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
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
Rogue Valley Weather
Josephine Co. Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Search Warrant Finds More than Just Weed
INCIDENT DATE AND TIME: May 20, 2022 at 9:00 AM
On May 20, 2022, Medford Police Department (MPD) executed a search warrant regarding stolen property in the 3000 block of Quartz Creek Road. During the execution of their warrant approximately 4,800 marijuana plants were located in multiple greenhouses and approximately 500 pounds of processed marijuana was located in the residence. MPD contacted the Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) and informed JMET of their discovery.
Prior to arrival multiple individuals had fled the scene before they could be detained.
JMET responded, seizing and destroying the 4,800 marijuana plants and 500 pounds of processed marijuana. Additionally, while on scene, JMET located two small deer that had been caged. JMET was able to dismantle the cage to a point that the deer could be released. No harm was done to the deer.
At the time of this press release the investigation is ongoing and no further details are being released. Josephine Co. Sheriff’s Office
Suspect Arrested in Medford Area Stabbing
On May 23, 2022 at approximately 10:30 P.M., Officers responded to the area of the 9th Street Foot Bridge to investigate a stabbing incident.
Upon arrival, Officers located one male victim, age 44, who had been stabbed in the upper thigh. The suspect fled the scene prior to the responding Officer’s arrival at the scene. Officers rendered aid to the victim until paramedics arrived on scene and transported him to the hospital. The victim’s injuries were not life threatening and he was treated and released.
A Detective was called out to assist with the investigation and determined the victim and the suspect were acquaintances and the stabbing occurred during an altercation between the two. The suspect was identified as Andrew Charles Davis, but he was not located immediately. The suspect’s identity was disseminated to the oncoming patrol shifts as there was probable cause to arrest Davis.
On May 24, 2022 at approximately 7:45 A.M., a Medford Patrol Officer located Andrew Davis walking in the 1100 block of West Main Street and he arrested Davis. Davis was lodged at the Jackson County Jail by the investigating Detective. Medford Police Dept.
A Busy Monday for Grants Pass Police
Yesterday proved to be an extremely busy day for the Grants Pass Police Department. In addition to the Bank Robbery at First Interstate Bank on Union Ave, there was also a robbery at knifepoint near the downtown Post Office, and an Arsonist was arrested near Baker Park. Luckily no one was seriously injured during any of the crimes.
As previously reported, at approximately 11:00 am, the First Interstate Bank on Union Avenue in Grants Pass was robbed. After demanding money, the male suspect fled from the bank on foot to the parking lot of the nearby Walgreens where a vehicle was waiting for him. The suspect left in an unknown direction. Nobody was physically injured during the robbery, but many were in fear for their safety.
No weapons were displayed by the male suspect who was described as an approximate 6’4” tall white male in his 30s to 40s, weighing 220 to 240 pounds and having some facial hair. The male wore a black beanie cap, black glasses, and a bright orange shirt over a dark long-sleeved shirt. The vehicle the robber fled in was described as a white Kia Optima with tinted windows.
At approximately 1:57 PM, officers were dispatched to the area just outside the United States Post Office on NW 6th Street regarding a male subject robbing a woman of her purse at knifepoint. The male fled the scene in a vehicle prior to officers arriving. The suspect was described as a Hispanic male in his 20s wearing a puffy jacket with a hood pulled over his head. The suspect fled in a silver or gold-colored sedan on SW G Street. The female victim was not seriously injured.
At approximately 3:03 PM, police dispatch was notified of an occupied building full of smoke on East Park Street. Police examined the scene and located a basement on the exterior of the building which appeared to have been broken into, and was the apparent source of the fire. Police located a male determined to have started a fire beneath the residence within the unlawfully entered basement. Grants Pass Fire and Rescue responded, put the fire out, and preserved the building from any further damage. The suspect was identified as Rosendo Shane Garcia. Garcia is believed to have intentionally set debris on fire beneath the building causing smoke damage. Garcia was charged with Arson in the First Degree in addition to other charges. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire and smoke damage.
If anyone has information related to any of these three crimes, the Grants Pass Police Department is asking that you call with the information at 541-450-6260, or message us through our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/grantspasspolice/. —– Grants Pass Police Department
Grants Pass Police Searching for Bank Robber
Monday morning just before 11:00 am, the First Interstate Bank on Union Avenue in Grants Pass was robbed. After demanding money, the male suspect fled from the bank on foot to the parking lot of the nearby Walgreens where a vehicle was waiting for him. The suspect left in an unknown direction. Nobody was physically injured during the robbery, but many were in fear for their safety.
No weapons were displayed by the male suspect who was described as an approximate 6’4” tall white male in his 30s to 40s, weighing 220 to 240 pounds and having some facial hair. The male wore a black beanie cap, black glasses, and a bright orange shirt over a dark long-sleeved shirt. The vehicle the robber fled in was described as a white Kia Optima with tinted windows.
