Oregon News, Friday, 10/2 – Oregon Covid-19 Cases Soaring; 363 New Overnight, Lane County with 58 Overnight

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

Friday, October 2, 2020

Oregon Beach Weather

Tonight Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light north northwest after midnight.

Saturday Areas of fog before 11am. Otherwise, cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 65. North northwest wind 3 to 8 mph. Saturday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 55. Northwest wind 6 to 10 mph.

Sunday Patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Northwest wind 7 to 11 mph.Sunday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 55. North wind 8 to 11 mph.

Monday Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 70. Breezy. Monday NightMostly clear, with a low around 55.TuesdaySunny, with a high near 71. Breezy.

Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 56.

Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.

Today’s Headlines

COVID-19 has claimed one more life in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 560 Oregon Health Authority reported 363 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of yesterday, bringing the state total to 33,862.

Lane County Public Health reported 58 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, the largest amount of cases reported in a single day for the county since the start of the pandemic.

This brings the county’s total for confirmed and presumptive cases to 1,386. Of those, 187 remain infectious. At this time, 10 people are in the hospital. One more person has died as well. The death toll is now at 19.

Area residents in the McKenzie River area will be glad to hear that Highway 26 has reopened at of today, weeks after the terrible Holiday Farm Fire devastated the region.

There are still many hazards, so ODOT asks that drivers avoid Highway 126 unless they are residents, first responders or recovery personnel. Trees and rocks could still fall on the road, and there is debris up to the fog line. There is no guard rail in spots so drive with extra caution.  When the change takes effect, there will be no more pilot cars leading caravans.  Drivers should expect lengthy delays during the week as work continues.

Teachers at Douglas High School in Roseburg are imploring the school board to delay the start of in-person education until Douglas County meets the state standards for reopening.

State guidelines set by the Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Department of Education say schools can only open for in-person instruction in grades four through 12 if there are 10 or fewer new cases of coronavirus per 100,000 people in the county for three weeks running.

While Douglas County for many weeks had one of the state’s lowest coronavirus case rates, it reported 17 new cases per 100,000 the week of Sept. 13 and 22 the week of Sept. 20. Teachers in the Winston-Dillard school district, home to Douglas High, report that the two state agencies so far have not indicated they will honor teachers’ requests that they force the district to end its plans to teach all students in person at least part of the time. The district serves about 1,400 students in and around the Douglas County communities of Winston and Dillard, about 10 miles south of Roseburg.

Meanwhile, parents of students are very frustrated in Clackamas County and want the area to return to in-person schooling.   In an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus, many school districts across Oregon have opted to start their school years with at-home distance learning.

But many say distance learning simply isn’t working. So parents, grandparents and kids joined a rally near the Clackamas Town Center to get a message to state leaders. They want state leaders to re-evaluate the metrics and give local school districts more autonomy.

Organizers of rallies like the one held Thursday are asking Gov. Kate Brown and the Oregon Department of Education to allow students and teachers the option of returning to classrooms if they feel safe to do so.

“This morning we cried over math, it’s just not working. They are front of screens for four hours a day and it’s too much,” said parent Lisa Decker. “I don’t understand why we prioritize bars and other establishment and we can’t prioritize our schools and our kids and I am tired of it but that’s why I am here.”

Shalyse Olson has four kids in the Salem-Keizer School District and is a former teacher for the district. She’s helping to organize a rally for Oct. 5 on the steps of the State Capitol.

“It’s been really sad, it’s been frustrating and sad,” she said. “I think we are just failing. We are failing our teachers, we are failing our students. We are failing everywhere.  We are doing them a disservice by not stepping up and asking for an option,” said Olson. “If the in-person learning works best for them, then we want that option.”

Olson and the parents, teachers and students who share her views are asking state leaders for more options. But Olson says despite sending letters and emails to state leaders, she has yet to receive a response.

