Willamette Valley News, Friday 10/4 – Local Agencies Give Advice for Those Attending Ducks and Beaver Football Games, Eugene Man Killed in Small Plane Crash Near Roseburg & 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

Friday, October 4, 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… DON’T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN – Just because we got a tiny bit of rain, it’s going to be dry for the next bit of time and Fire 🔥 Season is still in progress.

Many people let their guard down because fall has arrived. Major fires can get started in October and November. Fire season will not end until we really hit full speed on the cooler weather, rain, and snow coming to stay. Until then, be vigilant and do everything you can to prevent the spark that could be the next serious fire.

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

Local Agencies Give Advice for Those Attending Ducks and Beaver Football Games

Friday college football game day traffic is different than a Saturday Game. Please plan to get to Autzen earlier than usual to account for increased traffic.

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• The Friday, October 4 Oregon football game against Michigan State is shaping up to be well attended. And, Friday games have more traffic on the road due to the people commuting home from work and people beginning their weekend plans.• There will be fewer shuttles.

The shuttle provider, First Student, will have the bulk of their buses in use for school transportation, so there is a reduced number of shuttles for game day transportation. • Additionally, there have been some delays with postgame shuttles recently, and UO team is working with First Student and the Eugene Police Department to address the issue. We all appreciate your understanding and patience.

Here are some things you can do to improve your trip: • Some additional buses have been secured from a district in Southern Oregon that does not have school on Friday, and local buses will be used once their school routes are completed. A reduced number of shuttles will operate from Valley River Center, Lane County Fairgrounds, Pacific Source, and Springfield Station and will begin running their routes to Autzen Stadium at 3 p.m. Friday.

• To reduce your exposure to traffic, you may also consider parking on the south side of the Willamette River and walking across the Frohnmayer or DeFazio Bridges.• Those driving near the stadium should follow game day traffic markings, pylons and signage that EPD and Eugene Public Works establish for each Autzen event.

• Obey the Law – It’s vital that fans observe basic traffic laws when commuting to and from the game. The traffic cone patterns around the Autzen Stadium area on games days are considered traffic control devices and cannot be arbitrarily disregarded. Failure to obey these cones patterns or the officers who are directing traffic, may lead to a $300 citation. • Don’t Drink and Drive!!! – Local law enforcement agencies want football fans to enjoy themselves but to do so responsibly. By not drinking excessively and designating sober drivers, fans can help prevent tragedies from occurring.

Benton and Lane counties encourage Duck and Beaver fans to celebrate safely for football season

College sports fans across Oregon are thrilled about the return of football season. With both Oregon State University and University of Oregon playing at home this weekend, the health departments for Benton and Lane counties are joining together to encourage people to stay safe when it comes to excessive alcohol use. 

Sporting events and binge drinking often go hand in hand. That can contribute to unsafe driving and dangerous behaviors on and off the road. As people in Oregon gear up to celebrate their favorite teams, Benton and Lane counties want to remind everyone about the importance of driving sober and drinking less. 

Excessive drinking impairs your judgment, slows your reaction times, and increases the likelihood of making fatal decisions. This football season, make a commitment to yourself and your loved ones: Celebrate safely and don’t drive under the influence.

“Football games are a great opportunity to come together and to celebrate our favorite sports teams, but alcohol doesn’t always have to be the focus,” said Suzie Beaupre, Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Education Program Coordinator for Benton County Public Health. “If you are going to drink, all football fans should make a plan before they start the celebration to keep our roads and community safe. We need a new way to think about alcohol, as many of us cross the line into drinking too much, partly because society makes it so easy.” 

Over 2,500 people in Oregon die from alcohol-related causes every year, including cancers, heart disease, liver disease, violence and vehicle crashes. The share of Oregon adults who drink excessively is bigger than most of us realize, more than 1 in 5. Most people in this group are not affected by alcoholism or an alcohol use disorder. 

“While rooting for the Ducks or Beavers, remember that after the game we’re all on the same team when it comes to getting home safely,” said Luis Pimentel, Alcohol and Drug Prevention Education Program Coordinator for Lane County Public Health. “Whether you are at the game or at home watching, out at a bar, or at a college party this weekend, these environments can lead to binge drinking, which can be dangerous.” 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) definition of excessive drinking includes both heavy drinking and binge drinking:

  • Binge drinking is when a man has 5 or more standard drinks in one setting or occasion. For women, it’s 4 or more drinks.
  • Heavy drinking, the kind that can harm your health long-term, is 15 drinks or more a week for a man. For a woman, it’s 8 or more drinks. 

It is also true that for some people, drinking any alcohol is too much. And no matter who you are, drinking less is better for your health than drinking more.

Tips for this football season:

  • If you are going to host an event to watch the game, it’s important to have non-alcoholic options available for those choosing not to drink or who want to drink less. 
  • Avoid asking people why they aren’t drinking or pressuring them to drink more.
  • Always arrange to have a designated driver to ensure you aren’t driving buzzed or drunk. That could include calling a rideshare or a taxi.
  • Drink plenty of water and eat food while you’re drinking. 
  • Consider swapping every other drink with water or a non-alcoholic beverage option, or watering down a drink with more ice or low-sugar mixer.
  • If you’re going to drink, set a limit for that event. 
  • Count your drinks when you’re at an event or out with friends. You can use an app to track your drinks.

Benton and Lane counties support Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Rethink the Drink initiative to address the health harms caused by excessive drinking. This initiative isn’t telling people to stop drinking, but asks people to pause for a moment and think about the way alcohol is prevalent in their own lives and communities.

Go Beavers! Go Ducks!

If you or someone you care about is suffering from alcohol dependence or an alcohol use disorder, free confidential resources and support are available online or by calling or 1-800-923-435.

Benton County Public Health – Benton County Public Health is committed to protecting the health and well-being of everyone who lives in, works in, or visits Benton County. Benton County Public Health focuses on preventing health problems before they occur. Their programs strive to create community conditions that help reduce health disparities, so all people have an equal chance for a long and healthy life.

Lane County Public Health – Lane County Public Health strives to promote and protect the long-term health and the well-being of individuals, families, and our community. Lane County Public Health plays a critical role in protecting and improving the health of people across Lane County by providing a range of services aimed at promoting healthy behaviors; preventing diseases and injuries; ensuring access to safe food, water, clean air, and life-saving immunizations; and preparing for and responding to health emergencies.

Rethink the Drink aims to build healthier communities by decreasing excessive drinking and the harm it causes to individuals, families, and communities. Rethink the Drink raises awareness of the effects of excessive alcohol use across Oregon. It aims to start conversations about alcohol’s role in our own lives and communities. This initiative emphasizes health equity, noting that Black and Indigenous communities, and those with lower incomes or education, face higher rates of alcohol-related diseases due to systemic inequities. Rethink the Drink is committed to OHA’s larger goal to end health inequities in our state by 2030. Watch the video.

Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices. This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please contact the Public Information Office at 541-766-6800 or pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

Eugene Man Killed in Small Plane Crash Near Roseburg

– The pilot and sole occupant of a single-engine plane was killed Thursday morning while attempting to land on the turf runway of George Felt Airport in the 400 block of Felt St in Roseburg.

