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
Friday, October 29, 2021
Rogue Valley Weather
Today– A 20 percent chance of showers after 11am. Patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 64. Calm wind becoming north northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday– Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday– Patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 65. Calm wind.
Monday– Rain. Patchy fog before noon. High near 59. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tuesday– A slight chance of showers after 11am. Areas of fog before noon. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
City of Talent will Officially Open the Gateway Project to Families Displaced by the Almeda Fire in Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Saturday
The Gateway Project Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony is this Saturday, October 30, 2021
The City of Talent is poised to welcome fire survivors back to the community following the official opening of The Gateway Project this Saturday, October 30, 2021.
Talent’s leadership is excited to welcome its families back home to Talent. We look forward to seeing you at the event.
WHO: Agency representatives, invited guests, public officials, including Oregon State Representative Pam Marsh and Oregon State Senator Jeff Golden, and local media
WHAT: Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for The Gateway Project
WHEN: Saturday, October 30, 2021, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
WHERE: 102 S Pacific Hwy, Talent, OR 97540
“A recently approved $75K from the Community Rebuilding Fund to the Talent Urban Renewal Agency will support The Gateway Project and the critical needs for over 600 children in survivor families who still need access to basic services and short-term transitional housing until permanent affordable housing becomes available,” said Melissa Freeman, Director of Strategic Projects, Oregon Community Foundation.
About The Gateway Project –To learn more about The Gateway Project, please visit: https://www.talenturbanrenewal.com/gateway-project
Talent’s Gateway project to provide transitional homes for families displaced by the Sept. 8, 2020, Almeda fire will begin housing families around mid-November, just a little over 14 months since the conflagration. A ribbon-cutting will be held at the site Saturday, Oct. 30, starting at 11 a.m.
Talent Urban Renewal Agency has collaborated with a number of partners, including the Phoenix-Talent School District, to take 4.3 acres it owns at the corner of Highway 99 and West Valley View Road to create a site with utilities ready to house 53 trailers. The housing was created for residents who did not qualify for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance.
Residents will all reside in new, 37-foot-long Palomino Puma travel trailers supplied by the state of Oregon. The school district and Rogue Retreat had been working to secure donations of recreational vehicles for the site before the state offered the trailers.
“I have to say I’m overwhelmed with pride in humanity. The reason is that when we started this project, we had this vision of placing people back into their community in donated RVs,” said Darby Ayers-Flood, urban renewal agency board president and mayor of Talent. “It attracted so much attention, from People’s Bank, who helped us from the very beginning to (State Rep.) Pam Marsh, who was a champion … and helped us make connections.”
As important as securing temporary housing for the displaced, finding permanent homes is just as vital, said Ayers-Flood.
“We will be transitioning folks as soon as permanent housing becomes available. That could be up to three years,” said Ayers-Flood. “It’s meant to provide them with temporary housing because they were displaced.”
In the long term the agency hopes to develop housing on the site along with some commercial buildings. The infrastructure installation should aid that process.
“It’s a beginning of a process to bring our families back within our district full-time. It provides a space that is closer to their schools. It will reduce times on buses,” said Phoenix-Talent Superintendent Brent Barry. “It means our families get a chance to be really entrenched in the community again.”
Last month the district was busing nearly 200 students from Emigrant Lake, White City, Rogue River, Gold Hill and Central Point, where families had found housing.
The project is the first locally driven transitional housing effort in the state, and likely in the nation, said Jon Legarza, executive director of the urban renewal agency. Most trailers should be on site by mid-November and all occupied before Christmas, he said.
Oregon Housing and Community Services awarded a $1 million grant for the project in April. The agency has also given a 1% interest loan of $700,000, with no payment due for three years. The loan has a forgiveness provision.
People’s Bank of Commerce Foundation initially gave $38,500 to assist with design and engineering. It followed that up with a $250,000 grant for phase one construction. Other grants for the project include $150,000 from the Rogue Action Center, $75,000 from the Oregon Community Foundation and $47,500 from Rogue Climate. A donation of $12,000 was given by Medford United Church of Christ.
