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
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Rogue Valley Weather
Today– Widespread frost, mainly before 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 56. Light and variable wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday– A 20 percent chance of rain after 11am. Cloudy, with a high near 57. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday– A chance of rain before 11am, then a chance of showers after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Saturday– Patchy fog before 2pm. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 55.
Sunday– Areas of frost before 11am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 58.
Grants Pass High School Protest Gets Unruly
Late last week the Grants Pass Police Department was notified by School District 7 officials of a student-led walk-out planned for Tuesday, November 16, 2021. The school district requested a police presence at Grants Pass High School and both Grants Pass Middle Schools to monitor what was anticipated to be a peaceful twenty-five-minute protest by students.
Officers were deployed at all three schools as requested. Both North and South Middle Schools had a small number of student participants with no reported problems. At 1:48 PM approximately 200-300 students gathered in front of the Grants Pass High School 9th Street entrance in an apparent protest that had moved into and blocked the street. Additional police officers arrived to protect the group’s right to freedom of speech and to maintain public peace and safety.
In opposition to the student protesters, other participants with counter opinions arrived at the high school. The differing opinions of the participants led to a clash between students and counter-protesters. During the discord, a 15-year-old female student intentionally subjected another citizen to offensive physical contact by spitting in the adult male’s face. The juvenile was detained and escorted out of the area with criminal charges pending.
Following a temporary lull in emotions, a 14-year-old female student began swinging a broomstick at the same adult male citizen. The juvenile was detained for second-degree Disorderly Conduct and transported to the Josephine County Juvenile Justice Center where she was cited and released to a parent. While officers were taking the 14-year-old female into custody, a 19-year-old Lillyana Audley, a resident of Medford, attempted to prevent officers from making the arrest. Audley also encouraged others to block officers and the officer’s vehicle. Audley was arrested and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Riot, Second Degree Disorderly Conduct, and Interfering with Police.
Using de-escalation tactics, officers encouraged one side of the opposing groups to peacefully leave the area. At that point, a substantial number of students returned to class leaving approximately 100 students who refused. The remaining students were left under the control and care of school staff.
The role of the Grants Pass Police Department under these circumstances is to help keep the peace, ensure safety, nurture trust, and promote legitimacy within our community. Grants Pass Police Department
Medford Police Investigating A Theft And Stabbing On The Bear Creek Greenway
The Medford Police Department is investigating a stabbing that took place early this morning on the Bear Creek Greenway.
According to MPD spokesman. Lt Mike Budreau, the call came in at 4:45 am after a male victim with stab wounds arrived at the Travelers Inn on 954 Alba Dr. in Medford.
“He said he had been assaulted on the bike path, by 3-4 males who stole his backpack during the assault,” Budreau said in an email. “Not great descriptions of the suspects, other than two of them were on bikes. But our detectives are working through it.”
Budreau said the victim’s injuries are not life-threatening. The exact location of the stabbing has yet to be determined but Budreau said in is not too far from the Traveler’s Inn.
Medford Bank Robber Still on the Loose
Medford Police are currently investigating a bank robbery at First Interstate Bank located at 2646 E Barnett Rd in Medford and the suspect is still at large.
According to Medford Police, the suspect robbed the bank at 5:26 p.m. on Monday, did not display a weapon, and demanded cash. He left with an undisclosed amount.
Medford Police posted a photo to Facebook from the bank’s video surveillance camera of the suspect. He is described as a white male, unknown age, wearing a green shirt with the words “STARTER” in white lettering. His face was covered and he was wearing sunglasses.
If anyone saw someone matching the description in the area, MPD asks that you please call dispatch at 541-770-4783.