“We are not saying that this in-person should be the only choice by any means nor should it be full-time, every student, 5 days a week. We are just merely asking that for those teachers who are ready who are waiting, ready and prepared and want to be in the classroom and those parents and students who feel the exact same be given that choice as well,” Olson said.

Olson said she supports the option to remain home and continue distance learning for those who feel safest doing so.

The Oregon Department of Education responded yesterday this way:

“ODE and OHA are partnering closely on a daily basis trying to resolve challenges, review best practices, and support education and health leaders across the state.The kinds of disruption and impacts families and kids are experiencing are a real impact of responding to COVID-19. We will be the first ones cheering to see the metrics come back down in counties across Oregon.

Families have a right to voice their opinion and ODE knows this is a challenging time for students and families. ODE believes being as consistent as possible statewide and holding the metrics to their intent and following them closely as conditions from COVID-19 change is the best way to balance the array of needs between the desire to offer instruction in person and ensure educator and student safety while attending to the needs of the healthcare system and total system capacity to respond to any new cases.”

Know the Oregon Air Quality Near You
To easily monitor the changes in air quality in our state, search for OregonAir in your app store, and install it on your smart phone. Currently, masks and respirators known to protect against wildfire smoke particles, the N95, are in short supply and are being reserved as personal protective equipment for health professionals.

The best way to reduce smoke exposure is to stay indoors. During periods of impact from wildfire smoke, community members will notice discussion of the air quality index number. This number is most helpful when residents know its meaning. KCPH wants to help the community “know the numbers”. High temperatures can make the smoky conditions more uncomfortable. Knowing the range of air quality numbers can help people make good choices about outdoor activities.

The U.S. Attorney is rejecting Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler’s request to cancel the federal deputation of nearly five-dozen Portland Police officers.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office released a statement yesterday saying the officers will hold onto their designation for the rest of the year.  

Officials deputized 56 members of the Portland Police Bureau’s Rapid Response Team as Federal Marshals late last week in preparation for Saturday’s dueling demonstrations between alt-right protesters and counterprotesters.  The U.S. Attorney’s statement says Portlanders are “sick of boarded-up and dangerous conditions prevalent in downtown Portland.”

Three Pacific Northwest law firms have filed a class action lawsuit against the Pacific Power utility and its parent company, claiming they failed to shut down its power lines despite historically high winds and extremely dangerous wildfire conditions.

The lawsuit, filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court, names Jeanyne James and Robin Colbert as lead plaintiffs. The couple lost their home, garage and cars in the small community of Lyons, Oregon, to a wildfire that raced through a canyon last month, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported Thursday. The blaze was one of multiple fires that burned across the state starting on that date. The wildfires destroyed several thousand homes and killed nine people in Oregon and two in northern California. The lawsuit alleged the high winds also toppled energized power lines that sparked some of the blazes.

 A self-described member of the Proud Boys, a far-right group, pleaded not guilty to a dozen charges Thursday related to clashes in the streets of Portland, Oregon, between right- and left-wing demonstrators in the run-up to November’s presidential election.

Alan Swinney, 50, was secretly indicted on Sept. 11 on charges that include assault and unlawful use of a weapon after authorities said he pointed a revolver at a protester and fired a paintball gun and mace at people on two occasions in August. He was not arrested until Wednesday and made his first court appearance Thursday. He remained in custody.

Swinney’s defense attorney, Eric Wolfe, did not immediately return a call seeking comment. Swinney is also facing a one-point-two-million-dollar civil suit in connection to the incidents.

On 09/30/2020 at approximately 9:54pm, Officers from the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety responded to an audible burglary alarm at 1380 Pansy Lane (River City BMX track).  Officers arrived on scene within 2 minutes of the time of call. Officers determined forced entry had been made into the concession stand and items from within were taken.  As officers searched the general area for suspect(s), Robert Stone was located walking away from the location.  

