Rogue Valley News, Wednesday 1/15 – Central Point School Bus Crash, Providence Strike Heads to Bargaining Table & Other Local and Statewide News

The latest news stories of interest in the Rogue Valley and the state of Oregon from the digital home of Southern Oregon, Wynne Broadcasting’s RogueValleyMagazine.com

Wednesday,  January 15, 2025

Rogue Valley Weather

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Active Weather Alerts – National Weather Service

...FREEZING FOG ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THIS MORNING...
...AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST
THURSDAY...

* WHAT...For the Freezing Fog Advisory, visibility one quarter mile
or less in freezing fog. For the Air Stagnation Advisory, poor air
quality will continue. This is due to an inversion and stagnant
air conditions near the surface that will continue to trap
pollutants.

* WHERE...Valleys in eastern Curry County and Josephine County and
Jackson County. This includes, the Illinois, Rogue and Applegate
valleys, including Grants Pass, Selma, Cave Junction, Applegate,
Rogue River, Medford, Eagle Point, Jacksonville,  Ashland and
surrounding areas.

* WHEN...For the Freezing Fog Advisory, until 10 AM PST this
morning. For the Air Stagnation Advisory, until 10 AM PST Thursday.

* IMPACTS...Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous.
Freezing fog may allow spots of ice to develop on roadways. Poor
air quality may cause issues for people with respiratory problems.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Strong valley inversions, very shallow mixing
layers of less than 1000 feet, and calm winds are expected
throughout the advisory time, especially during the overnight and
morning hours. A weak front on Thursday may allow for a brief
period of improved mixing and particulate dispersion.

Central Point School Bus Crashes due to Fog, Ice; Student Transported to Hospital with Minor Injuries

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JCSO Case 25-0259 CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies and Fire District 3 firefighters responded to a school bus crash Tuesday morning at 7:50 AM on Richey Road near West Gregory Road in rural Central Point.

One student was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. Preliminary investigations revealed fog and icy roads contributed to the crash.Please remember to drive carefully this winter. Fog has limited visibility and the roads are icy.

Search Warrant And Arrest In Ongoing Investigation by
Ashland Police Dept. 

On January 14, 2025, at 7:30 a.m., a coordinated effort by multiple law enforcement agencies led to the execution of a search warrant on Alida Street. The Ashland Police Department, working alongside the Medford Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Talent Police Department, Jackson County District Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security, the Oregon Department of Justice, and the Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force conducted the operation as part of an ongoing investigation into child exploitation and internet crimes against children.
One suspect, Donovan Jesus Aquino, 21 years old, an Ashland resident, was arrested on two outstanding warrants and lodged at the Jackson County Jail.
Further details will be shared as the investigation progresses and more information becomes available.
This significant action underscores the continued commitment of local, state, and federal agencies to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable individuals.

Prosecution Says Klamath Falls Kidnapper Should Get More Than Two Consecutive Life Sentences

Federal prosecutors in the infamous cinderblock cell kidnapper case filed the government’s sentencing memorandum last week, arguing for the maximum sentence for Klamath Falls man Negasi Zuberi.

“Negasi Zuberi should never be able to kidnap, beat or sexually assault another woman,” the memorandum reads. “He should be sentenced to life in prison.”

Zuberi, 30, was arrested in July 2023 after the second of two victims — a woman abducted in Seattle — managed to escape a homemade holding cell in his garage by punching the door with her bare hands.

“Mr. Zuberi’s plans depended on his victims staying captive or quiet,” the prosecutors wrote. “Neither complied.”

The first kidnapping took place two months prior when a Klamath Falls woman was taken from a local bar and held captive for 12 hours in Zuberi’s garage.

Prosecutors denoted Zuberi’s crimes as showing a “disturbing and remarkable degree of planning and preparation.”

“When he went to a bar on May 6, 2023, he had ready his taser, handcuffs, ammunition and the pistol he stole,” the memorandum says. “He tased (the victim), beat her, handcuffed her, kidnapped her and raped her.”

The Klamath Falls victim reported the crimes to officers with the Klamath Falls Police Department, but no charges were filed.

The local woman reported Zuberi saying to her “I don’t know where I’m going to keep you.”

“(Zuberi) then accelerated his plans, addressing a critical problem he faced with (the first victim) … and built what he intended to be an escape-and-sound-proof cell,” the memorandum said.

Despite his efforts, the victim from Seattle managed to escape the cell, run to the street and flag down a woman driving past the residence.

Zuberi also attempted to escape his jail cell — “twice,” according to court documents that show shattered glass broken out of the bottom of the cell wall. Neither attempt was successful.

The prosecution reminded the court that these were not Zuberi’s first violent crime convictions.

In 2020, Zuberi was convicted of beating an underaged sex worker who he then raped and left on the side of the road.

