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.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020
Klamath Basin Weather
Today
Showers at times with a high near 60. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. More showers overnight with a low of 41.
Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. West northwest wind 5 to 7 mph.
Friday
Partly sunny, with a high near 68. Light west wind.
Saturday
Partly sunny, with a high near 69.
Sunday
Partly sunny, with a high near 67.
Today’s Headlines
The most recent numbers we have from Klamath County Public Health of confirmed Covid-19 cases stands at 33 for Klamath County. 19 of those cases are people who have recovered from the virus.
“It is important that community members continue to stay home, practice social or physical distancing of six feet, disinfect surfaces, and frequently wash their hands,” the agency said. “Now that COVID-19 is in the community, these actions are urgent to prevent further spread.”
Klamath County Public Health says that at this time 1,382 tests have been completed for COVID-19 in the county.
Statewide, the coronavirus has claimed three more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 78, the Oregon Health Authority reported Tuesday afternoon.
OHA also reported 46 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state total to 2,002.
The new COVID-19 cases reported are in the following counties: Clackamas (2), Coos (1), Klamath (2), Linn (1), Marion (10), Multnomah (22), Umatilla (2), Wasco (1), and Washington (7).
More than 41,000 Oregonians have been tested for the illness since the state confirmed its first case on Feb. 28.
The mood was upbeat on Tuesday as health care staff at Sky Lakes Medical Center and officials at Klamath County Public Health were honored in-person by Klamath Falls and Klamath County officials for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Klamath County Fire personnel, Klamath County Sheriff Chris Kaber, Klamath County Commissioner Donnie Boyd and Klamath Falls Mayor Carol Westfall praised the workers at the medical center, the coronavirus testing center, and Klamath County Public Health. The event was the first of a three-day tour honoring local first-responders — many on the frontlines of caring for those impacted by the pandemic.
“Today’s focus is to thank everybody that has been doing exceptional things during this time of the coronavirus,” Boyd said, addressing workers as he and others wore masks.
Workers stood on the lawn of the medical center, distanced from one another by about six feet, as is encouraged by protocols in place amid the pandemic.
“Thank you for your great work,” Boyd said. “The highest per capita testing in all of Oregon.”
The 12-member Klamath County Emergency Preparedness committee, represented in person by Dick Ledgerwood and Bob Kingzett and joined by Neal Eberlein, organized the event. The Wendt Family Foundation, Pape Machinery, Klamath County, and City of Klamath Falls donated funds for the celebrations at each site.
Andrea Malakar, a senior at Henley High School, was chosen the 2020 Klamath Country Volunteer of the Year, according to a news release.
Thirty-one nominations were submitted and reviewed by a panel of media professionals. “This was an excellent showing, and we should all feel proud that the tradition of honoring our local volunteers and organizations continues. National Volunteer week is April 19th through the 25th,” said Marla Edge, United Way Volunteer Center Chairperson.
Andrea was recognized for coordinating the Hunger: Not Impossible student-based program at Henley High School the last two years. “I got involved in 2017 because I learned that so many of our students and their families were in need of food,” said Malakar.
Malakar credits her parents for teaching her about the importance of giving back to the community and helping those in need. As the coordinator of the Hunger program, Malakar helped train 27 student volunteers to raise funds and collect food for the program.
“We coordinated our efforts with the Klamath Food Bank and our teachers and counselors selected the students and families in most need of support,” said Malakar.
The program, Hunger: Not Impossible is provided throughout the City and County Schools. “From 2017 through 2019, I believe we’ve helped about 150 students and their families by giving them one daily meal which are prepared by local restaurants. We use gift cards purchased from money raised through our fundraising efforts and purchase the meals,” said Malakar.
“I guess I’ve volunteered about 300 hours on this program and it’s been a great experience. I encourage everyone to get involved and volunteer. It’s an excellent way to learn about yourself, discover your potential, practice your skills, and feel good about helping those in need,” said Malakar.
31 Nominees Honored for Volunteer of the Year
Lyle Ahrens, KOTI-TV; Danielle Jester, Herald and News; and Bob Wynne, Wynne Broadcasting served as judges for the event this year according to a release. “I want to give a special thanks to our judges and our financial sponsors (The KMSB Foundation and the Wendt Family Foundation) for helping make this important event possible,” said Edge.
