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, December 9, 2021
Rogue Valley Weather
Today– A 30 percent chance of showers after 5pm. Snow level 1600 feet rising to 2300 feet in the afternoon. Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Calm wind becoming west northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday– Partly sunny, with a high near 43. Calm wind.
Saturday– Rain, mainly after 11am. Snow level 2400 feet rising to 3800 feet in the afternoon. High near 44. South southeast wind around 9 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Sunday– Rain. Snow level 3200 feet. High near 42. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Monday– Rain. Snow level 2700 feet. Cloudy, with a high near 40.
Joint Task Force Serves Search Warrant At Medford Massage Parlor during Multi-State Human Trafficking Organization Investigation
A joint inter-agency law enforcement task force served a search warrant at a Medford massage parlor Wednesday afternoon, uncovering evidence of human trafficking and alleged prostitution.
The business, “Six Star Massage” on the 500 block of Stevens St. in Medford is allegedly part of a multi-state human trafficking organization. Medford Police Department (MPD) detectives alongside the Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) joint inter-agency task force served the search warrant at the business.
A year-long investigation led the task force to the business after it was reportedly involved in illicit sexual activity and human trafficking. The business is associated with massage parlors throughout Oregon, California, and Arizona. Investigators are interviewing possible witnesses and involved parties, and investigations are ongoing. Additional search warrants have been served at related massage businesses in Eugene, Grants Pass and Arizona.
Digital devices were seized, and will be forensically examined by the Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force for evidence of sex trafficking and prostitution. Community Works, a local domestic violence, sexual abuse, and sex trafficking resource center, provided the human trafficking victims with safe housing, emotional support, basic necessities and advocacy.
SOCET is a joint inter-agency task force that started in June of 2020 to combat child exploitation and human trafficking. The task force consists of investigators from Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, MPD, Grants Pass Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations; as well as prosecutors from our local, state and federal law enforcement partners in Jackson and Josephine County. Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement detectives assisted with the operation. There is no further information available at this time. Jackson Co. Sheriff’s Office
UPDATE: Medford Plane Crash Enters Second Stage of Investigation as Debris Cleared
The charred remnants of a plane that crashed into the Airport Chevrolet dealership lot on Sunday were hauled away Wednesday by investigators from the federal National Transportation Safety Board, the next stage in an investigation aimed at discovering what went wrong.
Two people died when the aircraft, a Piper PA-31-350 “Navajo Chieftain” twin-propeller plane, crashed into the dealership lot Sunday evening — producing an explosion and fire that also destroyed several cars parked in the lot and damaged Airport Chevrolet’s Service wing. Some customer vehicles awaiting pick up after being serviced were among the wreckage.
The pilot and a single passenger killed in the crash were identified Monday as 69-year-old Donald Harbert Sefton and 67-year-old Valerie Jean Serpa, both of Fallon, Nevada, a small city located east of Reno and Carson City. The aircraft was registered to Sefton.
Officials from the NTSB and FAA arrived in Medford on Monday afternoon to take control of the inquest from local authorities. NTSB senior aircraft accident investigator Zoe Keliher said that the two bodies were recovered by the medical examiner soon after their arrival.
The team spent Tuesday working through the remains of the aircraft and documenting ground scars from the impact it caused on the surface of the dealership parking lot, Keliher said — working to salvage any possible clues from components that weren’t obliterated by the explosion and flames.
As of Tuesday, NTSB was still in the “fact-finding phase,” which means that were documenting everything at the scene and trying to determine what could produce meaningful data. When they do find something of interest, it is taken off-site for analysis.
With the debris catalogued, the agency began hauling it away on Wednesday morning — loading pieces, much of it charred beyond recognition, into a trailer so that it can be transported up to the Seattle area for the next stage of the investigation.
