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.
MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2020
Klamath Basin Weather
Today
Partly sunny, with a high near 63. Light southwest wind becoming west 8 to 13 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Calm wind.
Wednesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 72.
.Thursday
A slight chance of showers after 11am. Snow level 7400 feet lowering to 6700 feet. Partly sunny, with a high near 61.
Today’s Headlines
Klamath County Public Health officials report a total of 36 cases of Covid-19 in the county today. The total includes 13 active cases and 23 recoveries.
COVID-19 has claimed four more lives in Oregon, raising the state death toll to 91, the Oregon Health Authority reported yesterday. Oregon Health Authority also reported 58 new cases of COVID-19 as of 8 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 2,311.
The new COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (1), Clackamas (3), Coos (4), Deschutes (2), Jefferson (1), Josephine (1) Linn (3), Marion (4), Multnomah (29), Polk (1), Umatilla (1), Washington (7), Yamhill (1).
Oregon Health Authority released a modeling report update on Friday that indicates the efforts of Oregonians to stay home and practice physical distancing has helped prevent as many as 70,000 COVID-19 cases in Oregon.
The report stated the epidemic would have continued to grow exponentially, doubling every week. By April 16, the number of cumulative infections would have been about 80,000, including 2,000 hospitalizations. Hence, the interventions are estimated to have averted over 70,000 infections, including over 1,500 hospitalizations.
According to Dean Sidelinger, MD, state epidemiologist their modeling continues to show that our collective efforts are working.
He said despite the very real hardships these sacrifices have cost Oregonians, we have to keep it up even as we move toward easing restrictions. We need to build on our success in limiting the spread of COVID-19.
Sky Lakes Medical Center will make COVID-19 serology antibody tests available to the public beginning today.
The test identifies the presence of immune response to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, by detecting antibodies to the virus in individuals’ blood. The test is not intended to diagnose recent or active infection.
A positive serology result suggests the patient is less likely to get infected or re-infected compared with individuals who do not have any antibodies in their blood. This test is for recovered or patients who do not have symptoms, not for those who have symptoms or think they have active virus.
People who have symptoms, such as fever, shortness of breath, or coughing, should have the antigen test, not the antibody blood test.
A physician’s order is not required for the blood test at this time, although patients are encouraged to contact their primary care provider to assure proper follow-through. The test is covered by most insurance companies with no co-pay or out-of-pocket expenses.
Blood draws are available at these Sky Lakes locations weekdays: Inside Registration on Sky Lakes Medical Center’s first floor, 7 am to 5 pm, in the Sky Lakes Collaborative Health Center on the medical center campus, 7 am to 7 pm and at the Sky Lakes Washburn Annex, Washburn Way and Crosby Avenue, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed noon to 1 p.m. for lunch.
Tests to detect whether you’ve been infected by the COVID-19 virus are available at the Sky Lakes drive-up site at the Community Health Education Center, 2200 N. Eldorado Blvd., 8 am to 6 pm weekdays, and 9 am to 1 pm Saturdays.
Red Cross supplies have run dangerously low. If you are healthy and looking for a tangible and safe way to help your community, please consider donating blood. The Red Cross has implemented sanitizing and social distancing policies to ensure you’re safe while making a lifesaving donation. Schedule an appointment today.
Klamath County’s offer to buy the Eternal Hills cemetery has been accepted by the bankruptcy court trustee and is now in the 26-day comment period before the sale is approved.
The county’s offer of $59,000 includes $14,840 for the 14 acres of land in the northeast corner of the property that was available as an option in the sale. The sale to the county will go through on May 17 unless the court trustee receives a bid higher than the county’s offer by $116,000 or receives objections to the sale.
The Klamath County Board of Commissioners offered to buy the cemetery in an effort to rehabilitate the dilapidated property before selling it to a mortuary business to operate the cemetery. The cemetery has been for sale since December of 2019, and Commissioner Derrick DeGroot said that if the county didn’t step in, the trustee was looking to abandon the property that began involuntary bankruptcy proceedings in 2017.
The cemetery saw one other offer in March that was withdrawn after numerous community members voiced concerns over the connection between the potential buyer and a former owner.
As of tomorrow the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office is re-opening its office to the public for the functions that were suspended back on March 16.
The Sheriffs office asks that the public continue to exercise appropriate social distancing and to not come in for fingerprinting, CHL Applications and renewals if they are sick or experiencing any flu-like symptoms. This is an effort to keep their staff and other members of the public safe.
KCSO staff will be limiting the number of people allowed in the waiting area and ask that everyone please be patient. They understand that circumstances have been challenging for everyone and that does include KCSO staff as well.
An interim order from Oregon Water Resources Department announced on Thursday gives OWRD charge of Upper Klamath Lake but has not specifically impacted the flushing flow of around 40,000 acre-feet from Upper Klamath Lake that occurs each spring to reduce health risks associated with a parasite called C. Shasta that affects juvenile coho salmon.
The order urges the Bureau of Reclamation to stop releasing stored water from Upper Klamath Lake except in accordance with the relative and respective state law rights, unless the agency provides OWRD with information in writing, such as the timing and rate of the release of stored water as well as the sources of legal authority for each release. The interim order was posted at the Link River Dam on Thursday.
Water being released at Link River Dam for the flushing flow is in compliance with applicable federal law, according to Reclamation’s initial response to OWRD, signed by Michael Gheleta, supervisory attorney-advisor, Office of the Solicitor, U.S. Department of the Interior. Gheleta also said an additional response is forthcoming.
