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, JUNE 22, 2020
TODAY’s HEADLINES
COVID-19 has claimed 1 more life in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 190, the Oregon Health Authority says.
Klamath County reported four new cases yesterday. Jackson County was the only other southern Oregon county to report new cases with three. The Southern Oregon picture looks like this:
Klamath County 88 cases (40 recovered)
Jackson County 90 cases
Josephine County 26 cases
Douglas County 33 cases
Lake County 6 cases
Curry County 7 cases
Siskiyou County 23 cases
Del Norte County 48 cases
Oregon Health Authority reported 190 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of yesterday, bringing the state total to 6,937.
Oregon’s 190th COVID-19 death is a 93-year-old woman in Clackamas County who tested positive on June 6 and died on June 20 in her residence. She had underlying medical conditions. KIamath County’s total number of cases stands at 88. No deaths have been reported in the county from Covid. Nearly 4800 negative results have been reported.
As record numbers of Oregonians have tested positive for coronavirus over the past two weeks, many wondered if that’s simply due to increased testing — or if the virus also is spreading more rampantly.
Friday, an eye-opening report from the Oregon Health Authority confirmed the latter: COVID-19 is transmitting at higher rates statewide. The weekly share of Oregonians testing positive has more than doubled since May 15, when the state started reopening. The positive test result rate, which stood at 1.6% of those tested in the week May 16-22, has steadily climbed to 4.1% for the week ending Friday. That approaches rates not seen in Oregon since mid-April.
COVID-19 is still a reality in Oregon and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is asking visitors to do their part to help protect themselves and the health of their fellow Oregonians.
The state park system has been slowly reopening since early May, but nearly every park is experiencing reduced levels of service due to a $22 million budget gap. OPRD is relying on visitors to help us through this unprecedented time. Some state parks will remain closed until at least Labor Day. Other parks may be added to this list. Check our state park status map for the latest information. The best thing way to keep yourself and others safe is to “Prepare + Care.” Prepare before you leave the house, then take care of yourself and the people around you while at the park
Governor Kate Brown announced Friday that she is accepting applications for a judicial vacancy on the Klamath County Circuit Court created by the planned retirement of Judge Roxanne Osborne.
The Governor thanked Judge Osborne for her dedicated judicial service, and announced that she will fill the position by appointment. Judge Osborne’s retirement takes effect July 31, 2020. Interested applicants should mail or deliver their completed application forms to: Dustin Buehler, General Counsel, Office of the Governor, 900 Court Street NE #254, Salem, OR 97301-4047.\ Bar. SB 977, recently passed by the Legislature, creates a new requirement. It amends ORS 3.041 and requires that these vacancies must be filled by persons who are residents of or have principal offices in the judicial districts to which they are appointed or adjacent judicial districts.
Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech) announced Thursday, June 18 that Dan Peterson, Ph.D., has been appointed as dean of the College of Health, Arts and Sciences (HAS), effective July 1, 2020.
Dr. Peterson has been serving as interim dean over the last year and has been a member of the faculty in Oregon Tech’s Communication Department since 2007. Dr. Peterson demonstrated his leadership abilities over the last two years – first as interim associate dean and this past year as interim dean of the College of HAS. He also served as a department chair of the Communication Department; chair of the Oregon Tech Team for Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities Retention, Completion, and Student Success Academy; and chair of the Provost Transition Team in 2019. Prior to joining Oregon Tech, Dr. Peterson was assistant professor at Missouri State University, Springfield, in the Department of Communication from 2002 to 2007; a graduate associate and a teaching assistant at Ohio University, Athens, in the School of Interpersonal Communication from 1999 to 2002, during which time he was also an instructor at Hong Kong Baptist University.
Merrill’s new water tank went online Thursday night after a three-year process of replacing the old, historic water tower that was built in 1947.
The new tank can hold twelve times the water the old tower could and is pressurized as opposed to the gravity-fed system of the old tower. The new system has improved residents’ water pressure in town and will also be beneficial for fighting fires. Mayor Bill Carlson said the better water pressure could also help residents’ insurance rates. The $3 million project, $2 million of which was paid for by the city, included a new well, the new massive cylindrical tank and new piping that can handle the increased pressure.
Although Carlson said they originally planned to remove the old tower, they changed course when residents expressed interest in keeping it in place as the landmark it has been for decades. While the new system raised residents’ rates by $12 a month, Carlson and Matthews said they haven’t received much pushback from the community due to the better water quality and the need for a new system.
Evening Bingo games at the Klamath Senior Center are scheduled to reopen this Thursday, June 25, after being closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to a news release.
The center will be following Phase 2 State directives for entertainment centers in managing the games. Evening bingo games are a major fundraiser for the senior center, with proceeds going to fund programs for older adults that include specialized transportation service, nutritional programs such as Meals on Wheels and congregate meals, health activities, counseling services, and much more.
Center director, Marc Kane, reports that when the games and activities are closed the center loses as much as $30,000 per month. The center has been fortunate the past few weeks to receive substantial COVID-19 relief funding and hopes to get back to regular activities before relief funding is exhausted. More importantly, Kane reports, is opening activities to reestablish means for socialization and to help keep residents connected. The center reports all recommended guidelines will be followed in managing activities at the center, but stresses the need for patrons to be cooperative in their compliance with distancing directives and using masks.
Persons reporting to be ill or to having been exposed to the virus will not be allowed to participate. Due to distancing requirements, attendance will be limited to 75 attendees and reservations will be required to be made in advance by calling the center at 541-883-7171.
A 32 year old Klamath Falls man was arrested at the corner of Harriman and Oregon Avenue around 3:30 Sunday morning and booked in the Klamath County Jail on a multitude of charges.
Leslie Robert Hancock was arrested on charges of third degree robbery, fourth degree assault, second degree theft, possession of meth, unlawful use of a weapon, felon in possession of a weapon, and criminal mischief. Jail records show despite the numerous charges and high total bail, Hancock was released.
…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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