Rogue Valley News, Friday 10/21 – Animal Abuse Discovered at Rural Rogue River Residence, Gold Hill Man Arrested for Multiple Juvenile Sex Crimes, Jackson County Animal Shelter Adoption Event

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, October 21, 2022 

Rogue Valley Weather

Animal Abuse Discovered in Rural Rogue River Residence, 32 Animals Rescued

JCSO Case 22-6121

ROGUE RIVER, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies and Jackson County Animal Services Animal Control officers responded to a residence yesterday afternoon for a report of a sick dog in the front yard. Upon arrival, deputies and Animal Control officers discovered a diseased, neglected dog in the yard and two deceased dogs nearby in the same condition. 

Due to the severity of the dogs’ condition, a search warrant was sought and granted for the property on the 6600 block of East Evans Creek Road in Rural Rogue River. Upon entry into the house, JCSO deputies and Animal Control officers discovered 10 more dogs suffering from the same condition. The dogs were diseased, malnourished, and close to death. Living inside the residence were also 10 exotic birds in cages, and at least six cats. Outside of the residence investigators discovered a dead cat and a cage with six pigeons. JCSO deputies, Animal Control officers, Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers, a Community Services Deputy, and a local veterinarian employee rescued a total of 32 animals from the property.

The suspects, Michael Lee Hamilton, 71, and Debbie Lee Hamilton, 61, both of Rogue River, were charged with three counts of first-degree animal abuse, and 10 counts of second-degree animal abuse. This case is under further investigation. Jackson County District Attorney’s office will prosecute the case.

All of the animals were surrendered by the owner on scene. The exotic birds were housed overnight at the Jackson County Animal Shelter and were transferred to several local bird rescues today. The dogs were all examined at Southern Oregon Veterinary Specialty Center this morning and a treatment plan was initiated for each dog. All of the living dogs will be transferred to the Oregon Humane Society where they will receive extensive medical care and rehabilitation. Jackson County Animal Services is thankful for the support of the rescue community that has allowed these animals to quickly start their journey toward recovery. 

Gold Hill Man Arrested for Multiple Juvenile Sex Crimes, Special Victims Unit Detectives Looking for Other Underage Victims

2022-10/6186/158500/WILLIAMS_ETHAN.jpg

JCSO Cases 22-1792, 22-4253, 22-6094

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) Special Victims Unit (SVU) detectives arrested a Gold Hill man today for multiple sex crimes involving three juvenile victims. The suspect, Ethan Lavelle Williams, 23, of Gold Hill, was charged with four counts of second-degree sexual abuse, third-degree rape, luring a minor, and first-degree online sexual corruption of a child. He is lodged in the Jackson County Jail.

JCSO SVU detectives believe there may be other victims. Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call SVU Detective Wenzel at (541) 770-8928.

This case is under investigation with SVU detectives working additional leads. Further information will come from the Jackson County District Attorney’s office. 

Marijuana Search Warrant 10/19/22

INCIDENT DATE: October 19, 2022 

REPORTING DEPUTY: Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET)

ARRESTED: 41 year-old, Moaied Maali

                     43 year-old, Arfat Najjar

CHARGES: 1- Unlawful Delivery of Marijuana  

                    2- Unlawful Possession of Marijuana                                     

DETAILS:

On October 19, 2022, the Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) received information from a local trucking company that two individuals were attempting to ship approximately 600 pounds of marijuana to Illinois. After the trucking company realized what the two individuals were attempting to do, the driver unloaded his truck and advised the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office where the pallet of marijuana and the two responsible for the shipment could be found. 

JMET responded to the location and contacted Moaied Maali and Arfat Najjar.  Upon investigation, detectives located and seized the 600 pounds of marijuana and $25,000 in cash that was later seized by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Moaied Maali and Arfat Najjar were arrested and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Delivery of Marijuana and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.

At the time of this press release the investigation is ongoing and no further details are being released.

Jackson County Animal Shelter Reduced fee DOG adoption event!

Help! SO many dogs are looking for their fur-ever home at the Jackson County Animal Shelter. 