At about 11:30 am on October 3, 2024, 9-1-1 dispatchers received calls from witnesses working at the private airfield known as Felt’s Field. The witnesses advised the pilot was attempting to land the small, yellow, fixed-wing plane when the crash occurred.

After running out of runway on the first attempt, the pilot circled around and attempted the landing again, according to witnesses. The plane bounced off the ground, was launched back into the air and hit the top of a tree with the propeller before taking a nosedive to the ground. 

Deputies responded with firefighters and emergency medical providers from Central Douglas Fire and Rescue and Umpqua Valley Ambulance. 

The pilot, Steven H. Kretsinger, 65, of Eugene, was pronounced deceased on scene.

Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board were notified of the crash. Kretsinger’s next of kin has been notified. 

𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟒

Join a fun-filled evening of connection and celebration at the Communities of Color and Allies Network (CCAN) First Friday! All are welcome at this all-ages event with free food, networking opportunities, puzzles and games. Hosted in collaboration with Springfield Public Schools – OR and Springfield Utility Board, with special guests from Catholic Charities.

Colorful image showing multiple hands coming together in the center, each hand sporting different sleeves and a watch, against a yellow background. Text announces 'First Friday' with details about the Communities of Color and Allies Network (CCAN) event at Willamalane Adult Activity Center.

Bring your family and loved ones to connect with others in a relaxing, safe space where you can make new friends and build meaningful relationships.

📆 Friday, October 4, 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.📍 Willamalane Adult Activity Center (215 W. C Street, Springfield)

10/3/24 – LCSO Case #24-5328 – Deputies investigating fatal crash on Bob Straub Parkway

Crash Update

On October 3rd at about 10 a.m., Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a crash with injury that occurred in the intersection of Bob Straub Parkway and S. 57th Street, Springfield. Lane County Sheriff’s major collision investigators also responded.  

The cause of the crash is still being investigated. Initial investigation indicates a Buick sedan with a single occupant was driving north on Bob Straub Parkway when a Prius with three occupants, including a baby, entered the intersection from S. 57th Street to turn south on Bob Straub Parkway. The Buick struck the side of the Prius.

All occupants were transported to the hospital, however the driver of the Buick was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and later died. The identity of the deceased is being withheld until next of kin have been notified.  

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Springfield Police Department and Springfield Public Works for their initial response and traffic control during this investigation.  

𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐘 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐓 𝐈𝐍 𝐄𝐋𝐊𝐓𝐎𝐍 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋 𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓

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– On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at 1:38 pm, 9-1-1 dispatchers received a call from the Elkton High School reporting they were in a self-initiated lockdown. The principal reported the lockdown was the result of a student on campus with a firearm. At the time of the call, the student’s whereabouts were unknown. Multiple deputies, along with Sutherlin Police Department and Oregon State Police responded to the scene.

While responding, the school called back to indicate they believed the student was no longer on campus. Other area schools were placed in lockdown until the student could be located. Deputies eventually contacted the student in the area of Azalea Drive in Elkton.

A backpack was recovered, and a Glock replica BB pistol was located inside. The student, a 17-year-old male, was taken into custody and lodged at the Douglas County Juvenile Detention Center on the following charges: Disorderly Conduct I Menacing x2Probation Violation. The Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation working closely with school officials and agency partners.

LCSO Case #24-0446 – Sheriff’s detectives arrest suspect in River Road rape case

River Road Arrest

In late January, Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the River Road area of Eugene for a report of suspicious conditions. After reviewing evidence at the scene and area security camera recordings, the responding Deputies had reason to believe a sexual assault had occurred in the early morning hours. 

The case was forwarded to Detectives at the Lane County Sheriff’s Office for follow up. Detectives learned the victim was transient in the area and did not know the suspect. Evidence left at the scene was sent to the Oregon State Forensic Labs for DNA analysis. 

On September 23rd, 2024, Detectives received information from the Oregon State Labs advising Curtis Lee Larmore, 38, was a DNA match. Detectives quickly worked to locate Curtis, and on September 26th, Detectives located Curtis in an apartment in the River Road area. He was taken into custody and lodged at the Lane County Jail on charges of Rape in the 1st Degree and Sex Abuse in the 1st Degree.

Arrest Made in Fern Ridge Trail/Amazon Creek Rape

Court documents show show that the man charged on Monday with the alleged rape on Fern Ridge Trail in Eugene was also being sought for assaults in Lincoln and Josephine County.

Eugene Police Violent Crimes Unit contacted Timothy Joel Colnar, age 42, regarding this case at Lane County Jail on September 29, where he was incarcerated on an unrelated warrant. He is being charged with Rape in the First Degree, Sexual Penetration, Sex Abuse in the Third Degree, and Assault in the Fourth Degree.

Case 24-11629 – Previous information: Rape reported near Fern Ridge Trail/Amazon Creek — On August 8 at 10:50 a.m., Eugene Police responded to report of a rape on Fern Ridge Trail/Amazon Creek by an unknown male. 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. This case has been forwarded to VCU for investigation.

If anyone has suspect information, they are asked to contact the non-emergency line at 541.682.5111.

Court records show Timothy Joel Colnar, 42, had a warrant issued for fourth-degree assault and harassment on September 12 in Lincoln County, after a woman showed up at the Chinook Winds Casino back in January with a black eye. Court documents said the woman said her boyfriend had punched her in the face, but told a security guard she had deserved it and she was afraid of Colnar. That guard called police, the woman refused to speak with them and charges were not filed until September 2024. Court records from Lincoln County show Colnar’s last known address was in Shelton, Washington.

In Josephine County, Colnar was charged with fourth-degree assault involving a different woman who was allegedly assaulted in a hotel room in November 2021, according to court documents. Colnar, whose address was listed as in Grants Pass at the time, allegedly struck the woman in the mouth, splitting her lip. He was released from jail but failed to appear at any additional court hearings, and a warrant was issued for his arrest in February 2022.

Court records show Colnar was arrested by Eugene police on September 26 for the warrant out of Lincoln County. While Colnar was in jail, officers with Eugene Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit identified him as a suspect in a rape that occurred on August 8 on Eugene’s Fern Ridge Trail. Colnar now stands charged with first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, and first-degree sexual abuse.

The Lane County District Attorney has filed a motion to prevent Colnar from being released from the local jail, citing him as a danger to the victim and the public. A judge is set to consider that motion on October 4. Colnar’s next court date is set for November 4.

The Eugene Police Department would like to offer the following general personal safety tips:

  • 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

Lebanon Fire District Highlights Cancer Risks for Firefighters During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Lebanon Fire District is using this time to shed light on the heightened cancer risks faced by firefighters. Cancer has become the leading cause of death in the fire service, with firefighters regularly exposed to dangerous substances that significantly increase their risk of developing various cancers, including breast cancer.

“Our firefighters face many dangers every day, and long-term health risks from cancer-causing substances are a serious concern,” said Chief Rodondi of Lebanon Fire District. “It’s important to raise awareness and advocate for better protections for our team, as cancer is the leading cause of death in our profession.”

Throughout October, Lebanon Fire District crews will wear pink t-shirts in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, helping to raise awareness of the dangers firefighters face and supporting the fight against cancer. This includes exposure to harmful substances like PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” which have been linked to cancer and other serious health issues.

For more information about our efforts and how you can support breast cancer awareness and firefighter safety, visit www.lebanonfire.org/.

