The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Thursday, September 29, 2022
Oregon Beach Weather
Newport Police Arrest Suspect in Stabbing at Newport City Hall
A man was arrested Tuesday after police said he stabbed someone outside Newport City Hall. The Newport Police Department responded to the front lawn of the Newport City Hall Tuesday after receiving reports of a stabbing.
Police said there were several tents on the front lawn of the property and one person at the tents stabbed another with a folding knife.
Witnesses told police they saw the suspect, later identified as Scott Leander Camirand, 46, of Newport, walk behind his victim while holding a folding knife and stab him in the back. He then allegedly walked away, wiping blood off his blade and then folding it up.
Police performed first aid on the victim and began a search for Camirand.
Officers found Camirand walking away from the scene and detained him. They said he had a folding knife on him at the time of the arrest. The victim was taken to a local hospital and treated for his wounds.
Camirand is facing charges of second-degree assault, third-degree assault, reckless endangering, unlawful use of a weapon, menacing and disorderly conduct.
The Oregon Department of Transportation will hold a dedication ceremony for the new Scottsburg Bridge on Thursday morning at 11:00 a.m.
Dan Latham said the event will celebrate the success of the project, which began with the Oregon Legislature’s passage of House Bill 2017 – the Keep Oregon Moving Act – to the opening of the new bridge.
Latham said the event will be hosted by ODOT Interim Region Manager Darrin Neavoll, with several speakers featured. It will be held on Lutsinger Creek Road, near the southwest end of the bridge and the Oregon 38 intersection. Parking is available nearby.
Fatality After Truck Crashes Into Ditch Along Hwy 101 Near Yachats
Oregon State police say one man is dead after a crash in Lincoln County. Troopers responded to the scene of the single-vehicle crash on Highway 101 north of Yachats around 8:24 p.m. Wednesday. Investigators say a southbound Toyota pickup truck crossed over the northbound lane and veered into a ditch.
The driver, identified as 61-year-old David A. Stendal, was sent to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. OSP said they believe a “medical event” led to the crash.
The Oregon Coast Visitors Association Will Host The Sixth Annual People’s Coast Summit In Yachats
The Oregon Coast Visitors Association will host the sixth annual People’s Coast Summit in Yachats on Oct. 10-12. This end-of-season industry gathering welcomes participants to decompress from the busy summer tourism season, share experiences and connect with colleagues old and new.
Programming this year has a focus on ‘travelability’ or the accessibility in travel on the coast. Keynote speaker Kelcie Miller-Anderson will take the stage Tuesday evening to address topics of accessibility and disability advocacy in the tourism space. Miller-Anderson, of Calgary, Canada, has received many awards for her work as an environmentalist, innovator and scientist. She is one of Canada’s Top 20 Under 20, Next 36, and a Manning Youth Innovation award winner. Her website states, “As a young person diagnosed with several progressive illnesses at a young age, Kelcie has met the challenge in more ways than one, but she’s fiercely committed to not letting her illnesses hold her back.”
Additional keynotes will be delivered by Zachary Stocks of the Oregon Black Pioneers, speaking about undercovering seldom-told stories, and Dr. Sara Hamilton of University of California Davis, speaking about Oregon’s kelp forests and opportunities for ocean-based ecotourism.
“We are thrilled to have such knowledgeable speakers this year to facilitate big picture thinking about progressive initiatives in tourism,” said OCVA Deputy Director and Summit organizer Arica Sears.
More experts will deliver workshops over the course of the conference, offering nuts-and-bolts skills for attendees to take home and put immediately to use. This year’s workshop topics include improving beach mobility on the Oregon coast, organizing familiarization tours and accessible itineraries, and developing ADA compliant websites.
Tourism professionals, small business owners and anyone interested in tourism on the Oregon coast are invited to register for the summit. The summit registration fee includes meals, workshops and entertainment, and attendees should expect ample social and networking time between sessions. Register for the People’s Coast Summit at https://coast-summit-2022.heysummit.com/checkout/select-tickets
We’re tracking data to understand the spread of COVID-19 in Oregon. This dashboard is updated weekly. Data are provisional and subject to change. For more information, including COVID-19 data by county, visit http://ow.ly/6hwa50KWj4Z.
Note: Due to a delay in processing, the testing counts from Sept. 27, 2022 are incomplete and the percent test positivity is higher than expected. Previous days’ testing data are unaffected. Testing counts and percent test positivity for Sept. 27, 2022 will be revised with the next dashboard update on Oct. 5, 2022.
