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
Monday, November 8, 2021
Rogue Valley Weather
- High Wind Warning in effect from November 8, 03:00 PM PST until November 9, 04:00 AM PST
- Wind Advisory in effect from November 8, 03:00 PM PST until November 9, 04:00 AM PST
Monday– A 30 percent chance of rain after 4pm. Widespread frost before 7am. Snow level 2900 feet rising to 4300 feet in the afternoon. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a high near 59. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph
Tuesday– Rain likely before 10am, then a chance of showers after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday– A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57.
Thursday: Veterans Day– A slight chance of rain before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 64.
Friday– Partly sunny, with a high near 63.
Medford Homicide Investigation
Officers responded to a residence in the 2200 block of Smokethorn Way for a reported shooting on November 4th at about 10:45 p.m.,. One of the involved parties had called 911 to report they had shot their significant other, during a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, officers found the individual was beyond help and appeared to suffer from a gunshot wound.
The case remains under investigation and no suspects are outstanding. The names of the involved parties, including the decedent, are not being disclosed pending next of kin notification. No arrests have been made at this time.
While the case is still under investigation, MPD said that no arrests have been made and there are no further suspects. Medford Police Dept.
Fatal Crash in Grants Pass
Two drivers have died in a fatal crash that happened Grants Pass Friday afternoon. Rural Metro Fire has confirmed that the drivers of both vehicles died in the collision.
The fatal crash happened just a little after 4:00 p.m. Friday afternoon in the 7500 block of Monument Drive and is under investigation.
Assualt Arrest in Grants Pass
On 11-06-2021 at approximately 3:44am, Grants Pass Police responded to the area of Redwood Hwy and Rogue River Hwy. for a report of a possible disturbance. The caller advised there were multiple people and vehicles in the roadway and one individual advised he had been stabbed. As officers arrived on scene, they contacted numerous individuals including the victim who had suffered non-life threatening injuries from an edged weapon.
One individual was detained for further investigation, later identified as the suspect Tyler Pinard. Due to the seriousness of the offense, Grants Pass Police Detectives also responded to assist with the case. After further investigation was conducted, it was determined Tyler Pinard had assaulted the victim. Preliminary investigation indicates Pinard allegedly threw a large stick at a passing vehicle, driven by the victim. When the victim stopped to confront Pinard, the assault occurred.
Pinard was interviewed by detectives and later lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Assault in the Second Degree. The victim was transported to Three Rivers Hospital for treatment of his injuries. There is no indication of any prior contacts or incidents between Pinard and the victim. This appears to be a random incident and no other individuals were involved in the altercation.
The Grants Pass Police would like to thank the witnesses who stayed in the area to provide aide and statements on this case, as well as others who came forward with information. We would also like to encourage the public to call 911 and report incidents like this in the future and allow officers to make contact with those who are committing these type of random crimes. We strive to provide the best services possible for the public and to protect the public from harm as a result of an altercation. Our officers are trained to contact hostile individuals who may cause harm and have the tactics, verbal skills and tools to prevent injury to others when possible.
This case is still under investigation and further charges may follow at the conclusion. Anyone who witnesses this incident or has further information is asked to call the Grants Pass Police at 541-450-6260, reference case #21-47840. Grants Pass Police Department
2 Arrests Made in Separate Grants Pass Crimes
Friday, November 05, 2021, proved to be a busy day for police officers in the City of Grants Pass. Though rain and cool weather tend to slow some types of crime, these offenders weren’t deterred.
At approximately 8:22 AM, Grants Pass Police Officers received a report of a knife-wielding female in the Town Center parking lot at the intersection of NW 6th Street and NW G Street. The suspect held the knife toward the face of a female patron at the location, threatened her, and then reached into her purse and took a pack of cigarettes. Arriving officers located and arrested Kelsie Wilson, a 24-year-old female who was walking from the scene. Officers recovered the knife and stolen cigarettes. Wilson was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 1st-degree Robbery, 3rd-degree Theft, Menacing, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.
At approximately 11:30 AM officers responded to a reported burglary of a residence in the 300 block of NW Elm Street. Upon arriving at the scene and detaining Malae Kimack, a 28-year-old female who was exiting the residence, officers determined the residence had been unlawfully entered, a garden statue had been stolen, the interior had been ransacked, and a symbol had been burned into an interior wall. Kimack was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 1st-degree Burglary, 1st-degree Criminal Mischief, Reckless Burning, and 3rd-degree Theft.
The Grants Pass Police Department would like to thank the citizens who assisted in both of these cases. Grants Pass Police Department
Local Veterans Fundraising for Wreaths Across America
Local veteran groups are beginning to raise money for Wreaths Across America, a program that honors fallen veterans every December by placing wreaths on their graves.
Friday was the first day “Old Guard Riders Company A” was at the Walmart in Eagle Point looking for donations to sponsor wreaths that will be placed on graves at Eagle Point National Cemetery, Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mortuary, and Hawthorne Memorial Gardens.
“It is not just plop and tossing them down, you go up to the grave, you read the person’s name, you salute the person, and you thank them,” said Cynthia Jones, veteran and Treasurer of Old Guard Riders Company A, “then you place the wreath so it’s very ceremonial and it’s very honoring.”
There are over 30,000 veterans at Eagle Point National Cemetery.
“A lot of those veterans up there have graves that date back quite a while,” Jones explained. “Why we do it is honoring because they have anybody else to go out there. You’ll see flowers and you’ll see wreaths all over the place but there’s a lot of graves that there’s nobody remembering them.”
So far, the group has 20 wreaths and their goal is to get 5000 or more before the wreath placing ceremony on December 18th, which is National Wreaths Across America Day.
You can sponsor a wreath on WreathsArossAmerica.org or find veterans groups out at various storefronts.
Oregon reports 1,141 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 19 new deaths
There are 19 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 4,562. Oregon Health Authority reported 1,141 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 bringing the state total to 372,137.
Cases and COVID-19 deaths
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (3), Benton (18), Clackamas (85), Clatsop (3), Columbia (20), Coos (20), Crook (16), Curry (2), Deschutes (118), Douglas (41), Gilliam (2), Grant (15), Harney (11), Hood River (5), Jackson (53), Jefferson (22), Josephine (17), Klamath (39), Lake (4), Lane (84), Lincoln (11), Linn (58), Malheur (11), Marion (108), Morrow (1), Multnomah (131), Polk (23), Tillamook (4), Umatilla (35), Union (14), Wallowa (4), Wasco (9), Washington (110), Wheeler (1) and Yamhill (43).
Children ages 5-11 are now eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine
Following review of recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup has confirmed that pediatric doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children are safe and effective for children ages 5 through 11
Oregon Will Receive $1.6 Billion From Federal Infrastructure Bill
Under the $1.2 trillion public works bill approved by Congress, Oregon can expect to receive over $1.6 billion in additional federal dollars for infrastructure investments.
Members of Oregon’s congressional delegation released the state’s expected share of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act after it was approved by the U.S. House.
The bill passed 228 to 206 on Nov. 5. Nine Democrats voted no and 13 Republicans voted yes. It had previously been approved by the U.S. Senate and now goes to President Joe Biden for his signature.
“The need for action in Oregon is clear and recently released state-level data demonstrates that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will deliver for Oregon. For decades, infrastructure in Oregon has suffered from a systemic lack of investment. In fact, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave Oregon a C- grade on its infrastructure report card. The historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will make life better for millions of Oregon residents, create a generation of good-paying union jobs and economic growth, and position the United States to win the 21st century,” the White House said after the bill’s passage.
According to the releases, Oregon is expected to receive the following amounts in these categories:
• $747 million in public transit investments.
• $529 million to improve access to safe drinking water.
• $268 million for bridge replacement and repairs.
• $211 million for airport investments.
• $100 million for internet broadband expansion.
• $52 million to expand electric vehicle charging station network.
• $39 million to help protect against wildfires.
• $15 million to protect against cyber attacks.
The bill also reauthorizes the existing federal Highway Trust Fund, which is expected to generate $3.4 billion for road projects over five years.
The releases did not identify specific agencies or projects that would be funded. In a Sept. 29, 2021 story, the New York Times said the bill includes funding for TriMet’s Southwest Corridor Light Rail Line and the I-5 Bridge Replacement projects. The story did not say how much funding was included, however.
Additional information is expected to be available in the coming weeks. More details are available in this White House summary here.
Missing Pendleton Mom Found Dead, Daughter Alive In Idaho Forest
Two missing Oregon women were found in an Idaho forest Friday, the mother died from the elements and the daughter alive with their broken-down vehicle.
A hunter discovered the mother’s body in the Solitaire Saddle area of the Panhandle National Forest and reported it to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office at 11:45 a.m. Friday.
Authorities then discovered the broken-down vehicle nearby with the other woman still alive.
The sheriff’s office said the women — Dorothy “Kae” Turner and her daughter Heidi Turner, according to the Pendleton Police Department in Oregon — were driving to Utah and following a navigation system when they got lost in the northern Idaho forest.
When their vehicle broke down, the mother left to find help but died from exposure to the elements while the daughter stayed behind. They were reported missing from Pendleton on Wednesday.
Governor Brown Attending United Nations Climate Change Conference in Scotland
Governor Brown headed to Glasgow, Scotland to attend the ongoing 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties — commonly referred to as COP26 — to discuss the impacts of climate change on
Oregonians and the actions the state has taken to reduce carbon emissions and transition to clean energy.
Several Democratic governors are slated to attend the summit, including Governor Jay Inslee of Washington state. California Governor Gavin Newsom had initially planned to travel, but later announced that he would only attend
virtually due to family obligations. California’s Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis was tapped to lead the state’s delegation instead.
Items on Governor Brown’s agenda for the conference stretch from Sunday through Tuesday, beginning with participation in the US Climate Alliance/Under2 Supernationals Event and the Under2 General Assembly panel: “Accelerating finance and investment for state and regional climate leadership.”
On Monday, Brown is scheduled to participate in the Under2: States and Regions for the Climate Decade panel, the Pacific Coast Collaborative panel on the Public-Private Partnerships to Reduce Food Waste Along the West Coast of North America, the US Department of Energy/America is All In panel, and the Pacific Coast Collaborative/Ocean Acidification Alliance panel.
Carolyn Whitney Awarded as a 2022 Oregon Teacher of the Year Finalist
(Frenchglen, OR) – The Oregon Department of Education, in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, is pleased to celebrate Frenchglen Elementary School teacher Carolyn Whitney as a 2022 Teacher of the Year Finalist, and award both Carolyn and her school with a $2,000 cash prize!
Whitney was selected as one of four finalists for 2022 Oregon Teacher of the Year, which was announced in September.
Whitney has been teaching at Frenchglen Elementary School for 21 of her 27 total years of teaching. In her application, she stated that she was originally hired to teach 4th-8th grade students but has been the only teacher serving grades K-8 for the last four years. In May, Whitney received recognition as Harney ESD’s 2022 Regional Teacher of the Year, taking home a $500 cash prize.
“Carolyn represents the best in teachers and I have seen hundreds in my 30+ year career,” said Harney ESD Superintendent Shannon Criss. “Her tireless efforts to serve students in frontier rural school districts is amazing. Imagine teaching up to 10 different grade levels and all subjects each and every day of the school year. Students and staff make life-long connections with a teacher like Carolyn. She is like family and that is because her dedication and commitment to excellence is seen daily; and you can’t hide good teaching like that!”
Serving a rural area of Oregon, Whitney stresses the importance of connecting students and their education with the community.
“One of the first things I noticed about this community are the character traits of problem-solving abilities and helping your neighbors. I have been able to promote and encourage these traits in my classroom,” she noted in her application. “They build each other up and are a part of the positive, learning classroom culture that they bring to their community.”
“My students have learned many things beyond a traditional education as they have learned how to be a part of a community by working together, encouraging each other, understanding that there are things that happen behind the scenes that contribute to the success of each and every community, be it Frenchglen School Community, the Frenchglen Community, and the Rural Harney County Community,” she explains further. “They understand that personal integrity and character are evident in everything.” — Oregon Lottery
Replanting After the Bootleg Fire
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Klamath County Farm Service Agency, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Oregon Department of Forestry, and the Klamath Soil and Water Conservation District are busy replanting after the Bootleg Fire.
All of those agencies have come together to offer landowners expertise, funding and technical know-how to protect their land from short-term erosion, and offer tips on how to return long term health and resiliency to the property.
One of the first steps is quickly seeding the ground to reduce soil erosion into waterways. That is especially crucial on steep slopes where landslides are a concern. The organization has also been busy removing as much dense, dead, and burnt materials left behind by the fire.
The USDA’s Klamath County Farm Service Agency is also helping with forest restoration on private forest land, but is also focused on bringing the grazing pastures back so ranchers can feed their animals. It also subsidizes hay prices for ranchers so they can get through the winter. The Farm Service Agency will help ranchers feed their animals as the process unfolds.
OSU Beavers Fire Defensive Coordinator
Oregon State defensive coordinator Tim Tibesar has been fired, Beavers coach Jonathan Smith announced Sunday.
“I felt it was the right time to make a change in our football program and have relieved Coach Tim Tibesar of his duties at Oregon State,” Smith said in a statement. “All of us thank Coach Tibesar for his hard work and professionalism the past four years and wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”
Linebackers coach Trent Bray will take on defensive coordinator duties on an interim basis, while Kendrick Van Ackeren will shift from an analyst role to an on-field role coaching linebackers, Smith added.
The Beavers rank No. 9 in the Pac-12 in yards per play allowed (5.77) and No. 10 in total defense (405.7 yards per game). Oregon State started the season 4-1, but has since dropped three of four including a 37-34 loss at Colorado on Saturday in overtime. Tibesar’s defense allowed at least 30 points in the past four games.
Tibesar had been with Oregon State since Smith was named head coach prior to the 2018 season.
Forecasters Say We Should Have Wet Cold Winter
Forecasters says low elevations in western Oregon have a better-than-average chance of seeing snow this winter, though they’re not specifically predicting a storm like the one that hit Eugene in Feb. 2019. We could be in store for a cooler and wetter than normal winter.
The Portland office of the National Weather Service held a briefing Friday on the winter weather outlook for emergency management officials of three coastal counties. The upshot: Oregon is expected to feel the effects of a “La Niña” weather pattern this winter. Hopefully this helps pull the region out of the drought. MORE INFO: https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal.php?lead=2
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Have-You-Seen-Me-Southern-Oregons-Missing-People-161249961222839/posts/