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
Monday, January 22, 2024
Rogue Valley Weather
Be Alert for Landslides Across Southwest Oregon
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for portions of southwest Oregon, including the Curry County coast. The watch is in effect from Saturday morning (1/20) through Monday morning (1/22).
An atmospheric river event is forecast to bring significant rainfall to the area between Friday evening and Monday morning. Heavy rain may result in landslides in areas of steep terrain, as well as debris flows in and near burned areas from recent wildfires.
Find the latest information here: https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/or.php?x=1
Debris flows are rapidly moving, extremely destructive landslides. They can contain boulders and logs transported in a fast-moving soil and water slurry down steep hillsides and through narrow canyons. They can easily travel a mile or more. A debris flow moves faster than a person can run. People, structures, and roads located below steep slopes in canyons and near the mouths of canyons may be at serious risk.
If your home, work, or travel route is in a watch area:
• Stay alert. Track the flood watch by radio, TV, weather radio or online. If told to evacuate, do so immediately.
• Listen. Unusual sounds might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together. A trickle of falling mud or debris may precede larger landslides. If you think there is danger of a landslide, leave immediately.
• Watch the water. If water in a stream or creek suddenly turns muddy or the amount of water flowing suddenly decreases or increases, this is a warning that the flow has been affected upstream. You should immediately leave the area because a debris flow may soon be coming downstream.
• Travel with extreme caution. Assume roads are not safe. Be alert when driving, especially at night. Embankments along roadsides may fail, sending rock and debris onto the road.
For more landslide and debris flow information:
https://www.oregon.gov/dogami/landslide/Pages/debr…
Severe weather has caused Spectrum service outages again around the state. Get service updates, outage information and other helpful resources at Spectrum.net/stormcenter.
ODOT: SW Oregon Postpone travel on mountain passes until conditions improve. Check TripCheck.com for updates.Oregon Power Outage MAP: https://poweroutage.us/area/state/oregon
Arrests Made in Bias Crime at Ashland Jewish Center
On December 14, 2023 members of the Ashland Police Department responded to the Chabad Jewish Center for a report of vandalism. Video evidence recovered from the scene and surrounding businesses showed three people approach the Chabad Jewish Center, one of them throwing eggs at the center while yelling “Heil Hitler.”
APD posted video evidence of the incident on social media and the suspects were identified almost immediately.
The primary suspect was identified as Zachary Demarest, 18, of Corvallis Oregon. Another suspect was identified as Jacob Wilhelm, 18, of Blackfoot Idaho. The third person in the video was identified, but is not implicated in the commission of a crime, and is therefore not being named.
All three people were, at the time of the incident, students at Southern Oregon University. As such they left the area for winter break shortly after this incident was reported. The two students charged are no longer enrolled at SOU.
APD detectives continued this investigation when the new term started, and students returned to campus.
Demarest, who video showed as being the person throwing the eggs and yelling “Heil Hitler,” was contacted and told to turn himself in to the Ashland Police Department. Demarest did so on January 19, 2024, and was lodged at the Jackson County Jail on charges of Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree (Class C Misdemeanor) and Bias Crime 2nd Degree (Class A Misdemeanor).
Also on January 19, 2024 Wilhelm was contacted and charged with Bias Crime 2nd Degree and Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree via a misdemeanor criminal citation, with a court date of February 7, 2024. Wilhelm’s involvement in this incident consisted of him encouraging Demarest’s criminal behavior, which makes him responsible as a co-conspirator.
The Ashland Police Department appreciates the cooperation and assistance of Southern Oregon University in investigating this case.
The Ashland Police Department will investigate all complaints of bias crime and work with the Jackson County District Attorney’s office to prosecute to the fullest extent possible given the evidence presented.
MADGE Traffic Stop Yields 105 Pounds of Meth and 12 Pounds of Fentanyl
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On the evening of Tuesday, January 16, members of the Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement team (MADGE) intercepted a vehicle along I-5 outside of Ashland, Oregon. MADGE investigators had received information of the vehicle transporting large amounts of narcotics in our area. With the assistance of the Oregon State Police and the Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET), investigators stopped the vehicle and Medford Police K9 “Bodie” alerted to the presence of narcotics. A search warrant was obtained, and a search of the vehicle yielded 105 pounds of methamphetamine and 12 pounds of fentanyl.
The MADGE team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles local, multi-state and international drug trafficking organizations using an intelligence-driven, multi-agency prosecutor-support approach. MADGE is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) which is composed of members from the Medford Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office, Parole and Probation, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the FBI.
The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives, including MADGE.
