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About North Douglas herald. (Drain Or) 2023-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2024)
North Douglas Herald March 2024 Bipartisan Approval for Housing Package UCC Threat - Not Credible $376M to ease Oregon housing crisis Salem OR - A legislative housing Bill intended to ease the state’s housing crisis and build more homes for teachers, nurses and firefighters passed the statehouse on March 4th and now awaits Governor approval. The two measures, Senate Bill 1537 and 1530, were Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek’s top priority for the 2024 legislative session and they passed both chambers with bipartisan support. Those two measures, along with House Bill 4134, will send a total of $376 million toward boosting housing production, funding infrastructure like roads and land acquisition and supporting renters. “Oregonians are struggling under the pressure of an increasingly unaffordable housing market,” Kotek said in a statement. “After hearing this concern directly from Oregonians from across our state last year, I knew we had to make major progress on our housing crisis during this year’s legislative session.” During her first days in office, she took an aggressive statewide housing production goal of 36,000 new housing units a year — up from the 22,000 or so Oregon builders were creating. The latest funding package builds on a $200 million package legislators passed in the previous legislative session to help fund housing. This latest package includes a $75 million dollar revolving loan fund meant to help cities boost affordable housing stock. It will create a program to help local governments offer interest-free loans in an effort to build more moderate and affordable home projects. Local jurisdictions choose the project and can borrow from the state fund to offer a grant to local developments. Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Ashland, whose district was devastated by the Almeda Fire in 2020, said the recovery is slow due to thelack of housing in her community. Marsh states that, “Our desperate lack of housing is inhibiting recovery, undermining our workforce, driving homelessness and despair, and discouraging families from staying or moving to the community”. Rep. Maxine Dexter, D-Portland, worked on the overall housing package and said of the revolving loan portion of the bill was “innovative” and “visionary.” The bills funnel money into a wide range of projects, including $131 million for housing and homelessness projects such as Project Turnkey, which includes projects like buying hotels to convert into emergency housing. State lawmakers are putting an additional $123.5 million to support shovel- ready housing production for counties to acquire land and develop properties. Additionally, $24.5 million will be reserved to provide air conditioners and air filters on an emergency basis, support warming and cooling shelters and help support home improvements to lower energy usage. One of the initial sticking points of the housing package was the exemption to allow cities a one-time opportunity to sidestep state land-use laws and bring in more than 100 acres for cities with a population greater than 25,000 people and no more than 50 acres for those with fewer than 25,000 people. The bills passed with bipartisan support. “I believe this package will make meaningful progress in fixing our housing shortage while also preserving our land use system and ensuring strong environmental protections,” Governor Kotek said in a statement. “But this is not the finish line.” Man Sentenced in Eugene Man Shot in Trailer Fired on Deputies at Traffic Stop Eugene OR — A man who fired on deputies during a traffic stop has been sentenced, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office reports. In June 2023, Lane County Sheriff’s Office deputies and detectives followed an anonymous tip to the 23000 block of Green Creek Road in Elmira. The tip indicated Jason Scott Page was at a residence in the area. Page was wanted by LCSO for several crimes including attempted murder. A sergeant observed Page leaving in a vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. Page fled the stop on foot before shooting at deputies. After a brief exchange of gunfire, Page was taken into custody unharmed. On February 28, 2024, Page pled guilty to the following charges: Attempted Murder Assault in the First Degree Felon in Possession of a Firearm Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver Reckless Driving Page was sentenced to 10 years in the Oregon Department of Corrections. Suspect Unidentified Florence OR — According to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) deputies responded, with Florence Police to the area of the Goose Pasture Staging Area, on South Jetty Road, for a report of a male who had been shot. According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the scene at around 10:30 p.m. on Monday, February 26th and found a man had been struck by gunfire while inside his trailer, causing him significant injuries. The man was transported to a local hospital and is in stable condition. Despite an “extensive follow up” on the case, detectives have been unable to locate a suspect. Lane County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect involved in a shooting on Monday near Good Pasture Staging Area on South Jetty Road in Florence. The investigation is ongoing, anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident, or has information related to this investigation, is asked by the Lane County Sheriff’s Office to contact Detective Hudson at 541-682-4150 option 1, and reference LCSO Case #24-0990. Support our Advertisers Originated Outside of United States Roseburg OR - On Monday, February 26, 2024, the Sheriff’s Office was notified by Umpqua Community College staff of a security threat to the campus. In an effort to prioritize the safety of students, staff and faculty, the College elected to cancel all classes, events, and activities until