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 15, 2021 President’s Day
Klamath Basin Weather
Monday, President’s Day A chance of rain before 1pm, then a chance of showers after 1pm. Snow level 5000 feet. Partly sunny, with a high near 45. Overnight, a chance of rain and snow showers before 7pm, then a chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Tuesday A 20% chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 41. West northwest wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. Overnight, snow likely after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Thursday Rain and snow, becoming all rain after 1pm. Snow level rising to 5100 feet in the afternoon. High near 44. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Friday A slight chance of rain and snow before 7am, then a slight chance of snow between 7am and 1pm, then a chance of rain and snow after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 45.
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 zero new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, the state’s death toll remains at 2,137. Oregon Health Authority reported 254 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of this morning, bringing the state total to 150,281.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (3), Clackamas (11), Columbia (2), Coos (11), Crook (3), Deschutes (22), Douglas (17), Harney (5), Jackson (11), Jefferson (2), Josephine (7), Klamath (7), Lane (32), Lincoln (1), Linn (7), Marion (21), Morrow (1), Multnomah (46), Polk (1), Umatilla (6), Union (1), Wasco (2), Washington (29), Yamhill (6).
OHA reported that 7,206 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry. Oregon has now administered a cumulative total of 677,194 first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines. To date, 885,250 doses of vaccine have been delivered to sites across Oregon. The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 213, which is three fewer than yesterday. There are 52 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is three more than yesterday.
If you’re ages 75 to 79, today at 9AM is the first chance this age group will get at booking appointments for their COVID-19 vaccinations.
Oregonians ages 80 and older became eligible last week. The process can be confusing at times. Most counties have their own, unique system for booking appointments. So do the pharmacies that last week started offering appointments at their brick-and-mortar stores.
For the internet savvy, booking online will likely be the quicker and easier path. Contact Sky Lakes Medical center or Klamath County Health department, or the Klamath Tribes, to find specific Klamath area information on vaccinations and requirements.
TJ Rosengarth has been appointed as president and CEO of Collins, a wood products company with plants in Klamath Falls and Lakeview. According to the company, Rosengarth will succeed Eric Schooler and assume responsibilities on Feb. 15.
Rosengarth has an extensive background in the wood products industry with Willamette Industries in composite panels (1985-2000), as VP of composite panels business for Weyerhaeuser (2001-2006), COO at Flakeboard (2007-2011), and as president and CEO of Northwest Hardwoods (2011-2018). Most recently he served as a partner with a private equity firm where his focus was acquiring companies and leading performance management.
Klamath Tribal Health and Family Services has been accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, or AAAHC, on October 1, 2020.
Accreditation distinguishes this tribally-operated health center from many other outpatient facilities through its adherence to rigorous standards of care and safety. Status as an accredited organization means KTH&FS has met nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality health care set by AAAHC.
More than 6,100 ambulatory health care organizations across the United States are currently accredited. Ambulatory health care organization seeking AAAHC Accreditation undergo an extensive self-assessment and on-site survey by AAAHC expert surveyors-physicians, nurses and administrators who are actively involved in ambulatory care. The survey is peer-based and educational, presenting best practices to help an organization improve its care and services.
Founded in 1992, Klamath Tribal Health & Family Services is a division of the Klamath Tribes and is responsible for providing healthcare services to the Native American population who reside in Klamath County. It provides a wide variety of health care services for patients of all ages and includes a medical clinic with integrated behavioral health, health education, dental clinic and a full service pharmacy
The Klamath Senior Center will restart its exercise classes as the county moves to a lower virus risk level. Center director Marc Kane said that he is hopeful that the risk level will continue to drop and that the center can maintain classes in the long term. Kane said its not just about physical health and exercise, but for the opportunity to gather and for seniors to reconnect socially.
The center will maintain strict enforcement of mask requirements and distancing directives for all individuals in the center, located at 2045 Arthur Street, and all equipment will be sanitized between class sessions.
