The latest and most comprehensive coverage of local News, Sports, Business, and Community News stories in the Klamath Basin, Southern Oregon and around the state of Oregon from Wynne Broadcasting’s KFLS News/Talk 1450AM / 102.5FM and BasinLife.com, and powered by Mick Insurance, your local health and Medicare agents.
Monday, March 27, 2023
Klamath Basin Weather
Winter Weather Advisory plus a Winter Storm Warning is in effect from Monday, March 27, 05:00PM until Tuesday March 28, 11:00 AM PDT.
See Road Camera Views around the Basin:
Lake of the Woods
Doak Mtn.
Hiway 97 at Chemult
Hiway 140 at Bly
Hiway 97 at GreenSprings Dr.
Hiway 97 at LaPine
Today’s Headlines
Klamath Falls City Council meetings have become the regular stomping grounds for frustrated residents seeking answers about the city’s “jet in the park” project.
The city announced the project last summer — a static F-15 jet display which would be placed in Veterans Memorial Park.
Since then, citizens have been attending meetings regularly, voicing their displeasure over the “lack of transparency and communication” from and by the city’s elected officials.
Ed Silling was one of the first citizens to speak out against the city project. During a council meeting last July, the local resident presented a model he’d made of the jet in the park, which featured a homeless veteran sleeping underneath it.
When Silling and others found out the jet project would be funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds — $300,000 from the city and another $300,000 from Klamath County — more and more residents began attending council meetings to speak out.
Some residents argue this is an inappropriate use of the funds, citing other potential options for addressing matters directly related to the negative impacts of COVID-19, including assistance for homeless veterans and educational provisions for children attending city schools.
County Commissioner Dave Henslee added the F-15 jet display issue to the joint work session agenda after hearing the concerns of “countless” community members.
To date, no public forum has been held or scheduled for the jet in the park plan.
Kiger Stadium had also previously been on the city’s project proposals list to allocate relief funds toward repairs but was removed prior to the addition of the jet display project.
The Klamath Falls Police Department is calling citizens up to the big leagues.
Starting Thursday, April 6, the KFPD is offering a Citizen’s Academy to teach law enforcement practices and provide significant insight into how the department operates.
The Citizen’s Academy is designed to offer an encompassing look at any given police procedure beginning when the call to 911 is first made, through the investigation and ending when the case is submitted to the district attorney’s office.
Students will learn about patrol and DUII procedures, crime scene and homicide investigation, case law and defensive tactics all taught by current department members. Participants will even be able to interact with the K9 and SWAT units.
Officer Joseph Reed said the Citizen’s Academy is an opportunity for community members to interact with KFPD staff on a personal and transparent level.
The Citizen’s Academy is an 11-week course that will meet Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. beginning April 6 and ending June 15.
To apply, or for questions, stop by the police department at 2501 Shasta Way during operating hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
About $3 million in funding is available for natural resource projects that restore and improve public lands across western Oregon. The Bureau of Land Management encourages individuals, organizations and local governments to submit funding applications for consideration.
Project funding is available through Title II of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.
Proposed projects should restore land health, improve water quality or maintain existing infrastructure.
Projects must benefit Oregon and California Grant (O&C) lands and resources. O&C lands are located in the 18 western Oregon counties, including: Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Washington and Yamhill counties.
BLM officials encourage applicants to discuss their project proposals with them prior to submission. Contact the BLM District representative where the project would be implemented.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in finding a man who they say hit a woman with a hammer.
The Sheriff’s Office says that on Friday, they, along with Oregon State Police, responded to Westside Road and Water User Road after they received reports that a man hit a woman with a hammer.
Police identified the suspect as David Olivas.
Despite an in-depth search, police say they were unable to locate Olivas, and they are now asking residents to keep an eye out for him. He is described as a Hispanic male, 5’5” tall and weighs about 150 pounds. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a gray sweatshirt.
Police ask that if you see Olivas, do not approach him. They say he has a history of assault with weapons. Instead, call 911 immediately. Police are also asking residents to keep their cars and homes locked, and do not leave firearms unattended in vehicles.
Friends of Pets of the Klamath Basin’s program to spay or neuter canines is on the verge of cessation if funding isn’t provided soon.
Friends of Pets has 19 dogs scheduled for neuter or spay through April, but those might be the last assisted through the program due to raising surgical costs, according to officials at the shelter.
