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, May 20, 2022
Rogue Valley Weather
Grants Pass Man Arrested for Rape of Teenager and Tampering with Witness
United States Marshals from the Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force (PNVOTF) arrested a Grants Pass man last night for the rape of a teenage juvenile in Gold Hill.
The suspect, Trenton Scott Newman, 34, of Grants Pass, was lodged in the Jackson County Jail on charges of first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, felony public indecency, and tampering with a witness. His bail is set at $500,000.
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives determined Newman met his underaged victim at a local church and sexually assaulted her mid-March in the backseat of a car on the 1900 block of McDonough Road in Gold Hill.
Detectives are asking anyone with information related to the suspect or this investigation to call the JCSO Tip Line at (541) 774-8333 and reference case 22-1370. The case is still under investigation and will be prosecuted by the Jackson County District Attorney’s office.
PNVOTF includes personnel from the U.S. Marshals Service, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Central Point Police Department. The task force specializes in locating and arresting fugitives wanted for offenses including, but not limited to, murder, assault, sex crimes, failure to register as a sex offender, firearm violations, and probation violations. JCSO Case 22-1370 Jackson Co. Sheriff’s Office
State To Supply Free Air Purifiers For Oregonians At High Risk Of Wildfire Smoke
State lawmakers have approved funding towards five thousand air purifiers for people at high risk of poor air quality due to wildfires.
Costing the state $4.7 million, the air purifiers make up a slice of the $220 million investment in wildfire prevention and response planning, power plant safety, new building code standards and more.
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With the help of the Oregon Health Authority and Jackson Care Connect, the air purifiers will be distributed to homes primarily in Southern Oregon. To make sure the air purifiers reach people who are most in need, they will be going to Oregon Health Plan members who have been diagnosed with chronic heart, lung or cerebral vascular conditions.
Jackson Care Connect is a coordinated care organization that will be working with the OHA to help get the air purifiers into homes. Jennifer Lind, chief executive officer of Jackson Care Connect, said she is committed to getting an air purifier to everyone who is in need.
“They’re looking at things like chronic conditions that are exacerbated by high heat or poor air quality,” said Lind. “They’re looking at people who have asthma, people who have heart conditions and those who are really dependent on being homebound and may not have access to other shelter areas when the air is so bad.”
Lind said Jackson Care Connect plans to start distributing the air purifiers soon and hopes to have them inside people’s homes by this summer. She also said the OHA will soon begin calling people they have identified as high risk to let them know about the air purifiers.
“OHA will be calling people who are considered eligible on their list to let them know and see if they’re interested in having an air filter,” Lind said. “We are guiding people to ask OHA questions directly about the program, especially if they don’t receive a call saying they’re on the list.”
If you or someone you know may be eligible to receive an air filter and do not receive a call from the OHA, you can reach OHA Client Services at (800) 273-0557. FOR MORE INFO: https://www.jacksoncareconnect.org/about-us/news/jackson-care-connect-helps-oha-distribute-air-purifiers
Forest Service Announces NO Summer Drinking On The Illinois River
SELMA — The Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest Service has announced the return of a seasonal alcohol ban on the recreational stretch of the Illinois River from May 24 to September 30. The ban does not apply to private land, nor to visitors driving through to a destination outside these boundaries.
This stretch of the river has had a seasonal restriction on adult beverages since 2016.
“The decision to implement the ban arose from the concern for public safety, and has been met with overwhelming support from both the local communities and those who travel to the river from outside areas,” said Wild Rivers District Ranger Scott Blower.
The ban extends from the forest boundary on the Illinois River Road to an area near the McCaleb Ranch, including the area surrounding Cedar Camp. The ban is effective approximately 1/4 mile on either side of the Illinois River Road in those areas.
“With a seasonal ban in place for the last six years, we’ve heard that people feel they can once again take their families to the river, and are really grateful that the Forest has taken steps to try to address an ongoing problem,” Blower said.
Violation of the alcohol ban is punishable by law, with the penalty for violation up to 6 months in jail and a $5,000 fine.
“Responsible recreation is something that all Forest visitors can participate in, simply by remembering to pack out what they pack in—leaving no trace—and by being good stewards. We all have a stake in our public lands,” said Blower.
Wynonna Judd Cancels Josephine County Fair Show to Take Time to Grieve Loss of Her Mother
Fans hoping to see Wynonna Judd this August at the Josephine County Fair will need to wait for another day. Judd notified the Josephine County Fair Board that she withdrew from the event.
