The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Friday, July 1, 2022
Oregon Beach Weather
Man Robs Lewis and Clark Bank in Astoria
According to a statement from the Astoria Police Department, around 12:30 p.m. they received a report of a bank robbery that had just happened at Lewis and Clark Bank at 988 Commercial St.
A white man, in his 50′s or 60′s, entered the bank and presented a note to the teller, then with an undisclosed amount of money.
Police described the man as wearing a black beanie, mirrored sunglasses, a black and blue rain jacket, and black footwear. He was last seen leaving the area on 10th Street towards Marine Drive.
Anyone who may have seen this person in the vicinity before or after the robbery is asked to contact Astoria Police Department at 503-325-4411, or Detective AJ Duryea at 503-298-2533, aduryea@astoria.or.us.
Marine Deputies Focusing On Intoxicated Boaters Over the Holiday Weekend
Marine law enforcement officers across the state will be partnering with the Oregon State Marine Board and the US Coast Guard to enforce Oregon’s Boating Under the Influence of Intoxicants (BUII) laws this July Fourth weekend.
“Our message is simple. If you boat impaired, you are endangering your life and the lives of others on the water,” said Brian Paulsen, boating safety program manager with the Oregon State Marine Board. “There’s a huge risk with no reward, and often innocent people become the victims.”
Marine officers will specifically be looking for impaired boat operators over the holiday weekend as part of the national Operation Dry Water Campaign. Many marine officers have completed specialized training to recognize alcohol and drug impairment. This includes prescription drugs, alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, or any other substance that impairs a person’s ability to make good judgment and safely operate any boat. The effects of drugs and alcohol are also amplified on the water with the combination of sun glare, wind, waves, and other environmental stressors. Alcohol also dehydrates the body making sudden immersion into cold water at an even greater risk of drowning.
Impaired boaters can expect to be arrested or face serious penalties. In Oregon, the consequences of being convicted of BUII include the possibility of jail time, $6,250 in fines, loss of boating privileges, and a one-to-three-year suspension of the boater education card. Marine officers can arrest boaters on observed impairment and can legally obtain blood, breath, or urine if a boater fails standardized field sobriety testing.
“Recreating responsibly doesn’t just mean boating sober. Be a courteous boater, and wear your lifejacket,” Paulsen said. “Waterways are becoming more crowded with a variety of mixed boating and other activities, so it’s important to pay attention to what’s going on around you and for everyone to follow the navigation rules of the road.”
“If boaters changed two things — wear life jackets and abstain from impairing substances — boating fatalities would be reduced by more than half,” Paulsen said. “Oregon’s waters can be challenging enough to navigate for a sober boater.”
If you see an impaired operator or someone who is operating in a way that threatens others’ safety, call 911 and report it. Paulsen says, “We can work together to save lives. See something, say something.”
For more information about Operation Dry Water, visit www.operationdrywater.org.
Fireworks Shows Along the Coast
Are you looking to find somewhere to watch fireworks this Fourth of July?
A few cities around the state including Cannon Beach have banned the use of fireworks. If you are looking for a professional fireworks show to watch, here are a few events that are happening along the Oregon Coast:
July 4, Astoria. Fireworks on the river, visible from the bay and around Astoria.
July 4, Warrenton. “Blast from The Past,” an old-fashioned community parade on Main Avenue in downtown Warrenton on the north Oregon coast, beginning at 3 pm. Prior to that, the Warrenton Volunteer Firefighters will host a BBQ of hamburgers and hotdogs for free (donations welcome.) See the Astoria link.
July 4, Seaside. 4th of July parade at 10 a.m., rain or shine. From the south end of the Necanicum River through Holladay Dr. and Broadway, then back to the river. Since the 4th is on a Monday, large crowds are expected resulting in traffic delays. Arriving early is strongly suggested. Official fireworks show begins at dusk: one of the largest in the state.