Thousands of hours of in-kind work contributions have come from partners and local volunteers. Partners include Rogue Retreat, Talent Maker City, the city’s urban forestry and public arts committees and the Planning Commission.
Rogue Retreat is accepting the applications for the units and can be contacted at www.rogueretreat.com or 541-499-0880. Criteria for residence is that the families be from Phoenix or Talent, displaced by the fire and have children in the district, said Legarza. The school district estimated that 696 students and their families were displaced by the fire.
The agency has leased the property to Rogue Retreat for the term of the temporary emergency accommodations permit that was issued by the city. Rogue Retreat will enter into participation agreements with residents. Rogue Retreat will determine program participation fees, based on the income of families residing on the site.
Up to seven people can sleep in the Puma trailers. They have two slide-outs to increase interior space and two bedrooms, one of which is fitted with bunk beds. Trailers are equipped with television and Wi-Fi and include mattresses and convertible sofas. A few trailers have already arrived, and another 20 are expected this week.
Pilot Rock Excavation, LLC, installed the infrastructure. The Oregon Legislature passed rules that permits transitional housing such as the Gateway project. The legislation allows cities such projects outside the scope of state building and land use permit requirements. The agency hired Powell Engineering to provide inspection and a report for review by the city. City Council waived the usual system development charges.
A community-created art wall surrounds the project site. Artwork on the rebuilding of Talent, submitted in a contest, was transferred onto 4-by-6-foot panels by students in a Talent Maker City class and installed on fencing.
About the 2020 Community Rebuilding Fund
The 2020 Community Rebuilding Fund launched in response to Oregon’s devastating 2020 wildfire season which forever changed many of Oregon’s vibrant rural communities. Recognizing equitable, inclusive and resiliency-based rebuilding is essential, the 2020 Community Rebuilding Fund centers the needs of Oregon’s vulnerable residents most impacted – including Latino/a/x, Tribal and rural community members. The Fund supports community-led rebuilding that engages residents in shaping the future of the diverse and dynamic places they call home. The 2020 Community Rebuilding Fund is led by Oregon Community Foundation, in partnership with Meyer Memorial Trust, The Ford Family Foundation and American Red Cross and in addition to each partner, is primarily funded through individual, corporate and foundation support. To learn more, please visit: Community Rebuilding Fundhttps://oregoncf.org/grants-and-scholarships/grants/community-rebuilding-fund-grants/community-rebuilding-fund-values/.
About Oregon Community Foundation
Oregon Community Foundation puts donated money to work in Oregon – more than $100 million in grants and scholarships annually. Since 1973, OCF grantmaking, research, advocacy and community-advised solutions have helped individuals, families, businesses, and organizations create charitable funds to improve lives for all Oregonians. Impactful giving–time, talent, and resources from many generous Oregonians–creates measurable change. Throughout 2020, OCF responded quickly and urgently – distributing a record-setting $220 million in charitable dollars to more than 3,000 nonprofits throughout Oregon working to address urgent needs, stabilize communities and prepare for long-term recovery in Oregon. OCF donors responded to the magnitude of need, as reflected in a 44% increase in donor advised fund grantmaking from the previous year. For more information, please visit: oregoncf.org.
UPDATE: Hospitalized Applegate Valley Man Formally Charged In Wife’s Alleged Murder
An Applegate Valley man suspected of killing his wife before turning the gun on himself last week has now been formally charged with second-degree murder, the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office announced on Thursday. 54-year-old David Allen Karnes remains in the hospital, recovering from his self-inflicted wound.
Deputies and troopers from Oregon State Police responded to a home along Little Applegate Road southeast of Cantrall Buckley park in the early morning hours of October 20 for a report of a gunshot victim. When they arrived at the home, Karnes reportedly refused commands to come out, leading police to bring in the Jackson County SWAT and crisis negotiation teams.
