Rogue Valley News, Monday 10/14 – Well Known Chef From Bend Killed On Bike in Hit and Run on Hwy 99, Voter Registration Deadline is Tuesday October 15 & 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

Monday,  October 14, 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.

10/14 – Smoke and Air Quality Update 7 AM 10/14/24High pressure remains in place across the region with above normal temperatures. This will result in drier conditions and lower humidity levels. Smoke will again increase on active fires. The HRRR smoke modeling graphic shows where smoke is projected to move by later this afternoon/evening. Air quality will be impacted for locations directly downwind or nearby any active fires. Full model loop located here: https://www.weather.gov/mfr/wildfire

Seasonal Climate Forecast October – December 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 – While the fire season is slowing down, it is not yet over, and fire officials are urging residents to remain vigilant and cautious.

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

Well Known Chef From Bend Killed On Bike in Hit and Run on Hwy 99

A bicyclist was struck and killed in a hit-and-run incident by a vehicle that drifted into the bike lane of the South Pacific Highway on Friday afternoon. The driver did not stop and fled the scene.

Despite resuscitation efforts by paramedics and police officers, the bicyclist was declared dead at the scene.

Family and friends are mourning the loss of a well-known, long-time Bend chef, Jason Thomas, who was struck and killed in a hit-and-run crash by an apparent DUII driver Friday afternoon while riding his e-bike in a bike lane in Medford on Hwy 99.

Medford Police said Saturday that an initial investigation and witness statements indicate the bicyclist was heading south on the South Pacific Highway (Highway 99) around 3:20 p.m. Friday in a designated bike lane when a southbound vehicle drifted into the bike lane and struck him.

The driver did not stop and fled the scene, police said, but was quickly located in a nearby parking lot and detained.

Meanwhile, officers at the crash scene immediately attempted life-saving measures, but the bicyclist died at the scene. Medford’s Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team was activated to assist in the investigation.

Police said witnesses saw the vehicle swerving before the crash. Medford Police Special Services Sergeant Steve Furst said the agency is looking at this as a criminal case.

“Of course, we’ll have to gather all the evidence and do a complete investigation before we release all of our findings,” Furst said at the scene. “But right now, we do believe that there was impairment involved with the driver of the vehicle that struck the bicyclist.”

Shortly after the incident, police officers located the vehicle in a nearby parking lot and arrested the driver.

The Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) team was called to assist with the ongoing investigation.

Police cordoned off the scene for four hours shortly after the incident so that authorities to conduct extensive investigations. The bicyclist and the vehicle were traveling southbound when the incident occurred at 3.23 p.m.

Voter Registration Deadline is Tuesday October 15

Checking your voter registration in Oregon is easy. Just go to OregonVotes.gov to find out if you are registered and make sure your information is correct.

Trial Under Way in Medford for Klamath Falls Man Accused of Kidnapping Women

Jury selection began Tuesday morning in U.S. District Court in Medford, followed by opening statements on Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning. Federal prosecutors have submitted more than 500 exhibits and a witness list of at least 70 people for the trial of an Oregon man who allegedly kidnapped a woman in Seattle, then locked her in a cinder block cell in his garage. Negasi Zuberi, 30, is also facing charges related to a second kidnapping involving a woman in Klamath Falls.

A Klamath Falls man is learning in federal court today how police found his recreational trailer, and how they discovered evidence inside it for his criminal kidnapping and weapons charges.

30-year-old Negasi Zuberi appears to be focused on his criminal case proceedings in federal court in Medford, where he faces two counts of kidnapping, four counts of felon-related weapons and ammunition charges, and sex and attempted escape charges.

He’s accused of kidnapping two different women at two different times from two different places, one of the from Seattle in July 2023.

