Willamette Valley News, Wednesday 7/31 – Benton County Fair and Rodeo Kicks Off in Corvallis Today, Wildfire Updates & Other Local and Statewide News…

The latest news stories and stories of interest in the Willamette Valley from the digital home of Southern Oregon, from Wynne Broadcasting’s WillametteValleyMagazine.com

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Willamette Valley Weather

Heat Advisory Issued: 5:02 AM Jul. 31, 2024 – National Weather Service

...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM PDT THURSDAY...

* WHAT...Daytime temperatures up to 94 to 102 degrees expected.

* WHERE...Portions of northwest and west central Oregon and southwest Washington, including the Willamette Valley, the Portland Metro Area, Clark County lowlands, the western and
central Columbia River Gorge, and Hood River Valley.

* WHEN...From 11 AM to 11 PM PDT Thursday.

* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sunshine, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.

Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple says “Our firefighters are doing everything thing they can to rise to this immense challenge, but they are taxed, and we need our fellow Oregonians’ help.

Please take precautions to avoid sparking a human-caused fire, be familiar with evacuation levels, and have a go-kit ready in case you need to leave your home.”

Fire Weather Tools from the National Weather Service

As we prepare for the peak of wildfire season in the U.S., the National Weather Service (NWS) reminds wildland fire managers that we have tools to help you monitor and fight wildfires. Whether it is a prescribed burn, ground fire or crown fire, fire managers can use this information to make decisions on how best to combat fires and keep the public safe. 

Fire weather forecasters – The NWS issues Fire Weather Outlooks for the next eight days. These outlooks show areas where pre-existing fuel conditions, combined with forecast weather conditions, may result in a significant threat of wildfires.

Our Fire Weather Program supports land managers and firefighters who mitigate and respond to fires. Our weather forecasts are designed to highlight times and locations where a fire may be exceptionally hard to control. For example, we offer Red Flag Warnings, which mean warm temperatures, very low humidities and stronger winds are ongoing or expected to produce an increased risk of fire danger in 12 to 24 hours for specific locations. 

Need a fire weather Spot Forecast? Land managers can request a site-specific, localized forecast for prescribed burns and wildfires to assess a potential threat. NWS recently updated this tool and will deliver additional enhancements to the application later this year. Learn more about the new Spot Forecast tool.  

For federal and select state large wildfires, onsite weather forecasting support to firefighters is critical. An NWS Incident- Meteorologist (IMET) can be deployed to your incident command post. IMETs arrive on scene within 12 to 24 hours after activation and can serve up to 14 consecutive days before being relieved by another IMET. https://www.weather.gov/news/241507-fire-weather-tools

Benton County Fair and Rodeo Kicks Off in Corvallis Today!

It’s officially the first day of the Fair, and it’s FAMILY DAY! Thanks to S&K Inflatables, children 16 and under can enter for free all day. Bring the family for a day of fun at the fair and enjoy complimentary bounce house activities near the Main Stage. In the evening, be sure to experience some incredible performances by: Vikki the Ventriloquist at 6:00pm, Magic with Jeff at 6:45pm, and Matt the Comedian at 7:30pm.

All Girls Rodeo — Kicking off the fair on July 31st at 7PM

Watch as cowgirls from across the Pacific Northwest compete in team roping, breakaway roping, goat tying, pole bending, and barrel racing.

We are excited to announce the addition of two events, Women’s Bull Riding, and Women’s Ranch Bronc Riding! Come and watch some of the best women in our region compete in this exciting event.

Fair admission tickets and carnival ride wristbands can be purchased in advance online or at the Fair Office. Concerts and rodeo FREE with your fair admission — https://www.bentoncountyfair.net/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/BentonCountyFairandRodeo

Benton County Fair and Rodeo Queen Shares a Special Bond with Mustang

The 2024 Benton County Fair & Rodeo starts July 31 through Aug. 3, and this year’s Fair and Rodeo Queen, Naomi Bailey, will be sharing the spotlight with her remarkable Mustang, Ochoco. Naomi, from Newberg and an Oregon State University student, trained Ochoco through the Teens and Oregon Mustangs, Mustang Adoption Challenge, a competition that challenges young trainers to tame wild horses. Their journey, filled with dedication and mutual respect, will be on full display during the rodeo’s halftime show.

Check out this video with Naomi and Ochoco: Meet Naomi Bailey, Your 2024 Benton County Fair & Rodeo Queen! (youtube.com)

Benton County Fair and Rodeo Queen Naomi Bailey and her horse Ochoco pause for a photo at the Benton County Fairgrounds. Ochoco is a Mustang that Naomi adopted through the Teens and Oregon Mustangs, Mustang Adoption Challenge.

Teens and Oregon Mustangs, Mustang Adoption Challenge is a 100-day training competition that challenges young trainers to tame wild horses and burros. Participants, like Naomi, invest time, dedication, and heart into transforming these animals from the wild into loyal and dependable companions. The program concludes with a live auction where the trained Mustangs and burros are adopted, ensuring continued care and management. This initiative not only promotes the humane treatment of wild horses but also showcases the incredible trainability and versatility of the Mustang breed.

Naomi’s journey with Ochoco began in May 2021, when she was selected among many applicants to participate in the program. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rounds up the herds, and teens like Naomi are given the chance to train these impressive animals. Naomi says her scientific background and lifelong passion for horses made her an ideal candidate for the program.

“Mustangs are incredibly important to me,” Naomi said. “They were introduced by the Spanish, and with no natural predators left, they’ve overpopulated. Training and domesticating them is a way to save the species and allow them to be loved by the public. Ochoco is the coolest horse. He’s been broke for less than a year, and the bond we’ve created is like no other. He tries so hard for me, and that bond is something truly special.”

Naomi and Ochoco’s bond will be displayed during the Benton County Fair and Rodeo. They will perform during the rodeo’s halftime show on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, showcasing the remarkable qualities of her Mustang. Ochoco, with his versatility and emotional connection to Naomi, will demonstrate why Mustangs make exceptional companions.

The Teens and Oregon Mustangs program has gained recognition and support through social media and other platforms, helping raise awareness and funds, and Naomi said donations are crucial to the program’s mission of promoting humane treatment and management of wild horses and burros.

Ochoco shows the success of the program. From wild horse to rodeo performer, his journey reflects the dedication and passion of trainers like Naomi. 

“I’ve always loved horses,” Naomi said. “Being part of this program and working with Ochoco has been an incredible experience. The bond you can create with a Mustang is unparalleled. They are a clean slate and connect deeply with their handler.”

Naomi’s journey with Ochoco doesn’t end at the Benton County Fair. Her ultimate goal is to become Miss Rodeo Oregon, continuing to promote the welfare of Mustangs and the Teens and Oregon Mustangs program.

For more information about the program and how you can support their mission, visit Teens and Oregon Mustangs.

Join Naomi and Ochoco at the Benton County Fair and Rodeo to witness their remarkable bond and the incredible potential of Mustangs.

Benton County Fair & Rodeo tickets are on sale now at www.bentoncountyfair.net. All rodeos and concerts are included with the price of admission.

Firefighters Contain Quarry Rd Fire in Springfield

Eugene Springfield Fire responded to a vegetation fire near the 600 block of Quarry Rd in Springfield Tuesday evening.  Firefighters were alerted at 8:59 PM on July 30th to reports of fire in the brush near the water tower on Quarry Rd.  

Firefighters arrived to find the fire burning in vegetation near a power pole with an open fuse leading crews to preliminarily determine an electrical problem caused the fire.  The fire was quickly contained before it could threaten near by homes.

Fortunately cooler weather and high humidity this week helped keep the fire in check.  As we have a hot and dry forecast for the next several days, ESF urges community members to be cognizant of their activities and help prevent wildfires.

Firefighters Contain West Eugene Grass Fire

Eugene Springfield Fire responded to a vegetation fire near West 1st Ave and South Bertelsen . Firefighters were alerted at 8:11 PM on July 30th to reports of fire in a field.  

Firefighters arrived to find the fire treating two log piles at a local milling facility and were able to contain the fire before it damaged the logs.  The fire is suspicious and under investigation by the ESF Fire Marshal’s Office. 

Corvallis Fatal Crash on Highway 99W

CORVALLIS, Ore. – On Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at approximately 9:45a.m., Benton County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputies responded to a single fatality crash involving 63-year-old Craig Richard Mc Kinnon, of Monroe.

