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
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
Rogue Valley Weather
Medford District BLM Closing Lower Rogue River and Rogue River Trail For Public and Firefighter Safety
As a result of the Rum Creek Fire, the BLM is closing and not permitting the use of the Wild and Scenic Lower Rogue River and Rogue River Trail from Grave Creek to Russian Creek until further notice. This order is for the safety of the public and firefighter personnel and covers all BLM-managed public lands 1/2 mile north and south of the Rogue River.
Boaters will not be permitted to float between Grave Creek and Russian Creek until the closure is lifted. Members of the public may not enter closed areas, and all uses—including hiking, boating, hunting and camping—are prohibited. Pacific Northwest Team 13 is currently engaged on the fire.
“The BLM doesn’t take river closures lightly and we tried to keep the river open as long as possible,” said Bill Dean, Grants Pass Field Manager. “We apologize for the impacts to the rafting community and will re-open the river as soon as it is safe to do so. We commit to honor permits at a later date.”
Overnight, the fire burned rapidly, which caused increase spotting and the fire progressed closer to the river. This afternoon, winds picked up and increased fire activity. The BLM and Pacific Northwest Team 13 will conduct daily assessments in an effort to re-open the river as soon as it is safe to do so.
Maps of the closure areas are available on the Bureau of Land Management’s website.
For additional information about the Rum Creek Fire, please visit https://www.facebook.com/rumcreekfire2022; or https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8348/ To be added to the daily email list, please email 2022.rumcreek@firenet.gov
For the latest road and weather condition updates, visit https://www.tripcheck.com/.
Please call 911 to report any signs of new fires.
A list of personal use restrictions, as well as closure orders, are available at https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions. You can also follow the BLM on Facebook and Twitter @BLMOregon.
Town Hall on White Nationalism in Southern Oregon ‘Community Conversations’ Event Tonight at Southern Oregon University
Urban League of Portland President & CEO, Community Leaders Plan To Discuss Life As A Person Of Color In Medford, Ashland and Surrounding Areas
The following is an announcement from Urban League of Portland President & CEO Nkenge Harmon Johnson about an upcoming Community Conversations event beginning live at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2020, at Southern Oregon University. The event will also be streamed via social media and on public access television.
“We know that Ashland, Medford, and the Southern Oregon area is full of folks who wish and hope white nationalism has been a thing of the past,” Harmon Johnson said recently. “It’s going to be an interesting conversation to hear from people who had thought that this was behind us. Folks are now confronting an issue that we must address today. As we try to figure out what to do next, how do we engage? How do we get beyond barriers? How do we overcome?”
Invited guests include Ashland City Councilor Gina DuQuenne and Nataki Garrett, Artistic Director for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The event will also honor community champions, who are aligned with ULPDX values and mission and who were recommended by area residents.
At A Glance:
- Event (air) date: Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022
- Event (air) time: 6 to 7 p.m.
- Location: Southern Oregon University
- Social Media Stream: @ULPDX Facebook & YouTube pages
- Press contact: Tony Hernandez, comms@ulpdx.org or 503-997-4660 (text/call is quickest)
About the League’s Chief Executive
Nkenge [pronunciation: na-KIN-gay] Harmon Johnson, Esq., one of the Urban League’s longest-serving Presidents & Chief Executive Officers, began seven years ago and currently presides during the League’s 77th year in service to Oregon and Southwest Washington. Under her leadership, the Urban League has been recognized with the highly coveted award of Number #1 nonprofit workplace by Oregon Business magazine.
“It’s an honor to lead this wonderful team,” said President Harmon Johnson. “For nearly eight decades, this organization has served all of Oregon and Southwest Washington with our programming and our robust advocacy on behalf of African Americans and others. The team continues that legacy with award-winning dedication.”
About the Urban League of Portland
The Urban League of Portland’s mission is to empower African Americans and others to achieve equality in education, employment, health, economic security and quality of life. The local affiliate was activated in 1945 and is one of the oldest civil rights and service organizations in the area. Founded in 1910, the National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment to elevate the standard of living in historic Black communities.
Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel Issues Informational Release On Seized Marijuana
On Thursday August 11th, 2022 at the Local Public Safety Coordinating Council meeting (LPSCC), a request was made that we explain and advertise why illegal marijuana that has been seized by law enforcement cannot be sold legally to support/fund law enforcement. Many of our citizens have been asking this reasonable question in our newspaper’s letters section and elsewhere for some time.
No, we cannot sell seized marijuana to fund law enforcement. Here’s why:
Illegal marijuana is very often tainted with toxic chemicals like “Raid foggers,” making the product dangerous to use and a public health concern. Legal marijuana and hemp cultivation operations are subject to inspection by the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission. Testing of the product is mandatory per license/permit regulations. This is done for good reason.
If we were to rely on sales of confiscated marijuana for revenue, that could create a conflict of interest and possibly lead to an unethical situation where law enforcement had ulterior motives in prosecuting individuals. We strive to avoid any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
Selling confiscated marijuana would be no different than the bad old days of law enforcement funding itself with traffic tickets, (which we do not). If you think about it, how many tickets could our police write? Could this lead to abuse instead of enforcing traffic safety?
Furthermore, our County does not compete for sales with law-abiding cannabis producers, possibly undercutting their business margins, or “flooding” the market.
Illegal marijuana is evidentiary in nature. This also prohibits its sale to the public.
So, while we applaud the innovative thinking of the citizens asking why our County does not sell confiscated illegal marijuana to fund public safety, this will not be a revenue solution for Josephine County.
The goal in this release is to help inform the public and extend gratitude for those whose goal is to support law enforcement in Josephine County.
Upcoming Criminal Justice Town Hall Community Meetings in Jackson County
How Can We Better Serve You?
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) is partnering with the District Attorney’s (DA) office, and Code Enforcement to conduct five “Town Hall” style community meetings throughout the County starting September 1. These meetings will give local community members a chance to talk crime and livability issues with a panel including representatives from the DA’s office, JCSO Corrections and Patrol, a sex crimes detective, and Code Enforcement. There will be a Spanish-speaking representative on the panel.
We are looking to interact directly with our community in a commitment to accountability and transparency, as well as to identify local issues. This is a completely open forum designed for the public to ask questions about our local criminal justice system and to voice comments and concerns about the local community issues that matter to them. To ask questions anonymously each location will have a QR code you can scan with your smart phone and send questions directly to the panel.
The meetings will be every other Thursday from 6-9 p.m. starting September 1st:
Sept. 1 Ruch/Applegate Area – Fire District #9 – 1095 Upper Applegate Rd., Jacksonville, OR
Sept. 15 Wimer / Rural Rogue River Area – Rogue River High School – 1898 E. Evans Creek Rd., Rogue River, OR
Oct. 6 Sams Valley / Rural Gold Hill Area – Sams Valley Elementary School – 14235 Table Rock Rd., Central Point, OR
Oct. 20 Prospect Area – Prospect Community Club – 305 Red Blanket Rd., Prospect, OR
Nov. 3 White City Area – Jackson County Auditorium – 7520 Table Rock Rd., Central Point, OR
MORE INFO: Jackson Co. Sheriff’s Office
We want to keep you informed about COVID-19 in Oregon. Data are provisional and change frequently. Note: This report covers the three-day period from August 19 to August 21, 2022.For more information, including COVID-19 data by county, visit our dashboard: http://ow.ly/epmL50KpNxR
Four Klamath River Community McKinney Fire Victims Identified
After more than three weeks since the McKinney Fire first sparked in the Klamath National Forest, destroying more than 60,000 acres, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office has positively identified the four confirmed fatalities.
They have been identified as Kathleen Shoopman, age 73, Charles Kays, age 79, Judith Kays, age 82 & John Cogan, age 76, all from Klamath River, California.
According to the Klamath National Forest, the McKinney Fire has burned 60,392 acres and is 95% contained. All lines continue to hold on the McKinney Fire as well according to officials.
Oregon Wildfire Updates
The Rum Creek Fire, burning northwest of Grants Pass in southwestern Oregon, reached 360 acres as of Monday morning as firefighters and air support work to slow the spread and continue creating safe access points to the perimeter of the fire, according to an update from officials.