Due to the unprecedented number of animals continuing to enter our shelter, dog lovers can visit the shelter without an appointment between noon and 4 p.m., October 22 – 23, to find their best furry friend at a reduced fee!

During this event, the fee for DOGS will be just $50.  

DATES: Saturday and Sunday, October 22 – 23, Noon to 4 PM

LOCATION: Jackson County Animal Shelter
5595 S. Pacific Hwy in Phoenix (nearer to Talent).

No appointments are needed to attend this event. 

During this event, adopting families will go through the same standard adoption process they would if applying at other times, which includes an application and screening requirements. In addition to the adoption fee, adopters who live in Jackson County will also be responsible for paying $25 for an annual dog license.


 This event is made possible with the assistance of Friends of the Animal Shelter (FOTAS) which is paying the difference for each reduced fee adoption. MORE INFO: https://www.fotas.org/wag/ — https://jacksoncountyor.org/hhs/General/News-Information/reduced-fee-dog-adoption-event-5

State, federal and local leaders convene to share progress on statewide housing plan

U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, Oregon Housing and Community Services and Hacienda spoke to importance of community partnerships in addressing affordable housing crisis  

From left to right: Eddy Morales, Gresham City Councilor, Eric Payne, Community Development Partners, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, Andrea Bell, Oregon Housing & Community Services, Dena Compton, Rockwood Village Resident, Ernesto Fonseca, Hacienda, State Re

GRESHAM, Ore. – Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) Director Andrea Bell joined U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley and Hacienda CDC CEO Ernesto Fonseca and other local leaders to meet with residents at Rockwood Village, an affordable housing community that opened in fall 2021 and serves 224 households. Director Bell also shared progress on the statewide housing plan, which was developed in 2019 to expand the supply of affordable housing in communities across Oregon.   

“Every Oregonian should have access to a decent home in a decent community, but far too many people across the state are struggling to find housing that is affordable and stable,” said Sen. Merkley. “Rockwood Village is proof that community partners are essential to ensuring we are building housing in the locations that need it most, and we’re providing culturally informed services and resources that match community needs. I’ll continue fighting to get every federal housing dollar I can into our state so communities like this can be replicated statewide.” 

After extensive listening sessions in rural, urban and suburban communities across the state, the agency launched a five-year statewide housing plan which outlined ambitious goals. It was the first time that the state had created a strategic, statewide plan for addressing the housing shortage.   

“When we created the statewide housing plan, we were given an opportunity to rethink how we deliver services, identify inequities in our systems, and center the voices of those that were intentionally left out. OHCS continues to make steady progress on the statewide housing plan,” said OHCS Director Andrea Bell. “We recognize that the plan was written prior to a global pandemic. Out of necessity, we have continually pivoted and reprioritized, while keeping ourselves accountable to the plan. We put forward the largest budget request in the agency’s history for the 2023-2025 budget year: $775 million.”  

Following are highlights from progress made on the statewide housing plan. OHCS: 

  • Set a goal of increasing funding for housing in rural Oregon by 75%. With more than a year to go, OHCS has surpassed its goal by funding 3,612 affordable rental homes in rural areas, a 148% increase from the previous five-year period from 2014-2019.  
  • Set a goal of funding 1,000 new permanent supportive homes. In 2022, the state exceeded that goal by funding more than 1,200 new permanent supportive homes. This type of affordable housing connects people experiencing chronic homelessness with additional support services to help them stay stably housed.  
  • Set a goal of increasing the existing pipeline of affordable rental housing by  25,000 homes. In 2022, OHCS has increased the pipeline by nearly 21,000 homes, 82% of the way to meeting the goal.   

“This progress represents the collective efforts of our federal delegation, the Governor, the Oregon State Legislature, community partners, Tribal Nations, federal, state and local agencies, developers, local businesses, and local communities—to ensure quality and affordable housing is available to everyone in our state,” said Bell. “But we also recognize the demand for affordable housing options far outweighs supply. This progress shows that having a plan in place, with the right partners at the table, and being accountable to Oregonians, ensures we can continue to deliver.”  

