The latest news stories of interest in the Rogue Valley and the state of Oregon from the digital home of Southern Oregon, Wynne Broadcasting’s RogueValleyMagazine.com
Friday, January 3, 2025
Rogue Valley Weather
Jackson County Law Enforcement Says Patrols to Deter Impaired Driving on New Year’s Eve a Success
Law enforcement agencies across Jackson County worked together to deter impaired driving on New Year’s Eve and say it was a huge success.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) along with Oregon State Police and police departments in Medford, Eagle Point, Ashland, Phoenix, and Talent joined together for the high visibility enforcement patrol Tuesday night.
JCSO says a total of 21 impaired drivers were stopped and arrested. That number is the most seen arrested in one holiday night in the last decade. It was also the largest amount of patrol officers on New Year’s Eve in the last ten years.
There were no crashes that resulted in fatalities or serious injury.
“There was one crash with minor injuries in White City where the suspect, the at-fault driver was arrested for DUI, but again, no serious injury crashes, no fatal crashes last night, so we’re extremely happy about that,” JCSO Deputy Grissom said.
Grissom also says the number of people who had designated drivers or other safe ways home was followed more this year and thanked the majority of the community for making the right choice and celebrating responsibly.
Flooding Still in Many Areas of Southern Oregon With More Wind and Rain on the Way
Medford, OR – A powerful low-pressure system is set to bring gusty coastal winds and heavy rain to Oregon on Friday, posing safety risks for residents and travelers. Wind gusts are expected to reach 50 mph, especially north of Cape Blanco, with the strongest winds likely near coastal highways.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the gusty conditions could down power lines, causing outages. High-profile vehicles may face hazardous driving conditions on exposed roadways, and loose outdoor items should be secured ahead of the storm. Travel along major routes such as U.S. Highway 101 could be treacherous during peak gust periods.
Rain will accompany the winds, with up to half an inch of precipitation expected in Medford and surrounding areas. Residents are advised to prepare for wet roads and limited visibility during commutes.
Looking ahead, showers will linger into Saturday morning before tapering off, leaving cooler temperatures with highs near 48°F. Sunday’s forecast offers a brief reprieve with partly sunny skies and a high of 50°F. By Monday, drier conditions are expected, but lows could dip near freezing.
Residents should monitor local updates and plan for potential disruptions. NWS recommends avoiding outdoor activities during peak wind hours and ensuring emergency supplies are on hand.
Sandbag FAQ: https://www.rvem.org/News/sandbags-faq Weather Forecast: https://www.weather.gov/mfr/
The Coastal Farm and Ranch Challenge of Champions Tour is at the Jackson County Expo this weekend.
Starting at 7:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday nights, the expo promises it will be full of family fun with the finest professional bull riding.
The event features bull riders from around the country including PBR qualifiers, Top Circuit Finals qualifiers, and Collegiate. There will even be a Junior Bull riders’ event.
Tickets can be purchased in person at Coastal Farm and Ranch, Rainey’s Corner, and Code 3 Coffee in Ruch on online at the Challenge of Champions Tour website.
𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁: 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗱𝘆
International Apprehension Of Wanted Subject
DETAILS: Over the last several months, our Josephine County Sheriff’s Office Crimes Analyst has been working with the United States Marshals Service (USMS) in an attempt to locate a wanted subject, Shawn Higbee, for the crime of Sodomy 1.
Higbee has had an arrest warrant out of Josephine County since 2019. Higbee had been able to evade apprehension. It was discovered by our analyst that Higbee had fled to Cambodia and had been there for several years. Higbee’s exact location was pinpointed in Cambodia, through the dedicated hard work, training and experience of the analyst. That information was relayed to the USMS, who turned the information over to their international apprehension team.
On December 17th, 2024, Higbee was taken into custody. Higbee is currently lodged in a Cambodian jail and is awaiting extradition back to the United States. Once in country, he will be transported to the Josephine County Jail to face further prosecution regarding the crime of Sodomy 1. At the time of this press release no further details are being released.
Senators Merkley and Wyden Announce Over $33 Million for Southern Oregon Critical Wildlife Crossing
Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is receiving $33,182,188 in federal funding to construct the Mariposa Preserve Wildlife Crossing over I-5 in Southern Oregon through the heart of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument.
Once complete, the wildlife crossing will be among the largest in the nation to significantly improve the movement of a wide-array of animals, while increasing the safety of drivers traveling on I-5 between Ashland and the California border.
