(Above, Stacy Wright, a Shasta Elementary School teacher, receives her first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Saturday from volunteer Brian Michaels, a Sky Lakes pharmacist, during a vaccine clinic for Klamath County School District employees at the Klamath County Fairgrounds.)
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, January 25, 2021
Today’s Basin Weather
Today Partly sunny, with a high near 32. Overnight, cloudy with a low around 15.
Tuesday A 20 percent chance of snow after 10am. Increasing clouds, with a high near 31. Overnight, snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Wednesday Snow likely, mainly before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. Overnight, cloudy, with a low around 29. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Thursday A 40 percent chance of snow, mainly before 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Friday A slight chance of snow showers after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 38.
Saturday A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 40.
Today’s Headlines
There are three new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 1,880, Oregon Health Authority reported 582 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of Sunday afternoon, bringing the state total to 138,168.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (3), Clackamas (49), Coos (26), Crook (9), Curry (1), Deschutes (31), Douglas (14), Harney (1), Hood River (9), Jackson (47), Jefferson (4), Josephine (20), Klamath (26), Lake (5), Lane (49), Lincoln (6), Linn (18), Malheur (3), Marion (72), Morrow (3), Multnomah (78), Polk (18), Tillamook (1), Umatilla (16), Union (5), Wasco (2), Washington (59) and Yamhill (7).
OHA reported that 14,755 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry. Oregon has now administered a cumulative total of 300,662 first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines.
All vaccinations were administered by Oregon hospitals, long-term care facilities, emergency medical service (EMS) agencies, urgent care facilities and Local Public Health Authorities (LPHAs). To date, 492,450 doses of vaccine have been delivered to sites across Oregon. The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 310, which the same as yesterday. There are 80 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is three fewer than yesterday.
Progress is being made slowly to get the vaccine out in the local area in the Klamath Basin.
Lena Schonchin and her cousin Kimmie McNair, both Klamath Tribal members, were the first in the tribal community to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations at the end of December. On Friday, they became some of the first to be completely immunized, along with nine other KTHFS employees who also received their booster shots at the Klamath Tribes’ Wellness Center in Chiloquin.
Meanwhile, Klamath Union High School Principal Tony Swan rolled up his red, Pelican T-shirt sleeve as Dr. Mychal Amos administered Swan’s first dose of the Moderna vaccine Friday. Amos is chairman of the city school board, and director of pharmacy services at Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls. He and Swan chatted as Amos administered the dose.
On Saturday, nearly 400 employees within the Klamath County School District(KCSD) received their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine. Those nearly 400 Klamath County School District staff included – teachers, cooks, bus drivers, secretaries, and others, while the vaccine that they received was their first dose of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccinations happened at a clinic at the Klamath County Fairgrounds.
Some areas in Klamath County have already returned back to almost a full schedule on in-person classes, while school districts in more populated areas have returned to a hybrid model. But with the additional 400 vaccinations, the county is making steps to help get students, teachers and other employees back into the classroom full-time. KCSD teachers have been on the front lines since September, many teaching in-person classes for three months before COVID-19 metrics forced schools statewide into distance learning.
The district this month was among the first in the state to reopen all grades to hybrid and in-person learning.
Vaccines for county schools: #KCSDThisIsOurShot
Nearly 400 Klamath County School District receive first dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Mariah Campbell, a kindergarten teacher at Ferguson Elementary School, receives her first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Saturday from volunteer Brian Michaels, a Sky Lakes pharmacist, during a vaccine clinic for Klamath County School District employees at the Klamath County Fairgrounds.
Ferguson Elementary School kindergarten teachers Mariah Campbell and Lori Nealy were more than ready Saturday morning as they waited for their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Campbell and Nealy both have been teaching in person since September when the Klamath County School District opened classrooms to its youngest students.
“We really need and want to be in class with our students,” Campbell said. “The vaccine will give me a sense of peace.”
Nealy agreed.
“I think it’s so important, not for myself, but to protect my students and my loved ones,” she said.
By the end of the day, nearly 400 Klamath County School District staff – teachers, cooks, bus drivers, secretaries, and others – had received their first dose of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine during a clinic at the Klamath County Fairgrounds.
“This is our best shot at keeping students in school,” said KCSD Superintendent Glen Szymoniak. “We appreciate Klamath County Public Health, all of the volunteers here today, and the people behind the scenes who worked really hard to make this happen.”
