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
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Rogue Valley Weather
...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM EARLY SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING ABOVE 2500 FEET... * WHAT...Heavy snow possible above 2500 feet. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 10 inches possible. West winds could gust as high as 35 mph. * WHERE...In California, Western Siskiyou County. In Oregon, Eastern Curry County and Josephine County, Eastern Douglas County Foothills and Jackson County. This includes Callahan, Etna, Fort Jones, Greenview, Prospect, Butte Falls, the Kalmiopsis Wilderness, foothills of the Cascades, and the higher terrain of western Siskiyou County. Affected highways include portions of routes 3, 227, 62, and 138. * WHEN...From early Saturday morning through Saturday evening. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The affected cities will likely receive amounts toward the lower end of the range, around 2 to 5 inches. Lower snow levels will accompany additional lighter snow showers, mainly in southern Oregon, later Saturday night through Sunday afternoon. * View the hazard area in detail at https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr
Investigations Into Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center Patient Deaths Continue
Hospital Nurse at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford Accused of Replacing Fentanyl with Tap Water Leading to at least 10 Patient Deaths and “Dozens of Patients” Harmed
The Federal Bureau of Investigation says it is involved with an investigation at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford. The FBI said it’s aware of allegations there under investigation by local police.
This after some sources say as many as ten people have died. Multiple hospital sources, who declined to be identified, confirmed dozens of patients injured by medication diversion — the act of replacing a medication with another substance. It is believed the fentanyl scheduled to be administered to the patients was then removed from the premises illegally.
Sources allege that a hospital nurse was removing fentanyl from IV bags and replacing it with tap water. The FBI said today it is supporting local police with their work.
Asante issued a statement during the weekend that, “We were distressed to learn of this issue. We reported it to law enforcement and are working closely with them.”
Multiple sources also say that water supplies in the Intensive Care Unit and Coronary Care Unit — which are in an older part of the hospital — are unsafe for use on patients, even for face washing. The hospital made numerous public statements during 2023 pertaining to infections and water quality issues.
OHA state agency is part of an investigation now at a Medford hospital, where local and federal law enforcement agencies are investigating allegations of nursing behavior that could have been deadly.
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) says today it’s “aware of reports of incidents at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford involving a nurse alleged to have tampered with pharmaceutical fentanyl used to treat severe pain and introduced tap water in patients’ intravenous lines. OHA also is investigating reports that the incidents led to health care-associated infections that severely injured, and may have caused the deaths of, several patients.”
OHA has a Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Program that, “conducts HAI surveillance in Oregon health care facilities,” working with partners including health care facilities to respond to and contain potential HAI outbreaks.
• 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. Unnamed hospital sources said “dozens of patients” had been harmed by the replacement of their meds with another substance.
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.
5 things to know about Medford hospital employee’s alleged fentanyl diversion
A man arrested for two robberies in Medford has died in state prison.
In 2021, David Americus Hixson was arrested by MPD in connection with the robbery of a Walgreens and Lumpy’s Restaurant. According to the Oregon Department of Corrections, Hixson died while incarcerated at Deer Ridge Correctional Institute. The State Medical Examiner is still determining the cause of death as of January 3rd
Northbound Lanes of I-5 Reopened 2 Miles North Of Central Point
The northbound lanes of Interstate 5 are closed 2 miles north of Central Point due to a crash, Oregon Dept. of Transportation said Wednesday just before 6 p.m. Tripcheck.com is reporting that all lanes of Interstate 5 have reopened and the highway is fully functional.
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.
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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.
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.
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 Record $5.6 Billion Tax Kicker
This year, the state of Oregon has a record $5.6 billion tax kicker refund for Oregonians that have filed their 2022 personal income tax return. The 2022 return must be filed because that is the amount the kicker is based off.
The tax kicker refund can be claimed while filing the 2023 return. Those 2023 forms will have special instructions on how to claim that money.
Tax kickers are the result of a budget surplus in the state during a given biennium. The $5.6 billion kicker is 44.28% of all personal income tax paid to Oregon in 2022.
In order to calculate a personal kicker, multiply the amount paid for 2022 by 44.28%. The kicker can also be calculated online here.
The Oregon surplus credit, known as the “kicker,” is a way for state government to return some of your taxes to you when revenues are more than predicted. Every two years, the Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Office of Economic Analysis (OEA) determines whether there is a surplus and the amount to be returned to taxpayers as a kicker. If there’s a surplus, the kicker may be claimed on the return as a refundable tax credit or donated to the State School Fund. The kicker credit is available only on the return for an odd-numbered year. If there’s no surplus, or if the tax year is even-numbered, no kicker is available.