Holiday Food Drive for Victims of Almeda Fire
Jackson County Sheriff’s Department is honored to be part of a Holiday Food Drive to support families still recovering from the Almeda Fire. With your help we can deliver a holiday dinner and essential household items to these families. Please drop off the non-perishable items listed below or make a monetary donation. Thanks much for your support. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=268488048655208&set=a.222916653212348
Oregon reports 861 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 5,318 Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported 861 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 bringing the state total to 398,262.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (3), Benton (15), Clackamas (62), Clatsop (10), Columbia (11), Coos (24), Crook (13), Deschutes (75), Douglas (57), Gilliam (1), Harney (5), Hood River (4), Jackson (57), Jefferson (6), Josephine (25), Klamath (4), Lake (1), Lane (68), Lincoln (8), Linn (42), Malheur (6), Marion (76), Morrow (5), Multnomah (114), Polk (23), Tillamook (8), Umatilla (14), Union (10), Wasco (5), Washington (84), Wheeler (4), and Yamhill (21).
The weekly COVID report from the Oregon Health Authority showed daily cases, hospitalizations and deaths all dropped in the week ending December 5. And the lowest overall incidence of COVID is in the 5 counties where vaccination rates are above 70%.
The 7-day running average of vaccination doses administered each day rose to 22,436 in the Wednesday report.
Today, OHA reported that 27,101 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry Dec. 7. Of that total, 1,740 were initial doses, 1,972 were second doses and 8,110 were third doses and booster doses. The remaining 15,224 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry Dec. 7.
Those who died ranged in age from 47 to 96 and died between October and early December.
Hospital beds continue to be near capacity. Only 6% of adult non-ICU beds are available, while 9% of adult ICU beds are open.
More Than 80 Earthquakes Strike Off Oregon Coast in Last 2 Days- Still No Tsunamis Expected
Dozens of earthquakes above magnitude 5.0 struck about 200-250 miles west of Newport on Tuesday and are still happening into this morning 12/8. The quakes hit roughly 200 to 250 miles off the coast of Newport.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is reporting dozens of small-to-moderate earthquakes that started yesterday (December 7, 2021) and continued through this morning, off the coast of the U.S. state of Oregon. The largest reached magnitude 5.8, according to USGS. Earthquakes in the ocean sometimes cause tsunamis. But no tsunamis were ever expected from these earthquakes, and none are expected at this writing. At least nine tremors reached a magnitude 5.0 to 5.8.
The earthquakes occurred more than six miles below the surface of the water, none of them were felt on land and no tsunamis were expected, according to the National Weather Service and the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network.
Earthquakes often happen in a series, although it’s unusual to see so many earthquakes (at least 40 by my count) as in this series. They’re of special interest because they’re happening off the coast of a heavily populated region. We often see a dozen or so foreshocks and aftershocks around a primary earthquake. The small-to-moderate quakes off the Oregon coast on December 7-8, 2021, can be considered foreshocks and aftershocks of each other. The terms are relative. It’ll be easiest to sort out which are foreshocks and which are aftershocks (and which are both) once the earthquake series has stopped.
The United States Geological Service (USGS) latest earthquake map shows all earthquakes 2.5 magnitude and above over the last 24 hours.
Earthquakes are relatively common off the coast of Oregon, a reminder of the state’s close proximity to moving fault lines. The Juan de Fuca plate off the coast is building up pressure and subsiding under the North American plate and has not produced a major earthquake in more than 300 years. Scientists predict a 37% chance of a 7.1 magnitude earthquake or higher in the Cascadia Subduction Zone in the next 50 years, likely to trigger a major tsunami and potentially devastate many parts of the Northwest.
ShakeAlert, an early earthquake warning system, launched in Oregon earlier this year. The system is made up of a network of sensors that shares information about the magnitude, location and expected shaking from earthquakes on the West Coast.
The last earthquake as of this writing took place at 5:15 am this morning, December 9. It was a 3.5-magnitude quake. So it’s unknown yet how many more earthquakes might occur in the Pacific, off the Oregon coast, today.