Mc Kinnon was the sole occupant, traveling southbound in a 2005 Subaru Impreza when for an unknown reason, he drove into the ditch on the west side of the highway just north of Llewellyn Rd, south of Corvallis.

Mc Kinnon was pronounced deceased at the scene by Corvallis Fire Department personnel.

Deputies diverted traffic onto Airport and Greenberry Roads and closed Highway 99W for approximately two and a half hours while the BCSO Crash Team investigators processed the scene.

It does not appear impairment or speed were factors in the crash. No witnesses reported unusual driving behavior prior to the crash.

If you have additional information which may help the investigation, please contact entonCoSheriff@bentoncountyor.gov“>BentonCoSheriff@bentoncountyor.gov or call 541-766-6858, regarding case #2024-1998.

BCSO would like to thank the Corvallis Fire Department and the Oregon Department of Transportation for their assistance with this incident.

Fire Updates

𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗘 𝟭 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗘 𝗘𝗩𝗔𝗖𝗨𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 – 𝗝𝗨𝗟𝗬 𝟯𝟭 @ 𝟵:𝟬𝟬 𝗮.𝗺.

**𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒂 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑪𝒐𝒕𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝑮𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒐𝒏 𝒂 𝑳𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍 2 (𝑩𝒆 𝑺𝒆𝒕) 𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒄𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:Bohemia Mining District and Fairview Peak Level 2 means: You must prepare to leave at a moment’s notice, and this may be the only notice that you receive.

Public safety personnel cannot guarantee they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate. Continue to closely monitor your phone, local media and www.LaneCountyOR.gov/Lane1Fire for information. ***𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒕 𝒂 𝑳𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍 1 (𝑩𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒚) 𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒄𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: East of Disston starting at Brice Creek Road milepost 0.7 and following Brice Creek Road south Level 1 means you should be aware of the danger that exists in your area, monitor local media outlets and telephone devices to receive further information. This is the time for preparation and precautionary movement of persons with special needs, mobile property, pets and livestock. An evacuation map is available at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/Lane1Fire Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts at www.LaneAlerts.org

Cottage Grove – Lane 1 Fires Update

Cottage Grove – Lane 1 Fires Update – Tuesday, July 30, 2024On Sunday July 28, the Clark 900, Puddin, Adam Mountain, Mineral, Quartz, and Jack Saddle fires merged and are now combined as the Adam Mountain Fire. The Cottage Grove – Lane 1 Fires consist of the following fires for a total of 9959 acres: Lane 1 (1932 acres) and Adam Mountain (8027 acres) fires. The Cottage Grove – Lane 1 and the Adam Mountain fires are considered 7% contained. Percent containment represents sections of fire line that pose no escape risk without further action from firefighters. There are currently 715 personnel assigned to the incident. Scooper Planes may be operating out of Dorena Lake to support fire operations.

Today, fires experienced moderate intensity fire behavior. Crews on the Lane 1 fire continue to install and improve established fire lines on the North side of the fire. Adam Mountain, continue to construct direct fireline and mop-up and establish operational and contingency lines the east while providing for safety. Smoke impacts delayed the use of aviation resources. Available resources and safety hazards continue to be challenges.

Closures: Due to the wildfires, the Umpqua National Forest has issued Forest Order No. 06-15-24-03 and Forest Order No. 06-15-02-24-01 that can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/aler/umpqua/alerts-notices.The Bureau of Land Management has issued the following emergency closure for Lane County: https://blm.gov/…/bureau-land-management-issues…The following County roads are closed except to owners of private lands accessed from these roads: Brice Creek Road east of Umpqua National Forest Boundary, all of Sharps Creek Road. Evacuations: A “Level 1” Evacuation notice has been issued by the Lane County Sheriff’s Department for areas east of Disston, starting at Brice Creek Road milepost 0.7 and following Brice Creek Road south, as well as Bohemia Mining District and Fairview Peak. An evacuation map is available at: www.LaneCountyOR.gov/Lane1Fire.Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A “TFR” is in place at an altitude from the surface up to and including 8500 feet, daily (24 hours) until further notice. Complete information is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_4814.html. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire compromises the safety of pilots and interferes with firefighting efforts.

For further information visit the Inciweb links for each Cottage Grove-Lane 1 fires below: Lane 1: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/…/or77s-Cottage-Grove-lane-1Clark 900: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/or770s-clark-900Quartz: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/orupf-quartzJack Saddle: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/orupf-jack-saddleAdam Mountain: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/orupf-adam-mountainMineral: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/orupf-mineralPuddin: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/orupf-puddinHours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM E-mail: 2024.lane1@firenet.gov Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CottageGroveLane1Fires2024

Lane County Gets Grant for Nearly $20 Million To Create Community Centers Shelters For Emergencies

Lane County residents will soon have six more-consistently available spaces in which to take refuge during extreme heat, or smoke events.

The “community resilience hubs” will be located in existing community spaces such as school gyms and libraries.

The project will be paid for with a nearly $20 million grant that Lane County and Lane United Way won from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Regional EPA administrator Casey Sixkiller said the hubs will be part of the county’s emergency response during smoke or extreme heat events, such as the one that broke several temperature records in Eugene this month.

“What Lane County and United Way are doing is helping respond to that,” he said. “Creating community centers that will have clean air, cool air that people can go and be safe.”

The funds will also be used to train and equip volunteers to activate and manage the shelters during emergencies.

The facilities chosen to become hubs include the Senior and Activities Center in Florence, the Fern Ridge Service Center in Veneta, the Fairfield Elementary School Gym in Eugene, the Bob Keefer Center in Springfield, the Willamette Activity Center in Oakridge and the Community Center and Library in Cottage Grove.

According to Lane County, the county and United Way will collaborate with local groups before renovating those buildings.

The hubs will also be stocked with supplies for emergencies and the county and United Way will work with local community groups to make sure there are long-term volunteers who can operate the centers when they are needed most.

Sixkiller said any city, county or tribal government or community group impacted by smoke or extreme heat can apply for a grant to build their own hub.

“This is the first set of announcements, not the last, and there are still more opportunities to apply,” he said.

The EPA is taking applications until November and is offering technical assistance to any local government or community groups seeking funds.

Springfield Conservation Group Wins Funding To Help Restore Willamette Riverside Habitats

A conservation group in Springfield, Oregon, has won $8.5 million in federal funding, which will pay for floodplain restorations along the Willamette River and its tributaries.

The plan is to reconnect waterways in the Upper Willamette Basin to several of their historic offshoots and side-channels. The McKenzie Watershed Alliance is receiving federal dollars on behalf of its partners in the Upper Willamette Stewardship Network.

Jared Weybright is the Alliance’s executive director. He said human development has simplified the state’s rivers, preventing some beneficial flooding.

“Restoring the flow is a way to then support natural processes that are going to create habitat over time, and maintain it for native species,” said Weybright. “[This] can help with groundwater and water quality as well, benefitting not only the species but also surrounding communities.”

Weybright said this work will help protect several at-risk species, including the spring Chinook salmon, the northwestern pond turtle, the bull trout and the Pacific lamprey.

About half of the money will go towards efforts on the South Fork McKenzie River to reconnect an estimated 340 acres of floodplains. Weybright said he expects all of the restoration projects to be complete by 2027.

The funding comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The federal agency also gave $8.1 million to the Wild Salmon Center in Portland, for a plan to protect Oregon Coast coho salmon.

Oregon U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley praised both allotments in a joint press release with U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden and U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle.

“Oregon’s native fish are the lifeblood of our state, supporting the health and vitality of our communities, local economies, and Tribes who have been here since time immemorial,” said Merkley. (SOURCE)

Lane County Sheriff’s Office Still Seeking Suspect in Homicide

In June, a deceased female was located in the Cottage Grove area who appeared to be the victim of homicide. Lane County Sheriff’s detectives identified the victim as a missing person, Rozaleena Faith Rasmussen, 29, from Cottage Grove. 

Detectives identified the suspect as Anthony Wesley Tyrrell, 31, of Cottage Grove.  A nationwide warrant has been issued for his arrest. Tyrrell is described as a white male adult with brown hair, brown eyes, weighing approximately 165 pounds and standing approximately 5’9” tall. He was last seen with his head shaved and wearing a white shirt, black trench coat, black pants, and black boots. 

Tyrrell is considered armed and dangerous.  Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call 911 and avoid approaching or contacting him. 

Applications are being sought until August 14 for this year’s mural project

with four artists selected who will be paid $1,500 each.

The selected artists will paint their murals on September 19 and 20 at four storm drains in the Thurston area of east Springfield.