He specifically thanked Jessica Dale, assistant director of Klamath County Public Health; and KCSD’s Chelsey Tyree and Misty Phelps, who did the last-minute scheduling.
KCSD Human Resources Director Mark Greif had been working all week to get vaccines into the arms of educators.
“I want to thank all our district employees for their extraordinary efforts over the last several months to meet the needs of children in our community,” he said. “It’s a godsend that they’ve gotten an opportunity to get this vaccine. We’re so thankful.”
Late Thursday, Klamath County Public Health determined it had enough doses for educators, who were next in line for vaccines.
“We advocated for the return to in-person education, and part of our commitment to the school district was to get doses to teachers as soon as we could,” said Jessica Dale, assistant director of Klamath County Public Health. “Educators also were the next priority group so we wanted to get this to them as soon as we could so we can start with our 80 and older and medically vulnerable populations.”
Public health officials worked with the county school district, Klamath Health Partnership, and Klamath County Emergency Management to put together the daylong clinic. Vaccines also were offered to Head Start and other pre-kindergarten organizations as well as K-12 private schools. City school district staff received vaccines Friday from Sky Lakes Medical Center.
KCSD teachers have been on the front lines since September, many teaching in-person classes for three months before COVID-19 metrics forced schools statewide into distance learning. The district this month was among the first in the state to reopen all grades to hybrid and in-person learning.
Julie Healy, a P.E. teacher at Peterson Elementary School, was thankful to receive her first dose Saturday. Her students have been great at wearing their masks and following the safety protocols, she said, but she still has to modify her lessons to ensure everyone remains safe.
“I see all the kids so that increases my risk,” she said. “Hopefully we’re going to get to the other side of this.”
Dawn Alexander, head cook at Shasta Elementary School, called the vaccinations a step toward getting back to some type of normal for students.
“I see so many students struggling with not being in school,” she said. “It’s so important that we get (the vaccine) so we can keep our schools open.”
After receiving their shots, employees were given an immunization card with first dose information. Once they receive their second doses, they will be fully immunized. However, health officials emphasize that even people who are fully vaccinated still need to wear masks and follow all the safety protocols, including hand washing and social distancing. After being vaccinated, it’s still possible to get a low-grade infection and pass the virus to others.
Among those who lined up for shots on Saturday was Rose Waters, who drives bus for the school district’s special needs students.
“We see so many kids every day,” she said. “I’ve been terrified, and I’m so thankful to be getting the vaccine. I made sure all of our bus drivers knew about this today.”
Nearly four years after the case was first filed, Mark Matlick pleaded guilty Friday to stealing over $10,000 in cash evidence from Oregon State Police while he worked as a technician in Klamath and Lake counties. Matlick pleaded guilty to four counts, one each of computer crime, first-degree theft, tampering with public record and official misconduct. He was sentenced to two years probation. He is also required to pay $15,000 to the Oregon State Police in restitution, which is covered by the $20,000 bail he posted in 2017, when the case was first filed. Matlick’s attorney, Phil Studenberg, said the Lake County judge agreed to dismiss the case there and that Matlick’s restitution will cover damages in both cases. Studenberg said it’s a relief for the case to be resolved and said that Matlick wanted to take responsibility.
The Oregon Mortuary and Cemetery Board responded to legal arguments over the ownership of the Eternal Hills cemetery, refuting former owner Robert Gordon’s claims that he can buy back the cemetery without the intention to operate it.
Bankruptcy Judge Thomas Renn will review arguments submitted by the board, by Gordon and by the court-appointed trustee over whether Gordon can own the cemetery without the ability to be a licensed mortuary practitioner.
The next steps in the legal battle are not clear, as Judge Renn could take a number of actions after he considers the written arguments. No further hearing or other court appearances have been scheduled.
Gordon argued that the $230,000 offer for the cemetery was submitted by the Gordon family trust, not himself. The OMCB argued that a trust can’t own property — that the trustee of the trust owns it, which would be Gordon.
The arguments are the latest step in the effort to bring the dilapidated cemetery under new ownership and restore the final resting place for thousands of people.
Klamath Film, a 501c3 nonprofit based in Klamath Falls, was the recent recipient of supporting grants from both the Walmart Community Grants program and the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, according to a news release.
