Klamath Basin News, Friday, 2/26/21 – OSHA of Oregon Fines Klamath Area Businesses and Opens Restrictions Violations Investigations

(Casey’s Restaurant still attacked by Oregon OSHA with fines and violations of Gov. Brown’s Covid Restrictions)

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Mick-insurance-2020-new-728x90-1-1024x127.jpg

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.

Friday, February 26, 2021

Klamath Basin Weather

Today

This afternoon A 30% chance of snow showers, with a high near 42. Windy with gusts as high as 41 mph. Tonight a 40%chance of snow showers, with a low around 26. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Saturday Sunny, with a high near 42. Northwest wind 11 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Overnight low around 23 degrees.

Monday A chance of snow showers between 10am and 1pm, then a chance of rain showers after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Overnight cloudy with a low around 25.

Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 51.

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

Klamath County Public Health officials reported 10 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday. The local case count is 2,784. This week’s total is 30.  

There are 10 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 2,204, the Oregon Health Authority reported Thursday.

Oregon Health Authority also reported 553 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 Thursday, bringing the state total to 154,554.

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (2), Benton (12), Clackamas (46), Columbia (4), Coos (26), Crook (2), Curry (5), Deschutes (10), Douglas (27), Harney (1), Hood River (2), Jackson (75), Jefferson (9), Josephine (13), Klamath (10), Lane (51), Lincoln (3), Linn (16), Malheur (4), Marion (58), Morrow (3), Multnomah (66), Polk (12), Tillamook (3), Umatilla (17), Union (4), Wasco (1), Washington (61) and Yamhill (14). 

New cases of COVID-19 in Oregon were down 35-percent over the last week.  Health officials say hospitalizations were also down 42-percent.  The number of deaths declined from 114 to 17, which is the lowest weekly death toll since June.  The state’s positive test rate is at three-and-a-half-percent. The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 156, which is six fewer than day prior. There are 38 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit beds, which is eight fewer than Wednesday.

Klamath Falls businesses continue to come under scrutiny by Oregon OSHA for reports of violations of state restrictions meant to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The enforcement agency has opened a second inspection into Casey’s Restaurant on S 6th Street for allegedly violating COVID-19 restrictions and has also opened an inspection of The Chicken Shack, 3255 Washburn Way. Other businesses that were under inspection by OSHA have received fines, including Red Zone Sports Bar and AMA Mini Mart.

Red Zone was fined $175 by the agency for failing to enforce face mask and social distancing requirements in October 2020.

AMA Mini Mart was also cited and fined $280 by Oregon OSHA in December for not enforcing that customers or employees wear face masks. According to OSHA, AMA corrected the violation at the time of the inspection, but were still fined.

Casey’s Restaurant has already been fined $8,900 in December for serving dine-in food and drinks while it was prohibited by the governor’s executive order.

The right-hand lane of Main Street (westbound) between 2nd and 3rd Street will be closed March 1st through March 5th from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to accommodate cranes for antenna replacement.  

Additionally, the parking lane on 2nd Street between Main Street and Pine Street will also be closed for the same time period.  Please use caution when driving in areas where work is being performed.

The family of missing Star, Idaho woman Deborah Hendrichs is asking the public to share any information that could lead investigators to her location.

She has family connections in both Tulelake and Merrill. Hendrichs, 56, went missing just after 5 p.m. on Jan. 11 after running out of gas on Interstate 84 near Meacham, Oregon, roughly two hours northwest of Ontario.

According to the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Hendrichs turned off her cellphone and left home in a black Toyota RAV4 (Idaho plate number DCU94) just after 9 a.m. that her sisters Rhonda Dunn and Cindy Taylor, as well as her husband John Hendrichs, said that family and friends are still searching for her and are calling on the public to share any possible tips with law enforcement.

Around the state of Oregon

Gov. Brown’s State of emergency extended for 60 days

Thursday afternoon Governor Kate Brown extended the declaration of a state of emergency for COVID-19. The extension is for 60 days, until May 2.