MORE INFO: https://springfield-or.gov/city/development-public-works/clean-water-and-stormwater/upstream-art/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR094F6k_tR3X5Rb3ZsZRcIsi6dNYOVeV3HL33BIseFxtIGvC2lPOYFJHAA_aem_0XpdE7LOn2ZAXgWJvrUJqQ

“When It Hits The Fan”: A New Podcast by Lane County Emergency Management

Lane County Emergency Management is excited to announce the launch of a new podcast, “When It Hits The Fan,” now available on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

“When It Hits The Fan” is designed to equip listeners with essential knowledge and resources to be prepared and stay safe during a disaster. Whether you’re new to emergency preparedness or a seasoned prepper, the podcast offers can help you face the future with confidence.

“Our goal with ‘When It Hits The Fan’ is to reach community members in a format that’s accessible and engaging,” said Lane County Emergency Manager Tiffany Brown. “We want to provide digestible and actionable information that people can easily incorporate into their daily lives to ensure they are prepared for any emergency. We hope to foster a culture of preparedness and resilience within our community.”

Episodes are share monthly and, so far, include:

• “Welcome! And, what the heck is emergency management?” – An introduction to the world of emergency management.
• “What do you mean we should be two-weeks ready?!” – Practical tips for ensuring your household is prepared for emergencies.

Listen at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/fan. 

About Lane County Emergency Management – Lane County Emergency Management is committed to preparing the community for emergencies and disasters through education, planning, and response coordination.

If you are taking a young child to a big event, local Fairs, Six Flags, theme park, Fenway Park or any other busy location … Write your phone number on their wrist and cover it with liquid band aid in case you get separated. Also, take a photo of them using your cell phone the morning of the event so you have their clothing, hair style and up to date photo. Just in case they get lost. Stay safe this summer! #BePrepared#TipofTheDay

Major Cattle Losses Feared As Wildfires Rage Across Oregon

Fires burning across the Western United States have farmers and ranchers on alert. Among those fires, the lightning-sparked Durkee Fire has grown to over 288,000 acres as of Monday, merging into the older Cow Valley Fire to total over 422,000 acres.

Six of the Oregon’s largest fires are burning in the eastern region, which is home to most of the state’s cattle. The majority of these cattle are found in Malheur, Baker, and Harney counties, areas known for being major contributors to the state’s top-grossing commodity.

While firefighting crews work to contain the fires, the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association and Oregon State University Extension have begun coordinating response efforts to help farmers, ranchers, and communities deal with the consequences of the fires. 

Matt McElligott, a North Powder-based rancher who is president of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association board, spoke with Capital Press discussing the damages. 

“It’s too early to definitively say the economic impact and how many head we lost,” McElligott said. “There are rumors out there.”

Cattle losses in the hundreds and possibly the thousands are possible, he said. Because of the number of big, fast-moving fires on rangeland, “I’m pretty confident it’s going to be in the thousands.”

According to McElligott, OCA is seeking places unaffected by fires to put displaced cattle. Examples include federal Conservation Reserve Program ground, open U.S. Forest Service, or U.S. Bureau of Land Management grazing allotments or private pastures. 

Oregon State University Extension is working with the OSU’s Office of Resilience and Emergency Management at the state level to distribute N95 masks to communities affected by wildfires. Pallets of N95 masks are being delivered to OSU locations in the following counties this week: Baker, Harney, Hood River, Grant, Malheur, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa. OSU will coordinate with local partners for distribution. 

OSU Extension is partnering with state and local efforts to coordinate hay, livestock feed, and monetary donations. They will also help coordinate the transportation of donations to the affected areas in partnership with Oregon Cattlemen’s Association.

At this time, they are seeking pledges and monetary donations only:

• If you can pledge hay, feed, or help with transportation of goods to neighboring counties, please get in touch with your local OSU Extension contact. This information will not be made public, and will be shared only to the extent needed to support logistics if actual donation becomes necessary.
• We are also accepting monetary donations, through the OSU Foundation, that would be used to buy feed for displaced livestock. To donate, send a check to OSU Ag Extension, Attn: Wildfire relief efforts – Amber Zambrano. 430 Strand Agriculture Hall, Corvallis OR 97331 or call 541-243-4120.

Monetary donations are also being accepted by Oregon Cattlemen’s Association Fund or call 503-361-8941. (SOURCE)

Police Identify Air Tanker Pilot Killed While Fighting Eastern Oregon Fire

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office announced Sunday that the pilot was James Bailey Maxwell. The 74-year-old flew approximately 24,000 hours during his more than five decades of flying professionally, according to a U.S. Forest Service statement.

His plane was found in a steep, forested area of the fire. The exact location has not been made public. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the crash.

As of Sunday, the Falls Fire has grown to cover an area of about 222 square miles (142,307 acres), but is now 57% contained. It is human caused.

Large wildfires have burned tens of thousands of acres across the PNW, with human activity and lightning being a significant contributing factor. The uptick in human-caused fires, which include those started by campfires and debris burns strains firefighting resources significantly​. Preventing wildfires requires a collective effort from everyone—help mitigate the risk of human-caused wildfires and protect our forests and communities.

Recreational users play vital role in preventing wildfires in state forests

—The heat of summer makes shade-covered state forest an appealing destination for many.

“July and August see the most visitors to our state forests,” said Joe Offer, Oregon Department of Forestry’s Recreation Program Manager. “With that increase of visitors is also an increase in wildfire danger since 70 percent of wildfires are human caused.”

ODF posts fire danger levels and public use restrictions on information boards in recreation areas and on most access roads to state forests. There are four levels: Low, Moderate, High and Extreme, with corresponding restrictions for certain activities. As the forests dry out and the humidity levels decrease, the fire danger levels typically increase—and so do the restrictions to help prevent fires.

“The vast majority of our visitors want to do the right thing,” said Offer. “The largest obstacle is a general lack of awareness about what is allowed or not allowed at each level, and what fire prevention items they should have with them while recreating on state forest land.”

For example, as levels reach Moderate and High, recreational fires are only allowed at designated sites within metal fire rings. Additionally, during the entire designated fire season, anyone traveling on state forestlands is also required to have a shovel and a gallon of water or a 2.5-pound ABC fire extinguisher in their vehicle at all times.

“Few people are aware of the requirements for carrying a shovel and water or fire extinguisher while on ODF managed forestland. However, just having that equipment with you could mean the difference of saving the forest from a fire or not,” said Offer. “Similarly, anyone riding an off-highway vehicle (OHV) during fire season is required to have a fire extinguisher with them at all times for the same reasoning.”

Beyond the requirement of carrying a fire extinguisher, all OHVs must have exhaust guards and spark arrestors. However, even those design features don’t make them completely fire safe. Due to the possibility of starting a fire during the driest and most dangerous fire conditions, ODF mandates that offroad trail riding is prohibited from 1-8 p.m. when High fire danger levels are met, while all offroad riding is fully prohibited in Extreme fire danger.

Year round there is no smoking, launching of sky lanterns, or use of exploding targets, trace ammunition, or fireworks on any state forestland.

All ODF district and local offices post fire danger levels and can answer questions on restrictions.

“Another quick and easy way to see the fire danger levels is to visit our fire danger levels website,” said Offer. The link: Oregon Department of Forestry Public Fire Restrictions Tip: Click on the left-hand column hypertext titled: “ODF Statewide Fire Danager” and it brings up a layer with a color-coded map for the four levels.

If state forest visitors see others not following the rules they can report it to any ODF staff member.

“Our main goal is awareness and education about the restrictions to protect lives and the forest,” said Offer. “And we ask that all visitors to the forest do their part to help educate others on rules and restrictions as well.”

Lastly, if anyone sees a wildfire while visiting the forest they should call 911 immediately and give the best location information possible so firefighters can find it and put it out quickly.

Oregon Residents Reminded to be Ready for Potential Power Outages

Salem, Ore. – As wildfires continue to burn throughout the state and extreme weather events impact communities, Oregon residents are reminded to be prepared for potential power outages. Wildfires and extreme weather can cause power outages, and weather and other conditions in specific geographies may cause electric utilities to adjust system settings, which can result in more frequent and longer outages, or even in certain cases, implement public safety power shutoffs (PSPS). A PSPS is a safety measure designed to help protect people and communities in high fire-risk areas by proactively shutting off electricity during extreme and dangerous weather conditions that might result in wildfires. Utilities may also need to deenergize lines to protect equipment from nearby fires, or to protect personnel fighting fires.

