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, May 2, 2025
Rogue Valley Weather
There is a risk of thunderstorms today, and a small chance some of these storms could become severe. The main threats are lightning, small hail (<1.00″), and wind gusts around 45-55 mph will be possibly in a couple of the stronger storms. Peak heating will likely lead to development this afternoon and continue through early this evening for those stronger storms. Lightning chances decrease significantly overnight.
National Guard Hosts “Guard For A Day” Open House In Medford Saturday
Recreational Use Advisory Issued for Emigrant Lake
—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a preemptive recreational use health advisory today for Emigrant Lake, in Jackson County, due to the presence of a cyanobacteria bloom. People should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas of the reservoir where blooms are present, as the major route of exposure is ingestion of water. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash. OHA encourages people to visit Emigrant Lake and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.
Drinking water
Drinking water directly from areas of the lake affected by a bloom is especially dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact campground management or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby campgrounds or day use areas. Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotoxins. People who do not use a well or public water system and draw in-home water directly from an affected area are advised to use an alternative water source.
Children and pets
Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size and level of activity. Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crust along the shore. This is regardless of a recreational use health advisory in place. Dogs can become ill and die from water intoxication after drinking excessive amounts of water while swimming or fetching objects for long periods of time. Intoxication is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain function resulting from an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Water intoxication and heat stroke can cause similar symptoms as exposure to cyanotoxins.
Symptoms
Exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention. Dogs can experience weakness, difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, loss of appetite and more. If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible.
Fishing
Fish caught from areas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks, so OHA recommends not eating fish from those areas. Those who decide to eat the fish should remove fat, skin and organs before cooking or freezing. Toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water. For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.
Arrest Made for Attempted Assault I — Josephine Co. Sheriff’s Office

In recognition of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People/Women Awareness Day next week, our community partners — the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, Cow Creek Public Health and the Douglas County Anti Human Trafficking Task Force — will host two discussions around the MMIP/MMIW movement.
The Cow Creek Umpqua Tribe shares that this is an important discussion to have and listen to because Native American, Alaska Native and First Nations people experience violence at disproportionally higher rates than other communities. Organizers hope to actively address the issue and reiterate to the community that victims are not at fault and do not have to be silent, and that everyone can play a role in prevention. Join in person, or watch live on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/…/Cow-Creek-Band-of-Umpqua…/). Monday, May 5, at 5:30 p.m.: Tribal Veterans Service Office 500 S.E. Cass Ave., Suite 120 Village Station in Roseburg Thursday, May 8, at 5:30 p.m.: Tribal Community Center 825 NE Leon Ave. Myrtle Creek RSVP on the Cow Creek Umpqua Facebook page: https://shorturl.at/d36xP MORE INFO: https://www.cowcreek-nsn.gov/listening-and-learning-sessions-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-people/
Medford Police Make Arrest in April 25 Homicide Investigation
On Friday, April 25, 2025, at approximately 2:00 AM, Medford Police Department (MPD) officers responded to a report of a person down near the Lowe’s store located on Delta Waters Road. Upon arrival, officers discovered 36-year-old Rory James Pomeroy suffering from life-threatening traumatic injuries. He was treated at the scene and transported to a local hospital by Mercy Flights personnel.






Rogue Valley Symphonic Band WE NEED YOU!















The Addictions Recovery Center (ARC) in Medford is expanding its services with a new facility which is currently under construction. This will add 24 residential treatment beds to the ARC’s East Main Campus. See Video and Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ARC541/videos/520525737735442
Ashland Rolls Out Free Pre-Approved Plans to Spur Residents into Building Affordable Backyard Homes
Seeking to promote affordability and support residents’ diverse needs, the city of Ashland has encouraged its citizens to develop accessory dwelling units (ADUs) within the city and offers guidance on getting plans approved.
The City of Ashland has streamlined the ADU application process to enhance housing options. It now offers a complete set of pre-approved ADU plans that meet local building codes for free to Ashland property owners.
To get ADU plan approval in Ashland, the Ashland Planning Division offers a free consultation. At the meeting, a City Planner will review your site and provide valuable guidance on the permit application process. The meeting is geared towards helping you understand zoning requirements, building codes, and any other considerations for ADU projects. Find free City of Ashland ADU plans here
Sheriff’s Office issues advisory about motorhome and possible link to missing Prospect woman Deenah Padgett


