Rogue Valley News, Friday 2/4 – Car Slams Into Building In Kerby; Josephine County Jail Overdose Incident Sends Inmates and Deputies to Hospital; ‘Dunk a Cop’ 2022 Fundraiser for Special Olympics

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

Friday, February 4, 2022

Rogue Valley Weather

Friday– Partly sunny, with a high near 55. Calm wind.

Saturday– Sunny, with a high near 57. Calm wind.

Sunday– Sunny, with a high near 62.

Monday– Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.

Tuesday– Sunny, with a high near 61.

Vehicle Rolls and Slams Into A Building In Kerby

Illinois Valley Fire District, AMR, Sheriff, OSP and ODOT responded to Hwy 199, at 6th St in Kerby, for a vehicle that had rolled on its side before slamming into a building.

One person was trapped inside the vehicle. Mercy was placed on standby and canceled after the extrication of the victim. The patient was transported by AMR, with injures.

Tow was called, and the vehicle has been removed from the building. Traffic was reduced to one lane, while the call was active. Call time 1541 hours (3:41 PM). Illinois Valley Fire District 

Josephine County Jail Overdose Incident Sends Inmates and Deputies to Hospital

On 02-02-22 at approximately 4:37 PM, Deputies at the Josephine County jail were notified by Adults In Custody that two fellow Adults In Custody potentially overdosed on narcotics. Deputies located the two individuals who appeared to be overdosing on an illegal substance.

With the assistance of jail medical staff, several doses of Narcan were administered and lifesaving measures were performed.  Additional Deputies from the Patrol Division responded and assisted with CPR as well. Due to the swift action of Sheriff’s Deputies and medical staff, both individuals regained consciousness within minutes and were transported to Three Rivers Medical Center.

Shortly thereafter, Deputies discovered two additional Adults In Custody who appeared to be under the influence.  Narcan was administered and the two additional Adults In Custody were also transported to Three Rivers Medical Center. 

During the investigation of this incident, two Sheriff’s Deputies were also transported to Three Rivers Medical Center due to fentanyl exposure.  The Deputies who were exposed and the 4 Adults In Custody have all been released from the hospital.   

A preliminary investigation has revealed that an Adult In Custody who was recently lodged in the jail smuggled narcotics into the facility by hiding them in their person. Once housed in the jail the drugs were shared with other Adults In Custody. This case is under investigation and no further details will be released. Josephine Co. Sheriff’s Office

Dunk a Cop’ 2022 Fundraiser for Special Olympics on Saturday in Grants Pass

On Saturday 02-05-2022 from 10am to 1pm, officers and family members from the Grants Pass Police Department will be taking part in the second annual “Dunk A Cop” fundraiser for Special Olympics.

 Last year this event was held as a fundraiser to support the GP Police Polar Plunge Teams efforts to raise money for our Special Olympic athletes. Officers were dunked numerous times into frigid waters to support this amazing cause.

This year we will be back at the parking lot for the Dutch Bros stand located at 198 SW 6th St. in Grants Pass.  

The public can swing by and take a throw at dunking one of our officers into the freezin’ tank.  One throw is a $5 dollar donation, three throws for $10 and for only $25, it is GUARANTEED DUNK!  

This year we have a generous donor supporting this event with a matching donation. So each donation is doubled for our Special Olympics athletes! Come down and support a great cause and help Dunk a Cop for Special Olympics!

Medford Police Seek Help in Homicide Investigation

The suspect, Cristian Lamberto Barboza-Valerio, 21 years old, remains outstanding. There is no known vehicle associated with him. He has been known to frequent the Cave Junction area in Oregon, as well as Pittsburg, Marysville, and San Francisco, all of which are cities in California. He is further described as 5’6″ tall and 180 pounds. 

Deceased: Adriana Paulina Mendoza-Lopez, 39 years old, who was the step-mother of the suspect. Next of kin have been notified. 

Anyone with information is asked to phone our 24/7 dispatch center, 541-770-4783. Case 22-843.

Original Release: On January 15th, 2022, at 12:36 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 800 block of Pennsylvania Avenue for an assault with a firearm. Upon arrival, the suspect, who is known to the victim, had fled the scene. The victim was beyond help and pronounced deceased.

