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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Traffic stop nets half-pound of meth, $11,700 in cash 170 structures threatened in Oregon Gulch fire Oregon Gulch fire 11,000 acres and growing Changing winds saved Pinehurst Inn from Oregon Gulch fire Medford police have arrested a second arsonist Crime, Courts and Emergency Services 5,000-acre wildfire forces evacuations in Greensprings Emergency Services Man cited for DUII after drifting into an oncoming lane of Interstate 5 and hitting a truck head-on Two-bit crime spree yields $866 in quarters Community blog: ARSON-FROM WORRY TO RELIEF Politics and Elections Medford council veterans plan exit Medical marijuana patients run for council seat Former colleagues laud Atiyeh's 'practical' leadership Bates-Dotterrer race called critical to Senate control Richardson challenges Kitzhaber during debate Education Migrant student numbers soar $21 million Science Building upgrades begin at SOU Eagle Point district mulls fate of Trail school SOU Provost James Klein plans to retire Poverty standard hurts Central Point schools State news Nation - World Obituaries Don Mallaghan Ethel Iris McCoy Margaret Elizabeth Powell Van Lynn LaMaster Jack Jerry Ansures (Tooter) Weather Photo Galleries Videos Sports Latest Stories Another decent start for Tiger Lynch ends holdout with Seahawks Coach Riley prepares Beavers for fall camp Coaches rank UO fourth in first poll Flurry of trades prior to deadline Varsity 541 College Sports Coach Riley prepares Beavers for fall camp Mannion, Beavers look to close the gap Riley's coaching longevity bucks the trend in Pac-12 His own Gary Payton Beavers hope new diet plans give them bite Pro Sports Judge OKs record-setting $2B sale of Clippers Recovered from illness, Serena ready for return Darvish, Rangers drop Yanks Even after payday, Seattle's Sherman hungry as ever Fists flying at Philly practices Community Sports LOCAL REPORT Cowden, Hunt power Mavericks in win Medford Mustangs stay hot LOCAL REPORT Rogues come up short against Bells Business Latest Stories Blog: Part 2: How to Stay Cool in 100 Degree Weather Avista requests rate hike of 9.7% Blog: Study finds Oregon's exports slow to recover Contractor sweep nets 34 violations in S. 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Dining India Palace Taco Riendo Uber Herbal Coquina Restaurant Home State BBQ Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living NEWS NOW Contractor sweep nets 34 violations in S. Oregon The state Construction Contractors Board said today it is looking into 34 potential violations in Southern Oregon after investigators last week showed up at 279 job sites here checking for unlicensed contractors. By Greg Stiles MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Posted Jul. 31, 2014 @ 8:55 am Updated Jul 31, 2014 at 9:02 AM By Greg Stiles Posted Jul. 31, 2014 @ 8:55 am Updated Jul 31, 2014 at 9:02 AM » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> The state Construction Contractors Board said today it is looking into 34 potential violations in Southern Oregon after investigators last week showed up at 279 job sites here checking for unlicensed contractors. The CCB said the most common violations involved unlicensed people working as contractors or contractors who had employees but lacked workers' compensation insurance to cover job-related injuries. Investigators made unannounced job-site visits in Ashland, Grants Pass, Medford, Klamath Falls and Roseburg from July 21 to 25. The visits are part of a statewide campaign that began in the spring that so far has turned up more than 100 potential law violations. "Although the amount of violations varies through the year, we would expect to see a peak in violations after a sweep," Enforcement Manager Stan Jessup said. Although many contractors left construction for other industries in the wake of the real-estate bubble and subsequent housing collapse eight years ago, Jessup said his agency's sweep has been turning up people who may never have been licensed. "Most of these are people who have never been licensed or let it lapse in early 2000s," he said. It's unclear whether violators are scraping along the bottom or are simply scofflaws. "We hear that," Jessup said. "They say they can't afford to take classes needed to get their license back, but I don't know how true it is. If you let your license lapse, you can reinstate it up to two years after it expires. You still have to get bonding and insurance in place, but after two years you have to start over." Cheryl Martinis, a spokesperson for the CCA, said 160 job-site checks were made in Jackson County last week, with 13 violations noted. Five unlicensed contractors were working; four exempt contractors had employees; three had hired unlicensed subcontractors; and one exceeded task limits. Once field investigators report possible violations, Salem staff members decide whether to impose fines or issue warnings. Brad Bennington, executive director for the Home Builders of Jackson County, said his organization is always happy to support the CCB's work. "Unlicensed contractors do a lot of harm to our industry and our community," Bennington said. "When a consumer has an unlicensed contractor do work on their property, they have no recourse for improper work and they have exposed themselves to the liability for companies that aren't bonded and don't carry insurance. Sometimes these are otherwise good folks who have had the rug pulled out from under them by shifting financial fortunes, but that isn't an excuse to work outside the law." In addition, the CCB reported it had resolved nine earlier investigations of Jackson County contractors and levied these fines: B & D Gutters Inc., working without a license, $1,000; Christopher Heinze, working without a license, $700; Innovative Construction of Oregon Inc., reporting it didn't have employees when it did, $1,000; Iwall Concepts LLC, no workers' compensation for employees, $1,000; John A. Christensen LLC, reporting that he didn't have employees when he did, $1,000; Arnold Michael Lautt, working without a license, $700; Mitch Smith Installations Inc., working without a license, $1,000; Pool Masters Inc., working without a license, $1,000; Allen Rothgeb Painting, working without a license, $1,000. Jessup said the process can take six to eight months from the time the CCB notifies its intent to levy a fine to it becoming final. Contractors and consumers can report unlicensed contractors and other illegal activity or verify licenses on the CCB's website at www.oregon.gov/CCB. They may also verify licenses by calling 503-378-4621. Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @GregMTBusiness, friend him on Facebook and read his blog at www.mailtribune.com/EconomicEdge. By Greg Stiles MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Posted Jul. 31, 2014 @ 8:55 am Updated Jul 31, 2014 at 9:02 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. 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