The latest news stories in the Klamath Basin and around the state of Oregon from Wynne Broadcasting’s KFLS News/Talk 1450AM/102.5FM, BasinLife.com and The Herald & News.
TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020
Klamath Basin Weather
Today
Snow flurries at times, afternoon high near 44. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Overnight snow showers likely with a low around 25. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Wednesday
A 50 percent chance of snow showers, then partly sunny, with a high near 45. Overnight cloudy with a low of 22.
Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 49.
Friday
A chance of snow before 2pm, then a chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 49.
Saturday
A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53.
Today’s Headlines
The Klamath County Public Health Air Advisory is Green until noon today.
Oregon Health Authority reported 30 new cases of COVID-19 bringing the state total to 191, as yesterday. The COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Clackamas (2), Hood River (1), Linn (1), Marion (8), Multnomah (2), Polk (2), Washington (14).
Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls set up two temporary military-style tents outside its existing facilities Monday to increase capacity for patients and prepare to triage emergencies related to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Tom Hottman, spokesperson for Sky Lakes.
The move is one of many actions the medical center is taking to prepare for what Hottman calls a “surge” in patients that could be coming related to the novel coronavirus. Sky Lakes currently has 11 Intensive Care Unit rooms and the tents would provide bed space for up to 80 patients.
According to Hottman these are tents near the emergency department that expand the capacity of the department. He says that this is getting ready – they know the surge is going to hit and when it does, they want to be prepared and so this is one way to do that.
Sky Lakes has set up an incident command system to coordinate actions with its employees as they move forward in regards to addressing COVID-19.
Drive-Thru flu testing is now available but it is highly encouraged for only those who have symptoms of Influenza. The Drive-Thru testing location will be held at the Community Health Education Center and all patients will remain in their cars according to Sky Lakes.
The hours for drive-thru flu testing are as follows: 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Patients should first contact their primary care provider and get an order to go get tested for flu. Those without a primary care provider can get tested without the order from a primary care physician. A provider will be following up with results and next steps, according to Sky Lakes.
Governor Kate Brown today issued Executive Order 20-12, directing everyone in Oregon to STAY AT HOME to the maximum extent possible and adding to the list of businesses that will be temporarily closed to stem the spread of COVID-19 in Oregon.
The order is effective immediately, and remains in effect until ended by the Governor. All non-essential social and recreational gatherings of individuals are prohibited immediately, regardless of size, if a distance of at least six feet between individuals cannot be maintained. Gatherings of members of the same residential household are permitted.
It closes and prohibits shopping at specific categories of retail businesses, for which close personal contact is difficult to avoid, such as arcades, barber shops, hair salons, gyms and fitness studios, skating rinks, theaters, and yoga studios.
It requires businesses not closed by the order to implement social distancing policies in order to remain open, and requires workplaces to implement teleworking and work-at-home options when possible. It directs Oregonians to stay home whenever possible, while permitting activities outside the home when social distance is maintained.
It closes playgrounds, sports courts, and skate parks, among other types of outdoor recreation facilities. Those that remain open are required to strictly adhere to social distancing guidelines. It outlines new guidelines for child care facilities, setting limits and rules on amounts of children allowed in care, and outlining that child care groups may not change participants.
Failure to comply with the order will be considered an immediate danger to public health and subject to a Class C misdemeanor.
In addition to businesses, Executive Order 20-12 also orders state executive branch offices and buildings to close to the public and provide public services by phone to the extent possible.
When public services require in-person interactions, the order requires social distancing measures to be implemented and enforced. State agencies must also facilitate telework and work-at-home for state employees whenever possible. While the order does not apply to local, federal, or tribal governments, those governments are strongly encouraged to follow these directives.
The order also directs state agencies to close parks and other outdoor spaces where social distancing cannot be maintained––expanding on actions already taken by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.
The order directs everyone in Oregon to stay at home to the maximum extent possible. It also adds a batch of new businesses that must temporarily close to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Ross Ragland Theater announced yesterday that as a theater they must abide by Order 20-12 until otherwise noted.
The Ragland will have limited staff availability during this time. If you have questions or concerns regarding upcoming shows, purchased tickets etc please contact their Business Office at 541-884-0651 EXT 110 or 123 and they will get back to you as soon as possible.
Also please note that ticketed events have been suspended through April 12th, 2020. Follow their Facebook page and or website for ongoing updates. The Ragland will continue to monitor this situation and update the public as needed.
Effective immediately, the gates to Steen Sports Park will be closed until further notice.
In response to Governor Brown’s Executive Order No. 20-12 issued earlier today, Steen Sports Park and all facilities associated with the Park, will be closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).
The closing of the gates comes only six days after the announcement that the doors to the Park’s indoor facilities would be closing.
In a positive note for our agricultural community President Trump designated today as National Agriculture Day.
The President said: “that as our Nation continues to face the unique challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, we pay tribute to the unbeatable strength of America’s agricultural producers as they once again answer the call to feed our country and the world. On this National Agriculture Day, and now more than ever, we salute and honor the men and women who contribute daily to our national prosperity”.
Vehicle owners in Oregon will not be required to remove studded tires until May 1st according to a news release from the Oregon Department of Transportation.
