Rogue Valley News, Monday 10/28 – Auction in Medford of The Defective Modular Homes That Were Intended to Help Families That Lost Homes in Almeda Fire & 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 28, 2024

Rogue Valley Weather

The Storm Prediction Center at NOAA has identified a general thunderstorm risk again today for areas in light green on the map below. Most of these will be isolated in nature with gusty winds, and lightning.

Seasonal Climate Forecast October – December 2024

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

Auction in Medford of The Defective Modular Homes That Were Intended to Help Families That Lost Homes in Almeda Fire as An Effort To Recoup Almost $24 Million

Oregon Housing and Community Services, the state’s housing agency, will auction off 140 defective modular homes in a series of two-week-long auctions.

The state purchased the homes in 2021, with most of them intended to rebuild Royal Oaks Mobile Manor in Phoenix, which was destroyed in the 2020 Almeda Fire. Families who lost their homes in the fire were prioritized for housing.

But last summer, the homes were found to be unfit to live in, due to mold, water leaks and other issues. There are unresolved questions about why the homes had defects.

Now, OHCS has announced it will auction off the defective homes in an effort to recoup some of the approximately $24 million dollars it says it spent on them.

Caleb Yant, deputy director of OHCS, said buyers will be informed about their quality.

“We’re very intentionally disclosing everything that we know, so there’s notices going out to all potential buyers of the different inspections that we’ve had, the code violations, the reports that we’ve done, had experts do on water intrusion, those sorts of things. So potential buyers know exactly the status of the units,” he said.

He said buyers will also have access to hundreds of photos of the units, and there will be an opportunity for buyers to inspect the units themselves and “bring whatever professionals that they need in order to really understand the current status of the units.”

After the homes were found to be defective, OHCS said in August 2023 that it planned to rebuild them with a different manufacturer. But in March, it changed tactics and announced it would replace the homes instead. A new manufacturer is currently building long-awaited new homes for Royal Oaks.

Originally, move-in for fire survivors was slated for September 2023. The new batch of modular homes could now be ready for move-in in April 2025.

OHCS says these auctions will occur in coordination with the state’s Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Surplus and a third-party service called GovDeals, which DAS regularly uses to sell state-owned equipment.

“We know that there is a number of parties who are interested in purchasing the homes and repair them,” OHCS said in a statement.

But it’s unclear how much these defective modular homes will sell for.

“It’s challenging to predict what the price point will be,” Yant said. “I don’t think that we’re expecting to recoup the entire amount [we spent on them].”

Meanwhile, OHCS and Oregon’s Department of Justice are in ongoing legal proceedings related to why the original batch of modular homes had defects, according to OHCS. Yant declined to comment on that litigation but said the auctions are not the only way OHCS is working to recoup funds.

Some have wondered if the state was negligent in caring for the original modular homes in the period between construction and installation. It took time to find a suitable location for them, so they were left sitting for months. OHCS said the problems were not due to the homes being unoccupied for so long but because of problems with the manufacturing.

The first two-week auction will begin on Oct. 29 and will include 33 homes. The next auction will begin on Nov. 7 and will include 35 homes. Those 68 homes are all currently being stored in Medford. There are also 72 additional homes that the state purchased from the manufacturer, Nashua Builders in Boise, that are still in Idaho. Yant says they will be moved into Oregon and auctioned off in the spring of 2025.

Anyone who would like to register to participate in the auction can do so here. (SOURCE)

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1257353498922992

Ashland Bats Vie for ‘World Record’ in BLM’s Bat Beauty Contest

Honey Bunches of Myotis, the long-eared myotis bat, photographed by Emma Busk, BLM.

When:         October 24 – 31

Where:     Virtual via Zoom, or

In person at the BLM Ashland Field Office, Oregon

Who:         Emma Busk, Wildlife Technician

Contact:   Jeanne Panfely, jpanfely@blm.gov

Ashland, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management’s annual Bat Beauty Contest returns! Your local Oregon bats are here to defend their crown and try to take home the top prize for the third year in a row.

Each October, the BLM hosts a beauty contest to find the most stunning bat photographed on BLM public lands across the county. The event begins on October 24 and ends on Halloween. It also coincides with International Bat Week, which raises awareness about bat conservation and the essential role bats play in the natural world.

This year, there are two Oregon bats participating in the contest! Hoary Potter, a male hoary bat with a feisty personality, will compete in the first round of the contest October 24. Honey Bunches of Myotis, a long-eared myotis bat, will compete in the second round of the contest October 25.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, located primarily in 11 western states and Alaska. Those other states are working hard to end the batty three-peat. You can help Oregon bring home the crown by voting on the BLM National Facebook page or the BLM National Instagram page.

Last year, William ShakespEAR, a female Townsend’s big-eared bat from Butte Falls, took home the crown on the afternoon of October 31. During the final round, she beat out Gizmo, an Allen’s Big-Eared Bat. William was photographed by Emma Busk, BLM wildlife technician.

