32.18 F
Klamath Falls
March 28, 2024

Klamath Basin News, Thursday, Feb. 15 – U S Dept of Interior, Klamath Water Users, Klamath Tribes Announce Historic Ecosystem Restoration Agreement; Oregon AG Rosenblum Wants Gun Measure 114 To Stay In Effect

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, The Herald and News, and BasinLife.com, and powered by Mick Insurance, your Local Health and Medicare agents. Call 541-882-6476.

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Klamath Basin Weather

Today
Rain and snow likely before 1pm, then rain. Snow level 4300 feet rising to 5100 feet. High near 43. Southwest wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no snow accumulation expected. Overnight, rain likely, a low near 33 degrees. Snow level 4900 feet.  Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Friday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. East southeast wind 5 to 7 mph. Overnight a 20% chance of rain after 10pm. Snow level 6200 feet lowering to 5700 feet after midnight . Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. East wind around 8 mph.
Saturday
Rain, mainly after 10am. Snow level 5800 feet. High near 47. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Sunday
Partly sunny, with a high near 48.
Monday, Washington’s Birthday
A chance of rain and snow. Snow level 4600 feet rising to 5400 feet in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48.

Today’s Headlines

The U.S. Department of the Interior on Wednesday announced a historic agreement with the Klamath Tribes, Yurok Tribe, Karuk Tribe and Klamath Water Users Association to advance collaborative efforts to restore the Klamath Basin ecosystem and improve water supply reliability for Klamath Project agriculture.

The Department also announced more than $72 million in new investments – including funding from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda – for ecosystem restoration and agricultural infrastructure modernization.

The Department also unveiled the Klamath Basin Drought Resilience Keystone Initiative, a new effort to steward investments from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, and support a wide range of restoration activities that will help recover listed species, create new habitat for fish and birds, and rethink the way water moves across the Klamath Basin to better align agriculture with ecosystem function.

The initiative is one of nine key conservation areas that the Department is focusing resources towards through a new restoration and resilience framework, and comes at a critical time as the removal of four dams on the Klamath River is underway.

A newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Klamath Tribes, Yurok Tribe, Karuk Tribe and Klamath Water Users Association commits the parties to working together to identify, recommend and support projects that advance shared Klamath Basin restoration goals, including improving water and irrigation stability and reliability; strengthening ecosystem resilience; protecting fish populations; and advancing drought resilience.

The MOU also commits the Department of the Interior to working across its bureaus, other federal Departments and agencies, the states of Oregon and California, and non-governmental partners to help secure funding and approval for projects and actions that advance these shared goals, including new investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.

Additionally, the agreement formally recognizes the significant value of Indigenous Knowledge and commits the parties to incorporate it into its restoration efforts throughout the basin.

 

Tuesday at 4:30pm the  Klamath County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR) responded to a report of a missing snowmobiler who had become separated from his group while riding in the Crater Lake National Park.

The missing man was identified as Eduardo Magana, age 38, from Winchester, Oregon. He was operating a rental snowmobile from the Diamond Lake Resort when he took a wrong turn near the rim of Crater Lake. After several miles of backcountry riding the snowmobile became stuck in the snow and he was unable to free it. On a cell phone, with a dying battery, he spoke to rescuers and advised them he was not dressed for the weather, was cold, and wasn’t sure where he was.

Klamath County SAR and the North County SAR team began a search assisted by the  Douglas County Sheriff’s Office SAR. The missing man was located near midnight on Rim Drive in a hypothermic state. He was transported off of the mountain by a Sno-Cat provided by Douglas County SAR and then transported to Roseburg for medical attention.

The temperature at the time the man was located was 19 degrees with an unknown windchill factor. An approaching storm further complicated the search.

The Sheriff’s Office offers their thanks and appreciation for the SAR volunteers from both Klamath and Douglas County who provide a great service to their community and spent most of the night saving this man’s life.

 

A Klamath Falls man, 55-year-old James Hadd is now lodged in the Klamath County Jail on three charges of sodomy in the first degree, as well as one count of sexual abuse in the first degree. All charges are felonies.

