Local News

Traveling outside the Rogue Valley is strongly discouraged due to challenging road conditions around other parts of the state. The Oregon Department of Transportation reported this morning that sub-freezing temperatures still cover much of the Willamette Valley, making road conditions challenging for at least the next couple of days. Freezing rain is expected Tuesday. Northbound Interstate 5 south of Eugene remains slow and congested due to overnight crashes. Last night, vehicles spinning out, crashing or losing traction in southern Lane County blocked the freeway for hours, causing a traffic backup. Crews are plowing 24/7 and using de-icer by the hundreds of thousands of pounds as well as sanding packed ice and snow on the roads. However, the amount of ice and extremely low temperatures limit the effectiveness of these tools -- especially for vehicles without chains. Meanwhile, warming temperatures in southwest Oregon could lead to flooding especially in Coos County. Watch for high water and debris on roadways on valley and coastal routes. ODOT officials said consider delaying your travel until later this week, if possible. If you must travel, be prepared for difficult driving conditions. Carry chains, plenty of fuel, snacks and blankets in case of delays. For the latest state highway information and to see current closures, visit "tripcheck.com."

 

Tomorrow is the last day to sign up for private health insurance in Oregon's health insurance marketplace. Open enrollment is the exclusive time of year when individuals can sign up for private health insurance and Tuesday is the deadline. Since open enrollment began on November 1st, nearly 141,000 people have signed up for health insurance in 2024. More than 80% of Oregonians who have enrolled in medical coverage through "OregonHealthCare.gov" are getting financial help with an average savings of over $525 per month. These savings reduce the monthly premium to have health insurance. Additional financial help called cost-sharing reductions are available for thousands of Oregonians with out-of-pocket costs on Silver-level plans. Oregonians who are losing Oregon Health Plan benefits or who experience another major life change -- such as marriage, having or adopting a baby, moving or changing jobs -- may also be able to enroll outside the open enrollment period. "OregonHealthCare.gov" offers a quick and easy-to-use window-shopping tool at "orhim.info/shop" where users can preview which plans and savings are available to them.

 

The Oregon State Police assisted in the rescue of an injured owl in Shady Cove last week. OSP Fish and Wildlife officers responded to a report of a small injured owl near a Shady Cove residence on Thursday. The reported "baby" owl turned out to be a Northern Pygmy Owl -- a species not much larger than a baseball. The rescued owl appeared to have an injury to its wing and was released to the care of a wildlife rehabilitation center for evaluation, treatment and, hopefully, release back to where it was found. Although injured raptors are a common call for Fish and Wildlife troopers, the responding officer said it was the first time he had encountered a Northern Pygmy Owl in person. OSP Captain Kyle Kennedy said they are thankful to have partnerships with nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation facilities who help save animals like this little owl. He said they appreciate the commitment of their staff, volunteers and donors who help fulfill their mission of preserving and protecting Oregon's natural resources.

 

A woman is in jail and a man cited to appear after Josephine County Deputies made contact with the couple on a remote road. Friday afternoon the Sheriff’s log shows a license plate check of a Dodge Ram pickup on forest service road 38-7 and the immediate detention of two individuals. Both were arrested following a search of the vehicle. Michael Spliethof, 35, was cited to appear on an active warrant for failure to appear for unlawful possession of methamphetamine and then released. The woman, 33-year-old Andrea Lee McGrath, was arrested and lodged in the County Jail on three warrants, two for failure to appear on charges of unlawful possession of meth and one charge of failure to appear for a charge of theft II

 

A 43-year-old woman was arrested and jailed by Sheriff’s Deputies Friday morning after she attacked her mother. 911 received a call just after 10 a.m. saying his daughter came into their home, uninvited, was harassing them. According to the Sheriff’s narrative, the daughter does not live there, is a transient, and walked in without permission and when told to leave attacked her mother. Deputies arrived at the residence in the 500 block of Tina Way and contacted the daughter, Diana Marie Reynolds, and arrested and transported her to the County Jail on charges of harassment-offensive physical contact and criminal trespass II.Ms. Reynolds has been a frequent resident at the County facility having been incarcerated eight times since June of 2023 on a plethora of charges including criminal trespass II, disorderly conduct, mail theft and theft III.

 

The Bureau of Land Management is welcoming 2024 by providing fee-free visits to public lands on Martin Luther King, Jr., Day. The BLM is waiving recreation standard amenity and day-use fees on Monday in honor of MLK's birthday, which is a federal holiday to recognize his service and leadership in the civil rights movement. Locally, the BLM's standard amenity day-use fees will be waived at Hyatt Lake Recreation Area in Jackson County. The fee waiver does not apply to any expanded amenity fees for overnight camping, cabin rentals or special recreation permit fees along permitted rivers. Winter weather recreation requires more preparation to stay safe. Check with your local BLM office to learn about current conditions and road closures. Remember to always pack the 10 essentials: navigation tools, headlamp, sun protection, first aid kit, knife/gear repair kit, fire essentials, shelter, extra food, extra water and extra clothing.

 

The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. The Red Cross blood supply has fallen to critically low levels across the country, and blood and platelet donors are urged to make a donation appointment to help alleviate the shortage to help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not put on hold. Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40%. When fewer people donate blood, even small disruptions to blood donations -- such as the nearly 7,000-unit shortfall the Red Cross experienced Christmas and New Year's Day alone -- can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusions. Blood products are currently going to hospitals faster than blood donations are coming in. In recent weeks, the Red Cross has had to limit distributions of Type O blood products -- among the most transfused blood types -- to hospitals. Don't wait. To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit "RedCrossBlood.org" or call 1-(800)-RED-CROSS.

 

US Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will be awarding communities across Oregon more than $3 million from the Family Self-Sufficiency Program fund. Wyden and Merkley said these funds will be used to assist families who are struggling with housing affordability to maximize their housing assistance and connect them with training and services to ultimately help them become economically self-sufficient. The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program allocates grants to Public Housing Authorities for support the salaries of FSS program coordinators. These people play a crucial role in helping participating families maximize their housing assistance by connecting them with training and services aimed at enhancing economic self-sufficiency. Grants incentivize the development of community-level plans that align public and private resources, with the ultimate goal of empowering participating families to achieve economic independence and reducing dependence on welfare assistance and rental subsidies.

 

January 16th is the last day to sign up for private health insurance in Oregon's health insurance marketplace. Open enrollment is the exclusive time of year when individuals can sign up for private health insurance and Tuesday is the deadline. Since open enrollment began on November 1st, nearly 141,000 people have signed up for health insurance in 2024. More than 80% of Oregonians who have enrolled in medical coverage through "OregonHealthCare.gov" are getting financial help with an average savings of over $525 per month. These savings reduce the monthly premium to have health insurance. Additional financial help called cost-sharing reductions are available for thousands of Oregonians with out-of-pocket costs on Silver-level plans. Oregonians who are losing Oregon Health Plan benefits or who experience another major life change -- such as marriage, having or adopting a baby, moving or changing jobs -- may also be able to enroll outside the open enrollment period. "OregonHealthCare.gov" offers a quick and easy-to-use window-shopping tool at "orhim.info/shop" where users can preview which plans and savings are available to them. The tool also allows users to see which plans cover their prescription drugs and are networked with their preferred primary care doctor or hospitals.