The Seattle woman told her account to jurors yesterday about an overnight abduction July 14, 2023, that started in Zuberi’s car in Seattle where he impersonated a police officer and ended the next day in Klamath Falls. She also told about sexual assault during the trip as she was kept in handcuffs and leg irons under threat of a handgun and taser she said Zuberi used to subdue her. She also told about her escape from a cinder-block room she described as a captivity cell in Zuberi’s garage at a house he rented in Klamath Falls, using her bare hands to beat through the doors.

That woman told that same account to police, and some of them are giving testimony today in Zuberi’s federal court trial.

Zuberi watched police bodycam video intently yesterday when it presented the apparent kidnap and rape victim telling her account quickly to police, and then Zuberi appeared to start writing notes, sitting between his defense lawyers, flipping paper over.

That bodycam video also showed her giving a gun she’d said Zuberi used for his accused crime to police. Yesterday in court, police advanced her account with their own accounts of their investigation. (SOURCE)

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has completed initial 90-day findings on petitions to list the Crater Lake newt, Tecopa bird’s beak and the San Francisco estuary population of white sturgeon under the Endangered Species Act.

The Crater Lake newt, also known as Mazama newt, is found only within Crater Lake National Park in Klamath County, Oregon. The Crater Lake newt is a distinct darker-colored subspecies of the rough-skinned newt, which is widely distributed throughout the Pacific Northwest. Based on the Service’s review of the information included in the petition, we found that the petition presented credible information that an in-depth review of the species is warranted. Threats in the petition include habitat and food web alteration by signal crayfish, climate change , reduced effective population size, and range restriction and will be fully evaluated in the 12-month finding.

The Fish and Wildlife Service will now add these species to the national listing workplan based on the immediacy of the potential threats. Subject matter experts will fully evaluate potential threats during the 12-month status review, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act requirements, and review the best scientific and commercial information available when making that finding. The status review will inform whether listing is warranted, not warranted, or warranted but precluded. If the agency determines listing a species as threatened or endangered species is warranted, the agency will publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register, providing the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed listing.While the reviews are conducted, the Fish and Wildlife intends to work with partners to monitor and conserve the species and its habitat while it conducts the review.

The 90-day finding will be in the Federal Register Reading Room on October 7 and publish in the Federal Register on Tuesday, October 8. The finding can be found at www.federalregister.gov by searching the following docket numbers: Crater Lake newt: FWS-R8-ES-2024-0025; Tecopa bird’s beak: FWS-R8-ES-2023-0256; San Francisco estuary population of white sturgeon: FWS-R8-ES-2024-0049. (SOURCE)

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

Medford Parks and Recreation  —   

Calling All Artists!

Detectives and ODF Conducting Joint Fire Investigation After County Bridge in Butte Falls Burns

Damages Could Exceed $1,000,000

JCSO Case 24-5571 0- BUTTE FALLS, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives and Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Fire Investigators are conducting a joint investigation after a fire on a Butte Falls area bridge Thursday morning.

At 8 AM, JCSO deputies received a call for a fire east of Butte Falls on the Fredenburg Road bridge over North Fork Big Butte Creek. Butte Falls Volunteer Fire and Rescue firefighters put out the fire just after 8:30 AM and there was no spread to the surrounding forest.

The bridge is expected to be closed for an extended period as the Jackson County Roads and Parks Department assesses damage, which may necessitate a full bridge replacement. As a result, Fredenburg Road is closed at the 0.7-mile marker. A temporary detour is in place for the use of affected residents in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. According to initial estimates, damages to the bridge could exceed $1,000,000. If you have any information about this fire, call the JCSO Tip Line at (541) 774-8333 and reference case 24-5571. There is no further information for release at this time.

