Rogue Valley News, Monday 1/3 – Law Enforcement Busy in the Rogue Valley Over New Years Weekend, Medford Homicide Investigation Suspect in Custody

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, January 3, 2022

Rogue Valley Weather

Wind Advisory until January 3, 04:00 PM PST

Monday– Rain. Snow level 4400 feet. High near 46. Breezy, with a southwest wind 13 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tuesday– Rain. Snow level 3400 feet rising to 4100 feet in the afternoon. High near 44. South wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday– Rain. High near 49. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Thursday– Rain likely, mainly before 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 49.

Friday– Rain. Cloudy, with a high near 47.

Every area in Western Oregon is currently under some type of weather watch or warning.

The wind is the first problem to deal with. There will be high winds across Western Oregon Sunday night into Monday morning. The rain and possible flooding are the other weather problems we will have to deal with. The rain begins Sunday night and will continue through Tuesday. The rain will be moderate to heavy at times. The more rain we get, the higher the potential for flooding. The more rain we get, the higher the potential for flooding.

Snow will also be a problem, mainly above 2,000ft. Snow accumulations of up to 18 inches with locally higher amounts above 3,000 ft. South winds may gust as high as 65 mph. Higher elevations will see a lot more snow with possibly up to three feet of snow accumulation possible above 3,000ft. The snow level will drop during the day Monday to about 2,000ft or even lower. Traveling through the Cascades will most likely be very dangerous through at least the next few days.

Medford Homicide Investigation Suspect in Custody

The first call involving Smith came in December 31st, 2021 at 12:15 p.m., when he was disorderly at the Chevron gas Station, 2232 Biddle Road. A male, later identified as Smith, was attempting to steal cigarettes and physically harassed the employee before leaving in a black Mazda 4 door. He was with a female, whom we have identified. 

The same vehicle was involved in two reckless driving calls around 12:24 p.m. One caller reported the vehicle had driven into some bushes in the alley near Lincoln Street and 10th Street. The vehicle drove away in a reckless manner and struck a curb near 10th Street and Hamilton Street. The crash caused a wheel to fold underneath the vehicle. At this point, the vehicle was occupied by only one person, believed to be Smith.

Additional callers reported the vehicle being driven into downtown Medford with a heavily damaged wheel. The vehicle finally became disabled at Earhart Street, near Riverside Avenue. 

An additional caller reported the suspect went to a room at the Sis-Q motel. One officer arrived on scene, and as she made her way to the front desk to speak with the manager, the suspect emerged from the office area covered in blood, and fled on foot. The officer caught the suspect after a foot chase, and utilized a taser to take him into custody.

When officers went back to the manager’s office, they found the manager deceased. His wife was also injured from being assaulted. The investigation revealed just minutes prior to the officer arriving, the suspect forced his way into the manager’s office, crawled under the plexi-glass partition and stole money from the register. During the robbery, the suspect assaulted the manager and forced his way into the manager’s living quarters, where he continued to assault the manager and his wife. The manager, Bansi Sahu, died from his injuries. His wife was treated on scene with non life threatening injuries. 

The involved suspect is believed to have been involved in other crimes earlier in the day, which are still under investigation. As a result there are multiple crime scenes. Detectives have taken over the case.

We ask for patience as detectives work through the difference crime scenes. More information will be released as the case unfolds.  Medford Police Dept.

Shooting at Grants Pass AT&T Building

On 01/01/2022 at approximately 0900 hours, Grants Pass Police officers responded to a reported criminal mischief to the AT&T building located at 150 NE Agness Avenue.  When officers arrived on scene, officers located damage to the building to include a broken window. 

Based on the initial investigation, it appeared the damage was consistent with bullets being fired into the building. Detectives and a department crash reconstructionist were called in to assist with the investigation.  After conducting further follow up, it was discovered the building was damaged after subjects shot at the building from nearby residences. With the assistance of witnesses and physical evidence collected at the scene, two individuals, Shawn Schill and Tony Smith were later identified as persons of interest in the case.  

Schill and Smith were contacted, interviewed and later arrested after it was determined they discharged firearms within the city limits. Both Smith and Schill were lodged in the Josephine County Jail for: Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, Reckless Endangering and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.

Due to the complexity of the investigation, Fairview Avenue was closed between Winco and Agness Avenue while investigators canvassed the area and collected evidence.   

The Grants Pass Police handled numerous reports of shots being fired as part of New Years Eve celebrations.  We would like to remind everyone that discharging firearms within the city limits is illegal and can cause injuries and damage to the public. No booking photos will be attached to this press release due to a change in Oregon law which no longer allows agencies to post photos of those arrested in cases like this.  

This case will be sent to the District Attorneys Office for filing of charges and review.  No further details on the case will be released while the case is pending prosecution.  Grants Pass Police Department

Missing Shady Cove Woman Found Safe After Freezing Temperatures Overnight

A missing 21-year-old Shady Cove woman is recovering in a local hospital after being lost in the wilderness in sub-freezing temperatures overnight.

