Oregon Beach News, Monday 9/30 — Governor Kotek Calls On Federal Government To Cancel Offshore Wind Auction In Southern Oregon, Oregon Offshore Wind Auction Stopped For Now After Protest From Governor & 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

Monday, September 30, 2024

Oregon Beach Weather

Small Craft Advisory Issued: 2:16 AM Sep. 30, 2024 – National Weather Service

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM PDT TUESDAY...

* WHAT...North winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and steep wind driven seas 6 to 8 ft.

* WHERE...All areas.

* WHEN...Until 5 AM PDT Tuesday.

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

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

9/30 – It is going to be a windy day along the coast and across the higher mountain ridges and peaks. Here is the latest peak wind gust forecast from now through early tomorrow morning.

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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.”

Governor Kotek Calls On Federal Government To Cancel Offshore Wind Auction In Southern Oregon — Oregon Offshore Wind Auction Stopped For Now After Protest From Governor

Governor Kotek has asked the Bureau of Ocean Energy management to halt its efforts to lease property off the coast of Oregon, endorsed the withdrawal of the state from an intergovernmental energy task force. (https://kval.com/resources/pdf/0bcf3574-3321-4904-b771-84d483594586-GovernorKoteklettertoBOEMDirectorKlein_1727455319170.pdf )

This comes in the wake of a lawsuit filed by the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians which alleges BOEM conducted insufficient analysis of offshore wind energy impacts.

The request was met with a strong response by other state leaders, including Senator Wyden, “I don’t back down when it comes to deploying renewable energy projects, but even the pursuit of clean energy doesn’t mean running over the public process,” Wyden said. “I’m glad federal regulators hit the pause button on proceeding with this hasty auction process. I’ve been pressing for this to slow down because Oregonians on the coast deserve every opportunity to have an actual say in this issue affecting their lives and livelihoods.”

BOEM Postpones Oregon Offshore Wind Energy Auction

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The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced today that it is delaying the offshore wind energy auction planned for potential lease areas offshore Oregon due to insufficient bidder interest at this time.

On Aug. 29, 2024, the Department of the Interior announced the Final Sale Notice (FSN) for offshore wind leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore Oregon following engagement through the Oregon Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force, including coordination with the State of Oregon on advancing opportunities for leasing that would precede a multi-year process for site assessments and subsequent review of any specific project plans if submitted. The FSN set an auction date for Oct. 15, 2024, and included two lease areas offshore Oregon and identified the five companies qualified to participate in the sale. Following issuance of the FSN, BOEM received bidding interest from one of the five qualified companies.

In determining a future opportunity for a potential lease sale, BOEM will continue to collaborate with representatives from federal, state and local agencies and Tribal governments, to coordinate on potential leasing and support ongoing stakeholder engagement processes on broader offshore wind considerations, such as the state-led development of a strategic roadmap for offshore wind.

Since the start of the Biden-Harris administration, the Department has approved the nation’s first ten commercial scale offshore wind projects with a combined capacity of approximately 15 gigawatts of clean energy — enough to power 5.25 million homes. Since January 2021, the Department has held five offshore wind lease auctions – including a record-breaking sale offshore New York and New jersey and the first-ever sales offshore the Pacific Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico. Secretary Deb Haaland also recently announced a schedule of potential additional lease sales through 2028.

For more information on offshore wind in Oregon, visit: https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/oregon-activities. —– https://www.boem.gov/newsroom/press-releases/boem-postpones-oregon-offshore-wind-energy-auction

Florence Forward Event Tuesday 10/1 at Three Rivers Casino

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 1st.  the event costs $10 per person and information and  tickets. MORE INFO: https://florencechamber.com/event/florence-forward-developing-the-future!/327/

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. 

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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. 

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.

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

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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

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.

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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.

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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.

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:

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.

EVCNB

Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

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Red Cross Volunteers from Oregon and SW Washington on Their Way to Hurricane HeleneAmerican Red Cross – Cascades Region 

Support communities in the path of the storm by making a financial donation or scheduling an appointment to give blood

Thousands of people are dealing with the devastation left behind by Hurricane Helene and American Red Cross disaster workers are with them, providing comfort, support and relief.

More than 4 million customers – as many as 12 million people – are without power across impacted states. The danger isn’t over and people in affected areas are urged to heed the utmost caution before venturing outside. Helene is now a tropical storm threatening parts of the Southeast with dangerous flooding, damaging winds and tornadoes.

