The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Oregon Beach Weather
Effort Underway To Recall Bay Area Hospital Board Of Directors
An effort to recall the Bay Area Hospital board of directors is underway. Now it’s just a matter of signatures to oust the current board.
Workers union UFCW 555 has teamed with the Oregon nurse’s union in filing to recall Bay Area Hospital’s board of directors.
This after numerous complaints from nurses and other hospital staff.
They’ve reported a rapid decline in the quality of care at the hospital due to staffing shortages and unit closures which they say come as a result of decisions made by the board.
“The Board of Directors sort of tried to close down the mental health unit which the community was outraged about, our members were outraged about because we’re in the middle of you know a pandemic, a mental health crisis, that was issue one. And what kind of really pushed it over the edge was that the board of directors hired someone who’s committed a fraud to be the COO of the hospital.”
Miles Eshaia with UFCW 555 says they’ve represented workers in the surrounding community for more than 80 years. They represent those employees who aren’t nurses and doctors.
“Just a general lack of consideration and care for both employees and people coming in for care because this is a hospital, a community hospital. This is not a corporation. They’re not being good stewards.”
Eshaia says an employee of the hospital discovered Larry Butler was convicted of defrauding two of his previous employers via a Google search.
“Yet they couldn’t figure out who this person was, so the community simply deserves better.”
To file for the recall, Eshaia says each member of the six-person board was petitioned separately with the Coos County Clerk’s Office.
They’ll now look to get signatures from the community for each petition. “Our petition sheets are approved so we can out and start gathering petitions.”
Bay Area Hospital has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.
Learn more at savebayareahospital.org.
People Flock To Oregon Coast To Beat The Heat Inland
During heat waves, the Oregon Coast is always a popular spot to cool off. On Tuesday, communities like Seaside drew crowds from across the Pacific Northwest.
Almost everyone was seeking relief from triple digit temperatures inland.
The crowds did lead to a backup in traffic on Tuesday afternoon in Seaside, but those who left early say they did not see any problems during a morning drive.
While coming to the coast is a great resource to beat the heat, local leaders are reminding everyone to be mindful on the beach.
They ask that you “leave no trace” by picking up your trash no matter if you come to the beach, town, or to the dunes.
North Bend Man Arrested For Attacking Ex-Girlfriend
A man is in custody after assaulting and strangling his ex-girlfriend in the early morning, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office says.
The CCSO says deputies were dispatched to an address on Honeydew Road at about 1 a.m. on July 24 for a reported domestic assault. Officials say the male suspect, identified as Travis Knauber, 35, had broken into the victim’s home and assaulted her and strangled her. Officials add that the assault was witnessed by the victim’s 12-year-old son and that Knauber was chased away by the victim’s other, adult son.
Deputies say they searched the area and found Knauber’s car a few miles from the victim’s house. They add that a police dog team was called in to find the suspect, who was located hiding in the brush near the vehicle.
The CCSO says Knauber was taken to the Coos County Jail on charges of felony fourth-degree domestic assault, felony strangulation, and first-degree burglary.
Coos County Fair Rocking It!
Beginning in 1912, the Fair has become the main event of the Summer for Coos County residents and is a county-wide showcase of agriculture, crafts, industry and business.
The Fair provides the opportunity for all ages, from young to seniors, to exhibit their livestock, floral, land products, culinary, needlework, photography, and arts and crafts. FOR MORE INFO: http://www.cooscountyfair.com/fair/2022fair
111th Oregon Coast Invitational Underway
The 2022 Oregon Coast Invitational is underway, as Oregon’s second-oldest tournament held qualifying rounds Saturday and Sunday, with Day 1 of match play that started Monday.
Action in the annual match-play tournament continues all week at the Astoria Golf & Country Club. FOR MORE INFO: https://www.astoriagolf.com/oregon-coast-invitational
Volunteers Needed To Help Search For Missing Grandfather In Coos County
George Lagrou’s granddaughter is searching desperately for her grandfather after he went missing a week ago, and she’s seeking the community’s help.