The woman went missing from her residence on Indian Creek Road at 3 a.m. over night. She was attempting to find two of her dogs that went missing during the evening. She brought two of her dogs along to help locate the others but quickly became disoriented. With her dogs by her side, she walked all night long and ended up at a residence on Butte Falls Highway nine hours later.

They were recovered cold and wet, but safe. Fortunately she was wearing weather appropriate clothing but still ended up in a local hospital with hypothermia. Her dogs are doing well and the missing dogs returned to her property today.

Jackson County Search and Rescue (SAR) initiated a call-out for ground teams, all-terrain vehicles, K9, drones, helicopter and fixed wing aircraft to search for the missing woman. Around 25 total SAR personnel joined the search.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind everyone to be safe during these cold and wet winter months.

Grants Pass Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash 12/30/21

On December 30th, 2021, at about 7:01 PM, Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office along with Troopers from the Oregon State Police, Officers from the Grants Pass Police Department, AMR and Grants Pass Fire Department personnel responded to the intersection of Tenth and Hillcrest in Grants Pass for a report of a single vehicle crash.

Once on scene, first responders located a vehicle crashed into the embankment on the north side of the intersection. The vehicle appeared to be traveling northbound on Tenth prior to the crash. The single male occupant was unresponsive and not breathing. Once responders were able to make entry into the vehicle, they were able to confirm the driver was deceased.

The driver was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and speed appeared to be a factor.  Next of kin has been notified.  Josephine Co. Sheriff’s Office

UPDATE: Fatal Traffic Accident on Table Rock Road

On December 31st, 2021 at 7:26 a.m., officers and medical personnel responded to a multiple car crash on the Table Rock Road overpass over Interstate 5. Upon arrival, officers found three vehicles were involved and one vehicle had flipped on its side. The driver of the flipped vehicle was deceased and the remaining involved parties were not injured. The investigation revealed that 45 year old Timothy Harbison of Prospect was traveling southbound on Table Rock Road in his 2000 Ford Ranger when the vehicle lost control and flipped on its side, on the overpass. The vehicle came to rest in the northbound lane and was struck by a vehicle traveling northbound. The secondary accident triggered a crash with a third vehicle. Icy roads were believed to be a contributing factor. Medford Police Dept

Oregon reports 2,948 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 15 new deaths

Friday the Oregon Health Authority announced there are 15 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 5,655. They also reported 2,948 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 bringing the state total to 421,263.

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (4), Benton (61), Clackamas (269), Clatsop (12), Columbia (15), Coos (39), Crook (26), Curry (11), Deschutes (286), Douglas (57), Gilliam (1), Grant (9), Harney (2), Hood River (19), Jackson (185), Jefferson (12), Josephine (48), Klamath (35), Lake (2), Lane (244), Lincoln (37), Linn (75), Malheur (24), Marion (148), Morrow (6), Multnomah (641), Polk (39), Sherman (3), Tillamook (15), Umatilla (121), Union (11), Wallowa (5), Wasco (10), Washington (418) and Yamhill (58).

Amid this alarming increase in cases, Klamath County reported 35 new cases, Jackson 185, Josephine 48 and Lake County reported just 2. The state also reported on COVID hospital beds available in Region 7 which encompasses Klamath County. There are just 6 Adult ICU beds available and 57 non-ICU beds available in the region.

To date, there have been 53,604 COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough cases in Oregon. The average age of all cases is 46. Breakthrough cases have been reported in all 36 counties. Cases of COVID-19 are far more common in unvaccinated people. The report shows that the rate of COVID-19 in unvaccinated people is currently three times higher than in vaccinated people. To date, 4.3% of all vaccine breakthrough cases have been hospitalized and 1.2% have died. The average age of vaccinated people who died was 81.

Two Devastating Fires in Hillsboro Over the Weekend

Authorities say a fire early Sunday in Hillsboro, Oregon, impacted about 20 to 25 businesses. Shortly after 3 a.m., Hillsboro firefighters responded to a commercial blaze inside the Weil Arcade building on East Main Street.

Around 10:55 a.m. the day before, Hillsboro Fire and Rescue responded to the fire on East Main Street near 12th Avenue. A total of 17 people were left without homes after flames damaged three apartment units, according to fire officials. No injuries were reported among the victims.

The downtown fire effected as many as 25 businesses. Within half an hour, Hillsboro Fire and Rescue said the blaze had fully involved the structure. Crews from Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, Cornelius Fire, Forest Grove Fire, Portland Fire and Rescue, and Washington County Police all responded to assist.

Firefighters were working to prevent any extension for several hours. At the firefighting effort’s peak, about 90 firefighters were on the scene.

Around 7:20 a.m., HFR said most of the blaze was knocked down but crews were still extinguishing hot spots and assessing damage.

No injuries have been reported. The cause of the fires ares under investigation.

According to the Hillsboro Water Department, nearby residents may experience some water discoloration and low water pressure as a result of the firefighting efforts. Once the fire is extinguished, residents are advised to run cold water taps for 10 minutes.

