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, MAY 6, 2020
Klamath Basin Weather
Today Sunny, with a high near 64. Overnight, clear and about 39 degrees.
Thursday Sunny, with a high near 75.
Friday Sunny, with a high near 82.
Saturday Sunny, with a high near 84.
Today’s Headlines
There were no new cases of Covid-19 reported in Klamath County again on Tuesday. Klamath is holding at 39 positive cases.
In nearby Jackson County, Public Health said that it had received no new positive test results for COVID-19, leaving the countywide total at 49 cases. They have not had a new case since April 24th. Jackson County has “one of the lowest” rates for coronavirus in Oregon, at 22 cases per 100,000 people.
Meanwhile in Josephine County, Grants Pass health officials are reporting 3 new cases, bringing their total of positive cases to 23.
For the state of Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority has started reporting presumptive coronavirus cases in response to new federal guidance.
State public health officials disclosed 14 such presumptive cases on Monday, plus 65 more confirmed cases. More than 60,000 Oregonians have been tested for the coronavirus, and 2,745 of those people have tested positive. There were no new deaths reported for a second consecutive day.
Governor Kate Brown announced on Tuesday an immediate “limited reopening” of the state’s outdoor recreation areas.
According to the Governor’s office, the opening applies to some state parks, outdoor recreation facilities, and day use areas around the state.
A reopening of overnight camping will be forthcoming as federal, state, local, and private organizations start to prepare for the return of visitors, Brown’s office said.
Under another executive order, ski resorts will also be able to resume activities.
The Governor’s stay-at-home order did not explicitly close all outdoor recreation areas, but many agencies decided independently to shut down recreation areas due to concerns about public health and a lack of physical distancing — decisions that Governor Brown says she supported.
With every flush of the toilet, hundreds of thousands of people in Oregon are helping scientists track and study COVID-19. COVID-19’s genetic makeup can be detected in human waste.
The science is nothing new. Taking samples of wastewater is known as “sewer surveillance.” It’s been done for years and can tell scientists a lot about what’s happening in our bodies.
Now, researchers believe it’s going to be a powerful tool in the fight against the coronavirus. Several cities and counties around Oregon are participating in studies to analyze the prevalence of COVID-19 in their communities, including Clean Water Services and the city of Albany.
Samples of untreated sewage are collected on a weekly basis and sent to Biobot, an MIT-based startup that churns out data about epidemiology in wastewater.
The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services issued a new emergency order for health insurance companies during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The order requires health insurance companies to:
- Provide at least a 60-day grace period to pay any past due premiums
- Pay claims for any covered services during the first 30 days of the grace period
- Extend all deadlines for reporting claims and other communications, and provide members with communication options that meet physical distancing standards
“It is encouraging to see the state’s health insurers step up to support both their customers and health care providers during this time,” said Andrew Stolfi, insurance commissioner and DCBS acting director. “Providing grace periods and paying claims will provide peace of mind for Oregonians and help health care providers get paid for these essential services when they need it the most.”
The order enables Oregonians to continue receiving health insurance coverage and have their claims paid. It also ensures health care providers receive payment for the services they are diligently providing their patients as the COVID-19 outbreak continues to disrupt everyone’s daily lives and the state’s ordinary course of business.
The order is in effect through June 3 and can be extended in 30-day increments during the course of the COVID-19 outbreak.
It is important to note, this order does not apply to self-insured plans. The state encourages self-insured plans to follow these same guidelines. These are plans in which an employer assumes the financial risk of providing health care benefits to its employees. Oregonians who have a self-insured plan should check with their employer about their coverage options.
If you have questions about your insurance coverage, contact your insurance provider. If you have questions about a health insurance company or agent or need to file a complaint, call the Division of Financial Regulation’s advocacy team at 888-877-4894 (toll-free) or visit dfr.oregon.gov.
The Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) today issued an emergency suspension of Healthcare at Foster Creek’s state license to operate a nursing facility and is seeking alternative care providers for its residents due to ongoing concerns about inadequate infection control to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
To date, 117 cases of COVID-19 and 28 deaths have been associated with the outbreak at Healthcare at Foster Creek, which is located in Portland, according to a May 5 report from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
“We have worked on multiple strategies to contain the COVID-19 outbreak at Healthcare at Foster Creek and have concluded that moving all residents is mandatory at this stage,” said Mike McCormick, interim director of the DHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities, which licenses long-term care facilities. “Our hearts go out to everyone who has been impacted by COVID-19 at this facility and our focus now is on providing a smooth transition for residents and their families.”
The state’s multi-agency support team assesses the needs of long-term care facilities experiencing increased COVID-19 cases, to help them access resources such as staffing and personal protective equipment. The team includes DHS, OHA, and local public health authorities.
Another major concert scheduled for the area this summer has been postponed until next year.
The Dave Matthews Band concert at the Les Schwab Amphitheater in Bend is postponed until September 8, 2021, a year later. Existing 2020 tickets will be honored for the new date in 2021.
If you paid cash and would like a refund for your tickets, please call the Ticket Mill at 541-318-5457 to arrange to collect your refund. The Ticket Mill will be refunding on Friday of each week from 3-5pm.
Anyone wanting a refund needs to contact Etix or the Ticket Mill with your ticket order information within the next 30 days. if you do not request a refund within the 30-day window – the deadline is June 3, 2020 – your tickets will remain valid for the rescheduled date. After June 3, refunds will no longer be available.
Other shows currently postponed at the Les Schwab Amphitheater for this summer include Chris Young, Bob Dylan, Primus, and Brandi Carlile.
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) announced a small number of inland state parks will offer limited services starting Wednesday, May 6.
Parks returning to limited daytime service:
- Tryon Creek in Portland
- Willamette Mission north of Keizer
- Mongold boat ramp at Detroit Lake
- State Capitol State Park in Salem
- The Cove Palisades boat ramp at Lake Billy Chinook near Culver
- Prineville Reservoir boat ramp near Prineville
- Joseph Stewart boat ramp on Lost Creek Lake near Shady Cove
- Pilot Butte to pedestrians (no vehicles) in Bend
Limited day-use will slowly return to other state parks starting the week of May 11 based on the readiness of the community around the park to welcome visitors, and how prepared the park is with staff, supplies, and equipment. State parks will open and close with little advance notice; updates will be posted online at oregonstateparks.org or call 800-551-6949 (Mon-Fri, 8a-5p) and should be checked before visiting.
Not all restrooms will be open, and parking will be limited. State park camping will return as soon as it can be safely managed, and while preparations are being made, no opening date has been selected.
Visitors should expect a different state park experience than they are used to, and will need to prepare by:
- Staying home if you’re sick.
- If visiting, staying local and close to home, meaning less than 50 miles in urban areas.
- Only visiting with members of their household.
- Bringing all supplies—food, water, hand cleanser—needed for a short trip.
If a park appears crowded, leave and come back at another time. If there’s space at the park, patrons need to visit with care:
- Wear a face covering. Homemade is fine.
- Stay at least six feet away from people who aren’t from your household. More is better.
- Cover your cough with a tissue (then throw it away), or the inside of your elbow.
- Leave no trace: pack out everything you bring with you.
- Stick to low-risk activities to reduce stress on local emergency response and health care systems.
- Keep your visit short. Restrooms and other buildings may be closed.
- Watch for signs at the park for more information.
“We know these last six weeks has seemed longer, but your health is important to us,” says Lisa Sumption, OPRD Director. “It is true outdoor recreation boosts our mental and physical health, but parks concentrate people in a community, and we have to do this carefully if it’s going to work.”
“We need your cooperation to keep parks open,” she adds.
High-density parks on the north coast, the Columbia Gorge, boat accesses to the John Day and Deschutes Rivers, and places like Smith Rock in Central Oregon will likely be among the last to return to limited service, and no dates for state parks in those regions have been announced.
State Representative Diego Hernandez is the subject of a sexual harassment investigation by the Oregon Legislature.
A House Committee is investigating after seven women accused the East Portland Democrat of sexual harassment. The House Committee has ordered Hernandez to have no contact with the women. He has taken a leave of absence from his legislative duties. Hernandez released a statement that reads in part, “I have no idea what the concerns raised are or by whom. Due process matters. I asked that people withhold judgement until the investigation is complete.”
