The latest news stories and stories of interest in the Willamette Valley from the digital home of Southern Oregon, from Wynne Broadcasting’s WillametteValleyMagazine.com
Monday, January 6, 2025
Willamette Valley Weather
Train Derailment In Corvallis – Recovery Efforts Underway, No Injuries Reported
Corvallis, OR – January 4, 2025 – At approximately 12:08 PM Saturday, a train car operated by Portland & Western derailed in Corvallis, due to a structural failure of a train trestle in the Marys River resulting in one train car entering in the river and two additional train cars to become unstable. The train was carrying agricultural materials at the time of the incident. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported.
Emergency response teams, including local firefighters from the City of Corvallis Fire Department and local law enforcement from the Corvallis Police Department, are actively on the scene working to stabilize the situation and ensure public safety. Northwest Firefighters, an ecological recovery company, has been engaged in deploying containment booms in the nearby Marys River to filter any potentially leaked materials.
For the safety of emergency responders, recovery teams, and all personnel involved, we ask the public to avoid the area. Please follow all roadblocks, detours, and directions from local authorities as recovery efforts continue.
The City of Corvallis Fire Department, in coordination with Portland & Western and environmental recovery specialists, are committed to resolving the situation quickly and minimizing any environmental impact. Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Lane County Government · 
State of the County Address 
When: Monday, January 6, 10:00 a.m. Where: Harris Hall, 125 E. 8th Avenue, Eugene
Join Board of County Commissioners Chair Laurie Trieger as she shares progress made over the past year while focusing on the innovation, collaboration with community partners, and transformative initiatives helping Lane County embody its purpose to improve lives.
The morning will also include a ceremonial swearing-in for re-elected Sheriff Cliff Harrold, newly-elected District Attorney Chris Parosa, re-elected Commissioner Pat Farr (District 4, North Eugene), and re-elected Commissioner Laurie Trieger (District 3, South Eugene). 
Livestream: www.LaneCountyOR.gov/webcasts 
Comcast Channel 21 (Eugene-Springfield area)
1/6/25 – River Loop 2 closed due to active housefire, investigation
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office is on scene assisting fire personnel with an active house fire in the 200 block of River Loop 2, Eugene. Due to the fire, River Loop 2 is expected to be closed through the morning commute hours from Scenic Drive to Shannon Street. Please use alternate routes.More details will be released when they become available.
Eugene Springfield Fire provided automatic aid to Lane Fire Authority at a structure fire in the Santa Clara area early Monday morning. At approximately 1:30 AM, Firefighters were called to reports of multiple explosions and a fully involved house fire in the 200 blk of River Loop 2.
The first arriving crew on Ladder 11 from ESF’s Santa Clara station immediately entered the burning home to perform a search of the residence. Firefighters were unable to complete a full search due to extreme heat and advanced fire before transition to a defensive operation. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Further updates will be provided by Lane Fire Authority as information becomes available.
Fatal Pedestrian/vehicle crash on W. 11th Avenue under investigation
UPDATE: The pedestrian in this case (25-00143) is deceased. The investigation is continuing. PREVIOUS INFORMATION: At 3:28 a.m. on January 3, Central Lane 911 received a call regarding a person lying in the middle of the road at W. 11th Avenue and Oak Patch Road. The person appeared to have been struck by a vehicle. Eugene Police responded along with Eugene Springfield Fire. The pedestrian was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Eastbound W. 11th was blocked and traffic was shut down on W. 11th between Oak Path and Commerce. Parts of the involved vehicle were left on scene and officers were able to get into contact with the driver, who returned to the location. EPD’s Major Collision Investigation team is investigating the crash. Case 25-00143
Pedestrian-vehicle crash at W. 11th and Commerce
At 8:00 p.m. on January 2, a Eugene Police officer came upon the scene of a vehicle-pedestrian crash at W. 11th Avenue and Commerce Street. The crash was in the eastbound lane and the crosswalk near Target. She immediately called for Eugene Springfield Fire emergency response. The involved vehicle’s driver remained on scene and was cooperative with the investigation. The male pedestrian was transported to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. EPD’s Major Collison Investigation team is conducting the investigation. The east-bound lanes of West 11th Avenue between Beltline Highway and Commerce Street were shut down for several hours. Case 25-00134
Suspicious Death Investigation Underway
Salem, Ore. — Salem Police detectives are conducting a death investigation after a body was found in the 3000 block of Lancaster DR SE on Friday.
The body was located in a vacant lot at approximately 10:00 a.m. Friday morning by Salem Police.
The cause of death is pending the results of an autopsy by the Oregon State Medical Examiner. In the meantime, detectives are working to determine the identity of the individual and treating the investigation as a suspicious death. No other information is available for release.
Eugene Springfield Fire responded to two commercial fires in Eugene just before midnight Saturday.
Crews were dispatched to the first fire at 11:07 PM on January 4th. ESF Bailey Hill engine 10 responded to Target at 4575 W 11th for a possible dumpster fire. When they arrived they found a large trash compactor connected to Target with active fire inside, which was producing smoke and threatening the business.
