The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Friday, November 3, 2023
Oregon Beach Weather
HAZARDOUS SEAS WARNING, SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY, HIGH WIND WARNING ISSUED– NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM PDT THIS AFTERNOON TO 10 PM PST SUNDAY... ...HAZARDOUS SEAS WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 5 AM TO 2 PM PDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...For the Small Craft Advisory, south winds 20 to 30 kt with occasional gusts up to 35 kt and seas 8 to 9 ft at 8 seconds expected. For the Hazardous Seas Warning, very steep and hazardous seas 10 to 12 ft at 8 seconds expected. * WHERE...For the Hazardous Seas Warning, north of Port Orford and beyond 5 NM of shore, with Small Craft Advisory all remaining waters this evening through early Saturday afternoon. Then all waters for the Small Craft Advisory after. * WHEN...For the Small Craft Advisory, from 5 PM PDT this afternoon to 10 PM PST Sunday. For the Hazardous Seas Warning, from 5 AM to 2 PM PDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Very steep and hazardous seas could capsize or damage vessels. Bar crossings will become especially treacherous. * View the hazard area in detail at https://go.usa.gov/x6hks HIGH WIND WARNING ISSUED: 3:19 AM NOV. 3, 2023 – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 3 PM PDT SATURDAY NEAR BEACHES AND HEADLANDS... * WHAT...South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 65 mph expected near beaches and headlands. * WHERE...In Oregon, North Oregon Coast and Central Oregon Coast. In Washington, South Washington Coast. * WHEN...From midnight tonight to 3 PM PDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
Daylight saving time for 2023 ends this weekend, when places observing it set their clocks “back” an hour.
Daylight saving time (DST) officially ends 2:00 a.m. Sunday, November 5, for 2023.
Lawmakers at state and federal levels have offered measures to keep DST year-round, making it permanent. In March, Oregon’s senior U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and some of his Senate colleagues from both parties reintroduced legislation to end the practice of changing clocks twice a year. Their Sunshine Protection Act would apply to states observing DST, which Oregon and most states observe eight months of the year as Standard Time is observed the other four months from November to March.
Wyden said the bill would negate a need for people to change clocks twice a year, with benefits for the nation’s health and economy. DST in the U.S. starts the second Sunday in March annually when clocks are set forward by one hour, ending the first Sunday in November when clocks are reset to standard time.
Three Oregon Ports Will Share $36,489,508 In Federal Investments
Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Val Hoyle, announced the funding Nov. 1 for Astoria, Coquille Indian Tribe’s Ko’Kwel Wharf, and Newport.
“Ports play a crucial role in keeping the economies of Oregon and the entire Pacific Northwest running smoothly—transporting goods, people, and services throughout our region—and we rely on them to export our amazing, homegrown products around the world,” Merkley said. “This funding will provide crucial support to Astoria, the Coquille Indian Tribe, and Newport to improve existing infrastructure, increase storage capabilities, and bolster security while improving operational capacity for these critical ports.”
“Oregon’s ports produce jobs and act as economic linchpins for their communities as well as the entire state economy,” Wyden said. “I’m glad these three ports have secured these significant federal infrastructure investments to ensure they can keep exporting our state’s world-renowned products as well as generating economic opportunities for Newport, Astoria, the Coquille Indian Tribe and beyond.”
“Pier 2 West in Astoria is crucial to the region’s economy, but the structure has been deteriorating over the years,” Bonamici said. “I’m thrilled that the Port of Astoria will receive close to $25.3 million from USDOT to make overdue repairs to this essential infrastructure.”
“I’m thrilled that the Port of Newport will be receiving this important grant to upgrade its port infrastructure,” Hoyle said. “This is exactly the type of support that the federal government should be providing to Oregon’s ports, which are essential for local jobs and businesses on the Oregon coast. I will continue to strongly support investment in Oregon’s coastal communities.”
This past spring, Merkley, Wyden and Bonamici sent a letter to U.S. Maritime Administration urging their support for the Port of Astoria’s rehabilitation project application as well as a letter of support from Merkley and Wyden for the Newport operational capacity project application.
The federal investments come from the Fiscal Year 2023 Port Infrastructure Development Program.
“The Port of Newport greatly appreciates the support of our Federal Legislators and the Maritime Administration for this investment in our International Terminal,” Port of Newport Executive Director Paula Miranda said. “We are also grateful for our state legislators, stakeholders and community for years of investment in our terminal. This will allow us to expand our operational capacity through the purchase of equipment and the improvement of a nine-acre parcel for lay-down purposes. These enhancements make the Port more attractive to prospective customers and support economic opportunity in Lincoln County.”