Prescribed Burns at Mt. Pisgah

Lane County Parks, in cooperation with the Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah, as well as US Fish & Wildlife Service and Rivers to Ridges partners, have been conducting ecological – or prescribed – burns at the Howard Buford Recreation Area (HBRA) weather permitting. The ecological burns will help enhance prairie and savanna habitats within the park.

“We are fortunate to have one of the biggest blocks of remaining prairie and oak habitats left in the Willamette Valley here in Howard Buford Recreation Area,” said Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah Stewardship Director Jason Blazar. “Ecological burns are an important part of preserving that habitat for future generations. We work closely with Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority and our Rivers to Ridges partners throughout the area to make sure burns are safe and will not disrupt nearby neighbors.”

Lane County parks and partners have conducted more than a dozen prescribed burns in HBRA since 1999. Executing ecological burns is always dependent on weather and ensuring atmospheric conditions will disperse smoke upward and away from densely populated areas. If postponed, an update will be provided to the community by notification to the media and on Facebook and Instagram at @LaneCountyParks.

For the safety of park visitors, the following trail closures will be in place during days of the ecological burn: 

Meadowlark East Closures:

  • East Trailhead parking lot
  • Trail 2 east of Trail 24
  • Trail 3 south of Trail 56
  • Trail 4 east of Trail 24
  • Trail 6 east of Trail 56
  • Trail 46

Signs will be posted at the park notifying visitors of the trail closures. A trail map is available online.

Visitors to the park should be aware of localized smoky conditions and the presence of fire crews within the park during the burn.  

Follow Lane County Parks on Facebook and Instagram for updates. 

Other partners in this effort include EcoStudies Institute, TheNature Conservancy, Bureau of Land Management, Oregon Department of Forestry, and Pleasant Hill-Goshen Fire. 

Why the County conducts ecological burning: Ecological burns are an essential management tool to sustain and expand native plant communities in these rare Willamette Valley habitats. The Willamette Valley was once dominated by savannas and prairies rich with diverse grass and wildflower species. These now-rare ecosystems require regular disturbance, such as fire, to maintain native species and to prevent conversion of open prairie to a closed woodland or forest. Historically, disturbance was provided through regular intentional burning by Native people or ignition by lightning. Many of our native prairie wildflowers, such as camas and Bradshaw’s lomatium, have evolved with fire for thousands of years and flourish after a site is burned. 

Ecological burns in the park’s prairies accomplish several biological and fire safety goals including improved seed germination, removal of built-up thatch, and short-term soil fertilization.  All these factors help native, grassland species thrive, including the declining Western Meadowlark (Oregon’s state bird), which nests in prairies and other open grassland habitats. In addition, prescribed burns protect the open prairie structure, as well as reduce the future risk of high intensity wildfires through the removal of standing, dead vegetation. 

LCOG Senior & Disability Services – FREE 6-week workshop

REGISTRATION IS OPEN Join us for a FREE 6-week workshop in Springfield where we will provide you with tools to better navigate life’s “ups and downs” and increase your health knowledge. Maybe it’s arthritis. Or high blood pressure. Or even cancer, depression, or COPD. Your doctor told you what to call your condition – but it’s been up to you to figure out how to live with it…every day.

Lane Council of Governments Senior & Disability Services Living Well with Chronic Conditions. Registration is now open for classes starting October 22, 2024! Image of group of seniors sitting together outside.

Tuesdays, October 22nd – November 26th 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. at Willamalane Adult Activity Center —- You’re not alone. But it might feel that way. Living Well with Chronic Conditions can help. — Registration is required, please call 541-682-4103 or email LivingWell@lcog.org.

INSCRIPCIONES ABIERTASÚnete a nosotros para un taller gratuito de 6 semanas en Springfield, en donde te proveeremos de herramientas para manejar mejor los altibajos de la vida e incrementar su conocimiento acerca de la salud. Probablemente acerca de la artritis, presión arterial alta, o hasta acerca de cáncer, depresión, o EPOC. Su médico le ha dicho como se llama su condición, pero depende de usted el averiguar como vivir con ello cada día.No esta solo(a), por favor llame a 541 682 4103 o envíe un correo electrónico a LivingWell@lcog.org

Lane County Elections Corrects Second Round of Incorrect Voter Registration After Notification From State

The Lane County Elections Office was notified again on September 23 that the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles had mistakenly marked an additional 35 non-U.S. citizens as eligible to vote in Lane County and those people were subsequently registered by the Oregon Elections Division. 

After a careful audit, Lane County Elections can confirm one mistakenly registered non-citizen returned a ballot in Lane County.  Lane County will follow up with that person, who now lives out of state, to determine whether they had achieved citizenship before returning that ballot. 

The additional non-citizen registrations have been removed from Lane County’s active voter roll and they will no longer receive ballots, including for the upcoming November 5 General Election. Those 35 people will be contacted by letter to inform them of the error.

These 35 people are in addition to the 11 people Lane County Elections was notified of on September 13. 

Lane County remains committed to a transparent and accountable elections process and is appreciative of the Oregon Elections Division’s ongoing effort notify election officials across the state of this error. To learn more about election security in Lane County, visit www.LaneCountyOR.gov/electionsecurity.

If you have evidence that an election law is being violated, including evidence of unlawful voting, it should be reported at sos.oregon.gov/investigation.

To register to vote, visit here!

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

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.

Willamette Complex Fires-South

The 208 Fire and Moss Mountain Fire have been the most active in recent days due to dry weather conditions. However, both fires remain within their fire control lines. Helicopter water bucket drops have been used when appropriate to cool down hot spots.

Vegetation fuel removal work has been completed at the Wolf Mountain Communications site. This work was done to provide defensible space and protect critical communications infrastructure if needed near the Moss Mountain Fire.

Transfer of Command of the Willamette Complex South from the Eastern Area Team to the Middle Fork Type 3 Team will occur at 6:00pm today. Willamette Complex South Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/…/orwif-willamette-complex…

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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

https://www.facebook.com/EugenePolice

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

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. 

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

This month on Lane County Emergency Management’s 𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐼𝑡 𝐻𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐹𝑎𝑛, Emergency Manager Tiffany Brown shares essential tips on what to do when staying home isn’t an option.

🏠❌Tiffany dives into how to prepare your Go Bag, with everything you need to sustain yourself for 72 hours: water, medications, warm layers, and more. She also breaks down the 𝟲 𝗣𝘀 – the must-haves when you need to evacuate:👨‍👨‍👦🐱People & Pets 💊Prescriptions 📱Personal Computer 📜Papers 🖼️Pictures 💳Plastic (credit cards, important IDs)Get ready, stay informed, and make sure you’re prepared for anything! 🎧 Listen now: www.LaneCountyOR.gov/fan or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube

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. Listen at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/fan

White Bird Clinic | Eugene OR

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)

Eugene Springfield Fire Reminder

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It is National Fire Prevention Week and our friends at the NFPA have put out some great educational materials. During the entire month of October, our Fire Marshal’s Office team is providing 2nd grade classes with Fire Prevention Education and our crews will be visiting classrooms. We love an opportunity to interact with our community and spread awareness! #NFPA#FirePreventionWeek

Celebrate Fire Safety this October

– As the leaves change and cooler weather sets in, the Oregon State Fire Marshal and the Oregon fire service remind everyone of the importance of home fire safety. October is Fire Prevention Month, a time to focus on fire prevention and safety at home. This year’s theme, “Celebrate Fire Safety,” calls on Oregonians to take action to reduce fire risks and protect their loved ones.

