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BULLETIN: Gov. Kate Brown to announce today restriction of gatherings of 250 or more. See below.
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020
Klamath Basin Weather
Today
Sunny, with a high near 61. Overnight, clear with a low around 28.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 58. Overnight, a slight chance of rain showers before 11pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Low of 27 degrees. Snow level 5100 feet lowering to 4200 feet. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Saturday
Snow
showers, mainly after 11am. High near 43. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New
snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. Overnight, snow showers. Low around 24.
Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches
possible.
Sunday
Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43.
Monday
A chance of snow after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.
Road Conditions
Traveling? Click and check these cameras below for the latest road conditions.
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 news is changing rapidly across the nation and here in Oregon as this morning, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown will hold a news conference to explain new steps the state is taking to prevent the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19.
A news release sent Wednesday night from the governor’s office says all gatherings of 250 people or more are canceled statewide effective immediately. A gathering is defined as any event in a space in which appropriate social distancing of a minimum of three feet cannot be maintained.
As for schools, the release from the governor’s office says all non-essential school-associated gatherings, including group parent meetings, field trips and competitions, should be canceled.
The OSAA said state basketball tournaments will continue as scheduled but with no spectators. Only essential personnel and media will be allowed to attend.
In the workplace, the governor recommends employers implement distancing measures, including increased physical space between employees in offices and worksites, limited in-person meetings, limited travel and staggered work schedules.
Visitor limitations announced earlier this week at long-term care facilities remain in place.
Over the past week the OSAA has followed guidance from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and local health departments in administering our state championship events.
The OSAA is committed to following the direction of Oregon’s public health authorities, including guidance from the Governor, OHA, and ODE in order to help slow the transmission of the coronavirus. With today’s rapidly changing situation, and in consultation with these groups, the OSAA has made the difficult decision to change its spectator policies for state championship events.
Beginning Thursday morning, March 12, per guidance from the OHA and the Governor, only participating students and coaches, essential event staff personnel and media with OSAA‐issued credentials will be allowed to attend OSAA State Championship events.
“This difficult decision has not been made lightly,” said Peter Weber, OSAA Executive Director. “Going into this week we knew the situation was rapidly evolving and as the circumstances and guidance have changed throughout today, our focus is on trying to honor the commitment students have made throughout the season by continuing the contests, albeit without spectators.”
OSAA Staff is communicating directly with the participating schools with instructions and further details.
Klamath County Commissioners Kelley Minty Morris and Derrick DeGroot approved this week a framework for which Human Resource and the county will consider the paid sick leave of employees should the Coronavirus spread within the county and affect its employees.
There is only one case of the COVID-19 Coronavirus in Klamath County as of Tuesday. Klamath County Public Health has not identified any threat to the community of community spread, but KCPH Director Jennifer Little addressed the Board of Commissioners Tuesday afternoon to consider what the county’s policy would be in terms of paid sick leave should the virus begin affecting county employees, given the 14 day quarantine period of those Public Health identifies as having been at risk for exposure.
Although the board will continue to monitor the disease in the county and adapt to changing conditions with the guidance of KCPH, the framework adopted Tuesday outlines the circumstances in which the county would consider granting employees additional sick time or not.
Following California’s announcement late yesterday of considering no public gatherings of 250 or more, Oregon’s Governor Kate Brown followed suit almost immediately, announcing last night that she would ban all public gatherings of more than 250 people statewide for four weeks, effective immediately.
The measure is in attempt to slow the spread of novel coronavirus, which the World Health Authority has deemed a pandemic.
“It’s time for us all to do what we can to slow its spread and take care of one another,” Brown said in a written statement.
It is expected the governor will officially announce today “social distancing measures” for public places at a news conference sometime this morning. Stay tuned.
Oregon now has 21 diagnosed cases across eight counties. The two most recent patients are both men over the age of 80 and residents at a Lebanon veterans’ home.
Brown maintained the state’s guidance to keep schools open, according to a press release from her office. The release does say school activities like parent meetings, field trips and sporting events should be canceled.
