Willamette Valley News, Wednesday 9/18 – Firefighters Respond to Suspicious Fire at Eugene Wilco Store, Oregon State University Receives $5.5 Million To Help Grow Market For Hemp Based Products & 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, September 18, 2024

Willamette Valley Weather

Wildfires continue to produce smoke in the Pacific Northwest. Breathe a little easier by keeping up to date on air quality conditions and concerns at Fire.AirNow.gov.

Seasonal Climate Forecast September – November 2024 https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/naturalresources/documents/weather/dlongrange.pdf

We’re not out of the woods just yet… 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.” — We’ve had an unprecedented fire season already. Don’t be that spark that could lead to a tragedy! Check Conditions

Firefighters Respond to Suspicious Fire at West Eugene Wilco Store

Eugene Springfield Fire responded to a commercial fire in west Eugene early Wednesday morning.  At just 1:08 AM on September 18th , Eugene Springfield Fire was called to the Wilco Farm Store on West 11th for multiple reports of smoke and fire from the storefront. ESF sent a commercial fire response of 4 engines, 2 ladder trucks, 2 chiefs, and an ambulance.

The first engine on scene from Bailey Hill reported a working fire, with heavy smoke from  the front of the store and flames visible. Crews knocked the fire down while checking to see if the fire had breached the entrance of the building, and determined the sprinkler system held the fire in check long enough for the fire department to arrive and extinguish it. the fire is suspicious, and fire investigators are working with the building parties to review video surveillance and determine cause. 

Oregon State University Receives $5.5 Million To Help Grow Market For Hemp Based Products

Oregon State University’s Global Hemp Innovation Center will receive $5.5 million during the next five years to research new food, beverage and biobased industrial product uses of industrial hemp.

With the funding, researchers from Oregon State and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service will develop customized hemp genetics that meet the needs of biobased product manufacturers and are adapted to growing conditions in the western United States.

“Working together this way, we will be able to build a sound scientific and business foundation for producing industrial hemp varieties that are not only adapted to Pacific Northwest growing conditions but can be used by manufacturers to produce new food, beverage and biobased industrial products,” said Jeffrey Steiner, director of the Global Hemp Innovation Center.

The decriminalization of hemp with the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill created a boom of interest in the potential of hemp. A commercial market quickly developed around therapeutic CBD oil from hemp flowers.

But there are also a range of natural materials in hemp that can be used to create other products, including construction materials, textiles, packaging materials, and food and beverage products.

Hemp is also adaptable to different growing environments and weather conditions, which is important for farmers looking to plant additional crops, particularly with the uncertainties in agriculture driven by climate change.

With the new funding, Oregon State and USDA researchers will take a “genes-to-field-to-factory” approach, in which they match hemp genetics with different environmental growing conditions and different manufactured products that can be produced from the plant. They will take advantage of emerging artificial intelligence approaches to accelerate this work.

The research team will use hemp biomass to create biodegradable and compostable packing products, including nursery pots, fresh produce boxes and takeout containers; building materials for use in housing construction; and plant-based food and beverage products made from hemp grain.

“The goal of this research is to develop multiple product streams from hemp with no remaining waste, just as has been successfully done by the cotton, corn, and timber industries,” Steiner said. “Having uses for all the byproducts of the plant will increase crop production marketing options for farmers and help support creation of new job opportunities in the domestic biobased economy.”

Funding for this new research partnership is part of more than $26 million the USDA has awarded to Oregon State in recent years for hemp research.

About the OSU College of Agricultural Sciences: Through its world-class research on agriculture and food systems, natural resource management, rural economic development and human health, the College provides solutions to Oregon’s most pressing challenges and contributes to a sustainable environment and a prosperous future for Oregonians. (SOURCE)

Traffic stop yields two kilograms of powdered fentanyl

LANE COUNTY, Ore. 17 Sept. 2024 – A traffic stop on Interstate 5 last week yielded two kilograms (approximately 4.4 pounds) of powdered fentanyl. 

On Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., an Oregon State Trooper made a traffic stop on I-5 near milepost 181 in Lane County. During the stop, the trooper recognized signs of possible drug activity. An OSP K-9 team responded and a drug detection K-9 was deployed to search the vehicle’s exterior and alerted to the presence of possible illegal drugs. 

Once the K-9 alerted to the potential presence of illegal drugs, the driver fled on foot across all lanes of I-5 into a wooded area. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of two kilograms of powdered fentanyl in the trunk. 

Law enforcement searched for the suspect for several hours without success; it is believed the driver obtained a ride out of the area. Before fleeing, the driver presented a fraudulent Mexican consular card bearing the name Luis Angel Garcia Gonzalez (28) from Oakland, California. It is unknown if this is the suspect’s true name. 

Upon further investigation and assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), it was determined the fentanyl was destined for the Portland metro area. Due to the quantity, the fentanyl was turned over to the DEA. 

Detectives arrest another in connection with ongoing mail theft investigation,
recovering mail belonging to hundreds of people.

Salem, Ore. — Investigators arrested a 31-year-old Salem woman yesterday, September 16^th, while serving a warrant at an apartment in the 3700 block of Orchard Heights Rd NW in West Salem.

Members of the Salem Police Criminal Investigations Section arrested Ashley Wood on Monday morning without incident. This arrest was an extension of the ongoing investigative efforts by Felony Crimes Unit detectives into incidents of mail theft and related crimes in the Salem area. 

A search of the residence and property uncovered stolen mail belonging to well over 200 people and numerous additional pieces of evidence related to mail theft and forgery-related crimes. The Felony Crimes Unit will work with the United States Postal Inspection Service to return the mail to the rightful owners.

45-year-old Christopher McPherson and 27-year-old Anthony Ormonde were also present at the time of the warrant service. Both were arrested, transported, and lodged at the Polk County Jail on outstanding warrants.

Wood was transported and lodged at the Polk County Jail, on the following charges: 

• Identity Theft, Forgery I
• Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument I
• Mail Theft
• Warrant for Forgery I out of the Marion County Circuit Court.

“Our people and our partnerships make these arrests and successful prosecutions possible,” said Salem Police Chief Trevor Womack. “I am extremely proud of our detectives for building this case and grateful for the partnerships we enjoy with other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Mail theft and fraud affect hundreds in Salem each year and we will continue to pursue justice and hold prolific offenders like these accountable.”

The investigation remains active; however, with Wood’s arrest, all further inquiries into this case should be directed to the Polk County District Attorney’s Office. 

  Two killed in vehicle crash on Cordon Rd SE 

Salem, Ore. — The 1100 block of Cordon Rd SE was closed for approximately four hours today, Monday September 16, for a head on collision involving two pick-up trucks. 

At approximately 10:09 a.m., Salem Police officers and emergency personnel responded to the crash on Cordon Rd SE. This section of Cordon Rd SE is within city limits of Salem. The road was closed from the time of the crash until about 2:15 p.m. 

An adult male and adult female occupant of one of the vehicles were found deceased upon arrival of emergency personnel. Three other adult occupants were transported to Salem Health with serious injuries. 

The crash is still under investigation and release of occupant’s names are pending, due to notification of next of kin. 

Eugene police officer arraigned Wednesday in Lane County Circuit Court on domestic violence-related charges after allegedly strangling a woman while off duty on Sept. 7.

According to court documents, Joshua West, 40, was charged with one count of felony strangulation – constituting domestic violence and two counts of recklessly endangering another person.

West was arrested Tuesday by Springfield Police Department officers and booked into the Lane County Jail. He agreed to a supervised release plan and was no longer in custody as of early Thursday.

Melinda McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Eugene Police Department, told The Register-Guard that West was “immediately” placed on administrative leave following his arrest, pending the outcome of the court’s process.

“When an agency develops probable cause for an Abuse Prevention Act crime, such as is alleged, we would fully expect the agency to act on the probable cause and make an arrest,” McLaughlin said in a written statement.

West was investigated for using poor judgment in 2016 and appeared to struggle with a field sobriety test after he was pulled over by Oregon State Police troopers on Highway 58. At the time, he was just past his 18-month probationary period when the incident occurred.