Oregon reports 785 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 52 new deaths
There are 52 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 4,855, Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported 785 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 380,866.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (10), Benton (22), Clackamas (36), Clatsop (3), Columbia (7), Coos (34), Crook (22), Curry (1), Deschutes (59), Douglas (20), Gilliam (1), Harney (1), Hood River (6), Jackson (88), Jefferson (6), Josephine (6), Klamath (1), Lake (10), Lane (31), Lincoln (1), Linn (34), Malheur (14), Marion (85), Morrow (7), Multnomah (104), Polk (41), Sherman (1), Tillamook (1), Umatilla (21), Union (1), Wallowa (1), Wasco (12), Washington (88), and Yamhill (10).
OHA investigating high COVID-19 test positivity rate
Oregon Health Authority has noted a 14% positivity rate for COVID-19 test results reported today, Tuesday, Nov. 16. However, epidemiologists have not found a corresponding increase in virus cases that would be expected with such a high rate.
OHA epidemiologists do not see other indications that today’s reported high positivity rate is evidence of an impending surge, such as similar increases in hospitalizations. However, health officials will continue to investigate today’s numbers.
OHA is reviewing whether technical issues over the weekend, including problems with a server that caused a backlog of electronic laboratory reports (ELRs) waiting to be processed, played a role in the high positivity rate. OHA will report results of its investigation in its daily news release in the coming days.
The Conquer Covid in Klamath campaign announces its winner for the week.
Christian Ramirez of Klamath Falls won a Big Screen TV, Sound System and a smart flat screen TV. Christian 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 Stainless Steel Home Appliance package for your kitchen featuring refrigerator, range, microwave and dishwasher. The drawing for this weeks prize will take place on Monday morning.
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 whatsoever to enter. The site also lists all prizes, rules and vaccination sites.
Oregon’s Unemployment Rate Drops to 4.4% in October
Oregon’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.4% in October, down from 4.7% in September. This is an unusually low unemployment rate for Oregon. Since 1976, when comparable records began, through October 2016, Oregon’s unemployment rate was never as low as 4.4%. However, during the economic expansion just prior to the pandemic recession, Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.4% or lower for the 41 consecutive months from November 2016 through March 2020. Oregon’s unemployment rate reached a record low of 3.3% in November and December 2019.
In Oregon, nonfarm payroll employment rose by 4,700 in October, following a revised gain of 700 jobs in September. In October, the private sector grew rapidly by adding 10,300 jobs, but that gain was diminished by a loss of 5,600 jobs in government. October’s total nonfarm employment gain was less than the average of 6,800 jobs added per month during the prior six months.
Among the major industries, leisure and hospitality and professional and business services each added close to 3,000 jobs in October. Three other industries added more than 1,000 jobs: construction (+1,500 jobs), manufacturing (+1,400), and wholesale trade (+1,100). Government dropped by 5,600 jobs as schools still had low employment levels in October compared with two years prior.
During the past two months, hiring in local government fell well below seasonal norms, with losses totaling 8,000 jobs during September and October. This left job numbers below pre-pandemic figures. Local government education employed 129,800 in October, which was 8,900 jobs below the October 2019 number. Similarly, local government excluding education employed 93,800 in October, which was 2,000 jobs fewer than two years prior.
Leisure and hospitality added 3,100 jobs in October, following a gain of 2,200 in September. Despite these gains, leisure and hospitality still accounts for the bulk of Oregon’s jobs not recovered since early 2020, with 30,000 jobs left to recover to reach the prior peak month of February 2020. The industry has regained 73% of jobs lost early in the pandemic.
Professional and technical services has grown rapidly throughout 2021, and the industry is now well above its pre-recession peak. This industry added 4,200 jobs during the past three months and 13,100 jobs since the low point in April 2020.
