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

Wednesday,  November 20, 2024

Rogue Valley Weather

Get Prepared for Extreme Winter Weather

Bomb Cyclone Dumps Snow in Mountain Passes

Interstate 5 southbound is closed at milepost 11 in Ashland due to extreme winter weather conditions in Northern California. This will be a long-term closure. Postpone travel until conditions improve.

A winter storm hit Southern Oregon last week, bringing snow, ice, rain and quickly changing road conditions. Siskiyou Summit saw its first major snowfall of the season, catching many drivers off guard.

In response, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is reminding drivers of the importance of preparing for winter weather. The fast-moving storm surprised a lot of drivers This is a reminder that winter weather can change quickly, and road conditions can go from clear to hazardous in a matter of minutes.

ODOT urges drivers to follow several key tips to stay safe:

• Turn on your windshield wipers and headlights
• Slow down and avoid cruise control
•  Increase your stopping distance and steer clear of standing water
• Carry chains and check road conditions before traveling
  using TripCheck.com or by calling 511.
• Pack an emergency kit with a flashlight, phone charger, warm clothes, food, and water in case you get
  stuck.
• Be aware of the dangers of black ice, which can be even more hazardous than snow.
• Drivers should always be prepared for sudden weather changes—especially in higher elevations.

Multiple winter storm warnings have been issued across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana, urging people to avoid travel due to heavy snow expected in these states. In Oregon, warnings cover various counties, including portions of highways 97, 58, 230, 138, 62, 140, and 66. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Medford and Portland emphasized the potential for very difficult driving conditions and advised extreme caution if travel is necessary.

Bomb Cyclone Hits the West Coast

A powerful combination of an atmospheric river and bomb cyclone is impacting Oregon this week, starting Tuesday, November 19, and continuing through Friday, November 22.  Rainfall Forecast: – 5+ inches expected from San Francisco to Eugene, OR.

An intense mid-latitude cyclone is expected to take aim at the West Coast of the United States early this week, ushering a strong atmospheric river into Oregon and California. This low pressure system is likely to go through bombogenesis, or “bomb out,” a term reserved for low pressure systems that intensify rapidly, typically with a pressure drop of at least 24mb in 24 hours. This definition changes based on latitude.

The storm system headed toward the West Tuesday through Thursday will have potential to more than double that pressure drop, with forecast models showing a drop of 50-60mb in less than a day, starting at over 1000 mb Monday night, possibly dropping below 950 mb by Tuesday night. This intense storm system is expected to bring major impacts to areas of the Northwest and northern California with heavy rain, strong winds, and big swells.

As the low pressure system develops, it will tap into a stream of sub-tropical moisture, creating what’s known as an atmospheric river. These systems can create extreme precipitation and gusty winds. Rainfall is expected to be very heavy from Tuesday through Thursday, with rainfall totals possibly surpassing a foot or more in Southern Oregon and Northern California. Flooding in these areas is likely, including river flooding and flash flooding. (SOURCE)

Be alert for landslides across southwestern Oregon
Oregon Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries 

Clayfolk Starts Friday!!!

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086640103044

Nurses at Providence Medford Hold Solidarity Rally 

Oregon Nurses Assn. 

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀!

Enter the Medford City Council’s art contest for a chance to win a $𝟭,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 and have your artwork displayed at City Hall!

Grants Pass “Buy-A-Brick” Plaques On Sale For Owl Parking Plaza

In 2025, the Owl Parking Lot at 5th and H Streets will undergo a major reconstruction and be converted to a joint parking lot and public plaza for community events. The City of Grants Pass is launching the “Buy-a-Brick” campaign before construction begins.

Medford Police – Community Service Project

Check out these rock stars! We partnered with Rogue Valley Adventist Academy for a community service project. 31 high school students joined 4 of our CSO’s and an officer from our Livability Team to clean up graffiti along the greenway. In 1 hour, we were able to clean up the portion at the 12th street bridge and Hawthorne Park!   Great work, students!

Medford Fire Department  — REMINDER

It’s getting cold outside! If you plan on using a space heater to stay warm, please remember these safety tips!

Never leave a space heater running unattended. If you are going to sleep or leaving the room, turn it off – it saves electricity too!

Always plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. NEVER use an extension cord, as these can overheat and cause a fire hazard.

Keep your space heater at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn (like paper, clothing, or rugs).

Use space heaters that have the seal of a qualified testing laboratory and have an automatic shut-off feature.

Crater Lake Gets Snow – North Entrance Road and Rim Drive are CLOSED for the season.

Crater Lake got its first big snowstorm of the year Wednesday. If you were planning a late fall trip to Oregon’s
Crater Lake National Park today, you’re out of luck. All roads at the park were closed Thursday morning after a winter
storm dumped snow on the park and “equipment challenges” meant employees couldn’t immediately clear them.

