Rogue Valley News, Wednesday 9/27 – Two Medford Police Officers Graduate Basic Police Motor School, Medford Airport Gets $3M+ In Federal Funding For Lighting Project

The latest news stories of interest in the Rogue Valley and the state of Oregon from the digital home of Southern Oregon, Wynne Broadcasting’s RogueValleyMagazine.com

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Rogue Valley Weather

Two Medford Police Officers Graduate Basic Police Motor School

The 2023 Basic Police Motor School course has recently concluded with two Medford Police Department graduates. MPD Officers Patrick Holmes and Cody Kephart passed their final evaluation ride and received their certificate of completion and Motor Wing pin in a graduation ceremony at the Jackson County Fire District 3 training facility in White City.

“We’re acting to improve lighting systems at 82 airports, an important part of keeping aircraft moving safely, no matter the time of day or weather,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “These runway and taxiway lighting investments are just the latest way President Biden is improving our airports, which will benefit Americans now and for decades to come.”

A data visualization of the airports receiving grants is online.  Projects announced today include:

• $3.4 Million to Rogue Valley International Airport
• $159,000 for Ashland, Brookings and Lake County airports in FY 2022,  $145,000  for FY 2023
• $110,000 for Chiloquin State, Christmas Valley and Gold Beach airports in FY 2022, $113,000 for FY 2023
• $295,000 for Crater Lake/Klamath Regional and Grants Pass airports for FY 2022, $292,000 for FY 2023

The full list of projects can be found here.

“Ensuring our pilots can safely navigate runways and taxiways with adequate and improved lighting systems is a top priority as we continue our focus on runway safety initiatives,” said Shannetta R. Griffin, P.E., Associate Administrator for Airports.

A March FAA Safety Summit addressed recent incidents with leaders from across the aviation sector, including airlines, airports, flight and ground crews, and air traffic control, and associations to find potential causes and needed actions to uphold safety. Read more about the summit and actions, the agency has taken since then.

The FAA has introduced several runway safety technologies to provide pilots and controllers increased situational awareness.

Murder Suspect Arrested In Williams

A man was arrested in the 100 block of East Fork Road in Williams on Sunday after police responded to a call of shots fired.

“When the Deputies arrived on scene, they contacted a male subject at the property who was identified as Senji Sanuma Pintar,” a Tuesday news release from the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office said. “After talking with Senji, an unresponsive subject was located at the scene.”

The unresponsive person was later declared dead, the release said. Pintar was lodged at Josephine County Jail on charges of aggravated murder and unlawful use of a weapon. The investigation is ongoing,” the release said. “Further inquiries are directed to the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office.

UPDATE: Smith River Complex North in Southern Oregon

Smith River Complex North 2023 #thankyoufirefighters — Northwest Incident Management Team 8 (NWIMT8) will be turning over management of the fire to a smaller incident management organization, referred to as a Type 3 Team, tomorrow morning, Wednesday, September 27th.

The Type 3 Team will continue to post to this Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/smithrivercomplexnorth) once a day and additional significant updates as needed. The public may also call 541-646-9177, or email: 2023.smithrivercomplex@firenet.gov NWIMT8 would like to thank all of the firefighters, partners, and support personnel who have worked tirelessly on this fire. And to the communities impacted by the #smithrivercomplexnorth, we are so grateful for your hospitality, Thank You!

Wildlife Safari Hiring

Looking to join a unique work environment where you will see exotic animals everyday?

Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon is looking to fill multiple positions. Visit our website at https://wildlifesafari.net/pages/work-at-safari to explore current job openings and learn more about the diverse opportunities available behind the scenes at Wildlife Safari.

 

Newsweek Podcast Focusing on The Disappearance of Fauna Frey Who Went Missing Near Grants Pass 

Here One Minute, Gone the Next

John Frey joins Newsweek to discuss exclusive details about the case of his missing daughter that until now have been unavailable to the general public.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Fauna Frey, call the anonymous tip line at 541-539-5638 or email FindFaunaFrey@gmail.com.

Help Find Fauna Frey #FindFaunaFrey FACEBOOK GROUP

The restoration project for the Butte Creek Mill is entering its last push.

As part of the final fundraising efforts, Jim Belushi, brother of the famous John Belushi and star of the TV show “according to Jim”,, is putting on Comedy on the Rogue at Belushi Farms.

Tickets went on sale today at http://comedyontherogue.com. The night will include Jim Belushi’s Board of Comedy and music from Belushi’s band. Volunteer Jay O’Neil said they need about $300,000 to finish the restoration project. Most of the work that needs done still is repairing the basement that was damaged by water during the fire. Tickets will be on sale until late September, or until they sell out. Belushi owns property in the Rogue Valley and has settled there.