Shortly before 3 a.m., officers reported hearing a single gunshot as the SWAT team entered the home. They found Karnes suffering from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound. Karnes’ wife, 54-year-old Constance Maria Murphy, was found dead from visible gunshot wounds.
First responders performed life-saving measures on Karnes and he was taken in a Mercy Flights ambulance to a local hospital, where he has remained since.
Last week, a Jackson County judge approved temporary intensive release from jail for Karnes due to his condition. An Asante physician reported that Karnes “presents no threat” and remained heavily sedated while medical staff waited for swelling to decrease pending follow-up procedures. That process was expected to last at least a week.
Judge Lorenzo Mejia ordered that Karnes have an electronic ankle monitor placed on him until he is conscious and can be discharged from Asante Rogue Regional, then immediately transported to the Jackson County Jail.
A Jackson County grand jury met on October 26 and approved an indictment of Karnes for Murder in the Second Degree. The court will set a future date for Karnes’ arraignment pending his release from the hospital.
Harry & David Reports Increased Revenue – plans to hire more than 10,000 seasonal associates heading into the holidays
The parent company for Rogue Valley mainstay Harry & David reports increased revenue for the first fiscal quarter of 2022, including in the Gourmet Foods and Gift Baskets division where Harry & David resides.
1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. issued its Fiscal 2022 First Quarter results on Thursday morning, reporting a total revenue increase of 9% for the quarter, to $309.4 million.
Revenues in the Gourmet Foods and Gift Baskets segment increased 8.4% to $97.5 million, which the company said was largely driven by increased demands across the company’s brands “for everyday occasions.”
The company’s Consumer Floral and Gifts division increased revenue 12.2%, to $181.2 million.
The company has set a goal for the full-year of 10-12% revenue growth. Between its various brands, including Harry & David, the company plans to hire more than 10,000 seasonal associates heading into the holidays — the majority of these positions in Illinois, Ohio, and Oregon.
Douglas County Sheriff Hanlin Announces Off-Duty Death of Active Duty Deputy
Sheriff John Hanlin is saddened to announce the sudden and unexpected passing of Deputy Matthew Harmon. Deputy Harmon passed away at home on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, following a sudden cardiac medical event while off-duty.
Deputy Harmon began serving with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office on March 14, 2003 as a Reserve Deputy. In April of 2010, he accepted a full-time job offer in the Corrections Division where he worked until his passing. During his tenure as a Corrections Deputy, Harmon served as the Work Crew Supervisor from 2017-2019.
“Matt was a valued and dedicated deputy who served with honor and distinction. He was a genuine person and will be sorely missed by everyone here at the Sheriff’s Office.” Sheriff Hanlin remarked. “Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with Deputy Harmon’s family during this difficult time of loss.”
The Sheriff’s Office is coordinating with Deputy Harmon’s wife and family in regard to memorial services, which will be announced at a later time. Douglas Co. Sheriff’s Office
Oregon reports 1,116 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 24 new deaths
There are 24 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 4,358. Oregon Health Authority reported 1,116 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 bringing the state total to 363,648.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (2), Benton (24), Clackamas (88), Clatsop (7), Columbia (13), Coos (22), Crook (24), Curry (4), Deschutes (117), Douglas (53), Gilliam (1), Hood River (4), Jackson (54), Jefferson (21), Josephine (24), Klamath (62), Lake (4), Lane (80), Lincoln (15), Linn (76), Malheur (24), Marion (70), Morrow (7), Multnomah (119), Polk (30), Tillamook (2), Umatilla (32), Union (10), Wallowa (4), Wasco (22), Washington (73) and Yamhill (28).
Mobile Vaccination Unit provides access, information and support
It may look like just another tour bus, but to those awaiting it, the big yellow rig is a ray of brightness in a world that sometimes seems to have run amok.
The FEMA Mobile Vaccination Unit (MVU) has been making the rounds throughout the state bringing vaccines free of charge to everyone who is eligible.
During a recent visit to Jackson County, more than 100 people were vaccinated.
