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Klamath Basin News, Friday, 5/8 – State Getting Closer To Opening with Phase One on May 15th

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.

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2020

Klamath Basin Weather

Today   Sunny, with a high near 82.  Overnight low of 43.

Saturday   Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Light and variable wind.

Mother’s Day Sunday    Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.

Monday   A slight chance of rain after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 67.

Today’s Headlines

70 new Covid-19 cases, 3 new presumptive cases, and 6 more deaths due to the virus were reported by the Oregon Health Authority for the state, late yesterday. None of those cases was in Klamath County.  The total number of cases in Klamath remains at 39.

For the state at present, 121 deaths have been attributed to the virus. OHA says that there are now a total of 2,957 people in the state who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through a positive test.  At least 67,469 have tested negative for the virus.

State of Oregon will begin to open… with Phase One.

At a press conference on Thursday morning, Governor Brown introduced the state’s latest specific guidelines for counties and businesses that are looking to enter “Phase One” of reopening on May 15.   

For harder hit counties, it may be some time before they are able to implement those same guidelines. By the end of this week, all of the counties in southern Oregon expect to have submitted their individual plans for reopening to the Governor’s office for approval.

Multiple county officials cited the Governor as having said that the soonest they could reopen would be on May 15, a date confirmed by the Governor’s presentation. Until Thursday, those counties were operating on somewhat vague and still-evolving guidelines for what Phase One would entail — what businesses would be able to open and what physical distancing and sanitation protocols they would be required to follow.

Though the plan includes detailed requirements for different sectors, here are the brief takeaways for what Phase One will look like when counties are approved to reopen:

Restaurants and bars – Open for dine-in as long as physical distancing of six feet between customers (of different households) is observed. Employees must wear cloth or disposable face coverings. Businesses must end dine-in by 10 p.m.

Personal care (salons, barbers, massage parlors) – Open for appointments only, with a pre-appointment health check required, in addition to a customer log for possible contact tracing. Six feet of physical distancing between clients. Workers must wear face coverings, capes, and smocks, and clients will have to do the same “depending on the services provided.”

Gyms and fitness centers – Open for limited occupancy. Physical distancing and sanitation measures required.

Local gatherings – Tentatively allowed for groups of up to 25 with physical distancing, as long as no large amount of travel is involved.

Counties will be required to remain in Phase One for at least 21 days before they can possibly move on to Phase Two. Restrictions could be re-imposed if the county fails to meet contact tracing requirements, if positive COVID-19 cases spike, or hospitals start to see a significant uptick in severe cases.

According to the state’s plan, Phase Three — essentially a return to “normal” — willl not happen until a reliable treatment or vaccine has been found.

Agencies across Klamath County created the “Klamath County Working Together Reopening Plan” with strategies to allow industries in the county to return to business in phases, while also ensuring people’s safety with adequate supplies and testing protocols.

Oregon Governor Kate Brown said she would consider allowing counties to re-open as soon as May 15, and Klamath County hopes to be one of those. Brown’s plan for counties requires that they meet certain standards in order for her to consider their plans.

Those requirements include a downward trend of reports of flu-like illnesses and “COVID-like syndromic cases” within a 14-day period. It also requires a downward trend of cases or positive test results as a percent of tests conducted within a 14-day period so as soon as possible. The state’s criteria also requires hospitals “be able to treat all patients without crisis care and have a robust testing program in place for at-risk healthcare workers, including emerging antibody testing.”

Klamath County’s plan points out Klamath County’s testing rate being the highest in Oregon and the availability of antibody testing at Sky Lakes Medical Center. The plan states that six people confirmed to have COVID-19 have been hospitalized in the county.

The county’s plan keeps nursing homes and long-term care facilities on lock down to keep individuals in those facilities safe and to preserve Personal Protective Equipment for hospitals and clinics in case of a surge of COVID cases.

In her Thursday press conference, Governor Brown mentioned no gathering of more than 25 people will be in place until September first.   It’s said that Brown is mulling the idea of sporting events being canceled through September of 2020.

“Large gatherings including live sporting events with audiences, concerts, festivals, and conventions will not be able to return until we have a reliable treatment or prevention like a vaccine,” said Brown. “The Oregon Health Authority is advising that any large gathering at least through September, should be either canceled or significantly modified.” 

What this could mean for sports in Oregon is unknown. The announcement left some uncertainty

Only time will tell if sporting events are canceled or if high school and college sports will go on without fans. 

September isn’t for three and a half months yet, but sports fans are already angry at Brown and things may come to a boiling point if delays in decisions continue.