Medford City Council Allocates Funds To Local Initiatives

$570,000 from the Council Community Initiative Funds- sourced from local and state marijuana tax revenue, will be allocated to local projects and programs targeting cultural preservation, public spaces, community health, and educational opportunities. The initiatives that will benefit from the funds are:

• $125,000: The Downtown Medford Association intends enhancing its appeal for residents and visitors. The funding will support the revitalization of downtown Medford, creating a more vibrant, engaging space.
• $100,000: The Southern Oregon Alliance of Physician Partners strive to improve health services and achieve better outcomes in Medford. The funding is earmarked to support healthcare initiatives led by local physicians.
• $100,000: The Children’s Museum Scholarships plan to use the funding to foster creativity and learning by ensuring children from diverse backgrounds have access to educational exhibits and programs.
• $100,000: The Park Strip Restoration contributes to Medford’s greenery and sustainability efforts an will use their allocation to restore privately owned park and planter forest strips.
• $50,000: The Southern Oregon Historical Society works to celebrate and share the history of Southern Oregon for future generations. The funding will help preserve the region’s cultural heritage.
• $50,000: The Alba Park Fountain Restoration will put the funds towards their initiative to restore the historic Alba Park fountain, one of the city’s key public spaces.
• $35,000: The Consumer Credit Counseling Services gives residents tools and knowledge to achieve greater financial stability by managing their finances better. One of their financial literacy programs will benefit from the funds.
• $10,000: The Rogue Rapids Swim Scholarships promotes water safety and better access to recreational activities for Medford families. The funds will be allocated to swim scholarships for local youth.

The allocation of the funds by the Medford City Council is in the interests of furthering educational opportunities, supporting financial and health well-being, preserving cultural heritage, and improving public spaces. They are expected to have a broad and lasting impact.

New York Man Sentenced to 15 years in Federal Prison for Traveling to Southern Oregon to Sexually Abuse a Child He Met Playing an Online Video Game

MEDFORD, Ore.—A New York man was sentenced to federal prison Tuesday for traveling to Southern Oregon to sexually abuse a child and capturing the abuse on video.

Brent Johnson, Jr., 26, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison and a life term of supervised release.

According to court documents, in August 2021, Johnson contacted a child through an online video game and, after exchanging phone numbers with the child, continued communicating with them via text messages and phone calls. Undeterred by the child’s age, in late 2021, Johnson traveled to Southern Oregon where he sexually abused the child and captured the abuse on video. In February 2022, the child’s mother contacted law enforcement after receiving text messages and images from Johnson.

On May 5, 2022, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a three-count indictment charging Johnson with sexually exploiting a child, distributing child pornography, and traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

On June 26, 2024, Johnson pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting a child and distributing child pornography.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents in Long Island, New York, and Medford, and the Rogue River Police Department. It was prosecuted by Judith R. Harper, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to contact HSI at (866) 347-2423 or submit a tip online at report.cybertip.org.

Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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/

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

 

Celebrate Fire Safety this October

– As the leaves change and cooler weather sets in, the Oregon State Fire Marshal and the Oregon fire service remind everyone of the importance of home fire safety. October is Fire Prevention Month, a time to focus on fire prevention and safety at home. This year’s theme, “Celebrate Fire Safety,” calls on Oregonians to take action to reduce fire risks and protect their loved ones.

In 2023, 2,518 home fires in our state resulted in $119.5 million in losses to homeowners. Cooking remains the leading cause of home fires, followed closely by home heating. Alarmingly, in 417 of those fires, no smoke alarm was present.

“Oregon’s first responders are unwavering in their commitment to protecting our communities by reducing home fires and preventing the devastating injuries they cause,” said Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple. “This Fire Prevention Month, we’re calling on all Oregonians to take proactive, life-saving steps to protect their families, their homes, and their future.”

There are several simple things Oregonians can do to lessen the chance of a home fire and increase safety:

• Install and maintain smoke alarms. Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas.
• Practice cooking safely. Never leave cooking unattended and always have a lid or cookie sheet nearby to smother small flames.
• Use heating equipment safely. Keep anything flammable at least three feet away from heating devices and always plug space heaters directly into the wall—never use extension cords.
• Create and practice a home fire escape plan. Make sure every family member knows at least two ways out of every room.
• Consider candle alternatives. Battery-operated candles reduce fire risk, but if you use real candles, always blow them out before leaving the room.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek proclaimed October as Fire Prevention Month. For more information about Fire Prevention Month, a link to the proclamation, and more tips to prevent the top causes of home fires in Oregon, visit our website.

