The latest news stories and stories of interest in the Willamette Valley from the digital home of Southern Oregon, from Wynne Broadcasting’s WillametteValleyMagazine.com
Monday, April 1, 2024
Willamette Valley Weather
Fire Crews Extinguish West Eugene Industrial Fire
Eugene Springfield Fire crews were on scene of an industrial fire at Weyerhaeuser Trus Joist located at 195 N Bertelsen Rd in West Eugene. Firefighters were alerted to the fire at 7:08 PM on Sunday. The first arriving engine from the Danebo Station received reports of a press on fire inside the facility.
Crews quickly extinguished the fire before it extended to the building or other equipment. Staff from the facility worked to keep the fire in check before fire crews arrived. The fire is under control and there were no injuries reported.
Firefighters Tackle Early Morning House Fire In Santa Clara
Eugene Springfield Fire (ESF) responded to a house fire at 153 Swain Ln in the North Santa Clara area early Sunday morning. Crews were notified of a possible fire at 12:06 AM on 3/31. Upon arrival, ESF Ladder 11 found 40 foot flame lengths from multiple trees with a mobile home catching fire. Ladder 11 began to attack the fire, with support from additional ESF and Lane Fire Authority (LFA) crews.
Firefighters were able to assure the resident and her son were not at home at the time of the fire, and performed a primary search of the residence as they conducted fire attack operations and protected exposures. Crews used quick thinking to cut through an adjacent fence and stretch hose from a hydrant on a neighboring property to get water. The fire was placed under control, and there were no injuries immediately reported. LFA is performing an investigation to determine the cause as the fire occurred at a property within their contracted jurisdiction.
Fire Crews Keep West Eugene Apartment Fire Small
Eugene Springfield Fire is on scene of an apartment fire at Redwood Park Apartments located At 4131 w 18th Ave in West Eugene. Firefighters were alerted to the fire at 3:15 PM on Sunday.
The first arriving engine from the Bailey Hill Station received reports of a fire on the back side of an 8-unit apartment building spreading up the building and into the siding.
Crews quickly extinguished the fire before it entered the into the living areas where there were several residents at home, unaware of the fire. There were no injuries reported, and the fire marshals office is conducting an investigation.
Fire Crews Respond To Fuel Spill At Eugene Gas Station
Eugene Springfield Fire were on scene of a fuel spill at the Fred Meyer fuel depot at 60 Division Avenue in Eugene on Sunday. Crews are mitigating the spill which originally was believed to have occurred as a result of a vehicle fuel tank that had been drilled for fuel theft.
Further investigation determined the fueling hose had become disconnected from the fuel tank. The owner was unaware that the malfunction existed and a large volume fuel spilled. The Eugene Springfield Fire regional hazardous materials team is working with Fred Meyer staff to mitigate the spill.
Fortunately modern fuel facilities are able to contain spills within the facility protecting the storm runoff systems and regional treatment facilities. Crews are verifying all systems are opening properly and there is no contamination within the storm water system. updated to include findings upon further investigation.
Eugene Traffic Stop Leads to Another Large Fentanyl Seizure
On March 26th, 2024, Lane County Sheriff’s deputies conducted a traffic stop near the 1800 block of Franklin Blvd. During the stop, K9 Bear was deployed and alerted to one of the drugs he is trained to detect inside the cab of the vehicle.
A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed approximately 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds) of blue fentanyl based pills and approximately half a kilogram (1.1 pounds) of pure pressed fentanyl powder. The occupants of the vehicle are facing pending criminal charges for narcotic distribution. LCSO Case #24-1571
Drug trafficking organizations typically distribute fentanyl by the kilogram. One kilogram has the potential to kill 500,000 people. (DEA.gov)
PeaceHealth Gets State Approval To Build 42-Bed Physical Rehab Hospital In Springfield
PeaceHealth has received the green light from the Oregon Health Authority to construct a 67,000-square-foot rehabilitation hospital in Springfield. The facility will include the region’s first brain injury unit.
The new inpatient rehab hospital will provide physical, speech and occupational therapies for people who’ve experienced a catastrophic medical event, such as a car accident or stroke.
Courtesy of PeaceHealth
PeaceHealth will partner with LifePoint Rehabilitation to build and operate the sprawling facility. It’s estimated to cost $72 million. The new hospital will be majority owned by PeaceHealth.
Sacred Heart Medical Center’s Chief Administrative Officer Alicia Beymer explained the community impact of the new rehab hospital.
“Not only will the 27 beds that we have here at RiverBend be absorbed in the new facility, but we’ll also add another 15 beds. This inpatient rehab, facility hospital-level care will also include a traumatic brain injury unit which we do not have in this region.”
The rehab hospital will be located on International Way next to the RiverBend Annex. Groundbreaking is planned for this fall with the official opening in January 2026.
When PeaceHealth closed the University District hospital in Eugene last December, 27 inpatient rehab beds were moved to the Medical Center at RiverBend. Those beds will continue to operate until the new rehab hospital is completed.
