The latest and most comprehensive coverage of local News, Sports, Business, and Community News stories in the Klamath Basin, Southern Oregon and around the state of Oregon from Wynne Broadcasting’s KFLS News/Talk 1450AM / 102.5FM, The Herald & News, and BasinLife.com, and powered by Mick Insurance.
Monday, August 31, 2020
Today’s Headlines
In Oregon’s largest city over the weekend, the man shot and killed in Portland as a pro-Trump caravan that began in nearby Clackamas wound down and altercations broke out was a “friend and supporter” of Vancouver, Washington-based Patriot Prayer, group leader Joey Gibson said.
The right-wing organization for years staged regular protests in Portland. The vehicle rally began in Clackamas, where tensions arose almost immediately. Nearly 1,000 vehicles, many of them displaying Trump, Gadsden and Thin Blue Line flags in addition to the U.S. flag, filled a portion of the mall’s parking lot, according to a Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office spokesman. Duncomb said the victim was not carrying a gun, although his friend and a person who was with him were both equipped with canisters of bear spray.
Carol Mick, an independent agent with Mick Insurance in Klamath Falls, was recognized by the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance.
Mick is now included as part of the association’s 2020 national directory of leading Medicare insurance agents. Jesse Slome, director of the national Medicare insurance trade organization, said those listed in the directory are “professionals who are committed to educating senior consumers about this important health care benefit.” To contact Mick or another agent in her office, call 541-882-6476.
Klamath County will have work crews at the following locations this week.
You’re asked to please use caution when in these areas and watch for flaggers. Consider alternate routes when able for the safety of workers. Homedale sidewalk replacement/asphalt inlay – lane closures with flagging – expect delays. Sidewalks will be closed with limited driveway access. Washburn Way to Laverne Avenue to South Side Bypass asphalt replacement – lane closures with flagging.
Fog Seal Crew Aug. 31 – Sept. 3 on Alameda Avenue, Arthur Street, Alva Avenue, Crest Street, Francis Roberts Way, Bisbee Street, Freida Avenue, Kane Street, Laverne Avenue, Summers Lane, Marian Court, Adelaide Avenue, Alpine Drive, Alt Way, Altamont Drive, Ash Drive, Austin Street, Barry Avenue, Blackberry Court, Derby Street, Mazama Drive, Selma Street, Villa Drive, Old Fort Landfill, Tingly Lane Transfer. Early morning broom crews Aug. 31 – Sept. 3 will brush streets scheduled for fog sealing. Paint striping stencil crews Aug. 31 – Sept. 3 will conduct miscellaneous chip seal and fog sealed county roads. Crack seal crews Aug. 31 – Sept. 3 on Drews Road.
South Suburban Sanitary District sewer pipe installation on Skyline, Cannon, Watson, Western and Donegal. Crescent area will have miscellaneous sewer pipe construction. Ogden Street upgrades to add curb, gutter and sidewalks to existing roads.
City of Klamath Falls Street Crew Work
Asphalt crews Aug. 31 – Sept. 3 will be performing paving on the 2300 block of Vine Street and Lakeshore and California Avenue.
Paint crews Sept. 1-4 will be painting legends and crosswalks on Pine Street, Main Street and Klamath Avenue. For deal operations Aug. 31 – Sept. 4 on Lexington Avenue, Mar Street, Ridgecrest Drive, Wade Circle, Angels Way, Harmony Lane, Quail Ridge Drive, Majestic Street, Eulalona Court, Sunrise Court, Mt. View Boulevard, and Tiffany Street in the Knob Hill area. Additional fog sealing will be conducted in the Shadow Hills area on Summers Lane, Adalaide Avenue, and Marion Court. Work will begin at 7 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.
All unattended vehicles left on the street during these times may be subject to towing. Sign maintenance and sweeping will be performed throughout the City of Klamath Falls as needed. Detours and signage will be in place where needed. Drivers are urged to proceed with caution through construction zones, or consider alternate routes.
Klamath County firefighters and equipment traveled to California last week to help crews battle the LNU Lighting Complex fire in the Napa Valley.
