Rogue Valley News, Friday 7/12 – Salt Creek Fire Update, Jackson County Sheriff Search & Rescue Looking for K9 Handlers & 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

Friday,  July 12, 2024

Rogue Valley Weather

Salt Creek Fire – Salt Creek Road, Eagle Point

From the Salt Creek Fire Incedent Team: July 12, 2024 Morning Update: Mop-up Operations on Salt Creek Fire Progress, Containment Increases to 24%

EAGLE POINT, Ore. – Containment continues to increase on the Salt Creek Fire as firefighters push forward on mop-up operations across the incident. At this time, the fire is 24% contained, which is a jump from Thursday’s report. Containment indicates the amount of line that has been mopped up, which strengthens and further secures that portion. Overnight, the fire crossed a small section of line on the southwest corner of the incident, but firefighters were able to catch it at an estimated two acres. This morning, resources remain in that area mopping up and securing the fireline. There is still the potential for flare-ups, especially in areas within the fire perimeter that still have unburned vegetation, and firefighters are watching closely for increased fire activity and potential spot fires. Today, 750 personnel are assigned to the incident for Friday’s day shift, including 27 crews, 19 engines, nine bulldozers, 12 water tenders and eight tree fallers. Snags, or hazard trees that are primed to fall, remain a safety concern on the line and fallers will be removing them throughout the day as firefighters continue to mop up. BLM Medford District has temporarily closed BLM-managed lands in the area for safety. For more info go to: https://www.blm.gov/orwafire Level 1, “BE READY,” evacuation notices issued by the Jackson County Sheriff‘s Office and Jackson County Emergency Management remain in effect. Learn more about evacuations at: https://protect.genasys.com/ The current fire danger level is extreme; follow all fire restrictions to help prevent fires. Learn more at: • The ODF Southwest Oregon District: https://swofire.com/ • The RRSNF Alerts and Notices page www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices and website homepage www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou • The BLM OR/WA Fire Management Page: www.blm.gov/orwafire The Salt Creek Fire is located 10 miles east of Eagle Point and was first reported Sunday, July 7, just after 4 p.m. The cause is under investigation.

https://share.watchduty.org/i/25039

Bureau of Land Management issues emergency fire closure for Salt Creek Fire  – As a result of the Salt Creek Fire, the Bureau of Land Management Butte Falls Field Office has temporarily closed BLM-managed lands in the area for public and firefighter safety. Members of the public may not enter closed areas, and all uses—including hiking, hunting and dispersed camping—are prohibited. 

 

Attention Dog Lovers: Jackson County Sheriff Search & Rescue Looking for K9 Handlers 

 

Eagle Point Barricaded subject/Restraining Order Violation-Additional charges listed.

 

VOTE for Ashland’s Winchester Inn Nominated by USA Today as a 2024 Best Wine Country Hotel

Decades before Wine Enthusiast magazine included southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley as one of the 2022 top five wine regions in the world, the Winchester Inn in Ashland had been celebrating regional vintners and catering to people who travel here to savor award-winning red, white and sparkling wines. Now, the Winchester Inn has been nominated by USA Today as a 2024 Best Wine Country Hotel. Nominees are selected by a panel of experts and voting by the public continues until 9 a.m. July 22.

Vote for The Winchester Inn

Best Wine Country Hotel — The Winchester Inn in Ashland, Oregon, offers a boutique hotel experience that combines comfort and charm, including a gourmet breakfast served each morning as part of the stay. Situated in downtown Ashland, the inn offers convenient access to nearby wineries, outdoor activities such as hiking and biking, and the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-wine-country-hotel-2024/the-winchester-inn-ashland-oregon/ https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/  

Burglars Targeting Local Licensed Marijuana Farms and Storage Facilities 

   

Oregon Housing and Community Services responds to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling allowing cities to ban people from sleeping outdoors