The identities of the suspect and the victim are not being released at this time. Detectives are actively investigating the case, and are being assisted by the Oregon State Police Crime lab and the District Attorney’s Office. More information will be released as the case unfolds. 

In 2021, Medford Police investigated seven homicides, all of which resulted in an arrest.  

Anyone with information on this case is asked to phone 541-770-4783, case 22-843. Medford Police Dept. 

Oregon reports 5,417 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 18 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — There are 18 new COVID-19-related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 6,181, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

OHA reported 5,417 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 649,389.

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (24), Benton (132), Clackamas (325), Clatsop (53), Columbia (77), Coos (101), Crook (52), Curry (37), Deschutes (289), Douglas (145), Gilliam (1), Grant (6), Harney (8), Hood River (25), Jackson (298), Jefferson (108), Josephine (117), Klamath (119), Lake (10), Lane (546), Lincoln (73), Linn (267), Malheur (78), Marion (629), Morrow (5), Multnomah (592), Polk (110), Sherman (2), Tillamook (40), Umatilla (178), Union (36), Wallowa (14), Wasco (48), Washington (586) and Yamhill (286).

A forecast released Thursday now anticipates the number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the omicron surge won’t surpass the pandemic high set during the delta surge last September.

A forecast by Oregon Health & Science University says the state might reach its peak Sunday with 1,169 patients hospitalized with omicron. But data scientist Peter Graven, who calculates the forecast, said it’s also possible numbers already have peaked. Last Saturday, hospitalized patients reached an omicron high of 1,125. Oregon’s record currently stands at 1,178 from Sept. 1.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is AROUND-OR.png

Governor Brown’s State Of The State Address

 Oregon Governor Kate Brown delivered the State of the State Address at noon on Thursday. You can watch here:

The address comes as the Oregon Legislature convenes for the first week of this year’s 35-day short session, which is scheduled to run through early March. Brown recently proposed a $200 million package for the legislature to consider called “Future Ready Oregon,” aimed at bolstering the state’s workforce and providing support to populations that have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. She has also asked for $500 million to be saved for a rainy day fund.

Brown’s current term ends in January 2023 and term limits prevent her from running for reelection this year, making this her final State of the State address unless she were to win an additional nonconsecutive term as governor in a future election. Brown previously served as Oregon’s secretary of state and took office as governor in February 2015 when former Gov. John Kitzhaber resigned amid an ethics scandal shortly after the start of his fourth term. She won a special election in 2016 to serve out the remaining two years of Kitzhaber’s term and was re-elected for a second term in 2018.

Oregon Parks Forever Funds Replacement of More than 500,000 Trees Killed by Wildfires and Excessive Heat

On January 12, 2021 Oregon Parks Forever, a statewide nonprofit, announced the establishment of the Wildfire Tree Replanting Fund. The goal of the fund is to plant at least One Million Trees. Each dollar donated will plant a tree!

As of January 31, 2022, we have been able to fund the planting of 553,000 trees across the state at Collier State Park, Silver Falls State Park, the Ben & Kay Dorris State Recreation Area, North Santiam State Park, Cedar Butte, and in the Tillamook Forest – as well as parks in Josephine and Marion Counties.

Since the 1990’s, Oregon has seen significant increases in the number of acres burned statewide each year. 2020 saw the second largest number of acres burned since 1990 with more than one million acres of trees burned on Oregon lands. 2021 followed with a similarly devastating fire year, as well as a heat dome event that killed many trees in the Coast Range. 

This comes at a time when the budgets of public land managers are already stressed due to ongoing funding challenges and the COVID pandemic. We anticipate these devastating ramifications of climate change to continue in the future and want to be ready to help.

Our goal is to help the public lands get replanted soon, so that in the future our children and grandchildren can enjoy the same green and lush forests and landscapes we have. 

Why should we replant after a fire?  Trees provide the very necessities of life. They clear our air, protect our drinking water, create healthy communities, and feed our souls. Our forests provide critical wildlife habitats, natural beauty and recreational opportunities. They sequester carbon and help reduce soil erosion by stabilizing slopes and preventing landslides. 

We all sat in the smoke and wondered…What can I do? How can I help?