Be prepared in advance 

Prepare your home and businesses in the event a wildfire or weather incident leads to a power outage. 

• Be two weeks ready – Gather food, medical supplies, batteries, pet supplies, among other things, needed by family members during an outage or evacuation for up to two weeks. Learn more about what supplies to consider. 
• For individuals with a medical condition that requires power, contact your electricity service provider in advance of an outage to register a Medical Certificate. This certification provides added benefits and helps the utility ensure they meet your needs in the event of an outage. 
• Make sure your utility service provider has current contact information to receive notifications by updating your account online. If uncertain which electric utility serves your area, visit https://www.oregon.gov/energy/energy-oregon/pages/find-your-utility.aspx.
• Keep cell phones fully charged in anticipation of an outage. Consider a car-charger for cell phones and other electronic devices.
• Plan for livestock water needs in the event well pumps lose power.
• Have a plan to relocate to an alternative location for power needs, or if you can, consider a backup generator.

During a power outage

• Avoid downed power lines, including anything near downed lines, at all costs.
• Stay clear of fire personnel and utility crews working to restore service in your community. 
• Use flashlights or battery-operated lanterns for emergency lighting. Do not use candles or other potential fire hazards. 
• Turn off lights and unplug electric appliances except for the refrigerator and freezer to help avoid a surge to the system when service is restored. After turning off all the lights, turn one light on to know when power has been restored. 
• Use generators safely – Do not run the generator inside the home or garage or anywhere near a window or vent, as these spaces can capture deadly levels of carbon monoxide. Learn more about proper use of a generator to avoid hazardous conditions. 
• Check on elderly neighbors or individuals with special needs who might need additional assistance.
• Call your electricity service provider to report an outage, do not call 911.

Natural gas tips

• If required to evacuate, no need to shut off natural gas.
• If natural gas appliances do not operate properly once electricity is restored, call your natural gas service provider. 
• If natural gas service is shut off, do not turn on yourself. Call your natural gas service provider to restore service. 
• If you smell natural gas, evacuate immediately and call 911. 

Stay informed

• Contact your electricity provider or log in to your account and make sure all contact information is current so you can receive alerts and messages.
• Visit Oregon Alert to find your local alert system. Provide current contact details and sign up for wildfire alerts. 
• Before traveling visit Trip Check for details on road closures and conditions.
• Check air quality in Oregon.
• Visit State of Oregon Fires Dashboard.

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management encourages people traveling by car to be fire safe

Salem, Ore.—July 25, 2024 — If you are travelling by car this summer, especially if you are headed to Eastern Oregon, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) are encouraging you to be fire safe and prepared.

The 2024 wildfire season is shaping up to be one for the record books. With Govenor Tina Kotek invoking the Emergency Conflagration Act for Durkee and Battle Mountain Complex Fires, there are now three large complex fires burning through acres of land east of the Cascades. Fire officials and OEM are asking people to take every precaution possible to avoid adding to the problem.

While you are packing and preparing to take off and explore our state, it’s important to stay up to date on road closures with Tripcheck.com; connect with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) about campfire restrictions; and make sure you have emergency supplies in case you get stranded.

Here is a list of items to consider for a basic emergency car kit:

• Jumper cables
• Flares or reflective triangle
• Car cell phone charger
• Blanket
• Map
• Cat litter or sand for tire traction in ice
• Flashlight and extra batteries  
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help if the air is smokey or dusty
• Plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape to shelter in place if needed
• Wet wipes, garbage bags, toilet paper and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Printed maps of the local area in case you lose service
• Cell phone and a backup charger
• Cash or traveler’s checks
• A fire extinguisher you know how to use

Finally, pack extra water and snakes in case you get stuck for a while.

In addition to packing an emergency kit, ODOT wants to remind travelers to use U.S. 20 to move east or west across central and eastern Oregon, and if you must travel, consult Tripcheck.com and check conditions for your route. It is also important to make sure your car is tuned up, has plenty of gas and the tires are in good condition.

Here are more tips to be a fire safe traveler:  

• When pulling off the road, stay on paved surfaces when possible.
• Avoid the side of the road where dry grass and other fuel can come in contact with your vehicle’s hot components and spark a fire.
• Don’t toss lit cigarettes, or any flammable materials, out your vehicle’s window.  
• Extinguish all smoking materials completely and never in dry grass.  
• Secure chains and make sure they aren’t dragging. That can cause sparks.  

Maintain your car and carry the right equipment  

• Maintain proper tire pressure as driving on rims will throw off sparks.  
• Prevent vehicle fires by having your vehicle serviced regularly by a professionally trained mechanic.
• Heat and electrical sparks that come into contact with leaking flammable car fluids can easily start a car fire.  

There are tips on how to prevent wildfires on the Oregon Department of Forestry’s website.

You can find more tips on how to prepare your car for road trips at Ready,gov/car or check out Be 2 Weeks Ready to help build your self-reliance and community preparedness.  

Oregon Department of Transportation –  If you plan to travel across the state in the coming days, make sure you carefully plan your route.

I-84 and many other highways in #EasternOR may be closed or unreliable due to wildfires. Visit TripCheck.com for the latest closure points and details.

Due to current fire activity, we expect continued and/or more I-84 closures. Do not rely on this route in the upcoming days. Many other eastern Oregon highways are also closed or impacted as well.

Wildfires are unpredictable and we have no estimate on opening times for any fire-impacted highways. Previous plans for a nighttime only closure of I-84 to remove brush along the highway were upended when the wildfire quickly reached the interstate. Fire crews are actively fighting fire from I-84.Travelers should use U.S. 20 to move east or west across central and eastern Oregon during this current period of fire activity. If you must travel, consult TripCheck.com and check real-time conditions for your ENTIRE route.

Tips while traveling in #ORfire season:

1. Don’t blindly follow GPS directions or detour on local or forest roads. These roads are not suitable for interstate traffic. If a highway is closed on TripCheck, it is likely that nearby local roads are also closed due to wildfire in the area. TripCheck is updated 24/7 by dispatch staff.

2. Expect power outages near wildfires. Treat non-working traffic lights like a four-way stop. Roadside message boards and TripCheck cameras may also be out in these areas.

3. Carry extra supplies including food, water, necessary medications, etc. for all your passengers, including pets.

4. Driving in smoke is like driving in heavy fog. Slow down but keep a steady pace and stay alert. Slow driving gives you more time to respond to unexpected conditions. Turn on headlights when driving in smoky areas.

5. The best place to wait for a highway to reopen is at home. Do not travel to the closure points and wait, closures could last for days. Find fire information, including a fire overview and map, smoke forecast and sign up for local emergency alerts by visiting wildfire.oregon.gov

Oregon Department of Emergency Management Oregon State PoliceOregon Department of ForestryOregon State Fire Marshal

ODF Wildland Situation Report – July 30, 2024

ODF’s Situation Report is to help create a snapshot of large fire information, weather and prevention information. To read the full report, visit https://odffire.com/2024/07/30/5419/

Monitoring Fires in Oregon

Incident	Type	State	Incident Size	UpdatedSort ascending
Courtrock Fire – OR95S	Wildfire	Oregon	19834 Acres	1 second ago
Badland Complex 2024 – ORVAD	Wildfire	Oregon	54615 Acres	1 minute 32 seconds ago
Homestead Complex – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	1892 Acres	1 minute 58 seconds ago
Adam Mountain – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	8027 Acres	3 minutes 25 seconds ago
Lone Rock Fire – ORPRD	Wildfire	Oregon	137221 Acres	7 minutes 9 seconds ago
Cottage Grove – Lane 1 – OR77S	Wildfire	Oregon	1932 Acres	11 minutes 22 seconds ago
Oakridge Lightning Fires 2024 – ORWIF	Wildfire	Oregon	Acres	22 minutes 2 seconds ago
Microwave Tower Fire – OR95S	Wildfire	Oregon	1311 Acres	24 minutes 41 seconds ago
Falls Fire – ORMAF	Wildfire	Oregon	142307 Acres	36 minutes 26 seconds ago
Telephone Fire – ORMAF	Wildfire	Oregon	36668 Acres	37 minutes 5 seconds ago
Crazy Creek – OROCF	Wildfire	Oregon	28064 Acres	48 minutes 59 seconds ago
Pyramid and Slate Fires – ORWIF	Wildfire	Oregon		1 hour 2 minutes ago
Diamond Complex – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	5486 Acres	1 hour 17 minutes ago
Red Fire – ORDEF	Wildfire	Oregon	428 Acres	1 hour 19 minutes ago
Durkee Fire – ORVAD	Wildfire	Oregon	293882 Acres	4 hours 2 minutes ago
Whisky Creek Fire – ORMHF	Wildfire	Oregon	891 Acres	10 hours 50 minutes ago
Battle Mountain Complex – OR97S	Wildfire	Oregon	178171 Acres	11 hours ago
Winding Waters Complex – OR97S	Wildfire	Oregon	752 Acres	11 hours 22 minutes ago
Ore Fire – ORWIF	Wildfire	Oregon	1452 Acres	11 hours 56 minutes ago
Middle Fork Fire – ORCLP	Wildfire	Oregon	728 Acres	12 hours 9 minutes ago
Boulder Fire – ORMHF	Wildfire	Oregon	233 Acres	12 hours 51 minutes ago
Cow Valley Fire – ORVAD	Wildfire	Oregon	133490 Acres	1 day 22 hours ago
Salt Creek – OR710S	Wildfire	Oregon	4102 Acres	1 week 1 day ago
Larch Creek Fire – OR95S	Wildfire	Oregon	18286 Acres	1 week 4 days ago

