Klamath Basin News, Tuesday, 11/10 – County Health Reports 23 New Covid-19 Cases; 723 New Cases in the State

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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.

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Klamath Basin Weather

Today Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 43. Possible evening snow or rain shower, Overnight, A 30% chance of snow showers, mainly after 10pm, with a low around 26. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Wednesday, Veterans Day Mostly sunny, with a high near 40.

Thursday A chance of snow after 10am, mixing with rain after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. Overnight, a chance of rain and snow before 7pm, then snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 31.

Friday Rain and snow likely, becoming all rain after 1pm. Snow level 4700 feet. Cloudy, with a high near 42.

Today’s Headlines

Klamath County Public Health officials reported 23 new cases of COVID-19 in the community on Monday, Nov. 9, according to a news release. The local case count is 486. Seven cases were assigned to last week, bringing that week’s total to 34. This week’s total is 16. The cases reported today and added to last week’s total were in the statewide communicable disease database on Saturday, Nov. 7.

Under new school metrics, two-week increments now will be evaluated for number of cases and test positivity rates. Specific weekly totals are important. The week runs from Sunday to Saturday.

COVID-19 has claimed four more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 734. Oregon Health Authority reported 723 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of yesterday, bringing the state total to 51,155.  

The new cases are in the following counties: Baker (1), Benton (8), Clackamas (68), Clatsop (2), Columbia (4), Coos (6), Crook (2), Deschutes (25), Douglas (21), Grant (4), Jackson (54), Jefferson (5), Josephine (18), Klamath (23), Lane (36), Linn (17), Malheur (7), Marion (79), Morrow (1), Multnomah (204), Polk (16), Tillamook (2), Umatilla (11), Union (13), Wasco (1), Washington (119) and Yamhill (18).

 Eighteen new cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Josephine County, bringing the county’s total number of cases to 316.

Jackson County Public Health in Medford confirmed on Monday that it is investigating multiple coronavirus outbreaks at local long-term care facilities, apparently spurred by increasing spread from private social gatherings — inevitably bringing infection to places where people vulnerable to the virus live. The agency says that it is currently investigating nine outbreaks at separate facilities. The one specifically identified by officials on Monday was Avamere Three Fountains, where testing has found a total of 54 cases, including eight staff members and 46 residents. One of the recent COVID-19 deaths in Jackson County was an Avamere resident, Jackson County Public Health indicated Small social gatherings with family and friends are still the main factor in increased spread, and public health officials say that those gatherings “play a significant role” in the virus reaching long-term care facilities. 

Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a vehicle crash on Hwy 97 near milepost 181 in Northern Klamath County Sunday morning. Preliminary investigation revealed a Toyota Tacoma, operated by Heriberto Pacheco Madrigal (35) of Sunnyside, WA. was northbound when it lost traction on the ice, slid into the southbound lane, and collided with a Toyota Tundra operated by Daniel Frank (63) of Redding, CA.  Pacheco Madrigal and his passengers, Silvia Pacheco Madrigal (29) of Sunnyside, WA and two minor children, were transported to the hospital. Frank and his passenger, Cheryl Frank (63) of Redding, CA. were transported to the hospital.  Cheryl Frank sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital.  There was a third vehicle, Ford Explorer, involved and the occupants were uninjured. OSP was assisted at the scene by ODOT and Crescent Rural Fire Department.  Weather and roadway conditions were a factor in this crash. 

On Saturday members of the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit (SAR) conducted a day long area search in an attempt to locate evidence regarding a person from Lake Havasu, Arizona reported missing in the summer of 2019.  

New information had been developed after a vehicle belonging to the missing man was located by hunters the previous week. The searchers, comprised of SAR ground teams and SAR mounted teams successfully located personal items and evidence of a deceased person, believed to be the missing man, during a cold and snowy search near Clover Creek Road. The man’s identity is not being released as positive identification has not yet been made.  

