Rogue Valley News, Friday 9/20 – Three Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Roles in Fatal Fentanyl Overdose of Southern Oregon Teenager, Saturday is Bear Creek Stewardship Day, Sunday Fall Market at Wild River & 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,  September 20, 2024

Rogue Valley Weather

Indian Summer? Heatwaves like this are common even as late as October. Heatwave next week will peak on Tuesday. Possible high temperatures…Portland: 86°Salem: 87°Eugene: 86°Roseburg: 92°Medford: 93°

Wildfires continue to produce smoke in the Pacific Northwest. Breathe a little easier by keeping up to date on air quality conditions and concerns at Fire.AirNow.gov.

Seasonal Climate Forecast September – November 2024

https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/naturalresources/documents/weather/dlongrange.pdf

We’re not out of the woods just yet … Please take precautions to avoid sparking a human-caused fire, be familiar with evacuation levels, and have a go-kit ready in case you need to leave your home.” — We’ve had an unprecedented fire season already. Don’t be that spark that could lead to a tragedy! Check Conditions

Three Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Roles in Fatal Fentanyl Overdose of Southern Oregon Teenager

MEDFORD, Ore.—Three Oregon men were sentenced to federal prison Thursday for distributing fentanyl that caused the overdose death of a Medford teenager.

Hunter Fenstermaker, 23, a Medford resident, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison and six years’ supervised release; Napoleon Gomez, 22, also of Medford, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison and six years’ supervised release; and Conner Lee Francis, 27, of Portland, Oregon, was sentenced to 73 months in federal prison and four years’ supervised release. All three were also ordered to pay restitution to the victim’s family.

According to court documents, on September 7, 2021, officers from the Medford Police Department responded to a report of an overdose death of a local 17-year-old high school student. Investigators soon learned the teenager had taken a counterfeit Percocet pill containing fentanyl, and, within days, identified Fenstermaker, Gomez and Francis as the teen’s first-, second- and third-level drug suppliers.

On February 3, 2022, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a five-count indictment charging Fenstermaker and Gomez with distributing fentanyl, and Francis with possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

On April 9 and June 17, 2024, respectively, Fenstermaker and Gomez pleaded guilty to distributing fentanyl to a person under twenty-one. On June 24, 2024, Francis pleaded guilty to possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute.

On May 14, 2024, a fourth individual—John Rocha, 31, of Medford—was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for his role in the Medford teen’s overdose death. Rocha was the teen’s fourth-level drug supplier.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the Medford Police Department, and the Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement Team (MADGE). It was prosecuted by Marco A. Boccato, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

MADGE is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles local, multi-state, and international drug trafficking organizations using an intelligence-driven, multi-agency prosecutor-supported approach. MADGE is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) and is composed of members from the Medford Police Department, the Jackson County Sheriff and District Attorney’s Offices, the Jackson County Community Corrections, FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives. – U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Oregon

Bear Creek Stewardship Day

If you live in Phoenix, Oregon, we need your help! The Bear Creek Stewards are seeking volunteers to assist at one location in the Phoenix area for Bear Creek Stewardship Day on Saturday, September 21st from 9am to 12pm:

If you live in Phoenix, Oregon, we need your help! The Bear Creek Stewards are seeking volunteers to assist at one location in the Phoenix area for Bear Creek Stewardship Day on Saturday, September 21st from 9am to 12pm:

  · https://www.facebook.com/events/2178774529161330/

Blue Heron Park, Phoenix. Sponsored by Save The Phoenix Wetland and Pollinator Project Rogue Valley. There will be pollinator garden maintenance tasks, invasive plant removal in wetland areas (blackberry grubbing and cutting), and trash pick-up at this location. If you plan on assisting with pollinator garden maintenance or invasive plant removal and you have work gloves and loppers or digging tools such as mattock, pick, or spade – please bring them.

Volunteer and give back to Bear Creek at: bearcreekstewards.org 

Shop local, support small businesses! Discover a variety of locally crafted goods and unique finds at our Fall Market! Plus, indulge in the essence of spring with our seasonal beer samples! Our beer truck will be stationed outside, pouring the finest brews crafted by Wild River Brewing. Plus, tantalize your taste buds with exquisite local wines from Coventina and White Tail Ridge. Don’t miss out on this chance to discover your new favorites!