The Seaside Visitors Center advises personal fireworks are not allowed in the area around the Turnaround. Beach fires must be 50 feet from any grasses, and no tents or overnight camping on the beach. Shooting off illegal fireworks will get you ticketed. Find parking east of the Necanicum.
July 4. Cannon Beach Independence Day Parade. No fireworks in town because of the puffins / bird refuges. The north Oregon coast hotspot has the parade starting at 11 a.m., starting at Spruce St. Kids, bikes, old cars, decorated entries, and walking groups are welcome to enter with a special invitation to all Veterans. Call 503-436-2623.
Manzanita. No fireworks or parade this year.
Rockaway Beach, July 4. A parade starts at 11 am, with dazzling floats and goofy fun. Afterwards, head over to Phyllis Baker Park for the always-hilarious Annual Dachshund Races. Visit the Rockaway Lioness Bake and Plant Sale, play a game of Airsoft paintball, and enjoy a flyover by the National Guard. Fireworks after dark (nationally acclaimed as of late).
Fireworks in Pacific City, July 4. Nearby in Cloverdale, there’s the Clover’s Day parade led by a cow.
July 3 – 5 Oceanside 100 Years Celebration. Activities: Historical exhibit; Local flora and fauna exhibit; oral histories; live music; food booths; and a tribute to the Rosenberg family and birthday party on the 5th at 1:30 pm.
Note: Parking is limited, but a shuttle parking is available along the road to Cape Mears lighthouse. Follow the signs.
July 4, Lincoln City. Fireworks at dusk over Siletz Bay, which can be seen all over town. During the day, the SW 51st access will host a series of bands. 11:30 am: Sons of Beaches. 2:30 pm: Strawberry Roan. 5 pm: the Hellcats. More at the Lincoln City site.
Depoe Bay. No fireworks or celebrations.
July 4, Newport. Harry Corrow Freedom Run at 8:30 a.m., Independence Day Parade, fireworks at dusk over Yaquina Bay.
July 3, Waldport. Annual Waldport Independence Weekend Fireworks on that Sunday. Fireworks launch over Alsea Bay at dusk and always a crowd pleaser.
Yachats – July 2: Yachats hold its fireworks display on Saturday, July 2. Stake out a place on the beach on Yachats Bay, anywhere in downtown or along the 804 Trail and you’ll get a great view. Tip: situate yourself a bit farther away from the main access behind downtown as that’s where the fireworks are shot from. Get up farther north on the 804, just east of the highway or on the southern side of Yachats. Live music that day. At 2 pm: T. Ray and The Shades. Yachats Lions Pancake Breakfast at 7:30 am. Duck Race for Kids at 10 am. Yachats Ladies Club Bazaar at 10 am.
July 3-4, Yachats Farmers Market at 9 am.
July 4, Yachats La De Da Parade: the most irreverent and wacky of parades along the Oregon coast, it begins at noon. The route is along Ocean View Dr. between W. 7th St. and Beach Ave. and from the state park lawn at the west end of 2nd St.
We want to keep you informed about COVID-19 in Oregon. Data are provisional and change frequently. For more information, including COVID-19 data by county, visit our dashboard: http://ow.ly/skhy50JLYgaNote:
Starting July 1, the cadence of OHA’s COVID-19 hospitalization and hospital capacity reporting will change. Data on the COVID-19 hospital capacity dashboards (http://ow.ly/1nNV50JM13C), as well as counts of current COVID-19-positive hospitalized patients published on the COVID-19 Update dashboard (http://ow.ly/F0OB50JM13E) and on social media, will be updated weekly on Wednesdays. The first weekly update to the COVID-19 hospital capacity dashboards, scheduled for July 6, will also feature enhancements to make the dashboards accessible to more users.
As we head into this long holiday weekend, COVID-19 remains widespread across Oregon.Consider spending more time outside with friends and family as much as possible over indoor activities.If you are indoors, wearing the highest quality mask you can find offers additional protection.The best way to prevent serious COVID-19 is to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. To find a vaccine or booster near you, visit getvaccinated.oregon.gov.People who are at higher risk should make a plan with their health care provider for getting tested and treated quickly should they develop COVID-19. If you don’t have a health care provider, call 211.
