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, December 23, 2022
Rogue Valley Weather
Suspects Arrested for Stealing Mail and Christmas Gifts near Central Point
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies arrested two suspects yesterday after a string of mailbox thefts were reported in the rural Central Point area. Central Point Police Department (CPPD) assisted with the arrest. JCSO deputies responded to a call at 3:08 p.m. from an observant resident with a description of the suspect vehicle, license plate, and their current location in the 1600 block of Hanley Road.
JCSO and CPPD arrived on scene, apprehended both suspects, and recovered mail including Christmas gifts and cards. The suspects stole from mailboxes in the 3000 block of Old Stage Road in Central Point. The mail has been returned to the post office to be redelivered.
The investigation began with a resident who called the police shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday reporting suspicious activity in their neighborhood. The resident described a red Toyota pickup as involved and gave dispatchers a license plate.
The sheriff’s office and Central Point police tracked the Toyota to the 1600 block of Hanley Road, arrested Miller and Peaslee and seized victims’ packages and holiday cards from the vehicle.
The suspects, Derrik Ryan Miller, 30, and Breeana Claudette Peaslee, 34, both of Medford, have been charged with eight felony counts of mail theft. The suspects were lodged in the Jackson County Jail, and added to Santa’s naughty list.
Police say mail thefts are more common during the holidays, and they recommend locals check their mail more frequently, consider purchasing a locking mailbox and sign up for U.S. Postal Service’s informed delivery program. A reminder to other Grinches out there attempting to ruin Christmas, mail theft is a felony crime.
Jackson County Declares State Of Emergency Regarding Hemp And Cannabis Grows
The Jackson County Board of Commissioners in Oregon declared a state of emergency regarding hemp and cannabis grows on Tuesday.
The resolution will prevent the issuance of new hemp licenses. Those with existing licenses are permitted to keep growing.
“The production and processing of cannabis has resulted in significant impacts to Jackson County related to enforcement and compliance of county codes, state criminal law and jeopardizing the public health, safety, and welfare of our citizens,” said Jackson County Administrator Danny Jordan at a work session on Tuesday.
Jordan says its part of the county’s overall effort to combat illegal grows in the Rogue Valley. Those efforts include additional law enforcement resources.
“We have a continued lack of funding and resources to properly regulate and enforce county codes, state criminal law state, and water law related to the cannabis industry that constitutes an extreme risk to public health and safety and continues to cause significant impacts in our county,” Jordan said.
The county commissioners also declared a state of emergency regarding illegal grows last year, which revolved around getting extra funding for law enforcement agencies.
This declaration, however, doesn’t bring statistics on illegal grows like in 2021, but the board does not foresee that as an issue.
“It’s not a problem. If you look at what we basically say, it’s that what led to the rise in 2021 is continuing,” said county counsel Joel Benton at the work session.
Senate Bill 1564, passed earlier this year, allows county governments to request a suspension of hemp-growing licenses within county lines.
Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Ashland, is one of the bill’s chief sponsors. She said there are too many growers getting into the market legally who then exploit the situation.
The state of emergency will expire on Dec. 31 of next year. Marsh is confident that won’t need to be extended based on some of the other strategies in place.
“We’ve gotten resources to law enforcement and to local community organizations that are working with exploited workers on those sites. We’ve gotten money to the water folks so that they can really go out with law enforcement, and we can start to prosecute people for inappropriately hauling water and using water,” Marsh said.
There is a package of new reforms that are on the docket to be considered in Salem early next year, which includes additional prosecution over extremely large grows as well as additional funding for community-based organizations.
Suspects Arrested in String of Burglaries at Food Stores
On the night of December 20th, 2022, deputies responded to a reported burglary and theft at Ray’s Food Place in Selma, Oregon. The suspects fled the store before employees could report it.
Using video surveillance provided by Ray’s Food Place, a male and a female subject were seen entering the store together. The male entered the stores office and unsuccessfully attempted to gain entry to the safe. The male then stole a wallet from an employee’s purse and stole cash from a register before they both exited the store. They left the parking lot in a white van travelling north on HWY 199.
A similar incident was reported by the Ray’s Food Place in Merlin that occurred the evening of December 20th, 2022. Nothing was taken in that incident.
Per store management, their Gold Hill store was burglarized on Thanksgiving Day. Management provided deputies with a picture and name of the possible suspect.