In 2023, 2,518 home fires in our state resulted in $119.5 million in losses to homeowners. Cooking remains the leading cause of home fires, followed closely by home heating. Alarmingly, in 417 of those fires, no smoke alarm was present.

“Oregon’s first responders are unwavering in their commitment to protecting our communities by reducing home fires and preventing the devastating injuries they cause,” said Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple. “This Fire Prevention Month, we’re calling on all Oregonians to take proactive, life-saving steps to protect their families, their homes, and their future.”

There are several simple things Oregonians can do to lessen the chance of a home fire and increase safety:

  • Install and maintain smoke alarms. Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas.
  • Practice cooking safely. Never leave cooking unattended and always have a lid or cookie sheet nearby to smother small flames.
  • Use heating equipment safely. Keep anything flammable at least three feet away from heating devices and always plug space heaters directly into the wall—never use extension cords.
  • Create and practice a home fire escape plan. Make sure every family member knows at least two ways out of every room.
  • Consider candle alternatives. Battery-operated candles reduce fire risk, but if you use real candles, always blow them out before leaving the room.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek proclaimed October as Fire Prevention Month. For more information about Fire Prevention Month, a link to the proclamation, and more tips to prevent the top causes of home fires in Oregon, visit our website

Oregon Housing and Community Services earns two national awards for preventing homelessness and preserving affordable housing

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) response to the homelessness crisis and its innovative strategies to preserve affordable housing earn the state agency two coveted awards at the National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) conference. OHCS received the Special Needs Housing: Combating Homelessness and the Rental Housing: Preservation and Rehabilitation awards.

OHCS ended the first year of the emergency homelessness response by surpassing the initial goals related to preventing homelessness, creating shelter capacity, and rehousing people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. The state and housing partners created more than 1,000 shelter beds, rehoused over 1,400 households, and prevented more than 9,000 people from experiencing homelessness.

“In so many ways, housing is connected to the meaning of life. Making everyday life better for people and communities across Oregon begins with securing the fundamentals, like housing,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “Under Governor Kotek’s leadership, we are getting it done. We are grateful to our state and local partners that stepped up in a significant way to improve lives and strengthen Oregon.”

OHCS was also recognized for implementing innovative strategies to help keep rents at prices people can pay in housing developments where affordable rents are close to expiring. The agency created a first-of-its-kind Preservation Framework and Dashboard. The Preservation Framework wraps all preservation-related topics into one document. The Preservation Dashboard makes preservation data easily accessible to housing partners across the state and county.

“While affordable housing preservation does not tend to garner ribbon cutting ceremonies, having proactive and robust strategies to maintain affordability and addressing the physical needs of existing properties is directly connected to our shared housing goals,” said Bell.

OHCS created the Preservation Framework and Dashboard after meeting with many preservation partners and incorporating their thoughts and feedback.

Pictured above: Pioneer Park in Veneta, Oregon was preserved as affordable housing.About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)OHCS is Oregon’s housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. Visit OHCS’ website for more information.

State struggles to recover more than $24 million from people responsible for wildfires

A partial list from the Oregon Department of Forestry shows it has collected $86,000 of $24 million it paid to fight several dozen wildfires that were maliciously or negligently ignited over the last two decades

The Holiday Fire in 2020 near Eugene
The Holiday Fire in 2020 near Eugene burned more than 173,000 acres and was one of the largest wildfires in Oregon history. The Oregon Department of Forestry is still waiting on the U.S. Forest Service to finish its part of investigating any responsible parties in the wildfire so both agencies can pursue any rightful reimbursement for the costs of putting it out. (U.S. Forest Service)

Each year, the Oregon Department of Forestry responds to about 1,000 wildfires across the 16 million acres of land it protects. It investigates the cause of every fire, and if a person or group is found to have been negligent or malicious in starting or spreading a significant fire, the agency pursues reimbursement for its firefighting costs. 

The agency has not been very successful in recouping those costs, according to a report discussed at a March meeting of the four-member Emergency Fire Cost Committee. 

The account offered a rare glimpse into the scale of the costs and the efforts to recover them. But it only represented a snapshot of the problem, excluding a full list of all the fires the state is investigating or pursuing for reimbursement, Jessica Neujahr, a forestry spokesperson, said in an email. 

“That larger list is not one we can share,” she said, due to ongoing litigation and privacy concerns.

The report showed the forestry department spent at least $24 million to respond to 36 significant fires caused or spread negligently or maliciously by people or groups since 2004, and that in pursuing reimbursement, it has collected just $86,000 from “responsible parties.” 

Few people who have started significant wildfires have millions of dollars to reimburse the department and sometimes investigating who is responsible, or trying to collect the money, can become too costly, according to Tim Holschbach, chief of policy and planning with the department’s fire protection division.

In those cases, the department moves on.

“We don’t want the effort to exceed the payback,” Holschbach said. “It wouldn’t make sense for us to spend taxpayer money to pursue recovery from someone who can’t pay.”

With climate change, wildfire seasons are becoming longer and often more destructive, affecting communities, infrastructure and land needed for grazing and farming. This year’s season, which is expected to end this month, scorched nearly 2 million acres across the state, setting a new record. Some of the fires were quickly put out, but others burned for weeks. The primary cause of wildfires this year was lightning strikes.

The agency considers a “significant” fire to be one that costs over $5,000 to fight, with the agency pursuing those it considers to have started or contributed to the blaze either willfully or through negligence, Neujahr said. 

The agency listed 36 fires since 2004 that were willfully or negligently set in its report to the committee. It has accepted $86,000 in settlements and restitution for 17 of the oldest fires and is actively trying to recoup at least $15 million for 19 that started since 2011. It is also investigating 21 significant fires that occurred between 2020 and 2023 in an attempt to recover at least some of the $88.5 million spent to snuff them out. Agency officials don’t yet know whether they’ll identify a culprit to pursue for reimbursement in each case, Neujahr said

The Legislature recently voted to send the forestry department $47.5 million in emergency funding to help pay bills from fighting the current fire season, which has already cost the state $250 million.

Deciphering the cause

In investigating fires, state forestry officials first identify the point of origin, according to Holschbach. If they discover a tree slashed with a big black scar, they know the cause was probably lightning, or if a burn barrel used to burn trash is nearby, they know humans were likely involved. But other investigations are more difficult.

If they determine that someone is responsible and identify the party, officials send them a letter outlining the costs and demanding payment. That person has 90 days to respond to the letter before interest on the bill starts to accrue. If the culprit refuses to pay, the forestry department notifies the Oregon Department of Justice to determine other methods of collecting, Neujahr said.

Investigations can take years depending on how many people and federal agencies are involved, or how complex the case is, Holschbach said. The agency’s investigation also has to be able to stand up in court. 

“We treat every investigation as if we’re preparing for litigation,” Holschbach said, adding that people have become increasingly litigious. 

“We have to be more careful in our documentation, and more complete than we ever have been, and doing that really slows things down. Not that we were reckless before, or didn’t have complete reports, but it’s just more complex,” he said.

Working with federal agencies can slow things down, too. 

