Rogue Valley News, Tuesday 1/2/24 – Hospital Nurse at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford Accused of at Least 10 Patient Deaths & 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, January 2, 2024

Rogue Valley Weather

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 PM
PST THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...South to Southeast winds 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to
50 mph expected.

* WHERE...In California, Central Siskiyou County. In Oregon,
Jackson County. This includes Interstate 5 from Weed to Grenada
and Montague. Also, Interstate 5 from Ashland to Medford.

* WHEN...From 7 AM this morning to 7 PM PST this evening. The
strongest winds are expected from 9 AM this morning to 3 PM
this afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects.
Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may
result.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...There is a low 15% chance that peak wind
gusts in the Shasta Valley could reach warning speeds of at
least 58 mph.

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

Hospital Nurse at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford Accused of Replacing Fentanyl with Tap Water Leading to at least 10 Patient Deaths

• A nurse at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Oregon is accused of replacing fentanyl with tap water, leading to the deaths of approximately ten patients.

• The tap water injections allegedly caused Pseudomonas infections, which can result in severe conditions like sepsis and pneumonia.

• The act of substituting medications, known as “drug diversion,” is a problem in the medical field, with fentanyl being one of the most commonly diverted drugs.

• No charges have been filed yet, but police are actively investigating the incident.

• The hospital has reported the issue to law enforcement, but details such as the exact number of affected patients have not been officially confirmed.

A nurse at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford allegedly swapped medication with tap water, resulting in the death of approximately ten patients, NBC5 reported.

Sources say the nurse used tap water to cover up the hospital’s misuse of medication.

Citing several anonymous sources, NBC5 reported that at least ten patients at the Medford hospital were allegedly injected with tap water in an attempt to cover up a nurse’s misuse of fentanyl, a pain medication.

According to NBC5, sources within the hospital said that the tap water, which is not sterile, led to Pseudomonas infections.

The Medical Center’s intensive care unit reported that up to nine or ten people caught infections and later died. The tap water that was used in the injections was reportedly not sterile and led to multiple infections of pseudomonas, which can be very dangerous to those with weak immune systems.

“It could cause sepsis, pneumonia, it could infect all the organs, so it could be a very severe infection,” said Dr. Robin Miller. The Asante Rogue Medical Center released a statement saying, “We were distressed to learn of this issue. We reported it to law enforcement and are working closely with them.”

As of press time, no one was arrested or charged, and Medford Police provided no more details. They only confirmed there’s an open investigation at the medical center.

Pedestrian Hit and Run New Year’s Eve in Downtown Medford

The Medford Police Department is currently investigating a hit-and-run that occurred on New Year’s Eve around 7:00 pm. A pedestrian was injured at the intersection of West 10th and South Grape Street in downtown Medford.

Authorities are appealing to the public for any information that could help in their search for the driver involved in this distressing incident.

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

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

Embezzlement Leads to Staff Layoffs and Eugene Weekly Halting the Presses

The Eugene Weekly faced an abrupt and devastating setback when it discovered a former employee had embezzled funds from the publication in December. The shocking revelation forced the paper to lay off its entire staff and suspend its print edition, casting a shadow over its longstanding commitment to local journalism and the four decades it has served this community. https://eugeneweekly.com/

Just days before Christmas, the editor, Camilla Mortensen, stumbled upon discrepancies in the newspaper’s financial records. An investigation revealed that a former employee, significantly involved in managing the paper’s finances, had diverted approximately $90,000 from the company’s account for personal use since 2022. Moreover, the paper grappled with unpaid bills totaling over $100,000, including obligations to its printer, spanning several months. The gravity of the situation deepened as employees discovered that funds earmarked for their retirement accounts had never been deposited.

The dire financial state led to an agonizing decision to terminate all ten staff members and cease the print edition of the paper. Eugene Weekly, founded in 1982 and circulating 30,000 copies weekly in Eugene, played a crucial role in disseminating news freely within the community.

Mortensen expressed profound dismay, particularly over the devastating timing of the layoffs, which occurred just before the holiday season. The suspected employee, employed at the paper for four years, has since been dismissed, and investigations by the Eugene police department’s financial crimes unit and forensic accountants hired by the paper’s owners are underway to unravel the extent of the financial mismanagement.

The closure of Eugene Weekly echoes a larger trend of dwindling local news outlets nationwide, exacerbating information voids within communities and contributing to societal polarization. Tim Gleason, former dean of the University of Oregon’s journalism school, underscored the repercussions of declining local news, highlighting its role in fostering community connections.