Jessica Kateley says 84-year-old George L. Lagrou was last seen at milepost 7 of Weyerhauser Lane in Alleghany around 11:23 a.m. on Thursday, July 7.
“Somebody has seen something or seen him. It’s out in the public,” said Kateley. “We had 50 people from the community walking and going through the brush; we just can’t cover everything because it’s so thick.”
Kateley is now rounding up community members to search the area where Lagrou was last seen.
She says she’s put the word out to anyone who hikes, hunts, and those who would simply like to help to meet at the Alleghany Community Center at 8:30 a.m. July 16.
“We’re going to lock arms and see if he wandered into the brush,” she said.
Kateley says on the day he went missing, a dump truck driver saw Lagrou sitting in a metal framed folding seat with a plastic seat he carries with him at all times. That driver tells Kateley at that time, Lagrou did not know his name, where he’d traveled from, or where he was going. The driver let Lagrou know he was leaving to go get him help.
With a 15-man team, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search of the area, but Kateley says police K9s could not pick up a scent, and after 6 hours, the search was called off.
The family requested the Millicoma River Rearing Pond be dredged, but as officers attempted to do so, the graffle became caught in rocks.
A heartbroken Kateley attempted to retrace Lagrou’s steps, traveling 22 minutes in either direction from where he was last seen and searching nearby areas to no avail.
She says while some think he may have gotten a ride into town, she believes he’s still in the woods. “But if he’s in town, he’s looking for ice cream. He loves Dairy Queen,” Kateley says.
She says he was last wearing a greenish-gray Hanes t-shirt, blue jeans, and brown and black hiking shoes.
If anyone sees Lagrou, they’re asked to notify the Coos County Sheriff’s Office at (541) 396-7830.
The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting temperatures to climb into the 100s across many parts of Oregon this week.Heat-related illness can happen indoors or outdoors in as little as 10-15 minutes. Keep your community safe by learning the signs of heat-related illness and what to do if you see someone with these symptoms: http://ow.ly/CFGO50K3KI2
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/6zaZ50K4Vta
Recent Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) COVID-19 modeling estimates the current COVID-19 wave peaked July 13. The model expects the infection rate to decline over the next six weeks.
As of July 20, there were 424 COVID-19-positive patients in Oregon hospitals.
Wastewater surveillance data collected through July 14 shows viral concentrations have stopped increasing in most regions, and are either flat or declining.
Along with staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, wearing well-fitting masks, particularly when you may be around others in indoor or crowded outdoor settings, can help protect you and those around you.
If you need help finding a vaccine or booster, visit http://ow.ly/qRJt50K4Z8p.
To read the full report, visit http://ow.ly/1vMb50K4Z8r.
Governor Brown Declares State Of Emergency In 25 Counties Amid Heat Wave
Governor Brown declared a state of emergency in 25 counties Tuesday as the Northwest U.S. swelters under a brutal heat wave. The declaration was made to “ensure additional resources are available to respond to forecasted excessively high temperatures.”
According to the governor’s office, multiple days of extreme heat with little or no cooling overnight may also impact critical infrastructure, causing utility outages and transportation disruptions.
With many parts of Oregon facing a high heat wave, it is critical that every level of government has the resources they need to help keep Oregonians safe and healthy,” said Brown. “I encourage everyone to take proactive steps to keep themselves and their families safe, including drinking plenty of fluids, taking advantage of cooling centers, and checking in on neighbors, friends, and loved ones.”
Officials say the governor has directed the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to activate the state’s Emergency Coordination Center to coordinate essential protective measures. She has also directed state agencies to provide any assistance requested by OEM to support response efforts.
The state of emergency will extend through July 31.
The Biden administration also on Tuesday unveiled a federal website, heat.gov, that federal officials hope can help people and local governments beat the heat and keep it from becoming deadly.