Klamath Falls City Police made the arrest and booked Hadd around 9pm Tuesday night.  No other details were available about the case.

 

Klamath County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were recently alerted by a local business of the discovery of a card skimming device affixed to their credit/debit card reader.

Skimmers are devices used to collect card numbers that are later recovered to make fraudulent purchases.

Skimmers can usually be spotted by doing a quick visual or physical inspection prior to swiping or inserting your card. They are most often found at ATM’s and gas stations but are being located at retails stores and restaurants.

NOTE: Before using your card, check for alignment issues between the card reader and the panel underneath it. The skimmers are often placed on top of the actual card reader making it stick out at an odd angle or cover arrows in a panel. Feel around the reader and try to see if anything is already inserted- if there is, it may be a thin plastic circuit board that can steal card information. If the buttons on a keypad are too hard to push, don’t use it.

Consider using a credit card rather than a debit card when making transactions. Most credit cards have a zero-liability policy meaning in case of fraud, the cardholder has no responsibility to pay back those funds to the issuer. Regularly monitor your credit / debit card activity by checking your bank statements. Report any suspicious activity on your accounts to both your bank and law enforcement so others don’t become victims as well.

Refer to the Federal Trade Commission for Consumer Advice at: Watch out for card skimming at the gas pump | Consumer Advice (ftc.gov) or the Los Angeles County Consumer and Business Affairs website for helpful information at: Understanding Card Skimmers and How to Protect Yourself – Consumer & Business (lacounty.gov)

 

As muddy water flows down the Klamath River after the recent breaching of three dams, the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors has scheduled a special meeting on Tuesday at what is now the former site of Copco Lake.

The supervisors say they want to hear from concerned constituents and provide “accurate and vital” information to them.

With the breaching last month of Iron Gate and Copco 1 dams in California about 25 miles southeast of Ashland and the breaching of JC Boyle Dam near Klamath Falls, sediment in reservoirs behind the dams has flowed downstream and muddied the river. It has killed fish, while muck left behind where reservoirs once stood has caused the death of at least 10 deer stuck in the muck.

Those scenes have prompted a flood of comments, including those made via social media sites and one made from the halls of Congress.

The dams are being removed in an effort to improve fish populations and river health.

The county has issued a news release stating that its meeting has been scheduled in response to “the public’s expressed concerns” regarding the dam removal project, and that it “will provide a platform for the public to voice their opinions, ask questions, contribute to the dialogue surrounding the project, and access accurate and vital information.”

As of late last week, no agenda for the meeting or list of any presenters was published to the county website, which contains pages specifically dedicated to the project. The meeting is set for 10 a.m. at the Copco Lake Community Center, 27739 Copco Road, Montague, Calif.

The Klamath River Renewal Corporation is the private company removing the hydroelectric dams, after their former owner, PacifiCorp, surrendered them rather than construct passages for migrating fish. The project’s estimated $450-million cost is funded through a $200-million surcharge on PacifiCorp and $250 million in bonds from the state of California. A fourth dam, Copco 2, was removed last year.

 

Self-guided tours of the new visitor center at the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex near Tulelake will be offered beginning at 9 a.m.  this Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.

A variety of opportunities are planned during the day, including family-friendly activities and crafts for youngsters, at the new complex center, which is located at 4009 Hill Road about five miles west of Tulelake. Along with touring the facility, visitors are also encouraged to take a self-guided audio tour, or walk the Discovery Marsh and Sheepy Ridge trails, both of which offer views of the refuge, and the wildlife.

The Sheepy Ridge Trail is a half-mile out-and back trail with a 170-foot elevation gain that leads to an overlook offering views of the refuge. The Discovery Marsh Trail is a 0.9-mile loop trail regarded as easy. Both have easy access from the new visitor center, which is just across the road from the former visitor center-refuge complex headquarters office.

Spokesmen for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Klamath Basin complex say the new visitor center was “designed to generate awareness and understanding of the natural and cultural history of the Klamath Basin and includes a separate classroom where school groups can learn about and share a sense of community and connection with the natural world.”

The Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex is a wildlife preserve operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in a region that includes portions of Southern Oregon and Northern California near Tulelake and Klamath Falls. The complex includes the Bear Valley, Klamath Marsh and Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuges in Southern Oregon and Lower Klamath, Tule Lake, and Clear Lake refuges in Northern California.

 
Oregon Tech announced that geomatics professor and department chair Jack Walker has been honored as the 2023 surveyor of the year by the Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon (PLSO).

The award, presented at the PLSO 2024 Conference Jan. 19, recognizes Walker’s outstanding contributions to PLSO and the geomatics profession.

Walker, an Oregon Tech alumnus, began his academic journey studying civil engineering, but after taking courses in surveying, he changed majors and has enjoyed more than four decades studying and teaching geomatics.

After graduating from Oregon Tech, Walker worked for three years at the Bureau of Land Management and private firms before earning a Master of Science in geodesy from Purdue University, and rejoining Oregon Tech in a faculty position in 1984.

Walker now specializes in a wide range of technologies, including high-precision positioning applications, and is a commercial unmanned aircraft system pilot. He is also a registered professional land surveyor in Oregon, which allows him to remain involved in the hands-on aspect of the profession and to consult on projects he finds fun and interesting.

As Oregon Tech’s geomatics department chair, Walker emphasizes the importance of staying current with technology to keep the program modernized.

 

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Department Building in Salem.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is offering a $50,000 reward for information as it investigates the deaths of three endangered gray wolves in Klamath County. The deaths happened late last year east of Bly in an area of known wolf activity.

FWS said the collars of two gray wolves showed a mortality signal on Dec. 29, 2023. Oregon State Police found two dead, collared wolves and another dead wolf without a collar. One was an adult, breeding female. The other two were subadults — not pups, but not yet full adult. 

Neither FWS nor the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) would elaborate on the nature of the deaths.

Two of the wolves were part of the Gearhart Mountain Pack. ODFW said seven members remain in the pack including the breeding male. 

Gray wolves are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in the western two-thirds of Oregon.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at (503) 682-6131, or the Oregon State Police Dispatch at (800) 452-7888, *OSP (*677) or email TIP@osp.oregon.gov. Callers may remain anonymous. The reward is for any information that leads to an arrest, a criminal conviction or civil penalty assessment. 

 

Adult student artists will exhibit their work through the month of February at the Klamath County Museum’s Modoc Gallery. A reception for the artists will be held from noon to 3 p.m. this Saturday in the museum’s lobby.

Student exhibitors include June Bell, Luisa Freeman, Billie Hagerman, Penny Hansen, Mary Johnson, Cindy Kalisch and Helen O’Hara.

The students are working on their technique under the instruction of Susan Liskey, who conducts weekly classes at the museum. Liskey offers instruction in oil and acrylics, with a focus on blending colors on canvas and softening edges with a fan brush.

Admission to the gallery is free during regular museum hours, Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Klamath County Museum is located at 1451 Main St. in Klamath Falls. For more information contact the museum at (541) 882-1000.

 
Amadeus Hernandez has won the Chamber of Commerce’s Youth Leader of the Year award.

A Lost River Junior/Senior High School senior won the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce’s Youth Leadership Award for his ongoing work as a leader and positive role model.

Amadeus Hernandez, 17, accepted the honor last month at an event attended by more than 600 people. He was among 10 Klamath Basin youth who were nominated for the award.

Amadeus is soft spoken with a quick smile. As captain of the school’s soccer team, he works to inspire his teammates, leading by example and providing a solid foundation for the school’s new soccer program. He also started an after-school weight lifting program for fellow athletes.

Lost River Principal Angie Wallin described Amadeus as someone who leads by example. “He’s a quiet positive leader, and he has been a great mentor to the younger students as the school started its soccer program.”

In addition to soccer, Wallin participates in track and has been involved in Lost River’s FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) program for the past six years, serving as a chapter officer and competing at the state, regional, and national levels. His nominators described him as a driving force in helping his FBLA chapter raise funds for conferences and competitions. Amadeus has competed at the regional, state and national levels for FBLA and is aiming to qualify for nationals again this year.