The North Entrance Road and East & West Rim Drives are now closed for the season a few The roads will not open again until mid to late June or July 2025. All other roads are open.

According to a post on the park’s website, all park roads were temporarily closed to travel “while the snowplow
operators work to repair equipment and clear the roads.” he park had gotten just under 15 inches of snow in about 24 hours, according to Tim Daldrup, a meterologist with the National Weather Service in Medford.

The snow was expected to continue, though substantially lighter, for the next several days. But, said Dalrup, another storm is predicted late Sunday into Monday that could bring a foot or more of new snow to the area. Crater Lake National Park did not respond to say when they anticipated re-opening park roads. In general, the park is open all year, and snow is common. https://www.nps.gov/crla/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Grants Pass 2024 Water Report Photo Contest

2024 Water Report Photo Contest “Reimagine Our Water Future.”–The City of Grants Pass invites you to enter our 2024 Water Quality Report photo contest. Amateur and professional photographers are encouraged to enter.

Winning photos will be featured in the 2024 Water Quality Report.Categories: K-12; Amateur; Professional Prizes

Prizes: First place winner will receive $200; Second place winner will receive $100; Winning photos will be featured in the City of Grants Pass 2024 Water Quality Report

Lithia Park’s Butler-Perozzi Fountain Campaign Finishes

All Funds Raised for the Restoration Project

With tremendous support from the local community, visitors to Ashland, and statewide foundations and grantors, the Ashland Parks Foundation has reached its ambitious fundraising goal to restore, repair and upgrade the Butler-Perozzi Fountain in Lithia Park.

The fountain, purchased by two Ashland civic leaders at the 1915 Pan-American World Exposition in San Francisco, had fallen into disrepair over the years. A campaign to restore the fountain and repair and upgrade the site began July 4, 2023, 107 years after it was dedicated to the City of Ashland.

“We received contributions as little as $10 and as much as $200,000” said Mike Gardiner, President of the foundation, which led the effort. “ The fountain is a beloved piece of Ashland’s history and an important piece of public art in the town. We look forward to returning it to its former glory.”

Now that the campaign reached its $800,000 goal, which includes a $200,000 maintenance fund, the foundation is working with Ashland Parks and Recreation staff to create a bid package for the project, select a qualified contractor, and begin the restoration and repair work in 2025.

The foundation is still accepting donations for the long-term maintenance fund to ensure that the fountain and site remain in good condition for years to come. To learn more visit:  https://ashlandparksfoundation.org/butler-perozzi-fountain/

A Medford man facing a court arraignment for murder and attempted murder in Central Point is extending his arraignment to next month.

Central Point Police Department (CPPD) said its officers found a dead 42-year-old victim at the 300 block of South 4th Street around 7:30 a.m. Friday, reportedly a gunshot victim.  It said a few minutes later CPPD officers learned of a second shooting in the 500 block of Bush Street, approximately four blocks from the 4th Street scene, where a female victim was located in a vehicle on Bush Street, and she was taken to Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.

CPPD said officers from the Medford Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Police located the lone male shooting suspect around 8 a.m. on foot in the 1000 block of North 5th Street in Central Point, where he was taken into custody.

45-year-old William Carl Frombach, Jr., had an arraignment scheduled today in Jackson County Circuit Court for one felony criminal count each of murder, attempt to commit any degree of murder or aggravated murder, assault, animal abuse and felon in possession of a firearm charges.

Jackson County District Attorney’s information accuses Frombach, Jr., of killing Devery Allen Bynam and attempting to kill Elizabeth Hadley last Friday, November 8, 2024.

In court this afternoon, the Court assigned a public defender to Frombach, Jr.’s case, and the public defender’s office requested a continuance of today’s hearing to December 12, 2024, before the murder suspect could enter his plea to the charges.

The Court today took no pleas, and Judge Paul Moser also set no bail for Frombach, Jr., keeping him in jail without bond.

Medford’s Parks & Recreation department is seeking bids for concession operations at Lithia & Driveway Fields in south Medford.

The City of Medford seeks proposals for a competitive bid process to operate concession services at Lithia & Driveway Fields (L & D Fields)! Go to the link below to view information about the bid process.

Starting November 12th, Shelter Friends will be covering all dog adoption fees in hopes of getting our pups Home for the Holidays.

That’s right – dog adoptions are FREE starting Tuesday until further notice. Please help share the word so we can clear some kennels!

Jackson County Public Health Issues Overdose Alert for Fentanyl

According to a news release from Jackson County Public Health, there was an increase in medical service responses, emergency department admissions and suspected fatal overdoses between Oct. 27 and Nov. 2.

“Illicitly manufactured fentanyl can be sold as counterfeit pills, such as oxycontin, or in a powder form, which can look like other drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamine,” the release said. “Fentanyl can also be mixed with other illicit opioids, such as heroin. The increased presence of fentanyl in the drug supply increases the risk of poisoning or overdosing for people who are experimenting with drugs, who use recreationally and not intentionally using fentanyl.”

