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 27, 2024

Rogue Valley Weather

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… DON’T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN – Fire  Season still in progress. Many people let their guard down because fall has arrived. Major fires can get started in October and November. Fire season will not end until we really hit full speed on the cooler weather, rain, and snow coming to stay. Until then, be vigilant and do everything you can to prevent the spark that could be the next serious fire.

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

Missing McMinnville Woman Found Dead in East of Glide

Sadly, a missing woman from McMinnville has been found dead in Douglas County.

A missing woman from McMinnville has been found dead in Douglas County. According to the Myrtle Creek Police Department, an ODOT employee spotted a vehicle down a steep embankment along Highway 138 approximately 35 miles east of Glide Wednesday morning.

Police identified the vehicle as belonging to 69-year-old Kathleen Wilson of McMinnville. She had been reported missing back on August 5th. Pending official identification from the medical examiner, it is believed to be Wilson’s body that was found inside the vehicle.

The preliminary investigation indicates Wilson was driving eastbound on Highway 138 when for an unknown reason her vehicle traveled across the roadway and down the embankment on the opposite side of the highway.  —   Myrtle Creek police were assisted by ODOT, OSP, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Forest Service.

OSP seizes almost half a million fentanyl-laced pills – Douglas County

– An Oregon State Police trooper recently stopped 100 pounds of fentanyl-laced pills from making it to Portland.

On Sept. 24, 2024, at about 1 p.m., an Oregon State Trooper stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation on Interstate 5 in Douglas County. Upon contact with the operator of the silver Volkswagen SUV, the trooper suspected possible criminal activity and received consent to search the vehicle.

During the search, the trooper discovered and seized 100 pounds of fentanyl-laced pills – approximately 450,000 individual doses – from inside the vehicle. The suspect acknowledged the pills were destined for Portland.

Due to the large quantity of illegal substances seized, the suspect, Gustavo Alonso Franco Valenzuela (32) of Los Angeles (CA), was arrested and federally charged with delivery of a controlled substance.

The investigation is ongoing, and no additional information is available for release at this time.

JMET Search Warrant: White Schoolhouse Rd, Cave Junction 

DETAILS: On September 25, 2024, the Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) executed a search warrant in the 1000 block of White Schoolhouse Road, Cave Junction, regarding an illegal marijuana grow site. The warrant was executed with the assistance of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) and Josephine County Public Health & Building Safety. The suspect in this case had an OLCC license for marijuana at the property in an attempt to shield themselves from law enforcement action against their illicit activity. Despite having a license for a small portion of the property, the suspect knowingly and willingly grew marijuana far outside the scope of which their license legally allowed.

During the execution of the warrant, approximately 200 pounds of processed marijuana and 400 marijuana plants were seized and destroyed.

The property also had multiple electrical, water, and solid waste code violations. These violations could result in the criminal forfeiture of the property.

While authorities were on scene, they identified Sharon Margulis as the primary suspect; he was not on scene during the time of the search. The above charges for Sharon have been forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office.

At the time of this press release the investigation is ongoing and no further details are being released.

Task Force Busts Remote Forest Black-Market Cannabis Grow; Investigators Find Water Theft, Guns, Chemicals, Poaching, Excessive Amounts of Trash; Code Enforcement Issues $25K in Fines to Landowners

Video available for download: https://vimeo.com/1012916267?share=copy#t=0

JCSO Case 24-5111 — RURAL JACKSONVILLE, Ore. – Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) detectives served a search warrant the morning of Thursday, September 19, at a black-market cannabis grow in a heavily forested remote area on Yale Creek Road south of Jacksonville. The property was littered with piles of trash, broken down cars, tires, fertilizers, chemicals, and other environmental hazards. The grow was also illegally siphoning water from a nearby creek on National Forest land.

During the search warrant IMET detectives seized approximately 3,978 illegal marijuana plants, and six firearms. There was no licensing for any type of cannabis growing, handling, or processing at this location. IMET was assisted by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) and Josephine County Sheriff’s Office deputies, as well as Oregon State Police (OSP) detectives.