Quench your thirst with refreshing pints of Wild River Beer at unbeatable happy hour prices! Savor the flavors of our handcrafted brews while basking in the lively atmosphere of the Sunday Market. Enjoy exclusive specials, such as a mouthwatering slice of pizza topped with your favorite toppings, accompanied by a savory side, all for just $10.50! It’s a deal too good to pass up. Challenge your friends to a thrilling game of cornhole or test your stacking skills with giant Jenga! The excitement never ends with games and laughter throughout the day.  *Fall Market hosted at Medford Wild River 2684 N Pacific Hwy.  https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1039769251485652&set=a.502970078498908

Ashland and Central Point PD Investigate Child Exploitation Cases

On Tuesday September 17, 2024 a Jackson County Grand Jury convened to consider additional charges against Craig Johnson. Information presented by investigators and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office resulted in Johnson being indicted on the following charges:14 Counts of Using Child in Display of Sexually Explicit Conduct6 Counts of Attempted Using Child in Display of Sexually Explicit Conduct 2 Counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the 1st Degree1 Count of Invasion of Personal Privacy in the 1st Degree

Johnson remains in custody at the Jackson County Jail. The number of known victims in the Ashland area remains at six at this time.

This investigation in on going and additional updates will be proved as the investigation allows.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Lacie Six at APD 541-552-2125Ashland and Central Point PD Investigate Child Exploitation Cases

On 7/19/24 the Central Point Police Department received a report of potential sexual exploitation of a 5 year old child. Members of the Central Point Police Department Criminal Investigations Division took over the investigation. This complaint led to the arrest of Craig Albert Johnson, 68 years old, of Ashland. Johnson was lodged at the Jackson County Jail on 7/30/24 on the charges of Invasion of Personal Privacy in the First Degree, Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the First Degree and Using a Child in Display of Sexually Explicit Conduct. Johnson remains in custody as of this release.

During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Johnson was employed at the Children’s World Montessori School in Ashland and that additional instances of child exploitation had occurred at the school in Ashland. This discovery brought detectives from the Ashland Police Department into the investigation. Several victims have been identified and detectives are actively working on identifying additional potential victims. So far, all children found to have been victimized by Johnson are female. The Children’s World Montessori School is cooperating with this investigation.

The Ashland Police Department and Central Point Police Department understand the impact this has to our community and are actively working to investigate this matter. As the investigation proceeds additional criminal charges will be added as appropriate. In addition to APD and CPPD this case is receiving assistance from the Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force, the Jackson County Sexual Assault Response Team and the Jackson County District Attorney’s office. Anyone with information relating to this investigation is asked to please reach out to Detective Lacie Six with the Ashland Police Department.

OSP Fish & Wildlife seeks public assistance – Jackson County take and waste of bull elk 

Two Arrested in Shooting Incident; Medford Police Seek Public’s Help

RFP for Engineering for the Illinois Valley Fire District Hydrant Project

Speed Limit Reductions on Central Avenue and Riverside Avenue

You can schedule an appointment directly with our Intake Specialists through our website  https://firebrandcollective.org/harp/

Visita la página de HARP en nuestro sitio web para pedir cita hoy mismo.

 firebrandcollective.org/harp/

ALERT: MISSING PERSON: SPECIAL ATTENTION ALONG HWY 138 EAST

Myrtle Creek Police Department is working on a missing person case involving 69-year-old Kathleen Wilson, who left the Myrtle Creek area on the morning of August 5. Her vehicle, a red or maroon 2012 Chevy Cruz bearing Oregon license plate#747EDB, was last seen heading east on Highway 138E leaving Roseburg just before 7:00 AM.

Her intended destination is Chiloquin, Oregon in Klamath County, where she never arrived. Information so far is that she has medication she did not take with her and was getting confused while driving. She is currently listed as missing and endangered. If you see her or her vehicle, please call 541-440-4471 immediately.

Rogue Valley Humane Society  ·  We are very low on cat and almost out of kitten food for our Community Food Bank.

We have gone through a lot of both cat and kitten food this last couple of weeks. Any type, any variety would be greatly appreciated.

Our Community Food Bank exists to help folks who need an extra helping hand during a difficult month to feed their pets. Our program has a limited budget and so we rely on generous members of our community to donate some of these goods to continue to help assist our community.

In 2023 we fed an average of 700 pets a month! This equates to approximately 70 – 40lb bags of food each month!  Many pets have benefited from the community’s generosity, and we can’t thank you enough for your kindness.

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 more than 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

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. READ MORE HERE: https://www.newsweek.com/exclusive-what-happened-fauna-frey-new-clues-uncovered-1827197?fbclid=IwAR3Z3Glru5lIgqiYXbs_nA1Fj8JuCIzM11OHSVHfwIucfq2f_G5y9y5bnmQ 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

ODF Incident Management Teams’ Commitment to Oregon

– This week marked the 12^th deployment for the Oregon Department of Forestry’s incident management teams (IMT)—11 during fire season and one following the ice storm earlier this year.

An IMT is a group of specially trained and qualified personnel who together provide the type of highly adaptable and coordinated infrastructure necessary to manage elements associated with all types of emergencies. ODF’s three Type 1 IMTs are qualified to handle the most complex incidents and deploy all throughout Oregon, nationally and internationally to provide help when it is desperately needed.

