Rogue Valley News, Tuesday 12/26 – U.S. Marshals Task Force Arrests Kansas Child Sex Abuse Suspect in Jackson County & Other Local and Statewide News…

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

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Rogue Valley Weather

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
7 PM PST WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Southeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph
expected.

* WHERE...The Kalmiopsis Wilderness and the foothills of the
Cascade and Siskiyou mountains, including Highway 199 near
Obrien, the southern Rogue Valley along Interstate 5 between
Ashland and Medford, Butte Falls, and the higher terrain of
eastern Jackson and Douglas counties.

* WHEN...From 4 PM Tuesday to 7 PM PST Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects.
Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may
result. Driving may become difficult for high profile vehicles.

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

U.S. Marshals Led Task Force Arrests Kansas Child Sex Abuse Suspect in Jackson County

JCSO Case 23-7218

ROGUE RIVER, Ore. – The United States Marshals Service led Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force (PNVOTF) tracked down and arrested a man wanted out of Kansas on a felony warrant for child sex abuse. The suspect, Ben J Baxter, 51, of Kansas, was wanted on a felony charge of sodomy with a child who was under 14 years of age. The crime occurred between June 27th and July 1st of this year. He is now lodged in the Jackson County Jail awaiting extradition back to Kansas.

The arrest occurred at 2:33 p.m. today, December 22, when investigations led PNVOTF and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies to a remote residence on Murphy Gulch Road west of Wimer, Ore. Investigators located Baxter leaving the residence, and arrested him without incident. Although Baxter wrapped multiple phones in aluminum foil to avoid detection, he was unsuccessful in avoiding capture.

Over the last few days, PNVOTF tracked Baxter from Josephine County to the arrest location. The task force was assisted by Oregon State Police, Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, Grants Pass Police Department, and Rogue River Police Department.

PNVOTF includes personnel from the U.S. Marshals, JCSO, and Central Point Police Department. The task force specializes in locating and arresting fugitives wanted for offenses including, but not limited to, murder, assault, sex crimes, failure to register as a sex offender, firearm violations, and probation violations. There is no further information available for release.

Mt. Ashland Just Waiting for Snow

The Mt. Ashland Ski Area is preparing to welcome a big crowd ahead of a delayed start to their winter season.
Mt. Ashland needs about 24 to 30 inches of snow before it can reopen to skiers and snowboarders. According to the Mt. Ashland website, there has been zero inches of snowfall over the past week.

Andrew Gast, the general manager of the ski hill, said there isn’t enough snow on the ground to operate but everything else at the hill is up and running.

Right now the team is working on a shuttle program after receiving a $50,000 grant from Travel Oregon. Minibuses will be running from Ashland up the hill once the season gets started.

Mt. Ashland will be celebrating their 60th anniversary on Jan. 11. Gast said the crew will be celebrating the milestone with a party that day if the hill is open. Ski hill staff are on a holiday break right now as they wait for more snow. Updates on Mt. Ashland’s opening date can be found on their Facebook
page.

BODYCAM: Jackson County DUII Arrests Highest in 10 Years, Sheriff’s Office Increasing Patrols

Ashland to Be the Center of Wildfire Resilience Research by Oregon State University

Oregon State University researchers are receiving $750,000 in grants to launch a collaborative wildfire resilience research study. The research will be done in Ashland, where one of the most recent wildfires occurred.

A team of researchers and a doctoral student will be using coving engineering and forestry in order to understand just how wildfires interact with the built environment. The hope is that they will be better able to prepare in the case of an eventual wildfire.

The funds, from the US Forest Service and the National Science Foundation, will create a new doctoral program and research center. Erica Fischer of OSU’s College of Engineering will serve as principal investigator on the grant. She said a team of researchers and a doctoral student will use forestry and civil engineering to understand how wildfire interacts with the built environment, and how to prepare for it.

“How do we train the next generation of scientists to be able to study this,” she said. “How do we train the next generation of professionals to be able to work in communities and address this really big problem?”

She said the student will be embedded in Ashland, a community impacted by the 2020 Almeda wildfire.

Fischer said the research could also improve preparedness, identifying key points where fire trucks should be stationed, what homes and infrastructure are most at risk, and modeling evacuation routes and economic recovery.

“You get a real life example of what could happen,” she said.

Researchers from University of Oregon, University of Washington, the UK and Australia, will also collaborate on the project.  The international angle is because of the importance of understanding how different communities approach risks of wildfires, as well as the societal implications in the event of a wildfire.