You can help us reach our goal to raise enough funds to plant at least ONE MILLION trees, to ensure that in the future these devastated areas will once again be lush and green!

Each dollar donated will plant one tree!

You can make a donation online at www.orparksforever.org;  send a Text Message on your phone to REPLANT at 41444; mail a check to Oregon Parks Forever, 1501 SW Jefferson Street, Portland, OR 97201; or point your smartphone’s camera at this QR Code:

About Oregon Parks Forever:  Since 1995, Oregon Parks Forever (formerly known as Oregon State Parks Foundation) has been raising funds to help supplement existing funding sources to preserve and protect the experience of using Oregon’s parks. Oregon Parks Forever is a statewide nonprofit organization whose mission includes working with federal, state, local and tribal public land managers to enhance and preserve special places and experiences in all Oregon parks. As outdoor recreation has exploded in popularity, additional wear and tear, and years of deferred maintenance, have resulted in the costs of running Oregon parks exceeding available funding.

Since 1995, Oregon Parks Forever has supported many vital projects such as restoring Vista House at Crown Point, helping to renovate five Oregon Lighthouses, preserving the Kam Wah Chung & Co Museum, and putting the first yurts in State Parks anywhere in the country. Most recently, the organization raised funds to build a residential outdoor school facility at the Cottonwood Canyon State Park.

Oregon Parks Forever is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Our Federal Tax ID number is 93-1177836. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Please contact your tax advisor with any questions. Our website is www.orparksforever.org

More than 38,000 Oregon households have received over $268 million in rental assistance relief due to hardship from pandemic 

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) announced that as of Feb. 2, 2022, OHCS and local program administrators (LPAs) have paid $268.1 in federal emergency rental assistance (ERA) to 38,078 households, up from $256.3 million and 36,632 applicants last week, through the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program (OERAP). OHCS has paid out 93% of all federal ERA dollars available for rental assistance. 

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

Denial notifications

OHCS is currently accepting applications following our portal reopening on Jan. 26, 2022.  To serve the most households, tenants who apply on or after Jan. 26 who already received assistance through OERAP are not eligible to receive additional assistance. New applications will start getting reviewed for payment after the three-to-five-week period for accepting new applications is over. Upon review, applications will be approved for payment or denied, this decision will be made based upon the highest need, not on a first come first served basis. The agency will notify tenants who do not meet the basic eligibility criteria, such as income, with a written denial. Tenants who are determined not eligible will be responsible for paying rent owed and will not have safe harbor protections once a denial notice is issued. Landlords will also be notified of the approval or denial of an application. 

Progress and updated numbers  

OHCS and its processing partner, Public Partnerships LLC (PPL), have made significant strides in the past several weeks to speed up application processing. Currently, 265 PPL staff are focusing on processing applications. In the past week alone, PPL paid 1,276 applications. This is in addition to the applications processed by LPAs working across the state to finish paying out ERA 1 funds. 

To date, OHCS and LPAs: 

  • Paid $268,134,584 to landlords and tenants to help 38,078 Oregon households, which is 93% of ERA 1 and 2 funds.
  • Are currently reviewing 5,177 applications for payment that were submitted prior to Dec. 1, 2021.
  • Need applicant or landlord response for 4,273 applications that were submitted prior to Dec. 1, 2021.
  • Received 4,635 applications since the portal reopened on Jan. 26, 2022. OHCS is focusing on paying out eligible applications that were received before Dec. 1, 2021, and will pay out the new applications after the three-to-five-week for accepting new applications is over.

Tenants can apply for OERAP at oregonrentalassistance.org. Visit the OERAP dashboard for more data. 

U.S. HUD releases details of how $422 million in federal funding can be accessed for wildfire recovery

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has released the Federal Register Notice that will allow Oregon Housing and Community Service (OHCS) to move forward on developing an action plan for $422 million in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR). The funding will be used for recovery from the 2020 Labor Day wildfires. 

The release of the Federal Register Notice does not give Oregon access to the CDBG-DR funds. HUD requires that Oregon complete a series of steps, primarily the completion of an Action Plan, before Oregon can receive funds. Once HUD approves a final Action Plan, the new funds will allow OHCS to address long-term unmet recovery needs of survivors in disaster areas. 

