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
Monday, March 6, 2023
Rogue Valley Weather
3/5/2023 Another Structure Fire in O’Brien
911 Dispatch: 3/5/2023 07:08:21; Structure Fire; 20xx LONE MOUNTAIN RD, OBrien
IVFD, AMR, Sheriff’s Deputies and Pacific Power responded to a structure fire.
Arriving units found a structure on fire, and had been burning for some time, as the structure was to the ground. Access was hindered a little, due to the weather.
Fire was extinguished by the units and scene turned over to the Sheriff’s Department.
Rural Metro Fire – Josephine County covered the Illinois Valley and assisted on a power-line down call. Thank you for the assistance. Fire is being investigated.
03/03/2023 Illinois Valley Fire District Responds To A Structure Fire In O’Brien
—– 3/3/2023 call time 2053 hours IVFD and AMR-Josephine County responded to a Structure Fire, in a two-story wood structure on Redwood Hwy and E. O’Brien Rd.
Arriving units found flames showing from the second story of what appeared to be an abandoned structure.
Rural Metro Fire – Josephine County, initially responded to the fire and was diverted to a medical call in the valley.
Rogue Valley Law Enforcement Takes Polar Plunge to Benefit Special Olympics
Local law enforcement from throughout the Rogue Valley took the Polar Plunge today to raise money for Special Olympics Oregon. The event was at the Rogue Valley Country Club pool with temperatures hovering just around freezing. Southern Oregon Polar Plunge reached their goal of raising $50,000 for local Special Olympic athletes.
Special Olympics Oregon is a statewide year-round sports program for Oregon’s Special Olympic athletes. Oregon offers training and competition opportunities in 14 different Olympic-style sports. They serve the largest disability population in the state, more than 14,000 participants, ages eight and above. Programs are free to all eligible athletes and are possible thanks to the generous support from individuals and businesses who believe in Special Olympics athletes.
The top six fundraisers were all law enforcement agencies! — Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, Medford Police, Team Overland, Central Point Police Department, Eagle Point Police Department, Fire District 3, and Grants Pass Police Department
Southern Oregon And Northern California Tribes Express Opposition To Proposed Coquille Casino In Medford
After the Medford City Council’s narrow passing of Council Bill 2023-23 Thursday night, NewsWatch 12 reached out to several tribes across Southern Oregon & Northern California to hear their reaction to the change. Back in 2013, the city council passed Resolution 2013-68, which declared a position of opposition to the Coquille Indian Tribe’s fee-to-trust application to the United States Department of the Interior to build a casino in Medford. However, during [Thursday’s] meeting, that position of opposition changed to neutral when the council voted in favor 5-3.
the Cow Creek, Karuk and Klamath Tribes to get their response to the change. All three informed NewsWatch 12 they implored the city, either during the comment period or while at last night’s meeting, to maintain their status of opposition.
Although the council’s decision does not officially play a role in the federal government’s final decision of approval or denial, some tribes believe the change could make a difference.
“I don’t want to speak for the (Bureau of Indian Affairs) or the City of Medford, but I’m sure it will be something that the BIA would consider when they make their decision,” said Klamath Tribes’ Chairmen Clay Dumont.
For the last decade, the Coquille Tribe has been working towards building a casino in Medford which they say would be used to help their tribe, along with creating new jobs and revenue for the city.
But for other surrounding tribes like the Cow Creek, Klamath and Karuk Tribes, a new casino located in Medford could be devastating for them.
As it stands now, all three tribes rely heavily on the business generated by those that travel to their casinos from Medford and the surrounding Jackson County communities.
“Our casino would lose 25% of our profit and that’s being conservative,” said Jessica Bochart with the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians. “We figure it will be much, much more. It’d mean a loss of jobs by not only tribal citizens, but by a lot of Oregonians. It would mean we would have a huge funding deficit for our tribal programs, which supports our education, healthcare, housing and elder support.”
For the Karuk Tribe the impacts could be very similar for them down in Yreka at the Rain Rock Casino.
However the worst potential impacts could be seen towards our east in Klamath County. On Friday NewsWatch 12 spoke with the Tribe’s Chairman, Clay Dumont, who told us that in a best case scenario the Tribe could see between a 16-20% decline in business at the Kla-Mo-Ya, but if the worst were to happen.