PART 2 – Newsweek Podcast Focusing on The Disappearance of Fauna Frey From Lane County

Here One Minute, Gone the Next —– PART 2 – Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel joins investigative journalist Alex Rogue to speak with Here One Minute, Gone the Next about the disappearance of Fauna Frey, the growing friction between citizen investigators and law enforcement, and the lack of resources in missing persons cases. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-disappearance-of-fauna-frey-pt2-feat-sheriff/id1707094441?i=1000630100040

PART 1 – 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.

READ MORE HERE: https://www.newsweek.com/exclusive-what-happened-fauna-frey-new-clues-uncovered-1827197?fbclid=IwAR3Z3Glru5lIgqiYXbs_nA1Fj8JuCIzM11OHSVHfwIucfq2f_G5y9y5bnmQ

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

Oregon’s Road Safety Crisis

Oregon’s roadways have been making headlines for all the wrong reasons lately, with a series of traffic incidents drawing attention to the state’s safety challenges.

Most recently, a four-vehicle collision on Christmas just outside Hermiston on Umatilla River Road near Cooney Lane resulted in injuries to six to eight individuals. The severity of these injuries remains under wraps while experts investigate the accident’s cause.

Seven people critically injured in multi-car crash outside of Hermiston on Christmas —- UCSO is investigating a multi-car crash that sent several people to the hospital outside of Hermiston

According to the Umatilla Sheriff’s Office, the crash involved at least four cars with six to eight people with injuries. The crash occurred on Umatilla River Road near Cooney Lane around 5 p.m. on Christmas.

Umatilla County Sheriff’s Deputies and Umatilla Fire District #1 responded to the crash and additional resources were requested for a mass casualty incident, according to a UCSO press release. Oregon State Police, Hermiston Police, Umatilla Police and Stanfield Police all responded to the crash.

Furthermore, a Pasco teenager tragically lost their life in an unrelated car crash in Franklin County on an early Saturday morning, adding to the region’s woes. Other news includes a search for a Skagit County man wanted for multiple crimes and upcoming changes to the Walla Walla County Courthouse public access, not to mention Kennewick Police’s hunt for a homicide suspect. These incidents are more than just isolated news stories; they’re indicative of a broader trend of road safety issues that plague Oregon.

Preliminary data from the Oregon Department of Transportation shows that 542 people have died this year on Oregon roads as of Dec. 14, a 10% drop from last year. Of them, 99 were pedestrians, a 22% decrease from last year’s 127

Despite a statewide decrease in traffic deaths, with a notable 22% reduction in pedestrian fatalities, Portland’s traffic deaths are close to a 30-year high, and the overall fatality rates are still higher than they were a decade ago. The Oregon Health Authority reports a worrying 73% increase in traffic deaths since 2010, exacerbated by higher speeds and the prevalence of larger vehicles that pose a greater risk to pedestrians and cyclists.

In response, Oregon isn’t sitting idle. The state is actively enhancing road safety through public awareness campaigns, technological advancements, and infrastructure improvements. Legislative actions like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are funneling investments into making the community healthier and roads safer. Still, with Oregon ranking 13th nationally for drunk driving fatalities, it’s clear that there’s a long road ahead in the fight against impaired driving. As Oregonians, we must continue to support these initiatives and practice safe driving habits to ensure the wellbeing of all who share our roads. (SOURCE)

Close Call on I-84 Highlights Holiday Road Safety Concerns

On the evening of December 19, a chilling event unfolded on Oregon’s Interstate 84. A driver, disoriented and traveling in the wrong direction, crashed head-on with another vehicle near milepost 51. In a turn of events that can only be described as serendipitous, the Oregon State Patrol (OSP) SWAT team happened to be nearby, responding to another call. They rushed to administer life-saving measures to the wrong-way driver who was then transported to a local hospital. This driver now faces serious charges, including DUI, reckless driving, and reckless endangerment. Thankfully, no further injuries were reported from the incident.

This harrowing experience brings to light the dedicated work of OSP in addressing the ‘Fatal 5’—the greatest contributors to fatal traffic accidents, which include impaired driving, among other dangerous behaviors. As we dive into the heart of the holiday season, the glow of festive lights often belies the heightened dangers lurking on our roads. The recent crash on I-84 serves as a stark reminder of these risks.

National safety data underscores the grim reality: hundreds of lives can be lost in crashes on major holidays. With increased traffic, festive stress, and sometimes, one too many toasts to the season, our roads become all the more treacherous. It’s not just the chilly winter conditions we need to navigate, but the aftermath of holiday cheer that can turn celebrations into somber statistics.