A female passenger had called 911, alleging he threw his gun and badge into her lap and told her to shoot him, a claim West denied.

Although he admitted to drinking before driving, he was not arrested or given a Breathalyzer test.

In a 2017 case review of the incident with the Civilian Review Board, the police auditor’s office and then Eugene Police Chief Pete Kerns agreed West violated policies of judgment and conduct. Any disciplinary action taken by the police department was not disclosed.

Kerns said the “behavior and judgment of the off-duty officer in this case is disappointing and embarrassing and is not representative of the women and men of great character who work diligently for our community.”

Kerns followed up to say West was “humble, honest and forthcoming with us in the wake of this incident. He provided us with information we would not have known if he had not been so thoroughly candid. He made no effort to conceal his action, and my hope is that he has grown from the experience.”

When asked this week for records regarding any internal and external complaints involving West since that 2017 incident, the Eugene Police Auditor’s office declined to comment or provide records on closed or historical investigations.

West signed a supervised release agreement Thursday and has been ordered to not be “within a one-mile radius of the alleged victim’s home, property, place of work or school,” according to court documents.

A pre-trial conference hearing is scheduled at the Lane County Circuit Courthouse in Eugene on Oct. 7. West will remain under the supervision of what appears to be a family member who has guaranteed his appearance in future court proceedings under the terms and conditions of the release.

If you are or know anyone who is a victim of domestic violence, the Hope and Safety Alliance in Lane County operates a 24-hour Crisis and Support Line at (541)-485-6513 or (800)-281-2800. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. More information about Hope and Safety Alliance services can be found at www.hopesafetyalliance.org/get-help . (SOURCE)

Four public agencies to auction surplus vehicles and equipment at the end of September

Each year Lane County auctions vehicles because of age or mileage. Lane County Fleet Services will conduct a public, open-bid (with proxy bidding) auction from Thursday, September 26, to Saturday, September 28. 

Vehicles may be previewed before the sale by visiting http://fleetauction.lanecounty.org. In-person viewing is available during the auction from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. Lane County Fleet Services is located at 3040 North Delta Highway in Eugene. 

Highlights from this year’s auction:

• 35 vehicles, including trucks, vans, buses and a hybrid car
• Caterpillar equipment, excavators, backhoe and a bucket truck
• Large generator

Proceeds go to a replacement fund that helps offset the cost to buy replacement vehicles. 

Bids must be submitted online and will be received until 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 28. All bids start with a minimum set amount.  No faxed, voice or paper bids will be accepted. Acceptable forms of payment include cash, credit cards (Visa, Mastercard or Discover) cashier’s checks, money order or certified check made payable to Lane County Public Works. Personal checks for $50 or less are also accepted. Full payment is due within 48 of notification.   

This is the twenty-fifth year Lane County Fleet Services and other municipalities have combined their auctions to reduce the cost of disposing of surplus equipment. This auction is in partnership with Lane County, Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB), Lane Transit District, and others.

For more information, call 541-682-8587, 541-682-8580, or email lcfleet@lanecountyor.gov.

Lane County makes no warranties or guarantees and will not be held responsible for advertising errors or omissions. All equipment is offered to other municipalities before the public and therefore is subject to prior sale. 

Benton County Sheriff’s Office Announces Community Emergency Response Team Training Course

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Benton County Sheriff’s Office is excited to announce an upcoming Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training course, designed to enhance local emergency preparedness and empower community members with critical skills.   

The CERT Training program is a comprehensive initiative aimed at addressing local hazards while providing participants with essential education and hands-on skills training. The course includes 12 hours of online coursework, followed by 16 hours of in-person training. 

Participants will benefit from the expertise of local professional responders, State-certified trainers, and knowledgeable volunteers who are subject matter experts. This robust training ensures that individuals of all abilities can gain valuable preparedness skills in a safe, positive, and inclusive environment. 

The CERT Training course emphasizes hands-on practice, enabling participants to gain practical experience while fostering a collaborative spirit. By joining this program, individuals not only contribute to their own preparedness but also to the overall safety and well-being of their communities. 

The course includes:

1. Disaster Preparedness 
2. CERT Organization 
3. Disaster Medical Operations – Part 1 
4. Disaster Medical Operations – Part 2 
5. Disaster Psychology 
6. Fire Safety and Utility Controls 
7. Light Search and Rescue Operations 
8. Terrorism and CERT 
9. Course Review and Disaster Simulation 

Benton County CERT Fall 2024 Schedule:

• October 10 (Thursday evening)
• October 25 (Friday evening)
• October 26 (Saturday, all day)
• October 27 (Sunday morning)

Interested individuals are encouraged to register early to secure their spot. Participants must be 18 years of age or older. If younger, participants may attend if accompanied by a parent/guardian. 

The 12-hr online training must be completed to attend classroom training beginning October 10. To register, go online to Benton County Oregon CERT training. 

For more details, please contact t@bentoncountyor.gov“>cert@bentoncountyor.gov or leave a message at 541-766-6050.

Cottage Grove – Lane 1 Fires

Many of the roads, trails and general forest areas within the Umpqua National Forest are closed to provide for public and firefighter safety. For more information and a map of the closed areas go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices/…Portions of the Bureau of Land Management, Northwest Oregon District, managed public lands, roads, sites, and trails are closed to all forms of public access.

For more information and a map showing the closure go to: https://www.blm.gov/…/docs/2024-07/orwa-fpo-nwo-072024.pdfPhoto: Road closure signs at the start of Sharp Creek Road

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 Government — Part of being prepared for an emergency is knowing how you will receive emergency alerts and life safety information. Lane County uses several tools to alert residents.

Watch the video below to learn more about those tools and decide which ones you will rely on in the event of an emergency or disaster. https://vimeo.com/565852770Sign up to receive Lane Alerts emergency alerts at www.LaneAlerts.org#NationalPreparednessMonth

LCSO Case #24-4738 – Deputies investigating house fire on E. River Drive – Seeking Suspect

Tuesday morning at about 7:20 a.m., deputies responded to a residence in the 33800 block of E. River Drive, Creswell, after South Lane Fire & Rescue advised it was fully engulfed in flames. A car belonging to the resident, Nicholas Rex Snyder, 32, was seen leaving the area around the time the blaze started. The vehicle is a gray 2016 Toyota Carolla, Oregon plate 311MXY. 

Deputies had been at the residence last night for a disturbance and attempted to contact Snyder. They did not receive a response from the house, and it was unknown if he was still at the location. 

Deputies and detectives are investigating, with assistance from the State Fire Marshal. Anyone with information about Snyder’s whereabouts is asked to call Dispatch at 541-682-4141 and avoid approaching or contacting him.

Road Closure: Row River Road

Road Name:	Row River Road
Location:	East of Cottage Grove
Closure:	Milepost 8.7
Dates and Times:	Now through 7:00 p.m. on September 30,2024
Reason for closure	Construction work to replacefailing culvert underthe road to mitigate future landslides.
Alternate routes:	ShoreviewDrivePark Access –West end of Row River RoadM.P. 6.10 Army Corps RoundaboutM.P. 6.40 Row PointM.P. 7.40 Harms Park Boat Ramp East End of Row River RoadM.P. 9.50 Bake Stewart Park

This notice is for the fourth and final road closure which is expected to be complete around September 30, 2024.

Lane County will be performing construction work to replace failing culverts under Row River Road to mitigate the risk of future landslides. The work will take place at four different locations between spring and fall of 2024. Each culvert replacement will require a full road closure of 4-6 weeks.

TripCheck will be updated regularly as dates may change as construction progresses.

Police Seek Witnesses in Recent Rapes in West Eugene

Around 7 p.m., on August 27, a woman in her 30s was on the Wild Iris Ridge trail when she encountered a man she did not know and who subsequently raped her. The woman was able to get to safety and report this after the attack. The suspect is a male on a bike, in his 30s, with brown hair, clean shaven face, wearing darker clothes, jogger pants, and a dark hoodie.

Wild Iris Ridge Trail is off Bailey Hill Road and Bertelsen. Detectives are seeking to have anyone who was in the area between 4:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. yesterday (August 27) and might have seen potential suspects to call Detective Anne McIntyre at 541. 953.9323. EPD’s Community Engagement Team will be out on the path to patrol and add to routine checks of the area.

