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
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Rogue Valley Weather
Today– Partly sunny, with a high near 38. Calm wind.
Wednesday– Snow showers before 10am, then rain and snow showers between 10am and 1pm, then rain after 1pm. Snow level rising to 2000 feet in the afternoon. High near 39. South wind 6 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Thursday– Showers likely, mainly before 10am. Snow level 3200 feet. Cloudy, with a high near 40. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday– Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39.
Saturday– Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 43.
Expect Winter Driving Conditions in Southern Oregon
MEDFORD — Worsening winter driving conditions are forecast throughout the day in southern Oregon, especially on Interstate 5 and the Cascade mountain passes.
Snow is sticking on the Interstate 5 passes north of Grants Pass, as well as U.S. 199 Hayes Hill. More snow is expected later today on I-5 Siskiyou Summit.
Drivers are urged to drive to the conditions: slow down, leave plenty of following distance and factor extra time to get to their destinations. Conditions may warrant chain screening and delays so factor in extra travel time in your travels.
Stay in the know by using Tripcheck.com and QuickMap in California. — ODOT: SW Oregon
More winter driving tips: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/pages/winter-driving.aspx
Medford Man Arrested for Numerous Sex Crimes, Detectives Believe There May Be Other Victims
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies arrested a Medford man Friday morning after serving a search warrant at his residence on the 3900 block of West Main Street. Emilio Castillejos-Lopez, 46, of Medford is lodged in the Jackson County jail on 12 sex crime charges.
On November 24, 2021, JCSO deputies responded to a report of a sexual assault in the Medford area. After the initial report, detectives identified a previous possible victim. Upon further investigation it was determined that there was probable cause to arrest Castillejos-Lopez for numerous sex crimes including rape, sex abuse, sodomy, and luring a minor.
Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force assisted with the search warrant and will forensically examine digital devices seized for further evidence of sex crimes. Castillejos-Lopez has been charged with four counts of first-degree sexual abuse, two counts of second-degree sexual abuse, second-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, two counts of second-degree sodomy, second-degree sexual penetration, and luring a minor. Bail is set at $2,272,500.
Based on information gathered in the investigations, detectives believe Castillejos-Lopez may have other victims. Anyone with information can call Detective Tobias at (541) 774-6800 and reference case 21-6210. The case is still under investigation. Jackson Co. Sheriff’s Office
Convicted Pedophile From Grants Pass Dies In State Custody
A convicted pedophile from Grants Pass died in state custody while serving his prison sentence, the Oregon Department of Corrections reported on Monday.
50-year-old Lloyd Brian Jones died Monday morning. He’d been serving time at Two Rivers Correctional Institution (TRCI) in Umatilla and died at a local hospital, DOC said.
Jones was handed over to state custody on December 29, 2016, from Josephine County. His earliest release date was January 22 of 2025. According to court documents, Jones pleaded “no contest” to five counts in October of 2016, with all of the charges related to the abuse and sexual exploitation of several children. He’d been arrested just a few months earlier, in April.
Oregon reports 1,387 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 39 new deaths
There are 39 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 5,420, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported at 12:01 a.m. today.
OHA reported 1,387 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 401,564.
The 39 new deaths and 1,387 new cases reported today include data recorded by counties for the three-day period between Dec. 10 and Dec. 12.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (10), Benton (20), Clackamas (138), Clatsop (14), Columbia (39), Coos (46), Crook (5), Deschutes (101), Douglas (46), Gilliam (1), Grant (1), Hood River (3), Jackson (71), Jefferson (15), Josephine (55), Klamath (4), Lake (1), Lane (108), Lincoln (20), Linn (81), Malheur (2), Marion (89), Morrow (2), Multnomah (218), Polk (15), Tillamook (28), Umatilla (8), Union (4), Wasco (7), Washington (190), Wheeler (1) and Yamhill (44).
Oregon confirms three Omicron-variant cases of COVID-19
PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon’s first three cases of Omicron-variant COVID-19 have been confirmed in Washington and Multnomah counties. Oregon Health & Science University Laboratory conducted the sequencing that detected the variant Dec. 13. The samples the laboratory tested were from:
- A Multnomah County resident in their 20s, tested on Dec. 7, who was fully vaccinated. The individual traveled internationally to Canada prior to symptom onset. Additional details on the condition of the individual are not yet available.
- A Washington County resident in their 20s, tested on Dec. 9, who was fully vaccinated. Additional details on the condition of the individual are not yet available.