Beymer said the process to receive regulatory approval through a certificate of need with OHA started in March of 2023. Plans for a new rehab hospital were underway before the University District hospital closure announcement was made, she added.
In addition to size, the new facility will expand therapies and upgrade equipment—such as a mock apartment, a car to practice entering and exiting, a kitchen for cooking, exoskeleton equipment, and an outdoor therapy area.
Beymer said the new facility will increase access to inpatient rehabilitation services in the region, addressing a significant community need and allowing patients to stay closer to home for care.
“Its location just off the I-5 corridor makes it accessible for family and friends visiting patients,” she said.
Lifepoint Rehabilitation will manage the day-to-day operations of the facility. (SOURCE)
Trauma Intervention Programs of Lane County Needs Volunteers
Trauma Intervention Programs of Lane County (TIP) is actively recruiting for volunteers. TIP volunteers are called by law enforcement, fire, medical and hospital personnel to respond to scenes of sudden or unexpected death (natural, homicide, suicide, accidental, infant) industrial accidents, sexual assaults, overdoses, violent crime and other traumatic incidents to provide immediate emotional and practical support to families, friends, witnesses and survivors. By ensuring those who are emotionally traumatized in emergencies receive the immediate assistance they need, TIP volunteers make an invaluable contribution to the health and well-being of Lane County.
TIP wants volunteers of all different backgrounds who can pass a background check and are interested in helping provide needed support alongside first responders. For those interested in becoming a volunteer, TIP is holding a series of spring training opportunities dubbed the TIP Training Academy. The Academy is held at Eugene Police Department, located at 300 Country Club Road in Eugene. A full list of Academy training times is available below, or on the TIP website, www.tiplanecounty.org
For more information or to sign-up for an Academy training time, please contact Bridget Byfield, Director, TIP of Lane County at bridget@tiplanecounty.org or 541-286-6416.
TIP Spring Training Academy
The Academy is held at Eugene Police Dept.
300 Country Club Road, Eugene
Thursday…….April 4………………6:30 pm -09:30 pm
Friday………..April 5………………6:00 pm -09:00 pm
Saturday…….April 6………………9:00 am -05:00 pm
Sunday……….April 7………………9:00 am -02:00 pm
Wednesday….April 10…………….6:00 pm -09:00 pm
Thursday…….April 11…………….6:00 pm -09:00 pm
Friday………..April 12…………….6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Saturday…….April 13…………….9:00 am – 03:00 pm
Career Fair Invitation at Emerald’s Home Games
You’re invited to table at our Region’s next Career Fair. We are hosting two career fairs at Emeralds home games on Wednesday, April 17th, and Sunday, August 18th at PK Park in Eugene. Parking and game tickets will be FREE to anyone who mentions the Career Highlight Night at the Box Office. To reserve a space is $300 for one of the days or both days for $400. To register please visit the event page: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/career-highlight-night-tickets-863277545377
To logon to iMatchSkills click the iMatchSkills link on www.Employment.Oregon.gov. You may call your local WorkSource Oregon Employment Department office at (541) 686-7601 for further assistance. TTY/TDD – dial 7-1-1 toll free relay service access free online relay service at: https://www.sprintip.com. Llame al 7-1-1 para asistencia gratuita TTY/TDD para personas con dificultades auditivas. Obtenga acceso gratis en Internet por medio del siguiente sitio: https://www.sprintip.com.
WorkSource Oregon is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services, alternate formats and language services are available to individuals with disabilities and limited English proficiency free of cost upon request. WorkSource Oregon es un programa que respeta la igualdad de oportunidades. Disponemos de servicios o ayudas auxiliares, formatos alternos y asistencia de idiomas para personas con discapacidades o conocimiento limitado del inglés, a pedido y sin costo.
LCOG Senior & Disability Services requests community input for future planning
EUGENE, Oregon – Senior & Disability Services, a division of Lane Council of Governments (LCOG), is collecting information to learn about the needs of people with disabilities, older adults, and their caregivers. The survey is available online and in hard copy at all S&DS offices. It will remain open through June 12, 2024.
Link to survey: http://tinyurl.com/SDS2024CommunityNeeds
The information gathered through this survey will be used by LCOG Senior & Disability Services to identify gaps, leverage resources, and prioritize services. The strategic plan that will be created to meet the needs identified in this survey will be called the 2025-2029 Senior & Disability Services Area Plan. It is a requirement under the Older Americans Act (OAA).
The OAA stipulates that a multi-year, comprehensive Area Plan be developed for each planning and service area. The Community Needs Assessment, along with various data from the US Census, focus groups, current service levels, and information from key stakeholders helps inform specific service goals and objectives for the next four years.
Community members who need to take this survey in another language or need any other accommodation or assistance, please call 541-682-4512.
Senior & Disability Services is the designated Area Agency on Aging for Lane County, Oregon and provides services, information, and assistance to Lane County’s older adult population, adults with physical disabilities, and their caregivers. To learn more about Senior & Disability Services, please visit their website at www.lcog.org/sdslane.
