Oregon Beach News, Friday 9/27 — Investigators Say The Double Shooting In Astoria Was A Murder Suicide, Florence Festival of Books on Saturday & Other Local and Statewide News…

The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com

Friday, September 27, 2024

Oregon Beach Weather

Small Craft Advisory Issued: 3:01 AM Sep. 27, 2024 – National Weather Service

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM THIS MORNING TO 5 PM PDT SUNDAY...

* WHAT...North winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 35 kt. Northwest seas 9 to 12 ft at 13 seconds Friday, becoming steep and potentially chaotic 10 to 14 ft Friday evening and
Saturday due to a mix of short period wind seas and northwest swell.

* WHERE...All areas.

* WHEN...From 8 AM this morning to 5 PM PDT Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds and steep seas could capsize or damage smaller vessels.

* View the hazard area in detail at https://go.usa.gov/x6hks

Seasonal Climate Forecast September – November 2024

https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/naturalresources/documents/weather/dlongrange.pdf

Wildfires continue to produce smoke in the Pacific Northwest. Breathe a little easier by keeping up to date on air quality conditions and concerns at Fire.AirNow.gov.

We’re not out of the woods just yet… DON’T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN – Fire  Season still in progress. Many people let their guard down because fall has arrived. Major fires can get started in October and November. Fire season will not end until we really hit full speed on the cooler weather, rain, and snow coming to stay. Until then, be vigilant and do everything you can to prevent the spark that could be the next serious fire.

Please take precautions to avoid sparking a human-caused fire, be familiar with evacuation levels, and have a go-kit ready in case you need to leave your home.”

Investigators Say The Double Shooting In Astoria Was A Murder Suicide

A double shooting under investigation in Astoria since Wednesday morning has been determined to be a murder-suicide according to authorities.

Astoria police said a husband and wife were found shot near the Bayshore Apartments near 1400 West Marine Drive just before 10 a.m. Officers received a call from an apartment maintenance employee who said the two people — a man and a woman — were on the floor of one of their buildings and “bleeding profusely.”

Arriving officers tried to save the man and woman, but they were pronounced dead. Police said the evidence indicated that the husband shot his wife and then himself. Police are letting the family know before identifying them publicly and state there is no danger to the public

“The investigation revealed that the victims were married, and it appears from the evidence at the scene that the husband shot the wife and then killed himself,” officials announced later in the afternoon. Anyone with information about this shooting is encouraged to contact Astoria police.

LCPD Fills Full Time Narcotics Detective Position
Lincoln City Police 

The Lincoln City Police Department is excited to announce that a full-time, dedicated, narcotics detective has been assigned to the department’s Investigations Division. 

This detective position will be dedicated to investigations that identify, disrupt and dismantle local, state, and multi-state drug trafficking individuals and organizations, using an intelligence-driven and multi-agency-support approach. Although the Lincoln City Police actively and successfully work narcotics investigations at a patrol level, the addition of a dedicated narcotics detective will allow the department to bring a “next level” approach to these investigations by dedicating more time and resources to the apprehension of individuals trafficking illicit narcotics within our community. 

LCPD expects to the have the newly assigned detective in place within the next few weeks, when the detective will begin receiving updated training, as well as begin working with other area drug task force groups in order to gain fresh intelligence on recent drug trafficking trends affecting the Lincoln City community. 

The newly assigned detective will also be a participating member of the Lincoln County Major Crime Team and will assist with major crimes investigations when needed. 

Florence Festival of Books

The Florence Festival of Books will be at the Florence Events Center on September 28^th. it will feature Keynote speaker Dr. Scott Donaldson who has penned the book, Urological Surgery and Lite Haulin.  Stories of everyday people.  Donaldson has been compiling stories told by his patients for over 25 years and has been retelling them in book and audio form for more that a decade.  There is a basic $2 admission and a $5 cost for admission to speakers and exhibits.  A $10 all access pass includes speakers, exhibits, workshops and the keynote address. The event begins at 9:30 with Dr. Donaldson.

Man Arrested for Hit and Run and DUII Near Whiskey Run Beach

On September 25, 2024, around 7:42 PM, North Coos Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a hit-and-run incident near the beach access to Whiskey Run Beach, close to Bandon. In response, Sergeant Slater was dispatched to the scene to investigate. Upon arrival, Sergeant Slater and Bandon Officer Carpenter located the suspect vehicle, a gray Ford Focus, on Highway 101.

The driver, identified as 61-year-old Monte Miille, exhibited a strong odor of alcohol and displayed clear signs of impairment. Further inquiries revealed that Monte had collided with another vehicle and had been driving recklessly while being pursued by a concerned citizen.

Monte refused to undergo testing for driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII). Consequently, Sergeant Slater sought a search warrant to obtain a blood sample to determine Monte’s blood alcohol content. Monte was subsequently arrested and taken to the Coos County Jail, facing charges of Hit and Run, Reckless Driving, and DUII. Monte was booked, processed, and lodged for the crimes. “Police action is not indicative of guilt. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Hosted Region 3 Search and Rescue Training

On the weekend of September 20th – 22nd, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team hosted the Region 3 Search and Rescue training. Region 3 consists of the following 9 counties: Lincoln, Benton, Lane, Linn, Polk, Jefferson, Marion, Deschutes, and Crook.

During the weekend training, the teams were trained on different aspects of K9 search techniques ranging from human remains detection (HRD), air scent, and trailing. Other topics included team leadership, search techniques, evidence handling, wilderness medicine, drone search techniques, communications and technology, and Compass navigation. Teams from Benton, Lane, Linn, and Crook County, along with the Lincoln County team went through the various training classes to help better hone their skills for search and rescue. The last day of training used all the disciplines on a wide-ranging scenario involving multiple subjects.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team would like to thank all the teams involved for their hard work and dedication during this training event. These exercises give participants the opportunity to share ideas, techniques, and different styles of searching. This type of collaboration makes teams more robust in their abilities to search for and rescue missing subjects.

The City of Florence has announced the next Call for Artists in the Art Exposed Rotating outdoor gallery. 

The Public Arts Committee is planning for the next change in the display that will happen in February.  They need 8 pieces of art to replace the Old Town displays.  It is a two year exhibition for the artist.  Artists chosen will receive a $1500 stipend and their art work will also be available for purchase upon completion of the exhibit period. Information for submission of artwork is available at the city’s website at ci.florence.or.us.  Artists 18 years old and older are eligible to submit work, there is a $25 application fee.

US Coast Guard Auxiliary offers a Boating Class in Coos Bay

The US Coast Guard Auxiliary will conduct an 8 hour boating safety education course on Saturday, October 5, 2024 in Coos Bay. The course covers the basics of boating safety, required equipment, rules of the road, and Oregon boating laws. A test at the end of the course will qualify boaters for their Oregon Boater Education Card, under the Oregon Mandatory Boater Education Program.

The Boater Education Card is required for all motorboat operators of all ages for boats over ten horsepower. Additional provisions apply to youths. The class is taught by certified US Coast Guard Auxiliary and Oregon State Marine Board instructors. The cost of the course and materials is $15.Pre-registration is required. To register for the class, please call (541) 267-6152.

