Rogue Valley News, Wednesday 3/8 – Task Force Raids Illegal Grow Near Gold Hill, Mt. Ashland Ski Park Having Record-Breaking Year

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, March 8, 2023 

Rogue Valley Weather

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY ISSUED: 3:50 AM MAR. 8, 2023 – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THIS MORNING ABOVE 1500 FEET...

* WHAT...Snow above 1500 feet. Additional snow accumulations of up to one inch.

* WHERE...Central Douglas County and Jackson County above 1500 feet. This includes Camas Mountain, areas near and south of Canyonville, Jacksonville, Ashland, Butte Falls, and Prospect.

* WHEN...Until 10 AM PST this morning.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute.

* View the hazard area in detail at https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr

Illegal Marijuana Task Force Raids Former Licensed Hemp Grow Near Gold Hill, Seizes Black-Market Cannabis, Cocaine, Guns, Cash

 IMET Case 23-3239 — GOLD HILL, OR – Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) detectives raided a former licensed hemp grow last Thursday morning just after 9:00 a.m. outside Gold Hill, Ore. IMET Detectives and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies served the search warrant at a residence in the 1400 block of North River Road in rural Gold Hill.

While searching, IMET detectives discovered 1.8 lbs. of cocaine, $12,000 in cash, approximately 94 lbs. of processed black-market marijuana, and 998 illegal cannabis plants. On scene, IMET detectives also located 10 firearms including an illegal short-barreled rifle and one with obliterated serial numbers. The property is suspected of having connections with a drug trafficking organization. There was no licensing for any type of cannabis growing, handling, or processing at this location. 

While serving the warrant, one suspect fled the property and detectives attempted to apprehend by calling in K9 and Drone search teams. The suspect was not located after an extensive search. At this time, there is no reason to believe the suspect is a danger to the public. IMET detectives detained and released two people on scene and arrested one, Sergio Avila-Perez, 29, from Mexico. He was lodged in the Jackson County Jail on felony charges of unlawful possession and manufacture of marijuana, as well as unlawful possession of prohibited firearms.

Jackson County Code Enforcement responded to the scene to conduct an independent investigation. Code Enforcement issued citations totaling $9,000 for violations including failure to obtain approvals for non-habitable space converted to living quarters, multiple unpermitted electrical installations, unpermitted plumbing installations, unpermitted greenhouse structure, and failure to obtain land use approval for marijuana production.

While regulatory agencies investigate permitted cannabis operations, IMET is focusing on the black-market marijuana trade in the Rogue Valley. IMET is a multi-agency task force funded by a grant from the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. The task force includes personnel from JCSO, Medford Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Jackson County Code Enforcement, Oregon Water Resources Department District 13 Watermasters, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s office. 

Investigations are open and ongoing with detectives working additional leads. No further information is currently available for release.

Mt. Ashland Ski Park Having Record-Breaking Year

Mt. Ashland has seen more snow this season than employees and lodge members have seen in almost a decade.

“We are having a record-breaking year as far as attendance, the most attendance this mountain has ever had is 106 thousand people in a year and we’re already at 93 thousand this year,” said Andrew Gast, General Manager. “The community has really stepped up and shown that this is a product they like and have enjoyed.”

Many residents believe the recent snow storms will also help replenish Southern Oregon and Northern California watersheds.

The snowfall has also been helpful for beginners to learn due to their not having to maneuver around rocks and other barriers while taking lessons.

Currently, the ski park’s season will end on April 16, a week later than the usual end date. The ski park will have a meeting by the end of March to decide if the park will extend the season again with the projected snowfall over the next few weeks.

Time is running out, Apply Now – Grant Money Available for Fire Hardening Improvements of Homes, Businesses Damaged in 2020 Wildfires

People who own a home – including a manufactured home – or business that was damaged or destroyed by the 2020 Oregon wildfires can receive money for using more fire-resistant methods and materials when they rebuild. Those who have already rebuilt also qualify for reimbursement.

Earlier this year, Jackson County partnered with the Oregon Building Codes Division to launch a grant program to help owners of homes and businesses rebuild after the 2020 wildfires. While the program has been successful in providing over $700,000 in grants so far, there is still plenty of money left for those that have an eligible reimbursement claim for fire hardening work done. 

The program is available to residents in the burn areas of the South Obenchain and Almeda fires, including those burn areas within the city limits of Phoenix and Talent. The grants apply to fire hardening work completed since the wildfires once the home or business receives a certificate of occupancy or completion. Owners also do not have to be the original owner, and the grant can be retroactive for work that already received a certificate of occupancy or completion but did not apply for the grant previously.