A private spay/neuter and no-kill feline adoption facility, the Friends of Pets of the Klamath Basin is operated by one paid employee with the assistance of volunteers. FOP offers a low-cost solution to families in need that require financial assistance for the care of their animals, specifically spaying and neutering.
Dating back to 2001, Friends of Pets of the Klamath Basin have assisted approximately 1,200 cats each year and since its formation has spayed or neutered nearly 22,000 through its program. Monthly, they offer a free spay day for semi-tame and feral cats. FOP began the canine program in June of 2022 after receiving a sizable donation that has so far made a difference in 80 dogs’ lives.
While the feline program is thriving, the canine program is teetering on the brink, FOP officials said.
To spay or neuter a cat, locally, the cost ranges between $64 and $100 whereas for dogs the average cost starts at $100 to $150 and can reach upward of $1,500 for larger-sized dogs.
All donations are Federally Tax deductible and can be made at the FOP website at klamathpets.com.
Watch out for Road Crews at work. Klamath County or utility companies will have work crews performing utility upkeep with intermittent lane closures starting today, Monday, March 27th.
Motorists are advised to use caution when in these areas and to watch for flaggers.
If motorists are able to avoid the work zones, they are asked to use an alternate route for personal safety and the safety of Klamath County employees and our contractors.
Utility work locations will be in the vicinity of Stearns Elementary School on Crest street from Clinton to Denver and on Laverne Avenue from Crest to Altamont.
The Avista Gas Company will be relocating gas mains and services while Pacific Power will be relocating power lines and services and Bobs Excavating will be relocating sewer services.
Traffic control measures will be in place for guidance. Motorist should use alternative routes if possible.
In general, flagging stations will be set up at the end of the work zone and delays will be zero to 20 minutes for the motoring public. The goal is to minimize the delay to the motoring public.
There might be adjustments of work schedules due to weather or other items outside of the county’s control (breakdown of equipment, material/resource availability, etc.) County residents are asked to not contact the county if they do not see work occurring because it could be finished already or will be rescheduled. Contact the Public Works Department at 541-883-4696 for more information.
The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce their new K9 team.
K9 Blitz is a two-year-old Belgian malinois and trained in explosives and patrol. K9 Blitz is assigned to our newest K9 Handler, Sergeant Ryan Kaber.
Sergeant Kaber has been with our agency since 2008 and served in many roles. Prior to becoming a K9 handler Sergeant Kaber was serving in the role of Detective Sergeant, supervising three detectives and responding to Major Crimes Team call-outs. Monday marked Day-One working as a team with K9 Blitz. He is also assigned to oversee a shift as a Patrol Sergeant and the Canine Division Coordinator.
The KCSO K9 team will be certified annually through the Oregon Police Canine Association.
Crater Lake Hospitality has been the concessionaire at Crater Lake National Park since 2019, but general manager Amanda Lee says the upcoming summer season will be a challenge because it’s almost a new beginning for them.
While the Rim Village Gift Shop-Cafeteria is open year-round — except when the road from park headquarters in Munson Village to Rim Village is closed by snow — there are shorter seasons at the Lodge and Mazama Village. Depending on snow conditions, the Crater Lake Lodge is scheduled to be open from May 12 to mid-October.
The slightly later than usual closure is because Crater Lake is expected to be a prime viewing location for an annular eclipse Oct. 14. Plans call for opening the Annie Creek Gift Shop/Mazama Village Store near the park’s south entrance May 20 with hours from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The adjacent gas station will also open in mid-May. The scheduled opening for the nearby Mazama Campground is May 29, Memorial Day, with sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The campground has 215 tent and RV sites but many often remain closed by snow until early to mid-June. Beginning July 1 campsites will be available on a reservation basis with any unreserved sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Crater Lake Lodge, with its 71 guest rooms, will again be serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, with priority to lodge guests. The Great Hall and patio overlooking the lake for drinks and appetizers will be open to lodge guests and non-guests. Lee said bookings at the lodge are already at a high level, with openings for May and some of October.
Reconstruction at the lodge done last year included installing a new roof. Various ongoing projects and upgrades are expected over the next 1-1/2 to 2 years.
A major change for visitors is the return of concession-operate Crater Lake boat tours on new and larger boats. Depending on when the 1.1-mile Cleetwood Cove Trail is open,. For information about Crater Lake Hospitality, hours at the various facilities and reservations for the lodge, Mazama Village cabins and boat tours, visit the website at www.travelcraterlake.com.