Prosecutors included a statement made by the judge in Zuberi’s previous assault case.

“I hope we don’t have to wait until something really, really bad happens, Mr. Hyche (Zuberi’s former name). I’ve been around this business long enough to feel confident to say that there’s a little something going on that’s not necessarily on the up-and-up and you might need to wake up before you find yourself in a heap of trouble.”

The presiding judge went on to say that he hoped Zuberi wouldn’t find himself in a “much more serious situation, to which Zuberi assured the court he would not.

“Time will tell,” the judge said.

The prosecution’s sentencing memorandum details some of the more disturbing evidence to support the proposed consecutive life sentences:

A text message to the mother of his children in which Zuberi said, “Women need to go back to being property,” and “History will repeat itself. Once upon a time, every race was a slave.”

Hand-written plans titled “Operation Take Over” and a list of “Targets.”

“Beyond the charged conduct, Mr. Zuberi also stalked women and girls,” the memorandum says. “He sat in high school parking lots and recorded girls walking towards a car, calling out license plate numbers.”

Similar recordings and photos were also found on Zuberi’s iCloud storage, including a video of a car in the Vancouver Mall parking lot, followed by another video of the same car parked outside of a residence with Zuberi stating the address of the home out loud and then taking a screenshot of the address on Google Maps.

“Mr. Zuberi also talked to a minor who worked at a Klamath Falls restaurant and took video of her car in the parking lot and of her vehicle at her residence,” the memorandum said.

The prosecution is seeking the court to sentence Zuberi to two consecutive life sentences plus another 55 years, also to be served consecutively.

“One thing alone will protect women and society from Negasi Zuberi, and that is removing him from society for the rest of his life.”

Strike Continues At All Providence Hospitals Across Oregon – Going to Bargain Table

Statement From ONA On Providence Finally Returning To The Bargaining Table

 – We are happy that Providence has finally decided to do the right thing and join the nearly 5,000 striking frontline caregivers at the bargaining table to move this process forward in order to reach a fair contract and end the strike.

Clearly, the pressure from the strike is working. As 5,000 frontline caregivers picket on sidewalks across Oregon, Providence has been spending an estimated $25.39 million per week on replacement nurses – approximately $1,400 per replacement nurse per day. This does not include the immeasurable cost of the replacement hospitalists and other caregivers from Providence St. Vincent and the Providence Women’s Clinics.

After illegally refusing to bargain during the 10-day notice period, Providence has shifted its position on negotiations dramatically over the last few days. As we move back into negotiations, we call on Providence to take this process seriously, come to the table with substantive offers to address the systemic issues that impact hospitals and clinics across Oregon and reach a fair contract that prioritizes patients and frontline caregivers instead of profits.

5,000 frontline caregivers from eight hospitals and six clinics across Oregon went on strike for reasons beyond fair compensation, but a systemic crisis affecting patient care, staffing safety, health insurance benefits, and healthcare delivery. At the core of negotiation will be key issues that include:

  • Resolution of systemic unsafe staffing issues documented across facilities
  • Addressing health insurance and benefits disparities
  • Implementation of necessary patient safety measures
  • Market-competitive wages that will attract and retain skilled healthcare professionals.

Frontline caregivers are not asking for much and not asking for exorbitant wages; they are asking for market-competitive compensation that recognizes their experience, hard work, and value. Providence is notoriously behind other healthcare systems in Oregon when it comes to wages and benefits which directly impacts their ability to recruit and retain enough staff.

As an example, despite the numbers that Providence likes to tell the press, based on their last proposal, by 2026 Providence nurses with 15 years of experience would earn approximately $8,000 less annually than the market-setting wages at OHSU.

Similarly, the severity of the system-wide staffing crisis is clearly documented in the 305 unsafe staffing complaints filed against Providence facilities in 2024 alone. The completed investigations have revealed troubling patterns of violations across multiple facilities. In their most recent proposals on staffing, Providence is attempting to exclude the nurses delivering care from providing input into how their units are staffed, treating patients as simply numbers rather than unique individuals with specific care needs. Doing so puts patients at greater risk for harm and nurses at increased risk for burnout. And burnt-out nurses leave, further perpetuating the staffing crisis.

In the coming days, ONA will release more information on the details of our proposals.

 

Providence faces a choice: continue investing millions in temporary strike-breaking measures or work collaboratively with frontline caregivers to take bargaining seriously and develop comprehensive solutions that will strengthen healthcare delivery across all their facilities to better serve the people of Oregon.

On the fifth day of a historic health care workers strike impacting Providence facilities in Oregon, the hospital system signaled that it is now prepared to resume negotiations at all eight of its hospitals.

Portland-area Providence strike begins ...

The strike, which includes physicians as well as nurses and other health care workers, impacts 14 different Providence hospitals and clinics throughout the state. Providence has said that the process of setting up replacement workers at its facilities delayed its ability to bargain at each of them.