In addition, he is an officer for the school’s Latin Culture Club and volunteers with the Malin Centro Cristiano Church.

 

During the months of April and May, over 800 third graders throughout Klamath County, Dorris, and Tulelake will receive FREE, LIFE-SAVING swim lessons through the Everyone Swims program at Ella Redkey Pool.

The Everyone Swims program is made possible this Spring through the partnership of Sky Lakes Medical Center and the City of Klamath Falls. Students receive individualized instruction, develop skills, build confidence, and learn life-saving skills, all while having fun with their peers in the water.

Ella Redkey Pool is looking for Volunteer Swim Lesson Instructor Aids. You have an opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life! Everyone Swims 3rd Grade Program has been a huge success in the past years and we are so excited to keep it going. We need your help to make this program possible.

No experience? No problem. As a pool volunteer you will receive intensive swim instruction training prior to the start of swim lessons. During the Everyone Swims program you will be paired with a Certified Lifeguard/Swim Lesson Instructor to guide you through the process, so you won’t be left alone to teach.

Everyone Swims Volunteer Schedule: • 6 weeks of lessons: Monday, April 15 – Thursday, May 23 • Lessons are held 4 days per week: Monday through Thursday • Morning & Afternoon session options: 9:00am – 11:00am and/or 12:15pm – 2:45pm Volunteer as much or as little as you’d like. All help is appreciated. All volunteers are required to pass a background check with the City of Klamath Falls.

 

                  Coming to Ross Ragland Theater!
The Missoula Children’s Theatre Spring Break Theater Camp Presents

Jack and the Beanstalk

Dates: Monday-Friday, March 25-29; 8:30am – 1:00pm

Performances: Saturday, March 30 at 3pm & 5:30pm

The Missoula Children’s Theatre presents JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, an original adaptation of the classic children’s story. What happens when a young boy plants Wonder Beans in his own backyard? For Jack, it is the beginning of a great adventure. With a little help from P.T. Wonder and a Giant, Jack learns a valuable lesson about true happiness. This musical production also features a host of other characters, including the Elegant Harp, Jill, Mother, Milky White, the Farmers, the Merchants, the Circus Performers and the Wonder Beans.

There are three age groups for the Spring Break Camp with opportunities for students from Kindergarten to age 18!

Cost: $175, multi-student discount available; scholarships available

Group 1: Kinder – age 7 have the opportunity to be part of the production on stage! They will audition on Monday and begin rehearsals that day! (16 spots available)

Group 2: Ages 8 – 8th grade have the opportunity to be part of the production on stage! They will audition on Monday and begin rehearsals that day! (44 spots available)

Group 3: Ages 12-18 have the opportunity to be an assitant director for the show! Have the experience of helping backstage and to learn from MCT’s director team! (4 spots available)

 LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ROSS RAGLAND SPRING CAMPS HERE!

 

KLAMATH FALLS, OR, Thursday, February 8, 2024 – Join the Ross Ragland Theater for an unforgettable night of celebration and giving back! The Red Tie Masquerade Ball & Scholarship Fundraiser will occur on Saturday, February 24, 2024.

The Red Tie Masquerade Ball & Scholarship Fundraiser is a premier fundraising gala
and social event that raises awareness of the need and benefits of keeping access to the arts
and arts education for K-12 students across the Klamath Basin and Southeastern Oregon.

The doors will open at 5:30, with performances and events scheduled throughout the evening.

This must-attend event is full of elegance, delicious food, and live entertainment, all
dedicated to supporting the Ragland in funding our seven revered education programs that
help create arts education opportunities for students across the Klamath Basin. Our
education programs offer over 20,000 individual opportunities for arts education to all
students in the Basin, K-12, each year.

Your support will make a difference in the lives of many students who dream of a
brighter future. You don’t want to miss this fantastic opportunity to have fun and make a
lasting impact.

Our Masquerade Ball promises an unforgettable night filled with surprises,
enchantment, and a Silent Auction you don’t want to miss! So, mark your calendars and
prepare for a mystical experience like no other. We can’t wait to see you there!

