The latest news stories and stories of interest in the Willamette Valley from the digital home of Southern Oregon, from Wynne Broadcasting’s WillametteValleyMagazine.com
Friday, April 5, 2024
Willamette Valley Weather
Teamwork and Tech Aids in Eugene Bank Robbery Suspect Arrest
At 9:07 a.m. on April 3, a man entered Banner Bank, 169 W. 6th Avenue, and robbed the bank of cash using a handgun. He fled in a vehicle and Eugene Police responded quickly with patrol units as well as drones.
EPD developed suspect information, including a vehicle and its direction, and aired that to area police agencies. At 9:25 a.m., Oregon State Police stopped the suspect vehicle going east on Hwy. 58 at milepost 3 and a suspect was taken into custody.
Eugene Police is grateful for the fast response by our local agencies. The quick response by everyone helped get an arrest in less than 20 minutes. Arrested: Daniel Wayne Hall, age 41Charges: Two counts of Robbery in the First Degree, Coercion, Menacing, and Unlawful Use Weapon – Case 24-04751
Two schools locked down out of an abundance of caution Thursday because of police activity in the area.
According to Bethel School District officials, Clear Lake Elementary and Shasta Middle School were placed on lockout at about 12:30 p.m. on April 4th while Eugene Police Department searched for burglary suspects in the Barger area.
All exterior doors were locked, and all students and staff were kept inside to continue instruction and activities as normal, Bethel officials said. Bethel officials said there was no threat to the schools.
Bethel officials said the lockout was lifted at about 1:15 p.m. after police located and arrested two suspects in a burglary of a nearby home.
One deceased and one injured in early morning shooting incident in Salem
Violent Crimes Unit detectives continue to investigate this morning’s shooting incident at Wallace Marine Park.
The initial investigation indicates a dispute over property occurred at a homeless campsite in the north side of the park. During the argument, one of the men fired a gun which killed 29-year-old Charley Allen Hodges and injured a 25-year-old man. No other weapons were used in the incident.
The identity of the surviving victim, who remains hospitalized, is not being released at this time pending notification to family.
No arrests have been made, and the investigation into the incident continues. Wallace Marine Park is now open to the public.
# # # Originally published 04/04/2024 | 9:45 a.m. —- Salem, Ore. — Salem Police officers are actively investigating a shooting incident which occurred over night in Wallace Marine Park.
Just after 3:00 a.m. today, officers were called to the north area of the park on the report of a shooting incident. Officers located one adult male victim with a gunshot wound and deceased. Another adult man was found with a gunshot wound and transported to Salem Health with a non-life-threatening injury.
Wallace Marine Park remains closed, and residents should avoid the area while the scene is investigated.
The incident is an active investigation and no arrests have been made at this point.
“We understand there is much speculative information on social media concerning the incident,” said public information officer Angela Hedrick, “We ask the public to follow our communications platforms for details concerning this investigation.” As additional information becomes available, an update will be published.
LCSO Case #24-1725 – Fatal vehicle crash on Clear Lake Road
On the afternoon of April 3rd, Deputies with the Lane County Sheriff’s Office responded with fire personnel to a report of a single vehicle crash into trees along Clear Lake Road near Goodman Road, west of Eugene.
The vehicle was observed driving at a high rate of speed before it left the roadway for an unknown reason and crashed. The driver was determined to be deceased, and the only occupant of the vehicle.
The driver has been identified as Shawn Anthony McBride, 35, of Junction City.
Eugene Police Department Warning Again · Scam Alert – “Police Call”
We have received some calls about scammers stating they were with the Eugene Police Department and needed to speak with them about a legal matter or a warrant. The person calling identified themselves as an EPD sergeant by name. Please don’t fall for this. The scam has actually been around for a while and crops back up like a weed in our community. It is called the “Police Call” scam.
Often victims are told they are required to pay money to avoid criminal charges. They use the names of retired and current EPD officers and command staff, often calling from a spoofed number that looks like it’s coming from the police department including starting with ‘541.682’ and getting victims to pay through Apple Pay and Zelle. Victims could also be asked to pay through other means, such as cryptocurrency or gift cards.
Police caution the public to not fall for the “police call” scam. This is where an unknown suspect or suspects calls a victim’s cell phone or home phone, identifies themselves as police or an EPD officer (by name of a real officer working for EPD) and communicates with you about an issue, trying to scam you into parting with money, usually to avoid being arrested or having criminal charges.
This is a variation on other scams where victims report being called by the IRS, police or government agency, with the scammer demanding payment over the phone or face a warrant for arrest. These scams have at times had second calls that show the caller’s ID as ‘911’ or a police number, but these are spoof calls. Eugene Police would like to remind the public that EPD or any other government agency would never call someone and demand payment immediately, and do not call and advise people they have a warrant for their arrest.
