Klamath Basin News, Wednesday, Jan. 3 – Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center Officials And Police Investigating Multiple Recent Deaths

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Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Klamath Basin Weather

Today’s Headlines

Medford Police and Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center officials have a full investigation going regarding many deaths that could be related.

Klamath Falls resident Diane Rogers said she was notified by Asante Hospital officials in Medford, the July 26 death of her husband, 74-year-old Barry Samsten, had been caused by a bacterial infection after fentanyl was replaced with non-sterile tap water, allegedly by a nurse.

This is part of a large-scale investigation ongoing by Medford police.

Samsten, a retired transportation planner for the Southern California Association of Governments, was being treated for a bedsore. His death certificate lists his cause of death as multiple organ failure and septic shock.

Rogers said at one point Samsten’s pain was so intense his eyes would roll back inside of his head.  Rogers said the told the nurse he was in pain, and the nurse replied, “no, he’s not”.

Medford police have launched an investigation after authorities were contacted about a patient’s death at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford.

Hospital officials confirmed police are investigating one death at Asante in Medford, although families of two alleged victims have confirmed the loss of loved ones in interviews with the Rogue Valley Times newspaper and website.

Lauren Van Sickle, Asante communications manager, said she was unable to comment on any reported deaths because police are investigating.

“We were distressed to learn of this issue. We reported it to law enforcement and are working closely with them,” Van Sickle said over the weekend.

Medford police Lt. Geoff Kirkpatrick confirmed in a text, “We are investigating a case at Asante Rogue Regional. It is in its very preliminary stages and we have no further information we can release.”

Multiple hospital sources, who declined to be identified, confirmed dozens of patients injured by medication diversion — the act of replacing a medication with another substance. It is believed the fentanyl may have been then taken from the premises for personal use.

Sources allege that a hospital nurse was removing fentanyl from IV bags and replacing it with tap water. Two families shared their stories with the Times, which first learned of the investigation Dec. 23.

Along with the death of a Klamath Falls resident, Grants Pass resident Garrett Atwood received a Dec. 18 phone call in which he learned that his brother’s death — more than a year before on Nov. 11, 2022 — was allegedly caused by a central line infection that resulted after a hospital nurse replaced fentanyl with non-sterile tap water, he said.

Atwood’s brother, 36-year-old combat veteran Samuel Allison, entered the hospital Oct. 14, 2022, for liver failure. Atwood said his brother’s condition had stabilized and his prognosis was good. Shortly after leaving the ICU, he presented with an infection, was transferred to Oregon Health and Science University in Portland and died within days.

Atwood claimed Asante officials informed family members that his brother’s pain medication was “tampered with.” Atwood further claimed that hospital officials said the infection he developed “was directly linked to the tap water that the nurse in question was replacing it with.”

Atwood said hospital officials told him the employee was “no longer working in the medical field, as they were reported to both the medical board and police.” That person’s name has not been released.

According to the Health Authority’s Hospital Healthcare-Associated Infections database, Asante Rogue Regional had low instances of central line infections between 2016 and 2021.

Multiple Asante sources who do not want to be named tell us as many as eight or nine hospital patients may have died as a result of these actions.

A 24-year-old Bly man has been booked into Klamath County Jail on 23 counts related to child sex abuse. 

According to documents from the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, Bradley Austin Keyworth was arrested in Salt Lake County in Utah. 

Keyworth is facing 18 counts of first-degree encouraging child sex abuse, two counts of second-degree encouraging child sex abuse, two counts of luring a minor, one count of first-degree possession of materials depicting sexually explicit conduct of a child and one count of using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct. This is a developing story.

The Klamath County Museum will host a new Free First Friday program this Friday. Admission fees will be waived all day and extended hours will be offered from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

As part of the First Friday program, a presentation on particular topics of interest will be given on that day. This Friday’s presentation topic is on the history of local food processing and marketing in the Klamath Basin. Presentations will be given at noon, and again at 6:30 p.m.

Examples of local businesses that will be referenced include the Gooding Egg Farm, Bratton Packing and the Crater Lake Creamery.

Local poets and poetry in history will be the topic for presentation for February’s Free First Friday at the museum.

For more information contact the museum at (541) 882-1000.

Here’s an update about an officer-involved shooting that happened on an Amtrak train in Mount Shasta last week.