The 1955 fire season revealed a gap in Oregon’s wildfire response capacity—a trained, qualified team of people able to come in and handle major fires when the incident management needs exceeded the capabilities of local resources. In 1956, ODF’s first incident management team deployed to do just that. Since then, ODF’s three IMTs have been deployed in state nearly 200 times. About a quarter of those deployments have been in just the past decade, corresponding with the increase in wildfire complexity and intensity we’ve been experiencing in Oregon.

While the majority of team deployments have been wildfire incidents, ODF’s IMTs are all-hazards qualified and have responded to a variety of other emergencies.  In recent years, the agency has supported Curry County’s response to a cyber security incident and Lane County’s response to the ice storm this past February. Early in the pandemic, our team members were tasked with helping establish the incident command structure necessary to sustain the state’s response to COVID-19.

“The professionalism, expertise and adaptability of our IMTs mean that we can answer the call to help our fellow Oregonians and their communities through more than just wildfires,” said ODF’s Protection Division Chief Chris Cline.

In fact, this week’s deployment is also for something other than wildfire response. This fire season was particularly intense for eastern Oregon, and the work doesn’t stop when the fire is contained. Once the flames are out, actions begin to repair damages caused by suppression efforts. ODF Team 3 was called in to provide the complex logistical and overhead support needed to assess more than 500 miles of fire line for suppression repair needs and get that work started.

Being part of an IMT requires significant commitment, especially during fire season. Standard deployments are 14 days in a stressful, austere environment. Staff typically work 16-hour days and then head to catch some sleep in a tent, in a field, or in a parking lot.

“ODF’s incident management teams are comprised of individuals committed to serving something bigger than themselves,” said Blake Ellis, ODF’s Fire Operations Manager.

But the bigger sacrifice is the year after year of missed birthdays, anniversaries, summer vacations and other quality time with family and friends.

“The hardest part isn’t the long hours and days, but rather being away from my loved ones and at times missing important moments,” said Jennifer Erdmann, ODF IMT 1 Planning Section Chief. “But we know that when we sign up to be a part of a team, in a way we’re signing our families up for it as well.”  — https://www.oregon.gov/osfm/fire-service-partners/pages/incident-management-teams.aspx

Feds grant more than $9 million to Oregon for wildfire prevention

As wildfires continue to threaten homes, rangeland and communities in Oregon, the federal government has announced millions in new funding to prevent the blazes that have blackened a record amount of acreage.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Tuesday it has approved $100 million to reduce the threat of wildfires in 14 states, including Oregon. The money will be used for restoring forest health, prescribed burns and other wildfire prevention strategies in 18 national forests that border homes and communities. The USDA, which oversees the Forest Service, allocated $9.4 million to forests in eastern and southern Oregon and $345,000 for a project in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in Washington, which is also expected to benefit Oregonians.

Preventing wildfires requires a collective effort from everyone—help mitigate the risk of human-caused wildfires and protect our forests and communities.

Monitor Fires in Oregon – Updated Daily

Large Fires in Oregon Past 2 Weeks 9/20/24 9:00am per INCIWEB

https://app.watchduty.org/

Please Help Prevent Wildfires!

In these dry conditions, a single spark can cause a lot of damage. Learn how you can prevent wildfires by visiting the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s wildfire prevention page.

U.S. Forest Service Hiring in Oregon

The U.S. Forest Service is looking to shore up its wildland firefighting force in the Pacific Northwest.  Recruitment events will take place across Oregon next month, with stops in Bend, Sandy and La Grande on September 12th, in an effort to hire a couple hundred permanent seasonal positions.

“That’s our goal, is to hire up to 200, maybe even a little more if we can, into these what we call entry level, perm-fire-hire positions, which are typically your six to nine-month timeframe employment within the agency,” said Jason Heinz who works in regional workforce development for the Forest Service.  He added those jobs are spread around Oregon, Washington and Alaska, and in most cases fill a currently vacant position.  Heinz says several factors make it more difficult to recruit wildland crews.

“We are increasing the number of individuals that work for the agency, our fire seasons are getting longer, burnout is a real thing. And so, we’re trying to work on adding more capacity to our crews so that we can have a better work-life balance.”  — Applications can be submitted now through September 24th. Visit USAJobs.gov to apply.

Oregon Farm Bureau — Thanks to the generous support of our agricultural community, we are now receiving both monetary and feed donations through our Wildfire Relief Fund. If you are a farmer or rancher affected by the wildfires, please take a moment to complete our short application for relief. https://www.oregonfb.org/

PEAK Fall Migration: September 19 – October 19 and the timing is perfect because there are RED ALERTS for the next three nights, with more than 16 million birds projected to be passing through Oregon skies! Many buildings in Portland have pledged to go #LightsOut tonight and we are hoping you will join them. Why go #LightsOut? As migrating birds pass over brightly lit cities, light pollution (skyglow) drowns out the stars, confusing them and luring them into urban areas.