Family members of the missing man have been advised of the recent discovery and expressed gratitude for the efforts of Search and Rescue and the Sheriff’s Office and the closure this information provides. Members of the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit are volunteers who provide thousands of hours of public service to our community each year. Sheriff Chris Kaber wishes to recognize the selfless gift these people give to Klamath County and surrounding counties as well.

Crater Lake National Park will look like this…soon!

Winter Road Closures and Fees at Crater Lake National Park  

CRATER LAKE, OR – Crater Lake National Park’s North Entrance Road and Rim Drive closed for the season on November 1stAll visitors to Crater Lake National Park must use Highway 62 to access the park from the south or west during these closures.  The North Entrance Road and Rim Drive, with elevations from 5,850 to 7,960 feet above sea level, receive an average of more than 40 feet of snow each year and are not plowed from fall to late spring because of deep drifts, avalanche risk, and other dangerous conditions.  The North Entrance Road and Rim Drive will reopen in the late spring or early summer of 2021.  Exact dates for road openings depend on snow depths each year.  

On November 1st, the park began charging its winter entrance fee.  The fee is $20 per car, $15 per motorcycle, and $15 per person on foot or bike. It is good for 7 days and is collected at the Annie Creek Entrance Station. 

It is also possible to purchase an annual pass for Crater Lake National Park for $55, which is honored at both Crater Lake and Lava Beds National Monument.  Annual passes for Lava Beds are also accepted at Crater Lake.  An America the Beautiful Pass, good for entrance to all national parks for one year from date of purchase, is available for $80.  It is possible to purchase a mobile pass online prior to your visit by going to https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/2647.  

Crater Lake National Park is open 365 days a year.  Highway 62 and Munson Valley Road, which leads to Rim Village and lake viewing access, are plowed throughout the winter.  During heavy snowstorms, however, the road from park headquarters to Rim Village may be closed to allow plow operators to focus their efforts on the remaining roads.  When visiting the park in fall, winter, and spring, visitors should be prepared for winter road conditions by carrying chains and knowing how to use them. 

Visitors can check current visibility and road conditions on the park’s webcams at http://www.nps.gov/crla/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm. Please note that conditions can change rapidly, and refunds are not offered for poor visibility or lack of access to Rim Village after visitors go past the entrance station. Visitors should fuel their vehicles before arriving at the park, as gasoline is not available from mid-October until late May.  

The park’s backcountry office is open daily from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM for permits only.  For health and safety reasons, building occupancy is limited so groups are asked to designate one individual to obtain the permit.  Permits are free but required for all overnight camping in the park. 

A heated restroom with running water is located in Rim Village and open 24/7.  Additionally, there are open vault toilets located at Ponderosa Picnic Area near the park’s south entrance, Goodbye Picnic Area on Munson Valley Road, and at the Old West pullout located near the west entrance. These vault toilets will remain open and available until the snow becomes too deep to keep them accessible.  

Visitors need to be self-sufficient and come prepared for winter conditions. Tire chains may be required at times. Make sure your car is equipped with extra supplies that might be needed for winter conditions – food, water, blankets, jackets, flashlight, etc. The Rim Café and Gift Shop is closed for the season and there is no food available in the park. The Steel Information Center is also closed.   

For the latest information and updates please visit our website at www.nps.gov/crla  or call the park at (541)594-3100 between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM daily.  


Sky Lakes Medical Center officials are anticipating a “detrimental” financial impact on the medical center following a ransomware attack last week, but officials are hopeful a new system will be up and running by next week.

The medical center is one of numerous hospitals around the country that was hit by the attack. IT professionals have been working around the clock to remedy the threat, and the medical center is in the process of getting a system-wide upgrade.

Tom Hottman, spokesman for Sky Lakes Medical Center, and Stewart said Friday there is still a lot to be done but that “great progress” is being made. Hottman said that systems that have to do with patient care are going to be up much sooner. Radiologists will have a brand new system to read diagnostic images.

The hospital will have to replace about 2,000 computers.

