Rogue Valley News, Monday 7/31 – Task Force Busts Three Black-Market Cannabis Grows in Jackson County, Former Employee at America’s Best Kids in Medford Arraigned

Task Force Busts Three Black-Market Cannabis Grows Owned by Same California Man; Code Enforcement Fines Nearly $300,000 — Jackson Co. Sheriff’s Office

Video Available for Download: https://vimeo.com/849625172?share=copy

IMET Cases 23-10106, 23-10107

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. – Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) detectives busted three black-market cannabis grows this month all owned by the same person. These three properties are owned by a California resident who has purchased several local properties leased to black-market cannabis growing operations. Jackson County Code Enforcement fined the property owner a total of $281,471 for numerous violations. Investigators seized nearly 7,500 illegal marijuana plants from the three properties. There was no licensing for any type of cannabis growing, handling, or processing at any of the locations.

Early this morning, IMET detectives and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies served a search warrant in the 2500 block of Sykes Creek Road in rural Rogue River. On scene, detectives discovered approximately 863 black-market cannabis plants, 41 pounds of processed marijuana, and 4.7 pounds of THC infused candy. One subject was detained during the search warrant.

Code Enforcement issued citations to the landowner totaling $9,000 for violations including failure to obtain land use approval for marijuana production, failure to obtain land use review for greenhouse structures, extensive unpermitted electrical installations, and solid waste.

On Thursday, July 6th, IMET detectives along with Oregon State Police (OSP) Southwest Region Drug Enforcement Team and JCSO deputies busted another property owned by the same man in the 9200 block of Butte Falls Highway in rural Eagle Point. On the property, IMET detectives discovered 10 hoop houses with approximately 3,704 illegal cannabis plants. Four subjects were detained on the property, and are awaiting charges from the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.

Code Enforcement responded to the scene to conduct an independent investigation. Code Enforcement issued citations to the landowner totaling $256,860 for violations including failure to obtain land use approval for marijuana production, failure to obtain land use review for greenhouse structures, extensive and unsafe unpermitted electrical installations including those used to power water distribution devices, unauthorized use of a camping vehicles within a marijuana grow site, and solid waste.

Oregon Water Resources Department District 13 Watermasters issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to the responsible party for the appropriation of surface water from Quartz Creek. The violation was for irrigation and storage at an illegal commercial operation. Water violations of this kind are subject to both civil and criminal penalties.

The next search warrant was later in the same day on Thursday, July 6th, in the 9000 block of West Evans Creek Road in rural Rogue River. On the property, IMET detectives located five greenhouses containing 2,880 illegal marijuana plants. There were six subjects on scene when the warrant was served. Detectives are conducting further investigations to charge the subjects involved.

Code Enforcement issued citations to the landowner totaling $12,000 for violations including failure to obtain land use approval for marijuana production, failure to obtain land use review for greenhouse structures, unpermitted electrical installations, unauthorized use of a camping vehicles within a marijuana grow site, unpermitted dwellings, unauthorized use of storage structures for dwelling purposes, and solid waste.

Watermasters have an open case at the West Evans Creek Road property. Due to the repeat violation at this location, the responsible party was issued a fine of $650 for each day of confirmed water use. The violation is valid for three years so any day water use is observed the responsible party will receive a $650 fine.

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, 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.

Former Employee at America’s Best Kids in Medford Arraigned

A former employee at America’s Best Kids pleaded not guilty to 27 criminal charges in court today, after being arrested on June 23 for allegedly taking pictures of female staff members in a staff changing room.

The employee, Blaine Howitt, is facing a variety of charges ranging from encouraging child sex abuse to invasion of personal privacy to computer crimes. The Deputy District Attorney’s office did request that Howitt’s bail be increased to $500,000 but it will stay at $250,000.

Howitt’s pretrial is scheduled for Aug. 28 at 9 a.m., and four more devices are being investigated as a part of the case. According to court statements today from deputy district attorney Zori Cook, Howitt also had victims from Oregon, California and Missouri.

Judge Sara Collins ordered that while Howitt is out on bail he must remain on pretrial supervision. His release conditions are as follows; “he cannot own any electronic device with a camera, he cannot have contact with minors, he is not allowed to use the internet, he needs to have supervised visits with his own daughter, he will follow polygraph compliance and he will not have any contact with stated victims.”