According to KRCR-TV in Redding, an internal Amtrak memo to employees says an Amtrak employee was shot in Monday’s incident. The station’s report says the wife of the unnamed employee who was shot confirmed her husband was shot two times by police and is receiving medical care.

Mount Shasta Police Department says the shooting happened on a train at the intersection of West Lake Street and Pine Street at 12:30am on Christmas. The incident resulted in the injury of one person and the death of another.

The California Attorney General’s Office is investigating the shooting as is prescribed under California law. Once the investigation is complete, the California Department of Justice will independently review the incident.

The incident happened on the Coast Starlight, which travels through Klamath Falls two times per day on a route between Southern California and Seattle.

Klamath, Jackson and Curry counties have received funding that will bring over $119,000 and 28 electric vehicle charging ports through the Community Charging Rebates program.

This program is part of the Oregon Department of Transportation’s $100 million commitment to increase EV charging along major roads and within Oregon communities over the next five years.

The focus was not just on providing rebates but on preparing communities by strategically placing charging stations where they could have the most impact. This included rural tourist destinations, areas with long commutes and locations enticing people to spend time while charging their cars.

The first round covered $1.75 million in funding. 70% of that funding goes towards projects in disadvantaged and rural communities.

With more funding rounds anticipated, interested people and organizations were encouraged to keep an eye on future rounds and reach out for assistance during the application process.

The second round will launch in early March 2024. Anyone who is interested can head over to ODOT’s website.

After four years, a trial is set to begin on a  $11.75 million federal lawsuit against the city of Klamath Falls next week.

Estimated to cover five days, Cisneros v. City of Klamath Falls is set for trial beginning Jan. 8, 2024, in Medford with a pretrial conference taking place in December.

Filed back in 2019, plaintiffs Elizabeth and Antonio Cisneros, former owners of Mexican restaurant El Palacio, alleged that Klamath Falls and the Klamath Falls Police Department (KFPD) at the direction of former KFPD Chief Dave Henslee, former City Manager Nathan Cherpeski and former City Councilor Kendall Bell violated their 14th Amendment equal protection due process constitutional rights by discriminating against them and targeting them for a higher level of law enforcement activity.

The plaintiffs state in the lawsuit that KFPD, at the direction of Henslee, made patrols of El Palacio, including walk-throughs of the premises and that they were being treated differently from other similarly situated non-Hispanic establishments.

The city “failed to apply its laws uniformly and has used race as a basis for making these decisions,” the lawsuit claims.

According to court documents, the defendants assert they were attempting to address criminal activity within the downtown area arguing that law enforcement incidents were occurring as a result of the Cisneros failing to abate the over-consumption of alcohol at El Palacio.

While Klamath Falls did submit an extensive amount of evidence to dispute, presiding Judge Ann Aiken said it is not the court’s role to determine which set of facts is more plausible and that a jury should weigh the evidence and make the determination if the allegations against Klamath Falls are true.  (Herald and News)

Klamath Community College is expanding its Cosmetology program to allow for online access.

This initiative allows students, including those already licensed as cosmetologists, to enroll and earn an Associate Degree in Cosmetology or Esthetics, or obtain certification as a licensed professional, in as little as six months online, according to a KCC news release.

Additionally, the KCC Foundation will donate scholarships to sponsor student tuition for the new online program.

The KCC Associate Degree in Cosmetology is designed to equip professionals with skills needed to elevate student business knowledge, as well as train students in beauty and wellness.

Notably, the program focuses on key subjects such as marketing and financial business skills, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to start or expand their salon.  The program is only in its second year of operation, and online access will allow students better access to becoming licensed professionals in barbering, esthetics, hair design and nail technology.

This unique approach distinguishes the KCC Cosmetology program from others, and provides a comprehensive education that goes beyond technical skill alone, the release said.

In developing the program, KCC collaborated with Bellus Academy, a leader in beauty and wellness and the recipient of multiple industry awards.

Salon services are available at KCC Cosmetology, 357 E. Main St., in Klamath Falls. A wide variety of hair, skin and nails services are available to the public. For appointments, call (541) 882-6644.

(KCC/HeraldandNews/KFLS)

Boy Scout Troop 8 in Klamath Falls is offering the annual Christmas tree pickup this Saturday, Dec. 30th.

To arrange a pickup, call 541-850-9217. The scouts are raising funds for summer camp and other scout activities.