A 38-year old Klamath Falls man is in the Klamath County jail, lodged on at least 10 felony counts. Kevin Dean Moya was arrested at a residence on Manzanita Avenue Friday afternoon.  He faces at least 10 counts of encouraging child sex abuse in the first degree. No other details on the arrest were immediately available.

The Klamath County Chamber of Commerce has announced a new holiday event for 2020, “Let It Glow: A Klamath County Holiday Decorating Contest”. All county residents and businesses are invited to participate and light up the area in anticipation of the holiday season. The Chamber thanks Pacific Power and Winema Electric for stepping up to sponsor the event. Local residents and businesses are asked to sign up for the competition by December 4th, 2020 and complete their holiday decorating by December 8th. The Chamber will make a driving map available, so light seekers will be able to locate the festive exhibits on the tour. Map will be posted December 8th. To access the light-tour map, visit www.klamath.org.  To register your home or business, visit https://bit.ly/kfallsletitglow or call (541) 884-5193.

The Salvation Army in Klamath Falls will accept applications for Christmas food and gifts for children until Dec. 5. The local office location is 2960 Maywood Drive. Applications can be filled out on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to noon and Friday from 1-3 p.m. This year, the office is also accepting applications over the phone, if you were a previous participant in the program. Phone hours are Monday through Friday from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. The phone number is 541-882-5280. For any questions, call 541-892-2723

Quota Club of Klamath Falls held a pajamas drive to help foster children, collecting in total 107 pairs of pajamas and 60 knitted hats, according to a news release. The items were presented to Bridget King from Department of Human Services for foster children on Oct. 27 by members of the Quota Club of Klamath Falls. The Quota Club wished to express its gratitude to community members and Quota Club participants for their donations to assist children in Klamath County.

Around the state of Oregon

Nine counties on two-week pause starting Wednesday

After a significant spike in COVID-19 cases, nine Oregon counties will begin a two-week pause of social activities on Nov. 11. Five counties were announced on Friday and four more counties were added to the list today. Counties with a case rate above 200 per 100,000 people over a two-week period, or more than 60 cases over a two-week period for counties with less than 30,000 people have been placed on the pause. We must all work together to slow the spread of COVID-19. See the list of cities further below.

The two-week pause measures include:

  • Urging all businesses to mandate work from home to the greatest extent possible.
  • Pausing long-term care facility visits that take place indoors to protect staff and residents.
  • Reducing maximum restaurant capacity to 50 people (including customers and staff) for indoor dining, with a maximum party size of six. Continuing to encourage outdoor dining and take out.
  • Reducing the maximum capacity of other indoor activities to 50 people (includes gyms, fitness organizations/studios, bowling alleys, ice rinks, indoor sports, pools and museums).
  • Limiting social gatherings to your household, or no more than six people total if the gathering includes those from outside your household. Reducing the frequency of those social gatherings (significantly in a two-week period) and keeping the same six people in your social gathering circle.

Portland residents are celebrating the victory of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.  Hundreds of people gathered Saturday for spontaneous celebrations, including a rally that drew several hundred people to Pioneer Courthouse Square.  Meanwhile, opposing demonstrations between Biden supporters and Trump supporters drew a heavy police presence outside the state Capitol in Salem.

A seven-month long investigation concluded on 11-06-2020 with the execution of four search warrants in Josephine County and the arrests of several individuals. The Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Team has been investigating the prison gang, European Kindred (EK), and several of their members in Josephine County.

During the investigation, which focused on firearms, robberies and illegal activity involving marijuana, RADE detectives obtained probable cause to apply for search warrants and arrest several members of the EK.

With the assistance of the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety (GPDPS), Oregon State Police Southwest Region Marijuana Team (OSP SWR MJ), Basin Interagency Narcotics Team (BINET), the Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement Team (MADGE), Josephine County District Attorney’s Office, Oregon Department of Justice – Organized Crime Division (ORDOJ), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the below listed subjects were taken into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail.

