Oregon Beach News, Monday 5/2 – Sheriff Looking For Suspect And Person Of Interest In Coos County Shooting Case, Lincoln County Transit Cuts Services Due To Driver Shortages

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

Monday, May 2, 2022

Oregon Beach Weather

Sheriff Looking For Suspect And Person Of Interest In Coos County Shooting Case

The sheriff warned Friday that an armed and dangerous suspect in an attempted murder case remains at large – and may have fled the South Coast for the Eugene area.

The Coos County Sheriff’s Office asked the public to be on the lookout for Michael James Benitez, 27.

“Benitez should be treated as armed and dangerous and not approached. Benitez was last seen driving a black 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee bearing Oregon License Plate 913JFE, it is reported that there was a white sticker with the word ‘FOX’ On the rear window,” the sheriff’s office said.

The sheriff described Benitez as “the primary suspect” in a shooting at S. 8th Street and Park Avenue in Lakeside, Oregon, just before 1 a.m. April 26, 2022.

Authorities also seek 21-year-old Dominique Michelle Stemen, described as a person of interest in the case. She is wanted for questioning after being seen with Benitez on the night of the shooting, the sheriff’s office said.

“Benitez and Dominique are thought to have possibly fled to the Eugene area but that has not been confirmed,” the sheriff’s office said. If you have any information: (541) 396-7800

Lincoln County Transit Cuts Services Due To Driver Shortages

A shortage of bus drivers has led Lincoln County Transit to make another round of service cuts.

Lincoln County Transit – NW Connector

The agency says it’s eliminating half of the trips on a route that goes from Newport to Toledo and Siletz. The announcement comes less than a month after most bus service in Lincoln County was dropped entirely on Sundays.

It’s a challenge to find enough qualified drivers, said Molly Murphy, field supervisor for Lincoln County Transit.

“Everybody’s hiring, and being in a rural area, we’re just not seeing the applicants coming in,” she said.

Lincoln County’s unemployment rate is higher than the state as a whole, but still sharply lower than it was a year ago.

Other transit agencies, including Portland’s Tri-Met and Eugene’s LTD, have also curtailed service in recent years due to operator shortages. Some school districts have also had to adjust routes due to bus driver shortages.

Effective May 1, 2022 Lincoln County Transit Bus Service “East County” route will be suspended. This interruption of service will be effective until further notice due to bus driver staffing shortages.

Transit will be suspending all Sunday transit service with the exception of the Coast to Valley Express service between Newport and Corvallis/Albany. Routes impacted include the North a.m./p.m. route, Newport City Loop and Lincoln City Loop. This suspension of service will be in effect until further notice and is being initiated due to CDL driver staffing shortages.

The office number for Lincoln County Transit is 541-265-4900. https://www.co.lincoln.or.us/transit/page/transit-intercity-bus-schedule-0

Oregon DMV – Due to staffing, the Brookings and Stayton DMV offices will be closed Monday, May 2

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/tMe850IW2TZ

Screen shot of linked dashboard shows an increase trend in cases, test positivity and hospitalizations. Vaccinations have plateaued. Please visit healthoregon.org/coronavirus for more information.

COVID-19 is a new disease, and we are still learning what the long-term consequences of infection may be.To learn more, including how COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of severe illness, visit our blog: https://covidblog.oregon.gov/why-its-important-to-be…/

Recent studies indicate there may be a link between COVID-19 infection and heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cognitive decline. It will be years before we know the true toll of COVID-19. Vaccines reduce the risk of severe illness and likely reduce the risk of long-term complications. Vaccines and masks both reduce the spread of COVID-19. Consider wearing a well-fitting mask to protect yourself and others.
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Firefighters Rescued Two People After A Rollover Crash In A Remote Area Left Them Trapped Inside Their Vehicle For Hours

Firefighters rescued two people Saturday after a rollover crash in a remote area left them trapped inside their vehicle for hours, authorities said. First responders got a call about a vehicle crash just before 5 a.m. in the rural area southwest of Timber, a community located about 40 miles northwest of Portland, Banks Fire District 13 said. 

The caller said the vehicle had gone off the road and over an embankment but could not provide the exact location.

Firefighters conducted a high-angle rope rescue to bring both victims to safety, fire officials said. (Banks Fire District 13 )

Fire officials said that minimal phone service in the remote area prevented first responders from immediately learning the exact location of the vehicle.

“Neither of the phones were able to hit more than one tower, which is necessary to give a good triangulation,” the fire district said. “The best location we had from the phones was what tower they were hitting, and in the coast range that can be very misleading.”

Rescuers tried to narrow down the search area using a variety of methods, including alternating sirens and listening for the caller honking a vehicle’s horn, the fire district said.