There are so many scams out there. Many scams try to alarm you or scare you. Others just prey on your situation. A list of scams is provided on EPD’s website (http://www.eugene-or.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11128). This document covers some of the most common scams we’ve seen in our area, but new ones are popping-up all the time. It is easy to get taken in, even if you are usually suspicious of scams.
If you receive a phone call and recognize that the call is a scam, please hang up immediately and report the information to www.ic3.gov If you are the victim of a scam and have incurred a loss, please call the EPD non-emergency at 541.682.5111.
Lane County Sheriff’s Office — · We will NEVER ask for money by phone, text, or email. We will NEVER call you about missed jury duty.
Our community continues to be targeted by phone scammers identifying themselves as employees of the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, typically claiming to be sergeants. Scammers have in the past also used text and email. The scammers claim there are warrants, missed jury duty, or unsettled legal issues. The scammers then ask for payment or personal information, often to avoid arrest. In some instances, the scammers appear to call from official phone numbers or provide fraudulent callback numbers with official-sounding voicemail inboxes. They often already have some personal information based on the phone number they called.
If you are contacted by someone claiming to be a Lane County Sheriff’s Office employee and you think you are being scammed, please hang up and contact our dispatch center at 541-682-4150 opt. 1.Please share with your friends and family!
Stay sharp and scam free! EPD CSO is offering scam prevention classes
Get ready to outsmart those scammers! Eugene Police Community Service Officer Colin Woolston has taken one too many scam reports. He says one was enough and has spent some time preparing a scam prevention training for EPD to offer for free to help safeguard residents from the pervasive and ever-changing world of scams. With scams evolving and proliferating in the digital age, these educational sessions aim to empower Eugene residents and groups with the latest in intel on scams, and with essential knowledge and strategies to identify, avoid, and report scams effectively.
CSO Woolston’s dedication to ensuring the safety and well-being of Eugene’s residents underscores the commitment of local law enforcement to serve and protect the community. The classes promise to equip attendees with the tools necessary to navigate the complex landscape of scams and frauds, fostering a stronger, more resilient Eugene community.To schedule a presentation by CSO Woolston, please email him at CWoolston@eugene-or.gov or call 541.682.5352.
Food Waste Prevention Week launches to champion regional food waste reduction efforts
Waste Wise Lane County—part of the Lane County Waste Management Division—and the City of Eugene are partnering with organizations and governments locally and nationwide during Food Waste Prevention Week (April 1-7) to reduce wasted food at home, work, and throughout Lane County communities.
Efforts will focus on social media activities and outreach events in Eugene and Springfield in coordination with BRING and Sanipac. Additionally, mayors in Eugene and Springfield have made Food Waste Prevention Week proclamations.
Wednesday, April 3
PublicHouse, Springfield (418 A St.) | 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Enjoy live music, food, drink, and visit an information table staffed by local leaders from the City of Eugene, BRING, Sanipac, and Waste Wise Lane County, who will provide valuable insights on diverting food waste within our community.
Saturday, April 6
Lane County Farmers Market, Eugene (85 E 8th Ave) | 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Purchase fresh local produce, wares, delicious foods and stop by an information table staffed by local leaders from City of Eugene, BRING, Sanipac, and Waste Wise Lane County, who will share food waste diversion information.
“For people who worry about climate change, reducing food waste is one of the most powerful actions we can take to address the issue,” said Daniel Hiestand, Lane County waste reduction outreach coordinator. “It’s empowering to know that controlling what happens in your kitchen is not only great for the planet, it also saves money.”
Food waste facts
- Tackling wasted food is integrated into Lane County’s Climate Action Plan and Solid Waste Management Plan.
- Between 30 to 40 percent of food grown in the U.S. goes uneaten, and wasted food makes up nearly 20 percent of Lane County’s garbage stream.
- A family of four can save an average of nearly $2,000 annually by eating all the food they buy.
- In Oregon, as much as 70 percent of all discarded food might have been eaten if it was stored well, not forgotten, or frozen for later use.
- In the U.S., one in five people lacks consistent access to nutritious food, while up to 3 million tons of wasted food goes to landfills annually.
Follow the campaign on WasteWise Lane County’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
About Waste Wise Lane County – Waste Wise Lane County offers education, tools, and resources that residents, schools, and businesses can use to reduce waste, conserve resources, and live more sustainably. Learn more about Waste Wise Lane County tips to curb wasted food at www.eatsmartwasteless.tips.
About City of Eugene Waste Prevention and Green Building – The City of Eugene Waste Prevention Program is dedicated to promoting sustainable waste management practices and fostering community partnerships to create a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous environment for all residents. Through its regulatory oversight, educational initiatives, and community outreach efforts, the program strives to advance conservation as an essential community value and inspire collective action toward a greener future. Learn more at www.eugenerecycles.org.