For the 2021-23 biennium, OEA has confirmed a kicker of more than $5.61 billion. Taxpayers will claim the kicker as a refundable credit on their 2023 tax return filed in 2024. To calculate the amount of the credit, taxpayers multiply their 2022 tax liability before any credits – line 22 on the 2022 Form OR-40 – by 44.28 percent. Taxpayers who claimed a credit for tax paid to another state would need to subtract the credit amount from their liability before calculating the credit.
For a list of other types of tax credits, visit our Oregon credits page.
OHA Ombuds Releases 2023 Six-Month Report
Ombuds to formally present its recommendations to the Oregon Health Policy Board January 9
Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Ombuds Program, which serves as the advocate for Oregon Health Plan (OHP – Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program) members, released a report detailing top concerns from OHP members specific to child and youth mental health.
Established by legislation, the Ombuds Program provides recommendations and additional oversight internally to OHA Medicaid programs, and externally to Medicaid contractors. The program is independent of Medicaid implementation, operations or compliance.
The Ombuds Program also advocates for access to care and quality of care, as well as channeling member experience into recommendations for systems improvement. OHP members come to the Ombuds Program when they cannot get the support they need elsewhere after other avenues have not led to resolution. These issues often represent systemic concerns impacting other members.
The Ombuds 2023 Six-Month Report focuses on Child and Youth Community-Based Mental Health. The report highlights a central member story that illustrates the need experienced by many children and youth in Oregon for better access to local care, as well as data from the Ombuds Program and Oregon Health Authority. Based on these data and case stories, the report makes recommendations to improve mental health services and supports for children, youth and families across Oregon as follows:
- Require statewide networks. OHA should implement a statewide OHP network for both inpatient and outpatient mental health services by requiring coordinated care organizations (CCOs) and OHA fee-for-service (FFS) programs to contract with all willing outpatient and residential behavioral health providers for children and adults in the state;
- Prioritize funding of community-based children’s mental health services at amounts equal to or greater than investments in adult mental health funding and at least proportional to the number of young people in Oregon;
- Prioritize development and implementation of culturally specific services to eliminate the racial and linguistic disparities in accessing mental health services, follow-ups from emergency departments (EDs), and overrepresentation of youth of color in ED boarding;
- Strengthen peer workforce within children’s mental health;
- Speed up access to outpatient mental health services for youth accessing Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS);
- Fully implement Intensive In-Home Behavioral Treatment Services (IIBHT) within all CCOs and OHA’s FFS program;
- Fund and implement mental health respite care for each member’s entire lifespan;
- Create an independent Office of the Ombuds for Children and Youth in Oregon under the Governor’s Office to advocate for children, youth, young adults and families in need of services across multiple systems.
Each person who seeks Ombuds Program assistance deserves nurturing and support. The stories they share often illustrate challenges experienced by others. Each story teaches us how we can improve Oregon’s Medicaid delivery system and understand the impact of health inequities on Oregonians who receive or are eligible for the Oregon Health Plan.
The Ombuds Program will formally present its findings and recommendations from the Six-Month Report to the Oregon Health Policy Board Jan. 9, 2024.
Read the full report here. To refer a concern to the Ombuds Program, contact udsOffice@dhsoha.state.or.us“>OHA.OmbudsOffice@dhsoha.state.or.us, leave a message at 877-642-0450 or visit here.
$30 million available in Local Government Grant Program grants in 2024
The Local Government Grant Program (LGGP) has $30 million in grant funds available in 2024 to help local government agencies in Oregon fund everything from playground equipment and restrooms to splashpads and bike paths.
This is more than double the funds available last year and the most ever available in one grant cycle. The LGGP is a competitive grant program designed to help local government agencies fund projects to acquire, develop and rehabilitate parks and public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. Eligible applicants are cities, counties, metropolitan service districts, park and recreation districts and port districts.
The maximum awards range from $50,000 for planning grants to $1 million for large projects.
Learn more about applying for the grants at a live online workshop 9 to 10:30 a.m. Feb. 6. The workshop will help new and returning applicants navigate the application process and learn about the program. Register at: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/GRA/pages/GRA-lggp.asp…
A recording of the workshop will be available after Feb. 6 at https://oprdgrants.org/ (Select the Grant Programs drop-down menu, then select Local Government.)
Program grants are split into large, small and planning categories. Application deadlines vary by grant type:
• Large grant application deadline ($1,000,000 maximum award): April 1
• Small grant application deadline ($100,000 maximum award): May 1
• Planning grant application deadline ($50,000 maximum award): May 15
Local governments can apply online at oprdgrants.org. Applicants will need to set up an account when applying for the first time. The site also includes additional information about the LGGP including the grant manual, application instructions and program schedule.
The Lottery-funded grant program is administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). The program has awarded more than $90 million in reimbursement grant funds since 1999.
The recent increase in grant funding is the result of yearly increases in State Lottery funds, which are allocated in part to state parks. Oregon voters generously approved making parks a recipient of Lottery dollars under the state constitution in 1999 and 2010.)