The crew called for a commercial fire alarm response which added additional engines, specialty truck companies, an ambulance, and two chief officers to the assignment. The truck company used it’s apparatus mounted winch to pull the compactor away from the business while engine companies moved through the store to check for smoke and fire extension. Damage was limited to the compactor and there were no injuries reported.
The second fire was dispatched at 11:56 PM to the Kendall Auto Group at 846 Goodpasture Island Rd. Neighbors called reported seeing flames and smoke coming from the rear of the car dealership. Station 9 responded from less than a half mile away.
The initial fire attack was slowed due to gated access to the rear of the structure. After making access, they found one vehicle parked at the rear of the structure against the building fully involved, with a second vehicle beginning to catch fire.
While attempting to extinguish the fire, E9 requested a full commercial response of to address the potential building fire due to the cars being backed up against the building. The fire was contained to the two vehicles involved, with some minor cosmetic damage to the building. The cause of both fires is under investigation by the ESF Fire Marshal’s office.
Adult posing as teen arrested on multiple sex crimes charges
Detectives search for other possible victims
Salem, Ore. — Salem Police Special Victims Unit detectives arrested Salem resident Jeramey Lee Braman on December 31, 2024, on charges of second-degree sex abuse (nine counts), third-degree rape, and third-degree sodomy.
Braman became the focus of an investigation after detectives received a report he was posing as a minor on social media to meet teen girls.
Detectives are seeking additional information for anyone who had contact with Braman and are releasing his photograph, description, and usernames which he used to contact minor girls.
Braman, age 24, is 5-feet, 2-inches tall, has brown hair and brown eyes, and a slender build. He was an active SnapChat and Instagram user under the names lil j or jbraman0 or yaboylilj. He drives newer model, white sedans.
Anyone who has had similar incidents involving Braman, or who may have information relevant to the case, is asked to call Detective Cort Kirksey at 503-540-2418.
LCSO Case #24-6811 Camper missing in the Brice Creek area east of Cottage Grove
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office is looking for 61-year-old Robert Ray Bennett II of Cottage Grove. Bennet was last seen on Friday 12/28 standing on the bank of Brice Creek at a campsite east of Cedar Creek Campground on Brice Creek Road, east of Disston.
Bennet is described as a white male adult, standing approximately 5’10” tall and weighing about 165 pounds. He has white hair, brown eyes, and stubble facial hair. Bennet has a hunched posture and issues walking.
He was last seen wearing a maroon coat, black shirt, suspenders, tan wranglers, and cowboy boots. Lane County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue has been actively searching for Bennet. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4141.
𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗿𝘀: 𝗟𝗮𝘇𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻
The Lazy Days Mobile Home and RV Park, rebuilt by Homes for Good after the Holiday Farm Fire, has 20 2-bedroom modular homes that are available to rent for Holiday Farm Fire survivors.
You may be eligible if: 
You were a renter who lost your primary residence in the Holiday Farm Fire. You lost the home you owned in the Holiday Farm Fire and you either did not own the property it was on or you owned the property but it is now unbuildable.
𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟭 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲, 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘀. Applicants should be at no more than 80% of the Area Median. For example, 80% AMI means:2 people = $57,050 annual income 4 people = $71,300 annual income Rent is $1000 per month and includes utilities (water, sewer, garbage). Two ADA-accessible units are available.
Funding to provide the modular homes to fire survivors is provided by Oregon Housing & Community Services. Homes for Good is property owner and has led construction on the site. Lane County is assisting with the application process. 
Learn more: http://www.homesforgood.org/…/lazy-days-rv-and-mobile…
Apply starting December 11: www.cognitoforms.com/LaneCounty1/LazyDaysApplication
LRAPA BURN ADVISORY #lanecounty – Burning prohibited until Spring 2025 based on LRAPA info below.
BURNING OVERVIEWThe Lane Regional Air Protection Agency is responsible for overseeing burning programs in Lane County. LRAPA administers a Home Wood Heating advisory program and an Outdoor Burning advisory program.
Home Wood Heating is the burning of wood in fireplaces and wood stoves for heat. Wood burning creates particulate matter, which is Lane County’s most common form of pollution, and can dramatically degrade air quality during periods of air stagnation when many home wood heating devices are in use. LRAPA issues daily green, yellow, and red burn advisories from October 1 2024 through May 31, 2025 based on air quality conditions. These advisories permit, limit, or restrict the use of fireplaces and wood stoves.Home Wood Heating Advisory Line: (541) 746-4328
Outdoor burning is the disposal of woody yard material by burning it. Burning rules vary throughout Lane County depending on location, size of property, weather forecast, and fire danger conditions. LRAPA rules also limit the type and quantity of debris which can be burned. LRAPA issues daily burn advisories during burn season. Always check this page or call the advisory line before burning. Outdoor Burning Advisory Line: (541) 726-3976 Coastal Outdoor Burning Advisory Line: (541) 997-1757 https://www.lrapa.org/air-quality…/burning-overview/
Help Us Keep Lane County Warm! 