- A Washington County resident in their 30s, tested on Dec. 9, who was fully vaccinated. The individual traveled internationally to Mexico prior to symptom onset. Additional details on the condition of the individual are not yet available.
“On Dec. 1, when the first case was reported in the United States, we shared that it was a matter of ‘when,’ not ‘if,’ the Omicron variant of COVID-19 would be detected in Oregon,” said Dean E. Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., health officer and state epidemiologist at Oregon Health Authority.
“We recognize this news is concerning to many people. However, if history is our guide, we do know that even if a vaccine doesn’t target a specific variant, the strong immune response you get from being fully vaccinated can still be highly protective against severe disease from all COVID-19 variants,” he said.
“It was only a matter of time before we identified the first case of the Omicron variant in Oregon,” said Governor Kate Brown. “As we continue to learn more about this new variant, we know the measures that are most effective in helping to keep ourselves and our families safe from Omicron, Delta, and other COVID-19 variants: get vaccinated, get your booster, and wear a mask. That’s the key to saving lives and keeping our businesses, schools, and communities open. If you aren’t yet vaccinated or need a booster dose, get an appointment or find a walk-in vaccine clinic in your area today.”
Sidelinger said OHA and its laboratory partners will continue to monitor the spread of Omicron in Oregon with robust individual-level and community-level variant surveillance.
“As part of Oregon Health & Science University’s ongoing SARS-CoV-2 testing efforts, OHSU genomic sequencing has confirmed Oregon’s first three cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant. OHSU PCR analysis initially flagged three samples as potential cases late last week after PCR analysis showed they had a feature known as the S-gene dropout. While not specific for the variant, the S-gene dropout is a potential indicator. Full genomic sequencing was completed this afternoon and confirmed the cases involve the Omicron variant,” said Donna Hansel, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the OHSU Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, which detected the three cases.
Oregon ranks 11th nationwide in the proportion of all specimens sequenced during the pandemic. Those efforts include sequencing of positive COVID-19 specimens at the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory, through academic laboratories, including those at Oregon Health & Science University and University of Oregon, and at several commercial laboratories statewide; and sequencing of wastewater samples in more than 40 communities statewide through a collaboration with Oregon State University’s TRACE program.
Sidelinger added that “it can’t be emphasized enough that vaccination remains the best protection against COVID-19 infection and transmission, including most circulating variants,” along with other protective measures, including wearing masks indoors and in crowded outdoor settings, physically distancing from others, washing hands regularly and staying home when sick.
Here is a video of Dr. Sidelinger discussing the cases.
The Conquer Covid in Klamath campaign announces its winner for the week.
Brittany Kostecka of Klamath Falls won Christmas Clothing and Boots for the entire family. Brittany 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 they will pay your electric bill for one year up to $2500. 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. conquercovidinklamath.com
Oregon Lawmakers Pass Rental Assistance In Special Session
Oregon adds additional $100 million for rental assistance, other state funding to support renters and landlords impacted by the pandemic
Once signed by the Governor, tenants who have or will apply for rental assistance before June 30, 2022 cannot be evicted for nonpayment of rent until their application is processed; Protections end on Sept. 30, 2022
Monday the Oregon State Legislature in a special session passed SB 5561 (2nd Special Session of 2021) that adds an additional $100 million in state funding to the federal Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program (OERAP) to help tenants and landlords in need. The Legislature also passed SB 891 (2nd Special Session of 2021) to ensure tenants who apply for rental assistance before June 30, 2022 cannot be evicted until their application is processed. The protections end on Sept. 30, 2022. The legislation is now with Governor Brown for her signature.
Following is a statement from Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) Executive Director Margaret Salazar:
“We are deeply appreciative that the Oregon State Legislature and Governor Brown came together to provide more time and protection for renters to get the rental assistance they need during this critical time. We know eviction risk is real for too many families. As renters testified to over the weekend, the looming fear of eviction is devastating. The anxiety of a 60-day clock hanging over the heads of tenants in need has taken a toll.”
“We are also grateful that additional state funds will go toward OERAP assistance while the state awaits the potential for additional federal funding. Together with our local program partners and our vendor Public Partnerships (PPL), we are quickly processing as many applications as possible so that landlords can be made whole, and tenants can remain safely and affordably housed.”