further notice. The Sheriff’s Office is working in partnership with the College regarding the threat. There is an increased law enforcement presence on the campus today. “The Sheriff’s Office takes seriously any threat directed toward the safety of our schools, whether kindergarten or higher education institutions,” Sheriff Hanlin said. “The Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the FBI, has determined the source of the email originated from outside the country. At this time the threatening email is not considered credible, and there is no immediate threat to the college.” The specifics of the security threat will not be released by the Sheriff’s Office in order to protect the integrity of the investigation. “We are committed to taking all necessary precautions to ensure safe learning and working environments for everyone. We understand that this closure may cause inconvenience to the academic and personal lives of our community, and we appreciate your cooperation and understanding,” said UCC President, Dr. Rachel Pokrandt. Anyone with information may contact the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office at 541- 440-4471. 3 Roseburg Men Arrested Burglary and Kidnapping Riddle OR - Three Roseburg men were arrested for Burglary, Kidnapping and a number of other crimes. On Friday, February 16, 2024, around 10:00 a.m., 9-1-1 dispatchers received a report of a disturbance in the 200-block of Maple Street in Riddle. Callers were reporting a physical disturbance where three men were assaulting another. One caller reported that the men were applying zip-ties to the male to restrain him. Deputies arrived on scene and were able to determine that 25-year-old Justin Daniel Devlaeminck, 53-year-old Daniel Terrance Devlaeminck, and 26-year-old Austin Lee Lyman broke into a residence in an effort to “evict” the 22-year-old victim. Justin Devlaeminck pointed a firearm at the victim and Daniel Devlaeminck broke a window to the residence. All three suspects entered the home and began to assault the male victim who tried to escape, but was pulled back. At one point, the victim was able to break away and flee outside where the three suspects captured him and continued their assault and eventually used zip ties to restrain him. The victim was transported to Mercy Medical Center by ambulance for treatment of his injuries. All three suspects were taken into custody and transported to the Douglas County Jail where they were lodged on the following charges: Daniel Devlaeminck: Burglary I, Kidnapping I, Assault IV, Criminal Mischief II Justin Devlaeminck: Burglary I, Kidnapping I, Assault IV, Menacing, Pointing a Firearm at Another Austin Lyman: Burglary I, Kidnapping I, Assault IV The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Myrtle Creek Police Department, Umpqua Valley Ambulance and Riddle Fire Department. Page 3 Scammers Posing as DCSO Employees Douglas County OR - Scammers are posing as officials from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) in an effort to scam community members out of money. Deputies have once again begun receiving reports from people contacted by phone by individuals posing as DCSO employees such as Lt. Brad O’Dell and Retired Lt. Mike Root. The scammer will tell the intended victim they have missed some court appearance, owe fines or have a warrant for their arrest and then demands payment. The victim is often directed to immediately make payment or they face consequences including arrest. These are tactics that are never utilized by legitimate law enforcement agencies. It is critically important for our community to be aware of these tactics and to share them with their friends and family members, especially those who may be vulnerable to falling victim to the scams, such as the elderly members of the community. However, we also wish to remind the community not to focus too much on specific scam tactics; scammers often change their methods over time: Scammers can easily obtain new phone numbers and will change them often. Scammers may use “spoof” programs to make the Caller ID show an agency’s actual phone number. Scammers may use the names of actual DCSO employees to make the call seem legitimate. Scammers may obtain personal information about a victim online including their name, address, phone number, and the names of others in the home. Scammers may initially contact victims by mail, email, or through social media. Due to the technology used in the scam – and the fact that scammers can be located anywhere in the world – it is virtually impossible to track the scammers or to get money back. “If anyone has any question about a possible scam call, they should call dispatch at (541) 440-4471 and ask to speak to a deputy,” said Lieutenant Brad O’Dell. “The most important thing is to not send any money or agree to meet someone to make payment.” Missing Diver Found Gardiner OR - The body of a Eugene man who went missing after scuba diving in the Umpqua River has been located. On February 12, 2024, at approximately 8: 45 am, 9-1-1 dispatchers received a report of a deceased body on the shore near Sparrow Park Road. Deputies along with Oregon State Troopers responded to the area and confirmed the deceased person to be 47-year-old Jeffery Scott Harris of Eugene. Harris had gone scuba diving in the Umpqua River near the mouth of the Pacific Ocean in Winchester Bay at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 28, 2024. Harris, who had previous diving experience, had not returned prompting a call to emergency personnel. A large-scale search took place to locate any signs of Harris, but revealed no clues. The Douglas County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene to investigate the death. Harris’ next of kin has been notified. Foul play is not suspected in this case. The Sheriff’s Office had previously been assisted by the United States Coast Guard, Oregon State SAR Coordinator, CAHOOTS of Eugene, Lane County Search and Rescue, Douglas County Marine Patrol and Douglas County Search and Rescue.