About Food Waste Prevention Week – From education to government agencies to nonprofits, Food Waste Prevention Week represents a variety of stakeholders across the food and environmental education sectors that share a passion for conserving food, saving families money, and supporting a healthier environment. Learn more at www.foodwastepreventionweek.com.
The young black bear spotted around Cottage Grove over the last month has been located by authorities and killed.
Oregon State Police were called to a front porch on South 22nd Street just after 10:30 p.m. on April 1 for a report of a black bear. According to the OSP dispatch logs, a trooper noted he was able to approach the bear and confirm it was “completely habituated and was not afraid of humans.”
The trooper noted that based on that fact and the fact that residents of Cottage Grove have been hand-feeding the bear, causing a nuisance, the bear was killed at the request of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
ODFW District Biologist Christopher Ye said the bear was first spotted in town on March 5. ODFW worked with Cottage Grove police to warn residents not to feed the bear, which turns a wild animal into a domestic one. Some residents, Ye said, heeded that advice while others did not. The intentional feeding of the bear by the public, he said, created a public safety threat, as the bear became accustomed to people, cornering residents on porches and sleeping in front of doors.
“It really forced our hand to do what we had to do,” Ye said. “And it’s a real shame.” The bear’s carcass is now being brought to the state’s veterinary office for an exam.
The bear had been spotted all over Cottage Grove the past month, with folks posting pictures of the bear on social media, encouraging residents to call and report the bear with hopes it would be relocated.
Ye said in the state of Oregon, however, problem bears are not relocated. “Once they are habituated, they do not lose that behavior,” Ye said.
He said they either find their way back to where they were, or they repeat that behavior in campgrounds or other areas where people are. PLEASE Don’t FEED the BEARS
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 Division of Financial Regulation encourages consumers to check with their insurance carriers about lowering premiums if credit improves
Oregon agency fines State Farm $200K, urges consumers to check with insurers about rerate that can lower premiums
The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) has issued a $200,000 fine against State Farm after the company failed to send notices over the past six years informing its insureds of their ability to request an annual credit check, which could affect their premiums. Half of the total fine will be suspended and waived after three years if State Farm complies with all terms of the final order.
This case serves as an important reminder that Oregon law allows consumers to request an annual rerate from their insurer, which could lead to lower premiums, but will not increase them.
State Farm self-reported the violations to DFR in July 2023, informing the division that notices were not sent out due to a system error. Because of that error, the notification required by ORS 746.650(5) and OAR 836-080-0438 were not sent to customers purchasing new automobile insurance policies between Dec. 5, 2017, and Feb. 23, 2023. Specifically, State Farm did not notify the affected consumers at the inception of their coverage that they may have received a lower rate if their credit history or the credit factors used in their credit-based insurance score were more favorable, and that they had the right to request a rerate of the policy no more than once annually. State Farm notified the division that the issue was corrected on Feb. 23, 2023, for any customers purchasing new policies after that date.
As part of DFR’s final order, State Farm agreed to send a notification to all affected consumers who remain customers of State Farm, approximately 134,690 consumers. State Farm began sending notices on Jan. 2, 2024, through a mailing that is separate and apart from the annual policy renewal documents or any other communication. The mailing also includes a statement that Oregon law requires State Farm to provide a notification to customers at the inception of the policy. All mailings must be completed no later than June 30, 2024.
The division, part of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS), encourages all consumers to check with their insurance agent or company to see if a credit check would lower their insurance premiums. Consumers are allowed to do a rerate once a year and if their credit improves, their insurance rates may as well. Rerating due to credit may result in either improving or no change to a consumer’s insurance costs, but will not negatively affect it.
“We commend State Farm for self-reporting this violation and taking steps to rectify the situation,” said Andrew R. Stolfi, Oregon’s insurance commissioner and DCBS director. “It is important that Oregon consumers know their rights. State law permits insurance companies to use an individual’s credit history to determine how much they pay for insurance, so it is critically important that consumers know they have the ability to lower their insurance premiums with positive credit.”
Consumers with questions or complaints can contact DFR’s consumer advocates at 888-877-4894 (toll-free) or email .insuranchelp@dcbs.oregon.gov“>dfr.insuranchelp@dcbs.oregon.gov. Consumers can look at their credit reports each calendar year for free by accessing it online, by phone at 877-322-8228 (toll-free), or by completing and mailing the Annual Credit Report Request Form. If any errors are identified, consumers have the right to correct incomplete or inaccurate information with the credit reporting agent that provided the information.