They ask for a minimum $7 donation. Trees are recycled for biofuel and feed for goats.”  (Herald and News)

Community members are invited to bring undecorated Christmas trees to the Klamath County Fairgrounds on Saturday, January 6, 8 a.m. – noon.

Absolute Tree Care Service will chip trees in the parking lot, to the right of the entrance, in exchange for any donation to Friends of the Children – Klamath Basin.

Donations can be made with cash or check, at friendsklamath.org “Donate”.  “With this event, we hope to encourage environmentally friendly tree disposal and support an organization that does so much for local youth,” said Rick Spicher, owner of Absolute Tree Care Service.

Friends of the Children is a national nonprofit that creates generational change by empowering youth facing the greatest obstacles through relationships with professional mentors, called “Friends,” for 12+ years.

Friends of the Children – Klamath Basin was established in 2000. It has locations in Klamath Falls and Chiloquin and capacity to support 72 youth. Learn more at friendsklamath.org.

Around the state of Oregon

Hospital Nurse at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford Accused of Replacing Fentanyl with Tap Water Leading to at least 10 Patient Deaths

• A nurse at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Oregon is accused of replacing fentanyl with tap water, leading to the deaths of approximately ten patients.

• The tap water injections allegedly caused Pseudomonas infections, which can result in severe conditions like sepsis and pneumonia.

• The act of substituting medications, known as “drug diversion,” is a problem in the medical field, with fentanyl being one of the most commonly diverted drugs.

• No charges have been filed yet, but police are actively investigating the incident.

• The hospital has reported the issue to law enforcement, but details such as the exact number of affected patients have not been officially confirmed.

A nurse at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford allegedly swapped medication with tap water, resulting in the death of approximately ten patients, NBC5 reported.

Sources say the nurse used tap water to cover up the hospital’s misuse of medication.

Citing several anonymous sources, media reports that at least ten patients at the Medford hospital were allegedly injected with tap water in an attempt to cover up a nurse’s misuse of fentanyl, a pain medication.

According to sources within the hospital, tap water, which is not sterile, led to Pseudomonas infections.

The Medical Center’s intensive care unit reported that up to nine or ten people caught infections and later died. The tap water that was used in the injections was reportedly not sterile and led to multiple infections of pseudomonas, which can be very dangerous to those with weak immune systems.

“It could cause sepsis, pneumonia, it could infect all the organs, so it could be a very severe infection,” said Dr. Robin Miller. The Asante Rogue Medical Center released a statement saying, “We were distressed to learn of this issue. We reported it to law enforcement and are working closely with them.”

As of press time, no one has been arrested or charged, and Medford Police provided no more details. They only confirmed there’s an open investigation at the medical center.

As courts and elections officials in multiple left leaning states reached different decisions about the legality of blocking former President Donald Trump from their states’ ballots this week, a group attempting to keep the Republican front-runner off Oregon’s in 2024 awaits state Supreme Court action on the same question.

Trump has now inserted himself into the Oregon legal battle, which his opponents initiated before the high court early this month. On Friday, his team of lawyers filed a 162-page brief, citing numerous Oregon legal precedents they say should clear his path to the ballot.

Free Speech for People, a national nonprofit that advocates for election fairness and voters rights, appealed a preliminary decision against it by the Oregon secretary of state to the state Supreme Court.

Multiple national political groups have attempted to weigh in on the fight in Oregon. The conservative legal advocacy group Landmark Legal Foundation, which has intervened in several similar challenges in other states, filed a motion requesting permission to submit a brief in favor of Trump. On Friday, the Oregon Supreme Court denied the motion, citing a procedural error.

On October 12^th of last year at 7:32pm, Jesse Carl Ross, 43, of Corvallis, MT was driving a Chevy Silverado northbound on the highway when he crossed the center line, sideswiped a southbound semi-truck and trailer and struck a Toyota RAV4 driven by Gary Rutledge, 57, head-on.

The SUV caught fire and became fully engulfed in flames after the crash. The crash occurred about two miles south of Terrebonne. Gary Rutledge, his wife Michelle, 53, and their two children, Kate, 15, and Ryan, 17, both Reynolds High School students, died at the scene. They were on their way to view the solar eclipse in Central Oregon.

A several month long investigation followed.

Ross was indicted on 4 Counts of Manslaughter in the First Degree in Deschutes County and a nationwide warrant was issued for his arrest. Ross turned himself to the Deschutes County Jail this past Tuesday.  Ross is facing other charges of DUII, Reckless Driving, and Reckless Endangering.

