The latest news stories of interest in the Rogue Valley and the state of Oregon from the digital home of Southern Oregon, Wynne Broadcasting’s RogueValleyMagazine.com
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Rogue Valley Weather
Attorneys Speak Out On Asante Related Cases and Possible Side Effects For Alleged Victims
Tuesday (2/13/2024), NBC5 News spoke to a local law firm representing alleged victims and their families in the possible drug diversion case being investigated by Medford police at Asante RRMC. In addition to the alleged deaths, NBC5 News is hearing that there could be dozens of victims who suffered other adverse effects potentially linked to the same alleged drug diversion case.
NBC5 News spoke to lawyers from Schlesinger and deVillenueve. While they can’t confirm how many of their clients were affected, they say that it’s possible the number will grow. There are two main ways they are determining whether or not their clients were potentially affected.
The first way is if Asante had directly called them or a family member, saying that Asante suspects that they may have been a victim. According to the attorneys, their clients say that when Asante called them, the Asante representative encouraged them to undergo testing for blood- borne pathogens, such as hepatitis and HIV. The attorneys said this leads them to question whether or not the nurse allegedly diverting drugs, was using a non-sterile needle or foreign object to extract and replace pain medication.
The second way is their clients consult with them and the attorneys examine medical records and chart notes to help determine how likely it was that they were affected. Schlesinger and deVillenueve attorneys, like Shayla Steyart, said it has been emotionally difficult for their clients.
“Just the timing of it all. It’s gone on for a long time and people are getting these phone calls sometimes over a year later and its reopening that wound so whoever they’ve lost, they’re reliving it just as if it happened yesterday.”
Attorneys also say they’re piecing together similarities and differences in the cases. NBC5 News reached out to Medford police today, they say they’re still investigating. (SOURCE)
Man In Custody After Long Standoff In Medford
Medford Police blocked off a road during a multiple-hour standoff on February 12th.
People were turned away from Temple Drive in Medford as police cars and trucks surrounded a house. Police were seen using drones above the suspected residence. Eventually, a man exited the house with his hands up and walking backwards. Police then entered the home with shields and a K9. MPD later confirmed that the suspect is in custody.
Hearts with a Mission, a program to help local seniors who need assistance, is seeking volunteers.
The volunteer-based program — which started in January 2023 — has 90 volunteers ready to help, but more than 100 seniors who need assistance.
Stephanie Miller, the Hearts For Seniors Program Manager, said that it’s a heartwarming job and fulfilling volunteer work. Residents can apply here.
Budget Cuts and Layoffs at Ashland School District
At least 13 and as many as 24 classified employees of Ashland School District will be laid off at the end of the school year in June, according to district Superintendent Samuel Bogdanove, following a vote by the Ashland School Board on Thursday to cut $1.3 million from the 2023-24 general fund budget of approximately $40 million.
The cuts won’t impact teaching jobs, but will largely affect educational assistants hired during the COVID-19 pandemic with the help of federal funding. Reductions are prompted by various factors. One of the biggest causes is the district’s loss of 300 students since the end nearly five years ago of open enrollment, which allowed students to enter into the district without permission, leading to the loss of about $3 million, according to Bogdanove, who retires in June.
“In (school year) ’19-20 prior to COVID … we were about 2,850 students or thereabouts,” Bogdanove said during the board meeting.
The student population has since dropped to between 2,500 and 2,550 students, Bogdanove said, or 11 to 12% fewer students.
“A hundred students is roughly the equivalent of a million dollars, so those 300 students equate to about $3 million,” he said. That’s a loss of approximately $10,000 per student.
The district also loses federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding this year, which paid for hiring additional staff to navigate requirements put in place during the pandemic.
The outgoing superintendent told Ashland.news in an interview following the meeting that all classified staff have already received a notice about the potential for layoffs.
Those who will be laid off will learn about it by spring break in March, he said, in an effort to allow them to plan accordingly.
Those who receive layoff notices will be encouraged to apply for open positions not funded by ESSER dollars, according to Bogdanove.
Athletic Director Patrick Grady, who was hired in the fall of 2021, has also been notified he will be laid off in June, Bogdanove said. The position will be absorbed by Assistant Principal Francisco Lopez Atanes. Bogdanove doesn’t anticipate impacts to athletic programs.
The board next meets for a regular meeting on March 14.
