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, April 8, 2024
Willamette Valley Weather
Tips To Watch The 2024 Solar Eclipse In And Around Eugene
The partial eclipse over Oregon on April 8 from beginning to end will be just shy of of two hours, beginning around 10:30 a.m. until about 12:15 p.m.
Peak coverage in Oregon will range from 11:20 to 11:30 a.m. when the sun is pretty high, so we should be able to see the eclipse pretty much anywhere, weather permitted.
Among the places that should be popular viewing areas in and around Eugene are:
- Skinner’s Butte in Eugene.
- Spencer Butte south of Eugene.
- College Hill Reservoir on Lawrence Street between 24th and 25th avenues in Eugene.
“You don’t need to go on top of the mountains or anything, but maybe on top of a hill … anywhere that you’ve got a nice, open view of the southern sky,” said University of Oregon astronomy professor Scott Fisher.
Because Oregon is already so far from this eclipse’s path of totality, Fisher said there’s also no need drive any where for a better view. Across the entire state, the difference in percent coverage at peak is only about 5%.
“We’re sort of out on the fringe of the eclipse this time where we’re only getting this sort of 25% coverage,” he said.
The entire partial eclipse from start to finish will be about three hours in Oregon. The moon will begin covering the sun at about 10:30 a.m. and move away at about 12:15 p.m.
Viewers in Eugene will see a peak of 24% coverage at 11:23 a.m. In Salem, the peak will be at 11:24 a.m. Across all of Oregon, the peak will range from around 11:20 to 11:30 a.m.
Weather permitting, the sun will be high in the sky at the time of the eclipse, however, cloud coverage could affect the viewing experience. According to the National Weather Service, both the Eugene and Salem areas are usually overcast 50% of the time in April and only clear about 10% of the time.
NASA will have live coverage of the eclipse from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. as the eclipse travels through Mexico and across the United States.
Coverage will include live views across the path, expert commentary and live demonstrations
Solar Eclipse Viewing Safety Tips
- Never look directly at the sun without proper eye protection, as it is harmful to your eyes at any time during a partial eclipse.
- Regular sunglasses, no matter how dark tinted, are not safe for viewing.
- Eclipse glasses are the best option. Be sure they are made by companies recommended by the American Astronomical Society and NASA certified. These glasses should have the International Organization for Standardization icon and must have the ISO reference number 12312-2.
- Always inspect your eclipse glasses or handheld viewer before use. If torn, scratched or otherwise damaged, discard the device.
- Without eclipse glasses, a simple and safe way to view the eclipse is to watch the sun’s image projected onto a piece of paper. Poke a small hole in an index card with a pencil point, face it toward the sun and hold a second card 3 or 4 feet behind it in its shadow. You will see a projected image of the sun on the second card.
- Do not look at the sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer, as the concentrated solar rays will burn through the filter and cause serious eye injury. These require different types of solar filters that attach to the front of the device.
A Springfield man has been sentenced to life in prison for the killing of convenience store employee.
Courtesy of Amber Deyo REST In PEACE
Jaisi Tavin Savath, 22, shot and fatally wounded Stephen Forrest, 32, at a Eugene 7-Eleven on September 2 of last year. According to a police affidavit, just before the shooting, there was an apparent dispute over a small purchase at the store that didn’t go through.
Describing security camera footage, Eugene Police Department Detective Cliff Sites wrote that Savath became upset and flipped a card reader, and the victim seemingly deployed pepper spray as the perpetrator exited the building. The shots were fired from outside.
In Lane County Circuit Court this week, Savath was convicted of second degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon, along with a weapons possession charge he’d pled guilty to. As part of his sentencing Friday, he won’t be allowed to seek parole for at least 25 years. (SOURCE)
LCSO Case #24-1773 – Sheriff’s deputies respond to shooting near Lassen Lane
On April 6th at about 3:30 a.m., deputies and a Junction City Police officer responded to the area of Lassen Lane and River Road for a report of a gunshot wound. One person was injured and transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The suspects fled immediately after the shooting, which appeared to be a targeted attack by individuals known to each other, and are still outstanding.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4150, option 1.
Lebanon Firefighters Battle Second Blaze in Twenty-four Hours
Lebanon firefighters battled their second structure fire in the last twenty-four hours late Friday afternoon April 5, 2024. The dispatch reports of smoke coming from a residence in the 100 block of S. 6th street. When the Battalion Chief arrived, he found a former Lebanon volunteer firefighter using a garden hose containing the fire to its room of origin. The IC radioed a working offensive fire as he finished his 360 walk around. The next arriving unit was a fire medic unit that forced open the door and did a quick sweep ensuring no occupants were trapped. When the first ladder truck arrived, they laid three hundred feet of supply line from a hydrant for additional water. Firefighters quickly went to work making their way to the seat of the fire, while other fire crews cut a hole in the roof to help ventilate the structure and preform a search for occupants. The IC radioed the blaze under control after approximately twenty minutes. Firefighters remained on scene an additional hour overhauling and investigating the blaze. Lebanon Fire Investigation Team (LFIT) was leading the investigation, and no injuries were reported. Unfortunately, the family’s cat didn’t make it out of the structure in time and the family will be displaced due to fire and smoke damage.
