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
Thursday, June 2, 2022
Rogue Valley Weather
Josephine Co. Sheriff’s Office Serves Another Marijuana Search Warrant 06/01/22
INCIDENT DATE AND TIME: June 1, 2022 at 6:00 AM
ARRESTED: 1- Tony Xiong, 34 years-old
2- Shoua Yang, 33 years-old
3- Thai Her, 35 years-old
CHARGES: 1- Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana
DETAILS: On June 1, 2022 the Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) executed a search warrant in the 2000 block of Robertson Bridge Road regarding an illegal marijuana grow site.
During the execution of the warrant approximately 2,400 marijuana plants were located inside multiple greenhouses on the property. The marijuana plants were seized and destroyed.
34 year-old Tony Xiong, 33 year-old Shoua Yang and 35 year-old Thai Her were taken into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana.
At the time of this press release the investigation is ongoing and no further details are being released.
Talent Attempted Murder Suspect Flees Scene in Victim’s Car, Crashes After Elude With CHP
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives are investigating an attempted murder that occurred Monday night on the 9600 block of Wagner Creek Road in Talent. The female suspect stabbed and beat the 87-year-old female victim before stealing her car and fleeing the scene. The suspect was known to the victim.
A concerned relative discovered the victim around 9:00 yesterday morning when she failed to show up for a daily coffee date. The victim is in stable condition at a local hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.
The suspect, Christy Robertson, 47, of Keizer, Ore., has been charged with attempted murder, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, three counts of first-degree assault, and unlawful use of a weapon. After fleeing the scene in the victim’s stolen car, Robertson drove to the coast and crashed while attempting to elude the California Highway Patrol (CHP). She was admitted to a local Gold Beach, Ore. hospital under Oregon State Police guard until JCSO detectives arrived and transported her to the Jackson County Jail.
The case is under investigation and will be prosecuted by the Jackson County District Attorney’s office. No further information is available for release. JCSO Case 22-3017 Jackson Co. Sheriff’s Office
Structure Fire in the Illinois Valley
6/2/2022 call time 03:08am, Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response and Josephine County Sheriff’s Office to a Structure Fire at 4 Fernwood Drive.
Arriving units found the fire mostly out and needing mop-up. Two patients were transported with injuries.
Rural Metro Fire – Josephine County was dispatched and cancelled enroute. Fire is under investigation at this time with the Sheriff’s Department. Illinois Valley Fire District
Fugitive Arrest in Cave Junction
INCIDENT DATE AND TIME: June 1, 2022 at 10:27 AM
REPORTING DEPUTY: Undersheriff Travis Snyder
ARRESTED: Anthony Duane Siddle, 60 years old
CHARGES: Homicide
DETAILS: On June 1, 2022, Sheriff’s Deputies and members of the United States Marshals Service learned that a fugitive from San Diego was possibly in the Cave Junction area. A Deputy located the suspect’s vehicle and observed a male subject with the vehicle in the 1000 block of Rockydale Road. Additional Deputies and members of the United States Marshals Office along with an Officer from the National Park Police contacted the suspect and took him into custody without incident.
The suspect, Anthony Duane Siddle was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on a San Diego warrant charging Homicide. At the time of this press release, the investigation is ongoing and no further details are being released. Josephine Co. Sheriff’s Office –
Missing 81-Year-Old Man Last Seen Near Applegate Lake
The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office put out a notice that 81-year-old Zed Edison IlI has been missing since he went gold panning on Monday.
Edison was last seen the afternoon of May 30 around 2:30 pm on USFS Road 1050 in Siskiyou County, just south of Applegate Lake, OR.
The sheriff’s office said Edison left a residence on a black and green 2003 Artic Cat ATV to go gold panning and did not return home.
He is most likely wearing a flannel shirt and blue jeans. If located, please contact the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 841-2900.
Grants Pass Police Implement Customer Service Technology
Citizens who have recently called the Grants Pass Police Department may have noticed something new. Beginning on Monday, May 9th, 2022, Grants Pass Police went live with a new technology known as SPIDR Technology. Former law enforcement officers founded SPIDR Tech to help law enforcement agencies leverage their data to improve public perception and increase efficiency by providing excellent customer service. Following extensive market research, SPIDR Tech designed and built the world’s first comprehensive customer service infrastructure for law enforcement to improve communication and transparency between law enforcement agencies and their community.
The SPIDR platform enables the Grants Pass Police to send fully automated follow-up messages to victims of crimes and 911 callers. It also allows Grants Pass Police to close the communication loop by collecting community feedback about each person’s experience with the Grants Pass Police Department.