The United States Supreme Court made its ruling today in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson. In response to the decision, Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) Executive Director Andrea Bell issued the following statement. “For many, we knew this day was coming, and yet it is still devastating. This is a wake-up call for all of us – cities in particular. We cannot succumb to cynicism or confuse this ruling as a mandate. Many of us have either experienced the struggle to make ends meet or know someone who has. In the face of this shared reality, out-of-sight, out-of-mind positions that criminalize sleeping or sheltering in public spaces only exacerbates the experiences of homelessness. “OHCS’ position remains unchanged – we reject homelessness as an inevitable outcome. Every person, regardless of their background or where they come from, deserves a place to call home. Oregon’s shared values serve as a guidepost of hope and progress. In cities, suburbs, and rural towns across the state, our economies and communities are strongest when everyone’s fundamental needs are met. To the people of Oregon struggling to get by: We see you. We value your life. We will continue to work tirelessly on your behalf.” In 2023, Oregon prevented more than 9,000 households from becoming homeless, created over 1,000 new shelter beds, and helped some 2,000 people move from homeless to housed. This was done in partnership with Governor Tina Kotek, the Oregon Legislature, numerous state agencies, and many local community partners who implemented the funding and policy developed through the Governor’s homelessness state of emergency (EO 23-02) and the Affordable Housing and Emergency Homelessness Response Package (HB 2001 and HB 5019, 2023). About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) OHCS is Oregon’s housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs.  

HGTV names Jacksonville Oregon among the most charming small towns in the US

From cities with quaint shops to “fascinating histories,” HGTV released a list of the top 50 charming small towns in the United States, with one southern Oregon hidden gem making the cut.

“There’s something special about small towns,” HGTV said about the list. “Whether it’s the simplicity, the character or the people, they are a quintessential part of American life.” Located in Southern Oregon’s wine county, the historic Jacksonville, Ore. scored a spot on the list, as first reported by The Oregonian/OregonLive. The small town received a shout-out for agritourism like the Applegate Valley Wine Trail and a “premier” arts fest. “Come in the summer to enjoy the Britt Music & Arts Festival, the Pacific Northwest’s premier outdoor summer performing arts event, or explore the town’s independently owned shops, restaurants and hiking and biking trails year-round,” HGTV said, noting the city has also been named among America’s 10 “coolest small towns.” Cities topping the list include Fairhope, Ala., Unalaska, Alaska, Winslow, Ariz., Eureka Springs, Ark., and Carmel, Calif.  

Community members are invited to enjoy Mount Ashland’s summer season

According to the ski area, the restaurant and retail shop inside the lodge will be open every Friday through Sunday from now until Labor Day. Events including movie nights, tie-dye events, and a disc golf tournament will be offered throughout the summer. Mount Ashland is also kicking off a summer program for kids. To find out more, visit the Mount Ashland Summer webpage: https://www.mtashland.com/operating-schedule/

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.

It has been Four Years since Fauna Frey, 45, disappeared in Oregon on a road trip, June 29, 2020, following her brother’s death  —

 

Fires Around the State

Please Help Prevent Wildfires!

The Forest Service says since June, 100 wildfires in Oregon and Washington were caused by people, Though most of the time crews were “largely successful” in putting them out, officials are urging the public to help reduce the amount of preventable fires firefighters have to deal with.

The U.S. Forest Service says a surge of human-caused wildfires is stretching resources thin as extreme heat, dry conditions and lightning in the forecast increases the chances of wildfires.

Oregon State Fire Marshal sends two task forces to Cow Valley Fire

A fast-moving wildfire Thursday evening in Malheur County prompted the Oregon State Fire Marshal to mobilize two structural task forces to the Cow Valley Fire burning near the town of Brogan. The task forces from Umatilla and Multnomah counties are being sent through Immediate Response, a tool the state fire marshal uses to mobilize task forces outside of a conflagration.

“The east side of the state has faced challenging fire conditions over the last week. The Cow Valley Fire is being pushed by gusty winds and low humidity,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “We are using an essential tool and the power of the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System to provide added resources to the Cow Valley Fire. Firefighters funded through the 2024 Wildfire Season Staffing Grant allowed a quicker response for the local agencies.” The fire is rapidly changing and estimated to be about 16,000 acres according to the Vale Bureau of Land Management District and threatening 30 to 50 homes. According to the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, the Cow Valley Fire changed direction early Thursday evening and headed east toward the town quickly. The sheriff’s office is advising those in Brogan and the surrounding areas to be prepared to leave their home if an evacuation order is made. Follow the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office for information about evacuations. The Oregon Department of Transportation closed a stretch of Highway 26 in the area of the fire. The agency says the highway is expected to remain closed through the night. The Umatilla County task force is made up of local fire agencies from Umatilla, Baker, Gilliam, Morrow, and Union counties. The task force from Multnomah County was previously assigned to the Larch Creek Fire. The Oregon State Fire Marshal will continue to monitor the fire and is ready to provide more support if needed. About Immediate Response Immediate Response is made possible through the OSFM’s Response Ready Oregon program created through Oregon’s wildfire omnibus bill, Senate Bill 762, signed into law in 2021.