Earlier this month a similar rape occurred on the Amazon bike trail also in West Eugene.

The previous reported rape was on the Amazon / Fern Ridge Bike Path at about 10:50 a.m. on Aug. 8. In that case, the female victim described the suspect as white, about age 40, with brown hair and last seen wearing a black/white sleeveless shirt with writing along the back, green shoes and a tattoo on one of his arms. The suspect was pushing a bicycle and later used it to flee.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Eugene Police non-emergency line: 541-682-5111

The following are the general personal safety tips provided by Eugene Police:

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Do not get into someone’s car even if they display a weapon. It is better to fight back in the street where help is closer at hand and other people may hear your calls for help.
• Walk confidently and don’t avoid eye contact.
• Don’t let strangers into your space. Keep plenty of distance between yourself and people you don’t wish to approach you.
• Don’t stop to talk with strangers asking for directions or other types of help as this can be a ploy to get close for an attack.
• If you feel you are in danger or being followed, call 9-1-1.
• If grabbed, fight back and make as much noise as possible.
• Use the buddy system when walking after dark. You should know the person you are walking with well enough to trust them.
• Walk in lighted areas as much as possible and don’t walk too close to bushes, alleyways or other places where attackers can conceal themselves.

Lt. Jeremy Williams with the Eugene Police investigations team told reporters Thursday they do not have reason to think the incidents are related, but they are not ruling it out. He said this type of violent crime is unusual for the community and he understands it’s frightening.

“We take these sorts of incidents seriously,” he said, “and appreciate the trauma that can come from these and the fear that it can generate in the public. And we’re confident that we’ll bring this offender to justice.”

Williams said until the perpetrator is arrested, people should be careful and avoid walking alone.

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. 

Parkinson’s Walk funds resources for local community

 – Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon (PRO) will host its annual Sole Support for Parkinson’s Walk September 29th at Alton Baker Park, marking the 20^th year of fundraising and awareness for the local Parkinson’s disease community.  

The family friendly event brings people whose lives are impacted by a Parkinson’s diagnosis together with a caring and supportive community for a walk along the riverfront spreading awareness about this neurodegenerative disease with no cure. Funds raised remain in the local community to help people living with the disease through exercise, education, and wellness programs offered at no charge.  

Among the 300 or so expected participants will be Eugene resident, Lynn Smith, who is back fundraising with her team for her 3^rd year.  Ms. Smith was diagnosed in 2020 during the pandemic when it was difficult to connect with others with Parkinson’s. Once she was able to safely get out and join the Eugene PD community she has never looked back.  

“I’m grateful every day for the support from my friends, family, Parkinson’s Resources and the Eugene PD community.” said Smith. “It has been such a positive experience to participate with my supporters in a way that makes a difference for others.”  

Sunday, September 29, 2024 

Alton Baker Park, Picnic Shelters 1 & 2 

Onsite registration and check in opens at noon – Walk begins at 1:30pm  

~1k and ~5k routes are walker and wheelchair friendly 

Registration is free – fundraising is encouraged. 

To register, find out more, or donate, go to:www.solesupport.org or call 800.426.6806   

About Parkinson’s Resources: 

Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon (PRO) is a donor supported non-profit with the sole mission of advancing the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s, their families and caregivers. With three office locations (Bend, Eugene, Beaverton), PRO provides direct care and support of thousands of families in Oregon and SW Washington. Working to address issues faced by Parkinson’s patients and their families, we can significantly improve the quality of life for all touched by this disease.  

To find out more about PRO’s services or to support our programs, go to: www.parkinsonsresources.org or call 800.426.6806 

“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.

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.

White Bird Clinic – · Crisis intervention is a 24/7 need in our community, and CAHOOTS, as part of White Bird Crisis Intervention programs, responds.

White Bird CAHOOTS Springfield Coverage: 11 am – 11 pm, 7 days a week (541-726-3714) — Eugene Coverage: 24/7 (541-682-5111)

Oregon to Receive $43 Million Federal Funding for Roads Damaged By Winter Storms and Floods

Oregon will receive nearly $43 million from the federal government to repair roads damaged by recent natural disasters, the state’s two U.S. senators announced Monday.

The influx of federal funding comes as the state struggles to fill transportation funding gaps. The Oregon Department of Transportation estimated it will face a deficit of more than $350 million in the 2025-27 budget if lawmakers don’t pass a substantial funding package in the upcoming legislative session.

The new federal money, part of more than $800 million allocated nationwide, will reimburse state and federal agencies for repairing damage caused by winter storms, atmospheric rivers and thunderstorms since 2019. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, both Democrats, said they’ll continue working to bring back money when natural disasters strike. 

“Oregonians in every corner of the state have faced dangerous storms in recent years, which have taken a heavy toll on the infrastructure they need to move safely,” Merkley said. “State and federal agencies went to work to repair and rebuild the roads and other important infrastructure that powers our communities, and these investments will help cover the cost of their essential efforts. I will keep working to ensure Oregon has the tools needed to recover and become more resilient in the face of future storms while we take on the climate chaos that is intensifying these disasters.”

Oregon’s award was one of the largest in the country, behind California, Puerto Rico, Florida, Vermont and Tennessee. California’s $183 million will go toward addressing damage caused by fires, flooding, tropical storms and earthquakes. Florida and Puerto Rico each received $110 million for damage caused by hurricanes, while Vermont received $55 million and Tennessee $46 million for severe storms and landslides. 

“From northeast Oregon to southwest Oregon and many points in between, natural disasters have slammed communities throughout our state,” Wyden said. “This federal aid will help Oregon cities and counties cover the expenses they incurred recovering from severe storms, floods and more.”

About half of the new federal money, more than $21.3 million, was for damage from severe winter storms in December 2022. Heavy rain caused landslides, including one that threatened to block Interstate 84 near Ontario and one that wiped out a portion of U.S. Highway 101 for several days in January 2023. 

Another $11.4 million was for Oregon Department of Transportation repairs to signs and roads damaged by a storm this January that blanketed much of the state in ice and led to flooding and landslides in southern Oregon. 

ODOT will also receive three smaller grants: almost $738,000 for responding to June 2023 thunderstorms in Harney and Malheur counties that closed U.S. 20 for five days, $631,000 for washouts west of the Cascades caused by atmospheric rivers in December 2023 and $80,000 for storms in May and June 2022 that damaged Interstate 84, U.S. 26 and Oregon 204 in central and eastern Oregon. 

The U.S. Forest Service will receive about $5.8 million as reimbursement for roads and culverts damaged by a six-day atmospheric river in and around the Umatilla National Forest in February 2020 and almost $641,000 for its response to a December 2022 atmospheric river in southwest Oregon. It’s also getting $600,000 for repairing forest service roads and culverts damaged by late winter storms in southern Oregon in 2019. 

About $1.4 million is for the Bureau of Land Management’s work restoring roads and culverts damaged in southwest Oregon in December 2023, when warm temperatures and heavy rain paired with melted snow to wash out roads and down trees. (SOURCE)

Southern Oregon Tribes Sue Feds Over Offshore Wind Energy Plans

Leaders of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians said they will drop their lawsuit if the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management delays its October auction for developers

Officials from the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians are suing the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management over its decision to greenlight two areas off the Oregon Coast for potential floating wind energy projects.

The southern Oregon tribe – which passed a resolution against floating offshore wind energy in those areas last November – filed its suit Friday in U.S. District Court in Eugene against the ocean energy bureau, accusing it of violating two federal laws meant to protect the environment and culturally significant areas. 

“The decision to file this legal action was not taken lightly,” Brad Kneaper, chair of the tribal council, said in a news release. “We would much rather work collaboratively with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to determine where the best places are to develop wind energy, minimizing the impacts to the coast and our people.”

The suit comes two weeks after federal officials announced they would hold an auction for companies interested in surveying and proposing floating offshore wind energy farms in two lease areas. One area, a 61,000-acre site, is located 30 miles off the coast of Coos Bay, while the other, spanning nearly 134,000 acres, is located 20 miles off the coast of Brookings. If fully developed, wind farms on the two sites could generate more than 3.1 gigawatts of renewable energy, enough to power 1 million homes, federal officials said. 