Astoria Among 10 Most Expensive Towns In The US According To Study

LendingTree looked at towns with populations between 10,000 and 50,000 with the most expensive median home values.

Towns with smaller populations don’t always mean that housing there is inexpensive. Hood River and Astoria are among the 10 most expensive towns in the country, according to a recent study featured in a New York Times article. 

LendingTree analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey to find “micropolitan” areas — or regions with a population of 10,000 and 50,000 — with the most expensive median home values. A total of six Oregon towns ranked among the 50 micropolitan areas in the U.S. that the study looked at. Below is a look at how they stack up.

Hood River

Ranking: No. 7 out of 50
Population: 23,965
Median home value: $492,500
Metro with comparable median home value: Portland, Oregon ($484,800)

Astoria

Ranking: No. 10 out of 50
Population: 41,190
Median home value: $407,700
Metro with comparable median home value: Austin, Texas ($390,500)

Prineville

Ranking: No. 16 out of 50
Population: 24,987
Median home value: $368,200
Metro with comparable median home value: Las Vegas, Nevada ($368,800)

Brookings

Ranking: No. 18 out of 50
Population: 23,404
Median home value: $353,200
Metro with comparable median home value: Baltimore, Maryland ($357,800)

The Dalles

Ranking: No. 25 out of 50
Population: 26,639
Median home value: $298,200
Metro with comparable median home value: Dallas, Texas ($299,000)

La Grande

Ranking: No. 39 out of 50
Population: 26,286
Median home value: $243,400
Metro with comparable median home value: New Orleans, Louisiana ($242,600)

Click here to see the full list

What’s behind expensive homes in some small towns?

The authors of LendingTree’s report point out that there are many towns in the country with home values that are just as expensive, or even more costly, than those in large metro areas. Those towns are often popular vacation spots for people who can afford to spend more on homes, driving up prices in areas with limited housing supply. However, housing can still be expensive in towns that aren’t vacation destinations due to a lack of housing supply, the authors wrote.

Editor’s note: the analysis focused on micropolitan areas, which are named for their largest town or city but also include all nearby communities, similar to how the term “Portland metro area” includes cities like Beaverton and Gresham. As a result, the listed populations are significantly larger than the populations of the named towns alone. (SOURCE)

Newport Oregon Police Department — ​​​​​​​​ Arrest Made in Online Threat to Newport High School

Incident: Social Media threat to Newport High School — ​​Location: Newport Date/Time: September 24, 2024 at 1806 hours Details: On Tuesday September 24, 2024, just after 6 p.m., the Newport Police Department was made aware of a Snapchat post that was being shared online alleging a threat to a then unknown student(s), and the implication of a school shooting for Wednesday September 25, 2024.

Officers immediately began investigating the source of the threat and, with the assistance of the Lincoln County School District, a suspect was identified and interviewed. After a thorough investigation into the matter, it was determined the threat had no validity and there was no active threat to any students or to the school.

However, due to the great deal of alarm caused by the threat, the 14-year-old student of Newport High School who made the threat was taken into custody for Disorderly Conduct I, a Misdemeanor, and lodged at the Linn County Juvenile Detention Center in Albany. Although it was determined the statement was made in poor taste, the Newport Police Department and the Lincoln County School District have zero tolerance for threats against schools or the children who attend them.

Because the student is a juvenile, their name is not being released. The Newport Police Department received numerous calls from concerned parents and school administrators reporting the threat and we would like to thank them for alerting us in a timely fashion so that we could conduct a thorough investigation and ensure the safety of our schools and students.

The incident remains under investigation. If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Sgt. Leake of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455, or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net.

Another Sunfish Has Washed Ashore Along the Clatsop County Coast At Hug Point

The aquarium said it is common for ocean sunfish, called Mola mola, to be found along the Oregon coast. This one was nearly 7 feet long, which is an average size for the area. But the aquarium said ocean sunfish can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh up to 5,000 pounds. They feed on jellyfish which gather in the area this time of year. The latest sunfish was found on Hug Point.

Another Mola mola has washed ashore at Hug Point State Park and it is creating quite a stir. While it has been dead for quite some time, it is still an interesting site. If you want to go see it, we recommend heading to Huge Point at low tide and head north towards the waterfall.

Three sunfish have washed ashore since June in Clatsop County. Two were ocean sunfish (Mola mola) and the other one was a hoodwinker sunfish (Mola tecta). It is not unusual for these guys to wash ashore as they do reside off the Oregon Coast. We are getting more reports because of the stir that the Mola tecta caused when it washed in (it was the first Mola tecta documented in Oregon but that is likely because it has just recently been described and designated as a new species).

People are aware that we are interested in documenting these strandings and collecting information from them. The most recent sunfish at Hug Point was 6.9 feet long, which is average size for our area, however they can get up to 10 feet long and weigh up to 5,000 pounds. They feed heavily on jellyfish which are in huge abundance this time of year.

Florence Forward Event

The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce is announcing an event for Florence entrepreneurs and business owner from the ages of 20-45.  The newly formed entity Florence Forward is working to build a vision and plan for the future of the Florence community through a young professionals organization. 

The event will be at Three Rivers Casino Resort on October 1^st.  the event costs $10 per person and information and  tickets. MORE INFO: https://florencechamber.com/event/florence-forward-developing-the-future!/327/

ODOT Has No Plans To Replace Florence Drawbridge Grate

Oregon Department of Transportation officials have responded to a Florence resident by saying the department will not be replacing the synthetic material that was once used to quiet the Siuslaw River Bridge. Locals know the grated center drawbridge section of the bridge emits a loud whir noise when vehicle tires pass over it. In an effort to quiet the noise, ODOT installed a synthetic material over the grate from 2008 to 2021. ODOT said it removed the material, due to failure.

At an ODOT Board of Directors meeting Aug. 1, Sarah Rodgers said she lives on Glenada Lane near the bridge and the noise has ruined her quiet life and her property value. 

In a letter to Rodgers after the meeting, ODOT Bridge Supervisor Rick Johnson said he understands her frustration but there are no plans to make changes to the bridge. 

“We looked at many options as the surface of the bridge deteriorated, and sound was something we considered,” Johnson replied. “Unfortunately, we could not find a surface cover that would last. The previous surface, which was a protective coating that resembled asphalt, required frequent maintenance and only lasted about 15 years before needing complete replacement. We’ve gone back to a grid surface because of the cost of replacement and maintenance. The grid surface placed in 1950 lasted until the early 2000s, over 50 years.” Johnson said ODOT will continue to monitor the sound coming from the bridge, along with other concerns. 

History — ODOT officials said the 88-year-old bridge’s deteriorating system was replaced by the steel grid in 1976. 

“In 2008, the steel grid system was failing and was replaced with a then-new system using fiberglass reinforced plastic. This system was quiet, tough, and light, making it seem like a logical replacement at the time. However, by 2021, the surface was failing and needed to be replaced earlier than we had planned,” an official ODOT response stated. “In 2021, a $500,000 project replaced the fiberglass reinforced plastic deck with a steel grid system. The engineered deck system made for a smoother ride over the lift span.  Other drawbridges along the coast also removed their fiberglass reinforced plastic decks around the same time, with all similar drawbridges receiving a steel grid system.”