The Board of County Commissioners shared excitement and enthusiasm for the Klamath County Fairgrounds and Event Center’s RV lot expansion during the weekly business meeting Tuesday, March 21.
The board was presented with a grant agreement issued from the South Central Oregon Economic Development District in the amount of $225,000. The agreement, funded with American Rescue Plan Act monies, is to expand the RV lot at the county fairgrounds.
Last year’s Klamath County Fair saw approximate 48,000 fairgoers with a number of those visitors camping overnight through the duration of the festivities.
Commissioner Dave Henslee said he knew there was some frustration regarding the availability of camping locations at the fairgrounds. Henslee state he would like to avoid similar issues this year.
In another APRA grant agreement, the board approved the Klamath County Fire District Number 1’s (KFCD1) submission for $145,000 to be used toward purchasing radio equipment.
In the grant proposal provided by the county, KFCD1 stated it is the busiest fire district in Klamath County and one of the busiest in the state. A major component of a successful fire district is the communication equipment. In April 2021, Mission Critical Partners, a professional services firm, performed a Radio System Assessment and identified several opportunities for improvement.
Finally, the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office sought approval to purchase a second canine for the K-9 Deputy Program during the meeting. Sheriff Chris Kaber said the office has received multiple donations for the purchase of the dog, which KCSO has received a quote of $10,500 from Top Dog Police K9 Training and Consulting.
A local Christian school will award new firearms to three of the 12 selected winners of its annual raffle Wednesday, March 22. Crosspoint Christian School’s annual Liberty Raffle has been an ongoing tradition for the past nine years.
The event raises funds for the school through the sale of $40 tickets for raffle items donated to the school. According to a letter to school families obtained by the Herald & News, students were expected to sell six tickets apiece, with those that do so being entered into a drawing to receive $150 off this school year’s tuition.
This year’s raffle prizes include a Kimber LW Shadow, a 9mm Glock 19 and a Ruger American bolt-action rifle with scope.
The Herald & News received an email Monday, March 20, from a concerned citizen who disagrees with offering firearms as prizes in a school function. Stay tuned.
Coming to the Ragland Theater in April
Motown with a Twist (Saturday, April 1st, 2023 at 7:30 PM)
● Here comes Motown with a Twist – a new twist on classic Motown. It’s a sparkling,
electrifying night of the Motor City’s most famous hit songs featuring Celebrity Pros
from Dancing with the Stars performing with finalists from So You Think You Can
Dance,and vocals by American Idol, The Voice, and America’s Got Talent finalists. This
family friendly night features songs from Diana Ross & The Supremes to Smokey
Robinson to The Jackson 5 with everything in between. You’ll Twist and Shout to
Motown with a Twist.
● Showing on Saturday, April 1st, 2023 at 7:30 PM
● Tickets are $45 for general admission, $10 for youth ages 12 and under, and $65 for
Vegas seating.
● Get tickets at ragland.org
Meet the Easter Bunny fundraiser (Sunday, April 2nd at 2:00 PM)
● Meet the Easter Bunny. Have your picture taken with him. Get goodie bags & cotton
candy and slushie’s will be available from the Slush ‘n Smart cart. Donations are
accepted, and everyone is welcomed
● Happening Sunday, April 2nd at 2:00 PM
Young Musicians of Excellence (Tuesday, April 4th,
2023 at 7:30 PM)
● Enjoy burgeoning young artists performing on the Ragland stage. Featuring a
smorgasbord of vocal and instrumental talent, these high school musicians are
considered the best of the best in their chosen field by professional judges and
competitions.
● Showing on Tuesday, April 4th, 2023 at 7:30 PM
● Tickets are $15 for General Admission, and $5 for youth ages 12 and under
● Get tickets at ragland.org
● Youth Oriented
Ragtag Choir Spring Performance (Friday, April 7th, 2023 at 6:00 PM)
● Ragland’s own youth choir; The Rag Tag Choir, performs twice a year on the main stage.
The Spring concert is an annual event that is now a seasonal tradition. Join the Ragland’s
youth choir for a concert of popular songs that celebrate all the joys of springtime.
