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, JUNE 5, 2020
Klamath Basin Weather
Today – Partly Sunny with a high near 77. Overnight, cloudy with possible showers at times, with a low around 51.
Friday – Increasing clouds, with a high near 79. Light winds at times. Overnight, a 40% chance of showers, low of 44.
Saturday – 40% chance of showers during the day with thunderstorms also possible after 11am, otherwise partly sunny, with a high near 59. Overnight, showers and a low of 36.
Sunday – A chance of morning rain or showers with the snow level at 4300 feet, then partly sunny with a high near 54.
Monday – Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
Tuesday – A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
TODAY’s HEADLINES
Great news for Klamath County to start your weekend. On Thursday, county leaders in southern Oregon began finding out if they’d been approved to enter Phase II of the state’s plan to gradually loosen coronavirus restrictions.
Under those guidelines, Phase II allows bars and restaurants to extend their hours to midnight; allows movie theaters, bowling alleys, and arcades to reopen; allows some recreational sports to resume; allows pools to reopen under strict health requirements; and increases the size of both indoor and outdoor gatherings.
According to a list from the Governor’s office, all Southern Oregon counties including Jackson, Curry, Klamath, Lake and Douglas counties were approved to enter Phase II beginning today, Friday, June 5.
Josephine County was approved to enter Phase II on Saturday, June 6.
This was the date requested by county officials in their application to the Governor’s office.
In all, 26 of Oregon’s 36 counties were approved to begin the new phase on either Friday, Saturday, or Monday. Three counties applied for the next step but remain under review, and seven counties have not yet applied — including Multnomah, which has not yet entered Phase I due to the severity of the outbreak.
No new deaths and no new cases of Covid-19 reported in Klamath County in the last 24 hour period, according to the Oregon Health Authority.
The state’s death toll from COVID-19 is unchanged from yesterday and remains at 159. Oregon Health Authority reported 76 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of this morning, bringing the state total to 4,474.
The new cases reported today are in the following counties: Clackamas (9), Coos (1), Crook (1), Deschutes (5), Jackson (1), Jefferson (1), Lane (3), Lincoln (5), Linn (2), Marion (12), Multnomah (30), Umatilla (1), Wasco (1), Washington (3), Yamhill (1).
Friends of the children of the Klamath Basin released some great news yesterday. In a prepared statement, the organization said “Our hearts are so thankful to you, our supporters and community, for an amazing 20th anniversary “Find Your Spark Virtual Friend Raiser.”
Because of your “no matter what” commitment, we’ve met our $50,000 match! We truly couldn’t have done this without you. Thank you for your dedication to our youth to ensure consistent professional mentorship from kindergarten through high school graduation – for the 20 years we celebrated and for many more to come.”
Friends of the Children Klamath Basin is a chapter of a nationwide organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of generational poverty through salaried, professional mentoring. The national organization was founded in 1993. The local chapter was founded in Klamath Falls, Oregon, in 2000.
Schools in Oregon have been empty for months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but on Wednesday, Gov. Kate Brown and Oregon health officials painted a picture of what school could look like later this year.
Brown said it’s clear school will no longer look traditional when kids do return to class, as they will have put measures in place to protect the students and teachers. When schools reopen, those safety measures will look the same as those in place for the rest of the state, including wearing face coverings and providing access to sanitizer.
Schools may also choose to implement staggered schedules or bring in additional space for classrooms. He stressed that the decisions will be left up to the schools themselves, as long as they’re protecting students and staff members.
For the sixth year, Klamath Union High School has received a grant of $7,500 from the Nike School Innovation Fund to support AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), its college and career readiness program.
AVID is a California-based nonprofit that trains educators to close the opportunity gap for students and create equitable preparation for college and careers. Its program was adopted by the Klamath Falls City School district in 2014 and has been integrated in all district schools.
KU is the only AVID certified high school in the Klamath Basin. One hundred percent of graduates from its AVID elective have been accepted into college.
KU was one of 50 Oregon schools to receive Nike’s funding for AVID. It will be used to support the district’s subscription to the “AVID Weekly” publication, as well as AVID trainings for teachers and administrators.
AVID is a California-based nonprofit that trains educators to close the opportunity gap for students and create equitable preparation for college and careers. Its program was adopted by the Klamath Falls City School district in 2014 and has been integrated in all district schools.
Klamath Falls Mayor Carol Westfall has filed paperwork to run for re-election in the Tuesday, Nov. 3 General Election, according to a news release.
Westfall filed paperwork on June 3 for the office of Mayor for the City of Klamath Falls by affidavit of Nomination. Westfall is the first person to officially file for the position.
In addition, Klamath Falls attorney Phil Studenberg has filed paperwork to run for re-election as Klamath Falls City Council Ward 1 in the Tuesday, Nov. 3 General Election, according to a news release. Studenberg filed paperwork on June 3 for the office of Ward 1 City Council for the City of Klamath Falls by affidavit of Nomination. Studenberg is the first person to officially file for the position.
To qualify as a City Council candidate in the November election a candidate must be a resident of the City of Klamath Falls, or area annexed to the City, continuously during the previous four years immediately preceding the election and meet all state requirements to run for elected office. The deadline to file for the General Election is Aug. 25 by 5 p.m.
Around the State of Oregon
Tuesday morning, a Trooper from the Central Point Area Command stopped a 2014 Nissan Sentra for Unlawful Lane Change and Failure to Drive with Lane, on Interstate 5 near milepost 36 northbound near Medford.
The Trooper noticed signs of criminal activity and a consent search of the vehicle was conducted. The search of the vehicle revealed approximately 16.3 pounds of suspected heroin concealed in the gas tank of the vehicle.
The driver was identified as 33 year old Victor Aguilar from Outlook, Washington. Aguilar was lodged at the Jackson County Jail for Unlawful Possession and Delivery of Heroin. The Oregon State Police was assisted by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations Medford Office.
In spite of her executive order limiting the size of gatherings to help stop the spread of coronavirus, Oregon Governor Kate Brown said Wednesday that Oregonians have the right to protest.
Thousands of people have gathered day and night over the past week to protest police brutality and the way police treat minorities. There has been question about the use of tear gas at some of the recent protests, and how safe it is in a pandemic, and whether it could help a virus spread faster, especially through a large group.
The Oregon Health Authority released a statement late this week saying there is no connection or greater risk of catching the virus when tear gas is deployed. Governor Brown did ask people to keep practicing safe guidelines, staying six feet apart, and wearing masks. However, she did not specifically say other groups could still be singled out for not following her previous order on gatherings.
…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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