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, July 15, 2024
Rogue Valley Weather
Salt Creek Fire – Salt Creek Road, Eagle Point
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.
The closure order encompasses the BLM lands within the affected evacuation zones. This includes BLM lands south of Butte Falls Highway, north of Highway 140, and east of Salt Creek Road to the USFS boundary. Please see the map for full closure information on the BLM website: https://www.blm.gov/orwafire
Public and firefighter safety are the highest priority. The closure will allow fire suppression crews to continue to safely respond to the incident. As it becomes safe to do so, firefighters will begin to assess the closure and their impacts in alignment with sound risk management practices.
For the latest road and weather condition updates, visit https://www.tripcheck.com/. BLM Medford District has additional fire closures and fire restriction information available on BLM.GOV.
Please call 911 to report any signs of new fires.
7/13/2024 Structure Fire in Cave Junction
Illinois Valley Fire District, AMR-Josephine County, and ODF Southwest Oregon District, responded to a Structure Fire this evening.
Upon arrival, units found a three story home with fire and smoke showing.
Due to the extent of the fire, Rural Metro Fire – Josephine County, and Grants Pass Fire, assisted in the operations.
ODF assisted the crews by cutting a pathway through the shrubbery for suppression crews to deploy hose lines.
Fire was extinguished and will be checked on through the night. Red Cross was activated for one adult and one dog, that were not harmed in the fire. Fire is under investigation.
Medford Fire Department – 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙨:
Fire crews were busy yesterday evening (7/12) with back to back fires. The first was reported at 6:03 PM as a grass fire along the fence line separating two restaurants from the railroad corridor on the 1200 block of S. Riverside Ave.
While enroute the call was upgraded to a structure response due to reports of flames over the roofline of one of the buildings. Firefighters arrived and were able to get quick containment and extinguishment of the fire, allowing the additional responding units to cancel after confirming the building was not involved.
Fire investigators determined it was most likely caused by the improper discarding of smoking materials into dry, ember receptive materials and a quick spread into evergreen trees along the fence.
Medford Police responded and is working with business owners to identify any potential suspects.
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The second fire was reported an hour later as smoke coming from the attic of a residence on Kenwood Drive. Crews were on scene and quickly located and extinguished a small fire in the attic.
Due to the tactics utilized by firefighters, the fire was extinguished using a water extinguisher and minimal water, minimizing smoke, fire and water impact to the residence. The minimal smoke that migrated down from the attic was ventilated from the structure and the resident’s pet cat was located and confirmed to be unharmed. After electrical repairs are completed, the resident will be able to return home without any further restoration or repair necessary.
The fire investigation determined that the fire was caused by an electrical cable failure in the attic. Recent prolonged high temperatures and heavy, continual loading of aged conductors contributed to the start of this fire.
No injuries were reported from either fire.
Southern Oregon Property Insurance Sees Massive Shifts Following Wildfires
Facing a new era of risk in the light of climate-driven wildfires, insurers and residents are battling to adapt, with rural property owners facing the brunt of the changing world as insurance rates go up or in some cases- property owners struggle to get cover. Since the 2020 Labor Day fires destroyed parts of the state- with nearly $3 billion in losses, property owners across Southern Oregon have faced an ongoing flow of communications from insurance companies- whether it’s increases, a threat to cancel, or difficulty finding insurance, according to state Rep. Pam Marsh, a Democrat, representing southern Jackson County.National Insurance Shake-up As Natural Disasters Eat Into Profits
Published in May, a New York Times investigation showed that homeowners insurance was unprofitable in 18 states in 2023. This prompted insurers to raise premiums, cancel policies, or completely leave states. Driven mainly by natural disasters related to climate change such as wildfires in the western states, hurricanes in Florida, and major storms and flooding in the Midwest, as climate change escalates, insurers- who carry the weight of the disasters, are experiencing more pressure. Without insurance, homeowners won’t be able to get a mortgage. This could result in a domino effect, with declining property values reducing tax revenues across counties- funding vital for schools and other essential services. California is experiencing a crisis as companies like Allstate and Farmers Direct are not underwriting new policies or renewing existing ones in reaction to legislation that made it difficult, if not impossible, to stay profitable. California insurers can’t raise rates more than 10% without a lengthy review process and are also prohibited from using “catastrophe modeling” to predict disasters such as wildfires and storms when setting insurance rates. Many of the industry’s largest companies responded by simply leaving the state. Russ Schweikert, a partner at Ashland Insurance said, “The good news in Oregon is that we’re not California”Home Insurance In Southern Oregon