Last week we announced the huge recall of Brucepac chicken products sold across the United States. Unfortunately, originally thought that the recall was limited to just the BrucePac brand out of Oregon. We now know that more companies have been affected, including those that sell at Walmart, Aldi, Trader Joe’s, Target, and Kroger.

Woodburn Company Recalls Nearly 10 Million Pounds Of Meat For Listeria

An Oregon company is recalling nearly 10 million pounds of meat and poultry products made at an Oklahoma plant because they may be contaminated with listeria bacteria, which can cause illness and death.

BrucePac of Woodburn, Oregon, recalled the roughly 5,000 tons of ready-to-eat foods this week after U.S. Agriculture Department officials detected listeria in samples of poultry during routine testing. Further tests identified BrucePac chicken as the source. The recall includes 75 meat and chicken products.

The foods include products like grilled chicken breast strips that were made at the company’s facility in Durant, Oklahoma. They were produced between June 19 and Oct. 8 and shipped to restaurants, food service vendors and other sites nationwide, government officials said.

The products have a best-by date of June 19, 2025 to Oct. 8, 2025. Officials said they’re concerned that the foods may still be available for use or stored in refrigerators or freezers. The products should be thrown away, they stressed.

Eating foods contaminated with listeria can cause potentially serious illness. About 1,600 people are infected with listeria bacteria each year in the U.S. and about 260 die, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There are no confirmed reports of illness linked to the recall. Listeria infections typically cause fever, muscle aches and tiredness and may cause stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions. Symptoms can occur quickly or to up to 10 weeks after eating contaminated food. The infections are especially dangerous for older people, those with weakened immune systems or who are pregnant.

THE LIST KEEPS GROWING —- The list has now grown big enough to fill a 203-page document. Most of the products that are listed are either ‘ready to eat salads’ with a best-by date on or before October 13th. There are also frozen products from Great Value, Boston Market, H-E-B, EL Montrerey, and Amazon fresh products, to name some.

To learn about ALL of the products on the list, you can click HERE to get the full list of recalled items.

There is an ingredient supplier that has a foodborne illness issue; thus, all of the customers from that supplier can be affected.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are about 1600 people each year who come down with listeria. Of the 1600 people, approximately 260 of them will die because of listeria. Those that are most affected include children under the age of 5, adults over 65, and people who have immune system deficiencies. Also, women who are pregnant can have miscarriages or stillbirths.

Oregon Report Reveals Domestic Violence Crisis

A 2023 report has shed light on the pressing issue of domestic violence in Oregon, revealing a grim death toll and significant challenges faced by victims, and calls for action after hundreds of deaths.

READ REPORT: https://sos.oregon.gov/audits/Documents/2023-31.pdf

According to the study, more than 500 people have died from domestic violence incidents in the state since 2009. Additionally, over a third of adults in Oregon experience domestic violence at some point in their lives.

Why this report is important
• Domestic violence has far-reaching health and societal effects. Over a third of adults in Oregon experience
domestic violence in their lifetimes, and intimate partners are responsible for approximately one in five homicides
nationwide. From 2009 through 2019, Oregon’s 393 fatal domestic violence incidents resulted in 532 deaths.
• In 2020, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimated that at least 32% of adults in families
with children in surveyed homeless shelters were survivors of domestic violence, and 15% were currently fleeing
unsafe situations.
• Ease of access is critical for timely and effective domestic violence interventions. However, victims face multiple
access barriers. Victims and survivors often face fear, isolation, shame, and stigma, as well as financial, mental
health, and cultural challenges. Regional organizations play critical roles in providing services.

