The latest News around the Klamath Basin from Wynne Broadcasting’s KFLS 1450AM/102.5FM, BasinLife.com and The Herald & News.
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Klamath Basin Weather
Today
Sunny and hot, with a high near 96.
Wednesday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Sunny, with a high near 95.
Thursday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Sunny, with a high near 90.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 90.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 89.
TODAY’s BASIN HEADLINES…
The Rocky Point Boat Launch on the Klamath Ranger District of the Fremont-Winema National Forest will be closed today through Thursday, August 29 at 5 p.m. The Rocky Point Resort boat launch located nearby will be open during this time.
The temporary closure of the Forest Service boat launch is due to the assembly and deployment of solar aeration systems into Pelican Bay off Klamath Lake. The pilot project is a collaboration between the Oregon Renewable Energy Center, Oregon Institute of Technology and the Klamath Tribes. The solar aeration systems are expected to help boost dissolved oxygen levels and help juvenile Lost River and Shortnose Sucker survive through the August and September hypoxic (lack of dissolved oxygen) conditions caused by the die-off of cyanobacteria in Klamath Lake.
A federal criminal complaint was unsealed today charging a Southern Oregon man and frequent marijuana trafficker with attempting to pay for the murder of an associate.
John Tobe Larson, 68, of Josephine County, Oregon, is charged with using interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire.
Oregon State Police Southwest Region Marijuana Team learned that Larson was involved in the interstate distribution of marijuana from Southern Oregon throughout the U.S. and smuggling cash back into Oregon via a private plane Larson pilots. In addition, investigators had learned that Larson was allegedly looking for someone to murder an associate who owed him approximately $75,000 in unpaid debt.
In early June, investigators arranged for a special agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives acting in an undercover capacity, to meet with Larson in Grants Pass, Oregon to discuss his plans. After further discussion, Larson and the agent agreed to a price of $20,000 for the murder.
In June Larson met the agent at a hotel room in Grants Pass and delivered a $10,000 cash payment. Larson also provided the agent with the identity, address, phone numbers, and social media account information of the intended victim. On August 21, 2019, Larson was arrested in Rogue River, Oregon. Immediately preceding the arrest, Larson provided the agent with $5,000 and concentrated marijuana after being lead to believe the murder was complete.
With a heat wave rolling into southern Oregon this week, Pacific Power offers tips on how to beat the heat, use less energy and save money.
First, get some fresh air. Open your windows during the early morning and evening, and use fans to circulate the fresh air. Next Keep clear of the sun. Close blinds and drapes during the warmest parts of the day. Keeping the sunlight out of your home will keep it cooler. Be AC savvy. Set your air conditioner to 78 degrees when you’re home, and 85 when you’re away. Push the use of heat-producing appliances such as ovens, dishwashers and clothes dryers to cooler parts of the day. Grilling outside and air-drying clothes are great alternatives.
With sweltering temperatures, you need to protect yourself. Drink plenty of water and stay out of the sun as much as possible. Don’t forget your pets; they need water and shelter as well. Also check on any neighbors who may have limited contact with others and may need a fan or other assistance. Finally make a conscious effort to unplug items not in use. Even if they’re not on, they’re drawing energy.
Governor Kate Brown welcomed the incoming freshman class at South Medford High School yesterday addressing students on their first day of the new school year.
Joined by educators, students, and legislators, she ceremonially
signed the Student Success Act, which provides a historic $2 billion additional
investment into Oregon’s early education and K-12 schools.
The Student Success Act targets resources to improve education for every child in the
state, especially those that have long been underserved. This includes
expanding access to high-quality preschool, ensuring teachers have resources to
support students struggling with behavioral health issues, and funding hands-on
learning that will prepare students for college or a career.
A reminder, if you’re doing some traveling, the Oregon Department of Transportation will be doing work in Klamath County this week. They will be performing sign work at intersection of highway 140 and highway 66 and you should expect minor delays.
Also north on Highway 97 expect bridge work during the day, through Friday resulting in minor delays. Earthwork and aggregate placement will occur during the night through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. and you should expect 20 minute delays.
Last week Oregon’s seven public universities which includes Oregon Tech reached an impasse in negotiating pay increases, benefits and time off for classified workers.
SEIU Local 503, the union representing classified university workers, said the stalemate could lead to a strike next month, just as the state’s roughly 64,000 university students will be starting classes
The median classified university worker makes $36,000 per year, according to SEIU 503. The universities, meanwhile, say that the combined 12 percent increase for the next two years — 2.5 percent in a cost of living adjustment and 9.5 percent in “step” increases for satisfactory job performance — is a “fair offer.”
Rob Fullmer, an IT specialist at Portland State University cites colleagues who work in dining services or as office specialists who have to take second jobs, noting that about a quarter make so little money that they qualify for food stamps for a family of four.
…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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