The latest Klamath Falls News around the Klamath Basin from Wynne Broadcasting’s KFLS 1450AM/102.5FM, BasinLife.com and The Herald & News.
Klamath Basin Weather
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 74. Overnight, clear with a low of 41.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 50.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 56
Today’s Headlines…
A sign honoring Corporal Jimmy Erik Floren, from Klamath Falls, who died in the Vietnam War, will stand over the Southside Bypass east of Summers Lane, declaring it a Fallen Hero Memorial Highway in Floren’s name.
The sign was unveiled and dedicated Saturday afternoon in a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park that honored Floren’s sacrifice and his family. Oregon State Sen. Dennis Linthicum, R-Klamath Falls, and Rep. E. Werner Reschke, R-Klamath Falls, spoke about Floren’s heroism and presented the House and Senate bills that declared the memorial in Floren’s name, one given to Floren’s family and the other given to the Marine Corps League.
Klamath County Commissioner Derrick DeGroot and Marine Corp League Commandant Spencer Marin also spoke during the event honoring Floren, along with a representative of U.S. Congressman Greg Walden’s office reading a letter from Walden. One of Floren’s comrades, LCpl Dan O’Conner, USMC Retired, recalled the story of the night of Floren’s death, played from an audio recording.
Floren died in November of 1967, in combat defending his wounded comrades from gunfire. Floren was awarded a Purple Heart, Silver Star, and the Navy Cross after his death, the military’s second-highest honor.
According to Marine Corps League Chaplain Benjamin Quen, the memorial road sign will sit about a quarter of a mile from the Floren family home.
New or expecting parents lined up outside of the Klamath County Library Saturday morning to take advantage of the family resources and gifts at the second annual Community Baby Shower.
The event featured about 25 vendors of community services and organizations and prizes were given away such as strollers, play pens and car seats.
“It’s a way for us to love on our community and offer information because so many don’t know about the resources in the community,” Rhonda Janecke with Cascade Health Alliance said. She said after last year’s inaugural event, the wealth of information gained was what most people said was the biggest highlight of the shower. Janecke said it was a great opportunity to have the event at the library this year because of its location downtown and its proximity to public transportation.
Albertsons pharmacy was on hand offering flu shots, and students and staff with Oregon Tech were doing dental check-ups.
The Klamath Ranger District, USFS plans to conduct a prescribed underburn beginning today on 235 acres on the North side of Highway 140 near the base of Seldom Hill and directly adjacent to the Fourmile Rock Quarry.
Ignitions are expected to begin around 10:00 am and should be done by 4:00 pm.The primary objective of the prescribed burn is to safely reduce hazardous fuel loadings and break-up continuity of surface fuels which will decrease the potential for stand replacing wildfires. Smoke may be visible during and after ignitions for 10 to 15 days.
Fire managers are working closely with local air districts and the Oregon Air Resources Board to mitigate the effects of the smoke to the public and local air sheds. Firefighter and public safety are the highest priorities. Signs will be in place on Highway 140 during fire operations.
The Klamath County Board of Commissioners is seeking two members to fill vacancies on the Economic Development Advisory Committee.
Other openings on advisory boards or committees include three openings on the Bicycle & Pedestrian Trails Advisory Committee, seven openings on the Food Policy Council, one spot on the Law Library Advisory Board, five spots on the Museum Advisory Board and five seats on the Natural Resource Advisory Council. In addition two spots will open on the Fair Board in January. There are 24 county advisory boards or committees in total.
If interested you can apply for these positions on the official Klamath County website.
The Lost River FFA Chapter and Lost River ASB leadership of Merrill has teamed up with the Merrill Les Schwab Tire Center to launch a statewide hunger initiative to raise food to help #DriveAwayHunger and meet the growing need in the community.
The food drive will take place during the entire month of October. Be on the lookout for activities and collections happening throughout the community during the month of October. Community members are encouraged to drop food donations at any Les Schwab Tire Store, Grange Coop Store, Lost River Junior-Senior High School, or at this year’s annual Potato Festival following the parade Oct. 19 at the Lost River FFA booth in front of the Merrill Civic Center.
Plans are developing for a destination playground in Moore Park which will be designed to be Americans with Disabilities Act accessible.
Children throughout the community will be asked to draw and describe their dream playground. Based on the students’ input and drawings, a schematic design will be created and unveiled on Design Day. The community is invited to attend the grand-unveiling of the conceptualized design in a Design Day Party to be held tomorrow night at Conger Elementary from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Blue Zones Project – Healthy Klamath in partnership with the City of Klamath Falls is in the process of planning a new custom-designed community playground project to be completed in the spring of 2021.
The new 20,000-square-foot playground will replace the current play equipment located next to the tennis courts in Moore Park. More than a playground, this project will be designed to be a community gathering space for children of all abilities to enjoy. A focus of this project will be to create a destination playground that is accessible to all families, with rubber surfaces for those who are wheelchair-bound and structures that are ADA-friendly.
Artistic elements that showcase the culture and history of the Klamath Basin will be incorporated into the design.
The new Planet Fitness facility is set to open during the first week of November on Washburn Way.
There will be 80 to 90 pieces of cardio equipment in the Klamath Falls Planet Fitness, including ellipticals, treadmills and stationary bicycles. With tanning beds and massage chairs, Planet Fitness offers a different gym experience. Membership registration is open before the gym is. People in Klamath Falls can register now at either the small trailer in the soon-to-be Planet Fitness parking lot or register online. Planet Fitness stressed that new members will not be charged until the gym opens for business.
…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.