The year before, the BLM crowned Barbara, a canyon bat from Lake County, the 2022 Bat Beauty Contest Winner. Barbara was photographed by Kate Yates, BLM wildlife biologist.

Both of this year’s bats were photographed by Busk.

“It’s important that we fact check what we think we know about bats,” said Busk. “There are a lot of myths around bats, but they’re amazing wildlife and they contribute so much to our ecosystem.”

Bats play an essential role in Oregon. All bats in the Pacific Northwest are insectivorous, meaning they rid our world of pests like mosquitos, beetles, and moths. Just one bat can eat up to 1,200 mosquitoes in an hour!

Want to do your part? As we head into winter, avoid exploring mines and caves where bats may be hibernating.

“In your own backyard, you can have a bat house!” said Emma. “It’s a shelter that helps protect bats during the winter. You can also make your garden more bat friendly by planting native flowers to attract insects and turning off any unnecessary lights. Light pollution is not great for bats.”

Want to get involved? Follow the Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington on Facebook (@BLMOregonAndWashington) or Instagram (@BLMOregonWashington). We’ll be sharing how you can vote for Hoary Potter and Honey Bunches of Myotis and support your native Oregon species!

Ballots in the Mail and Voting Underway

• Regular mail. Ballots must be postmarked no later than November 5, 2024 and received no later than November 12, 2024 to be counted.
• A 24/7 ballot drop box by 8:00 p.m. on November 5, 2024.

Did you get help from FEMA, insurance, or others after the 2020 Almeda and South Obenchain Fires?

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

 

Ballot boxes set on fire in Oregon, Washington with hundreds of ballots burned

The Portland Police Bureau said on Monday morning, officers responded to reports of a fire at a ballot box located on the 1000 block of Southeast Morrison Street.

Security guards had extinguished the fire by the time officers had arrived.

Authorities said an incendiary device was placed inside the ballot box before the fire ignited. The police’s Explosive Disposal Unit came onto the scene and cleared the device.

Also, according to FOX 12, police in Vancouver, Washington, are also investigating a ballot box that was set on fire Monday morning.

The fire was set at the C-TRAN Park & Ride at Fisher’s Landing Transit Center, according to the outlet.

Someone told police that someone stuck a device outside the ballot box which set the fire.

Officials told the outlet that hundreds of ballots were burned. FOX 12 also reported that last time ballots were picked up from the box was 11 a.m. on Saturday.

The fires came after a similar instance in Arizona last week.

According to FOX 10 Phoenix, an arrest was made after a United States Postal Service mailbox in Phoenix was lit on fire last Thursday, damaging over a dozen ballots.

RELATED: Ballots damaged after USPS mailbox lit on fire in Phoenix; suspect arrested

The fire happened just before 1:30 a.m. on October 24 outside a post office near 7th Avenue and Indian School Road.

Phoenix Fire crews responded to the scene and extinguished the flames. Twenty electoral ballots, and other pieces of mail, were damaged in the fire.

“The Postal Inspector took possession of the damaged ballots and mail,” Phoenix Fire Capt. Rob McDade said. “The Phoenix Fire Investigations Task Force, which includes Phoenix Police detectives and Phoenix Fire investigators, are working with US Postal Inspectors.”

• The information in this story came from a news release provided by the Portland Police Bureau with additional reporting from FOX 12 in Portland, Oregon. FOX 10 Phoenix also contributed to this report. This story was reported from Los Angeles.  https://www.fox5ny.com/news/ballot-boxes-fire-oregon-washington

FBI Statement on Ballot Box Fires
FBI – Oregon 

Audit Finds Oregon DMV Needs More Accessible Website and Higher Security

The Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division needs to do a better job translating its online web portal for people who don’t speak English and making sure customer data is secure, a mostly positive audit found.

The report released Wednesday by the Audits Division of the Secretary of State’s Office doesn’t address the DMV’s latest high-profile data issue: revelations that it wrongly sent information for 1,561 people who didn’t prove citizenship to election officials to automatically register them to vote. At least 10 of the incorrectly registered voters went on to vote, though election officials have since determined five of those 10 were citizens when they voted.

Gov. Tina Kotek ordered a pause to the automatic voter registration program until an independent external audit is completed. That report is expected by the end of the year.

The audit also didn’t address a May 2023 hack that put at risk personal information, including birthdates, addresses and driver’s license numbers, for approximately 3.5 million Oregonians. The hack of the file transfer service MOVEit affected more than 2,700 other agencies and organizations and more than 95 million individuals throughout the world.

Two Oregonians, Caery Evangelist and Brian Els, filed a class-action lawsuit in Marion County Circuit Court in April over the 2023 hack. The state is seeking to dismiss the lawsuit, and a judge has scheduled a call in November to set a date for a hearing on that motion.

Instead, the state audit looked at how the DMV — which has nearly 900 employees and a two-year budget of $311 million — assesses and collects fees and how well its recently expanded online services are working. Auditors found that the DMV and its computer systems are accurately assessing fees for the roughly 200,000 new drivers’ licenses and more than 350,000 renewals it processes each year, as well as for vehicle registrations, titles and license plates.

