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, February 10, 2023
Rogue Valley Weather
Fire Investigation at Bear Creek Park Playground
On February 9, 2023 at approximately 1:01 a.m., a citizen called Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon to report a fire on the play structure at Bear Creek Park. The Medford Fire Department responded quickly to the scene and began working to extinguish the fire. Medford Police Officers also responded to assist.
Witnesses in the area reported seeing an unidentified subject playing with a butane torch on the play structure before the fire started. A Medford Fire Investigator and Medford Police Detectives were summoned to the scene. This case is actively under investigation at this time.
The playground is currently closed until further notice. The Medford Parks Department will be assessing the damage and working to determine next steps.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Medford Police Department: 541-770-4783 (MPD case 23-2126).
Forestland Classification Process Continues in Jackson County
Property owners in Jackson County whose land has been newly classified as forestland within the current reclassification process will begin receiving notifications of their forest patrol assessment from the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Southwest Oregon district this week. This is the final phase of the Forestland Classification process that the district has been undergoing since 2017. This is not at all related to the Wildfire Risk Map, released in July 2022.
The ODF Southwest Oregon District provides wildland fire protection services to forestlands in Jackson and Josephine counties, funded by a forest patrol assessment on protected lands. The Jackson and Josephine County Forestland Classification Committee was formed five years ago to reassess private land in the counties through a process that was completed in the spring of 2021. Multiple letters were sent to the landowners of properties that were added in this process to notify them of the change. Due to an unavoidable delayed implementation with the Jackson County Assessor’s Office, landowners who were new additions to the classification will be added this year.
Classification changes do not increase ODF’s fire budget, rather, the classification review helps ensure that protection costs are fairly distributed. Those costs are then matched by the state’s general fund. In most cases, a review typically results in some lands being removed from forest classification and others being added. In the Southwest Oregon District, many of the new additions were already receiving fire suppression services but had not been paying for it.
During the assessment process, the committee examined all lands within Jackson and Josephine counties, classifying them either as “forestland” or “not forestland” according to:
- Fire risk potential
- Vegetation type (fire fuel)
- Community structure
- Proximity to other forestland
The committee’s efforts are helping to resolve issues pertaining to ODF’s fire suppression role on forestlands and adjacent properties and is the basis for assessing lands for the costs of wildland fire protection.
Landowners with questions about the assessment, regulations or general information can call the Medford Unit office at 541-664-3328. MORE INFO: www.swofire.com.
The Rogue Valley International – Medford Airport Continues To See Increased Passenger Traffic
Travelers are returning to Medford airport in numbers not seen since before the pandemic.
In 2022, more than a million passengers passed through the airport, just the third time that has happened in the airport’s history.
The airport had 1,031,693 passengers last year. The only time it had more was in 2019, when 1,087,873 passengers flew in or out. In 2018, the airport counted 1,011,920 travelers. That fell to 509,624 in 2020 and recovered to 886,670 in 2021.
Besting 1 million for 2022 came despite a large drop-off in passengers during December.
For decades, Klamath Basin and Klamath Falls residents could fly commercially out of Klamath Falls to San Francisco, Portland, and other western destinations. Medford is geographically the closest airport to the Klamath Basin, forcing residents to drive an hour and a half or more and pay for parking. The Klamath Falls airport never charged for parking when commercial airlines flew from here.
Local civil aviation saw the largest drop-off — 36% — from 9,261 in 2021 to 6,796 last year. Judd did not have airport operations records available so she could not say what might be driving the decline. Air carrier numbers were nearly identical with 10,852 arrivals and departures last year compared to 10,897 in 2021.
Seattle remains the top destination for flyers from the airport, Judd reported. Previously, Los Angles was the top destination, but that changed last year. Six carriers currently fly to 12 different airports.
