News and Weather update from around the Rogue Valley and the state of Oregon from RogueValleyMagazine.com.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12 2019
Rogue Valley Weather
Today
Showers. High near 54. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Overnight, showers with a low of 42.
Friday
Rain. Snow level 4400 feet lowering to 3900 feet. Steady temperature around 44. Light and variable wind. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Overnight, showers at times, snow level about 3700 feet. Low around 37.
Saturday
Showers likely, mainly after 10 am. Snow level 3300 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. The chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Sunday
A 20 percent chance of showers before 10 am. Snow level 3000 feet. Partly sunny, with a high near 46.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 49
On Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at approximately 2:35 P.M. Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy 62 near milepost 10.
Preliminary investigation reveals a PT Cruiser, operated by Jason Renfro (35) of Medford, was traveling westbound on Hwy 62 when for unknown reasons crossed the center line and struck an eastbound VW Beetle operated by Rickie Beer (70) of Eagle Point.
Beer sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. His passenger, Susan Beer (67) of Eagle Point, was transported to the hospital with injuries. Renfro and his passenger, Lawrence Hunsley (59) of Prospect, were transported to the hospital with injuries.
On November 30, 2019, at approximately 11:06 P.M. cameras at Jacksonville Elementary recorded two dogs attacking a small deer on school grounds.
A female is seen in the video (still photos attached) attempting to and eventually gaining control of the two dogs. Approximately 20 minutes later one of the dogs returns and attacks the deer again for approximately 12 minutes before the deer appears to die. Oregon State Police would like to talk with the female in the photo. If you have seen the dogs or know the female please contact Oregon State Police at 1-800-442-2068 or *OSP and leave information for Trooper Brittany Hanigan.
This Friday, the Olsrud family from Sherm’s Markets will deliver approximately 23,000 pounds of food to the ACCESS warehouse at 3630 Aviation Way in Medford.
The Olsrud family has donated an entire semi-trailer full of food to ACCESS every year since 2000. They are long-time supporters of ACCESS and were instrumental in helping build the ACCESS Community Kitchen. “The Olsrud family genuinely cares about our community and ACCESS is very thankful to have them helping feed thousands of hungry individuals and families here in Jackson County,” says ACCESS Executive Officer Pamela Norr.
Hunger in Jackson County is a growing problem faced by children, families, seniors, Veterans, and others. In the 2018-19 fiscal year, ACCESS served 52,497 people, which is one in every four residents, and distributed close to five million pounds of food through 24 pantries in Jackson County.
Around the state of Oregon
Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden have announced 17 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awards totaling more than $7.4 million for Oregon agricultural producers and rural small businesses to invest in renewable energy infrastructure that will help lower their monthly energy costs.
The awards, which are allocated through USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) will provide 15 grants to install solar array systems, one grant to upgrade greenhouse vents and siding, and a loan to install a biomass boiler. Locally Ashland Community Solar 1 LLC will receive $33,287 to install a Solar Array System. “Businesses across Oregon know that leaning into renewable energy sources can help them lower their energy costs and make their businesses more sustainable over the long run,” said Merkley, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and Rural Development.
“Unfortunately, the upfront costs of making that switch often leaves rural businesses stuck with outdated energy infrastructure and higher monthly bills. I’ve made funding the REAP program one of my priorities in the appropriations process to help Oregonians make those investments, and I’m pleased that 17 businesses will receive that assistance this year.”
Thirty-three-year old David Carl Paulsen of Bend was sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison and two years’ supervised release for illegally manufacturing and possessing marijuana during a March 2018 butane honey oil explosion in Bend.
According to court documents, on March 18th Bend police officers responded to an explosion at a residence where David Paulsen lived with his wife 34-year-old Jennifer Paulsen and their three-year-old daughter. Witnesses reported that, following the explosion, the Paulsens were running around their house, putting items in their truck and car and telling neighbors not to call the police. Witnesses also reported that David Paulsen gave his daughter to a neighbor and told the neighbor to tell police that she had been with the neighbor during the explosion. Both Paulsens suffered severe burns. During a search of the residence, investigators discovered
more than 34 pounds of marijuana
Former State Rep. Knute Buehler announced this week that he will seek the Republican nomination for Congress for the seat of retiring Congressman Greg Walden.
Born and raised in Roseburg, Knute grew up working in the woods and driving a Pepsi delivery truck. Knute and his two brothers were the first in their family to attend college. Knute earned his undergraduate degree from Oregon State, played baseball and was a Rhodes Scholar. After attending Oxford University, Knute earned his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Knute was elected to the Oregon House in 2014 and re-elected in 2016.
Knute was the Republican nominee for Secretary of State of 2012 and for Governor in 2018. In four statewide elections – primary and general – Knute has won the second congressional district four times. In his campaign for Governor, Knute made expanding economic opportunities to all of Oregon a centerpiece of his campaign.
Oregon drivers are enjoying gas prices that are falling more quickly than in other states. For the week, the national average for regular slips two cents to $2.57 a gallon.
The Oregon average drops six cents to $3.12. This is the fourth-largest weekly decline in the nation. Oregon also has the second-largest monthly decline in the nation with a drop of 19 cents.
Douglas Public Health Network is pleased to announce that a cross-sector team of leaders in Southern Oregon is about to embark on a year-long leadership training program of the Center for Health Leadership & Practice called the National Leadership Academy for the Public’s Health.
The CHLP is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Members of the Collaborative of Southwest Oregon are one of ten groups from around the country participating in the NLAPH’s 2020 cohort. The CSO has as a mission to increase community resiliency and improve the overall health and well-being of residents of Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, and Josephine counties
The four members of the CSO participating in the NLAPH’s ninth cohort are Michelle Glass, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator with SO-Health-E, and Director of the Rogue Action Center; Brian Mahoney, Public Health Modernization Program Coordinator with the Douglas Public Health Network; Analicia Nicholson, Assistant Superintendent with the Douglas Educational Service District; and Kelly Wessels, Chief Operations Officer for the United Community Action Network.