FEMA approves federal funding for Larch Creek Fire as wildfire continues to grow

“We’re entering a very dangerous time period in the Pacific Northwest wildfire season,” said Pacific Northwest Assistant Fire Director for Operations Ed Hiatt in a statement. “Mother Nature turned on the oven for a week in local forests and now we’re preparing for the potential of dry lightning and gusty winds across much of eastern Oregon.” Deteriorating conditions, the possibility of lighting sparks igniting flames, and fires spreading more rapidly and intensely all mean firefighters don’t want to stretch thin their supply of needed engines, dozers, helicopters and other resources to respond to wildfires that are entirely preventable, officials said. “It’s as dry as I’ve ever seen it,” Hiatt said. “From the Canadian border to southeast Oregon, multiple areas have broken daily records for forecasted fire intensity. Bottom line? If it starts, it’s going to burn hot and it’s going to burn fast.” This weekend, the Forest Service said they will be sending fire managers to the area of Oregon whose boundaries include Klamath Falls, Bend and La Grande in anticipation of “dangerous dry lightning storms” arriving Saturday and lasting until Monday, officials said. Amid these conditions, 13 regional national forests have implemented campfire restrictions to slow or stop the proliferation of preventable, human-caused fires.

Better weather helps progress on Larch Creek Fire, ODF Incident Management Team 2 will transition into unified command with OSFM Green Team

Dufur, Ore. – Throughout the evening winds subsided and the Larch Creek Fire growth slowed. Dozers working through the night made good progress putting in control line and engines patrolled near homes in the fire area. Today structure task forces will continue to mop up and secure around homes in the fire area. Firefighters will be putting in hose lays and working with engines and water tenders to strengthen control lines. Dozers and crews will work on establishing line around the fire footprint on the east side of Highway 197. Air resources continue to be available and will engage as needed throughout the day. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Incident Management Team 2 will shadow the Central Oregon IMT today. This evening at 6 p.m. ODF Team 2 and OSFM Green Team will officially transition into unified command. A huge Thank You to the Central Oregon Type 3 Interagency IMT for their coordination and efforts on this quickly emerging incident. The weather will moderate today with temperatures in the low 90’s with afternoon winds that should moderate into the evening. The next few days should see temperatures continuing to decrease and less substantial winds in the fire area, a very welcome forecast for firefighters. Yesterday there was one firefighter with heat related injuries who was transported to a local hospital. Stay informed on updated evacuation alerts here: https://www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff?ref=embed_page A Red Cross shelter is open at Maupin High School for all community members effected by the current evacuations. Sherman County Fairgrounds is open for evacuation of livestock and pets. Hood River Fairgrounds is also open to displaced animals. Hwy 197 is being closely monitored and may be closed or have traffic control, check Trip Check for updates. Road & Weather Conditions Map | TripCheck – Oregon Traveler Information Be aware of the extreme fire danger we are currently experiencing! Know Before You Go and check for Fire Restrictions in your area.

14 Deaths in Oregon Linked to Heat Wave

Since a wave of excessive heat began late last week, 14 people in Oregon have died from suspected heat-related causes. The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office announced Thursday morning that four more deaths were reported on Wednesday. Suspected heat-related deaths have now been reported in Coos, Jackson, Klamath, Linn, Multnomah, and Washington counties since last Friday. One person, a 33-year-old man from Clackamas County, died after being taken to a Portland hospital. The names of the 14 people have not been released. The medical examiner said the designation of these deaths is preliminary. The actual cause of death in each case may take months to determine, the examiner’s office said, and may be unrelated to hyperthermia. Here is a table of the reported deaths:

Copyright 2024 Oregon Public Broadcasting

Hundreds of Crisis Calls in Oregon Go Unanswered

Almost a quarter of Oregon calls to the mental health crisis hotline have gone unanswered so far this year.