About two hours after receiving the call, fire officials said rescuers met a hiker in the area who directed them to the crash site. First responders then spotted the vehicle, which had flipped over an embankment and onto its roof.

One of the occupants had escaped the truck while the other remained trapped inside. Firefighters conducted a high-angle rope rescue to bring both victims to safety. 

One victim was airlifted to a hospital in serious condition.

Fire officials warned that travelers should always know their location for themselves because you can’t always count on cellphones to provide accurate location information.

Man Leads OSP Troopers on Chase in Stolen Ambulance

A 30-year-old man stole an ambulance from an Oregon accident scene and led police on a wild chase along Interstate 5 Friday night. According to the Oregon State Police, the incident occurred on April 29 just after 7:30 p.m. when troopers and an ambulance responded to “single vehicle crash on Interstate 5″ near Woodburn.

The driver of the crashed vehicle, Noor Mohammad Baheej, 30 of Winnetka, California, fled the scene by stealing an ambulance, according to police.

Noor drove north on I-5 into Portland with police in pursuit. There were attempts to “pin the ambulance but Baheej rammed a patrol vehicle, struck a building and was able to continue to elude troopers”, OSP said in a release on the incident.

Baheej eventually tried to gain entry into another car on the freeway and was detained by troopers, according to police. He faces DUII, reckless driving, eluding police and other charges.

Two People Were Injured In An Assault At A Rally For A Candidate For Oregon Governor In Downtown Portland Saturday Afternoon

Two people were injured in an assault at a rally for a candidate for Oregon governor in downtown Portland Saturday afternoon, according to the Portland Police Bureau.

Just after noon on Saturday, officers received reports of a group throwing items such as smoke grenades at another group in the area of Southwest Third Avenue and Southwest Main Street. PPB said the assault happened at a campaign event for Oregon Republican gubernatorial candidate Stan Pulliam.

A sergeant began monitoring the situation and gathering available resources, although there were only a few available officers. Members of the group drove away and met officers nearby at the request of PPB. Two people were hurt by mortars.

One man had an injury to his hand and a woman complained of hearing loss. The victims planned to seek medical treatment on their own. There was evidence balloons filled with paint and other substances were thrown at people and vehicles.

Portland police and Portland Fire & Rescue arson investigators responded to the scene once resources were in place. The suspects left the area, and no immediate arrests were made.

New Wildlife License Plates Start This Week

Oregon drivers can start watching for the new wildlife license plates on cars starting this week.

Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicles Services (DMV) will start issuing a new “Watch for Wildlife” license plate May 4 for the Oregon Wildlife Foundation as a tag available for passenger cars only.

Oregon car owners can order a set of the license plates starting May 4 online through DMV2U or at a DMV field office.  Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) says DMV field offices are open for walk-up service and some offices also offer appointments, and, “You can also order the plates when you purchase a car at an Oregon dealership. To maintain fair distribution of desirable low plate numbers, DMV will not accept pre-orders.”

ODOT says this license plate raises funds for the Oregon Wildlife Foundation through an additional $40 donation when DMV issues, renews or replaces the plates.  It says, “That (money) is in addition to plate manufacture, registration, and any other vehicle fees that normally apply.”

ODOT says customers who purchased $40 vouchers from the Foundation during the plate’s launch phase can use the voucher at a DMV office or when purchasing a car at an Oregon car dealership, but not online at DMV2U.  It says all plate holders will be able to renew online the next time their registration fees are due.

The Watch for Wildlife plates begin at WW 00001, and DMV issues them in order.  ODOT says, “You cannot reserve a specific plate number in the series, but can apply for a custom configuration.”  FOR MORE INFO: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/dmv/pages/vehicle/plates.aspx

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Grants Pass Missing Person

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The Grants Pass Police Department is seeking assistance from the public in locating 30 year old Noah Baker.  Baker was despondent after an argument and left his residence in Grants Pass driving a silver Ford Fiesta with Oregon Plate 671MUR.  

Baker is described as a white male adult, 5’09”, 170 lbs, brown hair and blue eyes and was last seen wearing black sweats, black shirt, black shoes and a black hat.  

If anyone knows of his whereabouts or sees Baker, please call your local law enforcement agency or the Grants Pass Police at 541-450-6260. Reference case #2022-14203 Grants Pass Police Department 

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Klamath County Sheriff’s Office Asks for Public’s Help in Search For Trucker Suspect

The first real clue to come in on all the missing person cases in the area. Help Klamath Falls Oregon Sheriff Office ID this trucker. He was the last to see this woman alive and could be the key to not only solving this woman’s disappearance but a number of the hundred other women missing in PNW. IF you have any information, please call (541) 883-5130

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Have-You-Seen-Me-Southern-Oregons-Missing-People-161249961222839/posts/

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