Rogue Valley News update, from RogueValleyMagazine.com
FRIDAY, OCT. 4, 2019
Rogue Valley Weather
Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Saturday
Morning fog then sunny, with a high near 78.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 80.
Today’s Headlines…
The highly anticipated Macklemore concert from U.S. Cellular at the Jackson County Expo tonight will draw a large crowd.
Drivers in the area can anticipate delays as vehicles leave after the concert. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies urge drivers to plan ahead and to be patient during the end-of-show egress.
Approximately 6,000 free tickets to the Macklemore show, sponsored by US Cellular, have been given out through various outlets and now the excitement by ticket holders begins. VIP gates open at 5:30 p.m; general admission gates open at 6:00 p.m. The show starts at 7:00 p.m. The Jackson County Expo is located at 1 Peninger Road, Central Point – near Interstate 5, exit 33. Parking is available in Expo lots only; vehicles are not allowed to park or stop along Peninger Road or Interstate 5. The area will be patrolled and vehicles found in violation will be towed.
Following the show, at approximately 10:20 p.m., Peninger Road will be closed to incoming traffic for over an hour to allow vehicles to exit the Expo parking lots. This is an important planning note for parents; vehicles will not be able to drive toward the Expo to pick up children or others after the concert. Traffic will be directed one-way in both lanes on Peninger Road for vehicles leaving the Expo. Vehicles leaving the north parking lots will be routed north toward Upton Road. Vehicles leaving the south parking lots will be directed south toward Pine Street. Traffic signals at nearby intersections will be adjusted to allow vehicles to leave the event more efficiently.
In addition to assisting with traffic control, JCSO deputies will be focused on spotting impaired drivers.
Deputies suggest carpooling and designating a sober driver for those who plan to consume alcohol at the event. They also remind everyone that smoking marijuana in public is prohibited by state law.
Due to the recent change in weather conditions, the RRSNF will begin scheduled prescribed burning operations across the Forest, a transition that happens each fall.
This prescribed fire season comes on the heels of a mild fire season, and with predicted weather conditions, fire managers are planning an aggressive approach to prescribed burning, with an emphasis on protecting communities from wildfire threat, and restoring forest resiliency.
“Our prescribed burning program provides an opportunity for the Forest Service to reduce the fuels on the forest floor that feed wildfires. By reducing the amount of fuels, we are working to reduce smoke in our communities. Having said that, we have a tremendous amount of work ahead of us to accomplish,” said Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Supervisor Merv George, Jr. Currently, prescribed burns are planned across the RRSNF are in a variety of projects and locations, including those where the RRSNF has previously invested time in fuels reduction work, near neighboring private lands that are at-risk from wildfire, and areas that need fuel reduction or wildlife habitat enhancement.
Southern Oregon Land Conservancy is hosting a fall stewardship day on Saturday, Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Rogue River Preserve in Eagle Point.
Volunteers from the community are welcome to help care for this conserved property along the Rogue River by pulling invasive Scotch broom to make room for native oak trees and wildflowers. Volunteers are encouraged to wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Weed wrenches, other tools, gloves and snacks will be provided.
For more information, directions and to register, visit www.landconserve.org or call 541-482-3069. As Oregon’s first regional, nonprofit land trust, SOLC began working with local landowners to create conservation easements—a conservation approach to safeguard their lands in perpetuity.
What began small has grown into more than 10,000 acres of protected lands across the Rogue River region. Today, Southern Oregon Land Conservancy continues to fulfill its original mission by connecting people, nature and communities. The nationally accredited organization serves as a leader among regional land trusts, through its approach to community involvement and successful conservation track record.
Back east on Saturday, Oregon Representative Greg Walden will attend the christening of the U.S.S. Oregon in Groton, Connecticut.
The U.S.S. Oregon is a
Virginia-class Submarine built by General Dynamics Electric Boat and is the
first U.S. Navy Submarine to be named after the state.
Walden will be the keynote speaker at the christening. The vessel will be christened with water from Crater Lake and wine from Oregon.
According to the Pentagon the Virginia-class submarines are built to conduct anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface ship warfare; strike warfare; special operation forces support; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; and mine warfare missions.
PacifiCorp draft resource plan calls for increases in lower-cost wind, solar and storage to manage phased coal transition
PacifiCorp today released a draft of its long-term energy plan that continues investments in new wind generation and transmission, while adding significant new solar and storage resources. The plan, which is the result of a comprehensive data analysis and stakeholder input process, demonstrates the company’s adoption of additional lower-cost renewable resources to meet customer needs and support for its phased coal transition. PacifiCorp operates as Pacific Power in Oregon, Washington and California.
“The transition in how we meet our customers’ energy needs is under way,” said Rick Link, PacifiCorp’s vice president of resource planning and acquisitions. “With a focus on lower-cost renewable resources and strategic transmission investments, this plan allows us to continue to deliver the reliable and low-cost energy our customers need as we embark on a phased and well-managed coal transition that minimizes impacts to our thermal operations workforce and communities.”
The draft “preferred portfolio” for the 2019 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) indicates how the company envisions meeting customer energy needs most cost-effectively over the next 20 years. PacifiCorp will file its final 2019 IRP with state regulatory commissions by October 18. The draft preferred portfolio and other information about the 2019 IRP can be found at www.pacificorp.com/irp.
Around the state, a coordinated, multi-agency law enforcement operation was conducted today to dismantle a vast international drug trafficking organization that conspired to distribute methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine manufactured in Mexico throughout the Portland Metropolitan Area.
Federal search warrants were executed at 13 locations throughout the Portland area. Investigators seized 22 pounds of methamphetamine, four ounces of heroin, 11 ounces of cocaine and seven firearms and arrested 20 defendants. These defendants join 10 others who are already in custody on related state charges.
A 60-count indictment unsealed today, charges 41 people for their roles in the drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy.
Yesterday morning, Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a two vehicle crash on Hwy 20 near milepost 35 near Albany.
The investigation revealed that a gray 2016 Toyota Tundra, operated by 35 year old Esmeralda of Albany was traveling eastbound when for unknown reasons lost control and collided with a westbound Commercial Motor Vehicle. Esmeralda Martinez was pronounced deceased at the scene and a male passenger, identified as 34 year old Carlos Callejas-Martinez of Albany was treated for non life threatening injuries. The westbound red 2019 International Knight Transportation was operated by 29 year old Jay Azzano of Las Vegas. Azzano was transported to a Bend area hospital via air ambulance with serious injuries.