Why it matters: The revamped national suicide hotline, which launched in 2022 as 988, promised a quicker, more seamless crisis response in Oregon and across the country but remains a work in progress two years later. By the numbers: Roughly 79% of the 5,500 Oregonians who called the 988 hotline in May were connected with an in-state counselor, according to data from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

• Oregon’s year-to-date answer rate for 2024 is 76%. It’s a lower rate than most of the country, and even lower than the state’s previous records.
• In 2023 it was 85%.

The intrigue: While Oregon’s answer rate has fallen, the number of 988 calls increased nearly 21% locally between May 2023 and May 2024. What they’re saying: Call volumes have “been rising more quickly than new staff can be hired and trained,” Dean Carson, a spokesperson for Oregon Health Authority, which oversees the state’s 988 system, told Axios.

• Oregon has two 988 call centers, Lines for Life and Northwest Human Services, with the latter only handling calls for Marion and Polk counties in the Salem area.

Zoom in: Lines for Life has answered “1,000 more contacts than this time last year,” Carson said, while Northwest Human Services has received 250 more calls per month — a sign more Oregonians may be becoming aware of the new hotline.

• The number of texts to Oregon 988 is also up — about 2,000 each month — which “means more young people are comfortable with just sending a text to get that emotional support,” he said.

The big picture: Oregon is one of few states that have made long-term funding commitments to sustain the program. The Legislature approved a 40-cent monthly tax on all phone bills to help expand 988 last year and started collecting the tax in January.

• Right now, 988 pulls from the state’s general fund for funding. The phone bill fee, however, could offset $26 million of the program’s costs by 2025, Carson said.

Between the lines: If you call from a 503 or 971 cellphone, your call will go to Oregon-based crisis counselors. If you have an out-of-state area code, your call will go to that area code — a challenge the FCC is working with telecom providers to fix via geo-routing.

• When local counselors don’t answer in Oregon, calls are routed to national crisis center experts who may not be familiar with local resources and treatment options.

What’s next: Carson said OHA will determine whether additional call centers will be added in the coming years based on need. (SOURCE)

Oregon Country Fair Kicks Off Today!

Immersive Fun for All Ages & Abilities

Oregon Country Fair is a wonderland of free expression and imagination for all to enjoy! From puppets to aerial acts to forested nooks for quiet contemplation, the Fair has a place for you. We also want to mention: White Bird Clinic’s Cleveland Chicken at booth 916 is a fundraiser for the White Bird Clinic here in Eugene. All proceeds go to direct client services like cold weather gear and denture replacement. Come see us for grilled chicken, corn, water melon and our lovely water melon & lime cooler or come say hello and learn about the services White Bird provides to our community Tickets for the fair are still available https://aftontickets.com/ocf2024 The weather has cooled a bit so this will be fantastic weekend to visit this iconic Oregon event! http://www.oregoncountryfair.org —- FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064603245756

Oregon among 27 states with illnesses linked to mushroom-derived candies

Prophet Premium Blends in California recalling Diamond Shruumz products PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon is one of 27 states with cases of a severe acute illness associated with a brand of candies that contain a potentially harmful chemical found in mushrooms, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notified epidemiologists at the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Public Health Division July 5 that Oregon is now part of a nationwide FDA outbreak investigation involving products manufactured by Prophet Premium Blends of Santa Ana, Calif. The company has issued a recall of chocolate bars, cones and gummies sold under the brand Diamond Shruumz, including “Micro- and Mega/Extreme-Dose” versions of the products. According to the FDA, the products contain muscimol, a chemical found in mushrooms of the genus Amanita, and which could cause symptoms consistent with those observed in persons who became ill after eating Diamond Shruumz products. These products are not regulated for consumer safety. Reported symptoms that may be related to the recalled products have included those linked to seizures, agitation, involuntary muscle contractions, loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness, nausea and vomiting, abnormal heart rates, and hyper/hypotension. Oregon has one case. The individual has recovered from the illness. CDC reports there now are 58 cases across the country, with 30 hospitalizations. One death also is being investigated. The FDA says Diamond Shruumz-brand products should no longer be available for sale. The products were previously available online and in person at a variety of retail locations nationwide, including smoke/vape shops. They also were available at retailers that sell hemp-derived products such as cannabidiol (CBD) or delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8 THC). OHA and FDA are making the following recommendations:

• Consumers should not eat, sell or serve any flavor of Diamond Shruumz-brand chocolate bars, cones or gummies.
• Consumers should check their homes and discard these products, or return them to the company for a refund.
• These products may appeal to children and teenagers. Parents and caregivers should consider discussing the information in this advisory with their children and take extra care to prevent children from eating them.
• Retailers should not sell or distribute any flavor of Diamond Shruumz-brand chocolate bars, cones, or gummies, and should hold the product in a secure location and contact Diamond Shruumz to initiate the return and refund.
• Those who become ill after consuming these products should contact their health care provider and/or call the Oregon Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. Let Poison Center staff know you have recently consumed the Diamond Shruumz-brand chocolate bars, cones, and/or gummies.
• Health care providers should report these illnesses to the Oregon Poison Center.

For more information:

• CDC investigation page, https://www.cdc.gov/environmental-health-studies/outbreak-investigation-diamond-shruumz-products/index.html#cdc_generic_section_1-outbreak-investigation-summary
• FDA investigation page, https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-illnesses-diamond-shruumz-brand-chocolate-bars-cones-gummies-june-2024
• FDA product recall page, https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/prophet-premium-blends-recalls-diamond-shruumz-products-because-possible-health-risk

Oregon’s Labor Force: What Slower Population Growth  and Increasing Retirements Mean for the Workforce

The youngest members of the large Baby Boom Generation, born between 1946 and 1964, turn 60 years old in 2024. Workers in this age group have been, and are expected to continue, shifting into retirement and taking their skills and experience with them.

• In 1990, one out of 10 Oregon job holders was age 55 or older. By 2022, that share grew to 24%.
• In 2023, the number of Oregonians not in the labor force due to retirement reached 786,000, an all-time high. Over the past decade, the number of Oregonians not in the labor force due to retirement grew by 160,000 or 26%.

The workforce is aging nationally as well, but Oregon has been at a workforce advantage in boosting its labor force. Decades of population growth – driven primarily by net in-migration – has helped fuel labor force growth, even as the workforce has aged and overall labor force participation rates have generally declined.

• Oregon’s population grew by 40% between 1993 and 2023, compared with 30% for the U.S.
• Oregon’s natural increase in population turned negative in 2021 and 2022, with fewer births than deaths, as the COVID-19 pandemic met the long-term trends of an aging population and lower birth rates.
• In 2021, for the first time in almost four decades, population estimates showed negative net migration, and an overall decline in Oregon’s population.

The declines in natural increase, net migration, and population have contributed to slower labor force growth. Slower gains may be somewhat offset by greater labor force participation among the existing population.

• Oregon’s labor force participation rate was 62.4% in 2023, the highest in a decade. That’s still well below the peak of 68.9% in 1998.

During periods like the past couple of years, where low unemployment and relatively large numbers of job openings are paired with slow labor force growth, that creates a tighter labor market for Oregon employers. That makes it harder for employers to find enough workers to fill all their job openings. These dynamics may have also contributed to Oregon’s slower job growth in recent years compared to the U.S. Nationally, total nonfarm payroll employment expanded by 3.4% between 2019 and 2023, while Oregon’s expanded jobs by 1.2%. This is a change; typically Oregon’s job (and labor force) growth exceeds the nation’s over business cycles. If recent labor force and unemployment trends continue, they might further limit Oregon’s growth potential relative to historic norms and the nation. More details are available in the full report at QualityInfo.org.

Public comment sought on program serving older adults and people with disabilities

Salem, OR – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), along with the Oregon Health Authority, will hold a forum to receive feedback from the public on implementation of Oregon Project Independence – Medicaid (OPI-M). OPI-M is being launched by the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities this year as a result of an 1115 Demonstration Waiver. This forum for public input is referred to as a Post-Award Public Forum by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and is required by federal regulations. It will provide information on the implementation of OPI-M since the waiver was approved by CMS on Feb. 13, 2024, in addition to providing an opportunity for the public to provide feedback. OPI-M operates under the authority of section 1115(a) of the Social Security Act. The waiver is in effect from Feb. 13, 2024, to Jan. 31, 2029. The forum will be held as a video conference on Zoom on Aug. 5, 2024, from 3 to 4:30 ​p.m. Pacific Time​. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Real-Time Captioning (CART) will also be provided. To request other accommodations, please contact Max Brown by email at rown@odhs.oregon.gov“>Max.Brown@odhs.oregon.gov or by phone at 971-707-1019 no later than 48 hours prior to the forum. Meeting: OPI-M Post-Award Public Forum When: Aug. 5, 2024, 3 to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time Where: Video conference meeting on Zoom