Fees for registrations and titles vary depending on the plate design, county where a driver lives, vehicle age and fuel efficiency. Auditors looked at all driver and vehicle transactions during the 2023 fiscal year — more than 20 million rows of data — and found that 99.6% of those transactions were complete, accurate and valid.

But they also found that Oregonians who don’t speak English or have limited English proficiency struggle to use the state’s online portal for renewing licenses, vehicle registrations and updating addresses. That portal, DMV2U, relies on Google Translate to translate directions to other languages, and auditors found that it didn’t work well on mobile devices and often failed to translate the site’s content.

The audit also found that the DMV wasn’t doing enough to make sure employees could access only data they needed and closing accounts when employees quit.

“Without robust access controls, unauthorized individuals can clandestinely access sensitive data, copy it and potentially make undetected alterations or deletions for malicious intent or personal gain,” the report said.

DMV Administrator Amy Joyce wrote in a letter attached to the audit that she agreed with each of the auditor’s recommendations, which included having a more diverse group of people test its online services and periodically reviewing access to DMV data. (SOURCE)

Salem Keizer School District To Install Weapon Detectors In High Schools

Salem-Keizer will have weapon detection systems operating in all six comprehensive high schools this school year, with a likely expansion to middle schools next year.

After the fatal shooting of a Salem high schooler last March — and rising concerns of gun violence in schools across the country today — Salem-Keizer Public Schools leaders say they need another layer of prevention to protect students.

Plans to detect weapons at multiple school sites across Oregon’s second-largest school district, which enrolls more than 40,000 students, is the biggest such step in the state, possibly the region. The decision comes as multiple school districts are wrestling with safety and security concerns.

Just this week, the handling of security threats at Gresham High School forced the principal there to resign, and in Bend, a 12-year-old student was arrested for bringing a loaded gun to their middle school.

In an attempt to further prevent threats like these in Salem-Keizer, the district is installing weapons detectors across its high schools, with plans to add them to schools for younger students in the near future.

“What a privilege it is to be at a press conference that is not one of the 44 that have already happened in America [this year] related to school shootings,” Superintendent Andrea Castañeda said to reporters Friday morning. “This is a press conference where we get to talk about what we’re doing to prevent a tragedy, not live through the aftermath of one.”

Castañeda described the moment as a national impasse in the country’s conversation about guns.

“What we have today is the responsibility to talk about what school districts do proactively and decisively to increase the conditions for safety,” she said.

The biggest announcement is Salem-Keizer’s rollout of weapons detectors in all six of its comprehensive high schools — South, McKay, McNary, North, Sprague and West — this school year, with a likely expansion to middle schools next year.

The more than $1.5 million expected cost comes on the heels of the district having to cut tens of millions of dollars — and hundreds of positions as a result — from this year’s budget. District leaders say this will be paid from separate, one-time funding.

Castañeda said the decision to expand detectors was “deliberate and measured” and made after engaging researchers and community members. The district conducted a pilot program at South Salem High at the end of last school year, weeks after the fatal shooting of a student at a nearby park during lunch.

Chris Baldridge, director of Safety and Risk Management Services for the district, said the pilot program at South Salem limited which entrances students can use to enter the building. This is something they are already starting to replicate at other high schools.

There are also “window films” throughout the school that allow students to see outside but stop outsiders from looking in. Additionally, there are new alarms on doors that aren’t meant to be used for entering or exiting the school.

These, along with stricter cell phone policies this year, are all precautions in addition to the detectors.

“We are responsible for the safety of the most precious people in your lives and members of our community,” Castañeda said. “We have to take action with reasonable measures that are within our reach. Weapons detection is not a solution to the underlying problem of fear, violence, and firearms in our community. It is simply an additional, comprehensive layer to protect schools.” READ MORE: https://www.opb.org/article/2024/10/25/oregon-schools-safety-weapon-detection-metal-detector-guns-firearms-shootings-security-salem-keizer/

Oregon Health Authority to launch new rental assistance program in November

Oregon will be the first in the nation to offer a statewide rental assistance program through Medicaid

The Oregon Health Authority is launching a new rental assistance program through its Medicaid plan that serves low-income Oregonians when medical crises impact their ability to pay rent.

The health authority’s plans are intended to keep people housed who need a short-term bridge to make ends meet and pay rent. Its goal is to help people maintain their health and their housing, which can lead to better long-term outcomes. People who face homelessness or the threat of eviction are 35% more likely to delay preventative health care, according to one national study.

To find out more about the housing program and eligibility, go here.

The program, which starts in November, will make Oregon the first state in the nation to offer a statewide rental assistance program through Medicaid. The Oregon Health Plan, the state’s Medicaid program, provides more than 1.4 million Oregonians with health care, dental care and behavioral health care services.