### About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and www.dcbs.oregon.gov.
Oregonians Urged to Avoid Digging Into Trouble With New Statewide Proclamation
On average, it happens 3.85 times every single day in Oregon – homeowners and professional excavators damage underground utilities while digging on their property or jobsite. In some cases, the results can be catastrophic. Joining the national observance during the month of April, Governor Tina Kotek has signed a proclamation designating National Safe Digging Month in Oregon.
The statewide proclamation underscores the importance of requesting underground utility locates through Oregon’s free notification system, available by calling 811 or going to Oregon811.com at least two business days before digging. Requests can be made anytime and on any day for no cost.
“We say ‘safety is in your hands,’ because everyone has the responsibility to prevent service interruptions, costly repairs, environmental damage, injuries, and worse,” said Josh Thomas, Executive Director of the Oregon Utility Notification Center. “Contacting 811 first helps avoid having to contact 911 later.”
The timing of National Safe Digging Month unofficially marks the start of “dig season” – the most active months of the year for excavation projects. According to the Oregon Utility Notification Center, there were 342,061 requests in 2023, prompting 1,869,969 utility locates in Oregon. In the most recent damage report, there were 1,405 reported incidents, continuing a downward five-year trend statewide.
Common Ground Alliance reports that more than half of U.S. homeowners plan to dig without requesting utility locates. This is mostly attributable to lack of awareness and shallow digging projects. The estimated annual cost of damages to underground utilities nationally is $30 billion.
As an acknowledgement of the National Safe Digging Month observance, and in support of the 811 notification system, this proclamation is supported by the Oregon Utility Notification Center, Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division, and Oregon Public Utility Commission.
READ MORE : Proclamation
# # # In 1995, the Oregon Legislature created the Oregon Utility Notification Center (OUNC) to establish a statewide notification system to reduce damages to underground facilities and to promote public safety related to excavation issues (ORS 757.547). The free service ensures that operators of underground facilities are notified of proposed excavation so the utilities can be located and marked in advance. For more information about the OUNC or the statewide notification system, go to Oregon811.com.
The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) regulates customer rates and services of the state’s investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities. The PUC also regulates landline telephone providers and select water companies. The PUC’s mission is to ensure Oregonians have access to safe, reliable, and fairly priced utility services that advance state policy and promote the public interest. For more information about the PUC, visit oregon.gov/puc.
Oregon OSHA, a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, enforces the state’s workplace safety and health rules, and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. For more information, go to osha.oregon.gov.
April is Oregon Safe Digging Month and NW Natural wants to remind people to “Call Before You Dig”
Locating utility lines is free and the law.
NW Natural, Oregon’s largest gas utility company and one of the state’s oldest companies, wants to remind people to Call Before You Dig as the weather warms up and more people are working in their yards. For yard improvement and garden projects that involve digging, it’s important to know where underground lines for natural gas, water and other important utilities are located. Fortunately, NW Natural is part of a free “Call Before You Dig” service to avoid striking lines and provide peace of mind before starting a project.
Locating utility lines is free and the law. Call 8-1-1 at least two days prior to digging. You can also make this request via digsafelyoregon.com in Oregon or callbeforeyoudig.org/washington/ in Washington.
Our crews respond to hundreds of dig-ins or damages each year in our service territory, illustrating why it’s important to call 8-1-1 at least two business days before digging.
For an interview with a NW Natural damage prevention specialist contact: ryant.Clerkley@nwnatural.com“>Bryant.Clerkley@nwnatural.com or 636-634-8090.
About NW Natural
NW Natural is a local distribution company that currently provides natural gas service to approximately two million people (about twice the population of Hawaii) in more than 140 communities through more than 800,000 meters in Oregon and Southwest Washington with one of the most modern pipeline systems in the nation. NW Natural consistently leads the industry with high J.D. Power & Associates customer satisfaction scores. NW Natural owns and operates 21 Bcf of underground gas storage capacity in Oregon. NW Natural, a part of Northwest Natural Holding Company, (NYSE: NWN) (NW Natural Holdings), is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and has been doing business for more than 160 years. NW Holdings owns NW Natural, NW Natural Renewables Holdings (NW Natural Renewables), NW Natural Water Company (NW Natural Water), and other business interests. We have a longstanding commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and taking care of our employees and communities. Learn more in our latest ESG Report.
This April: U Drive. U Text. U Pay National High Visibility Enforcement Mobilization
U Drive. U Text. U Pay is a campaign Oregon Department of Transportation is bringing to the state. April is Oregon Impact’s “Distracted Driving Awareness Month” and Eugene Police Traffic Safety Unit and others across the state will be conducting special enforcement this April to make the roads safer and reinforce safer driving behavior.
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Eugene Police, in alignment with this, will be providing education and enforcement to focus on how dangerous it is to drive distracted. Eugene Police Traffic Safety Unit will conduct several enforcements in April and will be posting for overtime enforcement throughout the month to support these efforts.