Arrested and charged were:

Eric WIlliam Kelly

Kelly, Eric William, 33 years old

  • Racketeering
  • Robbery in the first degree
  • Robbery in the second degree
  • Theft in the first degree
  • Felon in Possession of a Firearm
  • Delivery of Methamphetamine
  • Delivery of Heroin
  • Delivery of Marijuana
  • Post-Prison Supervision detainer out of Multnomah County (on Post-Prison for Attempted Assault 1)
Kyle David Thier

Thier, Kyle David, 37 years old

  • Racketeering
  • Robbery in the first degree
  • Robbery in the second degree
  • Theft in the first degree
  • Delivery of Marijuana
  • Felon in Possession of a Firearm x6
Nathaniel David Anderson

Anderson, Nathaniel David, 32 years old

  • Robbery in the first degree
  • Robbery in the second degree
  • Theft in the first degree

Seized during the execution of the search warrants were over 30 illegally possessed firearms, over 100 pounds of dried marijuana, over 40 marijuana plants, methamphetamine, heroin, packaging material and scales. Additional charges may be added after reviewing the case in its entirety.

Other subjects are being sought in relation to this case, but there is believed to be no danger to the public at this time. Anyone with information or questions is asked to call Det. Sgt. Doni Hamilton 541-450-6370 or email dhamilton@grantspassoregon.gov. Please reference case numbers 2020-51213 or 2020-51295.

A lettuce produce recall is in effect in Oregon and several other states over E.coli concerns.  The voluntary recall by producer Tanimura and Antle in Salinas, California was confirmed by an FDA tweet Friday.  

The company’s romaine lettuce packed as single heads with packaging dates of October 15th and 16th are affected.  The product was distributed in Puerto Rico and in 19 U.S. states including Oregon.

Thanks to over 79,000 residential and business customers who choose Pacific Power’s Blue Sky renewable energy, the popular program ranks third in a national study by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

The NREL recently released its ranking of leading utility green power programs based on 2019 data. For the 18th consecutive year, PacifiCorp’s Blue Sky program – which includes Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power customers – is being recognized. Pacific Power Blue Sky participation consistently increases about 6 percent year over year. Continual growth is anticipated in the future as increasing numbers of customers choose to support renewable energy.

Blue Sky allows customers to match their energy usage with the purchase of renewable energy credits (RECs). It’s a simple way for participants to support new renewable energy in the West, above and beyond PacifiCorp’s substantial and growing commitment to renewables.

The state has mailed approximately $3.2 million in unclaimed funds to nearly 11,000 Oregonians, marking a distribution of unclaimed property that is a first of its kind for Oregon.

Individuals who received a letter in October informing them of forthcoming unclaimed funds will soon receive a check in the mail from Oregon’s Unclaimed Property Program, administered by the Oregon Department of State Lands. The checks, which range between $50 – $2,500, are being mailed to current and former Oregonians. Each check represents a unique sum of unclaimed funds — referred to as unclaimed property — owed to each person by a business or organization that was unable to return the money to its owner.

Common examples of unclaimed property include uncashed checks, forgotten bank accounts, security deposits, tax refunds, credit balances, investment accounts, payroll checks, refunds and more. When businesses lose contact with their patrons for a certain time, they are required under state law to turn over funds held for those individuals to Oregon’s Unclaimed Property Program.

The funds are held in a central repository until they are reunited with their owner or heir — typically when a claim is filed.

Salem – Oregon Insurance Commissioner Andrew Stolfi will host the second statewide virtual Wildfire Insurance Town Hall on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 11 a.m.

He will be joined by representatives from the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation to answer questions about wildfire insurance, the claims process, and how the division can help Oregonians. A representative from the Federal Emergency Management Association will also be available to answer questions about the need for flood insurance after a wildfire.

Everyone affected by the wildfires are encouraged to tune in to the Zoom live stream. You can also listen to the town hall by calling (253) 215-8782 or (669) 900-6833. Use Meeting ID: 992 4748 7370 and Passcode: 867128.