We’re launching the Cold Weather Shelter Drive to support our unhoused neighbors this winter. Donate new or gently used tents, blankets, sleeping bags, and tarps to ensure no one faces the cold alone.
Donation Locations:
Visit our website for a full list of drop-off locations. http://www.ccslc.org/cwsd
Or donate directly at our Springfield Service Center:
Catholic Community Services
1025 G Street, Springfield, OR.
Together, we can make a difference! 
Call 541-345-3628 ext 1317 for more information
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
“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 – · 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)
Starting in the new year, White Bird Dental Clinic will offer more walk-in clinic times. Currently, we offer walk-in clinics at 1415 Pearl St. every Monday and Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. In January, we will also add every other Friday at 7:30 a.m. Find more information at whitebirdclinic.org/dental
Operation Winter Survival Stockpile
Lane County Health & Human Services, in partnership with the First Christian Church today announced the launch of Operation Winter Survival Stockpile. The operation is an effort to create a stockpile through donations of clothing and other supplies that will help those in our community experiencing homelessness better brave the elements.
“Every winter those in our community who are without shelter are faced with life-threatening temperatures and weather,” said Maria Cortez, Lane County Human Services Program Coordinator. “These donations will be absolutely crucial to helping these community members stay warm and stay alive.”
After the donation drive, items can continue to be dropped off Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 2 pm. Items can also be purchased on Amazon and sent to 1166 Oak St., Eugene OR 97401.
The Operation’s Amazon Wish List can be found at: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2XR33GS1ULV8Z?ref_=wl_share
Distribution of items will be prioritized to homeless outreach providers such as CAHOOTS that come into direct contact with individuals who are unhoused and unsheltered.
For more information on Operation Winter Survival Stockpile, please contact Maria Cortez at ia.Cortez@lanecountyor.gov“>Maria.Cortez@lanecountyor.gov
Youth Empowerment Programs, City of Eugene – We’re thrilled to announce that our Winter-Spring 2025 Youth Empowerment Programs will be launching soon! 
Registration opens on December 10th for our FREE programs.
Some programs are drop-in, so no registration is required—just show up and get involved!
For more information and links to register, visit our website: https://www.eugene-or.gov/4888/Youth-Empowerment-Program
Why Egg Prices Are So High and Shortage in Oregon and Washington
For more than two years, farmers have fought a war with a fatal strain of hen flu that keeps disrupting U.S. egg supplies. At one factor, the lack sent the fee of a dozen regular eggs soaring to nearly $5. costs retreated quite, however, they continue to be volatile.
The modern-day consumer price index, or CPI, indicates that the price of eggs is up 37.5% from what it was a year ago. That’s an assessment of the trajectory of meal prices, which rose simply 2.4% within the past 12 months.
BLS facts tracking egg charges is going again as back to 1980, while big, Grade A eggs price $0.88 a dozen, not adjusted for inflation. Earlier than February 2022, the average value of a dozen had in large part stayed beneath $2 for the reason that March 2016. Then, the charge of eggs extra than doubled from the beginning of 2022 till hitting its height of $four.82 in line with a dozen in January 2023.
The pandemic and inflation play a position in growing egg fees, but the real perpetrator is an epidemic of H5N1, an extraordinarily transmissible and deadly strain of avian influenza, or hen flu. The outbreak started in early 2022 and quickly grew into the largest bird flu outbreak in U.S. history. As of Dec. 19, the virus has affected more than a hundred twenty-five million birds in the U.S. since January 2022, according to the Centers for Sickness Control and Prevention.
With so many birds lost to the virus, egg production is underneath regular tiers and might keep up with client demand. That dynamic ends in higher fees. And prices will remain volatile till producers can rebuild their flocks and increase egg production.
New hen flu cases remain pronounced through major U.S. egg producers. Up to now in December, outbreaks affecting more than 7.7 million egg layers were suggested at commercial egg facilities in Iowa and California, in keeping with the CDC. That provides to what’s been a robust resurgence of the virus this autumn. More than 6.8 million birds were suffering from outbreaks that were started in October and November at centers in Arizona, California, Oregon, Utah,h and Washington.
Wells Fargo Agri-food Institute sector supervisor Kevin Bergquist said egg costs improved in 2023 due to the aggregate seasonal rate increases during vacations and disruption in egg delivery due to hen flu.
According to Bergquist, fees during the last year have “usually” remained above 2023 expenses or even “regularly surpassed egg expenses from 2022, which changed into while HPAI stuck the egg market. “
The present-day strain of avian influenza is categorized as a low hazard to public health using the U.S. Facilities for Disorder Control and Prevention. In line with the Washington Kingdom branch of Agriculture, “no inflamed birds or eggs have entered the food delivery,” and there are currently no confirmed or suspected instances on dairy farms in Washington.
Eggs and roosters stay secure to devour, and cooking to an internal temperature of one hundred sixty-five tiers kills viruses, inclusive of avian influenza A.
Significant rate increases or the outright unavailability of eggs “should genuinely have an impact on protein consumption, particularly for families and individuals,” stated Simon, a registered dietitian nutritionist who reveals humans throughout all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds rely on eggs as a clean supply of protein.