Lebanon Fire District responded with 19 personnel on one ladder truck, three engines, two ALS fire medic units, one heavy rescue and one rehab unit for firefighters. Three staff officers also responded. Lebanon Fire was assisted at the scene by Lebanon Police Department and PP&L, while Albany Fire Department assisted the district by covering the additional 911 calls.
The Lebanon Fire District would like to remind residents of the importance of working smoke alarms. For assistance with smoke alarms in your home, contact our Fire & Life Safety Division at (541) 451-1901. Be safe.
Lebanon Firefighters Extinguish Fire in Mobile Home Park
Lebanon Firefighters responded to reports of a mobile home fire in the early morning hours of Friday April 5, 2024. The mobile home was in the 3800 block of Weirich drive, which is in a local mobile home park. When the first due ladder truck arrived, they found heavy smoke coming from the roof area. The Battalion Chief arrived and began a 360 degree walk around declaring a working fire as firefighters entered the home in an offensive fire attack mode. Firefighters encountered heavy smoke and quickly called for a positive pressure fan and horizontal ventilation helping clear the structure.
Firefighters also performed a quick search for occupants as they made their way to the seat of the fire. On the IC’s 360 he noticed fire from an exterior wall that was near the location of a wood burning stove on the inside of structure. Additional firefighters arriving were able to quickly extinguish the exterior fire, while crews on the inside worked extinguishing the interior portion. Crews were on scene approximately two and half hours overhauling, removing residual smoke, and investigating. Lebanon’s Deputy Fire Marshal was on the scene investigating as crews cleared the area. No life threating injuries were reported, but one firefighter was evaluated after sticking a nail into their hand. Red cross is assisting the occupants as they have been displaced due to damage.
Lebanon Firefighters responded with 18 personnel on, one ladder truck, 3 engines, 2 ALS fire medic units, one water-tender, one rehab unit for firefighters and 3 staff officers. Lebanon was assisted at the scene by PP&L, while Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District and Albany Fire Department covered the city’s additional 911’s.
The Lebanon Fire District would like to remind residents of the importance of working smoke alarms, smoke alarms alerted these occupants. Also, to follow safe home-heating instructions making sure that wood stoves are properly installed, inspected, and cared for. For assistance with smoke alarms in your home, contact our Fire & Life Safety Division at (541) 451-1901. Be safe.
Fatal Residential Structure Fire – 737 W. Wharton Street in Roseburg- 4-5-24
At 7:53 p.m. on April 5, 2024, Roseburg Fire Department personnel responded to a residential structure fire with a known rescue at 737 W. Wharton Street. Firefighters arrived on scene to find a single-family residential structure with heavy fire and smoke coming from the left, front corner of the home with smoke alarms sounding. Upon arrival, a female resident informed fire crews that her husband was still inside the structure near the front of the home.
Fire crews entered the single-family residence in rescue mode. Crews were able to quickly locate the seventy-one year old male resident near the front of the home and found him to be unconscious. Crews quickly removed the victim through the front door of the home. The patient was transported to a nearby hospital, where the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. Crews extinguished the fire and completed overhaul of the structure.
The single-family residence sustained structural, smoke, and water damage. A fire investigator was on scene and the exact cause of the fire is under investigation. Sixteen firefighters assisted with firefighting operations. Other agencies assisting with the fire included Umpqua Valley Ambulance, Douglas County Fire District #2, Roseburg Police Department, Avista Utilities, and Pacific Power.
The Roseburg Fire Department would like to remind everyone of the importance of working smoke alarms and ensuring you have the appropriate number of smoke alarms installed in the home. Remember to make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside each sleeping area and in every bedroom. Roseburg Fire Department recommends that homeowners consider a home fire sprinkler system for increased protection.
For the latest information regarding the City of Roseburg Fire Department, please visit our website at www.cityofroseburg.org or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/roseburgfire.
Join us on the latest podcast episode of “Copy Up” as EPD Chief, Chris Skinner, chats with K9 trainer and Officer Mike Casey.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7MAEGDr31qk20HyaiyC6bn…
Dive into the world of K9 training and learn about the incredible bond between officers and their canine partners. Hear firsthand stories of courage, dedication, and the unique role K9 units play in law enforcement. Listen now for an inside look at the dynamic world of K9 policing. Eugene Police K9 Unit
Trauma Intervention Programs of Lane County Needs Volunteers
Trauma Intervention Programs of Lane County (TIP) is actively recruiting for volunteers. TIP volunteers are called by law enforcement, fire, medical and hospital personnel to respond to scenes of sudden or unexpected death (natural, homicide, suicide, accidental, infant) industrial accidents, sexual assaults, overdoses, violent crime and other traumatic incidents to provide immediate emotional and practical support to families, friends, witnesses and survivors. By ensuring those who are emotionally traumatized in emergencies receive the immediate assistance they need, TIP volunteers make an invaluable contribution to the health and well-being of Lane County.