“The Port of Astoria is extremely grateful to be a recipient of Port Infrastructure Development Program funding through MARAD for the rehabilitation of Pier 2 on the Astoria waterfront,” Port of Astoria Executive Director Will Isom said. “The seafood processing cluster on Pier 2 is vital to the Port, the City of Astoria and the entire region. Federal investment into this infrastructure was critical for its future and will help provide a safe, economically viable pier for generations to come!”
“The Coquille Indian Tribe is proud to take part in the nationwide effort to rebuild our port infrastructure. With this funding, our Tribal One team will continue their work to rebuild Ko’Kwel Wharf as a productive and reliable economic resource that will help secure the future of the Coquille Tribe and our North Bend community and become a valuable member of the nation’s maritime industry,” Coquille Indian Tribe Chair Brenda Meade said.
The Oregon projects funding and descriptions
$3,444,100 to Port of Newport: This project and funding will support the Port of Newport in the grading of nine acres of land adjacent to the port’s existing Newport International Terminal to create additional laydown and storage space; fence three acres of land for increased security; and purchase two loaders to load, unload and move cargo within and around the port, especially breakbulk cargo, which the port’s current cargo handling equipment is not well suited to safely and efficiently handle.
These improvements to the Newport International Terminal enable the Port of Newport to continue to support the economic development and prosperity of the Oregon Coast.
$25,315,758 to Port of Astoria: This project funds the rehabilitation of the Port of Astoria’s Pier 2 West – the region’s hub for seafood processing and maritime commerce – which is in critical need of repairs and rehabilitation. Project elements include:
1) A new steel bulkhead wall with a 75 year lifespan and that will include a new fendering system, 50 ton double bitt bollards, and a cast-in-place concrete bullrail.
2) Removal of the old timber dock.
3) Backfill.
4) Underpinning of the Pier 2 warehouse.
5) Warehouse building concrete slab repairs.
6) New concrete pavement on the pier surface.
7) Construction of a stormwater drainage system.
8) Replacement of a water line and fire hydrants adjacent to the warehouse for fire protection of Pier 2.
$7,729,650 to Coquille Indian Tribe: This project funds the following three components:
1) Repairs of the dock face along Lot 2 of Ko’Kwel Wharf that will bring the entire dock area up to safe operating standards and open opportunities for new uses of the terminal and wharf facility.
2) Bring 800-amp service and a shore power outlet box to the wharf to reduce or eliminate the need for idling diesel engines.
3) Support development phase activities leading to the construction of a 600’-700’ extension of the Ko’Kwel Wharf dock. (SOURCE)
Suspect Surrenders Peacefully After Hours-Long Standoff in Lincoln City
On Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at about 11:57 AM, Lincoln City Police responded to a reported disturbance and possible hostage situation at a residence in the 4900 block of SE Keel in Lincoln City. It was reported that several persons inside the residence had barricaded themselves inside a room away from a suspect who was threating to harm them with edged weapons. Once officers arrived, they made entry into the residence and the suspect had quickly retreated to an upstairs room and barricaded himself inside while threatening to kill officers if they came after him. The officers took the opportunity to escort the three victims out of the house to safety.
Officers secured the perimeter around the house as additional units from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office arrived to assist, including a certified crisis negotiator who began talking with the suspect. Nearby residents were asked to leave the area or shelter in place as the negotiator tried to talk the suspect, who was identified as 20-year-old Albert A. Fletemier Brown of Lincoln City, into peacefully surrendering. Additional resources were requested and members of Oregon State Police SWAT unit responded to the location. After briefing the OSP team on the situation, they took control of the scene and their crisis negotiator began talking with Fletemier Brown. At about 4:55 PM, after several hours of dialog with Fletemier Brown by both the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Negotiator and then the OSP Negotiation team, Fletemier Brown peacefully surrendered and was taken into custody without injury.
Lincoln City Police Officers transported Fletemier Brown to the Lincoln County Jail where he was lodged on the following charges: Attempted Kidnap in the second degree, Domestic Menacing, Domestic Harassment, Domestic Strangulation, two counts of Menacing, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Interfering with Police Officers.
The Lincoln City Police Department would like to express our thanks and gratitude to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police SWAT unit for their valuable assistance in bringing this incident to a to a peaceful conclusion. We also thank North Lincoln Fire & Rescue and Pacific West Ambulance for standing by during the incident to provide medical assistance if needed. Last, but not least, LCPD would like to thank all the neighbors affected or inconvenienced during the incident for their patience and understanding and allowing Law Enforcement to work to bring this incident to a peaceful conclusion without any injuries to the suspect, the public, or any officers.
Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission to meet Nov. 14 and 15 in Newport
The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission will convene Nov. 14 and 15 in Newport, Oregon.
On Nov. 14, commissioners will tour Brian Booth State Park in the morning and gather for a work session to discuss training from 1 to 3 p.m. at Hallmark Inn, 744 SW Elizabeth Street in Newport.