Language approved by voters in 2010 directs OPRD to more than double its funding for Local Government grants—from 12% of its lottery revenue to 25%—when the agency’s share of lottery revenue grows to $122 million or more in a biennium. It is projected to be $138 million in the current biennium. The OPRD budget does not include any general tax funds.
Man killed in New Year’s Day shooting — UPDATE
The suspect in the homicide of Ricardo Lopez-Cruz is now in custody.
Julio Cesar Sanchez-Sanchez, age 36 of Salem, turned himself in to Roseburg Police Department officers this afternoon. Sanchez is currently lodged at the Douglas County Jail pending transfer to the Marion County Jail on charges of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon.
With the suspect now in custody, all further inquiries into this investigation should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.
# # # Originally published 01/03/2024 | 2:30 p.m.
Salem, Ore. — On January 1, 2024 at approximately 3:15 a.m., Salem Police patrol officers responded to the call of a man with a gunshot wound outside the La Leyenda night club at 3260 Portland RD NE. Officers located a man in the parking lot deceased from a gunshot wound.
Detectives from the Salem Police Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene to handle the investigation in the death of 29-year-old Ricardo Lopez-Cruz. As part of the investigation, detectives have arrested a Woodburn resident in connection with the case.
On Tuesday evening, January 2, with the assistance from the Woodburn Police Department, Guadalupe Ortiz Cervantes was taken into custody without incident. The 34-year-old Cervantes was lodged at the Marion County Jail on charges of hindering prosecution. She is due to be arraigned at the Marion County Criminal Court Annex today at 2 p.m.
The Salem Police Department extends its thanks to the officers of the Woodburn Police Department for their assistance in the apprehension of Cervantes. At this time, the investigation into the January 1 homicide continues, and no further information is being released.
Linn County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Make Arrests in Tangent Burglaries
Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports that her detectives arrested three people in connection to a string of thefts and burglaries in the Tangent area of Linn County that occurred in November of 2023.
Detectives worked with investigators from the Benton and Polk County Sheriff’s Offices who were investigating crimes that were similar in nature to the Linn County Crimes. On December 1, 2023, investigators served a search warrant in the 32000 block of Birdfoot Drive in Tangent and obtained evidence of the suspects’ criminal conduct. On December 7, 2023, investigators served an additional search warrant in the 15000 block of Monmouth Highway in Polk County and recovered property that had been stolen from the Linn and Benton County areas. Investigators also recovered property believed to be stolen but has not been reported to law enforcement yet.
On December 14, 2023, Linn County Detectives arrested Tyler Morgan Goolsby, 27, of Monmouth, Jonathan Alan Goolsby, 24, of Tangent, and Cassey Rose Schwindt, 23, of Tangent, in connection to a burglary that occurred in the Tangent area in late November of 2023. Both Tyler and Jonathan Goolsby were arrested for Burglary in the Second Degree, Theft in the First Degree, and Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree. Cassey Schwindt was arrested for Aid and Abet Burglary in the Second Degree, Aid and Abet Theft in the First Degree, and Aid and Abet Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree.
Investigators believe the suspects committed other crimes in the Tangent area that have not been reported and additional charges are likely. Investigators were able to determine the suspects used scooters and bicycles for transportation as well as traveled on foot to commit the crimes. Investigators were also able to determine the suspects transported the stolen property using a black 2013 Chrysler 200 sedan.
Anyone who had a theft or burglary, or may have surveillance video related to these investigations in the Tangent area in November of 2023, and has not reported it yet is asked to contact Detective Matt Wilcox of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office at (541) 967-3950.
Oregon 988 Coordinated Crisis Services Tax begins in January 2024
Starting January 1, 2024, a 988 Coordinated Crisis Services Tax will be added to the existing Oregon Emergency Communications (911) Tax. The new tax was implemented by the Oregon Legislature with the passage of House Bill 2757.
The 988-tax rate will be 40 cents per subscriber line of telecommunications or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service, or device with access to the 988 suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis system, and 40 cents for each prepaid wireless service or product retail transaction. These are the same transactions subject to the existing 911 Emergency Communications Tax. This tax rate will be effective for all billings or purchase of prepaid wireless service beginning January 1, 2024.
The new 988 tax does not apply to services provided under the plan of assistance established under Section 6, Chapter 290, Oregon Laws 1987; Oregon Lifeline.
The existing E911 return will be modified to include the 988 tax. The frequency of filing a return and submitting payment will follow the same timelines as the existing 911 schedule and will therefore not change the current 911 schedule.
For more information regarding the Emergency Communications and Coordinated Crisis Services Tax programs and how these tax revenues are used, visit the Department of Revenue’s website.
Questions? Email us at SPA.help@dor.oregon.gov.
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
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).###