MORE INFO: https://www.lcog.org/sdslane/page/senior-disability-services-seeks-input-future-planning
Become a temporary election worker and help democracy thrive
The Lane County Elections Office is hiring temporary election workers to assist with the May 21, 2024 Primary Election.
“Temporary election workers are critical to the success of elections,” said County Clerk Dena Dawson. “We want to build a more diverse pool of people that is representative of our community. Retirees are always welcome, but so are students, stay-at-home parents, gig workers, and anyone who just wants to learn more about elections or earn a few bucks.”
Available positions include customer service, data entry, ballot processing, and ballot collection. Some positions require a few weeks of availability and others only require a few days, or even just one night. Lane County does not use volunteers to conduct elections; all temporary election worker positions are paid.
Temporary election workers are hired before each election cycle. Another round of hiring will begin in August for the November 5 Presidential Election.
Best Places To Watch The 2024 Solar Eclipse In And Around Eugene
The partial eclipse over Oregon on April 8 from beginning to end will be just shy of of two hours, beginning around 10:30 a.m. until about 12:15 p.m.
Peak coverage in Oregon will range from 11:20 to 11:30 a.m. when the sun is pretty high, so we should be able to see the eclipse pretty much anywhere, weather permitted.
Among the places that should be popular viewing areas in and around Eugene are:
- Skinner’s Butte in Eugene.
- Spencer Butte south of Eugene.
- College Hill Reservoir on Lawrence Street between 24th and 25th avenues in Eugene.
“You don’t need to go on top of the mountains or anything, but maybe on top of a hill … anywhere that you’ve got a nice, open view of the southern sky,” said University of Oregon astronomy professor Scott Fisher.
Because Oregon is already so far from this eclipse’s path of totality, Fisher said there’s also no need drive any where for a better view. Across the entire state, the difference in percent coverage at peak is only about 5%.
“We’re sort of out on the fringe of the eclipse this time where we’re only getting this sort of 25% coverage,” he said.
The entire partial eclipse from start to finish will be about three hours in Oregon. The moon will begin covering the sun at about 10:30 a.m. and move away at about 12:15 p.m.
Viewers in Eugene will see a peak of 24% coverage at 11:23 a.m. In Salem, the peak will be at 11:24 a.m. Across all of Oregon, the peak will range from around 11:20 to 11:30 a.m.
Weather permitting, the sun will be high in the sky at the time of the eclipse, however, cloud coverage could affect the viewing experience. According to the National Weather Service, both the Eugene and Salem areas are usually overcast 50% of the time in April and only clear about 10% of the time.
NASA will have live coverage of the eclipse from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. as the eclipse travels through Mexico and across the United States.
Coverage will include live views across the path, expert commentary and live demonstrations
Solar Eclipse Viewing Safety Tips
- Never look directly at the sun without proper eye protection, as it is harmful to your eyes at any time during a partial eclipse.
- Regular sunglasses, no matter how dark tinted, are not safe for viewing.
- Eclipse glasses are the best option. Be sure they are made by companies recommended by the American Astronomical Society and NASA certified. These glasses should have the International Organization for Standardization icon and must have the ISO reference number 12312-2.
- Always inspect your eclipse glasses or handheld viewer before use. If torn, scratched or otherwise damaged, discard the device.
- Without eclipse glasses, a simple and safe way to view the eclipse is to watch the sun’s image projected onto a piece of paper. Poke a small hole in an index card with a pencil point, face it toward the sun and hold a second card 3 or 4 feet behind it in its shadow. You will see a projected image of the sun on the second card.
- Do not look at the sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer, as the concentrated solar rays will burn through the filter and cause serious eye injury. These require different types of solar filters that attach to the front of the device.
Oregon snowpack levels in good shape now, but spring variables still in play
The approach of April marks a key time of the year. It’s when mountain snow usually peaks across Oregon — offering a hint at the severity of the coming wildfire season and about conditions for farmers who rely on irrigation.
Throughout the state, snowpacks are about normal, with some exceptions in northeast Oregon, where levels are below average. The Umatilla-Walla Walla-Willow region is at 83% of normal as of late March.
Snowpack, and more specifically its snow-water equivalent percentage — a measure of how much water the snow contains — is like a natural water reservoir, and the measure gives experts a good idea of water supplies for the spring and summer months, said Larry O’Neill, Oregon’s state climatologist.
O’Neill said weather conditions this year have been erratic. In early January, snowpacks were well below normal levels, then mid-January snowstorms gave Oregon mountain ranges a boost.
”And so it really kind of started to quell our fears a bit about how bad this water season would be,” O’Neill said.
Then in mid-March, warmer temperatures across the Willamette Valley triggered early snowmelt across some areas.
The March snowmelt “wasn’t the worst, but it was definitely way above normal,” O’Neill said. “And the reason that is so critical is because it’s a reservoir of water and it would release that water too early into the system before we can use it.”