2020 KLAMATH COUNTY FAIR POSTPONED

According to a press release from the Klamath County Fair Board, like so many others fairs and festivals in the state, the Klamath County Fair, originally scheduled to take place July 30 to August 2, 2020, has been postponed as a direct result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The memo stated We are saddened and disappointed, “but together we will pull through”. We also want to express our appreciation for the efforts already committed to by so many business associates, exhibitors, vendors, service clubs and volunteers for the 2020 Fair.

We sincerely hope to see you in 2021 ~ remember our dates are August 5 through 8, 2021.
Those interested in participating in 2021 can contact the Fairgrounds Office, Monday through Friday, 8:00AM to 5:00 PM @ 541-883-3796.

The Fair Board, Management, and staff, along with the Klamath County 4-H and FFA Program Coordinators and staff, will continue with plans to hold refigured 4-H and FFA project shows, as well as a livestock auction for 2020. These activities are in celebration of the hard work that our young people have put into their annual projects. Projects such as these are critical in the development of our Klamath Basin youth ~ shaping them for the business world.

The press release stated: “We hope that you will support these efforts as these folks will become our leaders for the future. These activities will focus on the original Fair dates of July 30 through August 2; however, dates and times may be expanded a bit to accommodate the social distancing and group size restrictions mentioned in the Governor’s Phased Plan for Reopening Oregon.”

“What will happen to the Klamath County Fair in the future? While postponing a Fair is disappointing news, we are vigorously continuing with our plans for the 2021 Klamath County Fair. We promise that we are planning a huge blow out to celebrate our Basin and all who live here ~ even in our “new normal.” We are also anxious to open the Fairgrounds/Event Center to the many annual community functions; however, we will respect restrictions from Salem. We do; however, promise that we will open the facilities
as soon as is possible, in light of Governor Brown’s mandates. The Klamath County Fair Board will always make every attempt to ensure the highest possible degree of community safety. “

Please watch for posts regarding upcoming events at www.kcfairgrounds.org, or contact us at 541-883-3796.

The Oregon Air National Guard is scheduled to fly multiple F-15 Eagle flyovers over hospitals and other locations throughout Oregon during the month of May in order to salute Oregonians on the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic and lift morale during a time of severe health and economic impacts.

The tribute is scheduled to be conducted by Oregon’s 173rd Fighter Wing, based in Klamath Falls and the 142nd Wing, based in Portland. Anyone living in and around these hospitals should see and hear the jets. People are encouraged to view the flights from the safety of their own homes and practice physical distancing. The flyovers are scheduled for today. 

Four out of five (83%) initial claims for regular unemployment benefits received between March 15 and May 2 have been processed. For each of the past four weeks, more claims have been processed than received in Oregon. The Employment Department has also processed more than 10,000 applications for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits for the self-employed, contract, gig, and other workers not eligible for regular unemployment benefits.

The agency continues expanding its ability to process more claims for unemployment benefits. There are currently 635 employees working unemployment claims, with more hiring underway and a new contact center opening next week. Claims processing continues seven days per week. In addition to more staffing, the Employment Department also continues working to implement more unemployment benefit programs. Programming and testing is underway for the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program. This provides up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits for those who have run out of benefits and remain out of work due to COVID-19 business closures.

Program eligibility and more details for this and other programs are available in the CARES Act section of the agency’s COVID-19 page.

Plants native to the Klamath Basin will be offered in a May 16 sale at the Klamath County Museum, located at 1451 Main St. in Klamath Falls.

The sale is cosponsored by the Klamath County Museum and the Klamath Basin Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Oregon. All orders for the sale must be made by calling the museum at (541) 882-1000 no later than 5 p.m. on May 13. Payment will be taken over the phone. Each customer will be assigned a time to pick up their order at the museum on Saturday, May 16. For a complete list of plants that can be ordered, visit klamathmuseum.org.

Around the state of Oregon

It’s official. The entire 2020 season of the Britt Music and Arts Festival has fallen victim to the coronavirus.

In a post on its website, Britt officials announced the decision to cut the cord on this summer’s musical event in Jacksonville — a decision, they said, that was prompted by Thursday’s mandate from Oregon Gov. Kate Brown canceling all large gatherings, including concerts and larger sporting events, through September of this year.

“Due to this mandate, and out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of our community, including musicians, fans, partners, and staff,” organizers wrote on the website, “the 2020 Britt Presents Season will be postponed until 2021.”

The season was to have opened June 6 with a performance by country music legend Tanya Tucker, with the Britt Festival Orchestra set to begin its season in July. 

A final announcement of the lineup of the season — which last year ran through Sept. 16 — had been postponed a couple of times as the festival waited to see what kind of restrictions would be placed on large gatherings as Southern Oregon emerged from the pandemic and the state began to reopen.