The fire is burning on a ridgeline with steep drops with the potential for danger to crews as well as burning debris rolling downhill and spreading the fire. Officials said 266 personnel are assigned today, including a new additional hot shot crew and multiple hand crews for support.
The trailhead to Rainie Falls has been closed for safety by the Bureau of Land Management until further notice.
The nearby Hog Creek Fire is holding at 32 acres and 30% containment. Crews continue to mop up at Hog Creek, as well as monitor the perimeter to ensure the fire doesn’t expand, according to an update from officials.
Further northeast, the Cedar Creek Fire continues to burn 15 miles east of Oakridge, reaching 7,012 acres and 0% containment as of Monday. Firefighters continue to work on direct engagement and attack of the fire, with 788 personnel assigned across engines, hand crews, heavy equipment and helicopters.
Crews will begin initiating a closure near Waldo Lake, bringing the closure all the way to the shoreline on the west side of the lake. Heavy fire traffic and activity is expected in the area, starting Monday, according to an update from Cedar Creek Incident Commander Lonnie Click. Helicopters will spend most of the day dropping water on hot spots in the area.
There will be a virtual community meeting hosted for the Cedar Creek Fire on Tuesday at 7 p.m. via the incident Facebook page.
Smoke from the Slapjack Fire, estimated to be 5 acres, was visible from Oakridge on Monday, but does not signify additional fire growth and is being managed actively, Click said.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://www.nwfirescience.org/current-fire-information
Fatal Traffic Crashes On The Rise In Oregon
Fatal traffic crashes in Oregon have increased significantly according to Oregon State Police (OSP).
“We have seen an alarming trend in fatal crashes across Oregon,” OSP Lt. Steve Mitchell says.
Three people died following a traffic crash Aug. 15 along Highway 101 at Gleneden Beach in Lincoln County. On the same day, another fatal crash occurred along Interstate Five near Woodburn in the Willamette Valley. That crash claimed one live.
Mitchell said his agency has seen an increase in fatal traffic crashes over the past two years.
OSP documents show the number of fatal crashes:
- 2019 = 195
- 2020 = 200
- 2021 = 234
Over the years, law enforcement reports have listed the cause of many of the fatal crashes as one vehicle crossing over the center-line of the roadway.
The News Guard asked Mitchell what OSP reconstruction of the deadly crashes reveals as the cause of the crashes. Is it driver fatigue, medical issue, attention failure, texting, eating?
“There is no easy way to narrow down specific reasons for distracted driving,” Mitchell said. “All the things you mention in the question are causes of Lane Usage crashes”
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has a web site for crash reports and statistics. View the site at https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Data/Pages/Crash.aspx.
Mitchell said there are specific areas of the state where OSP is seeing an uptick in fatal crashes. Below are the highways OSP has seen the most fatal crashes during the same time-frame (2019 – 2021):
- I-5 and Hwy 99 in Jackson County
- Hwy 199 in Josephine County
- I-5 and Hwy 99 in Marion County
- Hwy 211 and Hwy 224 in Clackamas County
- Hwy 97 in Deschutes County
- Hwy 97 in Klamath County
- Hwy 58 in Lane County
- 1-5 in Douglas County
“There are numerous variables that can cause crashes in particular geographical locations,” Micthell said. “It could be increased traffic volume, a long weather event and motorists committing traffic violations that lead to crashes in a particular area.”
Mitchell said the largest contributor to the fatal traffic crashes is speed and lane safety, driving on the wrong side of the road.
State troopers and partner public safety agencies focus on what is called the Fatal 5 driving behaviors, which Mitchell said contributes to most of all motor vehicle crashes.
The Fatal 5 are:
- Speed
- Occupant safety
- Lane safety
- Impaired driving
- Distracted driving
“Our patrol division troopers focus on the Fatal 5 violations to reduce crash and fatal crash rates,” Mitchell said. “Though high visibility enforcement, OSP attempts to reduce the crashes related to Fatal 5 violations.”
The following is a link to an interactive that shows OSP{ patrol activities around the state: https://www.oregon.gov/osp/Pages/patrolmap.aspx
Mitchell said OSP makes the following recommendations
Speed – Drive the speed limit and on occasion drive the speed with due regard to the conditions at the time. Which could be road and weather conditions that would warrant slower speeds for safety.