● Showing on Saturday, April 7th, 2023 at 6:00 PM
● Tickets are $10
● Get tickets at ragland.org
● Youth Friendly show
Hotel California – A Tribute to the Eagles (Thursday, April 20th, 2023 at 7:30 PM)
● A spirited blend of originality and the pursuit of excellence have taken Hotel California “A
Salute to the Eagles’ ‘ to a level of recognition normally reserved for Gold and Platinum
recording artists. The most successful and longest running show of its kind, Hotel
California “A Salute to the Eagles,” is the ONLY show to have ever received “Official
Authorization” to perform the Eagles catalog of music. So join us on a trip down a dark
desert highway… Feel the cool wind in your hair … It’s time to check into …The Hotel
California.
● Showing on Thursday, April 20th, 2023 at 7:30 PM
● Tickets are $29 for general admission and $49 for Vegas seating.
● Get tickets at ragland.org
Ragland Comedy Night (Friday, April 28th, 2023 at 7:30 pm)
● Join us for another month of Ragland Comedy Nights with Jim and Hurricane’s funniest
friends!
● Happening on Friday, April 28th, 2023 at 7:30PM
● Tickets are $20 for General Admission, and $40 for VIP box seating
● Get tickets at ragland.org
● Suggested for ages 18 and up
Around the state of Oregon
$200 Million Housing and Homelessness Package Clears Legislature
Oregon lawmakers passed a $200 million bipartisan housing and homelessness package last week, now sending it to Governor Tina Kotek for her final approval.
The $200 million outlay, encapsulated in House Bills 2001 and 5019, will bolster rent assistance, expand shelters, protect homeless youth and catalyze housing development, among other initiatives. The package also makes several policy changes intended to defray the affordable housing crisis, including giving tenants more time to pay overdue rent and holding local jurisdictions accountable for producing more housing.
The Senate passed both bills on a 21-7 vote Tuesday evening, less than a week after the package was overwhelmingly approved by the House. The package is among Kotek’s top policy priorities for the session.
The rapid and lopsided passage of the first bill represents a major victory for Kotek, a Portland Democrat who made housing her signature issue during her record-setting nine years as speaker of the House. The fact the money measure passed the Legislature in March, with millions slated to be pumped out to communities starting this week, is highly unusual and shows the sense of urgency in both parties to address the state’s pressing housing shortage.
The Senate passed both bills on a 21-7 vote Tuesday evening, less than a week after the package was overwhelmingly approved by the House. The package is among Kotek’s top policy priorities for the session.
The rapid and lopsided passage of the first bill represents a major victory for Kotek, a Portland Democrat who made housing her signature issue during her record-setting nine years as speaker of the House. The fact the money measure passed the Legislature in March, with millions slated to be pumped out to communities starting this week, is highly unusual and shows the sense of urgency in both parties to address the state’s pressing housing shortage.
Knopp and Sen. Daniel Bonham, R-The Dalles, both said more mental health and addiction resources need to be created throughout the state as well.
Kotek is slated to sign the package quickly, allowing $30 million to be pushed out to local communities immediately. Those initial funds will go to eviction prevention, rent assistance and some state staffing costs. The remainder of the funding will become available July 1, the start of the next fiscal year.
The money will be on top of any funding that makes its way into the general housing and homelessness budget for the coming two years. Service providers view the emergency funding as a down payment that will allow them to quickly scale up their work while they wait on typical state funding.
Suspect Arrested in Shady Cove is Linked to Several Unsolved Burglaries, Leads Investigators to Keys for 20 Local Businesses, 43-Grams Fentanyl Seized
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) Shady Cove deputies arrested a man after he attempted to break into a local RV park front office Tuesday afternoon in the 21000 block of Highway 62.
An observer witnessed the man acting suspiciously in the area and alerted authorities. JCSO deputies responded, detained and identified the suspect discovering he had a total of eight outstanding warrants for his arrest and a parole violation.
While searching the suspect, deputies found 14-grams of methamphetamine on his person. A search of his vehicle uncovered 43.7-grams of fentanyl in multiple baggies packaged for sale, evidence of several additional burglaries, and burglary tools. Medford Police Department (MPD) detectives responded to assist in the investigation and along with JCSO deputies were able to link the suspect to burglaries from throughout the Rogue Valley. During the search, the suspect advised he had stolen keys for approximately 20 local businesses and had hidden them in a local creek. Most of the keys and stolen property was recovered during the investigation.