Rodgers said she feels the decision disregards impacts on citizens and has repeated assertions that the removal of the quieter material was for cost saving, not failing surface replacement. 

Unofficial sound readings taken from the two points near the bridge which are most accessed by the public showed readings between 55 and 62 db. A semi truck pulling a flatbed trailer registered 72 db with his engine brake engaged.  More information about db levels and effects on hearing can be found at https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/loud-noise-dangers/ — (SOURCE)

Southwestern Oregon Community College is offering free GED and Adult Basic Education classes fall term 2024

Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College is offering free GED® and Adult Basic Education classes fall term 2024. These classes prepare individuals to take the GED® exam and update skills to enroll in college or career training programs. Students enrolled in these classes can build a pipeline to enter college, training programs, and jobs in high-demand career areas.

We will have three options for GED® and Adult Basic Education classes next term:

1. MorningGED®Class – Monday through Thursday from 9am-11am
2. AfternoonGED®Class – Monday through Thursday from 12pm-2pm
3. EveningGED®Class – Tuesday through Thursday from 5pm-8pm

All classes will be live and in person on the Coos Campus. The afternoon class will also be live and in person on the Curry Campus.

For students who cannot make it to either campus, classes are offered via Zoom during all three sessions. Fall term starts September 16th and ends November 27th.

To register for orientation and classes, go to https://swoccapce.org/ and click GET STARTED. For questions, please email Adult & Pre-College Education at apce@socc.edu or call 541-888-1593.

Press Release: Make Waves — Registration for the 2024 Beach & Riverside Cleanup is Now Open

Portland, Ore., August 29, 2024 – SOLVE invites volunteers to make a global impact this September by joining the annual Beach & Riverside Cleanup. From September 20 through September 28, families, community members, student groups, and nature enthusiasts from all stages of life will gather across Oregon and Southwest Washington for a 10-day event series with a variety of projects to choose from. Registration is now open for this vital community effort to protect and restore our coastlines, rivers, and public lands.

Connecting Local Actions to Global Movements – September 21 is International Coastal Cleanup Day, uniting millions of volunteers worldwide to protect our coasts and waterways from harmful trash and debris. This global movement amplifies the impact of local efforts, uniting communities for cleaner environments. The Beach & Riverside Cleanup wraps up on September 28 with National Public Lands Day, the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event, focusing on trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and native tree planting.

Join the Effort – “After a season of heavy use, our rivers and beaches need care,” says Kris Carico, SOLVE’s Chief Executive Officer. “This event is a cherished tradition and a powerful force for change. We encourage everyone to get involved and make a lasting impact on our environment.”

SOLVE will host over 50 project sites across Oregon and SW Washington, from the Oregon Coast to the Willamette Valley and beyond. Last year, more than 1,500 volunteers removed 20,000 pounds of trash. Since 1986, the event has cleared over 2.5 million pounds of litter from Oregon’s natural areas. Volunteer registration is open for posted events and SOLVE is still seeking additional projects. Interested event leaders should register their events as soon as possible to fully maximize SOLVE’s support, resources, and everything needed to host a successful event. 

New Supply Hubs for Event Leaders – This year, SOLVE is making it easier for event leaders by launching five supply hubs at South Beach, Fort Stevens, Cape Lookout, Cape Blanco, and Sunset Bay. These hubs are equipped with reusable supplies like litter grabbers, vests, and buckets sponsored by Knife River. This partnership with Oregon Parks and Recreation strengthens SOLVE’s mission to provide even more volunteers with reusable supplies and host cleanup events with sustainability in mind.

Be Part of the Change – Join thousands of volunteers to protect our waterways, restore natural areas this September, and contribute to a cleaner, healthier Oregon. As the event dates approach, more details on project sites and opportunities will be released. For more information and to register, visit https://www.solveoregon.org/beach-riverside.

2024 Sponsors – SOLVE’s Beach & Riverside Cleanup 2024 is proudly supported by Chevron, Clean Water Services, Daimler Truck North America, Fred Meyer, Harper Houf Peterson Righellis Inc., Here is Oregon, Keen Footwear, Knife River, KOIN, Metro, NEEF, Oregon Parks and Recreation, and Owens Corning.

About SOLVE – SOLVE brings communities together to take care of our environment and enhance our waterways. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots group to a national model for volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains tens of thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon and Southwest Washington to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas and to build a legacy of stewardship for our state. Visit solveoregon.org for more information. 

The Oregon Coast Aquarium New Tufted Puffin Oregon License Plates on Sale

One of Oregon’s most adorably iconic seabirds is coming to the front and back of a car near you. The Oregon Coast Aquarium has opened voucher sales for its new tufted puffin license plates.

The design, featuring a tufted puffin floating in the ocean and gazing down at some fish below, was created by the
aquarium’s graphic design and marketing coordinator, Cam Mullins.

Starring a tufted puffin—one of Oregon’s iconic seabirds–funds from the new license plate will benefit both the Aquarium’s animals and their wild counterparts. You can purchase a voucher now and exchange it at the DMV once the physical plates are available. We need to sell 3,000 vouchers to reach the production stage—meaning the sooner 3,000 vouchers are sold, the sooner production begins, and the sooner you’ll have your puffin plates in-hand. Read the full story at aquarium.org/puffin-plate-debut: photo by OCAq’s Jeremy Burke

Tufted puffins are native to Oregon and nest on the rocky coast. The aquarium has a Seabird Aviary that sustains a flock of these sea birds and the profits from the license plates will go to benefit these puffins and their wild counterparts.

The voucher is available for purchase on the aquarium’s website. The cost covers the $40 surcharge fee and the money left over after the deduction of the DMV’s fees will go to support the Oregon Coast Aquarium’s
rehabilitation and conservation efforts. The aquarium is building a new marine wildlife rehabilitation center with
hopes of doubling the number of animal patients it can offer care to. FOLLOW on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/OregonCoastAquarium

OHA 2024 Oregon Beach Monitoring Season

Agency shares list of monitored beaches for May-September

—The Oregon Beach Monitoring Program (OBMP) is kicking off the 2024 beach monitoring season by announcing the list of coastal recreation areas it will be keeping an eye on for bacteria during summer and early fall.

The 24 beaches on the list that the OBMP, based at the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Public Health Division, is publishing includes some of the most frequently visited beaches in Oregon. It also includes beaches where the program has found bacteria present, or beaches for which local partners and the public have requested monitoring due to potential pollution concerns.

The following are Oregon beaches being monitored during 2024, including beach name, and the city and county in which they are located:

• Seaside Beach – Seaside, Clatsop County
• Cannon Beach – Cannon Beach, Clatsop County
• Tolovana Beach State Park– Cannon Beach, Clatsop County
• Short Sand Beach (Oswald West State Park) – Arch Cape, Tillamook County
• Manzanita Beach – Manzanita, Tillamook County
• Rockaway Beach – Rockaway, Tillamook County
• Twin Rocks Beach – Twin Rocks, Tillamook County
• Oceanside Beach – Oceanside, Tillamook County
• Cape Kiwanda Beach – Pacific City, Tillamook County
• Neskowin Beach – Neskowin, Tillamook County
• D River Beach – Lincoln City, Lincoln County
• Siletz Bay Beach – Lincoln City, Lincoln County
• Beverly Beach – Newport, Lincoln County
• Agate Beach – Newport, Lincoln County
• Nye Beach – Newport, Lincoln County
• Ona Beach (Brian Booth-Beaver Creek State Park) – Seal Rock, Lincoln County
• Seal Rock Beach – Seal Rock, Lincoln County
• Heceta Beach – Florence, Lane County
• Bastendorff Beach – Coos Bay, Coos County
• Sunset Bay State Park Beach – Coos Bay, Coos County
• Hubbard Creek Beach – Port Orford, Curry County
• Harris Beach State Park – Brookings, Curry County
• Mill Beach – Brookings, Curry County
• Crissey Fields State Recreation Site – Brookings, Curry County

Beach monitoring season runs from mid-May to mid-September. Beach advisories are only issued for beaches that are actively being monitored within this sampling window. Other beaches will be investigated for inclusion in the next beach monitoring season.