“We’re seeing numbers as high as 50% and yeah it could close us,” Dumont said. “We’re not a big operation, but we’re very dependent on that operation.”
Although an approval for a Medford casino by the federal government could potentially doom them, Dumont says the move by the Coquille Tribe is not a “personal thing, it’s just survival.”
However even if that’s the case, Tribes like the Klamath, Cow Creek and Karuk agree that an approval by the federal government on this matter would be unprecedented.
In Oregon only one Tribe (Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians) has two casinos located within two different counties. An approval by the federal government would make them the second Tribe to have two casinos and would be more than 160 miles apart.
NewsWatch 12 has reached out to the Coquille Tribe for comment on the proposed Medford Casino and the potential impacts it could bring to surrounding Tribes. We are hopeful we will hear more on their standpoint soon.
A final decision on the Coquille Tribe’s application to build a casino in Medford has not been set and may not be decided on for several more months or even years. (SOURCE)
Shots Fired During Altercation, Suspect Arrested
On Friday, March 3, at 10:28 p.m. multiple officers responded to reports of shots fired with a possible gunshot victim at 1920 N Pacific Highway (Wendy’s). When Officers arrived they confirmed there was not a gunshot victim but did find multiple .45 caliber shell casings on scene.
After speaking to witnesses, Officers determined the suspect, 47-year-old Gershon Orozco, was in an argument with two individuals over money owed while in possession of a handgun and AR-15 rifle. During the argument Orozco fired multiple shots in the air. As the victims began to drive away, Orozco fired several more rounds at their vehicle. The altercation led to the overpass of Table Rock Road where the victims were able to flee on foot. Orozco was contacted by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office a short time later in his vehicle and was taken into custody without incident.
An article search was conducted by a JCSO K-9 and evidence was located. At this time the involved pistol has not been recovered.
Orozco has been charged and lodged at the Jackson County Jail with the following:
- 4th Degree Assault – Domestic Abuse
- Attempted Assault 1
- Recklessly Endangering
- Unlawful Use of a Weapon
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm
Thank you to our partners at Jackson County Sheriffs Office and Central Point Police Department for their assistance in responding to and resolving this incident.
Oregon will lift mask requirement for health care settings April 3
Change follows improvements in people hospitalized for respiratory infections, test positivity
Workers, patients and visitors in health care settings will no longer be required to wear masks starting April 3, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) announced today.
OHA is rescinding provisions in Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 333-019-1011 that require workers in health care settings – such as hospitals, mobile clinics, ambulances, outpatient facilities, dental offices, urgent care centers, counseling offices, school-based health centers, complementary and alternative medicine locations – to wear masks. The requirement has been in effect since August 2021.
In addition, Executive Order 22-24 will expire on March 6, 2023. The emergency gave hospitals needed flexibility to respond to a surge in respiratory infections, including COVID-19, RSV and influenza.
The decision to end statewide health care mask requirements aligns with decisions in other states, including Washington.
Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., health officer and state epidemiologist at OHA, said the lifting of Oregon’s health care mask requirement stems from data in recent weeks showing overall decreases in circulation of the three respiratory pathogens that triggered a surge in visits to hospital emergency departments and intensive care units last fall. As of today, COVID-19 test positivity is at 10% and is expected to continue dropping; influenza test positivity is at 1.2%; and RSV test positivity is at 1.6% (antigen tests) and 3.5% (molecular tests).
The month-long lead-up to the ending of Oregon’s health care mask requirement gives the health care system, local public health authorities and other health partners time to prepare for the change, including adjusting policies, training and procedures that ensure continued patient safety and access. It also gives members of the public, particularly populations at increased risk of severe disease—communities of color, tribal communities, rural communities, lower-income communities, those with underlying medical conditions, seniors, and parents of vulnerable infants – a chance to plan health care visits and protective measures.
People at higher risk for severe disease, or who live with someone at higher risk, should still consider wearing masks in health care or any settings, to better protect themselves and those most vulnerable around them. Some health care settings may continue to require masks even after the requirement is lifted.
Masks remain an effective way to reduce transmission of respiratory viruses. People are recommended to wear masks when they are sick, and individuals – particularly those with health conditions that put them at high risk for severe illness from a respiratory virus exposure–should continue to wear masks wherever they feel comfortable.