Tribal officials say the two proposed offshore areas are in the tribes’ ancestral territory and that the areas are home to fish and other marine species and have views of significant cultural, historic and economic significance to the tribe. 

Kneaper said in the release that the tribe is willing to withdraw the lawsuit if the October lease sale is delayed and the bureau commits to assessing the cumulative and future impacts of wind energy development not just along the Oregon Coast, but also across all development areas being auctioned off along the West Coast. 

“BOEM does not discuss pending litigation through the media,” John Romero, a spokesperson for the ocean energy bureau, said in an email. 

The lawsuit

In the suit, the tribe, represented by attorney Rick Eichstaedt of the Spokane-based law firm Rey-Bear McLaughlin, accused the ocean energy bureau of violating the federal National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, as well as the National Historic Preservation Act, which requires federal agencies to protect culturally significant sites. 

The tribe claims the agency failed in an environmental assessment to consider not just the current impacts of surveying and potentially developing the areas for wind energy, but also future impacts as well as the cumulative effect of wind power generation along the entire West Coast, not just off the coast of Oregon. 

The bureau has auctioned five areas off the California coast for floating wind energy projects. In July, it released an environmental assessment of the two Oregon lease areas, and said there would be no significant impact to people or the environment as companies survey, study and plan proposals. 

Any projects proposed by developers would need to go through another environmental impact analysis, and the public and interested parties would also be able to comment before it could be approved and built.

Kneaper said the July assessment ignored the cumulative and future impacts of wind development, and failed to identify alternative areas that did not have the same cultural and historic importance for the tribe and marine species.

“The tribe has consistently urged that BOEM delay moving forward with wind energy development until a better understanding is made of the impacts to fish, wildlife, the marine environment and cultural resources important to the tribe,” he said. “No one, including BOEM, has an understanding of how wind development will impact the fragile marine environment.”

Kneaper accused the bureau of being driven by politics and ignoring concerns among coastal residents. In November, Coos County residents will vote on a ballot initiative to oppose offshore wind development, and a coalition of independent fishing boat operators, seafood companies and industry groups have also asked Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek to intervene to stop floating offshore wind development from moving forward. 

Wider picture

Under Oregon’s climate change policies, the state needs to curb its greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century. The Climate Protection Program, which is currently being redone by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, has set a target of reducing emissions from fossil fuels in Oregon by 50% by 2035 and by 90% by 2050. 

Wind energy will be needed to help achieve those goals, officials say, and offshore wind is slated to be part of the solution. The Oregon Department of Energy’s latest energy report said the state needs about 20,000 megawatts of energy to come from offshore wind by 2050 to meet that target. 

The Biden administration also has wind energy plans. It is planning for up to a dozen offshore wind energy auctions through 2028, with the hope of developing a total of 30 gigawatts of wind energy – enough to power more than 10 million homes – on the East and West coasts to be deployed by 2030. The Oregon sites would account for about 10% of that, according to the bureau. (SOURCE)

Oregon election officials say data entry error added 306 noncitizens to voter rolls, two voted

State election officials and Gov. Tina Kotek stressed that the error was caught and won’t affect the 2024 election

The Oregon agency that issues driver’s licenses erroneously registered more than 300 non-citizens to vote, though state officials say only two people actually cast ballots. 

State Elections Director Molly Woon told the Capital Chronicle that she received a call late Thursday afternoon from the administrator of the Driver and Motor Vehicle Services division of the Oregon Department of Transportation, telling her that DMV staff caught a data entry error that led to the division wrongly classifying some noncitizens as citizens. State election officials spent Friday reviewing that information and working with county clerks to ensure those people won’t receive ballots unless and until they prove they’re eligible to vote. 

The error is not large enough to impact the outcome of the state’s elections – more than 3 million people are registered to vote in Oregon, and the 306 cases identified by state officials are 0.01% of the state’s voters. 

Ben Morris, chief of staff to Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade, said the DMV is continuing to investigate whether there are any more issues, and there is time to rectify any additional mistakes. Ballots won’t be mailed to voters for another month. 

“We can say that this error will not impact the 2024 election, and I want to emphasize that point as much as possible. This error will not impact the 2024 election,” he said. 

The error, first reported by Willamette Week, resulted from DMV staff erroneously marking noncitizens who obtained driver’s licenses as citizens, such as by miscategorizing foreign birth certificates as U.S. birth certificates and foreign passports as U.S. passports.

Since January 2016, Oregon has automatically registered citizens to vote when they obtain or renew driver’s licenses, permits or nonoperating IDs. A 2019 state law, meanwhile, eliminated a requirement that applicants prove they’re citizens or legal residents when obtaining a driver’s license. 

People applying for driver’s licenses need to bring proof of their identity – like a birth certificate, passport, naturalization documents or visa – as well as proof of an Oregon address, such as a utility bill or rental agreement. Only applicants who provide documents that prove citizenship, like a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport or certificate of naturalization, are supposed to be registered to vote. 

DMV administrator Amy Joyce said in a statement that the DMV discovered the error while “proactively analyzing” its system ahead of the 2024 election. The erroneous registrations it identified were based on foreign passports being entered as U.S. passports. The department is continuing to go through registrations tied to birth certificates, and that may take another two weeks, she said.

The DMV added a new prompt on its data entry screen to ensure front desk staff accurately enter citizenship information and has begun daily auditing of all transactions to verify materials are accurate before sending them to the Elections Division, Joyce added.

Woon said the secretary of state’s office is continuing to look into the two people who were not citizens when they were automatically registered to vote and will forward the issue to the start Department of Justice if it appears they violated the law. 

“I want to emphasize that these folks were registered by no fault of their own,” she said. “I think that will certainly be taken into consideration. The first order of business, however, will be to see if the citizenship status of these people has changed. Because these records date from 2021 to today, it’s possible that their status has changed, and perhaps they are citizens, and that’s why they have a voter record. We’ll need to do a little bit more digging to sort that out first.” 

Gov. Tina Kotek said in a statement that she has been fully briefed on the situation and will continue to closely monitor it. She noted that it would affect 0.01% of the state’s registered voters and will not impact the 2024 election in any way. 

“Oregon’s electoral system is one of the most secure, effective and accessible in the nation,” Kotek said. “The error in data entry which may have affected the voter eligibility of some Oregonian’s voter registration was discovered because the Oregon DMV and the secretary of state were doing their due diligence ahead of the 2024 election.”

Griffin-Valade said safeguarding the integrity of elections is her top priority, while praising automatic voter registration. 

“When my office was made aware of this error, we moved quickly to update the voter rolls,” she said. “I am also personally calling on the DMV to take immediate action to improve its processes to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Automatic voter registration has been hugely beneficial for thousands of eligible Oregon voters to ensure access to our democracy. I’m confident the DMV is rectifying this error and improving their process, so it doesn’t happen again.” 

Lawmakers call for investigations

Lawmakers and U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Oregon, called for further investigations Friday evening.

State Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Clackamas and the Democratic nominee for the 5th Congressional District, was the first to issue a statement and called on the Department of Justice to conduct a “full-scale investigation.”

“Any errors in this process are unacceptable, and the office of the Secretary of State must be held responsible for any such lapses. I will relentlessly defend our laws and safeguard the integrity of our elections,” she said. 

Salinas called the announcement “disturbing,” while emphasizing that it was not an attempt hurt the election system.

“This is total malpractice on the part of the Department of Motor Vehicles and is completely unacceptable,” she said. “I am calling on the state to act quickly to remove these individuals from the rolls, conduct a full and transparent investigation into how this occurred, and provide concrete steps they are taking to remedy this issue and prevent it from happening again. However, I want to emphasize that this was a bureaucratic error by the Oregon DMV and not a systemic attempt to cheat the system by organizations or individuals.”

House Republican Leader Jeff Helfrich, who in May publicly questioned the integrity of the state’s election system over hours-long delays delivering ballots, repeated his complaints that Oregon’s election laws are too weak.

