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, February 1, 2021
Klamath Basin Weather
Today A chance of rain and snow before 2pm, then a chance of rain. Snow level rising to 4700 feet. Partly sunny, with a steady temperature around 40. Overnight, rain mixed with snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Tuesday A 30% chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a steady temperature around 36. South southwest wind 7 to 10 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. Overnight, cloudy with a low around 25.
Wednesday A chance of snow before 11am, then a slight chance of snow showers after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 37. South southwest wind 9 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Thursday Sunny, with a high near 41.
Friday Sunny, with a high near 44.
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
Oregon reports 707 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 19 new deaths
There are 19 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 1,957 the Oregon Health Authority reported today.
Oregon Health Authority reported 707 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today bringing the state total to 142,416.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (7), Clackamas (64), Columbia (14), Coos (15), Crook (7), Curry (1), Deschutes (26), Douglas (8), Hood River (6), Jackson (42), Jefferson (8), Josephine (30), Klamath (22), Lake (1), Lane (62), Lincoln (5), Linn (18), Malheur (9), Marion (63), Morrow (7), Multnomah (122), Polk (25), Tillamook (1), Umatilla (36), Union (5), Wasco (9), Washington (82), and Yamhill (12).
Today, OHA reported that 25,500 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry. Of this total, 19,867 doses were administered on Jan. 29 and 5,633 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry on Jan. 29.
Oregon has now administered a cumulative total of 407,869 first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines. To date, 665,325 doses of vaccine have been delivered to sites across Oregon.
On Sunday, The Oregon Health Authority announced that it will not be reporting any new cases or new information on vaccine administration today, because its data management system was down yesterday. Because of this, people may see an increase in the total number of cases reported on tomorrow, Monday February 1, 2021, as laboratory results that were reported on Saturday will not be processed until today.
The Klamath Falls Gospel Mission hosted a walk-in vaccine clinic Thursday to help protect housing insecure people in Klamath Falls against COVID-19.
The Mission partnered with Klamath County Public Health, which provided doses of the Moderna vaccine, and Klamath Community College, whose second-year nursing students delivered the shots. Out of the 77 doses KCPH provided to the Mission, Executive Director Ammond Crawford said 32 of its guests and six of its staff members received shots, and the rest were likely taken to Klamath Open Door nearby.
When a vaccine clinic at the Klamath Falls Gospel Mission on Thursday produced more doses than eligible recipients, public health officials went down the street to make sure that the remaining doses were administered to other people — whether they were eligible under Oregon’s current criteria or not.
Klamath County Public Health has not been alone in this. With vaccine doses still in short supply and subject to expiration once produced, local vaccine administrators have prioritized getting doses into arms over following the letter of state guidance. Valeree Lane, spokesperson for Klamath County Public Health, said that staff went to the Gospel Mission on Thursday to vaccinate residents.
According to Lane, a scheduling error resulted in more doses being drawn than were needed at the Gospel Mission. As a result, staff brought those doses to patients at the Klamath Open Door Clinic a few blocks away — some of them going to people outside of the Phase 1a and the first group of Phase 1b.
Meanwhile, the role that race should play in deciding who gets priority for the COVID-19 vaccine was put to the test Thursday in Oregon, but people of color won’t be the specific focus in the next phase of the state’s rollout as tensions around equity and access to the shots emerge nationwide.
An advisory committee that provides recommendations to Gov. Kate Brown and public health authorities discussed whether to prioritize racial minorities but decided on a wide range of other groups: those under 65 with chronic medical conditions, essential workers, inmates and people living in group settings.
Former Klamath Falls Police Department Detective Thomas Reif pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges stemming from a November on-duty crash in which he was allegedly driving under the influence of fentanyl.
According to an Oregon State Police investigation, Reif, 27, stole fentanyl from the evidence locker at KFPD and was under the influence of the drug when he crashed into two other vehicles at S 6th Street and Crater Lake Parkway on Nov. 27.
Reif was booked into the Klamath County Jail on Dec. 15 and released. He is now facing charges in the Klamath County Circuit Court of DUII, reckless driving, five counts of reckless endangering, two counts of criminal mischief, unlawful possession of a schedule II controlled substance, first-degree official misconduct, third-degree theft and tampering with physical evidence. Reif pleaded not guilty to all of them.
The Klamath Basin Sunrise Rotary club raised $1,500 to purchase new bunk beds for the Klamath Falls Gospel Mission.