Large Fires in Oregon 7/31/24 9:00am per INCIWEB

Please Help Prevent Wildfires!

In these dry conditions, a single spark can cause a lot of damage. Learn how you can prevent wildfires by visiting the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s wildfire prevention page. 

Oregon Division of Financial Regulation warns people to be careful before signing assignment of benefits agreement after natural disaster

– With wildfires raging across the state, the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) wants to make sure people are taken care of in the event of a catastrophe and warned of those who may want to take advantage of a vulnerable situation.

One of those ways is through an assignment of benefits (AOB) agreement, which is a contract between a homeowner and a third party that transfers the insurance claim rights or benefits in an insurance policy to the third party. This allows the third party, which is typically a contractor, plumber, roofer, or other construction professional, to file the claim, make decisions about home repairs, and collect insurance payments without involving the homeowner. 

DFR stresses that you are not required to enter an AOB with a third party to have repairs done – you can file a claim directly to your insurance company.

An AOB can be a useful tool for getting repairs done, as it allows the repair company to deal directly with an insurance company when negotiating repairs. It also allows the insurer to pay the repair company directly. However, an AOB is a legal contract, so policyholders need to understand the rights they are signing away and make sure the repair company is trustworthy. Here are some reminders: 

• With an AOB, the third party, like a roofing company or plumber, may file your claim, make repair decisions, and collect insurance payments without your involvement. They can also sue your insurer, and you can lose your right to mediation. 
• Once you have signed an AOB, your insurer only communicates with the third party.
• It is possible the third party may demand a higher claim payment than the insurer offers and then sue the insurer when it denies the claim.

“It is important for homeowners to know their rights and understand what they are agreeing to with an assignment of benefits,” said Andrew R. Stolfi, Oregon insurance commissioner and director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. “Importantly, you are signing away your right to control many decisions related to the repair of your home. While this arrangement can be a good thing with the right contractor, it can result in a headache if it ends up in the wrong hands.”

DFR reminds homeowners to be diligent and alert for fraud. Home repair fraud is common after a natural disaster, and some contractors may prey on victims in hopes of making a quick buck. It is usually a good idea to do business with local businesses or trusted companies. Check references and talk to your friends and family. You should also always confirm that a contractor is licensed in the state of Oregon. Your insurance company may also have recommendations, and you should get more than one bid for your repairs. 

Anyone who has questions or feels they may have been taken advantage of can always contact one of our consumer advocates at 888-877-4894 (toll-free) or through email at .insurancehelp@dcbs.oregon.gov“>dfr.insurancehelp@dcbs.oregon.gov. 

For more information about AOB agreements, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners offers additional resources and information. DFR also has resources on understanding homeowners insurance and other insurance tips, including a brochure designed to help homeowners avoid disaster scams.

Oregon Division of Financial Regulation lowers health insurance rates. Preliminary decision would reduce rates in individual and small group markets

– Each year, the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) conducts a transparent health insurance rate review process for health plans that comply with the Affordable Care Act for small businesses and people who buy their own coverage rather than getting it through an employer.

Conducting a yearly rate review ensures that premium rates charged to Oregonians adequately cover health care costs without being too high or too low. This transparent process includes public hearings and a public comment period. Once a year, insurance companies submit to the division their rate change requests for the next year. These requests are rigorously reviewed by division actuaries during a monthslong public review process.

In May, six health insurance companies submitted health insurance rates in the individual market with a weighted average increase of 9.3 percent. Following an initial public hearing and public comment period, DFR has issued a preliminary decision lowering those rates to an average 8.1 percent increase. The lowered rates were driven by an actuarial review by the division that found several components of the company rate filings to be above division actuarial parameters. The Department has the authority to review and revise rates to ensure they are “reasonable and not excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory,” pursuant to ORS 743.018 (4).

“Our new health rate review guide helps to bring clarity and make the process more accessible. I’m glad we were able to find ways to save Oregonians money in a time when budgets are tight,” said Andrew R. Stolfi, Oregon insurance commissioner and director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. “Our health insurance market is competitive, and we have five carriers offering plans in every Oregon county next year, which gives Oregonians more options to shop for plans to fit their budget.”

As part of this year’s health rate review filings, Moda became the fifth company to offer health insurance in every single county in Oregon after expanding into Benton, Linn, and Lincoln counties. Moda joins BridgeSpan, PacificSource, Providence, and Regence as health insurance companies who provide coverage in all parts of Oregon. It is the first time that five insurers have offered plans in every county.  

In the small group market, which serves small businesses with one to 50 employees, eight insurance companies submitted health insurance rates with a weighted average increase of 12.3 percent. DFR’s analysis resulted in lowering the requests of two companies. The average increase range is now 5.7 percent to 16.3 percent, for a weighted average increase of 12.2 percent. The increase was due in large part to medical costs and inflation.

DFR’s review also showed that the Oregon Reinsurance Program continues to help stabilize the health insurance market and keep rates lower. This program works to offset risk experienced by insurers, ultimately lowering premiums. Reinsurance lowered rates by at least 6 percent for the seventh straight year. In fact, this year it saved consumers 8.4 percent.

See the attached chart for the full list of rate change requests.

The division has created a Consumer Guide to 2025 Health Insurance Rate Filings to explain how rates were arrived at and the adjustments made. This guide provides comprehensive detail as to the key components of the 2025 rates and an explanation to adjustments made by the division.

The division has also created a general Consumer Guide to Health Insurance Rate Review to help explain how rates are determined each year.

DFR will hold a virtual hearing Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 1 p.m., for final public comment on the preliminary rates. A link for the hearing and the consumer guides can be found at www.oregonhealthrates.org.

Final decisions will be made in August after the public hearing and comment period end.

### About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation protects consumers and regulates insurance, depository institutions, trust companies, securities, and consumer financial products and services. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

Summer wave of COVID-19 cases has yet to subside in Oregon

Oregon health officials say the variant that’s spreading is very contagious, but not as severe as the original virus that was first detected over four years ago.

In the state of Oregon, COVID cases are once again on the rise. Though the state reports nearing a summer peak of cases, health officials said the good news is that cases aren’t rising at an alarming rate like we’ve seen before.

“Four and a half years into this, no one wants to be talking about COVID, but here we are,” said Dr. Dean Sidelinger, Oregon’s top health officer. “Welcome to summer and welcome to COVID. There’s plenty of things we can do to protect ourselves, but right now, there’s plenty of COVID circulating in our community.”

Dr. Sidelinger said that the virus now spreading is a variant of the omicron virus that was discovered more than three years ago. This summer, state health officials are also seeing a spike in cases of FLiRT variants, a series of variants named after the technical names for their particular mutations.

“These omicron variants have proven to be very contagious, but also (do) not cause more severe disease — and that our vaccine, which was developed before the current omicrons variant came out, is still offering some protection in the short term.” Sidelinger said.

Health officials are using various means to track the virus these days, including testing wastewater to determine how prevalent the virus is and what strain of the virus is spreading. Sidelinger said that the state isn’t seeing a rise in hospitalizations due to the virus spreading, but said positive test results have been trending upward for the last few weeks. He said 11.8% of all tests recently are coming back positive.