OBMP works with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to identify beaches that need monitoring based on several established criteria. These criteria include: pollution hazards present; previous beach monitoring data that identify water quality concerns; type and amount of beach use; and public input.

As part of an adaptive sampling plan, beaches and sampling locations are routinely re-evaluated to ensure available resources best protect public health. A copy of DEQ’s beach evaluation is available upon request.

For more information and current beach monitoring conditions please visit: www.healthoregon.org/beach, or contact OBMP at each.Health@odhsoha.oregon.gov“>Beach.Health@odhsoha.oregon.gov or 971-673-0400.

Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

Oregon reaches historic number of people with health coverage

The Oregon Health Insurance Survey estimates a record 97 percent of Oregonians insured in 2023

Salem, OR – New data from Oregon Health Authority (OHA) estimates that 97 percent of Oregonians have health coverage, the highest recorded insured rate in state history. Health insurance coverage numbers are sourced from OHA’s Oregon Health Insurance Survey (OHIS), which informs how many Oregonians are covered by health insurance statewide, and gathers information about medical bills, medical debt, and the ability to get healthcare.

“Every Oregonian deserves an opportunity to be healthy, and access to affordable health care through the Oregon Health Plan is part of the equation,” Governor Kotek said. “I am proud of the work Oregon has done to maintain health insurance coverage for thousands of Oregonians after the pandemic.”

The high insured rate comes from a multi-year state effort to help people obtain and keep coverage, including through:

• The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) went into effect in 2014, Oregon has seen a 12 percent increase in people covered. The ACA has made health coverage more affordable for Oregonians by offering premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions. More than 145,000 Oregonians currently have health insurance through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace and more than 80 percent are receiving financial help.
• Oregon Health Plan (OHP). Because of the ACA, Oregon was able to extend OHP coverage to approximately 400,000 Oregonians who lacked health insurance. There are currently more than 1.4 million Oregonians covered by OHP, the state’s Medicaid program. Oregon has the highest rate in the nation for keeping people covered throughout post-COVID Medicaid renewals, due to strategic efforts including community outreach, using automated systems to minimize the need for members to respond, and offering more time for members to respond than any other state.
• OHP Bridge. A new eligibility category called OHP Bridge, made available in July 2024, offers OHP coverage to people with higher than previously allowed incomes. There are currently more than 26,000 people covered through OHP Bridge, which is the only offering of its kind in the country to provide coverage with no member costs, including no premiums, co-payments, or deductibles. In preparation for OHP Bridge, Oregon was able to keep eligible individuals covered throughout the 2023 Medicaid renewal process.
• Healthier Oregon. Starting in July 2022, Oregon began offering a path to health coverage for people who meet all other criteria except immigration status. Close to 90,000 people, including more than 10,000 children, now have access to preventive care and other important health services. Oregon was the first state in the country to offer this opportunity to all ages.
• Extended Coverage Options. Oregon applied for and received authority to keep kids and adults on OHP for longer periods of time. Starting in January 2023, children who qualify for OHP can now be covered from birth to age six, regardless of changes to their household circumstance or income. Adults may now be able to keep OHP benefits for two years, instead of one.

OHA Director Dr. Sejal Hathi said, “Access to affordable health coverage is the cornerstone of human dignity and the chance to live a healthy life. Through all of Oregon’s extraordinary efforts, health care for all is on the path to becoming a reality, making it possible for everyone in our communities to reach their full potential and well-being.”

Data from OHIS are included in an interactive dashboard, which allows people to explore demographic and geographic information from 2011 – 2023.  Additional data in the dashboard show that: 

• Approximately one third (32.4 percent) of the remaining uninsured Oregonians are likely eligible for Oregon Health Plan (OHP) statewide.
• Premiums being too expensive on plans offered via employers was the most common reason people cited for being uninsured.
• In 2023, 7.7 percent of Hispanic or Latinx Oregonians reported being uninsured, down from 27 percent in 2011. While increases in insurance rates were seen among each race or ethnicity group between 2011 and 2023, disparities for communities of color remain.

The dashboard is available on the OHA web site, as well as a data brief on the Health Policy and Analytics web page.  

Oregonians can apply for OHP, including OHP Bridge, at any time. For coverage through Oregon’s Health Insurance Marketplace, people can apply and enroll during open enrollment (Nov. 1 to Jan. 15) or within 60 days of a qualifying life alert. A tool to locate health coverage programs and savings can be found at: OregonHealthCare.gov/WindowShop.

Nearly five months in, Oregon wildfire season expected to last into mid-October

Oregon’s forest and fire leaders were succinct in describing this year’s wildfire season to a group of Oregon senators.

“It just won’t quit is essentially where we’re at, and our folks are really tired,” Kyle Williams, deputy director of fire operations at the Oregon Department of Forestry, told the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire on Tuesday.

Williams and two others – Doug Graffe, Gov. Tina Kotek’s wildfire and military advisor; and Travis Medema, a chief deputy for the Oregon State Fire Marshal – told senators the state would likely wrap up its now five-monthlong fire season in mid-October, following a record 1.9 million acres burned. That’s  nearly three times as many acres as the state’s 10-year average. 

Medema said projections from the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center, which coordinates wildfire resources, showed one or two more “significant event days” before the state is fully out of the 2024 wildfire season. 

The Oregon Department of Forestry is currently fighting a 300-acre fire near Coos Bay and the Fossil Complex in eastern Oregon, made up of five fires over nearly 25,000 acres. 

“We’re finally on the downhill of the slope,” Williams said, but warned that forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration show 10 days ahead of dry and above average temperatures. “What’s next is what we’re focused on, and we’re in good shape. We’re mostly back in the barn ready to go again.”

The bulk of the wildfires have burned through east Oregon grass and shrub, with about 25% of it in forestland, according to the Wildland Mapping Institute. More than one-third of all acres blackened have been on private land, and about 62% has been on federal land. Most wildfires are caused by humans, according to the interagency coordination center, but this year the bulk of blazes have started from natural causes, such as lightning.

The wildfires prompted Kotek to declare a statewide emergency and ask for federal help and regulatory flexibility for farmers and ranchers. She’s also invoked the Conflagration Act 17 times this year, with the latest invocation on Sept. 10 for the Service Fire in Wheeler County. The act unleashes resources to fight blazes that threaten lives, communities or key infrastructure. (SOURCE)

Oregon Faces Elevated Fire Risk This Weekend Amid Gusty Winds

Breezy winds and dry conditions this weekend will elevate fire concerns across Oregon, particularly in the Pendleton area and surrounding regions.