 Once trapped in the windowed maze of the city, birds either hit buildings directly or circle them until they collapse from exhaustion. Lights Out programs help to prevent birds from being attracted to urban areas. In Chicago, one Lights Out building showed a 80% decrease in strike rates after joining the movement! Turning off unnecessary overnight lighting also helps us save energy (and ), reduces our carbon footprint, and protects our view of the stars. Visit bit.ly/BAO_LightsOut for more information about #LightsOut and what you can do.

Oregon’s Nonfarm Payroll Employment Rises by 1,500 Jobs in August

In August, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment gained 1,500 jobs, following a revised increase of 6,800 jobs in July. August’s gains were largest in private educational services (+2,000 jobs) and health care and social assistance (+1,200). Declines in August were largest in leisure and hospitality (-1,700 jobs) and government (-800).

Health care and social assistance expanded rapidly, adding 1,200 jobs in August and 16,100 jobs over the past 12 months. Social assistance grew by 8,100 jobs, or 11.0%, in 12 months. Meanwhile, the health-care component industries each added more than 2,000 jobs since August 2023: nursing and residential care facilities (+3,400 jobs, or 6.3%); ambulatory health care services (+3,300 jobs, or 3.3%); and hospitals (+2,300 jobs, or 3.9%).

Government cut 800 jobs over the month in August, but added 6,000 jobs, or 1.9%, since August 2023. In the past 12 months each of its three components grew: local government (+3,700 jobs, or 1.6%), state government (+1,400 jobs, or 3.0%), and federal government (+900 jobs, or 3.1%).

Despite gains over the past year in health care and government, several industries cut jobs. Three major industries declined by at least 3,000 jobs since August 2023: retail trade (-6,800 jobs, or -3.3%); professional and business services (-4,200 jobs, or -1.6%); and leisure and hospitality (-3,000 jobs, or -1.4%). And manufacturing, construction, information, and financial activities each declined by about 1%.

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.0% in August and 4.1% in July and has been in a tight range between 4.0% and 4.2% since October 2023. The U.S. unemployment rate was little changed at 4.2% in August from 4.3% in July.

OSP asking for the public’s help to locate wanted man —  Oregon State Police

Suspect wanted for sex crimes in Oregon and Alabama

WASCO COUNTY, Ore. 9 Sept. 2024 – Oregon State Police and the Mobile (Alabama) Police Department are seeking the public’s help to locate Adam Renk (39) who is wanted in both states for sex crimes against child victims.

On June 21, 2024, OSP detectives responded to a sexual abuse disclosure made by a minor. The minor disclosed Renk as the perpetrator. Renk has since been indicted on multiple crimes against a child victim under the age of 12. He is charged with Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree, Sodomy in the First Degree, and Sexual Abuse in the First Degree.

As part of their investigation, OSP detectives learned Renk had been charged in another case involving a minor victim in Mobile, Alabama. The Alabama charges include Child Sexual Abuse and Torture involving an 11-year-old victim. The victims in the two states are not related. Alabama law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Marshals Service are attempting to locate Renk who posted bond in Alabama and was released from pre-trial custody.

Renk was last seen leaving Alabama on August 7, 2024. He has ties to Oregon and Wasco County. He is believed to be traveling in a converted Ford Ambulance that is now painted two-toned white over gray. Renk is a white male, 6 ft. 1 in. tall, 175 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair.

Anyone with information about Renk’s whereabouts or information about possible additional victims is asked to contact the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office at 541-506-2580 or OSP Detective Cassie Bantz through dispatch at 800-442-0776 or by dialing OSP (677) on a mobile phone.

Oregon election officials say data entry error added 306 noncitizens to voter rolls, two voted

State election officials and Gov. Tina Kotek stressed that the error was caught and won’t affect the 2024 election

The Oregon agency that issues driver’s licenses erroneously registered more than 300 non-citizens to vote, though state officials say only two people actually cast ballots.

State Elections Director Molly Woon told the Capital Chronicle that she received a call late Thursday afternoon from the administrator of the Driver and Motor Vehicle Services division of the Oregon Department of Transportation, telling her that DMV staff caught a data entry error that led to the division wrongly classifying some noncitizens as citizens. State election officials spent Friday reviewing that information and working with county clerks to ensure those people won’t receive ballots unless and until they prove they’re eligible to vote.

The error is not large enough to impact the outcome of the state’s elections – more than 3 million people are registered to vote in Oregon, and the 306 cases identified by state officials are 0.01% of the state’s voters.

Ben Morris, chief of staff to Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade, said the DMV is continuing to investigate whether there are any more issues, and there is time to rectify any additional mistakes. Ballots won’t be mailed to voters for another month.

“We can say that this error will not impact the 2024 election, and I want to emphasize that point as much as possible. This error will not impact the 2024 election,” he said.