“To the fans attending the Josephine County Fair on August 10, 2022: I am writing to you to share that I am so sad to withdraw from the fair. I am taking the time I need to process the recent loss of my mother. I appreciate your outpouring of love and support, and we WILL celebrate the music again soon. I promise.”
According to Tamra Martin, Director, Josephine County Fairgrounds and Event Center, all tickets purchased will automatically be refunded via the card used to purchase tickets. For those who purchased the tickets with cash at the Fairgrounds office, please call 541-476-3215 to arrange a refund.
We want to keep you informed about COVID-19 in Oregon. Data are provisional and change frequently. For more information, including COVID-19 data by county, visit our dashboard: http://ow.ly/JEsM50Jcvvm
Oregon’s Unemployment Rate Edges Down to 3.7% in April
Oregon’s unemployment rate edged down to 3.7% in April, from 3.8% in March, reaching its lowest level in more than two years. The rate is now close to Oregon’s record low of 3.4% which occurred in each of the four months of November 2019 through February 2020. The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.6% in both March and April 2022.
Throughout the past two years, Oregon and the nation have experienced similar trends as their economies and labor markets have recovered from the pandemic recession. Both saw their unemployment rates spike to unusual highs of more than 13% by April 2020, followed by a drop to below 7% six months later. For the past 21 months, Oregon’s unemployment rate has been within a half percentage point of the U.S. unemployment rate.
Payroll employment trends have also been similar for Oregon and the U.S., with both losing roughly 14% of payroll jobs between February and April 2020, then recovering roughly a third of those jobs three months later, followed by a more gradual recovery leading up to April 2022. However, Oregon has slightly lagged the U.S. jobs recovery overall, with the U.S. adding back 95% of jobs lost during the pandemic-induced recession, while Oregon has only recovered 88% of the jobs.
In April, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 4,200 jobs, following a revised gain of 7,000 jobs in March. Over-the-month gains were largest in health care and social assistance (+1,800 jobs), manufacturing (+1,300), and professional and business services (+1,300). The only major industry to cut at least 1,000 jobs was other services (-1,000 jobs).
Professional and business services has grown rapidly and consistently over the past two years. In April, employment reached 261,700, another record high for the industry. Recent revisions to the jobs tallies boosted the past six months’ employment upward by about 3,000 above original estimates.
Next Press Releases — The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the April county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, May 24, and the next statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for May on Wednesday, June 15.
Notes: All numbers in the above narrative are seasonally adjusted.
The Oregon Employment Department and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) work cooperatively to develop and publish monthly Oregon payroll employment and labor force data. The estimates of monthly job gains and losses are based on a survey of businesses. The estimates of unemployment are based on a survey of households and other sources.
The Oregon Employment Department publishes payroll employment estimates that are revised quarterly by using employment counts from employer unemployment insurance tax records. All department publications use this Official Oregon Series data unless noted otherwise. This month’s release incorporates the October, November and December 2021 tax records data. In addition, data for July through September 2021 were revised by a total of up to 2,600 jobs per month. The department continues to make the original nonfarm payroll employment series available; these data are produced by the BLS.
The PDF version of the news release can be found at QualityInfo.org/press-release. To obtain the data in other formats such as in Excel, visit QualityInfo.org, then within the top banner, select Economic Data, then choose LAUS or CES. To request the press release as a Word document, contact the person shown at the top of this press release.
To file a claim for unemployment benefits or get more information about unemployment programs, visit Oregon.gov/employ.
The Oregon Employment Department (OED) is an equal opportunity agency. Everyone has a right to use OED programs and services. OED provides free help. Some examples are: Sign language and spoken language interpreters, written materials in other languages, braille, large print, audio and other formats. If you need help, please call 971-673-6400. TTY users call 711. You can also ask for help at OED_Communications@employ.oregon.gov.
OHA Update on the Baby Formula Shortage
National baby formula maker Abbott Laboratories has reached a deal with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to restart production at its shuttered Michigan facility. A federal judge approved the deal, which means Abbott could restart production in a couple of weeks, filling up store shelves six to eight weeks later.
Meanwhile, the FDA is taking steps to increase the supply of baby formula in the United States. In Oregon, members of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program can use their benefits to purchase other brands.