Water reservoirs still filling up —- Right now, reservoir levels across Oregon are varied. The Prineville Reservoir in Central Oregon is 96% full, while Wickiup — which feeds several water irrigation districts in areas that produce specialty seed crops, hay and cattle — is at 76%.
Andrews said there’s still time for reservoirs to fill up, though there are a few wildcards, one being that Oregon is still at the tail-end of a yearslong drought. Soil moisture conditions in a lot of the agricultural basins, which don’t get covered directly with snow, are still recovering from drought, especially in Central Oregon. If the soil is still dry it’ll act as a sponge and absorb all the snow melt when the weather warms.
The other variable: It’s uncertain if it will stay cool enough for snow to melt slowly into the summer months and feed into rivers and streams.
“Although things are looking good in terms of drought coverage, we aren’t out of the woods yet, especially as we’re at this time, this critical time, when we’re not exactly sure what’s gonna happen with snowpack and how that’s gonna translate to stream flow,” Andrews said. (SOURCE)
Governor Kotek Visits the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
Governor to visit Oregon’s nine federally recognized Tribal nations this year
Thursday, Governor Tina Kotek and First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson kicked off a commitment to visit Oregon’s nine federally recognized sovereign Tribal nations in 2024 by spending the day with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (CTSI).
“It was an honor to spend a day with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, deepening our understanding of their history and rich heritage, and getting to know and appreciate the services and programs that serve CTSI members and the broader community,” Governor Kotek said. “I am immensely grateful for Chair Pigsley and the Tribal Council’s leadership and for the opportunity to build stronger relationships with the Siletz. These conversations will inform the state’s efforts to develop more comprehensive and transparent government-to-government consultation with Oregon’s federally recognized sovereign Tribal nations.”
“The day was spent sharing program information as well as our history and culture with Governor Kotek and her staff,” said Tribal Chairman Delores Pigsley. “It was a special day; the Tribe very much appreciated the all-day visit and looks forward to working with the governor and her staff.”
The Governor, the First Lady, and Governor’s Office staff started their day in Siletz with a morning reception with members of the Tribal Council and CTSI staff in the Tribal Council chambers. They then traveled with the Council and staff to the Tribe’s Siletz Community Health Clinic for a conversation about behavioral health needs of the Tribe and the community at large, the impact the fentanyl crisis is having in their community and the comprehensive approach they are taking to address urgent health needs.
The group then toured the nearby Garden Program, the health clinic’s farm program that seeks to improve the health of the community and Siletz Tribal members by providing access to clean organic produce, outdoor recreation, and culturally congruent activities in a safe space. Next, over lunch, there were presentations and discussions at the Tribal Community Center about housing, education, and natural resource issues.
Following lunch, after a tour of the CTSI museum repository, the Governor and the First Lady were privileged to learn more about Siletz history and culture, including a demonstration of a traditional feather dance by CTSI youth in the Tribes’ Dance House and the efforts behind the creation of the Dance House.
The day wrapped up in Lincoln City at the Chinook Winds Casino Resort, which is owned and operated by CTSI.
Feds plan to kill half a million barred owls in West Coast states over the next three decades
A federal government plan for hunters to kill thousands of invasive owls to protect the rapidly declining northern spotted owl has ruffled the feathers of dozens of animal advocacy groups.
On Monday, a coalition of 75 animal rights and wildlife protection organizations sent a letter to U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland asking her to scrap what they describe as a “reckless plan” to wipe out half a million barred owls in West Coast states over the next three decades.
The letter, spearheaded by the Animal Wellness Action group and the Center for a Humane Economy, lambastes the plan for being unworkable and short-sighted, arguing that it will lead to the wrong owls being shot and disruption to nesting behavior.
“Implementing a decades-long plan to unleash untold numbers of ‘hunters’ in sensitive forest ecosystems is a case of single-species myopia regarding wildlife control,” states the letter, signed by Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action, and Scott Edwards, general counsel for the Center for a Humane Economy.
Federal wildlife officials believe the action is necessary to control the population of the barred owl — which they consider invasive — and give the threatened northern spotted owls a fighting chance on their home turf.
The proposal is also intended to prevent declines of the California spotted owl, which wildlife officials say is also facing encroachment from the larger, more aggressive barred owl in the Sierra Nevada.
“Extirpation of northern spotted owls from major portions of their historical range is likely in the near future without management of barred owls,” the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wrote in its proposal, citing a recent demographic analysis.
In 1990, northern spotted owls were listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act in 1990. They were listed as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act in 2016.
There’s broad agreement the native owls are at risk, but the animal rights organizations behind the opposition letter this week say killing barred owls is not the answer. Instead, the groups advocate for nonlethal means to protect the spotted owls, including safeguarding their habitat.
“The plan to kill barred owls is a colossally reckless action … it should be sidelined with all deliberate speed, and non-lethal management actions to protect spotted owls and their habitats should be made the priority actions.”
Not all wildlife protection groups agree, however.
