Board Appoints Interim Manager, will Send 2025 Budget Officer Contract Letter
The Board of Commissioners moved to send a letter to Simon Hare regarding the 2025 Budget Officer Contract, citing breaches of said contract, then appointed Sheriff Dave Daniel as Interim Emergency Manager at today's workshop. Commencing at 1:30 p.m., the board began with Legal Counsel business, moving 2-1 to sign both Dimmick property documents as presented, with Commissioner Ron Smith dissenting. A decision to transfer 250 E Hanby Lane to Cave Junction was moved to the next Weekly Business Session. A motion passed 3-0 to send out the notice of termination for the 210 Tacoma rental agreement. The board agreed to approve the board order regarding the News Media Attendance Policy, and to have legal counsel move forward with drafting an Administrative Policy change without objection. Public Health presented their Health Assessment and Plan, with a contract needing approval with a business referred to as Exhibit A. Funds would be covered by the Modernization Grant. The board approved the contract, as well as Public Works' WECO invoice and amendment to a Wolf Creek Bridge agreement with ODOT.
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Fatal Two-Vehicle Crash Claims Life of GP Resident, OSP, ODOT Responded
Oregon State Police responded to a fatal two-vehicle crash on Highway 97 near milepost 236 in Klamath County March 17th at 7:49 p.m. The preliminary investigation indicated a red Dodge Ram pulling a trailer, operated by Sue Anne Evans, 76, of Grants Pass, was traveling northbound on Highway 97 near Chiloquin when it crossed into the southbound lane for an unknown reason. The Dodge Ram collided head-on with a southbound gray Ford F550 towing a trailer and forklift, operated by Chad Everett Hayes, 44, of Walla Walla, Washington. Evans was pronounced deceased at the scene, and Hayes had reported minor injuries. He was subsequently transported to an area hospital. The highway was impacted for approximately six hours during the on-scene investigation. OSP was assisted by the Oregon Department of Transportation.
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Oregon Nurses Association Leader Files Wage Theft Lawsuit
On March 18th, an Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) member leader filed a class action lawsuit against Asante for wage theft and violating Oregon law. According to a release, Asante is accused of multiple illegal accounting practices including manipulating workers’ timecards, making unauthorized wage deductions, time rounding, refusing to pay workers’ earned differentials, refusing to pay missed meals and breaks, and failure to pay workers’ wages on time. Nurses are suing to stop Asante’s alleged illegal accounting practices, recover lost wages owed to healthcare workers, and ensure a fair and accurate accounting of all workers’ hours and pay. Class counsel estimates 6,000 hourly workers have been victims of Asante’s wage theft since 2020, including nearly 5,000 current employees. Plaintiffs estimate Asante owes workers $500,000 in unpaid wages. Asante is facing an additional $2 million in statutory penalties and damages plus interest and court costs. The ONA represents more than 1450 registered nurses and technical workers at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford.
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