TIP wants volunteers of all different backgrounds who can pass a background check and are interested in helping provide needed support alongside first responders. For those interested in becoming a volunteer, TIP is holding a series of spring training opportunities dubbed the TIP Training Academy. The Academy is held at Eugene Police Department, located at 300 Country Club Road in Eugene. A full list of Academy training times is available below, or on the TIP website, www.tiplanecounty.org
For more information or to sign-up for an Academy training time, please contact Bridget Byfield, Director, TIP of Lane County at bridget@tiplanecounty.org or 541-286-6416.
TIP Spring Training Academy
The Academy is held at Eugene Police Dept.
300 Country Club Road, Eugene
Wednesday….April 10…………….6:00 pm -09:00 pm
Thursday…….April 11…………….6:00 pm -09:00 pm
Friday………..April 12…………….6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Saturday…….April 13…………….9:00 am – 03:00 pm
Career Fair Invitation at Emerald’s Home Games
You’re invited to table at our Region’s next Career Fair. We are hosting two career fairs at Emeralds home games on Wednesday, April 17th, and Sunday, August 18th at PK Park in Eugene. Parking and game tickets will be FREE to anyone who mentions the Career Highlight Night at the Box Office. To reserve a space is $300 for one of the days or both days for $400. To register please visit the event page: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/career-highlight-night-tickets-863277545377
To logon to iMatchSkills click the iMatchSkills link on www.Employment.Oregon.gov. You may call your local WorkSource Oregon Employment Department office at (541) 686-7601 for further assistance. TTY/TDD – dial 7-1-1 toll free relay service access free online relay service at: https://www.sprintip.com. Llame al 7-1-1 para asistencia gratuita TTY/TDD para personas con dificultades auditivas. Obtenga acceso gratis en Internet por medio del siguiente sitio: https://www.sprintip.com.
WorkSource Oregon is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services, alternate formats and language services are available to individuals with disabilities and limited English proficiency free of cost upon request. WorkSource Oregon es un programa que respeta la igualdad de oportunidades. Disponemos de servicios o ayudas auxiliares, formatos alternos y asistencia de idiomas para personas con discapacidades o conocimiento limitado del inglés, a pedido y sin costo.
LCOG Senior & Disability Services requests community input for future planning
EUGENE, Oregon – Senior & Disability Services, a division of Lane Council of Governments (LCOG), is collecting information to learn about the needs of people with disabilities, older adults, and their caregivers. The survey is available online and in hard copy at all S&DS offices. It will remain open through June 12, 2024.
Link to survey: http://tinyurl.com/SDS2024CommunityNeeds
The information gathered through this survey will be used by LCOG Senior & Disability Services to identify gaps, leverage resources, and prioritize services. The strategic plan that will be created to meet the needs identified in this survey will be called the 2025-2029 Senior & Disability Services Area Plan. It is a requirement under the Older Americans Act (OAA).
The OAA stipulates that a multi-year, comprehensive Area Plan be developed for each planning and service area. The Community Needs Assessment, along with various data from the US Census, focus groups, current service levels, and information from key stakeholders helps inform specific service goals and objectives for the next four years.
Community members who need to take this survey in another language or need any other accommodation or assistance, please call 541-682-4512.
Senior & Disability Services is the designated Area Agency on Aging for Lane County, Oregon and provides services, information, and assistance to Lane County’s older adult population, adults with physical disabilities, and their caregivers. To learn more about Senior & Disability Services, please visit their website at www.lcog.org/sdslane.
MORE INFO: https://www.lcog.org/sdslane/page/senior-disability-services-seeks-input-future-planning
Become a temporary election worker and help democracy thrive
The Lane County Elections Office is hiring temporary election workers to assist with the May 21, 2024 Primary Election.
“Temporary election workers are critical to the success of elections,” said County Clerk Dena Dawson. “We want to build a more diverse pool of people that is representative of our community. Retirees are always welcome, but so are students, stay-at-home parents, gig workers, and anyone who just wants to learn more about elections or earn a few bucks.”
Available positions include customer service, data entry, ballot processing, and ballot collection. Some positions require a few weeks of availability and others only require a few days, or even just one night. Lane County does not use volunteers to conduct elections; all temporary election worker positions are paid.
Temporary election workers are hired before each election cycle. Another round of hiring will begin in August for the November 5 Presidential Election.
Winning $1.326 Billion Powerball Jackpot Sold in Oregon
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Salem, Ore. – A Powerball ticket worth $1.326 billion was sold in Portland and is the fourth largest Powerball jackpot in the game’s history. The ticket for Saturday’s drawing was purchased on April 6.
“I want to congratulate the winner on this life changing moment. No one in Oregon has ever won a prize on this scale, and it’s very exciting for our staff and players,” said Oregon Lottery Director Mike Wells. “Even if you aren’t holding the winning ticket, all of our players support programs and services statewide that receive Lottery dollars.”