Occupant Safety – Wear your seatbelts. Wear them correctly. Make sure children are in proper child safety seats.
Lane Safety – Drive within your lane. Keep distractions at a minimum that could cause a person to leave their lane. If you are fatigued pull over and rest at a safe location so that you do not fall asleep and leave the travel lane.
Impaired Driving – Do not drive buzzed, whether from alcohol or other drugs that could cause any impairment. Call for a designated driver, taxi, ride share or other options.
Distracted Driving – Put that phone down. Stop doing anything that can cause you to look away from the road.
Oregon State Police Actively Recruiting To Avoid Future Shortage of Troopers
Oregon State Police may soon have a shortage of troopers if the agency can’t recruit more people to join its ranks.
OSP Recruiting Sgt. Melody Richmond says the potential shortage is from attrition; mostly, anticipated retirements.
It’s a tough process and a difficult job, but OSP has a positive reputation among law enforcement.
For more information, stop by the OSP recruiting booth at the State Fair, which begins Friday, or the Pendleton Round Up. You can also visit OSPTrooper.com.
Merkley and Wyden Announce Over $72 Million Headed To Oregon For COVID-19 And Natural Disaster Recovery
The following is a release from the Press Office of Oregon U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley.
Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden recently announced a total of $72,211,884.93 in U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awards.
These funds are intended to help various organizations and departments around Oregon to financially recover from disaster and emergency response efforts and to repair critical infrastructure from extreme weather events.
“Natural disasters and emergencies can strike at any time, requiring emergency responses during and in the immediate aftermath of the event,” said Merkley. “This FEMA funding, which is going to Oregon communities and agencies that have been impacted by wildfires, winter storms, and the COVID-19 pandemic, is crucial to ensuring our communities are able to recover quickly and will support future preventative measures to protect Oregonians in every corner of the state from natural disasters when they strike.”
“This is welcome news for Oregon communities working hard on the three R’s that follow natural disasters — response, recovery and rebound,” Wyden said. “These federal resources are a must to help our entire state in the wake of weather-related disasters and the fallout from COVID on emergency response statewide to the unprecedented public health crisis. I’ll always keep fighting to ensure Oregonians get similar federal assistance whenever disasters hit.”
Award amounts and recipients follows below:
$60,183,670 to Oregon Health Authority for emergency response and protective measures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
$4,886,335.88 to the City of Umatilla for replacement of a pedestrian bridge that crosses the Umatilla River as a result of severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides.
$2,013,729.82 to the Oregon Department of Corrections for emergency protective measures as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
$2,008,180.97 Oregon Department of Forestry for emergency protective measures as a result of wildfires and straight-line winds.
$1,696,398.75 To Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) for permanent repairs as a result of wildfires and straight-line winds.
$1,423,569.51 to the City of West Linn for Public Assistance Alternate Procedures (PAAP) debris removal operations as a result of winter storms.
Drought conditions in the Pacific Northwest are not nearly as severe as they were last year, but some areas are still seeing severe, extreme and even exceptional drought.
About 38.5% of the region was completely drought-free as of Aug. 16, said Larry O’Neill with the Oregon Climate office at a regional drought webinar Monday.
He said that’s good news, especially considering there were no drought-free areas recorded on last year’s map around this same time.
“At this time last year, the majority of the Pacific Northwest was either in extreme or exceptional drought, which are the two worst drought categories,” he said. “By many measures, it was one of the worst droughts in the recorded history (of) the Pacific Northwest.”
But the region hasn’t escaped drought altogether this year. About 22.3% of the region was abnormally dry, with 15.6% experiencing moderate drought, 11.7% experiencing severe drought and 11.4% experiencing extreme drought in the U.S. Drought Monitor’s Aug. 16 measurement. One area in central Oregon, which makes up about 0.5% of the region as a whole, was experiencing exceptional drought conditions.
Drought can affect fire danger, agriculture, water habitats and irrigation, according to the monitor.