• To join by video conference: Join Zoom Meeting​
• To join by phone: dial 669-254-5252; meeting ID: 161 701 1754; passcode: 664575

Additional resources and information about OPI-M:

• Draft Quarterly Monitoring Report​ (currently under CMS review)
• Read the ODHS news release: CMS approves expansion of program providing older adults and people with disabilities more options for support at home

Oregon youth suicide data shows action needed to close equity gaps

Despite culturally responsive suicide prevention efforts, racial inequities remain Editor’s Note: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available 24/7. Call or text 988 or chat online at 988Lifeline.org. Specialized support is also available through the Veterans Crisis Line (press 1 or text 838255), in Spanish (press 2 or text “AYUDA” to 988) and for LGBTQIA2S+ youth and young adults (press 3 or text “PRIDE” to 988). 988 is also available for individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing through American Sign Language videophone services. Salem, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Youth Suicide Intervention and Prevention Plan (YSIPP) annual report, which contains new analysis of 2022 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) death by suicide data, shows the risk of youth suicide continues to be a concern in Oregon, particularly for youth of color. In 2022, the most recent year of finalized data from the CDC, 109 Oregon youth ages 24 and younger died by suicide, Oregon’s first year-to-year increase since 2018. Despite the 2022 increase (up from 95 deaths in 2021), there were 16% fewer youth deaths in 2022 compared with a peak of 129 deaths in 2018. Moreover, preliminary data, which will not be finalized until spring 2025, suggest that 2023 will not see a further year-to-year increase in youth suicide rates. The 2022 data show that Oregon had the 12th highest youth suicide rate in the U.S. Suicide remains the second-leading cause of death in Oregon among this age group. The YSIPP annual report also highlights Oregon’s investments in this area, including support for statewide programming in youth suicide prevention, intervention and postvention services. The report details important advances in youth suicide prevention in Oregon, such as the addition of 343 suicide prevention trainers in the state, including 67 who speak languages other than English. In a letter to Oregonians accompanying the report, OHA Behavioral Health Director Ebony Clarke notes, “We have made some progress to create a system of suicide prevention that is better connected and better resourced. Yet, the tragedy of youth suicide remains. We need to do more, particularly for young people of color.” Data highlighted in the report show that stark racial disparities remain, both in Oregon and nationwide. Oregon deaths by suicide for youth identified as white have decreased overall since the overall peak in 2018, but the number of suicides for youth of other races and ethnicities either remained similar to 2018 or have increased. OHA’s suicide prevention team, along with the hundreds of suicide prevention trainers, advocates, community members and champions around the state, including the Oregon Alliance to Prevent Suicide, are working to implement key initiatives for youth suicide prevention discussed in the YSIPP. This includes programming that supports young people to find hope, help and strength, training programs to teach youth-serving adults how to recognize warning signs of suicide, and advanced skills training for providers to be equipped to help clients heal from thoughts of suicide. OHA and its partners are also working hard to launch culturally specific initiatives to increase protective factors that support youth in Oregon. In 2023-24, these efforts have included:

• Tribal prevention programs amplifying “culture as prevention” and hosting train-the-trainers for OHA’s “Big River” youth suicide prevention programming, which is available across the state at low or no cost.
• Black, African and African American youth-serving adults creating and sustaining the Black Youth Suicide Prevention Coalition, which is helping to bring healing to Black communities and creating spaces for young people to gather and feel a sense of belonging. Oregon also was one of eight states invited to participate in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Black Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative Policy Academy, which was highlighted as a key “Health Equity in Suicide Prevention” strategy in the federal government’s recently released 10-year 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
• OHA infused an additional $500,000 of funding to increase the availability of suicide prevention training and trainers who are Latino/a/x, Spanish-speaking or both.
• Oregon’s suicide prevention leaders are also working with Joyce Chu and Chris Weaver of the Culture & Suicide Prevention Institute, to infuse their cultural theory and model for suicide prevention into existing trainings, policies and programming. This work, which will increase attention to culturally specific risk and protective factors in Oregon’s suicide prevention efforts, is also an equity initiative highlighted in the 2024 National Strategy.