He was formally arraigned at the Jackson County Courthouse on June 23. His bail was set at $250,000. According to court and jail records, it appears Howitt bailed out of jail and was summoned back to court today for another arraignment and hearing.

𝙈𝙚𝙙𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙄𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙜𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙑𝙚𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙡𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙖 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚

On Wednesday, July 26 at about 4:49 p.m., MPD responded to the report of a motor vehicle crash in which a vehicle had struck a residence at the intersection of Bronte Circle and Springbrook Road. Responding officers arrived on scene within minutes and found that a silver 2008 Nissan Altima had left the roadway at what appeared to be a high rate of speed and collided with a residence. The residents were home at the time of the crash but no one in the home was injured.

There are currently 25 wildfires burning in Oregon, including the Bedrock Fire east of Eugene in the Willamette National Forest and the Flat Fire down south near Agness.

Golden Fire Update

Progress is being made in fighting the Golden Fire, now 8 days old burning on Bly Mountain near Bonanza at 2,137 Acres. Firefighters push containment to 48% and look to demobilize (tomorrow) Tuesday morning.

Last shift for night crews as firefighters look to transfer command Tuesday morning.

BONANZA, Ore. – Today marks day eight since the Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 2 (ODF IMT 2) took command of the fire. Deputy Incident Commander Craig Pettinger states, “The fire is in a much different state than when we arrived. The containment and confidence level grows more and more as crews continue to work hard.”

Day shift crews worked on the interior of the fire around the unburned islands of vegetation. Crews also began removing and hauling hose and other tools used for suppression and mopping up. Night shift will patrol the fire, seek hot spots, and continue backhauling hose and other equipment. This will be the last night shift. ODF IMT 2 will transfer command Tuesday morning to a local type 4 team.

The weather for tomorrow will be like today with temperatures in the 80s and light winds. Tuesday, hotter and drier weather will return but with light winds expected. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms on Thursday, with low certainty of precipitation.

Flat Fire Update

Two weeks into its burn, the Flat Fire in western Oregon has grown from 2,000 acres to nearly 24,000 acres with firefighting efforts achieving 4% containment. The fire began July 15 two miles southeast of Agness.

While the cause is still under investigation, reports from the U.S. Forest Service said the blaze is “human caused.”

The recent report said crews are firing out the southwestern flank of the burn to prevent growth to the south.
“In some areas crews paused burning operations due to ensure advantageous wind direction,” the report said.

Firing depth, the report said, helps create a buffer between the main fire and control lines. Crews are in place to ensure structure protection along the Illinois and Rogue Rivers and along Cougar Lane.

A community meeting will take place Monday, July 31st at 6:00 p.m. at the Brookings-Harbor High School in the cafeteria. The address for the school is 625 Pioneer Road, Brookings, OR 97415. https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-publication/xx1002-flat-fire/flat-fire-evening-update-7302023

Bend Police Seek Assistance As Homicide Victim’s SUV Left In Klamath Falls

Bend police investigating the homicide of a 28-year-old woman at her northwest Bend home released new details and blurry security photos Friday of where her SUV was found on a Klamath Falls street and someone getting out and walking away, as they seek videos and help from the public.

Last Monday, officers responded to a call around 11:20 a.m. from a Bend man who went to the home to check on Weaver and found her unresponsive.

Evelyn Jeanette Weaver’s silver 2004 Honda CR-V was found Thursday at the corner of Shasta Way and Division Street in Klamath Falls, but surveillance video showed it had been there since early last Saturday, two days before the woman’s body was found at her NW Hill Street home, police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said.

Police located surveillance video showing the SUV stopping at the location in the early morning of Saturday, July 15, Miller said.

Police released four low-quality photos showing the vehicle at that location and a person who got out and walked away. Miller said she has no reason to believe the person returned to the SUV. A male is seen on surveillance video walking away from the vehicle. The male is wearing khaki pants and a black or dark colored long sleeve top. Investigators are now seeking video from businesses or residents in the area of Mills Addition – between the
rail lines on the west and Washburn Way on the east, and Crater Lake Parkway to the north and South Sixth Street to the south.

“Bend residents are asked to look through any surveillance video between July 8-14 for a person whose description and clothing may match” the released images, Miller said.