Providence Health has filed an unfair labor practices complaint against the Oregon Nurses Association. It accused the union of refusing to meet at reasonable times and intervals. The union denies the accusations.

According to the hospital system, all eight of its hospitals in Oregon — finally including the two largest, Providence Portland and Providence St. Vincent — “are now ready to discuss resuming mediated negotiations” with bargaining teams from the Oregon Nurses Association.

“It’s our understanding the mediators have been in conversation with union leaders, and we eagerly await their response,” Providence said in a statement. “The preparations we made in advance, and the commitment of our hospital leadership teams to ensuring a smooth transition to our replacement work force, along with the unprecedented number of ONA-represented nurses who have chosen to work, has brought us to a position where we can resume bargaining at all tables.”

According to Providence, at least 600 nurses represented by ONA have chosen to work during the strike.

Since the very beginning of the strike, Providence has pushed for negotiations with hospitalist physicians at Providence St. Vincent. According to Providence, they’ve also negotiated with the nurses and physicians at Providence Women’s Clinic. But the hospital system has been slower to resume negotiations with other units across the state — namely the ones that Providence has effectively replaced with temporary workers.

In a statement, the ONA took shots at Providence for those delays, and called on the hospital system to take the bargaining process seriously as talks resume.

“We are happy that Providence has finally decided to do the right thing and join the nearly 5,000 striking frontline caregivers at the bargaining table to move this process forward in order to reach a fair contract and end the strike,” ONA said, in part. “Clearly, the pressure from the strike is working.

“As 5,000 frontline caregivers picket on sidewalks across Oregon, Providence has been spending an estimated $25.39 million per week on replacement nurses — approximately $1,400 per replacement nurse per day. This does not include the immeasurable cost of the replacement hospitalists and other caregivers from Providence St. Vincent and the Providence Women’s Clinics.”

The ONA has said that it is pushing to address unsafe staffing levels at Providence facilities, disparities in health insurance coverage and benefits, and market-competitive wages to attract and retain skilled health care workers.

The strike includes nurses, physicians, advanced practice providers, certified nurse midwives and other healthcare professionals at 8 Providence hospitals and 6 Providence Women’s Clinics across Oregon. Striking caregivers continued to welcome patients, labor allies, elected officials and community supporters who came out to join them on strike lines Jan. 12.

Strike lines will be maintained at the following locations every day from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

  • Providence Portland Medical Center (4805 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR 97213)
  • Providence St. Vincent Medical Center (9205 SW Barnes Rd, Portland, OR 97225)
  • Providence Medford Medical Center (1111 Crater Lake Ave, Medford, OR 97504)
  • Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital (810 12th St, Hood River, OR 97031)
  • Providence Milwaukie Hospital (10150 SE 32nd Ave, Milwaukie, OR 97222)
  • Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center (1500 Division St, Oregon City, OR 97045)
  • Providence Newberg Medical Center (1001 Providence Drive, Newberg, OR 97132)
  • Providence Seaside Medical Center (725 S. Wahana Rd, Seaside, OR 97138)

A reminder to patients from doctors, nurses and caregivers: If you are sick, please do not delay getting medical care. Patients who need hospital or clinical care immediately should go to receive care. We would prefer to provide your care ourselves, but Providence executives’ refusal to continue meeting with caregivers has forced us onto the picket line to advocate for you, our communities, and our colleagues. Going into a hospital or clinic to get the care you need is NOT crossing our strike line. We invite you to come join us on the strike line after you’ve received the care you need. Community members can visit www.OregonRN.org/PatientsBeforeProfits to sign a petition to support frontline healthcare workers, get updates and find out how else they can help.

Medford Fire Department

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Medford Fire personnel are proud to be part of Oregon’s mutual aid deployment, working on the Palisades Fire in Southern California. Through the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s mobilization program, our team is joined by 21 strike teams, 370 firefighters, and 105 apparatus from across the state.
Sixteen strike teams, including ours, are actively engaged in 24-hour shifts on the Palisades Fire, while others are assisting with the Eaton Fire and providing critical support during the Red Flag Warning. Together, Oregon’s firefighters are stepping up to protect lives, property, and communities during this challenging time.
We’re incredibly proud of our firefighters’ dedication and bravery on the frontlines. A heartfelt thank-you to all the crews making a difference—you inspire us all! 💪🔥

Rogue Valley Humane Society —  We have received reports of possible cat poisoning in the Terry Lane/Fairview area, around Winco.

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At this time, we have reports of 7 deceased cats in the area. Those who alerted us said they have or are reaching out Law Enforcement. PLEASE, if you live anywhere near that area and your cats are outside, BRING THEM IN!! No matter how much they fuss, we don’t want to hear of any more deaths!