Marketplace financial help makes health coverage more affordable for thousands of Oregonians: Dec. 15, 2021 deadline looming for health coverage to begin Jan. 1, 2022
Oregonians who are currently uninsured or are looking for better health insurance rates should visit OregonHealthCare.gov/WindowShop to preview plans and savings available to them. Most people who visit the Marketplace are surprised to see how much they can save on their monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. But time is running out to get coverage starting Jan. 1, 2022: you must enroll by Dec. 15, 2021.
People who have checked out the Marketplace in the past should explore their options again. The Marketplace has seen a significant increase in financial help for Oregonians:
- 2021 brought a 46 percent reduction in average monthly premium for Marketplace-enrolled Oregonians after financial help.
- Extra savings brought the average monthly premium down to just $84 per month due to expansion of eligibility for financial help from the American Rescue Plan.
- Lower-income Oregonians who are just barely ineligible for the Oregon Health Plan may get coverage for as low as $1 per month with no-cost preventive health care included and significantly reduced out-of-pocket costs on Silver plans.
Wading through health coverage options can be difficult. Health coverage experts throughout the state are available to help with applying for financial assistance and choosing private plans. Oregonians can find a local expert to help enroll in health coverage at OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp.
Not sure if you qualify for Oregon Health Plan benefits or coverage through the Marketplace? Curious about the plans and savings available to you? Visit OregonHealthCare.gov/WindowShop to get a quick snapshot of your eligibility.
Though this year’s open enrollment deadline is Jan. 15, 2022, people who want their health coverage to start Jan. 1, 2022, must sign up by Dec. 15, 2021. Even if people are temporarily uninsured, they can sign up for help by the Jan. 15 deadline to get health insurance for next year. To apply, go to OregonHealthCare.gov before Jan. 15, 2022, and answer a few questions to get to the right application or search the directory of health coverage experts by selecting “Get Help” on the site. Health coverage experts are licensed insurance agents and community partners who provide local, one-on-one assistance at no charge to the client. This help is available virtually and over the phone, and in person following COVID-19 safety protocols.
The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, a part of state government, helps people get health insurance when they do not have job-based coverage, and do not qualify for the Oregon Health Plan or another program. The Marketplace is the state-level partner to HealthCare.gov. For more information, go to OregonHealthCare.gov.
Dec. 8 Oregon Employment Department Media Statement
Economic update
On Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported the U.S. added 210,000 jobs in November. The unemployment rate dropped to 4.2%. Employment in transportation and warehousing rose by 50,000 in November, increasing by 210,000 jobs more than its February 2020 level. This number reflects more deliveries to doors during the pandemic and a seasonal bump of package deliveries during the holidays.
At the same time, brick-and-mortar stores lost jobs in November. Retail trade declined by 20,000 over the month. Much of those losses occurred in general merchandise and clothing stores.
U.S. health care saw little in the way of job growth again in November. Overall, the sector added 2,000 jobs. Recent differences in job growth continued in different parts of the industry. Doctors’ and specialists’ offices added 17,000 jobs in November, while nursing and residential care facilities lost 11,000.
The nation’s hotels, restaurants, and bars also had relatively small job gains in November (+23,000). The leisure and hospitality sector has seen large gains this year though, with more than 2.4 million jobs added so far in 2021.
Today the BLS also released new data on job openings and worker movements nationwide. On the last business day of October, there were 11.0 million job openings. That was up from 10.6 million in September, but just shy of the record 11.1 million in July.
Layoffs remained near record lows, meaning employers hung onto the workers they already had on the job. About 4.2 million workers, or 2.8% of the workforce, quit their jobs in October. Workers at hotels, restaurants, and bars quit at more than twice the overall rate (6.0%).
Pandemic rule for earnings cap ending
Starting the week ending Jan. 8, if a person claims a week of benefits, they may see a lower amount if they are working part-time and receiving benefits.
During the height of the pandemic, the Legislature passed HB3178 that currently allows people to earn up to $300 a week and still receive unemployment insurance benefits. This helped more people continue receiving unemployment while working part-time. However, this temporary legislation expires at the end of the year.