Law enforcement steps up during these times with DUI checkpoints and awareness campaigns, and these measures have a track record of success. Still, December remains a daunting month for road safety, with daily car crash fatalities often surpassing the yearly average. The NSC’s ambitious goal to eliminate traffic deaths by 2050 is a beacon of hope. Until then, we must all do our part. Remember, when raising a glass to good tidings, also raise awareness of the need for a sober ride home. It’s a simple act that can preserve the festive spirit and, more importantly, save lives. (SOURCE)

Holiday Heist at Oregon Museum

Police say a person broke into Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals in Hillsboro and stole several gold items from a large display case early Christmas morning.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a break-in alarm at the museum in unincorporated Washington County around 2:20 a.m. Sunday to find a broken window. Inside, deputies and museum staff found the display case shattered and the gold items missing.

Security camera footage shows a person dressed in all black with a black ski mask using a sledgehammer to break a window. Sheriff’s deputies tried to surround the area and use dogs to track the burglar, but the person escaped. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office did not disclose the value of the items stolen.

The museum was founded in 1952 and operates in the former home of its founders, Richard and Helen Rice.

In 1997, the museum was formally reestablished as a nonprofit. The museum has over 20,000 rock and mineral specimens, according to its website, and each room has been converted to a gallery for different types of rocks.

Reports Shows Oregon Has 2nd Highest Rate Of Homeless Families In The Country

Oregon has the second highest rate of homelessness in the nation, trailing only California, according to a new federal count of homeless individuals in 2023.

And Oregon has the highest rate of families with children and unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness of any state. The lack of affordable housing is a significant factor.

The new count found there are 48 unhoused Oregonians for every 10,000 people in the state – or 20,142 unhoused people total. Experts agree the numbers are likely an undercount. The phenomenon is not new, but it is quickly getting worse. The state’s homeless population increased 15% since 2007, with a 23% increase in total population during the pandemic years from 2020 to 2022.

Jimmy Jones, director of housing and homelessness nonprofit, Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action, said he does not believe Oregon has reached the worst of it yet.

“This is almost all economic,” Jones said. “Despite all resources we’ve been investing, this is not the peak. All of those people in 2021 who gave up their homes during the pandemic and moved into their cars and RVs, they haven’t started showing up on the streets yet. It is hard to count those folks during the point-in-time count. That wave has not yet reached us.”

National counts are conducted during a single night in January each year. Across the country, the total number of people experiencing homelessness increased 12% between 2022 and 2023 to 653,104 people. But states in the West reported the highest percentages of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

In Oregon, 65% of those who were homeless were living on the street, in their cars or another unsheltered place. The others were in shelters.

The rate of homeless families with children is 9 per 10,000 residents. The next highest state is Idaho at 4 per 10,000 residents.

Since 2020, the total number of unhoused people in families in Oregon increased 27% to 3,900. Of the total, nearly 60% were without safe shelter. While Oregon and Washington each have large populations of families without stable homes, Oregon had a much higher percentage of unsheltered families.

States with the highest rates of families with children experiencing homelessness:

• Oregon: 3,900 total people in unhoused families with 58.7% unsheltered
• Idaho: 818 with 43.8% unsheltered
• Arkansas: 496 with 28.2% unsheltered
• Washington: 7,136 with 26.4% unsheltered
• California: 25,483 with 23.5% unsheltered

Compared to the rest of the country, the Portland and Gresham area and the Eugene and Springfield area both have some of the highest percentage of unsheltered families out of their total unhoused populations. Both report that nearly 75% of their unhoused families are unsheltered.

Oregon did not have as large an increase in family homelessness, as New York, Massachusetts and Colorado did, but that is because Oregon’s numbers have been consistently high over the years. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of unhoused families in Oregon rose 16%.

Since the federal government began requiring data collection, “Oregon has frequently reported the highest rate of unsheltered family homelessness in the nation and almost six in ten families experiencing homelessness did so outdoors in 2023,” the report noted. (SOURCE)

New Oregon Transparency Website Launched

New Oregon Transparency Website provides details on state spending and performance. 

Salem, OR — Enterprise Information Services has launched a new Oregon Transparency Website, which went live on Dec. 13, 2023. The transparency website features information and resources on public meetings, public records, state salaries, revenue, budgets and more.

In 2009, through the approval of House Bill 2500, Oregon state government enacted the Oregon Transparency Program and website legislation. The program created an open resource where website visitors can access details on how the state is spending tax dollars and information on programs and services that provide investments back into Oregon’s economy.

The Transparency Oregon Advisory Commission (TOAC) was created to advise on website content and information. The Commission consists of state senators, state representatives, Legislative Fiscal Office staff, as well as state agency and public members.