The mission provides housing and recovery services with a Christian focus. Sunrise Rotary raised funds from its members, and paired those funds with a $500 new-member participation grant from Rotary District 5110. Legacy Furniture of Klamath Falls sold the high-quality bunk beds and also donated bedding materials such as mattresses, linens and pillows.
The Assistance League of Klamath Basin received a $4,000 grant from the Autzen Foundation on Jan. 15 to assist in transforming the lives of children and adults through community programs.
The Assistance League said the donation will be used for its primary philanthropic program, Operation School Bell. The Klamath Falls chapter provides school-age children with clothing, supplies, and meets other challenges. Since 1951, The Autzen Foundation has been supporting charitable work that makes Oregon a better place.
The foundation awards grants to social service, arts and culture, educational, and youth-centered organizations.
Despite some changes to the 61st annual Klamath Bull Sale planned for next week, organizers are anticipating a strong market and a consistent number of bull and heifer consignors from throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Bulls will start arriving at the Klamath County Fairgrounds today and must be accounted for by Wednesday, according to organizers. The sale — both in person and online — kicks off at noon on Saturday, Feb. 6. However, events that usually surround the main event have been canceled or pared down, due to COVID and the economy.
An accompanying horse sale will not take place this year, according to Andra Campbell. Campbell, who has helped with the sale for two decades, said the horse sale has been struggling in recent years and was already planned to be canceled. Due to the global pandemic, the ranch rodeo, stock dog trials, event center trade show and branding events will not take place this year. Some trade vendors will be on hand to sell their wares outdoors, however, or in the barn. T
he major draw, however, is the Klamath Bull Sale, which will have upwards of 140 bulls for sale this year.
Around the state of Oregon
The Oregon Department of Human Services will continue to offer increased food benefits in February 2021, to help Oregonians struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This benefit increase applies to current Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients who are receiving less than the maximum allotment. Additionally, in response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, there is also a temporary increase in SNAP benefits of approximately 15% for all recipients.
SNAP recipients do not have to take any action to receive additional benefits as they will be placed directly on their Oregon EBT cards. Households receiving SNAP benefits will see the additional supplement to their benefits based on a maximum allotment scale. For example, if there are four individuals in a household and that household is currently receiving $500 in benefits, the emergency allotment supplement will raise their benefits to the maximum allowed for households of four, which is $680 per month – or an increase of $180. With the additional increase in benefits, the total food benefits for that household would be $782 for the month. Total supplemental benefits will differ based on each household’s regular monthly allotment.
The Oregon Health Authority says that it has received a $135,000 grant to aid in establishing a three-digit National Suicide Prevention hotline, set to launch in 2022.
Congress passed a bipartisan bill to establish 988 as a three-digit hotline number in May of 2020, and the number was approved by the Federal Communications Commission in July. The FCC stipulated that the number would go into effect nationwide two years later. The state planning grant for OHA will help the state put together the resources, training, technical assistance, and infrastructure needed to put in place by 2020. The grant requires that Oregon begin planning for the transition this coming Monday.
The grant itself came from Vibrant Emotional Health, the non-profit organization that administers the current National Suicide Prevention hotline. Vibrant has awarded funds to 49 states and territories.
Oregon Senator Ron Wyden and Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer are introducing a bill to expand voting access across the U.S.
The Vote at Home Act would allow everyone in the nation to vote by mail. Voters would be allowed to use either mail or drop-off locations to submit their ballots. The measure would cover postal costs, so no stamps would be necessary. Voters would also be automatically registered to vote when they get a driver’s license at the DMV. Nearly half of the nation’s voters used a vote-at-home ballot in November’s election.
On Saturday, January 30, 2021 Oregon State Police Detectives, with the assistance of the Vancouver Police Department, located and arrested a 16 year old male from Vancouver Washington in connection with the death investigation at the French Prairie Rest Area on January 26, 2021.
Oregon State Police Detectives and members of the Clackamas County Major Crime Team have been investigating the incident. Investigation at the scene and subsequent examination by the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office determined the male died from a gunshot wound.
Through continued investigation detectives were able to identify the suspect and obtain an arrest warrant. The suspect was an acquaintance of the victim.
He was lodged in the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center on Murder, Assault, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.
On Sunday, January 31, 2021, at approximately 11:14 A.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a three vehicle crash on Interstate 5 near mile post 67. Preliminary investigation revealed that three vehicles were southbound on I-5 when a collision occurred.
Southbound vehicles were a Toyota Sienna, operated by Denise Watts (37) of Medford, a Buick LCR, operated by Rolland Wytcherley (85) of Wolf Creek, and a Dodge Avenger operated by Wendy Lynn (58) of Grants Pass.
