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, December 27, 2021
Rogue Valley Weather
- Winter Weather Advisory in effect from December 27, 10:00 PM PST until December 28, 10:00 AM PST
- Winter Weather Advisory until December 27, 10:00 AM PST
Today– Snow showers likely before 10am, then a slight chance of snow after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33. Light and variable wind becoming northwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Tuesday– Snow likely, mainly before 10am. Cloudy, with a high near 35. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Wednesday– A chance of snow before 1pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow. Patchy fog before 1pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Thursday– A 40 percent chance of snow after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Friday– A chance of rain and snow before 7am, then a chance of snow between 7am and 1pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37.
The Pacific Northwest was hit with a major winter storm with snow falling along the coast, and frigid temperatures are expected through the first part of this week. As of early Sunday afternoon, 5.8 inches of snow was officially recorded at the Klamath Falls airport, with several more inches in outlying areas, and more on the way.
Temperatures are expected to plummet into the single digits early this week. Medford saw snow, with
Eugene receiving several inches and Roseburg had nearly six inches of the white stuff. Coos Bay Florence, Newport, and Astoria also received measurable amounts of snow, a rarity anytime of the year.
The Pacific Northwest will now see temperatures plunge. Arctic air dominates the first part of the week, giving us the coldest temperatures we’ve seen in almost 30 years in western Oregon, Eastern Oregon temps will also continue to plunge, but likely won’t match the below zero temperatures from a few years ago.
Snow and Power Outages
The winter storm plaguing Southern Oregon and the rest of the state is now making an impact of people’s utilities. Around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Pacific Power reported that more than 6,500 customers were without power.
A large majority of those power outages are happening in Douglas County near Roseburg. But further south in Josephine County, roughly a thousand customers are without power due to the winter storm. The latest report is that electrical wires are down near the 8000 block of Caves Highway in Cave Junction where the majority of customers are being impacted.
Pacific Power says other outages can happen with the high winds and unpredictability left with the remaining remnants of the storm, and customers region wide should be aware.
The Rogue Valley International Airport has been dealing with canceled and delayed flights over the holiday weekend.
It’s largely because of omicron related covid callouts from airline employees and the inclement weather hitting much of the West Coast. The Rogue Valley International’s website indicates that at least 5 flights have been canceled on Sunday and many more have been delayed.
Across the country, airlines canceled hundreds more flights today because of staffing shortages tied to COVID-19 as the nation’s travel woes extended beyond Christmas. There was no clear indication when normal schedules would resume.
More than 700 flights entering, leaving or flying within the U.S. were called off. That’s according to the flight-tracking website FlightAware. That figure was down from nearly 1,000 on Saturday. More than 50 flights were already canceled for Monday. Delta, United and JetBlue have blamed the omicron variant of the coronavirus for causing illness among many employees.
Expect Winter Driving Conditions in Southern Oregon
Travelers in southwest Oregon should expect snowy roads and winter conditions today as winter weather continues to affect the region. Plan ahead, take extra time, and expect delays throughout the day.
Roads in high elevation areas may be covered in packed snow and ice. OR 62, 138 and 230 are especially treacherous. Travel on these roads or other high cascades areas is not advised; use alternate routes. Sno-Parks in the Crater Lake and Diamond Lake area are still inaccessible.
Chains are still required through several high elevation areas. Chain requirements can change throughout the day, depending on conditions. Check Tripcheck.com for the latest information, and make sure you chain up in designated areas on road shoulders only.
State buildings in Jackson, Josephine and Douglas counties will open at 10 a.m. today. This does not apply to Reedsport, and this announcement does not cover courts or legislative offices.
As always, use Tripcheck.com to see traffic, closures, live road cameras, and other important winter driving information. ODOT: SW Oregon
No Warming Shelters in Grants Pass
As intense winter weather hits the Rogue Valley with snow and freezing temperatures predicted through the new year, Grants Pass’ homeless residents are without any warming shelters.
The city does not have an emergency warming shelter set up nor are there any low-barrier shelter options available, besides a 17-bed tiny home village that is currently accepting applications for its waitlist.
The city no longer cites its homeless residents who are camping but does enforce a 24-hour move along policy that was allowed through a court injunction. The policy enables the city’s police department to post 72-hour notices to vacate if they have been camped for longer than 24 hours.
Grants Pass Police chief, Jim Hamilton, said that the department has not put their enforcement policy on hold during the holidays or because of the storm. However, he said the department had not served any 72-hour notices today.