“Republicans warned over and over that Oregon’s election laws were too relaxed, and Democrats dismissed our concerns,” he said. “Now, hundreds of noncitizens were found on Oregon’s voter rolls, and the state can’t say how many there are. This threat to election integrity is unacceptable. The Secretary of State must immediately inform the legislature as to the full extent of this problem and what is being done to fix it before ballots go out next month.” (SOURCE)

To register to vote, visit here:

Feds grant more than $9 million to Oregon for wildfire prevention

As wildfires continue to threaten homes, rangeland and communities in Oregon, the federal government has announced millions in new funding to prevent the blazes that have blackened a record amount of acreage.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Tuesday it has approved $100 million to reduce the threat of wildfires in 14 states, including Oregon. The money will be used for restoring forest health, prescribed burns and other wildfire prevention strategies in 18 national forests that border homes and communities. The USDA, which oversees the Forest Service, allocated $9.4 million to forests in eastern and southern Oregon and $345,000 for a project in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in Washington, which is also expected to benefit Oregonians.

Preventing wildfires requires a collective effort from everyone—help mitigate the risk of human-caused wildfires and protect our forests and communities.

Monitor Fires in Oregon – Updated Daily

Large Fires in Oregon Past 2 Weeks 9/18/24 9:00am per INCIWEB

Incident	Type	State	Incident Size	UpdatedSort ascending
Flat Top and Firestone Fires – ORDEF	Wildfire	Oregon	Acres	5 minutes 7 seconds ago
North Willamette Complex – ORWIF	Wildfire	Oregon	6657 Acres	5 minutes 45 seconds ago
Bachelor Complex Fires – ORDEF	Wildfire	Oregon	10958 Acres	6 minutes 5 seconds ago
Fossil Complex – OR95S	Wildfire	Oregon	24446 Acres	6 minutes 24 seconds ago
Devils Knob Fire – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	4142 Acres	6 minutes 33 seconds ago
Rail Ridge – OROCF	Wildfire	Oregon	162345 Acres	40 minutes 57 seconds ago
Diamond Complex – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	11141 Acres	42 minutes 54 seconds ago
Buck Creek Fire – ORFWF	Wildfire	Oregon	5647 Acres	1 hour 25 minutes ago
Homestead Complex – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	9699 Acres	12 hours 23 minutes ago
Middle Fork Fire – ORCLP	Wildfire	Oregon	5286 Acres	12 hours 24 minutes ago
Whisky Creek Fire – ORMHF	Wildfire	Oregon	3145 Acres	12 hours 46 minutes ago
Wiley Flat – OROCF	Wildfire	Oregon	30163 Acres	13 hours 10 minutes ago
Sandstone Fire – ORMHF	Wildfire	Oregon	702 Acres	16 hours 5 minutes ago
Lane 1 Fire – OR77S	Wildfire	Oregon	25951 Acres	22 hours 6 minutes ago
Willamette Complex Fires – South – ORWIF	Wildfire	Oregon	23309 Acres	23 hours 2 minutes ago
Red Fire – ORDEF	Wildfire	Oregon	1763 Acres	23 hours 4 minutes ago
Milepost 98 – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	250 Acres	1 day 22 hours ago
Crazy Creek – OROCF	Burned Area Emergency Response	Oregon	86968 Acres	2 days ago
Shoe Fly Fire – OR95S	Wildfire	Oregon	26817 Acres	2 days 11 hours ago
Microwave Tower Fire – OR95S	Wildfire	Oregon	1313 Acres	6 days 22 hours ago
Copperfield Fire – OR98S	Wildfire	Oregon	3822 Acres	6 days 23 hours ago
Two Cabin – OR95S	Wildfire	Oregon	251 Acres	1 week 4 days ago

https://app.watchduty.org/

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. 

U.S. Forest Service Hiring in Oregon

The U.S. Forest Service is looking to shore up its wildland firefighting force in the Pacific Northwest.  Recruitment events will take place across Oregon next month, with stops in Bend, Sandy and La Grande on September 12th, in an effort to hire a couple hundred permanent seasonal positions.

“That’s our goal, is to hire up to 200, maybe even a little more if we can, into these what we call entry level, perm-fire-hire positions, which are typically your six to nine-month timeframe employment within the agency,” said Jason Heinz who works in regional workforce development for the Forest Service.  He added those jobs are spread around Oregon, Washington and Alaska, and in most cases fill a currently vacant position.  Heinz says several factors make it more difficult to recruit wildland crews.

“We are increasing the number of individuals that work for the agency, our fire seasons are getting longer, burnout is a real thing. And so, we’re trying to work on adding more capacity to our crews so that we can have a better work-life balance.”  — Applications can be submitted now through September 24th. Visit USAJobs.gov to apply.

Oregon Farm Bureau — Thanks to the generous support of our agricultural community, we are now receiving both monetary and feed donations through our Wildfire Relief Fund. If you are a farmer or rancher affected by the wildfires, please take a moment to complete our short application for relief. https://www.oregonfb.org/

OSP asking for the public’s help to locate wanted man —  Oregon State Police 

Suspect wanted for sex crimes in Oregon and Alabama

WASCO COUNTY, Ore. 9 Sept. 2024 – Oregon State Police and the Mobile (Alabama) Police Department are seeking the public’s help to locate Adam Renk (39) who is wanted in both states for sex crimes against child victims. 

On June 21, 2024, OSP detectives responded to a sexual abuse disclosure made by a minor. The minor disclosed Renk as the perpetrator. Renk has since been indicted on multiple crimes against a child victim under the age of 12. He is charged with Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree, Sodomy in the First Degree, and Sexual Abuse in the First Degree.

As part of their investigation, OSP detectives learned Renk had been charged in another case involving a minor victim in Mobile, Alabama. The Alabama charges include Child Sexual Abuse and Torture involving an 11-year-old victim. The victims in the two states are not related. Alabama law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Marshals Service are attempting to locate Renk who posted bond in Alabama and was released from pre-trial custody. 

Renk was last seen leaving Alabama on August 7, 2024. He has ties to Oregon and Wasco County. He is believed to be traveling in a converted Ford Ambulance that is now painted two-toned white over gray. Renk is a white male, 6 ft. 1 in. tall, 175 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair. 

Anyone with information about Renk’s whereabouts or information about possible additional victims is asked to contact the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office at 541-506-2580 or OSP Detective Cassie Bantz through dispatch at 800-442-0776 or by dialing OSP (677) on a mobile phone. 

Central Point Police Department Responds to Firearm Incident at Crater High School

On the morning of September 17, 2024, an anonymous tip was received by Crater High School staff regarding a student who was allegedly in possession of a firearm on the school campus. Immediate action was taken by school security personnel and Central Point School Resource Officers to locate the student, a 16-year-old, and investigate the situation.

The student was quickly identified and found to have a small-caliber firearm in their possession. Central Point Police conducted a thorough investigation with the assistance of the Jackson County Threat Assessment Team. It is important to note that at no point were any direct threats made toward the school, students, or staff. However, out of an abundance of caution, appropriate safety measures were implemented to ensure the well-being of everyone on campus.

The situation was resolved peacefully, and there were no injuries or further incidents. The student involved has been lodged at the Jackson County Juvenile Detention Facility.

Both the Central Point Police Department and School District 6 would like to assure the community that there is no ongoing threat related to this incident. We extend our gratitude to the school staff, security personnel, and law enforcement officers for their quick and professional response in handling the situation.

We remain committed to the safety of our schools and will continue to work closely with Crater High School and other district schools to ensure a safe environment for all students and staff.

For further information, please contact the Central Point Police Department or School District 6.-Scott Logue, Chief of Police-Walt Davenport, Central Point School District 6 Superintendent

Kroger & Albertsons Make Final Pitch Before a Judge Decides Whether to Block Merger

The federal government urged a U.S. District Court judge on Tuesday to temporarily prevent a proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons, saying in closing arguments the combination would “almost certainly” benefit shareholders and not everyday shoppers.

Lawyers for the Federal Trade Commission and for the supermarket chains gave their closing arguments at the end of a three-week hearing on the commission’s request for a preliminary injunction to block the $24.6 billion deal.