Oregon received federal approval to pilot first-in-the-nation changes to the state’s Medicaid program over the next five years, including Medicaid funding for food and housing and continuous OHP enrollment for young children from birth up to age 6.
The Oregon Health Plan, which is Oregon’s Medicaid program, provides comprehensive health coverage to approximately 1.4 million Oregonians, more than one in three state residents.
States may request federal approval to test innovations in their Medicaid programs. Today’s agreement between Oregon and the federal agency Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) renews Oregon’s current section 1115 Medicaid Demonstration Waiver for the next five years (covering 2022 – 2027) and provides federal sign-off and funding to implement the new changes.
A state must apply for a Medicaid waiver when it wants to make changes from normal federal guidelines. States can request flexibilities in who is eligible for Medicaid, what benefits they receive and how health care is delivered.
To learn more about all the changes being implemented in the Medicaid waiver and other related efforts in Oregon to transform our health system, visit http://ow.ly/RxJR50KWryi.You can also find today’s news release here: http://ow.ly/eRx450KWryh
Oregon Will Be First State To Receive Medicaid Funding For Food And Housing
Oregon is the first state in the US to receive federal approval and funds to strengthen its health care program over the next five years after an agreement with a federal agency was reached on Wednesday, Oregon health officials said.
The Oregon Health Plan — Oregon’s specialized Medicaid program — received special federal approval on September 28 after an agreement between the state and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a federal agency. Because of the agreement, Oregon’s Medicaid waiver, which allows it to request changes in who is eligible for Medicaid and what benefits they receive, has been renewed for another five years. Oregon will also be receiving $1.1 billion in new federal funds for its health services.
Officials say Oregon will be expanding social needs coverage for certain food assistance, housing support such as rental assistance, and other interventions that are medically appropriate for individuals experiencing certain life transitions. Officials say this includes homeless individuals and individuals at risk of becoming homeless. Officials say this package of health-related social needs services will be provided for up to six months for marginalized groups such as youth in foster care, people who are homeless and lower-income older adults. As part of this, the state will provide devices such as air filters, air conditioners and generators to residents at risk of injury from extreme weather events at the discretion of the government or governor.
Thanks to the Medicaid waiver extension, Oregon will be able to keep kids enrolled in Medicaid until age six, which officials say prevents gaps in coverage that can hurt children in their formative years. In addition, Oregon Health Plan members age six and older will get two years of continuous OHP enrollment. Furthermore, officials say Oregon will cover early periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment services for all kids and youth up to age 21 starting on January 1, 2023. Officials say this will help ease the transition to adulthood with fewer disruptions in health care services.
The state of Oregon will also be receiving $1.1 billion from the federal government over the five-year Medicaid waiver period. Officials say these funds will be used to address health-related special needs such as housing, food and climate related supports. Officials say the state will also increase health coverage and improve the efficiency and quality of care.
Increased emergency SNAP benefits continue in October
- Most Oregonians who receive SNAP benefits will continue to receive temporarily increased emergency food benefits in October
- Approximately 432,000 SNAP households will receive approximately $69 million in extra food benefits in addition to their regular SNAP benefits
- These emergency benefits are a temporary support that Oregon can provide because of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency
- Find resources to meet your basic needs: Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, www.211info.org
- Oregon Department of Human Services COVID-19 help center
(Salem) – Most Oregonians who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will receive emergency allotments in October.
The federal government has approved emergency allotments every month since March 2020. This gives SNAP recipients additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic. These emergency benefits are a temporary support that Oregon can provide because of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency.
Because the federal government approved these emergency benefits for October, Oregon will also be able to issue them in November. However, the emergency benefits are expected to end when the federal public health emergency ends.
In October, approximately 432,000 SNAP households will receive approximately $69 million in extra food benefits in addition to their regular SNAP benefits.
“We know that many rely on these additional emergency food benefits to get enough healthy food for themselves and their families,” said Jana McLellan, interim director of the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Self-Sufficiency Programs. “We also know that many Oregonians are still struggling to meet their basic needs and we encourage them to contact our partners at 211, the Oregon Food Bank and their local Community Action Agency for support during this difficult time.”
Current SNAP households will receive emergency allotments on Oct. 11. Emergency allotments will be issued Oct. 29 or Nov. 2 for households who did not receive benefits in the first monthly issuance.
SNAP recipients do not have to take any action to receive these supplemental benefits as they will be issued directly on their EBT cards.
More information about emergency allotments is available at https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/ASSISTANCE/FOOD-BENEFITS/Pages/Emergency-Allotments.aspx.
Questions about your SNAP benefits should be directed to the ONE Customer Service Center at 1-800-699-9075.