The winner has a year to come forward and claim their prize. Per state law, players in Oregon, with few exceptions, cannot remain anonymous. The largest Powerball prize previously won in Oregon was a $340 million jackpot in 2005. The last time a Powerball jackpot was won in the state was in 2018, when a Salem man won $150.4 million.
Approximately a third of sales from the game will be returned to state beneficiaries to support economic development, education, veteran services, state parks and more.
Retailers who sell lottery tickets also earn commissions from the boost in ticket sales and bonus payments for lower tier wins. For instance, an Oregon retailer who sells a $1 million ticket would earn a $10,000 bonus.
Saturday’s jackpot was the eighth largest among U.S. lottery jackpot games. The jackpot was previously won on New Year’s Day in Michigan with a ticket that won a $842.4 million jackpot. Powerball is a multi-state jackpot operated by 44 states, plus the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
The Oregon Lottery recommends that you always sign the back of your ticket to ensure you can claim your prize. In the event of winning a jackpot, players should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings.
Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned nearly $15.5 billion for economic development, public education, outdoor school, state parks, veteran services, and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org.
SOU Laboratory of Anthropology project rewarded by Congress
The Southern Oregon University Laboratory of Anthropology’s Oregon Chinese Diaspora Project – an ongoing, collaborative effort to research and document the lives of Oregon’s early Chinese immigrants – was awarded almost $500,000 in the spending bill approved by Congress this month. The federal allocation more than doubles the total funding that the archaeological project has received since it began in 2016.
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SOU is the only one of Oregon’s four technical and regional universities to receive congressional funding in the new spending bill.
“This is another example of our representatives at both the state and federal levels recognizing the important, innovative work that is coming out of our university,” SOU President Rick Bailey said. “Senators Merkley and Wyden supported this request through all the twists and turns of the congressional budgeting process, and the result will be a far greater understanding of the vital roles that Chinese Americans and immigrants have played throughout Oregon’s history.”
The new federal funding will allow the award-winning Oregon Chinese Diaspora Project to expand well beyond its original focus on 19th century mining and railroad settlements, to encompass areas throughout the state where Chinese immigrants have had a presence. The project will also incorporate “orphaned” collections from other archaeological efforts, and will result in a series of field schools, volunteer opportunities, exhibits, digital content and free, public talks and programs.
“We have investigated railroad and mining sites across the state, but these funds will be used to explore and document the history of Chinese Oregonians living in diverse geographical areas and working in a variety of industries, in an effort to better capture the full range of Chinese American heritage and experience in Oregon,” said archaeologist Chelsea Rose, director of the SOU Laboratory of Anthropology.
“While we have done amazing things working with our partners to date, this allows us to investigate some of the ‘bucket list’ sites we have encountered over the years, and implement some of our dream projects,” she said.
SOULA works on the Oregon Chinese Diaspora Project with agencies including the Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management, the Malheur National Forest, the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Oregon State Parks, the Oregon Historical Society and the Portland Chinatown Museum.
Researchers have used local history and public archaeology to challenge dated stereotypes and highlight the transnational lives of the Chinese immigrants and Chinese Americans that helped establish the early infrastructure and economic industries of Oregon. The project has included digging, interpreting and touring numerous archaeological sites around the state where Chinese immigrants worked and lived, and researching censuses and community records.
The effort has won several awards, including one last fall from the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) and a national Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) in June of 2022.
Sens. Merkley and Wyden submitted a “congressionally directed spending request” on SOU’s behalf to better enable students to assist with a comprehensive, statewide inventory of Chinese heritage sites. It will pay for archival research, targeted field visits and community outreach, and archaeological investigations at seven to 10 sites identified during the survey.
“These investigations would target sites that will fill in gaps in the documentary record, including industries or areas of the state that have been understudied,” the congressional request said. “This will consist of a mix of archaeological excavation, intensive survey, or analysis of orphaned artifact collections.”
About two-thirds of the $499,743 allocated by Congress will be used for fieldwork and reporting, with most of the remainder earmarked for travel, curation and supplies. The funding is part of the federal Labor, Health and Human Services budget for improvement of postsecondary education. (SOURCE)
Tillamook Police Chief Sentenced To Jail Over Removal Of Meth And Money From Evidence Locker
Ray Rau, Tillamook police chief and former chief in Nyssa, was convicted of official misconduct Wednesday for tampering with evidence.
He was sentenced to 10 days in jail and must give up his certification as a law enforcement officer that he has held since 1995. As a result, he can no longer work as a police officer in Oregon.
Rau turned himself in after court proceedings on Wednesday to begin his sentence.
He was chief of the Nyssa Police Department from 2012 until resigning in 2021 to take the Tillamook job. He had been elected to the Nyssa School Board just two months before resigning the city post.
Rau, 57, pleaded no contest in Tillamook County Circuit Court to first-degree official misconduct for removing methamphetamine and second-degree official misconduct for removing money from the evidence locker at the Tillamook agency on two occasions. A no contest plea means Rau wasn’t admitting to the crimes but agreed prosecutors could prove he was guilty.
