The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Oregon Beach Weather
Today– Sunny, with a high near 65. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 7 to 12 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday– Sunny, with a high near 65. North wind 8 to 13 mph.
Thursday– Sunny, with a high near 67. Breezy, with a north wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Friday– Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
Saturday– Partly sunny, with a high near 67.
OSU Study Finds Beavers Are Well Established And Moving Through The Oregon Coast Range
Few studies have accessed the impacts of dispersing beavers, making it difficult to determine best practices for translocations. Beavers are often translocated to restore populations in areas, reduce their conflicts with humans and take advantage of their ability to improve ecosystems. A new study from scientists at Oregon State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Wildlife Research Center begins to change that.
The scientists, who collected genetic samples from almost 300 beavers in the Coast Range of western Oregon, sought to understand whether landscape features, such as slope and distance to water, influenced gene flow among beavers.
They detected relatively strong genetic differentiation of beavers, which they believe is shaped by watershed boundaries and past relocations of the rodents. This led them to recommend that relocation efforts of beavers in topographically complex landscapes, like the Coast Range, occur within watersheds when possible.
“We wanted to see if there were things that are limiting beaver dispersal in western Oregon, whether they are not able to disperse because of geography or some physical limits,” said Jimmy Taylor, a research wildlife biologist with the U.S.D.A’s National Wildlife Research Center in Corvallis and a courtesy faculty member at Oregon State. “Our findings indicate that doesn’t seem to be the case. They seem to be moving freely within watersheds, with at least occasional movements between watersheds.”
The overharvest of beavers during the 16th to 19th centuries in North America is well documented. This legacy, however, sometimes overshadows the restoration of beaver populations throughout North America in the 20th century.
Spurred by the population restoration, there has been growing interest in the western United States in using beavers for stream restoration projects that can restore floodplain connectivity, improve grazing opportunities for livestock, mitigate increasing aridity and provide habitat for threatened species, such as Oregon Coast coho salmon.
In the recently published paper, the researchers focused on beavers in the Coast Range of Oregon, a region characterized by multiple watersheds, dense forests, and steep hillside slopes.
The team reviewed the limited scientific literature and historical documents about beavers in the region and concluded not much is known about beaver history or ecology in the area. They did, however, find records showing more than 700 beavers were released in the area between 1939 and 1951 by the state to provide optimal distribution of the species.
“Beavers are a really storied part of this landscape and they are an iconic species for Oregon,” said Clint Epps, a wildlife biologist at Oregon State and co-author of the paper. “For me, it was kind of a mystery of how beavers have persisted in this Coast Range landscape. How much of that was influenced by translocation? How much of it was just beavers persisting on their own? I can’t say we directly tested this. But from looking at the translocation records and the genetic structure it looks to me like they hung on in this landscape.”
The researchers collected genetic samples from 292 beavers from 12 counties along the Oregon Coast. They live-trapped 232. The remainder were either road kill or supplied by trappers.
They then mapped records of beaver translocations during the 20th century to consider the effect of those movements on the genetic structure of beavers.
They concluded that slope and distance to water did not strongly limit dispersal and gene flow by beavers in this system, but that dispersal is more common within watersheds, as opposed to between watersheds.
“This is a native species” Taylor said. “I’m pleased we see gene flow. This is an animal that’s well established and dispersing in its native ecosystem.”
Taylor is also hopeful that this research will lead to a greater appreciation of beavers in the Coast Range, where they are not as visible because they don’t tend to build dams or lodges in that landscape.
“There are a lot of beavers on the landscape but people don’t know that because they don’t see the classic signs that they learned in children’s books,” he said. “Part of what I’m trying to do is politely, respectfully educate people that there are a lot more on the landscape out there, and they are not all providing the cascading series of dams that people are looking for, but they still contribute to ecosystem services.”
Coast Guard Helicopter Rescues Injured Hiker after 5 Days Alone in Oregon Dunes
A Coast Guard helicopter helped medics and deputies rescue a 54-year-old man who spent 5 days alone in the sand after falling and injuring himself on the Oregon Dunes.
Hikers called 911 around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday to report finding the man with a neck and back injury along the John Dellenback Trail in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.
“The victim had sustained the injury from falling off a dune in the sand,” the sheriff’s office said. “The victim stated he had been stranded in the area for 5 days. In addition to the injuries, the victim was suffering from dehydration.”
Lakeside Fire Department and Lower Umpqua Ambulance crews responded and hiked into the man’s location.
“After providing medical aid, medical personnel tried to locate a way to extract the patient from the area,” the sheriff’s office said. “Deputies from the Coos County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene and attempted to help formulate a plan. This area is not easily accessible to vehicles, ATV or UTV. The US Coast Guard Air Station was contacted and US Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter to the scene.”
The helicopter was on scene by 1:45 p.m. and transported the man to Bay Area Hospital. His identity and condition are not yet available.
Oregon reports 5,545 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 40 new deaths
There are 40 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 3,155, the Oregon Health Authority reported 5,545 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 bringing the state total to 273,896.
