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, November 12, 2021
Rogue Valley Weather
Friday– Areas of fog before 1pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Light and variable wind
Saturday– Patchy fog between 7am and 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Light and variable wind.
Sunday– Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
Monday– A chance of rain after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63.
Tuesday– A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 52.
Raid on Another Illegal Marijuana Grow in Jackson County off Modoc Road
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On October 28, 2021, the Oregon State Police Southwest Region Drug Enforcement Section team served a search warrant in the 12000 block of Modoc Rd. Central Point, Oregon, for illegal marijuana manufacturing. Law enforcement encountered 62 large, outdoor grow-houses which contained both illegal marijuana plants (1,193) and previously harvested, drying marijuana. In total, 18,360 gross pounds of illicit marijuana, including the marijuana plants and processed marijuana located on the property, were seized and destroyed.
Also seized in the operation were over $80,000.00 US Currency and four firearms. Multiple occupants on the property were detained, identified, and interviewed during the investigation.
The OSP SWR DES team was assisted by law enforcement officers from the Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) and the Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) team in Josephine County. Additional resources were provided in support of the investigation by the Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) of the Medford Police Department-Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. — Oregon State Police
Jackson Counting Asking the State for $7 Million to Tackle Illegal Pot
Officials in Jackson County are asking the state for more than $7.2 million to help crackdown on the billions of dollars worth of illegal pot grows across the Rogue Valley.
The money would pay for 37 new employees, including Sheriff’s Office detectives, code enforcement officers and more staff for the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.
Oregon’s Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, and Douglas County sheriff’s offices regularly find grows and processing and storage sites with millions of dollars worth of illegal marijuana. A potato shed with marijuana worth more than $100 million was found this year in Klamath County and a grow with an estimated $200 million worth of marijuana plants was discovered in Josephine County.
But without enough money from the state and blocked from enacting local taxes on grows to fund marijuana enforcement, Jackson County officials say law enforcement in the region has fallen behind on busting illegal pot operations.
State agencies that regulate the hemp and marijuana industries and agricultural water use are also struggling to keep up with the volume of illegal operators, county officials said.
Jackson County Administrator Danny Jordan said the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office can currently tackle about 40 illegal grows per year. Jackson County officials estimate there are 2,000 legal and illegal hemp and marijuana sites locally.
Law enforcement agencies in southern Oregon say foreign cartels are behind many of the illegal grows. They say cartels know some grows will be discovered and destroyed, but the rest will generate vast sums of money once the pot is trafficked to states where marijuana is illegal.
Jackson County’s request for funding will go to the Oregon Legislative Fiscal Office Emergency Board, which allocates emergency funds when the Oregon Legislature isn’t in session.
Jordan noted the nearly $7.3 million request doesn’t include money to address environmental damage from dismantled greenhouses, human feces, pesticides, and dangerous electrical wiring left behind by illegal growers.
The State Emergency Board has a larger pile of money this year, in part because Oregon’s budget was buttressed by federal pandemic aid.
Two Southern Oregon Companies Received the HIRE Vets Medallion Award
TP Trucking LLC in Central Point and Bullet Rental & Sales, Inc in Klamath Falls are two of the fourteen Oregon companies that work with the Oregon Employment Department and are now being recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor for their dedication in recruiting, employing and providing long-term career opportunities to our nation’s veterans.
“There’s a lot of things in a veteran’s past,” said Joe Anderson, HR Generalist and Recruiter for TP Trucking LLC. “They’ve been through some rigorous training. They understand long days, they understand what it takes to get the job done.”
TP Trucking LLC has been awarded the medallion since the start of the HIRE Vets Medallion Program in 2018.
Companies receive this award for the investment by employers to recruit, employ and retain veterans.
“We are pleased to see the result of our employees’ efforts to help businesses see the value of hiring veterans,” said David Gerstenfeld, acting director of the Oregon Employment Department, in a press release. “Last year, 10 companies received this award, and we are pleased to report that this year, four more companies are investing in and valuing veterans as employees.”
Anderson said truck drivers serve our country every day through delivering goods, which he believes aligns with how veterans feel about our country.
“It’s a great workforce of people,” said Anderson. “They come with a wide variety of skill sets and we are continually looking for veterans and hope that we continue to hire them.” https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/72086/2020-hire-vets-medallion-award-application-now-open/
Oregon reports 1,033 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 75 new deaths
PORTLAND, Ore. — There are 75 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 4,730, Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported 1,033 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 376,372.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (7), Benton (16), Clackamas (91), Clatsop (7), Columbia (15), Coos (23), Crook (2), Curry (8), Deschutes (111), Douglas (49), Gilliam (1), Grant (1), Harney (5), Hood River (3), Jackson (54), Jefferson (12), Josephine (28), Klamath (16), Lake (13), Lane (62), Lincoln (17), Linn (45), Malheur (12), Marion (79), Morrow (3), Multnomah (136), Polk (27), Sherman (1), Tillamook (8), Umatilla (27), Union (1), Wallowa (2), Wasco (7), Washington (100) and Yamhill (44).