Two suspects were detained on scene and charges of felony marijuana manufacture and possession are being referred to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. Detectives also found evidence of suspected poaching on scene, which has been turned over to the OSP Fish & Wildlife division for potential prosecution.

During the search warrant, Jackson County Code Enforcement responded to the scene and issued a total of $25,000 in fines to two separate landowners. The fines were issued for violations related to unpermitted construction including an unpermitted dwelling, failure to obtain land use approval for marijuana production, utilizing a camping vehicle within a marijuana production area, and solid waste.

Oregon Water Resources Department Enforcement section Watermasters also responded to investigate the property’s water usage. Watermasters issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to the responsible parties for the unauthorized appropriation of water from a tributary of Yale Creek. This type of water violation is subject to both civil and criminal penalties.

While regulatory agencies investigate permitted cannabis operations, IMET is focusing on the black-market marijuana trade in the Rogue Valley. IMET is a multi-agency task force funded by a grant from the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. The task force includes personnel from JCSO, Homeland Security Investigations, OSP, Medford Police Department, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s office.

Investigations are open and ongoing with detectives working additional leads. No further information is currently available for release.

String of Fires Started in Southern Oregon Along I-5 Being Investigated

Agencies will be working together through the investigation to determine the cause of fire for each incident.

Medford’s Outgoing Mail Handling Challenged By Oregon State Senators

Senators Challenge USPS Mail Handling

Demanding that Postmaster General Louis DeJoy reverse his position to relocate outgoing mail operations at the regional postal distribution center in Medford, U.S., Senators Ron Wyden (D) and Jeff Merkley (D) share the grave concerns of the residents of Southern Oregon that the consolidation of processes poses significant negative consequences for the efficiency of postal services and the community.

The Medford processing center has a crucial role- to ensure the mail of residents, businesses, and government agencies is delivered timeously.

The senators say the consolidation of the facility resulted in mail delivery delays, impacting essential services. They said the consolidation is felt by those who rely on prompt and reliable postal services, especially seniors, rural Oregonians, and small businesses in the region.

Highlighting that Oregon state votes entirely by mail, the senators expressed confidence a solution can be found that strengthens the Postal Service and serves the needs of local communities in Southern Oregon with thoughtful consideration. They do not see downgrading the Medford site as a solution.

Oregonians Have Concerns About USPS Mail Services

The USPS Office of Inspector General recently issued a report illustrating Oregonians’ concerns over delays in first-class mail deliveries, echoed the Senator’s letter.

In a Senate speech delivered by Merkley in July, he called attention to the urgent United States Postal Service (USPS) issues affecting Oregonians, focussing on first-hand stories of Oregonians who rely on the Postal Service for everything including staying in touch with loved ones, lifesaving medications, and running their small businesses.

The restructuring plan was labeled by DeJoy ‘Delivering for America’ but Merkely said a better name would be ‘Delaying Mail in America.’ He said despite USPS leadership claims that downgrades won’t slow deliveries, every delivery route will be slower when over 500 miles are added. Merkley says this is already happening in his home state.

Despite the downgrade of services, the USPS continues to raise prices. A single stamp costs 73 cents as of July 14. Merkley said while the USPS calls the new system ‘more efficient and cost-effective,’ he calls it ‘paying more and getting less.’ Rural communities are the most severely affected by the price hikes and delivery delays.

Merkley said DeJoy’s downgrades must be reversed now to restore reliable, affordable mail delivery. He suggests the ‘Delivering for America’ plan be returned to the sender. (SOURCE)

EPHS Students design SRO Graphics 

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

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

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

RFP for Engineering for the Illinois Valley Fire District Hydrant Project

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/

Southern Oregon hosting workplace safety and health conference Oct. 15-17

Rogue Valley Humane Society  · Donations Always Needed to Help Community

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

Oregon reaches historic number of people with health coverage

The Oregon Health Insurance Survey estimates a record 97 percent of Oregonians insured in 2023

Salem, OR – New data from Oregon Health Authority (OHA) estimates that 97 percent of Oregonians have health coverage, the highest recorded insured rate in state history. Health insurance coverage numbers are sourced from OHA’s Oregon Health Insurance Survey (OHIS), which informs how many Oregonians are covered by health insurance statewide, and gathers information about medical bills, medical debt, and the ability to get healthcare.