 

Medford Housing and Community Development Public Survey

The city of Medford is seeking input from the local community about the housing and community development needs they consider the most important. To that end, the city has created an online survey that residents can take until January 19.

Survey feedback will help the city guide and update the Housing and Community Development Five-Year Consolidated Plan, which is designed to help identify the community’s priorities and needs.

The survey will also help establish goals and drive the city’s funding decisions for the next five years.

The survey asks for the community’s opinion on programs and projects that meet a higher need in the community, covering topics such as housing, infrastructure, neighborhood services, community services, jobs, special needs services, and more. The Medford Housing and Community Development needs survey can be found at the survey link here.

U.S. Department of the Interior Approves Coquille Tribe’s Medford Casino

A Record of Decision was issued yesterday by the U.S. Department of the Interior approving the transfer of a two-acre parcel of land in Medford as part of the Coquille Restoration Act.Coquille tribe on what proposed Medford casino may offer - KOBI-TV NBC5 / KOTI-TV NBC2

The Coquille Restoration Act was passed in 1989, restoring the Tribe’s status as a sovereign Indian Nation with the federal government.

The act created a restoration area involving five counties in which Tribes could take land into trust for economic development. Jackson County, home to Medford, is one of the five counties in the restoration area and is also home to many Coquille Indians.

The federal government’s approval of transferring land in Medford into trust forms part of the Coquille Tribe’s broader reservation restoration plan.

The approval is viewed as a decision by the government to meet its trust obligations to Indian Tribes. The transfer of the Medford land into trust will help the Coquille to stimulate economic development by generating revenue from the casino.

 

 

Medford Police Reminder

With the holidays behind us, it’s a great time to refocus on keeping our neighborhoods safe and connected. Our Neighborhood Watch program is here to support you and your neighbors in building a stronger, safer community.May be an image of text
Through this program, your group will receive direct support from our Community Engagement Officer, who can provide valuable resources and guidance to enhance safety and security in your neighborhood.
👮‍♀️ Resources include guidance on spotting and reporting suspicious activity, strategies for securing your home and business and more.
Don’t wait until something happens, learn more and start one today! https://www.medfordoregon.gov/…/Comm…/Neighborhood-Watch

 

Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport Gets Ready for Expansion

The Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR) experience is about to get even better with plans for a major terminal expansion.Jackson County, Oregon - Official Government Website

The airport is struggling to accommodate the current number of passengers that pass through every year, and that number is forecasted to double by the year 2042.

With only two jet bridges, the airport is finding it difficult to meet the demands of airlines. During a November 26, 2024 presentation to the Jackson County Commissioners, Airport Director Amber Judd said, “Our terminal is only 15 years old, but it was designed for a lot of smaller, regional jets, which really don’t exist at MFR anymore, and the airline trend is only bigger and bigger aircraft.”

The proposed expansion will almost double the square footage of the airport terminal and includes a new two-story concourse, capable of handling at least six mainline aircraft at a time.

In early 2025, the airport will begin the process of selecting a designer/architectural firm for the project, but construction isn’t expected to begin until late 2026.

As the MFR terminal expansion progresses, the airport will post news regarding planning, design and construction along with construction updates for travelers planning on flying in and out of MFR.

 

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 motorhome pic, missing Prospect woman Deenah Padgett, 9.27.24.jpg

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.

Sheriff's Office issues advisory about motorhome, missing Prospect woman | Local | kdrv.com

 

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

Great news – you might still qualify for extra support through HARP.
OHCS HARP Website → bit.ly/45bHjzu
You can schedule an appointment directly with our Intake Specialists through our website ➡ https://firebrandcollective.org/harp/
¿Recibiste ayuda de FEMA, del seguro o de otros organismos tras los Incendios de Almeda y South Obenchain 2020? Excelentes noticias: es posible que de todos modos reúnas los requisitos para recibir ayuda adicional a través de la asistencia de HARP.
Visita la página de HARP en nuestro sitio web para pedir cita hoy mismo.

 

Rogue Valley Humane Society 

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.

Hearts with a Mission, a program to help local seniors who need assistance, is seeking volunteers.

David Grubbs’ Murder Investigation Remains Active

Community still looking for answers in violent 2011 murder of David Grubbs on Ashland, Oregon bike path 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.

This case remains important to David’s family, the community, and the Ashland Police Department. As detectives continue to pursue these new leads, anyone with additional information is encouraged to reach out to the Ashland Police Department at 541-488-2211. The reward for information leading to an arrest on this case remains at over $21,000.

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

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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 Governor Kotek delivered the State of the State address on Monday

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek delivered her the State address on Monday. She says the new year carries a clear charge “to embrace opportunities for change together.” You can read it here: https://www.oregon.gov/gov/speeches/Pages/2025-1-13-state-of-the-state-remarks.aspx/

The Red Cross Cascades Region Is On The Ground In Los Angeles In The Wake Of Deadly And Destructive Wildfires

One week after wildfires ripped through the Los Angeles region, the Red Cross is still on the ground helping to provide shelter, feeding, reunification, health and mental health support, providing emergency supplies and more. We have over 400 volunteers supporting this relief operation.