A huge egg contains about 6 grams of protein in step with serving and might serve as a key supply of vitamins which includes diet D and choline. Given their refrigerated shelf existence of three to 5 weeks, Simon encourages people to shop for eggs while they’re available. (SOURCE)
Union Providers Respond To Providence And Demand To Bargain For All 5,000 Striking Caregivers
Oregon Nurses Assn. – – Earlier Friday, hospitalists, physicians, and nurse practitioners at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center and Providence Women’s Clinic sent Providence executives an open letter (see below) in response to Providence’s misleading media statements about “reopening mediation” and invited Providence executives back to the table to bargain fair contracts for all 5,000 providers and avert Oregon’s largest healthcare worker strike.
Oregon Nurses and Doctors Message to Elected Officials: Providence Executives Endanger Patients by Illegally Refusing to Bargain; Workers Willing to Meet “Anytime, Anywhere”
On Thursday, the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) called on elected officials to intervene as Providence Health & Services continues illegally refusing to bargain with its healthcare workers; putting patients’ health and safety at risk ahead of a massive 5,000 healthcare worker strike Jan. 10.
ONA has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Providence, citing its illegal refusal to bargain and asking local, state, and national elected officials to urge Providence executives to return to the table in order to reach a fair agreement for all Oregonians.
Providence’s refusal to meet with its own workers is illegal and far out of step with its corporate peers. Other Oregon hospitals and health systems, including Kaiser Permanente and St. Charles Bend, successfully met with healthcare workers and resolved negotiated contracts in the final days before scheduled strikes in 2021 and 2023 respectively. In recent years, ten California hospitals and health systems have also reached similar agreements in the 10 days prior to strikes. Multiple hospitals and health systems in New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois have all continued talks with frontline healthcare workers in the leadup to strikes and successfully reached agreements that prevented strikes from occurring.
Jan. 2, 2025
AN OPEN LETTER TO OREGON’S ELECTED LEADERS
Providence is putting patients at risk by illegally refusing to bargain with nearly 5,000 union-represented frontline caregivers.
On January 10, thousands of Oregon’s most trusted nurses, physicians and caregivers will lead an open-ended strike—the largest healthcare workers’ strike in state history. This unparalleled action will affect all 8 Providence hospitals in Oregon as well as 6 Providence Women’s Clinics. It will impact Oregonians throughout the Portland metro area, on the Coast, in the Gorge, in Southern Oregon and beyond.
For the first time in our state’s history, frontline nurses, physicians, nurse practitioners, and midwives throughout the Providence system have voted to stand together to win fair contracts that will give patients more time with their doctors and healthcare providers; promote safe staffing; end cuts to employees’ healthcare; and provide competitive wages and benefits to recruit and retain essential frontline nurses and caregivers.
Five thousand frontline healthcare providers are ready and willing to sacrifice to protect our patients and our colleagues—but striking is not our first choice.
Many nurses and healthcare professionals have been bargaining with Providence for more than 15 months and working without a contract for a year. We are disheartened by Providence’s stalling tactics but energized and ready to stand up for patients and communities across Oregon. We have offered to meet with Providence executives anywhere and anytime to negotiate a fair agreement and avert a strike.
Unfortunately, Providence executives are refusing to continue negotiations with us—making a resolution impossible and putting patients at risk. Refusing to meet with their workers to bargain is in direct violation of federal law and out of step with their peers; including Oregon hospitals and health systems like Kaiser Permanente and St. Charles Bend which worked hard to negotiate successful contracts and avert strikes during 10-day strike notice periods. We have filed an unfair labor practice charge against Providence with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for illegally refusing to bargain, however an NLRB decision will likely come too late to bring Providence back to the table.
As Oregon’s elected leaders, we call on you to urge Providence executives to return to the bargaining table and come to a fair agreement. If they refuse, we ask you to deny Providence public funds for illegal strikebreaking efforts—including hiring unlawful strikebreakers, locking out healthcare workers, and illegally refusing to bargain. Taxpayer dollars cannot support illegal activities that endanger patients while enriching executives.
Make no mistake. Oregon’s healthcare providers would rather be at the bedside caring for patients than in the streets striking for them. But we will do what is necessary to reach a fair agreement that delivers on its promises to patients, providers and our communities. Together, we can hold Providence accountable and ensure every Oregonian receives the care they deserve.
The Klamath Falls man convicted after imprisoning two women in separate kidnapping events in a homemade cell has elected to represent himself at his sentencing hearing.
Negasi Zuberi, 30, submitted a complaint before the court stating his legal team had “sabotaged” his case.
This was not Zuberi’s first attempt to dismiss his attorneys, having previously attempted to do so prior to trial on similar complaints. In both events, U.S. District Judge Michael J. McShane warned the defendant of the risk he’d run by representing himself.
Convicted on all charges — which includes four federal charges, including two kidnapping charges, transportation and four counts of felon in possession of firearms and ammunition — Zuberi faces a possible lifelong prison sentence as well as up to $2 million in fines.