Health officials say the best step to protect yourself is to abstain from illicit opioids altogether.

“There is no safe way to use illicit opioids, such as fentanyl, but there are steps that can be taken to help reduce the risk of overdosing,” the release said. “The street drug supply is unpredictable and inconsistent. Assume there is a risk of drug poisoning or overdosing no matter what drug is used.”

Authorities also urge residents to call 911 when someone is overdosing.

“The Good Samaritan Law protects someone from being arrested or prosecuted for drug-related charges or parole/probation violations based on information provided to emergency responders,” the release said.

Residents can also use drug testing strips to test their drug supply for fentanyl, the release said. Fentanyl test strips are available through Jackson County’s Syringe Exchange Programs.

Those who do use opioids should have an overdose plan, the release said, making sure someone can get to them. If they are alone, they can use the 24/7 Never Use Alone Hotline at 1-877-696-1996.

Finally, they recommend carrying naloxone with you. According to the release, naloxone is available over the counter at most pharmacies and is also available through Max’s Mission and HIV Alliance.

For locations closest to you that have naloxone, click here.

For help with drug addiction, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). This hotline is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can also find a list of resources here. 

MORE INFO: https://jacksoncountyor.gov/news_detail_T10_R433.php#:~:text=Fentanyl%20test%20strips%20are%20available,a%20safe%20person%20with%20you.

Marine Board Seeks Written Public Comments on Proposed Upper Rogue River Rules

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.

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

The Coquille Indian Tribe hosts south coast emergency preparedness exercise November 21, 2024

WHAT: On Thursday, November 21 theCoquille Indian Tribe is hosting state legislators and other leaders as the Oregon Department of Human Services’ Office of Resilience and Emergency Management conducts an emergency preparedness exerciseand installs evacuation assembly point (EAP) equipment.

Members of the media are invited to tour the EAP equipment and attend a news conference. 

WHERE: Coquille Indian Tribe Plank House. Media parking at 1050 Plankhouse Road, Coos Bay, OR 97420.

WHEN: Thursday, November 21, 2024

• Members of the media may come and go anytime 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
• Key events:
  • 12:45 p.m. news conference
  • Speakers from the Coquille Indian Tribe, Oregon Legislature, Oregon Department of Human Services
  • 1:15 p.m. mass care demonstrations:
    • United States Coast Guard demonstrating medical extraction and search and rescue.
    • CERFP demonstrating mass care triage capability.
    • Scappoose Fire demonstrating an unmanned aircraft system (aka drone).
  • 2:30 p.m. demonstrations end
• Video and still images of the exercise will be sent to media by 3:00 p.m. on November 21.

WHO: Leaders from the Coquille Indian Tribe, State legislators and leaders from Coos County and the Oregon Department of Human Services’ Office of Resilience and Emergency Management

WHY: The Coquille Indian Tribe agreed to host the EAP supplies provided by OREM. The supplies are housed in metal shipping containers that store food, water, tents and medical supplies to support 100 people at the evacuation assembly point (EAP) for two weeks in the event of an emergency. Evacuation assembly points are short-term locations for people to gather while emergency responders work to access the impacted area, and stage people for evacuation.

This is the third set of EAP equipment that OREM has placed on the Oregon Coast. Others are located at the Tillamook Municipal Airport and Newport Airport. These are pre-planned locations for people to be transported out of the immediate disaster area.

OREM is the lead state agency for mass care (e.g., shelter, food and water). Along with partners like the Coquille Indian Tribe, OREM has staged these supplies in coastal communities because they will be isolated from responders in the immediate aftermath of the Cascadia earthquake.

HOW: For interviews or additional information please contact:

• Sara Campos, ODHS OREM Public Information Officer, 971-208-1947 a.k.campos@odhs.oregon.gov“>sara.k.campos@odhs.oregon.gov
• Tim Novotny, Coquille Indian Tribe Communications Director, 541-751-7491 timnovotny@coquilletribe.org

St. Helens students return to class following week of protests in wake of teacher sex abuse scandal

Students return to school after a week of protests after a current and former teacher were charged with sexually abusing multiple students for several years.

St. Helens High School students return to school Tuesday after a week of protests on campus due to a teacher sex abuse scandal where a current and former educator were both accused of abusing a total of nine students.

One of the teachers, Eric Stearns, taught choir at the school up until his arrest last Tuesday, even though police had notified the district he was under investigation nearly two months prior. Students walked out of class Thursday morning with anger and outrage over how the district handled the police investigation.

St. Helens High School closed Thursday, Friday and Monday amid the student-led protests on campus that included both parents and community members. In response, the school district placed Superintendent Scot Stockwell and St. Helens High School Principal Katy Wagner on paid administrative leave on Friday. The chair of the school board also resigned that same day.