The Walmart Foundation and Miller Foundation support were both general operating support grants, helping Klamath Film to maintain services such as livestreaming of community events and as the film liaison office of Klamath County. Walmart Community Grants range from $250 to $5,000 awarded through an open application process providing funding directly from Walmart and Sam’s Club facilities to local organizations in the United States, according to the Walmart website. The Miller Foundation, based in Portland, was founded in 2003 to support the arts and education, to date providing millions of dollars each year to arts and educational endeavors across Oregon.
Around the state of Oregon
Washington and Oregon are now confirming additional cases of the more contagious variant of COVID-19 in the Pacific Northwest. The B.1.1.7 variant, which first emerged in the United Kingdom last September, has been confirmed by DNA sequencing in two cases in Snohomish County, the Washington Department of Health announced Saturday. The Oregon Health Authority on Saturday confirmed a second case, in someone from Yamhill County, a week after the first case in the state was detected in Multnomah County. Authorities in Washington, Oregon and Idaho have been assuming that the B.1.1.7 variant is spreading in the Northwest.
Oregon native and 17-year-old Samual Mindra has claimed the bronze medal at the U.S Figure Skating Championships in the Junior competition.
According to FanZone U.S. Figure Skating, Mindra went from eight the third with a free skate that scored 121.12. That skate brought his total up to 181.49. That was also the first Mindra has ever scored above 180. Mindra trained at the Bill Collier Ice Arena at Running Y because ice rinks all around the state are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Collier arena is open air. Mindra said “It was pretty nice and Klamath Falls, there was some altitude and it helped me with my breathing. He will continue to train wherever he can, and could return to the Klamath Basin again.
FATAL CRASH ON HWY 101 – TILLAMOOK COUNTY
On Saturday, January 23, 2021 at approximately 1:01 P.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a vehicle collision on Hwy 101 near mile post 53.
Preliminary investigation revealed a Ford Clubwagon van, operated by Robert Muzzy (69) of Nehalem, was southbound and went into the northbound lane colliding with a Nissan Rogue operated by Leeanna Sutton (63) of Rockaway Beach.
Muzzy and Sutton both sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased.
Arrest Made in Trail Murder
On 082420 at 1646 hours, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a shooting in the 3300 block of Highway 227 north of Trail, Oregon.
One victim was deceased at the scene from a gunshot wound. He was 25-year-old Steven Garrett Sutton.
JCSO activated the Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit (MADIU) to begin an investigation into the shooting. JCSO was the lead agency, and was assisted by detectives from Ashland Police, Medford Police, Central Point Police, The Oregon State Crime Lab and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.
On January 15, 2021, the investigation resulted in the arrest of Tommy Ray Ormsby, dob 07-24-72 of the 3300 block of Highway 227, Trail, Oregon. The victim was the nephew of the suspect.
Ormsby has been lodged at Jackson County Jail on charges of Murder Second Degree, Manslaughter Second Degree and Criminally Negligent Homicide. His total bail is $1,000,000.
Police in Eugene have arrested another person accused of committing crimes the night of the May 2020 riot.
Arei Johnson, 25, was arrested on Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. near West 8th Avenue after police responded to a report of a dispute.
Police say Johnson was charged with three counts of riot, second-degree burglary, first-degree theft, two counts of second-degree disorderly conduct, interfering with police and menacing.
The charges reportedly stem from the night of May 29, 2020. At about 9:30 p.m., two police vehicles headed westbound on the Interstate 105 offramp to West 7th Avenue to protect protesters who had marched into oncoming freeway traffic. Police say between 50 and 100 rioters were in the area, and they reportedly advanced on officers, who retreated back to their vehicles.
Johnson is accused of having walked in front of an officer’s vehicle, refusing to leave. Another rioter reportedly swung a large board into the officer’s front windshield, breaking the glass, police say.
Police say Johnson was later seen unlawfully entering a business through windows that had been broken by other looters. He allegedly took merchandise and threw it onto the sidewalk in front of the store. That night, Johnson also allegedly stood in front of a resident’s vehicle in the area, along with other rioters. Police say they yelled at the driver and hit, kicked, and threw objects at the vehicle. Johnson is accused of jumping on the vehicle’s hood and walking up to the roof, stomping on the windshield and breaking glass before jumping off.
So far, 23 people have been arrested in connection with the riot investigation, which is ongoing. Additional arrests are anticipated. If you have any information, call the TIP line at 541-262-5388.
The online link to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine in Lane County is circulating among the community causing concern for plenty of Eugenians.