The reasons behind the rising premiums and shrinking choices are a combination of many things happening at the same time but affecting consumer’s wallets in a big way. With 105 companies operating within the state at the end of 2022, Oregon still has a robust home insurance market and strong consumer protection laws such as HB 82 which requires insurance companies to notify property owners when premium increases are related to wildfire risk. Insurers must also indicate mitigation actions property owners could take that could result in benefits such as discounts, incentives, or other premium adjustments. These requirements create transparency. Insurance companies don’t only rely on selling insurance to make profits but also invest money from premiums, often in the stock market or real estate. In a strong economy, it’s not a good time to buy stocks, and as occupancy rates in commercial buildings are still flagging after the pandemic, real estate is less attractive. Insurers are now relying on selling insurance to be profitable but reinsurance rates have also increased.Property Owners Struggling To Find Insurance Cover
Greg White, owner of Reinholdt & O’Harra Insurance in Ashland said that the higher up in the woods you get in Ashland, the fewer the insurance options. Based on wildfire score, insurance companies may say ‘No, thank you.’ Insurers don’t rely on the Oregon Statewide Wildfire Hazard Map created by Oregon State University, and each company has its own way of calculating the wildfire risk. Those homeowners who can’t find coverage elsewhere can look at the FAIR plan, a state-sponsored insurance pool. One of the majority of states with this option of last resort, Oregon’s FAIR plan premiums are higher, and coverage is capped at $600,000, but the number of Oregonians taking advantage of the FAIR plan is “astoundingly low,” according to Marsh. There is an upward trend in policies written, largely driven by the issue of wildfire concerns, as the majority of standard carriers pull out of high-risk wildfire areas. Some insurers are seeking ways to give a discount for the Firewise program, where neighbors take collective measures to “harden” homes and create defensible space around structures and this could prompt more communities in high-risk zones to do so. Mitigating risk at all levels in forests, from homeowners and neighborhoods, is the best way to ensure Oregonians have the benefit of a competitive insurance market. (SOURCE)Attention Dog Lovers: Jackson County Sheriff Search & Rescue Looking for K9 Handlers
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) Search and Rescue (SAR) is recruiting prospective K9 handlers. JCSO SAR is looking for dog lovers willing to become K9 search team members. This volunteer opportunity is demanding but also greatly rewarding. K9 teams are called upon frequently for missions and are often the first searchers on the scene.
K9 teams can be trained and certified in several disciplines: wilderness area search, trailing, human remains detection, and article location. Initial training and certification can take 18 months or more.
Anyone thinking of becoming a SAR K9 handler needs to be fully aware of the significant time and financial commitment involved. The K9 team trains twice a week (Wednesday evening and Saturday morning). The training location can be nearly anywhere in Jackson County.
Prospective handlers need to own a dog that can work. The dog should be two years old or younger but that can be negotiated. Handlers must be physically fit and be comfortable with technology (radios, GPS, cellphones). Handlers must also have a reliable vehicle capable of safely transporting their dog.
Any prospective handler will first have to volunteer with SAR and complete the training academy. Before joining any SAR special team, volunteers must complete a six-month training period.
The next deadline for SAR applications is August 1, 2024. The application can be found at https://www.jacksoncountyor.gov/departments/sheriff/divisions/search_and_rescue/index.php
If you think you are up to the challenge, contact jcso.sar.k9team@gmail.com for more information.
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.
Burglars Targeting Local Licensed Marijuana Farms and Storage Facilities
SOUTHERN OREGON – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives are investigating multiple burglaries of marijuana farms and storage facilities in Jackson and Josephine Counties. The suspects are targeting licensed marijuana farms during the nighttime hours and are possibly armed. Owners and workers of these facilities should be alert for these types of crimes and report unusual activity. Also, check perimeter fences and cameras to make sure they are intact and operational.
If you have any information on these burglaries or have not reported a previous burglary crime at a marijuana facility, call ECSO Dispatch non-emergency line at (541)776-7206 and ask to speak with a JCSO deputy. These cases are active and ongoing with detectives following additional leads. There is no more information available at this time.
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.
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.
It has been Four Years since 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
Help Find Fauna Frey #FindFaunaFrey FACEBOOK GROUP
Fires Around the State
Please Help Prevent Wildfires!