This historic investment comes through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highways Administration Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program—made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act—and builds off the $400,000 community-initiated project that Merkley and Wyden secured earlier this year for the design and engineering phase of the project, which was needed to reach today’s milestone.
ity and connectivity for wildlife—including deer, bear, elk, cougars, and many small animals—which all face great risk as I-5 bisects the connectivity of this monument. The Mariposa Preserve Overcrossing, which will be located at approximately milepost 1.7 within the monument, will reconstruct a previously naturally occurring wildlife corridor to increase habitat connectivity and allow the animals to adapt to changing climate conditions. This will drastically reduce harm to wildlife, protect drivers, and improve public safety in the region.
A quote sheet from organizations and individuals supporting the Mariposa Preserve Wildlife Crossing Project can be found by clicking here.
Josephine County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegally Manufacturing Marijuana and Falsifying Tax Returns
MEDFORD, Ore.—A Josephine County, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison Wednesday for illegally manufacturing marijuana and filing false tax returns with the IRS.
Steven Shirley, 52, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $290,291 in restitution to the IRS and $12,896 in restitution to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for damage the marijuana grows caused to the environment on BLM land.
According to court documents, beginning in 2012, Shirley began purchasing properties in Cave Junction, Oregon as president and minister of Earth Peoples Park (EPP), an Oregon nonprofit religious organization. After purchasing a property, Shirley leased the land to third parties and used profits from the lease to purchase additional properties. By 2019, Shirley, through EPP, owned or co-owned 21 properties in Josephine County, Oregon, and received at least $400,000 per year through property leases.
“We thank the dedicated law enforcement officers for their commitment to disrupt the defendant’s scheme that damaged public lands and circumvented his tax responsibilities,” said Natalie Wight, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
“Mr. Shirley tried to profit from the abuse of nonprofit exemptions and illegal drug operations,” said Adam Jobes, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Seattle Field Office. “Wednesday’s ruling acknowledges that he’s no spiritual leader.”
In September 2019, investigators from the Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET ) identified sixteen of the properties had large scale, unlicensed marijuana grows. On October 1, 2019, law enforcement executed search warrants and seized more than 15,000 marijuana plants and nine firearms and determined that a portion of BLM lands were used for these grows. Investigators learned Shirley not only employed and directed staff to illegally grow and harvest marijuana, but he also sold and delivered the marijuana. On June 14, 2021, BLM agents with the assistance of JMET executed search warrants on eleven EPP properties and discovered Shirley continued to illegally manufacture and sell marijuana on lands owned by EPP and the BLM. Agents also seized additional firearms.
As part of the investigation, IRS agents reviewed EPP’s religious organization tax exempt status and Shirley’s personal tax records from 2015 to 2018. They determined EPP did not qualify as a religious organization and that Shirley used EPP as a for-profit land management company, which is a non-exempt purpose under IRS code. In addition, agents learned Shirley intentionally underreported lease income by more than $1 million, resulting in more than $290,000 in unpaid taxes.
On August 2, 2023, Shirley was charged by criminal information with illegally manufacturing marijuana and filing a false tax return. He pleaded guilty on March 12, 2024.
This case was investigated by the BLM, IRS Criminal Investigation, and JMET, with assistance from the IRS Tax-Exempt and Government Entities Division, Oregon State Police, Southern Oregon High-Tech Crimes Task Force, and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. It was prosecuted by Judith R. Harper, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Sheriff’s Office issues advisory about motorhome and possible link to missing Prospect woman Deenah Padgett
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) is asking for help identifying the owner a motorhome. It could be associated with a missing person from the Prospect area.
JCSO says 68-year-old Deenah Padgett has been missing since August 30 from Prospect, described as a white woman, 4’ 8” tall, weighing approximately 95 pounds with brownish red/greying hair.
JCSO issued an advisory this weekend asking anyone with information about the owner of the pictured motor home or Padgett’s whereabouts to call Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon (ECSO) dispatch non-emergency phone number at 541-776-7206.
– 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?
https://firebrandcollective.org/harp/
Many pets have benefited from the community’s generosity, and we can’t thank you enough for your kindness.Hearts with a Mission, a program to help local seniors who need assistance, is seeking volunteers.
David Grubbs’ Murder Investigation Remains Active
The Ashland Police Department’s investigation into the murder of David Grubbs on November 19, 2011 remains open and active. Recently two new detectives have been assigned to look into new leads that have come in.