When someone diverts their attention from driving to something else, they are in the danger zone – for crashes, and for citations. It is illegal in Oregon to drive while holding or using an electronic device (e.g. cell phone, tablet, GPS, laptop). There are some exceptions, but for the most part, it’s best just to turn off your device when you are driving. Distracted driving is one of the fastest growing safety issues on the roads today. Distracted drivers are not just a threat to themselves; they are a danger to everyone else on the road.
The national distracted driving effort focuses on ways to change the behavior of drivers through legislation, enforcement, public awareness, and education. Resource page: https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/…/u-drive-u-text…
Here are a few cases where the law does not apply:
• When using hands-free or built-in devices, if you are 18 years of age or older.
• Use of a single touch or swipe to activate or deactivate the device.
• When parked safely, i.e., stopped in a designated parking spot. – However, it is NOT legal to use the device when stopped at a stop light, stop sign, in traffic, etc.
• While providing or summoning medical help and no one else is available to make the call.
• Police, fire, EMS providers in the scope of employment, (can include when in a personal vehicle if, for example, when responding to an emergency call).
• To truck or bus drivers following the federal rules for CDL holders.
• When using a two-way radio if you are a CB user, school bus driver, utility truck driver in scope of employment.
• If you are a HAM radio operator age 18 years or older.
Violations: A first offense that doesn’t contribute to a crash is a Class B violation and the Eugene fine is $300 or maximum fine of $1,000. A second offense, or if the first offense contributes to a crash, is Class A violation with a fine of $500 or maximum fine of $2,500. A third offense in ten years is a Class B misdemeanor and could result in a $6,250 fine and up to one year in jail.
For a first offense that does not contribute to a crash, the court may suspend the fine* if the driver completes an approved distracted driving avoidance class, and shows proof to the court, within four months. *Only the fine is suspended – the violation will still be recorded on the offender’s driving record.
Local Communities Connect to Prevent Food Waste in Oregon
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is once again excited to recognize National Food Waste Prevention Week. This year’s observance will span the week of April 1-7, 2024 and will feature a dynamic schedule of virtual and in-person educational events for a variety of audiences. Events include workshops, student art contests, food waste trivia and quizzes, upcycled food events, and a new video contest open to all kindergarten-12th grade students and teachers in the State of Oregon. Partner organizations have the opportunity to utilize a robust communications toolkit with digital advertising materials, event and messaging templates, and more. This year’s partner resources also include many materials in Spanish.
“We’re so pleased to continue to support this major national event highlighting an issue of importance in the State of Oregon,” said Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Senior Policy and Program Analyst, Elaine Blatt. “The resources available through Food Waste Prevention Week really help us augment our outreach efforts for food waste education.”
The inaugural Food Heroes: Save Food, Save the Planet Video Contest will accept video entries until May 10, 2024. Students and teachers will create short videos with messages related to food waste and how to prevent waste in their communities and upload the video to an approved streaming platform through DEQ’s dontletgoodfoodgobad.org/contest website. Prizes for submissions include a $100 gift card for individuals, a $200 gift card for groups, and a $300 gift card for classrooms.
Additional virtual and in-person events around the State of Oregon will include, but are not limited to:
- Bread to Tap Event hosted by No Food Left Behind Corvallis, Old World Deli, Oregon Trails Brewery
- Date: April 6, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Location: Old World Deli: 341 SW 2nd Street, Corvallis, OR 97333
- Food Waste Prevention Week Storytime hosted by the City of Gresham
- Date: April 6, 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Location: Maggie Mae’s Bookshop: 50 NW 1st St, Gresham, OR 97030
- Food Waste Prevention Week Lane County Farmers Market Booth hosted by Lane County and City of Eugene
- Date: April 6, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Location: Lane County Farmer’s Market, 85 E 8th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401
- Umpqua Valley Farmers’ Market Booth hosted by Thrive Umpqua, Umpqua Valley Farm to School, HealTerra & Umpqua Valley Farmers’ Market
- Date: April 6, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Location: Umpqua Valley Farmers Market, 1771 W Harvard Ave, Roseburg, OR 97471
- Thrifty Gardening Workshop
- Date: April 13, 1:00 p.m.
- Location: Roseburg Senior Center, 1614 SE Stephens St, Roseburg, OR 97470
- Vermicomposting Workshop hosted by Thrive Umpqua, Umpqua Valley Farm to School, HealTerra & Umpqua Valley Farmers’ Market
- Date: April 19, 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Location: HealTerra, 13921 Glide Disposal Site Rd, Roseburg, OR 97470
- The Green Fork Initiative, a short film by Chef Andre Uribe of Rebel Root Films, hosted by Hillsboro Farmer’s Markets and Washington County
- Date/Location: Individuals can use the link to view the film on Vimeo throughout Food Waste Prevention Week
Governor Kotek Hosts Signing Ceremony to Commemorate ‘Historic’ Campaign Finance Reform Bill
Legislators and advocates joined the Governor to mark the signing of House Bill 4024
Governor Kotek on Wednesday signed into law a bill that will limit the amount of money that individuals and groups can contribute to Oregon political campaigns starting in 2027.