Enterprise Information Services’ Data Governance and Transparency Program focused efforts in 2023 to redesign the website to include updated content, more user-friendly navigation, and a new design to promote greater interactivity and transparency for the public. The process included insight from current users, agencies, committees and site analytics to improve the user’s experience.

Chief Data Officer Kathryn Darnall Helms, the director of Data Governance and Transparency, says the new site is “a significant improvement in how we get valuable information and data out to our constituents, and is but one part of how we are pushing for greater transparency and more open data within Oregon state government.”

Links:

• Oregon Transparency – State of Oregon Public Meetings: https://www.oregon.gov/transparency/Pages/Public-Meetings.aspx
• Oregon Transparency – State of Oregon Public Records Request: https://www.oregon.gov/transparency/Pages/Public-Records-Request.aspx
• Oregon Transparency – State of Oregon Salaries: https://www.oregon.gov/transparency/Pages/State-Salaries.aspx
• Oregon Transparency – State of Oregon Revenue: https://www.oregon.gov/transparency/Pages/Revenue.aspx
• Oregon Transparency – State of Oregon Budget: https://www.oregon.gov/transparency/Pages/budget.aspx
• Oregon House Bill 2500 (2009): https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2009R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/HB2500/Enrolled
• Oregon Transparency Laws and Legislation: https://www.oregon.gov/transparency/pages/Laws-Legislation.aspx
• Transparency Oregon Advisory Commission: https://www.oregon.gov/transparency/pages/about-transparency.aspx#transparency-commission
• Enterprise Information Services: https://www.oregon.gov/eis/Pages/default.aspx
• Enterprise Information Services Data Governance and Transparency: https://www.oregon.gov/eis/data-governance-and-transparency/Pages/default.aspx

People in Oregon can now manage state benefits with the Oregon ONE Mobile app

People can now securely manage their medical, food, cash and child care benefits through the State of Oregon from the convenience of their mobile devices using the new Oregon ONE Mobile app. People first will need to apply for benefits online, in person at a local office or over the phone.

The app is available for free in the Apple and Android app stores. It is an official State of Oregon app created by the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS). The app’s development was partially funded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

“At ODHS we are committed to meeting people in Oregon where they are with as many ways as possible to manage their benefits, check application status and share needed documentation, like when they get a request for information during a renewal,” said Nathan Singer (he/him), director of the ODHS Oregon Eligibility Partnership. “People can now manage their benefits in-person, by mail, by fax, by telephone, online and on their mobile phone using the Oregon ONE Mobile app, which is available in English and Spanish.”

Interview with OEP Director Singer available on YouTube

Oregon ONE Mobile app video on YouTube

New Oregon ONE Mobile app video link

• Create a ONE Online account.
• Access their existing ONE Online account.
• Report changes to household information including address, contact information and income.
• Upload requested documents using a smartphone camera.
• Get updates on application status and check if it is approved, denied, or pending, and what actions might need to be taken.
• See and download notices that were mailed.
• Find the next renewal date for their benefits.
• Get important, time-sensitive alerts and notifications about benefits on mobile devices.
• View benefit issuance history for food and cash payments.

People who serve as Authorized Representatives for people with benefits are also able to use the app.

How to manage your medical, food, cash and child care benefits: 

• By phone at: 1-800-699-9075. All relay calls accepted.
• Online at: benefits.oregon.gov
• Through the free Oregon ONE Mobile app available on Apple and Android app stores
• In person at an office near you: Find an office.
• In your language: Help in Your Language
• By mail at: ONE Customer Service Center, PO Box 14015, Salem, OR 97309
• By fax at: 503-378-5628

Resources to help meet basic needs

• Find food resources in your community: needfood.oregon.gov.
• Learn about government programs and community resources for older adults and people with disabilities: Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon at 1-855-673-2372 or www.adrcoforegon.org.
• Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, www.211info.org
• Find local resources and support by contacting your local Community Action Agency: www.caporegon.org/find-services/
• Oregon Department of Human Services help center 

About the Oregon Department of Human Services

The mission of the Oregon Department of Human Services is to help Oregonians in their own communities achieve well-being and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice and preserve dignity.

About the Oregon Eligibility Partnership

The Oregon Eligibility Partnership (OEP) is part of the Oregon Department of Human Services. OEP supports state staff who determine eligibility for people applying for and receiving medical, food, cash and child care benefits. It also manages the ONE Eligibility System used to process applications and deliver benefits to eligible individuals and families in Oregon. One in three people in Oregon receive benefits through the ONE Eligibility System. OEP administers the ONE Eligibility system in partnership with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC).###