News from around the Rogue Valley and the state of Oregon from Rogue Valley Magazine.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2019
Rogue Valley Weather
Today
Sunny, with a high near 70. Overnight low of 39.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 75.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.
Today’s Headlines
Today, Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced the collection sites in Oregon’s Second District for the disposal of excess opioid and prescription medications.
The announcement is part of the DEA’s “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day” initiative on Saturday, October 26. This day provides the opportunity for people all across the country to help address opioid abuse in their communities. Full details on collection sites in Oregon’s Second District are listed below.
This initiative occurs the same week as the one-year anniversary of President Trump signing the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act into law. The bill, championed by Walden, provided the most significant Congressional effort to combat the opioid epidemic in history.
DEA “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day” collection sites in Oregon
Saturday,
October 26, 2019
Jackson County
Where: Medford City Hall Parking Lot, 411 W 8th Street, Medford, 97501
When: 10:00am – 2:00pm PST
Organizing Participant: Medford Police Department
Where: Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, 5179 Crater Lake Highway, Central Point, 97502
When: 10:00am – 2:00pm PST
Organizing Participant: Jackson County Sheriff’s Office
Where: Eagle Point Police Station, 17 Buchanan
Avenue S, Eagle Point, 97524
When: 10:00am – 2:00pm PST
Organizing Participant: Eagle Point Police Department
Josephine County
Where: Josephine County Jail/Sheriff’s Office Lobby, 1901 NE F Street,
Grants Pass, 97526
When: 10:00am – 2:00pm PST
Organizing Participant: Josephine County Sheriff’s Office
Where: Justice Building Parking Lot, 101 NW A Street, Grants Pass, 97526
When: 10:00am – 2:00pm PST
Organizing Participant: Grants Pass Department of Public Safety
Grants Pass Department of Public Safety Detectives received information that Kenneth Sinor, 21, was having sexual relations with 15 year old females.
A subsequent investigation revealed that Sinor did have a sexual relationship with a 15 year old female. Sinor was arrested on the listed charges and lodged at the Josephine County Jail. It is believed there are additional juvenile females who have had sexual contact with Kenneth “Jay” Sinor.
CHARGES: Rape 3, Sex Abuse 2 (x2), Sex Abuse 3, and Sodomy 3 (x2)
ODFW’s Access and Habitat Program and the C2 Ranch are offering six adult archery and 10 guided youth rifle hunts for black-tailed deer on the ranch’s 9,500-acre property near Medford this winter.
Adult applications must be received by 5 p.m. October 31 and winners will be drawn November 1. Adult archery hunters must possess a Western Oregon General Archery Buck Deer tag to be eligible. Each hunt is for three days during the late season, November 10 – December 2 and is unguided. Youth hunters must apply by 5 p.m. November 29 and winners will be drawn December 2.
Youth hunters must possess a 630T Rogue Unit Youth Deer controlled hunt tag or be eligible to participate through the Youth “First Time” program for a 600-series tag. Each hunt is for one day with the ranch providing a guide for each hunter. A parent or other adult may accompany a youth hunter. Applications are available at the Rogue Watershed District Office, 1495 E Gregory Road, Central Point or online via the Recreation Report: Adult archery hunt applications or youth guided rifle hunt applications. It is free to apply and free to hunt for the hunters that win the opportunity, however winners are responsible for purchasing a hunting license and tag. The ranch will directly contact draw winners and set a hunting date.
The Access and Habitat Program funds projects that provide hunter access and/or improve wildlife habitat on private land in Oregon. The program is funded primarily by a $4 surcharge on hunting licenses, big game auction and raffle tag sales.
According to Triple A Auto Club, U.S. refinery utilization is at 83 percent which is the lowest rate since September 2017.
Tightening gasoline supplies are causing state gas price averages to rise in nearly half of all states, including Oregon. For the week, the national average holds steady at $2.64 a gallon. The Oregon average jumps seven cents to $3.35. This is the largest weekly jump in the nation for the second week in a row and the highest price for the Oregon average since mid-June of this year.
Health officials say they have started to see cases of flu in Oregon.
They recommend everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine.People who get vaccinated not only protect themselves but may also protect those around them. People at higher risk of severe illness include babies and young children, adults older than 65, pregnant women, and those with chronic medical conditions or weak immune systems.
Ann Thomas public health physician at the Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division says “Healthy adults who get vaccinated help prevent the flu from spreading quickly. But only a third of adults 18 to 49 get the flu vaccine,” “Even if adults do not get a vaccine for themselves, they may want to get vaccinated to protect those they love.”
The flu vaccine may take up to two weeks to become effective, so getting it earlier in the season is ideal. Flu vaccine is available from health care providers, local health departments and many pharmacies. The vaccine is free or low cost with most health insurance plans.
To find flu vaccine clinic, visit http://www.flu.oregon.gov/ and use OHA’s flu vaccine locator tool.