Strike Averted as Nurses and Management at OHSU Reach Tentative Agreement

Agreement reached after almost 100 hours of bargaining over ten days

(Portland, Ore.) – Nurses at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) successfully reached a tentative agreement with hospital management the afternoon of Monday, Sept. 25 capping off almost 60 hours of negotiation meetings over five days, including work with a mediator. Nearly 3200 nurses at OHSU are represented by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA).

“Nurses at OHSU care for Oregon’s most critical patients—patients who require specialized nursing care that only we can provide. We deserve a contract that reflects the expertise, compassion and skill we bring to every patient in our care. This new contract will ensure we have the tools, the workplace safety and the staffing support necessary to deliver the high-quality care our patients deserve,” said Duncan Zevetski, RN, vice president of the ONA bargaining unit at OHSU. “I am proud of the nurses who organized, fought for and won this historic contract—a contract that our union colleagues across the country can look to as an example in their own fights for improved working conditions that will support them in caring for their patients.”

Members will vote to ratify the tentative agreement from Oct. 1-5 but detailed discussions of the proposed agreement will start Friday, Sept. 29. If approved, the agreement will include historic wage increases, which are key to retaining experienced nurses at OHSU, recruiting the next generation of nurses, and ensuring safe care for our community.

Key provisions of the tentative agreement include:

• Nurse staffing standards that align with the higher complexity patients OHSU nurses care for.
• Minimum safe staffing standards guaranteed by June 1, 2024, including a specific plan for the Emergency Department levels, and 1:3 Acute Care (mixed IMC) ratios written into the contract. A guarantee to follow professional standards that set ratios and levels for all other areas.
• Wage increases of 15%, 6%, and 6% each year as well as a new 30-step wage scale. The average base wage will increase 37% and will average to $20.67/hr increase over 3 years.
• Major expansion of the Code Green team that includes social workers trained in de-escalation for the Marquam Hill campus and newly provided to the Waterfront campus.
• Paid training for trauma-informed care, in-person de-escalation training/including advanced physical skills, crisis intervention and assault prevention.
• 24/7 coverage of metal detector screenings and DPS presence in the EDs.
• Major improvements to workplace safety at OHSU, including 50% of positions for nurses and AFSCME members on a task force to allocate $10 million in funds.
• A commitment to immediately institute urgent changes to lockdown procedures, securing entrances and other workplace violence reduction.
• The right to bargain the impacts of a merger with Legacy Health system.
• Full retro pay.

Nurses were also able to secure additional contract protections requiring break-relief assignments so that patient care isn’t compromised. Data from OHSU indicates that nurses missed at least 95,000 legally required rest in the last six months. Research has clearly shown that nurses who miss breaks are more likely to make mistakes, experience exhaustion and moral injury, and are ultimately more likely to leave the bedside—adding to a critical nursing shortage.

“AURN won strong contract language for nurse staffing across our entire institution, including care areas ranging from ambulatory to inpatient. Most importantly, the contract centers on the expertise of the nurses providing care as essential to designing and driving staffing levels. We are proud to be raising the staffing standards for high-acuity hospitals across the country,” said Erica Swartz, RN and ONA staffing committee co-chair at OHSU.

“Going into negotiations, our team was faced with the realities of what our workforce has been enduring,” said Corinn Joseph, RN and ONA bargaining team member. “Across the nation, and the world, nursing has become not only a risk to our mental health but our physical safety. We set out with the intention to build a better contract, one that would change standards. We did this not only for our nurses, but to help raise the bar for hospitals everywhere. With the help of our dedicated members, we have done just that. We can stand proud of what we have set into motion for the decades of nursing that follow! Together we create our future. Together we care for the people. Together we care for ourselves. Together we stand strong.”

Nurses began contract negotiations in December 2022 and their contract with OHSU expired on June 30, 2023. The new agreement will run through June 30, 2026.

The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) is the state’s largest and most influential nursing organization. We are a professional association and labor union representing over 16,000 nurses and allied health workers throughout the state. ONA’s mission is to advocate for nursing, quality health care and healthy communities. For more information visit: www.OregonRN.org. 

Governor Kotek Announces Immediate Action on Fentanyl Enforcement

Governor Tina Kotek announced that the Oregon State Police are launching several new fentanyl strategic enforcement and disruption strategies statewide at her direction.

The Governor made the announcement at the second convening of the Portland Central City Task Force (PCCTF). Superintendent Casey Codding, who Governor Kotek appointed earlier this year, also serves on the PCCTF Community Safety committee.