The agency is still waiting for the U.S. Forest Service to complete its investigation of the Two Four Two Fire in 2020 near the Williamson River Campground in Klamath Falls, which burned more than 2,000 acres. The state agency is also still waiting on the forest service to finish its part of the investigation on the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire near Eugene that burned more than 173,000 acres and was one of the largest wildfires in Oregon history.

Firefighting costs

Every two years, the state sets the forestry department’s firefighting budget. The agency also collects fees from owners of the private land it protects, about three-quarters of the total 16 million acres. Those fees go into the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund to help defer wildfire costs. It also helps to fight fires on federal land, and pays those costs upfront, but is reimbursed by the federal government.

Emergency fire costs that go beyond the biennial firefighting budget are paid by revenue from two sources, depending on the amount. Up to $20 million of emergency fire costs are split between the protection fund and Oregon’s general fund, which is used for a wide range of expenses and mostly comes from Oregon income taxes. Costs beyond $20 million are paid entirely by the general fund, Holschbach said. 

When the department collects reimbursements, most of the money goes back to the general fund.

“The point of cost recovery is to take the burden off the taxpayer – off of Oregonians,” said Neujahr, the forestry department spokesperson. “If we can get that money back to the state, that’s the goal.”

But very little has been reimbursed. Agency officials said they drop investigations that become too complex and costly to pursue or when there’s little hope of recovering the money. 

One example is the Sweet Creek Milepost 2 fire that started in Lane County in 2020 and cost more than $4 million to fight. In the end, the arsonist who was charged was only able to pay $154 to the forestry department.

In another fire – that was not included in the March report – the department recovered $200,000 after spending $37 million putting it out. The 2015 Stouts Creek Fire in Douglas County, which spread across 26,000 acres, was started by a guy mowing his lawn during a restricted period of hot and dry conditions. The department only recovered $200,000 because that was the limit on his homeowners insurance policy.

Many fires, like this one, could have been avoided with better judgment, Holschbach said.

“About 70% to 80% of fires are human caused, but most of those are not willful, malicious or negligent,” Holschbach said. 

But they’re often expensive to put out – for the department and those found responsible.

Holschbach said those high costs are part of the reason the agency has launched campaigns to make the public more aware of mowing and debris burning restrictions. 

“Don’t cause a fire. Don’t go there. Because you may end up paying for it,” he said. (SOURCE)

Smokey Bear’s message of Only You Can Prevent Wildfires is as important in Fall as any time of the year.

To drive home this point the USDA Forest Service has put together a fun and educational 4-part series called Smokey Bear Live. Read more about it at https://www.fs.usda.gov/about…/features/bear-all-seasons

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Oregon wildfire season expected to last into mid-October

The bulk of the wildfires have burned through east Oregon grass and shrub, with about 25% of it in forestland, according to the Wildland Mapping Institute. More than one-third of all acres blackened have been on private land, and about 62% has been on federal land. Most wildfires are caused by humans, according to the interagency coordination center, but this year the bulk of blazes have started from natural causes, such as lightning.

The wildfires prompted Kotek to declare a statewide emergency and ask for federal help and regulatory flexibility for farmers and ranchers. She’s also invoked the Conflagration Act 17 times this year, with the latest invocation on Sept. 10 for the Service Fire in Wheeler County. The act unleashes resources to fight blazes that threaten lives, communities or key infrastructure. (SOURCE)

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


https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/state/oregon

Large Fires in Oregon Past 2 Weeks 10/4/24 8:00am per INCIWEB

IncidentTypeStateIncident SizeUpdatedSort ascending
Homestead Complex – ORUPFWildfireOregon10405 Acres41 minutes 20 seconds ago
Diamond Complex – ORUPFWildfireOregon11141 Acres53 minutes 50 seconds ago
North Willamette Complex – ORWIFWildfireOregon5394 Acres1 hour 35 minutes ago
Willamette Complex Fires – South – ORWIFWildfireOregon24353 Acres1 hour 47 minutes ago
Bingham Fire – ORWIFWildfireOregon195 Acres2 hours 10 minutes ago
Rail Ridge – OROCFWildfireOregon167866 Acres11 hours 43 minutes ago
Microwave Tower Fire – OR95SWildfireOregon1313 Acres21 hours 29 minutes ago
Lane 1 Fire – OR77SWildfireOregon25952 Acres23 hours 37 minutes ago
Bachelor Complex Fires – ORDEFWildfireOregon11950 Acres23 hours 43 minutes ago
Red Fire – ORDEFWildfireOregon2500 Acres1 day 16 hours ago
Wiley Flat – OROCFWildfireOregon30186 Acres2 days 22 hours ago
Sandstone Fire – ORMHFWildfireOregon702 Acres1 week ago
Fossil Complex – OR95SWildfireOregon24446 Acres1 week ago
Buck Creek Fire – ORFWFWildfireOregon5758 Acres1 week ago
Whisky Creek Fire – ORMHFWildfireOregon3203 Acres1 week 1 day ago
Crazy Creek – OROCFBurned Area Emergency ResponseOregon86968 Acres1 week 1 day ago
Flat Top and Firestone Fires – ORDEFWildfireOregonAcres1 week 3 days ago
Middle Fork Fire – ORCLPWildfireOregon5286 Acres2 weeks ago
Shoe Fly Fire – OR95SWildfireOregon26817 Acres2 weeks 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

After reforms, Oregon still struggles with shortage of public defenders 

More than 3,500 people are out of custody but have no representation and about 160 without a lawyer are stuck in jail

Thousands of Oregonians face criminal charges and do not have an attorney to represent them.

About 160 of them are sitting in jail. Another 3,550 people are out of custody with no representation as they face charges. The figures underscore a persistent problem: Oregon has a shortage of public defenders, who represent people when they are charged in court and cannot afford an attorney. It’s a constitutional crisis because people have the right to an attorney when charged if they cannot afford one. 

Without representation, cases are delayed or dropped – or defendants are not well represented. When an overworked public defender cannot thoroughly review police camera footage or other evidence, the defendant does not get an adequate defense. 

In recent years, state lawmakers have tried to address that by restructuring the Oregon Public Defense Commission and temporarily raising the hourly rates of public defenders. In 2023, lawmakers put $96 million toward the crisis. But more work is necessary to shore up a frayed and complex system that often struggles to recruit and retain attorneys, both because of high caseloads and low pay.

New commission programs have increased the number of public defenders and more people are being represented, but little progress is being made. 

“Despite numerous initiatives, the in-custody list remains consistent, while the out-of-custody list has grown,” Jessica Kampfe, executive director of the Oregon Public Defense Commission, wrote in a July report to Gov. Tina Kotek. “Thus, although the commission has taken steps to address the constitutional crisis, the problem remains significant and will only fully improve when we have adequate funding.”

Kampfe echoed the need for more money in a briefing with state lawmakers on the House and Senate judiciary committees last week.

Long-term goal

The commission aims to eliminate the number of in-custody people who lack representation by the end of March 2025 and end the out-of-custody backlog of unrepresented people by the end of March 2026. 

In the short-term, the commission has a 90-day plan that includes redirecting eight trial attorneys the agency received for drug cases through House Bill 4002 to help with the backlog. The law created a new misdemeanor drug possession charge that took effect Sept. 1. The commission also wants to extend a temporary increase in hourly rates for attorneys, which would cost another $40 million for the rest of the current budget cycle. 