Alfonso Ramirez, interim director of OHA’s Equity & Inclusion Division, reflected on the power of suicide prevention that centers connections to culture and belonging. Ramirez said, “Thanks to our community partners and leaders, we’ve recognized how important it is to also focus on the cultural strengths and wisdom that have been passed on for generations across communities. As we do work in this way, we experience a bit of healing ourselves.”

The wild sagebrush deserts of southeastern Oregon are a step closer toward additional environmental protections.

The Bureau of Land Management is updating its management plan for 3.2 million acres in Lake and Harney counties, as part of a 2010 legal settlement with the nonprofit Oregon Natural Desert Association — also called ONDA. The settlement required BLM to survey its southeast Oregon land that didn’t have wilderness protections, and then map out areas that are wild and natural enough for potential protections.

Through that mapping process, the BLM’s Lakeview District office determined that an additional 1.6 million acres had wilderness characteristics — meaning they are large, mostly natural areas with few manmade objects in sight. Now the agency is asking the public how much of that land should have limits on offroading and mining. BLM outlined several options in a draft environmental analysis last month, all with varying levels of wildland protections, and highlighted one as its preference. The agency’s preferred option would protect the natural characteristics of about 25% of the wild lands it mapped. Some environmental groups say that’s not enough. ONDA program director Mark Salvo called it “a great start.” “But are there more wilderness quality lands that should be protected as part of this planning process — as part of a balanced use of this landscape? We believe so,” he said. Salvo is particularly concerned about protecting lands around the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge in Oregon, as well as an area reaching down to a wildlife refuge in Nevada. “These are some of the most important public lands in the West remaining for wildlife that depend on sagebrush steppe,” Salvo said. Sage grouse, pronghorn and pygmy rabbits live in these areas. Although BLM highlights a preferred option, Lakeview district manager Todd Forbes said the public should study all management options on the table. “It’s really helpful for me to hear people look at all the alternatives and describe how those alternatives impact their use of the land,” Forbes said. “And in addition to that, is there anything that we missed that we didn’t analyze that we should have?” BLM is hosting several public meetings about the proposed plan through July. Public comments are due Sept. 5. Earlier this year, BLM finalized a similar addition to its management plan covering 4.6 million acres in Malheur, Grant, Harney and Baker counties, including the Owyhee Canyonlands. That update was part of another legal settlement with ONDA. During that process, BLM determined that 1.2 million acres of public land had wilderness characteristics. It ultimately added protections for about 417,000 acres. BLM is also working on its management plan for the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument in southern Oregon. That monument was first designated by President Bill Clinton in 2000, and then expanded in 2017 by President Barack Obama. BLM is expected to complete that plan this fall, as reported by Jefferson Public Radio. (SOURCE)

The Oregon Coast Aquarium New Tufted Puffin Oregon License Plates on Sale

One of Oregon’s most adorably iconic seabirds is coming to the front and back of a car near you. The Oregon Coast Aquarium has opened voucher sales for its new tufted puffin license plates.

The design, featuring a tufted puffin floating in the ocean and gazing down at some fish below, was created by the aquarium’s graphic design and marketing coordinator, Cam Mullins. Starring a tufted puffin—one of Oregon’s iconic seabirds–funds from the new license plate will benefit both the Aquarium’s animals and their wild counterparts. You can purchase a voucher now and exchange it at the DMV once the physical plates are available. We need to sell 3,000 vouchers to reach the production stage—meaning the sooner 3,000 vouchers are sold, the sooner production begins, and the sooner you’ll have your puffin plates in-hand. Read the full story at aquarium.org/puffin-plate-debut: photo by OCAq’s Jeremy Burke Tufted puffins are native to Oregon and nest on the rocky coast. The aquarium has a Seabird Aviary that sustains a flock of these sea birds and the profits from the license plates will go to benefit these puffins and their wild counterparts. The voucher is available for purchase on the aquarium’s website. The cost covers the $40 surcharge fee and the money left over after the deduction of the DMV’s fees will go to support the Oregon Coast Aquarium’s rehabilitation and conservation efforts. The aquarium is building a new marine wildlife rehabilitation center with hopes of doubling the number of animal patients it can offer care to. FOLLOW on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/OregonCoastAquarium   https://www.facebook.com/groups/1109674113319848