On Friday, Dec. 29 around noon, Yreka Area CHP Units responded to a head-on car crash on Copco Road, east of Salmon Street.

Initial reports from CHP said a Dodge pickup was driving west on Copco Rd when it drifted over the double yellow lines hitting a Chrysler minivan head-on.

The drivers of both cars were killed as well as a passenger in the minivan.

CHP said, there were four children, ages 1 to 8, in the minivan that were taken to Fairchild Medical Center. According to CHP, two children have major injuries, the other two children have minor injuries.

Names are not being released as next of kin are being notified and will be released only through the Siskiyou County Coroner’s Office.

A former Afghan Air Force pilot training for a commercial license in Oregon ignored his flight instructor’s advice to not return to a small airport because of low visibility.

The plane later crashed, killing the pilot and the other two passengers on board, according to a preliminary federal report of the accident released Friday.

All three men killed in the accident Dec. 16 were former Afghan pilots who fought with the American military. Local nonprofit Salem for Refugees said it resettled the men in the Salem area last spring.

The pilot, Mohammad Hussain Musawi, 35, and the two passengers, Mohammad Bashir Safdari, 35, and Ali Jan Ferdawsi, 29, died in the crash near Independence, a small city in the Willamette Valley about 12 miles southwest of Salem.

The National Transportation Safety Board’s report said an examination of the airframe and the engine of the Cessna 172G airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures.

The plane’s owner allowed the pilot to use the Cessna to get his private pilot’s certificate and to obtain his instrument rating and commercial pilot’s certificate, the report said.

Musawi told his flight instructor that he and a pilot-rated passenger would fly from Independence to the McMinnville airport to practice instrument approaches, the report said. The two small cities are about 30 miles apart by road.

A 5-year-old girl was hospitalized after she was hit by an unexpected wave — known as a sneaker wave — on the Oregon coast last Thursday.

Bystanders told fire officials that the child was standing on South Jetty Beach in Florence when a sneaker wave carrying a large log struck her, according to Western Lane Fire and EMS Authority spokesperson Matt House. The log hit her in the back of the head and pinned her facedown in the sand.

The child, who was not identified, was trapped until her mother and other beachgoers could get the log off her, House said.

Firefighters rushed to the scene just before noon and found the child sitting away from the dangerous waters. Fire officials helped her on to a LifeFlight helicopter and she was taken to a hospital in Springfield, House said.

A National Weather Service advisory is in effect still today along the coast of southwest Washington and Oregon warning of powerful and unpredictable waves. Sneaker waves can knock people off their feet and quickly pull them into cold ocean waters, according to the weather service.

Gasoline price tracker GasBuddy says today average gasoline prices in Oregon are three cents per gallon lower this week than last week, averaging $3.77 per gallon today.

GasBuddy’s says that figure comes from its survey of 1,307 stations in Oregon. It says gas prices in Oregon are 21 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and six cents per gallon higher than a year ago.

GasBuddy’s data show California’s average gas price per gallon today at $4.65. It also notes the national average price of diesel has fallen four cents in the last week and stands at $3.96 per gallon.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the lowest gas station cost in Oregon was priced at $3.07/gallon yesterday while the most expensive was $4.79/gallon, for a difference of $1.72/gallon.  During the past week, the 76 gas station in Florence had a $3.04 per gallon price, while several coastal gas stations from Florence to Lincoln City had gasoline prices at $3.07 per gallon.

GasBuddy says, “The national average price of gasoline has fallen 1.6 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.06/g today. The national average is down 17.3 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 12.6 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.”

GasBuddy says it’s information includes station-level data which, “updates 288 times every day from the most diverse list of sources covering nearly 150,000 stations nationwide, the most comprehensive and up-to-date in the country.” GasBuddy data is accessible at http://prices.GasBuddy.com.

Starting January 1, a 988 Coordinated Crisis Services Tax will be added to the existing Oregon Emergency Communications (911) Tax. The new tax was implemented by the Oregon Legislature with the passage of House Bill 2757.

The 988-tax rate will be 40 cents per subscriber line of telecommunications or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service, or device with access to the 988 suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis system, and 40 cents for each prepaid wireless service or product retail transaction. These are the same transactions subject to the existing 911 Emergency Communications Tax. This tax rate will be effective for all billings or purchase of prepaid wireless service beginning January 1^st,

The new 988 tax does not apply to services provided under the plan of assistance established under Section 6, Chapter 290, Oregon Laws 1987; Oregon Lifeline.