Tom Wheeler, executive director of the Environmental Protection Information Center, called the letter criticizing the proposal to beat back barred owls “factually misleading” and “divorced from what’s actually being proposed.”
The letter reports that there will be “mistaken-identity kills,” potentially of the spotted owls they seek to protect, but Wheeler said the proposal outlines a strategy to avoid this.
Those opposing the plan also decry lead poisoning that could result from the shot used by hunters. According to Wheeler, the plan calls for the owl carcasses to be removed from the area where they’re shot. California has banned hunting with lead ammunition.
The proposal — which remains a draft — would not result in the immediate slaughter of barred owls.
Instead, it removes the permitting burden for others to remove the birds, Wheeler said.
Public land managers, such as the federal Fish and Wildlife Service and Forest Service, as well as private landowners, “will be able to more expeditiously engage in this activity,” he said.
Wheeler said he recognized the issue was morally fraught, but doesn’t feel there’s an alternative. If nothing is done to control the barred owls, he believes the northern spotted owl will go extinct in his lifetime.
His organization wants federal wildlife officials to take even more aggressive steps to stop the forward march of the invasive owls.
“We have a functional choice, which is the extinction of one species, or we could have both species continue to exist on the landscape,” he said. (SOURCE)
Wolf Creek Man Arrested for Kidnapping, Stolen Vehicle
GLENDALE, Ore. – A Wolf Creek man has been arrested and lodged in the Douglas County Jail on a number of charges to include kidnapping.
On Thursday, March 28, 2024, shortly after 1:00 pm, 9-1-1 dispatchers received a call from a male who said his mother had been taken against her will. The victim was able to send information to her son, which he relayed to deputies.
Deputies learned the male suspect, 35-year-old Richard Goodin of Wolf Creek, OR, was in a 2006 Chevy Silverado pickup which had been reported stolen earlier in the day.
During the investigation, the victim was able to get away and called 9-1-1 allowing deputies to get an approximate location. Deputies converged on the area, locating Goodin and took him into custody without further incident. The victim was located and taken to safety.
Goodin was lodged in the Douglas County Jail on the following charges:
Kidnap in the Second Degree
Possession of a Stolen Vehicle
Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle
Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine – Violation Level
Mt. Ashland Ski Are Shuttle Service Returns
Mt. Ashland Ski Area announced Friday that their shuttle service will be returning thanks to funding from Travel Oregon to purchase a new shuttle bus. With only a few weeks left of the season, skiers and snowboarders will
be able to catch a ride up to the mountain from Ashland.
The 12-passenger mini-bus will stop at three pick-up locations with two trip times available. The three pick-up locations in the city of Ashland area are the Evergreen Federal Bank, Southern Oregon University at The Hawk and
at the Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites.
All shuttle tickets must be purchased online prior to departure time, and the ski area asks that you please carry proof of ticket purchase (printed or on your cell phone). Shuttle drivers won’t be able to accept payment. Round-
trip shuttle service will cost $10. https://www.mtashland.com
The Oregon Department of Transportation’s Bridge Condition Report Provides A Snapshot Of The Condition Of Bridges In Oregon
The Oregon Department of Transportation’s annual bridge report says the agency is “losing ground” to manage the state’s bridge system, as many are nearing the end of their life spans and planners are trying to keep up with new safety measures and seismic standards.
“With only an average of three bridges replaced annually ODOT
continues to lose ground in the eff ort to manage the system. Although a significant
portion of these bridges are in fair condition at this time, in the following decades, the
agency will be burdened with a huge responsibility to maintain or replace the 40% of
the inventory built between 1951-1970, as they continue to deteriorate.”
The 2023 Bridge Condition Report provides a snapshot of the condition of bridges in Oregon that are on state highways. Condition information is measured by Oregon’s Bridge Key Performance Measure and by the National
Bridge Performance Measure. In addition to condition information, there is information on bridge programs that are in place to manage and preserve state highway bridges. These include Major Bridge Maintenance, Bridge Preservation, the Seismic Program, and Load Rating. Eff orts to maintain and preserve existing bridges are critical, as an average of just three bridges are replaced each year. With adequate funding, approximately 27 state highway bridges could be replaced annually which is consistent with a 100-year service life.
According to ODOT’s 2023 Bridge Condition Report, a significant number of the more than 2,700 bridges in Oregon are in “fair” condition, but likely to transition to “poor” condition in the future.
40% of the bridges across the state need to be replaced in the coming decades, as a majority of them were built between 1950 and 1970 according to the report.
According to the report, there has been a “steady decline” in Oregon’s bridge conditions since 2016. There was some slight improvement in 2023 when nine bridges in “poor condition” were replaced, but ODOT does not have the funding to keep up with bride replacement. With adequate funding, ODOT could replace 27 bridges a year, but current funding levels pay on average for only three bridge replacements a year. At this rate, a bridge will need to stay in service for over 900 years, well beyond the expected service life of 75-100 years.