The error, first reported by Willamette Week, resulted from DMV staff erroneously marking noncitizens who obtained driver’s licenses as citizens, such as by miscategorizing foreign birth certificates as U.S. birth certificates and foreign passports as U.S. passports.

Since January 2016, Oregon has automatically registered citizens to vote when they obtain or renew driver’s licenses, permits or nonoperating IDs. A 2019 state law, meanwhile, eliminated a requirement that applicants prove they’re citizens or legal residents when obtaining a driver’s license.

People applying for driver’s licenses need to bring proof of their identity – like a birth certificate, passport, naturalization documents or visa – as well as proof of an Oregon address, such as a utility bill or rental agreement. Only applicants who provide documents that prove citizenship, like a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport or certificate of naturalization, are supposed to be registered to vote.

DMV administrator Amy Joyce said in a statement that the DMV discovered the error while “proactively analyzing” its system ahead of the 2024 election. The erroneous registrations it identified were based on foreign passports being entered as U.S. passports. The department is continuing to go through registrations tied to birth certificates, and that may take another two weeks, she said.

The DMV added a new prompt on its data entry screen to ensure front desk staff accurately enter citizenship information and has begun daily auditing of all transactions to verify materials are accurate before sending them to the Elections Division, Joyce added.

Woon said the secretary of state’s office is continuing to look into the two people who were not citizens when they were automatically registered to vote and will forward the issue to the start Department of Justice if it appears they violated the law.

“I want to emphasize that these folks were registered by no fault of their own,” she said. “I think that will certainly be taken into consideration. The first order of business, however, will be to see if the citizenship status of these people has changed. Because these records date from 2021 to today, it’s possible that their status has changed, and perhaps they are citizens, and that’s why they have a voter record. We’ll need to do a little bit more digging to sort that out first.”

Gov. Tina Kotek said in a statement that she has been fully briefed on the situation and will continue to closely monitor it. She noted that it would affect 0.01% of the state’s registered voters and will not impact the 2024 election in any way.

“Oregon’s electoral system is one of the most secure, effective and accessible in the nation,” Kotek said. “The error in data entry which may have affected the voter eligibility of some Oregonian’s voter registration was discovered because the Oregon DMV and the secretary of state were doing their due diligence ahead of the 2024 election.”

Griffin-Valade said safeguarding the integrity of elections is her top priority, while praising automatic voter registration.

“When my office was made aware of this error, we moved quickly to update the voter rolls,” she said. “I am also personally calling on the DMV to take immediate action to improve its processes to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Automatic voter registration has been hugely beneficial for thousands of eligible Oregon voters to ensure access to our democracy. I’m confident the DMV is rectifying this error and improving their process, so it doesn’t happen again.”  (READ MORE)

To register to vote, visit here:

135 arts organizations receive FY2025 Small Operating Grants from the Oregon Arts Commission

Salem, Oregon – Small grants that make a big difference for ensuring access to arts programming, especially in rural areas, have been awarded to 135 arts organizations by the Oregon Arts Commission. Each organization will receive $2,355.

Small Operating Grants support arts organizations throughout the state with annual budgets of less than $150,000. Eligibility is limited to organizations that provide ongoing, sustained artistic and outreach programming and have current IRS 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status.

“Although the Drexel H. Foundation and our community is rural and small compared to other parts of Oregon, our impact is huge,” said Sandijean Fuson, president of the Drexel H. Foundation in Vale. “This grant helps us keep an unbroken existence of programs that we’ve had for over 25 years, reminding our community they are important.”

“The Small Operating Grant has always been instrumental to the Astoria Arts and Movement Center’s ability to provide programming and serve our community,” said Jessamyn Grace West, executive director of the Astoria Arts and Movement Center. “Oregon Arts Commission consistently manages to reach the far corners of the state and support organizations that have limited operating budgets, volunteer staff and minimal access to funding. I feel the work that small organizations do in their communities is just as vital, especially in rural areas, which is why we are so grateful for this ongoing support.”

“This grant program was developed to increase the Arts Commission’s support of Oregon’s small but mighty arts providers,” said Arts Commission Chair Subashini Ganesan-Forbes. “These organizations frequently represent the only arts presenter for remote and under-resourced regions of the state.”

For more information about the Small Operating Grant Program, contact Tiffany Harker at 971-719-6169 or tiffany.harker@biz.oregon.gov. —- FY2025 Small Operating Grants by region: https://www.oregon.gov/biz/aboutus/artscommission/news/Pages/135_arts_organizations_receive_FY2025_Small_Operating_Grants.aspx

The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, funding and arts programs through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission became part of Business Oregon (formerly Oregon Economic and Community Development Department) in 1993, in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities. In 2003, the Oregon legislature moved the operations of the Oregon Cultural Trust to the Arts Commission, streamlining operations and making use of the Commission’s expertise in grantmaking, arts and cultural information and community cultural development.

The Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by the Oregon Legislature and with federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust. More information about the Oregon Arts Commission is available online at artscommission.oregon.gov.

Two deputy directors at Oregon police certification agency are fired; third employee resigns

Officials decline to discuss the firings at the agency which recently largely cleared a training backlog that was hurting police offices statewide

Two deputy directors at the Oregon agency that trains and certifies police officers were fired last month and a third employee quit, public records obtained by the Capital Chronicle show.

The Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training fired Brian Henson and Staci Yutzie, both deputy directors, on Aug. 30, agency records show. A defensive tactics coordinator, Richard Daniel, resigned on Aug. 15. Henson worked at the agency more than 20 years as did Daniel, Sam Tenney, the agency’s spokesperson said. Yutzie spent more than 11 years there.

“Due to the sensitivity of personnel matters, we are unable to comment or provide additional information,” Sam Tenney, a spokesperson for the agency, said in an email to the Capital Chronicle.

With a 237-acre campus in Salem, the agency plays a major role in law enforcement in Oregon. It trains new hires for about 200 agencies across the state so they can perform patrol and other work. And it has certified more than 41,000 public safety and security professionals in Oregon, including 911 dispatchers, private investigators and firefighters.

The agency has the equivalent of nearly 185 full-time budgeted staff, but its total headcount is 448 because many employees are part-time instructors.

In July, the Oregonian/Oregonlive.com reported the three officials were placed on administrative leave in May and under a personnel investigation, though the agency did not disclose the reason for that. In a LinkedIn post two weeks ago, Yutzie confirmed she had left the agency but did not disclose the circumstances.

“After 11 years of breaking the mold at DPSST and in police training in general, I am off to new adventures,” Yutzie wrote.

Yutzie declined to elaborate in a private message to the Capital Chronicle, but said: “I wholeheartedly stand behind the work I did for public safety and the citizens of Oregon.” She added that she was a “dedicated and decorated public servant who has successfully addressed some of Oregon’s most pressing police training challenges.”

“We built a contemporary training program that has empirically demonstrated its effectiveness and established us as national and international leaders in police training. The mission of DPSST will always hold a place in my heart, and I am confident that the training team will continue to serve Oregon well,” she said.

A deputy director for 13 months, Yutzie also worked at the agency as a class training coordinator, program development coordinator in charge of public safety training academy programming and training division director.

Yutzie said in her message to the Capital Chronicle that under her leadership her team had eliminated a training backlog that had developed over the last five years due to high turnover at police agencies.

New police officers are required to attend the 16-week basic police training course at the agency’s academy within 90 days of their hiring. The backlog made it difficult for police departments across Oregon to hire and train their officers in a timely manner.

In June, Castle and Kotek announced the state had eliminated the backlog. With additional legislative funding, the agency added three 60-student classes and three additional 40-student classes through a partnership with Oregon State Police.

On Wednesday, Tenney said the backlog is still eliminated, with the agency enrolling new officers within 90 days, as required by state law.  (READ MORE)

Oregon to Receive $43 Million Federal Funding for Roads Damaged By Winter Storms and Floods

Oregon will receive nearly $43 million from the federal government to repair roads damaged by recent natural disasters, the state’s two U.S. senators announced Monday.

The influx of federal funding comes as the state struggles to fill transportation funding gaps. The Oregon Department of Transportation estimated it will face a deficit of more than $350 million in the 2025-27 budget if lawmakers don’t pass a substantial funding package in the upcoming legislative session.

The new federal money, part of more than $800 million allocated nationwide, will reimburse state and federal agencies for repairing damage caused by winter storms, atmospheric rivers and thunderstorms since 2019. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, both Democrats, said they’ll continue working to bring back money when natural disasters strike.

“Oregonians in every corner of the state have faced dangerous storms in recent years, which have taken a heavy toll on the infrastructure they need to move safely,” Merkley said. “State and federal agencies went to work to repair and rebuild the roads and other important infrastructure that powers our communities, and these investments will help cover the cost of their essential efforts. I will keep working to ensure Oregon has the tools needed to recover and become more resilient in the face of future storms while we take on the climate chaos that is intensifying these disasters.”

Oregon’s award was one of the largest in the country, behind California, Puerto Rico, Florida, Vermont and Tennessee. California’s $183 million will go toward addressing damage caused by fires, flooding, tropical storms and earthquakes. Florida and Puerto Rico each received $110 million for damage caused by hurricanes, while Vermont received $55 million and Tennessee $46 million for severe storms and landslides.

“From northeast Oregon to southwest Oregon and many points in between, natural disasters have slammed communities throughout our state,” Wyden said. “This federal aid will help Oregon cities and counties cover the expenses they incurred recovering from severe storms, floods and more.”