When officers made contact with Stone, 18, they were able to determine he was involved in the burglary at the concession stand.  During the investigation, it was noted Stone was wearing body armor while committing the burglary.  Stone was also determined to have been previously convicted of a felony crime.  As officers continued to investigate the incident, they were suspicious of Stone being involved in other crimes in the southwest area of town. 

Due to the recent high levels of burglary, theft and unlawful entry into motor vehicle cases in the Redwood District, DPS detectives responded to assist.  Through additional investigation, it was determined Stone was responsible for at least one other burglary of a residence where numerous firearms had been taken. In addition to the suspected crimes, Stone was also found to be in possession of a controlled substance. Stone was later transported and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for the listed charges, which include damage to property and theft while committing the crimes of burglary and unlawful entry into motor vehicles. 

Further investigation is still being conducted on this case to determine if Stone is associated with other cases in the Redwood District.  It is believed there may be additional charges to follow after more follow up is completed. The Grants Pass Department of Public Safety would also like to remind everyone to be aware of items left inside of vehicles.  Items of value and firearms should always be secured in a safe location and not in a vehicle. 

Stone, Robert A.   18 years of age

Charges:

Burglary in the first degree

Burglary in the second degree

Felon in possession of a firearm (4 counts)

Possession of a controlled substance (2 counts)

Unlawful Possession of Body Armor

Felon in Possession of Body Armor

Unlawful entry into motor vehicle (8 counts)

Criminal Mischief in the second degree (2 counts)

Theft in the third degree (2 counts)

OHA provides tips for a safe (but still spooky and fun) Halloween 

Portland, Ore.– The COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping how Oregonians celebrate holidays, and that includes Halloween. But it doesn’t mean Halloween this year can’t still be spooky and fun!

People in Oregon are creative, they care about their community and they know it’s important to celebrate safely. This year, it’s more important than ever to put safety first because COVID-19 cases have risen recently and holiday gatherings on Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day led to increased case counts. So, this Halloween, be extra mindful of your choices. Choosing low risk Halloween plans can help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 illness, decrease the impact on Oregon’s health care system and save lives.

This Halloween, the Oregon Health Authority is recommending that Oregonians avoid traditional door-to-door trick or treating and “Trunk or Treat” events because these are high risk activities for crowding among people outside your household. This recommendation aligns with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which also recommends families avoid traditional trick or treating.

Some ideas for safer, low-risk activities include holding an online costume contest, watching a scary movie online, carving pumpkins with people in your household, decorating your house or apartment, or touring the neighborhood to look at decorated houses with members of your household.

“If you dress up in a costume, be careful to plan a costume that allows you to wear a face covering,” said State Health Officer Dr. Dean Sidelinger. “Halloween masks will not protect you or others from coronavirus. Wearing a cloth or disposable face mask that fits snugly and covers your mouth and nose is still required while wearing a costume, no matter how scary or silly your costume is.”

For more tips to stay safe this holiday, check out these infographics about Halloween activities and how to safely visit a pumpkin patch or farm, and then share them with your friends and family on your Facebook and Instagram accounts.

As Oregon experiences cooler weather and many community members begin to spend more time at home, the Office of State Fire Marshal will be engaging in support of the national campaign of Fire Prevention Week and will be running cooking fire safety messaging for the month of October. Oregon’s theme mirrors the 2020 national theme: “Serve up fire safety in the kitchen!™”

“Nationally, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, with unattended cooking being the leading cause of fires in the kitchen,” said Assistant Chief Deputy Claire McGrew. “In Oregon, cooking was the leading known cause of residential structure fires over the past five years, through 2019.”

According to data collected from the Oregon fire service for the National Fire Reporting System, home fires caused 29 deaths in Oregon in 2019, and fire agencies in Oregon responded to 2,790 home fires; and cooking was the leading known cause of residential structure fires over the past five years (2015-19), causing an average of 19 percent of Oregon’s total residential structure fires and six deaths.