But last month, McShane approved Zuberi’s request, stating that he “knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently” made that choice. At trial, Zuberi attempted to make a statement regarding his disapproval of his representation, but the court cut him short.
McShane said, “Their case is only as good as the facts and their client. In this case, they had very little facts to work with and a very difficult client.”
Since the verdict was delivered, Zuberi has been provided a court-appointed defense investigator to assist in procuring trial documents prior to his sentencing on Jan. 17.
At the end of December, Zuberi filed multiple motions (all of which are under seal due to the inclusion of victim information) to review discovery for all seven counts, alleging corruption, prosecutorial misconduct and unconstitutional prosecution.
Zuberi argued that, because the cinderblock cell was destroyed shortly after its discovery, the U.S. government had no case against him.
His legal team later attempted to claim that the structure built in the garage of his rental home was a music studio.
But evidence procured and presented at trial included handcuffs, leg shackles, cell phone jammers and hand-written descriptions of his plan titled, “Operation Takeover.”
President Biden Approves Oregon Major Disaster Declaration
Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Oregon and ordered Federal assistance to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires from July 10 to August 23, 2024.
Federal funding is available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the wildfires in the counties of Gilliam, Grant, Umatilla, Wasco, and Wheeler.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Ms. Yolanda J. Jackson of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2025/01/01/president-joseph-r-biden-jr-approves-oregon-major-disaster-declaration/#:~:text=declared%20that%20a%20major%20disaster,10%20to%20August%2023%2C%202024.
Oregon Health Authority Issues Warning After 2 Children Die From Flu
The Oregon Health Authority released concerning stats on this flu season, including multiple deaths and hundreds of hospitalizations. Officials are now urging people to protect themselves.
The new report reveals that two children died in Portland from the flu in December, and hundreds of others were hospitalized.
Nearly 500 people in three counties – Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington – were hospitalized for the flu this season, which is over three times more than hospitalizations last year.
“We’ve seen our pertussis vaccination rates slip over the past few years. It hasn’t been huge, but it’s definitely down. As you probably know, we would like 100% of people to be vaccinated,” said Dr. Paul Cieslak, medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at OHA’s Public Health Division. The data shows that fewer and fewer people are getting flu shots. The exact number is down 4% from last year and it has been steadily dropping since 2022.
Grants Pass Police Department – Shooting Incident Leads to Multiple Arrests
GRANTS PASS, OREGON On December 17, 2024, at about 2127 hours, Grants Pass Police Dispatch received multiple calls of shot being fired at an apartment complex in the 1400 block of Rogue River Highway. Within minutes of the call being received, police officers from the Grants Pass Police Department arrived on scene. Law enforcement from the Oregon State Police and Josephine County Sheriff’s Office also responded to assist, along with personnel from Grants Pass Fire/Rescue and American Medical Response.
It was quickly determined that the suspects had fled the scene in a vehicle. Police officers checked every apartment for victims and fortunately learned no one had been struck by the numerous gunshots. The initial investigation did conclude that six people in two different apartments could have been struck by gunfire if the trajectories had been slightly different. For that reason, the case became an Attempted Murder investigation.
Due to the violent behavior demonstrated in the incident, this case became the priority for the Grants Pass Police Criminal Investigation Division. Over the last two weeks, detectives and patrol officers have been working tirelessly to identify those responsible for the shooting. There were several hundred hours of manpower used to conduct interviews, collect evidence, and search for the suspects.
As a result of the extensive investigation, the four suspects were lodged in the Josephine County Jail on the following charges:
William Michael of Grants Pass – 32 years of age Six counts of Attempted MurderSix counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon
Joseph Treetop of Josephine County – 20 years of ageSix counts of Attempted MurderSix counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon
Easton Foley of Josephine County – 18 years of age Six counts of Attempted Murder Six counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon
Austin Shaw-Rideout of Josephine County – 18 years of age Six counts of Attempted MurderSix counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon
The Grants Pass Police Department would like to thank the United States Marshals Service Pacific Northwest Violent Task Force (Medford Division), Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police Patrol, Oregon State Police Crime Lab, Rogue Area Drug Enforcement Team, and the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance. This was a collaborative effort, and we appreciate the partnerships with these agencies. Further inquires about the case should be directed to the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office.
Body of missing Oregon king tides photographer found
The body of a North Bend man who has been missing since December 15 was found Sunday morning, officials said.
Joseph Neill vanished after going to take pictures of the king tides, which surged that weekend along the Oregon coast. North Bend police, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Coast Guard and a host of volunteers searched for him in the days and weeks afterward. His car was found near Jordan Point, across the bay from North Bend.
On 01/05/2025, around 9:25 AM, North Coos Dispatch received a call from the Clausen Oysters farm off North Bay Road of a possible deceased person found in Haynes Inlet during the ebb current (outgoing tide).
The deceased person was reportedly found to be on the southern beach area of Haynes Inlet, east of the bridge of Hwy-101 which is near the intersection of North Bay Rd, in North Bend.