To file a claim for unemployment benefits or get more information about unemployment programs, visit unemployment.oregon.gov. Equal Opportunity program — auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Contact: (503) 947-1794. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, call 711 Telecommunications Relay Services. Oregon Employment Department
FBI Seeking Individual Who May Have Information Regarding the Identity of a Child Sexual Assault Victim
The Oregon FBI is releasing the below information on behalf of the FBI’s Endangered Child Alert Program. Because investigators do not know where John Doe 45 or the child involved in this investigation are, these photos and information are being released through every FBI field office in the country.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is seeking the public’s assistance with obtaining identifying information regarding an unknown male who may have critical information pertaining to the identity of a child victim in an ongoing sexual exploitation investigation. Photographs and an informational poster depicting the unknown individual, known only as John Doe 45, are being disseminated to the public and can be found online at the FBI website at http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/ecap
Initial video of the unidentified male, John Doe 45, shown with a child were first recorded by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in June 2020. The EXIF data embedded within the video files indicated that the files were produced between January 2019 and April 2019.
John Doe 45 is described as a White man with brown hair, a brown mustache, and a brown beard. He is heard speaking English in the video. Due to the age of the images, it is possible that the individual’s appearance may have changed over the years.
Anyone with information to provide should submit a tip online at https://tips.fbi.gov/, or call the FBI’s toll-free tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). The public is reminded no charges have been filed in this case and the pictured individual is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
This individual is being sought as part of the FBI’s Operation Rescue Me and Endangered Child Alert Program (ECAP) initiatives, both of which represent strategic partnerships between the FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Operation Rescue Me focuses on utilizing clues obtained through in-depth image analysis to identify the child victims depicted in child exploitation material, while ECAP seeks national and international media exposure of unknown adults (referred to as John/Jane Does) who visibly display their faces and/or other distinguishing characteristics in association with child pornography images. FBI – Oregon
Oregon Man Charged with Federal Hate Crime After Attacking Gay Man
A Springfield, Oregon man has been charged with a federal hate crime after using the internet to target and brutally assault a gay man, because of his sexual orientation.
Daniel Andrew McGee, 22, has been charged by criminal complaint with a hate crime. The complaint alleges that McGee attempted to kill the victim.
According to court documents, McGee and his victim met using Grindr, a social media and networking application designed for, and used primarily by, gay men. On July 5, 2021, after agreeing to meet, McGee entered his victim’s apartment and proceeded to assault the man with a wooden club over a period of several minutes. Despite the victim’s pleas for McGee to stop, McGee continued striking the man repeatedly in the head with the club. The victim sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital.
Further investigation revealed that, in the weeks leading up to the attack, McGee used the internet to search for and view graphically violent anti-gay material, including videos of anti-gay attacks. McGee also used the internet to plan the assault, purchasing the weapon and other materials online. In addition, McGee searched online for suggestions about how to get away with murder and how murderers avoid getting caught.
On November 15, 2021, McGee was arrested by the FBI and made his initial appearance in federal court before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen M. Clarke of the Civil Rights Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug of the District of Oregon made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Eugene Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Gavin W. Bruce, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, and Cameron A. Bell, Trial Attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Oregon
Local Governments Seek Aid To Combat Cybersecurity Attacks
Local governments in Oregon say they need more help to protect themselves against cybersecurity attacks. Some cities around the country, including in Oregon, have been victims of sophisticated ransomware attacks that can be costly and time-consuming to recover from.
Brenda Wilson, the executive director of the Lane Council of Governments, told the Oregon legislature’s Joint Committee on Information Management and Technology on Tuesday that many local governments don’t even know where to begin when it comes to protecting themselves.
“For most small cities, small public agencies, even big ones, they just don’t know where to start,” she said. “They don’t know what questions to ask.”
In addition to training opportunities, local governments say more funding is needed to fend off cyber-criminals. The city of Eugene earlier this year said it needs $3.4 million dollars for security software and system upgrades.
Oregon Community Foundation Launches Thriving Entrepreneurs Fund with $580,000 Investment to Advance State’s Economic Vitality
OCF Supports Minority and Women-Owned Businesses with Priority Funding
Portland, Ore. – November 16, 2021 – Today, coinciding with National Entrepreneur’s Day, Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) announced an inaugural round of $580,000 in grant funding to support “Thriving Entrepreneurs” throughout Oregon. OCF grants to 28 Oregon-based nonprofits will provide coaching, mentoring, technical support and training to entrepreneurs who aim to grow companies and contribute to Oregon’s economic vitality. The OCF grant awards prioritize organizations and programs serving people of color, women and rural entrepreneurs.
