The latest Klamath Falls News around the Klamath Basin and the state of Oregon from Wynne Broadcasting’s KFLS News/Talk 1450AM/102.5FM, BasinLife.com and The Herald & News.
Sunday, December 1, 2019
Basin Weather
Sunday A slight chance of rain and snow during the day with a high near 39. Overnight snow flurries possible with snow level at 4500 ft, low of 29.
Monday A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 10am. Snow level 4700 feet rising to 6100 feet in the afternoon. Cloudy, with a high near 42.
Tuesday Partly sunny, with a high near 43.
Wednesday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42.
ROAD CONDITIONS
Traveling? Check our cameras below for the latest road conditions from BasinLife.com.
Lake of the Woods Hiway 140
Greensprings Drive at Hiway 97
Doak Mountain looking east
Chemult, Oregon
LaPine, Oregon
Bly, Oregon
Medford at I-5 -Biddle Road & Crater Lake Parkway
Today’s Headlines
“Slow down”, “use common sense” and “think safety” are the key phrases during holiday driving says ODOT. Stay on maintained state highways. Do not use GPS to navigate around closures.
“If an interstate freeway is not passable due to snow, please don’t think an unmaintained or limited winter maintenance road is better,” said Jeremiah Griffin, ODOT Assistant ODOT District Manager.
Be prepared for severe winter driving conditions. Motorists urged to wait for daylight to consider travel plans.
AAA Auto Club projects more than 55 million Americans or roughly 16.8 percent of the population including a large chunk of the Klamath Basin population will kick off the holiday season with a trip of 50 miles or more away from home this Thanksgiving a 2.9 percent increase over last year.
About 748,000 Oregonians will head over the river and through the woods. The majority of travelers planned to leave today and return the following Sunday but continued bad weather and hazardous driving conditions may delay many. Nearly a quarter of all travelers typically return on Monday December 2nd or later. The only bright spot travelers will find is pump prices are within a few cents of last year’s prices and are continuing to edge lower in Oregon.
For the week the national average ticks down a penny to $2.59 a gallon. The Oregon average drops a nickel to $3.21. This is the second week in a row that Oregon has the third-largest weekly decline in the nation.
Klamath County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Nichols recently completed Basic Corrections training in Salem and was awarded the Victor Atiyeh Outstanding Student Award and the Dr. Ernest Ogard, Jr. Academic Achievement Award. The Victor Atiyeh Outstanding Student Award is presented to the student who display’s exceptional professionalism and ethics as well as a positive attitude throughout basic training.
Deputy Nichols was evaluated on demonstrated leadership, academic standing, performance in survival skills, and overall health and fitness. This is the highest honor a student can receive from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. The Dr. Ernest Ogard, Jr. Academic Achievement Award is granted to the top academic student of each Basic Corrections Class. The evaluation process is conducted by Academy staff and considers the student’s academic performance throughout the entire training.
‘Tis the season for holiday family fun! The 3rd Annual “Klamath Falls Singing Christmas Tree” moves to its new home at the Ross Ragland Theater this year.
The holiday community production features a 50-person “Singing Christmas Tree” of the Basin’s finest singers accompanied by an orchestra of accomplished musicians from throughout the area. Together with well-loved guest performers, actors, aerialists, dancers, an adorable children’s chorus and Klamath County’s largest Living Nativity, they offer a bevy of holiday tunes sure to touch your hearts and bring a smile to your face! This year’s production – “A New Old-Fashioned Christmas” – follows a modern family as they travel through history in discovery of the perfect Christmas gift. Contact the Ross Ragland Box Office for more details.
Around the state of Oregon
Earlier this week Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Troopers in the Roseburg Office received information regarding illegal hunting in the Drew area off Tiller Trail Highway.
The investigation revealed Paul Morford, 47, from Coos Bay, Alvis Neal JR, 49, from Roseburg, Alvis Neal SR, 72, from Coos Bay and Kenneth Brown, 23, from Coos bay were hunting in the Dixion Unit. Their bow deer tags were valid in the Evans Creek unit just south of the Dixon unit. One buck was shot on November 23, 2019 after dark with a .22 caliber magnum rifle while it was being spotlighted. Another 3-point deer was shot by bow in the Dixon Unit about 3 days prior. The 3-point buck had already been transported to Coos Bay.
As a result of the investigation, two compound bows, a .22 caliber magnum rifle, a spotlight and a buck deer were seized. The second buck deer was seized by the Coos Bay Office of the Oregon State Police. Winston Police Department also assisted in the investigation. The following people were issued citations and released.
Paul
Morford – 47 – Coos Bay – Hunting / Take Buck Deer Closed Area x2, Hunting
Prohibited Method, Hunting Prohibited Hours
Alvis Neal Jr – 49 – Roseburg – Hunting Buck Deer Closed Area, Aiding in
a Game Violation
Alvis Neal Sr. – 72 – Coos Bay – Aiding in a Game Violation x2
Kenneth Brown – 23 – Coos Bay – Aiding in a Game Violation x2
** Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators**
The TIP program offers preference point rewards for information leading to an
arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of
big game mammals.
Preference Point Rewards:
* 5 Points-Bighorn Sheep
* 5 Points-Rocky Mountain Goat
* 5 Points-Moose
* 5 Points-Wolf
* 4 Points-Elk
* 4 Points-Deer
* 4 Points-Antelope
* 4 Points-Bear
* 4 Points-Cougar
Or the Oregon Hunters Association TIP reward fund also offers cash rewards for
information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful
take/possession or waste of Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Goat, Moose, Elk,
Deer, Antelope, Bear, Cougar, Wolf, Upland Birds, Waterfowl, Furbearers, Game
Fish and Shellfish. Cash rewards can also be awarded for turning in
people who destroy habitat, illegally obtain licenses/tags and for the unlawful
lending/borrowing of big game tags.
CASH REWARDS:
* $1,000 Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Goat and Moose
* $500 Elk, Deer and Antelope
* $300 Bear, Cougar and Wolf
* $300 Habitat Destruction
* $200 Illegally Obtaining License/Tag(s)
* $200 Unlawful Lend/Borrow Big Game Tags(s)
* $100 Upland Birds and Waterfowl
* $100 Furbearers
* $100 Game Fish and Shellfish
How to Report a
Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity:
TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or *OSP(677)
TIP E-Mail: TIP@state.or.us (Monitored M-F 8:00AM – 5:00PM)
A Chinese national pleaded guilty today for directing a scheme whereby hundreds of endangered and vulnerable turtles were purchased in the U.S. and smuggled via U.S. mail and commercial airline flights to China.
34 year old Xiao Dong Qin a resident of Shanghai, China, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to smuggle goods from the U.S. According to court documents beginning in at least May 2017 and continuing until June 2018 Qin directed an unindicted co-conspirator in Eugene to purchase more than 300 live turtles from reptile dealers in Alabama, California, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, North Carolina, and South Carolina. All of the turtles purchased and smuggled by Qin are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
…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.