From the Pacific Northwest to the southern Great Plains to the heavily populated I-95 corridor, more than 85 million Americans woke up Sunday to excessive heat warnings or heat advisories. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends taking these steps to stay cool and safe:
- Limit your outdoor activity, especially midday when the sun is hottest.
- Pace your activity. Start activities slowly and pick up the pace gradually.
- Drink more water than usual and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more. Muscle cramping may be an early sign of heat-related illness.
- Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Do not rely on a fan as your main cooling device during an extreme heat event
- Drink more water than usual and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
- Check on a friend or neighbor and have someone do the same for you.
- Limit use of the stove and oven—it will make you and your house hotter.
Wildfire Arson Suspect Busted by Locals Who Tied Him to a Tree Until Police Arrived
A man wanted by police after allegedly starting two wildfires in Oregon on Monday was handed over to cops when three locals spotted the suspect and tied him to a tree, authorities said.
Trennon Smith, 30, was caught after residents noticed that he matched the description given by a witness of a man seen starting the fires in southwestern Oregon.
The blazes were quickly contained, burning less than an acre, and authorities quickly set about searching for the suspect. But it was three locals from Curry County who spotted Smith walking on a road near the fires. “The suspect became very combative with the three residents and had to be tied to a tree to subdue him,” Sheriff John Ward of Curry County said in a statement. Smith also received treatment from an ambulance crew for injuries sustained from “falling down.” He was charged with two counts of arson and one count of reckless burning.
Fire Danger Level Raised to EXTREME in South Eastern Oregon
Beginning today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lakeview District, Fremont-Winema National Forest, Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex, and all private, county, and state wildlands protected by the Klamath-Lake District, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will be raising the Fire Danger Level to EXTREME.
With the progression of summer conditions and continuous drying of forest fuels, local fire danger levels have reached “EXTREME.” Fires starting in these conditions have the potential for rapid fire spread and significant damage.
Additional fire prevention requirements have been placed on industrial forest operations. High-speed rotary saws and tracked felling/skidding equipment are required to shut down between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. High-speed rotary saws are also REQUIRED to have an “operation area observer” visually inspecting the area worked in and additional fire equipment. These are in addition to the normal requirements listed in “A Guide to Legal Requirements for Prevention and Controlling Fires in Operations On and Near Forest Land in Oregon.”
The “Fire season in effect” declaration on June 6 put regulations restricting debris burning and timber harvest operations. Wildland and structural fire protection agencies in Klamath and Lake counties have agreed to prohibit all outdoor debris burning. Forest operations that require a permit to operate power-driven machinery are required to have fire tools, on-site water supply, and watchman service on privately owned forest land.
The release of sky lanterns is prohibited at any time of the year. The discharge of exploding targets and the discharge of tracer ammunition are not permitted during the duration of the fire season.
Meantime, the Modoc National Forest will impose fire restrictions beginning at 12 a.m. on July 25th and continuing until November 30th. It is imperative that these precautions be taken in light of the increase in wildfires throughout the western United States.
In accordance with this order, campfires will no longer be permitted in forest areas except in Designated Recreation Sites. These activities are prohibited:
– Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, or campfire, anywhere other than in the designated recreation sites…..
-Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or a building, within the Designated Recreation Sites, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material……
-Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame…..and, operating an internal combustion engine, except on National Forest System roads or trails, or within the Designated Recreation Sites
Group Sending Out Fear-Based Messaging Anti-Democratic Mailers and Web Ads
Earlier this month, some Oregon voters began receiving glossy mailers blaming Gov. Kate Brown and the “Democrat-controlled state Legislature” for “soaring gas prices” and the “out-of-control cost of living.”
A website with two short videos claiming policies passed by legislative Democrats led to increases in crime and inflation went live around the same time.SponsoredSkip Ad
The mailers, the website and the ads were all paid for by the Coalition for Safe, Healthy and Prosperous Communities – but that coalition doesn’t exist in state campaign finance or business records.