Visit OHA blog to learn more about your options and how to spot potentially contaminated baby formula, as well as why we warn against feeding babies homemade formula or cow’s milk: https://covidblog.oregon.gov/update-on-the-baby-formula-shortage/?fbclid=IwAR3g3bVm34ZL4fkA9kJgoNSKoWRYVn1lSCtytqG3TVSceDssIdmnpKSAaVA
Suspect Kills Self after Randomly Shooting During Police Pursuit in Klamath Falls on Monday
Details have finally been released almost four days after an incident in Klamath Falls that left a man dead and resulted in shots being fired at city police officers.
Police in Klamath Falls attempted a traffic stop on Monday afternoon, May 16, 2022, after witnessing behavior they considered concerning in a vehicle driven by Garrett Turnham.
Turnham ignored the commands from police and sped away. With police in pursuit, Turnham drove through a fence and the playground at Mills Elementary, where a female passenger got out of the car.
Turnham then headed South on East Main, and eventually onto 6th Street, heading west. Near the 6th Street viaduct, Turnham began shooting a gun from his vehicle.
The pursuit and shooting continued to Klamath Avenue, and into the commercial district near Spring and Commercial. Turnham stopped at Commercial and 7th near Eagle Ridge High School and was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Klamath County District Attorney Eve Costello, the initial investigation suggests that Turnham suffered an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. A subsequent search revealed a handgun and AK-style rifle.
This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the Oregon State Police.
Pain at the Pump
The pain at the pump continues. High gas prices have surpassed the $5 per gallon mark on average in Oregon, Washington and Alaska and the $6 per gallon mark statewide in California.
That is according to AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report from Tuesday, May 17. AAA reports the average price of gas in Oregon is $5.06 per gallon statewide. That is an all-time record high with prices up 41 cents per gallon over the past month and $1.69 per gallon since last year.
The average prices of gas stands at $5.04 per gallon in Klamath County, $5.14 in the Medford-Ashland area and $5.23 in Grants Pass, according to AAA. Gas prices are highest in on the west coast, according to Marie Dodds, director of government and public affairs for AAA in Oregon and Idaho. In California, gas prices average $6.02 per gallon and diesel averages $6.56 per gallon. Both are records, according to AAA.
When in Doubt, Stay Out
Increasing temperatures create potential for toxins in water
PORTLAND, Ore.—As summer approaches, and more communities and recreational areas around the state begin reopening amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reminds people heading outdoors to be on the look-out for cyanobacteria blooms that can produce toxins in Oregon lakes, rivers and reservoirs.
Cyanobacteria are beneficial bacteria found worldwide in all freshwater. Under the right conditions—when weather, sunlight, water temperature, nutrients and water chemistry are ideal—cyanobacteria can multiply into blooms in any water body. Many blooms are harmless, but some can produce cyanotoxins that make people and animals sick.
Exposure to cyanotoxins occurs when water is swallowed while swimming, or when water droplets are inhaled during high-speed activities such as water-skiing or wakeboarding. Symptoms of exposure to cyanotoxins include diarrhea, cramps, vomiting, numbness, dizziness and fainting. Although cyanotoxins are not absorbed through the skin, people with sensitive skin can develop a red, raised rash when wading, playing or swimming in or around a bloom.
Children and pets are particularly sensitive to illness because of their size and activity levels. Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their wet fur or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crust along the shore. Similar to dogs, livestock and wildlife can become ill and die after drinking from waterbodies, troughs or other sources of drinking water affected by blooms and potential toxins.
Only a fraction of freshwater bodies in Oregon are monitored for cyanotoxins. Due to continued staffing and safety concerns related to COVID-19, OHA expects less frequent visual monitoring and sampling of affected water bodies than normal. For this reason, it will be even more important as more recreational areas open and the summer recreation season begins for people to visually observe any water body they choose to recreate in before taking the plunge.
OHA recommends that everyone stay out of water that looks foamy, scummy, thick (like pea-green or blue-green paint) or where brownish-red mats are present. If you are unsure, follow OHA’s guidance of “When in doubt, stay out.”
Open recreational areas where blooms are identified can still be enjoyed for activities such as camping, hiking, biking, picnicking and bird watching. By being aware of signs of a bloom and taking appropriate precautions to reduce or eliminate your exposure, you can also enjoy water activities such as canoeing, fishing and boating, as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray and fish are cleaned appropriately.
To learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body, visit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767.
For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0440. For campground or lake information, call the local management agency.
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