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
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Rogue Valley Weather
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY ISSUED: 3:53 AM FEB. 22, 2023 – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THIS MORNING ABOVE 1500 FEET... ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THIS MORNING BELOW 1500 FEET... * WHAT...For the Winter Storm Warning above 1500 feet, moderate to heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches, with up to 12 inches expected above 3000 ft. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph over the higher terrain. For the Winter Weather Advisory below 1500 feet, snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. * WHERE...All areas will experience some degree of winter weather impacts. For the Winter Storm Warning, this includes I-5 passes north of Grants Pass and from Ashland south, Highways 227, 199 at Hayes Hill, Jacksonville Hill and the foothills within Jackson, Josephine and Eastern Curry Counties, including Butte Falls and Prospect. For the Winter Weather Advisory, this includes Medford, Grants Pass, Eagle Point, Shady Cove, Rogue River and Cave Junction. * WHEN...For the Winter Storm Warning, until 10 AM PST Wednesday. For the Winter Weather Advisory, from 4 PM Tuesday to 10 AM PST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible above 1500 ft. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow levels continue to lower to around 1500 ft this afternoon, then likely reach western valley floors tonight. The best chance for brief road snow accumulations will be in the presence of heavier showers until dark, then the chance for road snow will be higher shortly after dark. * View the hazard area in detail at https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr
Expect Winter Driving Conditions in Southern Oregon
Several schools have been delayed or closed in southern Oregon due to snow and icy conditions on local roadways today. Travelers in southwest Oregon should expect snowy roads and winter conditions this week as winter weather moves through the region. Plan ahead, take extra time, and expect delays throughout the week.
In the valleys, expect light snow and wet roads. Low overnight temperatures may cause ice to form on roads.
On high cascades routes prepare for heavy, blowing snow. Also expect snow at elevation along Interstate 5 north of Grants Pass, and the Siskiyou summit on the Oregon-California border.
Chains may be required through several high elevation areas. Chain requirements can change throughout the day, depending on conditions. Be safe and chain up in designated areas on road shoulders only.
ODOT road crews are prepared for snow and work continuously to keep roads clear, but they can’t be everywhere at once. Some roads may have snow or ice longer than in years past. Check Tripcheck.com for the latest on road conditions, chain requirements, and other winter travel information.
Local Schools Responded to False Reports Of An Active Shooter Tuesday
𝙃𝙤𝙖𝙭 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙣 𝙊𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡𝙨: There were a number of non-legitimate threats at schools across Southern Oregon Tuesday. A swatting call was made from the same phone number to two other local school districts and South Medford.
Tuesday morning, Ashland Police Department received a false call of a person shot at Ashland High School. Officers responded and AHS went into lock down. APD searched the building and found nothing wrong.
While this was occurring. a similar call was received for a Medford High School. After AHS was determined to be all clear, the investigation revealed that this same phone number has called in similar events nationally over the last few weeks. APD will continue to investigate.
Hoax Calls to Schools in Throughout Oregon
UPDATED RELEASE 02-21-2023 2:45 PM DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. – All Douglas County schools have been released from lockdown.
The Sheriff’s Office, working in conjunction with other local law enforcement agencies, responded this morning to false reports of active shooters in various Douglas County schools. Law Enforcement responded to each report utilizing active shooter response protocols and assessed each situation. Out of an abundance of caution, all schools were advised to activate their lockdown procedures.
Each school in the county was visited by law enforcement and determined to be safe at which point that school would be released from the lockdown. All lockdowns have been lifted and classes have resumed. If you have further concerns, please contact your local school office.
The Sheriff’s Office was in communication with school administrators and the Douglas Education Services District who assisted greatly during the initial response phase.
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office also stated in a Facebook post that reports of an active shooter at various Douglas County schools are false and ask parents not to pick up their child at school.