On Nov. 15, commissioners will convene an executive session at 8:30 a.m. at Hallmark Inn, 744 SW Elizabeth Street in Newport to discuss real estate and legal issues. Executive sessions are closed to the public. A business meeting will begin at 9:45 a.m. and will be open to the public.
Anyone may attend or listen to the business meeting; instructions on how to listen will be posted on the commission web page prior to the meeting. The business meeting includes time for informal public comment related to any items not on the agenda. Registration is required to speak at the meeting if attending online, and is available online at https://bit.ly/registernov2023commission. The deadline to register to speak at the meeting virtually is 5 p.m., Nov. 13. No advance registration is required to speak in person at the meeting. Time per speaker is limited to three minutes. Please submit written public comments by 5 p.m. Nov. 13 to is.havel@oprd.oregon.gov“>chris.havel@oprd.oregon.gov.
The full agenda and supporting documents are posted on the commission web page. Notable requests:
- Request to adopt OAR 736-010-0020 and 736-021-0040-Amending Park Exclusion Rules
- Request to adopt- OAR 736-021-0090– Amending Territorial Sea Plan Rocky Habitat Site Designation Rules
- Request to adopt- OAR 736-004-0015– Amending ATV Class definitions
- Ft. Stevens Guard House Construction Contract
Anyone needing special accommodations to attend the meeting should contact Denise Warburton, commission assistant, at least three days in advance: burton@oprd.oregon.gov“>denise.warburton@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-779-9729.
The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission promotes outdoor recreation and heritage by establishing policies, adopting rules and setting the budget for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The seven members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. They serve four-year terms and meet several times a year at locations across the state.
•••A woman calls 911 to report she is lost after trespassing while looking for mushrooms•••
On November 1st, 2023, at noon, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center took a 911 call of a missing mushroom hunter on Weyerhaeuser property who advised she was lost and scared. The caller was identified as Lisa Simones of Charleston.
Sgt. M. Smith and Deputy Z. Smith responded to the Weyerhaeuser property near the intersection of Seven Devils Road and West Beaver Hill. After searching the area, Sgt. Smith located Ms. Simones and safely transported her out of the woods and back to her residence.
Ms. Simones was issued a citation for Criminal Trespass II for knowingly trespassing behind a locked gate to hunt for mushrooms. This is the second person in less than a week who has become lost while trespassing on Weyerhaeuser property in that area.
•••Woman arrested on several charges after being found trespassing on private property•••
On November 1st at 11:30 a.m., the Coos County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center took a report of a disturbance in progress occurring on private property off Woods Way Lane near Bandon. While Deputies were en-route, dispatch advised another woman had assaulted the female property owner after confronting the suspect about trespassing on the property.
Capt. S. Sanborn arrived and began an investigation into the incident. Capt. Sanborn learned the suspect, Katrina V. O’Neal (46), had physically assaulted the victim and subsequently stolen property belonging to the victim during the altercation. Capt. Sanborn was advised Ms. O’Neal had fled on foot, and he provided a brief description over the radio to responding units.
A few moments later, Deputy K. Mong arrived in the area and located Ms. O’Neal, a short distance away on McTimmons Road. Capt. Sanborn and Deputy Mong attempted to place Ms. O’Neal under arrest, and she actively resisted their attempts. Deputies were eventually successful in placing Ms. O’Neal under arrest without injury to her or the officers.
Katrina V. O’Neal (46) was transported to the Coos County Jail on the charges of Robbery III, Assault IV, Theft I, and Resisting Arrest. Ms. O’Neal was booked and remains in custody.
Peace Harbor Medical Center Receives Level 3 Trauma Certification
The emergency department at Peace Harbor Hospital has been designated a level 3 Trauma Center for its ability to handle more severe cases. Dr. Willie Foster, the head of the ED department says for most of his tenure the hospital has been a level 4, but has for some time had the prerequisites to be a level 3 trauma center, but has been waiting for the certification.
“A Level 3 means that you have 24/7 coverage of both general surgeons and orthopedic surgeons who could come in to the hospital, when called, within 30 minutes to provide that next level of care.”
Foster says most hospitals the size of Peace Harbor don’t have that capability and it is rare for rural hospitals. “we are very unique as a smaller hospital being a level three”
The certification lasts for three years and the hospital would have to undergo another process to maintain its status. Foster did add that they passed in all categories with flying colors.
North Bend School District Public Meetings — November 2023
Below are North Bend School District public meetings currently scheduled for November:
November 2, 2023
Regular Board Meeting
North Bend City Hall Council Chambers at 6:00 p.m.
835 California Ave., North Bend, OR
November 16, 2023
Work Session
North Bend High School Library at 6:00 p.m.
2323 Pacific St., North Bend, OR
The schedule is subject to change.