Thousands of people affected by Hurricane Helene need help now. Your donation enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) to make a financial donation or to schedule a blood donation appointment. Individuals can also text the word HELENE to 90999 to make a donation.

RED CROSS RESPONSE In just the past 48 hours, the Red Cross has opened or supported more than 140 shelters for nearly 9,400 individuals who have evacuated their homes. Red Cross teams managed 50 of these shelters overnight and supported more than 80 partner shelters with staff and supplies

The Cascades Region in Oregon and SW Washington has sent 10 volunteers already with more lining up to go.  Just like volunteers from across the country who came to Oregon to support our wildfire evacuations this summer, our volunteers will be there as long as we are needed.

As deadly flooding continues and threatens additional communities, even more people will urgently need our support. Red Crossers are working closely with community partners and state and local officials to ensure help is available where needed.

Nearly 500 disaster workers are on the ground helping with hundreds more on their way. The Red Cross has also deployed numerous emergency response vehicles to help where needed. When it is safe to do so, Red Cross disaster responders will travel throughout affected communities, assessing the damage and distributing meals and relief supplies. 

CANCELED BLOOD DRIVES Helene has canceled blood drives throughout Georgia and the Carolinas causing more than 1,000 blood donations to go uncollected, and this number is growing.

As communities feel the effects of Helene, patients are fighting their own battle. Some of these patients urgently need closely matched blood donations to weather their health crises. If you’re in a safe area, you have the power to be a lifeline.

Please schedule a blood donation appointment now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to help restock the shelves.

FIND A SHELTEREvacuation shelters are open across the region. You can find evacuation shelters on redcross.org, the free Red Cross Emergency app or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).You can also find shelters by following your local Red Cross and local emergency officials on social media, or by monitoring local news. If you need assistance finding or going to a shelter in the Big Bend region, call 800-729-3413 for help.

CLIMATE CRISIS Helene could be the start of a series of back-to-back storms that threaten the U.S. as additional systems form in the Atlantic.Experts report Hurricane Helene was able to grow and become more destructive because of hotter-than-average ocean temperatures caused by the climate crisis, which is bringing more frequent and intense disasters that upend lives. In response, the Red Cross is providing food, shelter and recovery support on a nearly continual basis.

Find safety steps for different emergencies ꟷ including hurricanes and power outages ꟷ here.

About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.

Oregon’s Income Growth is the 6th Fastest in the Nation

Oregon average incomes are growing at a rate of the sixth-fastest in the nation and have never been higher, even after accounting for inflation, says former state economist Josh Lehner.

Lehner was commenting on data released in an American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau which reveals that Oregon is extending its trend of declining poverty with average annual household income pegged at $81,160, or 3.1% higher than the national average.

Writing a poverty and progress report in the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis, Lehner says the incomes of typical state households have never been higher, growing by 6% before inflation in 2023, and 2.1% in real, or inflation-adjusted terms.

Oregon Has the 21st Strongest Inflation Rate in the U.S.

The average income earned by Oregonians from 2019 to 2023 increased by 19.5% in nominal terms. This figure reflects an increase of just 2.8% in real terms because of surging inflation. Oregon has the 21st-strongest inflation rate in the country.

Another state trend in recent years has been the narrowing gap in racial income disparities. Lehner says the growth of household income has been the strongest among Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC).

He says wages have been the biggest component driving household income, with average earnings of full-time workers rising 5.3% before inflation. Earnings have increased on average by 5.1% annually since 2019.

The strongest household income gains have been recorded in the Bend metro and the Rogue Valley, while Portland metro area is at or near the income gains seen elsewhere.

1 in 8 People Lives Below the Poverty Line

On the flip side of the coin is poverty and, in Oregon, one in eight people live below the federal poverty line.

Lehner says one fact that has stood out in recent years is ‘the number of Oregonians in deep poverty,’ some whose income ‘is less than half of the official poverty level.’ This translates to an annual revenue of $7,000 per person, or $15,000 for a family of four.

The poverty threshold set by the government is a yearly income of  $15,480 per person or $31,200 for a family of four.

While Oregon’s poverty threshold remains relatively steady, Lehner says there is an increase in people living in deep poverty.

