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
Thursday, November 4, 2021
Rogue Valley Weather
Today– Showers. High near 60. South wind 8 to 13 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Friday– A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. Northeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
Saturday– Rain likely before noon, then a chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Calm wind becoming south southwest 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Sunday– A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before noon. Patchy fog between 9am and noon. Snow level 3300 feet rising to 4500 feet in the afternoon. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 53.
Monday– A chance of rain. Patchy fog between 8am and 9am. Snow level 3100 feet rising to 4800 feet in the afternoon. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 54.
Medford House Fire Fatality
One man is dead after a fire broke out in his home on the 3000 block of Griffin Creek Road late Tuesday night.
The Medford Fire department responded to a multi-alarm around 1130 p.m. When crews arrived, the home was already an active fire.
“Our crews got here around 11:40 to an active fire and went right into suppression trying to put it out,” said Tanner Fairrington, the Deputy Fire Marshal for Medford Fire-Rescue.
Crews were able to put the fire out, but not without significant damage to the home.
“When they got there, there was an active fire in the house, smoke damage throughout, the fire eventually went through the roof and much of the roof was consumed – just a lot of damage throughout,” Fairrington said.
The homeowner, whose name has not yet been released, was pulled out of the fire and was given C-P-R on scene. He later succumbed to his injuries.
Fairrington says the location of the home (about 4 miles from the fire department) may have slowed down response time. “We’re out here a ways so there’s not a typical fire hydrant and water system, so they had to get water tenders to support the fire suppression efforts,” said Fairrington.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. At this point in the investigation, there is no indication the fire was intentional.
ODOT and Medford Police Conduct Sting on Illegal Moving Companies
On Wednesday, officers from the Medford Police Department worked with ODOT to set up a sting targeting illegal movers. They camped out at a vacant house southwest of Phoenix, called the suspected illegal movers to come pick up items supposedly ready for a move, then confronted them on arrival. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, US Marshals Service, and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration were also involved in the sting.
Moving to a new living situation is a hectic experience, no matter the circumstances. But it’s much more stressful if the “movers” you hire are actually scammers, looking to extort you for money or steal your property.
While the worst-case scenario isn’t the most likely, state officials warn that it can happen when the movers you hire don’t have the proper certification.
“When individuals move from one home to another, they need to work with fully licensed household good movers in order to protect themselves from the unscrupulous companies that take advantage of being in possession of their belongs in order to extort additional fees, or even worse, steal their belongings,” said Jana Jarvis, president of the Oregon Trucking Association.
“These operations conducted by the Commerce & Compliance Division of ODOT serve not only to catch these unethical companies but highlight to the public the value of working with companies that can be trusted,” Jarvis continued.
In all, three companies were cited for multiple violations each under state and federal law: Advanced Moving Solutions LLC, Almighty Movers, and Rogue Valley Professonal Movers. ODOT said that the driver from Advanced Moving Solutions was placed out of service, and the driver from Rogue Valley Professional Movers was arrested on a federal probation violation for a weapons offense.
The movers were provided with information about how to become legal in Oregon. Legitimate movers have to be certified through ODOT’s Commerce and Compliance Division, which means that they have to go undergo criminal background checks.
“The rules have been established to both provide oversight and monitoring of regulated and licensed companies operating in the market, as well as to identify and prevent operations conducted by unlicensed and, in some cases, unscrupulous individuals that use the access to a consumer’s home necessary to perform moving services as an opportunity to steal or otherwise hold an owner’s belongings hostage in order to receive excessive payment for services rendered,” said Diane DeAutremont of Lile Moving & Storage. “Operations conducted by ODOT are a valuable tool used periodically to identify, eliminate, and discourage these unethical practices and these efforts are enthusiastically supported by the Oregon Moving & Storage Association.”
ODOT recommends that before you hire a mover, check their certification with the state, make sure that they have vehicles in good working condition, read reviews and gather information, and ensure that they have a storefront. Victims of illegal movers can file a complaint with the Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Division.
Grants Pass Woman Arrested in Fatal Vehicle Crash Investigation
On 07/02/2021 at approximately 0414 hours, Grants Pass Police, Grants Pass Fire and AMR responded to a single vehicle crash in the 300 block of SW L Street.
Upon arrival, officers located an extensive crash scene involving a SUV on its side while also locating a male pinned under the vehicle. Once Fire and Medical personnel arrived on scene and with the assistance of special equipment the male was removed from under the vehicle.