“Besides ensuring your property has a defensible space clear of combustible brush and vegetation, fire hardening can help to better protect your home or business from fire dangers,” said Ted Zuk, Development Services Director and Building Official for Jackson County.

Fire hardening is an important tool to help make homes more resistant to fire. Fire hardening includes actions that can be taken to make a home or business more resistant to damage from a wildfire, such as using materials for siding and roofing that resist ignition during a wildfire, installing fire-resistant windows to protect openings, or using attic ventilation devices that help reduce ember intrusion.

“These improvements are particularly effective at preventing ignition from embers, which can travel great distances from wildfires,” said Alana Cox, administrator of the Oregon Building Codes Division. “We hope this program will help people affected by the wildfires build back more fire-resistant communities.”

To qualify for the program, a person must own a home or business that was damaged or destroyed in the 2020 Oregon wildfires. Even if someone purchased a building in the damaged areas after the fires, they may still be eligible to receive funds for rebuilding.

There is a menu of fire-hardening improvements, including more fire-resistant roofs, siding, and windows, that qualify for grant money (see table below). Once one or more qualifying improvements have been completed, an eligible applicant can receive grant money through the Jackson County Development Services Department. MORE INFO: https://jacksoncountyor.org/ds/General/Rebuilding-Info/time-is-running-out-apply-now-grant-money-available-for-fire-hardening-improvements-of-homes-businesses-damaged-in-2020-wildfires-1https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/pages/firehardening.aspx

Rogue Valley Indoor Golf To Open March 15th

The Screenskeeper (Rogue Valley Indoor Golf) will open its doors on Wednesday, March 15th, finally bringing a public indoor golf facility to the Rogue Valley!

Golfers of all levels are invited to book a tee time and experience golf in the new indoor simulators firsthand, with prize raffles and giveaways taking place each day during our Grand Opening week (3/15-3/19).

The facility will open at 12pm on weekdays and 10am on weekends (closed Mondays/Tuesdays), just below the Four Corners on Table Rock Rd in Medford/Central Point. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089121476415

Oregon’s Unemployment Rate was 4.8% in January

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.8% in January, matching Oregon’s revised 4.8% unemployment rates for October, November, and December 2022. The last time Oregon’s unemployment rate was more than 4.8% was in July 2021 when the rate was 5.1%. In January, the U.S. unemployment rate was 3.4%, its lowest level in more than 50 years. Annual revisions to the data, released this month, indicate that Oregon’s unemployment rate was higher than originally estimated last year, and payroll employment growth was slightly slower. 

In Oregon, nonfarm payroll employment rose by 9,900 jobs in January, following a gain of 5,600 jobs in December. Monthly job gains in 2022 averaged 5,600. The gains in January were largest in health care and social assistance (+2,200 jobs); professional and business services (+1,800); and leisure and hospitality (+1,400). The only major industry with a job loss in January was private educational services (-600). 

Health care and social assistance expanded its workforce rapidly during July 2022 through January 2023. During that time, it added 4,500 jobs, to reach a total of 271,800 jobs. Prior to that there had been little net job change compared with early 2021. Over the most recent 12 months, social assistance was the component industry that grew the most, adding 5,000 jobs since January 2022. 

Professional and business services continued its rapid expansion of the past more than two years. It added 13,000 jobs, or 5.0%, since January 2022. Job gains in this broad industry—that makes up 14% of Oregon’s total nonfarm payroll jobs—have been relentless and consistent throughout 2021 and 2022. 

Leisure and hospitality rose in January, consistent with its steady expansion and partial recovery from the recession of nearly three years ago. It added 12,500 jobs, or 6.5%, in the 12 months to January. Despite these gains, it is still 10,600 jobs below its pre-recession peak reached in February 2020. 

Private educational services slipped to 34,800 jobs in January, following stability since May 2022. 

Next Press Releases – The Oregon Employment Department released the January county and metropolitan area unemployment rates today at 10 am, concurrently with the release of the January statewide data. The Department plans to release the next statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for February on Tuesday, March 21.

Notes: All numbers in the above narrative are seasonally adjusted, except for the component 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. This press release incorporates, for the first time, the annual revisions to the data for 2022 and prior years.

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 spokenlanguage 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.

Oregon Weather Radar Coverage Poorest In The Country

Last month’s record-breaking snowstorm left Portland reeling for days, but part of why the storm hit so hard was that it took the city by surprise — and a gap in Oregon’s weather radar coverage has something to do with it.  Last month’s record-breaking snowfall wasn’t easy to track, but a atmospheric sciences professor says better coastal radar coverage would have helped.