“I want all Oregonians to know that the state is moving forward with several new fentanyl strategic enforcement and disruption strategies,” Governor Kotek said. “I’m grateful to Superintendent Codding and his team for bringing forward an urgent and thoughtful plan. As we work to cut the supply of fentanyl and hold dealers accountable for selling dangerous drugs, I also remain fully committed to expanding access to critical behavioral health services.”

“This announcement says something important about our Governor: she is impatient about the right things,” Dan McMillan said. “We have committed to deliver actionable recommendations from the task force in just three short months. The fact that the state is putting skin in the game this early bodes well for the work ahead.”

The Oregon State Police’s Fentanyl Strategic Enforcement and Disruption Initiative includes:
• Increasing and reallocating staff to strategic local drug enforcement teams, including local and regional teams.
• Designing and hosting interagency saturation patrols with an emphasis on fentanyl interdiction using teams of narcotic enforcement K-9’s, drug enforcement detectives, and patrol resources.
• Partnering with the DOJ to update and make interdiction training available to our public safety partners to avoid unlawful searches and address potential biases prior to the implementation of enhanced enforcement strategies.
• Extending their High Visibility Enforcement Unit (HVEU) pilot that kicked off this summer, which uses a data driven approach to identifying drug and alcohol impaired drivers who present a danger to public safety.

“The terrible impacts of fentanyl here in Oregon are plain to see,” Superintendent Codding said. “The Oregon State Police is steadfastly committed to stopping its distribution and increased use in our communities through proactive interdiction and enforcement, and through collaboration with community, public health, education, and public safety partners.”

In 2023, the Oregon State Police has seized 62 pounds of powder and 232,962 fentanyl pills before it could reach Oregon communities and put lives at risk.

The Governor has made her position clear that public consumption of controlled substances is a problem that needs to be urgently addressed in this upcoming legislative session. She commends Mayor Ted Wheeler and the Portland City Council for their partnership in this effort in passing an emergency ordinance in recent weeks. The task force will discuss a path forward work with legislators to fix the issue.

The PCCTF will have its next meeting in October. Each of the task force committees, including Central City Value Proposition, Livable Neighborhoods, Community Safety, Housing and Homelessness, Taxes for Services, have and will continue to meet regularly between task force meetings. The co-chairs have committed to presenting actionable recommendations at the Oregon Business Summit on December 11.

View the PCCTF website here.
Take the survey here. (SOURCE)

ODF’s Weekly Situation Report is to help create a snapshot of large fire information and statewide fire stats in one place.

Read the full report at https://odffire.com/…/weekly-situation-report…/

Anvil Fire and Flat Fire Update

Please visit Inciweb bit.ly/AnvilFireOR and bit.ly/FlatFireOR for the latest closure information. Please call 911 to report any signs of new fires.

A list of fire restrictions and closure orders for BLM Oregon-Washington public lands are available at https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter @BLMOregon.

Morgan Fire near Bly UPDATE

Marsh Fire in Klamath Marsh National Forest

Oregon Supreme Court Asked To Decide If GOP Senators Who Boycotted Legislature Can Be Reelected

The Oregon Court of Appeals on Monday asked the state’s highest court to decide whether Republican state senators who carried out a record-setting GOP walkout this year can run for reelection.

The senators are challenging a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2022 that bars them from being reelected after having 10 or more unexcused absences. Oregon voters last year overwhelmingly approved the ballot measure that created the amendment following GOP walkouts in the Legislature in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Statehouses around the nation have become ideological battlegrounds in recent years, including in Montana, Tennessee and Oregon, where the lawmakers’ walkout this year was the longest in state history and the second-longest in the United States.

Several Oregon state senators with at least 10 absences have already filed candidacy papers with election authorities, even though Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade announced on Aug. 8 that they are disqualified from running for legislative seats in the 2024 election.

“My decision honors the voters’ intent by enforcing the measure the way it was commonly understood when Oregonians added it to our state constitution,” Griffin-Valade said.

The senators from the minority party sued Griffin-Valade in the Oregon Court of Appeals, aimed at forcing state officials to allow them to seek reelection. They and Oregon Department of Justice attorneys on the opposite side of the case jointly last month asked the appeals court to send the matter straight to the state Supreme Court.

The appeals court on Monday formally asked the Oregon Supreme Court to take the case, said Todd Sprague, spokesman for the Oregon Judicial Department. The Supreme Court has 20 days to grant or deny and can add up to 10 days to make a decision on the request, Sprague said.

There were nine Oregon Republicans and an independent who clocked at least 10 absences during this year’s legislative session in order to block Democratic bills covering abortion, transgender health care and gun rights. The walkout prevented a quorum, holding up bills in the Democrat-led Senate for six weeks.