About half of the new federal money, more than $21.3 million, was for damage from severe winter storms in December 2022. Heavy rain caused landslides, including one that threatened to block Interstate 84 near Ontario and one that wiped out a portion of U.S. Highway 101 for several days in January 2023.

Another $11.4 million was for Oregon Department of Transportation repairs to signs and roads damaged by a storm this January that blanketed much of the state in ice and led to flooding and landslides in southern Oregon.

ODOT will also receive three smaller grants: almost $738,000 for responding to June 2023 thunderstorms in Harney and Malheur counties that closed U.S. 20 for five days, $631,000 for washouts west of the Cascades caused by atmospheric rivers in December 2023 and $80,000 for storms in May and June 2022 that damaged Interstate 84, U.S. 26 and Oregon 204 in central and eastern Oregon.

The U.S. Forest Service will receive about $5.8 million as reimbursement for roads and culverts damaged by a six-day atmospheric river in and around the Umatilla National Forest in February 2020 and almost $641,000 for its response to a December 2022 atmospheric river in southwest Oregon. It’s also getting $600,000 for repairing forest service roads and culverts damaged by late winter storms in southern Oregon in 2019.

About $1.4 million is for the Bureau of Land Management’s work restoring roads and culverts damaged in southwest Oregon in December 2023, when warm temperatures and heavy rain paired with melted snow to wash out roads and down trees. (SOURCE)

Kroger & Albertsons Make Final Pitch Before a Judge Decides Whether to Block Merger

The federal government urged a U.S. District Court judge on Tuesday to temporarily prevent a proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons, saying in closing arguments the combination would “almost certainly” benefit shareholders and not everyday shoppers.

Lawyers for the Federal Trade Commission and for the supermarket chains gave their closing arguments at the end of a three-week hearing on the commission’s request for a preliminary injunction to block the $24.6 billion deal.

Kroger and Albertsons argued their merger would preserve consumer choice by allowing them to better compete against growing rivals like Walmart, Costco and Amazon.

“If we don’t do something, the corner grocery store is in real danger,” Kroger attorney Matt Wolf said.

U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson must now decide whether to grant the injunction while the FTC’s anti-trust complaint goes goes before an in-house administrative law judge. Nelson said she would work “expeditiously” on her decision, but she didn’t say when she would rule.

Kroger and Albertsons proposed what would be the largest supermarket merger in U.S. history in 2022. The FTC alleged the merger would eliminate competition and lead to higher food prices for already struggling customers.

Six local chapters of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which together represent 100,000 Kroger and Albertsons workers in 12 states, said in a joint statement Tuesday that the companies can’t be trusted. Shares in both Kroger and Albertsons fell 2% in trading Tuesday. (SOURCE)

(Salem) – The application deadline for the new Summer EBT program has been extended to midnight Sept. 30, 2024. The program offers $120 per child to help cover grocery costs when school food programs are not as easy to access. Eligible families should act now.

Thousands of families may be unaware that they qualify for this essential benefit. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) urge families to check their eligibility and apply before the extended deadline. Remember, once benefits are received, they must be used within 122 days.

Most eligible children received their benefits automatically on June 28, 2024, if their households:

1. Participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
2. Participate in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
3. Are Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) members in households with incomes under 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level

Children in foster care also automatically received Summer EBT.

However, families who did not receive benefits automatically, particularly those with children enrolled in a school during the 2023-2024 school year who were eligible for the National School Lunch or Breakfast Programs, should still apply to determine their eligibility.

Families are encouraged to visit sebt.oregon.gov or contact the Summer EBT Call Center to verify their eligibility and apply. ODHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht said, “We are grateful to our federal partners for making this extension. The extra time is so important for us to reach families who may be eligible because we know access to nutritious food is critical.”

“Staying engaged in school and active in life requires proper nutrition,” said ODE Director Dr. Charlene Williams. “We know that there are many more families out there who have children who may be eligible for the $120 Summer EBT benefit and this important extension boosts our opportunity to reach them.”

Since June 28, 2024, more than 336,198 eligible school-aged children have been issued $40.3 million in Summer EBT food benefits. More than 60 percent of families receiving benefits in the initial issuance were able to immediately use benefits on existing Oregon EBT cards; the rest received new cards in July.

Act now and don’t let this opportunity pass by. Make sure your family receives the assistance it deserves by applying for Summer EBT before midnight Sept. 30, 2024.

To learn more:

1. Call 833-ORE-SEBT (833-673-7328). The call center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
2. Visit sebt.oregon.gov.

Local Mt. Bachelor, Oregon Buyer Group Launches New Website

Mount Bachelor Community Inc.—the local group seeking to purchase Mount Bachelor after the resort was put up for sale by its current owners POWDR Corporation—has launched a website.

The site is divided into three main groups, each detailing aspects of Mount Bachelor Community Inc .