A task force of 17 people and several pieces of equipment are still at Lake Barryessa in Napa County this week to defend a residential area bordering the lake from the flames of the 373,300 acre fire. The Klamath County Task Force was activated to the fire August 20 and joined crews from Lane, Clatsop, Marion and Linn Counties through an emergency management agreement between Oregon and California. The task force includes personnel from Klamath County Fire District 1, Fire District 4, Keno Fire Department and Chiloquin Fire and Rescue. KCFD1 Operations Chief Matt Hitchcock is proud that Klamath County crews are able to answer the call for help when needed.
The Assistance League of Klamath Basin distributes award-winning books each year to the K-12 city and county school libraries in the Klamath Basin and to Klamath County Libraries. This year, the following books were distributed: The Undefeated– Caldecott Award; New Kid – Newberry Award; Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus – Intermediate Young Readers Award; and The Hate You Give — Senior Young Readers Award. These books were also given to the Tulelake Schools, Citizens for Safe Schools, Exodus House and Marta’s House. The purpose of this program is to promote literacy and help instill in children a love for reading.
Klamath County is working on a temporary childcare facility at the Fairgrounds to host kids while they can’t attend schools.
Commissioner Derrick DeGroot said childcare availability has been an issue since before the COVID-19 outbreak, but with schools not opening their doors on September 8, many working parents need somewhere to send their kids. The board of commissioners has been coordinating with childcare providers in the area for a solution to the drastic need. Many of the specifics of the service are still in the works, including when it will open. DeGroot said they’re working hard to begin accepting kids on September 8, but they might be just past that deadline. A survey on the Klamath County Fairgrounds website asked parents things like the best pick up and drop off times, ages of kids interested and pricing.
A measure on the November ballot will ask voters in a northwestern Oregon county whether it should be a Second Amendment sanctuary. Voters in Clatsop County will decide whether to prohibit county resources from being used to enforce any local, state and federal law or regulation that restricts the right to keep and bear firearms, accessories or ammunition, according to The Astorian Newspaper. Jim Hoffman, a leader in the Clatsop County Republican Party, led the effort to collect over 1,100 signatures to qualify the measure for the ballot.
Antique farm equipment will be dusted off and put to work on Labor Day weekend during the annual Hildebrand Threshing Bee, according to a news release. The free event opens at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 5-6, at the Chimney Rock Ranch on Egert Road east of Dairy. Events wind down around 4 p.m. each day. The event is sponsored by Branch 21 of the Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association, also known as the Hildebrand Threshers or the local antique tractor club. Club members will demonstrate operation of old steam and gasoline-powered tractors, as well as stationary engines and a variety of farm implements, including a grain separator. To reach the event site, drive east from Klamath Falls on Highway 140 to mile post 22, and turn north on Bliss Road. Signs will provide directions from there.
Around the state of Oregon
Oregon reports 269 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 4 new deaths
COVID-19 has claimed four more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 458, the Oregon Health Authority reported today. Oregon Health Authority reported 269 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today bringing the state total to 26,554.
The new cases are in the following counties: Benton (5), Clackamas (16), Columbia (2), Coos (3), Deschutes (3), Hood River (9), Jackson (13), Lane (9), Lincoln (1), Linn (5), Malheur (22), Marion (48), Morrow (7), Multnomah (36), Polk (8), Sherman (1), Umatilla (41), Union (1), Washington (35), and Yamhill (4).
Oregon’s 455th COVID-19 death is a 70-year-old woman in Douglas County who tested positive on August 9 and died on August 29, at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.
Oregon’s 456th COVID-19 death is a 79-year-old woman in Marion County who tested positive on August 8 and died on August 25, at Salem Hospital. She had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 457th COVID-19 death is an 88-year-old man in Washington County who tested positive on August 25 and died on August 28 at Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.
Oregon’s 458th COVID-19 death is a 79-year-old man in Marion County who tested positive on July 30 and died on August 28, at Salem Hospital. He had underlying conditions.
Jackson County Public Health is reporting 13 new cases of Covid-19. This update brings the total reported case in Jackson County to 805.
Jackson County Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control do not recommend using a mask or face covering that has an exhalation valve or vent. Health Officials want to remind the public of the importance that everyone in Jackson County needs to wear a facial covering, practice physical distancing, wash your hands regularly, frequently disinfect surfaces that or touched often. These actions, taken by everyone, will slow the spread of COVID-19 in Jackson County and help the county to be removed from the Governor’s Watch List.