The case is still being investigated, police said, but they wouldn’t reveal if more victims had come forward in the wake of the announcement of the two arrests. (SOURCE)

St. Helens school officials for years sat on multiple reports of sexual abuse, police say

Top law enforcement officials in Columbia County say the St. Helens School District received allegations that two high school teachers sexually abused students over a period of several years and failed to share that information with authorities.

St. Helens Acting Police Chief Joseph Hogue said Friday that his department subpoenaed the district in October and found historical reports made by students detailing allegations that the district had not previously disclosed. A police investigation led to the arrests this week of choir teacher Eric Stearns and recently retired math teacher Mark Collins, who are charged with sexual abuse of multiple students from 2015 through last year.

The school district never informed law enforcement or state officials about the reports of sexual abuse, which is required by state law, Hogue said.

“There were multiple historical reports made to high school administration from 2019 to 2023 and this also corroborated the victim statements that (detectives) had previously received,” Hogue said. Teachers and school administrators in Oregon are required to report allegations of sexual abuse.

Columbia County District Attorney Joshua Pond said Friday his office is investigating whether the district broke any laws by not forwarding the reports to law enforcement. Court documents filed by prosecutors on Nov. 8 indicate at least six student victims.

Hogue said the investigation began with a tip from a TikTok user who is a St. Helens alum. That led to detectives identifying an alleged victim in the comments of one of the videos. From there, detectives found and interviewed additional victims and witnesses.

“These comments began naming Eric Stearns, a current teacher at the St Helens High School,” Hogue said. “During the course of these interviews, a second teacher who was now retired, but that name came up as well.

Many students and parents, however, have said it is not enough to make up for years of instances of kids feeling uncomfortable in class.

“If anybody reports this stuff it was made to feel like it’s not that big a deal, like we just want it to go away,” said Brandon Hogan, a parent in St. Helens School District.

Tips from a TikTok creator and St. Helens High School graduate in part lead to the investigation, alleging “historic sexual abuse” at the school. Now, Stearns faces seven counts of second-degree sexual abuse and one count of third-degree sexual abuse. And, former teacher Mark Collins faces similar charges for sexual abuse.

In March, the district also paid $3.5 million to settle a former students’ civil right suit against a former St. Helens track coach. The lawsuit alleged the district was aware for over a decade of predatory behavior by a teacher and track coach but did nothing.

“They let people with multiple strikes against them, multiple harassment claims still teach,” said Robert Schaffer, a student at St. Helens High School. “And it’s sickening.”

Police arrested Stearns and Collins on Tuesday, quickly sparking citywide outrage over the alleged abuse. It came to a head at a very contentious school board meeting Wednesday night.

In response to student-led protests, the high school was closed on Thursday, and all district schools were closed on Friday.

Mercy Medical Center in Roseburg Picket Cancelled as Nurses Reach a Tentative Agreement

EVENT UPDATE: Wednesday’s Info Picket at Mercy Medical Center is Cancelled.

ONA nurses at Mercy Medical Center in Roseburg are pleased to announce they reached a tentative contract agreement with hospital management after 9 p.m. Tuesday, November 19.

As part of the agreement, nurses are cancelling the informational picket originally scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 20. 

After more than 20 negotiation sessions, local nurses were able to secure a fair agreement which will help the hospital address staffing issues and raise local healthcare standards. The new three-year agreement includes a 26% wage increase in year one to pull nurses level with other local hospitals’ wages. It also increases frontline healthcare workers’ benefits to remain competitive with other healthcare systems. Nurses on the bargaining team believe this new agreement will enable the hospital to recruit and retain nurses in Douglas County and help ensure local patients continue to have access to high-quality, safe, and affordable healthcare.

Local nurses expressed deep appreciation for the support they’ve received from their coworkers at Mercy and from community members throughout contract negotiations. Community support was critical to reaching a fair contract agreement that will make a positive difference for nurses, patients and our community.

Nurses at Mercy will review details of the tentative agreement and hold a ratification vote soon.

Oregon Department of Forestry  — ODF completes Santiam State Forest reforestation effort from devastating 2020 wildfires with 2.3 million seedlings now planted

It’s done! 2.3 million seedlings are now planted in the Santiam State Forest completing the recovery efforts after the 2020 wildfires. The four-years of hard work was true teamwork by the ODF to complete the salvage logging sales, rebuild roads, fix recreation sites and trails, and help wildlife recover. See the whole story on ODF’s news blog. https://wp.me/p6ELS9-2xz

Organic Carrots E. coli outbreak turns fatal

Federal agencies warned an E. coli outbreak turned deadly, and the related recall nationwide involves organic carrots sold in over a dozen brands including Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, GreenWise, 365, Nature’s Promise, and Bunny-Luv.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Sunday that an E. coli outbreak related to organic whole and baby carrots caused one death, there were 39 infections in 18 states, and 15 remained hospitalized.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Saturday that Grimmway Farms issued a recall. A CDC map tracking the reported cases showed most of the cases that started in September were in Washington, New York, Minnesota, Oregon, and California.