The Federal Register Notice identified six counties and one ZIP Code as the areas most impacted and distressed by the wildfires. Federal regulations require the state to use 80 percent of the funding to benefit those locations. The most-impacted areas as designated by HUD are Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Lane, Lincoln, and Marion counties, as well as the 97358 Zip Code in Linn County.

The federal funding is part of $5 billion that Congress appropriated for disaster relief in October. CDBG-DR program funds are used to help those most impacted, especially low-income residents needing housing recovery assistance, to recover from presidentially declared disasters. 

“This important step by the federal government will allow OHCS to develop an action plan on how to get the federal funds to those wildfire survivors who need it the most,” said OHCS Executive Director Margaret Salazar. “On top of the $150 million allocation from the Oregon Legislature, not only will this additional funding help survivors recover and rebuild, it also will provide resources to put measures into place aimed at preventing future housing instability caused by wildfires.”

The Federal Register Notice requires a series of steps OHCS must take before accessing funds. These steps include an Unmet Needs Assessment, a Mitigation Needs Assessment, an Action Plan with public comment, a public engagement process, and a certification process. OHCS has already started work on these required steps, but it will take months before funding is accessible.

The state also is required to develop a Citizen Participation Plan that describes how the public will be informed and engaged throughout the grant’s lifecycle. Before the Action Plan is finalized, the public will be invited to review and submit feedback on a draft plan.  

OHCS expects a draft Action Plan to be completed ahead of HUD’s June deadline. Once complete, the draft plan will be published and made available for a 30-day public comment period. Once the public comment period is complete, HUD will take up to 60 days to review the action plan before funds can be spent. 

Full details of the Federal Register Notice can be found on the HUD website.

For more information about Oregon’s Community Development Block Grant disaster recovery and mitigation efforts, visit OHCS’ CDBG webpage and sign up for wildfire housing recovery email updates

Church Sues the City of Brookings for Limiting Days They Can Serve Free Meals

An Oregon church is suing the city of Brookings, Oregon, over limits the local government has imposed on how often it can serve free meals to the poor. A federal lawsuit filed Friday by St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church argues that Brookings’ regulations on “benevolent meal service” unconstitutionally restrict its religious mission to feed the hungry.

“What we’re doing is what churches do. Churches feed people,” Rev. Bernie Lindley of St. Timothy’s said last year shortly after the Brookings ordinance passed. “To tell a church that they have to be limited in how they live into the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a violation of our First Amendment right to freely practice our religion.”

St. Timothy’s has run a soup kitchen several days a week since the 1980s, as have other churches in Brookings. When those churches shut down their meal service during the pandemic, St. Timothy’s extended its effort to six days a week.

Seeing more people at the church more days a week didn’t sit well with some of the neighbors. They complained in an April 2021 petition to the city government that St. Timothy’s soup kitchen—and its participation in the city’s safe parking program, whereby it lets people live in their cars on the church parking lot—was bringing crime and vagrancy to the area.

In response, the city council passed an ordinance in October that said churches and nonprofits in residentially zoned areas could offer free meal service only two days a week. And to do that, they needed special conditional use permits.

On paper, this was actually a liberalization of Brookings’ zoning rules. Because state health authorities regulate soup kitchens like restaurants, and restaurants are a commercial use, soup kitchens were technically prohibited in the city’s residential zones. And all of Brookings’ churches are located in residentially zoned areas.

City Manager Janelle Howard says the ordinance was intended as a compromise: It legalized technically prohibited soup kitchens while mollifying residents’ complaints about the nuisances they caused.

In practice, though, the churches’ charitable work had been unregulated before. The ordinance’s actual effect was to pave the way for a crackdown.

Lindley and St. Timothy’s participated in early talks with the city about its soup kitchen ordinance, but they dropped out after it became clear that Brookings intended to limit the number of days the church could offer meals.

The ordinance became enforceable last week, potentially opening St. Timothy’s up to fines and other sanctions. To prevent that, the church and the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon.

The complaint argues that Brookings’ soup kitchen regulations violate the U.S. and Oregon constitutions’ protections of free expression and the free exercise of religion. It also claims that the regulations’ vague description of “benevolent meal service” and unclear potential sanctions violate the U.S. Constitution’s due process protections.