“It really is focusing on trying to keep those most at risk still housed, hopefully leading to them being able to have some short-term help,” said Dave Baden, the authority’s deputy director for policy and programs, in a recent press call with reporters.

The Oregon Health Authority is providing the program through its Medicaid waiver, which is a five-year plan that the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid approved. States can receive waivers as a tool to try new programs or approaches to Medicaid. Oregon’s current Medicaid waiver is in effect from Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2027.

During this period, Oregon has nearly $1 billion available for the rental assistance programs and other new programs within the Medicaid plan for air conditioners, air filters and food benefits. Most of the money — $904 million — is federal funding, with a state match of $71 million.

The program can cover rental and utility costs for up to six months, including past-due amounts. People also can receive medically necessary home improvements, including wheelchair ramps, pest control and heavy-duty cleaning.

The program covers rental assistance, but not new housing placements for people who are homeless.

“The goal of the housing benefit is really around keeping people housed and preventing houselessness,” said Steph Jarem, the authority’s waiver policy director.

Not everyone on Medicaid is eligible. To qualify, an Oregonian enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan would need to have a qualifying risk factor, such as complex medical condition, behavioral health condition, pregnancy or repeated emergency department trips.

The program can cover people who fall behind on rent because of a chronic condition or an injury that prevents them from working.

They also would need an income that is 30% or less than the median income of their region. For a family of four in Portland or Hillsboro, the cutoff is $35,400.

State officials estimate 22% of Oregon’s 618,278 households that rent have incomes that fall below the threshold and are potentially eligible.

In one example, a person who lives alone in Hood River and makes $18,000 a year could get help for missing work with a broken leg while also living with chronic heart disease.

The authority reached the eligibility determinations after negotiations with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (SOURCE)

Child Sexual Predator Eluded Capture in Idaho, Has Ties to Southern Oregon, He May Be Dressed as a Woman

– A fugitive with ties to the southern Oregon region is on-the-run after eluding capture Tuesday, October 22 in Idaho. Christian Bert Fischer, 42, is wanted in Florida for Traveling to Meet a Minor After Use of a Computer to Lure a Child.

Fischer is a white male, 5’10”, 200 lbs., has blonde hair and blue-colored eyes. He is also known to dress like a woman. Before heading to Idaho, Fischer was in the Portland area. This June and July, he was in Ashland, Lake of the Woods, and Wolf Creek.

U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) task forces throughout the country have joined the search, including the local Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force (PNVOTF). If you have any information on Fischer’s whereabouts, contact the local USMS office at (541) 776-4277, the USMS Communication Center at 1-800-336-0102, or USMS Tips at www.usmarshals.gov/tips.

PNVOTF includes personnel from the U.S. Marshals, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, and Central Point Police Department. The task force specializes in locating and arresting fugitives wanted for offenses including, but not limited to, murder, assault, sex crimes, failure to register as a sex offender, firearm violations, and probation violations.

For more information here is the USMS Release:

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – The Hernando County Crime Stoppers in Florida is offering up a $5,000 reward for information directly leading to the arrest of Christian Bert FISCHER, a fugitive convicted in Florida for Traveling to Meet a Minor After Use of a Computer to Lure a Child. Crime Stoppers must be contacted first in order to be eligible for the cash rewards of up to $5,000.00. For additional information and instructions for the reward, please visit the following Crime Stoppers link:

http://www.hernandocountycrimestoppers.com/sitemenu.aspx?P=wanteds&ID=449&Sort=Name&F=&W=.

FISCHER is a white male, 5’10”, 200 lbs., has blonde hair and blue-colored eyes. FISCHER is also known to dress like a woman.

On the second day of FISCHER’s trial in Hernando County, Florida, he failed to appear in court and immediately fled the state the same day. Investigators learned he fled to California, Oregon and as of recently to North Idaho. FISCHER has been utilizing fictious name(s), likely utilizing cash and has had associates pay for certain expenses while he’s been on the run.

In North Idaho, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Greater Idaho Fugitive task force learned FISCHER has attempted to befriend multiple families in the area, to include those with children. Earlier this week, prior to the task force’s attempt to arrest FISCHER, he was seen carving pumpkins at his last known location off Kelso Rd in Athol with an unknown family. Investigators have not been able to identify the family yet and urge the family or anyone else who has had interactions with FISCHER to contact the local USMS office. All tips or information regarding this fugitive investigation case will remain anonymous.

The local task force is continuing to work closely with the USMS office in the Middle District of Florida, the Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office in Brooksville, Florida, as well as other investigators from multiple other states.

The following is a link to a short announcement on Facebook from Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis regarding fugitive Christian FISCHER:

https://www.facebook.com/HernandoSheriff/videos/manhunt-monday-02-12-2024/356273974034934/.

The USMS Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force is a state-wide cooperative to locate and arrest violent offenders wanted for local, state and federal crimes. Member agencies throughout the State of Idaho include: the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, Coeur d’Alene Police Department, Idaho Department of Corrections, Idaho State Police, Nampa Police Department, Pocatello Police Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Anyone with information on FISCHER’s whereabouts is urged to contact the local USMS office at (208) 518-4024, the USMS Communication Center at 1-800-336-0102, or USMS Tips at www.usmarshals.gov/tips.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.