The law is historic for Oregon, which has seen increasingly large sums of money poured into campaigns.
Kotek and lawmakers of both parties praised each other for achieving compromise on the bill during this year’s legislative session.
“Often, the word ‘historic’ can feel overused. But I know for a fact that there were many people – including myself at times – who thought getting campaign contribution limits through the legislature would never happen,” Governor Kotek said. “But, we are here today to acknowledge and celebrate the efforts that have led to House Bill 4024 in this year’s legislative session, bringing Oregon into the company of 45 other states that have campaign contribution limits.”
The bill cleared the Legislature with overwhelming support from both parties and support from good government groups, labor unions and business groups, which negotiated the details of the bill.
The law restricts contributions from individuals and corporations to political campaigns to $3,300 per election and establishes limits on how much money political parties, caucus committees and other politically-affiliated groups can accept from various groups. It also requires so-called dark money groups that spend independently on candidate campaigns to disclose their significant donors.
BLM releases new draft plan for managing Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument
Draft Monument plan protects region’s exceptional biodiversity, responds to fire risk
MEDFORD, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management today released a draft update to the management plan for the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. The Monument, which sits at the intersection of the Cascade, Klamath, and Siskiyou mountain ranges in Southwest Oregon and Northern California, is the first U.S. national monument set aside primarily for the preservation of biodiversity. Originally established by Presidential Proclamation in 2000, Cascade-Siskiyou was expanded in 2017. The Monument is managed under BLM’s National Conservation Lands.
The BLM’s draft plan will allow the BLM to consolidate management of the Monument, currently addressed under three separate management plans, providing consistency for the BLM and the public. The draft plan updates Bureau management for the entire Monument to protect important biological, historic, and public resources, including objects of scientific interest, while addressing important resource issues, such as fire and fuels, wildlife, livestock grazing, and recreation. The draft also proposes to designate two areas of critical environmental concern within the Monument, covering roughly 354 acres.
“We appreciate how unique and important this landscape is, not just for Oregon, but for the entire United States,” said Barry Bushue, BLM Oregon/Washington State Director. “We look forward to hearing from the public about how we might better manage this landscape. Your input is essential as we work to refine this updated and expanded management plan.”
A Notice of Availability for the draft resource management plan update publishes in the Federal Register tomorrow, kicking off a 90-day public comment period for the draft plan and associated draft environmental impact statement.
BLM will host one virtual and three in-person public meetings on the proposed plan. Members of the public will have an opportunity to meet with specialists to learn more about the draft plan and provide substantive comments. More information regarding the public meetings will be posted to the events section of BLM’s website when available.
Interested parties may also submit written comments to BLM through the following methods:
Online via the “participate now” feature at the BLM National NEPA Register.
By mail to BLM Medford District Office, ATTN: Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument Planning, 3040 Biddle Road, Medford, OR 97504.
The comment period closes on July 5, 2024, or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later.
For more information or questions, contact the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument RMP Team at 458-246-8861 or blm_csnm_rmp@blm.gov.
-BLM- The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
Medford Man Indicted in Federal Court for Illegally Selling Explosives
MEDFORD, Ore.—A federal grand jury in Medford returned an indictment today charging a local man with illegally possessing and selling explosives.
Wesley Allen Armstrong, Jr., 56, a Medford resident, has been charged with distributing explosives by a non-licensee, possessing with intent to distribute and distributing fentanyl, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents, in March 2024, detectives from the Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement Team (MADGE) notified special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) of Armstrong’s alleged possession of and desire to sell explosives. On March 27, 2024, Armstrong was arrested after selling eight cast explosives, seven non-electric shock tube detonators, and a small quantity of fentanyl. Investigators executed a search warrant on Armstrong’s vehicle and located and seized a loaded pistol and an additional quantity of fentanyl.
On March 28, 2024, Armstrong was charged by federal criminal complaint with dealing explosives without a license, possessing stolen explosives, possessing explosives as a convicted felon, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl; made his first appearance in federal court; and was ordered detained pending further court proceedings. He will be arraigned on today’s indictment at a later date.