In order to protect themselves and their families and communities, people are strongly encouraged to stay up to date with vaccinations and boosters.
Oregon Senator Wyden and Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent
Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 12th, and Oregon Senator Ron Wyden and a bipartisan group of senators want to make it permanent.
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and Senate colleagues from both parties today reintroduced legislation that would end the antiquated and annoying practice of changing clocks twice a year.
“It’s time to put a stop to the twice-a-year time-change madness. Science and common sense show that more year-round daylight would improve our health, help kids spend a bit more time enjoying outdoor after school activities, and encourage folks to support local businesses while on a sunny stroll in their communities,” Wyden said. “I’m all in to get the Sunshine Protection Act passed into law at last.”
The bipartisan Sunshine Protection Act, if enacted, would apply to states that currently participate in DST, which Oregon and most states observe for eight months out of the year. Standard Time, from November to March, is only observed for four months out of the year. The bill would simply negate the need for Americans to change their clocks twice a year, and could have benefits for the nation’s health and economy.
Potential effects of making Daylight Saving Time permanent include the following:
– Reduce car crashes and car accidents involving pedestrians: better aligning daylight hours to drivers’ standard work hours’ increases visibility, according to the American Journal of Public Health and the Journal of Safety Research. Also reduce the number of vehicle collisions with wildlife by 8 – 11 percent by shifting normal traffic patterns to an hour off from nocturnal wildlife’s behavior.
– Reduce risk for cardiac issues, stroke and seasonal depression.
– Reduce the number of robberies by 27 percent, according to a 2015 Brookings Institution because of additional daylight in the evenings.
– Benefit the economy, according to a study by JP Morgan Chase, which found that there is a drop in economic activity of 2.2 percent – 4.9 percent when clocks move back.
– Reduces childhood obesity and increases physical fitness. According to studies published by the International Journal Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity and the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, children see an increase in physical activity during DST. The Journal of Environmental Psychology found that DST increased pedestrian activity by 62% and cyclists activity by 38% because of additional daylight.
– Benefit the agricultural economy, which is disproportionately disrupted by biannual changes in time by upsetting the synergy between farmers’ schedules and their supply chain partners.
– Reduce energy usage. A 2008 study by the U.S. Department of Energy found that during the four weeks the U.S. extended daylight savings from the 2005 law, there were savings of about 0.5 percent in electricity per day. Later studies have also shown that the energy savings are minimal but a small savings does occur.
The legislation was led by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, R-Fla. Alongside Wyden, the bill was cosponsored by U.S. Senators James Lankford, R-Okla., Alex Padilla, D-Calif., Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., Ed Markey, D-Mass., Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., Tina Smith, D-Minn., Rick Scott, R-Fla., Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M.
The text of the bill is here — A bill summary is here — https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-colleagues-reintroduce-bill-to-make-daylight-saving-time-permanent
Woman Crashes Into Klamath Falls Fred Meyers In Stolen Van
Shoppers at the Klamath Falls Fred Meyers grocery store were put in danger Thursday evening when a van crashed through the south entrance to the store.
The Klamath Fall Police Department responded at 8:13 p.m. Thursday, March 2 to reports of a van crashing into Fred Meyers grocery store at 2655 Shasta Way. KFPD Lt. Rob Reynolds said that upon arrival officers were informed the driver had fled the scene.
The driver, Misty Bailey, 42, of Klamath Falls, was found shortly thereafter at the WaFd Bank at 5215 S. 6th St. — which shares a parking lot with Fred Meyers — and taken into custody. Bailey was arrested at 9:48 p.m.
“Through the course of the investigation, it was discovered the driver had stolen the vehicle,” Reynolds told the press.
Officers at the scene interviewed the owner of the vehicle who said Bailey had asked the owner for a ride to the store from the Motel 6 parking lot. The owner agreed and drove Bailey to the store.
Bailey was then reported to have “forced her way” into the driver’s seat while the owner was still in the vehicle and proceeded to drive the van into the Fred Meyers entryway.
Reynolds said no injuries have been reported.KFPD officers on the scene said the damage to Fred Meyers entryway is estimated to cost $10,000.
Bailey has been charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, first degree criminal mischief, third degree robbery, failure to perform duties of a driver, reckless endangering, reckless driving and two counts of failure to appear. Bail is currently set at $55,000.
