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.
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Klamath Basin Weather
Today Rain and snow likely after 10am, becoming all rain after 1pm. Snow level rising to 5300 feet in the afternoon. Cloudy, with a high near 46.
Friday A 20% chance of snow before 10am. Snow level rising to 4600 feet in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. West southwest wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.Rain mixed with snow overnight. Snow level 4700 feet. Low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Saturday Rain and snow before 1pm, then rain likely between 1pm and 4pm, then a chance of rain and snow after 4pm. Snow level 4500 feet. High near 43. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Sunday A slight chance of snow after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 42.
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
There are 13 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 2,044, the Oregon Health Authority reported today. They also reported 555 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 bringing the state total to 148,475.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (2), Benton (15), Clackamas (41), Clatsop (2), Columbia (5), Coos (15), Crook (3), Deschutes (39), Douglas (53), Grant (1), Hood River (3), Jackson (25), Jefferson (13), Josephine (18), Klamath (6), Lake (6), Lane (40), Linn (9), Marion (44), Morrow (1), Multnomah (116), Polk (16), Tillamook (2), Umatilla (9), Union (5), Wasco (3), Washington (53) and Yamhill (10).
The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 211, which is 15 fewer than yesterday. There are 53 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is unchanged from yesterday.
Klamath County reported 6 new and presumptive cases yesterday.
Intertool LLC will make Klamath Falls the site of its first expansion into the United States.
The tool distributor, based in Ukraine, recently purchased the Parr Lumber building on Spring Street in downtown Klamath Falls and will use the facility as a warehouse and distribution center.
Intertool is one of the largest tool distributors in the European Union, according to Klamath County Economic Development Agency, or KCEDA. Based on figures collected by KCEDA, the company plans to hire 10-20 local employees as it ramps up to full production. Intertool LLC was founded to expand the brand in the United States, as well as other countries in the Americas. The company’s founders include 2014 Henley High graduate Matthew Morawiec and Ukrainian Vsevolod Vlasov. They met while at Oregon State University, where they both graduated in 2018.
A Mexican grocery store is breathing new vibrancy into a long-vacant building complex and adding fresh flare to the grocery landscape in Klamath Falls.
Casa Mexico Fresh Food Market, which opened in mid-December at 2207 Washburn Way, has been slowly but steadily opening new portions of the store and now boasts a full meat counter, tortilla machine, bakery, as well as fresh produce and numerous Mexican, Asian and American foods. The store sells fresh, made-in-store corn tortillas that are ready by noon each day and an in-store bakery sells cakes and other desserts.
Casa Mexico also sell breakfast burritos, tacos and various kinds of red meat, poultry and fish. With about 24 employees and the possibility of hiring more, manager Naser Naciri and building owner Mike Alias started discussing the concept for the store in 2019.
Klamath Community College is pleased to announce the college has been awarded a $320,000 grant to integrate advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity education pathways and course outcomes.
The funding is part of a $5 million U.S. Department of Labor Strengthening Community College Training Grant that was awarded to Klamath Community College and eight other Oregon community colleges. The grant will be distributed over a four-year period. The grant is intended to support increased collaboration between community college advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity programs in response to a need for cyber-awareness in advanced manufacturing. The need has grown with the emergence of 5G networks that facilitate rapid adoption of automation and accelerated growth of artificial intelligence.
As part of the $5 million grant, the consortium will first hire a statewide project director, whose responsibilities will include gathering best practices among cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing community college programs and workforce partners. This collaborative effort will lead to updates to program curriculum, offering stackable credentials directly tied to employment and career advancement, and alignment of policies related to credit transfer, program governance, and more.
Sky Lakes Medical Center will host two special COVID-19 vaccination clinics this week for Klamath County residents 80 and older.
Vaccinations are by appointment only and will be given 12:30-5 p.m. on Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday on the fourth floor in the original medical center. You can schedule an appointment by calling 1-833-606-4370 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays. Appointments cannot be made on site and walk-ins are not accepted.
Meanwhile, Klamath Tribal Health and Family Services coordinated a massive COVID-19 vaccination event on Tuesday, administering at least 950 doses to tribal members and the community at large.