Lane County Public Health said the people who receive the link from them directly, are the only ones who should have access to it. Some say the link is being sent out to those who are not eligible to receive the shot yet.
Health officials said they believe people who received the link from public health saying they’re eligible, sent it to others. However, if you sign up and are not eligible you will be getting a call from officials and you will still not be able to receive the shot until your time comes.
Jason Davis with Lane County Public Health said as soon as they learned the link was shared, they mobilized a team to start verifying people’s eligibility once those forms are filled out. However, public health claims that no one has gotten the vaccine during their clinics, that isn’t supposed to.
Davis said if you see the link on the internet or if you are sent it, you should not share it with anyone. Despite health officials warnings, many people are concerned that others will take advantage of the system.
“Just realize it’s unethical. It’s like if you were standing in line to get something important and you pushed everybody aside,” Lane County resident Miriam Reinhart said.
Reinhart is one of the people who received the link from one of her friends. She said the minute she opened the link she knew something didn’t seem right considering she is not eligible to receive the shot yet.
“At the top it was for 1A but yet you could sign up without certifying that you definitely were 1A. I thought somebody that my friend knows from the U of O gives her this link…this doesn’t smell right.”
Salem, Ore. – Using the arts as a means to address community need is the focus of 40 projects awarded a total of $180,000 through the Oregon Arts Commission’s FY2021 Arts Build Communities grant program. The Arts Build Communities program targets broad geographic impact and arts access for underserved audiences in Oregon.
Projects funded include Applegate Regional Theatre’s drive-in venue where audiences can enjoy musical concerts and theater performances from the comfort and safety of their cars; Portland Playhouse’s live-streamed performances and trauma-informed talkbacks that break down cultural norms about Black masculinity; and The Next Door’s metal art sculpture project with local youth in The Dalles.
“This program provides financial support to arts and other community-based organizations for projects that address a local community problem, issue or need through an arts-based solution,” said Arts Commission Vice Chair Jenny Green, who led the review panel. “Local citizens employ creative thinking and collective response to identify a local need and provide an arts-based solution.”
The grants also spark and leverage many other investments and resources, serving as a catalyst for greater economic and civic impact, said Green.
In recent years Arts Build Communities projects attracted more than $600,000 in additional investment, much of it representing salaries paid to artists and others as well as products and services purchased in the funded communities.
Arts Build Communities grants are made possible through a funding partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.
Some of the FY2021 recipients include:
Anima Mundi Productions, Phoenix: $3,888
To support the creation, performance and recording of “Six Feet Apart: Stories of Resilience and Transformation,” a new work of choral music based on Oregonians’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds will engage the Resonance Ensemble, a professional 16-voice choir based in Portland. A streaming video and a document archiving all of the collected stories will be available online free to the public.
Applegate Regional Theatre, Inc., Veneta: $5,311
To support Drive-in Music and Theater on the Fields, which includes a drive-in venue for audiences to enjoy musical concerts and theater performances from the comfort and safety of their cars. Funds will be used to purchase a flatbed trailer to use as a stage, a stage cover, stage and audience lighting, parking signage and other event services.
Ashland High Arts Advocates, Ashland: $3,551
To support the Student Arts Mentoring Project, providing individual and small group arts mentoring to low-income grade 6-12 students in the Ashland area. Funds will be used for artist fees, art supplies and transportation.
Community Alliance of Lane County, Eugene: $3,000
To install a Latin-themed mural in downtown Springfield and hold associated activities to promote it. Members of Citywide and Escudo Latino (Latinx community group), Latinx business owners and Latinx individuals will participate in online design sessions with the muralist and Citywide youth will participate in the mural painting. Funds will be used for painting and promotion.
Ditch Projects, Springfield $5,581
To support Ghost Rider: Performing Fugitive Indigeneity, a multi-part exhibition and publication project, , featuring paintings and writing by Klamath Modoc artist Ka’ila Farrell-Smith and a series of prints and video screenings from her collaborations with Ascend Indigenous Womxn Fine Art Collective, the Tiny House Warriors and Signal Fire Indigenous Artist Retreat. Funds will be used for artist fees, exhibition materials, a publication and project oversight.