The Forest Service says since June, more than 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.OSFM sending firefighters, incident management team to Falls Fire in Harney County
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon State Fire Marshal is sending its Blue Incident Management Team and four task forces to the Falls Fire burning 20 miles northeast of Riley in Harney County.
OSFM sends task force to Lone Rock Fire through Immediate Response
Larch Creek Fire – Wasco County
U.S. Forest Service Wildland Firefighter Dies after Activity
Wildland Firefighter Daniel Foley, 27, was working in the Fremont-Winema National Forest in Oregon.
Governor Kotek Declares Extended State Of Emergency Due To Imminent Threat Of Wildfires
Governor Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency because of the imminent threat of wildfire beginning on July 12, 2024, and continuing through October 1, 2024. “Wildfires are active across Oregon and are growing at a concerning pace. Hot and windy conditions this weekend, including forecasted lightning in some areas, are threatening even larger wildfires,” Governor Kotek said. “I am declaring a State of Emergency to access state resources for communities across Oregon as we respond to this year’s escalating wildfire season. “Throughout the summer, it will inevitably get hotter and drier, presenting an even greater risk of catastrophic wildfires. The best way to limit wildfire impacts on our communities, natural areas, and first responders is to be aware of the conditions and prevent wildfires from starting. “I urge all Oregonians to follow the instructions and evacuation levels issued by emergency officials, subscribe to emergency alerts on ORAlert.gov, have an evacuation plan, prepare a go-kit, and stay aware of changing conditions.” A link to Executive Order 24-13 can be found here. Following ORS 401.165 et seq., Governor Kotek determined that the State of Oregon is in a critical fire danger situation, threatening life, safety, and property because of extreme high temperatures. The state has experienced wildfires this season resulting in three state conflagration declarations and two federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) declarations, several community evacuations, threatened and damaged structures, and critical infrastructure. Oregon’s neighboring states of California, Idaho, and Washington continue to experience similar fires and weather. The extended weather forecast for Oregon predicts ongoing warm and dry conditions, creating an imminent fire threat across a large portion of the state. This declaration directs the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) to support access to and use of personnel and equipment of all state agencies necessary to assess, alleviate, respond to, lessen, or recover from conditions caused by this emergency and to meet requests by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), the Oregon Department of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), and/or county and tribal emergency management to support response needs to respond to or lessen the effects of, the wildfire emergency as described in the state’s Emergency Operations Plan. The Oregon National Guard will deploy, and redeploy, firefighting resources as needed and following Operations Plan Smokey 2024 throughout the remainder of the fire season based on need. Those who believe they have been charged excessively high prices for essential consumer goods during this emergency are encouraged to report violations to the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Protection Services, which has the authority to investigate unlawful trade practices.When a 5-mile stretch of I-84 was shut down for 12 hours on Sunday, Governor Kotek was among more than 150 people who beautified it by cleaning trash and painting over graffiti.
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:
Oregon seeks public comment on large-scale farming regulations
Oregonians have until July 22 to submit comments on the implementation of new environmental restrictions for the state’s largest farms. When the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 85 last year, regulations were signed into law for Confined Animal Feeding Operations. Now, the Oregon Department of Agriculture is working to implement them. Brian Posewitz, staff attorney for the group WaterWatch of Oregon, said the new rules will help protect one of Oregon’s most important natural resources. “All Oregonians should care about that, because all Oregonians should care about our water supplies, both in the streams and rivers as well as in the groundwater,” Posewitz emphasized. “Because those water supplies are precious to everybody.” The regulations mean more closely monitoring the amount of water used by the large farms and considering the placement of the operations to reduce nitrate contamination in groundwater caused by manure. The move to protect Oregon’s water supply coincides with an increase in demand for water as the state reenters its wildfire season. As important as Oregon’s water is, regulations often come with a price tag. Large ag operations could be more limited in their site selection, disposal of waste and use of water. The Oregon Farm Bureau predicted tougher rules will affect people’s trips to the grocery store. Lauren Poor, vice president of government and legal affairs for the bureau, thinks the new rules will make it harder to buy local, and wonders if the changes are justified. “There wasn’t a clear indication that there needed to be changes to this program to protect Oregon’s waterways or Oregon’s water supply,” Poor contended. According to Poor, the previous regulations were working, and continuously changing them can be difficult for producers. The deadline is July 22 to submit public comments to the Oregon Department of Agriculture before the regulations are finalized the end of this summer.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.
- 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%.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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).
- 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.
- 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
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
- 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
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.
: 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