The declaration is the legal underpinning for the Governor’s COVID-19 executive orders and the Oregon Health Authority’s health and safety guidance. Extending the state of emergency also helps ensure Oregon is able to fully utilize available federal COVID-19 relief and assistance, including assistance with vaccine distribution.

“Throughout the pandemic, Oregonians have made smart choices that have protected our families and loved ones and saved thousands of lives. We helped our doctors, nurses, and health care workers from being overwhelmed last spring, and again during the winter surge,” Governor Brown said. “Our infection and mortality rates have consistently remained some of the lowest in the country. And, for the first time, COVID-19 critical care units are seeing fewer and fewer patients.”

The state of emergency declaration serves as the legal underpinning for all of Brown’s coronavirus-related executive orders, making the Oregon Health Authority’s health and safety guidance enforceable. It also allows state agencies to use federal COVID-19 relief and assistance, including for vaccine distribution. Brown last extended the state of emergency in the middle of December.  Again, this new extension will last until May 2, unless rescinded early.

Oregon Republicans' walkouts could delay critical spending until 2021 -  oregonlive.com

Republicans in the Oregon Senate did not show up to the Capitol building for votes on Thursday, preventing the chamber from gaining a quorum to proceed on legislative business.

Just after noon on Thursday all 11 Senate Republicans were absent from the chamber, along with newly-Independent Senator Brian Boquist. A statement from Senate Republicans said that they were “standing in solidarity” with Oregonians suffering amid the pandemic by “staging a protest and invoking First Amendment rights.” The lawmakers demanded that Democratic leaders refocus their priorities in the legislative session by addressing several topics first — reopening schools immediately, distributing vaccines equitably, and helping struggling Oregonians to recover.

Though Governor Brown gave school districts the go-ahead to reopen in spite of coronavirus metrics at the end of last year, many districts have approached reopening cautiously.

Girod pointed to Republican-sponsored bills that would empower private and public charter schools, and use the state’s budget authority to force school districts to reopen.

Federal stimulus payments last year during the COVID pandemic will generate $112 million in additional Oregon taxes because of a quirk in state tax law and mean many people are on the hook for a higher tax bill.

The taxes will affect 877,000 Oregonian taxpayers, about half of all those who received federal stimulus payments in 2020 and early in 2021. They would owe an average of about $130 apiece from just the first stimulus payments last spring; many lower income workers would owe $100 or more. Lawmakers from both parties say that’s unfair, and the Legislature is examining a fix that would wipe out the higher tax bill. But with the April tax filing date approaching it’s not clear there’s consensus to make a change.

The stimulus payments were structured as a tax rebate, which means they aren’t subject to federal or state income taxes. But Oregon is one of six states that allow taxpayers to deduct a portion of their federal tax payments from their state income taxes.

The Oregon Public Utility Commission is extending the moratorium on disconnections for electric and natural gas service through June 30th.  The moratorium was set to expire on April 1st.  There are 97-thousand customers who are more than three months behind on their bills.  That’s an increase of 272-percent since the pandemic started

Organizations representing producers of Oregon beer, wine, and spirits are sounding the alarm about a bill proposed in the legislature that would majorly hike taxes on alcohol.

House Bill 3296, sponsored by Democratic Representatives Tawna Sanchez and Rachel Prusak, proposes new taxes on beer, cider, and wine. The bill proposes an additional tax of $70 per barrel of beer or cider and $10 per gallon of wine. The current taxes stand at $2.60 per barrel of beer or cider and 65 cents per gallon of wine, and the new taxes would be added on top of those existing rates.

Reps. Sanchez and Prusak reference the cost of addiction in Oregon as the impetus for the bill, citing statistics that the state’s alcohol mortality rate has increased by 34 percent in the past 21 years, killing “five times as many people as all drug overdoses combined.” The bill stipulates that tax revenues would go toward addiction recovery measures.

COVID Outbreak at Jackson County Jail  

On Monday February 22, 2020 Jail Administration was informed that several Adults-In-Custody (AIC) who share a housing unit were feeling symptoms consistent with Covid-19. Jail Medical Staff offered tests to the eleven AIC’s housed in the unit, ten of whom opted for the test. These individuals have been housed together for 23 days at the time the tests were administered.