He was convicted of taking the meth and the money from the evidence locker sometime between October 2021 and April 2023 “with intent to obtain a benefit.”
But at a hearing in Tillamook County Circuit Court, Rau insisted he had simply made a mistake while trying to protect an evidence technician from harmful exposure to drugs. (READ MORE)
The Oregon Medical Board has suspended, surrendered, retired or revoked the medical licenses of 14 doctors in the last six months following investigations into allegations including overprescribing painkillers, breaching private patient information and overcharging patients.
The board is responsible for regulating the practice of medicine in Oregon by ensuring physicians are providing care that prioritizes Oregonians’ health, safety and well-being. It licenses and regulates the practice of medical doctors (MD), doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO), podiatric physicians (DPM), physician assistants (PA) and acupuncturists (LAc).
Oregon Medical Board process after complaints are made against physicians — If a malpractice claim is made against a doctor, physician assistant or acupuncturist the board investigates to determine what, if any, actions should be taken. Providers must surrender their license while an investigation is conducted, meaning they cannot practice medicine until the investigation is closed.
An investigation may result in a suspended license, preventing the doctor from practicing for a specified or indefinite period and mandatory training and courses related to the violation. A license also may be revoked.
In some disciplinary cases, physicians willingly retire or surrender their licenses rather than have them suspended or revoked, according to the board website.
A physician may sometimes reapply for an Oregon license or they must agree to never reapply, depending on the severity of the violation. The board also can impose fines. To reapply, they must submit an application and pay an application fee to the board.
Restoration of licenses may be granted or withheld at the board’s discretion. And if there is a gap of more than two years without clinical practice, the doctors must enter a “re-entry to practice consent agreement,” which establishes a plan for re-entry based on experience, time away from practice, continuing education, licensee specialty. They must abide by the plan in order to have their license reinstated.
Oregon Medical Board working on new complaint database system, other changes — The Secretary of State’s Office earlier this year released an audit of the Oregon Medical Board that said it must do more to conduct routine, systematic data analysis to ensure it fairly and consistently disciplines health care professionals.
The board agreed in January to work on improving processes for investigation, data collection and compliant review, including improving advisory guidelines to consider contributing factors for misconduct and systemic biases, launching a new complaint database system in 2025, and implementing regular reviews of investigations and disciplinary cases.
The following are major disciplinary actions taken from Sept. 16, 2023, through March 15.
Oregon medical licenses retired, surrendered or suspended
Richard Kaukapono Apau of Hillsboro, internal medicine physician, surrendered his medical license on Oct. 5, 2023, for refusing an invitation for an interview with Oregon Medical Board during an investigation into allegations of unprofessional conduct.
Apau can reapply in October 2025.
Richard Carlton Heitsch of Portland retired his general practice and preventative medicine license on Oct. 5, 2023, after an investigation into allegations of practicing medicine while impaired.
Heitsch can reapply in October 2025.
Joel Bruce Klein of Medford retired his family medicine license on Oct. 5, 2023, after an investigation found allegations of repeated negligence and administration of medically unnecessary treatment.
Klein can never reapply for an Oregon medical license.
David Glen Knox of Portland, who practiced emergency medicine and cannabis therapeutics, surrendered his license on Oct. 5, 2023, for making misleading statements about the value of medical cannabis to pediatric patients.
Knox was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, and can reapply in October 2025.
Debra Gay Robbins of Medford retired her physician assistant license on Oct. 5, 2023, for repeated negligence and unprofessional conduct. The board order does not include additional details.
Robbins can reapply in October 2025.
Patrick John Sarver of Medford, family medicine physician, retired his medical license on Oct. 5, 2023, after violating a 2021 board order that put him on a 4-year-probationary period for providing misleading and untruthful information in the process of applying for and obtaining an Oregon medical license.
Sarver can reapply in October 2025.
Jack Edward Berndt of Bend retired his medical license in anesthesiology and pain management on Nov. 2, 2023, for repeated negligence and unprofessional conduct.
Berndt’s license will remain retired while under investigation, and he must pay a penalty of $5,000.
David Ian Dryland of Ashland had his medical license for rheumatology suspended on Nov. 2, 2023, for 30 days after allegations of unprofessional conduct and knowingly making false statements about medical care. Dryland paid a $5,000 penalty and was required to complete courses on professionalism, ethics and documentation.
The board also can subject him to chart audits with no prior notice. His license is now active.
Paul George Hoffman of Ashland retired his medical license in general surgery on Nov. 2, 2023 after allegations that he inappropriately looked up patient information contained in more than 8,000 patient records over the course of eight years without a valid clinical purpose.
Hoffman resigned from Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center but did not inform the board of the allegations against him.
He can reapply in two years.
Darrell Cameron Brett of Portland, who practiced neurological surgery, was ordered to retire his medical license on Jan. 4 for overcharging patients, overprescribing painkillers without a legitimate medical purpose and referring patients to a specimen testing facility he owned without providing alternative options.
Brett’s license effectively will be retired on June 1, and he can never reapply for an Oregon medical license.
