The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Monday, August 2, 2021
Oregon Beach Weather
Today– Widespread haze. Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Tuesday– Partly sunny, with a high near 66. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 6 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Wednesday– Partly sunny, with a high near 66. North northwest wind 5 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday– A 20 percent chance of showers. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 65.
Friday– A slight chance of showers before 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66.
LOCAL HEADLINES:
Earthquake Recorded West of Coos Bay
An earthquake shook off the Oregon coast Sunday afternoon.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the magnitude 4.2 quake occurred just after noon about 120 miles west of the small town of Langois and 131 miles west of Coos Bay.
The earthquake had a depth of about 6.2 miles. As of 8 p.m. Sunday, only two people had reported to USGS that they felt the earthquake.
Rogue River Cemetery in Gold Beach Selected as an Official Location for the 2021 National Wreaths Across America Day
National nonprofit Wreaths Across America announced recently that Rogue River Cemetery in Gold Beach will be joining in the effort to support the mission to Remember, Honor, Teach, as an official location for 2021. This is the first year that the cemetery will participate in this national event.
Wreaths Across America started as a simple gesture of thanks that has grown into a national movement of dedicated volunteers and communities coming together to not only remember the nation’s fallen and honor their service, but to teach the next generation about the sacrifices made for us to live freely. This year, there will be more than 2,500 participating locations placing wreaths on National Wreaths Across America Day – Saturday, Dec. 18, – with more than two million volunteers coming together.
The goal for Rogue River Cemetery is to raise enough funds to place 308 veterans’ wreaths on the headstones of all the local heroes laid to rest there, to ensure that the individuals who served to protect the freedoms of our country never be forgotten and to bring the community together in patriotic commemoration.
“We are forever grateful for the thousands of supporters who dedicate their time and effort to fulfilling our mission on a local level,” said Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America. “These individuals and their communities know the value of remembering the fallen, honoring those who currently serve and teaching the next generation about the sacrifices made for our freedom every day, and without their continued support, Wreaths Across America would not exist.”
Those interested in volunteering for Wreaths Across America, or sponsoring a wreath for Rogue River Cemetery, are invited to visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/ORRGRC to learn more. National Wreaths Across America Day is a free, non-political, community event open to all people.
Wreaths Across America is the non-profit organization best known for placing veterans’ wreaths on the headstones of our nation’s fallen at Arlington National Cemetery. However, the organization, in total, places more than 1.7 million sponsored wreaths at 2557 participating locations nationwide and offers other programs throughout the calendar year. These programs include The Mobile Education Exhibit and Wreaths Across America Radio, among other education programs.
You can sponsor a wreath for $15 at https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/ORRGRC. Each sponsorship goes toward a fresh balsam veteran’s wreath that will be placed on the headstone of an American hero as we endeavor to honor all veterans laid to rest at Rogue River Cemetery this December.
Sheriff’s Office Looking For Missing Man From Florence Area
Lane County Sheriff’s deputies are looking for a missing man near Florence.
A family member reported to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office that on Thursday, Ronald Kenneth Aduddel, 71, had left his residence in the 87,000 blk of Hwy. 101 near Florence and did not return as anticipated. He was last seen on that date at about 12:00pm.
Aduddel is described as a white male adult standing approximately 6’00” and weighing approximately 220lbs. He has gray hair, green eyes and a white mustache. He is believed to be driving a newer blue ford F-350 crew cab pickup bearing OR Plate #437MEU.
Officials said Aduddel recently suffered a stroke and may potentially suffer from memory problems.
Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4150 opt. 1.
AROUND the STATE of OREGON
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning today for lightning, high fire danger and gusty thunderstorm winds which could contribute to fire spread. This Red Flag Warning covers much of Southern and Eastern Oregon.
WILDFIRE UPDATES
New Fires:
Middle Fork Complex (2 fires), Willamette NF, USFS. IMT 2 (NW Team 9) mobilizing. Nine miles northeast of Oakridge, OR. Timber and close timber litter. No fire behavior received. Structures threatened. Trail closures in effect. 457 acres no containment.