Public defenders are paid and work through a variety of formats, such as contracts, nonprofit public defender organizations and the commission’s trial division. 

Since 2023, the commission has opened three trial division offices throughout Oregon to help the backlog in different regions, including the Portland area, southern Oregon and the mid-Willamette Valley. With 14 attorneys, they have closed 180 cases and have another 359 open cases. 

But overall, the plan is for the number of attorneys to grow, from the equivalent of 506 full-time attorneys now to 986 in six years. That’s another 480 attorneys, or an average of 80 annually. 

For the next two years, the commission wants to hire 160 attorneys to work in a variety of ways, whether as state employees for the commission or attorneys who work on contract. 

Through House Bill 4002, lawmakers intended for people to access drug treatment programs and avoid misdemeanor drug possession charges. But not everyone will access those programs, and more people will be charged because of the recriminalization of low-level drug possession.

When the bill was debated early this session, the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission analysis estimated it would lead to nearly 2,300 more convictions annually. 

“What we will be looking at and I think what we have to be considering is what is that impact and how do we address that?” said Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene and chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. (SOURCE)

Oregon will team with IRS to offer free income tax e-filing option

Salem, OR—Oregon resident taxpayers preparing their own tax returns in 2025 will have the option to electronically file both their federal and state income tax returns using the combination of IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon, the IRS and the Oregon Department of Revenue announced today.

“The Direct File Program is a game-changer for taxpayers,” Governor Tina Kotek said. “This free filing option is an equitable opportunity to save Oregonians time and money, regardless of their income.”

The IRS and US Treasury Department announced an expansion of the types of returns that can be filed using IRS Direct File beyond what was available in the pilot program during the 2024 tax filing season.

During the pilot last year, IRS Direct File covered limited tax situations, including wage income reported on a W-2 form, Social Security income, unemployment compensation and certain credits and deductions. For the 2025 filing season, IRS Direct File will support Forms 1099 for interest income greater than $1,500, retirement income and the Form 1099 for Alaska residents reporting the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend. (See the attached graphic for more on who will be able to use IRS Direct File in 2025.)

In the 2024 tax season, more than 140,000 taxpayers in 12 states filed their federal tax returns using the limited pilot program while nearly 7,000 Oregon taxpayers filed their state returns using the free, state-only Direct File Oregon option.

The IRS estimates that 30 million US taxpayers will be able to use IRS Direct File in 2025, including 640,000 Oregon taxpayers who will be able to e-file both their federal and state returns for free.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced in May that it would make IRS Direct File a permanent option for taxpayers and invited all 50 states to participate to create a seamless free filing system for both federal and state taxes. Oregon was the first of 12 new states to accept the invitation from the IRS in June.

“Connecting Direct File Oregon with the IRS Direct File option beginning next year will give Oregon taxpayers a seamless way to electronically file both their federal and state income tax returns—and do both for free,” Oregon Department of Revenue Director Betsy Imholt said.

Oregon’s Income Growth is the 6th Fastest in the Nation

Oregon average incomes are growing at a rate of the sixth-fastest in the nation and have never been higher, even after accounting for inflation, says former state economist Josh Lehner.

Lehner was commenting on data released in an American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau which reveals that Oregon is extending its trend of declining poverty with average annual household income pegged at $81,160, or 3.1% higher than the national average.

Writing a poverty and progress report in the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis, Lehner says the incomes of typical state households have never been higher, growing by 6% before inflation in 2023, and 2.1% in real, or inflation-adjusted terms.

The average income earned by Oregonians from 2019 to 2023 increased by 19.5% in nominal terms. This figure reflects an increase of just 2.8% in real terms because of surging inflation. Oregon has the 21st-strongest inflation rate in the country.

Another state trend in recent years has been the narrowing gap in racial income disparities. Lehner says the growth of household income has been the strongest among Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC).

He says wages have been the biggest component driving household income, with average earnings of full-time workers rising 5.3% before inflation. Earnings have increased on average by 5.1% annually since 2019.

The strongest household income gains have been recorded in the Bend metro and the Rogue Valley, while Portland metro area is at or near the income gains seen elsewhere.

Overall, the 2023 survey shows that Oregon household incomes are continuing to rise, although poverty rates among some groups, in some locales, are much higher than statewide. (SOURCE)

Wyden Introduces Sweeping Court Reforms to Restore Public Trust as Supreme Court Faces Legitimacy Crisis

 — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today announced the introduction of new legislation to restore balance among the three branches of government, increase transparency to improve public trust in America’s courts, and modernize the courts to ensure greater access to justice for more Americans.

In the wake of recent rulings upending decades of precedent and evidence of unethical behavior, Wyden’s Judicial Modernization and Transparency Act would modernize the courts by expanding the Supreme Court to 15 justices over three presidential terms, prevent political inaction from bottling up nominations to the Supreme Court, and restore appropriate deference to the legislative branch by requiring a supermajority to overturn acts of Congress, among other modernizing provisions to improve access to justice. 

The bill would also implement much-needed reforms to bring more accountability to the Supreme Court recusal process and improve transparency around potential financial conflicts and other unethical behavior.

“The Supreme Court is in crisis and bold solutions are necessary to restore the public trust,” Wyden said. “More transparency, more accountability and more checks on a power hungry Supreme Court are just what the American people are asking for.”

The bill modernizes the federal judiciary by:

  • Expanding the Supreme Court to 15 justices.
    • The expansion is staggered over a total of 12 years with a president getting to appoint one nominee in the first and third years of each presidential term.
  • Establishing a new supermajority threshold to overturn acts of Congress on a constitutional basis at both the Supreme Court and Circuit Court level.
  • Requiring that relief granted by lower courts in cases seeking to invalidate an act of Congress expire upon the issuing date of an opinion by the Supreme Court.
  • Establishing a new process for Supreme Court nominations that are not reported out of committee within 180 calendar days to be automatically placed on the Senate calendar.
  • Expanding the number of circuit courts to 15 and returning to the practice of assigning one Supreme Court justice to oversee each circuit.
  • Expanding the number of circuits by splitting the Ninth Circuit and establishing a new Southwestern Circuit.
  • Expanding the number of Circuit Court and District Court judgeships to improve access to justice.

The bill increases transparency to improve public trust by:

  • Requiring all justices to consider recusal motions and make their written opinions publically available. Any justice would be recused from a case upon the affirmative vote of the justices.
  • Requiring the public disclosure of how each justice voted for any case within the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
  • Requiring the IRS to initiate an audit of each justice’s income tax return (and any amended return) as quickly as practicable after it is filed. Within 90 days of filing, the IRS would be required to publicly release the returns and provide an update on the status of the audit. Every 180 days thereafter, the IRS must update the public on the status of the audit. It will also release the ultimate findings of the audit.
  • Requiring those nominated to the Court to include their most recent three years of tax returns in their publicly-available financial disclosure filings. In the case that a nominee does not disclose the tax returns within 15 days after nomination, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts would be instructed to obtain the tax returns from the Secretary of the Treasury and make them public. The Secretary of the Treasury is instructed to redact certain personal identity information.

A one-pager summarizing the bill is here.

A section-by-section of the legislative text is here.

