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, December 15, 2022
Rogue Valley Weather
AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY ISSUED: 2:27 AM DEC. 15, 2022 – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
...AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST SATURDAY... * WHAT...Stagnant air is expected, which may lead to deteriorating air quality. * WHERE...Portions of northern California and south central and southwest Oregon. * WHEN...Until 4 AM PST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Air stagnation is likely to result in diminishing air quality with time, especially in and near areas with significant sources of air pollution. Diminished air quality is likely to cause health issues for people with respiratory problems if precautions are not taken. * View the hazard area in detail at https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr
Man Arrested After Menacing Medford In-N-Out Burger
On December 14, 2022 at approximately 3:40 a.m. a Medford Police Officer in the area of In-N-Out Burger, located at 1970 Crater Lake Highway, heard an audible business alarm. Upon checking the area, Officers noted a broken window and a male inside the business. The male, later identified as 23-year-old Logan Carranza-Legarda, was arrested and lodged at the Jackson County Jail on criminal mischief and trespass charges.
On the same date, at approximately 12:40 p.m. Carranza-Legarda returned to In-N-Out Burger and began throwing rocks into the business windows. The male armed himself with a knife, entered the business, and menaced several people inside. The business was full of customers and employees who sought shelter under tables and inside bathrooms. Officers responded quickly and took the male into custody without further incident. There were no reported injuries.
Carranza-Legarda was transported to the Jackson County Jail where he was lodged on the listed charges:
The Manager at In-N-Out, as well as the other employees and citizens inside the establishment, responded quickly and appropriately. Their response likely prevented any personal harm during this incident.
The Medford Police Department would like to take this opportunity to educate the public on the “Run, Hide, Fight” protocol if involved in an active threat incident.
Run- evacuate if possible and once you are safe, call 9-1-1.
Hide- if escape is not possible, hide in as safe a place as possible.
Fight- only as a last resort, if your life is in danger.
Ashland Albertson’s Robbery Suspect Taken Into Custody
On December 13, 2022, at approximately 10:37 p.m. officers from the Ashland Police Department responded to Albertson’s, located at 2301 Ashland Street. The officers were responding to a report of a suspect who had threatened to kill a store employee as he stole over $1,000 worth of merchandise from the store.
Ashland officers located the suspect in the area and still in possession of the stolen merchandise. Upon contact by officers, the suspect threw items at the patrol car, brandished a machete and approached officers while swinging the machete, while refusing officers’ verbal commands to stop advancing and to drop the machete.
A conducted energy weapon (Taser) was used by officers on scene to subdue the suspect, who continued to resist arrest while being taken into custody.
The suspect was lodged at the Jackson County Jail on the following charges: Theft 1, Robbery 2, Menacing (X3), Harassment, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Resisting Arrest and Attempted Assault 1 (X2).
Ashland officers were assisted in this incident by members of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Talent Police Department.
The arrested suspect is identified as Jacques Norman Gerardy, 58 years old, listed as an Ashland area transient.
Another Busy Weekend Spills Over into the Week for Police in Grants Pass
This past weekend, as is becoming all too common, the Grants Pass Police Department was extremely busy with criminal investigations.
Beginning on Friday, December 9th, while detectives were busy with the arrest of Todd Heckers for Manslaughter as the result of an assault at the Wonder Bur on December 1st, Police Officers responded to Riverside Park around 5:02 pm regarding a stabbing that had occurred inside the park. The victim of the stabbing was transported to the Three Rivers Medical Center, where he received treatment for the non-life-threatening wound. Jason Castro, a 39-year-old male, was identified as the stabbing suspect and subsequently located and arrested. Castro was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 2nd Degree Assault and Unlawful Use of a Dangerous Weapon.
On Sunday, December 11th, at 5:23 pm, Grants Pass Police officers responded to a call on NE Madrone Street regarding someone pointing a gun and a possible kidnapping. Officers discovered that 19-year-old Tyler J. Howard-Forni had allegedly threatened a male and female at the residence with a gun in an attempt to collect a debt. Howard-Forni then allegedly forced the male at gunpoint into a vehicle and drove him to Walmart in Grants Pass, where he compelled the victim to withdraw money against his will. Howard-Forni took the money and attempted to flee the scene in the vehicle but was boxed in by police vehicles in the Walmart parking lot and taken into custody without further incident. Tyler Howard-Forni was arrested and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 1st Degree Robbery, 1st Degree Kidnapping, and two counts of Unlawful Use of a Dangerous Weapon.
On Wednesday, December 14, at 2:20 am, Grants Pass Police responded to an address on Hill Top Drive regarding a report of a Restraining Order Violation. Officers arrived on the scene and found 49-year-old John R. Knapp had barricaded himself inside a camper on his 76-year-old mother’s property. Knapp’s mother had previously served him with a restraining order. Due to Knapp’s prior threats of burning down his mother’s residence, which resulted in the restraining order, officers surrounded the camper. Grants Pass Police Crisis Negotiations Team members and SWAT responded to the scene to assist in safeguarding the community and taking Knapp into custody with de-escalation techniques. After Five hours of negotiations, Knapp exited the camper and surrendered to police officers. John Knapp was arrested and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Violation of the Restraining Order and 2nd Degree Trespass. No one was injured during the incident.