Misty Wadzeck, nurse supervisor and employee health nurse for KTHFS, said the event was last Tuesday’s 200-dose vaccination event “on steroids.”
Eight groups of 11 or 12 people moved through the large, open facility at 6000 New Way together, filling out health checklists in one half of the building before going to the other half to receive their shots.
The clinic was able to vaccinate roughly 200 people per hour. KTHFS vaccinated about 400 tribal members, but slightly more than half of the doses went to non-tribal community members like staff from Oregon Institute of Technology, Klamath Community College, Basin Transit Service and Integrated Youth Services, and other essential workers.
Klamath County’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) helped direct a constant, long line of cars arriving to the building all day. Clinic staff also provided meals to everyone who received a vaccine on their way out.
Klamath County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Andrew Nichols recently completed training in Salem, OR at the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) and was awarded the Victor G. Atiyeh Outstanding Student Award for the second time.
Deputy Nichols, who started as a KCSO Corrections Deputy in February 2019, first received the award in November 2019 when he graduated Basic Corrections Training for his role in the Klamath County Jail. Deputy Nichols transferred to Patrol in 2020 and received the Victor G. Atiyeh award again in February 2021 after he completed the Basic Police Academy for his transition to being a Patrol Deputy.
Sheriff Chris Kaber states:
“It is extremely rare for someone to receive this award twice. This is a testament of the dedication to professionalism and ethics that Deputy Nichols exhibits, and an example of the quality that the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office prides itself in.”
The Victor G. Atiyeh Outstanding Student Award is presented to the student who display’s exceptional professionalism and ethics as well as a positive attitude throughout basic training. Deputy Nichols was evaluated on demonstrated leadership, academic standing, performance in survival skills, and overall health and fitness. This is the highest honor a student can receive from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST)
On January 28, 2021, Midstate Electric Cooperative, headquartered in LaPine, Oregon, donated to the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office a 2002 Piston Bully Sno-Cat.
Representatives from Midstate Electric Cooperative delivered the Sno-Cat and the trailer to the Sheriff’s Office North County SAR building and turned it over to the North County SAR team. They’ve agreed to let SAR use the trailer as well until a suitable replacement is located.
The Sno-Cat, valued at $30,000, will be used primarily for search and rescue operations throughout Klamath County and will be available for other SAR teams if necessary. The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office wishes to publicly thank Midstate Electric Cooperative and their Board of Directors for their generous contribution to the health and safety of Klamath County citizens.
Around the state of Oregon
Oregon’s “School Exclusion Day” for child immunizations is fast approaching, and families will need to ensure that their students are current on their shots — whether they are currently learning in person or not.
Exclusion day is February 17, and Oregon requires that students be caught up on their required immunizations to continue attending school or childcare.
The fact that many Oregon districts still have only limited in-person learning due to coronavirus adds another wrinkle to the annual requirement. According to the Oregon Health Authority, schools have the option to block remote learning access for kids who do not have current immunization records as of February 17.
The immunization requirement still applies to the usual list of vaccines, depending on age or grade. Those include the DTaP, Polio, Varicella, MMR, Hepatitis B, Hepatatis B, Hib, or Tdap vaccines. It does not include coronavirus vaccines, which are not currently required or approved for children.
This week, the federal government promised 6,500 pharmacies across the country will get doses shipped directly to them. Apparently according to a spokesperson for Oregon Health Authority these doses will not be counted in the overall number of vaccines allocated to Oregon counties by the OHA.
Costco already has a website for members to sign up for their vaccine. The wholesale retailer will offer vaccinations at Medford, Eugene, Roseburg, and Albany locations.
Albertsons and Safeway are also expecting shipments to their pharmacies. But the two grocery stores are waiting until they receive a shipment before opening online registration. All 115 locations in Oregon will offer the vaccine.
The federal government said there are plans to eventually distribute vaccines to 40,000 pharmacies across the United States.
Federal authorities on Monday affirmed the state of Oregon’s finding that a proposed major West Coast liquified natural gas pipeline and export terminal is not consistent with its coastal zone management plans. Jordan Cove’s Canadian backers, Calgary-based Pembina Pipeline Corp., had appealed the state’s finding to the U.S. Commerce Department.