The male had sustained life threatening injuries from the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
As a result of the fatality, detectives with Grants Pass Police responded to the scene to assist with the major crash investigation. Through investigations, it was determined the vehicle was driven by Virginia Richardson at the time of the incident. Richardson was interviewed on scene by officers prior to being interviewed by detectives at the police department. Due to the extensive amount of damage and evidence at the scene, no arrests were made at that time pending further follow up and investigation into the cause of the crash.
Crash reconstructionist and detectives from the Grants Pass Police worked closely with the Oregon State Police to conduct further investigation and forensically examine the SUV. At the conclusion of the investigation, the case was referred to the District Attorneys Office for charges. A Grand Jury returned a true bill against Virginia Richardson and she was arrested after turning herself in at the Grants Pass Police station on October 28th, 2021. Richardson was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Manslaughter in the Second Degree, Reckless Driving, Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree.
Our condolences go out to all of those involved in this incident. We would like to thank citizens who assisted with the investigation, as well as our partner agencies in Josephine County. Due to the level of crimes, any further questions on this case should be referred to the Josephine County District Attorneys Office. Grants Pass Police Department
Oregon reports 1,128 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 64 new deaths
There are 64 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 4,469. Oregon Health Authority reported 1,128 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 bringing the state total to 369,815.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (6), Benton (18), Clackamas (87), Clatsop (5), Columbia (13), Coos (26), Crook (13), Curry (5), Deschutes (113), Douglas (42), Gilliam (1), Grant (5), Hood River (5), Jackson (77), Jefferson (26), Josephine (39), Klamath (22), Lake (5), Lane (42), Lincoln (15), Linn (68), Malheur (18), Marion (91), Morrow (1), Multnomah (131), Polk (38),Tillamook (10), Umatilla (30), Union (3), Wallowa (3), Wasco (11), Washington (128) and Yamhill (31).
Reminder: State health officials to add more than 500 COVID-19 deaths due to technical error
Over the coming weeks, OHA will report approximately 550 deaths among people who died with COVID-19, but whose deaths only became recently known to state epidemiologists due to a technical computer error.
This will result in higher death totals as the backlog is resolved. More details can be found here.
33-Year-Old Among Most Recent Jackson County Covid Deaths
Jackson County Public Health has reported about 15 more deaths attributed to Covid-19 over the past week, despite the ostensible slump in cases and hospitalizations. One of the deaths, reported Wednesday, was that of a 33-year-old woman.
Public health officials put out an update on Tuesday with information about 10 of the deaths, indicating that the report covered the previous five days. A subsequent update on Wednesday added five more deaths, bringing Jackson County’s total to 328 since the pandemic began.
While the majority of recent Covid-19 deaths were over the age of 70, there have been a number of younger victims: a 43-year-old woman who died October 30, a 47-year-old man who died October 27, a 56-year-old man who died October 28. All of them had underlying conditions, and all passed away at Providence Medford Medical Center.
According to JCPH’s most recent report, the 33-year-old woman tested positive October 1 and died November 1 at Providence. She also had underlying health conditions.
Wednesday afternoon, Dr. Dean Sidelinger, the state epidemiologist, and Dr. Kristen Dillon, senior advisor with Oregon Health Authority’s COVID Response and Recovery Unit, answered media questions concerning the newly authorized vaccine for children ages five through 11.
COVID-19 weekly cases increase, deaths and hospitalizations decline
Oregon Health Authority’s COVID-19 Weekly Report, released today, shows an increase in daily cases and decreases in hospitalizations and deaths.
OHA reported 7,877 new cases of COVID-19 during the week of Monday, Oct. 25 through Sunday, Oct. 31. That represents a 2.2% increase from the previous week and the first increase after eight consecutive weeks of declining counts.
The incidence of reported COVID-19 cases was higher in Oregon counties with population vaccination rates less than 50%.
There were 313 new COVID-19 hospitalizations, down from 415 last week, marking the lowest number of hospitalizations since the week of July 26 – Aug. 1, 2021.
There were 82 reported COVID-19 related deaths, down from 110 reported the previous week.
There were 130,325 tests for COVID-19 for the week of Oct. 24 through Oct. 30. The percentage of positive tests was 7.4%, unchanged from the previous week.
Today’s COVID-19 Weekly Outbreak Report shows 87 active COVID-19 outbreaks in senior living communities and congregate living settings, with three or more confirmed cases and one or more COVID-19 related deaths.
Oregon to receive $422M in federal funding for housing recovery due to wildfires
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on Nov. 1 announced it is approving theallocation of more than $422 million to Oregon in supplemental disaster assistance for housing recovery. The allocation for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) and Mitigation (CDBG-MIT), a first for Oregon, will address long-term unmet recovery needs from the 2020 Labor Day wildfires.
