The latest news stories from the Rogue Valley and around the state from RogueValleyMagazine.com
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019
Rogue Valley Weather
Today
Partly sunny, with a high near 67. Overnight, a 30% chance of rain, low around 44.
Friday
A 30 percent chance of morning hours rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Saturday
Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Calm wind.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
TODAY’s HEADLINES
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested a Shady Cove man Tuesday on charges related to the death of his roommate.
Detectives say Shane Ryan Micheal Wayman, 21, killed Destiny Anne Finch, 20, in their home, and then left her remains in a wooded area north of Trail.
On Monday, November 11, 2019, at 6:51 p.m., dispatch received a call from a family member reporting that Finch was missing from her home in the first block of Brophy Way, Shady Cove. Deputies responded and found evidence that an assault had occurred there.
Deputies learned that Finch and Wayman had an argument earlier in the day; neither were present at the residence at the time of the missing person report. Finch and her fiancé lived together in the home, along with Wayman and another male adult.
JCSO detectives activated the Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit (MADIU) Monday evening. Personnel from the Oregon State Police, the Medford Police Department, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office responded to assist in the investigation.
On Tuesday, Medford Police detectives located Wayman walking along Highway 62 at mile marker 24. He was detained without incident. Moments later, JCSO detectives found Wayman’s vehicle, a white 1999 Hyundai Sonata, parked along Highway 62 near the Prospect Ranger Station.
Detectives located Finch’s remains just before noon on Tuesday in a wooded area near Highway 227 in Douglas County, just north of the county line. After consultation with authorities in Douglas County, Jackson County investigators continued as the lead agency for the investigation.
An investigator with the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene. An autopsy is planned for Wednesday afternoon to confirm the cause and manner of death. Detectives have notified Finch’s family of her death.
JCSO detectives lodged Wayman in the Jackson County jail on charges of murder, first degree assault, second degree abuse of a corpse, and unlawful use of a weapon. The investigation is ongoing.
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department invites Oregonians to ditch the shopping bags and lace up their hiking boots to celebrate “Green Friday” November 29th. OPRD will waive day-use parking fees that day in 25 state parks across Oregon.
“Fall weather brings a different flavor to many state parks and we’re encouraging folks to get outside and explore,” said Lisa Sumption, OPRD director. “This is our fifth year celebrating Green Friday and we’re excited to continue the post-holiday tradition.”
Parking is free year-round at almost all state parks; the waiver applies to the 25 parks that charge $5 daily for parking. The waiver applies from open to close on Nov. 29, except at Shore Acres State Park, where it expires at 3 p.m. for the Holiday Lights event that runs Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve. A list of parks that charge the $5 parking fee is available online.
Learn more about Oregon State Parks on oregonstateparks.org.
Around the state
The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a missing boater whose vessel was found unattended in the Pacific Ocean near southern Oregon. 59 year old Dan VanCleave was reported overdue Tuesday after he didn’t return home prior to sunset, according to the Coast Guard.
His truck and trailer were found that night at a boat basin in Brookings and an aircrew later located his vessel just south of the Chetco River Jetty. Authorities found the 16-foot boat’s engine idling. VanCleave’s cellphone and other personal items were found, but no one was aboard the boat.
The Coast Guard says authorities towed the vessel into Brookings and continued to look for VanCleave through the night.
Oregon’s Unemployment Rate Has Stayed Near 4 Percent for Three Years
Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in September and October. The rate has been between 4.0 percent and 4.4 percent for an unprecedented 36 consecutive months dating back to November 2016. The U.S. unemployment rate ticked up from 3.5 percent in September to 3.6 percent in October.
Other measures of Oregon’s labor force also indicated a tight labor market in recent months. Fewer individuals are remaining unemployed for extended periods: The number of individuals unemployed for 52 weeks or more dropped to 6,000 in October, which was the lowest level in a dozen years and well below the peak of 70,000 in 2010. The number of unemployed who lost their job has remained close to 32,000 for the past three years, which was less than one-quarter of those unemployed due to a job loss in 2009. Meanwhile, the number of people who were unemployed due to leaving their job voluntarily has recently risen above 16,000, up from an average of 12,000 during the prior six calendar years.
The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services will be hosting its first hearing on prescription drug prices on Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oregonians are encouraged to participate in this inaugural event in two ways.
Make your voice heard. The department set up a brief survey for consumers to ask questions and share their stories regarding rising prescription drug prices. Drug prices play a major role in the health care decisions of Oregonians and the cost of prescription drugs have steadily increased in the past 10 years. The department wants to know what questions you have about the increase in prescription drugs and how has it affected you and your family.
For example: Have you had to skip medication in the past 12 months due to the high cost, or have you experienced a heavy hit to your savings in order to pay for prescription drugs?
Submit your questions as soon as possible and they will be included in the public hearing.
Tune in to the hearing.The department is providing multiple ways to tune in to the hearing on Tuesday:
- You can attend the event at the Capitol in Salem
- Watch a live stream at community locations in Astoria, Medford, and Pendleton
- Watch online, Oregon State Legislature live feed