Starting in January, the income limit will be either:
- One-third of the claimant’s weekly benefit amount; or
- Ten times the current minimum wage—which is now $14 per hour, so this would be $140.
This means a person’s unemployment insurance benefit amount will be reduced if they report earnings over those income limits. If a person earns more than their weekly benefit amount for a claimed week, they would not be eligible for that week of benefits.
The Employment Department wants to remind people that they must report all work and earnings for the week claimed, whether they have been paid for the week yet or not.
Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance program invites public comment on new rules
As a reminder, the first batch of PFMLI administrative rules is in the public hearing stage. These 35 proposed rules relate specifically to wages, contributions, employer size, assistance grants, self-employed people and the PFLMI program’s outreach plan.
The second hearing is scheduled for 4 – 6 p.m., Thurs., Dec. 9. The public can register to attend this public hearing or submit feedback to ules@employ.oregon.gov“>OED_Rules@employ.oregon.gov. The first batch of PFLMI’s administrative rules can be reviewed at the OED website.
The PFMLI Rulemaking Advisory Committee met twice this month to discuss the second batch of PFMLI’s draft administrative rules, which relate specifically to equivalent plans. Businesses have the option to develop their own equivalent plan instead of participating in the Oregon state PFMLI program.
PFMLI Rulemaking Advisory Committee meetings are one of many opportunities the public has to provide comments on draft rules before they enter into the formal rulemaking process. The drafts of the second batch of PFMLI’s administrative rules can be reviewed at the OED website.
Federal shut down
Turning to the federal government, it is projected that the federal debt limit will be reached by Wed., Dec. 15; however, federally the House and Senate are working on raising the debt limit.
The employment department continues to closely watch for any Congressional action before midnight on Dec. 15 that will help us continue operations with federal funds.
WorkSource Oregon
As Oregon continues experiencing record low unemployment, the Oregon Employment Department and its WorkSource Oregon partners remain committed to helping all workers find good jobs and employers find talented employees. Here are some of the upcoming job fairs and employer meet and greets through WorkSource Oregon centers.
- An Intel Virtual Hiring event is scheduled for 9 a.m. – noon on Thurs., Dec. 9.
- Meet the Employer events are scheduled in Salem on Wed., Dec. 8 and Thurs., Dec. 9.
- A job fair with interviews conducted on-site is scheduled from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sat., Dec. 11 at the Portland VA Medical Center.
Last Week’s Statistics
Last week, the Employment Department paid more than $17.5 million in benefits to more than 27,400 Oregonians.
From Monday, Nov. 29, to Friday, Dec. 3, the Employment Department answered more than 98% of calls in 15 minutes or less. Of all calls, 94% were answered within five minutes. More than 96% of Contact Us inquiries were resolved in seven days or less.
Equal Opportunity program — auxiliary aids and services available upon request at no cost to individuals with disabilities. Contact: 971-673-6400. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, call 711 Telecommunications Relay Services.
US Senator Ron Wyden on Tuesday called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the increasing consolidation of Oregon’s retail pharmacy market
In a letter to FTC Chair Lina Khan, Wyden referenced the recent purchase of Bi-Mart’s chain of pharmacies by Walgreens, impacting 56 pharmacies across the Northwest, including 37 in Oregon.
While the sale allowed for pharmacies within Bi-Mart stores to continue under the Walgreens brand if there were no other nearby locations, the majority of Bi-Mart pharmacies were simply shuttered with their patients transferred to the nearest Walgreens location.
At the same time, staffing shortages at many Walgreens pharmacies have resulted in reduced hours and longer wait times. Wyden’s letter also took aim at a practice called “direct and indirect remuneration,” which he characterized
as a form of retrospective fees leveled against pharmacies by pharmaceutical benefit managers (PBMs), and which has been cited as a major challenge to the finances of pharmacies and asking the federal agency to find out whether national pharmacy chains and health plans have acted to make the market less competitive.
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