Deep Creek 0685 RN, Prineville District, BLM. Started on private land 21 miles northeast of Warm Springs, OR. Short grass and timber. Active fire behavior with running and single tree torching. Structures and energy infrastructure threatened. Road closures in effect. 2,000 acres no containment.
Rough Patch Complex, Umpqua NF, USFS. IMT 2 (NW Team 13) mobilizing. Eighteen miles southwest of Oakridge, OR. Timber, closed timber litter and brush. Active fire behavior with isolated torching, flanking and smoldering.
Cottonwood Creek, John Day Unit, DOF. Five miles southeast of Fossil, OR. Timber and tall grass. Active fire behavior with spotting, torching and running. Residences threatened. 130 acres no containment.
Officials in Central Oregon are reporting at least 19 fire starts from lightning as of Friday morning, but there could be more overnight. So far, many of those fires have been contained and are fairly small.
A spokesperson with the Central Oregon Agency Dispatch Center says there’s been progress keeping up with these fires while they’re small, but there are still many unknowns as the region heads into the night. Fire officials say they can’t stress it enough — they don’t want to see any human-caused fires this year.
This public lands link is super helpful to check before you head outdoors. The Keep Oregon Green website carries ODF’s public use restrictions. Click the link for up-to-date information:
https://keeporegongreen.org/current-conditions/
BOOTLEG FIRE:
Days of cloud cover and light rain has enabled fire crews to make significant progress battling the Bootleg Fire. As of Sunday evening, containment had jumped to 84 percent. As of Sunday, the entire perimeter has been closed and crews are working to expand the width of the line, extinguish residual heat and flames, cut snags so they don’t roll
downslope taking embers with them, and use bulldozers to straighten the ragged edge on the east side of the fire.
Because there has not been more spot fires or breaches of the line, the Incident Management Team has been able to allocate resources to focus on the active areas of the fire and strengthen fire line. Those efforts may be just in time.
On Monday, some isolated thunderstorms are possible, but they are more likely to bring gusty winds than rain. By Tuesday or Wednesday, warmer temperatures, low humidity, and gusty winds are likely to create conditions for rapid fire spread. This will be a test of the work that has been done so far to contain the fire.
The Fremont-Winema National Forest is now open south of Oregon State Route 140. Closures remain in effect north of the highway to provide for public safety and the safety of firefighters.
MIDDLE FORK COMPLEX:
Twelve individual fires make up the Middle Fork Complex, with five fires at 100% containment. The strategic suppression objective is to suppress the fires in the most efficient manner while maintaining a high probability of success protecting identified values. Safety of firefighters and public are the highest priorities, followed by protection of private land and community infrastructure, then cultural and natural resources.
Five fires make up the northwest section of the Middle Fork complex. The Gales Creek Fire is located south of County Road 18 near the 1835 Road. The fire is 400 acres with 0% containment. Heavy equipment will be used to brush roads and firefighters continue to scout primary line locations. Gales Creek Fire is moving toward the Elephant Rock Fire, which is approximately two miles to the southeast. Firefighters are developing plans for primary and alternate containment lines on the 50 acre Ninemile Fire to best support fire suppression efforts. Crews will monitor and patrol the Journey and Symbol Rock Fires, both at 100% containment.
The 24-acre Kwis Fire, is the closest fire to Oakridge and is located south of County Road 24 near Salmon Creek. It is the highest priority fire in the complex, today heavy equipment and hot shot crews will continue building primary and alternative lines. Dozer lines and hand lines will connect roads and to Salmon Creek. On the Warble Fire, crews will patrol and secure line as needed.
South of County Road 19, firefighters on the 2.25-acre Devils Canyon Fire continue hazard tree removal and have hose lays around the fire. Mop-up will continue in that area. Southwest of the Hill Creek Reservoir, firefighters on the Packard Fire continue snag removal and mop-up. The 90-acre Windfall Fire now has contained lines around and crews will continue mop-up efforts. Also near the Hills Creek Reservoir, firefighters will patrol and monitor the Way and Larison Cove Fires.