At 2:25 am this morning, deputies located a van at Winco in Grants Pass matching the description of the suspect vehicle used in the Selma incident. A female and a male were contacted.
The male was identified as Brandon Thomas Hoage. Hoage had a felony warrant for his arrest and was taken into custody without incident. Hoage was cooperative and admitted to all three incidents. The employee’s ID and credit cards were recovered from the van. A small amount of cash from the store was also recovered.
The female identified herself as Vickie Ann Knight. She was also cooperative and admitted to her involvement in the Selma and Merlin incidents.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office was contacted and responded to Winco where they interviewed Hoage. Hoage will be charged with Theft II and Burglary II in Jackson County for the Gold Hill incident.
Hoage and Knight were both lodged in the Josephine County Jail for the above listed charges.
Greystone Court Holiday Food Drive for ACCESS Continues Through Christmas Eve
Jackson County food support service ACCESS says the Annual Greystone Court Holiday Food and Fund Drive holiday light display started Wednesday, December 21, and continues through Christmas Eve.
The Christmas lights show hopes to illuminate a need to support food demands locally. Together, ACCESS staff and Greystone Court residents will accept donations of nonperishable food items and cash to help feed people struggling with hunger in Jackson County.
“This cherished event brings the community together to view the beautiful holiday lights while also helping feed thousands of local families,” said ACCESS Advancement Director Kellie Battaglia. “We are so grateful to the Greystone Court residents for their longtime support and to all those who come out to share in the spirit of giving.”
During the four nights, Asante will match up to $10,000 of donations collected from the community during the event.
ACCESS says each donation has double the impact with Asante’s matching donation such that every $1 which normally can provide four meals will provide eight meals with the matching gift.
Since the event’s inception 22 years ago, more than 175,000 pounds of food and $385,000 in donations have been collected, which provided more than 1.6-million meals.
ACCESS invites foods rich in protein that are especially needed including peanut butter, canned tuna, canned meat, and beans. However, donations of any non-perishable food items such as rice, pasta, and cold and hot cereals are always helpful.
Greystone Court is located off North Phoenix Road in east Medford, one block south of Cherry Lane. The event runs nightly 5:30-9:00pm. Santa Claus will make a guest appearance each evening. FOR MORE INFO: https://accesshelps.org/greystone-food-drive/
Extreme Winter Weather Conditions Impact Oregon
A few highways remain closed Friday morning with extreme winter conditions including Highway 101 and I-84, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.
As of 6 a.m. here are the highways that are impacted
- I-84 is closed one mile east of Troutdale, between mileposts 18-62
- US 101 is closed between mileposts 0 and 4
Interstate 84 has shut down in both directions due to hazardous conditions, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.
The major interstate that runs east-west across Oregon is closed between Troutdale and Hood River. ODOT said in a tweet that the closure from exit 17 to exit 64 in the Columbia River Gorge will be in effect “until conditions improve.”
Based on the latest weather forecast, that could be well into Friday or later.
Other major road closures reported as of Thursday night:
- Interstate 5 in both directions north of Eugene at milepost 200, according to ODOT
- U.S. 101 five miles south of Neskowin at milepost 102, according to ODOT
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning until 4 p.m. Friday, with a mix of snow and freezing rain. The region could get up an additional one-tenth of an inch of ice at elevations above 2,500 feet and from one-tenth to three-tenths of an inch below 2,000 feet.
Travelers should check TripCheck for the latest road conditions updates
Salem officials say power outages and tree damage are likely, due to the ice, and travel could be difficult. Severe weather also is expected in Portland and throughout Oregon.
Oregon to issue $71 million in emergency SNAP benefits in January
Most Oregonians who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will receive emergency allotments in January.
- Most Oregonians who receive SNAP benefits will continue to receive temporarily increased emergency food benefits in January
- Approximately 421,000 SNAP households will receive approximately $71 million in extra food benefits in addition to their regular SNAP benefits
- These emergency benefits are a temporary support that Oregon can provide because of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency
- Find resources to meet your basic needs: Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, www.211info.org
- Oregon Department of Human Services COVID-19 help center
The federal government has approved emergency allotments every month since March 2020. This gives SNAP recipients additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic. These emergency benefits are a temporary support that Oregon can provide because of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency.
Because the federal government approved these emergency benefits for January, Oregon will also be able to issue them in February 2023. However, the emergency benefits are expected to end when the federal public health emergency ends.