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.
COVID-19 weekly cases decline, deaths and hospitalizations rise
OHA’s COVID-19 Weekly Report, released today, shows a decrease in daily cases and increases in hospitalizations and deaths.
OHA reported 6,643 new cases of COVID-19 during the week of Monday, Nov. 1, through Sunday, Nov. 7. That represents a 16% decrease from the previous week and the fewest since the last week of July.
The overall incidence of reported COVID-19 cases in Oregon varied by county vaccination rate, but continues to be lower in counties with higher vaccination rates and the lowest in the five counties where the vaccination rates were more than 70%.
There were 378 new COVID-19 hospitalizations, up from 313 last week.
There were 243 reported COVID-19-related deaths, up from 82 reported the previous week. This increase is a result of ongoing data reconciliation of COVID-19-related deaths that primarily occurred from May to August 2021, as reported last month.
There were 135,539 tests for COVID-19 for the week of Oct. 31 through Nov. 6. The percentage of positive tests was 6.4%, down from 7.4% the previous week.
Today’s COVID-19 Weekly Outbreak Report shows 76 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.
COVID-19 hospitalizations
The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 509, which is one fewer than yesterday. There are 125 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is two fewer than yesterday.
There are 56 available adult ICU beds out of 675 total (8% availability) and 281 available adult non-ICU beds out of 4,096 (7% availability).
| 11/10/2021 Available Beds (and Percentage of Staffed Beds Available) | ||||||||
| Statewide | Region 1 | Region 2 | Region 3 | Region 5 | Region 6 | Region 7 | Region 9 | |
| Adult ICU beds available | 56(8%) | 24(7%) | 2(2%) | 13(15%) | 9(15%) | 1(10%) | 2(4%) | 5(19%) |
| Adult non-ICU beds available | 281(7%) | 51(3%) | 6(1%) | 72(12%) | 34(8%) | 10(20%) | 59(14%) | 49(41%) |
The total number of patients in hospital beds may fluctuate between report times. The numbers do not reflect admissions per day, nor the length of hospital stay. Staffing limitations are not captured in this data and may further limit bed capacity.
Note: Please do not visit an emergency department for COVID-19 testing, unless you require emergency care for your symptoms.
Emergency departments in Oregon are under significant strain. You can find a test here.
If you have a medical condition that doesn’t require emergency care, contact your provider. An urgent care center may also help you get the care you need and will save emergency departments from added strain. More information about hospital capacity can be found here.
Oregon Attorney Files Lawsuit Against Pharmaceutical Company
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against pharmaceutical company Endo, alleging that the company deceptively marketed the opioid Opana for more than a decade. The state’s complaint alleges that Endo misrepresented the risks and benefits of Opana, which Rosenblum’s office said was an extended-release opioid similar to Purdue Pharma’s OxyContin. It was pulled from the market in 2017 at the request of the FDA.
The Oregon Department of Justice began investigating Endo in March of 2016. The next year, Oregon began to lead a multi-state investigation into the company. Rosenblum ultimately decided to move ahead with a complaint on behalf of Oregon alone, issuing a notice of intent to sue on October 4.
Oregon’s suit draws parallels between Endo and the cases against Purdue Pharma, alleging that Endo followed in Purdue’s footsteps after the success of OxyContin through aggressive marketing. In 2007, Oregon and 25 other states settled a multi-state lawsuit against Purdue Pharma. The state sued Purdue again in 2018 for alleged
violations of the 2007 agreement, and sued the Sackler family — the owners of Purdue — in 2019.
Klamath Community College Breaks Ground on New Apprenticeship Center
Klamath Community College celebrated the construction kickoff of the school’s Apprenticeship Center with a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday.
The 32,000-square-foot building is slated to open in fall 2022.
The Apprenticeship Center will span four acres and will provide space for hands-on training and programs for transitioning high schoolers, increase the college’s career-technical program offerings and offer specialized structural and wildland fire science training.
Apprenticeships will include: electrical, millwright, plumbing, pipefitter, machinist, carpentry, cement mason, drywall,
interior and exterior painter specialist, and sheet metal fabrication, including HVAC.
Students enrolled in fire sciences and emergency medical operations programs through an Apprenticeship Center fire academy will gain real-world experience training in an exterior fire yard and fire tower.
Steve Tippin, chair of the KCC Foundation, said in 2022 the KCC Foundation will launch a capital campaign to raise funds to fill the center with
equipment and technology that will allow instructors and partners to provide state-of-the-art programming for students enrolled in Apprenticeship Center courses.
