The latest news stories of interest in the Rogue Valley and around the state of Oregon from the digital home of Southern Oregon, Wynne Broadcasting’s RogueValleyMagazine.com
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
Rogue Valley Weather
Enjoy the cool down!
Today– Patchy drizzle before 11am. Widespread haze after 2pm. Mostly cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 80. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph.
Wednesday– Widespread haze. Sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday– Widespread haze. Sunny, with a high near 91. Light and variable wind.
Friday– Sunny, with a high near 88.
Saturday– Sunny, with a high near 85.
Record High Number Of Covid Cases in Jackson County
The surge can largely be attributed to the Delta variant, which is twice as contagious as the original COVID strain. The hospitals in the region are overwhelmed, mostly with unvaccinated people who need ICU beds and ventilators.
Last week there were more than 1500 new cases in Jackson County. That’s three times the past weekly record set during the fall and winter surge.
Jackson County has the highest number of unvaccinated people of any county in Oregon. Jim Shames, the Jackson County Medical Director, urges people to get vaccinated before catching the Delta variant.
“By the time it does sink in, by the time your family members, and your friends and perhaps yourself are sick, it’s too late,” says Shames. “That’s where the trust part comes in. We are hoping people will trust us that we are seeing a big train coming and we are asking them to get out of the way.”
Currently, the surge is so intense that normal strategies like contact tracing are not possible.
“When you’ve got 80% of your cases untraceable and you’ve got averaging 200 cases a day in a small local public health, then that strategy just doesn’t work,” says Shames.
Due to the severity of the COVID outbreak in Oregon, Governor Brown reinstated the mask mandate, effective last Friday. The National Guard is being deployed to help Oregon hospitals, who are overwhelmed with COVID patients, at the end of the week. Health officials encourage everyone to get a free COVID vaccine to help stop the spread of the Delta variant. “Masking and social distancing and vaccinations are the key,” says Shames.
Jackson and Josephine Counties Struggling With Hospital Capacity Issues
Jackson and Josephine counties are struggling with hospital capacity issues as they battle the latest COVID-19 wave.
Asante and Providence hospitals in Medford, Ashland and Grants Pass said emergency waiting rooms are crowded, there are long wait times for many, and staff are having to treat some patients in hallways.
“If you come to our hospital for any reason, we might not be able to help you,” Amanda Kotler, RN, vice president of nursing at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford and Asante Ashland Community Hospital, said during an Aug. 12 news conference cited in the report. “We’re out of beds, our staff are stretched, and we have limited resources. We are trying, but we’re running out of options.”
Jason Kuhl, MD, chief medical officer of Providence Medford Medical Center, also mentioned the possibility of utilizing cots in conference rooms, if needed. Additionally, Ms. Kotler said Asante has had to cancel hundreds of surgeries and deny patient transfers.
This strain comes as Oregon’s COVID-19 hospitalization rate reached 16 per 100,000 residents Aug. 13. State hospitalizations per 100,000 are up 128 percent in the past 14 days, the fifth-largest increase among all states.
To address the challenges, county officials requested state help establishing a 300-bed field hospital for noncritical patients. Hospitals in Jackson and Josephine counties said additional staff is needed to meet demand.
Britt Festival Begins Requiring Masks
The Britt Music Festival announced that it will begin requiring masks for all patrons and staff effective immediately as the venue’s summer concert series gets going.
The requirement extends to patrons, staff, volunteers, vendors, and contractors when not consuming food or beverages. Britt said that they will provide masks upon request.
“According to local medical experts, face coverings are the simplest, cheapest, most readily available means of substantially reducing the risk of transmitting coronavirus from one person to another, and everyone can contribute to our collective health and safety,” Britt said in a statement.
Oregon’s mask mandate is currently reserved to indoor public areas, but masks have been strongly recommended by federal, state, and local public health agencies for crowded outdoor areas. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival has similarly instituted a mask requirement, in addition to proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for performances at its outdoor Allen Elizabethan Theatre.
Britt said that anyone who refuses to adhere to the policy will be removed from the venue, and they asked for cooperation in order to keep the venue open and operating.
The venue also started a no smoking policy this year, which applies to all areas of the Britt park and includes marijuana smoking and vaping. Violators of this policy will also be removed from the venue.