In 2021, the airport entered into an agreement with MAH,LLC to construct a Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel with at least 118 rooms. It will be located on 2.76 acres of leased airport land within walking distance of the terminal. Cost was estimated to be at least $15 million. MORE INFO: https://jacksoncountyor.org/airport/Travelers/Travel-Tips
Grants Pass Hiring Dispatchers
.jpg)
Want to be the FIRST first-responder to help your community in times of need? If so, you need to be a Grants Pass 9-1-1 Dispatcher.
We are looking to hire individuals who can excel during high stress scenarios while recognizing the importance of providing calm, compassionate service to colleagues and the public in times of extreme need. To be considered for this amazing career opportunity, apply today.
9-1-1 Dispatchers are skilled at multi-tasking, type 40 wpm, and speak clearly while working under pressure. Dispatchers put their heart into serving citizens during some of their most challenging times. MORE INFO: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/grantspassor/jobs/3882176/dispatcher-9-1-1?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
The Oregon Supreme Court refused to overturn a lower court ruling blocking voter-approved gun measure 114 from taking effect
In a ruling Thursday, the high court concluded it would be inappropriate to get involved while the matter is still being addressed in a trial court, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported. The measure remains blocked pending a hearing on its constitutionality.
Voters in November narrowly approved the measure, which requires a permit to buy a gun and a background check to be completed before a gun can be sold or transferred. It also restricts the sale, manufacture and use of magazines holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition.
There have been legal challenges in federal and state courts.
Four federal cases have been consolidated. The judge in that matter has ruled that the law could take effect while she hears further arguments but allowed the state to postpone implementing the permit requirement until the systems needed to administer it are in place. Additional testimony is expected later this month.
The case before the state Supreme Court arose from litigation in Harney County. Because the lawsuit challenged the measure under the Oregon Constitution, it held precedence in the state, legal experts have said.
In December, Circuit Court Judge Robert Raschio temporarily blocked the measure from taking effect. The Oregon Department of Justice asked the state Supreme Court to overturn that order, but the justices declined to consider the appeal. Raschio later extended his order.
The state Supreme Court said its decision Thursday does not preclude a future challenge.
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said her office intends to “continue to defend the law zealously in the Harney County court. My office takes the position the law passed by Oregonians last November is totally proper and legal under the U.S. and Oregon constitutions.”
ODOT Will Close More Than 25,000 Crosswalks Across The State To Make Them Safer
The state of Oregon says they will close more than 25,000 crosswalks over the next year to make them safe for all users. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) says it looked at crosswalks statewide and found a number of them do not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Reasons include: Crosswalks ending at or in close proximity to a driveway, a median island or landscaping in the crosswalk path, or traffic signals that do not have pedestrian signals and push buttons.
Over the next year, ODOT will be repairing these issues. It’ll be installing “crosswalk closed” signs at affected intersections, guiding people to an alternate, nearby, open crosswalk. Those closures should only last a day or two until the work can be completed.
OHA Reports Increase in COVID Cases But Not As Bad As Forecasted
Oregon health officials reported increasing coronavirus case numbers for the third week straight Wednesday, though the seven-day daily average and COVID-positive hospitalizations remain well below recent peaks.
Local forecasters have downgraded past predictions of a wave of cases tied to the XBB.1.5 omicron subvariant and as of Jan. 20, anticipated hospitalizations will fall in the weeks ahead.
The state less than a month ago pointed to an Oregon Health & Science University prediction that COVID-positive patients would occupy 367 hospital beds by Feb. 4. The true number of hospitalizations that day was the lowest it has been since May 2021, at 203 occupied beds.
Hospitalizations have climbed since then to 226 occupied beds as of Wednesday. The percent of tests that came back positive was slightly higher this week than the prior week, and wastewater monitoring showed a sustained increase of viral concentrations in late January and early February at testing sites in Siletz, Albany and Bend, while Portland-area sites showed no change in concentrations.