However, despite the abrupt closure, the resilient Eugene Weekly staff, currently unpaid but undeterred, continues to labour in hopes of resurrecting the publication. They initiated a fundraising campaign through a GoFundMe page, garnering over $11,000 in just a day, showcasing the community’s support and the paper’s significance.

Todd Cooper, the paper’s art director, remains hopeful for the paper’s resurgence, expressing determination to revive and strengthen the publication’s foothold within the community. Amid uncertainties, there’s a collective aspiration among the staff that the paper will rise from this setback, sustain itself, and endure for many more years to come. (SOURCE)

Benedictine Sisters Entrust Historic Monastery and Property to Catholic Community Services of the Mid-Willamette Valley

The Benedictine Sisters of Mount Angel and Catholic Community Services of the Mid-Willamette Valley and Central Coast (CCS) today announced the official closing of the sale of Queen of Angels Monastery in Mt. Angel to CCS. The monastery, built in 1888, has been the home of the Benedictine Sisters as well as their central offices from which they undertook an impressive number of endeavors for the greater good including the Shalom at the Monastery retreat ministry, the Benedictine Nursing Center next door, and St. Joseph Shelter/Mission Benedict across the street.

The Sisters, who have moved to the Providence Benedictine Nursing Center’s Orchard House next door, will continue to have offices in the monastery and will help guide and sustain St. Joseph Shelter and Mission Benedict, ministries which they founded in 1988. The Sisters transferred day-to-day operations of these ministries to CCS in 2017.

A formal transfer ceremony is planned for March 20, 2024, during which CCS, the Benedictine Sisters and guests will come together to pray, celebrate and share hopes and dreams for the future of the monastery.

“The Benedictine Sisters have owned the historic monastery and grounds of Queen of Angels Monastery since 1887 when they purchased the property from Mount Angel Abbey. The sisters have shared their monastic buildings and grounds in ministry to countless guests, students, oblates, retreatants, family, and friends. Now the Benedictine Sisters entrust the mission and use of it to Catholic Community Services,” said Sister Jane Hibbard, Pastoral Administrator of the Benedictine Sisters. “The sisters look forward to seeing what develops and also promise to pray daily for what will emerge for the future use of the buildings and property. They are deeply grateful for the partnership with and commitment of CCS to the people of Mount Angel, Marion County and beyond as well as to the many people who continue to support the Benedictine Sisters.”

“We are honored and humbled by the confidence the Sisters have placed in us, and we look forward to our continued partnership to sustain the ministries they founded and to preserve the monastery as a place of hope and healing,” said CCS Chief Executive Officer Josh Graves.

About the Benedictine Sisters – The Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel are a Catholic religious community, which was established in Oregon in 1882. Queen of Angels Monastery, the Sisters’ historic home, dates to 1887. The Sisters’ major ministries are hospitality, prayer, service to the local community and Shalom at the Monastery, a retreat and spiritual renewal center. At present, the Benedictine Sisters have 19 professed members and 80 oblates.

About CCS – Catholic Community Services of the Mid-Willamette Valley and Central Coast is a non-profit, faith-based organization. Founded in Salem in 1938, today CCS offers 11 programs across 10 Oregon counties and serves more than 5,000 people each year. They operate with fidelity to the Principles of Catholic Social Teaching, which call them to work for the common good and to serve their neighbors who are the poorest and most vulnerable. CCS envisions a caring, resilient community, full of hope and connection where all people flourish.

A Call for Comprehensive Solutions in Homeless Crisis in Oregon and California

The homelessness crisis in Oregon and California has reached alarming levels, with Oregon experiencing a 12.15% increase in homelessness from 2022 to 2023. High housing costs and the pandemic have exacerbated the issue, with federal counts suggesting that the true extent may be even greater. This crisis has impacted families, veterans, and youth, with a significant number living unsheltered despite efforts to increase shelter beds and supportive housing. Similar trends are evident in nearby cities and counties, reflecting a broader regional struggle.

California, for instance, faces a substantial homeless population despite significant financial investments, including a $17.5 billion allocation aimed at addressing the problem. However, the persistence of homelessness indicates that funds alone are not enough, and systemic issues remain unaddressed. The economic impact of this crisis on local communities cannot be overstated. In Portland, nearly $1 billion is dedicated to homeless services, underscoring the strain on taxpayer resources.

The latest figures show that for every 10,000 people in Oregon, 48 are without a home. This adds up to 20,142 homeless individuals. Experts believe the real number might be higher. Homelessness in Oregon is a growing problem. Since 2007, the number of homeless people has gone up by 15%, and there was a big increase of 23% during the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2022.