The suspect, Michael Jonathan Barrett, 48, of Central Point, is charged with two counts of second-degree burglary, first-degree theft, second-degree attempted burglary, third-degree theft, unlawful possession of methamphetamine, and unlawful possession of a schedule II-controlled substance (fentanyl). He is lodged in the Jackson County Jail and due to his parole violation is not eligible for pre-trial release. Barrett was wanted on failure-to-appear warrants for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, third-degree theft, identity theft, and second-degree burglary. Barrett’s outstanding warrants included two counts of first-degree theft and second-degree burglary. His parole violation was for unlawful delivery of heroin.
Barrett has been linked to a least two unsolved burglary cases locally. This includes a Medford dental office and a Jacksonville computer store where he stole the keys to local businesses. This case is under further investigation with MPD and JCSO following additional leads and is an example of the great multi-agency law enforcement teamwork we have in the Rogue Valley.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal depending on a person’s body size, tolerance and past usage. JCSO deputies seized enough fentanyl in this case to potentially kill nearly 22,000 people.
Oregon Legislature Proposes Tight Budget As COVID Cash Runs Out
Legislative budget writers plan to trim many state agency budgets while increasing overall spending in the next two years.
Co-chairs of the legislative budget-writing committee on Thursday shared the broad strokes of their $31.6 billion spending plan for the two years beginning July 1. It starts with 2.5% reductions to current agency spending, cuts that would primarily be achieved by not filling vacancies.
The planned cuts come as lawmakers and Gov. Tina Kotek envision spending hundreds of millions more to address the state’s most pressing issues, including a housing shortage, a dearth of public defenders that has left Oregonians without their constitutional right to representation in criminal cases and a rollback of Medicaid benefits expanded earlier in the pandemic that could leave up to 300,000 Oregonians uninsured.
It’s larger than the $29.3 billion the state spent in the current budget cycle, but it still represents a haircut for state agencies who will be asked to hold positions vacant. One key factor making budgeting decisions harder this year: The billions of dollars in federal COVID funding that helped grow state programs and provide one-time boosts for schools and housing isn’t available.
“We no longer have that federal fund buffer, so things will be a little tighter,” said Rep. Tawna Sanchez, D-Portland and one co-chair of the Joint Ways and Means Committee.
Like a $32.1 billion plan Kotek proposed in January, the plan Sanchez and the other budget-writing co-chair, Sen. Elizabeth Steiner, D-Portland, unveiled calls for increasing school funding and prioritizing education, housing and human services.
Unlike the governor’s plan, which called for diverting hundreds of millions of dollars intended for the state’s reserves to meet those goals, the legislative proposal would maintain a 1% distribution to the state’s rainy day fund of close to $300 million.
The framework includes almost $200 million in early spending on a $217 million housing package that Kotek is expected to sign soon and a $210 million set of incentives for semiconductors and advanced manufacturing that’s working its way through the Legislature. Some of the money for those packages will come from the current budget.
Beyond that, the plan anticipates spending $325.6 million toward top state priorities, including managing Medicaid eligibility and preserving basic health and dental coverage for low-income adults who risk losing Medicaid coverage. Public defense services, literacy programs, housing and behavioral health and reproductive health are also included in that $325.6 million pot – but the state doesn’t have enough money to meet those needs, according to the framework.
The state’s next economic forecast in May could follow recent trends of showing higher-than-expected revenue, meaning lawmakers will have more flexibility to increase spending on priorities or decrease cuts.
But if that doesn’t happen, Steiner said they’ll face tough decisions when crafting the full budget. They may have to dip into the money allocated for reserves, make additional cuts to state agencies or limit new spending.
“This is my fifth year doing this, and it’s going to be the hardest,” Steiner said. “People have become accustomed to having lots and lots and lots of resources. The combination of the uncertain economy and inflation are putting us in a very different place than we were two or four years ago.”
The proposal released Thursday is a high-level look at state finances, with many details left to negotiate. Sanchez and Steiner shared it with other lawmakers shortly before releasing it to the public with a clear message for the 88 other legislators: There won’t be enough money for everything they want to do.
“There really isn’t a whole lot of room for a whole lot,” Sanchez said. “We did deprioritize new things. We’re not going to move into new things really right now because we don’t know where we’re going to be. We don’t know what the May forecast is going to look like.”