The Red Cross Cascades Region (Oregon and SW Washington) has deployed 18 people.

Last night, we staffed 7 shelters with close to 800 people. That doesn’t include the people who are coming in during the day to get help and resources.

Shelters:

  • They serve as a place to come in and get food, get basic health needs met and emotional support too. 
  • They are a place where people can come in and charge cell phones and laptops if their power is cut off. 
  • They are also information hubs. We work with fire departments, emergency managers, forecasters and other partners to help those who’ve been evacuated get the most updated information.

The wildfires are still burning, and we know the Santa Ana winds are forecast to flare up in the coming days.

As the wildfires in Southern California continue to burn and impact air quality, the number of Red Cross blood drive cancelations have grown impacting hundreds of lifesaving blood donations.

Where it is safe to do so, we encourage people to schedule a blood donation appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The devastation from these wildfires is unbelievably sad. Our hearts go out to everyone who’ve lost their homes and communities.

We will continue to coordinate with local officials and community partners to make sure people have the help they need during this challenging time and we will remain there as long as needed.

People are still counting on us and the best way to support our work right now is by making a financial contribution.  Please go to RedCross.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or text “CAWILDFIRES” to 90999

If you want to donate items, you are asked to go to 211la.org

The Red Cross has a downloadable emergency app with information on how to prepare, respond to and recover from wildfires. In addition, the American Red Cross has activated the Northwest Response Fund to help impacted residents.

The Red Cross also provides disaster mental health support to people impacted by the fires. For people struggling with the stress and uncertainty of a crisis situation like this, they can reach out to the free 24/7 multilingual Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 for support. In some cases, there will be mental health workers at shelters as well.

Reunification is another area where the Red Cross works to help people affected by the fires. By calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and providing as much detail as possible about a missing loved one, the Red Cross may be able to assist.

After the immediate disaster has abated, the Red Cross will also aid with recovery. That can include financial support for those who lost their homes and are having trouble finding a place to live, a bus or train ticket to the home of a relative, or assistance with other agencies involved in the recovery process.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

In the wake of a disaster like this, the Red Cross said its primary concern is to ensure that people are safe and have shelter, prioritizing getting a roof over everyone’s heads. By Wednesday night, the organization had staffed seven shelters in Southern California and served over 1,000 people for the night.

The Red Cross serves meals to both people who stay at a shelter and those who visit during the day, in some cases just to get information, charge their phones or relax. The organization has served over 10,000 meals since the fires erupted.

Those shelters are available to everyone, including pets — although some pets may need to be found a place at a different location with support from other local partners depending on the situation.

The Red Cross has a downloadable emergency app with information on how to prepare, respond to and recover from wildfires. (SOURCE)

Oregon State Fire Marshal Sending Additional Support To California

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon State Fire Marshal is mobilizing six additional strike teams of water tenders to Southern California. In total, 30water tenders and 70 firefighters are being sent from Clackamas, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Morrow, Multnomah, and Umatilla counties.

These tenders from the Oregon fire service will join the 15 strike teams that arrived Thursday and began work Friday morning. These latest teams will leave Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, take part in a routine safety check to ensure the safety of our first responders, and will receive their assignments from CAL Fire.

“We understand the gravity of the disaster taking place in California and are using the power of the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System to give our neighbors additional tools to combat these wildfires and protect people and homes,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “Please rest assured our system is designed to ensure adequate coverage for our communities at home while at the same time providing support to those impacted by a disaster.”

A water tender is a standard response tool to wildfires and is a specialized truck designed to carry and deliver large amounts of water. Some of the water tenders mobilizing to California are Oregon’s new tactical tenders that were delivered to local fire agencies through the OSFM Engine Program in 2024.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal has mobilized a total of:

  • 21 strike teams
  • 75 fire engines
  • 30 water tenders
  • 370 firefighters

The Southern California area is expecting dangerous fire conditions into next week. For information about the wildfires, visit CAL Fire’s Current Emergency Incidents webpage.

The Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System is made up of the 300+ local structural fire agencies across Oregon. During emergencies, the Oregon State Fire Marshal mobilizes this force to protect people, property and critical infrastructure.

This request came the Oregon Department of Emergency Management and the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. The compact provides help during governor-declared emergencies or disasters by allowing states to send personnel, equipment, and supplies to support response and recovery efforts in other states. The strike teams will be reimbursed directly by California.