One of the serious causes of bridge deterioration is “scouring” or erosion of the bridge’s foundation due to fast moving water and gravel. ODOT officials said there are nearly 500 bridges that are unstable due to scouring.
ODOT officials said that as standards are constantly changing, and costs continue to rise, the bridges’ needs outpace their resources. READ MORE: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Bridge/Documents/2023BCR.pdf
Oregon seafood industry calls on Gov. Tina Kotek to halt offshore wind energy development
The coalition said Kotek is the last hope for delaying a federal plan to lease sites off Oregon’s south coast for floating wind turbines
A coalition of independent fishing boat operators, seafood companies and industry groups is calling on Gov. Tina Kotek to ask the federal government to stop a planned auction for floating wind energy projects off the Oregon Coast.
In a letter to Kotek on Tuesday, the more than 100 signatories said she should stop the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management from moving forward with its plan to auction offshore wind site leases until the state has finalized its own roadmap for offshore wind development.
That roadmap is part of House Bill 4080, which was signed by Kotek last week. It will create state policies on offshore wind energy development that include community input and labor standards.
“We’re saying no auction until the roadmap is complete,” said Heather Mann, executive director of the Newport-based Midwater Trawlers Cooperative, which signed the letter.
The roadmap must be completed by Sept. 1, 2025, according to the legislation.
The letter noted that developing wind power off Oregon’s coast is an untested idea.
“Offshore floating wind energy does not currently exist anywhere in the world in waters deeper than 300 meters or at the scale being contemplated for the West Coast,” the letter said. “In addition to the roadmap, Oregon would benefit significantly by learning from projects that are already moving forward, such as those on the East Coast and in California.”
Other signatories include more than 80 independent fishing vessel operators and nearly three dozen coastal businesses and business associations, including the Columbia River Crab Fishermen’s Association and West Coast Seafood Processors. Coalition members fear the floating offshore wind turbines would disrupt marine ecosystems and Oregon’s commercial fishing industry, with about $200 million in annual revenue, according to the Oregon Employment Department.
“The roadmap is the only way to ensure a transparent and equitable approach to considering offshore wind energy,” the letter said.
Five Oregon and California tribes also oppose the federal wind power plan. In November, the Tribal Council of the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians passed a resolution opposing offshore wind energy development, in part because federal officials had failed to respond to their concerns.
East Coast, California projects moving forward — The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has auctioned five areas off the California coast to develop floating wind energy projects, and it approved six projects on the East Coast. They’re part of the Biden administration’s plan to build up 15 gigawatts of offshore wind energy capacity by 2035, with a total of 30 gigawatts deployed by 2030.
The two wind energy areas being considered for development off Oregon’s Coast would add 2.4 gigawatts of clean power – enough to power about 830,000 homes – with installations covering more than 195,000 acres in total. One site, near Coos Bay, would span about 61,200 acres and be located more than 30 miles from shore, while the other site, near Brookings, would cover about 133,808 acres and float about 20 miles from shore.
Last year, the Bureau of Ocean Energy and Management gave Oregonians several months to comment on the agency’s plans, and nearly 1,000 people weighed in. Agency officials also visited Brookings, Gold Beach and Coos Bay last fall to talk to fishing groups, officials and residents about installing wind turbines offshore.
The agency recently denied a request by Oregon’s congressional members to extend a 30-day public comment period on the planning and the environmental assessment that needs to take place this summer.
“Fishermen are hoping that a more forceful response from Gov. Kotek will change the tide,” the coalition said in a news release. (SOURCE)
Oregon becomes fourth state with a “right to repair” law for technology
Oregon is now the fourth state in the country to enact a “right to repair” law to make it easier for consumers and independent shops to fix electronic gear.
With Gov. Tina Kotek’s signing of Senate Bill 1596 on Thursday, manufacturers will be required to offer any necessary documentation, parts, tools or any device needed to repair electronic equipment at a “fair cost” and on “reasonable” terms.
“This is a win for consumers and will help bridge our digital divide and support small businesses across our state,” Kotek said in a statement.
The bill takes effect in January. It was championed by state Sen. Janeen Sollman, D-Hillsboro, who first started pushing for the legislation in 2021. She won approval this session with support from Democrats and several Republicans, including Republican Sen. Kim Thatcher of Keizer. The minority of lawmakers who opposed the bill were Republican.
“Our new right to repair law is a reasonable, common sense step to lower costs and put more power back in the hands of consumers,” Sollman said in a statement.
The law is expected to make repairing electronic devices, like smartphones and computers, cheaper for consumers and independent repair shops. It is also expected to stem emissions and electronic waste. Rep. Courtney Neron, D-Wilsonville, who presented in the House, said that Oregonians toss nearly 5,000 cell phones every day and that if they held onto them another year, it would be the equivalent of removing 8,100 cars from the road.
Supporters say the law will also be good for marginalized communities that are often left on the sidelines in the digital world. A 2021 report from the Federal Trade Commission to Congress said consumer products are becoming increasingly harder to fix and maintain and that communities of color are heavily affected.