The mysterious mail and online ads come after a national Republican group named the Oregon Legislature one of its top targets. Oregon remains a Democratic stronghold, but Republicans view this year as their best chance in more than a decade of taking control of a legislative chamber.
The organization is all but untraceable, though it shares a name with a newly-formed national nonprofit started by three prominent Republicans with ties to the oil and gas industry. Its failure to disclose its funding and spending could mean it’s violating the spirit, if not the letter, of state campaign finance laws.
“There are some groups that will do messaging work, often under a 501(c)3 designation or maybe a (c)4 where they say it’s not technically about an election or doesn’t technically fall within the campaign finance rules,” said Ben Morris, a spokesman for the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office. “It’s more just issue advocacy, which there are different rules for. So it’s possible that would be their argument if they’re not registering as a political action committee reporting stuff.”
Organizations that spend money on political ads generally have to file records with the Secretary of State’s Office showing how much they raise and spend and who benefits. Rules differ depending on what type of organization it is, Morris said.
Political action committees raise and spend money to support or oppose a candidate, ballot measure or political party. Within three days of their first contribution or expenditure, PACs have to file a statement of organization with the state’s campaign finance database, ORESTAR, that includes their purpose and contact information.
Organizations that don’t seek contributions but spend money supporting or opposing a candidate or ballot measure are independent expenditure filers. They aren’t allowed to coordinate with campaigns, and they must register in ORESTAR within seven days after spending more than $250.
In a gray area are groups that say they’re doing general issue advocacy, or spending to support a cause but not something directly tied to an election.
After reviewing the mailers, Morris said the Secretary of State’s office would need more information to know where the coalition falls.
Jason Kafoury, a Portland attorney and one of the leaders of an effort to strengthen state campaign finance laws, said the coalition could be blurring the lines of issue advocacy. Nonprofits with 501(c)3 status can’t get involved in politics, while those registered as 501(c)4s can advocate on issues but not for or against candidates.
“‘These politicians aren’t doing X’ sounds like the message, which is a cute way of dealing with it,” he said.
A ballot initiative Kafoury and other campaign finance reform advocates proposed this year would have required every group sending political mail to list its top five donors on the advertisement. It didn’t make it to the ballot, but supporters plan to try again in 2024.
Whoever is behind the mailers and video ads have made themselves difficult to find. The mailers list an address, but it’s a postal annex in Portland where anyone can pay to rent a mailbox.
The website doesn’t have any contact information listed. The whois search engine shows that someone named “Jim Balentine” who works for a company called “MWP” in Atlanta, Georgia, registered that domain on July 12.
The Georgia Corporations Division doesn’t have any records of a Jim Balentine. It lists a number of businesses that use the acronym “MWP,” including painters, photographers and property management companies.
But only one, Atlanta-based MWPolitical, fits the bill. It’s a political digital strategy firm founded by Jim Valentine.
Valentine supports Republicans, according to his social media postings. And SEAL, a political action committee that backs conservative veterans, paid his firm more than $1.8 million in 2020.
A political action committee supporting Oregon Republican Knute Buehler during his 2020 run for Congress also paid MWPolitical $500, and Republican gubernatorial candidate Jessica Gomez received a nearly $20,000 reimbursement in March for a canceled ad purchase, according to state and federal campaign finance records.
Valentine did not return a call or text message on Thursday.
The coalition shares a name with Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)4 that opened last year, according to the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS doesn’t yet have any available copies of the organization’s Form 990 returns, the documents tax-exempt nonprofits must file every year.
But the D.C. corporation registry lists the organization and three directors, all of whom are longtime Republican operatives with ties to the oil and gas industry.
Jeff Berkowitz, the only one with publicly available contact information, was formerly the chief researcher for the Republican National Committee and now runs his own opposition research firm. His spokesman did not respond to an email on Thursday.