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Oregon Housing And Community Services Boosts The Creation Or Preservation Of More Than 100 Affordable Homes In Curry, Lane, And Multnomah Counties

Agency awards more than $37 million for three affordable housing developments

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services is funding the creation, preservation, and rehabilitation of more than 100 affordable homes across Oregon, with the more than half designated for seniors. The Housing Stability Council (HSC) gave the green light to the three projects last Friday. They include M Carter Commons in Portland, Elm Park Apartments in Florence, and Shelly Cove Apartments in Port Orford.


M Carter Commons in Portland is co-developed and co-owned between Urban League of Portland (UL) and Northwest Housing Alternatives (NHA).
Up to $21.5 million in pass-through revenue bond financing will go to M Carter Commons. The 62-unit development in Portland will serve residents over the age of 55. It’s named after Margaret Louise Carter, Oregon’s first Black woman legislator, and is co-developed and co-owned between Urban League of Portland and Northwest Housing Alternatives (NHA). Project amenities include an enclosed courtyard, bicycle parking, community and laundry rooms, a resident service provider space, and more. Urban League of Portland will provide culturally responsive services.

“Dirt is flying as communities across Oregon break ground on new housing developments,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “We are not just building—we are creating opportunities, connecting communities, and strengthening our state. Making life better and more affordable for Oregonians is possible through real investments, real affordable housing options, and real efforts to strengthen our economy.”

The council also awarded $12.2 million to Elm Park Apartments in Florence through the agency’s Oregon Centralized Application (ORCA) process. The new construction will create 32 units ranging in size from one to three bedrooms. The development, built by Our Coastal Village, Inc., will feature a greenhouse, raised garden beds, a community center, and a playground. The site is centrally located across the street from a park and close to an early childhood education facility that will open this year.

Shelly Cove Apartments is an acquisition and preservation project with 14 units in Port Orford that will receive $4.1 million in funding through ORCA. Sponsored by Chrisman Development, Inc, the preservation and rehabilitation will prevent the loss of affordable units and restore the building’s condition. Renovation will include a new roof, siding, exterior doors, and windows, and each of the units will be renovated and will receive new hot water heaters and energy-efficient appliances.

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

The U.S. Department of Transportation will spend 36-million-dollars in Oregon on two railroad projects.

Bend will get 32-million-dollars to build a bridge over tracks on Reed Market Road. Rail traffic has caused major disruptions. The new overpass will be used by vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.

The Port of Coos Bay will receive nearly four-million-dollars to design and engineer an overpass over Highway 38, to
eventually eliminate the at-grade crossing.

Oregon’s second largest port is getting another exception to a water pollution permit it’s violated for much of the last two decades, according to Gov. Tina Kotek.

She issued an executive order Monday afternoon, allowing officials at the Port of Morrow in Boardman six weeks of relief — between Jan. 15 and Feb. 28 — from state penalties for violating their wastewater permit and over-applying nitrogen contaminated water on farmland that sits atop an already contaminated underground aquifer.

That aquifer supplies drinking water to thousands of residents in Morrow and Umatilla counties in northeast Oregon, many of whom cannot drink water safely from their taps because of the pollution. Nitrates, which come from nitrogen, is unhealthy to drink for long periods when it’s above 10 milligrams per liter, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Studies have shown high levels of nitrate consumption can lead to higher risk of certain cancers and birth defects.

IRS Direct File, Direct File Oregon Will Be Available When Income Tax Return Processing Begins January 27

Salem, OR— Free electronic filing through the combination of IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon will open January 27 when both the IRS and the Oregon Department of Revenue begin processing e-filed 2024 federal and state income tax returns. Paper-filed return processing will begin in mid-February.

The IRS estimates that 640,000 Oregon resident taxpayers preparing their own tax returns in 2025 will have the option to electronically file both their federal and state income tax returns for free by filing directly with the IRS and the state.

Taxpayers are encouraged to use the IRS Eligibility Checker to see if they qualify to file directly with the IRS and the state.

E-filed returns will be processed in the order they are received. However, as in years past, the department won’t be issuing personal income tax refunds until after February 15. A refund hold is part of the department’s tax fraud prevention efforts and allows for confirmation that the amounts claimed on tax returns match what employers and payers report on Forms W-2 and 1099.

E-filing is the fastest way for a taxpayer to get their refund. On average, taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refund two weeks sooner than those who file paper returns and request paper refund checks.

The department reminds taxpayers that taking a few easy steps in the next few weeks can make preparing their 2024 tax return easier in 2025.

Free filing options open January 27 — In addition to IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon, other free filing options will also open January 27. Free guided tax preparation is available from several companies for taxpayers that meet income requirements. Free fillable forms are available for all income levels. Using links from the department’s website ensures that both taxpayers’ federal and state return will be filed for free.

Free and low-cost tax help — Free tax preparation services are available for low- to moderate-income taxpayers through AARP and CASH Oregon. United Way also offers free tax help through their MyFreeTaxes program. Visit the Department of Revenue website to take advantage of the software and free offers and get more information about free tax preparation services.