It was determined that the flow of the Link River Dam was being reduced as of Friday morning but it is not known whether the reduction of flow is a result of the Order issued by the Director yesterday.
Office of the State Fire Marshal Extends Rules Allowing for Self-Serve Gas to May 9, 2020
The Office of the State Fire Marshal is extending a temporary rule change that allows Oregon gas stations to provide self-service on a voluntary basis, in order to address shortages of workers experienced by gas retailers statewide.
The rules change was first announced on March 28 and then extended on April 11 to April 25. Today, State Fire Marshal Jim Walker extended the deadline another two weeks, through May 9.
“We want to thank Oregonians and Oregon businesses for being flexible during these challenging times,” said Walker. “As we continue to monitor this ongoing situation, we feel it is best to extend this option for an additional two weeks.”
The extension of the change will still allow station attendants to help customers while avoiding face-to-face and hand-to-hand contact. It also continues to ensure physical distancing measures are in place. Attendants will continue to sanitize station equipment and fuel nozzles and assist customers with their refueling as needed.
Information about the extended rules change for self-service gasoline can be found on the OSFM website.
Among the heroes of these unprecedented times are Oregon’s farmers and ranchers.
These hard-working families have continued to grow their crops, care for their animals, and provide food for society, along with other vital agricultural products.
Now more than ever, Oregonians are searching for locally grown vegetables, fruit, meat, eggs, cheese, nuts, honey, and other products like flowering baskets, vegetable starts, and bedding plants.
Oregon’s Bounty, at OregonFB.org/oregonsbounty, is a searchable directory of nearly 300 family farms and ranches that sell food, foliage, and other ag products directly to the public.
“Oregon’s Bounty includes farm stands and CSAs from across the entire state, and the directory includes contact information,” said Anne Marie Moss, Oregon Farm Bureau communications director.
“It’s important to check with a farm online or by email or phone before visiting to see if their opening date has changed. Farms and ranches that are selling to the public will be taking every precaution to make sure their products, their customers, their employees, their families, and themselves remain as healthy and safe as possible. Some farm stands may have specific instructions for customers, such as online ordering or pickup options,” said Moss.
Spring favorites that are in season now include asparagus, rhubarb, salad greens, artichokes, radishes, mushrooms, flowering baskets, bedding plants, vegetable starts — with Oregon-grown strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries not far behind.
Oregon’s Bounty allows visitors to do keyword searches for specific ag products — such as blueberries, cucumbers, honey, or eggs — and/or search for farms and ranches within a specific region of the state.
“While so much of society has come to a stand-still, Farm Bureau members are #StillFarming and #StillRanching, and for that, we are all very grateful,” said Moss. “A lot has changed but the love Oregonians have for locally sourced food has not. We encourage everyone to support their local farms and ranches and to continue enjoying Oregon’s incredible agricultural bounty.”
May is Wildfire Awareness Month. Keep Oregon Green, in partnership with federal, state and local fire agencies and organizations, knows May is a great time to encourage the public to create defensible space around homes this spring and prevent the start of careless, unwanted wildfires.
At stake: Lives, property, forests
When it comes to preventing wildfires, there’s a lot at stake – lives, personal property, and the many benefits provided by Oregon’s forests and rangelands. During the 2019 season, 250,000 acres in the Northwest were consumed by wildfire, with almost 80,000 acres burned in Oregon.
People were responsible for starting 1,192 fires that burned around 22,000 acres. ODF’s gross large-fire costs were $32.8 million, and many neighborhoods were forced to evacuate. Each year, over 70 percent of Oregon’s wildfires are started by people. Many are a result of escaped debris burning and campfires left unattended.
Before heading outdoors, contact the agency or landowner who manages the lands at your destination for an update on current fire restrictions or bans. Any visitor to Oregon’s natural areas should review these restrictions before building campfires, burning debris, or using equipment that could ignite dry vegetation.
Oregon, Our Oregon
This year, KEEP OREGON GREEN is launching a new wildfire prevention campaign and releasing four new public service announcements to help raise awareness.
The announcements feature movie, television and voice actor Sam Elliott, who is the official voice of Smokey Bear.
Each announcement will encourage residents and tourists to practice basic wildfire safety while enjoying the outdoors. Elliott has a home in Oregon and has experienced fire first-hand near his other home in California, so he well understands the fire risk that threatens our state every year.
Pride in Oregon is the driving force behind Keep Oregon Green’s campaign and new website. Stunning campaign photos of Oregon’s iconic landscapes will encourage everyone to protect our state’s scenic recreation areas. Using the hashtag, #OregonOurOregon, Keep Oregon Green wants you to share photos of your favorite natural areas and thoughts for keeping Oregon free of wildfire.
The new campaign artwork, PSAs, and additional wildfire safety tips can be found at keeporegongreen.org and its various social media platforms.
Coming soon: More Wildfire Awareness Month tips
During May, a new wildfire prevention topic will be shared each week to help homeowners and recreationists learn how to prevent their outdoor activities from sparking the next wildfire. For more information, visit the websites for Keep Oregon Green at www.keeporegongreen.org, and the Oregon Department of Forestry at www.oregon.gov/odf.
Follow Oregon wildfire news and prevention updates on social media: Twitter @keeporegongreen, @ORDeptForestry and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/keeporegongreen; https://www.facebook.com/oregondepartmentofforestry?fref=ts
…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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