In January, approximately 421,000 SNAP households will receive approximately $71 million in extra food benefits in addition to their regular SNAP benefits.
“We know that many rely on these additional emergency food benefits to get enough healthy food for themselves and their families,” said Jana McLellan, interim director of the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Self-Sufficiency Programs. “The holiday season can also bring additional stress and worry for many Oregonians who are still struggling to meet their basic needs and we encourage them to contact our partners at 211, the Oregon Food Bank and their local Community Action Agency for support during this difficult time.”
Current SNAP households will receive emergency allotments on Jan. 11, 2023. Emergency allotments will be issued Jan. 31, 2023 or Feb. 2, 2023 for households who did not receive benefits in the first monthly issuance.
SNAP recipients do not have to take any action to receive these supplemental benefits as they will be issued directly on their EBT cards.
More information about emergency allotments is available at https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/ASSISTANCE/FOOD-BENEFITS/Pages/Emergency-Allotments.aspx.
Questions about your SNAP benefits should be directed to the ONE Customer Service Center at 1-800-699-9075.
If your household receives SNAP and your income or the number of people in your household has changed, it could impact your benefits. It is important to make sure ODHS has the most up-to-date information.
You can report any changes to your income or household in many ways:
- Online at: ONE.Oregon.gov
- By mail at: ONE Customer Service Center, PO Box 14015, Salem, OR 97309
- By fax at: 503-378-5628
- By phone at: 1-800-699-9075 or TTY 711
Resources to help meet basic needs
- Find a food pantry: foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org
- Learn about government programs and community resources for older adults and people with disabilities: Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon at 1-855-673-2372 or www.adrcoforegon.org.
- Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, www.211info.org
- Find local resources and support by contacting your local Community Action Agency: www.caporegon.org/find-services/
- Oregon Department of Human Services COVID-19 help center
Administered by ODHS, SNAP is a federal program that provides food assistance to approximately 1 million eligible, low-income families and individuals in Oregon, including many older adults and people with disabilities. Oregonians in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP, child care, cash assistance and Medicaid. Learn more at https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/benefits/Pages/index.aspx . For local resources in your area, such as food or shelter, please call 2-1-1 or reach out to the state’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) at 1-855-ORE-ADRC or 1-855-673-2372.
Oregon State Parks Will Have Staff And Volunteers At 17 Whale Watching Sites For Five Days Starting Wednesday 12/28
For the first time in two years, Oregon State Parks will have staff and volunteers at 17 locations along the Oregon coast for its “Whale Watch Week” starting Wednesday 12/28 through Sunday 1/1.
Park rangers and volunteers will be at the official sites – although experienced whale watchers can use any unobstructed view, of course — along the Oregon Coast for five days to help people spot gray whales migrating south through Oregon’s waters. The trained volunteers will be stationed at most of the sites to answer questions, share information and to help spot whales.
A map of volunteer-staffed sites is available on the Oregon State Parks website.
“We really enjoy getting folks out to the coast for Whale Watch Week,” said park ranger Peter McBride in a news release from Oregon State Parks. “It’s something that Oregon State Parks has been doing for more than 40 years now, and we’re really glad to be able to bring it back in person.”
The yearly event was canceled during the pandemic.
Over the next several weeks, an estimated 18,000 gray whales are expected to swim through Oregon’s waters during their annual migration south to warm calving lagoons near Baja, Mexico. The end of December is the peak time for their migration with roughly 30 whales passing by per hour.
Spring watching begins in late March as the gray whales return north on their way towards Alaska. The first surge swims past Oregon around the end of March and lasts until June.
In Depoe Bay, the Whale Watching Center will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday during Whale Watch Week. Visitors can experience interactive whale exhibits and panoramic ocean views.
Here are the locations in north Lane and Lincoln counties where volunteers will be available to help catch a glimpse of the whales:
- Heceta Head Lighthouse
- Cape Perpetua Turnout
- Yachats State Park
- Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint
- Depoe Bay, whale watching center
- Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint
- Cape Foulweather
Whale spotting tips: There are four things to be on the lookout for when whale watching, according to Oregon State Parks:
The blow: Gray whales usually surface every 20 seconds as they swim but will often stay under for 3 to 5 minutes when they are eating. If they have been down for 5 minutes, they usually blow five times when they surface to replenish their oxygen supply. The blow, or spout, shoots nearly 12 feet high and expels 400 liters of air in a single blast. The whales take a few breaths at the surface then dive again. If they are frightened, they can stay down for 30 minutes, hiding on the bottom or traveling great distances.