“Every Oregonian deserves an opportunity to be healthy, and access to affordable health care through the Oregon Health Plan is part of the equation,” Governor Kotek said. “I am proud of the work Oregon has done to maintain health insurance coverage for thousands of Oregonians after the pandemic.”

The high insured rate comes from a multi-year state effort to help people obtain and keep coverage, including through:

• The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) went into effect in 2014, Oregon has seen a 12 percent increase in people covered. The ACA has made health coverage more affordable for Oregonians by offering premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions. More than 145,000 Oregonians currently have health insurance through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace and more than 80 percent are receiving financial help.
• Oregon Health Plan (OHP). Because of the ACA, Oregon was able to extend OHP coverage to approximately 400,000 Oregonians who lacked health insurance. There are currently more than 1.4 million Oregonians covered by OHP, the state’s Medicaid program. Oregon has the highest rate in the nation for keeping people covered throughout post-COVID Medicaid renewals, due to strategic efforts including community outreach, using automated systems to minimize the need for members to respond, and offering more time for members to respond than any other state.
• OHP Bridge. A new eligibility category called OHP Bridge, made available in July 2024, offers OHP coverage to people with higher than previously allowed incomes. There are currently more than 26,000 people covered through OHP Bridge, which is the only offering of its kind in the country to provide coverage with no member costs, including no premiums, co-payments, or deductibles. In preparation for OHP Bridge, Oregon was able to keep eligible individuals covered throughout the 2023 Medicaid renewal process.
• Healthier Oregon. Starting in July 2022, Oregon began offering a path to health coverage for people who meet all other criteria except immigration status. Close to 90,000 people, including more than 10,000 children, now have access to preventive care and other important health services. Oregon was the first state in the country to offer this opportunity to all ages.
• Extended Coverage Options. Oregon applied for and received authority to keep kids and adults on OHP for longer periods of time. Starting in January 2023, children who qualify for OHP can now be covered from birth to age six, regardless of changes to their household circumstance or income. Adults may now be able to keep OHP benefits for two years, instead of one.

OHA Director Dr. Sejal Hathi said, “Access to affordable health coverage is the cornerstone of human dignity and the chance to live a healthy life. Through all of Oregon’s extraordinary efforts, health care for all is on the path to becoming a reality, making it possible for everyone in our communities to reach their full potential and well-being.”

Data from OHIS are included in an interactive dashboard, which allows people to explore demographic and geographic information from 2011 – 2023.  Additional data in the dashboard show that:

• Approximately one third (32.4 percent) of the remaining uninsured Oregonians are likely eligible for Oregon Health Plan (OHP) statewide.
• Premiums being too expensive on plans offered via employers was the most common reason people cited for being uninsured.
• In 2023, 7.7 percent of Hispanic or Latinx Oregonians reported being uninsured, down from 27 percent in 2011. While increases in insurance rates were seen among each race or ethnicity group between 2011 and 2023, disparities for communities of color remain.

The dashboard is available on the OHA web site, as well as a data brief on the Health Policy and Analytics web page.

Oregonians can apply for OHP, including OHP Bridge, at any time. For coverage through Oregon’s Health Insurance Marketplace, people can apply and enroll during open enrollment (Nov. 1 to Jan. 15) or within 60 days of a qualifying life alert. A tool to locate health coverage programs and savings can be found at: OregonHealthCare.gov/WindowShop.

Nearly five months in, Oregon wildfire season expected to last into mid-October

Oregon’s forest and fire leaders were succinct in describing this year’s wildfire season to a group of Oregon senators.

“It just won’t quit is essentially where we’re at, and our folks are really tired,” Kyle Williams, deputy director of fire operations at the Oregon Department of Forestry, told the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire on Tuesday.

Williams and two others – Doug Graffe, Gov. Tina Kotek’s wildfire and military advisor; and Travis Medema, a chief deputy for the Oregon State Fire Marshal – told senators the state would likely wrap up its now five-monthlong fire season in mid-October, following a record 1.9 million acres burned. That’s  nearly three times as many acres as the state’s 10-year average.