In addition to these incidents, the Grants Pass Police Department responded to numerous reports of theft, domestic violence, and disorderly conduct. The Grants Pass Police Department would like to thank our community for their patience, assistance, and support during these very busy days. Grants Pass Police Department
Free First Day Hike at Valley of the Rogue State Park Jan. 1, 2023
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is partnering with America’s State Parks for free guided First Day Hikes in state parks on New Year’s Day, Sunday, Jan. 1.
Information about the hike hosted at Valley of the Rogue State Park is below:
- Join us on a 2-mile hike on the Greenway Trail and Rivers Edge Trail.
- The hike starts at 10 a.m. and begins at the amphitheater parking lot.
- The trail has both paved and dirt areas.
- Dogs are welcome on six-foot leashes.
- Participants should dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes, and bring water and snacks, as well as a camera or binoculars for wildlife viewing.
- For more information, 541-582-1118.
The $5 day-use parking fee is waived that day for all state parks that require a parking permit and are open.
Share photos of First Day Hikes via social media by using the hashtag #ORfirstdayhikes.
First Day Hikes is a national initiative to welcome the coming year in the outdoors, promote exercise and encourage connecting with nature. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has participated since 2012.
Free First Day Hike at TouVelle State Recreation Site Jan. 1, 2023
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is partnering with America’s State Parks for free guided First Day Hikes in state parks on New Year’s Day, Sunday, Jan. 1.
Information about the hike hosted at TouVelle State Recreation Site is below:
- Take in nice views of the Rogue River as we take a 1-mile hike on the TouVelle Trail.
- The hike starts at 1:30 p.m. and begins in the day-use area by Area F at the far end of the park.
- The terrain is dirt and gravel on the mostly flat, wide trail.
- Dogs are welcome on six-foot leashes.
- Participants should dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes, and bring water and snacks, as well as a camera or binoculars for wildlife viewing.
- For more information, call 541-582-1118.
The $5 day-use parking fee is waived that day for all state parks that require a parking permit and are open.
Share photos of First Day Hikes via social media by using the hashtag #ORfirstdayhikes.
First Day Hikes is a national initiative to welcome the coming year in the outdoors, promote exercise and encourage connecting with nature. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has participated since 2012.
Oregon’s Unemployment Rate Rises to 4.4% in November
Oregon’s unemployment rate rose to 4.4% in November from 4.1% in October. The unemployment rate increased 0.9 percentage point over the past four months from its recent low of 3.5% in May, June, and July. The last time Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.4% or more was in October 2021 when the rate was 4.4%. In contrast, the U.S. unemployment rate has remained below 4%, as it was 3.7% in both October and November of 2022.
In Oregon, nonfarm payroll employment rose by 8,500 jobs in November, following a gain of 5,500 jobs in October. The gains in November were largest in government (+2,900 jobs); health care and social assistance (+1,400); wholesale trade (+1,100); and leisure and hospitality (+1,000). None of the major industries cut a substantial number of jobs in November.
All major sectors of government grew. Federal government added 900 jobs in November, with several firms adding jobs when they normally would be shedding seasonal jobs heading into the winter slow period. State government added 300 jobs, continuing its slow growth this year. Local government added 1,700 jobs, but remained 2,400 jobs below November 2019, prior to the pandemic recession.
Oregon’s private sector added 5,600 jobs in November, reaching another all-time high of 1,688,400. This was 16,700 jobs, or 1.0%, above the pre-recession peak in February 2020.
Health care and social assistance continued its steady and rapid advances this year, adding 1,400 jobs in November, which was close to its average gain of 1,200 jobs per month this year. Social assistance grew the most, adding 5,100 jobs (+7.8%) in the past 12 months. Ambulatory health care services (+4,500 jobs, or 4.8%) and nursing and residential care facilities (+2,100 jobs, or 4.3%) also have expanded rapidly since November 2021.
Leisure and hospitality is still substantially below its pre-pandemic peak. But its revised gain of 2,000 jobs in October, coupled with its gain of 1,000 in November, put the industry back on its recent upward trajectory. Over the past 12 months it added 15,700 jobs, accounting for nearly a quarter of Oregon’s private-sector job gains during that time.
Notes: All numbers in the above narrative are seasonally adjusted, except for the industries within health care and social assistance.
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 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. 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, select Tools, then choose LAUS or CES under the Economy header. 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 unemployment.oregon.gov.
The Oregon Employment Department (OED) is an equal opportunity agency. OED provides free help so you can use our services. Some examples are sign language and spoken-language interpreters, written materials in other languages, large print, audio, and other formats. To get help, please call 503-947-1444. TTY users call 711. You can also send an email to communications@employ.oregon.gov.
El Departamento de Empleo de Oregon (OED) es una agencia de igualdad de oportunidades. El OED proporciona ayuda gratuita para que usted pueda utilizar nuestros servicios. Algunos ejemplos son intérpretes de lengua de señas e idiomas hablados, materiales escritos en otros idiomas, letra grande, audio y otros formatos. Para obtener ayuda, por favor llame al 503-947-1444. Usuarios de TTY pueden llamar al 711. También puede enviar un correo electrónico a communications@employ.oregon.gov.
