The latest News around the Klamath Basin from Wynne Broadcasting’s KFLS 1450AM/102.5FM, BasinLife.com and The Herald & News.
Monday, September 9, 2019
Klamath Basin Weather
Monday
A 20% chance of showers otherwise mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Possible chance of brief overnight showers, low around 43.
Tuesday
A chance of showers, otherwise partly sunny with a high near 64. Evening and overnight, showers and thundershowers likely, low of 42.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 71.
Today’s Headlines…
A Tulelake woman died in a single-vehicle crash on Highway 50 early Saturday morning. At 4:11 a.m., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a single vehicle crash on State Highway 50 near milepost 19 between Malin and Merrill.
A silver 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee operated by 33 year old Jessica Harris of Tulelake was traveling southbound on Highway 50 when for unknown reasons the Jeep veered off the road and struck a utility pole. Harris sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The highway was closed for three hours following the crash. OSP was assisted by Merrill Fire and ODOT.
Firefighters took advantage of favorable weather conditions yesterday and have made significant progress in the effort to contain the Lone Fire.
In the absence of hot, dry weather the fire burned with less intensity allowing access to the line directly on the fire’s edge. Hand crews, engines and bulldozers working the fire were supported by two large air tankers and a helicopter as they constructed a containment line along the perimeter of the 5,628-acre fire.
The weather is expected to remain cool well into next week resulting in less active fire behavior but winds are still a concern. With pockets of heat near the fire’s edge the threat of fire spread remains. Moving forward the focus continues to be the construction of containment line and extinguishment of any heat found near the edge of the fire.
Today fire suppression resources continue to respond to new fires caused by to the recent lightning over South Central Oregon. Multiple new incidents have been reported but are not yet confirmed.
There are 17 confirmed new fires as of today bringing the total number of from nine to 26 over the past two days. The majority of the fires range from 1/10 of an acre to 6 acres in size. All fires are currently staffed, and crews are actively suppressing each fire. So far there are nine confirmed fires in the Fremont Winema National Forest, six burning on BLM land, six confirmed by the Oregon Department of Forestry and five buring in Crater Lake National Park.
The Adobe Fire, the largest of the fires, is currently holding at 93 acres. Fire suppression resources worked through the night holding this incident to its current size and will continue to strengthen containment lines and patrolling the fires edge for hotspots.
Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex has an immediate need for volunteers to help care for wildlife impacted by Botulism.
Bird Ally X, a wildlife rehabilitation organization, is helping to rehabilitate wild birds impacted by Avian botulism on the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Avian botulism is a strain of botulism that affects wild bird populations, most notably waterfowl and is not contagious. Volunteers will be asked to provide basic supportive care to wildlife impacted by the Avian botulism.
This is an opportunity to learn skills and help care for our local wildlife. Volunteers duties will include: rescue transport, handling patients for exam, preparing food, cleaning & preparing enclosures, washing dishes, sterilizing syringes,laundry, and cage construction. To volunteer text or call 541-281-0140.
Carefree and car-free days return to Crater Lake National Park again in September when 25 miles of Rim Drive, the road the loops around the lake, is closed to motor vehicles.
The Seventh Annual Ride the Rim event is set for this Saturday and next Saturday the 21st to give bicyclists, runners and walkers an opportunity to experience Rim Drive without worrying about cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles and other motorized vehicles. Pedal assist bicyclists are permitted. There is a park entrance fee but there is no cost for participating. Originally launched by the park, Discover Klamath took on organizing duties four years ago. That’s partly because the event, which drew about 500 participants its first year, has grown and averages 3,000 to 5,000 people over the two days.
As of late August, 2,200 people had registered for one of the two days. In past years about 600 people typically register each day of the ride.
The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office is reminding people to be weary of suspicious mail like unfamiliar checks after the Sherriff’s Office received two checks claiming money won from a settlement that the department believes to be a scam.