Anyone having information related to this investigation is asked to call Grants Pass Police Detective Brown at 541-450-6345. Grants Pass Police Department
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/spWb50Jh09b
If you’ve tested positive for COVID-19, find resources, get support and take the COVID-19 Case Survey to report your positive at-home test:
Visit govstatus.egov.com/or-oha-covid-19-positive-test, or
Call the COVID-19 Support Hotline at 866-917-8881, or
Text “OHACOVID” to 61222.
The Hotline is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Language interpretation is available. While you’re not required to report your positive at-home COVID-19 test results we highly recommend you do so. Your honesty helps us understand how the virus is affecting you and your community.
We also recommend letting close contacts know about potential exposure.Hospitals, health care providers, laboratories and local public health authorities are required to report test results.
Oregon warns recipients of food boxes about recall of Jif peanut butter
PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is warning the people of Oregon to be on the lookout for Jif brand peanut butter that may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria.
J.M. Smucker Co., the parent company for the peanut butter brand, issued a voluntary recall on Friday. The Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners are investigating this outbreak.
The recalled peanut butter was distributed in retail stores and other outlets throughout the country. It includes creamy, crunchy and natural varieties.
Jif peanut butter was included in food boxes distributed through OHA’s food box program. OHA has investigated further and determined that the recall lot does include the Jif peanut butter that was distributed in the food boxes. This only impacts the peanut butter product inside the food box which can be exchanged for a replacement or refunded.
Starting today, staff with the Oregon Health Authority is visiting all OHA food hubs and inspecting respective food boxes in order to substitute any recall product for new. This work will require the remainder of this week to accomplish and all food hubs are being notified this evening. All warehoused Jif products that are waiting to be distributed have been thoroughly inspected and replaced.
To see if your jar of Jif peanut butter is being recalled, check the lot number that is printed below the “Best if Used by” date on the label.
Products with lot codes 1274425 – 2140425, with the digits 425 in the 5th-7th position, are being recalled. This information is printed on the back label of the jar.
A list of recalled products and their numbers can also be seen on the FDA’s website. If you happen to have a jar included in the recall, you should throw it away immediately. After throwing the peanut butter out, OHA recommends washing and sanitizing any surfaces or containers that might have come into contact with the peanut butter.
For many infected people, symptoms appear 12 to 72 hours after contact and often include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Most people who are infected recover within four to seven days and do not need any treatment. More serious and severe cases can occur, though, so OHA recommends contacting your health care provider if you believe you have been infected.
Currently, there are 14 cases across 12 states, two hospitalizations, no deaths and no cases in Oregon.
OHA recommends that all peanut butter distributed from April 15 through May 23 be immediately thrown away or exchanged at a retail store.
Product can also be reimbursed directly by Jif by following their instructions at: https://jms-s3-mkt-consumer-p-pmc6.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/recall.html.
Consumers who have questions or would like to report adverse reactions should visit www.jif.com/contact-us or call 800-828-9980 Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM ET.
Please share this information with your community members and partners who may have received a food box.
April 2022 Employment News in Oregon Counties and Metropolitan Areas
In April, unemployment rates declined in 28 of Oregon’s 36 counties. Unemployment rates in seven counties did not decline, but held steady over the month. The unemployment rate in Gilliam County increased over the month. Twelve counties had unemployment rates at or below the statewide rate of 3.7% in April. Eleven counties had unemployment rates below the national rate of 3.6%.
Klamath County had Oregon’s highest seasonally adjusted unemployment rate (5.4%) in April. Other counties with relatively high unemployment rates were Grant (5.3%), Curry (5.1%), Crook (5.0%), and Lincoln (5.0%). Benton County registered the lowest unemployment rate in April, at 2.9%. Other counties with some of the lowest unemployment rates in April included Wheeler (3.0%), Washington (3.1%), and Hood River (3.1%).
Between April 2021 and April 2022, total nonfarm employment rose in each of the six broad regions across Oregon. The five Portland metro counties and Willamette Valley region experienced the fastest job growth over the year at 3.8% each. Employment also grew at a relatively fast pace in the Central Oregon region (2.8%). Growth occurred at a slower pace in Southern Oregon (0.8%), Eastern Oregon (0.7%), and along the Coast (0.7%).
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.
Pathological Examination- OSP Fish & Wildlife Division is seeking public assistance in locating the person(s) responsible for shooting a wolf in the Sled Springs Wildlife Management Unit- Wallowa County
Update on pathological examination.
The Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division has closed its investigation into the death of OR 106.
On January 8th, 2022, Fish & Wildlife Division Troopers responded to the location of a deceased, collared wolf on Parsnip Creek Road, in Wallowa County, OR. Troopers located OR 106, a lone female wolf dispersed from the Chesnimnus Pack. Initial observations suggested the wolf died as the result of gunshot wounds.