Monthly COVID-19 reports released
Oregon Health Authority’s COVID-19 Monthly Data Report, released Thursday, shows an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, but a decrease in deaths.
OHA reported 15,236 new cases of COVID-19 in November, a 13% increase from the 13,427 cases recorded in October.
During November, test positivity was 7.8%, up from 7.3% in October.
This month’s COVID-19 Congregate Care Setting Outbreak Report shows there were 140 active outbreaks in care facilities, senior living communities and congregate care living settings, a 40% increase from the prior month.
Data from the reports was included today on OHA’s COVID-19 data dashboards.
State Land Board Finally Approves The Creation Of The Elliott State Research Forest
following Tuesday’s decision by top state officials to finalize the redesignation of the Elliott State Forest in southwest Oregon into a place for scientific discovery, Oregon has what it’s calling North America’s largest research forest.
The creation of the 80,000-acre Elliott State Research Forest signals an end to a years-long debate over how to manage a state forest in southwest Oregon that was failing to generate revenue for public education.
The board approved the transition of the Elliott from a traditional state forest to a research site, decoupling the forest from the Common School Fund, which relies on revenue from the sale of timber on state forests, among other resources, to help pay for public education in Oregon.
The Elliott forest will remain in public ownership in collaboration with Oregon State University. State officials said the Elliott will continue to contribute to conservation, recreation, education, local economies and more as a publicly owned, working research forest.
The Elliott provides habitat to dwindling wildlife populations, including salmon, the northern spotted owl and the marbled murrelet. Oregon political leaders have been struggling for decades to find a way for the forest to comply with wildlife protection requirements while continuing to meet a legal obligation that the forest generate revenue for public schools.
“The Elliott will provide a better approach for working forest management, improve conservation protections and, significantly, keep the forest in public hands,” Treasurer Tobias Read said in a statement. “We can be proud that current and future generations of Oregonians will benefit from this valuable natural resource.”
Read was joined by Gov. Kate Brown and Secretary of State Shemia Fagan in approving the final plan.
The use of natural resources to pay for education in Oregon dates back to statehood in 1859. Revenues from logging on state forests have historically gone to the Common School Fund. While state income tax and local property tax now serve as major funding sources for education, the requirement to make up for the loss in revenue from timber harvest on the Elliott is significant.
Tuesday’s vote was enabled by the Legislature’s approval of a bill that transferred $221 million into the Common School Fund to replace revenue that logging on the Elliott might otherwise have generated.
Before the plan to turn the Elliott into a research forest, the land was no longer generating enough revenue to cover the costs of managing it, and the state considered selling much of it.
AAA Holiday Travel Forecast: Expect Busy Roads and Crowded Airports
AAA projects 112.7 million Americans (33.8% of the population) will travel for the Christmas and New Year holidays. This is up 3.3% from 2021 and closing in on pre-pandemic numbers.
About 1.6 million Oregonians will pack their sleighs for a holiday trip. 2022 is expected to be the third-busiest year for holiday travel since AAA began tracking in 2000, only trailing 2019 and 2018.
While about 90% of travelers will drive to their holiday destinations, air travel is seeing a jump this year, up 14% compared to 2021. The holiday travel period is defined as Friday, December. 23 through Monday, January 2.
“With Christmas Day and New Year’s Day falling on Sundays, many are taking long weekends to celebrate the holidays. And with hybrid work schedules, we’re seeing more flexibility with the days people are traveling because they can work remotely at their destinations,” says Doreen Loofburrow, senior vice president of travel for AAA Oregon/Idaho.
“Despite roller-coaster gas prices and a bumpy year for flights, people are ready to wrap up the year with a holiday trip. This will be one of the busiest times for holiday travel in the last two decades. Travelers should expect busy roads and crowded airports this holiday season,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho.
Peak traffic expected Dec. 23, 27, 28 and Jan. 2 — Travelers can expect the busiest roads on Dec. 23, 27 and 28 and on Jan. 2. Delays will be the longest in the afternoons and evenings, especially in urban areas, as travelers mix with commuters. Some metro areas across the U.S. could see more than double the delays versus typical drive times, and larger urban areas could experience three times the normal delays.
“Knowing the busiest drive times can help you avoid the stress of being stuck in stop-and-go traffic,” says Dodds.
Medical Examiner Says Body Of Woman Found In Portland Remains Unidentified – Seeks Public Help
The Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Office is asking for the public’s help identifying the body of a woman who died Nov. 28 in Portland.
The Medical Examiner describes the woman as white, between the ages of 20 and 40 years old. They say she also was about 5′4″ tall, weighing 139 pounds. She had medium to long brown hair with brown eyes.
The woman also had pierced ears, with scars on both forearms and the following tattoos:
- Right wrist: Faith Hope Love
- Left wrist: Amirah
- Right Shoulder: Black and red butterfly
Anyone with information about the woman is asked to call the Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Office at (503) 988-0055 and reference case number #MU-221128-812.
