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March 28, 2024

Klamath Basin News, Friday, 2/12 – Valentine’s Day Weekend, Monday is Pesident’s Day; Oregon Has administered 623,909 First and Second Doses of COVID-19 Vaccines

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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.

Valentine’s Day is Sunday….don’t forget your Valentine!

Friday, February 12, 2021

Klamath Basin Weather

Today A chance of rain and snow after 5pm. Snow level rising to 4600 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. Overnight a chance of rain and snow before 11pm, then rain between 11pm and 2am, then rain and snow after 2am. Snow level 4700 feet. Low around 33.

Saturday Rain and snow before 11am, then a chance of snow. High near 42. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Sunday Snow likely, mainly after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Monday, George Washington’s Birthday Rain likely before 5pm, then a chance of rain and snow. Snow level 5000 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

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

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Oregon reports 621 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 12 new deaths

There are 12 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 2,056, the Oregon Health Authority reported today, Friday. Oregon Health Authority reported 621 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 149,082. 

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (35), Clackamas (35), Clatsop (1), Columbia (11), Coos (17), Crook (11), Curry (4), Deschutes (26), Douglas (46), Grant (1), Harney (5), Hood River (1), Jackson (43), Jefferson (16), Josephine (14), Klamath (6), Lake (10), Lane (57), Lincoln (2), Linn (23), Malheur (1), Marion (32), Morrow (6), Multnomah (77), Polk (17), Tillamook (2), Umatilla (27), Union (5), Wallowa (4), Wasco (4), Washington (58) and Yamhill (24). 

Klamath County reported 6 new and presumptive cases yesterday.

Today, OHA reported that 19,695 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry. Oregon has now administered a cumulative total of 623,909 first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines. To date, 884,175 doses of vaccine have been delivered to sites across Oregon.

The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 209, which is two fewer than yesterday. There are 50 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is three fewer than yesterday. Health officials say new cases of COVID-19 are continuing to decline in Oregon.  

The Oregon Health Authority says new cases are down 15-percent over the last week to the lowest weekly total in three months.  Hospitalizations are down eight-percent, and new deaths from the virus are at their lowest since mid-November.  The state’s positive test rate is currently four-point-two-percent, which is down one-percent from the previous week.

Oregon has now administered a cumulative total of 623,909 first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines. To date, 884,175 doses of vaccine have been delivered to sites across Oregon.

Oregon Vaccination Phases

Dutch Bros Will Donate to Food Banks with Every Drink Sold on Valentine’s Day

Dutch Bros plans to donate $1 from every drink sold on Valentine’s Day to fight hunger through local food banks. The annual ‘Dutch Luv’ event sets aside $1 from every drink sold for local food banks.

This year’s “Dutch Luv Day” event is set for Sunday, February 14. Proceeds will go to food banks that serve the local community — including Access, the Josephine County Food Bank, and Klamath-Lake Counties Food Bank.

Dutch Bros says that customers can ask at the window to find out which organization their favorite stand is supporting. On average, a $1 donation helps provide three meals to people facing hunger.

“Serving our communities is the heart of what we do at Dutch Bros,” said Travis Boersma, co-founder and executive chairman of Dutch Bros Coffee. “As we continue to grow as a company, our commitment to make a difference in our communities grows right along with it. I’m stoked to see how our broistas, franchisees, operators and customers come together this year to share the Dutch Luv.”

Dutch Luv began as a canned food drive in 2007, evolving over the next 15 years. Dutch Bros says that it has raised more than $1.8 million for non-profit food banks over the history of the event. In 2020 alone, the event raised $483,346 — translating to more than 1.4 million meals.

“Dutch Luv Day is one of our favorite days of the year,” said Mason Smith, operator of Dutch Bros Grants Pass. “We’re stoked to partner with our customers to make a difference one cup at a time!”

For More Information: https://www.dutchbros.com

Klamath Falls residents are planning a homecoming parade for Audrey Hagge and her eight-year-old daughter Kynlee Sedgewick after the pair was severely injured in a car crash last month.

The 28-year-old mother and her daughter returned home from hospital stints in Bend and Portland last weekend. The pair was rear-ended at the intersection of S 6th Street and Crater Lake Parkway Jan. 28 by a car that was traveling around 70 miles per hour, according to the family’s GoFundMe page.