FROM DOUGLAS COUNTY SHERIIFF —-Law enforcement is receiving FALSE reports of an active shooter at various Douglas County Schools. At this time, all reports are false. However, law enforcement is responding to each report and taking each report seriously. Law enforcement is working in partnership with all schools to ensure safety of students and staff.
Parents may have a reaction to want to pick up their child from school and we urge parents to please not do that. Doing so can result in additional chaos and panic as well as detract law enforcement from focusing on their assigned tasks. “We believe these to be swatting incidents to instigate police response and generate panic among responders and community members,” Lt. Brad O’Dell said. “There have been similar incidents occurring nationwide for at least the past 24 hours. Law Enforcement will respond to and assess each incident appropriately.”
Lt O’Dell also recommends that the community avoid calling 9-1-1 or the non-emergency number to check on the status of these incidents or to inquire about picking up students. “The 9-1-1 center is being overrun with these calls making managing an already stressful incident even more so,” he said. “This also prevents delays in answering other life or death emergency calls and dispatching the appropriate resources.” The community is urged to look to credible news sources, government and local emergency response organizations for updates to avoid misinformation.
Hermiston School District placed Hermiston High School in lockdown Tuesday, Feb. 21, due to a “swatting” report of shots fired at the school, according to a release from the school district.
Due to its proximity, West Park Elementary School also was placed in lockdown, as a precautionary measure.
Hermiston High School is one of multiple schools in the state that received swatting calls Feb. 21, which is a prank call made to draw a large number of emergency services to a particular address. Media reports indicate similar incidents at La Grande and Baker high schools. Pendleton High School has reported not receiving one of the calls.
“At about noon we received a broadcast from Oregon State Police Southern Command Center identifying that there was a possible swatting incident involving several high schools in Ashland, Sutherlin, South Umpqua, and Roseburg,” Pendleton Police Chief Charles Byram said. “Someone was claiming there was an active shooter in each of these schools. That claim was false.”
Byram said once there was time for law enforcement to compare notes, agencies realized the calls all came from the same phone number with what he described as a similar heavily-accented male voice.
70-Year-Old Skier Dies At Mt. Ashland Ski Area
Sunday, a 70-year-old man was found on Mt. Ashland, unresponsive from an apparent cardiac incident. Ski Patrol initiated CPR and other lifesaving efforts on the Upper Romeo trail.
A Mercy Flight helicopter arrived in the ski area’s medical room, where the man was pronounced dead.
“Our team is devastated at this loss,” said Andrew Gast, Mt. Ashland’s General Manager. “Mt. Ashland is a very close-knit community and we care deeply for our mountain family. We are extremely grateful to all of our staff, Ski Patrollers, Ashland Fire and Rescue, and Mercy Flights for their excellent response and medical care they provided. Our entire mountain team offers our sincerest condolences to the family and friends who were affected by this loss.”
911 Dispatcher Recruiting Event to Be Held in Grants Pass
Grants Pass, Ore. – The Josephine County 911 Agency, along with the City of Grants Pass, is looking for individuals interested in a rewarding career in 9-1-1 emergency communications! We are proud to host a 911 Dispatcher Recruiting Event this Saturday, February 25, 2023, from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. The event will be held at the Grants Pass Police Department Training Room at 726 NE 7th St in Grants Pass.
Dispatchers with the Josephine County 9-1-1 Agency provide dispatch services to the Grants Pass Police Department, Grants Pass Fire Department, Rural Metro Fire Department, Illinois Valley Rural Fire Protection District, Williams Rural Fire Protection District, Wolf Creek Rural Fire Protection District, Oregon Department of Forestry (after hours) and American Medical Response. They also answer 9-1-1 calls for all of Josephine County.
This event is an opportunity to learn more about the career of a 9-1-1 Dispatcher and to meet some of our dispatch professionals. We will have personnel on hand who are able to talk about the career, the benefits, and the role that 9-1-1 dispatchers play in an emergency response. For more information, contact the 9-1-1 Manager, Marci Haack, at 541-450-6286 or by email: mhaack@grantspassoregon.gov.