“In that sense, it’s good that we’re not seeing an increase in hospitalizations, but we know that people who have not been vaccinated and perhaps people who have never been sick before can still get fairly sick,” Sidelinger said.

In southwest Washington, Clark County’s health department said that they, too, have seen an increase in cases recently, but said that things have started to slow down.

Sidelinger said it may be a few more weeks before things slow down in Oregon, going into the fall.

“The indicators of COVID spread in Oregon, as they are in many other states particularly on the West Coast, are still going up, but they’re not going up at a very fast rate. So, hopefully we will start to see a peak and then a coming down over the next several weeks.”

In the fall, the CDC expects to release an updated COVID-19 vaccine for everyone ages 6 months and older. (SOURCE)

Joint Task Force Serves Child Porn Search Warrant in Talent Apartment Complex

JCSO Case 24-3127 — The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) joint inter-agency task force served a search warrant today, July 30 after discovering images of child exploitation were uploaded from an apartment in Talent, Ore. Detectives are interviewing possible witnesses and involved parties, and investigations are ongoing.

SOCET served the search warrant this morning just after 7 a.m. at an apartment complex in the 500 block of Talent Avenue. SOCET began their investigation after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children which led to subpoenas, followed by the search warrant at the apartment. Talent Police Department and Jackson County District Attorney’s Office assisted with the warrant service.

SOCET was also assisted by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), Medford Police Department (MPD), and Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force (SOHTCTF) investigators. During the warrant, investigators seized digital devices which will be forensically examined by SOHTCTF for further evidence of child exploitation. 

SOCET is a joint inter-agency task force that started in June of 2020 to combat child exploitation. The task force consists of investigators from JCSO and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), as well as prosecutors from our local, state and federal law enforcement partners in Jackson and Josephine County. SOHTCTF is a joint inter-agency task force that consists of investigators from JCSO, HSI, Oregon State Police, and MPD. There is no further information available for release.

Historic Lithia Water Fountain Reopens In Ashland

The historic Lithia water fountain in downtown Ashland recently reopened after being closed for months while officials debated its water quality.

The fountain was shut off out of an abundance of caution after the city shared water sample data with OHA and they considered the chemical contaminants inside to be unfit for public drinking system regulation.

OHA found higher than allowed levels of manganese, sodium, boron and barium, as well as a higher than allowed level of turbidity, or the cloudy quality of the water.

With its reopening to the public, many are celebrating its comeback. It is currently reopened in the midst of an assessment by OHA and the city to determine whether it is being used as a historic landmark or as a drinking source.

While it is currently running the assessment of how many people use it will dictate what it is classified as: The requirement for it to be a public drinking system, or true form of public drinking water supply, is if more than 10 people drink the water from the fountain more than 60 days out of the year.

If it meets that criteria then it will be considered for public drinking use and will need to meet the standards set for public drinking systems.

Many residents are not concerned about this, saying the waters flavor proves it to not be a source of drinking water.

OSP and PPB arrest 10 for distribution of fentanyl

Targeted mission in downtown Portland nets more than 240 grams of fentanyl

PORTLAND Ore. 30 July 2024 – Recently, Oregon State Police and the Portland Police Bureau partnered on a drug enforcement mission targeting drug dealers in downtown Portland. The mission resulted in ten arrests for distribution of fentanyl.  

The Wednesday, July 17, 2024, mission was part of an ongoing effort among the two agencies to disrupt fentanyl use and distribution in the city. The mission brought together PPB’s Central Bike Squad, OSP’s Drug Enforcement Section, and Mobile Response Team which has been deployed for downtown Portland enforcement efforts since October 2023. Since its initial deployment, the team has completed more than 40 missions. 

During the operation, the interagency team seized 243.3 grams of powdered fentanyl, 2.6 grams of methamphetamine, $2,131 in U.S. currency, and one firearm. Twelve individuals were arrested, with ten charged with distributing fentanyl.

Arrestees and charges include:

• Charles Thomas (33), residence unknown, charged with distribution of a controlled substance – fentanyl
• Casey Caebe (36), residence unknown, arrested on an outstanding warrant
• Shafi Mursal (36) of Portland, charged with distribution of a controlled substance – fentanyl
• Herdiese Bates (41) of Portland, charged with distribution of a controlled substance – fentanyl
• Baker Mursal (32) of Beaverton, charged with felon in possession of a firearm and arrested on outstanding warrants
• Isais Mercado (31), residence unknown, charged with distribution of a controlled substance – fentanyl, giving false information, and an outstanding warrant
• Oliverio Martinez, (27), residence unknown, charged with distribution of a controlled substance – fentanyl and attempted escape
• Michael Karim, (23) of Beaverton, charged with distribution of a controlled substance – fentanyl
• Daryl Johnson (49) of Portland, charged with distribution of a controlled substance – fentanyl
• Cameron Cain (26) of Aloha, charged with distribution of a controlled substance – fentanyl and menacing
• Amanda Cabrales (34) of Milwaukie, charged with distribution of a controlled substance – fentanyl
• Alfredo Perez-Rendon, (27) of Tualatin, charged with distribution of a controlled substance – fentanyl and outstanding warrants

Martinez attempted to escape from arresting troopers; however, was apprehended by members of the OSP and PPB bike teams without incident. 

Oregon Health Authority and Centers for Disease Control data shows fentanyl has surpassed methamphetamine as the leading cause of overdose deaths in Oregon. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), seven out of ten pills seized by law enforcement contain a potentially fatal dose (2 mg) of fentanyl.

The Oregon State Police and Portland Police Bureau were assisted in the mission by the Linn County Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (LINE) and the Clackamas County Interagency Task Force (CCITF).

SNAP Double Up Food Bucks Benefits for Oregon Residents

You can use Double Up dollars when purchasing eligible items at participating farmers markets across the state. Just bring your SNAP EBT card with you to a participating farmers market and visit the information booth before you begin to shop.

Adapted from the Fair Food Network’s national model, Oregon Double Up Food Bucks makes it easy for low-income Oregonians to eat more fruits and vegetables while supporting family farmers and local economies. Double Up is Oregon’s first statewide incentive program, designed to be convenient for shoppers.

The program doubles the value of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (sometimes called “SNAP” or “food stamps”) benefits at participating farmers markets, grocery stores, and CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farms so shoppers can bring home more fresh produce.

Double Up is currently offered at over 85 farmers market locations, 35 grocery stores and more than 40 CSA farms across the state — with new locations joining the program each year.

For every $1 in SNAP you spend, you will get $1 of Double Up Food Bucks to spend on more fresh fruits and vegetables, up to $20 per transaction. For example: if you spend $20 in SNAP benefits, you’ll get an extra $20 free that you can use to buy more produce. Learn more at OregonFoodBank.org/DoubleUp.

Drug Price Transparency Program seeks input on prescription increases

Salem – The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation’s (DFR) Drug Price Transparency Program is seeking the public’s input on high prescription drug prices. Consumers are encouraged to report prescription drug price increases on DFR’s website, dfr.oregon.gov/rxdrugprices.

If anyone needs help completing this form, or has questions, they can call the message line at 833-210-4560 (toll-free) and leave a message with the best time to call back. Individuals can also reach DFR by email at x.prices@dcbs.oregon.gov“>rx.prices@dcbs.oregon.gov.

Getting information directly from consumers will help DFR have more accurate information about how consumers are affected by high or increased costs of their prescription drugs. This will help the division inform the Oregon Legislature in DFR’s annual report, which is expected to come out in December. Consumers can also view the data on the DFR website and provide stories for the annual hearing and report.

“We recognize that prescription drug costs are increasing and the impact this has on Oregonians on a daily basis,” DFR Administrator TK Keen said. “Our hope is to get input from the public so we can inform policymakers and researchers alike on prescription drug costs.”

### About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation protects consumers and regulates insurance, depository institutions, trust companies, securities, and consumer financial products and services. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

Volunteers sought for advisory committee on new option for in-home services

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) seeks volunteers to join an advisory committee to help develop a new option for in-home services. This option will be called Agency with Choice and will launch in 2026.

Through Agency with Choice, older adults and people with disabilities who receive Medicaid-funded long-term services and supports may choose to work with a new type of agency to hire a direct-care worker. This new type of agency will help individuals hire an in-home care provider, complete all the required paperwork, train the provider and pay them. 

Planning for the 2026 launch of Agency with Choice is underway. To support planning efforts, the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities is seeking volunteers to join the Consumer Advisory Committee on Agency with Choice to help guide the creation of the program. This committee will include individuals who receive Medicaid in-home services and will meet virtually every month.