1. Victims and survivors face multiple barriers to accessing community services and navigating the justice system.
   Systemic social welfare issues, such as the lack of available housing or access to services like childcare, mental
   health care, and legal assistance often translate to urgent unmet needs for domestic violence victims.
2. Oregon advocates report fragmented and under-resourced social services and complex criminal and civil justice
   systems contribute to access issues. Domestic violence service providers face high administrative burdens, staffing
   issues, and challenges expanding equitable outreach, prevention, and intervention services.
3. Oregon lacks a centralized, statewide response to domestic violence and does not strategically address risks
   through statewide data-informed prevention, mitigation, or intervention-related action. Oregon could do more to
   coordinate strategies, share data, and effect change across otherwise siloed agency and organizational responses.

The report has caught the attention of Oregon’s Secretary of State, emphasizing the barriers victims and survivors encounter when seeking help. The audit highlighted the difficulties many face in navigating the justice system.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233.

A man who has been charged with sex crimes against children younger than 12 in Oregon is in jail in Alabama after turning himself in for similar crimes in that state.

According to Oregon State Police, on June 21, detectives heard from a minor that a man identified as Adam Renk, 39, had sexually abused them. OSP said Renk has since been indicted on multiple crimes against a child victim under the age of 12 including unlawful sexual penetration, sodomy, and sexual abuse.

OSP also said Renk has been charged in another case involving an unrelated 11-year-old child in Mobile, Alabama. Officials said Renk was believed to have been traveling in a modified ambulance that had been painted two-toned white over gray, and had ties to Oregon’s Wasco County.

According to officials with the Mobile Police Department in Alabama, Renk turned himself in to the Mobile County Metro Jail on October 8. Jail records show he is facing charges in Alabama including sodomy, sexual abuse, sexual torture, and producing pornography with minors. Renk is still in jail as of October 11. It is unclear if or when Renk could face charges in Oregon.

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 10/14/24 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 Housing and Community Services’ Homeowner Assistance Fund accepting final applications online

— Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is reopening the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) online application portal to accept final applications directly from homeowners. Applications must be submitted by Oct. 31, 2024. New applications will be put on a waitlist and prioritized for homeowners most at risk of foreclosure or loss.

Homeowners can now review application criteria and apply directly online using a link on the HAF website: oregonhomeownerassistance.org. If homeowners need or would like assistance with an application, they can contact a HAF intake partner. A list of intake partners can be found at https://www.oregon.gov/ohcs/homeownership/Pages/Homeownership-Assistance-Fund.aspx.

“OHCS is reopening the online application portal through Oct. 31, 2024, to ensure we help as many Oregon families as possible,” said Ryan Vanden Brink, assistant director of Homeowner Assistance Programs. “With our average award of $26,500, we can assist approximately 250 additional households. Any further applications will be placed on a waitlist pending the availability of funds.”

HAF offers federal temporary COVID-19 pandemic relief to help homeowners who experienced financial hardship due to the pandemic. HAF can help homeowners become current on their mortgages, county taxes, homeowners’ (HOA) or condo associations, land sale contracts, secured manufactured home or floating home loans, and lot rent or moorage fees associated with homeowners in manufactured home parks or marinas. Financial hardship includes a reduction in income or an increase in housing costs resulting from the pandemic.

Homeowners are eligible to apply if they meet the program’s general eligibility criteria and are facing foreclosure, involved in a court case that threatens their home, in property tax foreclosure, in collections with their HOA, or in other high-risk situations identified by a housing counselor. Homeowners in foreclosure may have already received outreach letters from OHCS or their county assessor.

OHCS will make its final HAF payments in February 2025, limiting total assistance available to new applicants.OHCS encourages homeowners to explore all other options with their servicer or a housing counselor before applying for HAF. Applying for HAF does not guarantee approval or that a foreclosure will be postponed. HAF is administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury.

About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) – OHCS is Oregon’s housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs.

Crowds Rush The Field As The Oregon Ducks Win Over Ohio State

Oregon Ducks beat No. 2 Ohio State, 32-31, at Autzen Stadium on Saturday. It was Oregon’s highest-ranked win in Autzen Stadium. The Ducks earned the win in front of 60,129 fans, which set an Autzen Stadium record.