“We appreciate the strong leadership from our congressional delegation to help ensure the needs of Oregonians are elevated,” said OHCS Director Margaret Salazar. “We’d also like to thank the Oregon Legislature for allocating $150 million to OHCS for partnerships to provide housing and resources for those most in need. With these new federal resources, we can take bold action to expand on these efforts.”
The federal funding is part of $5 billion that Congress appropriated for disaster relief last month. CDBG-DR program funds are used to help those most impacted, especially low-income residents needing housing recovery assistance, to recover from presidentially declared disasters. CDBG-MIT funds are used to assess risks in affected communities and help make them more resilient to current and future risks.
While the announcement reveals how much Oregon will get in these supplemental recovery grants, the state must still complete several tasks before it actually receives the money. The state still needs to wait for HUD to publish the Federal Register, which will outline the process and the timeline to satisfy HUD requirements to receive the funds. The state also will need to conduct an Unmet and Needs Assessment and develop an Action Plan that identifies how the state will use CDBG-DR and CDBG-MIT funds to address unmet disaster recovery and mitigation needs.
When the Federal Register is published, eligible recovery activities and program requirements will be outlined. Community participation is encouraged throughout the whole CDBG-DR grant process. The state is required to develop a Citizen Participation Plan that describes how the public will be informed and engaged throughout the grant’s lifecycle. Before the action plan is finalized, the public will be invited to review and submit feedback on a draft plan.
For more information about Oregon’s Community Development Block Grant disaster recovery and mitigation efforts, visit OHCS’ CDBG webpage and sign up for wildfire housing recovery email updates.
About Oregon Housing and Community Services
Oregon Housing and Community Services is Oregon’s housing finance agency, providing financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of lower and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization – from preventing and ending homelessness, assisting with utilities to keep someone stable, to financing multifamily affordable housing, to encouraging homeownership. Visit Oregon.gov/OHCS to learn more.
Rule Advisory Committee meets to discuss rules guiding take-off and landing of drones in state parks
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) has formed a committee to begin the process of amending the Oregon Administrative Rules guiding take-off and landing of drones in state parks and along the ocean shore.
A Rule Advisory Committee will meet virtually Nov. 10 to review and discuss proposed changes to administrative rules. The agency intends to create rules to provide the clarity needed for drone pilots, hobbyists and the general public to know where drone take-off and landing is allowed and prohibited within a state park and along the ocean shore.
The committee will also discuss any financial or economic effects of the proposed rules on businesses, local governments or other stakeholders.
The meeting starts at 9 a.m. and is open to the public. Anyone wishing to view the public meeting will need to register via https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_37-oa0iSTDaDu00iUb7_1g
The agenda does not include time for public comment. After the committee review, the rule will open for public comment. Details will be posted on the Proposed OPRD Rules web page.
OPRD appointed members to the Rule Advisory Committee. Members comprise individuals who helped develop the legislation, active visitors to state parks and outdoor recreation professionals.
Individuals who require special accommodations to view the meeting should contact Katie Gauthier at least three days in advance of the meeting at 503-510-96 78 or katie.gauthier@oregon.gov. — Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept.
Tigard Man Indicted for Insurance Fraud Scheme and Obtaining Pandemic Unemployment Assistance for Time in Federal Prison
Seized by Law Enforcement
A federal grand jury in Portland has returned a two-count indictment charging a Tigard man with perpetrating separate insurance and COVID-relief fraud schemes while on federal supervised release.
Johnell Lee Cleveland aka “Bankroll Johnny”, 40, a resident of Tigard, has been charged with one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud.
Cleveland’s co-conspirator, Tanya Renee Morrow, 33, of Las Vegas, Nevada, is also named in the indictment for her role in the insurance fraud scheme.
According to the indictment, in 2018, law enforcement executed multiple search warrants as part of an ongoing investigation of Cleveland, a suspected distributor of counterfeit oxycodone pills in the Portland Metropolitan Area. On March 7, 2018, federal agents arrested Cleveland and seized hundreds of oxycodone pills containing fentanyl; a ballistic vest; seven firearms, including a machine gun; more than $180,000 in cash and more than $100,000 in jewelry from his Portland residence.
On April 2, 2019, Cleveland pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of cyclopropyl fentanyl, possessing an unregistered firearm, and money laundering and, on July 11, 2019, he was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison. At Cleveland’s sentencing, a federal judge signed a forfeiture order, forfeiting items previously seized from Cleveland, including multiple pieces of jewelry.