Poverty Has Been Steadily Increasing Among Hispanic and Latino Residents

The biggest change in the racial poverty gap in recent years has been a steady increase in poverty among Hispanic and Latino residents. However, historically low poverty was recorded in 2023 among Black and American Indian population groups. Poverty among Oregon Blacks is close to 25%, more than double the statewide level.

Clackamas County has the lowest poverty rate in Oregon at 6.6%, while Multnomah County, the largest in the state, has the highest poverty level of 12.9% in the metro area. Although Crook County’s poverty is below 8%, it has one of the highest unemployment rates in Oregon.

Overall, the 2023 survey shows that Oregon household incomes are continuing to rise, although poverty rates among some groups, in some locales, are much higher than statewide. (SOURCE)

Oregon wildfire season expected to last into mid-October

A road closure from the Fossil Complex fires in central Oregon in September. The fires have burned nearly 25,000 acres. (Courtesy of Northwest Interagency Coordination Center)

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)

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


https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/state/oregon

Large Fires in Oregon Past 2 Weeks 9/30/24 9:00am per INCIWEB

IncidentTypeStateIncident SizeUpdatedSort ascending
Homestead Complex – ORUPFWildfireOregon10041 Acres17 minutes 50 seconds ago
Diamond Complex – ORUPFWildfireOregon11141 Acres18 minutes 26 seconds ago
Bachelor Complex Fires – ORDEFWildfireOregon11741 Acres20 minutes 6 seconds ago
Lane 1 Fire – OR77SWildfireOregon25952 Acres20 minutes 38 seconds ago
Willamette Complex Fires – South – ORWIFWildfireOregon23594 Acres3 hours 22 minutes ago
Wiley Flat – OROCFWildfireOregon30186 Acres12 hours 7 minutes ago
Rail Ridge – OROCFWildfireOregon165743 Acres12 hours 33 minutes ago
Red Fire – ORDEFWildfireOregon2069 Acres12 hours 35 minutes ago
North Willamette Complex – ORWIFWildfireOregon5373 Acres20 hours 22 minutes ago
Sandstone Fire – ORMHFWildfireOregon702 Acres3 days 15 hours ago
Fossil Complex – OR95SWildfireOregon24446 Acres3 days 21 hours ago
Buck Creek Fire – ORFWFWildfireOregon5758 Acres3 days 21 hours ago
Whisky Creek Fire – ORMHFWildfireOregon3203 Acres4 days 12 hours ago
Crazy Creek – OROCFBurned Area Emergency ResponseOregon86968 Acres4 days 23 hours ago
Flat Top and Firestone Fires – ORDEFWildfireOregonAcres6 days 20 hours ago
Middle Fork Fire – ORCLPWildfireOregon5286 Acres1 week 3 days ago
Shoe Fly Fire – OR95SWildfireOregon26817 Acres2 weeks ago
Microwave Tower Fire – OR95SWildfireOregon1313 Acres2 weeks 4 days ago
Copperfield Fire – OR98SWildfireOregon3822 Acres2 weeks 4 days 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

Tigard Mother and Daughter Indicted for Holding Three Victims in Indentured Servitude in Adult Foster Care Home

PORTLAND, Ore.—A mother and daughter from Tigard, Oregon were arraigned in federal court today after they were indicted for using force and threats to compel three victims, including a minor victim, to work for little or no pay in an adult foster care home.

Marie Gertrude Jean Valmont, 66, and Yolandita Marie Andre, 30, have been charged in a seven-count indictment with conspiring with one another to commit forced labor, committing forced labor, and benefitting from forced labor.

According to court documents, Valmont and Andre, the owners and operators of Velida’s Care Home in Tigard, began their trafficking scheme in 2023 when they convinced two adults and a child from Haiti to travel to the United States to work at Velida’s.

In early September 2023, all three victims arrived in Portland and were immediately taken to Velida’s where they were forced to work long, difficult hours for little or no pay. Valmont and Andre are also alleged to have taken their victims’ immigration paperwork and forbade them from leaving Velida’s under any circumstances. Valmont is further alleged to have thrown items at the victims, threatened to send them back to Haiti and have them killed, and threatened to call the police and make false theft allegations against them.

In the summer of 2023, authorities with the Oregon Department of Justice were alerted to the situation at Velida’s following the minor victim’s disclosure of her indentured servitude to a pediatrician. Shortly after, the minor victim was removed from Velida’s and placed in a foster home. On Thursday, the FBI arrested Valmont and Andre at Velida’s without incident.