Coos County Sheriff’s Office Deputies quickly responded, meeting with the reporting party and discovered the safest access to the scene would require a boat. With the help of the Clausen Oysters staff, they provided the Deputies with transportation to the scene utilizing one of their boats. Upon completion of the body recovery, the Chief Deputy Medical Examiner was requested to respond.
After further investigation, the decedent was identified as Joseph C. Neill.Mr. Neill had been missing since December 15th, 2024, when his personal items had been located on the railroad bridge which spans the Coos Bay at Jordan Point, approximately 1.5 miles west of where Mr. Neill was located.
North Bend Police Department was updated on the findings and Mr. Neill’s family has been notified.CCSO would like to thank the staff of Clausen Oysters for their assistance. The staff at Coos County Sheriff’s Office extends our deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of Mr. Neill during this difficult time.
Braga Fresh Issues Voluntary and Precautionary Advisory Due to Possible Health Risk – 12-ounce bags if Market Broccoli Florets
Braga Fresh is voluntarily issuing a precautionary advisory of a single production lot of washed and ready-to-eat 12oz Marketside Broccoli Florets with best if used by date Dec 10, 2024.
This product is past its best if used by date and is no longer in stores, but consumers may have frozen the item for later use. Consumers who have this product in their freezers should not consume and discard the product.
This advisory is being initiated due to possibility of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The potential for contamination was discovered during random sampling by Texas Health & Human Services from a Texas store location where one of multiple samples yielded a positive test result.
To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this product.
Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
The specific product involved are 12oz bags of Marketside Broccoli Florets sold at Walmart stores identified by having a UPC code 6 81131 32884 5 on back of bag, with Best if Used by Date Dec 10, 2024, and Lot Code: BFFG327A6 on front of bag. All potentially affected products are past their expiration date and no longer for sale. This voluntary advisory does not apply to any other Marketside or Braga Fresh produced products.
Consumers who have this product in their possession should not consume and discard the product. The only products involved in this advisory can be identified with the following details:
Marketside Broccoli Florets 12oz Bag
| Store: | Walmart |
|---|---|
| Distributed to select stores in: | AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MI, MT, NV, OH, OK, OR, TX, UT, WA, WY |
| Product UPC Code: | 6 81131 32884 5 |
| Lot Code: | BFFG327A6 |
| Best If Used by Date: | Dec 10, 2024 |
| Pack Size & Packaging: | 12-ounce, bag |
Consumers: with additional questions may contact 877-456-7445: Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm PST or email WeCare@bragafresh.com.
St. Helens High Choir Teacher Accused of Sexual Abuse Back in Custody
St. Helens High School choir teacher Eric Stearns is back in custody facing a new indictment with additional sex abuse charges after six additional alleged victims were identified, according to a Columbia County prosecutor. Stearns, 46, turned himself in Saturday afternoon to the Columbia County Jail after police showed up to his home earlier in the day when he wasn’t home.
The new 18-count indictment, filed in court Friday afternoon, alleges sexual abuse of 12 different people, starting
as far back as January 2015 and in some cases continuing through early this school year. He was placed on leave from his job in mid-November. He’s accused of touching students’ lips, necks, buttocks and chests, according to the indictment.
The 18-count indictment now charges Stearns with 13 counts of second-degree abuse, four counts of third-degree sexual abuse and one count of first-degree sexual abuse.
New funding is making it easier than ever for Oregon farmers to become certified organic.
To achieve certification, farmers must go three years without using synthetic additives such as fertilizers or pesticides. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Oregon has launched the Organic Transition Initiative to provide financial and technical support.
Ben Bowell, director of education and advocacy for the group Oregon Tilth, noted the funding is especially valuable because the transition can be costly.
“During that time they have to be farming as organic farmers but they are not able to access an organic crop premium,” Bowell pointed out.
Farmers can also get support through the initiative to develop organic systems for fertilization, building soil and controlling weeds.
Bowell explained the initiative is one of a three-part national USDA Organic Transition Initiative. This five-year program provides mentorship from experienced organic farmers, technical assistance and an organic market development program. He emphasized with the three programs, the combined $300 million investment in organic farming is historic.
“Right now is an amazing time to consider transitioning to organic in terms of all of the support that’s available,” Bowell stated.
Erica Thompson, farm operations manager for the U-pick blueberry farm Blueberry Meadows near Corvallis, which has been in her family since 1993, is a little over a year into the three-year process. She said figuring out a new fertility program and disease management has been a challenge, along with understanding the application and documentation process.
Thompson added working with the Organic Transition Initiative has been helpful. “Being part of it has really solved or like is in the process of solving all my questions and uncertainties,” Thompson observed.
Along with farmers, support is available for ranchers and forest landowners looking to go organic. Applications for the current round of funding are due Jan. 17. (SOURCE)
A push for Oregon’s ‘right to repair’ law to include wheelchairs
Oregon’s right to repair law, which increases consumers’ ability to repair their own electronics, takes effect this week.
The law requires manufacturers to provide access to replacement parts, tools, manuals, as well as digital keys needed so people can fix their own devices.