In October of 2019, Medford Police received a report of a large scale embezzlement victimizing a local business, Western Auto Sales and RV, at 1492 Burlcrest Drive. The suspect was the bookkeeper, Notja Busnardo, aka Brower, who had recently been fired.
The case was turned over to a Medford Police Detective, who investigated financial records involving the business and suspect. The investigation revealed that the suspect embezzled money from the business from July 2018 until October, 2019. A total of $161,434 was stolen during that time, which contributed to the business having to close its doors shortly thereafter.
On May 5, Busnardo was arrested without incident at her place of employment, near 2300 Biddle Road, Medford. None of the stolen money was able to be recovered.
In the Rogue Valley on Tuesday evening, police officers and medical personnel were dispatched to the Minute Market, 2521 Table Rock Road, for a report of a stabbing. Central Point Police and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office also responded to assist.
Two Medford Police Officers were first to arrive on scene, and began treating the 57 year old male victim for numerous stab wounds to the torso. The victim was ultimately transported to Asante Regional Medical Center.
The victim indicated he was taking a smoke break behind the market when he was approached by an unknown suspect who began stabbing him for no apparent reason.
Numerous officers surrounded the area and began a search with a Sheriff’s Office K9. While the search was underway, a subject was seen in a field behind Howard School. A Medford Police officer attempted to contact him, but he fled on foot. The officer was ultimately able to chase him down and get him into custody.
The subject was determined to be the stabbing suspect, and identified as Eli Keylor, 20 years old. There is no known connection between the victim and the suspect and the motive is unknown at this time.
At time of this press release, the victim’s injuries are believed to be non-life threatening.
The suspect was lodged on the following charges:
Assault 1st Degree
Assault 2nd Degree
Bail $200,000
Late Sunday evening, May 3, Oregon State Police Troopers received a report, from a motorist, that he had been shot at while driving on I-5 in northern Douglas County.
The motorist continued to travel northbound on I-5 for approximately 20 miles (with a flat tire) before Troopers located him in a rest area in Southern Lane County. Subsequent investigation revealed the driver was under the influence of marijuana and his paranoia led him to believe he had been shot at after a tire on his vehicle had a blow out.
Troopers located approximately 95 grams of marijuana, marijuana items and $29,790 in cash. The cash was concealed in a package of diapers and the marijuana was located in the driver compartment of the vehicle.
The driver, Juan Felipe Moreno (20) of Florida, and the passenger, Jose Noe Guisjon (30) of California, will be referred to the Lane County District Attorney’s Office for Money Laundering. Moreno was cited for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. Oregon State Police was assisted by the Department of Homeland Security Medford Office.
Early Tuesday morning law enforcement agencies in Josephine County responded to a 911 call, in the 3900 block of Foothills Blvd, of a person reporting being shot.
The shooting occurred into an occupied vehicle – two of the four occupants in the vehicle were transported to a Jackson County hospital with serious gunshot wounds.
The Oregon State Police is actively working the case with the assistance of the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety. The suspect has not been located. Investigators do not believe there is a threat to community safety.
Josephine County 911 continues to receive several calls per day reporting a large, visible flame in the West Jones Creek Rd. area of Josephine County. The visible flame is known to public safety agencies.
The flame is a necessary function of maintenance work being done on the West Jones Creek natural gas station. Williams, the company working on the station, has been conducting routine maintenance at its meter station on West Jones Creek Road.
To ensure the safety of the public and to avoid interruption in service to customers, Williams will be required to temporarily displace a certain amount of natural gas through a regulatory-approved method called a controlled flare. This will enable them to guide an inspection tool through the pipeline as part of maintenance procedures.
The flaring may be visible from Interstate 5, particularly at night, and depending on proximity to the meter station, the flare may produce some noise and an odor associated with natural gas. Williams expects to complete the maintenance by May 15.
Patrol Troopers from the John Day Worksite assisted the John Day Police Department with the execution of a search warrant at a local residence regarding an ongoing theft investigation. The investigation involved an 18 year old John Day man; Austin Catron.