Meanwhile, Brett also must refrain from prescribing benzodiazepines and muscle relaxants and pay a $4,000 penalty.
Soroush Mohandessi of Portland had his forensic psychiatry medical license revoked on Jan. 4 for sexual misconduct and repeated patient negligence.
Mohandessi must pay a penalty of at least $2,500 and up to $10,000, complete a professional boundaries course and is prohibited from practicing psychotherapy.
If he continues to comply with the terms of the board order, Mohandessi’s medical license will remain active.
Licenses lost or suspended due to out-of-state disciplinary action
The Oregon Medical Board also takes action against Oregon licensees as a result of disciplinary actions taken in another state.
The following physicians lost or had their licenses suspended, surrendered or revoked in the last six months because of medical malpractice claims made in other states:
- Christopher Brent Bjarke, San Francisco, California, family medicine, license surrendered, Jan. 4, for failing to report a felony conviction within 10 days. Bjarke can never reapply for a medical license in Oregon.
- Francis Peter Lagattuta, Santa Maria, California, pain management and addiction rehabilitation, license revoked, Jan. 4, for submitting false claims to government health programs for procedures that were not medically necessary, including spinal cord stimulation and urine drug testing. Lagattuta can never reapply for a medical license in Oregon.
- Scott Paul Levitt, Easton, Maryland, emergency medicine, license suspended for 90 days, Jan. 4, for negligence and unprofessional conduct. Levitt must pay a $10,000 penalty in Oregon if he is unable to comply with the board order to complete courses in ethics and professional boundaries and refrain from practicing aesthetic medicine in the state of Oregon.
How to file a complaint against a doctor in Oregon – Anyone wishing to file a complaint to the Oregon Medical Board can visit oregon.gov/omb/investigations/pages/how-to-file-a-complaint.aspx. Complaints made to the board are kept confidential. Complaints can be filed using either an English or Spanish form.
Sydney Wyatt covers health care inequities in the Mid-Willamette Valley for the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions, and tips to her at SWyatt@gannett.com, (503) 399-6613, or on X@sydney_elise44 (SOURCE)
Oregon Division of Financial Regulation encourages consumers to check with their insurance carriers about lowering premiums if credit improves
Oregon agency fines State Farm $200K, urges consumers to check with insurers about rerate that can lower premiums
The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) has issued a $200,000 fine against State Farm after the company failed to send notices over the past six years informing its insureds of their ability to request an annual credit check, which could affect their premiums. Half of the total fine will be suspended and waived after three years if State Farm complies with all terms of the final order.
This case serves as an important reminder that Oregon law allows consumers to request an annual rerate from their insurer, which could lead to lower premiums, but will not increase them.
State Farm self-reported the violations to DFR in July 2023, informing the division that notices were not sent out due to a system error. Because of that error, the notification required by ORS 746.650(5) and OAR 836-080-0438 were not sent to customers purchasing new automobile insurance policies between Dec. 5, 2017, and Feb. 23, 2023. Specifically, State Farm did not notify the affected consumers at the inception of their coverage that they may have received a lower rate if their credit history or the credit factors used in their credit-based insurance score were more favorable, and that they had the right to request a rerate of the policy no more than once annually. State Farm notified the division that the issue was corrected on Feb. 23, 2023, for any customers purchasing new policies after that date.
As part of DFR’s final order, State Farm agreed to send a notification to all affected consumers who remain customers of State Farm, approximately 134,690 consumers. State Farm began sending notices on Jan. 2, 2024, through a mailing that is separate and apart from the annual policy renewal documents or any other communication. The mailing also includes a statement that Oregon law requires State Farm to provide a notification to customers at the inception of the policy. All mailings must be completed no later than June 30, 2024.
The division, part of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS), encourages all consumers to check with their insurance agent or company to see if a credit check would lower their insurance premiums. Consumers are allowed to do a rerate once a year and if their credit improves, their insurance rates may as well. Rerating due to credit may result in either improving or no change to a consumer’s insurance costs, but will not negatively affect it.
“We commend State Farm for self-reporting this violation and taking steps to rectify the situation,” said Andrew R. Stolfi, Oregon’s insurance commissioner and DCBS director. “It is important that Oregon consumers know their rights. State law permits insurance companies to use an individual’s credit history to determine how much they pay for insurance, so it is critically important that consumers know they have the ability to lower their insurance premiums with positive credit.”
Consumers with questions or complaints can contact DFR’s consumer advocates at 888-877-4894 (toll-free) or email .insuranchelp@dcbs.oregon.gov“>dfr.insuranchelp@dcbs.oregon.gov. Consumers can look at their credit reports each calendar year for free by accessing it online, by phone at 877-322-8228 (toll-free), or by completing and mailing the Annual Credit Report Request Form. If any errors are identified, consumers have the right to correct incomplete or inaccurate information with the credit reporting agent that provided the information.