In the summer of 2020, Cleveland sought and obtained a compassionate early release from prison based on the health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and was released on August 4, 2020. Later the same month, Cleveland and Morrow submitted a personal articles insurance policy application to State Farm Insurance for nine pieces of jewelry previously seized by law enforcement. On October 9, 2020, State Farm issued Cleveland and Morrow a policy valued at more than $100,000 without a physical examination of the insured jewelry.
On February 8, 2021, Morrow submitted a burglary report to the Las Vegas Police Department claiming that her Mercedes-Benz C300 sedan and items from her Las Vegas residence had been stolen, including the nine pieces of insured jewelry. Two weeks later, Cleveland emailed State Farm a notarized statement of loss signed by both him and Morrow. Over the next several months, Cleveland and Morrow submitted additional documents and made affirmative statements to State Farm in support of their loss claim.
Beginning in October 2020, while the insurance fraud scheme involving Morrow was ongoing, Cleveland devised a separate scheme to fraudulently obtain Covid-relief funds authorized under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) act. The CARES Act, signed into law on March 27, 2020, created the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which provided unemployment benefits to individuals not eligible for regular unemployment compensation. PUA claims in Oregon are received and processed by the State of Oregon’s Employment Department.
On October 14, 2020, Cleveland applied for PUA benefits beginning on April 11, 2020 and continuing through September 12, 2020, claiming he was unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In reality, Cleveland was unemployed due to having been incarcerated during the period of time for which he was seeking employment benefits. Despite these false claims, Cleveland’s application was approved and, between October 2020 and August 2021, he received thousands of dollars in PUA payments.
Cleveland was arrested today and made his initial appearance in federal court before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and ordered detained pending a 4-day jury trial scheduled to begin on January 4, 2021.
If convicted, Cleveland faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, 5 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.
Morrow was also arrested today and will make her first appearance in federal court on November 4, 2021 in Las Vegas.
Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug of the District of Oregon made the announcement.
This case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the FBI, with assistance from the Portland Police Bureau and the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter D. Sax is prosecuting the case.
Cleveland and Morrow’s insurance fraud scheme was first discovered by a State Farm insurance claim specialist who alerted federal authorities for further investigation.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. —- U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Oregon
Harney County Voted to Become Part of Idaho
After election day this week, one thing is clear. Many people in Oregon would rather be in Idaho.
Harney County, Oregon voted heavily in favor of a ballot measure placed on the ballot by petitioners for the Greater Idaho movement in a special election Tuesday.
This movement seeks to shift the Oregon/Idaho border to add eastern and southern Oregon counties to Idaho. 63% of voters were in favor, while 37% were opposed.
Museum Exhibit Explores Running as Source of Indigenous Empowerment
Three White Horses Daniel
BEND, OR — At the 2019 Boston Marathon, Jordan Marie Brings Three White Horses Daniel (Kul Wicasa Oyate) ran each mile in honor of a different missing or murdered Indigenous woman, girl, Two Spirit or relative. She can tell you all 26 stories. With a red handprint painted over her mouth and the letters MMIW (missing and murdered Indigenous women) on her legs, Daniel completed the race at her personal best and also brought awareness to an ongoing crisis.
Daniel’s story will share the spotlight alongside other Indigenous runners who consider running a personal, political, spiritual and cultural practice in a new original exhibit at the High Desert Museum, Carrying Messages: Native Runners, Ancestral Homelands and Awakening. The exhibit opens Saturday, November 20.
Through individual stories, the exhibition highlights the historical significance of running in Native cultures in the Western United States and the ways that some Native people today are drawing on running as a means of empowerment, sovereignty and cultural revitalization. Running is a staple of Indigenous culture and traditions, and the exhibit features stories of contemporary runners following in the paths of their Elders.
“The stories of Native runners finding empowerment through their discipline is inspiring,” said Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. “Their contemporary stories remind us that Indigenous communities are thriving and all of our communities benefit when we include these stories.”
The Native runners featured in Carrying Messages draw on the sport as a source of opportunity and healing, as well as a means of challenging stereotypes and asserting one’s own power and identity. The exhibit shares the stories alongside large-scale photographs of each runner in the landscape.
Carrying Messages also features stories of runners wanting to create awareness of the surrounding lands. Lydia Jennings, Ph.D., (Wixárika and Yoeme) discusses recognizing the value of Indigenous knowledge about the land, including Indigenous place names and land management practices. Indigenous names, for example, often include information about the ecology and cultural significance of a place.
Carrying Messages: Native Runners, Ancestral Homelands and Awakening (highdesertmuseum.org/carrying-messages) will be on display through Sunday, April 3, 2022.
The exhibit is possible with support from the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation and The Source Weekly.
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. —- High Desert Museum
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Have-You-Seen-Me-Southern-Oregons-Missing-People-161249961222839/posts/