To help keep you safe in the kitchen, cooking fire safety tips include:

  • Keep an eye on what you’re cooking — don’t leave cooking unattended.
  • Keep your cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles (potholders, food packaging, towels, etc.), and wipe up surface spills.
  • Create a three-foot kid- and pet-free zone around the stove.
  • Older children should only cook with permission and under the supervision of an adult.
  • Have a lid or cookie sheet within reach while cooking (to smother flames) in case of a fire.

If a cooking fire does start:

  • Put a lid on it! Slide a lid over the pan (from the side) and then turn off the burner.
  • Don’t move the pan until the fire is completely extinguished and cooled, and don’t try to transfer the pan to the sink.

If you cannot quickly extinguish the fire:

  • Get you and your family safely out of the house.
  • If you can, close doors as you are escaping, to help contain the fire.
  • Call 911 from a safe place (outside).

“This year has been a challenging one for Oregonians,” says State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple. “As we continue to face the challenges of COVID-19 and now the impacts of the Oregon fire season, it demonstrates the resilient spirit of Oregonians. Fire Prevention Month is a good reminder as we continue to be in our homes and closed settings to bring fire safe practices into the home, which will continue to keep you and your families safe from the dangers of fire.”

For more information on home cooking fire safety, please visit the OSFM’s website. Additional resources may also be found on the National Fire Protection Association website.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the person or people responsible for the death of Gunner Bailey last year. A passerby found his body about 50 feet off Tenino Road on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation on March 17, 2019. Bailey, age 31 at the time, was shot to death. 

The FBI and Warm Springs Police Department are jointly investigating this case.

As part of this publicity effort, the FBI has created a “Seeking Information” poster which is attached and can be found at https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/gunner-johnson-bailey and a Facebook ad (attached).

Anyone with information concerning this homicide is asked to contact the FBI in Bend at (541) 389-1202 during normal business hours, the FBI in Portland at (503) 224-4181 24 hours a day, or the Warm Springs Police Department at (541) 553-3272. Information may also be submitted online at https://tips.fbi.gov.

The Oregon Department of Revenue (DOR) will host a pair of live training sessions on the Zoom video conferencing platform in October to provide information to business taxpayers and tax professionals about the administrative rules for Oregon’s new Corporate Activity Tax (CAT).

The first meeting is planned for noon to 2 p.m. PDT October 19.
• Meeting link: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1608045185.
• Passcode: 920761
The second meeting is planned for 9 to 11 a.m. PDT October 20.
• Meeting link: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1619858903.
• Passcode: 013983
In addition to a basic overview of the CAT, definitions of key elements of the law, and an update on the ongoing rules process, the training sessions will specifically address:
• The 35% subtraction.
• Unitary groups.
• Sourcing of commercial activity and apportionment.
• Quarterly underpayment penalty.
• COVID-19 pandemic-related relief options.
• Sales certificates.
• Motor vehicle dealer trades.
• Grocery exclusion.
• Cost inputs for farmers.

The training will also provide a review of the resources available on the CAT page of the Revenue website for business taxpayers and tax professionals.

Department representatives used input collected from stakeholders during a 12-stop tour in fall 2019 in prioritizing and writing the initial rules. A second tour provided training for business taxpayers and tax professionals in March before it was cut short by restrictions on public gatherings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Use of the online Zoom meeting platform will allow the CAT policy team to present live in October. Participants will be able to follow along with a PowerPoint presentation. They will be able to submit questions via email to cat.help.dor@oregon.gov. The policy team will seek to answer the questions at the end of each section of the training presentation.

Stakeholders can direct questions or comments about the CAT anytime via email to cat.help.dor@oregon.gov or by calling 503-945-8005. Interested persons can also sign up for email updates on the CAT and other Revenue programs on the agency website.

To get tax forms, check the status of your refund, or make tax payments, visit www.oregon.gov/dor/ or email questions.dor@oregon.gov. You can also call 800-356-4222 toll free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon. For TTY (hearing- or speech-impaired), we accept all relay calls.

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