Wind gusts are expected to intensify Saturday evening, with peak speeds between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday. Residents should remain cautious, especially in areas like the Lower Columbia Basin and Central Oregon. Humidities as low as 15% will increase the fire risk, although conditions have not yet reached red flag criteria.

According to the National Weather Service, residents are advised to avoid outdoor burning and ensure trailer chains are secured to prevent sparks on roadways. Drivers along U.S. Route 395 should exercise extra caution as winds pick up. Fire risks may continue into early next week, so residents are encouraged to stay alert and follow local advisories for updates.

Oregon Department of Forestry is out of money, seeking more to pay for the costliest wildfire season in state history

The Oregon Department of Forestry needs emergency funding to pay for the most expensive wildfire season in state history, with record-high costs of $250 million and counting, KGW reports.

As of mid-September, more than 1.9 million acres of land had burned across Oregon — nearly double the acreage burned in the notorious 2020 wildfire season, and far above any other year in ODF’s recorded history.

“The scale -. people have to see it to understand just how many acres burned across the state this summer,” said Kyle Williams, ODF’s deputy director for fire operations. “Just because the smoke wasn’t present in our more populated areas doesn’t mean that (wildfires) weren’t deeply impactful.”

ODF has now exhausted its funds. In order to pay firefighters and contractors, the department is returning to its usual process of acquiring more money from the state — except this time, it may not be enough. Outside of the legislative session, agencies turn to Oregon’s Emergency Board. Staffed by the Legislative Fiscal Office, the E-Board allocates emergency funds to keep things afloat until lawmakers return. Dozens of state agencies submit requests every few months.

ODF is asking for $47.5 million from the E-Board this September, including a request for $40 million from the board’s general fund.

The E-Board currently has just $43 million in its general fund. If wildfire costs get priority, as they have historically, that strains the budget for any other emergency needs.

“In those E-Board requests there are a lot of really important priorities for other agencies, for other Oregonians, right, not impacted by fire,” Williams said, recognizing ODF’s outsized impact on the board.

The E-Board will decide its allocations on Thursday, September 26, and the LFO recommends that the board pay the $47.5 million to ODF, albeit with a slight workaround: using $20 million from the board’s general fund and $20 million from a separate special allocation reserved for natural disaster emergencies. (SOURCE)

Preventing wildfires requires a collective effort from everyone—help mitigate the risk of human-caused wildfires and protect our forests and communities.

Monitor Fires in Oregon – Updated Daily

Large Fires in Oregon Past 2 Weeks 9/27/24 9:00am per INCIWEB

Incident	Type	State	Incident Size	UpdatedSort ascending
Bachelor Complex Fires – ORDEF	Wildfire	Oregon	11741 Acres	10 minutes 8 seconds ago
North Willamette Complex – ORWIF	Wildfire	Oregon	6690 Acres	35 minutes 48 seconds ago
Rail Ridge – OROCF	Wildfire	Oregon	165341 Acres	1 hour 49 minutes ago
Wiley Flat – OROCF	Wildfire	Oregon	30186 Acres	2 hours 41 minutes ago
Homestead Complex – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	9909 Acres	12 hours 25 minutes ago
Diamond Complex – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	11141 Acres	12 hours 25 minutes ago
Red Fire – ORDEF	Wildfire	Oregon	1961 Acres	12 hours 37 minutes ago
Willamette Complex Fires – South – ORWIF	Wildfire	Oregon	23480 Acres	12 hours 38 minutes ago
Sandstone Fire – ORMHF	Wildfire	Oregon	702 Acres	16 hours 35 minutes ago
Fossil Complex – OR95S	Wildfire	Oregon	24446 Acres	23 hours 7 minutes ago
Buck Creek Fire – ORFWF	Wildfire	Oregon	5758 Acres	23 hours 16 minutes ago
Lane 1 Fire – OR77S	Wildfire	Oregon	25952 Acres	23 hours 18 minutes ago
Whisky Creek Fire – ORMHF	Wildfire	Oregon	3203 Acres	1 day 13 hours ago
Crazy Creek – OROCF	Burned Area Emergency Response	Oregon	86968 Acres	2 days ago
Flat Top and Firestone Fires – ORDEF	Wildfire	Oregon	Acres	3 days 21 hours ago
Middle Fork Fire – ORCLP	Wildfire	Oregon	5286 Acres	1 week 1 day ago
Shoe Fly Fire – OR95S	Wildfire	Oregon	26817 Acres	1 week 4 days ago
Microwave Tower Fire – OR95S	Wildfire	Oregon	1313 Acres	2 weeks 1 day ago
Copperfield Fire – OR98S	Wildfire	Oregon	3822 Acres	2 weeks 1 day ago

https://app.watchduty.org/

Please Help Prevent Wildfires!

In these dry conditions, a single spark can cause a lot of damage. Learn how you can prevent wildfires by visiting the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s wildfire prevention page. 

Oregon legislature takes up noncitizen voter registration issue in first hearing

A DMV review found that 1,259 people may have been mistakenly registered through Oregon’s automatic voter registration system without providing proof of citizenship.

Oregon lawmakers waded into a voter registration controversy on Wednesday with the first legislative hearing held since the Secretary of State’s office and Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced that 1,259 people had been mistakenly added to the voter rolls without providing proof of U.S. citizenship, and ten of them had cast ballots.

ODOT and elections officials appeared apologetic at the hearing, particularly for the timing of the discovery, but insisted that the issue has been corrected. Elections staff also said they’ve confirmed that the error was not large enough to have affected the outcome of any prior election.

“This issue will have no impact on the 2024 election. We were able to catch the error in time,” said Ben Morris, chief of staff at the Oregon Secretary of State’s office.

Eligible residents who receive driver licenses or state ID cards are automatically registered to vote in Oregon, but in 2021 the state started allowing noncitizens to obtain driver licenses. According to ODOT, the mistake happened when DMV staff accidentally selected the wrong option on a computer menu when listing applicants’ identifying documents.

“This was truly a clerical error. We have a drop-down menu of documents that people can provide to prove their identity and age in DMV transactions, and that menu defaulted to U.S. passport or U.S. birth certificate,” said DMV administrator Amy Joyce.

ODOT initially announced on Sept. 13 that it had discovered 306 cases, and then announced Monday that the number had grown to 1,259 after a full review. In an FAQ ahead of the hearing, ODOT said the full review included all licenses and ID cards issued after Jan. 1, 2021, the day the DMV started allowing noncitizens to apply, totaling about 1.4 million records. REAL ID licenses were not included because they go through separate federal verification.

The data entry mistake doesn’t necessarily mean that all of the 1,259 people were not U.S. citizens, ODOT added — it just means the documentation they provided at the DMV to obtain a license did not include proof of citizenship, so it shouldn’t have been forwarded to the Secretary of State’s office to be added to the voter rolls.

ODOT and elections officials previously announced that only 10 of the people had actually submitted a ballot in any election over the past four years, and one of them was subsequently confirmed to have been a U.S. citizen at the time they voted. 