Suspect arrested:
Lopez-Ramos, Cruz Bernardo, 31 years old, who is not a local resident.
Unlawful Possession and Distribution of Methamphetamine – Commercial Drug Offense
Unlawful Possession and Distribution of Fentanyl – Commercial Drug Offense
Large RV fire closes Hwy 140 east of Klamath Falls
A large RV fire closes Hwy 140 east at mile post 12 in Klamath County for several hours. Klamath County Fire District 1, along with Bonanza Fire Department and Kingsley Field Fire Department battled a fire in a large RV approximately 10 Miles east of Klamath Falls. The RV was in transit to Klamath Falls, when smoke and flames where seen coming out of the back tire area. The driver pulled over and attempted to extinguish the fire, but was unable too. The fire loss is estimated to be over $250,000. No injuries were reported. The cause is under investigation.
Supreme Court Will Hear Grants Pass Homeless Camping Case
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case that originated in Grants Pass and could set a precedent for how cities around the nation are able to respond to homeless camps.
The case, Grants Pass v. Johnson, centers on a lawsuit by a group of homeless people against city restrictions on outdoor sleeping. The outcome of the Supreme Court’s decision in the case wouldn’t have a major impact in Oregon, according to Ed Johnson, lead counsel at Oregon Law Center, which is representing plaintiffs in the case. That’s because Oregon passed a state law in 2021 that blocks cities from punishing people sleeping outside on public property.
Under the state law, cities are allowed to enact “objectively reasonable” restrictions on the time, place and manner of outside camps. For instance, the city of Beaverton adopted a new law allowing camping on public rights-of-way between 9 p.m. and 7:30 a.m., and Bend passed a new law banning camping in residential areas and requiring people to move locations at least 600 feet every 24 hours.
The Oregon law, championed by now-Gov. Tina Kotek during her time as speaker, was a response to an earlier decision in the Grants Pass case and the 2019 Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision in Martin v. Boise, which prohibited governments in the nine Western states under the court’s purview from punishing homeless people for sleeping outside when cities didn’t have adequate shelter space available.
The Grants Pass case began as a challenge to a local law that prohibited homeless people from using blankets, pillows or cardboard boxes to protect themselves from the elements while sleeping outside. A three-judge panel on the Ninth Circuit concluded that punishing people who lack shelter amounts to cruel and unusual punishment and violates the Eighth Amendment.
“At its most basic level, the case is about whether cities can punish people for existing outside when they have nowhere else to go,” Johnson said.
The case coincides with rising homelessness throughout the country, particularly on the West Coast. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development last month announced that more than 650,000 people nationwide were homeless in January 2023, a 12% increase since the year prior. More than a third of the nation’s homeless population was in Washington, California and Oregon, which had more than 20,000 homeless residents at the time of the count.
Western states have far higher rates of unsheltered homelessness than other areas, with more than two-thirds of California’s homeless population and nearly two-thirds of Oregon’s lacking shelter. The 2023 data predates last year’s investments in shelters and rehousing, which added more than 1,000 new shelter beds. (SOURCE)
Asante Settled Medicare Fraud Allegations at Medford Hospital
The health system now at the center of a local police investigation recently resolved a lengthy federal probe into a whistleblower lawsuit claiming fraudulent billing
The Medford hospital now at the center of a local police investigation recently resolved a lengthy federal probe into a whistleblower lawsuit claiming fraudulent billing
Weeks before local police launched an investigation into reports of alleged drug diversion and potentially related patient deaths at Asante Rogue Medical Center, hospital management quietly settled litigation stemming from a federal Medicare fraud probe.
In 2022, the hospital received 57% of its revenue from government programs including Medicare and Medicaid, or $642 million in all, according to the most recent financial report submitted to state regulators. (READ MORE)
No New News as Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center Patient Deaths Investigations Continue
Reports that a nurse at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center may have sparked fatal infections of patients by replacing fentanyl with tap water in their IV bags have sparked national attention.
For patients, the victims’ relatives, and others in Oregon health care, the reports are sparking questions as well. It now appears that the deaths linked to the Medford hospital occurred over a span of at least 12 months.
Hospital administrators and local law enforcement have not named the suspected employee and released few other details. No indictments have been filed publicly in the case.
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.
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.
Medford Police have provided no more details. They only confirmed there’s an open investigation at the medical center.
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
Portland Teen Saves Baby Whose Parents Were Electrocuted By Downed Power Line In Ice Storm
The state of Oregon was hit by a dangerous winter storm this week, resulting in at least 10 deaths and leading the governor to issue a statewide emergency, according to The Associated Press.