An initial shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine arrived last week at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls. On Wednesday and Friday, all 100 doses of the shipment were administered to base personnel by the 173rd Medical Group. A call for volunteers went out on Tuesday morning.
At Chiloquin Junior/Senior High School, every student received a reusable water bottle embellished with the school’s panther logo and etched with their name.
With water fountains out of commission due to COVID-19, the bottle fill station is the only place for students to get a drink during the day. However, not every student had their own reusable water bottle. The water bottles with the panther logo were funded by the Gear-Up program, which contributed extra resources this year to support schools in navigating the challenges of the pandemic.
The laser etcher was a new addition to the shop this school year, and students said they enjoyed using the new technology to benefit their classmates.
Each winter, bald eagles — in pursuit of good meals and life partners — gather in the hundreds on the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges. And mid-February is the best time to observe them.
East Cascades Audubon Society has been conducting raptor surveys once a month every winter for more than 15 years throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Northern California. According to the program’s data from all survey locations in the region, the share of bald eagles as compared to other birds more than doubles between December and February, from 6.2% to 13.1%. In the Klamath Basin specifically, ECAS’s monthly surveys have counted as many as 248 eagles in one day near Tulelake — more than any other survey area.
Eagles nest throughout the Basin, particularly along the western shore of Upper Klamath Lake, said local birder and Klamath Basin Audubon Society member Kevin Spencer. But they descend onto the refuges when migrating waterfowl return around the end of January.
‘Ya Gotta Have Heart’
Merrill teacher, retired educator, both emergency responders, teach sixth-graders CPR
Lillyin Friend leaned over, putting her ear to the mouth of the CPR training dummy. Not breathing. She puts her fingers on the dummy’s neck, checking for a pulse. No pulse. It was time for 30 chest compressions.
She positioned her hands and began counting: “One, two, three …”
The Merrill Elementary School sixth-grader joined 20 classmates at Merrill Rural Fire District’s firehouse on Wednesday to learn the basics of CPR — listening for breathing, checking for a pulse, and performing chest compressions on a training dummy.
CPR is part of a heart unit – Ya Gotta Have Heart — taught by sixth-grade teacher Laci Teaters and retired Merrill teacher and principal Larita Ongman. During the lessons, students and staff followed all COVID-19 safety protocols, wearing masks, gloves, and keeping at least a 6-foot physical distance from each other.
Teaters, who has taught at Merrill since 2015, about a year ago began volunteering as an emergency medical responder with the Merrill Rural Fire District and Basin Ambulance Service. The district relies on volunteers and offers ambulance and fire response. She is working on her EMT certification.
“This is a way I can give back to my community by doing something I feel passionate about,” she said.
Ongman, who retired from the Klamath County School District in 2019, started the unit as a sixth-grade teacher at Merrill years ago after reading a news story about a 7-year-old who used CPR techniques to save his mother’s life. She has been an EMT with the fire district and ambulance service for 35 years.
“I realized I had underestimated the power of kids,” Ongman said. “There isn’t a specific age to learn CPR. For some kids this may be too early, but if even one can use this information to help someone, it’s worth it.”
Teaters agreed.
“I think it’s important for them to know CPR because there’s a chance they could save a life,” she said. “They can at least start it, and they know to call for help.”
At the Merrill firehouse, Ongman walked sixth-graders through the steps of responding to a medical emergency.
“If someone’s heart stops beating, you’re going to help them out,” she told the students.
Each student had a training dummy and practiced performing the steps, including listening and feeling for breath, checking for a pulse, and performing chest compressions.
As they started each scenario, they recited the steps to take before starting CPR: “Person is down. Scene is safe. Gloves are on. Call for help.” The class is just a basic overview, providing students with the knowledge they would need to help a family member who has a medical emergency.
Meanwhile, Teater hooked up students to a heart monitor, providing them a chance to see their pulse, oxygen level, and cardiac rhythm.
The lessons will continue twice a week through February.