Investigators are still attempting to determine the exact sequence of events but believe poor visibility from rain and fog was a factor.
Watts sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased.
Wytcherley and his passenger, Maria Wytcherley (72) of Wolf Creek, were transported to the hospital with injuries.
Lynn and her passenger were not injured.
On Friday, January 29, 2021 at approximately 6:05 A.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a two vehicle crash on Hwy 26 near milepost 17 (Stone Rd).
Preliminary investigation revealed that a Ford F250, operated by Trever Lee (33) of Sandy, was westbound at a high rate of speed when it hit the back of a GMC Sierra operated by an adult male. His name will be released later today.
Lee was transported to the hospital with injuries.
The operator of the GMC Sierra was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased. He has been identified as Grant Fisher (23) of Boring.
OSP is requesting that anyone who might have witnessed any abnormal driving from a white Ford F250 (stock photo attached) to contact the Oregon State Police Northern Command Center at 1-800-442-0776 or *OSP and refer to case # SP21-023396.
OSP was assisted by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, EMS, and ODOT.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the community’s assistance locating 65 year old Hammond West who was reported missing by a caregiver on January 31, 2021 after he failed to return to his home on Dilley Lane from a walk to the market on Highway 58.
Investigation indicates that Hammond went to the market and asked for a ride from a community member to Klamath Falls. After learning the community member was headed to the Florence area, Hammond reportedly agreed to be taken there instead. The community member dropped Hammond off in the parking lot at the Three Rivers Casino in Florence around 7:30 p.m. It is unknown where he went from the casino and he has not returned home.
Hammond is new to the area, is not believed to know anyone in Florence, and does not have a cell phone. Additionally, he has medical needs and likely does not have his medications with him.
Deputies searched the area and reviewed video surveillance but have not found an indication of where Hammond may have gone from the casino, and are concerned for his safety.
Hammond is a 65 year old white male described as standing 5’9″ tall and weighing 240 pounds with short, gray hair and a mustache. He was last seen wearing blue sweatpants, a camouflage jacket and camouflage hat. A screenshot from video taken at the market on January 31, 2021 is attached.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who has seen Hammond, or knows his whereabouts, to call 541-682-4150 then press 1 and reference case # 21-0649.
Big new Oregon Lottery Winner!
A good friendship is priceless, as Erik Maki and Brian Krahmer will tell you. The duo has been friends since middle school and after more than 40 years of sharing a friendship, they can also say they share a $7.4 million Oregon’s Game Megabucks jackpot.
Over the past 28 weeks, Maki and Krahmer, both of Hillsboro, who have also worked together for 25 years, have been taking turns buying Megabucks tickets.
“We always check our tickets on Monday,” said Maki, who has also worked with Krahmer for 25 years. “The best we’d done had been winning a free ticket! Our offices are next door to each other and Brian brought the ticket and said we’d won $7,400. We were pretty excited about that. Then Brian decided to check what number we’d missed and he compared the ticket to the Lottery app. That’s when he saw that we’d matched all six numbers and we’d really won $7.4 million!”
The first thing they did was contact their wives to tell them the news. “They didn’t believe us at first,” said Krahmer. “That was understandable because we both like to joke around.” Once their wives were convinced that had won, Maki and Krahmer wisely contacted their financial planner and CPA before heading to the Lottery to claim their prize January 26.
The two friends split the $7.4 million prize from the January 23 drawing, and after taxes, each received a check for nearly $1.3 million. Krahmer bought their winning ticket at the Cedar Mills Liquor Store on Cornell Road in Portland.
To protect the health and safety of its employees and the public, the Oregon Lottery has temporarily closed the Salem and Wilsonville Lottery offices. Officials with the Lottery continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely. If players have a winning ticket, they can fill out a claim form on the Oregon Lottery website, https://oregonlottery.org/about/claim-prizes , and then mail in the signed ticket and claim form.
Players who have winning tickets of $50,000 or more, will need to make an appointment to come to the Oregon Lottery office in Salem. Call 503-540-1000 for assistance. As always, players should be certain to sign the back of their tickets.
Since 1985, Oregon Lottery players have won more than $38 billion in prizes.
Lottery officials recommend that you always sign the back of your tickets with each Oregon Lottery game you play, to ensure you can claim any prize you may win. In the event of winning a jackpot, players should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings. Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned more than $12 billion for economic development, public education, Outdoor School, state parks, Veteran Services and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org