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March 28, 2024

Klamath Basin News, Wednesday, 12/30 – Health Dept Reports 31 New Covid Cases; Klamath County Remains on Gov. Brown’s Four-Tier “Extreme Risk” Level for Now

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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.

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Klamath Basin Weather

Today A chance of snow before 1pm, then rain and snow. High near 41. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. Overnight, rain and snow with a low around 28.

Thursday A 20% chance of snow showers before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39.

Friday, New Year’s Day A chance of rain and snow after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 41. Overnight low of 29.

Saturday A slight chance of snow before 1pm, then a slight chance of rain between 1pm and 4pm, then a chance of rain and snow after 4pm. Snow level rising to 4700 feet in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Sunday Rain and snow likely, mainly before 10am. Snow level 4500 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41.

See Road Camera Views

Lake of the Woods   
Doak Mtn.   
Hiway 97 at Chemult   
Hiway 140 at  Bly       
Hiway 97 at GreenSprings Dr.            
Hiway 97 at LaPine

Today’s Headlines

Klamath County Public Health officials reported 31 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday. The local case count is 1,873. This week’s count is 42. The reporting week runs from Sunday through Saturday.

The Oregon Health Authority on Monday reported 865 new confirmed or presumptive coronavirus cases and six more deaths.

The numbers represent a continuing trend of fewer reported cases and fatalities over the last several days, but the state’s data often lags during weekends and around holidays so may not be reflective of the actual state of the pandemic in Oregon.

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (25), Benton (7), Clackamas (90), Clatsop (9), Columbia (6), Coos (26), Crook (1), Deschutes (39), Douglas (6), Gilliam (1), Grant (1), Hood River (5), Jackson (36), Jefferson (4), Josephine (15), Klamath (12), Lake (4), Lane (60), Lincoln (12), Linn (22), Malheur (12), Marion (88), Morrow (2), Multnomah (105), Polk (11), Tillamook (1), Umatilla (26), Union (6), Wasco (6), Washington (60), Wheeler (1) and Yamhill (14).

COVID-19 hospitalizations: There are 527 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 across Oregon, which is 12 more than yesterday. There are 119 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is six more than yesterday. The total number of patients in hospital beds may fluctuate between report times. The numbers do not reflect admissions per day, nor the length of hospital stay. Staffing limitations are not captured in this data and may further limit bed capacity.

A handful of Oregon counties will see fewer coronavirus-related restrictions beginning Friday, according to Governor Kate Brown’s office.

Under the state’s four-tier “risk level” system, 24 counties will remain at Extreme Risk, five will be at High Risk, and seven at Lower Risk between January 1 and January 14. In southern Oregon, Douglas and Coos counties were moved down to High from Extreme.

Lake County went down from Moderate to Lower Risk. Jackson, Josephine, Curry, and Klamath counties remain at Extreme Risk.

The Oregon Health Authority sweeps county COVID-19 case data every week, but risk levels only change on a two-week basis. The first week’s data is supposed to provide a “warning week” for county officials to prepare for any changes. Risk levels won’t change again until January 15.

Gillian Bradley was sentenced last week to five years in prison, with credit for time served, after she pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of tampering with evidence in connection with a Klamath Falls November 2019 shooting that left two people dead and one injured.  

Judge Dan Bunch dismissed charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder as a part of a plea deal in which Bradley pleaded guilty to the other four charges. Bradley, 23, was arrested Nov. 20, 2019 after a 12:45 a.m. shooting at Fairview Park on Worden Street. According to the probable cause statement in the case, Bradley conspired with Christopher Gregory to confront Donald Cheatham Jr. and Sean Brazil-Gates at the park that night. After an altercation, the pair opened fire, killing Cheatham, 43, and injuring Gates, 28. Gregory, 31, was also shot and killed. The document also stated that Bradley had tried to hide a rifle and a handgun in the bark at the playground before police arrived.

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As announced yesterday, the Klamath County School District and the Klamath Falls City Schools have today announced they will reopen to “in-person instruction” for all students at all grade levels, starting Jan. 11th.