Did you get help from FEMA, insurance, or others after the 2020 Almeda and South Obenchain Fires?
OHCS HARP Website → bit.ly/45bHjzu


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’s going on five years now since Fauna Frey, 45, disappeared in Josephine County 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 Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony to Honor Fallen Officers
The annual Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem. The ceremony honors the state’s law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

The names of three fallen officers were added to the memorial last month as an honor guard stood watch: Patrolman Andrew J. Laugeson of the Portland Police Bureau, end of watch May 12, 1917; Policeman George M. Lowe of the Ashland Police Department, end of watch March 3, 1919; and Assistant Chief Merle W. Bethscheider of the Silverton Police Department, end of watch May 29, 1965. Patrolman Laugeson, Policeman Lowe, Asssistant Chief Bethscheider, and 196 previously fallen officers will be honored during the ceremony at the academy, located at 4190 Aumsville Highway SE in Salem. The ceremony is a significant event that the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) is proud to host each year in partnership with the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, Oregon Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, and Oregon’s various statewide law enforcement associations. ### About DPSST – The mission of the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) is to pursue excellence in training and accountability for public safety professionals. DPSST certifies and licenses police, corrections, and parole and probation officers, as well as regulatory specialists, emergency telecommunicators and medical dispatchers, criminal justice instructors, private security providers, private investigators, fire service professionals, and polygraph examiners in the state of Oregon. DPSST works with public and private safety agencies around the state to provide basic, leadership and specialized training at the 237-acre Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem and regionally throughout the state. For more information on the Oregon Fallen Law Enforcement Officer Memorial, please visit https://www.oregon.gov/dpsst/Memorials/LawEnforcement/Pages/default.aspx.
The long-delayed deadline for REAL ID is now 5 days away. There’s a chance that full enforcement may get gradually rolled out, but May 7, 2025, is the changeover deadline.