Please email mbrix@nbend.k12.or.us or visit the NBSD Website: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/1573 for agenda information
Art Exhibit Celebrates Clatsop Community College and Pacific Northwest College Collaboration
The Royal Nebeker Art Gallery at Clatsop Community College, partnering with Center for Contemporary Art & Culture at Pacific Northwest College of Art, is thrilled to announce a fall exhibition titled Mind and Hand: PNCA Community Showcase.
This exhibition – displaying over 30 pieces from PNCA students, faculty, staff and alumni – is brought to CCC’s campus gallery as a special collaboration to celebrate the PNCA + Clatsop Community College Transfer Agreement where students from Clatsop Community College will now have easier access to a BFA from Pacific Northwest College of Art.
The CCC Royal Nebeker Gallery, located at 1799 Lexington Avenue in Astoria, is ADA accessible. The gallery hours are from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and on weekends and holidays by appointment only. For more information, please contact Kristin Shauck by phone (503-338-2472) or e-mail kshauck@clatsopcc.edu.
Portland Teachers Still On Strike
No classes through Friday for Portland Public Schools as teachers strike underway
The district confirmed that schools would be closed through the rest of the week due to the strike. Friday was already a planned day without classes for students. The closure will delay report cards, officials said.
Amid strained eleventh-hour contract negotiations with the district, the Portland Association of Teachers announced Tuesday night that teachers would go on strike the next day, shutting down the district’s 81 schools and impacting about 45,000 students.
The top issues include compensation, student discipline, class size and the use of school resources to provide housing for students experiencing homelessness, according to Portland Public Schools.
Among the points of contentionis the union’s request for a 23% cost-of-living increase over the next three years, according to the district, which is countering with a cumulative 10.9% cost-of-living increase over the same period.
The closure will delay report cards, officials said.
Amid strained eleventh-hour contract negotiations with the district, the Portland Association of Teachers announced Tuesday night that teachers would go on strike the next day, shutting down the district’s 81 schools and impacting about 45,000 students.
Oregon is nationally recognized for its groundbreaking 1115 Medicaid Waiver set to transform housing and health
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) was presented with a 2023 Award for Program Excellence at the National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) annual conference. Oregon was recognized for achieving “first in the nation” provisions that set the tone for housing and health innovation through the approval of the 1115 Medicaid Waiver.
The work to get the state waiver approved was led by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and OHCS. OHA included game changing components around food assistance, climate change and major expansions in continual coverage for young children, while OHCS formulated and envisioned the housing components of the waiver application.
“As the state’s Housing Finance Agency (HFA), we know firsthand that housing is a clear determinant of health outcomes,” said OHCS Director Andrea Bell. “Now is the time to step outside the typical ‘lanes’ of an HFA and traditional healthcare models.”
“As our communities grapple with the challenges of housing insecurity, Oregon will have more capacity to help people,” said Dave Baden, interim director at OHA. “Approval of the waiver provides an opportunity for health care and housing systems to coordinate and create groundbreaking strategies in our state.”
The state received approval for the first-its-kind waiver to provide Medicaid funding for housing and food supports to vulnerable populations. This means that qualified Oregon Health Plan members who are facing certain life challenges will have social supports available to them to stay healthy at times in their lives when they are experiencing a greater need.
Over the next five years, Oregon will utilize more than $1 billion of federal resources to serve populations vulnerable to experiencing homelessness. These services and supports will be coming online in November 2024.
New OHA dashboard details status of 5,061 new and existing housing units, residential treatment and housing support for people in behavioral health treatment
SALEM, Ore. —Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has released an online, interactive dashboard that will provide ongoing updates on efforts to extend the statewide inventory of behavioral health residential treatment beds, housing units, rental assistance, and other housing assistance.
Oregon aims to increase capacity to 5,061 total housing units, residential treatment beds, and rental assistance in housing capacity for people who are recovering from mental illness or substance use.
The comprehensive and robust dashboard provides details of actual and anticipated investments, broken down by county and by program, along with an estimated occupancy timeline.
“Housing is a vital part of treatment and recovery for people with serious mental health and substance use issues. We need more housing for people in recovery to reduce homelessness. This new dashboard will allow people to see where and how we are spending the dollars we’ve been entrusted to invest in much-needed housing investments throughout Oregon,” said OHA Behavioral Health Director Ebony Clarke.
More than 1,000 new residential and supportive housing units and beds are expected to come available by July 2025, filling a critical need in communities throughout the state, according to OHA estimates.
Once completed, OHA expects the new projects to increase the state’s behavioral health housing capacity by about 20 percent.
The emerging capacity springs from more than $220 million in behavioral health investments made by the 2021 Oregon Legislature. OHA has distributed these funds to housing providers over the past two years to bolster residential treatment capacity throughout the state.
Timelines for behavioral health residential housing projects can typically take years to complete due to logistical considerations. The calculations include development costs such as purchasing real estate, facility renovations, not operating revenues.
