West
Oregon nurse allegedly replaced fentanyl IV bags with tap water prior to patient deaths
- Police are investigating the theft of prescribed medication at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford, Oregon.
- Two people died and others fell ill after a nurse allegedly replaced fentanyl IV drips with tap water.
- The extent of the impact on patients is yet to be determined, and it is unclear whether deaths resulted from the medication theft or tampering.
Authorities are investigating the theft of medication prescribed to patients at a southern Oregon hospital, police and state medical officials confirmed Wednesday, following a local news report that two people died and others were sickened after a nurse replaced fentanyl intravenous drips with tap water.
Officials at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford reported to police early last month that they believed a former employee had stolen medication, Medford Police Lt. Geoff Kirkpatrick said in a statement.
“There was concern that this behavior resulted in adverse patient care, though the extent of the impact on those patients is yet to be determined,” the statement said.
DEPRAVED NURSE ALLEGEDLY CONFESSED TO TRYING TO KILL 19 NURSING HOME PATIENTS
In a phone interview, Kirkpatrick declined to confirm whether deaths resulted from the medication theft or tampering, saying, “We’re investigating whether or not that behavior led to adverse patient care, which could be death, could be all sorts of other forms or things. … We don’t know that that resulted in deaths.”
A bag of fentanyl hangs from an IV drip machine in a patient’s room at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, California. Police and medical officials have confirmed that they are investigating the theft of medications prescribed to patients at a hospital in southern Oregon. (Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The police statement said the department received numerous calls from individuals asking if they or a family member might have been affected. Asante told police it had identified any patients who were and has notified or is notifying them or their families, the department said.
Neither the hospital nor police would provide further information, and there were no indications an arrest had been made.
“We were distressed to learn of this issue,” Asante said in a statement. “We reported it to law enforcement and are working closely with them.”
DALLAS DOCTOR DUBBED ‘MEDICAL TERRORIST’ AFTER CAUGHT TAMPERING WITH IV BAGS
The Oregon Health Authority said Wednesday in a statement that it was aware of reports of an Asante nurse “alleged to have tampered with pharmaceutical fentanyl used to treat severe pain and introduced tap water in patients’ intravenous lines.” It also confirmed it was investigating “reports that the incidents led to health care-associated infections that severely injured, and may have caused the deaths of, several patients.”
The Rogue Valley Times reported this week that the families of two patients — 36-year-old Samuel Allison, who died in November 2022, and 74-year-old Barry Samsten, who died in July — said hospital officials notified them that the deaths were due to infections resulting from their pain medication being replaced with non-sterile tap water.
Relatives of Allison and Samsten did not immediately respond to interview requests from The Associated Press.
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San Francisco, CA
San Francisco considers closing some permanent supportive housing
In San Francisco, homeless advocates are expressing concern as the city considers potentially closing some of its permanent supportive housing sites. As the San Francisco Chronicle reported, homeless service providers reported that the mayor’s chief of health and human services met with housing providers last month that the city was working on a list of potential buildings to be closed.
Multiple homeless advocates told NBC Bay Area they had heard about this proposal and the general approach by Mayor Daniel Lurie’s office to reexamine how the city uses permanent supportive housing.
“This is something that’s been discussed for a few months at this point,” said Christin Evans, a former San Francisco Homeless Oversight Commissioner and current small business owner in the city.
Advocates describe permanent supportive housing (PSH) as a more stable and long term option for people experiencing homelessness, providing a place to live that is directly connected to the health and social services a person needs when transitioning out of homelessness. San Francisco currently has more than 9,000 site-based permanent supportive housing units.
Mayor Daniel Lurie’s press secretary, Charles Lutvak, shared a statement on Thursday, noting, “… our administration is prioritizing tools to get people struggling with addiction into treatment and the path to stability.”
“Permanent supportive housing is a critical one, but we need to make it work better,” Lutvak continued, noting the city is spending $300 million a year while also facing hundreds of millions of dollars in federal cuts.
Lutvak also said it is not determined yet whether the city will be closing permanent supportive housing beds in the coming months.
Still, the conversations so far are enough to have advocates worried.
“Every housing unit you get rid of, you’ve got additional homeless people on the streets,” said Jennifer Friedenbach, executive director with the Coalition on Homelessness.
Friedenbach said there are currently thousands of people on the city’s waitlist to get into permanent supportive housing.
“Permanent supportive housing does work. It has been studied to death, and it is the primary resolution of homelessness that has the highest level of success,” she added.
This conversation about permanent supportive housing units is unfolding as the city already faces a 643 million dollar budget gap. But advocates argue, while housing is expensive, it will cost the city even more to have unhoused people in the city who are disconnected from a place to live or support services.