While the XBB.1.5 subvariant has spread rapidly in the Northeast, it has not yet made as much of an impact in the Pacific Northwest, with federal officials currently estimating the subvariant accounts for about 30% of COVID-19 cases in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska. For more information, including COVID-19 data by county, visit http://ow.ly/merk50MOPne
Oregon Dept. of Forestry gives $4.4 million in grants to boost capacity at Oregon tree nurseries
SALEM, Ore. – Ten tree nurseries across the state are receiving over $4.4 million this year to help them increase their ability to produce badly needed seedlings. The seedlings are needed to help reforest millions of acres deforested in recent years by wildfire, disease and pests.
The money was given to ODF after passage by the Oregon Legislature in 2021 of House Bill 5006. The bill was a response to the devastating 2020 wildfires which burned a million acres of forest. In the wake of those fires, there were many barriers to reforesting, including shortages of money, labor, and for some smaller landowners appropriate tree seedlings.
ODF Small Forestland Owner Assistance Unit Manager Nate Agalzoff said, “These grants are helping nurseries make strategic investments to increase their ability to grow more seedlings, which will enable them to better support reforestation needs in the future.”
Nurseries are using the funds to invest in everything from adding irrigation to building new greenhouses and seedbed space as well as storage facilities for storing seedling trees. Funds can also go toward:
- equipment
- the cost of collecting or purchasing tree seeds,
- buying land on which to expand nursery facilities.
“These grants are increasing overall capacity across the state for whenever seedling demand rises,” said ODF Reforestation Program Project Coordinator Astrea Strawn. “In the case of nurseries in Union and Hood River counties, the grants also ensure there will be capacity to provide geographically appropriate seedlings for those areas.”
Strawn said funds must be spent before the end of this summer.
“This makes us optimistic that landowners, especially smaller ones, will have better access to seedlings. When they do, they can promptly reforest after future tree losses to keep Oregon’s working forests working for Oregonians,” she said.
“The funding will allow Lava Nursery, Inc. to increase seedling production for the small woodland owners, helping them to meet their reforestation needs after forest fires and/or harvest operations,” said Lava’s Assistant Nursery Manager Jeff Snyder. “These funds will also allow for additional freezer storage capability for long-term storage of seedlings to ensure the best quality seedlings are available at the time of planting.”
To qualify for a grant, a nursery had to have experience growing high-quality commercial conifer trees for reforestation in Oregon, including Douglas-fir, grand fir, noble fir, western redcedar, ponderosa pine and others.
“The awards were targeted to nurseries which showed interest in helping with future reforestation needs, whether from wildfires or climate change losses,” said Strawn.
Nurseries which received funds include:
- Brooks Tree Farm – Salem in Marion County $540,000
- Drakes Crossing Nursery – Silverton in Marion County $540,000
- PRT Growing Services – Cottage Grove and Hubbard $540,000
- Trillium Gardens – Eugene in Lane County $531,000
- Weyerhaeuser – Aurora and Turner in the Willamette Valley $500,000
- Champoeg Nursery – Aurora in Marion County $458,000
- Lava Nursery, Inc. – Parkdale in Hood County $458,000
- Scholls Valley Native Nursery – Forest Grove in Washington County $367,000
- The Plantworks, LLC – Cove in Union County $276,000
- Kintigh Nursery – Springfield in Lane County $238,000
Oregon Lawmakers Are Considering A Bill To Give Grants To Organizations Trying To Expand And Preserve Local News.
Supporters of a legislative proposal told the Oregon House Rules Committee that local news is critical for democracy and needs state support to continue. This comes as newspapers across the state close down and jobs in the industry shrink.
House Bill 2605 would pay for a resource center to give emergency grants and other support to local journalists and newsrooms and create a workgroup that would produce a report by November 2024 about the state of the journalism industry in Oregon and recommendations for potential policy changes or funding.
Separately, lawmakers heard about a proposal to allow legal notices to be published in newspaper e-editions. State law requires that government and legal notices, such as foreclosures, estate claims and city council or school board agendas, be published in local newspapers. That public notice law is a key source of revenue for many community newspapers.