As part of the deal to end the walkout in June with barely one week left in the legislative session, Democrats agreed to change language concerning parental notifications for abortion. Democrats also agreed to drop several amendments on a gun bill that would have increased the purchasing age from 18 to 21 for semiautomatic rifles and placed more limits on concealed carry.

The terms of six of the senators who accumulated at least 10 unexcused absences end in January 2025, meaning they’d be up for reelection next year. One of them, Sen. Bill Hansell, has announced he will retire when his term ends.

Those who have filed for reelection include GOP Senate leader Tim Knopp, who led the walkout,.

The senators insist that the way the amendment to the state constitution is written means they can seek another term.

The constitutional amendment says a lawmaker is not allowed to run “for the term following the election after the member’s current term is completed.” Since a senator’s term ends in January while elections are held the previous November, they argue the penalty doesn’t take effect immediately, but instead, after they’ve served another term.

“The clear language of Measure 113 allows me to run one more time,” Knopp said in a statement when he filed as a candidate on Sept. 14.

Ben Morris, the secretary of state’s spokesman, said all parties want the court “to quickly rule on Measure 113 and settle this matter.”

The longest walkout by state lawmakers in the U.S. was a century ago. In 1924, Republican senators in Rhode Island fled to Rutland, Massachusetts, and stayed away for six months, ending Democratic efforts to have a popular referendum on the holding of a constitutional convention. (SOURCE)

Oregon State Hospital holds memorial ceremony for historical cremains

SALEM, Ore. – Fourteen families from across the country and Canada attended Oregon State Hospital’s (OSH) cremains memorial ceremony Tuesday to claim the ashes of relatives who died at the hospital or other state institutions between 1914 and 1973 and remained unclaimed – until now.

“For some of you, you may have never met or heard of the relative you are welcoming back into your family today. Thank you for opening your hearts to them,” said OSH Superintendent Dolly Matteucci at the ceremony.

David Gilliland and his cousin Rick Ewen traveled from Saskatchewan to attend the ceremony to claim the ashes of their great aunt, Mary Ann “Minnie” Gilliland Smart, who was an OSH patient from 1930 until her death in 1934.

“It’s about honoring Minnie’s memory. It seems like the right thing to do. We decided early on because there was a repatriation opportunity that we would want to bring her home,” Gilliland said.

In the past 10 years, OSH staff and volunteers have helped reunite families with the cremains of 1,052 of the 3,500 people whose ashes are in the custody of OSH. Meanwhile, efforts continue to identify the closest living relatives of those whose ashes have not been claimed.

This year, the number of remains claimed by families grew by 76. During the ceremony, the 76 names were read aloud one by one.

For some, the reasons why family in the past could not or would not claim the remains is unknown. The reasons could be loss of contact information, the inability to afford travel or burial expenses, or the stigma of mental illness at a time when sun stroke could lead to admission to OSH as easily as syphilis or morphine addiction, Matteucci said.

“What has not changed is the dedication of the staff across Oregon State Hospital to inspire hope to people at the most difficult time in their lives, promote safety and support their recovery,” she said. “What has also not changed is the resilience of those we serve and their ability to progress and recover, and our shared goal of an individual’s return to their community.”

David Baden, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) interim director, spoke of learning from the past as OHA looks towards the future. “We can and will do right by the people in our care across the behavioral health continuum. We must do everything in our power to ensure individuals with mental illness are no longer cast aside due to stigma, lack of services or support,” he said.

Until 1973, OSH operated a crematorium and became the custodian of the unclaimed cremains of nearly 3,500 people who died while living or working at OSH, Oregon State Tuberculosis Hospital, Mid-Columbia Hospital, Dammasch State Hospital, Deaconess Hospital, Oregon State Penitentiary and Fairview Training Center. In 2014, the hospital dedicated a memorial and began holding an annual ceremony to remember those whose remains are now housed in the memorial’s columbarium. During the pandemic, the event continued virtually. The service returned to an in-person ceremony on Tuesday.

A current OSH patient shared remarks about their positive experiences receiving care at OSH during the ceremony event which also featured music performed by OSH music therapists and a prayer by the hospital’s chaplain.

After the ceremony, family members in attendance claimed their relatives’ ashes. Those unable to attend will receive their cremains, along with a rubbing of their relative’s name from the columbarium wall and the original copper canister that interred their ashes.

People can visit OSH’s online cremains directory to research whether they have a family member among the unclaimed cremains.