The 40 new deaths and 5,545 new cases reported today include data recorded by counties for the 3-day period between Friday, Aug. 27, and Sunday, Aug. 29.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (17), Benton (62), Clackamas (452), Clatsop (58), Columbia (66), Coos (83), Crook (27), Curry (58), Deschutes (431), Douglas (442), Gilliam (2), Grant (17), Harney (12), Hood River (17), Jackson (486), Jefferson (39), Josephine (255), Klamath (72), Lane (529), Lincoln (110), Linn (248), Malheur (21), Marion (528), Morrow (20), Multnomah (583), Polk (49), Sherman (2), Tillamook (81), Umatilla (80), Union (62), Wallowa (32), Wasco (29), Washington (451) and Yamhill (124).
Oregon reports 2,493 confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases on Aug. 27, 1,864 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases on Aug. 28, and 1,188 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases on Aug. 29.
HOSCAP report recalls 2020 COVID-19 peaks, bed capacity constraints
Oregon Health Authority is releasing the Oregon HOSCAP COVID-19 Review: April 2020-2021, which covers the first year of reporting hospitalizations of patients who either tested positive or were suspected to have COVID-19.
The Oregon Hospital Capacity Web System (HOSCAP), which predates COVID-19, has been used throughout the pandemic by hospitals, health systems and state health authorities for health planning and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report, published today, has several findings:
- COVID-19-positive hospitalizations peaked in summer 2020, followed by a larger fall peak.
- Hospitalized patients testing positive for COVID-19 surged again in spring 2021, as patients with suspected COVID-19 continued to decline.
- Though trends varied between regions, bed capacity constraints were widespread.
- In the fall and summer 2020 surges, COVID-19-positive hospitalizations initially peaked approximately two weeks after COVID-19 cases.
Hospital capacity data is published Monday through Friday on OHA’s COVID-19 data dashboards.
COVID-19 hospitalizations
The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 1,120, which is 23 fewer than yesterday. There are 316 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is 14 fewer than yesterday.
There are 39 available adult ICU beds out of 671 total (6% availability) and 314 available adult non-ICU beds out of 4,240 (7% availability).
The total number of patients in hospital beds may fluctuate between report times. The numbers do not reflect admissions per day, nor the length of hospital stay. Staffing limitations are not captured in this data and may further limit bed capacity.
Note: Please do not visit an emergency department for COVID-19 testing, unless you require emergency care for your symptoms. Emergency departments in Oregon are under significant strain responding to the current surge in COVID-19. You can find a test here.
If you have a medical condition that doesn’t require emergency care, contact your provider. An urgent care center may also help you get the care you need and will save emergency departments from added strain. More information about hospital capacity can be found here.
Fire crews were kept busy over the weekend after a series of thunderstorms peppered Southern Oregon with hundreds of lightning strikes, sparking dozens of confirmed fires and leaving the potential for more to emerge over time.
Officials with the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest said that there were about 700 cloud-to-ground lightning
strikes throughout the region on Sunday, landing both within the federal forest and on the state, county, and private lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry.
RRSNF said that it responded to 16 fires within the national forest in tandem with ODF and the Coos Forest Protective Association. The largest priority was the Bear Camp Fire, which they hit with a Type 2 Initial Attack Crew and two engines. Crews were able to build a handline around the 4 or 5-acre fire, and about 40 percent of the fire has hose line around it. Firefighters remain on the scene, working toward containment.
Crews from ODF responded to about 50 separate fires in the wake of those thunderstorms, working through the night to find and extinguish the reported starts. Of those fires, 35 were confirmed to be active. The agency said that 20 have been extinguished, 15 are in various stages of response, but the majority are fully lined and in the mop-up stage.
While parts of the Bootleg Fire’s interior continue to burn, firefighters have largely kept the fire from growing as they approach near-full containment. The fire was estimated at 413,762 acres — or 647 square miles — with containment staying at 84 percent as of Monday morning.
Crews reported seeing smoke from fuels burning within the fire area on Sunday as they worked to widen fire lines and soak the remaining heat and flames along the edges. Officials said that dozers have been straightening the “ragged edge” of the fire on the east side to build better containment.
Despite all the recent progress, officials noted that the Bootleg Fire’s size and local conditions mean that it still traps a great amount of heat and will continue to pose a fire hazard. “Megafires” like the Bootleg usually will not be fully extinguished until the late fall or early winter, when temperatures drop and moisture rises.
The record heat event in late June included three days in a row of more than 100-degree temperatures, adding to the phenomenon of drying trees, vegetation, and soil. Fire meteorologists anticipate thunderstorms in the area will bring isolated showers in the afternoon on Monday, but dangerous fire weather conditions are likely to return over the next several days — leaving fuels vulnerable to ignition from lightning strikes or embers.
Here are links to be able to see updated info on the larger fires in Oregon:
- Black Butte InciWeb
- Bootleg InciWeb
- Bruler InciWeb
- Bull Complex InciWeb
- Devil’s Knob Complex InciWeb
- Elbow Creek Inciweb
- Fox Fire InciWeb
- Jack Fire InciWeb
- Rough Patch Complex InciWeb
- Middle Fork Complex/Knoll Fire InciWeb
- Skyline Ridge Complex InciWeb
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/
Former Chiropractor Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distribution of Oxycodone
A Clackamas, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison today for distributing oxycodone pills acquired from dozens of fraudulent prescriptions, one of which led to the overdose death of Starlin Swan, a 26-year-old woman.
