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.
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Klamath Basin Weather
Today
A 20% of rain after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Gusty winds at times. Overnight rain or showers likely with a low of 37.
Thursday
A slight chance of showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.
Friday
Partly sunny, with a high near 52.
Saturday
A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 49.
Today’s Basin Life Headlines…
A working group has been established to address the high levels of harmful chemicals found at the Kingsley Field Air National Guard Base in Klamath Falls.
The chemicals are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used in the United States since the 1940s, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA has determined that the chemicals don’t break down in the human body or in the environment and can accumulate over time. Research has found that these chemicals can cause cancer, low infant birth weights and thyroid hormone disruption. The chemicals can also affect the immune system.
According to Kingsley Public Affairs Officer Major Nikki Jackson these chemical levels are not out of the ordinary when compared to similar tests on other military bases due to the fact that firefighting foam is commonly used on military bases. Kingsley Field ceased use of the PFAS-containing foam in 2016 according to Jackson.
Klamath Falls natives Steve Eberlein and Lydia Ledgerwood-Eberlein were living in Sri Lanka when a 9.1 quake near Indonesia triggered a tsunami that took 230,000 lives in 16 different countries, including 35,000 lives in Sri Lanka.
Since returning to the USSteve has served as a leading voice in West Coast earthquake preparedness. Together through their company, Tipping Point Resilience, they aim to spark cultures of preparedness in places waiting major earthquakes in the US. They will be presenting a free Earthquake preparedness seminar Saturday November 2nd at the Ross Ragland Theater.
Scientists have found evidence of up to 43 earthquakes exceeding 8.0 and 9.0 on the Richter Scale in the Cascadia Subduction Zone (spanning Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia) over the last 10,000 years with an average recurrence of one catastrophic level quake every 250 years. As a major earthquake has not occurred since 1700, scientists believe there is a 40% probability that it will occur in the next 20 years.
Pump prices are decreasing for the majority of drivers across the country as crude oil prices remain relatively low.
It’s a different story here on the West Coast where prices are still climbing after a number of unplanned refinery outages. Relief here should come soon. For the week, the national average for regular gasoline slips half a cent to $2.64 a gallon. The Oregon average jumps nine cents to $3.28. This is the largest weekly jump in the nation.
Although forest personnel are still tagging, cataloging and caring for Devil’s Garden Horses gathered in 2019 more than 300 are now ready to be viewed and selected for transport to their new homes according to a Modoc National Forest news release.
The Modoc National Forest will host a placement event and open house 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday Nov. 2 at the Double Devil Wild Horse Corrals outside of Alturas. Anyone attending that day to select horses will need to make an appointment ahead of time by calling 530-233-8713. Three-hour blocks to select horses with a Forest Service escort will be offered with confirmed reservations.
Around the region Jackson County Sheriff’s office search and rescue officials have located Geraldine Hendricks alive.
Hendricks was reported missing by her family late Saturday evening. Officials say Hendricks was located on a forest road approximately 2 miles from her home. She was walking on the road when when rescue officials found her. She was cold and dehydrated but is in surprisingly good condition after spending three days and nights in the forest area. She was transported to the hospital by Mercy Flights helicopter for evaluation.
Late Monday 46 year old Freddie Tillett from Grants Pass, was arrested for Manslaughter I and Driving under the Influence of Intoxicants.
Tillet was arrested in the Springfield area and lodged at the Lane County Jail. This arrest is in connection with the September 27th Fatal Crash on Highway 99 in Josephine County. Preliminary investigation revealed that a gray 2003 Audi, operated by Freddie Tillett was traveling southbound on Hwy 99. Tillett was reported to be driving recklessly, crossed into oncoming traffic, and collided head on with a northbound 2013 Nissan sedan operated by 39 year old Brenda Reinert of Grants Pass.
Reinert was transported to the hospital where she was pronounced deceased. Tillett was transported to the hospital with serious injuries.
…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.