Alby Modiano, another director, was the president of the U.S. Oil and Gas Association from 1993 until at least 2018, though he now describes himself as the former president. And the last director, Marc Himmelstein, is a longtime lobbyist for the energy industry.
Oliver Muggli, executive director of the Senate Democratic Leadership Fund, called the mystery mailers “pretty disturbing.” The Senate Democratic Leadership Fund, a political action committee that supports Democratic state senators and candidates for Senate, discloses its fundraising and spending, as do other political action committees.
“I think they’re counting on Oregonians being fooled by that sort of spending, and I think that Oregonians won’t be fooled by D.C. corporate interests disguising themselves to try to appear more grassroots,” he said.
Federal Law Enforcement Partners Encourage Community Reporting of All Hate Crimes
Earlier this month, the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission released its third annual report✎ EditSign reviewing the state’s recent bias crime and non-criminal bias incident reporting data. Among many concerning findings, the report noted that calls to the Oregon Department of Justice Bias Response Hotline increased by 53% from 2020 to 2021.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon and the FBI Portland Field Office commend individuals who have courageously come forward to report hate-related incidents and activity. With these incidents continuing to increase in Oregon and throughout the United States, federal law enforcement leaders in Oregon encourage anyone with information about hate crimes to call Oregon’s Bias Response Hotline, their local law enforcement agency or the FBI directly.
The Justice Department is committed to supporting victims of these crimes.
“Violent acts motivated by hate have no place in our shared community. The FBI is working with our law enforcement and community partners to hold those accountable who are so callously targeting innocent people,” said Kieran L. Ramsey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Portland Field Office. “Even as we are seeing some increased reporting of hate crimes, we know the vast majority of these incidents are still going underreported and we need your help. If you’re the victim of a hate crime or know someone being victimized, please contact law enforcement and the FBI.”
The FBI defines a hate crime as a “criminal offense against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by an offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity.”
Combatting hate crimes is a top priority of the U.S. Department of Justice and FBI. These crimes have a devastating impact on families and communities.
If you are concerned about your safety, please call 911 immediately.
If you or someone you know was the victim of or witnessed a hate-related crime or incident, please contact Oregon’s Bias Crime Hotline by calling 1-844-924-BIAS. Trauma-informed operators are available from 9am to 5pm Pacific time, Monday through Friday.
These crimes and incidents can also be reported to the FBI directly by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or submitting a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
Signs Warn Of No Swimming: A universal sign which aims to prevent drowning in natural water
Oregon State Police is part of the Columbia Gorge Safe Kids Coalition, which is part of the greater Safe Kids Oregon organization. They have developed a universal sign which aims to prevent drowning in natural water.
The sign, which is available for use throughout Oregon, warns visitors of places they should keep clear of when looking to cool off. The message reads, in both English and Spanish, “Dangerous Area – Do Not Swim”, and depicts a red circle backlash symbol over the icon of a swimmer. Betsy Hartner, the State Coordinator of Safe Kids Oregon, conducted research to ensure the sign adheres to national and international standards.
The first of these signs was placed in cooperation with Oregon State Parks near the Deschutes River & White River Falls along the White River. The signs were posted within days of yet another near drowning near the falls, where thankfully a man was rescued and revived using CPR. “Although another tragedy was avoided, we are hoping these signs will make a difference and keep people from getting into these situations in the first place”, said Senior Trooper Holloran of the Oregon State Police.
There are plenty of places to swim safely in Oregon, and there are life jacket loaner stations available throughout the state which can be found online on the Oregon State Marine Board’s Life Jacket Loaner Station Map: https://www.oregon.gov/osmb/boater-info/Pages/Life-Jacket-Loaner-Stations.aspx. Life jackets are always recommended for children, teens, and adults while swimming in natural water and for all persons when boating.