Shortly after Brown’s announcement, the state’s two largest school districts, Portland Public Schools and Salem-Keizer Public Schools affirmed they are suspending large group activities, including school assemblies and off-site professional development for teachers. But unlike Seattle Public Schools, classes are continuing.
Scammers are taking advantage of Coronavirus fears. Danielle Kane with the Oregon Better Business Bureau says there are fake online claims about products that will prevent or cure the virus.
Ads for face masks are often fake meaning it’s useless, or you may pay and never receive one. And, she says, if you receive a phone call about Coronavirus products, it’s likely they’re trying to get your financial information. Kane says use caution for any offers about products surrounding the Coronavirus.
Plum Ridge has strict no visitor guidelines in Klamath Falls.
Only in emergency or in the event of death are visitors being allowed at the facility located just above Sky Lakes Medical Center, at this time. The number of COVID-19 cases in Oregon is expected to rise along with the number of people being monitored for the virus.
So far, the CDC has confirmed only one test, but tests on Oregonians now show 19 people have the virus, with new cases reported yesterday in Polk, Marion, and Deschutes counties.
An arrest has been made in connection to a shooting from February 23rd on Reclamation Avenue in Klamath Falls.
Upon arrival, officers located a male with a gunshot wound to the chin and head area. The victim was transported to Sky Lakes Medical Center and was reported to be in critical condition.
Over the course of a subsequent criminal investigation, officers developed probable cause for the arrest of 25-year-old, Joel Alejandro Mendoza. Officers also determined Joel Mendoza fled the state shortly after the shooting took place, and he was thought to be out of the area.
On Tuesday, detectives learned that Joel Mendoza had returned to Klamath Falls, and was reported to be at his home on Richmond Street. Joel Mendoza surrendered to law enforcement at approximately 4:05 p.m. The arrest was facilitated by the U.S. Marshalls Service and the Basin Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (BINET).
Joel Mendoza was lodged at the Klamath County Jail for Assault I, Assault II, Assault III, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.
The U.S. bankruptcy court will consider an offer for the sale of the Eternal Hills cemetery for the listing price of $250,000 to Highlands, LLC.
The sale will go through in 23 days unless the court trustee receives a bid exceeding Highland’s bid by $2,500 and of favorable terms to the estate or if someone files an objection, according to court documents.
According to court documents, the relationship between Highlands, LLC and the previous owner of the cemetery, Robert Gordon, who was forced into involuntary bankruptcy proceedings on the property by the state beginning in 2017 is unclear. Gordon previously had an interest in the business before Reese Powell became the sole member of the company on Jan. 27. Highlands, LLC was previously named in the settlement reached allowing for the sale of the property as the business still allowed to provide burials at the cemetery.
“In her business judgment, the Trustee believes the proposed sale price is reasonable and that the sale is in the best interest of the Estate,” the Intent to Sell document states. The Trustee received one other “serious expression of interest,” which the document states would have been “nominal.”
Soroptimist International of Klamath Falls recently held their awards luncheon March 5th. Live Your Dream Award Scholarships were awarded to three outstanding women pursuing their education.
First place with a $2,500 scholarship was awarded to Whitney Duarte. Second place with a $1,500 scholarship was awarded to Michelle Hansen. Carly Smith was the third place award recipient with a $1,000 scholarship. ‘
In addition, Soroptimist selects a Klamath County Outstanding Woman, who through her professional or personal efforts are making extraordinary differences in the lives of women and girls. Janet (Jan) Ronningen was selected for the significant impact she has had on the lives of women and youth in our community.
Around the state
Late Wednesday two more cases of Coronavirus were announced by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
These cases are in Linn County, the county’s first two presumptive positive cases of COVID-19. The new cases, involving two males over the age of 80, brings Oregon’s total to 21 total cases in eight counties.
Like the cases in Polk, Marion and Deschutes, the Linn County cases had no known close contacts with confirmed cases, so they are considered community-spread.
An Infection Control and Specimen Collection Strike Team will deploy to Linn County. The team will assess and work with the facility to assess infection control. The team will collect specimen samples for COVID-19 testing from all residents and care providers.