After class, Friend said she believes she could act in a medical emergency. “I would be nervous, but I know I could do it if I have to,” she said.
Around the state of Oregon
WINTER STORMS WREAK HAVOC ON OREGON COUNTIES
Ice, snow and high winds during the last 24 hours over much of the state have resulted in multiple road closures and downed trees resulting in extensive power outages and fractured communications.
Oregon Governor Kate Brown declared a state of emergency for nine counties impacted by the severe winter weather: Benton, Clackamas, Hood River, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington and Yamhill.
“This is another example of how emergencies can strike at any time, and why we need to be prepared,” said Oregon Office of Emergency Management Director Andrew Phelps. “Our state coordination Center (ECC) is active virtually, and along with state partners, we are leaning forward and stand ready to assist counties as needed.”
Key messages for Oregonians:
- Stay home/off the roads unless absolutely necessary; downed trees and power lines, as well as slick roads make for hazardous travel.
- A large number of damaged cell towers make for challenging communications via mobile phones and the Internet; use a battery-operated radio to listen to public broadcast stations for weather and situation updates.
- While utility repair crews are out working to restore power, outages are widespread and may not be back up for some time. Check on family/neighbors who may need assistance.
Additional winter weather safety tips and resources are available at:
- Oregon Office of Emergency Management
- Ready.gov
- American Red Cross Winter Weather Checklist
- Oregon Department of Transportation
- Humane Society – Protect Pets in Winter
- Oregon Health Authority – Preparing for Winter Storms
JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore. — A Josephine County individual has died from complications relating to a COVID-19 infection.
An 85-year-old man tested positive for COVID-19 Jan. 4 and died Jan. 21 at his home.
Josephine County now has a total of 44 COVID-19-related deaths. Of those patients, 43 died from complications relating to COVID-19 infections.
A grim new forecast confirms what experts caution amid declining Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations: when it comes to the pandemic, the US is not yet out of the woods.
Another 130,000 Americans are projected to die of the virus over the next three and a half months, according to the latest model from the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. And while Covid-19 numbers may be trending in the right direction now, there are four key factors that will determine how the next few months unfold, the IHME said in a briefing accompanying its model.
The first two will likely help the pandemic numbers continue a downward trajectory: increasing vaccinations and declining seasonality — the pattern of lower transmission that’s likely in the US during the spring and summer months.
Gov. Kate Brown declared a state of emergency Saturday over severe weather that left parts of the state covered in ice and snow and led to power failures, transportation shutdowns and communication problems. The state of emergency applies to Benton, Clackamas, Hood River, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington, and Yamhill Counties.
Hundreds of thousands of people in northwest Oregon remain without power after a winter storm that damaged power lines and electrical equipment. Pacific Power reports over 21,000 of its northwest Oregon customers have also lost power. The largest outages remain in the outskirts of Salem. Officials say it could take several days for some residents to establish power connections again.
North of the border, Seattle’s Sea-Tac Airport, which is where official data is kept these days, reported 8.9 inches of snow from midnight to midnight on Saturday Feb. 13, though 2.2 inches fell on Friday before midnight for a grand total of 11.1 inches. (That is not counting the snow falling on Sunday.)
Closer to home, a high wind advisory and a winter storm advisory remains in effect through this afternoon for Eastern Klamath County and parts of Lake County.
A new permitting system for hikers and backpackers in Oregon’s central Cascade Mountains will be implemented this year. It comes after years of development and a year after it was paused because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The U.S. Forest Service said Thursday permits will be required starting May 28 for some of the most popular trails in the Mount Jefferson, Three Sisters and Mount Washington wilderness areas. Permits will be required only during the busiest hiking season, which will end Sept. 24 this year. The permits are meant to reduce the number of hikers allowed into those wilderness areas, as a response to overcrowding and human impact.