Lastly, it argues that Brookings is violating a federal law limiting state and local governments from adopting land use regulations that impose a “substantial burden” on “religious exercise.”

“We’ve been serving our community here for decades and picking up the slack where the need exists and no one else is stepping in,” Lindley declared in a statement. “We have no intention of stopping now and we’re prepared to hold fast to our beliefs. We won’t abandon the people of Brookings who need our help, even when we’re being threatened.”

The petition, which refers to the people around St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church as “vagrants” and “undesirables,” was signed by 30 people. Brookings Mayor Ron Hedenskog declined to comment on ongoing litigation.

Firefighter Dies In Barn Fire Explosion Near St. Paul

A firefighter injured in an explosion while battling a fire at a barn in rural Oregon has died. Crews responded to the blaze around 4 a.m. Thursday.

The injured firefighter later identified as by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office as 30-year-old Austin Smith was airlifted to a hospital from the scene near the town of St. Paul. Officials say he did not survive his injuries.

The sheriff’s office, Oregon State Police and the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal are investigating the cause of the fire and explosion.

Smith had been a volunteer firefighter with the St. Paul Fire District since 2015.

Triple your impact: Pacific Power will match your contribution to Oregon Energy Fund 2-for-1 

This year, when the need is stronger than ever, help your neighbors by arranging monthly donations

Helping your neighbors and their families stay warm just got easier. Pacific Power will match every dollar you donate to the Oregon Energy Fund with $2 more.

            “Tens of thousands of people are still struggling to catch up on their household energy bills in the wake of COVID-19,” said Brian Allbritton, executive director of Oregon Energy Fund. “The donations you make today provide crucial help and ensure your neighbors in financial crisis can keep the lights and heat on in their homes. We’re proud to partner with Pacific Power and thrilled at this opportunity for your gift to have an even greater impact.”

Pacific Power customers who receive their bills by mail this February will find they include Oregon Energy Fund contribution envelopes. Customers who pay their bills electronically can send a check or enroll in the fixed donation program. This program allows customers to donate any dollar amount, starting at $1 per month, which is then incorporated into their monthly bill. Fixed donations will also be matched 2-for-1 by Pacific Power. To enroll in the fixed donation program, call Pacific Power toll-free at 1‑888‑221‑7070. 

Donations may be tax-deductible and are forwarded directly to the Oregon Energy Fund, which verifies eligibility and allocates funds to those in need. All funds donated are used to assist families in need from the same county in which the donor resides. 

Customers who need bill assistance themselves can talk with Pacific Power representatives, who can help with payment plans that work for their individual needs and direct them to agencies that may be able to help. Pacific Power’s customer service number is 1-888-221-7070.

About Pacific Power

Pacific Power is headquartered in Portland and provides electric service to more than 770,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. It is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, providing 2 million customers with value for their energy dollar and safe, reliable electricity. For more information, visit pacificpower.net

About Oregon Energy Fund 

Oregon Energy Fund is Oregon’s leading energy assistance nonprofit. Since 1989, OEF has helped more than 300,000 people pay their monthly energy bills in times of financial crisis. Through the service of energy assistance, OEF’s programs provide a basic need that prevents hunger, debt, illness and homelessness, and gives our neighbors the support to lead healthy and productive lives.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is missing-in-oregon-tab.png
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image-57.png

Klamath County Sheriff’s Office Asks for Public’s Help in Search For Trucker Suspect

The first real clue to come in on all the missing person cases in the area. Help Klamath Falls Oregon Sheriff Office ID this trucker. He was the last to see this woman alive and could be the key to not only solving this woman’s disappearance but a number of the hundred other women missing in PNW. IF you have any information, please call (541) 883-5130

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is missing-ashland-1.png
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is missing-toni-grants-pass7-22.png
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image-111.png

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/

Must Read

Oregon News Today – Whale Watching Season Begins

Brian Casey

Rogue Valley News, Wednesday 10/18 – Rescue At Crater Lake National Park & Other Local and Statewide News…

Renee Shaw

Rogue Valley News, Tuesday 6/1 – Crater Lake National Park Opens the North Entrance Road and West Rim Drive, Medford Homicide Investigation

Renee Shaw