The bill had wide support from small businesses and consumer advocates, including OSPIRG, a statewide public interest group.
“No longer can a manufacturer use anti-consumer software to prevent third party repairs,” said Charlie Fisher, OSPIRG’s director in a statement. “Now, small business vendors will be able to fix consumer technology without threatening the performance of a device.”
Only one major manufacturer opposed the bill – Apple. An Apple representative who testified against the bill said it would undermine the company’s security efforts, a claim lawmakers questioned. The company has come under mounting regulatory scrutiny, with the European Union recently fining it nearly $2 billion and 15 states, including Oregon, joining a U.S. Department of Justice suit this month that accuses Apple of trying to illegally corner the smartphone market.
Besides Oregon, Minnesota, New York and California have right to repair laws on technology. Massachusetts has approved a right to repair law on vehicles and Colorado has adopted one for wheelchairs and another for farmers. (SOURCE)
Klamath Falls Search and Rescue – Use Ropes to Rescue Boy and His Dog
On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at 2:21 PM, Klamath County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched regarding a report of a 17-year-old stuck on a cliff near the top of Hagelstein Ridge above Highway 97.
It was determined that the young man trekked down the steep rocky surface more than 200 feet from the top of a cliff in an attempt to save the family dog, a 3-year-old Boxer named ‘Wiggy.’ Wiggy had become separated from the family three days earlier while on an outing. The family returned several times to search for Wiggy until early Tuesday afternoon. The family said they’d almost lost hope when they heard Wiggy whining from below the rocky drop-off.
The Klamath Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR) team was activated and responded to Hagelstein Ridge. The SAR team lowered a member, trained in technical ropes rescue, over 40 feet from the edge of the cliff while still
suspended over an additional 80-foot drop-off. The team safely and successfully brought the young man and Wiggy back to safety. No one was injured in the rescue event and all were grateful to be back on level ground.
The Klamath County Search and Rescue Team is comprised of volunteers from our community willing to risk their lives for others. We are exceptionally appreciative of our rescue teams. Through their teamwork and extensive training, another family is reunited. The search and rescue capabilities of the Sheriff’s Office include different specialty disciplines; this includes SAR (ground and mounted), Dive Rescue, Small Boat Rescue, and K9 search resources.
FBI Portland Division Now Accepting Applications for the FBI’s Teen Academy
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PORTLAND, OREGON – Have you ever wanted to be part of a SWAT Team? Or fingerprint a suspect? Or learn how to catch a cyber-criminal? Then consider participating in the FBI Teen Academy.
The FBI Teen Academy program provides an excellent opportunity for rising high school juniors and seniors to learn about exciting careers in law enforcement within the FBI and beyond. Applicants chosen for the program actively engage with FBI agents and leaders in the Bureau to learn about case studies, crime prevention, evidence gathering, and investigative techniques related to criminal activity. The Teen Academy allows students to delve deeply into levels of law enforcement unavailable to them in a general classroom setting.
“Last year this office received a record number of applicants for the FBI’s Teen Academy, and we are excited to host them again this year,” said Aubree M. Schwartz, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Portland Field Office. “This is a unique opportunity for these teens to see how the FBI fits into the greater Department of Justice. They will interact with FBI Special Agents and learn how the FBI conducts investigations, from interviewing to evidence gathering and analysis, using deductive reasoning and logic-based skills. This week-long program is an excellent introduction into the field of federal law enforcement and will hopefully inspire the next generation of FBI employees.”
Students learn about how criminals are captured, hear from FBI agents about actual cases, and learn how to raise their self-awareness online and watch for cyber-predators. Graduates of the Teen Academy program develop a keen understanding of how the FBI interacts with local law enforcement agencies and how participants can raise crime prevention awareness in their communities. In addition, hands-on instruction by FBI experts and other law enforcement agents allows students to understand the importance of communication between national and local agencies.
Teen Academy members engage in group activities ranging from small group exercises to hands-on simulations. As a result, students learn valuable life skills and increase their knowledge and understanding of how law enforcement agencies interact around the country.
Participation is free to the applicants chosen, and volunteer organizations provide supplies for the events.
Applicants must be rising juniors or seniors in high school in the state of Oregon or Southwest Washington. Attendees will need to provide their own transportation to and from the FBI Portland Field Office.
To Apply: FBI Portland is currently accepting applications for its 2024 Teen Academy. The session will take place Monday, July 15 to Thursday, July 18, 2024.
Submit your application to each.pd@fbi.gov“>outreach.pd@fbi.gov by Friday, April 26, 2024.
### https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/portland-teen-academy-application-2024.pdf/view
Efforts to Locate Glide Teacher Rachel Merchant-Ly Continue
𝐈𝐃𝐋𝐄𝐘𝐋𝐃 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊, 𝐎𝐫𝐞. – Search and Rescue efforts continue in the search for Rachel Merchant-Ly, a Glide Elementary kindergarten teacher whose vehicle was found crashed in the North Umpqua River.