If your household receives SNAP and your income or the number of people in your household has changed, it could impact your benefits. It is important to make sure ODHS has the most up-to-date information.
You can report any changes to your income or household in many ways:
- Online at: ONE.Oregon.gov
- By mail at: ONE Customer Service Center, PO Box 14015, Salem, OR 97309
- By fax at: 503-378-5628
- By phone at: 1-800-699-9075 or TTY 711
Resources to help meet basic needs
- Find a food pantry: foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org
- Learn about government programs and community resources for older adults and people with disabilities: Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon at 1-855-673-2372 or www.adrcoforegon.org.
- Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, www.211info.org
- Find local resources and support by contacting your local Community Action Agency: www.caporegon.org/find-services/
- Oregon Department of Human Services COVID-19 help center
Administered by ODHS, SNAP is a federal program that provides food assistance to approximately 1 million eligible, low-income families and individuals in Oregon, including many older adults and people with disabilities. Oregonians in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP, child care, cash assistance and Medicaid. Learn more at https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/benefits/Pages/index.aspx . For local resources in your area, such as food or shelter, please call 2-1-1 or reach out to the state’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) at 1-855-ORE-ADRC or 1-855-673-2372.
Willamette Country Music Concerts President Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Money Laundering
EUGENE, Ore.—The former president and minority owner of Willamette Country Music Concerts, LLC, who planned, managed, and promoted the annual Willamette Country Music Festival in Linn County, Oregon, pleaded guilty today after she falsified bank statements and financial summaries to influence the sale of her stake in the company.
Anne Hankins, 53, a resident of Springfield, Oregon, pleaded guilty to one count each of wire fraud and money laundering.
“With today’s guilty plea, Ms. Hankins has proven herself to be a serial fraudster,” said Craig Gabriel, Criminal Chief for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “Falsifying bank statements and laundering money to fraudulently inflate the value of a company are serious federal crimes.”
“Ms. Hankins blatantly deceived her business associate and stole money that never belonged to her. However, today the curtains have come down and Ms. Hankins is facing the music for her fraud,” said Special Agent in Charge Bret Kressin, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS:CI), Seattle Field Office.
According to court documents, as former minority owner of Willamette Country Music Concerts (WCMC), Hankins owned 49% of the company. As president of WCMC, Hankins was responsible for preparing monthly financial statements which she provided by email to the company’s majority owner who was based in Beverley Hills, California.
Beginning in September 2016 and continuing until March 2018, Hankins provided altered banks statements and false financial summaries to the majority owner to conceal WCMC’s true financial condition. In November 2017, the majority owner approached Hankins about purchasing her stake in the company and having Hankins continue to serve as the company’s president.
On or about February 7, 2018, Hankins sent an updated financial summary to the majority owner falsely reporting that the company had approximately $1.1 million in its operating account. In reality, there was only $16,000 in the company’s account. Based on these false financial statements, on March 1, 2018, the majority owner purchased Hankins’ stake in the company for $1.5 million.
After receiving the majority owner’s payment, Hankins directed her credit union to issue a cashier’s check from her account to the Clerk of the Court for the District of Oregon to satisfy a restitution order on a previous bank fraud conviction from 2001. Hankins thereby laundered the proceeds from one crime to pay her restitution on another.
On September 12, 2022, Hankins was charged by criminal information with one count each of wire fraud and money laundering.
Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison and money laundering by up to 10 years in federal prison. Both charges also may result in fines of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gains or losses resulting from the offense, and three years’ supervised release.
Hankins will be sentenced on January 5, 2023, by U.S. District Court Judge Michael J. McShane.
As part of her plea agreement, Hankins has agreed to pay restitution as identified by the government and ordered by the court.
This case was investigated by IRS:CI and the FBI, and is being prosecuted by Gavin W. Bruce, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Crews Respond To Wildland Fire Near Sutherlin
SUTHERLIN, Ore. — Crews are battling a fire in Douglas County and will continue the fight into the night.
Around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, crews from the Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA), Coos Forest Protective Association (CFPA), and local resource fire suppression crews responded to a wildland fire, which officials are calling the Cougar Creek Fire.
According to DFPA, it’s burning primarily in logging slash and was detected on privately owned property about 16 miles west of Sutherlin.
Fire suppression crews, engines, and air attack, including 3 helicopters are currently engaged in initial attack.