Aubrey was taken to Bend for a head injury, where doctors said they determined that the compression of her neck caused her to have a small stroke. Kynlee was taken to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland for treatment of two broken legs, in addition to gashes from her car seat and a torn ACL. The pair was brought home from Portland by the Rogue Valley Medical Transportation, because the rods in Kynlee’s legs and the knee brace for her torn ACL meant she couldn’t ride home in a typical car.

Although she described the experience as a nightmare for her family, Aubrey’s mother and Kynlee’s grandma Jennie Wilkinson said she is left with the question of how they can thank so many people. Kynlee told her family that she wanted to celebrate by having a drive-by parade.

It may be March, not September, but there will be Friday Night Lights again beginning the first weekend in March throughout the state of Oregon.

Gov. Kate Brown announced Wednesday that some outdoor contact sports, including high school football, can resume this week.

In addition, the Oregon Health Authority reported data shows a “sharp decrease” in daily cases, hospitalizations and deaths from the previous week. Health and safety protocols for school sports teams are determined based on the counties risk level. In “lower risk” and “moderate risk” counties, practices and games for outdoor contact sports can resume.

In “high risk” and “extreme risk” counties, where COVID-19 remains more widespread, schools and other sports organizations can opt-in to resuming outdoor contact sports with additional protocols in place; On-site COVID-19 testing for symptomatic individuals, contact information for contact tracing and a waiver identifying health and safety risks and a commitment to isolation and quarantine if exposed to COVID-19.

In addition schools in “high risk” and “extreme risk” counties must also have at least limited in-person instruction occurring, “with the goal of achieving hybrid or full in-person instruction for students this school year,” the governor’s office said in a press release.

The Ross Ragland Theater is officially back open and its date night this Sunday, February 14th at 4pm.

Valentine’s Day, the movie is a series of interconnected stories, various Los Angeles residents (Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper) wind their way through the highs and lows of love during a single day. As the holiday unfolds, they experience first dates, longtime commitments, youthful crushes, and connections to old flames. Tickets are $10.00 Senior, Military and Student discounts available.  

Call 884-LIVE to reserve your ticket today.  *All Covid-19 safety guidelines will be in place

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)

Around the state of Oregon

Drivers traveling throughout central Oregon, the Columbia Gorge, and over mountain passes should prepare for winter weather lasting into the weekend. National Weather Service forecasts are calling for cold temperatures and snow throughout the region. They are also warning of windy conditions that could lead to drifting and blowing snow. Lower elevations around Bend, Redmond, Madras and The Dalles could see around 1-4 inches per day through the weekend. Expect higher snowfall amounts over mountain passes.  Drivers traveling on U.S. 97 and I-84 corridors should be aware and prepare for the winter conditions. Remember to drive slowly and leave extra distance between vehicles when driving on packed snow or ice. Stay tuned to this station for local weather updates from Stormwatch 12 forecasters.

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.

More than 24,000 Oregonians applied for federal disaster assistance after the catastrophic 2020 wildfires and about 57% of them were denied.

Nearly 14,000 Oregonians have been denied aid, according to data provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Oregon’s high rates of denial are on par with previous natural disasters. FEMA denied about 60% of Puerto Rican disaster assistance applicants after Hurricane Maria. A study by Texas Hausers, a housing nonprofit, found that FEMA denied a quarter of disaster applicants after Hurricane Harvey hit there. Many of the people who have been denied assistance are low-income.

Among Hurricane Harvey applicants, people whose annual incomes were below $15,000 had a 46% denial rate. People with annual incomes exceeding $70,000 had a 10% denial rate.

The Oregon Employment Department says payments will start going out to people receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance this weekend.  The Continued Assistance Act funds an additional eleven weeks of PUA payments.  The benefits will be paid retroactively.  The Employment Department’s website has details to help people calculate how long their payments will last. Meanwhile, The Oregon Employment Department is taking additional steps to help prevent unemployment fraud.  

The state has hired an outside company to add verification to the unemployment process.  The new procedure is expected to start sometime next week.

Southern Oregon Man Charged With Kidnapping after Freeway Pursuit That Closed I-5 Near Albany

A pursuit that closed Interstate 5 south of Albany Thursday resulted in the arrest of 47-year-old Kenneth M. Burnett of Klamath Falls on multiple charges – including second-degree kidnapping – after authorities closed the freeway at milepost 230.

Oregon State Police troopers from the Springfield Area Command were dispatched to a driving complaint involving a gray Toyota 4-Runner northbound on I-5 from milepost 206.