Leaders present today remarked on the urgency to keep the momentum going and the need to continue to introduce innovative partnerships and solutions to build quality, affordable housing in every corner of the state. Speakers noted that many members of the community are still struggling to get by, but redoubled their collective commitment to continuing to be relentless in ensuring every Oregonian has a safe, affordable and stable place to call home.  

“We know the importance of safe and stable affordable homes for our community members. Rockwood Village is the latest example of our work to not just build apartments to live in, but to create a community where people feel connected and can thrive,” said Hacienda CEO Ernesto Fonseca. 

OHCS will begin working closely with stakeholders, with significant community input, over the next year to develop a revised five-year statewide housing plan that reflects the current landscape and addresses the most pressing housing issues facing the state.  

Oregon Unemployment Rate Update

Oregon’s unemployment rate edged up to 3.8% in September from 3.7% in August.

Oregon nonfarm payroll employment shed 600 jobs in September. Although a small decline, this was the first drop in jobs following 12 consecutive months of gains.

Losses in September were largest in other services (-1,500 jobs), government (-1,100 jobs), and financial activities (-700). These losses were balanced by gains in professional and business services (+1,400), health care and social assistance (+1,000), manufacturing (+800), and leisure and hospitality (+600).

Oregon’s private sector added 500 jobs in September, reaching an all-time high of 1,676,100. This was 4,400 jobs, or 0.3%, above its pre-recession peak in February 2020.

Other services—one of the smallest of the major industries, employing 61,200 in September—has pulled down overall jobs in recent months. It cut 2,700 jobs between July and September, following a spike upward of 4,200 jobs between April and July. In September, a diverse grouping of establishments cut jobs including civic and social organizations, religious organizations, and nail salons.

Health care and social assistance rebounded substantially this year following a lackluster performance in 2021. It added 10,800 jobs during January through September 2022. Each of its four component industries added jobs during that time, with two growing at the fastest rate and adding the most jobs: ambulatory health care services (+4,500 jobs) and social assistance (+3,100).

Accommodation and food services continued to recover from the Pandemic Recession, adding 2,400 jobs in September and gaining 16,100 jobs over the past 12 months. Despite this recent growth, it is still 6,500 below its pre-pandemic high reached in February 2020.

Oregon’s latest unemployment rate moved above the recent low of 3.5% reached in May, June, and July. The U.S. unemployment rate declined from 3.7% in August to 3.5% in September.

Despite slight differences in their movements in recent months, both the U.S. unemployment rate and Oregon’s unemployment rate have each averaged 3.6% since March.

Oregon PUC Receives Federal Pipeline Safety Grant Funds

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) recently received just under $670,000 in grant funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

The PUC received the grant funds as part of its agreement with PHMSA to assist the federal government’s safety program. The grant funds will help maintain the PUC’s Pipeline Inspection Program, which aims to enhance safety for Oregonians by conducting inspections of Oregon’s natural gas pipeline infrastructure, enforcing pipeline safety regulations, and conducting thorough investigations of pipeline-related incidents.

PHMSA issues these grants to support the cost of personnel, equipment, and activities reasonably required to inspect and carry out enforcement activities of pipeline facilities to improve safety and reduce risk associated with pipeline transportation. The states inspect 90 percent of the pipeline infrastructure under federal jurisdiction. 

The PUC’s Pipeline Safety Program regulates the safety practices of 13 pipeline operators that manage 812 miles of intrastate gas transmission lines, 16,000 miles of gas distribution mains, just over 825,000 individual service lines, and two liquefied natural gas peak shaving facilities. 

# # # The PUC regulates customer rates and services of the state’s investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities, including Portland General Electric, Idaho Power, Pacific Power, Avista, Cascade Natural, and NW Natural. The PUC also regulates landline telephone providers and select water companies. The PUC’s mission is to ensure Oregonians have access to safe, reliable, and fairly priced utility services that advance state policy and promote the public interest. We use an inclusive process to evaluate differing viewpoints and visions of the public interest and arrive at balanced, well-reasoned, independent decisions supported by fact and law. For more information about the PUC, visit oregon.gov/puc.             

