Klamath Basin News, Friday 4/12/19 – City Schools Enrollment Down, Lake County Declares Emergency Over Flooding

Contributions from Paul Hanson at Wynne Broadcasting’s KFLS 1450AM / 102.5FM and The Herald & News

FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019

KLAMATH BASIN WEATHER

Today
Enjoy the sunshine, , with a high near 53.

Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.

Sunday
A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52.

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…

City schools enrollment sees dramatic decreases

The Klamath Falls City Schools District enrollment was down 67 students in elementary grades this year, mostly from families moving out of the area from the Mills Addition neighborhood. The impact could mean up to three teacher layoffs for the district’s teaching staff of 165 if there are no upcoming retirements or resignations.

“The biggest hurdle that we’re trying to overcome is the increase in PERS costs – those are taking a considerable amount of our payroll budget,” said Daymond Monteith, district director of operations . “You’re expending a lot of money before you ever put a dollar into a classroom.”

PERS costs are up by 30% this year, or approximately $1.5 million, and the increased costs are impacting the district.

Lake County declares emergency over flooding

Lake County Commissioners declared a state of emergency for the southern half of Lake County Thursday morning in response to flood damage, which reached a peak late Monday evening resulting in a communal sandbagging effort to save structures.

A local emergency declaration was made shortly after 9 a.m. Thursday under an emergency session of Lake County Commissioners, with Lakeview Town Mayor Ray Turner also present.

Hearing to dismiss attempted murder charge begins
A Klamath Falls man accused of slitting a man’s throat claims he is the real victim of the altercation, and wants his criminal charges dismissed. His two-day dismissal hearing began Thursday.

William Travis Newell, 28, is charged with attempt to commit murder and unlawful use of a weapon for a Feb. 11, 2018, altercation on South Poe Valley Road in Klamath County.

The ways a healthy lifestyle can affect cancer patients is the topic Casey Bennett of Sky Lakes Wellness Center will explore during the next educational lecture hosted by Sky Lakes Cancer Treatment Center.

The one-hour program begins at noon Tuesday, April 16, at the Community Health Education Center, 2200 N. Eldorado Blvd. It is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be available.

The presentation will include information on ways you can support a healthy lifestyle during and after cancer treatment, and how the Sky Lakes Wellness Center can support cancer patients and people who love them as they make lifestyle adjustments.

Please call Sky Lakes Cancer Treatment Center, 541-274-4171, for more information.

Get a sneak peek of the new Queen


New trails just keep coming — and getting better — at Spence Mountain.

It’s not finished yet, but the under-construction Queen of the Lake Trail offers sumptuous views of Upper Klamath Lake as it gently meanders through forestlands, past lichen-colored boulders, and over and around rocky outcrops.

Construction began earlier this month by crews from Dirt Mechanics of Bend to build another link in the ever-expanding network of Spence Mountain trails 15 miles northwest of Klamath Falls off Highway 140.

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) has requested additional information from Jordan Cove Energy L.P. regarding the Jordan Cove Energy Project removal-fill permit application. 

DSL has completed review of the approximately 49,000 comments submitted during the comment period for the application. The Department’s review focused on identifying substantive issues relevant to the removal-fill law. The applicant has been asked to address multiple substantive issues identified by commenters, as well as other issues identified by DSL. 

The Department’s request to the applicant is available here

Applicant response has been requested by May 6, 2019. The applicant may request additional time to respond.

The permit decision deadline is September 20, 2019. In making a permit decision, DSL will evaluate the entire application record against the criteria for removal-fill permit issuance. 

Additional information about the removal-fill permit application is available on the DSL project website.

Free Forestry Workshop Planned

CHILOQUIN, Ore.—The Klamath-Lake Forest Health Partnership will be hosting a free forestry workshop to help landowners understand how to manage their forests for health, wildfire resiliency and profit.

The workshop is planned for Saturday, April 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be held at Chiloquin Fire and Rescue Station #3, 9201 Sprague River Road, about 8.3 miles east of Chiloquin

Workshop topics will include what trees need to be healthy, the relationship between stress and vulnerability to insects and disease, ways to manage a forest, and looking at a forest from a wildfire risk perspective. Presenters will include Oregon State University Extension Service and Oregon Department of Forestry foresters.

The workshop will include indoor presentations, a free lunch and opportunities to ask questions. An outdoor field exercise will be held that will include looking at a nearby forest and applying the principles covered in the class.          

Participants should wear appropriate footwear and dress in layers for up to an hour of walking in the forest.

 For more information and to RSVP, contact Klamath Watershed Partnership Project Manager Leigh Ann Vradenburg at 541-850-1717.

The Forestry Workshop is sponsored by the Chiloquin Community Forest and Fire Project, in partnership with Chiloquin Fire and Rescue, Oregon State University Extension Service, Klamath Watershed Partnership, Oregon Department of Forestry and the Fremont-Winema National Forest.

…For complete details on these and other stories see today’s Herald & News.  Wynne Broadcasting and the Herald and News…stronger together to keep you informed.

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