According to OSP, the caller said the vehicle was passing on the shoulder at a high rate of speed with a large amount of standing water on the roadways. The caller eventually lost sight of it due to weather conditions and speed.

A trooper located the vehicle in the Oak Grove rest area and, when he attempted to contact the occupants, they were non-compliant before taking off in the vehicle, jumping the curb getting back on I-5, police said.

A pursuit ensued before it was discontinued due to weather conditions. It was later located on I-5 northbound at milepost 228 where a spike strip was deployed successfully and the vehicle yielded on the shoulder, letting the passenger out.

The vehicle then once again took off before getting stuck in the mud approximately 1/2 mile north.

“The suspect threw a gun out of the sun roof and less lethal options from SWAT/MRT were used to take the driver into custody for Kidnapping II, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering, Elude, Hit and Run Property Damage, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm,” OSP said.

Burnett was arrested and ultimately charged with the following:

  • Kidnapping II
  • Reckless Driving
  • Reckless Endangering Person
  • Fail to Perform Duties of Driver in Accident with Prop Damage
  • Attempt to Elude Fleeing (Vehicle)

Deputies with Linn County Sherriff’s Office responded to assist and ODOT closed I-5 for approximately 45minutes.

Free Fishing Weekend Feb. 13th & 14th in Oregon

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Make fishing part of your President’s Day Weekend/Valentine’s Day plans. Everyone can fish, clam and crab for free in Oregon on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 13-14. No fishing licenses or tags (including a Combined Angling Tag, Columbia River Basin Endorsement or Two-Rod Validation) are required by Oregon residents or nonresidents to fish, crab or clam in Oregon on those dates.

Although no licenses or tags are required these two days, all other fishing regulations apply including closures, bag limits and size restrictions. See the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations to find out more and remember to check for any in-season regulation changes, especially for salmon and steelhead fishing, in the Zone where you will be fishing by visiting the Recreation Report: https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/ You can also check the Recreation Report for the best fishing opportunities this time of year.

With winter weather forecast for the weekend, ice fishing for trout or yellow perch could be an option, but be sure the ice is safe, wear safety gear and follow these other tips (https://myodfw.com/articles/14-tips-ice-fishing-oregon) Several waterbodies in NW, SW and Willamette zones will be stocked with trout, a good option for beginners (see Rec Report for details and our How to fish for trout video series for tips).

If you live near Portland, Bend, Medford, Roseburg or in Lane County, there are lots of nearby options (see links for guides) or check out Easy Angling Oregon, https://myodfw.com/articles/easy-angling-oregon-introduction for other locations.

Crabbing and clamming page has lots of information about how to and where to, https://myodfw.com/crabbing-clamming –remember to take extra precautions during winter and never turn your back on the ocean. Always call the ODA Shellfish safety hotline at1-800-448-2474 or check ODA’s Recreational Shellfish page (https://www.oregon.gov/ODA/programs/FoodSafety/Shellfish/Pages/ShellfishClosures.aspx ) before you go shellfishing.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture regularly tests shellfish and closes areas when naturally occurring biotoxins get to levels that make crabs and clams unsafe to eat. As of today, razor clamming is closed along the entire coast due to domoic acid levels. Crabbing, bay clamming and mussel harvesting are open along the entire coast.

Please remember to follow ongoing precautions in place due to the virus: Practice social distancing. Keep six feet between you and anyone who doesn’t live in your immediate household, including while on a boat or at a fish cleaning station. Wear a mask. Recreation areas can get more crowded during Free Fishing Weekend. Wear a mask outdoors when you can’t maintain six feet of distance from someone who doesn’t live in your household. Wash your hands often. Keep up on personal hygiene and bring your own water, soap, and hand sanitizer with you.

https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/

Lottery Offers New Drop Box in Salem for Winners to Claim Prizes

New Lottery prize drop box in Salem

Beginning Friday, Feb. 12, a new drop box at the Lottery offices in Salem will open for players to submit their winning tickets and claim forms. The drop box is for prizes over $600 and up to $50,000. Prizes of $600 or less can be redeemed at any Oregon Lottery retail location. The Lottery’s Wilsonville office remains closed and does not have a drop box.

For the health and safety of Lottery players and employees during the pandemic, the Lottery’s payment centers in Salem and Wilsonville have remained closed to the public since March 2020.