The city has been trying to arrange a warming shelter and an urban campground with tents and pallet shelters similar to the ones in Medford and Ashland, but each time they get close to securing a location, neighborhood backlash stops the project from moving forward.
Trail Teenager Found Dead of Gunshot Wound
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) has reported a 17-year-old male is deceased due to an apparent gunshot wound.
On Sunday evening, JCSO deputies responded to a report of shots fired on the 600 block of Netherlands Road in Trail.
Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit (MADIU) has been called out to investigate. JCSO is the lead. The investigation is ongoing and will be updated when new information becomes available.
Recreational Vehicle Fire – 1700 Block of SE Mill Street – 12-26-21
At 11:07 a.m. on December 26, 2021, Roseburg Fire Department personnel responded to a reported recreational vehicle on fire in the 1700 block of SE Mill Street. The reporting party notified Douglas County Dispatch that a motorhome was on fire across from 1729 SE Mill Street.
Upon arrival on scene, firefighters found a fully involved motorhome on fire in the 1700 block of SE Mill Street with the occupant outside of the vehicle. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and completed overhaul. The motorhome was a total loss due to fire, smoke, and water damage. One adult resident was displaced. The occupant of the vehicle sustained burn injuries and smoke inhalation but refused medical treatment and transport.
The fire was initiated by the vehicle occupant lighting a gas stove when a small fire flashed, then igniting some nearby papers. Nine firefighters assisted with firefighting operations. Other agencies assisting with the fire included Douglas County Fire District #2, Umpqua Valley Ambulance, and Roseburg Police Department.
For the latest information regarding the City of Roseburg Fire Department, please visit our website at www.cityofroseburg.org or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/roseburgfire.
Oregon reports 1,350 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 8 new deaths
There are eight new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 5,598. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported 1,350 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 bringing the state total to 410,565.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (3), Benton (24), Clackamas (114), Clatsop (9), Columbia (19), Coos (17), Crook (5), Curry (3), Deschutes (106), Douglas (27), Gilliam (1), Harney (1), Hood River (6), Jackson (104), Jefferson (5), Josephine (35), Klamath (10), Lake (1), Lane (76), Lincoln (2), Linn (43), Malheur (7), Marion (109), Morrow (7), Multnomah (345), Polk (28), Sherman (1), Tillamook (6), Umatilla (25), Union (7), Wallowa (3), Wasco (3), Washington (164) and Yamhill (34).
OHA — By getting vaccinated and a booster as soon as we’re eligible, wearing a mask and keeping indoor gatherings small, we can blunt #Omicron’s surge and keep thousands of Oregonians from going into the hospital.We’ve recently added new high-volume vaccination sites across the state offering all three COVID-19 vaccines, boosters and pediatric doses. These sites are free and no appointment is necessary. To learn more and to find a site near you, visit our blog: https://covidblog.oregon.gov/looking-for-a-covid-19…/You can also visit getvaccinated.oregon.gov to find a COVID-19 vaccine near you, or contact your health care provider.
Oregon is Officially in a State of Emergency for Severe Winter Weather
Governor Kate Brown declared a state of emergency Friday because, severe weather is expected to bring heavy snow and sustained temperatures below freezing, resulting in critical transportation failures and disruptions to power and communications infrastructure.
Brown issued the declaration Thursday night to start immediately, and last through January 3 due to projected severe winter weather across the state. Brown cited “potential threat to life, safety, property, and significant damage to infrastructure exists due to severe winter weather across Oregon.
The National Weather Service has issued multiple winter storm watches, warnings, and winter weather advisories throughout our state.” The Governor’s declaration authorizes the Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to activate state resources, and to utilize personnel, equipment, and facilities from other state agencies in order to respond to or mitigate the effects of the weather emergency. In addition, the Oregon National Guard, Oregon State Police, Oregon Department of Transportation, Oregon Department of Human Services, and the Oregon Public Utility Commission and other state agencies are directed to provide any assistance as requested by OEM that is deemed necessary to assist in the response.
Turbulent Weather Stretched from San Diego to Seattle
In northern California, the storm caused whiteout conditions and closed key highways amid blowing snow in mountains of Northern California and Nevada, with forecasters warning that travel in the Sierra Nevada could be difficult for several days.
Travelers trying to return to Oregon via US395 were snowbound Sunday afternoon, as the highway was shut down a few miles outside of Reno. Authorities near Reno said three people were injured in a 20-car pileup on Interstate 395, where drivers described limited visibility on Sunday.