This case was investigated by ATF and MADGE. It is being prosecuted by Marco A. Boccato, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
MADGE is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles local, multi-state, and international drug trafficking organizations using an intelligence-driven, multi-agency prosecutor-supported approach. MADGE is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) and is composed of members from the Medford Police Department, the Jackson County Sheriff and District Attorney’s Offices, the Jackson County Community Corrections, FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives, including MADGE.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade Launches Public Information Campaign for May Primary Election
The Oregon Secretary of State’s Office is expanding its program to reduce election misinformation. The legislature allocated $150,000 for this year’s public service campaign, which you’ll see on social media.
Messages highlight efforts the state takes to keep elections accurate, safe and secure. It encourages people to visit http://OregonVotes.gov for accurate election information.
With the May Primary Election right around the corner, the Secretary of State’s Office is launching a public information campaign aimed at providing Oregon voters with accurate and trusted information about elections.
“False information is as prolific as ever, meaning it’s more important than ever that Oregonians know where to get accurate information from a trusted source,” said Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade. “Voting in Oregon feels good, and this is just one way we’re spreading the word.”
This campaign is part of a larger initiative with the Secretary’s In Oregon, this campaign includes:
- Continuing the success of our public service announcements done in partnership with Happylucky, a Portland-based design firm. These include animated videos, radio spots, and graphics for print and social media in the most commonly spoken languages in Oregon.
These PSAs are a fun way to inform voters with accurate information from an official, trusted source. In 2022, the campaign generated a 259% increase in the number of people visiting OregonVotes.gov. Research shows this approach can limit the impact of false information.
The latest PSA highlights all the ways we work to keep elections accurate, safe, and secure. Previous PSAs have shared information about closed primaries and the postmark rule. The Elections Division encourages media outlets to air these materials as part of the effort to combat false information.
The Legislature allocated $150,000 for the 2024 PSA campaign. The Secretary of State’s Office is working with Gard Communications on the PSAs, which launched today.
- A social media campaign designed to reach voters with accurate information in easy to understand — and easy to share — formats. You can follow the campaign on the Election Division’s Facebook and Twitter.
The Elections Division continues to share plain language information on how elections in Oregon work and debunking common myths. The division’s website, OregonVotes.gov, is the best source of accurate information from a trusted source that strives to keep Oregonians informed and answer any questions.
What you need to know about the May 2024 primary election
- The deadline to register to vote, update your voter registration, or register with a political party is April 30, 2024.
- Both the Republican and Democratic parties in Oregon choose to hold closed primaries. That means you won’t see those candidates on your ballot unless you are a registered member of the party.
- Ballots will be sent out starting May 1, 2024.
- Election Day is May 21, 2024. Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. or postmarked on this day to be counted.
- Return your ballot in the mail, at a county clerk’s office, or at any of the secure, official drop boxes available throughout the state. Your ballot will be routed to the county in which you are registered to vote for processing.
- The postmark rule, passed in 2021, allows ballots postmarked on or before Election Day to count even if they are received up to seven days later. These ballots are not late — they were cast on time and will be counted alongside every other vote cast before 8 p.m. on Election Day. For this reason, election results may be delayed because it will take a few days for all the votes to be counted.
- Preliminary results will be available on the Secretary of State website starting at 8 p.m. on Election Day.
- The last day for the Secretary to certify election results is June 27, 2024.
- The 2024 elections will be the most secure elections in history. Learn all the ways we protect your vote at OregonVotes.gov/Integrity
Overnight Rescue of a Group With 10 Children On Rogue River Trail
A group of 10 children and four adults got lost while hiking the Rogue River Trail in Curry County on Thursday, prompting an overnight rescue.
The sheriff’s office received an SOS signal that the group was somewhere near Tucker Flats and the Rogue River Ranch just before 8 p.m. The signal had come from a Coos Bay man’s subscription to the Garmin GPS app.
“Dispatch was able to gather information that the group were all wet and cold due to the inclement weather and that some of the boys had blisters on their feet and not able to continue,” officials said
Deputies got into contact with a man who had been with the group but left early with one of the boys who wasn’t feeling well, but discovered the rescue would have to wait until morning.
The next day, a rescue team deployed a boat to travel up the river to Gleason Bar, which was about four and a half miles from the Rogue River Ranch. The team found them and brought them back in two trips. The status of the group is unclear, though no injuries were reported.
Activists protest in trees and file lawsuit to block old growth logging on BLM land
A coalition of conservation groups and activists have blocked a logging site and filed a legal complaint over another area with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management
A coalition of environmental groups and regional activists are attempting to stop the U.S. Bureau of Land Management from allowing old growth trees to be logged in southern Oregon by waging a complaint in court and sitting in trees slated to be cut.
On Monday, activists from the environmental group Pacific Northwest Forest Defense climbed high into several Douglas fir trees in a 10,000-acre forested area near Grants Pass. The bureau calls it the “Poor Windy” project and has sold more than 2,200 acres in it to six companies to log. Activists say some of the trees due to be harvested are up to 400 years old.