The existing E911 return will be modified to include the 988 tax. The frequency of filing a return and submitting payment will follow the same timelines as the existing 911 schedule and will therefore not change the current 911 schedule.

For more information regarding the Emergency Communications and Coordinated Crisis Services Tax programs and how these tax revenues are used, visit the Department of Revenue’s website.

Questions? Email us at SPA.help@dor.oregon.gov.

Families across Southern Oregon have wrapped up their winter breaks this past weekend, but for winter sports fans there’s no telling when Mt. Ashland Ski area will be opening.

According to General Manager Andrew Gast, the park still needs about two feet of solid snow before they’re able to open. He says the loss of revenue from this holiday break has impacted how the ski area views the rest of its season.

Mt. Ashland General Manager Andrew Gast said, “It will definitely change the dynamics of this season. In the short term, it means that the employees that we hired in November haven’t had a chance to get to work yet.”

Gast says despite the low snowfall so far this is far from the worst year the ski area has seen. He says they’ll be open for the season as soon as there’s enough snow on the ground.

Going into a big election year, staffing at elections offices in Oregon is an issue, according to a study.

Staff-to-voter ratios vary widely between counties depending on their size but average about one staff member per 27-thousand voters statewide. Paul Manson with Portland State University helped conduct the research and says there are warning signs flashing as this election year ramps up. He says it’s a challenge for election offices to find workers in this politically charged environment.

Manson says low pay also makes it hard to recruit and retain people to work in elections offices. He says the county level funding model, which is tied to the real estate market, presents challenges as well.

He also says another pressure on workers is a growing list of public records requests, which offices have deadlines to respond to. He says there are a few ways the state could help election staff.

For Oregon, 2023 was a year of emergencies — from a worsening addiction crisis, to an ongoing housing shortage, to an inability to staff core services like public defense.

That meant that lawmakers wanted immediate action. Many of the most prominent bills passed in the 2023 legislative session were enacted well before Jan. 1, the default date for new policies to take effect.

But that doesn’t mean the new year doesn’t bring some notable new laws. As of New Year’s Day, speed traps might become more common and people who ride a bicycle while drunk could see lower penalties.

Here’s a rundown:

Speed cameras throughout Oregon: Autonomous “photo radar” units have, until now, only been legal in 10 cities in Oregon. But with speeding and other unsafe driving increasing since COVID-19, the Legislature is now letting every city in the state get in on the action. House Bill 2095 eased limitations on when and where speed cameras can be installed, offering them as an option as long as cities foot the bill to run them.

• Changes to DUII law:It’s long been illegal to drive drunk or under the influence of illicit drugs, but that didn’t necessarily encompass some substances that can impact driving ability, such as kratom, a herbal substance that can produce opioid- and stimulant-like effects.
• Tweaks to Measure 110:These days, much of the discussion over Oregon’s pioneering drug decriminalization law centers around whether the state should reverse course as overdoses soar. But during this year’s session,
• New tax breaks for kids:Beginning this year, low-income families can pursue a new tax credit aimed at combating early childhood poverty.
• Laws targeting “paramilitary activity” and “domestic terrorism”:With violent clashes on the streets of Portland in recent years and a spate of attacks on the Pacific Northwest’s power grid, lawmakers were concerned about extremism in 2023. House Bill 2572 allows the attorney general to investigate organized paramilitary activity and to petition a judge to block planned paramilitary activities that aim to intimidate others or infringe on free speech. It also creates a right to sue for anyone injured by a paramilitary group.
• Cracking down on shoplifting:Changes to laws against organized retail theft included in Senate Bill 340 make it easier for prosecutors to charge repeat shoplifters and to seek higher penalties.

Streamlining housing conversions: As Gov. Tina Kotek sets lofty goals for ratcheting up housing production and development in Oregon, lawmakers have been looking for ways to help. House Bill 2984 is one idea. It requires local governments to greenlight the conversion of commercial buildings into housing without throwing up the normal bureaucratic hurdles.

• Insurance immunity for wildfire maps:The state saw intense backlash in 2022 when it released a map showing areas that were most prone to wildfire risk.

A Call for Comprehensive Solutions in Homeless Crisis in Oregon and California

The homelessness crisis in Oregon and California has reached alarming levels, with Oregon experiencing a 12.15% increase in homelessness from 2022 to 2023.