Additional resources have been requested and a night shift will continue progress. The estimated fire of 40–50 acres is currently 15% trailed and is not a threat to homes or structures, DFPA said. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
County Leaders Propose Collaboration To Manage Klamath Watershed
Three counties across state lines are proposing that their counties and other stakeholders in the Klamath Watershed form a new alliance to address the broad needs of its limited water supply. It also wants to coordinate watershed projects’ funding that it calls a “piecemeal approach (that) does not require results or require any accountability.”
In a letter signed by five elected county leaders from Klamath, Modoc and Siskiyou Counties and issued to news media today, they wrote, “We have proposed that the tribes and counties form an advisory committee that would work together to make recommendations to federal and state agencies on the best uses of available funding. Through that collaboration, we can restore relationships and trust, and serve the overall public interest.” The Klamath Basin Watershed is a water source for Native American tribal interests, private farms and ranches, endangered species, environmentalists and recreationists who rely on the water from more than 12,000 square miles in south central Oregon and northern California that supplies the Klamath River.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service says the Upper Klamath Basin covers 5.6 million acres in three counties in Oregon: Jackson, Lake and Klamath, with Klamath having the largest share; and two counties in California: Siskiyou and Modoc. The Lower Klamath Basin flows through California counties of Trinity, Humboldt and Del Norte. 65% of the basin sits in California, 35% in Oregon, feeding the Klamath River that flows approximately 263 miles to the Pacific Ocean.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says, “The Klamath River was once the third largest salmon-producing river on the West Coast. It was the life force of the Native Americans who relied on it for its generous abundance of salmon and trout. The name ‘Klamath’ was derived from the Indian word ‘Tlamatl’ which means ‘swiftness’ in the Chinook language.”
The five authors of today’s letter to editors include Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors members Brandon Criss and Michael Kobseff, Modoc County Board of Supervisors members Ned Coe and Geri Byrne, and Klamath County Commission Vice-Chair Derrick DeGroot.
They wrote, “Many people and groups are working to promote their priorities. This is appropriate and should continue. We simply propose to set a table that seats a full range of Klamath Watershed interests, driven by the shared goal to do what is best for our watershed.”
Local Red Cross Volunteers Depart for Florida Ahead of Hurricane Ian
Trained disaster volunteers from the American Red Cross Cascades Region are headed to Florida in advance of hurricane Ian. Experts predict Florida could see as much as 15 inches of rain throughout this week which, combined with a dangerous storm surge, may trigger flooding across the state.
The Red Cross is monitoring the situation closely and working with our partners to shelter and support people who could be impacted by this storm. Hundreds of trained disaster workers are being deployed to Florida and more relief supplies are on the way to support people in the path of Hurricane Ian. Seven volunteers from Oregon are either in Florida or on their way. Another 14 volunteers, including some from SW Washington, are on standby ready to respond if needed.
The Red Cross is working with local officials and preparing to open hurricane evacuation shelters if requested. We help anyone in need after a disaster, and everyone is welcome in our shelters.
Visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/redcrosscascades for photos from our local volunteers in Florida.
How can you help?
Help people affected by disasters like storms and countless other crises by making a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
The disaster recovery effort continues in Puerto Rico. More than 270 American Red Cross disaster workers, many with no power or water themselves, are working around the clock with our partners to provide comfort and support. The Red Cross also is deploying disaster teams by plane to rural areas of Alaska where Typhoon Merbok devastated a thousand-mile stretch of the western coast last weekend, damaging homes, seawalls, roads and airport runways as well as water systems in as many as 40 towns and villages.
The Disaster Action Team needs you
These specialized volunteers provide emotional support, access to financial assistance, and valuable information to help families begin to recover. They offer immediate compassion and care when it is needed most. Additional Disaster Action Team volunteers are needed in Nevada and nationwide to ensure that there is always someone ready to answer the call when a disaster strikes. The Red Cross provides training and support. Learn more: redcross.org/volunteer.
Download our free apps
The Red Cross Emergency app can help keep you and your loved ones safe with real-time alerts, shelter locations, and safety advice. The Red Cross First Aid app provides instant access to information on handling the most common emergencies. Download these free apps by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or visit redcross.org/apps.
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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
Clips from 2nd Governor Candidates Debate
Oregon State University-Cascades in Bend hosted a debate Tuesday featuring the three leading candidates for Oregon governor. Topics included affordable housing, gun laws, and environmental rights.
During the opening remarks, Democrat Tina Kotek referenced issues facing Central Oregon. “It’s inspiring to be here and to watch local leaders take on statewide problems from child care issues to water to housing. Here in central Oregon, you’re building more affordable housing. Yes, there needs to be more but you’re working on it. You have a new navigation center in Bend. You have the veteran’s village that is helping veterans in tiny homes and into permanency,” said Kotek.