New guidance by Gov. Kate Brown changed COVID-19 case metrics from mandatory to advisory, allowing school districts to work with local public health officials to determine when to reopen schools.

During a meeting Monday with district superintendents and school nurses, county public health officials advised a 10-day waiting period following winter break because of current high case counts of COVID-19 in the county and an expected spike in cases following Christmas and New Year’s.

The reopening date allows for 10 days between the holidays and the first day of in-person classes. All students still will return to class Monday, Jan. 4 for a week of distance learning before transitioning to in-person models.

“The district has been working with public health since September to keep students in school to the maximum degree possible. It will be good to finally get back to all students having the opportunity to do in-person instruction,” said Glen Szymoniak, superintendent of the Klamath County School District.

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Paul Hillyer, superintendent of the Klamath Falls City Schools, agreed.

“We are extremely excited to be able to offer in-person instruction to all our students once again,” he said. “This is an exciting development that will help students academically, socially, and emotionally. It will also be exciting for our staff who have so much missed the day-to-day interaction with students.”

All students in Klamath County returned to comprehensive distance learning Nov. 30 after rising COVID-19 cases in the county exceeded state-mandated metrics. On Jan. 11, students will return to in-person instruction models their schools were following before the closure.

Schools must still follow all health safety and health protocols in Oregon Department of Education’s Ready Schools, Safe Learners. The new guidance from the governor does not mean schools can resume in-person instruction without regard for COVID-19 spread in the community.

“We will continue to work closely Klamath County Public Health, the Oregon Department of Education, and Oregon Health Authority to ensure our decision-making process remains grounded in sound science, public health, and student, staff, and community safety,” Szymoniak said.

Both districts will continue to offer virtual options for students and families who are not comfortable returning to in-person instruction because of COVID-19 concerns.

All branches of the Klamath County Library District will be closed on Friday, Jan. 1 in observance of New Year’s Day. The downtown Klamath County Library will close early at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31 for New Year’s Eve. The libraries will also be closed Monday, Jan. 18 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. No library materials will be due on a day that the libraries are closed for a holiday. For more information call 541-882-8894, or visit the calendar section on www.klamathlibrary.org.

One of the Klamath County Library’s favorite yearly events is heading online! Join us for All-Ages Bingo on the second Saturday of the month (January 9th) at 3pm and on the fourth Wednesday of the month (January 27th) at 7pm, from January through March!

Sign up once at klamathlibrary.org/bingo and get an invite link that you can use for every Bingo event! Bingo cards can be picked up at the Reference desk at the downtown Klamath County Library, or at the desk of your favorite library branch location, the week of each bingo session.

Every bingo will win a “Book Buck,” good for $1 at The Bookie Joint bookstore located in the downtown Klamath County Library at 126 S. 3rd St. Win or lose, every player can also return their bingo card to be entered in a drawing in March for a bingo grand prize!

For more information or for help signing up, contact Denae at (541)882-8894 ext. 22 or email dnemanic@klamathlibrary.org.

More fun at the Klamath County Library!

Join us online for events that families, kids and teens will enjoy! Here’s what we have coming up in January…