Merkley and Wyden Announce Over $5.4 Million Coming To Oregon For Natural Disaster Recovery
Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the Port of Brookings Harbor and the Oregon Department of Forestry will be receiving $5,417,255 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for disaster recovery efforts through its Public Assistance Program.
“Oregon’s devastating winter storms and wildfire season take a heavy toll on many communities across the state, and we need to continue to do everything we can help them recover and rebuild,” said Senator Merkley. “I’m glad this federal funding is headed to the Port of Brookings Harbor and the Oregon Department of Forestry to help ease the expensive burden communities have taken on to recover and move forward following severe weather events. I will keep working to ensure Oregon communities have the tools they need to recover and become more resilient in the face of future wildfires and winter storms while we take on the climate chaos that is intensifying these disasters.”
“The destructive punches from winter weather and wildfires in Oregon sometimes slam our state to the point that federal help is needed to assist with the rebound in communities large and small,” Wyden said. “I’m gratified the Port of Brookings Harbor and the state Department of Forestry have secured these much-needed federal funds, and I’ll keep battling to deliver similar resources for communities recovering from similar disasters across our state.”
The award amounts and information can be found below:
- Port of Brookings Harbor: $1,835,304 for debris removal operations following severe winter storms and flooding, which caused excessive sediment to be deposited into the Port of Brookings Harbor.
- Oregon Department of Forestry: $3,581,951 for management costs resulting from wildfires and straight-line winds.
Wyden, Merkley: Nearly $19 Million To Oregon To Ensure Clean Drinking Water In Rural And Underserved Communities
U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley this week announced Oregon will receive $18.9 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address emerging contaminants like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in drinking water.
“Access to clean drinking water is a human right that is undermined by the presence of PFAS and other contaminants that often go unaddressed in too many water systems around the state due to outdated infrastructure,” said Wyden, who supported the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. “These dollars will go a long way to identify the communities affected by PFAS contamination, neutralize the pollutants, and then safeguard our state’s future drinking water sources.”
“PFAS contamination represents an urgent public health threat across our nation, with millions of Americans consuming PFAS-contaminated water that could put them and their children at higher risk for cancer, birth defects, and other devastating health outcomes,” said Senator Merkley, who, as Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment, wrote the legislation funding the EPA. “This funding to promote clean and safe drinking water for all Oregonians is vital as we work to combat PFAS contamination across the country.”
Oregon received this funding through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program that assesses and improves access to safe and clean water in small, rural, and disadvantaged communities while supporting local economies.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $5 billion over five years to help communities that are on the frontlines of PFAS contamination reduce PFAS in drinking water. EPA announced the funds for Oregon as part of a $2 billion nationwide investment so that states and territories can source water treatment for pollutants, like PFAS and other emerging contaminants, and to conduct water quality testing.
“Oregonians deserve clean, safe drinking water,” said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller.”Thanks to this historic investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is delivering on its commitment to address PFAS and emerging contaminants by providing more than $18 million to safeguard Oregon’s drinking water and protect communities from these dangerous chemicals.”
Lawsuit Claims City Of Cottage Grove And It’s Police Department Violate Oregon’s Sanctuary Law
The city of Cottage Grove and its police department have used public funds to help enforce federal immigration rules, which violates Oregon law, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Lane County Circuit Court.
The lawsuit, filed by the Rural Organizing Project, said the city and police had “adopted policies” that “direct officials to engage in activities that constitute immigration enforcement and to use public funds to support federal agencies in their activities.” to support and assist in enforcing immigration”.
The lawsuit seeks an injunction to prevent the city and its police force from “unlawfully using public resources to participate in or assist in the enforcement of federal immigration laws.”
Oregon law prohibits local government agencies from using public funds to enforce federal immigration laws.