Merchant-Ly was reported missing on Thursday, February 29th when she didn’t arrive at school. A Douglas County Sheriff’s deputy located signs of a motor vehicle crash near milepost 41 on Highway 138E.
On Friday, March 1, 2024, Merchant-Ly’s vehicle was recovered from the North Umpqua River, but she was not found inside.
Since that time, nearly 300 hours volunteer hours of searching has taken place. Douglas County Search and Rescue has been using various methods of searching to include drone, ground and K9. The Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol has conducted water searches as well. Volunteers have searched along the riverbank from the crash site to Idleyld Park Trading Post; approximately 21 miles.
“We all want to find Mrs. Merchant-Ly and return her to her family,” Sheriff John Hanlin said. “Our deputies are in constant communication with her family and providing them with updates as to our efforts. We will continue searching and using all means necessary to accomplish our mission,” Hanlin added.
In addition to the efforts of DCSO and Search and Rescue volunteers, several community members have been actively looking for Merchant-Ly.
“We are aware of rafting guides and groups of rafters who have been launching all in an attempt to assist in finding her. We have also been contacting community members who are walking along the North Umpqua Trail and the highway,” Hanlin said. “As always this community steps forward to care for each other.”
As the weather turns more springlike, the Sheriff’s Office encourages those recreating around the area to be aware Merchant-Ly is still missing and to report anything which may assist in concluding this missing person case.
Oregon Offers Electric Car Rebates Again – Apply Now Until June 3rd
Due to high demand and limited funding, OCVRP will be open for a short time in 2024. Vehicles must be purchased or leased between April 3, 2024, to June 3, 2024, to be eligible for a rebate.
Applicants have six months from their date of purchase or lease to apply. Low- and moderate-income households can prequalify for the $5,000 Charge Ahead rebate by completing the application now at https://apps.oregon.gov/DEQ/Voucher/apply.
Oregon to Honor Fallen Law Enforcement Officers May 7th, 2024
Every year, the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony honors the state’s law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. This year’s ceremony will be held Tuesday, May 7 at 1 p.m. at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem.
The annual event commemorates the more than 190 fallen officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the state of Oregon since the 1860s. This includes law enforcement, corrections, and parole and probation officers from city, county, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies.
The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training is proud to host the ceremony in partnership with the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, Oregon Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, and various statewide law enforcement associations.
SOLVE invites volunteers to register for their annual Earth Day celebration: The Oregon Spring Cleanup
From April 13 to April 22, families, community members, neighborhood associations, and environmental enthusiasts are invited to engage in a signature event in SOLVE’s annual calendar: The Oregon Spring Cleanup, presented by Portland General Electric. Registration for this environmentally conscious event series is now open.
Participants are invited to join SOLVE, event leaders, and partners from across the Pacific Northwest in a collective celebration of Earth Day. The SOLVE calendar showcases a variety of events throughout Oregon and SW Washington between April 13 and April 22, with the majority of events culminating on April 20. Diverse initiatives address specific environmental needs with opportunities ranging from beach cleanups to neighborhood and city litter pickups. Further activities include restoring natural habitats through native tree and shrub plantings, weed pulls, and mulching projects. Each project contributes to the enhancement of our shared surroundings.
With a variety of projects already online, the Oregon Spring Cleanup invites enthusiastic volunteers to contribute to a cleaner, greener, and brighter planet. Interested individuals can browse the map of projects to find events near them, learn about each opportunity, and sign up for a meaningful contribution to the environment. Participating in the Oregon Spring Cleanup provides an excellent opportunity to bond with family members, coworkers, and neighbors, while collectively contributing to preserving some of Oregon’s most stunning locations.
As SOLVE anticipates another successful event, valued partner Portland General Electric, shares their commitment to the cause: ” PGE proudly supports SOLVE’s efforts to make our communities cleaner and greener. In 2023, our employees and their families volunteered with SOLVE for more than 220 hours. We’re excited to join community members again this Earth Day to help improve our beautiful state.” said Kristen Sheeran, Senior Director of Policy Planning and Sustainability, Portland General Electric.
For those inspired to host an event, SOLVE is still accepting new volunteer-led projects. The sooner projects are submitted, the faster SOLVE can care for the rest. Event leaders receive full support, including free supplies, access to project funding, disposal assistance, and help with volunteer recruitment.
For more information, please visit solveoregon.org/oregon-spring and be part of the collective effort to create a cleaner, greener planet.
Along with Portland General Electric, other event sponsors include Clean Water Services, AAA Oregon/Idaho, Fred Meyer, Metro, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, KOIN, The Standard, Swire Coca-Cola, Holman, Demarini-Wilson, Trimet, and PepsiCo.
About SOLVE – SOLVE is a statewide non-profit organization that brings people together to improve our environment and build a legacy of stewardship. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots group to a national model for volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains tens of thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon and Southwest Washington to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas and to build a legacy of stewardship for our state. Visit solveoregon.org for more information.
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
