest member of the Oregon House of Representatives claimed supporting LGBTQ+ people was akin to supporting child abuse and accused drag queens of pedophilia in months-old posts on his campaign website.
Dwayne Yunker, a real estate broker and city councilor from Grants Pass, was appointed in December to finish the term of former Rep. Lily Morgan, who resigned to become the city manager of Gold Hill. Yunker was already planning to challenge Morgan in the Republican primary, arguing she wasn’t conservative enough for the southern Oregon district.
Yunker’s campaign website includes a post from last August titled “No to Gay Pride Month,” explaining his decision to skip the beginning of a Grants Pass City Council meeting to protest a proclamation about June as Pride Month. He was a member of the council at the time.
The transgender community college student who accepted the proclamation said it was a step toward making Grants Pass a community where young LGBTQ+ people want to stay and raise families, instead of feeling like they need to escape. But the public comment portion of that meeting began with opposition to the proclamation, and Mayor Sara Bristol faced an unsuccessful recall vote for not “represent(ing) the conservative principles of the majority of her constituents.”
Yunker’s campaign post included claims that drag queens are pedophiles and events including family friendly drag shows or drag queen story hours are attempts to make pedophilia seem acceptable. He further declared that supporting Pride Month was akin to supporting child abuse.
“It is shocking that any adult would endorse this child abuse,” he wrote. “Therefore, on June 7, I did not attend the beginning of the Grants Pass City Council meeting. I will not be a part of or stand next to anyone who supports these abuses.”
He expounded on his objections to Pride Month in a subsequent post, titled “Shouldn’t Christians avoid politics?” In it, Yunker wrote that he considered a statement in the resolution that LGBTQ+ people face persecution to be spurious, or false.
And he claimed that LGBTQ+ people, who he referred to as “the ever-expanding alphabet movement,” discriminated against Christians.
“We cannot sit out afraid someone might call us right wing, homophonic (sic), or even Christian Nationalists,” he wrote.
Yunker didn’t respond to a call or email from the Capital Chronicle on Tuesday. House Minority Leader Jeff Helfrich, R-Hood River, defended Yunker’s right to express himself.
“While it may be hard for some leftists in Portland to understand this, many Oregonians – including members of the LGBTQ community – do not want children exposed to hyper-sexualized material that they are not developmentally able to understand,” Helfrich said in a statement. “Parents worry about the things their kids are seeing in public, in the classroom and on TV. Elected officials have every right to voice those concerns on behalf of the districts that they represent. Society must be able to have these discussions, and all of us must endeavor to do so respectfully and honestly.”
‘Hateful and false ideas’ — Kyndall Mason, executive director of Basic Rights Oregon, said in a statement that Yunker’s job requires him to serve all his constituents, including the LGBTQ+ Oregonians in his district.
“The uninformed, hateful and false ideas written in Rep. Yunker’s blog posts are deeply dangerous, and will direct more hate to these constituents and all trans and queer Oregonians,” Mason said. “While these posts were written before Yunker was appointed to his seat, we’re alarmed to learn that they are still on his campaign website, and are from less than a year ago.”
She added that the group is proud of the majority of lawmakers who have protected the state’s reputation as one of the strongest states for LGBTQ+ rights, and that she’s confident Yunker’s views are “on the very fringe” of the Legislature.
Oregon has long been a leader in LGBTQ+ political representation – Gov. Tina Kotek is one of the first lesbians to run a state, and she succeeded bisexual former Gov. Kate Brown. The state, particularly Portland and Eugene, have attracted LGBTQ+ people from across the nation for decades.
It’s unusual for the state’s elected officials to openly express such anti-gay or anti-trans rhetoric.
Legislative Republicans adamantly opposed a law passed last year to protect doctors who perform abortions or gender-affirming care from prosecution or civil liability as other states restrict or ban such care and strengthen requirements that health insurers cover reproductive health care and gender-affirming care, including treatments like facial feminization surgery and electrolysis that are now treated as cosmetic procedures. They also objected to a proposed constitutional amendment to repeal an unenforced ban on same-sex marriage and protect people from for their sexual orientation or gender identity.
But most framed their opposition as concern over parental rights and fears that minors would make permanent medical decisions they’d regret in the future. Senate Republicans also suggested a compromise on the proposed constitutional amendment to only repeal the ban on gay marriage.
This year, some House Republicans have said they plan to introduce legislation during the session that begins Feb. 5 to bar trans people from using bathrooms that correspond with their gender identity and block trans girls from participating in girls’ sports. Neither measure is expected to go anywhere in the state Legislature, which is controlled by Democrats. (SOURCE)
AARP grant ‘unique’ opportunity to fund community projects in Oregon
A program that funds ideas for improving communities is now open to applications. The AARP Community Challenge grant program is accepting applications until March 6th for projects that can be enacted quickly to make cities more livable for people of all ages.
Stacy Larsen, communications director for AARP Oregon, said the program has a track record for supporting communities of all sizes.