Medema said projections from the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center, which coordinates wildfire resources, showed one or two more “significant event days” before the state is fully out of the 2024 wildfire season.

The Oregon Department of Forestry is currently fighting a 300-acre fire near Coos Bay and the Fossil Complex in eastern Oregon, made up of five fires over nearly 25,000 acres.

“We’re finally on the downhill of the slope,” Williams said, but warned that forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration show 10 days ahead of dry and above average temperatures. “What’s next is what we’re focused on, and we’re in good shape. We’re mostly back in the barn ready to go again.”

The bulk of the wildfires have burned through east Oregon grass and shrub, with about 25% of it in forestland, according to the Wildland Mapping Institute. More than one-third of all acres blackened have been on private land, and about 62% has been on federal land. Most wildfires are caused by humans, according to the interagency coordination center, but this year the bulk of blazes have started from natural causes, such as lightning.

The wildfires prompted Kotek to declare a statewide emergency and ask for federal help and regulatory flexibility for farmers and ranchers. She’s also invoked the Conflagration Act 17 times this year, with the latest invocation on Sept. 10 for the Service Fire in Wheeler County. The act unleashes resources to fight blazes that threaten lives, communities or key infrastructure. (SOURCE)

Oregon Faces Elevated Fire Risk This Weekend Amid Gusty Winds

Breezy winds and dry conditions this weekend will elevate fire concerns across Oregon, particularly in the Pendleton area and surrounding regions.

Wind gusts are expected to intensify Saturday evening, with peak speeds between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday. Residents should remain cautious, especially in areas like the Lower Columbia Basin and Central Oregon. Humidities as low as 15% will increase the fire risk, although conditions have not yet reached red flag criteria.

According to the National Weather Service, residents are advised to avoid outdoor burning and ensure trailer chains are secured to prevent sparks on roadways. Drivers along U.S. Route 395 should exercise extra caution as winds pick up. Fire risks may continue into early next week, so residents are encouraged to stay alert and follow local advisories for updates.

Oregon Department of Forestry is out of money, seeking more to pay for the costliest wildfire season in state history

The Oregon Department of Forestry needs emergency funding to pay for the most expensive wildfire season in state history, with record-high costs of $250 million and counting, KGW reports.

As of mid-September, more than 1.9 million acres of land had burned across Oregon — nearly double the acreage burned in the notorious 2020 wildfire season, and far above any other year in ODF’s recorded history.

“The scale -. people have to see it to understand just how many acres burned across the state this summer,” said Kyle Williams, ODF’s deputy director for fire operations. “Just because the smoke wasn’t present in our more populated areas doesn’t mean that (wildfires) weren’t deeply impactful.”

ODF has now exhausted its funds. In order to pay firefighters and contractors, the department is returning to its usual process of acquiring more money from the state — except this time, it may not be enough. Outside of the legislative session, agencies turn to Oregon’s Emergency Board. Staffed by the Legislative Fiscal Office, the E-Board allocates emergency funds to keep things afloat until lawmakers return. Dozens of state agencies submit requests every few months.

ODF is asking for $47.5 million from the E-Board this September, including a request for $40 million from the board’s general fund.

The E-Board currently has just $43 million in its general fund. If wildfire costs get priority, as they have historically, that strains the budget for any other emergency needs.

“In those E-Board requests there are a lot of really important priorities for other agencies, for other Oregonians, right, not impacted by fire,” Williams said, recognizing ODF’s outsized impact on the board.

The E-Board will decide its allocations on Thursday, September 26, and the LFO recommends that the board pay the $47.5 million to ODF, albeit with a slight workaround: using $20 million from the board’s general fund and $20 million from a separate special allocation reserved for natural disaster emergencies. (SOURCE)

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 9/27/24 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.

Oregon legislature takes up noncitizen voter registration issue in first hearing

A DMV review found that 1,259 people may have been mistakenly registered through Oregon’s automatic voter registration system without providing proof of citizenship.