“We’re cutting really essential services for our most vulnerable san Franciscans, and its actually going to harm our recovery as a city,” Evans said.
Denver, CO
A French Dining Destination in Cherry Creek – 303 Magazine
In the heart of Cherry Creek North, Le Bilboquet Denver has become one of the city’s most
sought-after dining destinations, where timeless Parisian elegance meets the energy of Denver’s
evolving social scene. From the moment you arrive, the experience is intentional.
The dining room hums with conversation, the bar is lively yet refined, and the patio offers one of the most coveted settings in the neighborhood, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor dining. It is a place where long lunches turn into late afternoons, and evenings unfold with a sense of effortless sophistication.
At the center of it all is the culinary program, led by Chef Sosthene Kabore.
Rooted in classic French technique, his approach brings a modern sensibility to each dish, creating a menu that feels both elevated and approachable. Signature favorites are complemented by seasonal
offerings, each thoughtfully prepared and consistently executed. The result is a dining experience
that is as much about atmosphere as it is about the food itself.
Le Bilboquet is more than a restaurant, it is a destination. A place where Denver’s business,
creative, and social communities naturally come together. Whether for a celebratory dinner, a
casual afternoon on the patio, or an evening that extends well beyond the final course, the
experience is always dynamic, always memorable.
As the city continues to grow as a hub for culture and creativity, Le Bilboquet remains at the
center of it all. Its recent partnership with Denver Fashion Week is a natural extension of that
role, reflecting the restaurant’s connection to style, energy, and the moments that bring people
together.
Located in one of Denver’s most vibrant districts, Le Bilboquet continues to define
what elevated dining looks like in the city today.
Seattle, WA
Is it time for Seattle Mariners’ Raley to face more lefties?
Seattle Mariners outfielder Luke Raley entered this season as one of the team’s biggest bounce-back candidates. So far, he’s on his way to quite the rebound year.
Seattle Mariners’ slow start has featured some bad luck
The 31-year-old Raley has been one of the best Mariners hitters early on, as he was during his first year with the team in 2024. In his first 18 games, Raley is batting .328 (20 for 61) with a 1.002 OPS, four homers, four doubles and one triple.
Raley’s strong early performance featured a candidate for his best game at the plate as a big leaguer on Wednesday against the Padres. He turned in his first career four-hit game, which included a homer and a double. It was the third time in a four-game span Raley had at least three hits.
Just about all of the damage Raley has done has come against right-handed pitching since he’s used as the left-handed side of a platoon in right field. So far this season, he has just two at-bats against lefties.
During Thursday’s edition of Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob, co-host Bob Stelton made the case that the Mainers should ride the hot hand and give Raley more opportunities in left-on-left matchups.
“When somebody’s hot – you got very few hitters in this lineup that are hot, Donovan is another guy – I don’t care if there’s a lefty on the hill. Let Luke hit. Let Donovan hit. Let whoever’s hot (hit),” Stelton said. “… This guy is seeing the ball really well right now, let him keep going.”
What the right-handed options to replace Raley have done thus far is another reason Stelton would like to see the outfielder get more same-handed matchup opportunities. Veteran Rob Refsnyder, who is currently on paternity leave, has yet to get a hit in his first 19 plate appearances. And outfielder Victor Robles is on the injured list, leaving Connor Joe as the other right-handed option in right field. Joe has only five at-bat this season, but he hit just .221 in 157 combined games over the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
The issue of Raley hitting against lefties came up Thursday night when he was pinch hit for by Joe with the bases loaded and out in the sixth inning down 4-2 against Padres left-hander Adrian Morejon. Joe ended up striking out on three pitches.
However, Raley’s track record against left-handers hasn’t been good. He has a career .182 average and .533 OPS against southpaws in 194 plate appearances.
“It’s comfort for a lot of these guys… Maybe it’s just a matter of seeing lefties enough,” Stelton said. “… You’re going to get better by getting used to it and facing those guys… I would think if they’re feeling good at the time, if they’re on a roll, then show them, you know what, I’ve got that much confidence in you. They’re running the lefty out there today and you’re in the lineup, so get ready.”
Hear the full conversation at this link or in the audio player below. Listen to Wyman and Bob weekdays or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.
More on the Seattle Mariners
• It may be time for Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh to make some tradeoffs
• Trevor May: Mariners’ Brendan Donovan ‘has been as advertised’
• Changes helping Seattle Mariners’ Luke Raley look like his old self
• Former Seattle Mariners clubhouse favorite continuing career in Mexico
• How will Bryce Miller’s return impact Seattle Mariners rotation?
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