Starting then, state-level ID cards, such as driver’s licenses, won’t be accepted for federal purposes, namely getting through airport security, unless it’s REAL ID-compliant. If you plan to catch a domestic flight on or after May 7, you will be required to use a REAL ID. A little gold or black star in the upper right-hand corner is one of the easiest ways to know you’re holding a REAL ID. In Oregon, it’s a black star. A REAL ID is an identification card that serves all of the same purposes of a standard drivers’ license or state-issued identification card. A federally-mandated switch to REAL ID for federal purposes, such as flying domestically, was originally signed into law by Congress in 2005. The purpose is to establish “minimum security standards for license issuance and production,” according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website. The law, established four years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, came in response to federal calls for higher security standards in the U.S. Originally, the law mandated the switch to REAL ID by 2008, but it has been pushed back for various reasons due to logistical hurdles and later the COVID-19 pandemic.
New report: High costs, low pay from insurers, and onerous regulation push Oregon hospitals to the brink
A new Hospital Association of Oregon report shows that hospitals are financially unstable, threatening the future of patient care in Oregon communities. Almost half of the state’s hospitals operated at a loss in 2024, and others barely broke even. “Oregon’s hospitals are on the brink,” said Becky Hultberg, Hospital Association of Oregon president and CEO. “They face a perfect storm of soaring expenses, complex and costly regulations, and payments that don’t cover the cost of care. And federal Medicaid changes contemplated by Congress could tip some hospitals over the edge.” The report highlights that while hospitals across the country were challenged during the pandemic and are now stabilizing, Oregon hospitals remain on unstable footing. “It’s becoming clear that Oregon hospitals operate in one of the most challenging environments in the country, shaped by a tough regulatory landscape and payments that don’t come close to covering the double-digit increases we’ve seen in expenses from salaries and benefits,” she said. “Patients are struggling to find doctors, wait times to see a doctor are long, and emergency departments are overcrowded. This is a result of the policy choices the state has made and insufficient payment from insurers.” In this challenging environment, Oregon hospitals have been pushed to make difficult decisions including cutting more than 800 jobs, seeking partnerships to shore up operations, reducing or divesting from services, and fundraising to replace broken or outdated equipment. This is a trend that is likely to continue without shifts in health policy and increasing payments to hospitals to cover the cost of providing care. Medicaid—the state’s largest insurer—is contributing to hospitals’ financial distress. The state only pays hospitals 56 cents on the dollar for caring for Medicaid patients. Additionally, hospitals are subject to onerous state rules and regulations that demand resources for compliance, reduce revenue, and increase operating expenses for hospitals. Hospitals’ financial instability not only jeopardizes access to care but also threatens the economic stability of communities statewide. Oregon’s 61 hospitals serve as a crucial economic engine, generating $32.4 billion in economic impact and supporting 160,000 jobs—including 70,000 direct hospital employees. “In this pivotal moment for hospitals, policymakers and community leaders cannot afford to ignore what’s happening in Oregon,” Hultberg said. “The choices the state makes are forcing the trade-off of services that our families, friends, and neighbors depend on.” Read more about the state of Oregon’s hospitals in the Hospital Association of Oregon’s new report: Oregon Hospitals on the Brink. Media availability:
- Hospital Association of Oregon President and CEO Becky Hultberg will be available to speak to the media between 1-2:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 1
- PNGs of graphics from the report are also available upon request
About the Hospital Association of Oregon Founded in 1934, the Hospital Association of Oregon Association (HAO) is a mission-driven, nonprofit trade association representing Oregon’s 61 hospitals. Together, hospitals are the sixth largest private employer statewide, employing 70,000 employees. Committed to fostering a stronger, safer, more equitable Oregon where all people have access to the high-quality care they need, the hospital association supports Oregon’s hospitals so they can support their communities; educates government officials and the public on the state’s health landscape and works collaboratively with policymakers, community based organizations and the health care community to build consensus on and advance health care policy benefiting the state’s four million residents.
Oregon Declares May 18–25, 2025, Volcano Awareness Week in Recognition of the 45th Anniversary of the Mount St. Helens Eruption