With the win Oregon is tied for the Big Ten lead with No. 18 Indiana and No. 4 Penn State.  Go Ducks Go!!

ODHS Seeks Public Insight on Provider Rate and Wage Study Affecting Oregon Service Providers

Feedback invited on key findings from a statewide provider rate and wage study

 ̶  The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) seeks feedback from the public on key findings from a statewide study of the rates that service providers are paid, and wages staff earn.

Providers included in the study serve people who get support through:
• ODHS Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS)
• ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities (APD)
• Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Behavioral Health.
These providers, which include group homes, day services and larger residential long-term care settings, offer essential services that support people in living their daily lives.

A final report on the study findings, including feedback shared, will be available in December 2024. The report will support planning on how to ensure Oregonians have a selection of providers in the communities where they live. Oregon needs to keep and attract quality providers that are safe. To be safe, providers need to have the ability to pay wages that can attract and retain workers.

Background on the study

In 2023, the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 5506 which required ODHS and OHA to conduct the study. Burns & Associates, part of Health Management Associates (HMA-Burns), was hired to run the study and produce a report on the results along with recommendations.

How to provide feedback
• Go to the study web page on the HMA-Burns website.
• The website is available in English and Spanish.
• Email feedback to HMA-Burns at egonRates@healthmanagement.com“>OregonRates@healthmanagement.com by Oct. 28, 2024.

About the Oregon Department of Human Services
The mission of the Oregon Department of Human Services is to help Oregonians in their own communities achieve wellbeing and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice and preserve dignity.
You can get this document in other languages, large print, braille or a format you prefer. Contact ODHS at 503-945-5811 or odhs.info@odhsoha.oregon.gov. We accept calls from all forms of relay service for people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf-Blind, blind or have low vision. For more information about relay service providers visit https://www.oregonrelay.com or https://www.fcc.gov/general/internet-based-trs-providers.

OHA distributed more than 10,000 air conditioners, air filters and devices to keep communities healthy in extreme weather

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon residents at risk from heat and wildfire smoke-related health issues had more ways to receive air conditioners, air filters and other devices this year. Oregon Health Authority (OHA) distributed more than 10,000 devices ahead of, and during, 2024’s extreme summer weather events through new Oregon Health Plan (OHP) climate benefits and the Air Conditioner and Air Filter program.

“Oregon is leading the way when it comes to mitigating climate change’s health harms, especially on our most vulnerable communities,” said Emma Sandoe, Medicaid Director at OHA. “Through collaboration and innovation, we’re finding new ways for Oregon residents to receive life-saving devices so they can stay healthy in their homes during heat and poor air quality events.”

Devices have been needed as the state experienced historic heat waves over the summer, and wildfires have been active in Oregon for five consecutive months and counting. Though all individuals are vulnerable to the health impacts of extreme weather events, OHA’s “Climate and Health in Oregon 2023 Report” shows that certain communities are disproportionately impacted by climate change. Given the lack of access to or high cost of cooling devices, people with lower incomes and chronic conditions are among those most likely to experience heat exhaustion, heat stroke or other health conditions.

Both the new OHP climate benefits and the Air Conditioner and Air Filter program align with OHA’s goals to eliminate health inequities by 2030. OHA’s goals are to reduce:

• Heat-related illnesses by 50%
• Heat-related hospitalizations by 60%
• Heat-related deaths by 70%
• Respiratory ER and urgent care visits by 20%

In March 2024, OHA launched the first-in-the-nation Medicaid climate benefits to reduce health inequities and provide a way for eligible OHP members to proactively request devices. Preliminary data highlights that in the first six months, with support from Oregon’s Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs), OHA distributed almost 6,000 devices to eligible members experiencing specific health conditions and life transitions. OHA’s analysis of the first four months of data (see Image 1 below) shows that 65% of members who received a device were homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. An updated report on the OHP climate benefits will be available in early 2025.