17 People Indicted for Conspiring to Steal More Than $2.4 Million in SNAP Benefits

—17 people are facing federal charges for conspiring to defraud the United States of more than $2.4 million in fraudulent Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) purchases, announced the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

A coordinated, multi-agency law enforcement operation was conducted Tuesday to dismantle the interstate fraud organization that used skimming devices and stolen Electric Benefits Transfer (EBT) accounts to purchase SNAP-eligible products for resale on the black market.

“This group targeted a program that ensures access to healthy and affordable groceries for low-income and food insecure individuals and families,” said Natalie Wight, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “We thank all our partners for their commitment to protecting the integrity of vital public programs like SNAP.”

“The USDA OIG is working relentlessly with our law enforcement partners to dismantle organized skimming operations targeted at stealing EBT card information from victims relying on such benefits to feed their families. These conspirators used skimmed accounts to fraudulently purchase retail goods such as infant formula and energy drinks, and later resold the stolen goods for illicit gain. We thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon, Homeland Security Investigations, Portland Police Bureau, Oregon Department of Justice, and Orange County District Attorney’s Office for our joint effort in pursuing and holding these conspirators accountable for defrauding American families and the Federal Government,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Shawn Dionida, U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General (USDA OIG).

“This kind of fraud cheats a system that is designed to help families and children who need assistance the most,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in the Pacific Northwest. “Every dollar stolen is a dollar that could have fed a child in need. I’m appreciative of our partnerships with federal and local law enforcement, as it is through investigations like this that we will be able to protect resources for those that rely on them, while making sure those who commit these abuses are held accountable.”

“Our role in this case started with the initiative and extensive follow-up by one of our detectives,” said Portland Police Bureau Chief Bob Day. “He then reached out to our federal partners, and as the investigation grew, more resources were brought in to assist. It soon became very apparent how many people were criminally involved and the wide scope of this investigation. This indictment ultimately was the result of an exhaustive amount of investigative work by our detective and federal authorities and I commend everyone involved for their dedication to this important case.”

The following individuals have been arrested and charged with conspiring to defraud the United States, for their roles in the fraud organization:

Ramirez Dumitru, 25; Giovanni Spirea, 28; Santa-Madalina Costache, 25; Florin Mareata, 25; Anita Vaduva, 36; Ion Paul Miclescu, 19; Nicolas Barbosu, 25; Alberto Tomescu, 27; Oana Aura Cristina Caldararu, 23; Roberta Elena Sardaru, 27; Salvis Foro Dunca, 26; Ana Patricia Escalante, 57; Jessica Gonzalez, 27; Edwin Lionel Santizo-Ralon, 54; Cristina Yesenia Escalante, 33; Edgar Basilio Hernandez, 33; and Marta Hernandez de Estrada, 53.

According to court documents, from August 2023 to October 2024, Ramirez Dumitru and his co-conspirators are alleged to have possessed skimming devices and stolen EBT accounts to illegally purchase items with stolen SNAP benefits. Dumitru shared information with other members of the organization who, along with him, used the stolen EBT accounts to purchase large quantities of infant formula, energy drinks, and other SNAP-eligible nonperishable food items from grocery stores in Oregon, Washington, and California, and through websites associated with grocery stores offering curb-side pickup.

Over the course of the conspiracy, the group purchased more than 120,000 pounds of goods and stored them at residential properties and storage units in Oregon and Washington until they were packaged and transported to California in private vehicles or via commercial carriers. The fraudulent goods, obtained with more than $2.4 million in stolen SNAP benefits, were then sold on the black market.

All seventeen members of the organization were arrested on Tuesday without incident and made their initial appearances in federal court this week before U.S. Magistrate Judges in Oregon, Washington and California. All have been arraigned and are pending a trial in the District of Oregon.

The case was investigated by USDA OIG, HSI, U.S. Marshals Service, Portland Police Bureau, Oregon Department of Justice, Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Vancouver Police Department, San Bernardino Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Gresham Police Department, and the Redmond, Washington Police Department Financial Fraud and Identification Theft Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Geoffrey A. Barrow and Nicholas D. Meyers, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Western District of Washington and Central District of California.

An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Wilsonville Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Laundering More Than $4.6 Million in Drug Proceeds

—A Wilsonville, Oregon woman was sentenced to federal prison today for laundering millions of dollars in drug proceeds as the chief money launderer for a drug trafficking organization operating in the Pacific Northwest and California.

Jacqueline Paola Rodriguez Barrientos, 44, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release.

“We thank the coordinated efforts of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners actively combatting these drug trafficking organizations and the damage they inflict on our communities,” said Natalie Wight, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

“While people like Ms. Rodriguez Barrientos conceal the profits of drug enterprises, the losses fall on far too many Americans and their families,” said Adam Jobes, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Seattle Field Office. “We will continue doing our part to expose the finances of criminal organizations.”