It has been more than Four Years since Fauna Frey, 45, disappeared in Oregon on a road trip, June 29, 2020, following her brother’s death
PART 2 – Newsweek Podcast Focusing on The Disappearance of Fauna Frey From Lane County
Here One Minute, Gone the Next —– PART 2 – Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel joins investigative journalist Alex Rogue to speak with Here One Minute, Gone the Next about the disappearance of Fauna Frey, the growing friction between citizen investigators and law enforcement, and the lack of resources in missing persons cases. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-disappearance-of-fauna-frey-pt2-feat-sheriff/id1707094441?i=1000630100040 PART 1 – John Frey joins Newsweek to discuss exclusive details about the case of his missing daughter that until now have been unavailable to the general public. READ MORE HERE: https://www.newsweek.com/exclusive-what-happened-fauna-frey-new-clues-uncovered-1827197?fbclid=IwAR3Z3Glru5lIgqiYXbs_nA1Fj8JuCIzM11OHSVHfwIucfq2f_G5y9y5bnmQ If you have any information on the whereabouts of Fauna Frey, call the anonymous tip line at 541-539-5638 or email FindFaunaFrey@gmail.com. —- Help Find Fauna Frey #FindFaunaFrey FACEBOOK GROUP
Oregon Nurses and Doctors Message to Elected Officials: Providence Executives Endanger Patients by Illegally Refusing to Bargain; Workers Willing to Meet “Anytime, Anywhere”
On Thursday, the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) called on elected officials to intervene as Providence Health & Services continues illegally refusing to bargain with its healthcare workers; putting patients’ health and safety at risk ahead of a massive 5,000 healthcare worker strike Jan. 10.
ONA has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Providence, citing its illegal refusal to bargain and asking local, state, and national elected officials to urge Providence executives to return to the table in order to reach a fair agreement for all Oregonians.
Providence’s refusal to meet with its own workers is illegal and far out of step with its corporate peers. Other Oregon hospitals and health systems, including Kaiser Permanente and St. Charles Bend, successfully met with healthcare workers and resolved negotiated contracts in the final days before scheduled strikes in 2021 and 2023 respectively. In recent years, ten California hospitals and health systems have also reached similar agreements in the 10 days prior to strikes. Multiple hospitals and health systems in New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois have all continued talks with frontline healthcare workers in the leadup to strikes and successfully reached agreements that prevented strikes from occurring.
Jan. 2, 2025
AN OPEN LETTER TO OREGON’S ELECTED LEADERS
Providence is putting patients at risk by illegally refusing to bargain with nearly 5,000 union-represented frontline caregivers.
On January 10, thousands of Oregon’s most trusted nurses, physicians and caregivers will lead an open-ended strike—the largest healthcare workers’ strike in state history. This unparalleled action will affect all 8 Providence hospitals in Oregon as well as 6 Providence Women’s Clinics. It will impact Oregonians throughout the Portland metro area, on the Coast, in the Gorge, in Southern Oregon and beyond.
For the first time in our state’s history, frontline nurses, physicians, nurse practitioners, and midwives throughout the Providence system have voted to stand together to win fair contracts that will give patients more time with their doctors and healthcare providers; promote safe staffing; end cuts to employees’ healthcare; and provide competitive wages and benefits to recruit and retain essential frontline nurses and caregivers.
Five thousand frontline healthcare providers are ready and willing to sacrifice to protect our patients and our colleagues—but striking is not our first choice.
Many nurses and healthcare professionals have been bargaining with Providence for more than 15 months and working without a contract for a year. We are disheartened by Providence’s stalling tactics but energized and ready to stand up for patients and communities across Oregon. We have offered to meet with Providence executives anywhere and anytime to negotiate a fair agreement and avert a strike.
Unfortunately, Providence executives are refusing to continue negotiations with us—making a resolution impossible and putting patients at risk. Refusing to meet with their workers to bargain is in direct violation of federal law and out of step with their peers; including Oregon hospitals and health systems like Kaiser Permanente and St. Charles Bend which worked hard to negotiate successful contracts and avert strikes during 10-day strike notice periods. We have filed an unfair labor practice charge against Providence with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for illegally refusing to bargain, however an NLRB decision will likely come too late to bring Providence back to the table.
As Oregon’s elected leaders, we call on you to urge Providence executives to return to the bargaining table and come to a fair agreement. If they refuse, we ask you to deny Providence public funds for illegal strikebreaking efforts—including hiring unlawful strikebreakers, locking out healthcare workers, and illegally refusing to bargain. Taxpayer dollars cannot support illegal activities that endanger patients while enriching executives.