Oregon has long drawn a line between public funds used to enforce state criminal laws and enforcement of federal immigration laws, which is a civil violation. Across the country they are known as the Sanctuary Laws or Disentanglement Statues.
Oregon has one of the oldest sanctuary laws in the country, first passed by the legislature in 1987 and serving as a model for others.
Since then, voters have rejected a ballot measure to repeal the law, and lawmakers have passed measures strengthening and clarifying it, most recently in 2021 with House Bill 3265, known as the Sanctuary Promise Act. The law includes a number of provisions that block the information that public agencies can share with federal immigration officials, prohibit the collection of information about citizenship status, and prevent state law enforcement agencies from detaining individuals for immigration officials.
The lawsuit, filed against Cottage Grove, a town of 10,000 people 20 miles south of Eugene, alleges that public funds — including the town’s jail — were used to help enforce federal immigration rules.
The complaint said the city and its police provided the identities and contact information of people it arrested to federal immigration officials. It also said the city and police have notified immigration officials when someone is being released from their jail, “granted federal immigration officials non-public access to those held in jail,” and have held people past their release so immigration officials could have time around arrive at the prison and presumably arrest them.
The town of Cottage Grove and the Cottage Grove Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit.
“To be honest, we don’t know how common this is,” Jess Campbell, executive director of the Rural Organizing Project, told OPB.
She said when local law enforcement cooperates with federal immigration officials, it damages trust and makes people less likely to call the police when they need help.
“Oregonians have reiterated time and time again that we want our Protections Act upheld, and we want local law enforcement to focus their resources on local priorities and not support enforcement of federal immigration laws,” Campbell said. Source
Medical Examiner Says Man Found Dead In Happy Valley Fire Was Killed
The Oregon state medical examiner said Tuesday that someone killed a man found dead inside a burning apartment building last week.
Firefighters with Clackamas Fire District No. 1 responded to the fire at the Avana at Happy Valley Apartments on Southeast Causey Avenue on Thursday, Feb. 16.
Firefighters discovered the body and called the sheriff’s office.
Officials identified the dead man as 35-year-old Jeremy Paul Kellogg of Portland.
The sheriff’s office said he was frequently in downtown Portland and sometimes went by the nickname “Billy.”
Anyone with information about this case or who noticed suspicious activity at Building F at the apartment complex is asked to contact the sheriff’s office tip line at 503-723-4949 or by using the online form at https://www.clackamas.us/sheriff/tip and reference CCSO Case # 23-003463.
Oregon Lawmakers Consider Allowing Self-Pumping Gas Stations Statewide Again
House Bill 2426 would allow for self-service gas pumps. But it would require gas stations in some counties to keep attendants for drivers who might need help filling up — and to protect those jobs.
A bipartisan group of state lawmakers is going at it yet again trying to give Oregonians the power to pump their own gasoline.
The bill would require gas stations to keep no less than half of their pumps full-service in 16 counties that are mostly in western Oregon. Stations could be totally self-service in eastern Oregon or on most of the coast.
Self-service gas has long been a white whale for Oregon drivers frustrated with long waits at the pump and, lately, understaffed gas stations. Oregon law has required attendants to pump gas since 1951 in part to provide jobs and prevent spills.
Lawmakers carved out an exception for counties with less than 40,000 residents in 2018, making the state a confusing patchwork of different rules , the bill’s sponsors say.
A similar bill died in last year’s short legislative session because of a last-minute shakeup, Willamette Week reported. In July, former Gov. Kate Brown temporarily allowed self-service pumping to protect workers during a blistering heatwave.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal enforces Oregon’s law at the pump. During the hearing, Chief Deputy Travis Medina said the office received no safety complaints when the rules were relaxed.
The Northwest Grocery Association supports the bill as does Oregonians for Choice at the Pump, an advocacy group. Both are represented by lobbyist Shawn Miller. Source