Majiah Washington said she didn’t think of her own safety when she ran to help. In the Portland neighborhood where Washington lives, a large tree branch, weighed down by ice and snow from the storm, fell, knocking the power line on the top of the car belonging to relatives of Washington’s neighbor.
Washington said she watched from her window as the baby’s father then attempted to walk up an icy hill with the child, before slipping and falling backwards. The bottom of the man’s foot then touched the power line, according to Washington, who said she saw a small fire and smoke.
The baby’s mom then ran over to help her partner and child, but also slipped and touched the power line, according to Washington, who said she ran outside and called 911 when the man fell backwards.
Washington said she then watched as a third person, the woman’s 15-year-old brother, also ran over to help, only to slip and touch the power line as well.
All three people — the woman, her partner and her brother — died as a result of being electrocuted, according to Portland Fire & Rescue.
“I didn’t know what to think. It just all happened so fast,” Washington said Thursday, adding, “I was concerned about the baby. No one was moving.”
Washington said almost immediately after, she saw the baby’s head move and “knew he was still here.” Despite what she had just witnessed, she said she walked on the driveway to reach the baby.
“I slid down there, kind of crouched,” Washington said, noting that she briefly made contact with the baby’s father, but did not feel a shock herself. “I kind of touched him with my hands and then I just kind of grabbed the baby out of his hands and made my way back up the hill.”
Washington said the 911 operator she spoke to warned her about the risk of electrocution, but she said she could only think about the baby’s safety.
“The only thing I could think about was that he was still here,” she said. “He had moved his head and I didn’t want him to possibly fall somehow … and touch the wire.”
Portland Fire and Rescue spokesman Rick Graves described Washington’s efforts as “heroic.”
“We do have fortunately with us a [child] that is going to be able to thrive and do what they possibly can as they move forward,” Graves said Thursday. “And they are here, in part, because of the heroic acts of a member of our community.”
Portland Fire and Rescue spokesman Rick Graves described Washington’s efforts as “heroic.”
“We do have fortunately with us a [child] that is going to be able to thrive and do what they possibly can as they move forward,” Graves said Thursday. “And they are here, in part, because of the heroic acts of a member of our community.” (SOURCE)
Governor Declares Statewide Emergency Due To Severe Ice Storm
State of Emergency will support access to federal resources for response and recovery efforts after an ice storm caused widespread infrastructure damages and power outages across the state
Salem, OR—This evening, Governor Tina Kotek declared a statewide emergency due to the severe ice storm that impacted counties across the state. This declaration comes following an assessment of needs and subsequent requests from multiple counties as they enter the 6th day of severe impacts as a result of the storm. The declaration will support counties to respond and recover from damages as a result of the storm.
“Thousands of people across the state have been impacted by the storm, including power outages, lack of transportation, and an array of safety concerns that come with severe weather,” Governor Kotek said. “The state has been working with counties as they assess needs, including critical federal resources that can be unlocked by a statewide emergency. I declared a state of emergency in Lane County on Tuesday, and now we are heeding the call from additional counties to escalate.”
Emergency response starts at the local level. As resources are exhausted, cities and counties turn to the state for additional support. Not all resources, such as those the state has been providing since the start of the storm, require a state emergency declaration. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Governor’s Office have been in frequent communication with impacted counties as they continuously assess their needs, anticipate emerging issues, problem-solve, and seek to fill gaps.
State emergency declarations are a critical tool that support counties getting access to federal resources they may be entitled to through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as well as other resources. Assets include, but are not limited to, federal infrastructure support for highways, telecommunications, and power system recovery, which responders can access more easily with a statewide emergency declaration.
Currently, Multnomah County, Lincoln County, Washington County, Hood River County, and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians have declared a local state of emergency and have been receiving support from the state, including from OEM, the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).
In addition, ODHS announced this week that individuals who may have had to throw away food purchased with SNAP benefits due to a power outage or other damage from winter storms may be eligible to replace their benefits. Customers may call 800-699-9075, email oregon.benefits@odhsoha.oregon.gov or provide a written request by mail to ONE Customer Service Center, PO Box 14015, Salem, OR 97309, within 10 days of the loss to inquire.
A full list of warming shelters across the state can be found here. OHA has published resources for winter storms here, and recognizing and avoiding carbon monoxide poisoning here. Oregonians with storm damage can contact the Department of Consumer and Business Services for insurance help and advocacy.