The company hoped the Trump Administration would override the state’s federally delegated authority to determine if projects are consistent with the Coastal Zone Management Act, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration declined, saying the company had failed to show that the project is consistent with the law. Pembina didn’t immediately respond to the newspaper’s request for comment. It’s the latest hurdle the $10 billion terminal and pipeline project have encountered.
On Jan. 19, federal regulators upheld the state’s earlier decision against granting the project a clean water certification. The state has also denied a necessary dredging permit for the project. Without those approvals, the project, which has been in the works for over 15 years, cannot move forward.
Josephine County announces deaths of COVID-19 patients
Four Josephine County individuals have died from complications relating to COVID-19 infections.
A 76-year-old man tested positive for COVID-19 Dec. 28, 2020, and died Jan. 16.
A 78-year-old man tested positive for COVID-19 Dec. 30, 2020, and died Jan. 31 at a long-term care facility.
An 82-year-old woman tested positive for COVID-19 Jan. 23 and died Jan. 28 at Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend in Springfield, Oregon.
An 83-year-old woman tested positive for COVID-19 Jan. 1 and died Feb. 7 at a long-term care facility. She had underlying conditions.
Josephine County now has a total of 43 COVID-19-related deaths. Of those patients, 42 died from complications relating to COVID-19 infections.
A Grants Pass man accused of sexually abusing a teenager last month now faces child pornography charges, according to police.
The Grants Pass Department of Public Safety arrested the suspect, 60-year-old Jay Reese, at the beginning of February after receiving a report that he had sexually abused a 17-year-old girl. The girl reported that she met Reese at Walmart on Thursday, January 28. Then, police say, Reese took her to lunch and back to his home.
According to the report, the girl stayed at Reese’s house overnight. Sometime during the night, Reese allegedly “subjected the victim to sexual contact without her consent.” Following Reese’s arrest, police say that they were granted a search warrant to look through the man’s cell phone. During that search, investigators reportedly found two images consistent with child sexual exploitation.
“One image depicted a toddler-aged female and one depicted a prepubescent female; both images included an unknown adult male subject engaged in sexual conduct,” GPDPS said.
With the new evidence, a Josephine County Grand Jury has five total felony charges pending against the well-known sportscaster.
On January 24, 2021, a nursing supervisor at Three Rivers Medical Center (TRMC) contacted the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety (GPDPS) to report a patient in their facility with suspicious injuries believed to be caused by neglect.
The patient, 59-year-old Martha M Vencill, was in critical condition due to the extent of her injuries. Prior to admittance to the hospital, Vencill had been receiving full-time in-home care due to developmental disabilities.
During the course of the investigation, Page E Backus was identified as Vencill’s caregiver, whom Vencill had lived with for nearly 10 years. She and another resident received fulltime care from Backus. On January 9, 2021, Vencill suffered a fall in her room. Backus was unable to assist Vencill back into bed and left her on the floor for nine days, until January 18, 2021. By January 23, 2021, Vencill’s injuries were so severe she was transported by ambulance to TRMC.
The extent of injuries were determined to be a result of Backus’ failure to provide care or seek medical attention for Vencill. On January 26, 2021 at 11:44 am, GPDPS Detectives arrested Backus for Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree. The other resident for whom Backus was responsible was removed from her home and placed in a safe location.
On January 26, 2021, Vencill died from her injuries. After an extensive investigation, Backus was indicted by the Josephine County Grand Jury on February 9, 2021. On February 10, 2021, GPDPS Detectives again arrested Backus and lodged her at the Josephine County Jail on the listed charges.
Arrestee: Page Elizabeth Backus, 58 years old
Charges: Murder II, Criminal Mistreatment I
Victim: Martha M Vencill, 59 years old
The Grants Pass Department of Public Safety was assisted in this investigation by Three Rivers Medical Center, Josephine County District Attorney’s Office, Community Living Case Management and Adult Protective Services. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call GPDPS at 541-450-6260.
Meanwhile, a Junction City man has been found guilty of nearly two dozen charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of a child.