Studies[i] show that a company with a diverse leadership team outperforms less diverse peers. Diverse companies show stronger innovation and make more profit.[ii] Women own 50% of businesses and employ a significant number of people. However, female founders received 2% of venture capital to grow and scale their businesses, and this number hasn’t changed in the past decade.
“At Oregon Community Foundation, we believe philanthropy should play an active role in supporting entrepreneurship for economic vitality in Oregon,” said Su Embree, OCF board member, cofounder of Emerging Leaders, and former owner of DHM Research. “Small businesses help communities by keeping talented people in Oregon. Owning a small business can be key to individual and family prosperity – it’s often a pathway to get out of poverty. Supporting entrepreneurs, particularly entrepreneurs of color, women and those in rural communities, is an investment with significant returns for all of us.”
With National Entrepreneurship Month underway, Oregon Community Foundation is calling attention to small business innovation, particularly women, rural and minority-owned business ventures. Following is a snapshot of some of OCF’s Thriving Entrepreneur grantees helping to deliver innovation in Oregon:
Centro Latino Americano | Cambios Business Program | $25,000
To support a business class for Latino business owners that focuses on financial literacy, covers all aspects of developing and managing a business, and assists clients with final business plans.
“OCF’s Thriving Entrepreneurs grant allows Centro Latino Americano to expand the number of classes we offer, and further promote the advancement of Latino entrepreneurs in Lane County,” said Janice Daniels, Development Director, Centro Latino Americano. “This support goes a long way towards broadening connection with Latino-owned businesses and continuing to enrich and diversify our community.”
PBDG Foundation | Link Project | $25,000
To support the Link Project, a rural-urban partnership supporting women and people of color construction entrepreneurs.
“Oregon Community Foundation’s Thriving Entrepreneurs grant to PBDG will leverage other public investments to support important capacity building and training for entrepreneurs of color and women in Oregon’s construction industry as well as equitable job creation,” said Kenechi Onyeagusi, Executive Director, Professional Business Development Group.
Portland State University Center for Entrepreneurship | Invent Oregon | $25,000
To host and manage the Invent Oregon (InventOR) Collegiate Challenge, a competition for Oregon college student innovators. Students form teams, develop concepts and prototypes to tackle problems that affect people’s lives, communities, or world challenges.
“By providing early exposure to invention and entrepreneurship education to women and underserved groups, we have an opportunity to quadruple Oregon’s pipeline of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs,” said Juan Barraza, Director, Student Innovation, Portland State University Center for Entrepreneurship. “Oregon Community Foundation’s continued support of Invent Oregon is seeding the next generation of Oregon college entrepreneurs, creating solutions that will solve problems in our communities and around the world.”
According to the Small Business Administration, 99% of businesses in Oregon are classified as small businesses and employ over 55% of the workforce. See a complete list of OCF Thriving Entrepreneur grantees (as of November 16, 2021) online in OCF Press Room: https://oregoncf.org/press-room/
“Entrepreneurs were among the hardest hit by the pandemic. If we are going to fully recover, and even bounce forward to a more equitable future, funding provided by Oregon Community Foundation will make a difference in helping entrepreneurs thrive and prosper in each of their communities,” said Celia Núñez, Chemeketa Center for Business and Industry Executive Director and volunteer member of the OCF Thriving Entrepreneurs Grant Program Review Committee.
These inaugural OCF grants respond to significant demand for training, access to mentors and assistance accessing capital. OCF’s Thriving Entrepreneurs Fund is open for contributions online at:
oregoncf.org/thriving-entrepreneurs.
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.
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