The proposal calls for increasing the State School Fund, which covers most of the state’s K-12 budget, from $9.5 billion to $9.9 billion. That’s the same increase as Kotek’s proposal, though lower than the $10.3 billion education groups say is necessary to maintain current service levels for students.
Education advocates widely panned the legislative proposal, saying it doesn’t do enough to fund K-12 education and universities. Jim Green, executive director of the Oregon School Boards Association, said in a statement that districts project widespread cuts in programs and staff.
“We appreciate that legislators are trying to address budget pressures,” he said. “But schools are facing a crisis in serving students’ increasing social and emotional needs, as well as workforce shortages.”
University leaders, meanwhile, noted that Oregon spends less per student than most other states. Nagi Naganathan, president of the Oregon Institute of Technology and chair of the Oregon Council of Presidents, said students need more support after the stresses of the pandemic.
“Our students, both current and future, have been hit hard by the pandemic,” she said. “They require more wraparound and behavioral health services, stronger academic advising, greater financial aid, and more support than ever on their path toward a degree.”
The legislative proposal calls for most state agencies to keep a certain number of vacant positions open to save costs, though it also calls for about $120 million in recruitment and retention benefits to keep corrections workers and behavioral health caregivers on the job.
“Those are areas where we have experienced particularly acute staff shortages,” Steiner said.
The framework also includes $330 million for state employee raises expected to result from future collective bargaining agreements.
The human services budget includes nearly $109 million to comply with a federal court order that requires the Oregon State Hospital to treat and release patients back to their communities on a set schedule, and for related needs. That order applies to patients who face criminal charges and need treatment so they can aid in the defense of their case.
The initial plan doesn’t include state-issued general obligation bonds, which lawmakers continue to negotiate. Kotek has called for issuing about $770 billion in bonds to build new affordable homes for renters and homeowners, while universities seek bond funding for campus construction projects.
Bonds also could come into play for Oregon’s portion of the Interstate 5 bridge replacement between Portland and Vancouver, Washington: Oregon’s northern neighbor expects the state to match Washington’s $1 billion commitment to the bridge, which could cost as much as $7.5 billion.
In a statement, Kotek praised the chairs’ “thoughtful approach” to developing a budget proposal.
“We share a mission-focused vision: rather than scores of new programs, we need to prioritize investments that will deliver meaningful results on housing and homelessness, behavioral health, and education,” she said. “As the budget process moves forward, I urge the Legislature to exhaust every possible funding option in order to make the visible and measurable progress that Oregonians are demanding on these issues of statewide concern.” (SOURCE)
Fatal Crash – Interstate 5 – Douglas County
On Friday, March 24, 2023, at approximately 5:58 A.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a two vehicle crash on Interstate 5 (southbound), near milepost 166, in Douglas County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a Freightliner CMV and semi-trailer, operated by Joel Lockhart (29) of White City (OR), was southbound and lost control striking the center barrier where it came to rest. A Nissan Murano, operated by Karen Sweesy (46) of Monroe (WA), was southbound and came upon the disabled CMV and semi-trailer. The Nissan crashed into the left rear corner of the semi-trailer. Sweesy was pronounced deceased at the scene by EMS.
A passenger in the Nissan, Shari Landerville (59) of Monroe (WA), received serious injuries and was taken to Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend. The operator of the CMV was uninjured.
The highway was impacted for approximately 2.5 hours while the on-scene investigation was conducted.
OSP was assisted by North Douglas Fire & EMS, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Cottage Grove PD, and ODOT.
Bill Looks To Address Source Of Oregon Water Pollution
A new bill introduced into the Oregon Legislature last week is hoping to address Oregon’s water pollution issue, with some people believing that the unhoused population play a contributing role.
If passed, Senate Bill 1086 would, “authorize any person to submit a complaint to the Department of Environmental Quality if the person reasonably believes that the camping site of homeless individuals is causing discharge of wastes into state waters.”
The bill would also direct the department to remove those from the camping site and clean the camping site as necessary to protect state waters.
“We cannot allow the homeless to continue to impact the waters of the state,” said Sen. David Brock Smith, a chief sponsor of the bill and Republican representing District 1, which represents all of Curry County and parts of Coos and Douglas counties.