This change is in response to the current public health emergency as they are taking steps to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Winter traction tires with protruding metal studs damage the surface of roads, requiring more frequent and expensive maintenance, and are typically allowed each winter season between November 1 and March 31.
The extension beyond the original March 31 deadline was approved yesterday by the Oregon Department of Transportation due to limited business hours and social distancing measures currently in place.
Fremont-Winema National Forest managers want to encourage visitors enjoying the outdoors as we transition from winter to summer recreation to stay safe, be prepared and to be aware of regulations.
Springtime weather encourages getting outside for some fresh air. However, there is still the chance for snow and winter weather conditions continue the increased risk for being outdoors – especially in the remote and rugged terrain of Lake and Klamath counties.
In recent weeks, the Forest and area Search and Rescue units have seen an uptick in people getting stuck on Forest Roads. A similar pattern was observed during a break in the weather in December, but warmer weather and sunny days have dramatically increased the number of people in the forest over the past 4 weeks. Many of whom are not prepared if things go wrong.
As a general rule, when snow depth is 6 inches or greater, it is not safe to be on a Forest road in a wheeled vehicle. The roads are not plowed or maintained by the Forest during the winter and any plowing done by permittees for projects is inconsistent.
During the spring, there is risk of getting stuck associated with any snow-covered road regardless of depth.
Snow on north-facing slopes is the last to break up and presents an ongoing challenge that can result in being stuck. There also continues to be snow and wet weather in the forecast, which is falling on already disintegrating and structurally unsound snow. This hides the true road conditions and increases the likelihood of getting stuck.
On the west side of the Forest, including the Klamath Ranger District, when there is a continuous snow depth of 6 inches or greater between November 1 and April 30, designated roads in the area become snowmobile and ski trails and are closed to wheeled traffic.
This is formally referenced as Order Number FWF-2014-13-02. Violations of the closure order are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment of not more than 6 months or both.
Some tips for those enjoying spring on their public lands:
- Plan your trip – check the weather, bring plenty of warm clothes, enough water for everyone for 3 days, emergency food, tire chains, shovel, flashlight, flares and/or something to start a fire with, camp saw or hatchet, and cold weather sleeping bag or blankets.
- Make sure you have a full tank of gas when you leave and are prepared for changing conditions in the mountains and high desert! Also, let someone know where you are going and when you plan to be back.
- Keep vehicles on designated roads and be aware of changing weather and road conditions. Wet dirt roads can quickly turn to mud, making it possible to get stuck and causing damage to road, soil and water resources.
- In snowy conditions, if the snow on the road is 3 inches or greater, turn around – conditions are not likely to improve ahead.
- If there are puddles in the road, mud flipping off the tires or you can see your ruts in the rearview mirror, turn around.
- Do not count on technology – GPS can steer drivers onto impassable roads and there is not cellphone service across most of the Forest.
When enjoying a more remote primitive recreation experience in dispersed areas, it’s advised to turn around when road conditions begin to deteriorate and find a safe place to pull over and park to recreate. Pay attention to weather conditions, including increased winds and snowfall to ensure plenty of time to safely head back home.
“The Fremont-Winema is a spectacular forest, but the remoteness and rapidly changing spring weather and conditions brings more risk and things can become deadly,” said Fremont-Winema National Forest Recreation Program Manager Scott Stoffel. “It’s critical to plan your trip, have the right gear, pay attention to conditions and be prepared in case you get stuck and need to spend a longer time out there.
We want everyone to have a safe and fun experience.”
For more information on the Fremont-Winema National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/fremont-winema, follow the Forest on Twitter @FremontWinemaNF or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/R6FWNF.
AROUND THE STATE
On Monday, March 23rd at approximately 7:50 A.M., Oregon State Police Troopers were dispatched to a fight in progress on the southbound shoulder of Interstate 5 near milepost 229.
Before OSP arrived an adult male left southbound on Interstate 5 in a white Ford pickup towing a utility trailer. The remaining male was transported by ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis with serious injuries.
OSP is asking anyone with information regarding the assault, events leading up to the assault, or the owner/operator of the white Ford pickup and utility trailer – possibly the vehicle in the attached picture – to contact OSP.
If you have information please contact Oregon State Police Northern Command Center 800-442-0776 or *OSP and refer to Trooper Keys – Albany Area Command.
On Saturday, March 14th around 8pm, Detectives from the Rogue Area Drug Enforcement Team (RADE) culiminated a month’s long investigation into the drug trafficking of methamphetamine into Josephine County.
With the assistance of GPDPS and narcotics detection K9 “Match,” over 2 pounds of methamphetamine was located concealed in the trunk hidden inside a large speaker box of a vehicle being driven by Summer Dawn Morton (41 yoa).
Her passenger, Robert Leroy Nash (40 yoa), was determined to be involved with Morton in going to California and picking up the methamphetamine and bringing it back to Josephine County for distribution. Both Morton and Nash were lodged in the Josephine County Jail for delivery and possession of methamphetamine-substantial quantity.
Anyone with questions or information related to this investigation, please call Det. Sgt. Doni Hamilton 541-450-6370 and refer to case #20-11805.
…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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