The checks were from a class action lawsuit involving “Premier Protein Shake Settlement Program.” While there is a class action lawsuit involving Premier Protein Shake, the department believes the checks it received were fraudulent because they said everything about the checks looked suspicious. In a press release they said if scammers will send fraudulent checks to the Sheriff’s Office they’ll send them to you too.
43 year old Jason Blowman of 3307 Laverne Avenue was displaying one of his handguns last Thursday when it accidentally went off striking him and two Mormon missionaries who were cleaning his home as part of their missionary work.
According to Klamath County Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Ryan Kaber the call initially came in as Blowman had been cleaning the 9 millimeter semi-automatic handgun but that did not turn out to be the case as he had mishandled it and it went off.
The bullet struck Blowman in the hand then struck missionary Harrison Dahlin the right forearm and shoulder and then it hit missionary Juliette Chamberlain in the lower abdomen where the bullet lodged in her back. All three were taken to Sky Lakes Medical Center. The two men were treated and released. Chamberlain remains in good condition.
The case was referred to the District Attorney’s office pending review if charges would be filed.
Starting last week, the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge began receiving 50 cubic feet per second of Klamath Project Supply through Ady Canal operated by the Klamath Drainage District.
This delivery on top of water already being provided comes at a critical time for fall waterfowl migration, and has become available through extensive coordination and efforts by Klamath Project irrigators. Tulelake Irrigation District Manager Brad Kirby said we have been very conservative with our supply this year and feel fortunate that we are able to send some additional water to the Refuge at this critical time.
The combination of responsible water management by irrigators and various favorable weather conditions have led to the Klamath Project potentially having anywhere between 6,000-21,000 acre-feet of a calculated Project Supply available for diversion to the Lower Klamath Refuge.
Since April, there has been ongoing inter-district coordination and conservation measures as well as coordination with refuge managers and conservation groups.
Students at Bonanza Junior-Senior High School were asked this question
Wednesday, how you living? And will be pondering its answer throughout the
school year.
The question is on bulletin boards in the hallways and above the inside of the school’s main entrance. Bonanza’s new principal, Jordan Osborn likes themes. He likes to challenge and engage his students, build relationships and connect the school with its community. And with the help of staff and student leadership, he kicked off the new school year doing just that.
How You Living? — and its answer – is Bonanza’s theme for the year.
Osborn offered several answers such as “Do you have good character? Are you on time? Do you have patience? Are you making a positive impact on people’s lives? According to Osborn that’s the stuff that’s important and he wants everyone to be excellent students and excellent people as well.
SAIF customers will receive $160 million in dividends this year. The board of directors declared a $120 million primary dividend to be paid to policyholders based on their premium and a $40 million safety performance dividend to be paid based on each policyholder’s safety results.
This is the tenth year in a row SAIF has been able to offer dividends, and the 22nd dividend in the past 30 years.48,508 policyholders are eligible for SAIF’s primary dividend. Of those, about 93.9% are also eligible to receive all or a portion of the additional safety performance dividend. Checks will be mailed in October to eligible employers.
Lightning storms lit up the night skies sparking new wildfires, and a 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook the ground in Oregon right before National Disaster Preparedness Month.
These stern warnings make it critical for Oregonians to get prepared for both natural and human-caused disasters. September is National Preparedness Month, and it is kicked-off by Home Inventory Week.
To recognize this often overlooked part of disaster preparation, the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation encourages all Oregonians to do two simple tasks that will save time, money, and stress when disaster strikes: Build a home inventory by taking a video or photos of each room in your home, paying close attention to walls, drawers, closets, and storage areas. Recalling your personal property is a daunting task following a disaster.
A home inventory eases the post-disaster stress, and enables your insurance company to move forward with processing your claim. Second, take time to discuss your policies with your insurance company or agent. Make sure you have the right coverage and know what to expect when you file a claim for disasters such as fire, earthquake, flood, tornado, theft, and ice storms.
…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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