Oregon Hospitals Report Worst Financial Quarter Since Pandemic Hit
The bleak hospital financial picture from 2021 worsened in the first quarter of 2022, as a surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations from the Omicron wave and rising labor and other costs combined to produce a dismal fiscal quarter that saw 58 percent of Oregon’s hospitals post a negative margin.
Hospitals lost a collective $103 million in Q1 2022 (hospitals posted an average gain of $190 million per quarter in 2019), the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems reported Thursday.
Here’s the rest of their news release:
Median Operating Margin saw a sharp decline in Q1 to -2.5 percent, dropping below the staggering lows seen in the earliest stages of the pandemic. The full report is attached. While over half of Oregon hospitals posted a negative margin last quarter, some of the negative margins were in the double digits.
“These sobering numbers come after two years of really bad financial performance,” said Becky Hultberg, OAHHS President and CEO. “We are concerned about some of these community organizations’ ability to provide life-saving and preventative services in their communities if the financial picture does not improve.”
Simply put, hospital revenue is not covering the cost of patient care. Net Patient Revenue (NPR) again fell short of Total Operating Expenses (TOE) in Q1 2022, and the gap is growing wider. Over the past four quarters, NPR has been flat while expenses have risen 10.2 percent.
One significant driver of this is higher costs for labor (up nearly 20 percent over the last four quarters and up 26% since 2019) as hospitals raise wages to compete for scarce workers and have had to hire contract labor to ensure ongoing patient care. Labor accounts for at least half of a hospital’s cost, so even a small increase in labor cost has a big impact.
Other hospital costs have risen as well: other expenses such as supplies, housekeeping, IT, utilities, and insurance have risen 18 percent since 2019.
In combination with expenses, hospitals continued to deal with historic patient care volumes. Omicron-fueled COVID-19 patient loads peaked at 1,134 (just short of the Delta wave peak). During the pandemic, hospitals have often been unable to discharge patients to a more appropriate level of care at a long-term care or behavioral health setting, meaning on any given day, hundreds of patients are either “boarding” in the emergency department or in a hospital bed, waiting for a placement in the community.
“Let’s be clear, the current state of hospital finances can’t continue. The math no longer works,” said Hultberg.
MORE INFO: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2022-06/1635/155685/Q1_2022_HUFA_Report.pdf✎ EditSign
𝙍𝙀𝙈𝙀𝙈𝘽𝙀𝙍 𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝙃𝙊𝙉𝙊𝙍: This week is #WildlandFirefighterWeekofRemembrance, honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice on the fire line. They will always be in our hearts.
Oregon Defensible Space Code Development
The Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon State University launched Oregon’s Wildfire Risk Map. Some homes and properties identified within the map may be subject to future defensible space regulations the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and its partners are currently developing through an open public process.
Through legislation, Senate Bill 762, which was passed and signed into law last summer, the OSFM was tasked with developing the Oregon Defensible Space Code. The code development process is currently underway and involves a wide range of stakeholders across Oregon. Senate Bill 762 outlines that the code must be completed by December 2022. The OSFM and its stakeholders are on track to meet that timeline. For context, the development of the Oregon Defensible Space Code is following the same process the OSFM uses to adopt and codify the Oregon Fire Code every three years.
The Oregon Defensible Space Code intends to protect life and property in the event of a wildfire. The code may apply to properties that meet two requirements. First, the home or property must be in the wildland-urban interface and at high or extreme risk on the Oregon Wildfire Risk Map.
Oregon has a new map online today, required by law. It should get some Southern Oregon homeowners a written notice from the State about their properties’ wildfire risk level.
The State’s wildland-urban interface (WUI) and statewide wildfire risk map is available today through the Oregon Explorer online tool. https://tools.oregonexplorer.info/oe_htmlviewer/index.html?viewer=wildfire
2021’s Senate Bill 762 requires the map to help inform decision making and planning related to mitigating wildfire risk for communities throughout Oregon.