Kroger and Albertsons argued their merger would preserve consumer choice by allowing them to better compete against growing rivals like Walmart, Costco and Amazon.

“If we don’t do something, the corner grocery store is in real danger,” Kroger attorney Matt Wolf said.

U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson must now decide whether to grant the injunction while the FTC’s anti-trust complaint goes goes before an in-house administrative law judge. Nelson said she would work “expeditiously” on her decision, but she didn’t say when she would rule.

Kroger and Albertsons proposed what would be the largest supermarket merger in U.S. history in 2022. The FTC alleged the merger would eliminate competition and lead to higher food prices for already struggling customers.

Susan Musser, the FTC’s chief trial counsel, argued Tuesday that Kroger and Albertsons primarily compete with each other and not places like Amazon or Costco, where consumers do other kinds of shopping.

“It’s this local competition, in these local communities, that this merger will eliminate,” Musser said.

But Wolf pushed back, saying Kroger and Albertsons were competing for the same customers as retailers that have lower labor costs because their workers aren’t unionized.

“Supermarkets are losing this food fight, and we pay the price for that fact,” Wolf said.

Kroger has said it plans to invest $1 billion in lower prices, if the merger goes through. Wolf said the company would focus on lowering prices “from day one.”

But Musser said the judge should be skeptical about the companies’ promises, which aren’t legally binding. Kroger and Albertsons’ executives might be well-intentioned, she said, but they will face pressure to report profits and keep prices high.

“Executives have a fiduciary duty not to shoppers, but to shareholders,” Musser said. “Experience tells us that promises can be broken.”

Albertsons CEO Vivek Sankaran, who testified earlier in the hearing, attended the closing arguments Tuesday but didn’t speak.

FTC attorneys have noted that the two supermarket chains currently compete in 22 states, closely matching each other on price, quality, private label products and services like store pickup. Shoppers benefit from that competition and would lose those benefits if the merger is allowed to proceed, they said.

Under the deal, Kroger and Albertsons would sell 579 stores in places where their locations overlap to C&S Wholesale Grocers, a New Hampshire-based supplier to independent supermarkets that also owns the Grand Union and Piggly Wiggly store brands.

The FTC maintains C&S is ill-prepared to take on the stores now owned by Albertsons and Kroger. Earlier in the hearing, Laura Hall, the FTC’s senior trial counsel, cited internal documents that indicated C&S executives were skeptical about the quality of the stores they would get and may want the option to sell or close them.

But Wolf said Tuesday that C&S has the experience and national scale to handle the divestiture. “We picked the party that could get the job done,” he said.

Kroger, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, operates 2,800 stores in 35 states, including brands like Ralphs, Smith’s and Harris Teeter. Albertsons, based in Boise, Idaho, operates 2,273 stores in 34 states, including brands like Safeway, Jewel Osco and Shaw’s. Together, the companies employ around 710,000 people.

In seeking to stop the merger, the FTC and labor union leaders have argued that workers’ wages and benefits would decline if Kroger and Albertsons no longer competed with each other. They also expressed concern that potential store closures could create so-called food and pharmacy “deserts” for consumers.

Six local chapters of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which together represent 100,000 Kroger and Albertsons workers in 12 states, said in a joint statement Tuesday that the companies can’t be trusted.

“The corporations admitted under oath, despite repeated comments to the public and media to the contrary, that some stores may close after a merger, prices may not actually go down after a merger and claims they have made to protect union jobs are not legally enforceable,” the group said in a statement.

The attorneys general of Arizona, California, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Wyoming all joined the FTC’s lawsuit on the commission’s side. Washington and Colorado filed separate cases in state courts seeking to block the merger. Washington’s case opened in Seattle on Monday.

If Nelson agrees to issue the injunction, the FTC plans to hold the in-house hearings starting Oct. 1. Kroger sued the FTC last month, however, alleging the agency’s internal proceedings are unconstitutional and saying it wants the merger’s merits decided in federal court. That lawsuit is being considered by a federal court in Ohio.

Shares in both Kroger and Albertsons fell 2% in trading Tuesday. (SOURCE)

Ashland and Central Point PD Investigate Child Exploitation Cases

On Tuesday September 17, 2024 a Jackson County Grand Jury convened to consider additional charges against Craig Johnson. Information presented by investigators and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office resulted in Johnson being indicted on the following charges:14 Counts of Using Child in Display of Sexually Explicit Conduct6 Counts of Attempted Using Child in Display of Sexually Explicit Conduct 2 Counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the 1st Degree1 Count of Invasion of Personal Privacy in the 1st Degree

Johnson remains in custody at the Jackson County Jail. The number of known victims in the Ashland area remains at six at this time.

This investigation in on going and additional updates will be proved as the investigation allows.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Lacie Six at APD 541-552-2125Ashland and Central Point PD Investigate Child Exploitation Cases

On 7/19/24 the Central Point Police Department received a report of potential sexual exploitation of a 5 year old child. Members of the Central Point Police Department Criminal Investigations Division took over the investigation. This complaint led to the arrest of Craig Albert Johnson, 68 years old, of Ashland. Johnson was lodged at the Jackson County Jail on 7/30/24 on the charges of Invasion of Personal Privacy in the First Degree, Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the First Degree and Using a Child in Display of Sexually Explicit Conduct. Johnson remains in custody as of this release.

During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Johnson was employed at the Children’s World Montessori School in Ashland and that additional instances of child exploitation had occurred at the school in Ashland. This discovery brought detectives from the Ashland Police Department into the investigation. Several victims have been identified and detectives are actively working on identifying additional potential victims. So far, all children found to have been victimized by Johnson are female. The Children’s World Montessori School is cooperating with this investigation.

The Ashland Police Department and Central Point Police Department understand the impact this has to our community and are actively working to investigate this matter. As the investigation proceeds additional criminal charges will be added as appropriate. In addition to APD and CPPD this case is receiving assistance from the Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force, the Jackson County Sexual Assault Response Team and the Jackson County District Attorney’s office. Anyone with information relating to this investigation is asked to please reach out to Detective Lacie Six with the Ashland Police Department.

Oregon Department of Corrections plans mail changes to curb drugs in prisons

Advocates say the changes would unfairly restrict the flow of mail between families and people in prison 

To combat the flow of drugs into prisons, the Oregon Department of Corrections is considering a change to its mail rules that would prohibit inmates from receiving letters written with colored pencils or markers while only permitting white envelopes and paper.

The proposed change comes as state prison officials seek to stop drugs from entering Oregon’s prison system, which has 12 facilities that handled nearly 1 million pieces of mail last year for some 12,000 people in custody. One pathway – but not the only one – is for drugs to enter prisons through the mail, sometimes disguised or shrouded with bright colors on paper and drawings. 

“We’re finding so much contraband that is disguised by the use of crayons, colored pencils, colored paper,” Mike Reese, director of the Oregon Department of Corrections, said in an interview with the Capital Chronicle. “And we’re just finding more and more with fentanyl and other drugs.”

Comment on rules

The public can comment on the proposal by emailing DOC.RulesCoordinator@doc.oregon.gov by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25.

But the proposed rule change also has drawn criticism. In the agency’s administrative rule hearing on Monday, advocates and families of people in custody spoke out against the proposal. They said the change reaches too far and blocks children from sharing their handwritten, colorful drawings with their mothers in custody. 

The agency has not made a final decision on the rule change. The agency will take feedback until Sept. 25 and make a decision later this year. 

About the change 

Under the proposal, any nonwhite envelopes would be banned. Colored envelopes and those made of cardboard would also not be permitted. 

Mail in envelopes that do not follow the rules would be rejected by mailroom employees and returned, unopened, to the sender. 

Mailroom staff open letters to check for contraband, but with some exceptions: If they are sent to or from attorneys, health care providers or the corrections ombudsman, a governor-appointed watchdog with the legal authority to investigate complaints about prisons.

Reese said the system wants to help people who have an addiction: “We want to make sure that we have a sober environment that allows them to heal and to be successful.”