The ‘Contribute’ tab provides several channels for those interested in getting involved with the project, whether that’s volunteering or donating (“We’ll soon be launching a GoFundMe campaign to support our effort to purchase Mount Bachelor as a community,” the site reads). One field allows web visitors to share their personal Mount Bachelor story.

Another tab details investment opportunities with Mount Bachelor Community Inc. and covers two investor types: accredited investors and community contributions.

The final tab provides further details about Mount Bachelor Community Inc.’s mission, which, according to the website, is “to own and manage Mt. Bachelor with a focus on environmental care, supporting mountain enthusiasts, and reinvesting profits to boost the local economy.” Mount Bachelor Community Inc. aims to achieve B Corp status, a designation offered by B Lab, a non-profit that recognizes companies for their commitment to various social and environmental criteria. Notable outdoor industry B Corps include Patagonia and Taos Ski Valley.

The push for community ownership, helmed by Chris Porter and Dan Cochrane, is holding a kickoff event on October 12th. More details about the event are forthcoming.

“It’s been an overwhelming amount of support from people who want to donate their time, donate their money, invest, just pledge their support, or be involved,” Porter told POWDER last week, describing the community response to he and Cochrane’s effort. “So many people have reached out to us.”

Further information about the status of the Mt. Bachelor sale isn’t known. POWDR Corp. noted that they’ve received interest in the resort, but hasn’t named any specific parties. The sale doesn’t have a timeline and will “take as long as it takes,” according to Stacey Hutchinson, POWDR Corp.’s vice president of communications and government affairs.

POWDR Corp.’s latest planned sale—Killington, Vermont—will result in local passholder ownership, but that exchange may not have any bearing on what the company intends to do with Mt. Bachelor. In the meantime, Porter and Cochrane are committed to returning Mt. Bachelor to local skiers and snowboarders.

“We’ve really caught lightning in a bottle here,” said Porter.

To check out the website and learn more about the project, click here. — (SOURCE)

Press Release: Make Waves — Registration for the 2024 Beach & Riverside Cleanup is Now Open

 – SOLVE invites volunteers to make a global impact this September by joining the annual Beach & Riverside Cleanup. From September 20 through September 28, families, community members, student groups, and nature enthusiasts from all stages of life will gather across Oregon and Southwest Washington for a 10-day event series with a variety of projects to choose from. Registration is now open for this vital community effort to protect and restore our coastlines, rivers, and public lands.

Connecting Local Actions to Global Movements – September 21 is International Coastal Cleanup Day, uniting millions of volunteers worldwide to protect our coasts and waterways from harmful trash and debris. This global movement amplifies the impact of local efforts, uniting communities for cleaner environments. The Beach & Riverside Cleanup wraps up on September 28 with National Public Lands Day, the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event, focusing on trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and native tree planting.

Join the Effort – “After a season of heavy use, our rivers and beaches need care,” says Kris Carico, SOLVE’s Chief Executive Officer. “This event is a cherished tradition and a powerful force for change. We encourage everyone to get involved and make a lasting impact on our environment.”

SOLVE will host over 50 project sites across Oregon and SW Washington, from the Oregon Coast to the Willamette Valley and beyond. Last year, more than 1,500 volunteers removed 20,000 pounds of trash. Since 1986, the event has cleared over 2.5 million pounds of litter from Oregon’s natural areas. Volunteer registration is open for posted events and SOLVE is still seeking additional projects. Interested event leaders should register their events as soon as possible to fully maximize SOLVE’s support, resources, and everything needed to host a successful event.

New Supply Hubs for Event Leaders – This year, SOLVE is making it easier for event leaders by launching five supply hubs at South Beach, Fort Stevens, Cape Lookout, Cape Blanco, and Sunset Bay. These hubs are equipped with reusable supplies like litter grabbers, vests, and buckets sponsored by Knife River. This partnership with Oregon Parks and Recreation strengthens SOLVE’s mission to provide even more volunteers with reusable supplies and host cleanup events with sustainability in mind.

Be Part of the Change – Join thousands of volunteers to protect our waterways, restore natural areas this September, and contribute to a cleaner, healthier Oregon. As the event dates approach, more details on project sites and opportunities will be released. For more information and to register, visit https://www.solveoregon.org/beach-riverside.

2024 Sponsors – SOLVE’s Beach & Riverside Cleanup 2024 is proudly supported by Chevron, Clean Water Services, Daimler Truck North America, Fred Meyer, Harper Houf Peterson Righellis Inc., Here is Oregon, Keen Footwear, Knife River, KOIN, Metro, NEEF, Oregon Parks and Recreation, and Owens Corning.

About SOLVE – SOLVE brings communities together to take care of our environment and enhance our waterways. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots group to a national model for volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains tens of thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon and Southwest Washington to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas and to build a legacy of stewardship for our state. Visit solveoregon.org for more information.

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