Women Missing Since May 1st 2022 between Medford, Grants Pass and Roseburg per Oregon State Police (Jackson, Josephine and Douglas County)
| MAKENNA KENDALL 5/3/2022 |
| ERICA LEE HUTCHINSON 5/26/2022 |
| MARIAH DANIELLE SHARP 6/12/2022 |
| KAITLYN RAE NELSON 6/14/2022 |
| BROOKLYN JOHNS 6/14/2022 |
| DONNA LEPP 6/27/2022 |
| BARBARA DELEPINE 7/4/2022 |
| ****KENDRA MARIE HANKS 7/7/2022 FOUND MURDERED 7/21/2022 |
| CORI BOSHANE MCCANN 7/8/2022 |
| SHYHAILA SMITH 7/12/2022 |
| ALEZAE LILYANNE MARTINEZ 7/13/2022 |
| RAVEN RILEY 7/13/2022 |
| TAHUANA RILEY 7/13/2022 |
| DANIELLE NEWVILLE 7/14/2022 |
| CONNIE LORAINE BOND 7/19/2022 |
| KARIN DAWN RUSSELL 7/19/2022 |
| CHEYENNE SPRINGS 7/19/2022 |
| KAREN ANNETTE SCIORTINO 7/22/2022 |
| MARLENE HICKEY 7/23/2022 |
| MAKAYLA MAY VAUGHT 7/23/2022 |
| WENDY JEAN HAZEN 7/26/2022 |
| SHAHE SOPHIA CATRANIDES 7/27/2022 |
| NAVEAH LEIGH BILYEU 8/1/2022 |
| DEBI ANN HARPER 8/3/2022 |
| CHARLIZE D GIBSON 8/3/2022 |
Women Missing Since May 1st 2022 in Lane County per Oregon State Police
| REISA RAQUEAL SIKEL 5/3/2022 |
| HANNAH MARIE RHOTEN 5/17/2022 |
| MARISSA ALEESA DAMBROSIO 5/18/2022 |
| ISABELLA BROSOWSKEYOUNGBLOOD 6/7/2022 |
| LOUISA DAY AVA 5/28/2022 |
| AMY CHRISTINA SULLIVAN 6/1/2022 |
| NIKKI ELIZABETH ZEREBNY 6/6/2022 |
| SHADOW STAR SEVIGNY 6/17/2022 |
| SHAUNA LEAH HOGAN 6/17/2022 |
| AIRIONNA CHEALSEY RHODES 6/27/2022 |
| KARISSA RENEE ADAMS 7/6/2000 |
| VERONICA ESSYNCE DELERIO 7/6/2022 |
| AUBRIE HANNA STEPHENS 7/10/2022 |
| LARA IVEY STEINMETZ 7/11/2022 |
| SARA LINDSAY SCHAEFER 7/12/2022 |
| ANGELINA MARIE NAZAR 7/16/2022 |
| LUCIA MARTHA PANNIER 7/17/2022 |
| MALINA LINN COATS 7/20/2022 |
| KATHY A VERNACCHIO 7/23/2022 |
| JANE MARIE HOLLIMAN 7/23/2022 |
| ASHLEY MARIE SEELEY 7/27/2022 |
| LILLY ANNE WARMUTH 7/28/2022 |
| MALINA LINN COATS 7/29/2022 |
| JORDYN CLARA GOHL 7/31/2022 |
| QAVAH ALAH TILLILIE 7/31/2022 |
| TALYNN RYLIE MERTZ 8/1/2022 |
| YASINIA CALLISTA GUTIERREZ 8/3/2022 |
As of 8/9/2022, there are now 51women missing between Medford and Eugene. Sadly Kendra Hanks has been found murdered, though that takes her off the list. We send thoughts and prayers to her family as well as the families of all missing people in our area.
51 women missing in just less than 3 1/2 months. That averages out to 15 missing per month. Something needs to be done.
This is just a small compilation of missing women and their pictures in the area. There are of course women missing all over Oregon and men and children missing too. We don’t mean to dismiss that, however, there is an inordinate amount of women who go missing each week and there could possibly be a connection with an anomaly or two here and there. Sadly most of them never get any attention. Family and friends must keep any information going and lead investigations so that they aren’t just forgotten.
https://www.oregon.gov/osp/missing/pages/missingpersons.aspx
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Have-You-Seen-Me-Southern-Oregons-Missing-People-161249961222839/posts/