Further west, a 70-mile (112-kilometer) stretch of Interstate 80 was shut until at least Monday from Colfax, California, through the Lake Tahoe region to the Nevada state line. The California Department of Transportation also closed many other roads while warning of slippery conditions for motorists. The Donner Pass was said to have avalanche conditions and was not going to be open for a minimum of 24 hours.
Schools Use Covid Funds With Little Oversight
Since March 2020, Oregon has been allocated $1.7 billion in emergency relief funding from the federal government to get students back in classrooms, and to get them caught up on their education after school closures.
In some Oregon school districts, turf fields and lawn mowers were necessities to overcome the pandemic and get schools reopened.
Others used emergency relief money to retrofit buildings with ventilation systems, add laptop computers for students and pay for online teaching.
But the state still holds more than $1 billion meant to help school districts address pandemic-related issues.
Now, more than a year later, most of that money remains unspent.
School districts so far have been reimbursed for about $222 million in emergency relief projects, according to the Oregon Education Department. That means just under 8% of all dollars have made it back to districts.
The bulk of that money has gone to staff, technology and capital projects – getting kids laptops and wifi, upgrading ventilation systems and adding more classrooms to encourage social distancing.
But emergency purchases also included weight room equipment, bleachers and playgrounds.
Districts must spend at least $201 million of Oregon’s latest relief money to combat learning loss over the next three years, but data from the Education Department show that less than 1% has been distributed so far for that purpose.
The reasons behind what districts are buying, and when, are complex, but they have broad latitude in using the extra money.
The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund was signed into federal law in March 2020 as school buildings in many states were closing and classes shifted online.
The first round of money was ready to go out to states immediately for buying personal protective equipment for staff and students who had to remain in school buildings, and to help schools pay for the transition to online learning. That included laptops for students, new online teaching software, network security upgrades and internet hotspots for families that otherwise had no internet access.
It also paid for more teachers, substitute teachers, counselors and support staff.
The money was awarded from the federal government to the state Education Department, which reimburses districts for their purchases. Purchases over $5,000 must have prior approval from the department.
Oregon’s share of funds in that first round was $121 million.
Most of the state’s 216 school and education service districts have claimed some portion of the funds and to date, more than $100 million of that first round funding has been spent.
The second and third rounds of funding came in December 2020 and March 2021. Oregon was allocated $499 million in the second round to spend on getting schools ready to reopen.
In the third round, the state was allocated $1.1 billion.
It was additional money for school reopening that came with a new federal mandate – school districts had to spend at least 20% on combating learning losses. Schools have until 2024 to spend the latest round of money.
Of the $1.1 billion available to Oregon districts in the third round, about $18 million has been distributed so far, according to the state Education Department. That has gone to paying for summer school programs, salaries, payroll costs, retirement costs and technology and supplies.
Districts are allowed to use the relief funds to pay for new teachers, and boost pay for current employees for taking on additional work during the pandemic and to retain them.
Of the $202 million set aside to help students catch up on their education, about $1.4 million – less than .05% – has been distributed so far, according to the Education Department.
Cynthia Stinson is senior manager of federal investments and pandemic renewal at the state Education Department. She said timing is the issue with the relatively slow payout for extra learning programs.
She said most schools haven’t had to draw on the emergency funds yet to pay for tutoring, counseling, afterschool and remediation programs. Many only just recently submitted budgets to meet an October deadline set by the federal government, and some are taking a long-range approach with the money, having been given three years to spend it.
In an email, Marc Siegel, communications director at the Education Department wrote, “It is important to note that the three relief acts came in very short succession.”
Siegel said many districts are still spending previous rounds of money and added, “We are only a little over three months into the school year.”
But Oregon schools have not wasted much time getting capital projects funded, some of which include renovating running tracks, getting weight training equipment and upgrading playgrounds.
A 17-year-old was reported missing in Salem and detectives say the teen might be the victim of an online catfishing scheme.
Ezra Mayhugh, 17, was last seen on October 15, 2021 after being dropped off in downtown Salem by a friend, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said. He was reported as a runaway the following day when he did not return home.
Investigators say he might be in Washington or California. They hope to reunite Ezra safely with family members.
He’s described as about 5-foot 11-inches tall, weighing 130 pounds, with blonde hair and brown eyes.
If you have had contact with Mayhugh since October 15 or have other helpful information on his whereabouts, the sheriff’s office asks you to contact Detective M.J. Sphoon at 503-588-6808 or to submit a tip by texting TIPMCSO and your tip to 847411.
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