At the hearing, elections director Molly Woon said her office is still checking the other nine and she expected to have final results by the end of the day, but added that the office has already confirmed that none of them voted in elections that were close enough that their votes could have affected the outcome. If the elections division finds that any of them were not citizens at the time they cast their ballots, their cases could be referred to the Oregon Department of Justice.

The Secretary of State’s office immediately deactivated the voter registration of the first 306 people and has now done the same with all 1,259 cases, Woon said, but added that they will all be notified of the change by the end of this week and given instructions for how to reactivate their voter registration if they can prove their citizenship.

Joyce and ODOT director Kris Strickler said the DMV has already updated its software to display the identification drop-down options in alphabetical order and added a confirmation pop-up if U.S. passport or U.S. birth certificate is selected. A manager in each DMV office is also now double-checking every transaction at the end of each day.

Most of the lawmakers on the committee appeared satisfied with ODOT’s remedial measures, with the bulk of the critical questions focused on why the agency didn’t detect the clerical error until an outside group intervened.

ODOT previously acknowledged that it began the review after a group called the Institute for Responsive Government reached out over the summer. According to Strickler, the nonprofit didn’t discover any improper registrations — it just asked some general questions about how Oregon’s voter registration system was working, and the questions prompted ODOT to begin a review.

“Let me state the obvious. Should we have been looking sooner than a few months before the election? Absolutely,” Joyce said.

Some lawmakers at the hearing also asked about what the elections office is doing to protect the 1,259 people on the list from harassment or legal consequences, with committee chair Rep. Ben Bowman stressing that none of them asked to be added to the voter rolls, and they were all registered as a result of a government error.

Woon said the notification letter sent to each of them will include instructions for obtaining an official “no-fault letter” that will confirm they were registered by accident and state it shouldn’t be held against them in the future. Morris added that his office does not plan to release the list and believes it is exempt from public records law because it contains private voter data. “We are very sensitive to the fact that this list could put people’s lives in danger,” he said. (SOURCE)

Medford’s Outgoing Mail Handling Challenged By Oregon State Senators

Demanding that Postmaster General Louis DeJoy reverse his position to relocate outgoing mail operations at the regional postal distribution center in Medford, U.S., Senators Ron Wyden (D) and Jeff Merkley (D) share the grave concerns of the residents of Southern Oregon that the consolidation of processes poses significant negative consequences for the efficiency of postal services and the community.

The Medford processing center has a crucial role- to ensure the mail of residents, businesses, and government agencies is delivered timeously.

The senators say the consolidation of the facility resulted in mail delivery delays, impacting essential services. They said the consolidation is felt by those who rely on prompt and reliable postal services, especially seniors, rural Oregonians, and small businesses in the region.

Highlighting that Oregon state votes entirely by mail, the senators expressed confidence a solution can be found that strengthens the Postal Service and serves the needs of local communities in Southern Oregon with thoughtful consideration. They do not see downgrading the Medford site as a solution.

The restructuring plan was labeled by DeJoy ‘Delivering for America’ but Merkely said a better name would be ‘Delaying Mail in America.’ He said despite USPS leadership claims that downgrades won’t slow deliveries, every delivery route will be slower when over 500 miles are added. Merkley says this is already happening in his home state.

Despite the downgrade of services, the USPS continues to raise prices. A single stamp costs 73 cents as of July 14. Merkley said while the USPS calls the new system ‘more efficient and cost-effective,’ he calls it ‘paying more and getting less.’ Rural communities are the most severely affected by the price hikes and delivery delays.

Merkley said DeJoy’s downgrades must be reversed now to restore reliable, affordable mail delivery. He suggests the ‘Delivering for America’ plan be returned to the sender. (SOURCE)

Missing McMinnville Woman Found Dead in Douglas County East of Glide

A missing woman from McMinnville has been found dead in Douglas County.

According to the Myrtle Creek Police Department, an ODOT employee spotted a vehicle down a steep embankment along Highway 138 approximately 35 miles east of Glide Wednesday morning.

A missing woman from McMinnville has been found dead in Douglas County. According to the Myrtle Creek Police Department, an ODOT employee spotted a vehicle down a steep embankment along Highway 138 approximately 35 miles east of Glide Wednesday morning.

Police identified the vehicle as belonging to 69-year-old Kathleen Wilson of McMinnville. She had been reported missing back on August 5th. Pending official identification from the medical examiner, it is believed to be Wilson’s body that was found inside the vehicle.

The preliminary investigation indicates Wilson was driving eastbound on Highway 138 when for an unknown reason her vehicle traveled across the roadway and down the embankment on the opposite side of the highway.

Myrtle Creek police were assisted by ODOT, OSP, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Forest Service.

OSP seizes almost half a million fentanyl-laced pills – Douglas County
Oregon State Police 

– An Oregon State Police trooper recently stopped 100 pounds of fentanyl-laced pills from making it to Portland.

On Sept. 24, 2024, at about 1 p.m., an Oregon State Trooper stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation on Interstate 5 in Douglas County. Upon contact with the operator of the silver Volkswagen SUV, the trooper suspected possible criminal activity and received consent to search the vehicle. 

During the search, the trooper discovered and seized 100 pounds of fentanyl-laced pills – approximately 450,000 individual doses – from inside the vehicle. The suspect acknowledged the pills were destined for Portland. 

Due to the large quantity of illegal substances seized, the suspect, Gustavo Alonso Franco Valenzuela (32) of Los Angeles (CA), was arrested and federally charged with delivery of a controlled substance. 

The investigation is ongoing, and no additional information is available for release at this time. 
 

Task Force Busts Remote Forest Black-Market Cannabis Grow; Investigators Find Water Theft, Guns, Chemicals, Poaching, Excessive Amounts of Trash; Code Enforcement Issues $25K in Fines to Landowners
Jackson Co. Sheriff’s Office

Video available for download: https://vimeo.com/1012916267?share=copy#t=0

JCSO Case 24-5111 — RURAL JACKSONVILLE, Ore. – Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) detectives served a search warrant the morning of Thursday, September 19, at a black-market cannabis grow in a heavily forested remote area on Yale Creek Road south of Jacksonville. The property was littered with piles of trash, broken down cars, tires, fertilizers, chemicals, and other environmental hazards. The grow was also illegally siphoning water from a nearby creek on National Forest land.

During the search warrant IMET detectives seized approximately 3,978 illegal marijuana plants, and six firearms. There was no licensing for any type of cannabis growing, handling, or processing at this location. IMET was assisted by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) and Josephine County Sheriff’s Office deputies, as well as Oregon State Police (OSP) detectives.

Two suspects were detained on scene and charges of felony marijuana manufacture and possession are being referred to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. Detectives also found evidence of suspected poaching on scene, which has been turned over to the OSP Fish & Wildlife division for potential prosecution. 

During the search warrant, Jackson County Code Enforcement responded to the scene and issued a total of $25,000 in fines to two separate landowners. The fines were issued for violations related to unpermitted construction including an unpermitted dwelling, failure to obtain land use approval for marijuana production, utilizing a camping vehicle within a marijuana production area, and solid waste. 

Oregon Water Resources Department Enforcement section Watermasters also responded to investigate the property’s water usage. Watermasters issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to the responsible parties for the unauthorized appropriation of water from a tributary of Yale Creek. This type of water violation is subject to both civil and criminal penalties.