Both defendants made their first appearances in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. They were arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and released pending further court proceedings.

Committing and benefitting from forced labor are both punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison per count of conviction.

This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Tigard Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Eliza Carmen-Rodriguez, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

If you or someone you know are victims of human trafficking or have information about a potential human trafficking situation, please call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also submit a tip on the NHTRC website.

If you believe a child is involved in a trafficking situation, you can also submit a tip via the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) CyberTipline or call 1-800-THE-LOST. FBI personnel assigned to NCMEC review information provided to the CyberTipline.

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.

Credit: Oregon Department of Transportation — Screenshot of the old DMV menu system that caused people to be mistakenly registered to vote without providing proof of U.S. citizenship.

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

The USPS Network Consolidation Plan: What's at Stake for Southern Oregon -  Save the Post Office

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)

Oregon State Parks to increase camping, parking and reservation fees for 2025

SALEM, Oregon— Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is increasing its camping, parking and reservation fees to keep pace with the rising cost of utilities, operations and maintenance.

Most of the increases range from $2 to $5 depending on the fee.

The park system has experienced record visitation as well as the impacts of rising costs and inflation. Utility costs for example have increased by 28% over the last 4 years, but most fees have remained the same. Depending on the fee, the last increase was anywhere from seven to 15 years ago for base fees. 

“We know that raising fees by any amount can be challenging for visitors, and we don’t make this decision lightly. We try to keep costs and fees as low as possible to minimize the impact while still fulfilling our commitment to stewardship and recreation,” said OPRD Director Lisa Sumption.

Oct. 15, 2024: OPRD will increase its base camping fees for the first time since 2017. The increase applies to all camping reservations for 2025. Starting on October 15, 2024, all reservations made for 2025 stays will include the fee increase.

Increases in base rate by site type: 

  • $2 increase for misc. sites (includes teepees, meeting halls and other facilities)
  • $3 increase for tent sites (includes horse tent sites, horse group sites, group tent) and primitive sites (includes overflow, fly-in and walk-to-sites)
  • $4 increase for RV sites (includes full hookup, electrical, horse RV and group RV sites)
  • $5 increase for cabins and yurts (includes rustic, mini, totem, and deluxe sites)

(Seasonal rate increases were adopted in 2020. The seasonal adjustments will be added to the new base rates. As in previous years, summer rates are $2 more for tent sites, $3 more for RV sites and $5 more for cabins/yurts.)

Jan. 1, 2025: OPRD will increase its reservation fee from $8 to $10 per site starting Jan. 1, 2025. This fee has not been increased since 2010. 

Daily parking permit fees will increase from $5 to $10 at the 25 parks that charge a fee for day-use parking. Parking permit fees were last increased in 2009. The annual parking permit and the two-year permit fees remain the same at $30 for the annual permit and $50 for the two-year permit.

July 1, 2025: OPRD will expand the 25% out-of-state surcharge for RV campsites (required by state law) to all site types for out-of-state campers.

New camping rate ranges replace the existing ones. These ranges set the lowest and highest fees that OPRD can charge over time. It gives OPRD’s director the ability to change fees in the future as needed. The last rate range update was adopted in 2018. 

OPRD has three main sources of funding: a little less than half comes from constitutionally dedicated lottery funds, about 15% comes from recreational vehicle license plate fees and roughly 35% comes from park fees from visitors. OPRD is not funded by taxes.

OPRD does offer a few resources and programs to help increase access to Oregon State Parks. 

Next month, OPRD will open public comment on a proposal designed to give OPRD’s director more flexibility to decide which parks charge for day-use parking. The proposal would require day-use parking permits at all parks unless otherwise noted. The director would have the authority to waive the permit requirement as needed. There are no plans to charge at all parks, and OPRD would consider any changes carefully.

OPRD will continue to explore options in the future that reduce cost as a barrier while earning needed revenue to maintain our parks and manage congestion.

Measures On The Ballot For Oregon’s 2024 Election

Oregon voters will decidewhether to receive a $1,600 annual rebate through an increase in the corporate sales tax via a ballot measure that has received fierce pushback from lawmakerslocal businesses and labor unions alike.