Beginning today, Oregon Fire Chiefs Association (OFCA) welcomed the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and Oregon State University (OSU) College of Forestry’s launch of the Oregon Explorer Wildfire Risk Map.
ODF says property owners in high and extreme risk classes will get written notice from ODF indicating the property’s risk class and whether it’s in the wildland urban interface. As property owners in high and extreme risk classes get letters about their properties, anyone can use the online risk map to get information on where they live.
Officials will use the risk levels on 1.8 million tax lots to determine which properties will be subject to new fire safety requirements.
According to OSU and ODF, approximately 80,000 of the 120,276 tax lots in the wildland-urban interface and at high or extreme risk classifications currently have a structure that may be subject to new codes or standards. According to OSU and ODF, this figure represents approximately five percent of properties in Oregon.
The OSFM would like to stress the importance of defensible space and the added protection it could provide your family and home. The OSFM has developed several tools to help homeowners begin defensible space projects. More information and potential grant opportunities can be found on the OSFM’s website, under Oregon Defensible Space Code. The Office welcomes public comments and feedback on the defensible space code through this form.
“We know from decades of wildfires in Oregon that wildfire does not recognize map lines,” said Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple. “Even if people find that they are not within the boundaries where future standards might apply, the majority of Oregon still has an elevated risk. We ask that all Oregonians take the necessary steps to create defensible space, no matter where they fall on the map. The more we do together to prepare our homes, the more resilient our communities will become against the rising threat of wildfire.”
In the last year, the OSFM launched two initiatives to rise to the challenge of wildlife, Response Ready Oregon and Fire Adapted Oregon. We’ve set up special sections on our website to learn more about how these initiatives are already helping. Response Ready Oregon – Fire Adapted Oregon
Oregon National Guard State Hospital Mission Ends
To fill staff shortages during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oregon State Hospital requested support from the Oregon National Guard for service members’ support. Beginning on Aug. 16, 2021, a total of 47 Oregon Guard members rotated through the hospital providing support, with the high hitting 32 members, as the mission concluded on June 30, 2022, with 12 Guardsmen assigned to the task.
The Guard service members initially worked with the mental health technician staff; later a small contingent of six members assisted in the kitchen and environmental services, and supporting patient care.
The mission commander, Oregon Air National Guard, Lt. Col. Jason Baldy said, “Our volunteer guard members did a great job, and most of them found it rewarding. In addition, the existing staff of the hospital liked working with our guard members because they already knew how to work and move as a unit which is important to keep each other safe.”
The deployment of the National Guard members did not have a specified length of time when initially assigned, and several of the 47 members that served at the state hospital enjoyed the work so much that they applied for permanent civilian positions.
“Ten guard members have applied to work for the state hospital as the mission has ended, and the hospital has created a streamlined hiring process,” said Baldy.
Throughout 2020 and well into 2022, the Oregon National Guard was called for domestic operations support across the state. Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen supported local communities with PPE distribution, mass vaccination support, and hospital operations, along with non-Covid support with both wildland fire and flooding support. The Oregon State Hospital assignment was the longest-running domestic operations mission in the state, lasting 318 days in total.
(U.S. Army National Guard story and photos by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs) Oregon Military Department
Oregon’s Minimum Wage Increases Today 7/1
On July 1, 2022, Oregon’s minimum wage will increase for the seventh and final time based on set increases decided by state lawmakers in 2016. That year, the state’s minimum wage was set at $9.25 per hour and was adjusted annually to account for inflation….
Starting July 1, most of Oregon will see a 75-cent raise. Minimum wages within the Portland Urban Growth Boundary will remain the highest at $14.75. Near Oregon’s other more populated areas, it goes up to $13.50. Rural areas will see an increase to $12.50.