Make no mistake. Oregon’s healthcare providers would rather be at the bedside caring for patients than in the streets striking for them. But we will do what is necessary to reach a fair agreement that delivers on its promises to patients, providers and our communities. Together, we can hold Providence accountable and ensure every Oregonian receives the care they deserve.
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Oregon Major Disaster Declaration
Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Oregon and ordered Federal assistance to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires from July 10 to August 23, 2024.
Federal funding is available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the wildfires in the counties of Gilliam, Grant, Umatilla, Wasco, and Wheeler.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Ms. Yolanda J. Jackson of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2025/01/01/president-joseph-r-biden-jr-approves-oregon-major-disaster-declaration/#:~:text=declared%20that%20a%20major%20disaster,10%20to%20August%2023%2C%202024.
Oregon Health Authority Issues Warning After 2 Children Die From Flu
The Oregon Health Authority released concerning stats on this flu season, including multiple deaths and hundreds of hospitalizations. Officials are now urging people to protect themselves.
The new report reveals that two children died in Portland from the flu in December, and hundreds of others were hospitalized.
Nearly 500 people in three counties – Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington – were hospitalized for the flu this season, which is over three times more than hospitalizations last year.
“We’ve seen our pertussis vaccination rates slip over the past few years. It hasn’t been huge, but it’s definitely down. As you probably know, we would like 100% of people to be vaccinated,” said Dr. Paul Cieslak, medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at OHA’s Public Health Division. The data shows that fewer and fewer people are getting flu shots. The exact number is down 4% from last year and it has been steadily dropping since 2022.
Oregon Lawmakers Introduce Bill Barring Utility Rate Increases
Three Oregon lawmakers say they plan to introduce a bill that would bar utilities from raising rates if they have unresolved wildfire lawsuits for three or more years, describing it as an effort to hold PacifiCorp accountable as the utility faces a series of lawsuits stemming from the deadly 2020 wildfires that ravaged the state.
Republican state Reps. Jami Cate, Virgle Osborne and Ed Diehl announced their proposal in a statement Monday, on the heels of an approved rate increase for PacifiCorp customers and a federal lawsuit against the electric power company.
The federal government sued PacifiCorp last week over the Archie Creek Fire, which ignited in Oregon’s Douglas County in September 2020 and burned more than 200 square miles, about half of which was federal land. The complaint accuses the company of negligence for failing to maintain its power lines to prevent wildfires. In its filing, the government says it brought the suit to recover “substantial costs and damages.”
A PacifiCorp spokesperson said in an emailed statement Monday that the company was working with the U.S. government to resolve the claims.
“It is unfortunate the U.S. government decided to file a lawsuit in federal district court, however PacifiCorp will continue to work with the U.S. government to find reasonable resolution of this matter,” the statement said.
The federal lawsuit was filed on the same day the Oregon Public Utility Commission approved a 9.8 percent rate increase for PacifiCorp’s residential customers next year. In its rate case filings, the company said its request to increase rates was partly due to higher costs stemming from wildfire risk and activity.
When the new rate takes effect in January, PacifiCorp rates will have increased nearly 50 percent since 2021, according to the Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board, which advocates on behalf of utility customers.
The three lawmakers said they will introduce their bill in the upcoming legislative session, which starts in January.
“The federal government is doing the right thing by filing this lawsuit, and we stand firmly behind it,” Osborne, who is set to be the future bill’s co-chief sponsor, said in a statement. “PacifiCorp needs to pay up and take responsibility for the destruction they’ve caused, and putting a stop to rate hikes is the best way to achieve it.”
PacifiCorp is poised to be on the hook for billions in damages in the series of lawsuits over Oregon’s 2020 fires.
The company has already reached two settlement agreements over the Archie Creek Fire, including one for $299 million with 463 plaintiffs impacted by the blaze and another for $250 million with 10 companies with commercial timber interests, according to its website.
In other litigation, an Oregon jury in June 2023 found it liable for negligently failing to cut power to its 600,000 customers despite warnings from top fire officials and determined it should have to pay punitive and other damages — a decision that applied to a class including the owners of up to 2,500 properties. Since then, other Oregon juries have ordered the company to pay tens of millions to other wildfire victims.
The wildfires that erupted across Oregon over Labor Day weekend in 2020 were among the worst natural disasters in state history, killing nine people and destroying thousands of homes. (SOURCE)
Thirty inmates have been released early from the Coos County Jail after budget constraints forced a reduction in capacity.