The following individuals and organizations all received an award for their service to our community: Cindy Camozzi (Klamath Village Volunteers); Crystal Breeden, Carol Darling, James & Sherry Grimes, Earleen Lusby, Carol Roberts, and Bernice Sharpe (Senior Citizens’ Center; Kenneth Goswick (Boy Scouts/Lions Club); James & Penny Hamilton, Marta’s House; Alexander Holland (Klamath County Fire District #4); Richard & Betty Roberts (Exchange Club and Quota Club); Fabio Rivera (Klamath Falls Gospel Mission); Kyanna Rogers & Dena Solyst (Citizens for Safe Schools); Debra & Darrel Schofield ((JustServe.org) and Bernetta White (Klamath Hospice Treasures).
Organizations honored with an award included: Exchange Club of Klamath Falls; Klamath County Sheriff’s Office Mature Volunteer Program; Ross Ragland Theater Guild; and the You Matter to Klamath Suicide Awareness Coalition.
Finalists for Klamath Country Volunteer of the Year received a special award. They included: Youth Division: Danielle Collins (KU High School, Hospice Camp Evergreen, Citizens for Safe Schools and G.I.V.E. program). Kannah Greer (KU High School DECA Club). Adult Division: Louise Lyons, Klamath Hospice Patient Family volunteer; Kayla Sha, Klamath Dog Fanciers Club and Citizens for Safe Schools. Senior Division: Frances Butler, 15 years as Klamath Hospice Treasurers volunteer; Connie Willard, Project Spirit Equine Rescue and Rehab. Education Division: Sky Lakes Junior Volunteers. Public Service & Public Safety Division: The Klamath Village Volunteers (19 volunteers assisting people with disabilities) and Sky Lakes Medical Center Volunteers (provided 29,000 hours of assistance to patients and visitors).
“To learn more about the 31 volunteer of the year nominees, we encourage everyone to read a special publication in the Herald and News this Friday,” said Edge. “On behalf of all of us with the United Way, we wish to thank the many hundreds, if not thousands of volunteers, whose commitment and acts of kindness help make our community the very best place to call home.”
Manuel Rangel Jr., 29, of Klamath Falls, pleaded guilty Tuesday to two counts of first-degree robbery, felon in possession of a firearm and tampering with physical evidence charges in connection with a March 2 shooting at Carlon Way.
Rangel was arrested on March 7 after the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office announced it was looking for the suspect of the shooting.
According to court documents, Rangel Jr. tried to rob a man for marijuana and the two began fighting over a handgun. Rangel shot the man in the foot and stole his AR 15 before fleeing on foot. Assault charges were dismissed.
As of Tuesday afternoon, he has not been sentenced and is being held in the Klamath County Jail.
Michael Andrew Rose, 38, of Klamath Falls was arrested Saturday and charged with identity theft and multiple counts of forgery after he allegedly tried to purchase a vehicle using someone else’s name and social security number.
According to court documents, Rose attempted to buy a 2015 Dodge Charger using someone else’s identity and police found he had five forged IDs and five forged checks. Officers also found he had methamphetamine on him.
Rose has been convicted of ID theft before. Officers also arrested Rose for three failure to appear warrants and one arrest warrant, according to the probable cause statement.
He is being held in the Klamath County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail for charges of identity theft, first-degree forgery, seven counts of possession of a forged instrument and unlawful possession of methamphetamine.
AROUND THE STATE OF OREGON
The Oregon Department of Revenue today announced an expansion of the types of tax returns for which filing and payment deadlines have been extended due to COVID-19.
The director of the Department of Revenue has issued Director’s Order 2020–02 exercising her legal authority, during the COVID-19 state of emergency, to order further extensions for 2019 tax year filing and payment due dates for certain affected taxpayers as indicated below. As part of these relief initiatives, the department is also temporarily modifying some of its collection processes for individuals and businesses in Oregon.
For personal income, transit self-employment, estate, partnership, S-Corporation, and corporate excise/income taxpayers and filers:
• The Oregon return filing due date is automatically extended until July 15, 2020 for any returns due on or after April 1, 2020 and before July 15, 2020.
• The Oregon return filing due date is automatically extended until July 15, 2020 for any returns with a valid six-month extension period ending on or after April 1, 2020 and before July 15, 2020.
• The Oregon tax payment deadline for payments due with the tax year 2019 tax return is automatically extended to July 15, 2020.
Corporate excise/income or personal income tax returns required to be filed with regard to an estate or trust pursuant to ORS 316.267 to ORS 316.317 are also eligible for this relief.
Fiscal year returns and related payments due after July 15, 2020 are not extended at this time.