Oregon lawmakers waded into a voter registration controversy on Wednesday with the first legislative hearing held since the Secretary of State’s office and Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced that 1,259 people had been mistakenly added to the voter rolls without providing proof of U.S. citizenship, and ten of them had cast ballots.

ODOT and elections officials appeared apologetic at the hearing, particularly for the timing of the discovery, but insisted that the issue has been corrected. Elections staff also said they’ve confirmed that the error was not large enough to have affected the outcome of any prior election.

“This issue will have no impact on the 2024 election. We were able to catch the error in time,” said Ben Morris, chief of staff at the Oregon Secretary of State’s office.

Eligible residents who receive driver licenses or state ID cards are automatically registered to vote in Oregon, but in 2021 the state started allowing noncitizens to obtain driver licenses. According to ODOT, the mistake happened when DMV staff accidentally selected the wrong option on a computer menu when listing applicants’ identifying documents.

“This was truly a clerical error. We have a drop-down menu of documents that people can provide to prove their identity and age in DMV transactions, and that menu defaulted to U.S. passport or U.S. birth certificate,” said DMV administrator Amy Joyce.

ODOT initially announced on Sept. 13 that it had discovered 306 cases, and then announced Monday that the number had grown to 1,259 after a full review. In an FAQ ahead of the hearing, ODOT said the full review included all licenses and ID cards issued after Jan. 1, 2021, the day the DMV started allowing noncitizens to apply, totaling about 1.4 million records. REAL ID licenses were not included because they go through separate federal verification.

The data entry mistake doesn’t necessarily mean that all of the 1,259 people were not U.S. citizens, ODOT added — it just means the documentation they provided at the DMV to obtain a license did not include proof of citizenship, so it shouldn’t have been forwarded to the Secretary of State’s office to be added to the voter rolls.

ODOT and elections officials previously announced that only 10 of the people had actually submitted a ballot in any election over the past four years, and one of them was subsequently confirmed to have been a U.S. citizen at the time they voted.

At the hearing, elections director Molly Woon said her office is still checking the other nine and she expected to have final results by the end of the day, but added that the office has already confirmed that none of them voted in elections that were close enough that their votes could have affected the outcome. If the elections division finds that any of them were not citizens at the time they cast their ballots, their cases could be referred to the Oregon Department of Justice.

The Secretary of State’s office immediately deactivated the voter registration of the first 306 people and has now done the same with all 1,259 cases, Woon said, but added that they will all be notified of the change by the end of this week and given instructions for how to reactivate their voter registration if they can prove their citizenship.

Joyce and ODOT director Kris Strickler said the DMV has already updated its software to display the identification drop-down options in alphabetical order and added a confirmation pop-up if U.S. passport or U.S. birth certificate is selected. A manager in each DMV office is also now double-checking every transaction at the end of each day.

Most of the lawmakers on the committee appeared satisfied with ODOT’s remedial measures, with the bulk of the critical questions focused on why the agency didn’t detect the clerical error until an outside group intervened.

ODOT previously acknowledged that it began the review after a group called the Institute for Responsive Government reached out over the summer. According to Strickler, the nonprofit didn’t discover any improper registrations — it just asked some general questions about how Oregon’s voter registration system was working, and the questions prompted ODOT to begin a review.

“Let me state the obvious. Should we have been looking sooner than a few months before the election? Absolutely,” Joyce said.

Some lawmakers at the hearing also asked about what the elections office is doing to protect the 1,259 people on the list from harassment or legal consequences, with committee chair Rep. Ben Bowman stressing that none of them asked to be added to the voter rolls, and they were all registered as a result of a government error.

Woon said the notification letter sent to each of them will include instructions for obtaining an official “no-fault letter” that will confirm they were registered by accident and state it shouldn’t be held against them in the future. Morris added that his office does not plan to release the list and believes it is exempt from public records law because it contains private voter data. “We are very sensitive to the fact that this list could put people’s lives in danger,” he said. (SOURCE)

$9.3 Million Raised to Fight New Corporate Tax that Could Boost the Income of Every Oregonian by $1,600 a Year – Voters Will Decide on Measure 118

If voters decide to approve Measure 118, they will pave the way for the largest universal basic income program in the country, funded by corporations with total sales in Oregon exceeding $25 million. The money derived from this taxation will be distributed equally among residents of all incomes and ages and will become effective by 2025.