ODHS is looking for volunteers to serve on the committee who:

• Currently receive Medicaid in-home services from a homecare worker, personal care attendant, or in-home care agency or have received these services in the past;
• Are older adults or adults with a physical disability or behavioral health need;
• Understand the value and potential benefits of in-home services;
• Have reliable internet or phone service for virtual meetings (no travel necessary);
• Will actively participate in discussions and provide feedback; and
• Will be able to consider the needs of all people who receive in-home help.

As many as 15 people will be selected for the committee to represent all parts of the state. People who are interested in joining may apply online at https://forms.office.com/g/JjW1hd5viY.

Applications must be submitted by August 5, 2024, to be considered for membership in the committee. For help completing the application or to ask a question, please send an email to: AWC.Info@odhsoha.oregon.gov.

How to get more information

If you want to learn more about Agency with Choice, please see the “initiatives and outreach” section on our web page: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/agency/Pages/apd.aspx. Information will be added as it is available.

Rogue Valley postal workers will hold a rally next week to raise awareness about the consolidation of some mail services up to Portland ahead of the November election.

The consolidation of some mail sorting processes was done earlier this year in Medford and Eugene as a way to save the U.S. Postal Service money. The Southern Oregon Local American Postal Workers Union, #342 is hoping those changes can be reversed before the November election.

Part of the consolidation included removing Medford’s postmarking machine, according to Union President Jeremy Schilling. Now mail, including vote-by-mail ballots, is sent to Portland to be postmarked. That’s led to worries about ballots not being counted in time, although USPS has said the change will not affect mail services.

Schilling is optimistic that the consolidation process can be undone.

“There’s no reason that, if someone wants to send a letter from Talent to Medford, that it needs to go to Portland and then back. That doesn’t logically make sense. So I believe there is an easy path to keeping our local mail local,” he said.

The union’s goal is to return the postmark machine and outgoing mail sorting to Medford. Schilling said the machine has been disassembled and is in storage on site. The Medford plant is still operational, including sorting incoming mail. Schilling said residents frequently tell him about delays.

“They tell me, like, ‘I mailed this letter, it’s disappeared,’ ‘I mailed this letter, it took three weeks,’ ‘I mailed a letter from Grants Pass to Ashland, and it’s been gone, like nobody knows where it is.’ All kinds of things. The local mail has become a disaster,” he said.

“Local mail is, and continues to be, a two-to-three-day delivery product,” said Kim Frum, a strategic communications specialist with the USPS. “According to our data, from the start of the fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2023) through July 12, it takes less than two days to process and deliver mail sent within the 974 (Eugene) and 975 (Medford) ZIP Code areas. It is the same as this time last year.”

USPS has said this shift will improve efficiency and service. It’s among the first consolidation efforts undertaken in its 10-year nationwide plan called Delivering for America, published in 2021, which aims to increase financial stability and modernize the aging network with $40 billion in investments.

Further consolidations under the Delivering for America plan were supposed to take place across the country, but after pushback from senators earlier this year, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced they will be paused at least until January. But that pause won’t affect Oregon, where consolidation had already occurred.

The union will hold a rally on August 3 at 10 a.m. in downtown Medford at Vogel Plaza. (SOURCE)

Oregon Dept. Of Agriculture Shellfish Alert: Mussels, Razor Clams Close On South Coast

Mussel and razor clam harvesting is now closed from the California border to Cape Blanco, the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Friday July 26, 2024.

Mussels are closed for high levels of paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) and razors for high levels of domoic acid. Both are natural marine biotoxins.

People should always call the Shellfish Safety Hotline (1-800-448-2474) before heading out to harvest shellfish or visit the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures Webpage. Harvesting status available in English, Español, русский, 中国人, Tiếng Việt, 한국인

Mussel harvest also remains closed from Cape Lookout to the Coos Bay north jetty for high levels of PSP. Razor clamming remains closed from Yachats to Coos Bay for high levels of PSP and domoic acid.

Current harvest closures and openings:

Razor clams:

• Open from Washington border to Yachats River.
• Note: Clatsop beaches are temporarily closed for conservation.
• Closed from Yachats River to Coos Bay north jetty.
• Open from Coos Bay north jetty to Cape Blanco
• Closed from Cape Blanco to the California border.

Mussels:

• Open from Washington border to Cape Lookout.
• Closed from Cape Lookout to the Coos Bay north jetty.
• Open from the Coos Bay south jetty to Cape Blanco.
• Closed from Cape Blanco to the California border.

Bay clams:

• Open coastwide.

Crab:

• Open coastwide.

ODA will continue testing for shellfish toxins at least twice per month, as tides and weather permit. Reopening an area closed for biotoxins requires two consecutive tests with results below the closure limit.

For more information call ODA’s shellfish biotoxin hotline at (800) 448-2474, the ODA Food Safety Program at 503- 986-4720, or visit the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures Webpage.

Contact ODFW for recreational license requirements, permits, rules, and limits.

Sheriffs On Oregon Coast Dealing With Budget Shortfalls

Proposed tax measures in Oregon’s Coos and Curry counties to fund law enforcement services failed in May. Now sheriff’s offices are dealing with the consequences.

The Curry County sheriff’s office has had to let go of 11 deputies since residents voted down a five-year property tax, which would have charged $2.23 per $1,000 of assessed value, to help fund 24-hour patrols.

Now, after further budget cuts for the county, that office will only have the sheriff and two deputies available for patrol duties. Those patrols are limited to 10 hours per day, only occurring during weekdays.

Curry County Sheriff John Ward has been with the department for over 30 years and said staffing has never been this bad.

“At this point, we’ve basically destroyed everything we had built up to provide public safety. And we’re not being effective as it is,” said Ward.

He said his officers will only be able to respond to “person-to-person priority calls in progress” while most other cases will be handled through a self-reported form on the Curry County website. “We’re still here. We’re just not going to be able to provide the services that we have in the past,” said Ward.

Cuts have been less dramatic next door in Coos County, which had a property tax of $.98 per $1,000 of assessed value on the ballot this past spring that voters also rejected. That revenue would have funded more deputy district attorneys and added beds to the county’s jail.

The Coos County sheriff’s office had to cut just a couple positions and delay the replacement of vehicles. But that’s because the county dipped into a fund used to purchase forest for timber harvesting. Coos County Sheriff Gabe Fabrizio said that money won’t be there next year. “It’s just a stopgap, using the reserve funds from the forestry department . to try to figure something else out,” he said.

Both sheriffs want to put taxes on the ballot again to fund their offices in this November’s general election. Fabrizio said he’s going to be more direct with voters this time.

“I’m going to make it really simple… [The levy] is going to fund the jail and county operations. And if it fails, then there’s going to be a reduction in services,” said Fabrizio.

Curry County Sheriff John Ward is still considering options for a ballot measure, including the creation of a new tax district. (SOURCE)

Oregon Wildlife Agencies Want Your Help Tracking Roadkill

This summer, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Oregon Zoo started asking Oregonians to do their own tracking and upload pictures of roadkill.

“The state wants to get a better idea about where different animals, different species are getting struck and killed by cars,” said Rachel Wheat, the ODFW wildlife connectivity coordinator.

If Oregon’s naturalists can identify roadkill hotspots, then maybe the state can reduce the number of animals killed in interactions with people each year by removing vegetation that attracts wildlife to a specific area or by building a wildlife crossing.

Roadways and vehicular traffic are a significant contributor to fragmentation of habitat and impacts to wildlife, including injury and mortality. The purpose of this project is to improve our understanding of the impacts of roads on Oregon’s wildlife, and to identify roadkill hot spots and vulnerabilities among a diversity of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. This information can help reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and make roadways safer.

To sign up and for more information visit: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/roadkills-of-oregon

Recently timeout.com listed the best parks in the United States and Oregon was the only state in the Northwest that made it to the top 10.

Even if you haven’t visited this park on the edge of the Oregon Coast, most likely, you’ve seen it on the big screen. This park, with an amazing outlook toward the Pacific Ocean, has been the backdrop in films including Twilight, The Goonies and Kindergarten Cop. 