Businesses and residents along Highway 97 between Bend and Klamath Falls were asked to review any surveillance video they have from between 3:30 p.m. Friday, July 14 and 3:30 a.m. the next day, to look for the SUV or person in the images.

Also, anyone who traveled between Bend and Klamath Falls during those hours and who may have encountered the SUV or its occupant also is asked to contact non-emergency dispatch at 541-693-6911.

An autopsy was conducted Thursday, but Miller said the “results will take some time.” She also said investigators are not describing the SUV as “stolen” at this time; they had only said her SUV was missing from the address, then found by a member of the public.

Miller also said Friday that investigators have completed forensics and evidence collection at the home and released it to its owners.

According to her LinkedIn account, Evelyn Weaver worked as a scientist at Lonza in Bend. Weaver attended the University of Oregon, where she graduated with a masters of science in 2019.

Weaver lived alone and was renting the home on Northwest Hill Street. Caution tape was still wrapped around an entire block along the street on Thursday morning. Investigators could be seen removing items from the home, most of them in boxes.

If you live or work in these areas and have residential or business video between 7 p.m. on July 14 and 8 a.m. on July 20, we’d like to take a look at it. You can contact Det. T.J. Knea at tknea@bendoregon.gov or 541-948-0980 or Detective Sergeant Tommy Russell at trussell@bendoregon.gov or 541-408-8776.

Despite strong opposition from many Oregonians, Gov. Tina Kotek will allow a bill allowing self-serve gasoline across Oregon to become law, ending a 72-year ban on most drivers pumping their own gas.

The self-service portion of the bill would take effect soon as Kotek signs it, or it will take effect automatically on Aug. 4 if the governor declines to sign it. A spokesperson declined to elaborate on the Kotek’s intentions.

The new law will simplify Oregon’s patchwork of self-serve gas regulations. Since 2015, some rural counties have permitted self-serve gas at night. And each summer since 2020, the state fire marshal has permitted self-serve gas statewide during wildfire season and heat waves, when smoke or extreme temperatures make it dangerous to be outside.

Prior efforts to legalize self-serve gas in Oregon never made it out of the Legislature. In the 2022 short session, lawmakers introduced a similar bill that died before reaching a vote.

In 2021, two statewide polls showed that more than 60% of Oregonians favored the option to pump their own gas.

Fuel companies had also long pushed for the change, citing growing challenges with staffing fuel pumps. Earlier this year, the Northwest Grocery Association argued that the bill wouldn’t eliminate jobs because many gas stations already have gas pumps closed due to lack of staffing.

After the Oregon bill becomes law, New Jersey will be the only state that bans self-serve gas.

Senator Ron Wyden And Representative Val Hoyle Visit Coos Bay Jetty Repair Project

Oregon Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Val Hoyle stopped by Sunday to take a look at the progress. of the repair work for Coos Bay’s North Jetty that is underway

Wyden and other officials see big economic benefits with an improved jetty, which makes it easier for cargo ships to enter and leave port. Officials said in 2019, over two million tons of cargo moved through Coos Bay.The jetty also makes it easier for fishing crews to bring in their catch. The $84 million repair project started this March, and is expected to be completed in December 2025, according to project engineer, Colter Bennett.

“It’s 172,000 tons of stone, that needs to be quarried, barged to site, and then placed individually stone by stone,” he said.

The jetty was originally constructed in 1898. It’s length was originally 9,600 feet, but it has since deteriorated to 8,479 feet.

While economic factors are important, it’s not the only reason for the repaired jetty. Representative Hoyle said, to her, it was a priority for two reasons: One is because former Representative Peter DeFazio believed in the project; and second, she has spoken with widows and families of fishermen who have lost their lives because of the unpredictable waves of the pacific.

“It is really really dangerous when our fishermen go out and put their lives on the line to feed the world, in the winter to fish for crab,” Hoyle said. “The fact of the matter is everything we can do to make it safer for them means we can save lives.”

Senator Wyden is putting economic priorities like this and the Port of Coos Bay’s Pacific Coast Intermodal Project at the top of his list. He said he will meet with President Biden to get more investments in the Southern Oregon region.

Congresswoman Hoyle has been working with both Senator Wyden and Senator Jeff Merkley on economic projects for the south coast of Oregon.