Image 1

With one-time funding from the state legislature, OHA’s Air Conditioner and Air Filter program purchased and distributed 4,400 air conditioners and 1,200 air filter devices from July through September 2024. Oregon Department of Human Services, including the Office of Resilience and Emergency Management, partners with OHA to distribute devices directly to eligible individuals or to community-based organizations, county health clinics and the Nine Federally Recognized Tribes in Oregon to deliver in anticipation of heat events or emergency declarations. Air filter devices were prioritized for counties that have historically had the highest number of days with poor air quality and counties actively experiencing wildfire smoke events.

OHP members interested in receiving devices under the new OHP climate benefits can contact their coordinated care organization (CCO) year-round to learn more. If an OHP member is not sure which plan or CCO they are in, they can call the OHA Client Services Unit at 1-800-273-0557. OHP Open Card members can call 1-888-834-4304 or email HRSN@acentra.com“>ORHRSN@acentra.com.

To learn more about either of these efforts, visit the Air Conditioner and Air Filter Program web page or the OHP climate benefits web page.

Klamath County Announces Program to Help Farmers Battle Grasshopper & Mormon Cricket Infestations

Klamath County, OR — October 8, 2024 — Klamath County continues to face a significant challenge as grasshoppers and Mormon crickets have wreak havoc on crops, rangelands, and natural habitats. These pesky invaders threaten the livelihoods of the county’s farmers and ranchers, the food supply, and the overall health of the ecosystem and related economy.

In response, the Oregon Legislature has acted by passing SB 5701, Section 408 (2024), along with a Temporary Administrative Order. These measures provide financial assistance for pest management efforts aimed at reducing the impact of these insects on agricultural crops. Klamath County has been granted $100,000 by the Oregon Department of Agriculture to help tackle the problem.

To distribute these funds, the County has set up a reimbursement grant program. A special grant committee has been formed, including representatives from the Klamath Irrigation District, Klamath Drainage District, Van Brimmer Ditch Co., and two at-large citizens. This committee will review applications from affected farmers and ranchers and make funding recommendations to the Board of Commissioners.

Farmers and ranchers can apply for these grants from now until October 31, with the application window closing at 5:00 PM on October 31. Unfortunately, late submissions will not be accepted. The grant committee will meet in November to review the applications and provide their recommendations to the Board of Commissioners who will make the final determinations for payment.

The application can be found online on the Klamath County Grants Website. While the County recognizes that $100,000 won’t cover all the damage caused by these infestations, they are grateful to be able offer some help to those who need it most.

For more information, please contact the Klamath County Grants Office at 541-851-3637. — https://www.klamathcounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=657

Oregon State Parks to increase camping, parking and reservation fees for 2025

SALEM, Oregon— Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is increasing its camping, parking and reservation fees to keep pace with the rising cost of utilities, operations and maintenance.

Most of the increases range from $2 to $5 depending on the fee.

The park system has experienced record visitation as well as the impacts of rising costs and inflation. Utility costs for example have increased by 28% over the last 4 years, but most fees have remained the same. Depending on the fee, the last increase was anywhere from seven to 15 years ago for base fees.

“We know that raising fees by any amount can be challenging for visitors, and we don’t make this decision lightly. We try to keep costs and fees as low as possible to minimize the impact while still fulfilling our commitment to stewardship and recreation,” said OPRD Director Lisa Sumption.

Oct. 15, 2024: OPRD will increase its base camping fees for the first time since 2017. The increase applies to all camping reservations for 2025. Starting on October 15, 2024, all reservations made for 2025 stays will include the fee increase.