“With Lottery offices closed to the public, winners of Lottery prizes over $600 had limited options to claim their prize,” said Lottery Director Barry Pack. “Players could either patiently wait for the Lottery payment centers to reopen or mail their winning tickets to the Lottery office in Salem. Providing the drop box is just part of an on-going effort to give our players a way to get their prizes without having to put their winning ticket in the mail.”

The drop box offers 24/7 access to submit a prize claim at the Lottery office in Salem. Lottery staff will process claims daily, and players should allow up to 14 days to receive their prize in the mail. Winner claim forms and envelopes will be available at the drop box for players to submit their prize claims.

In addition to the new drop box, the Lottery has been exploring other ways to provide players who have won prizes over $600 with a way to claim their prize. In the coming months, a new walk-up window and a new player-appointment system will also be available.

Players with winning tickets of $50,000 or more, still 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.

For downloadable claim forms and updates, players can go to oregonlottery.org/claim-a-prize.

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 

Two Dogs Saved from Residential Structure Fire in Roseburg

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At 8:42 a.m. on February 11, 2021, Roseburg Fire Department personnel responded to a reported residential structure fire at 1158 NE Lincoln Street.   The reporting party stated that smoke was showing from the roof of the structure and it was unknown if there were any residents inside the structure. Firefighters arrived on scene to find heavy smoke showing from the roof of a two story residential structure. 

An interior attack was made by firefighters resulting in location of the fire and quick extinguishment.   While completing a primary search, firefighters located and rescued two dogs that were inside the home.  Secondary search found no victims and overhaul was completed.  It was determined the homeowner was not at the residence at the time of the fire. Firefighters were able to protect the surrounding homes from damage. The primary home sustained structural and water damage.  One adult and two dogs were displaced due to the fire; however, no one was injured in the fire. 

A fire investigator was on scene and the fire was determined to be caused by cooking and found to be accidental in nature.  Twelve firefighters assisted with firefighting operations.  Other agencies assisting with the fire included Douglas County Fire District #2, Umpqua Valley Ambulance, Avista Utilities, and Pacific Power. 

The Roseburg Fire Department would like to remind everyone of the following cooking fire safety tips:

  • Remember to stand by your pan.  You can then react quickly if flames appear. Stay in the kitchen when cooking food on the stovetop.
  • Keep a 3-foot child and pet-free zone around your cooking area. This helps you stay focused so you can keep an eye on what you fry.
  • It is easy to forget about something that is cooking. Use a kitchen timer or a timer on your phone to make sure your dish does not become a fire hazard. This can help you keep an eye on what you heat.
  • If a fire starts in a pan, slide a lid (or cookie sheet) over it to smother the fire. Never pour water on a grease fire. Turn off the stove and leave the pan covered until completely cool.
  • Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home.
  • If you can, close doors behind you when you are escaping, to help contain the fire.
  • If the fire has spread to other items, get outside quickly and call 911 from a safe place.

Safety tips are courtesy of the Office of the Oregon State Fire Marshal. 

For the latest information regarding the City of Roseburg Fire Department, please visit our website at www.cityofroseburg.org or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/roseburgfire.

Oregon House Bill 2612 – Lawmakers Consider Retail Sales of Raw Butter

Billie Johnson provided this photograph of raw milk and raw butter.

If you’re a farmer who has something customers want, it only makes sense to do your best to get it to them. Unless, of course, if it’s something that’s illegal to sell in your state — something like raw butter, for example.

That’s the dilemma that Billie Johnson, a dairy farmer in eastern Oregon, is facing. She says there are businesses that want to buy her farm’s unpasteurized, raw butter, but because Oregon doesn’t allow retail sales of raw butter, she’s had to turn to politics in search of a solution.

For the second year in a row, she has gone to the state Capitol in hopes of resolving this issue This year she’s pitching a plea for the passage of House Bill 2612, which would allow for the sale of butter made from milk that hasn’t been pasteurized. The bill would also direct the state’s Agriculture Department to establish grades and standards for such butter.

Supporters of the bill say it will give new options to dairy farmers and consumers without sacrificing food safety. Violations of the regulations would be punishable by up to a year in prison, a criminal fine of up to $6,250 and a civil penalty of up to $10,000.

But that doesn’t scare Johnson, simply because she believes that raw butter is safe. So safe, in fact, that she calls it “brain food.” “I want anyone who wants it to be able to get it,” she said. “I want to be able to sell it anywhere in the state where there’s a market for it.” “We have a lot of demand for raw butter,” she told legislators during a recent hearing before the Oregon House Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee.