Revenue Director’s Order 2020–02 also provides a temporary extension of the time to submit written objections or requests for a conference and issue notices as follows:
• The deadline for filing a written objection or request for a conference with the department after issuance of a Notice of Deficiency, Notice of Proposed Refund Adjustment, or Notice of Liability is extended to 90 days after the date on the Notice of Deficiency, Notice of Proposed Refund Adjustment, or Notice of Liability. This provision applies to deadlines for filing a written objection or request for a conference that expire on or after April 1, 2020 and before July 16, 2020.
• The period within which the department may issue a Notice of Assessment, Notice of Refund Denial, or conference letter affirming, canceling, or adjusting the Notice of Liability is extended to 14 months after the date on the Notice of Deficiency, Notice of Proposed Refund Adjustment, or Notice of Liability with regard to a written objection or conference request received within the 90-day period allowed under this order.
Appeal timeframes to the Oregon Tax Court from a final notice or action of the department are not changed by this order.
Additionally, this order provides a temporary extension of time to request certain refunds and issue notices.
• The deadline for filing a claim for refund is extended to July 15, 2020, if the deadline for filing the claim for refund otherwise would have expired on or after April 1, 2020 and before July 15, 2020.
Finally, this order extends the deadline for filing an application with the county assessor for property tax deferral for tax year 2020–21 under ORS 311.672 to June 15, 2020.
Regarding collections
Taxpayers should not skip or reduce current payments. Those who are unable to pay their debt in full can resolve outstanding debt and avoid automated collection by arranging a payment agreement with the department.
Find more information using the below links or contact numbers.
• Personal income payment plan or call 503-945-8200.
• Resources for businesses or call 503-945-8100.
• Other Agency Accounts or call 503-945-8199.
By law, interest will continue to accrue on any unpaid balances.
The department has taken temporary steps to reduce automatic garnishments. Taxpayers can request a temporary hold on wage garnishments by contacting the department before June 30, 2020.
Taxpayers can find more tax resources, tools, and COVID-19 tax-related information at www.oregon.gov/dor.
Visit www.oregon.gov/dor to get forms, check the status of your refund, or make payments. You can call 503-378-4988 or 800-356-4222 (toll-free) or email questions.dor@oregon.gov for additional assistance. For TTY for hearing- or speech-impaired, call 800-886-7204.
On Friday, an Oregon State Police Trooper from the Central Point Area Command contacted a 2019 Nissan Rogue for a traffic violation on Interstate 5 near milepost 33.
A search of the vehicle was conducted and the Trooper located two manufactured compartments on the floor of the vehicle. Inside the compartments the Trooper found 7.2 pounds of cocaine and approximately 3.5 grams of heroin.
The driver was identified as Marisol Torres Cervantes (50) from Vancouver Washington.
Cervantes was lodged in the Jackson County Jail for Unlawful possession of cocaine, Unlawful delivery of cocaine, and Unlawful possession of heroin.
Oregon’s interagency facility support team, led by the Department of Human Services and Oregon Health Authority, has begun deploying two designated COVID-19 emergency health care centers. The centers are intended to:
• Support long-term care facilities in crisis with rising infections;
• Care for residents of facilities with only a few cases of the virus to reduce the chance that others could be exposed; and,
• Provide hospitalized COVID-19 patients with a place to recover before returning to the long-term care facility where they live.
The state has contracted with Pacific Health and Rehabilitation to open an emergency health care center at its 50-bed nursing facility in Tigard, which will be equipped to start accepting patients on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. Laurelhurst Village Rehab in Portland, which has 47 beds, was the first emergency health care center to open.
The additional capacity from the designated centers will be a significant step towards helping to fulfill one of the requirements outlined in Governor Kate Brown’s framework for reopening Oregon, which is that residents of long-term care facilities be protected from COVID-19 infection.
“These centers will provide crucial support,” said Mike McCormick, interim director of the DHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities. “Making dedicated care centers available reduces the chance that more residents could be exposed.”
Some 27 nursing, assisted living and residential care facilities currently report to DHS that at least one resident or staff member has COVID-19. That represents about four percent of all larger facilities statewide. Seven adult foster homes, or less than one percent statewide, currently report at least one confirmed case.
The state’s interagency facility support team is working closely with Healthcare at Foster Creek. DHS is focused on supporting the facility and has taken additional regulatory action over the weekend to address alleged deficiencies and assist in transferring residents to mitigate against further spread of COVID-19 at the facility.
…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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