JACK FIRE:
As of Sunday, August 1, the Jack Fire has burned 23,004 acres and is 75 percent contained. It is currently most active south of Hwy 138 in the east, southeast, and south flank of the fire. Crews there are conducting firefighting operations as conditions allow, including at the 4770 road, on the 28 road, along the 530 road to Twin Lakes, and near Calf Creek. As burn operations occur, please be aware smoke may be visible to the public. North of Hwy 138, firefighters are successfully holding control lines and continuing mop-up operations, patrol and monitoring activity on the northeast, north, and west perimeters of the fire.
Multiple small fire starts have recently ignited in a remote location at the Upper Steamboat Creek Drainage, following lightning storms that passed through that vicinity. Management of these new fire starts north of the Jack Fire has been combined and named the Rough Patch Complex.
There are approximately 22 new starts burning about 240 acres. As of 7:00 a.m. this morning, Northwest Team 13, under the leadership of Brian Gales, has assumed command of the Rough Patch Complex. Today the new resources for the Rough Patch Complex will be working on the 650 and 651 roads and scouting for potential containment lines and opportunities for suppression. Crews will be assisted by firefighters from the Umpqua National Forest and the Douglas Fire Protection Association. The Rough Patch Complex is burning in an area of limited access, narrow roads, steep terrain, and high fuel loads, which will present a challenge for suppression operations.
ELBOW CREEK FIRE:
Reports from the fireline informed that substantial showers occurred throughout the fire. Firefighters used this rainfall to their advantage, continuing mop-up operations and holding the fire in place. The fire remains stable at 22,960 acres and an increase in containment to 78 percent.
Today is the final operational shift for ODF’s Type 1 Incident Management Team 3, before the incoming Type 3 team assumes command tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. Today, the incoming team will shadow to help them better understand the current fire status and operations.
Mop-up will continue across the entire fire, with the Elbow Creek Drainage, Grossman Creek, and Sickfoot Creek being prioritized. Contingency work along the 62 and 6222 Roads will continue. Last night concluded all night operations.
Resources will continue to be “right sized” for the incident, with many crews timing out or being demobilized. To accommodate this down-sizing, the Elgin Camp will be broken down and a spike camp along the 62 Road will be set up instead.
Many hazards remain in the fire area, including fire weakened trees, stump holes, ash pits and many more. Additionally, heavy equipment, trucks and other firefighting apparatus remain active around the fire area. Staying off the roadways and out of the fire area allows these resources to continue to be effective. Thus, the Promise, Wallupa, and Troy Roads remain closed. To mitigate some of the listed hazards, the Umatilla National Forest remains closed as well.
BRULER FIRE:
Sunday, the South Cascade Interagency Type 3 Team will progressively increase mop-up depth. Additionally, they will address concerns related to indirect lines and unburned fuels between containment lines and the burnt edge of the fire perimeter. They will continue to use hose lays with sprinklers, which has led to an increase in mop-up effectiveness, especially in areas with a heavy concentration of fuels. Heavy equipment will be used to prepare indirect lines in preparation for typical seasonal wind events that occur in August and September. Containment has increased to 65%. Our team will continue to decrease in size as more work is accomplished.
COVID UPDATES
Oregon reports 1,076 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 3 new deaths
There are three new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 2,858, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.
Oregon Health Authority reported 1,076 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 219,755.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (22), Benton (21), Clackamas (77), Clatsop (13), Columbia (6), Coos (15), Crook (7), Curry (12), Deschutes (40), Douglas (57), Grant (1), Harney (2), Hood River (9), Jackson (188), Jefferson (6), Josephine (33), Klamath (3), Lane (81), Lincoln (9), Linn (29), Malheur (5), Marion (46), Morrow (7), Multnomah (134), Polk (20), Sherman (1), Tillamook (13), Umatilla (82), Union (22), Wallowa (10), Wasco (15), Washington (76), Wheeler (2) and Yamhill (12).