The legislative text is here.

In July, as part of his ongoing efforts to reform and restore fairness to our country’s judicial system, Wyden introduced legislation to restore much-needed checks on Donald Trump’s radical right-wing Supreme Court by providing Congress with new authority to overturn judicial decisions that clearly undermine the congressional intent of laws following the Loper Bright decision. He also also introduced legislation to bring an end to the controversial practice of “judge shopping,” in which plaintiffs cherry-pick judges they know will hand down favorable rulings, leading to sweeping rulings that wield undue power over millions of Americans.

Red Cross Volunteers from Oregon and SW Washington on Their Way to Hurricane Helene
American Red Cross – Cascades Region 

Support communities in the path of the storm by making a financial donation or scheduling an appointment to give blood

Thousands of people are dealing with the devastation left behind by Hurricane Helene and American Red Cross disaster workers are with them, providing comfort, support and relief.

More than 4 million customers – as many as 12 million people – are without power across impacted states. The danger isn’t over and people in affected areas are urged to heed the utmost caution before venturing outside. Helene is now a tropical storm threatening parts of the Southeast with dangerous flooding, damaging winds and tornadoes.

Thousands of people affected by Hurricane Helene need help now. Your donation enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) to make a financial donation or to schedule a blood donation appointment. Individuals can also text the word HELENE to 90999 to make a donation.

RED CROSS RESPONSE In just the past 48 hours, the Red Cross has opened or supported more than 140 shelters for nearly 9,400 individuals who have evacuated their homes. Red Cross teams managed 50 of these shelters overnight and supported more than 80 partner shelters with staff and supplies

The Cascades Region in Oregon and SW Washington has sent 10 volunteers already with more lining up to go.  Just like volunteers from across the country who came to Oregon to support our wildfire evacuations this summer, our volunteers will be there as long as we are needed.

As deadly flooding continues and threatens additional communities, even more people will urgently need our support. Red Crossers are working closely with community partners and state and local officials to ensure help is available where needed.

Nearly 500 disaster workers are on the ground helping with hundreds more on their way. The Red Cross has also deployed numerous emergency response vehicles to help where needed. When it is safe to do so, Red Cross disaster responders will travel throughout affected communities, assessing the damage and distributing meals and relief supplies. 

CANCELED BLOOD DRIVES Helene has canceled blood drives throughout Georgia and the Carolinas causing more than 1,000 blood donations to go uncollected, and this number is growing.

As communities feel the effects of Helene, patients are fighting their own battle. Some of these patients urgently need closely matched blood donations to weather their health crises. If you’re in a safe area, you have the power to be a lifeline.

Please schedule a blood donation appointment now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to help restock the shelves.

FIND A SHELTEREvacuation shelters are open across the region. You can find evacuation shelters on redcross.org, the free Red Cross Emergency app or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).You can also find shelters by following your local Red Cross and local emergency officials on social media, or by monitoring local news. If you need assistance finding or going to a shelter in the Big Bend region, call 800-729-3413 for help.

CLIMATE CRISIS Helene could be the start of a series of back-to-back storms that threaten the U.S. as additional systems form in the Atlantic.Experts report Hurricane Helene was able to grow and become more destructive because of hotter-than-average ocean temperatures caused by the climate crisis, which is bringing more frequent and intense disasters that upend lives. In response, the Red Cross is providing food, shelter and recovery support on a nearly continual basis.

Find safety steps for different emergencies ꟷ including hurricanes and power outages ꟷ here.

About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.

Oregon legislature takes up noncitizen voter registration issue in first hearing

A DMV review found that 1,259 people may have been mistakenly registered through Oregon’s automatic voter registration system without providing proof of citizenship.

Eligible residents who receive driver licenses or state ID cards are automatically registered to vote in Oregon, but in 2021 the state started allowing noncitizens to obtain driver licenses. According to ODOT, the mistake happened when DMV staff accidentally selected the wrong option on a computer menu when listing applicants’ identifying documents.

“This was truly a clerical error. We have a drop-down menu of documents that people can provide to prove their identity and age in DMV transactions, and that menu defaulted to U.S. passport or U.S. birth certificate,” said DMV administrator Amy Joyce.

ODOT initially announced on Sept. 13 that it had discovered 306 cases, and then announced Monday that the number had grown to 1,259 after a full review. In an FAQ ahead of the hearing, ODOT said the full review included all licenses and ID cards issued after Jan. 1, 2021, the day the DMV started allowing noncitizens to apply, totaling about 1.4 million records. REAL ID licenses were not included because they go through separate federal verification.

Credit: Oregon Department of Transportation — Screenshot of the old DMV menu system that caused people to be mistakenly registered to vote without providing proof of U.S. citizenship.

The data entry mistake doesn’t necessarily mean that all of the 1,259 people were not U.S. citizens, ODOT added — it just means the documentation they provided at the DMV to obtain a license did not include proof of citizenship, so it shouldn’t have been forwarded to the Secretary of State’s office to be added to the voter rolls.

ODOT and elections officials previously announced that only 10 of the people had actually submitted a ballot in any election over the past four years, and one of them was subsequently confirmed to have been a U.S. citizen at the time they voted. 

At the hearing, elections director Molly Woon said her office is still checking the other nine and she expected to have final results by the end of the day, but added that the office has already confirmed that none of them voted in elections that were close enough that their votes could have affected the outcome. If the elections division finds that any of them were not citizens at the time they cast their ballots, their cases could be referred to the Oregon Department of Justice.

The Secretary of State’s office immediately deactivated the voter registration of the first 306 people and has now done the same with all 1,259 cases, Woon said, but added that they will all be notified of the change by the end of this week and given instructions for how to reactivate their voter registration if they can prove their citizenship.

Joyce and ODOT director Kris Strickler said the DMV has already updated its software to display the identification drop-down options in alphabetical order and added a confirmation pop-up if U.S. passport or U.S. birth certificate is selected. A manager in each DMV office is also now double-checking every transaction at the end of each day.

Most of the lawmakers on the committee appeared satisfied with ODOT’s remedial measures, with the bulk of the critical questions focused on why the agency didn’t detect the clerical error until an outside group intervened. (SOURCE)

Oregon State Parks to increase camping, parking and reservation fees for 2025

SALEM, Oregon— Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is increasing its camping, parking and reservation fees to keep pace with the rising cost of utilities, operations and maintenance.

Most of the increases range from $2 to $5 depending on the fee.

The park system has experienced record visitation as well as the impacts of rising costs and inflation. Utility costs for example have increased by 28% over the last 4 years, but most fees have remained the same. Depending on the fee, the last increase was anywhere from seven to 15 years ago for base fees. 

“We know that raising fees by any amount can be challenging for visitors, and we don’t make this decision lightly. We try to keep costs and fees as low as possible to minimize the impact while still fulfilling our commitment to stewardship and recreation,” said OPRD Director Lisa Sumption.

Oct. 15, 2024: OPRD will increase its base camping fees for the first time since 2017. The increase applies to all camping reservations for 2025. Starting on October 15, 2024, all reservations made for 2025 stays will include the fee increase.