OHA is currently conducting a study to determine adult residential mental health and substance use treatment capacity throughout the state, identify gaps and guide future investments.
Preliminary findings and recommendations are expected by the end of the year.
DEA Investigations Result in Three Southern Oregon Drug Traffickers Pleading Guilty in Federal Court
Defendants include the head of a Klamath Falls drug trafficking organization
MEDFORD, Ore.—The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced today that three southern Oregon drug traffickers, including the head of a Klamath Falls, Oregon, drug trafficking organization, have pleaded guilty in federal court following investigations by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Medford resident office.
Juan Jessie Martinez-Gil, 59, a former resident of Reno, Nevada, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. Candice Nadine Mckee, 31, a distributor in Martinez-Gil’s network and resident of Lakeview, Oregon, pleaded guilty Monday to possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Also on Monday, in a separate criminal case, Jessie Cole Merkel, 31, of Redding, California, pleaded guilty to one count of distributing fentanyl.
U.S. v. Martinez-Gil et al. — According to court documents, between August 2019 and September 2021, Martinez-Gil, the head of a Klamath Falls area drug trafficking organization, conspired with various associates, including McKee, to possess and distribute large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl, in the form of counterfeit Oxycodone pills, in and around Klamath Falls. A coordinated law enforcement operation conducted in September 2021 led to the arrests Martinez-Gil and several of his co-conspirators. Federal search warrants were executed on five locations and two vehicles. Over the course of the investigation, DEA special agents, working with other southern Oregon law enforcement agencies, seized approximately 17 pounds of methamphetamine and 700 counterfeit Oxycodone pills.
Martinez-Gil will be sentenced on February 22, 2024, by U.S. District Court Judge Michael J. McShane. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison with a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence. Mckee will be sentenced the same day and faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
U.S. v. Merkel — According to court documents, between February and April 2022, Merkel, a known northern California drug dealer responsible for trafficking quantities of fentanyl from California to Oregon, sold fentanyl to undercover law enforcement officers on two separate occasions. On April 14, 2022, Merkel was arrested while traveling from California to Oregon.
Merkel will be sentenced on February 22, 2024, by Judge McShane. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, and three years’ supervised release.
Martinez-Gil et al. was investigated by the DEA Medford Resident Office with assistance from the Basin Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (BINET), a Klamath Falls area narcotics task force comprised of Oregon State Police, the Klamath Falls Police Department, and Oregon National Guard.
Merkel was investigated by the DEA Medford Resident Office with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Oregon State Police, and the Central Point Police Department.
Both cases were prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
Work On Copco No. 2 Dam Removal Completed
Crews put the final touches on the removal of the Copco No. 2 Dam this week.
Removal of the dam structure was completed in September, and crews spent the past month removing the remaining diversion infrastructure, grading the river channel, and performing erosion control.
That work prepared the river canyon for consistent river flows, likely commencing within 30 days, which the canyon hasn’t seen in 98 years.
Currently, flows in the canyon are fluctuating due to work being done to prepare Copco No. 1 for drawdown.
“Copco No 2 is the first dam to be removed due to its small stature, location, and lack of reservoir,” said Mark Bransom, CEO of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC), the entity tasked with the removal of the four lower Klamath hydroelectric dams. “However, while Copco No. 2 was significantly smaller than the other dams slated for removal, it still had a significant impact on the river.”
Copco No. 2 was located right below Copco No. 1 in a steep river canyon, commonly known as Ward’s Canyon, named after Kitty Ward, a Shasta woman who lived in the valley now submerged by the reservoir created by Copco No 1.
Completed in 1925, Copco No. 2 was a diversion dam that funneled the river’s flows out of the canyon and into a tunnel system that sent the water to the Copco No. 2 powerhouse located downstream, essentially dewatering the 1.7-mile-long canyon.
Without the river’s presence in the canyon, trees grew in the riverbed which, when exposed to consistent river flows, would have died off creating a hazard for future recreationists. Those trees were removed in September in collaboration with area tribes.
“Seeing the Klamath River flow through this canyon after being diverted for nearly a century is inspiring,” said Laura Hazlett, COO of KRRC. “It makes me excited for everything else that is to come with the removal of the other three dams.”
The remaining three dams, Copco No. 1, Iron Gate, and JC Boyle are slated for removal next year.
In January, KRRC will implement the drawdown, the slow draining of the reservoirs, which is expected to take 3-5 months, depending on the amount of water entering the system as a result of spring runoff.
Once the drawdown is complete, restoration and deconstruction activities will begin in earnest. All three dams are expected to be completely removed by November 2024.
In a related story, Researchers at Oregon State University have concluded that a large-scale dam removal and restoration project currently underway on the Klamath River in southern Oregon and northern California will help salmon populations, according to college officials.