Republican Christine Drazan commented on gun laws, saying “what happened in Bend was absolute tragedy. Someone facing extreme mental health challenges was intent on hurting others and was effectively able to do so. It is a tragedy whenever it happens but more gun laws will not prevent it from happening”. Kotek was the only candidate who was for Measure 114. This would require a permit and other requirements from local enforcement to own a firearm.
Unaffiliated candidate Betsy Johnson on the houseless issue said, “we need to build about 580,000 units in the next twenty years compared to the paltry number that we are building now. We’re better at pitching tents than pulling permits. We need to expand developable land for housing as well for industry and commerce. As governor I would take a very serious look at doing that.” Tuesday’s gubernatorial debate is the only one set to take place in Central
Oregon.
Oregon Housing Market Slightly Slowing
Oregon’s housing market may be a bit cold, but it certainly isn’t cold. at least not yet. “I like to describe the market as going from white hot to red hot, but it’s definitely in a cooling phase,” said Drew Coleman, founder of Portland-based OPT Real Estate and past president of the Oregon Realtors Association.
As the US Federal Reserve continues to raise its benchmark interest rates — it raised another 0.75 percentage point last week — mortgage payments soared, turning some homebuyers away from deals they may have accepted. Rates were low.
As the US Federal Reserve raises interest rates, homebuyers’ potential mortgage payments increase.
The idea behind increasing the rates was to bring down the prices. And some Oregon markets are seeing that: Deschutes County saw the biggest drop in average listing prices, rising from $777,000 in May to $707,000 in August, according to data from Realtor.com. Due to the demand for housing in Bend, the area has some of the highest average listing prices in Oregon.
Multnomah County also saw a slight decline, from $545,000 in May to $525,000 in August.
But these declines are negligible compared to the prices before the pandemic. In May 2019, the median list price for Deschutes County was $523,000, and that of Multnomah County was $461,000.
Homes have also been sitting on the market for a little longer than they did earlier this year. In Deschutes County, the average number of home market seating in May was 29; By August it jumped to 50. In Multnomah, the average number of days went from 28 to 38.
“It’s trying to get back to normalcy,” said Noah Blanton, president of the Oregon office of WFG National Title Insurance Company. “It’s trying to return to price appreciation levels and inventory levels, where we were in 2019.”
Oregon’s list of active home listings began to decline around the start of the pandemic, hitting its lowest point in January 2021. In line with general seasonal trends, inventories warmed up again, but fell right down to January 2022.
But August brought some promising numbers: There were about 12,000 homes on the market in Oregon, an increase of about 3,000 homes compared to the same month last year. Inventory is still nowhere near where it was in August 2019, when there were 18,300 homes for sale in Oregon.
Blanton says the housing market is like a pendulum: It’s going to swing as much as possible in each direction before settling down.
“So I guess the big question is, how far is this pendulum going to swing [get to] Normal?” Blanton said.
And, for how long? Coleman of OPT Real Estate says he has some ideas. He looks at appreciation rates, which measure how many homes have increased in value.
“Nationally, the top 100 economists project that 2022 will end with a nationwide appreciation of about 9.3%, and then cool down to a very typical historic 4.19% appreciation in 2023,” Coleman said.
Those predictions go even further, according to the National Association of Realtors: 3.12% in 2024, 3.46% in 2025, and 4% in 2026.
“Historically, we prefer an appreciation rate of 3 to 5%,” Coleman said. “It helps homeowners gain equity in their investments, but it also allows people to enter the market better than they would by having an appreciation rate of 20 to 25%.”
Coleman says that Oregon’s most recent homebuyers shouldn’t worry about losing equity — that is, the decline in the value of their home as they bought it — if they bought at the top of the market, when many homebuyers exceed the asking price. were offered above.
“People who pay a lot for a home can certainly have a slight loss in equity if they pay over and above the market,” Coleman said. “Over time, I wouldn’t really panic about it… even if it takes a little step backwards, usually over time, it does a lot of good for you.”
This is just a small compilation of missing women and their pictures in the area. There are of course women missing all over Oregon and men and children missing too. We don’t mean to dismiss that, however, there is an inordinate amount of women who go missing each week and there could possibly be a connection with an anomaly or two here and there. Sadly most of them never get any attention. Family and friends must keep any information going and lead investigations so that they aren’t just forgotten.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Have-You-Seen-Me-Southern-Oregons-Missing-People-161249961222839/posts/
Oregon Beach News, Monday 10/30 – Coos Bay Man Arrested On Attempted Murder and Kidnapping Charges & Other Local and Statewide News…