According to the bill’s text, the DEQ may contract or collaborate with any local government to carry out removal and cleanup activities. But it states that the “removal of homeless individuals under this section must be conducted in a manner that conforms to the provisions of ORS 195.505,” which is the state’s camp removal & unclaimed personal property policies.
“These homeless camps don’t have any consequences, and yet they’re some of the most polluting,” Smith said.
During the removal process in affected areas, Smith said outreach services will be provided to those that want to get off the streets. However, for those who decide to stay on the street, Smith said, there is no solution on how to stop them from polluting again.
“That’s the billion dollar question,” he said.
During his interview with NewsWatch 12, Smith claimed the state has spent millions of dollars over the last six years to clean up Oregon’s waterways, but with little success. He also claimed that the unhoused, over the years, have been polluting Oregon’s water with trash, fecal matter and even drugs, which has been slowly contaminating Oregon’s water.
Although the bill is still in its very early stages, Smith said he hopes the bill will receive bi-partisan support.
“I look forward to other colleagues signing on,” Smith said. “This isn’t a partisan issue. This is a bipartisan issue to protect waters of the state, regardless of who is doing the polluting.” (SOURCE)
Bureau Of Land Management Seeks Proposals To Fund Natural Resource Projects
About $3 million in funding is available for natural resource projects that restore and improve public lands across western Oregon. The Bureau of Land Management encourages individuals, organizations, and local governments to submit funding applications for consideration.
Project funding is available through Title II of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. Proposed projects should restore land health, improve water quality, or maintain existing infrastructure. Projects must benefit Oregon and California Grant (O&C) lands and resources. O&C lands are located in the 18 western Oregon counties, including: Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Washington, and Yamhill Counties.
“Title II funds are used to make investments in public lands and create employment opportunities,” said Heather Whitman, Roseburg District Manager. “These projects are vital because they improve cooperative relationships among the people that use and care for public lands.”
BLM officials encourage applicants to discuss their project proposals with them prior to submission. Please contact the BLM District representative where the project would be implemented:
- Coos Bay District – Stephanie Messerle, smesserl@blm.gov, 541-751-4230
- Medford District, Roseburg District, and Klamath Falls Field Office of the Lakeview District – Christina Beslin, cbeslin@blm.gov, 541-618-2371; or
- Northwest Oregon District – Patricia Johnston, pjohnsto@blm.gov, 541-683-6181.
The application forms, criteria, and instructions are available through grants.gov. The grant is under the heading Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement L23AS00283 BLM OR/WA Secure Rural Schools, Title II Grants.
Applications are due by May 15, 2023.
Examples of previously funded projects include noxious weed treatments, trail maintenance, garbage removal, and stream restoration.
The Western Oregon Resource Advisory Committee will review the applications at their fall 2023 meeting.
Information about the BLM’s Western Oregon Resource Advisory Committee is available at: blm.gov/get-involved/resource-advisory-council/near-you/oregon-washington/western-oregon-rac
$148 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in Oregon in January and February
There was $75.6 million in legal marijuana sold in January in Oregon, and $72.7 sold in February.
Oregon sold a total of $148,366,891 million between January 1 and February 28 this year, with sales data not yet available for any part of March. This is according to data released by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission. Based on the state’s 17% marijuana tax rate, the state garnered $25.2 million in marijuana taxes during this period.
There has now been $5.418 billion in legal marijuana sold between October, 2016 and February, 2023, bringing in roughly $920 million in tax revenue. The top month was April, 2021 with $110 million sold. The $72.7 million in marijuana sold in February was a decrease from February 2021 and 2022, but was higher than each of the February’s before that. In February, 2022 there was $80.4 million sold, with $88.8 million sold in February, 2021.
In Oregon licensed marijuana retail outlets are authorized to sell marijuana to anyone 21 and older. Personal possession limits are:
- Two ounces of usable marijuana in a public place;
- Eight ounces of usable marijuana in your home;
- 16 ounces of cannabinoid products in solid form or cannabinoid concentrates;
- 72 ounces of cannabinoid products in liquid form;
- One ounce of cannabinoid extracts purchased from a marijuana retailer; and
- Four marijuana plants.
Oregon’s marijuana law was approved by voters in 2014. (SOURCE)
Much of West Coast Faces Salmon Fishing Ban
As drought dried up rivers that carry California’s newly hatched Chinook salmon to the ocean, state officials in recent years resorted to loading up the fish by the millions onto trucks and barges to take them to the Pacific.