Before voting to start the budget-cutting process, ASD Board Vice-Chair Jill Franko offered condolences to district staff and those who will be affected by the cuts.
“I know this must be challenging for staff to be kind of in this in-between space,” Franko said. “(For) the people you see up here and on the screen (two board members took part online), this was a really hard decision. There were tears, there was loss of sleep, there were really intense, hard conversations, and everyone up here, I can say with integrity, understands the magnitude of this decision and took it very seriously and we did the hard work.”
Ashland School District staff attended a budget presentation on Monday, Feb. 5, McLean said, and many are concerned about making $1.3 million in budget cuts by the end of the school year in June. (READ MORE)
Asante Health System Lays Off 3% Of Staff
Medford based Asante health system has laid off about 3% of its workforce, according to a report from NBC affiliate KOBI-TV, which is based on an internal memo sent to staff Feb. 9.
According to the report, the job cuts affected mainly administrative and support roles and were necessary to offset “financial headwinds” over the past several years. Asante employs around 6,300 people, according to the health system’s website. Three percent of its workforce would be around 200 people, based on that estimate.
In the memo, Asante said it is still recruiting clinical staff, including nurses and physicians, and that it is offering severance pay and continuing healthcare coverage for those who have been laid off.
Asante includes three hospitals, the largest being Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford.
Becker’s has reached out to Asante and will update this report if more information becomes available. (SOURCE)
Union Members Allege Inappropriate Conduct At Jackson County Fire District 5
The union for a fire district in the Rogue Valley is asking its board of directors to take action.
On Tuesday, IAFF Local 2596 President Brady Graham spoke to the board about multiple serious complaints of inappropriate workplace conduct that have been reported to the department.
The district operates three fire stations in Phoenix, Talent and unincorporated Ashland, serving over 23,000 people.
According to a statement from the union, the behavior has been going on for years and has created a toxic work environment.
At the meeting, Graham said the district has failed to address this behavior, which has “created an atmosphere where bullying, harassment, and even sexual harassment are accepted as normal behaviors,” he said.
“Several firefighters have left the District due to chronic low morale, the appearance of favoritism in hiring and disciplinary decisions, and management’s lax enforcement of the District’s harassment policies,” a statement from the union reads.
The statement says the union has lost confidence in the district’s ability to address the concerns since a 2022 investigation into serious misconduct was ignored.
During the meeting this week, Graham asked the board to address this problem. He said the union has also drafted a letter to the district’s legal counsel, and he presented the board with documents he has compiled over the course of a months-long investigation by the union.
Board President Vicki Purslow declined to be interviewed by JPR. Fire Chief Charles Hanley did not respond to a request for comment. (SOURCE)
David Grubbs’ Murder Investigation Remains Active
The Ashland Police Department’s investigation into the murder of David Grubbs on November 19, 2011 remains open and active. Recently two new detectives have been assigned to look into new leads that have come in.
This case remains important to David’s family, the community, and the Ashland Police Department. As detectives continue to pursue these new leads, anyone with additional information is encouraged to reach out to the Ashland Police Department at 541-488-2211.
The reward for information leading to an arrest on this case remains at over $21,000.
Registration Open For Rogue Community College’s New Nursing Program Cohort
Jackson and Josephine counties (Jan. 17, 2024) – After receiving approval from the Oregon State Board of Nursing for a new Certified Nursing Assistant 2 (CNA2) program, Rogue Community College has opened registration for the first cohort that starts in February.
The program meets rigorous standards set by the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) and enables students to advance from CNA1 to a CNA2 certification. It will provide students with thorough training that aligns with industry standards and helps them prepare for a successful and meaningful career in nursing.
Throughout the program, students will delve into essential topics such as how to collaborate with the healthcare team, nutrition methods, safety risks and emergency care, legal and ethical issues, physical and mental disease processes, observation and reporting, documentation, infection control and interpersonal skills. Students will also gain practical experience during 88 hours of training that will have online and in-person components.
Students will also have the opportunity to apply their skills in real-world scenarios during hands-on, supervised clinical training at a local healthcare facility located in Josephine or Jackson County.
The CNA2 program allows nursing students to gain specialized knowledge and skills that help them grow in their careers, discover new job opportunities and increase their earning potential.
The program positively impacts the local economy, as Southern Oregon has two large hospital systems—Providence Medford Medical Center and Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center—with a variety of employment opportunities available. For more information, email nursingassistant@roguecc.edu.