Increases in base rate by site type:

• $2 increase for misc. sites (includes teepees, meeting halls and other facilities)
• $3 increase for tent sites (includes horse tent sites, horse group sites, group tent) and primitive sites (includes overflow, fly-in and walk-to-sites)
• $4 increase for RV sites (includes full hookup, electrical, horse RV and group RV sites)
• $5 increase for cabins and yurts (includes rustic, mini, totem, and deluxe sites)

(Seasonal rate increases were adopted in 2020. The seasonal adjustments will be added to the new base rates. As in previous years, summer rates are $2 more for tent sites, $3 more for RV sites and $5 more for cabins/yurts.)

Jan. 1, 2025: OPRD will increase its reservation fee from $8 to $10 per site starting Jan. 1, 2025. This fee has not been increased since 2010.

Daily parking permit fees will increase from $5 to $10 at the 25 parks that charge a fee for day-use parking. Parking permit fees were last increased in 2009. The annual parking permit and the two-year permit fees remain the same at $30 for the annual permit and $50 for the two-year permit.

July 1, 2025: OPRD will expand the 25% out-of-state surcharge for RV campsites (required by state law) to all site types for out-of-state campers.

New camping rate ranges replace the existing ones. These ranges set the lowest and highest fees that OPRD can charge over time. It gives OPRD’s director the ability to change fees in the future as needed. The last rate range update was adopted in 2018.

OPRD has three main sources of funding: a little less than half comes from constitutionally dedicated lottery funds, about 15% comes from recreational vehicle license plate fees and roughly 35% comes from park fees from visitors. OPRD is not funded by taxes.

OPRD does offer a few resources and programs to help increase access to Oregon State Parks.

• Most Oregon State Parks offer free day-use parking. Current exceptions include this list of 25 parks online.
• We also have special access passes for free camping and day-use parking permits for:
  • Oregon foster parents, guardians and parents who have adopted Oregon foster children.
  • U.S. veterans with a service-connected disability.
  • Active duty U.S. military on official leave.

Next month, OPRD will open public comment on a proposal designed to give OPRD’s director more flexibility to decide which parks charge for day-use parking. The proposal would require day-use parking permits at all parks unless otherwise noted. The director would have the authority to waive the permit requirement as needed. There are no plans to charge at all parks, and OPRD would consider any changes carefully.

OPRD will continue to explore options in the future that reduce cost as a barrier while earning needed revenue to maintain our parks and manage congestion.

Measures On The Ballot For Oregon’s 2024 Election

Oregon voters will decide whether to receive a $1,600 annual rebate through an increase in the corporate sales tax via a ballot measure that has received fierce pushback from lawmakers, local businesses and labor unions alike.

Why it matters: If Measure 118 passes, every Oregonian would receive an annual check, regardless of age or income, starting next year.

• The rebate would be paid for by a 3% gross receipts tax for all companies doing business in Oregon that make more than $25 million annually in sales.
• If passed, the new tax would generate $1.3 billion in revenue for the 2023-25 biennium, according to the Legislative Revenue Office.

The intrigue: This would be separate from the “kicker.”

Catch up quick: The measure is one of five initiatives Oregonians will vote on this November that could alter how the state governs its elections, businesses and elected officials’ salaries.

Here’s a brief look at the other four measures.

Measure 115 would amend Oregon’s constitution to allow the Legislature to impeach statewide elected officials — if both the House and Senate reach an affirmative two-thirds vote.

• Right now, Oregon is the only state without an impeachment doctrine.

Measure 116 would establish a commission to study and set the salaries and compensation for statewide elected officials.

• The yearly base pay for Oregon lawmakers is around $35,000. The study would look at all elected offices, including governor, secretary of state, judges, district attorneys, as well as state senators and representatives.

Measure 117 would establish ranked choice voting for federal and statewide elected offices.

• Portland voters will participate in the city’s first-ever ranked choice election this fall, while Multnomah County voters will use the system in November 2026.

Measure 119 would essentially make it easier for cannabis workers to unionize by requiring cannabis retailers, processors and labs to submit a labor neutrality agreement with a union in order to request or renew their operating license.

The bottom line: The last day to register to vote in order to participate in the Nov. 5 election is Oct. 15. (SOURCE)

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