Based upon these observations, OR 106 was transported to the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Forensic Lab in Ashland, OR. for pathological examination. According to the veterinary examination report, which was received in early March, OR 106 died as a result of blunt force trauma to the chest and pelvic area. The report indicated that the associated trauma was most consistent with a vehicle collision, though other wounds were suspicious of intraspecific fight wounds. A previous gunshot injury to the wolf’s left hind leg was also noted, and though not completely healed, it didn’t appear to be debilitating and was not associated with the cause of death.
The Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division would like to thank the USFWS Forensics Lab for their diligent efforts with the pathological examination, and their continued support.
On January 8, 2022, at 10:36 A.M. a concerned citizen reported to the Oregon State Police and ODFW personnel of finding a collared deceased wolf on Parsnip Creek RD in Wallowa County, approximately 6 miles southeast of Wallowa, OR. OSP Troopers and ODFW personnel responded to the area and located a deceased collared wolf. The initial investigation revealed that the wolf likely died as a result of being shot. The wolf, OR 106, was a two-year-old collared female. OR 106 was a lone wolf that dispersed from the Chesnimnus Pack.
OSP is urging anyone with information regarding this case to call the Oregon State Police Tip-line at 1-800-452-7888, OSP (677), or email at TIP@state.or.us. Reference case # SP22006179. — Oregon State Police
Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators
The Oregon Hunters Association TIP reward offers preference points or cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Goat, Moose, Elk, Deer, Antelope, Bear, Cougar, Wolf, Upland Birds, Waterfowl, Furbearers, Game Fish and Shellfish. Cash rewards can also be awarded for turning in people who destroy habitat, illegally obtain licenses/tags, and for the unlawful lending/borrowing of big game tags.
Oregon-Washington BLM to impose fire restrictions, fireworks ban starting Friday
Fire restrictions will be in place across Pacific Northwest starting May 27 to help protect local communities.
The Bureau of Land Management announced that the use of fireworks, exploding or metallic targets, steel component ammunition, tracer or incendiary devices and sky lanterns will be prohibited on public areas across Oregon and Washington.
Those who violate those prohibitions could see a $1,000 fine and/or a prison sentence of up to a year. People who are found responsible for creating wildfires on federal lands may be held responsible to pay off fire suppression costs.
“Fire restrictions help protect our first responders, local communities, and public lands from accidental wildfires,” Barry Bushue, BLM Oregon/Washington state director. said. “We are continuing to see drought conditions across Oregon and Washington. By following fire restrictions, the public can help us focus our fire resources on naturally caused fires.”
May is Wildfire Awareness Month. CLICK HERE✎ EditSign to read more about the fire restrictions.
Rock & roll up your sleeve: Give blood or platelets with the Red Cross
Donors have chance to win VIP trip to Graceland and more by coming to give in June
(Portland, OR) May 24, 2022 — Elvis Presley is known for being the first global rock and roll icon. He was also a blood donor himself! While times have changed, the need for blood has not − donors can leave a lasting legacy themselves by making a lifesaving blood or platelet donation with the American Red Cross.
In honor of the new Baz Luhrmann film, Elvis, all who come to give in the month of June will be automatically entered for a chance to win a VIP trip to Graceland for two, including round-trip airfare to Memphis, plus a three-night stay at The Guest House and Elvis Entourage VIP tour, courtesy of Graceland, a custom-wrapped Gibson Epiphone guitar and more. Additionally, those who come to donate June 1-30 will also receive a $5 e-gift card to a merchant of choice.
It’s critically important the Red Cross maintain a stable blood supply for patients this summer. To schedule an appointment to donate, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit https://rdcrss.org/findappt1 or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Final days of COVID-19 antibody testing
All Red Cross blood, platelet and plasma donations are being tested for COVID-19 antibodies through June 3. Donors can learn if their donation has the antibody levels needed to potentially help COVID-19 patients with a weakened immune system.
Here are a few upcoming blood donation opportunities June 1-15:
6/3 – Rock Creek Church, 4470 NW 185th Ave, Portland, 12:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
6/3 – Lake Oswego City Hall, 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
6/3 – Eastwood Baptist Church, 675 N. Keene Wy., Medford, 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
6/4 – Salem Blood Donation Center, 1860 Hawthorne Ave, Salem, 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
6/6 – Portland Playhouse, 602 NE Prescott St., Portland, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
6/8 – Motel 6, 1572 NE Burnside Rd., Gresham, 1:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Find more blood donation opportunities available in your area at https://rdcrss.org/findappt1.
Health insights for donors
At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.
Donors can expect to receive sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.
Blood drive safety
The Red Cross follows a high standard of safety and infection control. The Red Cross will continue to socially distance wherever possible at blood drives, donation centers and facilities. Oregon and Washington still require masks to be worn at all blood collection sites. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at a drive.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit https://rdcrss.org/findappt1 , call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App. — American Red Cross – Cascades Region
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
# # # Terms apply. Visit rcblood.org/elvismovie
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Have-You-Seen-Me-Southern-Oregons-Missing-People-161249961222839/posts/