Red Tie Masquerade Ball & Scholarship Fundraiser: February 24, 2024 starting at 5:30
pm.

TICKETS: $75 for singles, $120 for couples
Call 884-LIVE today to reserve your ticket now!
Visit the theater’s website at www.ragland.org to purchase tickets online and learn more
about the theater. The box office is open 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or two
hours before show time the day of any show.
If you would like more information, please email: development@ragland.org

 

Klamath County libraries to close for Presidents’ Day

All Klamath County libraries will be closed on Monday, February 19th in
observance of Presidents’ Day. No materials will be due on a day that the
libraries are closed.

For more information, call us at 541-882-8894.

 

Each week, BasinLife.com and KFLS News 1450AM & 102.5FM feature a pet of the Week ready for adoption from the Klamath Animal Shelter.

This week’s pet of the week this week is a dog named ” Melon ” Melon is an 8 month old male Labrador Border Collie mix, he is black with white markings, he weighs around 50 pounds 

Melon’s family had to move and the new landlord wouldn’t allow him. His family said that he is started on house training, lived with children 6 months and older, he knows sit, lays down, loves belly rubs, playing with toys and playing with dogs at the dog park

If you are interested in adopting Melon the shelter is located at 4240 Washburn Way, Monday through Friday from 12:00 – 4:00, walk throughs are available, pet meet and greets are by appointment, you can reach the shelter at 541-884-PETS (541-884-7387)

View all adoptable pets anytime online at www.klamathanimalshelter.org

 

Just for reading our news, click to enter to win Free Movie Tickets from BasinLife.com and Wynne Broadcasting. 
  Click here!

 

 

Around the state of Oregon

The right to buy a gun in Oregon remains stalled.  Oregon’s attorney general, Ellen Rosenblum, has filed a motion requesting gun regulation law Measure 114, stay in effect while it goes through a lengthy court process. 

According to a news release from Rosenblum’s office, this would be temporary. 

“This January, the same court issued its final decision saying that Measure 114 violates the Oregon Constitution. The state promptly appealed to the Oregon Court of Appeals,” the release said. “That appeal is pending, but the appeals court processes could reasonably take up to a few more years.”

Voters narrowly approved Measure 114 in Nov. 2022. However, it has been in court since then and has not had a chance to take effect. 

Opponents of the measure claim that it violates the Second Amendment and restricts the right of Oregonians to bear arms and defend themselves. They also claim that it would not stop shootings or fatalities. 

 

A lump sum of money is coming to Oregon from the federal government to help fight the ongoing opioid crisis.

According to the Oregonian, a national settlement is giving the state $63 million to utilize to combat opioid usage.

A state office was tasked with how to divvy up the money and came up with four different options that include primary prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery.

It will be distributed over the next 18 months.

 

Oregon’s Congressional delegation split along party lines on the vote to impeach Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

He was impeached by a slim 214-to-213 margin. Oregon republican representatives Cliff Bentz and Lori Chavez DeRemer voted in favor of impeachment. All Oregon democrats voted against. Chavez DeRemer issued a statement accusing Mayorkas of extreme dereliction of duty enforcing border laws. 

The vote now goes to the Senate where the vote and passage is not likely to happen.

 

Children in school or childcare need to have up-to-date immunizations by February 21st, or they may be kept out of school.  

February 21st is School Exclusion Day this year in Oregon.  State law requires all children in public and private schools, Head Start and certified childcare facilities to show documentation their immunizations are complete.  Last year, more than 26-thousand letters were sent to parents reminding them to get their kids immunized.  

County health departments offer vaccines for people who can’t pay or don’t have health insurance.  Call 211 to find out more.

 

Wind and snow may cause hazardous travel conditions in the Columbia River Gorge and mountain passes this week with a low probability of snow in the Portland area. 

ODOT maintenance crews will be ready with winter tools including plows, salt, de-icer and sand. If you must travel, be prepared. 

Starting today, with various types of winter weather threats possible in Oregon, travelers need to be extra cautious on the roads in the days ahead. Travelers should consult Tripcheck.com and check weather forecasts on their planned routes. 