“As of the last time we increase the minimum wage in the summer of 2021, about 5% of all jobs in Oregon were paid the minimum wage,” said Gail Krumenauer, state employment economist with the Oregon Employment Department.
Though most jobs in the state do pay more, many entry-level positions are offering new workers a good bit more to start.
“We’ve had more job openings than unemployed workers since the summer of 2021. So in that type of low-unemployment and high-competition environment for workers, we have seen that a lot of jobs are starting above minimum wage,” Krumenauer explained.
“It’s a high demand for people to work, and we are willing to pay the people what they deserve,” said Vanessa Martinez, who works for Hospitality Staffing Solutions’ Portland branch.
The company staffs local hotels with housekeeping services. In the Portland area, they’re recruiting workers with a starting pay of $19.50 an hour.
“Even though it is a job that is typically paid minimum wage, it goes down to, how many people are wanting to be employed in housekeeping? I think that is our drive to keep our pay rates at a rate where people are going to be like, I want to do that.”
In 2023, the state’s incremental increases will end and minimum wage in Oregon will go back to being set according to the inflation rate.
“The idea was that the minimum wage would maintain its purchasing power over the years so that it would keep up with the cost of living for minimum wage workers,” Krumenauer said.
She explained average hourly earnings for Oregonians have not been keeping up with inflation for the past several months. “On average, we are seeing that workers paychecks are not going as far.”
Despite the dollar not going as far, Oregon’s three minimum wages are still among the top in the nation. The Employment Department reports the highest minimum wage in 2022 will be in the District of Columbia ($16.10), followed by California ($15.00), Washington ($14.49) and Massachusetts ($14.25).
State continues paying out Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program applications to renters and landlords across Oregon
More than 60,000 Oregon households facing pandemic hardship receive over $386 million in rental assistance relief
SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is processing applications for payment submitted through the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program (OERAP) portal which stopped accepting applications on March 21, 2022. As of today, the agency has paid out $386.66 million in emergency rental assistance to 60,166 households. The funding successfully helped more than 100,000 Oregonians stay in their homes.
OHCS is ahead of schedule to meet the deadlines established by U.S. Treasury for federal funds and has obligated the $100 million allocated by the Oregon Legislature during the December 2021 Special Session. Oregon has provided the highest percentage of assistance according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, ranking Oregon first in the nation in the percentage of emergency rental assistance funds paid out and obligated.
OERAP is continuing to accept and process recertification applications from eligible tenants who previously applied and have unpaid rental balances or need additional months of assistance. Rental assistance also remains available at the local level. To access those funds, tenants can call 2-1-1 or visit oregonrentalassistance.org.
Today is the deadline for tenants to initiate SB 891 protections from eviction for nonpayment of rent until their rental assistance application is closed or September 2022, whichever is first. Tenants must submit rental assistance applications to local programs orapply for recertification through OERAP, if eligible, as well as provide proof of application submission to their landlord by 11:59 p.m. on June 30. Households with pending rental assistance applications that have not provided documentation of submission to their landlord will not have protection from eviction beginning July 1, 2022.
Individuals who have received an eviction notice should:
- Apply for local rental assistance immediately
- Provide their landlord with proof of application (before June 30 at 11:59 p.m.)
- Contact Oregon Law Center’s Eviction Defense Project for further legal support
Landlords can be reimbursed for eligible non-payment costs such as rent and late fees incurred during the “safe harbor” period by applying to the Landlord Guarantee Program.
Oregon Eviction Diversion and Prevention Program
OHCS’ top priority in addressing homelessness is preventing people from experiencing it all together. As part of the additional $100 million in Eviction Prevention funding OHCS received in December 2021, OHCS developed the Oregon Eviction Diversion and Prevention (ORE-DAP) Program. ORE-DAP aims to quickly assist Oregonians facing displacement by delivering rental assistance and other critical eviction and housing-related resources. This program is being administered statewide by community action agencies in partnership with culturally responsive organizations. To access ORE-DAP resources, tenants may contact their community action agencies.