Voluntary self-identification of race and ethnicity information — New for 2025, Oregon taxpayers and Oregonians can voluntarily provide information about their race and ethnicity on Form OR-VSI when they file their 2024 taxes. Providing this information may be done separately from a tax return through Revenue Online. The information will be confidential. It can only be used for research purposes to analyze potential inequities in tax policy. The new option is a result of Senate Bill 1 in 2023.

Use Revenue Online to verify payments — Taxpayers can verify their estimated payments through their Revenue Online account.

Through Revenue Online, individuals can also view letters sent to them by the department, initiate appeals, make payments, and submit questions. Visit Revenue Online on the Revenue website to learn more.

Those who don’t have a Revenue Online account can sign up on the agency’s website.

To check the status of their refund after February 15, or make payments, taxpayers can visit Revenue’s website. You can also call 800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), we accept all relay calls.

Final Wildfire Hazard Maps Now Available


SALEM, Ore.—The statewide maps of wildfire hazard zones and the wildland-urban interface are complete and final versions are now available on the Oregon Explorer website. Notifications are being mailed to impacted property owners and should be expected to arrive over the next several days.

The wildfire hazard map’s purposes are to:

Educate Oregon residents and property owners about the level of hazard where they live.
Assist in prioritizing fire adaptation and mitigation resources for the most vulnerable locations.
Identify where defensible space standards and home hardening codes will apply.
The statewide wildfire hazard map designates all of Oregon’s 1.9 million property tax lots into one of three wildfire hazard zones: low, moderate or high. It also identifies whether a tax lot is within boundaries of the wildland-urban interface. Properties that are in both a high hazard zone and within the wildland-urban interface will be prioritized for future wildfire risk mitigation resources and actions.

To help protect these communities, future defensible space and home-hardening building codes may apply to properties with both designations. All properties with both designations are receiving a certified mail packet informing them of the designations, outlining their appeal rights and explaining the appeal process, and explaining what the designation might mean for them and their property.

“It’s a hefty packet of information that property owners will receive by certified mail,” said Tim Holschbach, Wildfire Hazard Map Lay Representative. “However, we want to ensure Oregonians get all the relevant information they need on their wildfire hazard exposure.”

Anyone that does not receive a packet but is still interested in learning about the wildfire hazard where they live can visit the Oregon Explorer website. A Property Owner’s Report is available for every Oregon tax lot and includes information about hazards and resources.

The road to completed maps has been a long one. After the initial wildfire map was released and rescinded in summer of 2022, ODF and OSU spent more than two years receiving and analyzing feedback to improve the product available today, including a recent public comment period.

Draft versions of the statewide wildfire hazard and wildland-urban interface maps were available to the public for review and comment from July 18 to August 18. ODF received nearly 2,000 comments from the public during the 30-day comment period.

After reviewing the comments on the draft maps, ODF identified one key theme that had not been previously addressed in prior adjustments to the map: neighbor-to-neighbor variation in hazard zones. In response, researchers took a closer look at those variations and their causes. OSU evaluated scientific methods to reduce neighbor-to-neighbor variations in hazard zone designations that were still in accordance with legislative rules directing development of the map.

This final adjustment is in addition to other revisions that have been made to the map over the last two years in response to feedback from elected officials, county governments and the public. Other updates to the map since 2022 include:

Adjustments for hay and pasturelands.
Adjustments for northwest Oregon forest fuels.
Adjustments for certain irrigated agricultural fields.
Corrections for verified anomalies identified by county planners.
“It’s important that the map is as objective and understandable as possible,” said Kyle Williams, Deputy Director of Fire Operations at ODF. “It took additional time to ensure community protection measures like home hardening and defensible space are prioritized in communities of highest wildfire hazard. It’s been time well spent, and we’re pleased with the diligence ODF staff and OSU researchers put into addressing input from all sources.”

In addition to feedback that resulted in changes to the map, there were two main themes of public input that will not be addressed by map adjustments: insurance and existing defensible space and fire hardening improvements.

Oregon Senate Bill 82 prohibits insurers in Oregon from using this map, or any statewide map, for making decisions on whether to extend coverage or determine rates. Oregon’s Division of Financial Regulation has investigated concerns and confirmed that even prior to passage of Senate Bill 82, no insurance company in Oregon has or will use these maps for insurance purposes. Additionally, some property owners shared a belief that their hazard rating should be lower due to implementation of defensible space strategies. By law, the map’s hazard assessments are based on weather, climate, topography and vegetation on a broader environmental scale than just an individual property. If a property owner has implemented appropriate defensible space already, there is likely nothing that a designation of high hazard and being within the wildland-urban interface will require of them when future code requirements are adopted. — Find more information on ODF’s wildfire hazard web page.