Newest COVID-19 modeling report shows sharply higher increases in daily cases and hospitalizations
Friday, OHA released its latest COVID-19 forecast, which projects sharply higher COVID-19 associated hospitalizations and daily cases through Aug. 17.
According to the model, the effective reproduction rate – the expected number of secondary cases that a single case generates – was estimated at 1.58 through July 14, more than double the 0.74 reported through mid-June.
At that same level of transmission, over the next two weeks, daily cases would continue to rapidly increase to 390 cases per 100,000 people, or an estimated 1,170 daily cases and 95 new hospitalizations per day.
According to the report, “Vaccine immunity is helping prevent further spread of COVID-19.” By removing people with immunity from the model calculations, the rate of average rate of infection projects to 3.18 over the same time period.
Also, according to the report, even if the Delta variant grew to comprise 95% of new cases, the adoption of protective measures such as wearing masks and avoiding large gatherings, would curb the projected increase in hospitalizations and daily cases.
“Today’s modeling report, although sobering, confirms the importance of protecting ourselves and others by getting vaccinated against COVID-19,” Sidelinger said.
“By vaccinating more people, we can more quickly drive down hospitalizations and new cases,” he said.
DELTA VARIANT
State health officials are saying at least 88-percent of all active cases of COVID-19 in Oregon are the Delta variant. Just a few weeks ago, the Delta variant accounted for just 33-percent of cases.
Now, Dr. Paul Cieslak with the Oregon Health Authority says that unvaccinated Oregonians are at a much greater risk of contracting the descendant of the novel coronavirus strand than when it first surfaced in the state 16 months ago.
The Delta variant, experts say, spreads twice as fast as the original and appears to make infected patients sicker than the novel COVID-19.
OHA working with county, state and Tribal public officials on outbreak linked to recent music festival
OHA is investigating a COVID-19 outbreak associated with the Pendleton Whisky Music Fest held in Pendleton on July 10. Cases have been identified among residents of Umatilla, Morrow, Union and Wallowa counties, and Washington state.
OHA is working with local, state and Tribal public health partners to identify other cases in people who may have attended the music festival. As of today, OHA is aware of 58 COVID-19 cases in people who attended the event.
This outbreak is the first one of its size and scope to be traced to an outdoor entertainment event since the lifting of statewide COVID-19 prevention measures at the end of June.
The outbreak highlights the importance of protective actions Oregonians can take to limit the spread of and their potential exposure to COVID-19, including wearing masks and getting vaccinated with any of the authorized vaccines that are widely available in every Oregon county.
In Oregon this month, OHA has recorded a large increase in COVID-19 cases. That rise is linked to the spread of the Delta variant, which now accounts for 80% of Oregon’s of new cases.
In response to the resurgence of COVID-19 in Oregon, OHA recommended this week that all persons, regardless of their vaccination status, wear a mask indoors in public spaces. OHA also encourages all Oregonians to consider masking if they plan to attend crowded outdoor events like fairs, sporting events, outdoor theater performances, rodeos or concerts, especially if they are at higher risk for complications from COVID-19 or live with individuals who are unvaccinated or at higher risk for complications from COVID-19.
To learn more about the rise of cases throughout Oregon, driven by the prevalence of the Delta variant identified among new infections, see a rebroadcast of OHA’s Facebook Live conversation yesterday with two of our senior health advisors, Drs. Paul Cieslak and Tom Jeanne.
15 Days Remaining To Enroll In Health Coverage For 2021
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 special enrollment period, more than 16,500 Oregonians have enrolled in health coverage through the Marketplace. The COVID-19 special enrollment period ends Aug. 15, 2021, and is open to all people who qualify to shop.
- More than 78 percent of Oregonians have been determined to be eligible for financial help through the Marketplace.
- Oregonians are receiving an average of $400 per month in premium tax credits to reduce their monthly premium.
- Recipients of unemployment insurance benefits in Oregon can get coverage for as low as $1 per month, even if they only got benefits for one week in 2021.