The college said a group of scientists published their findings in a new paper that concludes salmon populations devastated by disease and other factors will be aided by the removal of four hydroelectric dams along the river. The project will not, however, fully alleviate challenges faced by the species, OSU said.
The researchers said that factors that affect salmon health include stream-flow levels, water temperature, and pathogens. Opening up habitat and creating longer fish migration routes by removing the dams will decrease fish disease risk by flushing out pathogens and unclogging a pathogen hot spot that formed below the Iron Gate Dam about five miles south of the California-Oregon border east of Interstate 5, OSU officials said.
Medford Police Detectives Arrest 2017 Homicide Suspect
On Wednesday, November 1, 2023, detectives from the Medford Police Department arrested 27 year old Raul Meza-Solorio for the 2017 murder of Christian Barajas, who was 23 years old at the time of his death.
On November 22, 2017, the day before Thanksgiving, at 5:42pm, Medford Police officers were dispatched to a drive-by shooting in the 300 block of Chestnut Street. Officers arrived at the scene less than two minutes after the initial call and found Barajas deceased on the side of the road. Autopsy reports indicated Barajas has been shot four times, resulting in his death.
Over the next several days, following Barajas’s murder, investigators interviewed numerous witnesses and obtained video surveillance of the events leading up to the deadly encounter.
Meza-Solorio was identified early in the investigation, as a person of interest, and search warrants were executed at his home and the vehicle believed to be involved in the shooting, however there was not sufficient evidence located to make an arrest at that time.
During the investigation detectives had to navigate through several uncooperative witnesses who would not divulge key information. Without eyewitnesses to the shooting and all investigative leads being exhausted, the investigation went cold.
For the past six years this investigation has remained a top priority for the Medford Police Department and although the investigation went cold it did remain open and active. Over the last several months new information was discovered that implicated Meza-Solorio as the sole suspect in this homicide.
This information led investigators to the 3000 block of Avenue C in White City. Meza-Solorio was contacted at his home and taken into custody without further incident. He was interviewed at the Medford Police Department and subsequently lodged at the Jackson County Jail on a single charge of Murder in the second degree.
The family of Christian Barajas has been notified of Meza-Solorio’s arrest.
The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office has been consulted throughout this investigation and with this arrest, the case will be reviewed for prosecution.
Victim:
Christian Barajas – 23 years old
Arrested:
Raul Meza-Solorio – 27 years old
3000 Block Avenue C, White City, OR
Charged: Murder-2nd Degree
Audit Reveals Lack of Response to Domestic Violence in Oregon
An audit released Tuesday by the Oregon Secretary of State’s office reveals a lack of response to domestic violence and suggests lawmakers develop a better approach and release barriers to funding services.
According to the audit , domestic violence — which the state defines as interpersonal, family, and intimate partner violence that can include physical, mental, and emotional abuse — is “widespread” in Oregon.
The audit comes as more than one-third of adults in Oregon will experience domestic violence in their lifetimes, according to the Oregon Secretary of State’s office.
The audit also cites data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , which shows from 2009-2019, Oregon’s 393 fatal domestic violence incidents resulted in 532 deaths.
The audit found there are several barriers that can impact whether a domestic violence victim or survivor receives support. For example, the audit says victims may not seek help as they may face stigma, isolation, transportation, or childcare barriers. The audit also states that a lack of housing is a “principal reason” victims and survivors feel they cannot leave.
Additionally, the report found barriers within state agencies that provide services for victims and survivors of domestic violence. According to the audit, resource providers may not have the capacity to serve victims and say agencies face issues with retaining staff — citing low pay and burn-out among employees.
Next, the audit reported that “available domestic violence services do not meet existing needs.” According to the Secretary of State’s office, little financial help goes directly to domestic violence victims. Officials also note that grant funding requirements can be a barrier to addressing community needs.
Oregon also lacks central leadership when it comes to addressing domestic violence, the audit says. While providers and state agencies collaborate, officials said the state could do more to create a centralized approach and could provide data-gathering for domestic violence prevention and intervention-related action.
In a statement, Audits Director Kip Memmott says Oregon can do more to address domestic violence as the audit points out that “domestic violence in Oregon is widespread and damaging.”
The audit reports that in 2019, 15 out of Oregon’s 36 counties had at least one fatal domestic violence incident.
“Domestic violence is pervasive, immensely harmful, and often fatal,” Memmott said. “This is an area where state government can do more to help. As auditors, we are uniquely positioned to provide state leaders with information and offer potential solutions on critical issues of public health and safety.”
The audit says services for domestic violence victims and survivors should be widespread — including emergency housing, help navigating the legal system, childcare, and mental health care.
The audit offers several solutions aimed at policymakers — saying Oregon needs an “overarching strategy” to successfully address domestic violence.