According to court documents, beginning in fall 2021, special agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Portland began investigating a drug trafficking organization suspected of transporting counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl and heroin from California into Oregon and Washington State for distribution.

A parallel financial investigation led by IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS:CI) revealed that Barrientos laundered money generated by the drug trafficking organization through the Mazatlán Beauty Salon in Tualatin, Oregon and by buying real estate that she converted into income-generating rentals. The real estate purchases were made with cashier’s checks funded by large cash deposits. Currency Transaction Reports generated by several banks showed that Barrientos made frequent cash deposits ranging from $10,000 to more than $373,000 into accounts held in her name or the name of her salon. These deposits totaled more than $3.5 million during a 9-month period in 2021.

Since February 2021, members of the drug trafficking organization also purchased a total of nine residential properties in Oregon, Washington and Nevada with an estimated total value of more than $4.6 million. All nine properties were purchased outright with no mortgages. Barrientos used laundered funds to purchase eight of these properties. She then used third-party property management companies to rent these properties and received approximately $10,000 per month in rental income.

On February 17, 2022, DEA agents arrested Barrientos and an associate at their Las Vegas residence. Agents found and seized two luxury vehicles, several loose receipts documenting high-end retail purchases, credit card statements documenting more than $16,000 spent on tickets to attend a professional boxing match, and other evidence memorializing the couple’s high-end lifestyle.

On February 9, 2022, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Barrientos with conspiracy to launder drug proceeds. She pleaded guilty on July 31, 2024.

Barrientos has agreed to forfeiture of the properties purchased with criminal proceeds as part of the resolution of her case. Some of the properties have been sold by the government; others are pending forfeiture and sale. The proceeds of forfeited assets are deposited in the Justice Department’s Assets Forfeiture Fund (AFF) and used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of other law enforcement purposes. To learn more about the AFF, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/afp/assets-forfeiture-fund-aff.

This case was investigated by DEA with assistance from the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), IRS:CI, Tigard Police Department, and Oregon State Police. It is being prosecuted by Peter D. Sax, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. Forfeiture proceedings are being handled by AUSA Katie De Villiers, also of the District of Oregon.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

Retail Employee Facing Charges for Theft of Winning Oregon Lottery Ticket

– A store employee is facing charges after they were caught stealing a winning lottery ticket as part of a Retail Integrity Check operation conducted by Oregon State Police (OSP) and Oregon Lottery.

On Thursday, September 19, 2024, detectives from OSP’s Lottery security section presented a winning ticket to an employee at the Short Stop located at 1709 Gekeler Lane in La Grande. The employee scanned the tickets presented by the detective and advised there were no winners, keeping the ticket worth $25,000. Following the check, detectives had the ticket placed on “hold” by Oregon Lottery staff.

On September 26, 2024, the clerk mailed in the winning Lottery ticket in an attempt to redeem the $25,000 prize. Along with the winning ticket, the clerk also mailed in the Lottery Winner Claim Form and signed the declaration. After interviewing the clerk, OSP Lottery detectives cited the individual for Aggravated Theft 1 and Computer Crime. Additional charges of Theft by Deception and Forgery in the First Degree are being recommended to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.

The business has been an Oregon Lottery retailer since 2005 and does not have a history of compliance issues.

“While it is rare to see an individual be dishonest at one of our retailers, we have a responsibility to ensure our games are played with fairness and integrity,” said Justin Hedlund, Oregon Lottery’s assistant director of security. “These checks are one way we accomplish that.”

Undercover checks are done routinely by OSP at Oregon Lottery retailers throughout the year, with more than 170 being conducted since 2020. OSP detectives assigned to Oregon Lottery help support the agency by ensuring fairness, integrity, security and honesty in the operation of the Lottery. The Oregon Lottery recommends that you sign the back of your ticket to ensure you can claim any prize.

Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned more than $15.5 billion for economic development, public education, outdoor school, state parks, veteran services, and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery, visit www.oregonlottery.org.

Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs to Host Statewide Veterans Day Ceremony at Oregon State Capitol Park

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs will honor all veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces during its Statewide Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, in view of the Oregon State Capitol Building.

This event will feature remarks by dignitaries and special guests along with ceremonial elements including a color guard, singing of the national anthem, a wreath laying and the playing of “Taps.”

The celebration will honor Oregon veterans of all eras and will be hosted at the Oregon State Capitol State Park located on Court Street Northeast in Salem — directly in front of the main entrance of the Oregon State Capitol Building.

The event is open to the public and uncovered seating will be provided for attendees. Accessible pathways and seating areas for those needing accommodations will also be provided. Attendees are reminded to plan accordingly for Oregon weather.

For those unable to attend, the event will also be livestreamed on ODVA’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/odvavet. If you have any questions about this event, please contact ODVA at (800) 692-9666 or visit www.oregon.gov/odva.