The CDC asked anyone with severe symptoms such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting to “seek health care, and tell your provider about what you ate.” According to the CDC, symptoms usually start 3 to 4 days after swallowing the bacteria and although some patients may develop kidney problems, most people recover without treatment after 5 to 7 days.

For more information about the E. coli outbreak, visit the CDC page. For more information about the recall, visit the FDA page.

Governor Kotek Takes Action to Secure Medical Abortion Following National Election Results

OHSU secures new supply of Mifepristone, extending the stockpile expiration date to September 2028

Moday, Governor Tina Kotek announced that following the national results of the general election, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) have executed an updated agreement to continue operating the distribution of the state’s emergency Mifepristone supply into the future.

“I believe in reproductive freedom and am committed to being a fierce advocate for every person’s access to safe reproductive health care services, no matter the national landscape,” Governor Kotek said. “Oregon is not immune from federal attacks on our reproductive rights. In our state, patients will continue to access the medication they need and providers will deliver these critical services without fear or harassment.”

In April 2023, Governor Kotek directed the Oregon Health Authority to partner with OHSU to secure a three-year supply of Mifepristone – a safe and effective medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over 20 years ago for use in miscarriage management and to end a pregnancy.

The prior supply had an expiration date of September 2025. As of last week, OHSU has secured a new supply with an expiration date of September 2028. The Governor’s team continues to engage in regular conversation with national and local partners, as well as legislative leadership, to understand the potential scale of impacts to reproductive health care in Oregon under a changing federal administration.

The Governor’s full statement in response to the results of the general election can be found here in English and here in Spanish.

Reproductive health equity is a long-time priority of Governor Kotek, both from her time as Speaker of the Oregon House and during her tenure as Governor. She has consistently gone above and beyond to ensure that Oregonians have access to abortion services. As Speaker, she worked to pass the Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA) in 2017. Then, as Governor, she directed regulators to ensure that insurers were in full compliance with the law including corrective action plans and ongoing monitoring.

Last summer, she signed the Access to Reproductive Health Care law, House Bill 2002. The bill protects access to reproductive health care and provides state funding to support the work of community organizations and clinical partners to ensure that people across the state have broader access to the reproductive health care they need.

Reward of up to $25,000 Offered in Ballot Box Fire Case

The FBI’s Seattle Field Office is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the person responsible setting incendiary fires at two ballot boxes in Vancouver, Washington, and one in Portland, Oregon. The FBI’s Seeking Information poster can be found here: https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/ballot-box-fires

On October 8, 2024, between 3:30 and 4:00 a.m., an unknown individual placed an improvised incendiary device on a ballot drop box in Vancouver, Washington. Subsequently, on October 28, 2024, between 2:00 and 4:00 a.m., improvised incendiary devices were placed on ballot drop boxes in Vancouver, Washington, and Portland, Oregon.

A surveillance camera captured images of an early 2003 to 2004 Volvo S-60 sedan, dark in color, with dark wheels and a light-colored interior, driven by the suspect believed to responsible for these crimes. The vehicle does not have a Volvo logo on the front grill. At the time of the October 28, 2024, incidents, the vehicle also displayed a fraudulent temporary Washington license plate on the rear and no front license plate. The plate, which is not associated with a Volvo, may no longer be on the vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle is described as a White male, approximately 30 to 40 years old with thinning hair. It is believed that he may have some experience with metal work and welding.

Anyone with information is asked to call your nearest FBI office, provide information online at tips.fbi.gov, or call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). FBI – Oregon

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.

100,000 Electric Vehicles Registered In Oregon Now

Oregon’s push for a greener future got a major boost earlier this year when the state surpassed 100,000 registered electric vehicles. The milestone will mean fewer emissions from the transportation sector and across Oregon.

Representatives from the Oregon Departments of Energy, Environmental Quality, and Transportation gathered at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland today to celebrate the milestone with a press conference.

Directors from each agency and OMSI President and CEO Erin Graham spoke about the state’s progress to electrify transportation and reduce emissions from transportation, which account for about 35 percent of the state’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

Oregon crossed the 100,000 registered electric cars, SUVs, and light trucks threshold in July 2024, according to DMV registration data. As of August 2024, there are about 102,400 registered EVs throughout the state. That number includes both battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles.  READ MORE

Boeing Will Lay Off Over 2,500 Workers Amid Turnaround Effort

The job cuts, part of a 17,000-strong employee reduction, will hit workers in Washington, Oregon, South Carolina and Missouri.