“They deliver really unique support to rural communities. Since the beginning of the program in 2017, 46% of the grants distributed in Oregon have been to rural communities,” Larsen said.
Since its start in 2017, the program has invested $16.4 million in more than 1,300 projects nationwide, including 28 in Oregon. The program is open to local nonprofits and governments. A webinar for interested applicants will be held on the AARP website on January 31st at 11 a.m.
Applicants can apply in three different grant areas. Those include capacity-building microgrants, demonstration grants and flagships grants, which allow for the most creativity and flexibility. Larsen has some tips for those applying.
“The applicants who can demonstrate that they are addressing a clear need, that brings positive change to make their communities more livable for residents of all ages, and that they’re addressing disparities for people of color or other historically marginalized groups will find themselves rising to the top,” she explained.
Selected projects must be completed by December 15th. (SOURCE)
Mailing Error in Sending Tax Form 1099-G
On January 26, 2024, the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) announced that a mailing error occurred while sending the tax form 1099-G to those who received benefits from the Unemployment Insurance program in 2023. This error impacted 32,960 out of 122,245 mailings, meaning some individuals may have not received a tax form 1099-G at all, and others may have received an additional form not belonging to them.
A machine error caused a subset of those tax forms to go into envelopes already containing a tax form 1099-G. DAS was first notified of this error during the ongoing printing and mailing process for tax form 1099-G and called for an immediate halt, which prevented the majority of these forms from being impacted. For More Information: https://unemployment.oregon.gov/1099g-mailing-error#:~:text=This%20error%20impacted%2032%2C960%20out,a%20tax%20form%201099%2DG.
Red Cross: Emergency blood shortage may delay medical procedures — American Red Cross – Cascades Region
Winter storms across Oregon and Washington forced more than 70 blood drives to be canceled, according to the Red Cross Cascades Region. The Red Cross stated in a press release that this “resulted in the loss of nearly 2,100 liters of blood.” In addition to these cancellations, road closures and icy conditions have made it difficult to transfer supplies to collection sites.
The Red Cross is also seeing an emergency blood shortage. January is usually a slow month for donations but with the emergency shortage and the winter weather, hospitals are in desperate need for donations.
The Red Cross is urging the public to donate blood if they can.
Donors urged to give now as nation faces lowest number of blood donors in decades —- Donors have the chance to help save lives, win trip to Super Bowl LVIII
The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. The Red Cross blood supply has fallen to critically low levels across the country, and blood and platelet donors are urged to make a donation appointment to help alleviate the shortage and help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not put on hold.
Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40%. When fewer people donate blood, even small disruptions to blood donations – such as the nearly 7,000-unit shortfall in blood donations the Red Cross experienced between Christmas and New Year’s Day alone – can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. Blood products are currently going to hospitals faster than blood donations are coming in, and in recent weeks, the Red Cross has had to limit distributions of type O blood products – among the most transfused blood types – to hospitals.
“Small changes in blood donor turnout can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of an emergency blood transfusion,” said Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross. “More challenges may lie ahead as the potential for severe winter weather and seasonal illness may compound the dire blood supply situation. Donors of all types – especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets – are urged to give now.”
Don’t wait – to make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Who donations help
Sandy Thornton, of Dallas, Oregon, knows firsthand how important a readily available blood and platelet supply is. Sandy battled a rare form of cancer called Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Myleo Fibrosis. She received numerous blood and platelet transfusions until eventually needing a stem cell transplant.
“There are people who cannot get a stem cell transplant, which means they face a lifetime of platelet or blood transfusions. That’s their life. Blood is a lifesaver no matter how you look at it. It’s not just about when disasters happen, it’s when people get sick,” shares Sandy.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood and is the primary blood supplier to 65 hospitals throughout Washington and Oregon; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
Missing child alert — Jerrica Landin is still missing and is believed to be in danger
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, asks the public to help find Jerrica Landin, age 17, a child in foster care who went missing from Portland, Oregon on Aug. 21. She is believed to be in danger.
ODHS asks the public for help in the effort to find Jerrica and to contact 911 or local law enforcement if they believe they see her.
Jerrica may be in Portland or Eugene in Oregon. She may also be in Washington in Vancouver, Seattle or the Tri Cities.
Name: Jerrica Landin
Pronouns: She/her
Date of birth: Oct. 24, 2006
Height: 5-foot-6
Weight: 130 pounds
Hair: Reddish brown
Eye color: Brown
Other identifying information: Jerrica has a tattoo of a heart on her neck below her right ear. She often dyes her hair red, pink and purple.
Portland Police Bureau Case #23-803125
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children #1489518
Sometimes when a child is missing, they may be in significant danger and ODHS may need to locate them to assess and support their safety. As ODHS works to do everything it can to find these missing children and assess their safety, media alerts will be issued in some circumstances when it is determined necessary. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.
Report child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233). This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.
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
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.