BLM lifts some fire restrictions in northwest Oregon

– With recent cooler, wetter weather reducing fire danger levels, the Bureau of Land Management has lifted restrictions on certain activities on open BLM land in northwest Oregon. This change means that activities such as campfires, smoking, cross-country vehicle travel in designated areas, and the use of chainsaws will now be permitted.

However, a larger ban on incendiary devices—fireworks, exploding targets, and incendiary ammunition—remains in effect. This regional order is in place across the states of Oregon and Washington to ensure the continued safety of our public lands and neighboring communities due to the inherent fire risks associated these devises. This measure is crucial for preventing accidental fires and protecting the environment, wildlife, and the safety of individuals enjoying outdoor recreation.

Additionally, some BLM land in the region remains closed following this season’s wildfires. For example, all BLM public lands within the Lane One fire boundary are still off limits.

“I encourage everyone to stay informed and exercise caution while enjoying the changing seasons,” said Adam Johnson, fire management specialist with the BLM Northwest Oregon District. “Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we work to keep our public lands safe for everyone.”

For the complete order and more information on seasonal fire restrictions and fire closures, please see www.blm.gov/orwafire.

To learn more about fire careers with BLM Oregon-Washington, please see https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire/state-info/oregon-washington/careers.

Since the outdoor burning restrictions were lifted in many Oregon counties – New Fire  starts are daily due to outdoor burning piles causing grass  fires.

Please use caution  85% of all wildfires are human caused. Oregon still has over 70 fires and for most counties the fire season is not over yet.

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

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.

OSP K-9 team seizes fentanyl and heroin – Douglas County

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. 23 Oct. 2024 – Yesterday, an Oregon State Police K-9 team intercepted fentanyl and heroin destined for Portland.

On Oct. 22, 2024, at about 11 a.m., an Oregon State Trooper stopped a vehicle for speeding on Interstate 5 northbound near milepost 135 in Douglas County. During the stop, the trooper observed signs of criminal activity and deployed a drug detection K-9.

The vehicle search resulted in the discovery of 5.8 pounds of fentanyl and 5 pounds of heroin with suspected fentanyl inside the vehicle.

The driver, Dago Rodrigo Rodrigues (22) of Oakland (CA), and passenger, Mateo Marin Peraza (20) also of Oakland (CA) were arrested for unlawful possession and delivery of fentanyl and heroin and lodged in the Douglas County Jail.

Groundbreaking Dedication Event for Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Oregon State Capitol- Friday, November 22, 2024 | 2:00 p.m.

The Oregon State Capitol will be the site of the highly anticipated dedication ceremony for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Friday, November 22, at 2:00 p.m. This momentous event will be the formal dedication of Phase 1 of the memorial, which honors the service and sacrifice of Oregon’s Vietnam veterans. The public ceremony will occur at Salem’s Willson Park memorial site on the Capitol grounds, at the corner of State and Cottage Street, with a reception to follow at the nearby Withnell Family YMCA.

The memorial pays tribute to 710 Oregonians who lost their lives in the Vietnam War, along with the more than 180,000 Oregonians who served in Vietnam and around the world from 1955-1975. The design features 46 black granite columns engraved with the names of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It creates a reflective space for veterans, families, and the public to honor their memory.

The event will include comments from local veterans, state officials, and Vietnam War Memorial Fund members, who have been instrumental in making this project a reality. The event is hosted by the Oregon Vietnam War Memorial Fund and is supported by a grant of Transient Occupancy Tax from the City of Salem.

The Importance of the Memorial – The Vietnam War remains one of the most challenging and divisive periods in American history. Veterans returning from the conflict were often met with indifference or hostility, making this memorial an overdue recognition of their service. The memorial offers a space for healing and remembrance, honoring both the sacrifices of the fallen and the resilience of those who served. Steve Bates, President and co-founder of the Vietnam War Memorial Fund (VWMF), emphasized the emotional impact of this project. “This is about giving our veterans a place of rest and, for all of us, a place to heal,” Bates said. The memorial will not only commemorate the service of Vietnam veterans but also serve as a reminder of the war’s lasting impact on the state and its people.

Beyond its role as a place of remembrance, the memorial will also serve as an educational resource when Phase 2 is completed. Phase 2, the Exhibit Phase, aims to help future generations understand the human cost of war and the bravery of those who fought.

For more information, see a virtual tour or donate, visit ocvvm.com.

About the VWMF: Vietnam War Memorial Fund’s website at www.ocvvm.com. The Vietnam War Memorial Fund is a recognized 501(c)3 organization, and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent of applicable tax law. You can donate by sending a check to the Vietnam War Memorial Fund – P O Box 1448 – Boring, Oregon 97009 or by credit card at www.ocvvm.com.

Oregon Cannabis Testing Labs Face Shutdown

Three Oregon laboratories who certify the potency of marijuana before it lands in consumers’ pipes and bongs are under investigation for allegedly doctoring tests to show a stronger high.