Charlie Fisher, state director of the Oregon State Public Interest Research Group, helped author the law. He said it needs to go further, which is why, along with disability justice advocates, he is pushing for wheelchairs to be included. Fisher pointed out the current process for getting wheelchairs fixed is overly complicated and takes months.
“Just simple barriers that shouldn’t exist are really what we’re trying to address in this wheelchair right to repair law,” Fisher explained. “It just seems like common sense.”
Fisher noted Sen. Janeen Sollman, D-Hillsboro, will introduce two bills this year to expand the right to repair law. One bill would add protections for wheelchairs, the other would simplify the repair process when going through Medicaid.
Wren Grabham, a disability justice activist, has been working on the bills and said additions to the law would require wheelchair manufacturers to post their manuals and allow a person to fix their chair without voiding their warranty.
Grabham noted when she was 16, her electric wheelchair began shutting off and giving an error code. Because there was no public manual for the chair, she did not know what the code meant or if the chair was safe to keep driving. Grabham added fixing it included getting insurance approval, so it took a long time.
“I had to pretty much use an old chair that didn’t fit me for six months,” Grabham recounted.
Grabham emphasized even simple, routine fixes, like getting a new tire or battery for her chair, take months because she has to prove new parts are needed.
“Even though it’s something that we could fix in a weekend, if we were able to actually get the parts to fix them,” Grabham stressed.
The Public Interest Research Group’s research found being able to fix phones, computers and appliances instead of buying new ones will save the average Oregon household more than $300 a year. (SOURCE)
Thirty inmates have been released early from the Coos County Jail after budget constraints forced a reduction in capacity.
The jail’s bed count was cut from 98 to 49 after voters rejected Measure 6-217, which would have funded staff and operations through a tax levy. Released inmates faced charges ranging from misdemeanors to felony property crimes and parole violations. Officials say future releases are likely, prioritizing the detention of inmates with the most severe charges.
On Jan. 1 several new laws went into effect in Oregon
Several new laws are now in effect across Oregon, addressing issues like public safety, healthcare, and environmental concerns.
These include penalties for drug use on public transit, a “right to repair” law for electronics, and a cap on insulin costs at 35 dollars per 30-day supply for insured residents. Other measures aim to enhance school bus safety with stop-arm cameras and boost transparency with recorded school board meetings.
The sale of fluorescent light bulbs became illegal on January 1, 2025, to encourage Oregonians to switch to energy-efficient LED lighting.
Additionally, Oregon plans to divest from coal companies and increase voter pamphlet translations to ten languages per county.
Bird Flu Alert: Northwest Naturals Recalls Feline Raw & Frozen Pet Food Due to HPAI Contamination
The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) is alerting pet owners that samples of Northwest Naturals brand two-pound turkey recipe raw and frozen pet food tested positive for a H5N1 strain of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus.
Testing conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) and the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ODVL) at Oregon State University confirmed a house cat in Washington County contracted H5N1 and died after consuming the raw frozen pet food. Tests confirmed a genetic match between the virus in the raw and frozen pet food and the infected cat.
“We are confident that this cat contracted H5N1 by eating the Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food,” said ODA state veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz. “This cat was strictly an indoor cat; it was not exposed to the virus in its environment, and results from the genome sequencing confirmed that the virus recovered from the raw pet food and infected cat were exact matches to each other.”
Northwest Naturals, a Portland, Oregon-based company, is voluntarily recalling its Northwest Naturals brand two-pound Feline Turkey Recipe raw & frozen pet food. The recalled product is packaged in two-pound plastic bags with “Best if used by” dates of 05/21/26 B10 and 06/23/2026 B1. The product was sold nationwide through distributors in AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MD, MI, MN, PA, RI and WA in the United States, and British Columbia in Canada.
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and local public health officials are monitoring household members who had contact with the cat for flu symptoms. To date, no human cases of HPAI have been linked to this incident, and the risk of HPAI transmission to humans remains low in Oregon. Since 2022, OHA has partnered with ODA through a One Health approach to investigate human exposures to animal outbreaks of avian influenza. (SOURCE)
Commercial Dungeness crab season opening delay from Cape Falcon to Washington border continues
NEWPORT, Ore. – The Oregon ocean commercial Dungeness crab fishery is delayed until at least Jan. 15 from Cape Falcon to the Washington border. A third round of preseason testing in Long Beach, WA shows crab meat fill remains lower than required for commercial harvest.
Based on this result not meeting Tri-State meat recovery criteria, and in consultation with Washington and California Departments of Fish and Wildlife, Tri-State fishery managers agreed to delay the season from Cape Falcon to Klipsan Beach, WA until at least Jan. 15. WDFW will conduct another round of preseason meat fill testing to help inform whether this area will open Jan. 15 or Feb. 1.
Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery opened Dec. 16 from Cape Falcon to the California border. Despite rough ocean conditions this past week, over 2.5 million pounds of crab were landed into Oregon ports in that area. Price at the docks averaged $4.50 per pound, well above last season’s total season average of $3.79 per pound.
Weekly season opening updates will continue to be posted until the decision is made to open the north coast. Check ODFW’s website for more on Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery.