“Currently, many state agencies have roles to play. Unfortunately, there is no single state agency or entity responsible for coordinating a comprehensive statewide response or measuring the overall impact of ongoing efforts,” the audit said.
The audit recommends policymakers develop a statewide strategy to centralize resources and collect data on regional police reports, hospital injury and fatality data, civil protection orders, and agency outputs.
The audit also suggests lawmakers make flexible state funds permanent budget items rather than addressing needs through one-time funding.
“I am horrified at the numbers in this report showing how pervasive and dangerous domestic violence is, both nationwide and in Oregon. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to recognize and reflect on what we can do to address this violence, and the auditors have done just that with this report,” Secretary of State Lavonne Griffin-Valade said in a statement.
She continued “I would like to express my gratitude to the Oregon Audits Division staff for their work, and I encourage state leaders to read the report and consider the actions suggested.”
The Oregon Department of Human Services offers a list of resources for shelters and legal support from the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence website.
Additionally, the Oregon Department of Justice has resources for shelters and other crisis centers.
The National Sexual Assault Hotline is also available at 1-800-656-HOPE. (SOURCE)
Albany Man Indicted in Federal Court for Sexually Abusing a Toddler
An Albany, Oregon man has been indicted in federal court for sexually abusing a toddler on at least five separate occasions, announced the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
Kevin Walter Taylor, 33, has been charged with five counts of using a child to produce a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct, four counts of distributing child pornography, and one count of possessing child pornography.
According to court documents, on the morning of September 8, 2023, special agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) discovered material online depicting child sexual abuse and determined that Taylor was likely committing the abuse from his home in Albany. Within hours, HSI agents and officers from the Albany Police Department obtained and executed a federal search warrant on Taylor’s residence. The same night, HSI and Albany Police arrested Taylor and rescued the toddler victim. When taken into protective custody, the toddler victim was still wearing the same clothes as those depicted in the abuse images allegedly produced and distributed by Taylor hours earlier.
Taylor was arraigned in federal court today by a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered detained pending a jury trial scheduled to begin on December 27, 2023.
Using a child to produce a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct is punishable by up to 30 years in federal prison with a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence. Distributing and possessing child pornography are punishable by up to 20 years in prison with a 5-year mandatory minimum sentence.
This case was investigated by HSI in conjunction with the Albany Police Department. It is being prosecuted by William M. McLaren, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to contact HSI at (866) 347-2423 or submit a tip online at report.cybertip.org.
Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, they re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Be Alert For Landslides Across Southern And Western Oregon
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for portions of southern and western Oregon, including eastern Curry and Josephine Counties. The watch is in effect from Friday evening (11/3/23) through Saturday afternoon (11/4/23).
Heavy rain may result in landslides in areas of steep terrain, as well as debris flows in and near burned areas from recent wildfires, including the Smith River Complex.
Find the latest information here: https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/or.php?x=1
Debris flows are rapidly moving, extremely destructive landslides. They can contain boulders and logs transported in a fast-moving soil and water slurry down steep hillsides and through narrow canyons. They can easily travel a mile or more. A debris flow moves faster than a person can run. People, structures, and roads located below steep slopes in canyons and near the mouths of canyons may be at serious risk.
If your home, work, or route is in a watch area:
• Stay alert. Track the flood watch by radio, TV, weather radio, or online. If told to evacuate, do so immediately.
• Listen. Unusual sounds might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together. A trickle of falling mud or debris may precede larger landslides. If you think there is danger of a landslide, leave immediately.
• Watch the water. If water in a stream or creek suddenly turns muddy or the amount of water flowing suddenly decreases or increases, this is a warning that the flow has been affected upstream. You should immediately leave the area because a debris flow may soon be coming downstream.
• Travel with extreme caution. Assume roads are not safe. Be alert when driving, especially at night. Embankments along roadsides may fail, sending rock and debris onto the road.
For more landslide and debris flow information: https://www.oregon.gov/dogami/landslide/Pages/debr…
OSP Fish and Wildlife Division reminds hunters to have the appropriate tags on hand when hunting
Oregon Hunting Licensing and Tag Requirements
OSP Fish and Wildlife Division reminds hunters to have the appropriate tags on hand when hunting
– Oregon big game hunting seasons are well underway and the Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is reminding hunters how to keep their hunt legal. In Oregon, hunters must have a valid big game tag in their possession for the species and area they are hunting. Both paper and electronic tags are recognized.
Over the past few months, troopers have encountered numerous hunters without big game tags in their possession. In many situations, the hunters utilizing the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) electronic licensing app had failed to redeem their tag voucher. The most common issues are hunters with a Sports Pac who forget to redeem the appropriate tag voucher or hunters who had successfully drawn a controlled hunt and then failed to purchase the electronic big game tag for that hunt or species.