Hillsboro Mayor Steve Calloway issued a statement that referenced both fires and said:

“Our hearts go out to the families and all of the Main Street businesses affected by the fires. We and the community are here to support them in their recovery. In both fires, our firefighters did remarkable work. They stopped the apartment fire from spreading to other units. Their efforts to keep the Main Street fire from spreading was flat-out amazing. And it was a team effort with not only Hillsboro Fire & Rescue firefighters, but also our partners from neighboring agencies: Banks, Cornelius, Forest Grove, Gaston, Portland Fire, and Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue.” 

Missing Teens Rescued in Lane County after Writing SOS in the Snow

Two 19-year-old men were rescued Saturday in Lane County by the U.S. Coast Guard after signaling for help by writing an SOS sign in the snow.

The two men went camping near Swastika Mountain southeast of Eugene around Christmas Day and failed to return as expected on Dec. 29, officials said. Officials said the men were reported missing on New Year’s Eve.

Due to heavy snow in the area, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew assisted the Lane County Sheriff’s Department in finding the two men, whose names have not been released.

The helicopter crew also spotted two other people in distress while searching for the two men and reported the location of those individuals to Lane County officials, according to the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard crew was also able to find the two 19-year-olds and they were evacuated via helicopter to the Eugene Airport, officials said. They did not suffer any injuries, according to the Coast Guard.

Coast Guard officials said the men were smart to stay near their car and logging roads and to write, “SOS” in the snow to ensure they could be found easily.

“These young men did a lot of things right to give themselves the best chance of being rescued,” said Lt. Maggie Champin, MH-65 aircraft commander for Sector North Bend. “By writing ‘SOS’ in the snow, staying near their vehicle and staying near logging roads, we were able to find them relatively quickly. We recommend hikers carry personal locator beacons while out in the back country.”

Swastika Mountain, the site where the men were hiking, derives its name from the swastika-shaped brand used by an area rancher before the symbol was appropriated by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party.

Officials Report More Than 30,000 Oregon Households Have Received Rental Assistance

Oregon Housing and Community Services has announced that as of last Wednesday, OHCS and local program administrators have paid $211.6 million in federal emergency rental assistance to 30,471 households.

An OHCS release said that’s up from $200.4 million and 28,869 applicants the previous week, through the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

OERAP continues to be one of the nation’s top-performing programs and is ranked 5th in the nation in the percentage of federal Emergency Rental Assistance funds paid out and obligated, as tracked by the National Low-Income Housing Coalition.

To date, OHCS and its processing partners have:

*Paid over $211.6 million to landlords and tenants to help over 30,000 Oregon households.

*Received more than 51,700 completed applications to be reviewed for eligibility.

New Oregon Bill Requires Death Report Tracking for Homeless

For the last decade, only one Oregon county has tracked the deaths of people experiencing homelessness. That’s about to change with a new law that took effect Jan. 1.

Senate Bill 850 requires death reports to indicate if someone was homeless at their time of death, similar to the way Multnomah County has tracked deaths through its “Domicile Unknown” report since 2011.

When compiling a report, state medical examiners would check a box called “domicile unknown” if they determined a person was homeless when they died. The examiner could also report the decedent’s last known address.

The bill passed the Senate 22-to-5 and had zero opponents in the House.

Supporters say tracking this data is crucial in determining how policymakers can address increasing homelessness numbers in the state.

“Imagine trying to solve any problem without basic fundamental information on the nature of that problem,” said Jimmy Jones, executive director of Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action, during testimony in May. “It’s like building a house without a blueprint, or running a race on an unmarked course. For all the millions we spend on homeless and housing issues in Oregon, we know next to nothing about the people who are dying outside.”

Jones, who worked closely with lawmakers on the bill, said the “domicile unknown” box might add additional work for medical examiners compiling death reports, but that would be similar to the research they do to determine other components of the report, such as the decedent’s cause of death or their veteran status.

Oregon To Increase Minimum Wages in 2022

Throughout 2021, numerous national retailers increased their minimum pay rates. In 2022, more than half of the states in the U.S. will increase their own minimum wages.

In the new year, 26 states will implement an increase to their minimum wage, according to payroll experts at Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S.

On July 1, the standard minimum wage in Oregon will increase $0.75 an hour to $13.50. However, the rate in the Portland metro area will sit higher at $14.75, and non-urban counties’ minimum wage will rise to $12.50. The increases are part of a planned schedule for the state.

Beginning in 2023, Oregon’s standard minimum wage rate will be adjusted yearly depending on inflation and any increase to the U.S. City average Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.

Nationally, the federal minimum wage in the U.S. is $7.25, a rate that hasn’t been raised since 2009 . As of fall 2021, 16 states have minimum wage rates at the federal level.

The company’s report shows California will have the highest state rate at $15 an hour. Parts of New York, including New York City, will also have a $15 minimum wage.

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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.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Have-You-Seen-Me-Southern-Oregons-Missing-People-161249961222839/posts/

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