Increases in base rate by site type: 

  • $2 increase for misc. sites (includes teepees, meeting halls and other facilities)
  • $3 increase for tent sites (includes horse tent sites, horse group sites, group tent) and primitive sites (includes overflow, fly-in and walk-to-sites)
  • $4 increase for RV sites (includes full hookup, electrical, horse RV and group RV sites)
  • $5 increase for cabins and yurts (includes rustic, mini, totem, and deluxe sites)

(Seasonal rate increases were adopted in 2020. The seasonal adjustments will be added to the new base rates. As in previous years, summer rates are $2 more for tent sites, $3 more for RV sites and $5 more for cabins/yurts.)

Jan. 1, 2025: OPRD will increase its reservation fee from $8 to $10 per site starting Jan. 1, 2025. This fee has not been increased since 2010. 

Daily parking permit fees will increase from $5 to $10 at the 25 parks that charge a fee for day-use parking. Parking permit fees were last increased in 2009. The annual parking permit and the two-year permit fees remain the same at $30 for the annual permit and $50 for the two-year permit.

July 1, 2025: OPRD will expand the 25% out-of-state surcharge for RV campsites (required by state law) to all site types for out-of-state campers.

New camping rate ranges replace the existing ones. These ranges set the lowest and highest fees that OPRD can charge over time. It gives OPRD’s director the ability to change fees in the future as needed. The last rate range update was adopted in 2018. 

OPRD has three main sources of funding: a little less than half comes from constitutionally dedicated lottery funds, about 15% comes from recreational vehicle license plate fees and roughly 35% comes from park fees from visitors. OPRD is not funded by taxes.

OPRD does offer a few resources and programs to help increase access to Oregon State Parks. 

Next month, OPRD will open public comment on a proposal designed to give OPRD’s director more flexibility to decide which parks charge for day-use parking. The proposal would require day-use parking permits at all parks unless otherwise noted. The director would have the authority to waive the permit requirement as needed. There are no plans to charge at all parks, and OPRD would consider any changes carefully.

OPRD will continue to explore options in the future that reduce cost as a barrier while earning needed revenue to maintain our parks and manage congestion.

Measures On The Ballot For Oregon’s 2024 Election

Oregon voters will decidewhether to receive a $1,600 annual rebate through an increase in the corporate sales tax via a ballot measure that has received fierce pushback from lawmakerslocal businesses and labor unions alike.

Why it matters: If Measure 118 passes, every Oregonian would receive an annual check, regardless of age or income, starting next year.

  • The rebate would be paid for by a 3% gross receipts tax for all companies doing business in Oregon that make more than $25 million annually in sales.
  • If passed, the new tax would generate $1.3 billion in revenue for the 2023-25 biennium, according to the Legislative Revenue Office.

The intrigue: This would be separate from the “kicker.”

Catch up quick: The measure is one of five initiatives Oregonians will vote on this November that could alter how the state governs its elections, businesses and elected officials’ salaries.

Here’s a brief look at the other four measures.

Measure 115 would amend Oregon’s constitution to allow the Legislature to impeach statewide elected officials — if both the House and Senate reach an affirmative two-thirds vote.

  • Right now, Oregon is the only state without an impeachment doctrine.

Measure 116 would establish a commission to study and set the salaries and compensation for statewide elected officials.

  • The yearly base pay for Oregon lawmakers is around $35,000. The study would look at all elected offices, including governor, secretary of state, judges, district attorneys, as well as state senators and representatives.

Measure 117 would establish ranked choice voting for federal and statewide elected offices.

Measure 119 would essentially make it easier for cannabis workers to unionize by requiring cannabis retailers, processors and labs to submit a labor neutrality agreement with a union in order to request or renew their operating license.

The bottom line: The last day to register to vote in order to participate in the Nov. 5 election is Oct. 15. (SOURCE)

DAS Publishes Oregon Annual Maximum Rent Increase for 2025

Salem, OR- Today, the Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS) published the annual maximum rent increase allowed by statute for calendar year 2025. The DAS Office of Economic Analysis has calculated the maximum percentage as 10.0%.

Implemented in 2019, Oregon law requires DAS to calculate and post to its website by Sept. 30, the maximum allowable annual rent increase percentage for the following calendar year. Per statute, the Office of Economic Analysis calculates this amount as seven percent plus the annual 12-month average change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, West Region (All Items), as most recently published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor, or 10%, whichever is lower. Only one rent increase may be issued in any 12-month period.

The allowable rent increase percentage for the 2025 calendar year is 10.0%. This applies to residential rental units 15 years and older. DAS will calculate and post the percentage for the 2026 calendar year by Sept. 30, 2025.

Since implementation in 2019, the rate has held around nine or 10%, with the exception of 2023 prior to July 6. The mid-year change was due to a change in the law that capped the rent increase at 10%.

Information about the maximum annual rent increase percentage, as well as the provisions of ORS 90.323 and 90.600 (statutes governing rent increases), can be found on the OEA website: https://www.oregon.gov/das/OEA/Pages/Rent-stabilization.aspx.

The Department of Administrative Services and the Office of Economic Analysis cannot provide legal advice. Those in need of legal advice should contact an attorney. Questions about the percentage calculation itself may contact OEA.info@das.oregon.gov.

New York Man Sentenced to 15 years in Federal Prison for Traveling to Southern Oregon to Sexually Abuse a Child He Met Playing an Online Video Game

MEDFORD, Ore.—A New York man was sentenced to federal prison Tuesday for traveling to Southern Oregon to sexually abuse a child and capturing the abuse on video.   

Brent Johnson, Jr., 26, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison and a life term of supervised release. 

According to court documents, in August 2021, Johnson contacted a child through an online video game and, after exchanging phone numbers with the child, continued communicating with them via text messages and phone calls. Undeterred by the child’s age, in late 2021, Johnson traveled to Southern Oregon where he sexually abused the child and captured the abuse on video. In February 2022, the child’s mother contacted law enforcement after receiving text messages and images from Johnson.

On May 5, 2022, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a three-count indictment charging Johnson with sexually exploiting a child, distributing child pornography, and traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

On June 26, 2024, Johnson pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting a child and distributing child pornography.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents in Long Island, New York, and Medford, and the Rogue River Police Department. It was prosecuted by Judith R. Harper, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to contact HSI at (866) 347-2423 or submit a tip online at report.cybertip.org.

Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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

Suspect wanted for sex crimes in Oregon and Alabama

Wanted poster by Oregon State Police featuring two images: one of a person named Adam Renk holding a blue star trophy, and another of a converted ambulance painted white, used by the individual.

– 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. 

Portland Listed in the Top Five U.S. Cities for UFO Sightings

Top UFO Hotspots in the U.S: Where to Watch the Skies

Our fascination with UFOs taps into our innate curiosity about the unknown. According to the Pew Research Center, 65% of Americans believe that intelligent life exists on other planets. The luck and rarity of an UFO sighting further fuels our obsession and curiosity.

We’ve created a one-stop guide to reveal where in the U.S. you’re most likely to spot a UFO. By analyzing data from the National UFO Reporting Center, we were able to find the most common months, locations, and times you are most likely to see a UFO, sourcing data going all the way back to 2013. — Extraterrestrial adventure may be in your own backyard. You can use this tool to find where you can increase your odds of spotting an UFO in each state: https://www.betus.com.pa/casino-guide/usa-ufo-encounter-2024/

https://www.oregon.gov/osp/missing/pages/missingpersons.aspx

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

SafeOregon 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

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