While regulatory agencies investigate permitted cannabis operations, IMET is focusing on the black-market marijuana trade in the Rogue Valley. IMET is a multi-agency task force funded by a grant from the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. The task force includes personnel from JCSO, Homeland Security Investigations, OSP, Medford Police Department, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s office.

Investigations are open and ongoing with detectives working additional leads. No further information is currently available for release.

$9.3 Million Raised to Fight New Corporate Tax that Could Boost the Income of Every Oregonian by $1,600 a Year – Voters Will Decide on Measure 118

If voters decide to approve Measure 118, they will pave the way for the largest universal basic income program in the country, funded by corporations with total sales in Oregon exceeding $25 million. The money derived from this taxation will be distributed equally among residents of all incomes and ages and will become effective by 2025.

Oregon residents will vote this fall on the new corporate tax that proponents say will alleviate poverty and stimulate the local economy. The Legislative Revenue Office estimates that $1.3 billion will be generated by the end of the biennium next June, with significantly higher amounts in future years.

The windfall will be distributed among Oregonians in the form of direct cash payments or refundable tax credits.

If the new corporate tax is approved, Oregon will become the second state to offer residents a basic income. Alaska has been distributing a part of the income from all mining revenues to its residents annually. Each resident received $1,312 last year.

Opposition to Measure 118 is Vociferous

However, opposition to the new corporate tax proposal is vociferous.

Among those adding their voices to the opposition are Governor Tina Kotek, Democrat and Republican lawmakers, dozens of businesses, and many nonpartisan research groups. They argue that the tax could stop businesses from operating in Oregon, siphon funds away from needed state services, and ultimately lead to higher prices.

Dozens of business groups say the tax will harm consumers because it will force price increases. They are also opposed to the proposal that businesses will be taxed on gross sales and not on net profit, unfairly targeting companies with small profit margins such as construction companies and grocery stores.

Oregon building trade union leader Willy Myers says the tax could incentivize larger corporations to leave Oregon, taking jobs with them and creating an affordability downward spiral.

Although the tax measure only applies to gross sales exceeding $25 million, smaller businesses are concerned that they too could be impacted… ‘we cannot afford to lose high income earners that spend their money in small businesses,’ says Sarah Shaoul, the founder of a Portland advocacy group for independent retailers, Bricks Need Mortar.

The CEO of Oregon Business and Industry, the state business lobby spearheading the anti-tax measure campaign, Angela Wilhelms says the tax will stagnate wage increases and available jobs, both are unlikely components ‘of a recipe to lift people into prosperity.’

Families Could Become Ineligible for Federal Benefits

According to a state report, Measure 118 could make families receiving the tax windfall ineligible for federal benefits such as food stamps.

However, while Measure 118 antagonists refer to the state report saying the tax will hamper economic growth in Oregon over the next decade, proponents point to the fact that the state report says its estimates have been made with ‘considerable uncertainty.’

Proponents Say Tax Could Alleviate Poverty

Supporters of the next tax point out that the extra income to Oregonians will help alleviate poverty and stimulate the local economy. The tax measure will also ensure that larger corporations pay their fair share of the tax burden.

The measure will help families ‘to thrive and not just survive’ says Stacey Rutland, a resident of Portland who works as an adviser to the pro-Measure 118 campaign.

Funding the promotion of the next tax measure is Oregon Rebate PAC, which has only managed to obtain eight endorsements on its website, none of which are elected officials. Proponents have managed to raise $171,000 since the corporate tax measure qualified for the ballot. (SOURCE)

OSP asking for the public’s help to locate wanted man —  Oregon State Police 

Suspect wanted for sex crimes in Oregon and Alabama

– Oregon State Police and the Mobile (Alabama) Police Department are seeking the public’s help to locate Adam Renk (39) who is wanted in both states for sex crimes against child victims. 

On June 21, 2024, OSP detectives responded to a sexual abuse disclosure made by a minor. The minor disclosed Renk as the perpetrator. Renk has since been indicted on multiple crimes against a child victim under the age of 12. He is charged with Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree, Sodomy in the First Degree, and Sexual Abuse in the First Degree.

As part of their investigation, OSP detectives learned Renk had been charged in another case involving a minor victim in Mobile, Alabama. The Alabama charges include Child Sexual Abuse and Torture involving an 11-year-old victim. The victims in the two states are not related. Alabama law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Marshals Service are attempting to locate Renk who posted bond in Alabama and was released from pre-trial custody. 

Renk was last seen leaving Alabama on August 7, 2024. He has ties to Oregon and Wasco County. He is believed to be traveling in a converted Ford Ambulance that is now painted two-toned white over gray. Renk is a white male, 6 ft. 1 in. tall, 175 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair. 

Anyone with information about Renk’s whereabouts or information about possible additional victims is asked to contact the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office at 541-506-2580 or OSP Detective Cassie Bantz through dispatch at 800-442-0776 or by dialing OSP (677) on a mobile phone. 

Umatilla County- Oregon State Police investigating officer involved shooting in Umatilla County
Oregon State Police – 09/25/24 4:58 PM

Umatilla County, Ore 24 Sept 24- Oregon State Police investigating officer involved shooting in Umatilla County

On Tuesday, September 24th, 2024, at 6:38 p.m., Milton-Freewater dispatch received a call from local residence of a man who had entered their house. The reporting party stated the man had been hanging around the area for several days and was possibly homeless and had mental health issues. Milton-Freewater dispatch believed this person was the same person they had been receiving complaints about hanging around Gib Olinger Elementary School the past several days.

Milton-Freewater police responded to the area at 6:53 p.m. The officer identified the suspect as Daniel Soto Madrigal (30) and trespassed him from the location. Soto Madrigal had an active felony warrant for his arrest and the officer attempted to take him into custody. The suspect resisted arrest and a use of force incident unfolded which culminated in the arresting officer discharging his firearm.

Soto Madrigal was arrested and transported to an area hospital where he was treated for a gunshot wound. His condition is described as stable at this time.

The involved officer received medical treatment for minor injuries and has been placed on administrative leave pursuant to SB 111 protocols.

The Umatilla County Major Crime Team was activated and members from the Oregon State Police, Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, and the Umatilla County District Attorney responded to the scene to investigate the incident.

Any future news releases will come from the Oregon State Police or the Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office. No additional releases are planned at this time.

Prineville Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Multi-Million Dollar Drug Treatment Fraud Scheme
U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Oregon – 09/25/24 4:12 PM

EUGENE, Ore.—A Prineville, Oregon woman was sentenced to federal prison yesterday for using stolen identities to submit fraudulent health care claims resulting in over $1.5 million in misappropriated funds from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Medicaid Program and filing false tax returns that failed to report earnings she received.

Darla K. Byus, 55, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $2,033,315 in restitution to OHA and the IRS.

“Her crimes betrayed the trust placed in this company as a substance abuse treatment provider in Oregon. We thank the state and federal investigators for their dedication and commitment to ending this scheme,” said Nathan J. Lichvarcik, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eugene and Medford Branch Offices. “Business owners who abuse the system to line their pockets at the expense of our communities will be held accountable.”