Department of Administrative Services Publishes Annual Maximum Rent Increase for 2024

The Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS) this week published the annual maximum rent increase allowed by statute for calendar year 2024. The DAS Office of Economic Analysis (OEA) has calculated the maximum percentage as 10.0%.

Following the passage of SB 608 in the 2019 legislative session and SB 611 in the 2023 legislative session, Oregon law requires DAS to calculate and post to its website, by September 30 of each year, the maximum annual rent increase percentage allowed by statute for the following calendar year. Per statute, OEA calculates this amount as 7% plus the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, West Region (All Items), as most recently published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, or 10%, whichever is lower.

The allowable rent increase percentage for the 2024 calendar year is 10.0%. The allowable rent increase percentage for the previous year, 2023, was 14.6% if the increase was issued before July 6, or 10.0% if issued after July 6.

DAS will calculate and post the percentage for the 2025 calendar year by Sept. 30, 2024.

Information about the maximum annual rent increase percentage, as well as the provisions of ORS 90.323 and 90.600 (statutes governing rent increases), can be found on the OEA website.

For information on the law, please see the full text of SB 608 and SB 611 at the link below. DAS does not provide legal advice regarding other provisions of SB 608 and SB 611.

Links:

• Full text of SB 608: http://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2019R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/SB608/Enrolled
• Full text of SB 611: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/SB611/Enrolled
• OEA website: https://www.oregon.gov/das/OEA/Pages/Rent-stabilization.aspx

Oil and Gas Industry Watcher Predicts Gas Prices Could Skyrocket Even Higher This Week on the West Coast

A prominent oil and gas industry watcher in California is predicting gas prices on the U.S. West Coast will skyrocket in the coming days.

Patrick De Haan said prices at the pump – which are already north of $6 per gallon in some parts of California for a gallon of regular – could rise even higher.

He attributed outages at major refineries in California for the painful increase in gas prices.

“ALERT: WEST COAST! Your gas prices are about to jump,” he wrote. “If you’re in Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, or Arizona be prepared for gas prices to jump 15-35 cents per gallon in the next five days. Some stations could go up by even more, potentially 50c/gal.”

De Haan called on the California Air Resources Board to “issue a waiver given the refinery situation and lack of capacity given the extenuating circumstances.”

The increases will also be seen at gas pumps in Oregon and Washington and are “likely impacted by refinery snags in Southern California and Northern California.”

“Oregon and Washington gas prices may soon spike, following SoCal’s surge,” he said. (SOURCE)

10,000 Additional blood products needed each week to help recover from shortage

$15 Amazon.com Gift Card by email for coming to give blood Oct. 1-20 

Portland, OR (Sept. 26, 2023) — The American Red Cross continues to experience a national blood and platelet shortage and asks the public to book a time to give as soon as possible. Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, especially type O blood donors and those giving platelets. The Red Cross offers three ways to make a donation appointment that can help save lives:

• Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App
• Visit RedCrossBlood.org
• Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

The Red Cross experienced a significant blood and platelet donation shortfall in August, contributing to the current blood and platelet shortage. To ensure the blood supply recovers, the Red Cross must collect 10,000 additional blood products each week over the next month to meet hospital and patient needs. 

“When blood and platelet supplies drop to critical levels, it makes hospitals and the patients they are treating vulnerable – especially if there is a major accident or emergency medical procedure that requires large quantities of blood during a disaster,” said Dr. Baia Lasky, medical director for the Red Cross. “A single car accident victim can use as much as 100 units of blood. By making and keeping donation appointments, donors can help keep hospital shelves stocked with blood products and ensure patients have access to the timely care they deserve.”

As a thank-you, those who come to give Oct. 1-20, 2023, will receive a $15 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.

Unique challenges to blood supply – In late summer, the Red Cross national blood supply dropped by about 25% on the heels of one of the busiest travel seasons and the beginning of back-to-school activities. As people settle back into fall school and work routines, a unique challenge to the blood supply remains – many employees continue to work from home or in a hybrid capacity, reducing the number of opportunities to give blood at business-sponsored blood drives. In fact, before the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 800,000 blood donations were made at blood drives hosted by businesses. Last year, the Red Cross saw only about 500,000 blood donations at these locations – a nearly 40% drop from pre-pandemic levels.

This, coupled with an active disaster season, is creating a perfect “storm” and challenging the organization’s ability to collect a sufficient amount of blood products to meet the needs of hospitals across the country.

The Red Cross provides community blood drives and donation centers across Oregon and SW Washington. Those who may have previously given at a local business blood drive are encouraged to book a time to give at one of these locations by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

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

How to donate blood – 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.

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

https://www.oregon.gov/osp/missing/pages/missingpersons.aspx