### About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and www.dcbs.oregon.gov.
Oregonians Urged to Avoid Digging Into Trouble With New Statewide Proclamation
On average, it happens 3.85 times every single day in Oregon – homeowners and professional excavators damage underground utilities while digging on their property or jobsite. In some cases, the results can be catastrophic. Joining the national observance during the month of April, Governor Tina Kotek has signed a proclamation designating National Safe Digging Month in Oregon.
The statewide proclamation underscores the importance of requesting underground utility locates through Oregon’s free notification system, available by calling 811 or going to Oregon811.com at least two business days before digging. Requests can be made anytime and on any day for no cost.
“We say ‘safety is in your hands,’ because everyone has the responsibility to prevent service interruptions, costly repairs, environmental damage, injuries, and worse,” said Josh Thomas, Executive Director of the Oregon Utility Notification Center. “Contacting 811 first helps avoid having to contact 911 later.”
The timing of National Safe Digging Month unofficially marks the start of “dig season” – the most active months of the year for excavation projects. According to the Oregon Utility Notification Center, there were 342,061 requests in 2023, prompting 1,869,969 utility locates in Oregon. In the most recent damage report, there were 1,405 reported incidents, continuing a downward five-year trend statewide.
Common Ground Alliance reports that more than half of U.S. homeowners plan to dig without requesting utility locates. This is mostly attributable to lack of awareness and shallow digging projects. The estimated annual cost of damages to underground utilities nationally is $30 billion.
As an acknowledgement of the National Safe Digging Month observance, and in support of the 811 notification system, this proclamation is supported by the Oregon Utility Notification Center, Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division, and Oregon Public Utility Commission.
READ MORE : Proclamation
# # # In 1995, the Oregon Legislature created the Oregon Utility Notification Center (OUNC) to establish a statewide notification system to reduce damages to underground facilities and to promote public safety related to excavation issues (ORS 757.547). The free service ensures that operators of underground facilities are notified of proposed excavation so the utilities can be located and marked in advance. For more information about the OUNC or the statewide notification system, go to Oregon811.com.
The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) regulates customer rates and services of the state’s investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities. The PUC also regulates landline telephone providers and select water companies. The PUC’s mission is to ensure Oregonians have access to safe, reliable, and fairly priced utility services that advance state policy and promote the public interest. For more information about the PUC, visit oregon.gov/puc.
Oregon OSHA, a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, enforces the state’s workplace safety and health rules, and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. For more information, go to osha.oregon.gov.
Efforts to Locate Glide Teacher Rachel Merchant-Ly Continue
𝐈𝐃𝐋𝐄𝐘𝐋𝐃 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊, 𝐎𝐫𝐞. – Search and Rescue efforts continue in the search for Rachel Merchant-Ly, a Glide Elementary kindergarten teacher whose vehicle was found crashed in the North Umpqua River.
Merchant-Ly was reported missing on Thursday, February 29th when she didn’t arrive at school. A Douglas County Sheriff’s deputy located signs of a motor vehicle crash near milepost 41 on Highway 138E.
On Friday, March 1, 2024, Merchant-Ly’s vehicle was recovered from the North Umpqua River, but she was not found inside.
Since that time, nearly 300 hours volunteer hours of searching has taken place. Douglas County Search and Rescue has been using various methods of searching to include drone, ground and K9. The Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol has conducted water searches as well. Volunteers have searched along the riverbank from the crash site to Idleyld Park Trading Post; approximately 21 miles.
“We all want to find Mrs. Merchant-Ly and return her to her family,” Sheriff John Hanlin said. “Our deputies are in constant communication with her family and providing them with updates as to our efforts. We will continue searching and using all means necessary to accomplish our mission,” Hanlin added.
In addition to the efforts of DCSO and Search and Rescue volunteers, several community members have been actively looking for Merchant-Ly.
“We are aware of rafting guides and groups of rafters who have been launching all in an attempt to assist in finding her. We have also been contacting community members who are walking along the North Umpqua Trail and the highway,” Hanlin said. “As always this community steps forward to care for each other.”
As the weather turns more springlike, the Sheriff’s Office encourages those recreating around the area to be aware Merchant-Ly is still missing and to report anything which may assist in concluding this missing person case.
Oregon Offers Electric Car Rebates Again – Apply Now Until June 3rd
Due to high demand and limited funding, OCVRP will be open for a short time in 2024. Vehicles must be purchased or leased between April 3, 2024, to June 3, 2024, to be eligible for a rebate.
Applicants have six months from their date of purchase or lease to apply. Low- and moderate-income households can prequalify for the $5,000 Charge Ahead rebate by completing the application now at https://apps.oregon.gov/DEQ/Voucher/apply.
Oregon to Honor Fallen Law Enforcement Officers May 7th, 2024
Every year, the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony honors the state’s law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. This year’s ceremony will be held Tuesday, May 7 at 1 p.m. at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem.
The annual event commemorates the more than 190 fallen officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the state of Oregon since the 1860s. This includes law enforcement, corrections, and parole and probation officers from city, county, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies.
The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training is proud to host the ceremony in partnership with the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, Oregon Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, and various statewide law enforcement associations.