High housing costs and the pandemic have exacerbated the issue, with federal counts suggesting that the true extent may be even greater. This crisis has impacted families, veterans, and youth, with a significant number living unsheltered despite efforts to increase shelter beds and supportive housing. Similar trends are evident in nearby cities and counties, reflecting a broader regional struggle.

California, for instance, faces a substantial homeless population despite significant financial investments, including a $17.5 billion allocation aimed at addressing the problem. However, the persistence of homelessness indicates that funds alone are not enough, and systemic issues remain unaddressed. The economic impact of this crisis on local communities cannot be overstated. In Portland, nearly $1 billion is dedicated to homeless services, underscoring the strain on taxpayer resources.

The latest figures show that for every 10,000 people in Oregon, 48 are without a home. This adds up to 20,142 homeless individuals. Experts believe the real number might be higher. Homelessness in Oregon is a growing problem. Since 2007, the number of homeless people has gone up by 15%, and there was a big increase of 23% during the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2022.

In Oregon, 65% of homeless people were not in shelters, but in places like streets or cars.

The rate of homeless families with children is 9 per 10,000 residents. The next highest state is Idaho at 4 per 10,000 residents.

Since 2020, the number of homeless families in Oregon went up by 27% to 3,900. Almost 60% of them don’t have a safe place to stay. Both Oregon and Washington have many homeless families, but Oregon’s rate of those without shelter is much higher.

The cycle of homelessness affects local economies by deterring business, reducing consumer traffic, and impacting tourism, which in turn hampers revenue and growth. It also creates social barriers, perpetuating poverty and exclusion, and poses risks to public health systems, environmental resources, and social service capacities.

Long-term solutions require addressing the root causes of homelessness. While initiatives like Project Homekey represent positive steps, the housing shortage and systemic issues persist. To break the cycle and foster economic stability, communities must advocate for preventative measures and invest in inclusive strategies that promote prosperity for all residents. It’s clear that a financial fix isn’t enough; a multifaceted, strategic approach is essential to tackle this complex issue and prevent its economic and social ramifications from spiraling further. (SOURCE)

Man Arrested After Threatening to Shoot People at Coburg Road Restaurant

Friday evening, December 29, an officer was dispatched to 1500 Coburg Road to check the welfare of a man, later identified as Christopher James Koehn, age 39, of Eugene.

Koehn is reported to have asked a driver for a ride and when the driver declined, kicked the vehicle. Additionally, another call came in regarding a man threatening to fight and shoot people at Ta Ra Rin, at 1580 Coburg Road.

He was reported to have started focusing on a family in the restaurant with small children and then aggressed towards them. No weapons had been observed. The officer was flagged down by the employees.

When the officer attempted to stop Koehn, the man refused to take his hands out of his pockets, closed the gap between himself and the officer, and refused commands to get on the ground. Due to the earlier threats to shoot, the officer did not know if Koehn was armed. Koehn refused the officer’s commands and stepped toward him, lowering his hands. The officer deployed his taser, which didn’t have an effect, then took Koehn to the ground. Koehn resisted the officer’s efforts, but the officer was able to get control of him. Other arrived officers assisted in taking Koehn into custody. He was lodged at Lane County Jail for Menacing, Resisting Arrest, and Open Container. Case 23-19549.

Oregon DMV Raising Fees In 2024 To Cover Operating Costs

It will cost more to take a drivers’ test next year in Oregon. A number of fees are going up in 2024 under new legislation.

The increases are a result of legislation passed this year (House Bill 2100) designed to help DMV recover costs and temporarily avoid service reductions, ODOT says.

A behind-the-wheel test will increase from $9 to $45. Other fees are going up by a dollar or two.The increases are a result of legislation passed this year (House Bill 2100) designed to help DMV recover costs and temporarily avoid service reductions, ODOT says.

According to ODOT, statutory fees recovered by Oregon’s DMV have not kept pace with the actual cost to deliver services. Most DMV fee increases over the last 20 years have gone to transportation projects at the city, county, and state levels, not to DMV operating costs.

Godfrey encourages people to use the DMV’s website for more of their transactions. She said things like registration renewal are easily done online instead of in person.

Golden Retriever Rescued by Coast Guard Helicopter at Ecola State Park

A golden retriever fell off a cliff at Ecola State Park near Indian Point.  The incident occurred on Monday afternoon, prompting a call to the U.S. Coast Guard.