(Salem) – Today is the first day of a COVID-19 special enrollment period, which lasts until May 15, 2021. This special enrollment period will allow people throughout the United States, including Oregonians, who are looking for health coverage to shop at HealthCare.gov.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant change to hundreds of thousands of Oregonians, who either lost their job or experienced a loss in income. As a result, these Oregonians may be newly eligible for financial help to purchase health insurance. Unlike a typical special enrollment period, this enrollment period is available to everyone, not just those who have experienced a life event. Until May 15, any person who is eligible to shop through the Marketplace may enroll in new coverage or change their current plan.
Insurance agents and community partner organizations throughout the state are available to help people apply for financial assistance and choose private plans. People can also browse plans and find out how much savings they are eligible for at OregonHealthCare.gov/WindowShop.
Oregonians who do not get health insurance through their job or a program such as the Oregon Health Plan or Medicare may qualify for help paying for 2021 coverage through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. Even if people are temporarily uninsured or are currently enrolled in COBRA coverage, they can sign up for help between Feb. 15 and May 15 to get health insurance for 2021.
“The pandemic has made life uncertain for many Oregonians. We want to help you find a way to control your finances,” said Chiqui Flowers, administrator of the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. “Quality health coverage protects your financial future in the event that you get sick, injured, or something else unforeseen happens.”
“It is true. The pandemic has proven that life is unpredictable. That can be scary when it comes to the health and financial security of your family,” said Amy Coven, communications strategist for the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. “Health coverage brings predictability to health needs that may arise, as well as a wealth of benefits to keep you healthy.”
Individuals making $51,040 or less per year, and families of four making $104,800 or less, may get help paying for coverage. In 2020, more than seven in 10 Oregonians who chose plans through HealthCare.gov got financial help for monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. These savings lowered the average premium to just $145 per month.
To apply, go to OregonHealthCare.gov between Feb. 15 and May 15 and answer a few Oregon-specific questions to get to the right application. You can also search the “get help” directory on OregonHealthCare.gov to find an insurance agent or community partner organization to help complete the application and enroll. Insurance agents and community partners provide local, one-on-one assistance at no charge to the client. This help is available virtually and over the phone, and in person following safety protocols.
Get immunizations updated before School Exclusion Day on Feb. 17
Parents must provide schools and childcare facilities with kids’ vaccine records
School looks different for kids. While many children still rely on remote learning, we want to make sure they are safe as schools reopen across the state. This includes making sure kids are up to date on childhood vaccines, like measles.
Feb. 17 is School Exclusion Day, and the Oregon Immunization Program reminds parents that children may not be able to attend school or childcare on that day (or when their school reopens) if their records on file show missing immunizations. Schools also have the option of blocking remote learning access for kids without current immunization records on Feb. 17.
Under state law, all children in public and private schools, preschools, Head Start and certified childcare facilities must have up-to-date documentation on their required immunizations or have an exemption. The COVID-19 vaccine is not currently required for children; the current Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not allow for children under 16 (Pfizer) or under 18 (Moderna) to be vaccinated.
“Immunization is the best way to protect children against vaccine-preventable diseases such as whooping cough and measles,” said Stacy de Assis Matthews, school law coordinator in the Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division. “Just two years ago, we saw several measles cases in the Northwest. We don’t want another disease outbreak of on top of COVID-19. Immunizations are the most effective way to stop the spread of measles, to keep kids and school communities healthy and safe.”
If a child’s school and childcare vaccination records are not up to date on Feb. 17, the child will be sent home. In 2020, local health departments sent 21,598 letters to parents and guardians informing them that their children needed immunizations to stay in school or childcare. A total of 3,268 children were kept out of school or childcare until the necessary immunization information was turned in to the schools or childcare facilities. This year, letters to parents were mailed on or before Feb. 3.
Parents seeking immunizations for their children should contact their health care provider or local health department, or call 211Info — just dial 211 or go to 211info.org. No one can be turned away from a local health department because of the inability to pay for required vaccines. Many pharmacists can immunize children age 7 and older; contact your neighborhood pharmacy for details.
Additional information on school immunizations can be found at the Immunization Program website.