The jail’s bed count was cut from 98 to 49 after voters rejected Measure 6-217, which would have funded staff and operations through a tax levy. Released inmates faced charges ranging from misdemeanors to felony property crimes and parole violations. Officials say future releases are likely, prioritizing the detention of inmates with the most severe charges.
Rural Oregon saw a 29-percent increase in unsheltered homelessness in 2024, far outpacing metro areas, according to the latest Point-In-Time count.
Advocates cite improved counting methods and funding disparities as factors, with rural areas struggling to address rising living costs, stagnant wages, and aging populations losing housing. Limited resources and infrastructure leave rural counties underfunded despite growing needs.
On Jan. 1 several new laws went into effect in Oregon
Several new laws are now in effect across Oregon, addressing issues like public safety, healthcare, and environmental concerns.
These include penalties for drug use on public transit, a “right to repair” law for electronics, and a cap on insulin costs at 35 dollars per 30-day supply for insured residents. Other measures aim to enhance school bus safety with stop-arm cameras and boost transparency with recorded school board meetings.
The sale of fluorescent light bulbs became illegal on January 1, 2025, to encourage Oregonians to switch to energy-efficient LED lighting.
Additionally, Oregon plans to divest from coal companies and increase voter pamphlet translations to ten languages per county.
Bird Flu Alert: Northwest Naturals Recalls Feline Raw & Frozen Pet Food Due to HPAI Contamination
The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) is alerting pet owners that samples of Northwest Naturals brand two-pound turkey recipe raw and frozen pet food tested positive for a H5N1 strain of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus.
Testing conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) and the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ODVL) at Oregon State University confirmed a house cat in Washington County contracted H5N1 and died after consuming the raw frozen pet food. Tests confirmed a genetic match between the virus in the raw and frozen pet food and the infected cat.
“We are confident that this cat contracted H5N1 by eating the Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food,” said ODA state veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz. “This cat was strictly an indoor cat; it was not exposed to the virus in its environment, and results from the genome sequencing confirmed that the virus recovered from the raw pet food and infected cat were exact matches to each other.”
Northwest Naturals, a Portland, Oregon-based company, is voluntarily recalling its Northwest Naturals brand two-pound Feline Turkey Recipe raw & frozen pet food. The recalled product is packaged in two-pound plastic bags with “Best if used by” dates of 05/21/26 B10 and 06/23/2026 B1. The product was sold nationwide through distributors in AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MD, MI, MN, PA, RI and WA in the United States, and British Columbia in Canada.
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and local public health officials are monitoring household members who had contact with the cat for flu symptoms. To date, no human cases of HPAI have been linked to this incident, and the risk of HPAI transmission to humans remains low in Oregon. Since 2022, OHA has partnered with ODA through a One Health approach to investigate human exposures to animal outbreaks of avian influenza. (SOURCE)
Commercial Dungeness crab season opening delay from Cape Falcon to Washington border continues
NEWPORT, Ore. – The Oregon ocean commercial Dungeness crab fishery is delayed until at least Jan. 15 from Cape Falcon to the Washington border. A third round of preseason testing in Long Beach, WA shows crab meat fill remains lower than required for commercial harvest.
Based on this result not meeting Tri-State meat recovery criteria, and in consultation with Washington and California Departments of Fish and Wildlife, Tri-State fishery managers agreed to delay the season from Cape Falcon to Klipsan Beach, WA until at least Jan. 15. WDFW will conduct another round of preseason meat fill testing to help inform whether this area will open Jan. 15 or Feb. 1.
Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery opened Dec. 16 from Cape Falcon to the California border. Despite rough ocean conditions this past week, over 2.5 million pounds of crab were landed into Oregon ports in that area. Price at the docks averaged $4.50 per pound, well above last season’s total season average of $3.79 per pound.
Weekly season opening updates will continue to be posted until the decision is made to open the north coast. Check ODFW’s website for more on Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery.
You’ll need a Real ID to fly domestically, starting in May of 2025, that’s unless you have a passport or enhanced driver’s license issued by several states.
The deadline is May 7, 2025, but you probably don’t want to wait until the last minute to get your Real ID. You can apply for your Real ID driver’s license or ID card through your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Real IDs are marked with a star on the top of the card. Real IDs will also be needed to access certain federal facilities. Congress mandated the real IDs in 2005 on the recommendation of the 9/11 Commission.
It may be too late to own rock star John Fogerty’s former eastern Oregon ranch. An offer for the rustically cool house on 274 acres in Wallowa County was accepted after 13 days on the market.