Boeing will lay off more than 2,500 workers in the U.S. states of Washington, Oregon, South Carolina and Missouri, according to federally required filings posted on Monday and a union official, as part of the debt-heavy U.S. plane maker’s plan to cut 17,000 jobs, or 10 percent of its global workforce.

Nearly 2,200 layoff notices went to workers in Washington and another 220 in South Carolina, the two states where Boeing builds commercial airliners. Boeing declined to comment on the layoffs on Monday.

The aerospace giant started telling affected U.S. workers on Wednesday that they will stay on Boeing’s payroll until Jan. 17, to comply with federal requirements to notify employees at least 60 days prior to ending their employment.

News that Boeing would send out the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) in mid-November was widely expected. Another round is expected in December. Boeing could also use workforce attrition, selective hiring and sales of subsidiaries to reduce workforce.

Boeing shares gained 2.6 percent to close at $143.87 on Monday, and stayed flat in midday Tuesday trading.

In October, Boeing’s new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, said the company does not intend to “take people off production or out of the engineering labs.” Industry-watchers have been waiting for the WARNs for some indication of how the layoffs could affect workers in the company’s key manufacturing hubs.

However, several hundred engineers and production workers were among those who received pink slips last week.

The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace said 438 of the union’s members at Boeing received layoff notices last week, including 218 engineers and 220 technicians.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District Lodge 837 in St. Louis said Boeing sent notices to 111 members, most of whom made wing components for the 777X.

Who is being laid off seems to vary between sections within Boeing, several non-union workers who received WARNs told Reuters.

One engineer in Boeing Defense, Space & Security said all but two or three members of his 12-person team were let go, while another said she was the only one of her roughly 20-person team to receive a WARN. Both said they provide vital support for production and design engineers, but they are not considered to work in production.

The notices come as Boeing tries to restart production of its strongest-selling 737 MAX, after a weeks-long strike by more than 33,000 U.S. West Coast workers halted output of most of its commercial jets. (SOURCE)

Free Fishing Days in Oregon Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 29-30

Make fishing part of your Thanksgiving weekend plans with friends and family. Everyone can fish, clam and crab for free in Oregon on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29-30.

No fishing/shellfish licenses or tags (including a Combined Angling Tag, Columbia River Basin Endorsement or Two-Rod Validation) are required those two days. Both Oregon residents and nonresidents can fish for free.

All other fishing regulations apply including closures, bag limits and size restrictions. See the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for rules and remember to check for any in-season regulation updates too, especially for salmon and steelhead fishing. Click on the zone where you want to fish to see regulation updates.

The Recreation Report is updated weekly and features the best bests for fishing for the upcoming week. Depending on water levels and conditions, fishing could be good for Chinook or coho salmon; again be sure to check regulations first because not all rivers are open. Trout will also be stocked the week before Thanksgiving at several popular lakes in the Willamette Valley.

For beginners, Easy Angling Oregon is a great guide to getting started fishing in Oregon, https://myodfw.com/articles/easy-angling-oregon-introduction. And if you live near Portland, Bend, Medford, Roseburg or in Lane County, there are lots of nearby options.

Prefer to crab or clam instead? MyODFW.com has all the information you need to get started clamming or crabbing. Remember to check ocean conditions and take safety precautions—always clam with a friend and never turn your back on the ocean.

Call the ODA Shellfish safety hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or check their Shellfish Closures page before you go clamming or crabbing. The Oregon Department of Agriculture regularly tests shellfish and closes areas when naturally occurring biotoxins get to levels that make crabs and clams unsafe to eat.

Currently, crabbing is open in bays, beaches, estuaries, tide pools, piers and jetties along the entire Oregon coast. Crabbing is closed in the ocean due to the annual closure from Oct. 16-Nov. 30 each year.

As of mid-November, razor clamming is closed from Cascade Head to the California border due to high levels of the marine biotoxin domoic acid, but closures may change by Thanksgiving Weekend so check before you go. (SOURCE)

Triple your impact: Pacific Power will match your contribution to Oregon Energy Fund 2-for-1

Pacific Power is making it simple to make a difference in communities by helping struggling neighbors stay warm this winter. For every dollar that you donate, Pacific Power will match your donation to the Oregon Energy Fund with $2 more.

Pacific Power customers who receive their bills by mail will find they include an Oregon Energy Fund contribution envelope in November. Customers who pay their bills electronically can send a check or enroll in the fixed donation program. To enroll in the fixed donation program, customers can call Pacific Power toll-free at 1-888-221-7070 or Donate to Energy Assistance (pacificpower.net).

This program allows customers to donate any dollar amount, starting at $1 per month, which is then incorporated into their monthly bill. Fixed donations will also be matched 2-for-1 by Pacific Power.

Donations may be tax-deductible and are forwarded directly to the Oregon Energy Fund, which verifies eligibility and allocates funds to those in need. All funds donated are used to assist families in need within the same county in which the donor resides.