“Our goal for these wildfire town halls is to address the important insurance information people need right now to move toward recovery,” said Stolfi, who is also the director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. “Recovery will take time, but we are here to help Oregonians through every phase of their insurance claim.”

Oregonians can submit questions before the town hall. The commissioner and division representatives will answer as many questions as possible during the event.

The town hall will be recorded and captioned in both English and Spanish for people who have difficulty hearing, as well as many of those who are not native English speakers. That recording will be made available as soon as the captioning is complete.

Last month’s town hall can be viewed on the division’s wildfire insurance page. The site, available in English and Spanish, has resources and contact information to help answer many wildfire insurance questions. The division is also prepared to help people in any language they choose. Visit dfr.oregon.gov/help for more information.

Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington (GSOSW) will host the first-ever STEMapalooza, a two-day virtual Science, Technology, Engineering and Math expo, November 14-15, 2020.

Girls will engage with STEM experts, explore STEM careers and experience live webinar panels, science demonstrations, and self-guided activities. STEMapalooza is generously sponsored by First Tech Federal Credit Union.

Throughout the two-day event, girls can explore more than 20 distinct STEM experiences, from live panels and demonstrations to self-guided STEM experiments and activities from partners including:

  • First Tech Federal Credit Union
  • Cambia Health Solutions Women in Information Security
  • Chintimini Wildlife Center
  • Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum
  • GSOSW Medford Service Center’s Garden Leader
  • GSOSW Portland Metro Astronomy Club (Girl-Led)
  • Haystack Rock Awareness Program
  • Mad Science of Portland & Vancouver
  • Microsoft Portland
  • Miss Oregon
  • National Association of Women in Construction – Portland
  • Oregon Mermaids
  • Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
  • Oregon State University’s Marine and Geology Repository
  • Portland State University Women in Aerospace
  • Society of Women Engineers, Columbia River Section
  • Women in Science PDX
  • Women in Transportation Seminar
  • University of Oregon’s Pine Mountain Observatory

“We know that for girls—and especially girls of color—representation matters,” says Nicole Frisch, Senior Director, Community Engagement First Tech Federal Credit Union. “That’s why we’re excited to partner with Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington for STEMapalooza, where girls will be able to see and engage with career professionals who look like them, learn about education and career journeys, and find a path for themselves in STEM. It’s one way we can work together to diversify the STEM pipeline, and support our next generation of thinkers, doers and leaders.”

Research shows that girls are keenly interested in STEM and excel at it. Yet, for a variety of reasons, girls often don’t pursue STEM—starting as early as elementary school—and women and girls are underrepresented across all levels of the STEM pipeline. Girl Scout STEM programs are designed to introduce Girl Scouts of every age to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and bridge the gender gap with progression-based, multi-year STEM experiences such as Girl Scouts’ new STEM Career Exploration badges. Through STEMapalooza, Girl Scouts in grades 2-8 will be able to complete steps toward these new badges as they connect with STEM professionals, learn about what they do, and discover their pathway to STEM careers.

“At GSOSW, it is so important for us to create STEM opportunities for girls where they can see themselves represented in a field that they have been told is traditionally not for them,” says Tessa Crosby, Program Manager for Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington. “We hope to inspire girls through these opportunities to step outside of their comfort zones to try something new, so they can cultivate the skills to become the STEM leaders of tomorrow.”

A blacktail deer was killed and recovered on the Miller Woods Conservation Area property outside of McMinnville.

Witnesses located the deceased deer, believed to be a doe, lying in a hiking trail with 3 fawns standing around it shortly after hearing a single rifle shot.  A short time later the property caretaker found that the deer had been drug off of the property along the trail that led to NW Orchard View Road.

The Oregon State Police is requesting that anyone with information about this incident contact the Oregon State Police Northern Command Center at 1-800-442-0776 and leave information for Trooper Tayler Jerome.

Individuals wishing to remain anonymous may also contact the Oregon State Police through the Turn in Poachers line at

TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or *OSP(677)

TIP E-Mail: TIP@state.or.us (Monitored M-F 8:00AM – 5:00PM)

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