The asking price: $1,950,000. — California born and raised Fogerty, now 79, discovered the remote land on the banks of the Grande Ronde River near the unincorporated community of Troy in the 1970s while elk hunting.
He helped build the single-level, vaulted ceiling house that was completed in 1974, two years after Creedence Clearwater Revival, the successful band he formed with his older brother Tom and others, broke up. Singer, guitarist and songwriter John Fogerty then started a solo career.
Most of the ranch home’s 1,698 square feet of living space is a time capsule of 1970s decor — vintage orange shag carpet and the two bathrooms have either a turquoise or dark mustard colored tub, sink and toilet.
There are also rustic touches like wagon-wheel chandeliers. Steel plates connecting the exposed ceiling beams were made by Fogerty, who modeled them after gussets used in an old sawmill.
Behind the rock fireplace is a hidden stone stairway to a secret loft overlooking the open living room, dining room and kitchen. Two of the three bedrooms also have lofts. Some appliances and the heating-cooling system have been updated.
Fogerty owned the property for almost three decades. A canoe left behind by Fogerty, who sold the property in 2002 to brothers Patrick and Michael Burns, was hoisted into the open rafters in the living room to be on display. The Burnses used the property for family gatherings and rented it out as a vacation getaway.
An attached one-car garage is used as a gaming room and a 1,500-foot-long grass runway allowed Fogerty’s pilot and later the Burnses to land a small plane.
Lore also comes with the house. The ranch is a short stomp to the Wenaha Bar & Grill in Troy. The bar is famous for Fogerty’s hours-long impromptu jam sessions. Word would get out, local musicians would join in and the honky-tonk and rock hootenannies would go on well into the night.
Fogerty’s “Born on the Bayou,” “Proud Mary” and other hit songs are a blend of rockabilly, country, funk and swamp blues, with lyrics evoking Southern settings and tales.
The Burns brothers, retired commercial fishermen who live in Washington state, own other ranch properties and founded Alaska-based Blue North Fisheries, one of largest Pacific cod harvesters in the country. They listed the property Nov. 12 and accepted an offer Nov. 25. (SOURCE)
AmeriCorps NCCC Partnership Boosts Oregon’s Emergency Response
Join us in strengthening Oregon’s resilience by hosting an AmeriCorps NCCC team to support your community’s disaster response and recovery efforts!
Oregon is taking a significant step forward in enhancing its emergency response capabilities through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between OregonServes and the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC). This strategic partnership represents a collaborative effort to bolster statewide disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
For more information on this partnership contact: Jennifer Denning Disaster Services Coordinator, OregonServes Jennifer.l.denning@hecc.oregon.gov.
What is AmeriCorps NCCC?
AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time, team-based program for young adults aged 18-26. Members commit to a term of national service, which can include critical disaster response and recovery services. Through this partnership, NCCC teams will be integrated into Oregon’s disaster preparedness framework, offering vital support before, during, and after disasters.
Key Benefits of the Partnership:
This partnership brings several critical advantages to Oregon communities, including:
- NCCC teams work on a variety of projects filling critical gaps in local resources.
- NCCC members collaborate with local communities to strengthen response efforts, thereby accelerating recovery and repopulation of residents.
- NCCC teams focus on ensuring that underserved and vulnerable populations receive critical resources and assistance during emergencies, bridging equity gaps in disaster response and recovery.
- By integrating local resources with national service members, this partnership enhances Oregon’s capacity to build resilient communities.
Key Dates:
Nationally, NCCC Disaster Service Applications are received throughout the year. For purposes of the NCCC-OregonServes MOU, Pacific Region teams or Summer of Service can serve during these timelines (precise dates will vary year-to-year):
- November 1 – December 16
- January 8- April 16
- April 24 – July 23 (Traditional program applications due, February 7, 2025)
- Summer of Service June 20 – August 1
How to Apply to Be a Disaster Response AmeriCorps Volunteer:
First, download the application instructions below. Then, complete the Service Project Application for Disaster Response. No Project Concept Form is required.
Please note: Download the following document directly to your computer. Open and complete the document using Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat.
Applications and questions should be submitted to: NCCCPRTerritory2@americorps.gov.
Want to Make Your Organization a Project Sponsor?
Nonprofit and faith-based organizations, government entities, public schools, and universities, as well as tribal and native nations are eligible to apply. Organizations complete an application detailing the need and project design and NCCC will review submissions and make a final determination. To learn more about AmeriCorps NCCC and how to apply, please visit the AmeriCorps NCCC webpage.
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.
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