Brown’s announcement Thursday effectively shut the door on logistical hopes for a Britt season.

“Since February, Britt has been working with artists’ management to determine how best to proceed, including opportunities to rebook these performers next year,” organizers wrote. “Work has already begun on the planning of next year’s season. We are excited to share that many artists in our 2020 lineup, including some acts that we hadn’t announced yet, will be joining us in 2021 to bring you the celebration of a lifetime in what is sure to be our most meaningful season yet.”

The other largest arts event in the Rogue Valley, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, previously had announced that it would present a truncated season beginning Sept. 8. There was no word Thursday night whether the governor’s mandate would affect its plans.

Meanwhile, the Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland and the Camelot Theatre in Talent each had made tentative plans to reopen as early as later this month. At the Craterian Theatre in Medford, scheduled events either had been postponed or canceled through the summer. How the rules over events and gatherings would affect those theaters was unknown at press time.

Britt announced that it was preparing a series of online presentations, called BrittVids, that would include members of the Britt Festival Orchestra, friends of Britt’s Education programs, and local musicians. Videos in the series will be posted every Tuesday and Thursday on Britt’s YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram pages.

“Until (live shows can return), and with a deeper appreciation for the people and art around us, we are ready to be a part of this changing world by bringing music, inspiration, and humanity straight into your home,” Britt organizers said about the series.

Information about refunds, donations or holding onto tickets for the same show in 2021 can be found at brittfest.org.

“Together, we will overcome this period of time while discovering a new era of creativity, respect, and appreciation for one another,” the Britt announcement concluded. “Next year will be a celebration of unity and resilience.”

Garrett Luke Pruitt Rexroad of Culver was sentenced today to 57 months in federal prison and four years’ supervised release for a yearlong identity theft and fraud spree that spanned seven Oregon counties and cheated more than 100 individuals, businesses, financial institutions, and communities out of $190,000.

According to court documents, investigators first learned of Pruitt Rexroad’s conduct in April and May of 2017 when he used a stolen credit card to reserve several Portland hotel rooms. When police arrested him, he possessed an identification card and 26 credit and debit cards in the name of a single victim. He was charged in Multnomah County Circuit Court and released from custody. Rexroad went on several crime sprees after that encompassing many different counties in the state. During sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Michael W. Mosman ordered Pruitt Rexroad to pay $55,824 in restitution. On October 7, 2019, Pruitt Rexroad pleaded guilty to one count each of access device fraud, aggravated identity theft, and possession of unauthorized access devices.


Safe Boating for Summer

There have been five boating fatalities on Oregon’s waterways during COVID-19 this spring, all have two things in common: not wearing life jackets, and cold water.

The Oregon State Marine Board is urging boaters headed to the water during the first warm weekend of the year – especially people in canoes, kayaks, and on stand-up paddleboards, to dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature. The water is cold.

“We are concerned,” said Randy Henry, Boating Safety Program Manager for the Marine Board. “People are anxious to get out and have fun, but water is serious business. If you go boating, wear your life jacket, buckle it up, and make sure it’s a snug fit. Always dress appropriately, and if you’re paddling, dress for the water. A dunking this time of year can be deadly.”

The breakdown of the five boating fatalities: four of the five were not wearing life jackets. The other is unknown. Four of the victims were male and one female. Three were recreating in paddlecraft (kayaks and a canoe) and two were in motorboats. All of the victims fell overboard unexpectedly into cold water, which is trending unlike what the Marine Board has seen in past years.

This season, many people new to paddling or people who haven’t paddled in a while are strongly encouraged to take a free, online Paddling Course to learn about self-rescue, how to re-board your paddlecraft, important equipment/requirements and other safety skills to develop. Start out on calm, flat water, and slowly progress to other waterbodies as skills develop. There are also paddling clubs in many communities as well as online forums with local safety information.

Additionally, the agency has received many reports of debris and obstructions this spring, so all paddlers and motorboaters should be especially cautious, keeping a sharp lookout on all waterways and starting out slow. Visit the agency’s waterway obstruction page to learn where obstructions have been reported and recommendations on how to avoid them. Many obstructions cannot be immediately cleared.

The open/closed status of boating access changes frequently. The agency’s interactive Boat Oregon Map is a resource for finding facility contact information to help boaters with their planning and preparation. Remember to respect any closures, stay local, be self-contained, boat with members of your immediate household, and maintain physical distance for your own safety and for those around you.

For more Paddle Smart boating safety tips from the Marine Board and the U.S. Coast Guard, visit https://www.oregon.gov/osmb/info/Documents/News-Releases/Media%20Kit/PaddleSmart.pdf.

Klamath Falls News from partnership with the Herald and News, empowering the community.

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