Oregon residents will vote this fall on the new corporate tax that proponents say will alleviate poverty and stimulate the local economy. The Legislative Revenue Office estimates that $1.3 billion will be generated by the end of the biennium next June, with significantly higher amounts in future years.

The windfall will be distributed among Oregonians in the form of direct cash payments or refundable tax credits.

If the new corporate tax is approved, Oregon will become the second state to offer residents a basic income. Alaska has been distributing a part of the income from all mining revenues to its residents annually. Each resident received $1,312 last year.

Opposition to Measure 118 is Vociferous

However, opposition to the new corporate tax proposal is vociferous.

Among those adding their voices to the opposition are Governor Tina Kotek, Democrat and Republican lawmakers, dozens of businesses, and many nonpartisan research groups. They argue that the tax could stop businesses from operating in Oregon, siphon funds away from needed state services, and ultimately lead to higher prices.

Dozens of business groups say the tax will harm consumers because it will force price increases. They are also opposed to the proposal that businesses will be taxed on gross sales and not on net profit, unfairly targeting companies with small profit margins such as construction companies and grocery stores.

Oregon building trade union leader Willy Myers says the tax could incentivize larger corporations to leave Oregon, taking jobs with them and creating an affordability downward spiral.

Although the tax measure only applies to gross sales exceeding $25 million, smaller businesses are concerned that they too could be impacted… ‘we cannot afford to lose high income earners that spend their money in small businesses,’ says Sarah Shaoul, the founder of a Portland advocacy group for independent retailers, Bricks Need Mortar.

The CEO of Oregon Business and Industry, the state business lobby spearheading the anti-tax measure campaign, Angela Wilhelms says the tax will stagnate wage increases and available jobs, both are unlikely components ‘of a recipe to lift people into prosperity.’

Families Could Become Ineligible for Federal Benefits

According to a state report, Measure 118 could make families receiving the tax windfall ineligible for federal benefits such as food stamps.

However, while Measure 118 antagonists refer to the state report saying the tax will hamper economic growth in Oregon over the next decade, proponents point to the fact that the state report says its estimates have been made with ‘considerable uncertainty.’

Proponents Say Tax Could Alleviate Poverty

Supporters of the next tax point out that the extra income to Oregonians will help alleviate poverty and stimulate the local economy. The tax measure will also ensure that larger corporations pay their fair share of the tax burden.

The measure will help families ‘to thrive and not just survive’ says Stacey Rutland, a resident of Portland who works as an adviser to the pro-Measure 118 campaign.

Funding the promotion of the next tax measure is Oregon Rebate PAC, which has only managed to obtain eight endorsements on its website, none of which are elected officials. Proponents have managed to raise $171,000 since the corporate tax measure qualified for the ballot. (SOURCE)

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

Suspect wanted for sex crimes in Oregon and Alabama

– 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.

Umatilla County- Oregon State Police investigating officer involved shooting in Umatilla County
Oregon State Police 

Umatilla County, Ore 24 Sept 24- Oregon State Police investigating officer involved shooting in Umatilla County

On Tuesday, September 24th, 2024, at 6:38 p.m., Milton-Freewater dispatch received a call from local residence of a man who had entered their house. The reporting party stated the man had been hanging around the area for several days and was possibly homeless and had mental health issues. Milton-Freewater dispatch believed this person was the same person they had been receiving complaints about hanging around Gib Olinger Elementary School the past several days.

Milton-Freewater police responded to the area at 6:53 p.m. The officer identified the suspect as Daniel Soto Madrigal (30) and trespassed him from the location. Soto Madrigal had an active felony warrant for his arrest and the officer attempted to take him into custody. The suspect resisted arrest and a use of force incident unfolded which culminated in the arresting officer discharging his firearm.

Soto Madrigal was arrested and transported to an area hospital where he was treated for a gunshot wound. His condition is described as stable at this time.

The involved officer received medical treatment for minor injuries and has been placed on administrative leave pursuant to SB 111 protocols.