It’s been eight months since the launch of the federal OERAP, and as of this week, more than $181 million has been paid to more than 26,000 households. OERAP continues to be one of the nation’s leading programs. As of today, Oregon is ranked 4th in the nation, up from 6th in the nation last week, in the percentage of ERA funds paid out and obligated, as tracked by the National Low Income Housing Coalition. In the past 11 months, OHCS has distributed more than $381 million in emergency rental assistance––more than every year in the prior decade combined.
Highlights from the legislation that will impact tenants and landlords include:
- Renters who fall behind on current or future rent now have until June 30, 2022 to apply for OERAP to access the safe harbor period ending on Sept. 30, 2022. If they apply before June 30, they cannot be evicted before their application is processed. Renters must show their landlord they have applied for the program to receive the protections.
- The new legislation overrides previous “safe harbor” periods passed by the Oregon State Legislature (60 days statewide) and some local jurisdictions (90 days in Multnomah County, unincorporated Washington County and Lane County).
- An additional $100 million in state funds will be added to OERAP, which had previously been funded solely by federal funds. The state is working to secure additional federal funds from the U.S. Treasury, but the timeline is unclear.
- OHCS will notify landlords if an application is approved or denied.
- Landlords will have access to compensation if a tenant is denied rental assistance after using the safe harbor protections through the Landlord Guarantee Program, which will receive $10 million from SB 5561.
- The Legislature also allocated $100 million for eviction prevention efforts in the immediate and intermediate term.
OHCS continues quickly processing OERAP applications with program administrators (LPAs) and its vendor Public Partnerships LLC (PPL) during the new application pause. OHCS continues quickly processing OERAP applications with program administrators (LPAs) and its vendor Public Partnerships LLC (PPL) during the new application pause. The state updates progress on applications at least once a week here.
Fact Sheets Sen. Kayse Jama fact sheet (Details of funding proposal subject to change)
Legislature approves $18 million funding package for refugee resettlement and support
- Oregon has committed to resettling 1,200 Afghan arrivals, but existing federal funding does not provide adequate support for these efforts.
- The Oregon Legislature has approved $18 million in funding to support emergency and ongoing refugee resettlement activities.
- The funding package addresses gaps in federal funding that would have made it difficult for the state to meet immediate resettlement needs of Afghan arrivals.
(Salem) – During the December special session, the Oregon Legislature approved $18 million in funding for Afghan refugee resettlement efforts. This funding will help provide Afghan individuals and families resettling in Oregon with housing, education, legal aid, job training and other culturally responsive services.
The Oregon Department of Human Services’ (ODHS) Refugee Program administers federally funded cash and medical supports to refugees and individuals with eligible immigration statuses, and contracts with Resettlement Agencies (RAs) to provide initial resettlement services.
The United States is currently coordinating the relocation of more than 70,000 people following their evacuation from Afghanistan. Afghan families began arriving in Oregon this fall, and the number of arrivals will increase in the coming months. Oregon has committed to resettling 1,200 Afghan arrivals, but existing federal funding does not provide adequate support for these efforts. This newly approved funding will address critical resource gaps in the state’s resettlement plan.
Refugee resettlement activities declined during the previous administration due to lower annual refugee admissions, which in turn prompted a drawback of resources. The Biden Administration has since increased the number of refugees permitted to enter the United States, but funding and capacity have remained major issues. Senator Kayse Jama (D-Portland) and Representative Khanh Pham (D-Portland) have called for a compassionate response to evacuated Afghan allies, urging the state to address the gaps and create a strong foundation for refugees’ future in Oregon.
“We know that Afghan families and individuals coming to Oregon have experienced trauma,” said ODHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht. “We must be mindful that Afghan arrivals have left behind friends, family, cherished homes and established businesses to start a new life. They will become our neighbors, coworkers and productive members of our communities. We owe it to them to make their first days, weeks and months in Oregon as stress-free as possible, connecting them to quality and easy-to-navigate resources, from meals to jobs supports to connections with faith-based organizations.”
The approved $18 million in funding will enable the department to meet the immediate needs of Afghan arrivals while building back much-needed refugee resettlement infrastructure to accommodate the increase in arrivals from around the world. Funding includes allocations for the following:
- Short-term housing and food assistance
- Long-term housing assistance
- Case management and community-based outreach and support
- Legal services to seek permanent immigration status
“The state of Oregon has really stepped up to meet the needs of individuals and families from Afghanistan,” said Claire Seguin, deputy director of ODHS Self-Sufficiency Programs and the state’s refugee coordinator. “We began this year with three partner resettlement agencies, and now we have five. The level of commitment and the outpouring of community support has been astounding, in addition to the refugee support network that already existed. This funding, paired with so much thoughtful planning, allows us to channel that commitment into real supports for Afghan arrivals.”