“HHS-OIG is committed to protecting Oregon communities and taxpayer funds from schemes targeting Oregon’s Medicaid program, which provides necessary services to vulnerable populations,” said Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Ryan with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG values our continued partnership with the Oregon Department of Justice’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and other law enforcement partners and will continue to investigate those who threaten the integrity of federal and state health care programs and the people served by them.”

“I am pleased that the joint investigation between our Medicaid Fraud Unit at Oregon DOJ and five federal agencies turned up the evidence needed for the United States Attorney to successfully prosecute this complex case. Oregon’s Medicaid program will get back over a million dollars it is rightfully owed, and those who try to defraud Oregonians and undermine our social safety net programs should be on notice— they will be caught and prosecuted,” said Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum.

According to court documents, from January 2019 to August 2021, Byus used her company, Choices Recover Services (CRS), to overbill the OHA Medicaid Program for substance abuse counseling services and to submit fraudulent reimbursement claims using the stolen identities of Medicaid recipients. 

As an OHA Medicaid Provider for drug and alcohol related counseling services, CRS had access to a provider portal through the Medicaid Management Information System. Byus exploited this access to privileged information to determine a victim’s Medicaid eligibility. She then used their personally identifiable information to submit claims without the victim’s knowledge or authorization. Byus used the stolen identities more than 45 victims, at least a third of which were identified by searching jail roster websites for recent drug or alcohol related offenses. 

Using CRS, Byus submitted over $3 million in false claims to the OHA Medicaid Program and received over $1.5 million in fraudulent proceeds. She used the misappropriated funds to purchase multiple properties in Oregon and to gamble. In addition, Byus knowingly filed false tax returns for herself and CRS, failing to pay approximately $450,438 in taxes.

On May 13, 2024, Byus was charged by criminal information with heath care fraud, aggravated identity theft, and making a false tax return and, on June 20, 2024, she pleaded guilty. 

This case was investigated by the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Justice Tax Division, and the Oregon Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. It was prosecuted by Joseph H. Huynh and Gavin W. Bruce, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

Oregon Ranks #2 in The Top 5 States With the Worst Behaved Drivers According to Forbes Study

A new survey may help some motorists decide which roads across the nation to stay off to avoid bad-behaved drivers behind the wheel.

In recent findings published by Forbes Advisor, researchers analyzed nearly two dozen behaviors to learn which states had the worst drivers across the country.

The 19 behaviors included reasons like texting while driving, cutting off other motorists, eating while driving and even putting on makeup while behind the wheel.

Motorists in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee exhibited the best driving behavior, while Oregon and New Mexico drivers are included in the top five states with the worst drivers.

From tailgating and driving under the influence to crashing and cursing at other drivers, here are the top 15 states with the worst drivers:

Oregon claims the No. 2 spot for bad driving. Its drivers rank worst for:

◾ Running a red light (8%).

◾ Refusing to yield (5%).

◾ Speeding in a school zone (4%).

The state also came in No. 2 for drivers causing car accidents (tied with Massachusetts, New Jersey and Alabama) and 2% of the drivers there confessed to recently causing a crash. — To see the full list of 50 states click here or visit https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/states-with-worst-driving-behaviors/.

Local Mt. Bachelor, Oregon Buyer Group Launches New Website

Mount Bachelor Community Inc.—the local group seeking to purchase Mount Bachelor after the resort was put up for sale by its current owners POWDR Corporation—has launched a website.

The site is divided into three main groups, each detailing aspects of Mount Bachelor Community Inc .

The ‘Contribute’ tab provides several channels for those interested in getting involved with the project, whether that’s volunteering or donating (“We’ll soon be launching a GoFundMe campaign to support our effort to purchase Mount Bachelor as a community,” the site reads). One field allows web visitors to share their personal Mount Bachelor story.

Another tab details investment opportunities with Mount Bachelor Community Inc. and covers two investor types: accredited investors and community contributions.

The final tab provides further details about Mount Bachelor Community Inc.’s mission, which, according to the website, is “to own and manage Mt. Bachelor with a focus on environmental care, supporting mountain enthusiasts, and reinvesting profits to boost the local economy.” Mount Bachelor Community Inc. aims to achieve B Corp status, a designation offered by B Lab, a non-profit that recognizes companies for their commitment to various social and environmental criteria. Notable outdoor industry B Corps include Patagonia and Taos Ski Valley.

The push for community ownership, helmed by Chris Porter and Dan Cochrane, is holding a kickoff event on October 12th. More details about the event are forthcoming.

“It’s been an overwhelming amount of support from people who want to donate their time, donate their money, invest, just pledge their support, or be involved,” Porter told POWDER last week, describing the community response to he and Cochrane’s effort. “So many people have reached out to us.”

Further information about the status of the Mt. Bachelor sale isn’t known. POWDR Corp. noted that they’ve received interest in the resort, but hasn’t named any specific parties. The sale doesn’t have a timeline and will “take as long as it takes,” according to Stacey Hutchinson, POWDR Corp.’s vice president of communications and government affairs.

POWDR Corp.’s latest planned sale—Killington, Vermont—will result in local passholder ownership, but that exchange may not have any bearing on what the company intends to do with Mt. Bachelor. In the meantime, Porter and Cochrane are committed to returning Mt. Bachelor to local skiers and snowboarders.

“We’ve really caught lightning in a bottle here,” said Porter.

To check out the website and learn more about the project, click here. — (SOURCE)

Summer EBT application deadline extended to Sept. 30, 2024
(Salem) – The application deadline for the new Summer EBT program has been extended to midnight Sept. 30, 2024. The program offers $120 per child to help cover grocery costs when school food programs are not as easy to access. Eligible families should act now.

Thousands of families may be unaware that they qualify for this essential benefit. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) urge families to check their eligibility and apply before the extended deadline. Remember, once benefits are received, they must be used within 122 days.

Most eligible children received their benefits automatically on June 28, 2024, if their households:

1. Participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
2. Participate in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
3. Are Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) members in households with incomes under 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level

Children in foster care also automatically received Summer EBT.

However, families who did not receive benefits automatically, particularly those with children enrolled in a school during the 2023-2024 school year who were eligible for the National School Lunch or Breakfast Programs, should still apply to determine their eligibility.

Families are encouraged to visit sebt.oregon.gov or contact the Summer EBT Call Center to verify their eligibility and apply. ODHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht said, “We are grateful to our federal partners for making this extension. The extra time is so important for us to reach families who may be eligible because we know access to nutritious food is critical.”

“Staying engaged in school and active in life requires proper nutrition,” said ODE Director Dr. Charlene Williams. “We know that there are many more families out there who have children who may be eligible for the $120 Summer EBT benefit and this important extension boosts our opportunity to reach them.”

Since June 28, 2024, more than 336,198 eligible school-aged children have been issued $40.3 million in Summer EBT food benefits. More than 60 percent of families receiving benefits in the initial issuance were able to immediately use benefits on existing Oregon EBT cards; the rest received new cards in July.

Act now and don’t let this opportunity pass by. Make sure your family receives the assistance it deserves by applying for Summer EBT before midnight Sept. 30, 2024.

To learn more:

1. Call 833-ORE-SEBT (833-673-7328). The call center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
2. Visit sebt.oregon.gov.

Contact us: Info@OregonBeachMagazine.com