The Umatilla County Major Crime Team was activated and members from the Oregon State Police, Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, and the Umatilla County District Attorney responded to the scene to investigate the incident.

Any future news releases will come from the Oregon State Police or the Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office. No additional releases are planned at this time.

Prineville Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Multi-Million Dollar Drug Treatment Fraud Scheme
U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Oregon

—A Prineville, Oregon woman was sentenced to federal prison yesterday for using stolen identities to submit fraudulent health care claims resulting in over $1.5 million in misappropriated funds from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Medicaid Program and filing false tax returns that failed to report earnings she received.

Darla K. Byus, 55, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $2,033,315 in restitution to OHA and the IRS.

“Her crimes betrayed the trust placed in this company as a substance abuse treatment provider in Oregon. We thank the state and federal investigators for their dedication and commitment to ending this scheme,” said Nathan J. Lichvarcik, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eugene and Medford Branch Offices. “Business owners who abuse the system to line their pockets at the expense of our communities will be held accountable.”

“HHS-OIG is committed to protecting Oregon communities and taxpayer funds from schemes targeting Oregon’s Medicaid program, which provides necessary services to vulnerable populations,” said Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Ryan with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG values our continued partnership with the Oregon Department of Justice’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and other law enforcement partners and will continue to investigate those who threaten the integrity of federal and state health care programs and the people served by them.”

“I am pleased that the joint investigation between our Medicaid Fraud Unit at Oregon DOJ and five federal agencies turned up the evidence needed for the United States Attorney to successfully prosecute this complex case. Oregon’s Medicaid program will get back over a million dollars it is rightfully owed, and those who try to defraud Oregonians and undermine our social safety net programs should be on notice— they will be caught and prosecuted,” said Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum.

According to court documents, from January 2019 to August 2021, Byus used her company, Choices Recover Services (CRS), to overbill the OHA Medicaid Program for substance abuse counseling services and to submit fraudulent reimbursement claims using the stolen identities of Medicaid recipients.

As an OHA Medicaid Provider for drug and alcohol related counseling services, CRS had access to a provider portal through the Medicaid Management Information System. Byus exploited this access to privileged information to determine a victim’s Medicaid eligibility. She then used their personally identifiable information to submit claims without the victim’s knowledge or authorization. Byus used the stolen identities more than 45 victims, at least a third of which were identified by searching jail roster websites for recent drug or alcohol related offenses.

Using CRS, Byus submitted over $3 million in false claims to the OHA Medicaid Program and received over $1.5 million in fraudulent proceeds. She used the misappropriated funds to purchase multiple properties in Oregon and to gamble. In addition, Byus knowingly filed false tax returns for herself and CRS, failing to pay approximately $450,438 in taxes.

On May 13, 2024, Byus was charged by criminal information with heath care fraud, aggravated identity theft, and making a false tax return and, on June 20, 2024, she pleaded guilty.

This case was investigated by the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Justice Tax Division, and the Oregon Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. It was prosecuted by Joseph H. Huynh and Gavin W. Bruce, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

Oregon Ranks #2 in The Top 5 States With the Worst Behaved Drivers According to Forbes Study

A new survey may help some motorists decide which roads across the nation to stay off to avoid bad-behaved drivers behind the wheel.

In recent findings published by Forbes Advisor, researchers analyzed nearly two dozen behaviors to learn which states had the worst drivers across the country.

The 19 behaviors included reasons like texting while driving, cutting off other motorists, eating while driving and even putting on makeup while behind the wheel.

Motorists in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee exhibited the best driving behavior, while Oregon and New Mexico drivers are included in the top five states with the worst drivers.

From tailgating and driving under the influence to crashing and cursing at other drivers, here are the top 15 states with the worst drivers:

Oregon claims the No. 2 spot for bad driving. Its drivers rank worst for:

◾ Running a red light (8%).

◾ Refusing to yield (5%).

◾ Speeding in a school zone (4%).

The state also came in No. 2 for drivers causing car accidents (tied with Massachusetts, New Jersey and Alabama) and 2% of the drivers there confessed to recently causing a crash. — To see the full list of 50 states click here or visit https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/states-with-worst-driving-behaviors/.

(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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