In Oregon, 65% of homeless people were not in shelters, but in places like streets or cars.

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 number of homeless families in Oregon went up by 27% to 3,900. Almost 60% of them don’t have a safe place to stay. Both Oregon and Washington have many homeless families, but Oregon’s rate of those without shelter is much higher.

The cycle of homelessness affects local economies by deterring business, reducing consumer traffic, and impacting tourism, which in turn hampers revenue and growth. It also creates social barriers, perpetuating poverty and exclusion, and poses risks to public health systems, environmental resources, and social service capacities.

Long-term solutions require addressing the root causes of homelessness. While initiatives like Project Homekey represent positive steps, the housing shortage and systemic issues persist. To break the cycle and foster economic stability, communities must advocate for preventative measures and invest in inclusive strategies that promote prosperity for all residents. It’s clear that a financial fix isn’t enough; a multifaceted, strategic approach is essential to tackle this complex issue and prevent its economic and social ramifications from spiraling further. (SOURCE)

Census Data Shows Oregon’s Population Declined For Second Year In A Row

According to new numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau, Oregon’s once steady population growth has come to a halt in the last few years,

A little more than 6,000 people – or 0.1% of the population – left Oregon from July 2022 to July 2023, according to census data released Tuesday. Stretching back to 2021, overall census numbers estimate the state’s population went down by 0.5%, or about 23,000 people.

The numbers are different from Portland State University’s estimate that Oregon added a small number of residents over the same 12-month period.

“Of course these new Census estimates are in contrast to the population estimates from Portland State’s Population Research Center,” writes Josh Lehner, an Oregon state economist, in an analysis. “Their latest estimates showed Oregon’s population holding steady in 2022, following a downward revision, and then a moderate rebound in 2023.”

While U.S. Census Data is important in determining things like federal funding for certain programs or congressional seats, Oregon policymakers mostly use PSU’s numbers when drafting legislation or as a foundation for other official state business.

According to PSU’s Population Research Center, the state welcomed 23,397 people from July 2022 to July 2023, representing a 0.55% increase. PSU also crunched county-level data, which showed Multnomah County grew by 0.21% or 1,728 people.

Oregon employment economist Gail Krumenauer said both data sets show a big turnaround from historical trends.

“One of the advantages that Oregon has had relative to many other states – and overall in the U.S.,” Krumenauer said, “is that we’ve been able to grow our employment, grow jobs, at a greater rate over the course of the past few decades than the U.S. on average, and more than other states.”

Krumenauer said that’s because in past years, more people moved to Oregon than left the state. Economists call that net in-migration, and Krumenauer said that’s previously been the main driver for growth in the state’s labor force.

“Either case now, either very slow population growth or decline, is a very different story,” she said. “Either one of them spells lower labor force growth for us.” (SOURCE)

Many new consumer protection laws go into effect Jan. 1, 2024

Salem – When the clock strikes midnight on Jan. 1, 2024, many new laws immediately take effect. The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR), part of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) – the state’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency – is releasing an easy-to-follow guide on new consumer protection laws.  https://dfr.oregon.gov/news/news2023/Pages/20231227-Many-new-consumer-protection-laws.aspx

Oregon DMV Raising Fees In 2024 To Cover Operating Costs

It will cost more to take a drivers’ test next year in Oregon. A number of fees are going up in 2024 under new legislation.

The increases are a result of legislation passed this year (House Bill 2100) designed to help DMV recover costs and temporarily avoid service reductions, ODOT says.

A behind-the-wheel test will increase from $9 to $45. Other fees are going up by a dollar or two.The increases are a result of legislation passed this year (House Bill 2100) designed to help DMV recover costs and temporarily avoid service reductions, ODOT says.

According to ODOT, statutory fees recovered by Oregon’s DMV have not kept pace with the actual cost to deliver services. Most DMV fee increases over the last 20 years have gone to transportation projects at the city, county, and state levels, not to DMV operating costs.

Godfrey encourages people to use the DMV’s website for more of their transactions. She said things like registration renewal are easily done online instead of in person.

Golden Retriever Rescued by Coast Guard Helicopter at Ecola State Park

A golden retriever fell off a cliff at Ecola State Park near Indian Point.  The incident occurred on Monday afternoon, prompting a call to the U.S. Coast Guard.

First responders could not reach the dog due to the steep cliffs and inaccessible beach. The Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter, and a rescue swimmer was lowered to secure the dog in a rescue basket.

The dog was hoisted to safety, reunited with its owners, and had visible injuries, though the severity was not disclosed.

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).###