More schools, community organizations sought for Summer Food Service Program
Grant funds of up to $20K are available to startup or expand summer meal programs serving children and teens
The Oregon Department of Education is seeking more schools, community organizations and tribes to participate in the Summer Food Service Program this summer to help ensure that children and teens receive the nutritious meals they need during the summer months. As an incentive, state grant funds are available up to $20,000 per sponsor to startup or expand summer meal programs.

Summer Food Service Program works to ensure children 18 and younger, who benefit from meal programs during the school year, continue to have that same access to nutritious meals when schools are closed, or students are unable to attend school in person.

“During the summer months, when school is not in session, children often lose vital access to school nutrition programs. Summer meal sites ensure that children continue to receive the nutrition they need to learn and grow,” ODE Summer Food Service Program Outreach Coordinator Cathy Brock said. “Expanding access to the program is an important step to close the hunger gap in all areas of the state. ODE’s Child Nutrition Program is reaching out to ensure that children continue to receive meals throughout the summer.”

Schools, non-profit community organizations, local government agencies, camps and faith- based organizations that have the ability to manage a food service program may be Summer Food Service Program sponsors.

Sponsoring organizations must enter into an agreement with ODE to operate the USDA Summer Food Service Program and are then reimbursed for serving healthy meals and snacks to children at approved sites. Sponsors may be approved to oversee and/or operate multiple sites.

Sites are places in the community where children receive meals in a safe and supervised environment. Sites may be located in a variety of settings, including schools, parks, community centers, health clinics, hospitals, libraries, migrant centers, apartment complexes and faith-based locations.

Apply — ODE has state grant funds available up to $20,000 to startup or expand summer meal programs. Eligible grant activities include the purchase of food service equipment, supplies for enrichment activities, and staff time to support and operate summer meal programs.

For questions about grant funds and more information about how your organization can become a Summer Food Service Program sponsor, please contact ODE’s Community Nutrition Team by email at ode.communitynutrition@ode.oregon.gov. The deadline to submit an eligibility assessment to become a Summer Food Service Sponsor is March 1, 2025.

Changes make it easier to claim tax benefits when saving for your first home

Salem, OR— Aspiring homeowners looking to take their first steps into the real estate market now have greater access to a key tool that can help make their dreams of home ownership more affordable.

Legislative changes to the state’s First-Time Home Buyer Savings Account program last year make it easier than ever to reap tax benefits while saving for a home. First-time home buyers can now open accounts at any financial institution, and friends or family will be able to open an account to help someone else.

Individual First-Time Home Buyer Savings Account holders will be able to subtract up to $6,125 of their 2025 deposits and earnings from their Oregon income when they file their tax year 2025 return in 2026. Joint filers will be able to subtract up to $12,245. To qualify, the account holder or beneficiary can’t have owned or purchased a residence in the three years prior to the date of their planned purchase.

Account holders qualify for a cumulative tax subtraction of as much as $50,000 over a decade, and deposited funds can be used for costs such as down payments, insurance, commissions and other closing costs.

Account holders can designate an account and a beneficiary, if applicable, using Form OR-HOME, which can be found in the agency Forms and Publications Library.

To get tax forms, check the status of your refund, or make tax payments, visit www.oregon.gov/dor or email questions.dor@oregon.gov. You also can call 800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon. For TTY (hearing- or speech-impaired), we accept all relay calls.

New funding is making it easier than ever for Oregon farmers to become certified organic.

To achieve certification, farmers must go three years without using synthetic additives such as fertilizers or pesticides. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Oregon has launched the Organic Transition Initiative to provide financial and technical support.

Ben Bowell, director of education and advocacy for the group Oregon Tilth, noted the funding is especially valuable because the transition can be costly.

“During that time they have to be farming as organic farmers but they are not able to access an organic crop premium,” Bowell pointed out.

Farmers can also get support through the initiative to develop organic systems for fertilization, building soil and controlling weeds.

Bowell explained the initiative is one of a three-part national USDA Organic Transition Initiative. This five-year program provides mentorship from experienced organic farmers, technical assistance and an organic market development program. He emphasized with the three programs, the combined $300 million investment in organic farming is historic.

“Right now is an amazing time to consider transitioning to organic in terms of all of the support that’s available,” Bowell stated.

Erica Thompson, farm operations manager for the U-pick blueberry farm Blueberry Meadows near Corvallis, which has been in her family since 1993, is a little over a year into the three-year process. She said figuring out a new fertility program and disease management has been a challenge, along with understanding the application and documentation process.

Thompson added working with the Organic Transition Initiative has been helpful. “Being part of it has really solved or like is in the process of solving all my questions and uncertainties,” Thompson observed.

Along with farmers, support is available for ranchers and forest landowners looking to go organic. Applications for the current round of funding are due Jan. 17. (SOURCE)

 

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.

 

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 rulescontest 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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