Fauna Frey, 45, disappeared in Oregon on a road trip, June 29, 2020, following her brother’s death —
https://original.newsbreak.com/@ada-e-1668135/3304227455096-fauna-frey-45-disappeared-in-oregon-on-a-road-trip-june-29-2020-following-her-brother-s-death
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
DFR reminds consumers to be wary of romance scams this Valentine’s Day
Romance scams can happen any time of year, but with Valentine’s Day this week, the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) is warning people to watch their wallets when it comes to online romance.
A romance scam happens when a scammer uses a fake online identity to gain a person’s trust and affection and uses the illusion of romance or intimacy to steal from the victim. Hallmarks of this scam include the scammer making outlandish promises or portraying an urgent need to send money to them, oftentimes incorporating elements of investment or cryptocurrency fraud as a part of the deceit.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, in 2022 alone, romance scams affected nearly 70,000 people who were scammed out of $1.3 billion. Scammers pay attention to information you share over the internet and then pounce on those they believe are the most vulnerable, often those who are elderly or disabled. They will offer comfort and stability and seem like the perfect match.
According to the FBI, common romance scam red flags include:
- The scammer makes promises to meet in person, but gives excuses as to why they cannot.
- The scammer asks for money once they gain your trust. Typically, they claim that they owe a debt, need financial assistance, or need travel funds. Oftentimes, the requests are urgent or revolve around an emergency and they want you to get the funds immediately.
- The scammer requests money through methods that make it hard to be traced and hard to get back such as Venmo or Cash App, cryptocurrency, or gift cards.
- The scammer asks to leave a dating service or social media site to communicate directly.
Newer scams are calling on victims to use virtual currency kiosks, which are also known as Bitcoin or cryptocurrency ATMs. These machines look and operate like bank ATMs, and they allow scammers to receive payment in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Tether, and Ethereum. Scammers trick victims into withdrawing cash from their bank account and then direct the consumer to deposit the cash into a virtual currency kiosk. The consumer purchases the virtual currency, which is then sent to the scammer’s crypto wallet.
DFR encourages consumers to do their homework before making any new financial transactions. Protect yourself from falling victim to a scam by following these tips:
- Do not send money to anyone you have not met in person and be cautious about sharing personal or financial information. Do not send money that you are not prepared to lose.
- Do not transfer money to unknown people or intermediaries. If you need to use a third party to send money, use a licensed money transmitter.
- Keep copies of all communications with scammers and report them to the division, the online dating site, the local police, the FBI, and the Federal Trade Commission.
- Be leery of offers or enticements that promise unrealistic rates of return. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
“Romance scams prey on and target everyday people through what may seem to be legitimate communications,” said DFR Administrator TK Keen. “The proliferation of online dating sites and the ability to move money cheaply and quickly has only added to this problem, as fraudsters have used these means to take advantage of consumers to the tune of millions of dollars nationally. It is worth being weary and watching for red flags, specifically if someone not well known to you insists on receiving funds via cryptocurrency or gift cards.”
For more information and tips about investing, visit DFR’s website.
If you suspect you are involved in a romance scam or you have fallen victim, contact one of the division’s consumer advocates at 1-888-877-4894 (toll-free) or email .financialserviceshelp@dcbs.oregon.gov“>dfr.financialserviceshelp@dcbs.oregon.gov.
### About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and www.dcbs.oregon.gov.
Oregon Senate Passes Bill to Cap Insulin Cost At $35
The Oregon Senate on Tuesday passed Senate Bill 1508, which caps the price of insulin at $35 and prevents Oregonians with chronic illnesses and disabilities, who are covered by Medicaid and the Oregon Health Plan, from facing higher costs.
In recent years, the cost of insulin skyrocketed 55%. SB 1508 provides certainty and protection from the rising cost of insulin for Oregonians living on tight budgets, especially seniors, Sen. Deb Patterson (D – Salem) said in a news release.
The bill also stops the Health Evidence Review Commission (HERC) and Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee (P&T) from using Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALY)-based formulas to determine coverage for Oregonians on the Oregon Health Plan.
The QALY formula places a lower value on treatments that extend the lives of people living with chronic illnesses and disabilities, making it harder and more expensive for those individuals to get the care they need.