SALEM, Ore. – On May 18, 1980, the ground shook, the sky turned black, and Mount St. Helens exploded in what remains the most destructive volcanic eruption in U.S. history. Fifty-seven lives were lost, thousands of animals perished, entire forests were flattened, and over 200 homes were destroyed. The eruption caused an estimated $1.5 billion in damage. The eruption reshaped landscapes sparked years of scientific study and reinforced the importance of disaster readiness. Now, 45 years later, Oregon’s Governor Tina Kotek is commemorating this significant event by proclaiming May 18–25, 2025, Volcano Awareness Week — a time not only for remembrance, but for readiness. Led by the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), the proclamation seeks to educate residents and visitors about volcanic hazards and preparedness efforts across the state and serves as a crucial reminder: the Pacific Northwest is still very much an active volcanic zone. “Oregon is home to several active volcanoes, and awareness is key to protecting communities and ensuring public safety,” said OEM Director Erin McMahon. “Volcano Awareness Week serves as an opportunity to learn about preparedness, mitigation, and response strategies while recognizing the ongoing monitoring efforts that keep people informed.”
Living in a Land of Fire: Understanding Oregon’s Volcanic Risks
The Cascade Range — the snow-capped mountains many Oregonians and Washingtonians know and love — is part of a 1,300 km (800 mile) chain of volcanoes stretching from northern California to southern British Columbia. These dramatic peaks, formed by the slow collision and subduction of tectonic plates, include some of the most well-known and still-active volcanoes in the country. In Oregon alone, we have five potentially active volcanoes:
- Mount Hood
- Mount Jefferson
- Newberry Volcano
- Three Sisters
- Crater Lake (Mount Mazama)
They are among the ten active Cascade volcanoes monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Volcano Early Warning System — a program designed to detect and alert officials to signs of volcanic unrest before an eruption occurs. DOGAMI, in coordination with the U.S. Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory, plays a critical role in providing scientific data to support disaster preparedness. “Oregon’s rocks record a long-lived legacy of volcanism. Volcanoes offer stunning beauty, but also present potential risks to nearby communities”, said DOGAMI Geological Survey and Services Program Manager Jason McClaughry. “Creating detailed geologic and hazard maps combined with data from modern monitoring tools allows both DOGAMI and CVO to understand the volcanic history of Oregon and to help communities prepare for future volcanic hazards.”
Why Volcano Awareness Week Matters
This week is a joint effort between the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM), the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), and partners like the USGS and the Washington State Emergency Management Division. Together, they’re working to raise public awareness about volcanic hazards — and more importantly, how Oregonians can prepare for them. OEM and DOGAMI, in collaboration with local governments and scientific organizations, will conduct public outreach efforts, social media campaigns, and educational initiatives throughout the week, including:
- Understanding volcanic hazards such as ashfall, landslides, lahars, and pyroclastic flows.
- Reviewing evacuation routes and emergency response plans (visit TripCheck.com)
- Monitoring volcanic activity through USGS alerts and OR-Alerts.
- Preparing emergency kits with food, water, respiratory protection, and communication devices.
Upcoming Anniversary Related events:
- Wednesday, May 7 | 6:30 p.m. 45th Eruptiversary Views & Brews: Voices of the Volcano (In-Person AND Virtual)
- Saturday, May 10 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cascades Volcano Observatory Open House
- Thursday May 15 | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A Reddit Ask-Me-Anything session with experts from USGS and the states of Oregon and Washington
- Sunday, May 18 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 45th Anniversary Event with USFS at the Coldwater Science and Learning Center
- Saturday, May 24 | 3:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. OPB Event at OMSI – Sharing of OPB Field Guide episode and panel discussion
- The official web cam for Mount. St. Helens is also back online, with its power restored for the first time in a nearly two years.
- See more historic photos of the eruption on the US Forest Service’s Historic Mount St. Helen’s Flcker page.
Even though volcanic eruptions are rare, their impacts can be swift and widespread. Awareness and preparedness can mean the difference between chaos and calm in the face of an eruption. “Preparedness saves lives,” McMahon added. “By learning about volcanic hazards and response measures, Oregonians can help protect themselves, their families, and their communities.”
Be 2 Weeks Ready
Emergency preparedness starts at home. OEM encourages all residents to Be2WeeksReady — a campaign that promotes having enough supplies, water, food, and critical items to survive on your own for two weeks after a disaster. This is especially important during volcanic events, when roads may be impassable and air quality may be hazardous. Here are some key preparedness tips for volcanic hazards:
- Know your local hazards. If you live near any of Oregon’s volcanoes, understand what type of hazards might affect your area. DOGAMI and OEM offer resources and maps to help you assess risk.
- Stay informed. Sign up for USGS volcano notifications sign-up for OR-Alerts, and make sure the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are enabled on your phone.
- Follow evacuation levels. Oregon uses a three-level evacuation system:
- Level 1: Be Ready – Stay aware and prepare to leave.
- Level 2: Be Set – Be packed and ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
- Level 3: Go Now! – Leave immediately for your safety.
- Make a plan. Know your evacuation routes and how you’ll communicate with loved ones if you become separated. Learn more with OEM’s Be2Weeks Ready Toolkit.
- Help others. Check on neighbors, especially those who may need extra assistance.
For more details on how to prepare for volcanic hazards, visit the U.S. Geological Survey Volcano Hazards page. Residents are encouraged to follow OEM and DOGAMIonline for up-to-date information, safety resources, and emergency alerts. Explore More:
- USGS Volcano Hazards Program
- National Volcano Early Warning System
- DOGAMI – Oregon Geologic Hazard Resources
- OEM’s Be2Weeks Ready Toolkit
- Make Preparedness Fun: Engaging Kids in Emergency Readiness
- Making Preparedness Fun: Explaining Volcano Evacuations to Kids
- Kids Volcano Activity Guide
- Social Media Toolkit
- US Forest Service’s Historic Mount St. Helen’s historic photos
# # # It is the mission of Oregon Emergency Management to proactively develop emergency response, risk reduction and disaster recovery programs to better serve Oregonians during times of disaster. OEM prioritizes an equitable and inclusive culture of preparedness that empowers all Oregonians to thrive in times in crisis. The agency leads collaborative statewide efforts, inclusive of all partners and the communities we serve, to ensure the capability to get help in an emergency and to protect, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies or disasters. For more information about the OEM, visit oregon.gov/oem. You can get this document in other languages, large print, braille, or a format you prefer. For assistance, email licInfo@oem.oregon.gov” target=”_blank” title=”Email OEM Public Affairs”>OEM_PublicInfo@oem.oregon.gov. We accept all relay calls, or you can dial 711.
Governor Tina Kotek has announced a $10 million investment aimed at developing the artificial intelligence (AI) workforce, in conjunction with a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the State of Oregon and chipmaker, NVIDIA.
This initiative seeks to enhance AI education and skill development. The announcement was made during her speech at the Northwest Breakfast Forum, organized by SEMI, an association representing the semiconductor, electronics design, and manufacturing supply chain sectors. The MOU creates a partnership framework for Oregon and NVIDIA to promote entrepreneurship and expand AI-centric education and skill development, preparing Oregonians for future opportunities while assisting state agencies in identifying responsible AI applications to enhance government services. As part of this collaboration, NVIDIA will partner with the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) and Oregon’s higher education institutions to establish an AI Ambassador Program, which will deploy trained ambassadors across campuses to offer practical training and mentorship to students. This initiative will be guided by a steering committee comprising representatives from both the state and industry. In addition to the MOU, the Governor is allocating $10 million from the Oregon CHIPS Act funding to the Semiconductor Talent Sustaining Fund, aimed at cultivating a strong technology workforce in Oregon. This investment will support workforce development initiatives related to the semiconductor and AI industries, with an emphasis on training Oregonians, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, for lucrative career opportunities.
The 80th anniversary commemorating the tragic event in which a pregnant woman and five young children from Bly lost their lives due to a Japanese balloon bomb will be observed through a series of events.
This incident marks the only fatalities on the continental United States during World War II, occurring when the group was picnicking near Gearhart Mountain, approximately 13 miles from Bly, and accidentally triggered the bomb.