The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace encourages all people who are uninsured to explore their health coverage options and to see how much in additional savings they can now get. Anyone not currently enrolled in health coverage can apply and enroll before Aug. 15 to get health coverage with these extra savings for the rest of 2021.
Current Marketplace enrollees can log in to their HealthCare.gov account and report that they received unemployment during 2021 to take advantage of these additional savings. These savings are in addition to any additional savings that have been available since April 1, 2021, under the American Rescue Plan.
The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace offers a quick snapshot of the plans and savings to eligible Oregonians. The tool, available at OregonHealthCare.gov/WindowShop, and has been updated to correctly calculate additional savings now available to people shopping through the Marketplace.
Start at OregonHealthCare.gov to get to the right application or to find an insurance agent or community partner organization to help complete the application and enroll. Insurance agents and community partners provide local, one-on-one assistance at no charge. This help is available virtually, on the phone, and in person following safety protocols.
The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, a part of state government, helps people get health insurance when they do not have job-based coverage, and do not qualify for the Oregon Health Plan or another program. The Marketplace is the state-level partner to HealthCare.gov. For more information, go to OregonHealthCare.gov. Oregon Dept. of Consumer & Business Services
Bank Robbery in Merrill
The Umpqua Bank in Merrill was robbed Friday afternoon and as of Saturday morning, the suspect remained at large. The bank, located at 206 East Front St., was robbed of an undisclosed amount of money about 3:15 p.m.
The individual was described as a white male about 5’4″ and roughly 150 pounds. If anyone has information concerning the identity of this individual or his whereabouts please contact the Merrill Police Department at 541-798-5821. You may remain anonymous.
The American Red Cross Warns of Severe Blood Shortage
The American Red Cross has an emergency need for lifesaving blood amid the ongoing severe blood shortage. Blood and platelet donations continue to be critical to meet hospital demand and the public is urged to make an appointment to give now. Donors of all blood types are needed, especially type O, which stands at just a one-day supply right now.
To thank donors who help ensure a strong blood supply in August, all who come to give Aug. 1-15, 2021, will automatically be entered for a chance to win an exclusive, VIP trip for two to the sold-out 2021 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival.
Those who come to donate throughout August will also receive a free 4-month subscription offer to Apple Music by email (new subscribers only).The Red Cross has updated its pandemic safety protocols in alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Fully vaccinated individuals, including staff and donors, no longer need to wear masks or socially distance. Unvaccinated individuals continue to be required to wear masks and socially distance. In most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility.
Nez Perce Tribe Celebrate Reclaimed Land Near Joseph Oregon
On Thursday, more than 150 Nez Perce people returned and blessed part of their homeland, a hundred years after the U.S Army drove them from the Wallowa Valley in eastern Oregon.
For years, the tribe has worked to keep a connection to the ancestral land they were driven from. Last year, they successfully reclaimed part of that land.
The Nez Perce tribe purchased a 148-acre property in Joseph, known as Am’sáaxpa, or Place of Boulders, in December but could not formally perform a blessing ceremony until Thursday due to COVID-19 concerns.
The property had been privately owned and operated as a ranch for more than a hundred years. It is located at the edge of the city’s rodeo grounds.
Surrounded by the Wallowa Mountains, the property rights include the house near Airport Road built in 1884, barns, grassland and Wallowa River frontage where the Nez Perce would camp and catch sockeye salmon.
It also includes the ridge where Chief Joseph once held council. Chief Joseph was among the Nez Perce who refused to abide by the 1863 treaty that had stripped the tribe from 90% of its land and required the move to the Idaho reservation.
While the Nez Perce people have continued to fish and gather in the Wallowa Valley and near the property — a practice that the Nez Perce also fought to protect and preserve following years of struggles in asserting fishing rights guaranteed to them in U.S treaties — the purchase represents the opportunity to officially call the land their own again. It also reclaims an ancient and sacred camping ground.
Now, the Nez Perce were returning to the land on horseback.
Tribal leaders spoke before the blessing ceremony about what the day represented, reflecting on the history of the Nez Perce tribe and sharing joy about the day’s historic event.