First responders could not reach the dog due to the steep cliffs and inaccessible beach. The Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter, and a rescue swimmer was lowered to secure the dog in a rescue basket.

The dog was hoisted to safety, reunited with its owners, and had visible injuries, though the severity was not disclosed.

Despite the political disruption of this year’s legislative session, lawmakers were able to pass more than 650 bills and resolutions during the five month session.

The highest-priority issues of the session were housing, homelessness, drug addiction, public safety and education. Many of the laws took immediate effect earlier this year, such as a massive $200 million housing and homelessness package signed by Gov. Tina Kotek in April.

There are bills aimed at these and other projects:

Overdose protection, retail theft, domestic partnerships, zoning, children’s tax credits, breast cancer screenings, wildfire protection, and a ban on flavored tobacco.

Manage state benefits with the Oregon ONE Mobile app

People can now securely manage their medical, food, cash and child care benefits through the State of Oregon from the convenience of their mobile devices using the new Oregon ONE Mobile app. People first will need to apply for benefits online, in person at a local office or over the phone.

The app is available for free in the Apple and Android app stores. It is an official State of Oregon app created by the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS). The app’s development was partially funded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

“At ODHS we are committed to meeting people in Oregon where they are with as many ways as possible to manage their benefits, check application status and share needed documentation, like when they get a request for information during a renewal,” said Nathan Singer (he/him), director of the ODHS Oregon Eligibility Partnership. “People can now manage their benefits in-person, by mail, by fax, by telephone, online and on their mobile phone using the Oregon ONE Mobile app, which is available in English and Spanish.”

Interview with OEP Director Singer available on YouTube

Oregon ONE Mobile app video on YouTube

New Oregon ONE Mobile app video link

• Create a ONE Online account.
• Access their existing ONE Online account.
• Report changes to household information including address, contact information and income.
• Upload requested documents using a smartphone camera.
• Get updates on application status and check if it is approved, denied, or pending, and what actions might need to be taken.
• See and download notices that were mailed.
• Find the next renewal date for their benefits.
• Get important, time-sensitive alerts and notifications about benefits on mobile devices.
• View benefit issuance history for food and cash payments.

People who serve as Authorized Representatives for people with benefits are also able to use the app.

How to manage your medical, food, cash and child care benefits: 

• By phone at: 1-800-699-9075. All relay calls accepted.
• Online at: benefits.oregon.gov
• Through the free Oregon ONE Mobile app available on Apple and Android app stores
• In person at an office near you: Find an office.
• In your language: Help in Your Language
• By mail at: ONE Customer Service Center, PO Box 14015, Salem, OR 97309
• By fax at: 503-378-5628

Resources to help meet basic needs

• Find food resources in your community: needfood.oregon.gov.
• Learn about government programs and community resources for older adults and people with disabilities: Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon at 1-855-673-2372 or www.adrcoforegon.org.
• Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, www.211info.org
• Find local resources and support by contacting your local Community Action Agency: www.caporegon.org/find-services/
• Oregon Department of Human Services help center 

About the Oregon Department of Human Services

The mission of the Oregon Department of Human Services is to help Oregonians in their own communities achieve well-being and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice and preserve dignity.

About the Oregon Eligibility Partnership

The Oregon Eligibility Partnership (OEP) is part of the Oregon Department of Human Services. OEP supports state staff who determine eligibility for people applying for and receiving medical, food, cash and child care benefits. It also manages the ONE Eligibility System used to process applications and deliver benefits to eligible individuals and families in Oregon. One in three people in Oregon receive benefits through the ONE Eligibility System. OEP administers the ONE Eligibility system in partnership with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC).###

Driver’s license or ID card, renew vehicle tags, and take a driver’s test, among other DMV services, will see increased fees starting Jan. 1st.

The fee increases are a result of legislation passed earlier this year (House Bill 2100) designed to help DMV recover costs and temporarily avoid service reductions. Plate transfer, replacement plate/sticker, VIN inspection, plate manufacturing, camper/travel trailer/motorhome registration, and dealer document fees are included in the bill.

Other fees, such as vehicle registration and the road usage charge, will see their fourth and final step increase Jan. 1 as part of Oregon’s historic House Bill 2017 transportation investment package.

The DMV says you can save time and perhaps some money by conducting your DMV business online.

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