Michael Long, 36, was found guilty last week in Linn County Circuit Court of 10 counts of first-degree sexual abuse, five counts of encouraging child sexual abuse, three counts of unlawful sexual penetration, three counts of sodomy and strangulation, The Albany Democrat-Herald reported. Prosecutor Julia Baker said the jury found him guilty on all charges after about an hour of deliberation.
Long is scheduled to be sentenced April 6 and could receive more than 150 years in prison.
2021 TAX SEASON OPENS FEBRUARY 12
The Oregon Department of Revenue will begin processing state income tax returns on February 12, the same day the IRS will begin processing federal returns. Although some taxpayers have already submitted their returns, processing doesn’t start until the tax season officially begins.
Returns will be processed in the order they are received. However, as in years past, the department won’t be issuing personal income tax refunds until after February 16. The fastest way for a taxpayer to get a refund is by e-filing. Taxpayers who e-file returns and request refunds via direct deposit receive their refund sooner, on average, than those who file paper returns and request refund checks.
A refund hold is part of the department’s tax fraud prevention efforts and allows for confirmation that the amounts claimed on tax returns match what employers report on Forms W-2 and 1099. Once we begin processing returns, filers can check Where’s My Refund? to see the status of their refund.
As a result of COVID-19 stimulus payments, unemployment benefits, and federal tax law changes, there may be impacts to what taxpayers file on their Oregon income tax returns. Here are some important topics and information for Oregon personal income tax filers.
Stimulus Payments
Economic Impact Payments received during 2020 and early 2021 may impact the amount of federal tax subtraction that can be claimed on the 2020 Oregon personal income tax return. The federal tax subtraction is based on the amount of federal tax you had to pay in the 2020 tax year. Individuals should reduce the amount of federal tax paid in 2020 by the payments received to determine the amount of federal tax subtraction they are allowed. The federal tax subtraction is limited to $6,950 (or $3,475 if married filing separately).
Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment benefits are taxable to Oregon. Funds received through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program are also taxable to Oregon. Unlike W-2 wages, unemployment benefits do not automatically have amounts withheld to pay taxes at the end of the year. Individuals who did not elect to have withholding on their unemployment may see an increased tax bill.
For individuals still receiving unemployment benefits in 2021, the department urges recipients to submit Form 1040WH to the Oregon Employment Department to authorize withholding.
Oregon Withholding
The Department of Revenue has its own Form OR-W-4. Individuals should review their withholding to determine if changes are necessary for tax year 2021. A calculator is available to help ensure withholding amounts are correct.
Business Use of Home
Oregon is automatically tied to changes made to taxable income under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Employees who receive a paycheck or a W-2 exclusively from an employer are not eligible for the business use of home deduction, even if they are currently working from home. Along with other changes, the TCJA suspended the use of employee business expenses for employees through 2025. Visit the IRS for more information on business use of home.
Disaster Relief (COVID-19, Wildfires, Straight-line Winds)
The Department of Revenue recognizes not all individuals will be prepared to pay their taxes in full this year. The department is offering penalty waiver relief for individuals impacted by COVID-19, wildfires, or straight-line winds. To learn more, visit Revenue’s tax relief options webpage.
Free-File
All Oregon taxpayers preparing their own returns can file electronically at no cost using Oregon’s free fillable forms. There are many free or low-cost preparation options available for both federal and Oregon tax returns. Some software companies offer free software use and e-filing for eligible taxpayers. Visit the Department of Revenue website to take advantage of the software and free offers and get more information about free tax preparation services.
Revenue Online
The Department of Revenue continues to expand features available through Revenue Online. Individuals can view letters sent to them by the department, initiate appeals, make payments, and submit questions. Visit Revenue Online to learn more.
To get tax forms, check the status of your refund, or make payments, visit www.oregon.gov/dor or email questions.dor@oregon.gov. You can also call 800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), we accept all relay calls.