ZZ Top will be playing a sold-out performance at the Britt on Tuesday night.
Oregon reports 4,396 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 14 new deaths
There are 14 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 2,949. The Oregon Health Authority reported 4,396 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 bringing the state total to 242,843.
The 4,396 cases reported today include new infections recorded by counties for the 3-day period between Friday, Aug. 13th and Sunday, Aug.15th.
Josephine County announces death of COVID-19 patient
A Josephine County individual has died from complications relating to a COVID-19 infection.
A 67-year-old man tested positive for COVID-19 Aug. 4 and died Aug. 13 at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center in Grants Pass. He had underlying conditions. He had not been vaccinated for COVID-19.
Josephine County now has a total of 92 COVID-19-related deaths. Of those patients, 91 died from complications relating to COVID-19 infections.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (18), Benton (54), Clackamas (296), Clatsop (73), Columbia (19), Coos (66), Crook (19), Curry (136), Deschutes (355), Douglas (350), Harney (11), Hood River (10), Jackson (542), Jefferson (30), Josephine (363), Klamath (15), Lane (567), Lincoln (35), Linn (178), Malheur (17), Marion (163), Morrow (13), Multnomah (504), Polk (46), Tillamook (66), Umatilla (109), Union (39), Wallowa (11), Wasco (22), Washington (166), Yamhill (103).
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, CDC and Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup have all recommended an additional dose of mRNA #COVID19 vaccine be administered to people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems.
“This official CDC recommendation — which follows FDA’s decision to amend the emergency use authorizations of the vaccines — is an important step in ensuring everyone, including those most vulnerable to COVID-19, can get as much protection as possible from COVID-19 vaccination,” said CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH in an August 13 media statement.
Folks who believe they are eligible for an additional dose of an mRNA vaccine based on the conditions outlined in the adjusted EUA should talk with their health care provider to learn more.Read more about this recommendation on the Oregon Vaccine News blog: ow.ly/wVeu50FSdxr
Reduction in Evacuation Notices for Devils Knob Complex Fires
Douglas Co. Sheriff’s Office – 08/16/21 11:09 AM
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. – Significant progress made by fire crews on the Devils Knob Complex Fires has
resulted in the reduction of several evacuation notices.
Effective Monday, August 16, 2021, at 11:00 am, the following evacuation changes have taken effect:
- All homes on Upper Cow Creek Road with addresses starting at 20039 through 20700 have been reduced to a Level 1 “BE READY” Advisory.
- All homes on Upper Cow Creek Road with addresses starting at 11300 through 20000 are no longer under an official evacuation notice.
- All homes located on Devils Knob Road are no longer under an official evacuation notice.
The only evacuation notice remaining unchanged in the complex is a Level 3 “GO!” notice for the properties on Jackson Creek Road and Beaver Creek Road. The Sheriff’s Office continues to evaluate the order based upon information from fire managers.
Residents can opt in to receive emergency alerts based on their address by registering at www.dcso.com/alerts.
There are several wildfires and evacuations throughout Central and Southern Douglas County. Residents are encouraged to visit the interactive evacuation map at www.dcso.com/evacuations where they can enter their address to determine what level they may be in. Fire activity information can be found at the following:
Devils Knob Complex Fires:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/2021-Devils-Knob-Complex-112079071131008
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7771
Fire Information: (541) 900-6133 (8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.)
Email: 2021.DevilsKnob@firenet.gov
Skyline Ridge Complex:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/skylineridgecomplex
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7762
Fire Information: (971) 432-6250 (7:00 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
Email: idgecomplex.information@gmail.com“>skylineridgecomplex.information@gmail.com
Rough Patch Complex and Jack Fire
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JackFire2021
Inciweb: https://inciweb/nwcg.gov/incident/7605 (Jack Fire) https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7758/ (Rough Patch Complex)
Fire Information (541) 201-2335
Email: 2021.jack@firenet.gov
FEMA to Help Firefighting Costs in Lake County
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Patton Meadow Fire burning in Lake County.
Crews made good progress overnight addressing critical areas on the Patton Meadow Fire, which has grown to more than 6,000 acres about 10 miles west of Lakeview. Crews fortifying the Patton Meadow road with dozer and handlines and the support of three engine crews to prevent the fire from spreading to the west into the Fish Creek
drainage. Some growth on the south side of the fire across Hwy 140 was controlled and dozer lines continue to hold the fire from spreading further south.