The partnership between SPIDR and the Grants Pass Police Department provides efficiencies by answering commonly asked questions and refers crime victims to resources. Before implementing SPIDR, citizens looking for information about their cases had to call the police department’s non-emergent line for updates. Now, citizens can choose to be instantly updated on their case status through text messages.
SPIDR President, Rahul Sidhu wrote, “I am excited to welcome the Grants Pass Police Department to the SPIDR Tech family. They routinely demonstrate the value of high-quality community engagement, and we are proud to help them further their customer service capabilities.”
For more information about SPIDR, contact Captain Todd Moran at 541-450-6260
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/r8G650JnFKV
Newly identified coronavirus cases fell for the first time since the second omicron wave began in late March, with 13% fewer new infections reported during the week ending Monday as compared to the week ending May 23. The reported decline in cases ends eight consecutive weeks of rising case tallies.
The Oregonian/OregonLive calculated the decline using cumulative case numbers reported Tuesday compared to the total from a week earlier, instead of the typical Monday reporting cycle. That’s because the Oregon Health Authority declined to release cumulative counts for the Memorial Day holiday.
Meanwhile, hospitalizations have climbed to 303 and, according to an Oregon Health & Science University forecast, could max out at about 330 occupied beds next week. Average daily new cases dropped from a recent peak of nearly 1,690 per day one week ago to about 1,450. State health officials have previously indicated they believe
the current COVID-19 wave may be reaching its peak.
DMV in Dire Need to Fill Job Openings in Your Area
“DMV has been experiencing the same shortage of applicants for job openings as other employers statewide and nationwide,” Joyce said. “The people working at your local DMV live in your community – and could use your help.”
Apply for a job at ODOT today at www.odotjobs.com – select “Department of Transportation” under the Company menu.
“In the meantime, please be kind and patient to your local DMV staff – they are your neighbors, friends and maybe even family.”
Summer is the busiest time of year mainly because of teens getting licenses for the first time.
Services may be limited and you may have longer wait times or need to return another day. Not all business requires you to go to the DMV as many services are available online.
There’s no word when the offices will return to full operations. Staffing levels will be re-evaluated in the fall.
Oregon DMV Staffing Shortages Across the State — Staffing shortages have closed some Oregon DMV offices and many have limited days they are open.
The department said their offices in Ashland, Cave Junction, downtown Portland, Lebanon, Redmond, Sandy and Stayton are closed. The coast is also having staffing shortages and offices there have closed off and on too.
“We’re closing six of our smaller offices and redeploying those people to nearby offices that need them on a day-to-day basis,” said David House with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The Oregon DMV said that staff shortages at its offices are forcing the agency to temporarily reduce business hours at 10 of its 60 field offices and temporarily close six smaller offices, including Redmond, likely through the busy summer season.
“As we enter DMV’s busiest time of year with a severe staff shortage, we recommend going online to DMV2U more than ever,” DMV Administrator Amy Joyce said. “Every time you need a DMV service, see if you can get it done at DMV2U.Oregon.gov. We’ve added over two-dozen services in the past three years.”
DMV spokesman David House states the closures are likely to last “at least for the busy summer season, but it’s impossible to predict because it depends on hiring. So it’s likely we’ll restore offices/hours office by office, not all at once.”
Some services, like adding the Real ID option to your license, must be done in person. Before you go to DMV, make sure your local office is open by visiting the office’s page at OregonDMV.com.
Temporary office closures
Starting May 31, DMV will temporarily close these offices so that remaining staff can reinforce larger nearby offices:
- Ashland
- Cave Junction
- Lebanon
- Redmond
- Sandy
- Stayton
Reduced business hours
As of May 31, these will be the business hours for the following offices:
- Astoria: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays except opening at 10 a.m. Wednesdays; closed 12:30-2 each day for lunch
- Canyonville: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays; closed 12:30-1:30 each day for lunch
- Downtown Portland: Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays
- Heppner: Open 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays only; closed 11:30-12:30 each day for lunch
- Hermiston: Open at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays
- Junction City: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays
- Klamath Falls: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays except opening at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays; closed 12:30-2 each day for lunch
- Lake Oswego: Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays
- Lincoln City: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays; closed noon-1:30 each day for lunch
- Milton-Freewater: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; closed 12:30-2 each day for lunch
“We’re preparing for the busiest time of year for DMV by temporarily redeploying staff to fewer offices,” Joyce said. “Lately we’ve been closing offices – without notice – across the state when we don’t have enough staff that day. We need to stabilize the staffing so customers can know ahead of time which offices are open. As we recruit and train new employees, we will work to reopen offices and restore full business hours, and that will take several months at least.”