Tripcheck.com provides live cameras showing road conditions around the state, along with other information that can help travel planning including altitude and temperature.

If you must travel in winter weather, be prepared. Pack your vehicle with the essentials: tire chains, snacks, water, medications and warm clothing. Fill up your vehicle’s fuel tank and fully charge its battery. Plan your route ahead, and if you’re following GPS navigation, make sure it sticks to main roads because many rural roads are not maintained in severe weather and can be very treacherous.

If you’re walking or rolling to your destination, watch for lingering ice on sidewalks. Public transit is another option, but the winter weather may have caused schedule changes, so check those before you head out. For folks on bikes, road shoulders and bike lanes may be extra slushy, so be careful.

 

Deschutes County jail deputies failed to do periodic checks or provide medical support for a 22-year-old woman suffering from drug withdrawal with a history of suicide attempts, a lawsuit alleges.

The woman, Kendra Nicole Sawyer, took her own life by hanging herself with a jail towel in her single-cell unit a day after she was booked into the county jail in February 2023, according to the lawsuit.

At least two other deaths in the county jail involving drugs or drug withdrawal show Deschutes County could have avoided conditions that led to Sawyer’s suicide, her lawyers allege in the wrongful death suit.

Jailers exhibited negligence and deliberate indifference to Sawyer’s serious medical condition and mental illness, attorneys R. Joseph Sexton claims.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Jason W. Wall, contacted by email and phone Monday and Tuesday, did not provide any response to the allegations.

 

A dead whale has washed ashore at Sunset Beach State Park on Monday, according to the Seaside Aquarium.

Whale experts describe it as a “Fin whale,” the second largest whale in the world, after Blue whales.

The aquarium says a necropsy is planned to determine how the endangered whale died but is asking the public to please avoid the whale, as any interference could put the examination in jeopardy.

Once the necropsy is done, the Seaside Aquarium says it will share their teams’ findings.

 

Prices at the pump are starting to climb in most states. Oregon, however, is trending in the other direction.

According to AAA, the national average this week sits at $3.15 a gallon. Oregon’s average dipped by 2 cents, now at $3.60. In fact, all counties in Oregon have averages below $4 a gallon, except curry county at $4.24.

AAA said gas prices often start to rise this time of year, so it recommends enjoying these number now while they’re still around.

“Unless we get some kind of shock to the global oil market, right now it looks like gas prices will likely inch up in the short term instead of rocketing higher,” said Marie Dodds from AAA.

Dodds said the switch from winter to summer blend fuel, no more sunsets before 5 p.m., and a higher demand for gas overall are all reasons for prices to rise this time of year.

 

The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is designating two final wind energy areas for offshore Oregon.

The Biden-Harris Administration’s wants 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030 and 15 gigawatts of floating offshore wind energy capacity by 2035, and it says Oregon’s offshore areas “hold 2.4 gigawatts of clean renewable energy potential.”

It says the final Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) are based on reducing potential conflicts of ocean users, particularly on commercial fishing.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek responded to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) proposal for final wind energy areas along the Oregon Coast for offshore wind, saying, “Offshore wind is likely to play an important role in meeting our state’s growing energy demand and goal of 100% renewable energy by 2040. It also presents a significant economic development opportunity for the Oregon coast. As BOEM moves forward with establishing a federal offshore wind leasing process this year, Oregon is committed to developing a robust and transparent state roadmap to inform offshore wind opportunities. This state roadmap will also ensure that coastal communities and Tribal nations are consulted throughout the process, in close coordination with

BOEM says the WEAs “were developed following extensive engagement and feedback from the state, Tribes, local residents, ocean users, federal government partners, and other members of the public.”

On Feb. 14, 2024, BOEM will publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing its intent to prepare an environmental assessment of potential impacts from offshore wind leasing in the WEAs. The notice will initiate a 30-day public comment period. Another public comment period would occur if BOEM decides to move forward with a lease sale in either of the WEAs.

BOEM says the two WEAs total approximately 195,012 acres, “and they avoid 98% of the areas recommended for exclusion due to their importance as commercial fishing grounds.”

The Brookings WEA is 133,808 acres in size and is about 18 miles from shore. The Coos Bay WEA is 61,204 acres and is located 32 miles from shore.  A map of the final WEAs is online at BOEM’s website.

 

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) said that the number of unintentional overdoses from methamphetamine increased by 20 times. The window of overdose deaths was taken from 2009 to 2022.

In a Facebook post from Saturday, OHA said overdoses from methamphetamine are still rising. When used at the same time as alcohol or opioids, it can increase the risk of an overdose.

Assistance is available for those struggling with methamphetamine addiction by calling 1-833-975-0505. 

 

Pacific Power is offering a new program for customers to save money and power.

The Optimal Time Rewards program allows residential customers in Oregon to earn incentives by putting a smart thermostat in their home. This is to monitor power consumption and rewards you when you reduce power usage during peak hours.

Officials with Pacific Power say they wanted to give customers a chance to save money while also reducing strain on the electrical grid.

To find out more about the program or how to enroll for a smart thermostat, you can go to Pacific Powers website.

 

The Oregon Department of Human Services has expanded its online resources to be more accessible for Spanish-speaking users, the department announced.

As of January 23, website users can access an extra 65 pages on the ODHS website that have been translated by a native Spanish speaker, without the use of online translation tools. ODHS officials said there are now a total of 110 Spanish-language speeches on the website. The expansion of the site also includes a more robust navigation and search bar to help visitors find what they need.

Visitors to the site can access the Spanish pages by selecting “Sitio en Español” on the top right side of the main website’s banner. For individual pages, visitors can navigate between Spanish and English versions by clicking the “Español” or “English” buttons under the headers of the pages. Other languages are also available under the “Languages” button on the upper right of the ODHS website, but most translations other than Spanish are provided by Google Translate.

 

Former students and faculty from nearly every one of Oregon’s seven public universities told lawmakers this week the state’s higher education system is broken, with students unable to afford housing, relying on Medicaid and food assistance and strapped with mounting debts.

They blamed the failures, in part, on two laws passed more than a decade ago that changed how Oregon’s public universities are governed. The laws gave universities and their boards greater power over budget decisions, while scaling back state regulation.

A new proposal, House Bill 4125, would mandate a study of the university governance system and whether it and the state’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission, which is supposed to boost postsecondary access attainment, need to be overhauled.

The proposal is sponsored by state Rep. Farrah Chaichi, D-Beaverton; Rep. Ben Bowman, D-Tigard; and state Sen. Chris Gorsek, D-Gresham. 

Ben Cannon, executive director of the state’s higher education commission since it began in 2013 and a former state representative who approved the system, said many of the problems blamed on the governing system existed before it was created. 

In 2011, the state Legislature passed Senate Bill 242, which shifted governance of Oregon’s universities and community colleges from a hodgepodge of state education agencies to one – the Higher Education Coordinating Commission – to bring cohesion to the universities and community college system and to allow them to better collaborate. 

 

As a result of January’s winter weather, more Oregon workers were injured from slips, trips, and falls due to snow or ice than during any other storm since January 2017. 

SAIF, Oregon’s not-for-profit workers’ compensation company, received 414 claims in January related to slips, trips, and falls from snow or ice. This included 151 in SAIF’s Northern region, which includes the Portland metropolitan area. It also includes 58 in SAIF’s valley region, including Salem—the highest number of these types of claims ever received in one quarter in the region. 

While your memory is still fresh from the last storm, take precautions to prepare for future inclement weather:

  • Update your procedures: Allow staff to leave early or arrive late if conditions are expected to change. If feasible, allow some or all employees to work from home.
  • Create an inclement weather plan: Make sure it outlines who will be responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks, and pathways, and when those employees should safely arrive to begin those tasks if you open late. 
  • Use ice cleats: If your employees work outside, have them use ice cleats—simple studded or spiked devices that attach to footwear—to help prevent slips.
  • Use floor mats at building entryways: Place a wiper or scraper/wiper combo floor mat (a heavy-duty mat designed to wipe and scrape debris and moisture off shoes) at building entryways. This is particularly important if the floor has a hard surface like tile, so workers’ shoes don’t leave wet footprints that could increase the risk of slips.
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Oregon households that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and lost food during the winter storms now have until Feb. 16 to request replacement benefits. 