The state of Oregon’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant was approved by FEMA Region 10 Acting Regional Administrator Vincent Maykovich yesterday. He determined that the Patton Meadow Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster.
This is the third FMAG declared in 2021 to help fight Oregon wildfires. At the time of the state’s request, the wildfire was threatening homes in and around Lakeview. The fire was also threatening power lines, cultural resources in the Klamath Basin and critical communications equipment on Grizzly Peak, including radio repeaters, law enforcement networks and a cellular tower.
Here are links to be able to see updated info on the larger fires in Oregon:
- Black Butte InciWeb
- Bootleg InciWeb
- Bruler InciWeb
- Bull Complex InciWeb
- Devil’s Knob Complex InciWeb
- Elbow Creek Inciweb
- Fox Fire InciWeb
- Jack Fire InciWeb
- Rough Patch Complex InciWeb
- Middle Fork Complex/Knoll Fire InciWeb
- Skyline Ridge Complex InciWeb
Gov. Brown Extends Oregon’s Foreclosure Moratorium Until The End Of The Year
Gov. Kate Brown announced Monday that she had extended Oregon’s residential foreclosure moratorium until Dec. 31.
Oregon lawmakers gave Brown the right to extend the foreclosure moratorium until the end of the year under provisions in House Bill 2009, which lawmakers approved in May. The bill doesn’t allow for any additional extensions.
“As we continue to see record high numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations driven by the Delta surge, I am committed to ensuring that Oregonians have a warm, dry, safe place to live during this pandemic,” Brown said in a statement.
Homeowners and certain landlords with residential tenants who attest to experiencing a loss of income due to the coronavirus pandemic are protected from foreclosure under the moratorium.
The moratorium does not apply to commercial property owners or Oregonians who own more than five properties, or properties with more than four housing units.
A similar moratorium on residential evictions expired in June, but Oregonians behind on rent can still claim eviction protections for 60 days after they apply for rent assistance and notify their landlords under a stopgap measure approved by lawmakers in June. Renters in Multnomah County are eligible for 90 days of protection under a local measure.
The state is in the process of distributing assistance to both homeowners and renters who have fallen behind on payments during the pandemic.
Oregon will make more than $90 million in assistance available to homeowners in the coming months through the Homeownership Assistance Fund. The state is recommending that struggling homeowners contact a housing counselor for support.
The state is also in the process of distributing $204 million in rent assistance through the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program. However, software issues and delays have plagued the rent assistance program since applications opened in May.
Oakland Man Arrested for Manslaughter
An Oakland man has been arrested and charged with the death of his 81-year-old stepfather.
On Saturday, August 14, 2021, shortly after 5:30 p.m., 59-year-old Anthony Catrell Wadley-Wright of Oakland turned himself in at the Sutherlin Police Department. He reported he had assaulted his 81-year-old stepfather, Albert Bertrand Carrington, at the family home in the 300-block of Brad Road. The assault occurred sometime during the previous night and had gone unreported to emergency services.
EMS and law enforcement responded to the residence where they found Carrington unconscious and badly injured. Carrington was transported by air ambulance to Sacred Heart at Riverbend. Carrington succumbed to his injuries late Sunday afternoon.
Wadley-Wright has been arrested and lodged at the Douglas County Jail on the following charges:
Criminal Mistreatment I
Manslaughter I
Assault II
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division is continuing the investigation. Anyone with information which may aid investigators is asked to call (541) 440-4458 or email dcso.pio@co.douglas.or.us — Case #21-3676 Douglas Co. Sheriff’s Office
ODOT Concerned with Rise in Deadly Crashes Around the State
Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Public Information Representation Lou Torres said the state agency is increasingly concerned about the traffic crashes and deaths.
“We are alarmed about the overall increase in severe crashes statewide,” Torres said. “Even with fewer people driving in 2020, we saw a significant increase in severe and fatal crashes and that trend has continued in 2021. As of July 28, Oregon traffic deaths were 22% higher than in 2020.”
Fatal Crash on Hwy 22E in Marion County
On Monday, August 16, 2021 at approximately 1:40 P.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a single vehicle crash on Highway 22E near milepost 34.
