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, MAY 26, 2020
Klamath Basin Weather
Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Overnight, cloudy and 52 degrees.
Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 84.
Thursday Sunny, with a high near 89. Light winds at times.
Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Today’s Headlines
The state’s death toll from COVID-19 is unchanged from yesterday and remains at 148, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.
Oregon Health Authority reported 19 new confirmed cases and 4 new presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today bringing the state total to 3,949.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Clackamas (4), Deschutes (1), Jackson (3), Josephine (1), Marion (4), Multnomah (5), Umatilla (1), Washington (5). No new Covid cases have been reported in Klamath County in more than 10 days.
Klamath Basin farmers got a blast of good news Friday afternoon. A federal judge in San Francisco on Friday May 22 sided with local water users and the federal government, preventing more of the Klamath Project’s stored water being sent downstream immediately, rejecting a Yurok Tribe motion to increase release for salmon flows, according to a news release.
Judge William Orrick of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California denied an emergency motion filed by the Yurok Tribe and environmental groups last week. The Tribe had asked the Court to re-open a case filed under the Endangered Species Act in the Northern District in July 2019, and issue a temporary restraining order.
The requested restraining order would have required the Bureau of Reclamation to release an additional 390 cubic feet per second in releases for flows in the Klamath River below Iron Gate Dam for what would amount to approximately 20 days and a total of 16,000 acre-feet. As a result of the ruling, the case will not be re-opened. The Court also did not believe the temporary restraining order would have been justified, but there will be no formal ruling on that issue.
The Bureau of Reclamation made the decision to reduce releases from UKL starting May 11 in an effort to preserve enough water in the Lake to provide the bare minimum of necessary conditions for the survival of C’waam (Lost River suckers) and Koptu (Shortnose suckers) during what is expected to be a critically dry water year.
The Klamath Tribes intervened in the case before Judge Orrick to oppose the Yurok Tribe’s motion because of the damaging effects additional UKL releases would have on the C’waam and Koptu, species that are at imminent risk of extinction from a single catastrophic event.
Meanwhile, PacifiCorp is advising residents and those who use Copco and Iron Gate reservoirs for recreation that both will remain noticeably below normal water levels through at least the end of June.
However, both reservoirs should remain accessible for recreation, including the use of boat ramps, during that time. PacifiCorp began lowering Copco and Iron Gate in Siskiyou County in early May to make approximately 15,000 acre-feet of water from the reservoirs available to help the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation manage competing water needs in the Klamath Basin during a critically dry water year. As a result, water levels at both reservoirs will remain about eight feet below normal through May and then gradually refill to normal water levels during the month of June. While PacifiCorp expects that normal access will be available by the July 4 holiday, it is possible that the drawdown could be extended into the fall depending on conditions and broader water management decisions. Boat ramps should remain accessible through the summer since water levels remain higher than during previous draw-downs.
The Oregon Supreme Court on Saturday issued a deadline to the Baker County judge who this week granted a preliminary injunction nullifying Oregon governor’s emergency coronavirus orders: Either throw out the injunction by 5 p.m.
Tuesday or explain why it should not do so. If Baker County Judge Matthew Shirtcliff doesn’t alter his ruling that found Gov. Kate Brown’s executive orders restricting social gatherings due to the coronavirus pandemic “null and void,” the state’s high court then will accept additional briefings on the issue. The final briefing would be due June 2. Last week, the state Supreme Court stepped in to put a hold on a dramatic decision by the eastern Oregon judge that declared not only the governor’s restrictions on church gatherings “null and void” but all her “Stay Home Save Lives’’ coronavirus emergency orders.
In northern Klamath County, Interfor’s Gilchrist sawmill is planning to lay off 130 of its 150 workers in late June and curtail its mill due to weak economic conditions and challenges presented by the COVID-19 lockdown order.
The layoffs will commence by department depending on workload, said Andrew Horahan, vice president of western operations for International Forest Products Limited (Interfor), which owns the Gilchrist sawmill. In a statement, Horahan blamed the decision to halt timber production on “a challenging economic situation and the difficulties of COVID-19.” Lockdown measures have decimated jobs across the state, pushing the state unemployment rate up to 14.2%.
The decision to mothball the mill comes at a time when prices for lumber are increasing. Framing lumber prices have increased 13% since May 1, according to the National Association of Homebuilders.
An announcement from Michael Reynolds of the local Klamath area VFW Post #1383 has announced today that due to the coronavirus, the Department Convention for the Oregon Department of the Veterans of Foreign Wars scheduled from June 12th to June 16th 2020 is now cancelled.
Members who desire to recoup fees paid for a hotel room at Seven Feathers Resort must do so prior to June 1, 2020.
The coronavirus crisis is disrupting people’s lives, but a few tips can help folks stay healthy while they stay home.
Andy Luther is medical director at Jackson Care Connect in Medford. He says physical distancing is important, but Oregonians should maintain their social connections. He says people should connect over the phone or through video chats, and notes that strong relationships are critical for good mental health. Luther also suggests keeping a consistent schedule.
Luther says the extra time people have on their hands could be used to start a new hobby. He adds that folks who are feeling anxious might consider yoga or meditation to clear their minds.
Early this Monday morning Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a serious injury crash on Hwy 58 near milepost 3.
Preliminary investigation revealed that a green Honda CRV, operated by Pamela Thompson (65) of Klamath Falls, was westbound when it struck the back of a (also westbound) silver Jeep Patriot operated by Brian Nicoson (46) of Cottage Grove.
Thompson was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. The Honda CRV had been reported as a reckless driver before the crash. DUII is being investigated as a factor in the crash. This is an ongoing investigation and all charges will be referred to the Lane County DA.
Nicoson was transported to the hospital with serious injuries.
Sunday morning at about 1:30AM, Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a two vehicle collision on Hwy 22E near MP 64.5.
Preliminary investigation revealed that a Subaru Legacy, operated by Brian Beveridge (48) of Scappoose, was traveling westbound on Hwy 22E and crossed into the eastbound lane and struck a Nissan Frontier operated by Matthew Baker (49) of Bend.
Beveridge sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased.
Baker was transported to the hospital with non life threatening injuries.
Oregon state officials say that they will continue to offer additional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in June for families who would normally receive free or reduced-price meals.
The state announced that it would extend SNAP benefits to food insecure students in early May.
More than 351,000 students around the state were eligible for the grocery benefits. According to Oregon DHS, the state is putting $134 million toward those food benefits. Households will receive food benefits equivalent to the cost of one lunch and one breakfast for each eligible student – $5.70 per normal school day for the months of March, April, May and June.
Beginning in June, these additional benefits will be automatically deposited for SNAP households to their existing Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) accounts on the regular date. Benefits are sent out between the 1st and the 9th of the month, based on the last digit of the recipient’s SSN. Students who would normally receive free school meals but do not have SNAP benefits will automatically receive an Oregon Trail Card in the mail in the months of June and July.
Parents do not need to apply if their children are part of a school where all students receive free meals.
…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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