“No Oregonian should suffer because they can’t afford basic, life-saving medication,” said Patterson. “No Oregonian should have to ration their medication or choose between paying for prescriptions or basic necessities like food or housing. SB 1508 works to make sure that every Oregonian, regardless of their health or disability status, gets the care they need.”
SB 1508 is a key pillar of Senate Democrats’ Uniting Oregon Agenda, which aims to make all communities safer and healthier and lower rising costs for hard-working Oregonians. The bill now goes to the Oregon House of Representatives for consideration. (SOURCE)
Oregon Lawmakers Consider New Protections for People With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities
Oregon lawmakers are considering a bill that would prevent the government from forcefully committing people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Right now, a court can hold someone with one of these designations in a facility if it finds they pose a threat or can’t care for themselves. That includes 16 people currently, according to the most recent state data.
At a hearing in the Oregon Senate’s Human Services Committee Wednesday, officials testified that this statute likely violates Medicare guidelines and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Portland attorney Chris O’Connor told lawmakers he believes it also has questionable constitutionality.
“While normally your state and federal Constitution protects you from being arrested, seized and searched on the street—taken out of your life—unless there’s probable cause of a crime,” said O’Connor. “Oregon has created an elaborate bureaucratic framework over the decades to bypass those constitutional protections.”
Anna Lansky is the interim director of the state Office of Developmental Disability Services. She said the law is a relic of how the state used to segregate these groups for care.
“Since then, we have closed all of our institutions,” said Lansky. “And we have committed to providing fully home and community-based services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with the goal of fully integrating them into their communities.”
Lansky said if the statute was gone, the 16 individuals held under it currently would still have access to the same services on a voluntary basis.
However, Channa Newell with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office said it opposes a repeal until there’s an alternative in place, raising concerns that a premature repeal could result in tragedy.
“In our line of work, we encounter the rare situations where a person experiencing [Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities] demonstrates dangerous behavior that puts themselves or others in harm’s way,” said Newell. “And in those circumstances, a civil commitment…may be the only option for keeping that person and those around them safe.”
If approved by the legislature and signed into law, Senate Bill 1522 would go into effect July 2025.
Also included in the bill is language that would prevent government mental health services from turning away patients with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Gabrielle Guedon is the Executive Director of the Oregon Self Advocacy Coalition. On Wednesday, she testified that psychiatry and therapy can help people like herself thrive, but said they sometimes have to go to an emergency room just to find support.
“We get rejected from programs on a regular basis,” she said. “They say they don’t understand us or it’s not the right fit for them. If we can find that therapist, sometimes they’ll go behind our backs and talk to our caregivers, our family, our parents. We are adults.”
In Oregon, a standard intellectual disability designation includes an IQ of 70 or below, alongside impairment to independent function that emerges before adulthood. A developmental disability is when a condition such as autism or epilepsy leads to similar behaviors and needs for support.
The bill would prohibit public bodies from denying treatment for mental illness on these grounds.
“Because they read that diagnosis, they’re gonna they look at us differently,” said Guedon. “And we’re not any different. We’re just like everyone else. We have mental health, we get sick. We fall, we get up.”
Senate Bill 1522 is scheduled for a potential vote in the Oregon Senate’s Human Services Committee on Monday, Feb. 12. If the committee approves it, the measure would be sent to the legislative budget committee due to its potential fiscal impact. (SOURCE)
46 Foot Whale Washed Ashore Near Sunset Beach
Seaside Aquarium — A sub-adult 46-foot male entangled Fin whale washed ashore Monday morning, February 12th near the Sunset Beach approach in Oregon.
As the whale was washing ashore, the surf was pushing it around making some people believe that the whale was still alive at the time of stranding. Unfortunately, before authorized responders had a chance to examine the whale, someone removed the entangling gear. While it may have seemed like a good idea at the time, this compromised the stranding and entanglement investigation.
A necropsy was performed today and the results are pending analysis. What we do know is that the whale was extremely underweight and had recent interactions with orcas, evidenced by fresh rake marks. The entanglement injuries appeared to be fresh and the abrasions noted were superficial.
It is extremely important to report strandings and to not interact or remove entangling gear from stranded animals. Analyzing removed entangling gear provides information that may reduce the risk of future entanglements. By identifying the source of entangling fishing gear, NOAA Fisheries can work with the fishing industry and coastal communities to identify geographic areas, times of year, fisheries, and gear configurations that have resulted in whale entanglements. These data can help NOAA Fisheries better understand and minimize the risks of entanglement and ultimately aids in the conservation and management of many large whale species.