You’ll need a Real ID to fly domestically, starting in May of 2025, that’s unless you have a passport or enhanced driver’s license issued by several states.
The deadline is May 7, 2025, but you probably don’t want to wait until the last minute to get your Real ID. You can apply for your Real ID driver’s license or ID card through your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Real IDs are marked with a star on the top of the card. Real IDs will also be needed to access certain federal facilities. Congress mandated the real IDs in 2005 on the recommendation of the 9/11 Commission.
AmeriCorps NCCC Partnership Boosts Oregon’s Emergency Response
Join us in strengthening Oregon’s resilience by hosting an AmeriCorps NCCC team to support your community’s disaster response and recovery efforts!
Oregon is taking a significant step forward in enhancing its emergency response capabilities through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between OregonServes and the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC). This strategic partnership represents a collaborative effort to bolster statewide disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
For more information on this partnership contact: Jennifer Denning Disaster Services Coordinator, OregonServes Jennifer.l.denning@hecc.oregon.gov.
What is AmeriCorps NCCC?
AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time, team-based program for young adults aged 18-26. Members commit to a term of national service, which can include critical disaster response and recovery services. Through this partnership, NCCC teams will be integrated into Oregon’s disaster preparedness framework, offering vital support before, during, and after disasters.
Key Benefits of the Partnership:
This partnership brings several critical advantages to Oregon communities, including:
- NCCC teams work on a variety of projects filling critical gaps in local resources.
- NCCC members collaborate with local communities to strengthen response efforts, thereby accelerating recovery and repopulation of residents.
- NCCC teams focus on ensuring that underserved and vulnerable populations receive critical resources and assistance during emergencies, bridging equity gaps in disaster response and recovery.
- By integrating local resources with national service members, this partnership enhances Oregon’s capacity to build resilient communities.
Key Dates:
Nationally, NCCC Disaster Service Applications are received throughout the year. For purposes of the NCCC-OregonServes MOU, Pacific Region teams or Summer of Service can serve during these timelines (precise dates will vary year-to-year):
- November 1 – December 16
- January 8- April 16
- April 24 – July 23 (Traditional program applications due, February 7, 2025)
- Summer of Service June 20 – August 1
How to Apply to Be a Disaster Response AmeriCorps Volunteer:
First, download the application instructions below. Then, complete the Service Project Application for Disaster Response. No Project Concept Form is required.
Please note: Download the following document directly to your computer. Open and complete the document using Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat.
Applications and questions should be submitted to: NCCCPRTerritory2@americorps.gov.
Want to Make Your Organization a Project Sponsor?
Nonprofit and faith-based organizations, government entities, public schools, and universities, as well as tribal and native nations are eligible to apply. Organizations complete an application detailing the need and project design and NCCC will review submissions and make a final determination. To learn more about AmeriCorps NCCC and how to apply, please visit the AmeriCorps NCCC webpage.
Media contest invites Oregon high school students to promote young worker safety; entries due Feb. 21, 2025
Salem – High school students across Oregon are encouraged to put their video or graphic design skills on display by competing for cash prizes as part of a larger cause: increasing awareness about workplace safety and health for young workers.
The 2025 media contest, organized by the Oregon Young Employee Safety (O[yes]) Coalition, calls on participants to create an ad – through a compelling graphic design or video – that grabs their peers’ attention and convinces them to take the Young Employee Safety Awareness online training.
Participants get to choose the key message, theme, or tagline they believe will go furthest in capturing their audience and moving it to act. The target audience? Teen workers or teens who are preparing to work for the first time. The contest is now open for submissions. To compete, participants may submit either a graphic design or a video that is no more than 90 seconds in length.
Participants are expected to choose their key message, theme, or tagline in a wise and positive manner, including constructive and effective messages and language.
The top three entries in each of the two media categories will take home cash prizes ranging from $300 to $500. In each category, the first-place winner’s school, club, or organization will receive a matching award. Moreover, O[yes] will use the best of the submissions as ads in its ongoing efforts to improve on-the-job safety and health protections for teens.
While they carry out their projects, participants must ensure the health and safety of their team. No one should be endangered while creating their video or graphic design project.
The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, 2025.
Participants are encouraged to submit entries online. Submissions may also be mailed on a USB thumb drive or delivered in person.
For more information about the entry form and rules, contest expectations, and resources – including previous contest winners – visit the O[yes] online contest page.
The contest sponsors are local Oregon chapters of the American Society of Safety Professionals, Construction Safety Summit, Central Oregon Safety & Health Association, Hoffman Construction Company, Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Oregon OSHA, SafeBuild Alliance, SAIF Corporation, and the Oregon Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) Alliance.
### About Oregon OSHA: Oregon OSHA enforces the state’s workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit osha.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.
About the Oregon Young Employee Safety Coalition (O[yes]): (O[yes]) is a nonprofit dedicated to preventing young worker injuries and fatalities. O[yes] members include safety and health professionals, educators, employers, labor and trade associations, and regulators. Visit youngemployeesafety.org.
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