Oregon Calls For Standards On Toxic Metals In Baby Food
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum joined 22 state attorneys general calling on the heads of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take immediate action to reduce the amount of toxic metals in baby food. In a letter to FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, Deputy Commissioner Frank Yiannis, and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, the coalition urged the federal agencies to meaningfully —and immediately— drive down the levels of lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury in food designed for babies and young children.
“Parents need to be reassured that all baby food is safe, tested and well regulated,” said Attorney General Rosenblum. “We are urging the FDA and the USDA to do more and to do it now! With frightening reports of toxic metals in many foods made to be fed to our precious children, parents and caregivers deserve peace of mind that what they are feeding their baby is safe.”
The FDA has set or proposed limits on toxic metals in a wide variety of other consumable products — such as bottled water, juice, and candy — but the agency has failed to adequately regulate baby food. So far, the agency has established only one action level for one type of toxic metal (inorganic arsenic) in one type of baby food product (infant rice cereal), despite the FDA concluding years ago that babies’ and young children’s smaller bodies and metabolisms make them more vulnerable to the harmful neurological effects of these toxic metals. As a result, U.S. baby food manufacturers are left to self-regulate the amounts of lead and other toxic metals in their products. It remains up to the manufacturers to decide whether to even test their products for these metals.
In April 2021, FDA announced the “Closer to Zero” plan, under which the agency committed to proposing “action levels” for lead in various baby foods by April 2022, inorganic arsenic in various baby foods by April 2024, and cadmium and mercury sometime after April 2024. However, that plan is already behind schedule, since the FDA failed to propose lead action levels by the April deadline. This delay is both a public health concern and a matter of environmental justice, as low-income children and children of color are disproportionately impacted by lead through exposures to lead-based paint, lead in drinking water pipes, and other sources. Lead in their food only exacerbates the existing inordinate and inequitable hazards these children face.
In their letter, the coalition urges the federal government to:
- Propose interim limits for inorganic arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury in relevant categories of infant and toddler foods;
- Propose a lower limit for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal than that currently set forth in FDA guidance; and,
- Provide guidance to all baby food manufacturers to test their finished products for toxic metals.
Joining Attorney General Rosenblum in sending this letter to FDA and USDA leadership are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Oregon to receive nearly $1 million from crypto firm BlockFi in unregistered securities settlement
Salem – Oregon will receive nearly $1 million as part of a multi-state settlement with cryptocurrency financial institution BlockFi.
Following investigations led by a group of state securities regulators and the SEC, the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) brought legal action against BlockFi for violations of the Oregon Securities Law. As part of its settlement with securities regulators, BlockFi agreed to pay a total of $100 million, half of which would go to the SEC and the other half to state securities regulators. BlockFi further agreed to stop offering BlockFi Interest Accounts (BIAs) in the U.S., and stop accepting additional deposits from U.S. customers to accounts that were already open.
BlockFi offered and sold securities in Oregon without being properly registered. In addition, BlockFi offered and sold BIAs to the public. Through BIAs, investors lent crypto assets to BlockFi in exchange for the company’s promise to provide a variable monthly interest payment. Investors deposited cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum into accounts. BlockFi promised monthly interest rates of 6.2 percent, compounded each month with the possibility of earning up to 9.5 percent, depending on the type and size of investment. BlockFi told investors that loans were overcollateralized – having more collateral than is needed in order to reduce the risk to the investors – when, in fact, they were not. Approximately 24 percent of institutional digital asset loans made in 2019 were overcollateralized, 16 percent in 2020 and 17 percent through June 30, 2021. As a result, BlockFi materially overstated the degree to which it secured protection from defaults by institutional borrowers through collateral.
“Financial services powered by cryptocurrencies must be held accountable just like any other financial institution,” said DFR Administrator TK Keen. “I am happy with the outcome here and we will continue to monitor businesses that try to take advantage of Oregonians or do business here illegally.”