Governor Kotek Launches Housing Production Bill with Broad Coalition of Supporters
Today, Governor Tina Kotek announced a broad coalition supporting her housing production bill, which is building momentum in the 2024 legislative session. Senate Bill 1537 received its first hearing this morning before the Senate Committee On Housing and Development. The coalition includes workers, business, community-specific organizations, housing providers, tenants, advocates and more, listed below.
“This coalition has spoken loud and clear: the status quo is not working for Oregon families, workers, employers, and households that are struggling with housing insecurity,” Governor Kotek said. “I commend Senate President Rob Wagner, Senator Kayse Jama, and all of the housing champions in the legislature for taking this issue head on, and I am resolved to see progress for Oregonians this session.”
The Governor testified in favor of Senate Bill 1537 on Thursday, emphasizing the urgent need to increase housing supply, affordability and climate incentives. More than 150 stakeholders submitted testimony in support of the bill, citing specific benefits of the measure to housing providers, tenants, workers, underserved communities and more.
“Workforce housing is in short supply, and rent prices are untenable for our workers; many of whom can’t afford the basics like food and gas after paying rent,” said Melissa Unger, Executive Director of SEIU Local 503. “We are looking to state leaders to ensure that all Oregon families have access to a place they can call home without having to put in jeopardy their ability to pay for food, childcare, health care, etc. Senate Bill 1537 is a critical step to making that possible.”
“Our members have been telling us for years that one of their top workforce challenges is the lack of supply and exorbitant cost of workforce housing,” said Scott Bruun, VP of Government Affairs at Oregon Business and Industry. “Housing supplies are insufficient at every level, including middle-market workforce housing. This problem not only hurts employees or potential employees in Oregon, it also hurts the employers who cannot attract or retain the workers they need. Simply put, our workforce housing crisis hurts the competitiveness and severely hamstrings the potential growth and success of Oregon businesses. SB 1537 gets at the core of this problem.”
“We believe this bill takes important steps to address Oregon’s longstanding housing production shortfall,” said Cameron Herrington of the Oregon Housing Alliance. “High rates of homelessness, as suffered by some 18,000 Oregonians, result from high rents and low rental vacancies. Both of those factors are largely attributable to an under-supply of housing.”
“It is time to take the housing crisis seriously and act accordingly,” said Ernesto Fonseca, CEO of Hacienda CDC. “This bill will generate opportunities for housing and prosperity for all Oregonians. We need all types of housing for every stage of life for every family. Senate Bill 1537 will pave the way.”
More details on the bill can be found here. (SOURCE)
Oregon Blue Book Cover Photo Contest Underway
The front cover of the 2023-2024 Oregon Blue Book showcases a hillside covered in beautiful balsam root and lupine flowers at Rowena Crest, captured by Oregon photographer Micah Lundsted of Eugene. The book’s back cover shows an image of three rockfish made at the Oregon Coast Aquarium by Dale George of Grants Pass.
Which images will cover the 2025-2026 Oregon Blue Book? The Oregon Blue Book cover photo contest kicks off today, giving amateur photographers the chance to submit their photos to answer that question. Photo contest winners will be selected in October 2024 by Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade.
“Choosing the cover photos for the Oregon Blue Book is an honor,” said Secretary Griffin-Valade. “The images are a chance to see our beautiful state through the lens of the many talented amateur photographers who live in Oregon.”
The contest is open to Oregon residents of any age who earn less than half their income from photography. Images must be Oregon related and should be submitted in the portrait, rather than landscape, orientation. Two images will be selected for the cover: one for the front and one for the back. Visit the Oregon Blue Book Photo Contest guidelines for more information: https://sos.oregon.gov/blue-book/Pages/about-conte…
Images can be submitted through the Oregon Blue Book website portal or via U.S. mail. The deadline to submit photos for consideration is October 27, 2024. Contact the Oregon Blue Book Managing Editor at Oregon.Bluebook@sos.oregon.gov with questions or for additional information.
DETAILS
What: 2025-2026 Oregon Blue Book Cover Photo Contest
Who: Amateur photographers who live in Oregon
When: February 7, 2024-October 27, 2024
Where: Submit online or through U.S. Mail
Why: Photo on the cover of the 2025-2026 Oregon Blue Book