Upon initial evaluation, residents with symptoms were initially tested for flu, and respiratory illness. As an extra precaution, that facility had previously switched its ventilation system to circulating 100% outside air to mitigate the potential spread of infectious disease. the residents continued to receive appropriate medical care and were placed in isolation. Infectious disease prevention protocols also continued to be followed to protect other residents and staff.
Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director Kelly Fitzpatrick said “our highest priority has always been the health and safety of our most honored veteran residents that we serve in our two veterans’ homes. From the start of concerns about COVID-19, and especially upon learning that the very age group that resides in our veterans’ homes is also the most susceptible, we took immediate measures to protect our veterans, including adhering to state and federal guidelines. Even before COVID-19 emerged, the two veterans’ homes regularly followed strict infectious disease protocols. We believe that protecting the health and safety of the veterans in our homes helps ensure we live up to their motto, ‘the place where honor lives.’ We have a sacred trust to safeguard them now.”
OHA, in consultation with the Oregon Department of Human Services, issued a policy to limit exposure to COVID-19 at long-term care facilities yesterday.
The guidance directs nursing, assisted living and residential care facilities, including those providing memory care, to:
- Restrict visitation to only essential individuals;
- Limit essential visitors to two per resident at a given time;
- Screen all permitted visitors for respiratory or other symptoms potentially indicating COVID-19 and for recent travel to an affected geographic area or high-risk setting prior to entering the facilities;
- Document the screenings for all visitors;
- Limit community outings; and
- Support residents’ access to socialization when visitors are not able to enter the facility through virtual visits.
Health officials continue to urge all Oregonians to take steps to protect those who are most vulnerable to complications from COVID-19.
Grants Pass Police say that on Saturday, 03/07/20, shortly after 5pm, an older white male adult driving the pictured car approached a 9 year old girl on Bayou Place and offered her candy.
The child refused the candy and went home to tell a parent, who then reported the incident to GPDPS. The unknown male immediately left the area, but his vehicle was captured on neighbors’ surveillance cameras. This is being investigated as a suspicious incident at this time, and we would like to speak with this subject about his conduct.
***Subject Description: White male adult in his 60’s, with white hair and beard.
***Vehicle Description: Light colored 4 door sedan with black hubcaps, possibly a 2002-2006 Toyota Camry.
This is an excellent reminder to talk to your children about strangers, and how to respond if approached by one. In this case, the child did exactly what we would recommend – immediately notify a parent or other trusted adult.
If you know anything about this incident, or recognize the vehicle, please call the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety at 541-450-6260.
On Tuesday Medford Police responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Smart Choice Market in the 400 block of South Peach Street.
When officers arrived, the store clerk reported a male suspect had entered the store with a handgun and demanded the store clerk open the cash register. The male suspect pushed the store clerk away from the cash register and took the cash from the drawer. the suspect also took two cartons of cigarettes and a package of lighters prior to leaving the store on foot.
A Medford Police detective responded to the scene to take over the investigation. Video from the security cameras at the store was obtained and reviewed. The video showed the suspect was a slender white male adult wearing a purple beanie style hat, grey and blue plaid shirt, and black jeans. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Detective Dennis at 541-774-2242.
A federal criminal complaint has been unsealed charging three Florida men affiliated with the “Felony Lane Gang” national criminal organization for their roles in a bank fraud scheme targeting female victims in the Portland, Oregon Metropolitan Area.
Delvin Mills, 26, and Treveon Jordan, 22, both of Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, and Damian Fletcher, 26, of Fort Lauderdale, each face charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
According to the complaint, Mills, Jordan, and Fletcher are members of the Felony Lane Gang, an interstate criminal organization based in Florida that travels to locations throughout the U.S. to commit vehicle break-in and fraud sprees.
Members of the organization appear to target female victims who leave their purses, wallets, and valuables in parked vehicles. After victims exit their vehicles—often to drop off children, run errands, or visit a gym—Felony Lane Gang members quickly break into the vehicle, steal targeted items, and drive away. After stealing purses or wallets, the gang members quickly deploy associates to conduct fraudulent bank or merchant transactions using stolen forms of identification, checks, and credit or debit cards before the victim can alert financial institutions.