The surreal and desperate scramble boosted the survival rate of the hatchery-raised fish, but still it was not enough to reverse the declining stocks in the face of added challenges. River water temperatures rose with warm weather, and a Trump-era rollback of federal protections for waterways allowed more water to be diverted to farms. Climate change, meanwhile, threatens food sources for the young Chinook maturing in the Pacific.
Now, ocean salmon fishing season is set to be prohibited this year off California and much of Oregon for the second time in 15 years after adult fall-run Chinook, often known as king salmon, returned to California’s rivers in near record-low numbers in 2022.
“There will be no wild-caught California salmon to eat unless someone has still got some vacuum sealed last year in their freezer,” said John McManus of the Golden State Salmon Association.
Experts fear native California salmon, which make up a significant portion of the Pacific Northwest’s fishing industry, are in a spiral toward extinction. Much of the salmon caught off Oregon originate in California’s Klamath and Sacramento rivers. After hatching in freshwater, they spend three years on average maturing in the Pacific, where many are snagged by commercial fishermen, before migrating back to their spawning grounds, where conditions are more ideal to give birth. After laying eggs, they die.
Already California’s spring-run Chinook are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, while winter-run Chinook are endangered along with the Central California Coast coho salmon, which has been off-limits to California commercial fishers since the 1990s.
The Pacific Fishery Management Council, the authority responsible for setting ocean salmon seasons off the Pacific coast, is expected in early April to formally approve its proposed closure of Chinook fishing along the coast from Cape Falcon in northern Oregon to the California-Mexico border.
Recreational fishing is expected to be allowed in Oregon only for coho salmon during the summer and for Chinook after Sept. 1. Salmon season is expected to open as usual north of Cape Falcon, including in the Columbia River and off Washington’s coast.
Though the closure will deal a blow to the industry that supports tens of thousands of jobs, few are disputing it.
“We want to make sure they are here for the future,” said third-generation fisherman Garin McCarthy, who described catching a Chinook as “magical.”
McCarthy, whose entire income last year came from salmon fishing off both California and Oregon, has had to invest thousands of dollars in equipment to fish other species like rockfish, halibut and black cod.
“We’re all scrambling to try to make our boats do something different,” he said. “We’re all salmon trollers. That’s what we do. That’s what we live for.”
Glen Spain, executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, said he believes the ban might need to be in place for two or three years to bring back sustainable stocks after many fish died in 2020, the start of a record-dry period.
The Chinook already faced challenges, with dams blocking their historic retreats to the chilly upper reaches of Northern California’s Sacramento River and the Klamath River along the California-Oregon border. Decades of development have disrupted the natural flow of rivers and polluted waters.
In 2020, the Trump administration ended federal protections for millions of waterways, allowing for more water to be pumped out of the Sacramento River Basin for farming despite warnings from biologists that it could harm salmon runs in the future.
Fishers say river water temperatures increased with the diversions for irrigation, killing more eggs and hatchlings and preventing the stocks from bouncing back amid the drought.
Four Sisters Claim Oregon Lottery’s $1 Million Raffle Prize
Salem, Ore. – A retired Wood Village woman and her three sisters are planning a fun vacation together after winning the $1 million top prize in Oregon Lottery’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Raffle.
Carol Serbick bought the winning ticket at Bumpers Grill & Bar in Fairview on March 2, 2023 – about a week before tickets were sold out.
“I went to the restroom, walked past the bar and said to the bartender, ‘just give me one ticket,’” she said. “Between us sisters, we purchased a total of nine tickets.”
The sisters had agreed to split the prize money before the winning numbers were drawn. The plan was for each sister to buy two – but Serbick picked up the ninth ticket on a whim. A first time Raffle player, Serbick is the oldest sibling and all four are retirees looking forward to a sisters’ trip.
To check the winning numbers for all 1,801 Raffle prizes, players can use the Lottery’s smart phone app, go to www.oregonlottery.org or visit a participating Oregon Lottery retail location.
The $500 and $100 prize winners can claim their prizes at any Oregon Lottery retail location. In addition, players can claim their prize by mail – visit www.oregonlottery.org/claim-a-prize/ for instructions.
The Raffle offers the best odds of any Oregon Lottery game of winning $1 million – 1 in 250,000. Overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 138.8. This was the 23rd time a Raffle was offered by the Oregon Lottery.
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