The summer heat is upon us, so please be mindful of designated swimming areas and never leave children unattended. Here’s to a safe summer on Oregon waterways!
The template for the sign is available for any organization or group that would like to warn the public of unsafe areas in natural water. To receive the template free of cost, email your request to safekidscg@gmail.com.
The Columbia Gorge Safe Kids Coalition is made up of multiple partners such as the Oregon State Police, the Washington State Police, the Oregon Department of Human Service, Next Door Inc., Wasco/Sherman Public Health Department, Providence Hood River, Good Shepard Hermiston, and Mid-Columbia Medical Center, to name a few. To find out more about Safe Kids Oregon, visit http://www.safekidsoregon.org/
Women Missing Since May 1st 2022 between Medford, Grants Pass and Roseburg per Oregon State Police
| MAKENNA KENDALL 5/3/2022 |
| ERICA LEE HUTCHINSON 5/26/2022 |
| MARIAH DANIELLE SHARP 6/12/2022 |
| KAITLYN RAE NELSON 6/14/2022 |
| BROOKLYN JOHNS 6/14/2022 |
| DONNA LEPP 6/27/2022 |
| BARBARA DELEPINE 7/4/2022 |
| ****KENDRA MARIE HANKS 7/7/2022 FOUND MURDERED 7/21/2022 |
| CORI BOSHANE MCCANN 7/8/2022 |
| SHYHAILA SMITH 7/12/2022 |
| ALEZAE LILYANNE MARTINEZ 7/13/2022 |
| RAVEN RILEY 7/13/2022 |
| TAHUANA RILEY 7/13/2022 |
| DANIELLE NEWVILLE 7/14/2022 |
| CONNIE LORAINE BOND 7/19/2022 |
| KARIN DAWN RUSSELL 7/19/2022 |
| CHEYENNE SPRINGS 7/19/2022 |
| KAREN ANNETTE SCIORTINO 7/22/2022 |
| MARLENE HICKEY 7/23/2022 |
| MAKAYLA MAY VAUGHT 7/23/2022 |
Women Missing Since May 1st 2022 in Lane County per Oregon State Police
| BREISA RAQUEAL SIKEL 5/3/2022 |
| HANNAH MARIE RHOTEN 5/17/2022 |
| MARISSA ALEESA DAMBROSIO 5/18/2022 |
| ISABELLA BROSOWSKEYOUNGBLOOD 6/7/2022 |
| LOUISA DAY AVA 5/28/2022 |
| AMY CHRISTINA SULLIVAN 6/1/2022 |
| NIKKI ELIZABETH ZEREBNY 6/6/2022 |
| SHADOW STAR SEVIGNY 6/17/2022 |
| SHAUNA LEAH HOGAN 6/17/2022 |
| AIRIONNA CHEALSEY RHODES 6/27/2022 |
| KARISSA RENEE ADAMS 7/6/2000 |
| VERONICA ESSYNCE DELERIO 7/6/2022 |
| AUBRIE HANNA STEPHENS 7/10/2022 |
| LARA IVEY STEINMETZ 7/11/2022 |
| SARA LINDSAY SCHAEFER 7/12/2022 |
| ANGELINA MARIE NAZAR 7/16/2022 |
| LUCIA MARTHA PANNIER 7/17/2022 |
| MALINA LINN COATS 7/20/2022 |
As of today, 7/6/2022, there are now 37 women missing between Medford and Eugene. Sadly Kendra Hanks has been found murdered, though that takes her off the list. We send thoughts and prayers to her family as well as the families of all missing people in our area.
37 women missing in less than 3 months. That averages out to a little more than 12 missing per month. Something needs to be done.
This is just a small compilation of missing women’s pictures in the area. There are of course women missing all over Oregon and men and children missing. 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.oregon.gov/osp/missing/pages/missingpersons.aspx
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Have-You-Seen-Me-Southern-Oregons-Missing-People-161249961222839/posts/