Drive tests in particular are in high demand in the summer as many teens get a license for the first time. Drive test appointments fill up fast at DMV, so please consider an approved Oregon testing company. It costs more than a drive test at DMV, but you likely will get an appointment sooner – and maybe on an evening or weekend.
DMV keeps a list of approved third-party test providers here.
ODOT: Major Roadwork Will Be Paused During World Track Championships In Eugene In Mid-July
Major road construction projects in Oregon will be put on hold for about three weeks next month. That’s because of the influx of visitors expected for the World Track Championships in Eugene in mid-July.
ODOT’s Cooper Brown told state lawmakers Wednesday that the temporary pause is meant to keep traffic moving as much as possible.
“We’ve been able to plan ahead because we knew this event was coming,” he said. “So we’ve been able to stagger our work. And we will be able to keep most of our projects on their original timeline, so minimal implications in terms of actually getting these projects delivered. But they will be on pause across our major corridors across the state.”
Because of limited hotel availability, many spectators will commute from outlying cities into Eugene each day during the event.
ODOT is adding additional bus service between Portland and Eugene. Buses make stops in several cities along the way, including Salem and Albany, eventually dropping passengers off across the street from Hayward Field.
No additional passenger train service is planned beyond the current twice-daily Cascades trains and once-daily Coast Starlight, both of which make stops in Eugene and Portland.
Brown said shuttle options will be available from the Eugene Airport, which is not currently served by public transit.
This will be the first time the world championships are held in the United States, and Eugene is the smallest city ever to serve as host.
School Districts Prepare For Possible Exodus Of Teachers At The End Of The School Year
In less than a month, students and teachers will be on summer break following another school year impacted by the coronavirus. But by the fall, how many teachers will return?
While the Oregon Education Association outlined concerns over a possible exodus of educators at the end of the year, some districts that are struggling to balance an ongoing exodus of students are suggesting the impact will not be that large.
The Beaverton School District has seen a steady increase in retirements through the course of the coronavirus pandemic. At the end of the 2019-2020 school year, 109 district employees had retired. At the end of the 2020-21 school year, that number was up to Similar numbers have been reported over much of the state.
Free Fishing Days This Weekend
Grab your crab pots, fishing rods and your bait! Oregon celebrates Free Fishing Days this weekend. You don’t need a license to fish, clam or crab in Oregon Saturday, June 4, or Sunday, June 5.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife designates the first weekend in June for free fishing. Area closures, bag limits and all other fishing regulations still apply. Free fishing opportunities are available for both state residents and non-residents.
Families who would like to practice together can attend one of ODWF’s Family Fishing events.
Saturday June 4
- Estacada, Small Fry Lake, Promontory Park, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Directions: 7 miles east of Estacada on Highway 224.
- Eugene, Alton Baker Canoe Canal, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.
- Hebo Lake, 9 am.-2 p.m. Directions: Take Hwy 101 to Hwy 22 at Hebo. Travel 1/4 mile east on Hwy 22 to Forest Service Rd. 14. Travel east 4.5 miles on Forest Service Rd. 14 to the entrance of the Hebo Lake Campground.
- Forest Grove/Washington County, Henry Hagg Lake, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Directions: From Hwy 47 south of Dilley near Forest Grove, follow Scoggins Valley Rd. about 3 miles to the lake.
- Silverton Reservoir, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. There is no on-site parking at this event. Free shuttles will run every half hour 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Roth’s Market, Robert Frost School, Library, Church of the Nazarene in Silverton.
- Toledo/Newport, Ollala Lake, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Directions: 9 miles northeast of Newport. From Newport, take Hwy. 20 east for approximately six miles, then head north on Olalla Road for about three miles.
Sunday, June 5
- Forest Grove/Washington County, Henry Hagg Lake, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Directions: From Hwy 47 south of Dilley near Forest Grove, follow Scoggins Valley Rd. about 3 miles to the lake.
- Klamath Falls/Medford, Lake of the Woods, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Directions: Lake of the Woods is located off of State Rte. 140 mid-way between Medford and Klamath Falls.
- Free fishing opportunities are available for both state residents and non-residents.
Learn More: Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations – Recreation Report Southwest Zone – Crabbing and Clamming
The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting today’s high temperatures to reach 80°F across parts of Oregon. Remember, it takes just 10 minutes for the inside of your car to reach 99°F on an 80°F day. Don’t forget to look before you lock!
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