“Pacific Power’s commitment to supporting household stability is bolstered by compassion, collaboration and innovation,” said Brian Allbritton, executive director of the Oregon Energy Fund.

“Studies have shown that more than a quarter of Oregonians struggle to pay their bills each year,” said Albritton. “From Oregon Energy Fund’s start in 1989, Pacific Power has been an important partner in bringing emergency bill payment assistance to thousands of vulnerable Oregonians, helping make them healthy and safe while keeping their lights on.”

Last year, donations from Pacific Power’s customers, employees and the company helped 2,995 individuals in need throughout Oregon, including 1,482 adults, 503 seniors, 464 people with disabilities and 1,010 children. This year, Pacific Power will match up to $144,000 in donations.

Customers who need bill assistance can speak with Pacific Power representatives at 1-888-221-7070 who can help with payment plans that work for their individual needs, while directing them to agencies that may be able to help. https://www.pacificpower.net/about/newsroom/news-releases/2024-Oregon-Energy-Fund.html#:~:text=PORTLAND%2C%20Ore.,Energy%20Fund%20with%20%242%20more.

Oregon begins rollout of new housing benefits for eligible OHP members with health conditions

SALEM, Ore. – Starting today, Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members with specific health conditions may qualify for new, first-in-the-nation benefits to keep their current housing and access other housing services.

The housing benefits include rent assistance for up to six months, utility set-up and payments for up to six months, home modifications and upgrades for health or safety reasons (e.g., grab bars, ramp installation, pest control), and rental navigation services. Unlike other state and local prevention services, eligible members can request these benefits ahead of receiving an eviction notice.

Not all OHP members will qualify for these new benefits. To qualify, OHP members must meet specific requirements, including at least one of the following health conditions: a complex physical or behavioral health condition; a developmental or intellectual disability; difficulty with self-care and daily activities; experience of abuse or neglect; be 65 years of age or older; be under the age of six; currently pregnant or gave birth in the past 12 months; or repeated use of emergency room or crisis services.

OHA Director Dr. Sejal Hathi, MD, MBA, said, “Oregon’s health inequities are inextricably linked to our state’s housing crisis. Individuals and families who become homeless face a significantly higher risk of mortality and higher rates of behavioral and physical health conditions – even as they report poorer access to care. These Medicaid benefits can help stop that cycle and, in a model for the rest of the country, make it possible for Oregonians to maintain their current housing, connect with providers and access additional resources that support their well-being.”

Oregon received permission from the federal government to test whether and how addressing health-related social needs improves health outcomes. While other states have launched similar benefits, Oregon is the first in the nation to roll out rent assistance as a statewide Medicaid benefit for eligible OHP members.

“Housing plays a pivotal role in our physical and mental wellbeing. And yet, so many of our neighbors are living paycheck to paycheck, where an unexpected issue can lead to a loss of income and loss of a home,” said Emma Sandoe, Medicaid Director at Oregon Health Authority. “These benefits are one more tool to keep Oregonians housed during short-term disruptions and prevent negative health outcomes of homelessness.”

Of renters across Oregon, 22% have extremely low income, with $30,560 being the average income limit for a four-person household. Adults living with housing insecurity, including threat of eviction, are 19% more likely to lack access to a primary care provider and 35% more likely to postpone preventative health care even if they have chronic health conditions. Evictions and loss of housing can lead to negative health outcomes including:

• Increasing an individual’s risk for physical and mental health conditions
• Making an individual’s existing health condition worse
• Creating barriers to accessing medical care, medications and food

“Housing is a critical driver of health outcomes, significantly impacting social mobility and economic opportunity,” said Oregon Housing and Community Services Executive Director, Andrea Bell. “Stable housing serves as a catalyst for expanding access to preventive care, while reducing the monumental costs associated with emergency care. This is what transformative, integrated care looks like.”

Starting this month, housing providers are contracted to begin connecting with eligible members and delivering these new benefits across the state. Housing benefit applications may take up to two weeks to be reviewed. If approved, additional time may be needed to provide the benefit. These turnaround timeframes will depend on the capacities of individual CCOs and housing service providers as well as the volume of housing applications received. OHA is working closely with CCOs to continue to expand the network over the next year.

Fostering healthy families and environments is one of the five pillars to achieving OHA’s strategic goal of eliminating health inequities in Oregon by 2030. The housing benefits are one of several new health-related social needs benefits Oregon is piloting to meet this goal. In March, the state launched climate benefits including air conditioners, air filters and other equipment to keep eligible members healthy amid extreme weather events. Nutrition benefits will be available for eligible OHP members starting in January 2025.

OHP members interested in receiving housing benefits can work with their health plan (coordinated care organization or Open Card), health care provider or a local OHP community partner to see if they qualify and apply.