One new case of COVID-19 has been identified in Josephine County, bringing the county’s total number of cases to 154.
Public Health officials were notified of the case by the official medical record system provided by the Oregon Health Authority. Josephine County Public Health is investigating all cases to identify contacts and exposures and to isolate and monitor all individuals relevant to the cases. Public Health will reach out to anyone suspected of exposure to COVID-19. Of the 154 total cases, 24 are currently presumptive and 130 are confirmed. As of 9 a.m. Aug. 31, Public Health is actively monitoring 19 cases, with the remaining patients considered no longer infectious.
Rioters charges in Portland
Federal charges are being filed against 74 people involved in Portland demonstrations. U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced the charges yesterday, claiming violent agitators have hijacked the protests. Some of the charges, including felony assault of a federal officer, could carry sentences up to 20 years in prison. Not all of the cases involve federal property. Federal prosecutors say they’re reviewing acts of destruction committed throughout the city.
FATAL CRASH ON HWY 99E – CLACKAMAS COUNTY
On Sunday August 30, 2020 at approximately 5:15 A.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a vehicle crash on Hwy 99E near Glenn Echo Avenue.
Preliminary investigation revealed that a Subaru WRX, operated by Rocky Loring (19) of Milwaukie, was northbound on 99E when it struck, Rebecca Spaulding (36) unknown residence, who was in the lane of travel.
Spaulding sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. Northbound 99E was closed for approximately 3 hours.
FATAL CRASH ON INTERSTATE 5 – MARION COUNTY
On Saturday, August 29, 2020 at approximately 8:51 A.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a vehicle collision on Interstate 5 near milepost 256.
Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2006 Volvo semi truck with double tanker trailers, operated by Kevin Glidewell (66) of Aumsville, was northbound on I-5 in the right hand lane. Witness information indicated the male pedestrian stepped into the lane of travel directly into the path of the oncoming truck.
The pedestrian was struck and pronounced deceased. Name will be released when appropriate.
Oregon State Police dispatch had received multiple calls reporting a male walking in and near the roadway around the time of the crash. Two lanes of I-5 northbound were closed for approximately four hours following the crash.
Human- and lightning-caused fires sparked across Oregon ahead of National Preparedness Month. These stern warnings make it critical for all Oregonians to get prepared for both natural and human-caused disasters.
September is National Preparedness Month, and it is kicked-off in Oregon by Home Inventory Week. To recognize this often overlooked part of disaster preparation, the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation encourages all Oregonians to do two simple tasks that will save time, money, and stress when disaster strikes:
- Build a home inventory – Take video or photos of each room in your home, paying close attention to walls, drawers, closets, and storage areas. Write down the purchase date and price of high value items. Recalling your personal property is a daunting task following a disaster. A home inventory eases the post-disaster stress, and enables your insurance company to move forward with processing your claim.
- Review your insurance coverage – Take time to discuss your policies with your insurance company or agent. Make sure you have the right coverage and know what to expect when you file a claim for disasters such as fire, earthquake, flood, tornado, theft, and ice storms.
“Recent wildfires remind us how important it is for Oregonians to build a home inventory and make sure they have the right insurance coverage to protect their families,” said Insurance Commissioner and Department of Consumer and Business Services Director Andrew Stolfi. “These projects are easy to do, and now is the time to get these money-saving and stress-reducing tasks done.”
Oregonians are encouraged to visit dfr.oregon.gov/preparenow for videos and resources to help complete these simple tasks. The site also provides social media tools to help people encourage their families, friends, and neighbors to get prepared as well.
Anyone affected by recent wildfires should contact their insurance company as soon as possible to find out the next steps. If you still have questions or concerns, the division’s consumer advocates are here to help.
Call 888-877-4894 (toll-free) or visit dfr.oregon.gov/help for more information.
OSHU is calling off its COVID-19 study. Ten-thousand people volunteered from across the state to study the spread of the virus with the goal of helping local leaders better track, test and map the behavior of the virus. However, the university says it failed to take into account the impact on black, indigenous and people of color. They say the results of the study wouldn’t be representative of the state’s population, which is why it was canceled.
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