The local investigation began after a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) learned of a vehicle break-in and theft in Tigard, Oregon. Witnesses allege seeing a man break into a vehicle, steal a victim’s wallet and belongings, and flee in a Jeep Compass sport utility vehicle. During a review of records, Tualatin Police Department, the responding law enforcement agency, learned Jordan had rented the Jeep at Portland International Airport (PDX) one week before the break-in.
With this information, the HSI Special Agent located video surveillance footage of Jordan renting and returning the Jeep at PDX. Jordan appeared to rent the vehicle by himself and return it with two other individuals later identified as Mills and Fletcher. After returning the vehicle, Jordan and Fletcher boarded a flight from PDX to Denver, Colorado. To date, investigators do not know what flight Mills boarded or if he was flying under an assumed name.
The HSI Special Agent later learned that the Jeep had been parked at motel in Northeast Portland during Jordan’s rental period. Further investigation revealed that Mills and Jordan were frequent visitors and usually stayed with an older female. Mills, Jordan and the female, later identified as Linda Marie Lupo, 51, of Deerfield, Florida, had rented rooms at the motel on eight prior occasions over a period of five months.
As the investigation unfolded, HSI began linking the group and the Jeep Compass rental vehicle to numerous unsolved car thefts and instances of bank fraud throughout the Portland area. Lupo and another linked individual, Megan Spurlock, 25, a Washington State resident, were identified as associates of the gang responsible for conducting fraudulent bank and merchant transactions using victims’ stolen bank cards and identification.
To date, this investigation has identified 32 car thefts committed during Mills, Jordan, and Fletcher’s most recent known Oregon crime spree. The thefts occurred in Lake Oswego, West Linn, Tualatin, Clackamas, Happy Valley, Salem, Corvallis, Albany, Springfield, and Beaverton, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington. In one instance, a handgun was stolen and has not been recovered. The estimated total loss to victims, including banks, during this crime spree exceeds $100,000.
Jordan and Fletcher were arrested on March 9, 2020 in Florida and made their first appearances in federal court in Fort Lauderdale the same day. Detention hearings for both will be held on March 12, 2020 in Fort Lauderdale. Mills is in custody in Florida where he faces local charges. He is expected to make his first appearance in federal court and be transferred to the District of Oregon at a later date.
Lupo and Spurlock are charged with multiple counts of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft in a separate criminal case. Both are in custody and awaiting a four-day jury trial scheduled to begin on April 14, 2020.
This case was investigated by HSI with assistance from the West Linn Police Department, Tualatin Police Department, and Clark County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Quinn P. Harrington, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Spring Whale Watch Week event returns to the coast March 21 – 29 to celebrate the more than 25,000 Gray whales expected to migrate north past Oregon over the next few months.
Trained volunteers will be stationed 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. each day at some of best
whale watching sites on the coast, ready to help visitors spot the whales and
to answer questions about the animals. A map of the whale watching sites is
available online on the official whale watch webpage on
the Oregon State Parks website.
Due to lower volunteer turnout this year, not all sites will be staffed by
volunteers or park rangers. Check the whale watch webpage for the latest
information and updates before you head to the coast.
Whale spotters can also visit the newly-renovated Whale Watching Center in
Depoe Bay; it will be open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily. The center features
interactive whale exhibits and panoramic ocean views.
A live stream of whale activity in Depoe Bay returns this spring too; watch it
on the Oregon State Parks YouTube channel each day during the
event, or catch the archived streams throughout the week.
In light of the evolving COVID-19 situation, Oregon Parks and Recreation
Department is prioritizing visitor health and will not provide shared
binoculars at viewing sites. Visitors are encouraged to stay home if they are
feeling sick.
More information about the agency’s response to COVID-19 is on the official FAQ page on
the Oregon State Parks website.
Gray whales migrate north along the coast annually during spring, following a
route to Alaskan waters after spending the winter in the warm lagoons off the
coast of Baja, Mexico. Many of the Gray whales will be accompanied by their new
calves, born during the winter. The first large groups of whales swim by Oregon
mid-March and the migratory stream typically continues into June.
For more information about parks and campgrounds on the coast, visit oregonstateparks.org.
…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.
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