Preliminary investigation revealed a Chevrolet Silverado, operated by Eric Meyers (39) of Idanha, was eastbound when it left the roadway, went over an embankment, and rolled.
Meyers and his passenger, Justin Hartwell (33) of Idanha, sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased.
Meyers and Hartwell had been reported missing when they did not return home on August 14, 2021.
OSP was assisted by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Linn County Sheriffs Office, Gates Fire Department, and ODOT.
Man killed in crash on Hwy 30 in Clatsop County
A Washington man died in a crash on Highway 30 in Clatsop County on Monday, according to Oregon State Police. Troopers responded to a crash near milepost 72 just after 12:15 p.m., where a Jeep Wrangler driving west drove off the roadway and crashed into a tree. The driver, Carl Schibig,75, of Wapato, Wash., was pronounced dead at the scene.
Boise State Freshman And Her Mom Killed In Oregon Crash
A Boise State freshman and her mother were killed Friday morning when their van collided with a semi-truck on Highway 95 in eastern Oregon.
According to Oregon State Police, a preliminary investigation revealed that an International semi-truck pulling a loaded cargo trailer was southbound on Highway 95 near Rome, Oregon, around 11:45 a.m. when it crossed into the northbound lane and collided with a Honda Odyssey van.
Troopers say the semi was driven by Eric Murwanashyaka, 22, of Abilene, Texas while the van was being driven by Rebecca Haselmann, 50, of Santa Clara, Calif.
Haselmann and passenger, Emma Nutter, 18, of Santa Clara, Calif., both died at the scene.
Murwanashyaka was injured and transported to an Idaho hospital. His condition has not been released.
Oregon State Police was assisted by Jordan Valley EMS and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Boise State University posted on Twitter that Haselmann and Nutter are mother and daughter and were on their way to Boise where the 18-year-old was about to begin her freshman year.
Dams To Be Removed From Eastern Oregon Waterway
A project to remove several dams along Indian Creek near Elgin, Oregon, is underway.
Led by Trout Unlimited, a coalition of groups will remove two, small outdated diversion dams on the creek, along with removing an old roadbed and its culvert in an effort to restore spawning habitat and rearing grounds for juvenile fish, including lower Snake River steelhead, chinook salmon, bull trout and redband trout.
Some of the fish species this project will help are endangered, including steelhead.
Each dam is about four or five feet high. Removing the obstructions will allow for the easier passage and rearing of juvenile fish as they travel through the Grande Ronde River. But that’s only one benefit that will come with the removal of the dams.
The project is a collaboration between Trout Unlimited, Hancock Natural Resource Group, Hanging Rock Excavation & Construction, the Grande Ronde Model Watershed, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Bonneville Power Administration.
High Desert Rendezvous Returns on August 28 Featuring Unique Auction Items and Special Guests: Signature fundraiser supports Museum educational programs
The High Desert Museum’s signature fundraiser, High Desert Rendezvous, returns to the virtual world on Saturday, August 28, at 7:00 pm and offers special surprises for everyone! This marks the 32nd High Desert Rendezvous, making it one of the longest-running fundraisers in Central Oregon.
The event will include a lively show, auction items and a raffle, and it’s free to all to attend online. Terri, Robert and Bindi Irwin and Bindi’s husband, Chandler Powell, of Crikey! It’s the Irwins return with a greeting for Museum supporters.
Also joining in to support the Museum during Rendezvous is actor Rainn Wilson, best known as Dwight Schrute during his nine seasons on The Office and now sharing a new podcast, Metaphysical Milkshake. Wilsonis a frequent visitor to Central Oregon and the High Desert Museum.
Viewers will also witness the Museum’s own Olympics as a porcupine, turkey vulture, badger and chickens compete in a nail-biting obstacle race.
An online preview of all silent and live auction items is now available at highdesertmuseum.org/hdr. Bidding on silent auction items opens online Friday, August 20 and closes Monday, August 30 at 12:00 pm. The silent auction offers an amazing array of items and experiences. This includes the opportunity to have your own private performance by classical pianist Meagan Iverson, a wine package from Bledsoe Family Winery, handyman services from Neil Kelly, a Sunriver staycation and more.
