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About Oregon news herald. (Drain OR) 2025-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 2025)
Oregon News Herald Oregon Public Safety Sexual Preditor Released April 2025 Page 3 This is not the first time Strauss has been in the news. In January of 2024, he was arrested for writing a letter to a minor, outlining his desire to start a relationship with her. DCSO says that Strauss has repeatedly targeted women he does not know, contacting them through various means, often stalking them in public places, and then attempting to assault them. He has been released on special conditions where he is not allowed to communicate with people under the age of 18 or be near schools, playgrounds, or places frequented by children. DCSO is asking the public to report any misconduct by Strauss to them immediately. 2 Arrested for Burglary Roseburg, OR — A convicted sex offender, which the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office says is at the highest risk of re-offending, was released from custody on April 2nd and allowed to return to Roseburg. Douglas County Sheriffs Office describes Uriah Shawn Strauss as a Level III sex offender with convictions of sex abuse and attempted rape. The DCSO sent out a notification to the public about his release and some residents are concerned by Strauss’ return to the area. The concern is that Strauss is a predator and has, again, been released with “a slap on the wrist” and residents fear for their safety. Linn County OR, - On March 22, 2025, at 10: 19 p.m., the LCSO responded to a burglary in progress in the 36000 block of Highway 228 near Brownsville. The caller reported two people going through buildings. Deputies located a male and female on the property. The male, later identified as Ryan Rikala, 38, of Sweet Home, fled the area after a physical altercation with a deputy. The deputy heard a loud “pop” during the altercation, believed to be from a firearm. The female, identified as Stefani Brock, 34, of Crawfordsville, was taken into custody. Deputies and additional officers from OSP and Albany PD quickly set up a perimeter. Deputies utilized multiple K9s and drones to search the area. Continued on Page 7 LULD Library Announcements Yoncalla Public Library Notes Community Matters Protecting Your Home from Storm Damage The recent storm that swept through Douglas county and across Western Oregon brought with it a stark reminder of the power of nature. With high winds, heavy rain, flooding, and even mudslides and landslides, many homeowners found themselves facing significant damage to their properties. As we approach the storm season, it’s crucial for homeowners to ensure their homes are well- protected against potential damage. According to Lynn McAllister, American Family Insurance Agent in Roseburg, these are some essential tips and advice to help you safeguard your home and navigate the complexities of homeowners insurance. 1. Review Your Policy Annually Your homeowner’s insurance policy should be reviewed at least once a year to ensure it provides adequate coverage for your home and belongings. Pay special attention to the coverage limits and any exclusions related to storm damage. This will help you avoid any surprises when you need to file a claim. 2. Understand Your Deductible It’s important to know the amount you will need to pay out-of-pocket before your insurance kicks in. Some policies have separate deductibles for wind and hail damage, so make sure you are aware of these details and plan accordingly. 3. Consider Additional Coverage Standard homeowners’ insurance policies typically do not include coverage for certain natural disasters. Depending on your location, you might want to consider purchasing additional coverage for the following: Flood Insurance: Flooding is not typically covered under standard homeowners’ insurance policies. If you live in an area prone to flooding, consider purchasing a separate flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer. Landslide Insurance: Mudslides and landslides are also not covered under standard policies. You may need to purchase a separate policy or endorsement to cover this type of damage. Earthquake Insurance: Earthquakes can cause significant damage, and this is generally not covered under standard homeowners’ policies. If you live in Essential Tips and Advice an earthquake-prone area, consider purchasing an earthquake insurance policy. These extra protections can be invaluable in the event of a natural disaster. 4. Document Your Belongings Keep an updated inventory of your personal belongings, including photos and receipts. This documentation can expedite the claims process if you need to file a claim after a storm. Make sure to store this information in a safe place, such as a cloud storage service, email folder, or a fireproof safe. 5. Home Maintenance Regular maintenance can prevent a lot of storm-related damage. Inspect your roof for loose shingles, clean your gutters to prevent water buildup, trim trees to avoid falling branches, and secure outdoor furniture and other items that could become projectiles during a storm. 