Oregon Senate Passes Bill Focusing On Students With Disabilities & Their Right To Education
The Oregon State Senate has voted “overwhelmingly” to enforce students with disabilities’ right to attend school full-time.
According to a press release sent out by the Office of Senator Sara Blouin, Senate Bill 819, if fully passed, will require informed and written parental consent before a student can have a shortened school day. It also would require the Oregon Department of Education to enforce the law and empowers the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission to investigate and hold superintendents accountable for refusing to restore equal access to schools for students with disabilities.
The press release also stated that roughly 1,000 students with disabilities in districts across the state are denied a full school day and in some cases, receive as little as 25 minutes a week of instruction for years on end.
If SB 819 is signed into law, beginning on March 27, parents of these students can file a written objection to their student’s shortened day schedule. The district must return the student to full time school within 5 school days. Failure to do so can lead to loss of state school funds and discipline for the responsible administrator.
“Students with disabilities have had the right to full time public education since the 1970s. It is inexcusable that many districts routinely deprive students of the chance to learn reading, math and social skills by shutting the schoolhouse door in their faces,” said Senator Sara Gelser Blouin (D-Corvallis).
“Today, the Oregon State Senate sent a clear message: There is no excuse for school districts to violate the civil rights of students with disabilities, and the Oregon Department of Education is expected to enforce state and federal law. With rapid action from the House and Governor, Oregon students will be able to realize the promise of a free and appropriate public education next month.”
The bill will now go to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Walmart Closing Two Portland Stores Later This Month
Earlier this month, the national retail giant Walmart announced that it would be closing at least two of its Oregon store locations in Portland later this month, according to local sources.
The following Walmart store locations in Portland have been scheduled for closure:
According to local sources, these two Walmart stores have been scheduled to close on Friday, March 24, 2023.
The official reason provided for the store closures, according to this source, is that these Walmart locations “were not meeting financial expectations.” However, another source has indicated that high rates of theft may have also been a contributing factor in the company’s decision to close these locations.
According to The Hill, the closure of these two Walmart locations is expected to eliminate approximately 580 jobs. However, they also indicated that impacted employees will be given the option to transfer to another Walmart location.
Walmart recently announced plans to close at least seven additional stores in Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, New Mexico, and Wisconsin.
Unfortunately, these closures will likely have a major negative impact on the communities in which they are located since many residents rely on Walmart for affordable groceries, medications, and other necessities.
Oregon Food Company Recalls Trader Joe’s Salad With Chicken Products
GH Foods NW, a Clackamas, Oregon-based company, is recalling around 106 pounds of Trader Joe’s ready-to-eat salad with chicken products citing misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service or FSIS announced.
The product contains wheat, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.
The recall involves 9.2 oz. plastic clamshell packages containing “TRADER JOE’S LEMON CHICKEN & ARUGULA SALAD” with “BEST BY 03/06/23” and lot code GHNW 059-06.
The affected products bear establishment number “P-46987” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
The ready-to-eat lemon chicken & arugula salad products were produced on February 28 and shipped to Trader Joe’s locations in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
The agency noted that the recalled items are labeled with the correct top label but an incorrect bottom label, which contains the ingredient statement for a Broccoli Slaw and Kale Salad with White Chicken Meat product, which does not contain wheat
Clackamas, Oregon- based GH Foods NW, LLC is recalling around 106 pounds of Trader Joe’s ready-to-eat salad with chicken products citing misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service or FSIS announced.
The product contains wheat, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.
The recall involves 9.2 oz. plastic clamshell packages containing “TRADER JOE’S LEMON CHICKEN & ARUGULA SALAD” with “BEST BY 03/06/23” and lot code GHNW 059-06.
The affected products bear establishment number “P-46987” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
The ready-to-eat lemon chicken & arugula salad products were produced on February 28 and shipped to Trader Joe’s locations in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
The agency noted that the recalled items are labeled with the correct top label but an incorrect bottom label, which contains the ingredient statement for a Broccoli Slaw and Kale Salad with White Chicken Meat product, which does not contain wheat.
The recall was initiated after the producing establishment notified FSIS that the product had the incorrect ingredient statement label on the bottom of the package.
However, there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.
FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators, and urged them to throw away the products or return to the place of purchase.