Pacific Northwest has Worst Air in the United States Due to Wildfire Smoke

Wildfires in Oregon and Washington are blanketing much of the Pacific Northwest with smoke, choking residents in Seattle, Portland, and other parts of the two states with the worst air in the United States, according to government data.

The 10 U.S. locations with the worst air quality on Thursday were all in Washington or Oregon, led by Oakridge, Oregon, 150 miles (240 km) southeast of Portland. Oakridge’s air quality index was 487, in the hazardous category, according to the federal airnow.gov website.

Seattle, with an air quality index of 207 and Portland, with 204, led large cities on the list, with air considered to be very unhealthy. To have poor air quality from wildfire smoke as late in the year as October is unprecedented in Washington, said Susan Woodward, spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Ecology.

“It’s a column of smoke all the way down to the ground right now,” she said. The air quality index measures a combination of ozone and particulate pollution in the air.

In Portland, the air was hazy and people wore N95 face masks outside as they walked or rode bicycles through town, Harry Esteve, a spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, said on Thursday.

In Oregon, smoke from numerous fires has been held close to the ground by a weather system, he said.

On Thursday, Oregon expanded an air quality advisory to cover much of the state including the Portland metro area, urging people to stay indoors if possible and use filtered ventilation systems or air purifiers.

Rain expected on Friday throughout the region was expected to aid firefighting efforts and improve air quality.

But Esteve said that officials working to put out numerous fires burning in Oregon fear that extreme dry conditions over the summer have left brush and other fuels for fire so parched that it would take a lot of moisture to extinguish them. As a result, the blazes may continue to smolder and create smoke despite the anticipated precipitation, he said.

The federal government’s InciWeb wildfire information site shows more than two dozen wildfires currently burning in Washington and Oregon. About 10 fires burning within a few hours’ drive of Portland have contributed to the smoky air there, officials said earlier this week.

Rain and Snow in Forecast Also Brings Slick Roads

As the weather forecasts that rain and snow are on the way with potential help for the drought situation and the prolonged wildfire smoke that will help clear this weekend, it does bring other dangers.

This will be the first rain chance Oregon’s seen in nearly a month and that means ash, vehicle fluid, and fall leaves will add to potentially slick roads.

The rain will bring slick road conditions to the valleys and coast while snow will make roads icy and slick over the Cascades. The first rains of the season are usually some of the most dangerous because of the rainwater mixing with the oils and other chemicals on the road.

Travelers should reduce speeds this weekend as inclement weather returns to Western Oregon.

Snow elevations are expected to drop to nearly 3,000 ft. through the weekend. Drivers heading to or through higher elevations in central and southern Oregon this weekend should prepare for winter weather.

With the predicted rain on Friday, the National Weather Service is forecasting several inches of snow to fall in the Cascades in areas above 4,000 feet. Travelers should prepare for wet and snow conditions during the day and ice in the early morning.

To prepare for winter driving:

  • Always carry tire chains and practice putting them on.
  • Make sure vehicle tires have good tread and windshield wipers are clean and in good condition.
  • Make sure the vehicle’s heater and defroster are working well.
  • Pack warm clothes, extra snacks and water, and an emergency stock of medications.
  • Check Tripcheck.com for up-to-date road conditions.

“On the road, drivers should slow down, give other vehicles extra space, and drive according to conditions,” the ODOT said in a statement. “If you’re using GPS navigation, double check its route. Some GPS systems may lead you down unmaintained back roads. Be safe and stick to main roads.”

Voting in Oregon feels GOOD

It’s time to get #VoteReady:Just grab your ballot and a blue or black pen!☑️ You don’t even need a stamp☑️ It’s not a test: you can vote on every candidate and measure, or leave some blank☑️ How you vote is private. Make a plan to vote! http://OregonVotes.gov#TrustedInfo2022

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