Oregon – and much of the country is in the throes of a fentanyl epidemic, with about 1,400 Oregonians dying of overdoses in 2023, Oregon Health Authority data shows. 

Weigh in on Oregon’s drug addiction crisis

The Oregon Capital Chronicle wants to hear from Oregonians affected by the state’s drug addiction crisis and from providers and others involved in treatment or other services.

To share your thoughts and experiences here.

A relatively small amount can kill someone, too. Just two milligrams of fentanyl, small enough to fit on the tip of a pencil, is potentially lethal. 

Reese said everyone needs to be protected: those in custody, prison staff and postal employees who process mail. Outside Oregon, prison mail and drugs have proven lethal. A federal Bureau of Prisons correctional officer in California died in August after he opened up a letter tainted with narcotics, suspected to be fentanyl. Three people were charged in connection with a scheme to introduce drugs into that prison.

“We’re doing everything we can to enhance the safety of our institutions at a moment when we’re seeing so many people in the community dealing with addiction issues, particularly with fentanyl,” Reese said. 

Elizabeth Coleman, the behavioral health services manager at Two Rivers Correctional Institution in Umatilla, said the drugs pose a danger for people in custody as well as others who can be exposed, like their family and other staff. 

“Anecdotally, every single week when we review misconducts, there’s at least one of someone trying – someone who got it in – something caught in the mailroom,” Coleman said in an interview. 

The drugs can include fentanyl as well as heroin and spice, a designer drug meant to mimic the psychoactive compound in marijuana. Like drugs outside prisons, those inside can be tainted with fentanyl.

Coleman said she also recognizes the morale boost that connections with families provide.

“We want that connection to start, and also we want to keep people safe, everybody safe,” Coleman said. 

Opponents weigh in 

Advocates, former inmates and family members raised concerns about the proposed changes. 

Mariana Garcia Medina, a senior policy associate with the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, said the proposal would limit the ability of adults to have constructive communications with the outside world, including their families. 

The proposed changes would impact their mental health and impose restrictions that can violate the Oregon constitutional protections for people in custody to not face “unnecessary rigor,” she said. 

Others said unrestricted mail with family was crucial to their well-being.

Angela Kim, a legal assistant with the Oregon Justice Resource Center’s Women’s Justice Project, spoke about her experience while incarcerated at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. Her children lived in California, she said, and personal drawings and notes were valued.

“I received cards, drawings and letters, and each one was a treasure,” she said. “I have saved every one of them.”

Opponents also said the proposal could block people from receiving mail from other organizations that use colored envelopes. 

“The strictness of the new requirements may also be difficult for some families to comply with, especially those with limited means to purchase the right papers and envelopes,” Kim said.

Kim said the agency has not released data on how widespread the drug problem was through the mail. Agency officials did not provide the Capital Chronicle with data on Monday, though officials said anecdotally that it is a common issue. 

Alisha Price, of Great Falls, Montana, whose husband is in an Oregon prison, also testified during the meeting. Their two children, both teenagers, love sending him cards and writing letters, Price said. They can only go see him about twice a year, she said. 

“Without the letters and stuff, he would go absolutely crazy,” Price said. “It’s already making him absolutely crazy.”

Mary Pierce, a peer support specialist in Josephine County who works with Welcome Home Oregon, a re-entry group for formerly incarcerated people, said brightly colored envelopes can bolster morale for people languishing in prison. 

“It makes all the difference in the world when coming underneath your door or onto your bunk there’s that bright colored envelope coming from a friend or family,” said Pierce, who was incarcerated 10 years at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. “So I’m just asking that all of these things would be taken into consideration.” (SOURCE)

Free Lunches For Truckers This Week At These Oregon Scale Houses

The Oregon Trucking Association (OTA) is celebrating National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (TDAW) by treating truckers to free lunch at scale houses.

The OTA is partnering with the Oregon Department of Transportation to show professional drivers some thanks for the essential work that they do every day by bringing them free meals at scale house locations this week.

Here’s where truckers traveling in Oregon can find a free meal this week:

September 16 | 11:30 a.m  — Cascade Locks Port of Entry – Columbia River Region

September 17 | 11:30 a.m  — Juniper Butte Scale

September 18 | 7:00 a.m  — Klamath Falls Port of Entry – Eastern Cascades Region

September 18 | 11:30 a.m. — Ashland Port of Entry – Siskiyou Region

September 19 | 11:30 a.m  — Woodburn Port of Entry – Willamette Valley Region (SOURCE)

Inside the Oregon Department of Corrections’ push to build a new state penitentiary

DOC leaders want lawmakers to see how much it would cost to repair or replace the state prison in Salem, saying it’s “oppressive” and aging.

Oregon Department of Corrections leaders are pushing for a new state prison, asking state lawmakers to add it to the top of their priority list and see how much it would cost to repair or replace the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem.

The big request — in the hundreds of millions of dollars — could both reshape the state’s budget plans and its criminal justice system. 

DOC Director Mike Reese said the Oregon State Penitentiary is “oppressive” and aging past the point of repair. Reese, the former Multnomah County Sheriff, toured all 12 DOC institutions when he assumed directorship in the fall of 2023. For him, OSP stood out as the worst of the bunch.

“I think this is the top priority for me, in terms of looking at that replacement or remodel,” Reese said. “Is this the right place for us to house adults in custody and is it also helping lead to better outcomes, or is the institution itself a barrier to a progressive correctional facility?”

The DOC estimates it would cost $624 million to replace OSP with a new state prison, which could take about 5-10 years to build.

The alternative, Reese said, is a backlog of more than $110 million in deferred maintenance requests at the current facility and tens of millions more in needed improvements and upgrades.

“We do that work and then what breaks next?” he said. “This institution has a vibe to it that makes it challenging to talk about rehabilitation and restoration of people’s humanity and dignity.”

The department is asking lawmakers to approve a feasibility study in the upcoming legislative session to evaluate the cost-benefit of a new or repaired state penitentiary.

State Senator Janeen Sollman, who co-chairs the Oregon Legislature’s Ways and Means subcommittee on public safety, said she visited the state prison and she supports the idea of building a one.

“It can’t be something we continue to ignore because it will go away, it only get more expensive,” Sollman said. “How much money do you continue putting into an aging facility?” 

Reese, in a letter to all DOC staff members, acknowledged that building a new state prison could be a fairly unpopular political proposition.

“The last major prison project in Oregon was the Snake River Correctional Institution expansion in 1994, its $175 million price tag was the largest public works project in the state’s history at the time, inviting a great deal of scrutiny,” Reese wrote. “The OSP replacement/rebuild will have an even larger price tag and will likely cause similar conversations with taxpayers and their representatives.” 

The Oregon State Penitentiary houses about 1,800 adults in custody. It’s the only maximum-security prison in the state, and about 460 DOC staff members work there.  (SOURCE)

Study Shows Oregon Seeing Higher Business Growth Than All Other States

A new study from DesignRush shows that Oregon had more business growth than any other U.S. state between September 2022 and 2023. The study, which used data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, found that Oregon had a 9.9% increase in new businesses- that’s a net increase of 18,273 businesses.

Oregon is the best U.S. state for entrepreneurial success, according to the latest study published by leading B2B marketplace DesignRush.

Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, DesignRush conducted research to find the number of business establishments in U.S. states between September 2022 and 2023.

Each state was ranked based on the highest percentage increase of businesses over the period.

Oregon took the top spot with a 9.9% increase in business establishments with a net increase of 18,273 businesses, from 185,096 in 2022 to 203,369 in 2023.

Second on the list is Montana, with an estimated 9.4% gain in businesses (5,762 net increase) over the year. Montana was followed by Michigan and Hawaii, placing third (8.9% increase) and fourth (8.6% increase) respectively. 

The rest of the top 10 in the list are ranked as follows:

• Tennessee (8.0% increase)
• Idaho (7.9% increase)
• South Carolina (7.7% increase)
• Mississippi (7.4% increase)
• North Carolina (7.2% increase)
• Arizona (6.8% increase)

Gianluca Ferruggia, DesignRush’s General Manager, shared his insights on the study saying that with states from all areas of the U.S. making it to the top 10 list, this finding suggests the U.S. is well-equipped for entrepreneurs and business ventures. 

