The latest Klamath Falls News around the Klamath Basin from Wynne Broadcasting’s KFLS News/Talk 1450AM/102.5FM, BasinLife.com and The Herald & News.
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Klamath Basin Weather
Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 50.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 56
Today’s Headlines…
Expect to see more fresh produce and locally grown food in Klamath County School District cafeterias.
The county school district, in partnership with Oregon State University-Klamath Basin Research & Extension Service, has been awarded a competitive $96,538 USDA implementation grant for its Farm-to-School program. The goal of the two-year project is to strengthen the supply chain with area farmers and producers so more students can experience locally grown foods in their school cafeterias. The school district’s Farm to School project was one of 126 selected nationwide and is built on strong community partnerships.
In addition to local growers, KCSD will partner with Blue Zones, Oregon Department of Agriculture, FFA, and the Summer Lunch Program to provide training, technical support and supplies to address the unique needs of a public school district food program.
Jordan Rainwater was hired by the school district last month as the program’s project coordinator. As an owner and operator of a small farm for 14 years, Rainwater understands the complexities of growing and distributing local foods in the Basin.
“Food is the foundation of a community, and agriculture is how we get our food,” she said. “Farming is a real challenge. This project will not only get locally grown food into our schools, but has the potential to help small, local farmers become more successful and sustainable by developing a stable market for their product.”
Rainwater, who has a degree in horticulture, has two school-age children, ages 6 and 9. “As a mom, I also want to see fresh, healthy options in our schools,” she said.
Glen Szymoniak, superintendent of the Klamath County School District, said the grant project and the Food Corps Service program are great opportunities to expand access of locally grown foods to the district’s 6,800 students.
Nineteen arts organizations including the Ross Ragland Theater will each receive $10,000 grant awards to support their educational projects in Oregon schools through $190,000 in FY2020 Oregon Arts Commission Arts Learning funding announced today.
Arts Learning grants are designed to: support high-quality projects that provide a responsive opportunity for learning in and through the arts to benefit K-12 students; foster exchange of knowledge between artists and educators; and impact the achievement, skills and/or attitudes of learners. Applications were evaluated based on project quality and responsiveness, project support and project impact. The Ross Ragland Theater grant will support the Theater’s Youth STARTS program, which provides comprehensive arts education for K-6th grade students throughout the Klamath County School District.
Southern Oregon Goodwill Industries will host the final “Interview-Palooza” for the year on Wednesday, October 9 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Goodwill Job Connection location at 3401 Washburn Way in Klamath Falls.
Connecting people seeking work with employers is core to Goodwill’s mission to enable employment. The Interview-Palooza event is open to job candidates and applicants wanting to improve their interview skills and other items like verbal and non-verbal communication, as well as clothing, and grooming for an interview. Participants will walk out with personalized feedback and tips on how to improve their performance and future outcomes.
Around the region… Just after midnight yesterday the Medford Police Department responded to the area of the Greenway and the 4th St. Bridge of a report of a deceased subject found at that location.
A white female in her 30’s was found deceased at that location. Nothing suspicious was located at the scene. The cause and time of death are yet to be determined. The case is currently under investigation and there is no additional information to be provided at this time.
Around the state…A missing hunter has been found dead in the Wallowa Mountains in eastern Oregon. Andrew Dennis’ body was found late Sunday morning.
The Baker County Sheriff’s Office says it appears he died in “a tragic accident.” The sheriff’s office says Dennis left his home in Haines with his dog Sept. 28 for a one-day hunting trip in the East Eagle Creek area.
He left a map of his route with his wife, and law enforcement was notified of his disappearance the next day. Searchers looked for Dennis throughout the week. His dog, a Jack Russell terrier named Barney, was found in good health Saturday.
State Fish and Wildlife troopers are seeking information about buck deer that were poached and dumped near Interstate 5 south of Eugene.
Oregon State Police say troopers responded Sunday to a report of a buck deer that was dumped at an old rest area site near Myrtle Creek.
Police say troopers found one skinned whole buck and the hides and heads of two other bucks. One was a three-point buck and two were forked-horn bucks. Police say the bucks were killed late Friday or Saturday. Anyone with information about the poachers is asked to call the tip hotline at 1-800-452-7888.
…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.