The protest comes a week after Oregon Wild in Portland and Eugene, Ashland-based Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center and Eugene-based Cascadia Wildlands filed a complaint in U.S. District Court in Medford against the federal bureau for allowing “heavy commercial logging” in another southern Oregon area, Rogue Gold, that has old growth trees and acreage designated as a Late Successional Reserve. The designation is meant to protect old growth trees from being logged and to allow mature trees to become old growth stands. The area is also home to threatened and endangered species, the complaint said.
Sarah Bennett, a spokesperson for the bureau in Oregon and Washington, said it is rare for officials to allow the sale of acreage with old growth trees and that environmental assessments have shown both contested harvest areas are low-risk for habitat destruction.
“We are committed to protecting trees above the age and diameter limits established,” she said in an email. “Generally, those that are greater than 36 inches in diameter and established prior to 1850.”
George Sexton, conservation director of Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center, said the bureau is being dishonest.
“BLM is saying we don’t log old growth trees. Well, they (protestors) are sitting in old-growth trees that the BLM wants to log,” he said.
Sexton said allowing old growth trees to be cut is contrary to the Biden administration’s recent executive order to end old-growth logging on public lands by 2025.
“The BLM should be implementing Biden’s executive order to protect old growth forests, and if the BLM wants to log those trees, the very least they should do is stop lying about it.”
Most of the land designated as reserves — The federal land bureau’s forests in southwest Oregon are part of a 2.4 million-acre patchwork of federally owned forests across 18 Oregon counties that are governed by the Oregon and California Railroad Act of 1937. That act mandated that the bureau manage the lands for permanent timber production at sustainable levels.
Bennett said 80% of those acres are considered reserve acres, and 20% are open for logging sales. But Sexton said the “reserve” designation doesn’t necessarily prohibit logging.
“In the Medford district, they log the Late Successional Reserves just as heavily as they log in the harvest areas,” he said.
Today annual harvests from the Oregon and California Railroad lands are, on average, about 60% smaller than those in the 1930s, according to bureau data, and this year reduced the volume of timber for sale by 25% across its Oregon and California Railroad Act lands. Bennett said the agency has begun to prioritize protecting more old growth trees following the Biden order.
The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management oversee about 278,000 square miles of forests across the country – an area about the size of Texas and Vermont combined. A recent inventory from the two agencies found that about 45% of those forests are considered “mature” and about 18% are considered “old growth.”
Most old growth and mature forests that are left in the U.S. are in Western states such as Idaho, California, Montana and Oregon. (SOURCE)
Teens Escape Rip Current And Family Dog Pulled Out Of Water At Cannon Beach
Two teenagers saved themselves from drowning at Cannon Beach after a rip current pulled them away from shore Tuesday afternoon.
A water rescue team was sent to the beach in front of the Tolovana Wayside after receiving a report that an 18 year old and a 14 year old were being pulled out of the water around 1:15 p.m.
According to the Cannon Beach Fire District, the teens “were out boogie boarding with wetsuits when their parents on the beach stated that they noticed the boards were not with them anymore.”
The 14 year old was able to get the pair out of the water, and they were both conscious and breathing by the time officials arrived. Both were taken to a local hospital, where doctors determined they were unharmed, officials said.
The family told the rescue team that their dog was also pulled into the water by the current, but was safely taken out. Fire officials report the dog is “in good health.”
Rip currents are dangerous, powerful waves that can suck beachgoers into the water in a matter of seconds. They are present year-round, with at least three rip currents near Haystack Rock, Indian Beach on the north and south side at Ecola Park, and Chapman Point.
In September 2023, four adults and two children were swept away by a ride current on Cannon Beach – requiring a coast guard rescue to bring them back to shore. Others have been sucked in by the waves and found dead.
To avoid rip currents, the local fire district said it is important to not go out to the ocean beyond your knees. Children should never be out of arm’s reach of their parents, and dogs should remain in eyesight.
If you are caught in a rip current, it’s important to stay calm and swim parallel to the beach following the shoreline until you reach the shore. If you cannot swim, simply float or tread water until a rescue team arrives.
If you see someone get pulled away by a rip tide, immediately call 911 and do not leave until a rescue team arrives.
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.
LCSO Case #24-1671 – Missing Person from west Eugene
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office is looking for 39-year-old Brian John Fierke. He last had contact with his family on March 26th, 2024. Deputies, detectives, and Sheriff’s Search & Rescue have searched extensively for Fierke without success.
Fierke is described as a white male adult, standing approximately 6’4” tall and weighing about 185 pounds. Fierke has brown hair and blue eyes. He may have brown facial hair.
Anyone with information about Fierke’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4150, option 1, and reference LCSO Case #24-1671.
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