From Oregon State Representative Lily Morgan
| On Thursday, it will officially have been one month since I was sworn into office. I’m still learning every day, but I now have my sea legs, so to speak! |
| House Concurrent Resolution 4 I am proud to sponsor HCR 4 which honors Trooper Burrell Milo Baucom, the first Josephine County law enforcement officer who died in the line of duty. I testified on this bill last week in the House Rules Committee. |
Part of my job as a state representative is to help my constituents navigate government agencies and departments. In that vein, I wanted to share a resource with you – Business Oregon’s Small Business Navigator. This site will provide information on how the state can help your company – from information about grants to commercial rent relief.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment
The Medicare Advantage open enrollment period is accepting applications from now until March 31. Beneficiaries who take advantage of this open enrollment period will have coverage that starts the first day of the month after they enroll. Beneficiaries must have an existing Medicare Advantage plan on Jan. 1 to use this enrollment period.
During this time frame, beneficiaries who already have a Medicare Advantage plan can:
- Change to a different Medicare Advantage plan, either with or without drug coverage
- Enroll in a stand-alone Part D (prescription drug) plan, which returns the beneficiary to Original Medicare
Beneficiaries who want assistance evaluating their options or making a change can contact Oregon’s Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program at 800-722-4134 (toll-free) or online at SHIBA.Oregon.gov.
97 arts organizations receive FY2021 Small Operating Grants
Small grants that often make a large difference in ensuring arts access for Oregonians, especially in rural areas, have been awarded to 97 statewide arts organizations by the Oregon Arts Commission for FY2021.
Awarded to arts organizations in virtually every region of the state, Small Operating Grants are designed to provide support to arts organizations with budgets under $150,000. Eligibility is limited to organizations who have operated as an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit for two years or more and provide ongoing, sustained artistic programming and outreach programs. Each organization received $1,159.
At the Coquille Valley Arts Association, a FY2020 Small Operating Grant award supported the purchase of a Peter Pugger Pugmill for the pottery department. The equipment recycles scrap clay that would otherwise end up in a landfill.
“We can’t thank you enough for your generous support of our art center,” said Bonnie Stowe, the Arts Association’s pottery supervisor. “It has made a world of difference in our ability to provide quality, affordable ceramic programs to our community and a comfortable, professional studio for creative minds to gather.”
“For years the Oregon Arts Commission’s Small Operating Grant has helped organizations like the Astoria Arts and Movement Center survive,” added Jessamyn West, executive director of the Movement Center. “So many grants are project-oriented when what most small organizations need is basic operating support to be able to even offer programming. Because this grant can be used for expenses like rent and utilities, it truly supports organizations at their most fundamental level. We thank-you, Oregon Arts Commission, for keeping us afloat and supporting organizations like ours in rural areas throughout Oregon!”
“This grant program was developed to increase the Arts Commission’s support of Oregon’s small but mighty arts providers,” said Arts Commission Chair Anne Taylor. “These organizations frequently represent the only arts presenter for remote and underserved regions of the state.”
Included in the grants received are these area organizations:
Klamath Arts Council, Klamath Falls
Klamath Film, Klamath Falls
Klamath Symphony, Klamath Falls
Ballet Folklorico Ritmo Alegre, Medford
Ashland Children’s Theatre, Ashland
Ashland Folk Collective, Ashland
Ashland New Plays Festival, Ashland
Anima Mundi Productions, Phoenix
For more information about the Small Operating Grant Program, contact Liora Sponko at (971) 345-1641 or via email at liora.sponko@oregon.gov.
On Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at approximately 10:07 A.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a two vehicle crash on Hwy 26 near milepost 11.
Preliminary investigation revealed a Mercedes station wagon, operated by Walter Smith (21) of Pendleton, was westbound when it lost control and slid sideways into the eastbound lanes and collided with a Toyota Tacoma operated by Natalie Swauger (30) of Seaside.
Smith and his passengers – Erick Fadness (20) of Decorah, Iowa and a 16 year old female from Portland, all sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased.
Swauger was transported by air ambulance to a Portland hospital.
Speed is believed to be a contributing factor.
On Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at approximately 12:14 P.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a single vehicle crash on Hwy 201S near milepost 11.
Preliminary investigation revealed a Dodge pickup, operated by Jessie Malchow (66) of Vale, was northbound when it failed to negotiate a curve, left the roadway, and struck a drainage ditch.
Malchow sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased.