Contributions from Paul Hanson at Wynne Broadcasting’s KFLS 1450AM / 102.5FM and The Herald & News
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2019
KLAMATH BASIN WEATHER
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 81. Gusty winds overnight to 30 mph.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 69.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 72.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 77.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 77.
TODAY’s HEADLINES IN THE KLAMATH BASIN
Council Grants $7,000 For Senior Center Roof
The issue of whether to help fund the roof replacement for the senior center was the only item in which the council was divided at Monday’s Klamath Falls City Council meeting.
The council approved the city’s biennial budget, city insurance, a new bargaining agreement between the city and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees union and a contract with an engineering company to complete the 2019 storm water master plan.
The council also voted to approve an application from the airport for $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation to use as an incentive for a potential airline.
Emergency repairs on county-owned Mentor Oregon homes complete
Developmental Disability Services Director Phillip Squibb told the Klamath County Commissioners Tuesday that nearly $11,000 worth of emergency repairs on two county-owned apartment units rented by care provider Mentor Oregon are complete.
Squibb also told the Herald and News that the long-term rental contract between Mentor Oregon and Klamath County will officially end at the close of the month, following an April apartment tour in which Commissioner Derrick DeGroot discovered living conditions he described as “appalling” in one of the four units.
The emergency repairs began after DeGroot discovered cleanliness, electrical and plumbing issues in the unit. A woman and her two young children lived in the home. The four units are leased to Mentor Oregon clients who live alone but receive in-home support through the company.
Pool time! Ella Redkey hosts swim lessons, summertime excitement
At Ella Redkey Pool, summertime comes with extended hours, family swim nights and loads of heart-pumping exercise classes.
Pool Supervisor Brielle George said their staff of about 30 lifeguard and cashiers is gearing up for the busiest season of the year, when nearly 250 swimmers come through each day.
Hours will be 5:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
George said the pool offers something for everyone, from adult master swimming lessons, to aqua power core strengthening and aqua Zumba classes. Group, private and semi-private swim lessons are offered weekday mornings.
iQor call center in talks for a new contract
iQor call center in Klamath Falls may not shut down on Aug. 30 — putting 300 people out of work — if it is able to secure a new contract for work at the center that sits up in the Tech Hills complex just north of town.
“As previously stated, our leadership team and a number of our sales executives are continuing to reach out to prospective partners to secure a new line of work for us to perform in Klamath Falls,” according to a statement issued Monday from Robert Constantine, vice president of marketing in St. Petersburg, Fla.
“Please know that we are working incredibly hard to secure another client. We will notify our family in Klamath Falls and the broader community if a deal has been reached before August 30.”
Capturing the essence of KU through art
Artist Chris Young, with the help of Klamath Union High School alums, has been creating a mural inside the school’s renovated academics building over the last few months.
KU has chronicled the piece in progress on its Facebook page. The 58-year-old Young said he’s received positive feedback from students so far on the art piece.
He hopes to finish up the mural this week.
The long walk: Gilchrist class of 2019 sets two records
Two records were set by Gilchrist High School’s class of 2019.
All of the seniors who started last September graduated. The class of 2019’s other record was graduating a senior who took 48 years to walk across the Gilchrist High School stage. Fred Southwick graduated under a provision of state law, and his graduation was the first of its kind from a Klamath County high school. It also helps the graduation rate of 1971.
Southwick is the first veteran to graduate from a Klamath County High School under the provisions of ORS 332.114. This law makes it possible for Oregon veterans who attended high school before serving in the Armed Forces of the United States, who were honorably discharged and who served during World War I, World War II, the Korean Conflict or the Vietnam War to receive their high school diplomas.
…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.