The settlement, which was finalized between BlockFi and DFR last week, orders BlockFi to stop offering or selling BIAs or any security that is not registered, qualified, or exempt to new investors in Oregon, to stop accepting further investments or funds in the BIAs by current Oregon investors, and to pay $943,396 to DFR.
About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit www.dcbs.oregon.gov and dfr.oregon.gov.
Oregon State Police Detectives arrest Terrebonne man on 10 charges relating to sexual abuse of a two-year-old child- Additional victims possible
On Wednesday, June 29, 2022, Oregon State Police Detectives executed a search warrant at a residence in Crooked River Ranch in Jefferson County related to an investigation into Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. OSP was assisted by members of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and the Redmond Police Department.
Andres Carrera-Garcia (30) of Terrebonne, was found in possession of hundreds of images of child sexual abuse material, which were downloaded from the internet. During Garcia’s interview with law enforcement, he admitted to sexually molesting a child, who was 2 years old at the time, while babysitting him at his residence in Redmond, Oregon, in late 2020 and early 2021. Digital evidence was located supporting his admissions.
Garcia was arrested for Sodomy I, Sodomy II, Sodomy III, Sexual Abuse I, Sexual Abuse III, Contributing to the Sexual Delinquency of a Minor, Sexual Misconduct, Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse I, Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse II, Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse III. He was lodged at the Deschutes County Adult Jail. Additional charges are pending in Jefferson County for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material.
OSP detectives believe it is possible there are additional victims that have yet to be identified. If your child had unsupervised contact with Andres Carrera-Garcia please contact OSP Dispatch at (800)422-0776 or OSP (677) from your mobile phone. Reference case number SP22-026887. Oregon State Police
Interior Department Officials Visit Klamath Basin to Highlight Ongoing Investments Amidst Record Drought
Senior leaders from the Department of the Interior finished a two-day visit to the Klamath Basin this week to meet with Tribes, state and county officials, interagency partners, and water users to discuss near- and long-term solutions related to drought impacts and highlight how investments from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help protect and conserve species and their habitats in the region.
— Secretary Deb Haaland
Over the past 20 years, the Klamath Basin has met unprecedented challenges due to ongoing drought conditions, limited water supply and diverse needs. The Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have diligently sought collaborative solutions for water availability with partners and those intimately connected to land and water conditions. The Interior Department has held several engagement sessions, virtually and in-person, as part of its commitment to transparency and ongoing review of best practices as we continue to address climate change and work towards long term solutions in the Klamath Basin for current and future generations.
Leadership representing the Office of the Secretary, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service toured the area Monday and Tuesday, including visits to the Lower Klamath and Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuges, A Canal, Link River Dam, Keno Dam and the Ady Canal.
The leaders held a listening session with the Klamath Tribal Council and met with tribes located along the Klamath River: the Karuk, Yurok, Resighini, Hoopa and Quartz Valley Tribes. The Interior Department team also met with water users in gatherings with the Klamath Water Users Association and Klamath River Renewal Corporation.
With the Klamath Basin experiencing the third consecutive drought year, farmers and ranchers have been faced with operating on a very limited water supply from the Klamath Project, managed by Reclamation. Discussions this week reinforced the efforts of the Interagency Drought Relief Working Group, co-chaired by the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture, which is actively working to identify and disburse immediate financial and technical assistance for impacted irrigators and Tribes. It is also developing longer-term measures to respond to climate change and build climate resiliency.
President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $162 million to restoring the Klamath Basin ecosystem and identifies significant additional opportunities to support water resilience and infrastructure, all of which will make great strides in delivering on the Department’s commitment for sustained, inclusive engagement that helps minimize the impacts of the drought and develops a long-term plan to facilitate conservation and economic growth.
Throughout the visit, Department leaders committed to continuing to work closely with Klamath Basin stakeholders on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-related efforts to identify projects that will contribute to the success of the shared heritage and cherished natural resources of this important ecosystem.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Have-You-Seen-Me-Southern-Oregons-Missing-People-161249961222839/posts/