Mark Steven Gardner, 33, was sentenced by the Honorable Michael W. Mosman to 50 months in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.
“The opioid epidemic has cost more than 500,000 American lives. The death toll in this country is staggering and the tragic loss that surviving family members must endure is devastating. This prosecution represents our office’s firm commitment to hold those accountable who unlawfully distribute controlled substances that results in death.” said Acting United States Attorney, Scott Erik Asphaug.
In November 2015, Gardner, a chiropractor, stole a prescription pad from a physician with whom he shared his Portland office building. Over the next four months, Gardner used the doctor’s name to forge fraudulent oxycodone prescriptions. Gardner instructed others to fill the prescriptions at times when he knew the doctor’s office, to which he had access, was closed. Gardner would then enter the doctor’s office, answer the doctor’s office phone, and pose as the doctor to verify the authenticity of the prescriptions when contacted by pharmacies. The individuals filling the prescriptions would typically give Gardner half of the pills received.
On January 8, 2016, Gardner called 911 to report finding a female friend unresponsive. Paramedics arrived on scene and found Ms. Swan deceased. A subsequent autopsy and toxicology examination revealed that Ms. Swan had died of an oxycodone overdose.
On the afternoon before Ms. Swan’s death, Gardner forged a prescription for Ms. Swan for 90 30mg pills of oxycodone. The prescription was filled the same day, although the pharmacy only filled it for 60 oxycodone pills.
In total, Gardner forged 48 prescriptions for 25 different recipients, including some scripts that were written after the overdose death of Ms. Swan. A total of 2,352 30mg oxycodone pills were fraudulently dispersed because of Gardner’s scheme. Following the discovery of the script forgeries, Gardner was stripped of his chiropractic license.
On May 15, 2019, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a three-count indictment charging Gardner with distribution of oxycodone resulting in death; distribution of oxycodone; and acquiring or obtaining a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, or subterfuge. On April 19, 2021, he pleaded guilty to unlawful distribution of oxycodone.
Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug of the District of Oregon made the announcement. This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Peter D. Sax, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. — U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Oregon
Oregon Department of Fish and WIldlife Kills Two More Wolf Pups
Employees from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, firing rifles from a helicopter, shot and killed two wolf pups from the Lookout Mountain pack on Sunday.
On Thursday, the agency’s director authorized either ODFW employees, or a Baker County ranching couple or their designated agents, to kill up to four sub-adult wolves from that pack, which has attacked their cattle at least four times since mid-July.
The Lookout Mountain wolves have killed two animals and injured two others, according to ODFW investigations. The two wolves killed Sunday are 3 1/2-month-old pups, according to Michelle Dennehy, an ODFW spokesperson. — https://dfw.state.or.us/Wolves/Packs/Lookout_Mt.asp
USDA Announces Relief Funds for Hard Hit Klamath Water Users
Klamath Water Users Association expressed strong support and appreciation for today’s U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcement of financial relief for Klamath Project irrigators who have been deprived of Klamath Project water this year.
USDA will contract with the Klamath Project Drought Response Agency (KPDRA) to provide nearly $15 million to producers who have been slammed by successive years of water shortage, compounded by the past year’s COVID pressures on production and markets. Producers would be eligible whether they participated in other KPDRA
programs this year or not. “All producers have dealt with their own unique problems, losses, and costs, and the KPDRA board is inclined to spread the assistance to all.”
KWUA Executive Director Paul Simmons said that KWUA has been working with USDA officials since January to identify relief opportunities.
Oregon Earthquakes
Nearly 50 earthquakes were reported around the world Sunday, including one about 120 miles off the Oregon coast west of a small town in Curry County. All in all, it was no big deal.
The quake — measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale — happened just after noon far off the coast from Langlois, an unincorporated community of 135 people, a place once known for blue cheese until the factory burned down in the 1950s and was never rebuilt.
Sunday’s earthquake took place under the Juan de Fuca plate, a subduction that extends under the North American Plate in the Cascadia subduction zone and is continuing to move. Blakeman said the Earth is active in this area. Miles below the surface of the ocean new crust is being added to the western side of the subduction zone, which is moving east and under the North American Plate.
During the past 7 days, Oregon was shaken by 7 quakes of magnitude 3.0 or above and 1 quake of magnitude 2.2. There were also 23 quakes below magnitude 2.0 which people don’t normally feel.
Biggest quake: Reported seismic-like event (likely no quake): 2.9 mi east of Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon, USA, Aug 30, 2021 4:20 am (GMT -7) 1 day 4 hours ago
Biggest quake today: 1.4 quake Explosion – 5 Km NW of Brownsville, Oregon, Aug 30, 2021 2:48 pm (GMT -7) 17 hours ago — https://pnsn.org/earthquakes/