In addition, raffle tickets are now on sale, also at highdesertmuseum.org/hdr. The Rendezvous raffle this year features a fine wine array specially selected by the High Desert Museum Board of Trustees. Three winners will be selected, with the Platinum Winner taking home 30 bottles of wine valued at $1,500. Raffle tickets are $20 per ticket, and a maximum of 750 tickets will be sold.
An exciting live auction will take place online before and during the virtual event with a lineup of one-of-a-kind packages, many only available through the High Desert Rendezvous. Take over the owner’s suite for a Portland Timbers soccer game. Enjoy your own private villa in Cortona, Italy, the jewel of medieval Tuscan hill towns. Explore the heart of world-famous Napa Valley with a three-night adventure. View the live auction items and prepare to bid by clicking the Get Started button at highdesertmuseum.org/hdr. Bidding on live auction items begins online Thursday, August 26 and ends during the live virtual event on Saturday, August 28.
“Rendezvous is essential in supporting our educational programs year-round,” said Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. “We look forward to our community coming together in support of our mission–to wildly excite and responsibly teach through innovative, interdisciplinary experiences, creating lifelong learners throughout the region and beyond.”
The 2021 Rendezvous Honorees are Merritt and Heather Paulson, supporters of the High Desert Museum since 2016. Merritt is the owner and chief executive officer of the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer, Portland Thorns FC of the National Women’s Soccer League and T2 (Portland Timbers 2) of the United Soccer League. Heather serves as the Vice President, Connected Marketplace for Nike. She also leads New Commerce + Pure Play partners globally to shape Nike’s digital marketplace. We are deeply grateful to the Paulsons for their commitment to the Museum’s mission.
“We enjoy our visits to the High Desert Museum and make it a destination whenever we are in the Bend area,” said Heather Paulson. “The immersive, hands-on experiences and knowledgeable staff result in a really unique and inspirational museum. Our daughters love the opportunity to interact with the owls and watch the playful otters. The Museum is a true Oregon treasure!”
Viewers are encouraged to host their own in-home Rendezvous celebration and leave the planning to the Museum! Thanks to a partnership with Market of Choice, Rendezvous registrants may purchase a Party in a Box for $150. It includes supplies for six with appetizers, dessert and a floral bouquet. Read more about the Party in a Box.
The High Desert Rendezvous helps support the Museum’s educational programs, bringing science, cultural, art and history education to lifelong learners throughout the region. It’s made possible by First Interstate Bank.
Learn more about and register for the High Desert Rendezvous at highdesertmuseum.org/hdr.
ABOUT THE MUSEUM:
THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM opened in Bend, Oregon in 1982. It brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2019 recipient of the Western Museums Association’s Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence and is a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Gray Whale Washes Ashore Monday in Yachats
A young gray whale washed ashore Monday morning in Yachats drawing onlookers and the Oregon State Parks and the Marine Mammal Stranding Network in Newport.
The young male was estimated to be 30 feet long and probably a yearling.
At noon Monday it was lodged in a rocky cove below West Sixth Street and Ocean View Drive. While there were no visible marks from an injury on the side that was exposed, blood was washing out of its blow hole as waves washed over it, and it was not moving.
The whale either swam or was washed ashore in the rocky cove below Sixth Street, where people looked from the cliff or walked down to the rocks below.
A volunteer responder with the stranding network walked to the adjacent rocks Monday afternoon, but was unable to get close enough to see if it had been injured. It had only a few barnacles.
The Oregon portion of the network is based at Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. In addition to helping live, stranded mammals, it takes information on dead animals that wash ashore to put into a national database for researchers.
Whale populations along the West Coast have recovered well in the past 30-40 years. Gray whales are most commonly seen off the Oregon coast, migrating north to Alaska waters in the spring or south to calve off the coast of Mexico in the fall.
Oregon is known for having a small population of “resident” gray whales that appears to live off the Pacific Northwest coast in the summer and fall – and not taking the long migration north to the frigid but rich feeding grounds of the Arctic Ocean.
While thousands of gray whales migrant north past Oregon in the spring and south in the late fall, few dead whales wash ashore. This is the first gray whale to have washed ashore in a public area of south Lincoln County since a juvenile humpback whale stranded itself exactly two years ago on the sandy beach at Bayshore just north of Waldport and had to be euthanized after 30 hours of attempts to save it.