  • January Theme: STEAM Month! That’s short for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, and they’re vital building blocks for learning! Pick up a kit each week at the Youth Services desk (while supplies last) and learn a different STEAM skill with a fun winter craft! For ages 5-12.
    • Jan 4th – 10th: Penguin Card
    • Jan 11th – 17thBorax Snowflakes
    • Jan 19th – 24thCoffee Filter Snowflakes
    • Jan 25th – 31st: Modeling Clay Snowman
  • January Teen Writing Contest: Side Stories! Have you ever wanted to hear the story of Harry Potter from Neville Longbottom’s perspective? Or perhaps the Legend of Zelda games told from Zelda’s perspective? Well, here’s your chance! Write a short story from your favorite secondary character’s perspective – based on any movie, show, book, or video game. (Maximum 3,000 words, please.) Entry deadline is January 31st. The winner will receive a $20 gift card to Basin Book Trader. For ages 12-18. (For complete rules head to https://klamathlibrary.org/teens/teen-contests/teen-writing-contest.)
  • Camp Write Stuff: Weekdays after school. Join fellow authors each afternoon to bounce ideas – or just leverage a little friendly peer pressure to make yourself work on that fic you’ve been putting off. (You know the one.) Email Sarah at smiller@klamathlibrary.org for the link to join! For ages 12-18.
  • Baby Bouncers Storytime Online: Tuesdays at 11 am. Join us each week for stories, games, and catchy songs live on Zoom! Register once at klamathlibrary.org/babybouncers or by emailing Katie at khart@klamathlibrary.org, and join in as much as you like! This storytime is aimed at newborns through 18 months, but all are welcome.
  •  Mondays and Tuesdays. We have everything you need to play – just bring a healthy dose of imagination! We have three playgroups, which meet at different times on Mondays and/or Tuesdays. Email Sarah at smiller@klamathlibrary.org to get your character started! For ages 12-18.
  • Teen Gaming Hour: Thursdays at 4 pm. We’re finding the imposter, trading fruit and more every Thursday at 4pm! Email Vesta at vkerns@klamathlibrary.org for the link to participate. For ages 12-18.
  • Preschool Power Storytime Online: Fridays at 11 am. Come for stories, songs and more, live on Zoom! Register once at klamathlibrary.org/preschoolpower or by emailing Vesta at vkerns@klamathlibrary.org, and join as many sessions as you like! Suggested for children 3 to 5.
  • Lemon Brick Road Studios Comics Club: Saturday, January 9th from noon to 3 pm. Our ongoing comics club for artists and writers in sixth through 12th grade hangs out online on the second Saturday of every month! Email Sarah at smiller@klamathlibrary.org or club advisor Professor Franny at franny.howes@gmail.com to get the link to join in.
  • Teen Discord! Did you know the Klamath County Library has a Discord server for teens to hang out? It’s true! The conversations happening there inspire quite a few of our events for ages 12-18. Email Sarah at smiller@klamathlibrary.org for more info.

For more information, please call 541-882-8894, visit the Youth Services desk, or see our calendar at klamathlibrary.org/calendar

Great Decisions 2021, a program of the United States Foreign Policy Association hosted by the Klamath County Library, will discuss foreign policy issues for eight weeks on Thursdays at 1pm starting February 4th.

The group will be holding all discussions via Zoom. (Since this is the first time the group is meeting online, we also ask that participants join us for a “technology check” meeting on Monday, February 1st at 1pm to make sure everyone can connect appropriately.)

The topics for 2021 are more relevant than ever in a world changed by COVID-19: how global supply chains interact with national security; issues in the Persian Gulf; how “Brexit” affects the European Union and the United Kingdom; struggles over the melting Arctic; China’s influence in Africa; issues on the Korean Peninsula; the roles that international organizations have to play in a global pandemic; and globalization.

Registration starts Monday, January 4th. Space is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline for reserving your spot and your Great Decisions book is Wednesday, January 13th. For more information, call Charla Oppenlander at 882-8894 ext. 10 or email her at coppenlander@klamathlibrary.org.

Around the state of Oregon

 A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck about 127 miles (204 kilometers) off the Oregon coast early Tuesday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The earthquake struck at 4:50 a.m. west of Bandon, Oregon, the agency said. The Northwest National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska, said “an earthquake occurred, a tsunami is not expected.” The federal agency received 88 responses from people who said they felt the quake, but said little or no area was affected and no people were exposed to danger.  Just one business received broken windows from the quake.

Enhanced federal unemployment benefits are expected to continue without interruption, even though the pandemic-relief bill just missed making it into law before a key deadline.

Both Republican and Democratic leaders last week pressed President Donald Trump to sign the $900 billion bill, insisting it would provide desperately needed assistance to millions of Americans and prevent an unnecessary shock to the economy. The president did sign it, but not until Sunday, a delay that caused the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation programs to expire.