That’s according to the Portland Business Journal, which first reported Wednesday that Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission regulators have taken the first step to shut down all three labs, which represent about a quarter of such facilities in the state.

Oregon requires pot to be tested for safe levels of pesticides, toxins and heavy metals before sale, but growers often focus on Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC, because higher levels trigger heightened effects in the user (and fetch a greater sale price).

The state commission has put labs under the microscope after learning that testers were sprinkling “kief,” essentially high-potency cannabis dust, on top of samples in order to boost their scores, according to the Business Journal.

Name Our K-9 Contest – OSP launches youth contest to name our new K-9

– There’s a new furry recruit at Oregon State Police. She’s excited to join her handler on Oregon’s highways, and we need your help to give her an official name that is paw-some!

Oregon youth, kindergarten through 5th grade, send in your ulti-mutt name for our fur-ever friend. The winning entry will be recognized with a round of a-paws and other fun prizes.

Contest Rules:

• Complete an entry form between Oct. 17-27, 2024.
  • https://bit.ly/OSP_K9Contest
• The contest is open to Oregon youth from kindergarten through 5^th grade.
• One entry per student.
• Five names from the submitted entries will be selected to move forward for statewide voting.
• The student with the winning name entry will get to meet the K-9 and other recognition from OSP.
• The school with the most participants will also be recognized by OSP.

Who’s ready fur some treats! Learn more about our new K-9: https://youtu.be/3naO1tVKz2M

The K-9 is a two-year-old female Belgian Malinois from Blackwood Canine who is certified through the Oregon Police K-9 Association as a drug detection dog. She and her handler, Sr. Trooper Scott Show, are assigned to the Albany Patrol Office for drug detection along Interstate 5 and throughout the state.

Sr. Trooper Show said, “I’m excited to have Oregon youth involved in naming our K-9. Kids come up with the best animal names and I’ll be happy with whatever they choose.”

The contest opens at noon on Oct. 17, 2024, and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 27, 2024. Entries must be received via OSP’s online entry form: https://bit.ly/OSP_K9Contest.

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.

Oregon Aging and People with Disabilities offers free help for Medicare Open Enrollment

(Salem) — Medicare Open Enrollment for the 2025 plan year begins Oct. 15 and remains open through Dec. 7, 2024. Medicare beneficiaries seeking to compare or change their existing Medicare plan can receive free help from the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS).

During the Medicare Open Enrollment period, people with Medicare can make changes to their health plan or prescription drug plan, pick a Medicare Advantage plan or choose Original Medicare. The ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities’ (APD) Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program is available to help Oregonians understand their Medicare options and benefits, provide enrollment guidance and help people detect and avoid Medicare scams. Additionally, there are some key changes coming to Medicare in 2025 that APD’s SHIBA program counselors can assist people in understanding including:

• The new Manufacturer Discount Program which addresses the coverage gap, also known as the “donut hole;”
• The lower maximum to pay for covered drugs. The maximum amount for 2025 will be $2,000;
• Coverage for weight loss drugs when doctors prescribe them for people who meet certain conditions;
• Expanded coverage for family caregiver services through the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) model; and
• Increased access to mental health services by allowing more providers to bill Medicare for services.

“Our APD SHIBA team is devoted to helping people prepare for open enrollment and understand changes,” said Jane-ellen Weidanz, who oversees SHIBA as APD Deputy Director of Policy.

Oregonians who need help navigating Medicare open enrollment are encouraged to call SHIBA at 800-722-4134 (toll-free) or learn more by visiting the SHIBA website at SHIBA.Oregon.gov. The 2025 Oregon Guide to Medicare Insurance Plans will be available on the SHIBA website in the coming days and will be translated to multiple languages.

SHIBA certified counselors can also help people report scams to Medicare and educate people on how to avoid Medicare scams or fraud. According to the Senior Medicare Patrol, common scams include promising free durable medical equipment, such as knee braces and catheters, or offers of free genetic testing. The ultimate goal for the scammer is to get the beneficiary’s Medicare number to commit Medicare billing fraud. “SHIBA counselors are committed to ensuring Oregonians have the information they need to avoid becoming victims of fraud and report scams or suspected Medicare fraud,” said APD Director Dr. Nakeshia Knight-Coyle.

Help from SHIBA is available over the phone and through virtual and in-person appointments. Because high call volume during Open Enrollment may result in longer than usual wait times, Oregonians are also encouraged to access free resources on the SHIBA website such as Medicare frequently asked questions, an agent locator tool, a list of free virtual and in-person Medicare presentations and videos to help people understand their Medicare options. People who need Medicare help in a language other than English, including sign language, can call 833-685-0841 or send an email to odhs.languageaccess@odhsoha.oregon.gov; after placing a request, a translator will reach out in the requestor’s preferred language to provide assistance in communicating with SHIBA.

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.

About the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance program – The Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program is part of the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities. It is a statewide network of certified counselors volunteering in their community to help all Oregonians make educated Medicare decisions. SHIBA offers free, objective, confidential and local one-on-one health insurance counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families.

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