6. Storm-Proofing Your Home Investing in storm shutters, reinforcing your roof, and installing a backup generator are all effective ways to minimize damage and keep your home safe during severe weather. These measures can also potentially lower your insurance premiums. 7. Emergency Preparedness Have an emergency plan in place for your family, including a safe room or designated shelter area. Keep an emergency kit with essentials such as water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, and important documents. Being prepared can make a significant difference in the event of a storm. Advice for Homeowners Stay Informed: Keep an eye on weather forecasts and alerts. Being aware of an impending storm can give you valuable time to prepare and protect your home. Know the Claims Process: Familiarize yourself with the steps to file a claim with your insurance company. This includes knowing who to contact, what information you’ll need, and the timeline for processing claims. Work with Trusted Contractors: After a storm, be cautious of fraudulent contractors who may try to take advantage of the situation. Work with reputable, licensed contractors for any necessary repairs. Lower Umpqua Library District (LULD) continues to expand its collection to meet evolving public interests. LULD now has chess sets available for checkout and other board games for in-house use. Please contact LULD if you would like to be involved in a game club. LULD plans to begin hosting meetings once enough people signup. The library is developing World Languages and Foreign Film sections, containing books, movies, and audiobooks in non-English languages. Additionally, LULD has many items that are bilingual (in both English and another language). While many of these are available in more locally popular non-English languages such as Spanish and Chinese, LULD also has titles in locally obscure languages such as Russian and Dutch. Please contact the library if there is a particular language that interests you. We may either already have items available in your preferred language or be able to add your suggestions to the library. These new and expanded collections should not distract from the fact that LULD also has substantive juvenile, young adult, and adult books across a wide array of topics and format. These include 160+ magazine and newspaper subscriptions, thousands of DVDs and CDs, electronics such as Wi-Fi hotspots and computer accessories, and equipment for outdoor activities such as trekking poles and bicycle locks. Overdrive/Library2Go provides access nearly 50,000 eBooks and eAudiobooks. Please call, visit, or email the library for more information. Alex Kuestner, Library Director/ District Manager Lower Umpqua Library District 395 Winchester Ave Reedsport, OR 97467 (541) 271-3500 www.luld.org April is a busy month at the Yoncalla Public Library with author talks and Springtime STEAM activities for kids: April 12th at 12:30-Author Talk with Bob Crites, author of No Ghosts In The Graveyard (The Lifetime Adventures of a Small-Town Oregon Boy). Signed copies will be available for purchase. April 19th at 12:30-Author Talk with William L. Sullivan, presenting a slideshow of his new book, New Hikes in Southern Oregon. Signed copies will be available for purchase. April 24th Anytime between 4 and 6:30- STEAM Seed Starter Kits. For kids PreK-12th grade. Join us on the last Thursday of every month for STEAM activities through the month of June. Follow us on Facebook for more information and to see what we’re up to every week. Our hours are M 1-5, W 10-5, Th 4-7, and Sat 10-2. See you at the library! Veterans Corner 2025 Oregon Bills supporting Veterans Oregon has a long history and tradition of support of our Military and our Veterans. It’s a heritage that honors all Veterans but with a special allegiance to our own Oregon Veterans. So it is concerning that Oregon ranks poorly as a place to live for military retirees. Property taxes and housing costs burdon our veterans and many are leaving. These veterans, who are often living on fixed incomes and some of those are managing service-connected disabilities. We need to welcome and support our Veterans in Oregon. There is a lot at stake and without them, Oregon and our communities are seeing a losing a great resource. Besides the loss of pride in taking care of our Veterans, we also lose out in federal retirement dollars, not to mention skilled workers and potential community leaders. The state of Oregon gives full property tax exemptions to nonprofits and religious institutions, some who pay nothing. Yet veterans, many who’ve earned homeownership through decades of service and Veterans Administration loans like the GI Bill, are being priced out of their homes. Currently, in session at the Oregon Legislature, lawmakers are considering several bills to expand property tax exemptions for veterans. Among others, is HB 2050, HB 2361 and HB 2395. There are groups out there opposing these bills, to which I say “Shame”. Supporting veterans is an Continued on Page 7