Why it matters: If Measure 118 passes, every Oregonian would receive an annual check, regardless of age or income, starting next year.

  • The rebate would be paid for by a 3% gross receipts tax for all companies doing business in Oregon that make more than $25 million annually in sales.
  • If passed, the new tax would generate $1.3 billion in revenue for the 2023-25 biennium, according to the Legislative Revenue Office.

The intrigue: This would be separate from the “kicker.”

Catch up quick: The measure is one of five initiatives Oregonians will vote on this November that could alter how the state governs its elections, businesses and elected officials’ salaries.

Here’s a brief look at the other four measures.

Measure 115 would amend Oregon’s constitution to allow the Legislature to impeach statewide elected officials — if both the House and Senate reach an affirmative two-thirds vote.

  • Right now, Oregon is the only state without an impeachment doctrine.

Measure 116 would establish a commission to study and set the salaries and compensation for statewide elected officials.

  • The yearly base pay for Oregon lawmakers is around $35,000. The study would look at all elected offices, including governor, secretary of state, judges, district attorneys, as well as state senators and representatives.

Measure 117 would establish ranked choice voting for federal and statewide elected offices.

Measure 119 would essentially make it easier for cannabis workers to unionize by requiring cannabis retailers, processors and labs to submit a labor neutrality agreement with a union in order to request or renew their operating license.

The bottom line: The last day to register to vote in order to participate in the Nov. 5 election is Oct. 15. (SOURCE)

DAS Publishes Oregon Annual Maximum Rent Increase for 2025

Salem, OR- Today, the Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS) published the annual maximum rent increase allowed by statute for calendar year 2025. The DAS Office of Economic Analysis has calculated the maximum percentage as 10.0%.

Implemented in 2019, Oregon law requires DAS to calculate and post to its website by Sept. 30, the maximum allowable annual rent increase percentage for the following calendar year. Per statute, the Office of Economic Analysis calculates this amount as seven percent plus the annual 12-month average change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, West Region (All Items), as most recently published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor, or 10%, whichever is lower. Only one rent increase may be issued in any 12-month period.

The allowable rent increase percentage for the 2025 calendar year is 10.0%. This applies to residential rental units 15 years and older. DAS will calculate and post the percentage for the 2026 calendar year by Sept. 30, 2025.

Since implementation in 2019, the rate has held around nine or 10%, with the exception of 2023 prior to July 6. The mid-year change was due to a change in the law that capped the rent increase at 10%.

Information about the maximum annual rent increase percentage, as well as the provisions of ORS 90.323 and 90.600 (statutes governing rent increases), can be found on the OEA website: https://www.oregon.gov/das/OEA/Pages/Rent-stabilization.aspx.

The Department of Administrative Services and the Office of Economic Analysis cannot provide legal advice. Those in need of legal advice should contact an attorney. Questions about the percentage calculation itself may contact OEA.info@das.oregon.gov.

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.

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

Suspect wanted for sex crimes in Oregon and Alabama

Wanted poster by Oregon State Police featuring two images: one of a person named Adam Renk holding a blue star trophy, and another of a converted ambulance painted white, used by the individual.

– 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

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

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

Findings published by Forbes Advisor in August 2024 show which states had the worst drivers across the country. Motorists in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee exhibited the best driving behavior while drivers in Hawaii, Oregon and New Mexico are had the worst drivers.

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/.

https://www.oregon.gov/osp/missing/pages/missingpersons.aspx

Oregon’s Missing Persons

Many times you’ll see postings without case numbers or police contact. There is rarely a nefarious reason why (the nefarious ones are pretty obvious). Usually the loved one tried to call to report their missing person and they are either refused or told to wait a day or two by people who are unaware of SB 351 and the laws that they are bound to when answering the phone. Many people don’t bother calling LE if their loved one is homeless or in transition because they believe LE won’t care. The biggest myth is the 24 hour rule.

In Oregon we don’t have those rules and an officer or person answering the phone is not allowed to decide. The law decides. We have Senate Bill 351 and it states that the police CANNOT refuse a request for any reason and they must begin working on it within 12 hours. The person making the report does not have to be related to missing person either.

Here is SB 351 written by families of the missing here in Oregon in conjunction with Oregon law enforcement officers. This should be common knowledge, please make it this way. https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/…/SB351/Introduced

Contact us: Info@OregonBeachMagazine.com

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