SOLVE invites volunteers to register for their annual Earth Day celebration: The Oregon Spring Cleanup
From April 13 to April 22, families, community members, neighborhood associations, and environmental enthusiasts are invited to engage in a signature event in SOLVE’s annual calendar: The Oregon Spring Cleanup, presented by Portland General Electric. Registration for this environmentally conscious event series is now open.
Participants are invited to join SOLVE, event leaders, and partners from across the Pacific Northwest in a collective celebration of Earth Day. The SOLVE calendar showcases a variety of events throughout Oregon and SW Washington between April 13 and April 22, with the majority of events culminating on April 20. Diverse initiatives address specific environmental needs with opportunities ranging from beach cleanups to neighborhood and city litter pickups. Further activities include restoring natural habitats through native tree and shrub plantings, weed pulls, and mulching projects. Each project contributes to the enhancement of our shared surroundings.
With a variety of projects already online, the Oregon Spring Cleanup invites enthusiastic volunteers to contribute to a cleaner, greener, and brighter planet. Interested individuals can browse the map of projects to find events near them, learn about each opportunity, and sign up for a meaningful contribution to the environment. Participating in the Oregon Spring Cleanup provides an excellent opportunity to bond with family members, coworkers, and neighbors, while collectively contributing to preserving some of Oregon’s most stunning locations.
As SOLVE anticipates another successful event, valued partner Portland General Electric, shares their commitment to the cause: ” PGE proudly supports SOLVE’s efforts to make our communities cleaner and greener. In 2023, our employees and their families volunteered with SOLVE for more than 220 hours. We’re excited to join community members again this Earth Day to help improve our beautiful state.” said Kristen Sheeran, Senior Director of Policy Planning and Sustainability, Portland General Electric.
For those inspired to host an event, SOLVE is still accepting new volunteer-led projects. The sooner projects are submitted, the faster SOLVE can care for the rest. Event leaders receive full support, including free supplies, access to project funding, disposal assistance, and help with volunteer recruitment.
For more information, please visit solveoregon.org/oregon-spring and be part of the collective effort to create a cleaner, greener planet.
Along with Portland General Electric, other event sponsors include Clean Water Services, AAA Oregon/Idaho, Fred Meyer, Metro, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, KOIN, The Standard, Swire Coca-Cola, Holman, Demarini-Wilson, Trimet, and PepsiCo.
About SOLVE – SOLVE is a statewide non-profit organization that brings people together to improve our environment and build a legacy of stewardship. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots group to a national model for volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains tens of thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon and Southwest Washington to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas and to build a legacy of stewardship for our state. Visit solveoregon.org for more information.
LCSO Case #24-1671 – Missing Person from west Eugene
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office is looking for 39-year-old Brian John Fierke. He last had contact with his family on March 26th, 2024. Deputies, detectives, and Sheriff’s Search & Rescue have searched extensively for Fierke without success.
Fierke is described as a white male adult, standing approximately 6’4” tall and weighing about 185 pounds. Fierke has brown hair and blue eyes. He may have brown facial hair.
Anyone with information about Fierke’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4150, option 1, and reference LCSO Case #24-1671.
Missing child alert — Jerrica Landin is still missing and is believed to be in danger
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, asks the public to help find Jerrica Landin, age 17, a child in foster care who went missing from Portland, Oregon on Aug. 21. She is believed to be in danger.
ODHS asks the public for help in the effort to find Jerrica and to contact 911 or local law enforcement if they believe they see her.
Jerrica may be in Portland or Eugene in Oregon. She may also be in Washington in Vancouver, Seattle or the Tri Cities.
Name: Jerrica Landin
Pronouns: She/her
Date of birth: Oct. 24, 2006
Height: 5-foot-6
Weight: 130 pounds
Hair: Reddish brown
Eye color: Brown
Other identifying information: Jerrica has a tattoo of a heart on her neck below her right ear. She often dyes her hair red, pink and purple.
Portland Police Bureau Case #23-803125
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children #1489518
Sometimes when a child is missing, they may be in significant danger and ODHS may need to locate them to assess and support their safety. As ODHS works to do everything it can to find these missing children and assess their safety, media alerts will be issued in some circumstances when it is determined necessary. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.
Report child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233). This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.
PART 2 – Newsweek Podcast Focusing on The Disappearance of Fauna Frey From Lane County
Here One Minute, Gone the Next —-– PART 2 – Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel joins investigative journalist Alex Rogue to speak with Here One Minute, Gone the Next about the disappearance of Fauna Frey, the growing friction between citizen investigators and law enforcement, and the lack of resources in missing persons cases. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-disappearance-of-fauna-frey-pt2-feat-sheriff/id1707094441?i=1000630100040
PART 1 – John Frey joins Newsweek to discuss exclusive details about the case of his missing daughter that until now have been unavailable to the general public.
If you have any information on the whereabouts of Fauna Frey, call the anonymous tip line at 541-539-5638 or email FindFaunaFrey@gmail.com. — Help Find Fauna Frey #FindFaunaFrey FACEBOOK GROUP