It’s also her top priority but she also wants to tackle issues with wildfires and job creation.

“Making sure we are spending money upfront so we can prevent wildfires,” Hoyle said. “Creating apprenticeships and post secondary paths that don’t necessarily need a college degree.”

Later in the afternoon, Senator Wyden and Representative Hoyle held a town hall at Coos Bay’s Marshfield Junior High School. Wyden has pledged to annually hold at least one town hall in each of Oregon’s 36 counties.

Home Improvement Actor Arrested in Eugene

A television actor was arrested after a dispute at a home in North Eugene on Friday.

According to Eugene Police, at around 6 p.m. on July 28, they received a report about a physical dispute between a man and woman at a North Eugene residence.

EPD said the dispute was reported to have happened several hours earlier and the suspect had left the location.

The suspect was identified as 41-year-old Zachery Ty Bryan, police said. Bryan is known for his role as Brad Taylor on the sitcom “Home Improvement.” Police officers later contacted Bryan in the area. He was lodged at the Lane County Jail on a charge of Fourth Degree Assault APA (Abuse Prevention Act).

Red Cross Needs Help to Avert a Blood Shortage

Chance at shark dive trip, $10 e-gift card for donors in August

— After a summer of declining donations, the American Red Cross needs the public’s help to prevent a blood shortage. When a donor makes and keeps an appointment to give blood or platelets in the weeks ahead, they can help ensure trauma patients, those undergoing cancer treatment, and people with lifelong blood disorders can get the blood they count on.

Right now, the Red Cross especially needs type O negative, type O positive and type B negative blood donors, as well as platelet donors. Donors of all blood types can schedule an appointment to give by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The Red Cross is teaming up with Warner Bros. for the theatrical release of Meg 2: The Trench to celebrate a summer of sharks and help stave off a summer blood and platelet shortage. All who come to give through Aug. 12 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a three-night New York getaway for two with a private shark dive adventure at Long Island Aquarium. Those who come to give throughout the month of August will also get a $10 e-gift card to a movie merchant of their choice. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Movie.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Aug. 1-15:

August 1, 2023

LDS – Lake Oswego Stake, 14903 Westlake Drive, Lake Oswego, OR, 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Savier Street Flats, 2270 NW Savier Street, Portland, OR, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

August 2, 2023

Russellville Park Gives Back, 20 SE 103rd Ave., Portland, OR, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Blood Donation Center, 1174 Progress Drive Suite 102, Medford, OR, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110, Bend, OR, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

August 4, 2023

Oregon City Public Library, 606 John Adams St., Oregon City, OR, 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Embassy Suites Portland-Downtown,319 SW Pine St., Portland, OR, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82^nd Ave., Vancouver, WA, 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

August 5, 2023

Pursue Fitness, 555 West Centennial Blvd, Springfield, OR, 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

August 7, 2023

Riverside Seventh Day Adventist Church, 463 N. Shepherd Rd, Washougal, WA, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

American Pacific Mortgage, 1200 Executive Parkway, Suite 100, Eugene, OR, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

City of Bend Police Dept., 555 NE 15th St, Bend, OR, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Ascension Lutheran Church, 675 Black Oak Drive, Medford, OR, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

August 8, 2023

Fowler Student Center, 0615 SW Palatine Hill Road, Portland, OR, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Portland Blood Donation Center,3131 N Vancouver Avenue, Portland, OR, 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

August 9, 2023

Islamic Community Center of Hillsboro,7270 NW Helvetia Rd, Portland, OR, 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

August 10, 2023

Village Church,330 SW Murray Blvd., Beaverton, OR, 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

To find a donation site near you, visit www.redcrossblood.org and put in your zip code.

How to donate blood  — To make an appointment, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Amplify your impact − volunteer!   — A stable blood and platelet supply is critical to national preparedness. Additionally, as we approach the beginning of what is expected to be another active hurricane season, the Red Cross urges everyone to get ready now and consider becoming a volunteer to help people affected by the growing number of climate-driven disasters.

Support impacted communities by assisting at Red Cross shelters, using your professional skills as a licensed health care provider or becoming a member of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team. To learn more, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

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 and is the primary blood supplier to 65 hospitals throughout Washington and Oregon; 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. — American Red Cross – Cascades Region