With Oregon’s general and controlled rifle elk seasons coming up in November, OSP is reminding hunters to double-check the electronic licensing app for the correct tags for their planned hunts. Within the app, valid big game tags will be displayed within each hunter’s recreation portfolio.
For those opting to use paper licenses and big game tags, be sure the tag is legible and in their possession when hunting. Successful hunters must immediately validate the tag per the instructions on the paper tag, or within the ELS application. The MyODFW app is available for download for both iOS and Android phones and allows hunters to validate their tag even when outside of cellphone reception areas.
ODFW license requirements include:
- Valid hunting license.
- Hunting licenses are valid beginning January 1, or from the time of purchase if after January 1, through December 31 of the document year.
- No one may possess more than one valid annual hunting license.
- To hunt big game, an individual must have in their possession a big game tag, either electronic or paper, valid for the dates, area, and species being hunted.
- Any documents in possession, either electronic or paper, must be accessible immediately upon request by ODFW staff or law enforcement.
For additional information about big game hunting and hunting and angling regulations, visit the ODFW website or OSP’s Fish and Wildlife website.
Oregon Parks and Recreation To Discuss Drone Rules And Maps
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) will livestream a virtual meeting Nov. 8 at 6 p.m. to present draft drone take-off and landing classification criteria to be used in future park drone use maps. The agency will then invite the public to share their views on the criteria from Oct. 23 through 5 p.m. on Dec. 29.
The meeting will be livestreamed on YouTube for the public here.
Attendees who want to ask questions during the Q&A portion of the meeting must register beforehand here.
Although the formal rulemaking process for drone take-off and landing began in 2021, the agency temporarily stopped in April 2022 to form a work group and explore the matter in more detail.
The work group included various partners including conservation groups, drone users, state and federal agencies and met from June 2022 through the summer of 2023.
OPRD’s region resource and Geographic Information Services (GIS) staff, alongside park managers reviewed the draft criteria and applied them to three sample areas, one from each region of state parks.
Feedback will be reviewed by agency staff and the work group as part of a final report to the OPRD Director Lisa Sumption, who will then decide whether to direct staff to resume public administrative rulemaking or do more work on the proposals.
Individuals who require special accommodations to view the meetings should contact Jo Niehaus at least three days in advance of the meeting at 503-580-9210 or jo.niehaus@oprd.oregon.gov .
Oregon is Searching for its Next Poet Laureate
Oregon is searching for its next Poet Laureate. Over the two-year-term, the Poet Laureate promotes the art of poetry, encourages literacy and learning, addresses issues relating to the humanities and reflects on public life in Oregon.
Information about the Poet Laureate program, how to nominate the next Poet Laureate, Anis, and how to request an appearance can be found on this website. Please also check out our Facebook page.
Nominations are accepted through January 8th, and poets are welcome to nominate themselves. The next Poet Laureate term begins in May. MORE INFO: https://culturaltrust.org/oregon-poet-laureate/?fbclid=IwAR0O-Gx81HjAKwXHwyrEVtxpgyXma9XRb5xwacG_o57ga3_lKUwIbPRMXks
Missing Yachats Man’s Vehicle Found in North Lane County
On 08/25/2023, Dustin Steyding was reported missing to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office after he left work on 07/22/2023 and hadn’t been located since. Dustin was living and working in the Yachats area.
Dustin was reported to be in good physical condition, having previously worked as a hot shot firefighter in New Mexico. Dustin is very experienced in the woods and commonly goes out for hikes to stay in shape. Without means to locate Dustin, Deputies entered Dustin as a missing person in a national database.
On 09/04/2023, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received a call from Dustin’s family after they located his vehicle on Keller Creek Rd, just outside of Lincoln County in Lane County. Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Deputies contacted the vehicle and determined it had been at the location for some time. Deputies were unable to determine Dustin’s direction of travel from the vehicle.
The vehicle having been located in Lane County, Lincoln County Deputies contacted the Lane County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team and arranged for their response the next day to started searching the area. After two days of searching, no clues to Dustin’s have been found.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Dustin Steyding should contact the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 541-265-0777 and reference case number 23S-07321.
83-year-old Clarence Edward Pitts walked away from his home in Bandon on Tuesday, January 31 at around 1:00 p.m. Pitts is described as:
- 6′ 00″
- 150 lbs
- Gray hair
- Brown eyes
- Last seen wearing an orange beanie, plaid jacket, tan pants and white shoes
- May have a walking cane
- Has dementia and PTSD
Pitts may be in a vehicle that was also found to be missing from the home:
- 1999 Toyota Van
- White
- Oregon license plate: WYN 788
If you see Clarence or have any information pertaining to where he may be, please call the Coos County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center at 541-396-2106 or the Bandon Police Department at 541-347-3189.
Contact us: Info@OregonBeachMagazine.com