The state’s Refugee Program assists refugees and individuals with qualifying immigration statuses. The program partners with Oregon’s five local refugee resettlement agencies (Catholic Charities, Lutheran Community Services Northwest, Sponsors Organized to Assist Refugees, Salem for Refugees, and the Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization) and other community partners to provide services. Statewide coordination of services and resources is provided by program staff. Learn more at: https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/assistance/refugee/pages/index.aspx
Oregon Farm Bureau helps secure historic state disaster funding package
SALEM, OREGON, Dec. 13, 2021: The Oregon Farm Bureau today helped secure over $75 million in disaster aid from the Oregon Legislature to help producers who were impacted by the 2021 natural disasters. The funding includes $40 million in a direct assistance program for producers who experienced less than average farm income in 2021 due to natural disasters, nearly $14 million for irrigation districts impacted by drought, millions in domestic well assistance, and millions for drought resiliency.
The program also includes $5 million for grasshopper and cricket eradication. The $40 million direct assistance program is structured as a forgivable loan, which will be forgiven if a producer’s revenue losses are demonstrated at the close of the year. The program will work through local lending institutions, so stay tuned for information on how to apply.
“The Oregon Farm Bureau and our partners have been working toward this package since early this summer, and we are grateful that the Legislature was able to secure its passage today,” said Mary Anne Cooper, VP of Government Affairs at the Oregon Farm Bureau. “Relief to producers impacted by this year’s natural disasters cannot come soon enough, and we look forward to working with the Oregon Department of Agriculture to get the direct assistance program up and running. We particularly want to thank the Governor for her diligent pursuit of this natural disaster package, and our advocates in the Legislature for being such strong advocates for its passage. We also want to thank the producers who wrote their legislators, advocated at the legislative hearings, and had their legislators out to see the damage natural disasters have had on their operations. This package would not have happened without their strong advocacy.” Oregon Farm Bureau
Grocery workers in Oregon and Southwest Washington are going on strike.
The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555 says its members voted Saturday to authorize a strike against Fred Meyer and Quality Food Centers. The union says the chains disregard federal labor law, engage in unfair labor practices and have failed to negotiate in good faith with the union. Workers have been fighting for a new contract
since July. The bargaining process is set to resume tomorrow.
A Klamath Falls man will serve more than 37 years in prison after being convicted of multiple sex crimes against minors for more than a decade.
Thomas Grisgby was sentenced Nov. 16 by Judge Marci Adkisson after Grigsby was convicted on two counts
of first-degree sodomy and four counts of first-degree sex abuse. The charges stemmed from Grigsby’s abuse of two juveniles over 11 years, starting in 2006 and continuing until 2017. The Oregon Department of Corrections calculates Grigsby’s earliest possible release date as September 7, 2064.
He will be subject to post-prison supervision for his entire life, Klamath County District Attorney Eve Costello said Monday she was “proud of the team that brought justice for these individuals who were abused and their trust
violated as children.” According to Costello, Detective Labeads Yahwhee of the Klamath Falls Police Department led a professional, detailed initial investigation. CARES provided medical services and expert testimony critical to the prosecution.
Legislature Approves Funding To Combat Illegal Cannabis Operations in Oregon
On Monday, the Oregon State Legislature approved funding to combat illegal cannabis operations in the state.
SB 893 provides $25 million to local law enforcement agencies to address unlawful marijuana cultivation or distribution operations.
Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp said, “It’s clear that law enforcement needs more help to stop these dangerous illegal operations. This package gives our county partners the resources they need to hire the law enforcement and water masters to oversee the huge task they have in front of them”.
Democratic State Senator Jeff Golden said “Illegal cannabis operations in Southern Oregon have been using our limited water supply, abusing local workers, threatening neighbors and negatively impacting businesses run by legal marijuana growers. This is urgent funding we need right now to protect our agriculture industry, a pillar of Oregon’s economy and the Rogue Valley’s quality of life”.
SB 893 passed on unanimous votes in both the Senate and the House. Lawmakers covered a number of other topics in bills passed in Monday’s one-day special session.
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