During the warrant service, a pronghorn buck skull was observed near an outbuilding of the residence and that information was forwarded to Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Troopers.
Based upon the information and further investigation, Fish & Wildlife Troopers from the John Day Worksite executed a search warrant at Catron’s residence on April 28, 2020. During the service, Fish & Wildlife Troopers located the pronghorn buck skull, six buck deer skulls and a bull elk skull, all of which were seized as evidence. Additionally, another suspect, 19 year old Grant County resident Jonas Waite, was identified.
Following further investigation and interviews, Fish & Wildlife Troopers learned that during the fall of 2019, Catron unlawfully shot the antelope buck from a motor vehicle while Waite assisted.
The unlawful take occurred in the Murderers Creek Management Unit and after shooting and killing the antelope, Catron and Waite removed the head/skull and left the rest of the animal to waste. Additionally, neither Catron nor Waite possessed a 2019 antelope tag, which is required in order to hunt for and/or take antelope. Further information revealed that Catron and Waite were also involved in the unlawful killing of multiple deer over the past two years as well as Waite’s unlawful killing of a golden eagle.
As a result of the investigation, Catron was initially charged with Unlawful Taking of Antelope and Waste of a Game Mammal-Antelope. Waite was also initially charged with Aiding in the Unlawful Take of Antelope and Aiding in the Waste of a Big Game Animal. Waite’s rifle, a 22-250, was identified as the weapon used in the taking and was subsequently seized as evidence. Additional charges will be forwarded for consideration.
According to Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division Sergeant Erich Timko, only fifty-four antelope tags are available in the Murderers Creek unit for the 2020 Big Game Season and typically, it takes an Oregon resident approximately ten years to successfully draw the tag.
**Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators**
Poaching wildlife and damaging habitats affects present and future generations of wildlife, impacts communities and the economy, and creates enforcement challenges.
The Oregon Hunters Association offers rewards to persons, through their T.I.P. fund, for information leading to the issuance of a citation to a person(s), or an arrest made of a person(s) for illegal possession, killing, or taking of bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose, elk, deer, antelope, bear, cougar, wolf, furbearers and/or upland game birds and water fowl. T.I.P. rewards can also be paid for the illegal taking, netting, snagging, and/or dynamiting of game fish, and/or shell fish, and for the destruction of habitat.
In addition rewards may be paid for information leading to the issuance of a citation to a person(s), or an arrest made of a person(s) who have illegally obtained Oregon hunting/angling license or tags. People who “work” the system and falsely apply for resident license or tags are not legally hunting or angling and are considered poachers.
Effective May 10, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is prohibiting the use of fireworks, target shooting with exploding targets, and firing tracer or incendiary devices on all BLM-managed public lands throughout Oregon and Washington. The prohibition will remain in effect until October 31.
“BLM-managed public lands start to see more visitors in May due to the beautiful weather, especially during the Memorial Day holiday weekend. This annual fire prevention order reminds people to be fire-wise to reduce the number of human-caused wildfires in the Pacific Northwest,” said Jose Linares, acting State Director, BLM Oregon/Washington. “In dry conditions, sparks can spread quickly from fireworks or exploding targets, putting people, wildlife, and habitats at risk.”
Those who violate the prohibition can be fined up to $1,000 and/or receive a prison term of up to one year. In addition, people responsible for starting wildland fires on federal lands can be billed for the cost of fire suppression. An incendiary device is defined as any firebomb or device designed or specially adapted to cause physical harm to persons or property by means of fire, consisting of an incendiary substance or agent and a means to ignite it. Examples include, but are not limited to, flamethrowers, Molotov cocktails, or accelerants.
According to the current Northwest Coordination Center (NWCC) Seasonal Outlook, precipitation has been below normal in most areas except for western Washington and Northeast Oregon during the 2019-2020 winter.
Drought designated areas are expanding and worsening across Oregon and eastern Washington. Early Spring rains have temporarily suppressed fire danger in the dry spots east of the Cascades and in southwest Oregon but have not erased the overall moisture deficit. Spring and Summer climate outlooks portray warmer and drier conditions than typical for the region. Higher-than-usual large fire risk is anticipated in sections of Oregon and eastern Washington.
…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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