“It’ll be interesting to see if any new states make the ranking in the future as more establishments are founded,” Ferruggia said.

Some States Experience Major Business Decline

While most states performed well in terms of entrepreneurial success, there remain some that performed negatively. 

Virginia falls under this category, for example, experiencing a net loss of 16,522 — a 5% decrease from 2022 to 2023. Maryland and Iowa also experienced their fair share of losses, with a 1.1% and 0.6% decrease in businesses respectively. 

Expounding on the findings, Ferruggia cited geographical location as one of the many factors that can determine whether one’s business will take off or not. 

“At least five of the leading ten states are on the east side of the U.S. This indicates one of two things: it’s either extremely competitive in this region or the West is more suited for entrepreneurs and their fresh ideas. Perhaps new states will make the ranking in the future,” Ferruggia concludes. 

(SOURCE)

Summer EBT application deadline extended to Sept. 30, 2024
(Salem) – The application deadline for the new Summer EBT program has been extended to midnight Sept. 30, 2024. The program offers $120 per child to help cover grocery costs when school food programs are not as easy to access. Eligible families should act now.

Thousands of families may be unaware that they qualify for this essential benefit. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) urge families to check their eligibility and apply before the extended deadline. Remember, once benefits are received, they must be used within 122 days. 

Most eligible children received their benefits automatically on June 28, 2024, if their households:

1. Participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
2. Participate in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
3. Are Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) members in households with incomes under 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level 

Children in foster care also automatically received Summer EBT. 

However, families who did not receive benefits automatically, particularly those with children enrolled in a school during the 2023-2024 school year who were eligible for the National School Lunch or Breakfast Programs, should still apply to determine their eligibility.

Families are encouraged to visit sebt.oregon.gov or contact the Summer EBT Call Center to verify their eligibility and apply. ODHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht said, “We are grateful to our federal partners for making this extension. The extra time is so important for us to reach families who may be eligible because we know access to nutritious food is critical.” 

“Staying engaged in school and active in life requires proper nutrition,” said ODE Director Dr. Charlene Williams. “We know that there are many more families out there who have children who may be eligible for the $120 Summer EBT benefit and this important extension boosts our opportunity to reach them.”

Since June 28, 2024, more than 336,198 eligible school-aged children have been issued $40.3 million in Summer EBT food benefits. More than 60 percent of families receiving benefits in the initial issuance were able to immediately use benefits on existing Oregon EBT cards; the rest received new cards in July.

Act now and don’t let this opportunity pass by. Make sure your family receives the assistance it deserves by applying for Summer EBT before midnight Sept. 30, 2024.

To learn more:

1. Call 833-ORE-SEBT (833-673-7328). The call center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
2. Visit sebt.oregon.gov.

Local Mt. Bachelor, Oregon Buyer Group Launches New Website

Mount Bachelor Community Inc.—the local group seeking to purchase Mount Bachelor after the resort was put up for sale by its current owners POWDR Corporation—has launched a website.

The site is divided into three main groups, each detailing aspects of Mount Bachelor Community Inc .

The ‘Contribute’ tab provides several channels for those interested in getting involved with the project, whether that’s volunteering or donating (“We’ll soon be launching a GoFundMe campaign to support our effort to purchase Mount Bachelor as a community,” the site reads). One field allows web visitors to share their personal Mount Bachelor story.

Another tab details investment opportunities with Mount Bachelor Community Inc. and covers two investor types: accredited investors and community contributions.

The final tab provides further details about Mount Bachelor Community Inc.’s mission, which, according to the website, is “to own and manage Mt. Bachelor with a focus on environmental care, supporting mountain enthusiasts, and reinvesting profits to boost the local economy.” Mount Bachelor Community Inc. aims to achieve B Corp status, a designation offered by B Lab, a non-profit that recognizes companies for their commitment to various social and environmental criteria. Notable outdoor industry B Corps include Patagonia and Taos Ski Valley.

The push for community ownership, helmed by Chris Porter and Dan Cochrane, is holding a kickoff event on October 12th. More details about the event are forthcoming.

“It’s been an overwhelming amount of support from people who want to donate their time, donate their money, invest, just pledge their support, or be involved,” Porter told POWDER last week, describing the community response to he and Cochrane’s effort. “So many people have reached out to us.”

Further information about the status of the Mt. Bachelor sale isn’t known. POWDR Corp. noted that they’ve received interest in the resort, but hasn’t named any specific parties. The sale doesn’t have a timeline and will “take as long as it takes,” according to Stacey Hutchinson, POWDR Corp.’s vice president of communications and government affairs.

POWDR Corp.’s latest planned sale—Killington, Vermont—will result in local passholder ownership, but that exchange may not have any bearing on what the company intends to do with Mt. Bachelor. In the meantime, Porter and Cochrane are committed to returning Mt. Bachelor to local skiers and snowboarders.

“We’ve really caught lightning in a bottle here,” said Porter.

To check out the website and learn more about the project, click here. — (SOURCE)

Press Release: Make Waves — Registration for the 2024 Beach & Riverside Cleanup is Now Open

 – SOLVE invites volunteers to make a global impact this September by joining the annual Beach & Riverside Cleanup. From September 20 through September 28, families, community members, student groups, and nature enthusiasts from all stages of life will gather across Oregon and Southwest Washington for a 10-day event series with a variety of projects to choose from. Registration is now open for this vital community effort to protect and restore our coastlines, rivers, and public lands.

Connecting Local Actions to Global Movements – September 21 is International Coastal Cleanup Day, uniting millions of volunteers worldwide to protect our coasts and waterways from harmful trash and debris. This global movement amplifies the impact of local efforts, uniting communities for cleaner environments. The Beach & Riverside Cleanup wraps up on September 28 with National Public Lands Day, the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event, focusing on trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and native tree planting.

Join the Effort – “After a season of heavy use, our rivers and beaches need care,” says Kris Carico, SOLVE’s Chief Executive Officer. “This event is a cherished tradition and a powerful force for change. We encourage everyone to get involved and make a lasting impact on our environment.”

SOLVE will host over 50 project sites across Oregon and SW Washington, from the Oregon Coast to the Willamette Valley and beyond. Last year, more than 1,500 volunteers removed 20,000 pounds of trash. Since 1986, the event has cleared over 2.5 million pounds of litter from Oregon’s natural areas. Volunteer registration is open for posted events and SOLVE is still seeking additional projects. Interested event leaders should register their events as soon as possible to fully maximize SOLVE’s support, resources, and everything needed to host a successful event. 

New Supply Hubs for Event Leaders – This year, SOLVE is making it easier for event leaders by launching five supply hubs at South Beach, Fort Stevens, Cape Lookout, Cape Blanco, and Sunset Bay. These hubs are equipped with reusable supplies like litter grabbers, vests, and buckets sponsored by Knife River. This partnership with Oregon Parks and Recreation strengthens SOLVE’s mission to provide even more volunteers with reusable supplies and host cleanup events with sustainability in mind.

Be Part of the Change – Join thousands of volunteers to protect our waterways, restore natural areas this September, and contribute to a cleaner, healthier Oregon. As the event dates approach, more details on project sites and opportunities will be released. For more information and to register, visit https://www.solveoregon.org/beach-riverside.

2024 Sponsors – SOLVE’s Beach & Riverside Cleanup 2024 is proudly supported by Chevron, Clean Water Services, Daimler Truck North America, Fred Meyer, Harper Houf Peterson Righellis Inc., Here is Oregon, Keen Footwear, Knife River, KOIN, Metro, NEEF, Oregon Parks and Recreation, and Owens Corning.

About SOLVE – SOLVE brings communities together to take care of our environment and enhance our waterways. 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. 

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

 Oregon State Police are reminding parents and students of the SafeOregon hotline.

It takes reports of potential threats against students and schools. The tips can be made anonymously. They can include safety threats, fights, drugs, weapons on campus, cyberbullying and students considering self-harm or suicide. A technician reviews the reports and assigns them either to police or school administrators. Tips can be made by phone, text, email or on the website https://www.safeoregon.com