Anyone who wants to volunteer at a local warming shelter can use this link to sign up. Additionally, ODHS-OREM activated 211info to begin 24/7 operations to support warming center efforts statewide. (SOURCE)
Travel in Oregon Still Challenging
While Medford, Klamath Falls, and Roseburg seemed to skip the worst of this week’s ice storm activity, it wreaked havoc in cities like Bend, Eugene, Salem, Portland and all along the Columbia River Gorge and Oregon Coast.
Winter weather is far from done in Oregon as freezing rain, heavy snow and high winds continued in several corners of the state.
The safest place to be during winter road conditions is at home. Our crews want to give a heartfelt thank you to every person who decided not to travel this weekend. Staying off the roads gives our crews and emergency responders the space to get where they need to go.
Road and weather conditions can change quickly and make travel difficult or impossible. For the latest state highway information and to see current closures, visit Tripcheck.com. For the latest weather, visit the National Weather Service website.
Oregon Struggles With Nursing Teacher Shortage at 21 Nursing Schools Statewide
Oregon lawmakers from both parties, including one democrat from Oregon, are working together on new laws to help increase the number of nursing teachers.
In the U.S. house, they’ve proposed the nurse faculty shortage reduction act. This act would give $28.5 million each year for five years to nursing schools. The money is to keep and bring in more teachers. Right now, there aren’t enough nursing teachers in Oregon and other places. A report by the American association of colleges of nursing showed that in 2021, almost 92,000 people who could have studied nursing were turned away because there weren’t enough teachers and other problems.
In Oregon, there are 21 schools where you can study nursing at the associate’s or bachelor’s level. A study by the Oregon longitudinal data collaborative, a group that researches education, found out that in 2020, only four of these schools could take more than half of the people who qualified.
“Current capacity is not meeting the needs of Oregon’s prospective qualified nursing students,” it said.
This lack of teaching capacity has led to not having enough nurses. The Oregon board of nursing says there are over 84,000 registered nurses and more than 6,000 licensed practical nurses in the state, but not all are working. They think Oregon could use about 21,600 more registered nurses to take care of patients. (READ MORE)
State, IRS to start processing tax returns January 29th
The Oregon Department of Revenue will begin processing e-filed 2023 state income tax returns on January 29, 2024, the same day the IRS will begin processing federal returns. Paper filed returns will be processed starting in mid-February.
E-filed returns will be processed in the order they are received. However, as in years past, the department won’t be issuing personal income tax refunds until after February 15. A refund hold is part of the department’s tax fraud prevention efforts and allows for confirmation that the amounts claimed on tax returns match what employers report on Forms W-2 and 1099.
E-filing is the fastest way for a taxpayer to get their refund. On average, taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refund two weeks sooner than those who file paper returns and request paper refund checks.
The department reminds taxpayers that taking a few easy steps in the next few weeks can make preparing their 2023 tax return easier in 2024.
Oregon Free File opens today
Oregon resident taxpayers preparing their own returns in 2024 can file electronically at no cost using one of Oregon’s free file options. Free guided tax preparation is available from several companies for taxpayers that meet income requirements. Free fillable forms are available for all income levels. Using links from the department’s website ensures that both taxpayers’ federal and state return will be filed for free.
Free and low-cost tax help
Free tax preparation services are available for low- to moderate-income taxpayers through AARP and CASH Oregon. United Way also offers free tax help through their MyFreeTaxes program. Visit the Department of Revenue website to take advantage of the software and free offers and get more information about free tax preparation services.
Use Revenue Online to verify payments
Taxpayers can verify their estimated payments through their Revenue Online account.
Through Revenue Online, individuals can also view letters sent to them by the department, initiate appeals, make payments, and submit questions. Visit Revenue Online on the Revenue website to learn more.
To check the status of your refund after February 15, or make payments, visit Revenue’s website . You can also call 800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), we accept all relay calls. (SOURCE)
Customers who want to stall the effects of a price increase on Forever Stamps have this week to act before the cost goes up to 68 cents each.
The cost of the stamps, as well as the cost of many other services offered by the U.S. Postal Service, will increase on Sunday, Jan. 21.
The price of Forever Stamps, now 66 cents each, will climb to 68 cents. That’s the stamp used for letters up to 1 ounce.
The postal service said it will not change the additional-ounce price. It will stay at 24 cents. But other charges — for certified mail, post office box rental fees, money order fees and the cost to purchase insurance when mailing an item — will climb.
- Letters, metered, 1 ounce: Increase from 63 cents to 64 cents
- Domestic postcards: Increase from 51 cents to 53 cents
- International postcards: Increase from $1.50 to $1.55
- International letter, 1 ounce: Increase from $1.50 to $1.55
The rate changes will be the second in six months.