You’ll see information signs on them and other points of view extending to Haystack Rock, a sea slack in Canyon Beach, and the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse. Wander amid Sitka spruce forests and along a network of hiking trails, including the Clatsop Loop Trail, a two-and-a-half-mile-long historical loop. It partly follows the Corps of Discovery route, which is the Lewis and Clark Expedition military unit that trekked through the present-day park. Or spend time on the sand at Indian Beach. https://www.timeout.com/usa/things-to-do/best-state-parks-in-us

Campfires temporarily banned at most Oregon State Parks due to dry conditions, nearby wildfires

— Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) temporarily banned campfires at most Oregon State Parks due to dry conditions and the strain on firefighting resources from wildfires burning across the state. 

Campfires and open flames are banned at all parks east of the Cascades due to the low humidity and risk of wildfires. They’re also restricted at parks in high-risk areas across the state until conditions improve. Most bans impact parks east of the Cascades and in the valley with some restrictions at select coastal parks.

“We understand that campfires are an important part of the experience at Oregon State Parks. We don’t make the decision lightly to restrict the use of fire, but unfortunately conditions require that response. The decision is made in consultation with our local fire agencies. Thank you for helping us do our part to reduce the risk of any new wildfires,” said JR Collier, OPRD’s deputy of statewide operations.

Campfire restrictions generally ban all “open flame,” but often make exceptions for propane cooking as the flame is contained. Check individual park webpages for details on any restrictions before visiting. Restrictions are listed in alphabetical order in a feature story at stateparks.oregon.gov/ or on the individual park pages. 

OPRD also encourages visitors to know before they go when it comes to the impact of wildfires across the state:

• Several parks have been closed due to wildfires including Battle Mountain Forest State Scenic Corridor, Farewell Bend State Recreation Area, East and West Hatfield Trailheads on the Columbia River Highway State Trail and Ukiah-Dale Forest State Scenic Corridor. Check park webpages at stateparks.oregon.gov/ and search by park.
• Some parks have reduced air quality due to wildfire smoke. Check DEQ’s website for air quality information at www.oregonsmoke.org/
• Several roads and highways have been closed due to wildfires. Please use TripCheck to learn about closures and alternative routes. Relying on GPS might lead drivers into unsafe conditions

For more information about current wildfires around the state, go to the Oregon Department of Forestry’s website: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/firestats.aspx. 

For more information about wildfire prevention, please visit the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s webpage at https://www.oregon.gov/osfm/education/pages/prevent-wildfires.aspx.

Campfires prohibited across BLM’s Northwest Oregon District

– Starting July 23, campfires will be prohibited on all Bureau of Land Management public lands throughout the Northwest Oregon District. BLM leaders encourage all visitors to be aware of active restrictions and closures as hotter, drier weather sets in around the Pacific Northwest.

In addition to fires and campfires, the stronger restrictions also prohibit smoking in vegetated areas; using vehicles in unmanaged vegetated areas; operating a chainsaw; welding, cutting or grinding; or using an internal combustion engine without a spark arrestor. These prohibitions will stay in effect until rescinded.

These level II fire restrictions help reduce the risk of human-caused fires. They build on the BLM’s statewide fire restrictions prohibiting fireworks, exploding targets or metallic targets, steel component ammunition (core or jacket), tracer or incendiary devices, and sky lanterns, which went effect May 24.

Those who violate the prohibition may be fined up to $100,000 and/or imprisoned for up to 12 months. In addition, those found responsible for starting wildland fires on federal lands can be billed for the cost of fire suppression.

For the complete order and more information on seasonal fire restrictions and fire closures, please see www.blm.gov/orwafire.

To learn more about fire careers with BLM Oregon-Washington, please see https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire/state-info/oregon-washington/careers.

One of Oregon’s most adorably iconic seabirds is coming to the front and back of a car near you. The Oregon Coast Aquarium has opened voucher sales for its new tufted puffin license plates.

The design, featuring a tufted puffin floating in the ocean and gazing down at some fish below, was created by the
aquarium’s graphic design and marketing coordinator, Cam Mullins.

Starring a tufted puffin—one of Oregon’s iconic seabirds–funds from the new license plate will benefit both the Aquarium’s animals and their wild counterparts. You can purchase a voucher now and exchange it at the DMV once the physical plates are available. We need to sell 3,000 vouchers to reach the production stage—meaning the sooner 3,000 vouchers are sold, the sooner production begins, and the sooner you’ll have your puffin plates in-hand. Read the full story at aquarium.org/puffin-plate-debut: photo by OCAq’s Jeremy Burke

Tufted puffins are native to Oregon and nest on the rocky coast. The aquarium has a Seabird Aviary that sustains a flock of these sea birds and the profits from the license plates will go to benefit these puffins and their wild counterparts.

The voucher is available for purchase on the aquarium’s website. The cost covers the $40 surcharge fee and the money left over after the deduction of the DMV’s fees will go to support the Oregon Coast Aquarium’s
rehabilitation and conservation efforts. The aquarium is building a new marine wildlife rehabilitation center with
hopes of doubling the number of animal patients it can offer care to. FOLLOW on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/OregonCoastAquarium

PLEASE Help Prevent Human-Caused Wildfires

• Immediately call 911 to report fires.
• Drones and other unmanned aircrafts are illegal to fly near fires.
• Fireworks, incendiary/tracer ammunition and exploding targets, are prohibited during fire season (May-October).
• Use caution when target shooting. Clear a 20-foot radius around the target by removing all vegetation and rocks.
• Ensure vehicles and trailers are properly maintained
• Make sure chains and other metal parts are not dragging.
• Keep exhaust systems clean and use spark arrestors.
• Do not park on dry grass.
• Carry extra water, shovel, and/or a fire extinguisher with you.
• Ensure your campfire is completely extinguished before leaving your campsite by making sure it is cool to the touch.
• Please don’t smoke and if you do, don’t throw out cigarette butts.
• Please be mindful and think about your actions

To ensure all Oregonians remain safe during the 2024 wildfire season, we urge everyone to stay tuned into these communications channels and follow all official safety guidelines related to air quality and recreation:

Watch Duty app: Download this app on your smartphone to understand where wildfires are in real time as well as monitor air quality and other metrics. https://app.watchduty.org

Northwest Interagency Coordination Center: During fire season, this web-based interactive map is updated daily with current fire perimeters and locations. This website acts as the wildfire resource coordination center for the Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, Oregon Dept of Forestry, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Washington Dept. of Natural Resources and the National Park Service. https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/index.aspx

InciWeb the Incident Information System: The federal interagency all-risk incident information management system provides an interactive map with real-time location information on wildfires. https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/

Oregon Department of Forestry Wildfire News: The official wildfire news blog for the Oregon Department of Forestry. Look here for all wildfire news related to state forest lands. https://odffire.com/

Keep Oregon Green: A partnership comprised of statewide and interagency groups working together to promote awareness of the risk and causes of wildfires and how to be prepared in case of a wildfire emergency. https://keeporegongreen.org/

OregonLive Wildfire Map: A project managed by OregonLive that incorporates data from InciWeb, National Interagency Fire Center, Northwest Interagency Coordination Center, Oregon Office of Emergency Management, NOAA into an easy-to-use map tool. https://projects.oregonlive.com/wildfires/map

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality – Air Quality Monitoring Data: A real-time map and cell phone application you can use to track air quality, including wildfire smoke impacts, across the state. Check your app store for OregonAir. https://oraqi.deq.state.or.us/home/map

Purple Air – Air Quality Map System: Real-time air quality information using crowdsourced data and data from EPA air sensors. https://map.purpleair.com/1/mAQI/a10/p604800/cC0…

NOAA High Resolution Rapid Refresh Data Visualization: The High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency(NOAA) is an experimental data visualization tool for wildfire smoke. Be sure to turn on the “Vertically Integrated Smoke” layer to see smoke paths. https://hwp-viz.gsd.esrl.noaa.gov/smoke/index.html

Oregon’s Missing Persons

Many times you’ll see postings without case numbers or police contact. There is rarely a nefarious reason why (the nefarious ones are pretty obvious). Usually the loved one tried to call to report their missing person and they are either refused or told to wait a day or two by people who are unaware of SB 351 and the laws that they are bound to when answering the phone. Many people don’t bother calling LE if their loved one is homeless or in transition because they believe LE won’t care. The biggest myth is the 24 hour rule.

In Oregon we don’t have those rules and an officer or person answering the phone is not allowed to decide. The law decides. We have Senate Bill 351 and it states that the police CANNOT refuse a request for any reason and they must begin working on it within 12 hours. The person making the report does not have to be related to missing person either.

Here is SB 351 written by families of the missing here in Oregon in conjunction with Oregon law enforcement officers. This should be common knowledge, please make it this way. https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/…/SB351/Introduced