OHP members should contact their coordinated care organization (CCO) to learn more. OHP Open Card members can call 1-888-834-4304 or email ORHRSN@acentra.com. 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 or email Ask.OHP@odhsoha.oregon.gov.

For OHP members who are currently unhoused, resources may be available through 211. — For more information about these benefits, visit the OHP housing benefits web page.

Bureau of Land Management recreation managers are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to fill host positions at six unique locations for the 2025 summer recreation season.

Volunteer hosts play a critical role at BLM recreation sites. They are the primary, daily connection between public land users and BLM staff.  Hosts also assist BLM staff to open and close sites each day, manage campground and shelter reservations, answer visitor questions, encourage visitor rule adherence, and generally maintain the sites.

A paved RV pad is provided at each site for host volunteers. Sites have varying degrees of amenities from full electric, water, and sewer hook-ups to completely primitive sites with only public potable water access. The selected volunteer(s) must provide their own trailer, motorhome, RV, or tent set-up.

Each host will receive a modest daily stipend to off-set some living costs and incidental expenses. Hosts are expected to live on site during the region’s busiest recreation season, typically from April through September. (The start date for the selected host at Sharps Creek will likely be earlier in the year.)

For more information and to apply for these volunteer opportunities, please visit Volunteer.gov. If you have further questions, contact Kendra Barat at kbarat@blm.gov 

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.

Media contest invites Oregon high school students to promote young worker safety; entries due Feb. 21, 2025

Salem – High school students across Oregon are encouraged to put their video or graphic design skills on display by competing for cash prizes as part of a larger cause: increasing awareness about workplace safety and health for young workers.

The 2025 media contest, organized by the Oregon Young Employee Safety (O[yes]) Coalition, calls on participants to create an ad – through a compelling graphic design or video – that grabs their peers’ attention and convinces them to take the Young Employee Safety Awareness online training.

Participants get to choose the key message, theme, or tagline they believe will go furthest in capturing their audience and moving it to act. The target audience? Teen workers or teens who are preparing to work for the first time. The contest is now open for submissions. To compete, participants may submit either a graphic design or a video that is no more than 90 seconds in length.

Participants are expected to choose their key message, theme, or tagline in a wise and positive manner, including constructive and effective messages and language.

The top three entries in each of the two media categories will take home cash prizes ranging from $300 to $500. In each category, the first-place winner’s school, club, or organization will receive a matching award. Moreover, O[yes] will use the best of the submissions as ads in its ongoing efforts to improve on-the-job safety and health protections for teens.

While they carry out their projects, participants must ensure the health and safety of their team. No one should be endangered while creating their video or graphic design project.

The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. 

Participants are encouraged to submit entries online. Submissions may also be mailed on a USB thumb drive or delivered in person.

For more information about the entry form and rules, contest expectations, and resources – including previous contest winners  – visit the O[yes] online contest page.

The contest sponsors are local Oregon chapters of the American Society of Safety Professionals, Construction Safety Summit, Central Oregon Safety & Health Association, Hoffman Construction Company, Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Oregon OSHA, SafeBuild Alliance, SAIF Corporation, and the Oregon Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) Alliance.

### About Oregon OSHA: Oregon OSHA enforces the state’s workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit osha.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

About the Oregon Young Employee Safety Coalition (O[yes]): (O[yes]) is a nonprofit dedicated to preventing young worker injuries and fatalities. O[yes] members include safety and health professionals, educators, employers, labor and trade associations, and regulators. Visit youngemployeesafety.org.

Lend Your Voice to Shape the Future of Emergency Management in Oregon!

SALEM, OR – November 19, 2024 – The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) invites all Oregonians to participate in shaping the future of emergency management across the state. On February 11, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., OEM is hosting its second annual town hall where community members and partners from all backgrounds can provide input and feedback on the agency’s 2023–2025 Strategic Plan and the OEM Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) plan.

The Strategic Plan serves as a blueprint for OEM’s commitment to delivering excellent customer service and building resilience within Oregon’s communities. The IDEA plan guides emergency management practices that address the needs of all communities, fostering equitable outcomes and inclusive resilience statewide.  Feedback from this town hall will help guide OEM’s efforts to improve emergency preparedness, response and recovery in ways that serve every community across the state—before, during and after a disaster.

The town hall is open to everyone, and no prior emergency management experience is required. Closed captioning will be available, and a video and audio transcript of the event will be accessible upon request after the event.

Event Details:

Event: Oregon Department of Emergency Management’s second annual strategic planning and IDEA town hall
Date: February 11, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Meeting will be virtual; link will be sent as event nears.  

Your feedback is critical in helping OEM serve Oregon’s diverse communities better and to foster an inclusive approach to emergency preparedness and resilience. We look forward to hearing from you at this important event.

For more information or questions, please contact Bobbi McAllister at obbi.mcallister@oem.oregon.gov“>bobbi.mcallister@oem.oregon.gov.

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