Emerald Empire Art Association/Emerald Art Center, Springfield: $3,000
To partner with Springfield Public Schools to offer after-school art workshops for 80 4th and 5th grade students. Four workshops, offered at the Emerald Art Center and online, are designed to ignite curiosity and encourage self-expression, culminating in a special exhibit in EAC’s gallery. Topics proposed offer both timely themes of culture and place as well as mediums attractive to children. Funds will be used to provide scholarships for up to 24 children qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
Eugene-Springfield Youth Orchestras, Eugene: $5,874
To support the Online String Academies, which will provide free or very low cost online beginning strings instruction to up to 150 3rd, 4th and 5th graders in the Eugene 4J School District. Funds will be used to support artistic staff fees, instrument purchases, administrative staff fees and online platform membership fees.
Lane Arts Council, Eugene: $5,776
To support Celebrating and Connecting Latinx Artists throughout Lane County.” Funds will be allocated to artist fees for community cultural events, a stipend for an Arte LatiNext coordinator, artist professional development trainings and expanded Fiesta Cultural marketing outside of Eugene.
Orchestra Next, Eugene: $3,911
To support the ON Academy which includes classes on digital audio workstation techniques; panel discussions on What it Means to be a Responsible Content Creator in this Virtual World; classes and instruction for individual instrumentalists; and mentorship opportunities for students to record and interact with teachers directly. Funds will be used for artist fees and to purchase technology to provide access to underserved communities.
Oregon Supported Living Program Arts and Culture Program, Eugene: $5,426
To support the Creative Outreach Program in Lane County. The program will provide art instruction, studio access, one-on-one mentorships and remote creative access to adult artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities experiencing isolation and loss of participatory arts programming due to COVID-19. Funds will be used for program re-development, outreach, instructor salaries and art supplies.
Rural Klamath Connects, Malin: $3,517
To support Placemaking and the Art of Story Catching, storytelling and oral history training for youth and community members including high-level technical documentation and an interactive audio tour for residents and visitors. Funds will be used for artist’s fees, artistic services, arts instruction and supplies.
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The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, funding and arts programs through its grants, special initiatives and services.
NEW JOBS WEBSITE LAUNCHES FOR GROWING DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES FIELD
The Office of Developmental Disabilities Services launched a website, ImpactOregon.careers, focused on available positions in the developmental disabilities field throughout Oregon.
Job seekers in Oregon will find hundreds of available jobs, ranging from direct care to administrative and managerial positions. In addition to the job postings, Impact Oregon also has a career profiles section, which highlights the way this field has room for growth and opportunity.
Job seekers statewide can browse available listings based on location, wage range and experience level. The goal of Impact Oregon is to reach Oregonians passionate about helping others who may not even be aware that this field exists.
“The developmental disabilities field has never had a centralized place where people can learn about careers and find opportunities,” said Lilia Teninty, director of the state’s Office of Developmental Disabilities Services.
“We need people who are passionate about issues of equity, social justice and excited to support people with disabilities to achieve their goals in this field.”
ImpactOregon.careers is a project of the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services but focuses on jobs available from independent provider agencies that provide direct support to more than 30,000 Oregonians with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Nationally, and in Oregon, there is a critical shortage of direct support professionals to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. According to the 2020 Case for Inclusion Report, there is a 9 percent vacancy rate nationally, with a 43 percent turnover rate of direct support professionals. By 2026, the industry will need almost 50 percent more DSPs than are needed today.
ImpactOregon.careers is one way that the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services is addressing this demand for workers.
Providers have struggled with a worker shortage, particularly in the area of direct support professionals who provide essential care and supports to Oregonians with developmental disabilities.
Pathway Enterprises provides support services such as education, employment, and housing for more than 200 people with disabilities in Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, and Deschutes counties. Similar to other developmental disabilities providers, Pathway Enterprises currently has a turnover rate of 38 percent. This is the highest they have experienced since 2011, according to Executive Director Becky Simpson.
“Since February of last year, we have all seen an increase in turnover due to COVID-19,” she said. “Experienced caregivers and management in our field is a much-needed commodity, and we are all seeking these potential employees through expensive online platforms. Impact Oregon gives us a free and easier process for job seekers and HR managers.”
About ODDS: The Oregon Department of Human Services’ Office of Developmental Disabilities Services provides leadership to support persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live as full participants in their communities. Oregon is recognized nationally as an innovative leader in developing community-based services for individuals with I/DD. Oregon’s system has the benefit of a strong advocacy community, one that has a long history and firm commitment to supporting people with I/DD to live as independently as possible in their communities.