K.C. Winters, the author of “One Balloon: Silent Attack on the American Homeland,” will present about her family and her book at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 2, at the Klamath County Museum. The next day, May 3, at 1 p.m., Winters will further discuss her book at the Oberchain Community Center in Bly, with the program being facilitated by David Prantner from the Standing Stone Church. On Monday, May 5, the actual anniversary of the incident, a memorial program will take place at the Mitchell Monument, located 13 miles from Bly, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. This event, organized by the Fremont-Winema National Forest’s Bly Ranger District, aims to remember and pay tribute to the six individuals who perished due to the bomb, with Winters expected to be in attendance.
OHA to issue algae warnings when dog deaths reported
As summer approaches, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reminds people heading outdoors to enjoy the state’s lakes, rivers and reservoirs to be on the look-out for potentially toxic cyanobacteria blooms.

To help, OHA is adding a tool reporting the possible presence of cyanobacteria in freshwater lakes and rivers statewide. Starting immediately, OHA will issue pre-emptive public warnings following reports of dog illnesses or deaths possibly resulting from cyanotoxin exposure. OHA advises recreational visitors to always be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms in the water and in mats attached to the ground or rocks. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable. Only a fraction of water bodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab.
Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs
No veteran should be without a place to call home, and the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is committed to ending veteran homelessness in our state. The new ODVA Houseless Veterans Program collaborates with federal, state, county, and Tribal agencies, veteran services offices, and community homeless service providers to meet the urgent and unique needs of Oregon’s diverse veteran communities challenged with housing stability. In addition to advocating for Oregon veterans experiencing or at risk for houselessness, the program provides direct service to veterans and their families seeking federal and state veterans’ benefits, including access to local VA health care, documentation of service, as well as other available state benefits, and local homeless services organizations and low-income assistance programs. If you or a veteran you know is dealing with homelessness, contact the ODVA Houseless Veterans Coordinator today at houselessvets@odva.oregon.gov or visit https://ow.ly/V4EH50VnL93 to learn more.

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