The breach: The ultimate in whale sightings is a breach. This is when a whale launches itself out of the water in a spectacular show of power and grace. Scientists aren’t sure why whales breach. Possibly they do it to remove parasites, communicate with each other, or maybe it’s just for fun. Gray whales aren’t known for breaching nearly as often as Humpback whales, but young gray whales seem to be the most common breachers along the Oregon Coast.
The spyhop: Whales are intelligent and curious and are often seen “spyhopping,” or lifting their heads above the surface of the water. They like to rise out of the water to get a better sense of their surroundings. During the summer, gray whales have been known to spyhop regularly, especially when local tour boats are near.
The dive: A deep dive, also known as sounding or fluking, happens when a whale lifts its tail flukes out of the water. This helps propel the whale downward at a steep angle to the bottom, where they feed on zooplankton and amphipods. After the flukes disappear under the water, the turbulence of the dive will cause a circle of smooth water, known as a fluke-print.
FOR MORE INFO: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=v.feature-article&articleId=304
Oregon’s Population Dropped In 2022 For The First Time In Decades According To U.S. Census Bureau
Oregon’s population dropped in 2022 for the first time in decades, according to new estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The agency figures Oregon lost about 16,000 residents in the year leading up to July 1, 2022, representing about 0.4% of the state’s population. That puts Oregon at No. 6 among the fastest-shrinking U.S. states, both in percentage and numeric declines.
The state now has about 4.24 million residents, according to the Census Bureau estimates. New York state, which lost 0.9% of its population, was the fastest-shrinking state. Florida, with a 1.9% increase, was the fastest-growing. The U.S. population as a whole grew by 0.4%, or 1.26 million people.
A population decline would be a dramatic reversal of fortunes for Oregon, which hasn’t seen its population drop since the early 1980s. After strong population increases in the last three decades — the most recent of which won Oregon its sixth congressional seat — forecasters expected Oregon’s growth to slow, but not reverse. MORE INFO: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/OR
Red Cross Cascades Offers 15 Ways to Help Stay Safe During Winter Storms
Winter weather poses unique challenges to people faced with bitter cold, snow, and ice. The American Red Cross has 15 steps you should take to stay safe if you are in the path of winter storms.
HEAT YOUR HOME SAFELY
It’s that time of year when many people resort to space heaters and other sources to keep their homes warm. Home heating is the second leading cause of fires in this country. To reduce the risk of heating related fires, the Red Cross recommends these steps (More home fire safety information available here):
1. All heaters need space. Keep children, pets and things that can burn (paper, matches, bedding, furniture, clothing, carpets, and rugs) at least three feet away from heating equipment.
2. If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor), not on rugs, carpets or near bedding or drapes. Plug power cords directly into outlets – never into an extension cord.
3. Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended, and use a glass or metal fire screen to keep fire and embers in the fireplace.
4. Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.
5. Turn off portable space heaters every time you leave the room or go to sleep.
STAY SAFE DURING WINTER WEATHER
6. Wear layers of clothing, a hat, mittens and waterproof, insulated boots.
7. Be careful when tackling strenuous tasks like shoveling snow in cold temperatures.
8. Check on your neighbors, especially elderly people living alone, people with disabilities and children.
9. Bring pets indoors. If they can’t come inside, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and that they can get to unfrozen water.
10. Watch for hypothermia and frostbite. Hypothermia symptoms include confusion, dizziness, exhaustion, and severe shivering. Frostbite symptoms include numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness, or waxy feeling skin.
WINTER TRAVEL SAFETY
Stay off the road, if possible, during severe weather. If you must drive in winter weather, follow these tips:
11. Make sure everyone has their seat belts on and give your full attention to the road.
12. Don’t follow other vehicles too closely. Sudden stops are difficult on snowy roadways.
13. Don’t use cruise control when driving in winter weather.
14. Don’t pass snow plows.
15. Ramps, bridges and overpasses freeze before roadways.
DOWNLOAD APPS
People can download the Red Cross Emergency App for instant access to weather alerts for their area and where loved ones live. Expert medical guidance and a hospital locator are included in the First Aid App in case travelers encounter any mishaps. Both apps are available to download for free in app stores or at redcross.org/apps
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.