This missed due date for Trump’s signature was expected to result in a week of payments being delayed or lost, but the U.S. Department of Labor showed that it can be nimble when necessary, declaring Tuesday it “does not anticipate that eligible claimants will miss a week of benefits due to the timing of the law’s enactment.”

Tobacco taxes in the state of Oregon are set to jump on January 1 of the new year after voters overwhelmingly approved Measure 108 in November. The Oregon Department of Revenue announced last month that it is moving forward with the tax increases, which include the state’s first tax on e-cigarettes. Beginning January 1, the following changes go into effect:

  • The cigarette tax will increase by $2 per pack of 20 and $2.50 per pack of 25.
  • Little cigars, collectively weighing less than 3 pounds per 1,000, will be taxed as cigarettes, will require an Oregon cigarette tax stamp, and must be sold in sealed packages of at least 20.
  • Inhalant delivery systems, such as vaping and e-cigarette products, will be taxed at a rate of 65% of the wholesale purchase price.
  • The cap on the tax on cigars increases from 50 cents to $1.

Revenue from the new taxes goes to the Oregon Health Authority — funding programs to address nicotine addiction and tobacco-related diseases, as well as healthcare coverage for low-income families and mental health services.

A law passed by the Oregon legislature in the summer of 2019 allowing people without documentation of legal residence to obtain a driver’s license in the state goes into effect on Jan. 1.  

Because the Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services is closed for the New Year’s holiday and then the weekend, the first licenses won’t be issued until Jan. 4 at the earliest. Those licenses will not trigger automatic voter registration, unlike other Oregon driver’s licenses. While the new law gets rid of the requirement to prove U.S. citizenship or legal residency to receive an Oregon driver’s license, those wishing to get their license must still show proof they live in Oregon, and then pay a fee and pass a driving test.

Josephine County Public Health specialists have developed a new weekly report that better informs the public about Josephine County’s data and how it affects the county’s standing in the new risk-based system outlined in Executive Order No. 20-66.

The new report includes a COVID-19 Snapshot with information about the county’s Risk Level, Josephine County statistics and a tally of active and total outbreaks; a graph of new reported cases; a graph illustrating the county’s test positivity; a graph representing the county’s two-week totals per 100,000 residents (an important metric in the new risk-based system used by the Oregon Health Authority); and a chart breaking down where outbreaks have occurred in the county.

An outbreak is defined by the OHA as two or more cases in 14 days that share an “epilink,” a place or person that people who test positive for COVID-19 have in common. The OHA keeps outbreaks open for 28 days from the last case’s symptom onset to monitor for new cases. This number is based on two incubation periods (14 days) for COVID-19. If there are no new cases within 28 days, OHA can reasonably believe subsequent cases are not related to the earlier outbreak.

The weekly report can be found at co.josephine.or.us/COVID19 or Facebook.com/JosephineCountyPublicHealth.

Daily figures related to COVID-19 in Josephine County can be found on the OHA website, https://govstatus.egov.com/OR-OHA-COVID-19. There you can also find OHA’s Weekly COVID-19 Report, Community Resources and more. Additional information about the new Risk and Safety Framework can be found at https://coronavirus.oregon.gov.

TK Keen is the new administrator for the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation, which licenses and regulates banks, credit unions, investments, debt resources, and insurance in the state.

Keen has served as acting administrator since August, and succeeds Andrew Stolfi as the division’s administrator. In April, Stolfi was appointed by Gov. Kate Brown to lead the Department of Consumer and Business Services, the state’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency, of which the Division of Financial Regulation is part. Stolfi will continue to serve as Oregon Insurance Commissioner, a role he has had since 2018.

Under Keen’s leadership, the division has responded with agreements and emergency orders to help Oregonians affected by COVID-19 and wildfires.

In response to COVID-19, the division issued grace periods for consumers to pay insurance premiums. This created a sustainable way for insurance customers to keep up with premium payments without falling too far behind during the pandemic. The division also reached agreements with health insurance companies to provide expanded telehealth in response to COVID-19.

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