Commuters headed to work on Feb. 22 were still expecting not much more than a light dusting, but the storm ended up dumping nearly 11 inches of snow, turning metro area roads into a catastrophic mess by the early evening.

Poor radar coverage means weather systems are tougher to track in Oregon, making it really difficult to pinpoint who will see snowflakes and who won’t. The Feb. 22 storm is a good example because it involved a band of moisture moving in over Oregon’s central coast — right where a radar gap stretches for nearly 200 miles to the south of Lincoln City.

KGW spoke with atmospheric sciences professor Cliff Mass with the University of Washington to see if last month’s snow storm would have been easier to predict with better radar coverage.

“It certainly would have helped short-range,” he said. “I’m not saying it would have helped 48 hours out, but for forecasting the six-to-twelve hour forecast, having a coastal radar could have been useful.”

Mass said that the coastal radar system in Oregon is practically nonexistent. In fact, Oregon is notorious for having the worst radar coverage of the lower 48 states. And it’s not just a question of missing radar stations — existing stations, like the one in Portland, can also run into terrain challenges.

“It’s so bad because the radars aren’t there that need to cover that (coast) region, and the fact that we have terrain that blocks the radar,” Mass said. “We have the Cascades that are good at blocking radar, and the coastal range.”

Snowstorms aren’t the only dangerous weather patterns that can slip through radar gaps. When a tornado hit the coast town of Manzanita in October 2016, the only warning residents got was an alert sent to their phones.

Closing the gap isn’t an easy task, because new radar installations on the coast would cost millions of dollars. Mass said his approach would be to move an existing radar installation from Medford out to the coast, and replace it in Medford with less expensive hardware. (SOURCE)

Fire destroys the TA Express in Biggs Junction

(courtesy Sherman County Sheriff’s Office)

BIGGS JUNCTION, Ore. – The Sherman County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday morning alerted motorists in the area to avoid the west side of Biggs Junction as fire crews worked a structure fire at the TA Express, authorities reported.

The initial call came in around 5 a.m. Tuesday when thick smoke was reported in a dryer. The Sheriff’s Office reported the fire was mostly out and crews were mopping up around 9 a.m.

There were no reported injuries. The incident is being investigated by the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office.

“As always, we are grateful for the volunteer firefighters of Sherman County,” the Sheriff’s Office said.

Remains Found Near Sweet Home In 2020 Identified As Missing Olympia Woman Thru DNA

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) has identified human remains found in 2020 as a missing Olympia woman.

Oregon State Police (OSP) said the remains of a partially skeletonized human body were found in an extremely remote, wooded area off a US Forest Service Road east of Sweet Home, Oregon on April 4, 2020.

Investigators determined that the body likely belonged to a woman between the ages of 30 and 50. The case was uploaded to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) and a bone sample was submitted to Bode Technology for processing.

The resulting DNA was uploaded to a database, but police said there were no genetic associations to a missing person or possible relatives. A forensic illustration was also made and uploaded to the NamUs website. Despite the efforts, LCSO was unable to find a missing person case that matched the characteristics of the woman.

The case was at risk of becoming “cold” so the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office used grant funding from the National Institute of Justice and Bureau of Justice Assistance to perform innovative DNA techniques in the hope of identifying the woman.

A sample from the woman’s tooth was sent to DNA Labs International and a different type of DNA profile was produced and provided by Parabon NanoLabs (Parabon). The DNA profile was able to predict the woman’s eye color, hair color, skin color, freckling, the shape of her face, and biogeographic ancestry.

The genealogy report issued by Parabon suggested that the woman was Grace Lorna Narvez-Weaver, reported missing in Washington in 2019. LCSO then contacted the woman’s family so they could provide DNA to compare to the woman’s DNA.

Last month, Parabon said the DNA from the family member shared a significant amount of DNA with the woman. The amount of DNA shared was consistent with a parent and child relationship.

“Grace’s case is an excellent example of how advanced technologies like investigative genetic genealogy and phenotyping can be used to help resolve a case before it goes cold,” said CeCe Moore, Parabon’s Chief Genetic Genealogist.

OSP said families of missing persons can help by uploading their DNA profiles into a secure, open-source website called GEDmatch.com.

LCSO said the investigation into Narvaez-Weaver’s death is ongoing.

The Olympia Police Department issued a missing persons case in March 2021. At the time, they said Narvez-Weaver had not contacted her parents in eastern Washington since 2019.

She was last seen with an unknown man and was overheard talking about going to California. Police said she suffered from mental illness.

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