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About North Douglas herald. (Drain Or) 2023-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 2024)
North Douglas Herald Fire Continued from Previous Page had devastating potential if it were not for the quick suppression by fire crews. “It would have been a major issue, especially for anybody who might have been up in that area because there’s only one ingress, egress out of there,” said Hayes. “They would have been trapped up there.” Hayes said the agency takes both arson and illegal dumping crimes seriously. He urged the public to be aware that natural resource crimes are subject to both hefty criminal and financial consequences. “If you illegal dump on public lands in Lane County, you will be arrested,” said Hayes. The ranger also said that any person found guilty of starting a wildfire, regardless of intent, is responsible for paying for the damage and suppression costs on top of serving any criminal sentences. “If anybody’s having any type of idea or interest in doing anything that is kind of above the line or clearly prohibited during this time of year with fire restrictions, do not do it,” said Hayes. The arson suspect was arrested on July 12 after officials said he provided a confession. To report illegal dumping or any other natural resource crimes, call the Northwest Oregon BLM office at (541) 683-6600. Oregon Drug Kingpin Sentenced to Federal Prison Eugene, OR — Victor Diaz-Ramirez, the leader of an international drug trafficking organization operating in Lane County, Oregon, was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. in Portland Federal Court on Tuesday June 18th. Diaz- Ramirez was responsible for trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine into the state between 2018 and 2020. “While communities across our state continue to struggle with the ongoing drug crisis, there are criminal enterprises, like the Diaz-Ramirez drug trafficking organization, whose sole purpose is to profit from addiction and suffering. This far-reaching investigation demonstrates the deep commitment of all involved law enforcement agencies to combatting drug trafficking and keeping our communities safe,” said Nathan J. Lichvarcik, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eugene and Medford Branch Offices. “Drug traffickers like Mr. Diaz-Ramirez prey on our communities by peddling large amounts of methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine, often to our most vulnerable,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Seattle Field Division. “I am gratified that the hard work of DEA, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our many partners from law enforcement agencies across Oregon led to the lengthy sentence Mr. Diaz-Ramirez received in this case. Justice was truly served.” According to court documents, from at least March 2018 through August 2020, while operating out of Mexico, Diaz-Ramirez helped lead an international drug trafficking organization responsible for trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine from Mexico into the United States. Diaz-Ramirez’s organization used a network of associates to transport the drugs from Southern California to Oregon and deliver them to local distributors in exchange for cash. As part of this investigation, law enforcement seized more than 178 pounds of methamphetamine, 12 pounds of heroin, six pounds of fentanyl, 18 rifles, three rifle optics, and ammunition. Investigators also forfeited approximately $1.2 million from the organization, including more than $400,000 in cash. In total, 35 people—including sources of supply in Mexico, couriers, local cell operators in Lane County, and first and second level distributors responsible for sales in and around Eugene—were charged and have been convicted for their roles in Diaz-Ramirez’s organization. On Aug. 5, 2020, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned an indictment charging Diaz-Ramirez with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. On Nov. 1, 2023, Diaz-Ramirez pleaded guilty to a one-count superseding criminal information charging him with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS CI), DEA, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Springfield Police Department, Eugene Police Department, Lane County Sherriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Linn Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (LINE), and Douglas Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (DINT). It was prosecuted by Joseph Huynh and Judi Harper, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of August 2024 Oregon. This prosecution is the result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the U.S. by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multiagency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Trooper Shoots and Kills Driver during Traffic Stop Eugene, OR -- The shooting happened at the interchange between Beltline Highway and River Avenue around 4:30 p.m. on June 11th. A press release did not specify on which road the shooting occurred, but a traffic advisory from the Oregon Department of Transportation on Tuesday afternoon said the eastbound off ramp from Beltline to River Avenue was “closed due to police activity.” Police said the driver did not comply with verbal commands after obtaining the gun from the passenger side of the vehicle, at which point an officer initially used a Taser when the driver reached for the gun, but the Taser had no effect. The Trooper then fired his weapon. Officials said emergency medical aid was “immediately provided” but the driver was declared dead at the scene. Afterwards, the Lane County District Attorney’s Office identified the person who died in the shooting as Timothy Edwards Wells, age 41. No other information was released. The officer was not identified, but the press release did specify that it was a male state trooper. The press release also did not give a reason for the initial traffic stop. No officers were injured during the incident and the shooting has been under investigation by the Lane County Inter-Agency Deadly Force Investigation Team, with the Lane County Sheriff’s Office taking the lead role. Lane County District Attorney Patty Perlow has now ruled the shooting by the Oregon State Police Trooper during the traffic stop to be a justified use of deadly force and the shooting was in self-defense. Detectives Investigating a Fatal Shooting in Glide Glide, OR. - On Tuesday, June 25, 2024, shortly before 10:30 p.m., 9-1-1 dispatchers received a 9-1-1 call reporting a male had been shot in the 400-block of Goodreau Lane during a neighborhood dispute. Bystanders were performing lifesaving efforts on the individual who had been shot. Deputies responded to the scene and initially detained the male shooter. The male who had been shot, 53-year-old Stephen Lynn Foster of Glide, was pronounced deceased at the scene by EMS. Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office are investigating the incident along with the Douglas County Medical Examiner’s Office. The other party involved, whose name is being withheld at this time, is cooperating with law enforcement. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, Glide Rural Fire Protection District, Umpqua Valley Ambulance and REACH Air Medical Services. No further information is being released at this time. Vehicle vs Pedestrian Accident Kills Woman Roseburg, OR -- Monday afternoon, July 8th, at approximately 3:00 p.m. Roseburg Police Department and emergency personnel responded to a report that a pedestrian had been hit by a commercial motor vehicle and trailer at the intersection of Southeast Stephens Street and Southeast Douglas Avenue. Sergeant Daniel Allen, Roseburg PD Public Information Officer, said the preliminary investigation revealed that the commercial vehicle and trailer, operated by a 35-year-old man, were stopped at a red light, facing southbound. The driver proceeded through the crosswalk when his light turned green. Allen said the vehicles struck a female who was walking within the crosswalk. The woman was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Douglas County Medical Examiner. She has been identified as 59-year-old Linda Louise Stafford. Sergeant Allen said the driver was not injured and is cooperating with law enforcement. RPD was assisted by Roseburg Fire Department, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon Department of Transportation. Page 3 Two Vehicles Totaled After Accident in Roseburg Roseburg, OR -- A Roseburg Police report said at 2:45 p.m. on July 16th, a 44-year-old woman was traveling west on Northeast Alameda Street and entered the intersection with Northeast Stephens Street with the intention of continuing straight onto Northwest Stewart Parkway. An 81-year-old woman who was traveling north on Stephens Street thought she had the green light. The second vehicle collided with the rear driver’s side of the first vehicle. Neither party was injured. The second driver was cited for failure to obey a traffic control device based on an independent witness statement. The two vehicles were likely a total loss following the accident and both were towed from the scene. Troopers Jail Man after Incident on I-5 Douglas County, OR -- Troopers with the Oregon State Police jailed a man following an incident at the Cabin Creek rest area, at mile post 143 next to Interstate 5 on Saturday morning, July 13th. An OSP report said just before 8:30 a.m. 42-year- old Jason Hall broke into a parked semi-trailer with a hatchet. Hall was confronted by two truck drivers and eventually was locked inside the trailer before breaking out through the roof. The suspect then accessed his own vehicle and ran over one of the truck drivers and also striking the semi. Hall’s vehicle became disabled, and the man jumped inside the vehicle of a good Samaritan, where he was eventually caught by law enforcement. Hall was taken into custody without incident. The report said the injured truck driver and Hall were both transported to CHI Mercy Medical Center with injuries. Hall was charged with multiple crimes including assault, two counts of unlawful entry into a motor vehicle, reckless driving and reckless endangering. He was still at Mercy at last check, according to OSP, and will be taken to jail once he is medically cleared. “Armed and Dangerous” Homicide Suspect Sought Cottage Grove, OR -- According to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, 31-year-old resident Anthony Wesley Tyrrell was identified as the suspect in the murder of 29- year-old Rozaleena Faith Rasmussen. The victim was a missing person before her body was discovered in Cottage Grove, which is the place of residence for both Tyrrell and Rasmussen, officials said. There is a nationwide warrant for Tyrell’s arrest. “Tyrrell is described as a white male adult with brown hair, brown eyes, weighing approximately 165 pounds and standing approximately 5’9” tall,” the sheriff’s office said in a release. “He was last seen with his head shaved and wearing a white shirt, black trench coat, black pants, and black boots.” Tyrrell is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call 911 and avoid approaching or contacting him. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office. Motorcyclist Dies in 101 Crash Douglas County, OR -- On Saturday, July 6, 2024, at 1:32 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a motorcycle crash on Hwy-101, near milepost 207, in Douglas County. The preliminary investigation indicated a northbound Harley Davidson motorcycle, operated by Johnny Ray Boles (43) of Notus (ID), attempted to pass in between two northbound vehicles that were occupying both the A and B lanes of travel. The Harley Davidson lost control, left the roadway, and ejected the operator into a guardrail. The operator of the Harley Davidson (Boles) was declared deceased at the scene. The highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is believed to be unsafe passing. OSP was assisted by Gardner Fire, Douglas County Sheriffs’ Office, and ODOT. Please Support Our Advertisers CASAD Club - Bake Sale, Painted Pots & More at TLC Nursery’s annual “Music in the Garden” 1849 Ranch Road in Reedsport August 17th 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Lovely selection of baked goods, painted pots, garden signs, cookbooks, t-shirts and more! Enjoy the peaceful music as you sit and listen or stroll the garden to find a plant for your new pot! CASAD Club - Festival Booths, Raffles & More at Smith River Store’s annual “Country Music Festival” 16334 Lower Smith River Road in Reedsport August 3rd 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Bring the whole family to enjoy live music by local band “In Session.” Order cool drinks with a bbq plate and all the fixins! CASAD booths include baked goods, fry bread, river artistry, gift sales, games with prizes for young folk, raffles and even produce from a local farm!
