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.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2019
Klamath Basin Weather
Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. Overnight low of 24.
Saturday Partly sunny, with a high near 40. Overnight, a 30% chance of snow flurries. Low of 30. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Sunday A chance of snow showers before 10am, then snow likely, mainly between 10am and 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 41. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Monday Sunny, with a high near 41.
Tuesday Mostly sunny with a high near 41.
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
The Klamath County Public Health Air Advisory is Red until noon today.
The Oregon State Crime Lab is currently processing a crime scene near Falcon Heights after members of the Klamath County Major Crime team found a body just before Christmas.
An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death of the victim. No information about gender or identification is available due to the next of kin not being notified. In connection with that case, two people were arrested Christmas Eve in relation to the apparent homicide – 58-year-old Tori Devon Hill of Malin, and 31-year-old Corey Nicholas Agard, 31, of Portland. Both are in the Klamath County Jail at this time.
Hill was arrested on Main Street by the Oregon State Police and charged with Aggravated Murder, Murder, and Criminal Conspiracy II. No bail has been set for Hill, while Agard was already in custody at the Klamath County Jail on other charges. Additional charges of Aggravated Murder, Criminal Conspiracy II, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Felon in Possession of a Weapon, Abuse of a Corpse I, and Tampering with Evidence (x2) apply in Agard’s case. Both individuals were arraigned Thursday in Klamath County Circuit Court.
Anyone who believes they have information that will help in the investigation in this case is asked to call the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office at 541-883-5130.
Local and State health authorities say it is not too late to get a flu shot to protect yourself and others against the influenza that is spreading now.
Officials are urging people to get the vaccine to protect themselves and others. In Oregon, outbreaks usually peak between January and March. During outbreaks, up to 20 percent of the population can be affected, health authorities say. Health experts say it’s always worth getting a flu shot. Symptoms of the flu, which is caused by a virus, include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, headache or fatigue. Influenza-related illness is to blame for one death of a child in Oregon and two in Washington state. Oregon does not track adult deaths related to flu.
A flu shot is recommended for those 6 months and older. Contact your health care provider for more information.
The Mount Ashland Ski Area began its holiday operations this week and will be open daily through January 6th.
That’s thanks to a solid base of fresh snow and machine-groomed runs. The latest report shows the snow base at 35 inches, with 34 inches mid-mountain and 31 inches at the summit. The 7-day snowfall total as of Tuesday was 64 inches.
The slopes are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — even on New Year’s Day — except when twilight skiing is offered. The nonprofit ski area’s free bus service runs daily starting at 7 a.m. from the Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites and the last shuttle returns at 5 p.m. During its non-holiday schedule, Mount A is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Local and State officials are reminding drivers during this holiday season of using cell phones while driving.
Those caught texting, browsing social media or otherwise holding and using their cell phones in Oregon face the harshest distracted driving laws in the nation, according to a recent study. Rosenblum Law, the firm behind traffictickets.com, analyzed laws from all 50 states and ranked Oregon at the top. Due to the expensive fine — up to $1,000 for a first-time offense — Oregon earned the number one slot.
During the 2017 Oregon legislative session, lawmakers voted to bolster the state’s distracted driving laws by closing a gaping loophole and increasing fines. First-time offenses not resulting in a crash can lead to fines of up to $1,000. Second-time offenses or offenses that contributed to a crash result in an up to $2,000 fine.
Those who nab a third distracting driving citation in a 10-year period can be fined up to $2,500 and sentenced to 6 months in jail for the misdemeanor offense.
A new law taking effect January 1 in Oregon will ban single-use plastic bags at stores and restaurants.
Charlie Plybon is the Oregon policy manager for Surfrider Foundation, a group that advocated for the new law. He said it’s been nearly a decade since the idea was first floated at the legislature, adding that he is proud that Oregon waited until enough cities and interest was shown to get a really strong buy in for the plan. Plybon said single-use plastic bags harm the environment and are a major source of litter.
Stores can still provide paper bags to customers, but the measure requires them to charge at least five cents per bag. House Bill 2509 was signed into law by Democratic Gov. Kate Brown in June. The Oregon DEQ has created a web page to help consumers understand the new regulations.
…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.