On the national level, the Food and Drug Agency has banned raw butter and other unpasteurized, raw dairy products — except aged cheese — from being transported or sold across state lines.

In comments about the Oregon bill, Lapsley McAfee of Raw Farm (originally Organic Pastures Dairy Company) in California said that in his state, raw butter is sold in 500 stores. “It is a top seller,” he said. Describing it as a low risk food, he said that it’s considerably safer than raw milk. Not only that, he said there have been no illnesses associated with it in the past 10 years in CDC’s database. “All people should be able to enjoy the healthful benefits of raw butter,” he said.

Mark McAfee, owner of Raw Farm, said that his dairy can’t make enough unpasteurized butter to meet demand “at this point.” In the past 20 years, it has sold more than 2 million pounds of raw butter without any known incidents. Yet even though he can legally sell his raw butter in California, he cannot ship it out of state.

While the retail sale of raw butter is prohibited in Oregon, it is legal in 11 states. And selling it directly to customers is legal in three states. However, the Food & Drug Agency prohibits it from being sold across state lines. “Businesses are asking us for this product,” Johnson said during a recent hearing before the House Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee.

The food safety debate
While raw-butter consumers and advocates give it an enthusiastic thumbs up, Tami Kerr, executive director of The Oregon Dairy Farmers Association, urged lawmakers to carefully consider the oversight and regulation of products such as raw butter.

“If people get sick from it, it gives the industry a black eye,” she said, referring to dairy in general. “And it’s not so much a matter of if but when.” “We understand the desire of some small producers and their markets to have access to raw products, including butter,” she said. “We also understand the value of pasteurization and combating micro-organisms in retail products.”

Those microorganisms include E. coli, Listeria and Salmonella, foodborne organisms that can get people sick, very sick, or even kill them. But to Johnson, providing raw milk and raw milk products for people is all about the survival of the family farm. As part of that, food safety is paramount. “It’s a way of developing a way to get what we produce on the farm directly to consumers,” she said.

Saving the farm
Johnson’s farm, Windy Acres Dairy Farm (https://www.windyacresdairy.com) in Eastern Oregon, has 70 cows, although not all of them are milkers. The farm is a herd share, which means that members own part of it. Besides raw butter, it produces raw milk, kefir, yogurt, cream and aged cheese — “anything you can think of that can be made with raw milk,” Johnson says.

Under a herdshare arrangement, members don’t buy any of the dairy’s products because they’re part-owners of it. This is a way that dairies can offer raw milk and other raw milk products without being under the state’s Agriculture Department’s regulations. Some people call it a loophole that lets them get away with producing raw-milk products that are prohibited under state law. It also frees them from inspections.

But to Johnson and other raw-milk dairy producers, herd shares are a way to stay in business. And that’s where raw butter comes into the picture. Considering the strong demand for it, to be able to sell it to restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and other outlets would help flush more money into the dairy’s bottomline.

And people are willing to pay a pretty penny for it: $16 a loaf. (A loaf is equivalent to a pound.) “It’s all in the eyes of the beholder,” Johnson said about the price of raw butter. “It you value your health, you’ll value your food.” She also said that it is “real food” and has better flavor than the conventional butter you buy in the store.

Proponents say that the passage of HB 2612 would give dairy farmers a better shot at making a living and could help stem the decline in the number of Oregon dairy farms. In 1992 Oregon had 1,900 farms with dairy cows, according to USDA data; the latest figures from the Oregon Dairy Farmers Association shows there are 194 dairy farms left in the state.

Johnson said being able to buy raw butter in retail outlets would help keep customers from traveling to northern California to buy it. And that, in turn, would help keep more of the state’s food dollars in the state. If the bill were to be adopted, it would go into effect on the 91st day after the session has adjourned in June.

Boat Capsizes off Netarts Bay

Authorities say two people were unresponsive after they were rescued from the Pacific Ocean off the Oregon coast Thursday. The duo’s boat capsized in Netarts Bay and an outgoing current pulled them toward the ocean, according to Netarts-Oceanside Fire District Fire Chief Tim Carpenter, fire chief.

He said the woman and man clung onto the boat, then hit waves at the mouth of the bay and became separated from it. Neither was wearing a lifejacket.

Authorities on personal watercraft rescued them and took them to shore, Carpenter said.

Both were unresponsive when they reached the shore. Carpenter didn’t know their conditions after they were taken away in ambulances. He guessed they were in the water from 20 to 30 minutes.

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