Oregon State Police Trooper critically injured in a police incident on Highway 30 — Columbia County
Thursday, November 11, 2021, at around 3:31 P.M., OSP Troopers were involved in a police incident involving a fleeing suspect on Highway 30 milepost 31 west of St. Helens, when the suspect vehicle rammed an OSP Patrol car and struck an OSP Trooper.
The Trooper was taken by ground ambulance to Emanuel Hospital in critical condition. The investigation is being handled by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
The Oregon State Police will not be releasing any information about the incident. The identity of the OSP Trooper is not being released at this time. Oregon State Police
Fatal vehicle vs. pedestrian crash on I-5- Marion County
On November 10, 2021, at approximately 7:38 P.M., Oregon State Police and emergency personnel responded to a motor vehicle collision involving a bicyclist on Interstate-5 northbound at exit 260 near Salem.
A preliminary investigation revealed that a bicyclist identified as Anthony Lee Garza (61) was riding his bicycle across the northbound lanes of Interstate-5 when he was struck by a pickup truck operated by Benjamin J Miller (35) of Gervais. Miller remained at the scene and is cooperating with law enforcement.
Garza was pronounced deceased at the scene. OSP was assisted by Salem Fire and Medics, the Keizer Police Department, and the Oregon Department of Transportation. The investigation is ongoing.
Serious injury crash involving I-205- Clackamas County
On November 10, 2021, at 9:37 A.M., Oregon State Police responded to a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate-205 SB at milepost 12. The investigation revealed that a black Volkswagen GTI operated by Tyler Nicholas Pacheco (28), was southbound when it struck multiple vehicles and an Oregon Department of Transportation worker, who was working outside of his vehicle.
The victim, Grant RIEDEL (38), was transported to Oregon Health Science University with serious injuries. PACHECO stayed on the scene and cooperated with the investigation. OSP was assisted on scene by Day-N-Nite towing, Clackamas Fire, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
This is an ongoing investigation and no further information will be released at this time.
The Oregon State Police is asking anyone who witnessed this incident to please call OSP Dispatch 800-442-2068 or OSP from your mobile phone. Reference case number SP21316723. Oregon State Police
Fatal multi-vehicle crash Highway 97- Deschutes County
On November 10, 2021, at 4:51 P.M., OSP responded to a multi-vehicle crash on Highway 97 milepost 114 near Terrebonne. A silver Hyundai Elantra, driven by Karl Thompson (58) of Metolius, was southbound on Highway 97 when it attempted to pass a southbound black Dodge Ram on the shoulder.
The Dodge Ram was driven by Kyle Jensen (32) of Redmond. When the Elantra reentered the southbound lane, it struck the front of the Dodge Ram, sending the Elantra into the northbound lane. The Elantra then struck a Nissan Pathfinder, driven by Jessica Shaw (33) of Metolius. The Pathfinder was pushed into the southbound lane when it was struck by a Dodge Tow Truck, driven by Austin Ontjes (26) of Terrebonne.
The driver of the Pathfinder, Jessica Shaw, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The passenger in the Elantra, Emmanuel Pina-Lopez (29) of Madras, was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. The Driver of the Tow Truck, Austin Ontjes reported minor injuries. Karl Thompson, Kyle Jensen, his passengers along with the passenger of the Tow Truck did not report any injuries.
The highway was closed for 6 hours. OSP was assisted at the scene by Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Redmond Fire, Redmond Police Department, and the Oregon Department of Transportation. The investigation is ongoing. Oregon State Police
The Modoc Nation, a federally-recognized Native American tribe based in Oklahoma and descended from Klamath Basin native people, hired Ken Sandusky to represent the tribe in their traditional homelands.
Sandusky previously spent 14 years as a public affairs specialist with the U.S. Forest Service, much of that on the Modoc National Forest.
He serves on the Modoc County Fire Safe Council and Modoc Fish, Game and Recreation commission. Born and raised in Klamath Falls, Sandusky attended Riverside Elementary and graduated from Klamath Union and Oregon Tech. He is a member of the Choctaw Nation.
Sandusky is now managing all aspects of the Modoc Nation’s efforts in Siskiyou and Modoc counties.
The tribes’ top priority is to revive the overgrazed ranchlands recently purchased by the tribe near Tulelake, with the goal of establishing a new branch of the Modoc Nation’s bison herd.
The Modoc Nation descends from Modocs who were removed to Oklahoma after the Modoc War at Captain Jack’s Stronghold in what is now the Lava Beds National Monument. It is based in Miami, Okla., and is now expanding interests into Northern California, according to
the tribe.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Have-You-Seen-Me-Southern-Oregons-Missing-People-161249961222839/posts/