Getting vaccinated is not an easy choice for everyone. Some have been frightened by misinformation; some are uncertain which of the three vaccines is best for them and some are scared of needles.
“We’ve certainly seen a lot of folks who are scared of needles,” said Chris Rushing, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) field operations manager and FEMA liaison. “I had one lady who asked, ‘Hey, will you hold my hand while I get the vaccination?’ So, I held her hand. It went great. There are a lot of stories like that. And, we certainly have a lot of instances of people wanting to get the information, then going home to think about it and coming back on another day. That’s really what we want — for people to make educated decisions about what is right for them.”
If the MVU comes to your town, here’s what you need to know:
- Everyone in Oregon 12 and older is eligible
- The vaccine is free
- No ID is necessary
- No appointment is necessary
To read the full story, visit Oregon Vaccine News.
To find a vaccine near you, go to Get Vaccinated Oregon
80% of Oregonians vaccinated against COVID-19
The Oregon Health Authority announced Thursday that 80% of Oregonians 18 and older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, accounting for more than 2.68 million people.
OHA said that the achievement was measured through CDC data, which is slightly higher than numbers reported by the state itself. The CDC’s data includes vaccinations done through federal facilities, such as the Veteran’s Administration.
By total population, Oregon has now delivered at least one dose of a COVID-19 to 68% of all residents. Currently, children under the age of 12 remain ineligible for a vaccine.
The state ranks 20th in the nation for the percentage of residents who have received at least one shot. Fully vaccinated individuals make up 63% of all Oregon residents, and the state ranks 12th in the nation by this metric.
State officials said that they are encouraged that Oregon has reached the threshold of 80% of adults who have received at least a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccines, but health experts believe that Oregon and other similarly situated states are still below the level of “herd immunity” needed to halt viral transmission. The OHA continues to urge those who are unvaccinated to get a shot.
The Conquer COVID in Klamath campaign announces its winner for the week.
Kyle Hood of Klamath Falls won a $2,500 gift certificate for outdoor fun. Hood was selected in a random drawing of all Klamath County residents that have entered at conquercovidinklamath.com.
Each week the prize changes and this week it is a $2,500 gasoline card. The drawing for this week’s prize will take place on Monday morning.
Other Weekly winners to date include: Elizabeth Gaxiola of Bonanza, who won a big-screen TV, home theater System and pizza gift certificates; Gillian Bradford of Klamath Falls won $6,000 in groceries from Grocery Outlet; Nolan Napier of Chiloquin who won a Traeger Grill and 12 bags of premium pellets; Patricia Merrill of Klamath Falls won $4,800 in gasoline; Terri Torres of Klamath Falls won $5,000 worth of furniture; and Nicola Cherry of Klamath Falls won a $2,400 pellet stove.
There is a different prize each week along with the Grand Prize, which is the winners choice of a new Dodge RAM pickup or a new Dodge Durango SUV. There are numerous runner up prizes as well.
To enter Klamath County residents can go to conquercovidinklamath.com.
There is nothing to buy and no charge to enter. The site also lists all prizes, rules and vaccination sites.
Time To Renew Expired Oregon Licenses, IDs, And Vehicle Registration Ends December 31st
Time is running out to renew expired vehicle registration, driver licenses, and ID cards in Oregon before a year-end rush and the looming possibility of citation, the Oregon Department of Transportation reminded on Thursday.
Oregon has had a moratorium in place, started during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns, that kept law enforcement from citing for expired documentation. That moratorium ends December 31, and ODOT warns that it’s best to take care of any issues as soon as possible, before the rush sets in.
Starting in November, the DMV will mail about 300,000 Oregon residents who have expired vehicle registrations, urging them to renew before the end of the year. This mailing is in addition to the usual reminder that the DMV sends a few weeks before your vehicle’s tags expire.
There will not be a second reminder for expired licenses, permits and ID cards.