The Feb. 16 deadline applies to 27 counties — including Jackson, Josephine and Klamath counties, the Oregon Department of Human Services said in a news release.

The other 24 counties are Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jefferson, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Umatilla, Wasco, Washington and Yamhill. 

Residents who live in other counties can request replacements within 10 days of the date the food was destroyed, the release said. 

“Households who disposed of food bought with SNAP benefits that was destroyed due to these events can request that replacement benefits be issued for the cost of the lost food,” the release said. “The maximum amount of SNAP that can be replaced is the value of the food up to the normal monthly benefit for the household. Households should be prepared to provide a list of the lost food, the cost to replace it, and may have to provide proof of the event that destroyed the food.”

Once approved, replacement benefits will be added to residents’ EBT cards.

 

Researchers at OHSU say multi-dose vaccines could be more effective if given in alternating arms. 

Dr. Marcel Curlin studied blood tests from about 2,000 OHSU staffers who agreed to take part in the project, in the early days of the COVID vaccine roll-out. About half took both doses in the same arm, the other half alternated arms.

Dr. Curlin says they’re learning more about the human immune system,

More study is needed to determine whether the results hold true with other immunizations or when administered in a leg, like for infants.

 

Daylight saving time begins this year at 2 a.m. on March 10, 2024.

Most devices these days will adjust automatically to the time change, but don’t forget to set any traditional clocks forward by one hour.

Twice a year — when we spring forward and then again when we fall back — we get questions about this: Didn’t Oregon decide not to participate in the time change any longer? So why are we still doing it?

In 2019, Oregon and Washington agreed to partner to abolish seasonal time changes, remaining on daylight saving time year-round. California also joined the agreement, seemingly paving the way for the West Coast states to get rid of standard time permanently.

However, any such change is dependent on approval by the federal government, which hasn’t happened.

In 2023, members of Congress reintroduced the long-stalled Sunshine Protection Act, which would allow states to remain on daylight saving time all year.

That bill has yet to make it out of committee.

 

Changes are coming to the way Oregonians apply for unemployment benefits.

Starting on March 4, those seeking unemployment insurance will submit claims on a new website called Frances Online. It’s part of the state’s $106 million, multi-year effort to upgrade the Oregon Employment Department’s technology to make it more secure and user-friendly.

The state has been gradually migrating to the new system, and the unemployment insurance claims portal is the last major step in the transition, according to Unemployment Insurance Director Lindsi Leahy.

The old system dates back to the 1990s. Multiple state audits have found that it was unable to handle complicated claims and had trouble incorporating rule changes. Officials acknowledged it lacked streamlined ways for people to communicate with the state about their claims.

Before the new system goes live for users, both the old and new online portals will be down for a few days in preparation for the launch on March 4. Starting at 5 p.m. on Feb. 28, users will not be able to access the sites, including for Paid Leave Oregon. Also, customer service phone lines and online support will be closed starting on Feb. 28 and won’t reopen until Frances goes live.

Officials say to avoid an interruption in benefits, claims must be submitted in the old system by 5 p.m. on Feb. 28. Unemployment insurance claimants will then need to create a new account in Frances after 8 a.m. on March 4, officials say.

 

Orchestra fans get excited. We are about a week out from learning just what the Britt Orchestra has in store for this summer.

The Britt Festival Orchestra will be holding a season reveal party on the 22nd. We already know this season we will see a couple of guest conductors following longtime conductor Teddy Abrams leaving.

But as for what pieces the orchestra will play and what shows are in the works, we are still in the dark.

The reveal party will be at Bigham Knoll in Jacksonville. If you’d like to attend and help fundraise, tickets run at $50. You can find out more at http://brittfest.org.

As for the summer concert series, Britt says we’ll know that full schedule come April.

 

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