Contributions from Paul Hanson at Wynne Broadcasting’s KFLS 1450AM / 102.5FM and The Herald & News
Thursday, April 4, 2019
KLAMATH BASIN WEATHER
Today
Rain and showers all day, with a high near 55.
Friday
Rain. High near 49. Gusty winds at times.
Saturday
A chance of morning rain mixed with snow flurries, then rain during the day, high near 50.
Sunday
A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 55.
See Road Camera Views:
Lake of the Woods
Doak Mtn.
Hiwy 97 at Chemult
Hiwy 140 at Bly
Hiwy 97 at GreenSprings Dr.
Hiway 97 at LaPine
TODAY’S KLAMATH BASIN NEWS HEADLINES & STORIES…
Modoc Apology Bill Passes Oregon Senate, on to House
A resolution commemorating the Modoc War of 1872-73, honoring those who lost their lives in the war and expressing regret for “the expulsion of the Modoc Tribe from their ancestral lands in Oregon” passed the Oregon Senate Tuesday and moves on to the State House.
However, an amendment to the resolution removed wording that had expressed “regret over the 1873 Modoc War execution of Kintpuash” (Captain Jack) and three other Modocs.”
Proposed by State Sen. Fred Girod, R-Stayton, the resolution was approved by 24 senators. Four senators were excused from voting, including Sen. Dennis Linthicum, who represents the Southern Oregon region where the Modocs were held as prisoners and where the four were executed.
Girod reportedly sponsored the resolution after viewing “The Modoc War,” a documentary produced by Oregon Public Broadcasting. The documentary dealt with Modoc War of 1872-73, one of the most expensive Indian wars in U.S. history and the only one in which a U.S. Army General, E.R.S. Canby, was killed.
“This tragic event in Oregon’s history is relatively unknown,” Girod said in a statement. “When I learned of the Modoc War and the history of the Modoc tribe in Oregon, I felt that we needed to do something to express regret and remember what happened. While this resolution may be coming nearly 150 years later, I hope that this acknowledgment serves as the catalyst for healing.”
U.S. Senate To Investigate Mentor Oregon
The U.S. Senate has launched an investigation into a national corporation’s homes for people with disabilities in response to a report in The Oregonian/OregonLive about substantiated abuse at one of the company’s Oregon facilities.
The Oregonian newsroom reported in January that Oregon regulators shuttered a Mentor Network home in Curry County following extensive evidence that a client had been severely neglected. State regulators found that managers repeatedly ignored caregivers’ concerns about the disabled person’s festering pressure wound, including that it smelled of “rotting flesh.”
(The Herald and News did a follow-up story regarding complaints about the agency in Klamath County).
“When vulnerable Americans are abused or even killed in the care of a taxpayer-funded care provider, that organization must be held accountable,” Sen. Ron Wyden, D.-Ore., the committee’s ranking member, said in a statement Tuesday.
The Senate’s Committee on Finance, chaired by Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, sent letters Tuesday to the Oregon and Iowa branches of the The Mentor Network, demanding copies of a raft of compliance records by month’s end. The company operates in 36 states, serving about 13,000 people in group homes and 19,000 in non-residential settings.
Tulelake Council Honors Local Life-Saving Hero Jaime Ayala
TULELAKE — Regular business took a pause on Tuesday evening at Tulelake’s City Council public meeting to honor a local resident whose courageous actions helped save two lives in crisis last December.
Jaime Ayala, 40, a Tulelake resident who works for the local Napa Auto Parts store, was given a Certificate of Courage for heroism by Tulelake City Council members and Mayor Hank Ebinger in recognition of his quick actions.
On Christmas Day Ayala had been driving on Highway 140 bound for Lake of the Woods to help his brother-in-law, whose car had broken down. While enroute along Upper Klamath Lake he witnessed a vehicle behind him veer off the road and into the lake. Ayala called 911 and then jumped into the lake to rescue two individuals in the vehicle — a 10-year old girl and her mother, Katherine Jo Maxwell.
Several other witnesses to the event near assisted Ayala in helping the two who had plunged into the lake after hitting an ice patch, until emergency responders arrived. Among those who helped in the rescue was Tom Thompson, 51, from Malin, who provided tools to break the vehicle’s windshield so that the two could be pulled free, and helped direct traffic around the treacherous ice patch that had resulted in the accident.
Soroptimist International Klamath Falls – Spring Event on April 18th, 2019
One Hit Wonders – A Musical Tribute to the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s Dinner/Dance
Soroptimist International of Klamath Falls, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of women and children in the greater Klamath Basin, is holding their Spring fundraising event – “One Hit Wonders – a musical tribute to the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s” by Robin Schwartz & Friends.
Join us for an evening of great food, music and dancing on April 18th from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Reames Golf and Country Club (4201 Hwy 97, Klamath Falls). No host cocktails start at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m., and music starting at 7:00 p.m. There will be some wonderful raffle prizes, a dessert dash, and centerpieces available for purchase.
All proceeds support scholarships and service projects that benefit our community. If you have questions or would like to purchase tickets for individuals ($40), couples ($75), or full tables of eight ($300), please contact Kim (541-331-2239) or Meredith (530-391-7955). Tickets also available through this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/one-hit-wonders-a-musical-tribute-to-the-50s-60s-and-70s-tickets-57456390611.
About Soroptimist International of Klamath Falls:
Soroptimist International of Klamath Falls is a diverse group of business women dedicated to community service with special focus on women and children’s issues. We value education that leads to personal growth, integrity and respect of others, creating awareness and positive change in our community, and empowering women economically, emotionally and spiritually. Please visit our website www.soroptimistklamathfalls.org or visit us on Facebook.
Klamath Basin April 1st 2019 NRCS Volumetric Water Supply Forecasts
The April 1, 2019, NRCS volumetric stream flow forecasts for the Klamath Basin are attached and remain above normal for all forecast periods. The forecast values are slightly lower from the mid-month.
Due to requirements of the Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) for operations under the 2019 Biological Opinions, these forecast values will undergo a correction factor that will modify the attached values. The USBR will operate according to their revised forecast values for the remainder of this water year, while NRCS will continue to provide the model values calibrated prior to water year 2019.
Basin precipitation was below average overall, except at the Gerber SNOTEL site. Below normal temperatures for the second half of the month kept the snowpack in place and thus the percent of normal values high.
The NOAA Climate Prediction Center is calling for above normal temperature and below normal precipitation for the April-May-June 3-month period, however, the seven-day, short-term forecast calls for snow and rain and snow showers through the period with cooler temperature generally in the 30’s at higher elevations.
If you have any questions about the snowpack and stream flow forecasts, please do not hesitate to contact the NRCS Snow Staff, as we would be glad to discuss with you. Thank you.
-H. Scott Oviatt,Snow Survey Supervisory Hydrologist
USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service
OREGON TRIBES RECEIVE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT GRANT SUPPORTING NATIVE AMERICAN CRIME VICTIMS
WASHINGTON— The Office of Justice Programs’ Office for Victims of Crime today awarded more than $8 million to support crime victims in Native American communities in six states: Alaska, California, Maine, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin.
The group of 13 awards is the third in a series of grants being made by OVC to American Indian and Alaska Native communities. OVC has now awarded more than $17 million of nearly $100 million to support tribal victim service programs.
The awards—30 in total so far—will fund critical crime victim services, such as counseling, transitional housing, emergency services and transportation. The grants are supported by the Crime Victims Fund, a repository of federal criminal fines, fees and special assessments. The fund includes zero tax dollars.
“American Indian and Alaska Native communities face extensive public safety challenges, but through creative approaches that combine traditional methods with innovative solutions, they are demonstrating their determination to meet the needs of victims in their communities,” said OJP’s Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Matt M. Dummermuth. “These grants, part of historic levels of funding awarded by the Department of Justice to American Indian and Alaska Native communities, will provide significant resources to bring critical services to those who suffer the effects of crime and violence.”
“One of our priorities in the District of Oregon is our unwavering commitment to members of tribal communities. Our office stands firmly on the side of tribal victims and will continue to work tirelessly pursuing justice on their behalf,” said Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “The Justice Department’s tribal grant programs ensure all tribes have the resources necessary to support victims and keep their communities safe.”
According to OJP’S Bureau of Justice Statistics, American Indians and Alaska Natives experience violent crime at rates far greater than the general population.
Two Oregon tribes were among the 13 receiving grant awards today. Nearly 170 tribes are expected to receive funding this spring to help their communities support crime victims over the next three years:
- The Klamath Tribes of Oregon (Oregon) was awarded $396,793 to enhance existing services and outreach to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, sex trafficking, and dating violence.
- The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians (Oregon) was awarded $714,783 to offer longer term transitional housing to provide stability for families and individuals while they receive restorative services.
- Aroostook Band of Micmacs (Maine) was awarded $569,086 to expand the existing victim services program by providing 24/7 staffing of the emergency shelter.
- Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians (Wisconsin) was awarded $699,925 to create a central location for the victim services program, currently located in multiple locations on the reservation, and expand their crime victim services to include children and elders.
- The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe (Washington) was awarded $369,176 to establish a satellite Children’s Advocacy Center at the Jamestown Tribe to increase accessibility to culturally relevant services; state-of-the-art recording equipment; and skilled, trained forensic interviewers.
- The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians (California) was awarded $546,586 to build a culturally relevant, long-term strategic plan to improve services to victims; and develop programming around the concept of historical intergenerational trauma therapy using a practice-based curriculum.
- The Karuk Tribe (California) was awarded $719,970 to improve access to, and delivery of, services to victims of crime by establishing a Victim Services Access Center, which will include secure space for a victim interview room and a private waiting area for victims.
- The Bishop Paiute Tribe (California) was awarded $715,750 to enhance services provided through Relief After Violent Encounters by expanding the victim service program to include direct emergency supportive services.
- The Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Alaska) was awarded $1,413,000 to implement a culturally appropriate response to address elder abuse and provide crime victim services for the Native older adult population within the Juneau urban area, and also serve victims in the villages.
- The Puyallup Tribe of Indians (Washington) was awarded $407,448 to expand existing services by strengthening their continuum of care for homeless victims of crime and for victims with alcohol and substance abuse issues. Funding will also support culturally appropriate inpatient treatment services at a local or regional treatment center.
- The Big Valley Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians (California) was awarded $670,443 to conduct a community needs assessment and develop a strategic plan to help inform the implementation of crisis intervention services for men, boys, and elders who are victims of crime. The tribe will also improve case management, incorporate healing and cultural practices into their victim advocacy services, and expand community outreach and education to help connect victims to vital resources.
- The Tetlin Tribal Council (Alaska) was awarded $513,865 to conduct a community needs assessment and create a strategic plan that will guide the development, implementation, and expansion of victim services.
- The Aleut Community of St. Paul Island Tribal Government (Alaska) was awarded $562,200 to expand existing services and develop additional services for victims of crime through strategic planning and enhanced training of program staff.
“American Indian and Alaska Native crime victims continue to face challenges in accessing vital services and resources needed to help survivors address their trauma and navigate a complex system,” said OVC Director Darlene Hutchinson. “The Justice Department has made it a priority to partner with tribes to help victims and their families rebuild their lives in the aftermath of violence.”
The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Matt M. Dummermuth, provides federal leadership, grants and resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal justice system. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
…For complete details on these and other stories see todays Herald & News. Wynne Broadcasting and the Herald and News…stronger together to keep you informed.