“You might receive a reminder in the mail even if it doesn’t seem to apply to you,” DMV Administrator Amy Joyce said. “Did you sell your car? If you didn’t notify DMV, we might still show you as the owner. Protect yourself from parking tickets and towing charges: go on-line and notify us of the sale.”
The current moratorium was passed by the legislature this year, but it is the last in a series of grace periods granted to give Oregonians more time to renew at the DMV while COVID-19 restrictions impact availability.
Oregon has added more online feature through the DMV to cut down on the in-person visits required. Before you go to a DMV office, visit DMV2U to see if you can get your service online – or make sure you have what you need to bring to an office.
“To help Oregonians get DMV services during the pandemic, we’ve added many new online options,” Joyce said. “We have caught up with the COVID-19 backlog enough that about half our visits to field offices are by appointment, and the other half are standby.”
“Going forward, customers will continue to have the option of making an appointment online through DMV2U or dropping by, as well as more choices online,” Joyce continued. “Anytime you need a DMV service, check DMV2U first and see if you can save yourself time and a trip.”
Also, starting in May of 2023, you will need a federally recognized form of identification to fly. This includes passports, but will otherwise require a Real ID-compliant identification card. This needs to be done in-person at a DMV location.
Many Oregon Restaurants Left Empty Handed as Federal Funding Runs Out
Many Oregon restaurant owners who applied for federal relief during the pandemic say they’re still waiting.
The Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association (ORLA) is pleading with the federal government to get this money to them.
Chief Executive Officer Jason Brandt said a $28.6 billion fund was created to help local restaurants across the country stay afloat during the pandemic. He said more than 2,600 restaurants that applied for relief from the federal government did not receive any funding from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.
But on the other hand, about 2,300 restaurants did get that check in the mail, Brandt said. Those who did are now reportedly in a much better situation and can head into this winter season strong.
Brandt said the money ran out and added that the reasons are simple: politics and disagreements.
“Gosh, I think it’s an American staple to make sure you equitably take care of the industries that were most impacted across the board as opposed to leaving local restaurants hanging as a part of any bailout fund,” Brandt said.
He said they don’t have a timeline or any idea right now when they’ll hear back from the federal government. But he hopes to get an answer soon.
“If you have made it this far, you must be really connecting with your local residents who care about your restaurant, care about you personally and your teams,” Brandt said. “Just hang in there a little bit longer.”
He estimates they’ll need another 50 to 60 billion dollars to cover the 177,000 applicants nationally who have not received a cent.
STIHL Donates Trees Planted at Collier Memorial State Park
A group of volunteers and state parks staff planted hundreds of trees at Collier Memorial State Park on Wednesday as part of a fire rehabilitation effort.
Collier was heavily damaged by the Two Four Two Fire, which burned 14,473 acres in Sept. 2020. Now, the park, which offers access to crystal-clear Spring Creek, is getting a little boost as it continues to recover from the blaze.
A variety of native trees planted along the creek will help revitalize the ecosystem by providing shade and temperature variation for the variety of species that call the area home.
The saplings were hard to come by, but were acquired and donated by STIHL, a German company that manufactures
chainsaws and other outdoor equipment. STIHL Northwest donated 2,021 saplings to be planted in both Oregon and
California as part of forest restorations effort following massive wildfires throughout the region.
Time is limited to get all of the trees planted before winter settles in, but Roger Phelps, STIHL corporate communications manager, is confident the group will get them in the ground in time.
ODOT To Close Old McKenzie Pass Highway
With snow in the Oregon Cascades upon us, maintenance managers with the Oregon Department of Transportation have made the decision to close the entire Old McKenzie Pass Highway, OR 242, for the winter/snow season effective Monday, November 1.
The west side of McKenzie Pass Highway was closed on October 19.
ODOT’s records indicate that the earliest closure of the Old McKenzie Pass Highway occurred on October 18, 1996. The latest closure happened on January 10, 1939.
For more information, visit the McKenzie Highway website: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/regions/pages/mckenzie-highway.aspx
For current road conditions, visit tripcheck.com.
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