On Wednesday, Jail Medical Staff was informed that preliminary lab results showed all ten samples were positive for Covid-19. Sheriff’s Office and Jail Medical Staff immediately implemented the established additional protocols to limit potential spread of the virus within the facility.

All eleven AIC’s who are housed together in the unit are presumed/confirmed to be positive for Covid-19. They are lodged and awaiting trial for allegedly committing serious person crimes. The severity of the charges, which range from Sex abuse 2, Rape 1, and Federal Holds, preclude the possibility of releasing the individuals back in to the community, at this time. We must consider the safety of the community when decisions are made as to who is released from jail.

All involved AIC have been quarantined in place and are being monitored by medical staff multiple times each day. At this point all of the individuals exhibit only minor symptoms which can be adequately treated within the facility.

Jail Staff is working on contact tracing within the facility, both to determine the possible source of the spread and to reduced further positive cases. At this point no source has been identified and the spread appears to be isolated to the one housing unit. Jackson Co. Sheriff’s Office

Woman Fined for Chalking Sidewalk During Protest In Medford

Site of a protest in Medford in 2019 after which Teresa Safay was fined for using spray chalk on the sidewalk.

An Ashland woman is being charged for using spray chalk on a sidewalk outside former Oregon Congressman Greg Walden’s office in Medford.

On October 8, 2019 Teresa Safay and members of the progressive activist group Indivisible held a protest outside Walden’s Medford campaign office. During the event they used colorful spray chalk on the sidewalk to urge Walden to vote to impeach then-President Donald Trump.

After the incident, Safay was charged with violating Medford municipal code 5.260 “Defacing Streets or Sidewalks.” After being found guilty in municipal and Jackson County circuit court, she has been ordered to pay $494.03 to compensate cleanup costs to the law firm Hornecker Cowling which shares the sidewalk and reported the violation, according to court records.

Her attorney argues she’s being targeted with a local municipal code because of the political nature of her speech. Safay’s attorney, Sarah Alvarez with the Civil Liberties Defense Center, says the code enforcement was motivated by her client’s political speech and was a violation of her rights under the Oregon Constitution and the First Amendment.

“Everybody, including Ms. Safay, has the right to protest and express dissent towards their government and in this case the firm Hornecker Cowling, it seemed to us, that they were using their connection and access to silence dissent and Ms. Safay’s and the other activists’ political message,” Alvarez says.

Sidewalk chalk is commonly used in public spaces. Court documents describe other events in Medford such as the Art in Bloom festival where chalk is routinely applied to public rights of way, but does not result in litigation. And during a December vigil for slain Ashland resident Aiden Ellison, residents used chalk to memorialize the teen outside the Jackson County Courthouse.

Prosecutors with the City of Medford, argue the restitution owed by Safay is because the spray chalk proved difficult and costly to remove.

“The reason [the case] was pursued was due to the substance that was put down and how difficult it was for the adjacent property owner to get the sidewalk clean,” says Medford Deputy City Attorney Eric Mitton.

“It had nothing to do with the substantive content of the speech.”

Household spray chalk is designed to come off with water or naturally disappear within seven days, according to product descriptions, but court documents show a contractor spent seven hours removing the substance with cleaning chemicals and a pressure washer that may have caused it to stick longer.

Circuit Court Judge Lorenzo Mejia sided with the City of Medford, requiring Safay to pay the $494.03 cleanup cost.

“I agree with the City that there was no evidence presented to suggest that Ms. Safay was cited for the content of her spray chalk protest,” Mejia wrote.

Defendant Safay was found guilty in both municipal and circuit courts. It’s unclear if any additional appeals will be made in her case.

Oregon’s Project Turnkey Gains Momentum: $11.4 Million in Additional Grants Brings Three More Motel Properties Online to Provide Lodging for Displaced Community Members

NW Coastal Housing Lincoln City Oregon

Project Turnkey Provides Grants for Properties Located in Corvallis, Eugene and Lincoln City along with plans in Medford and Ashland

Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) announced that Project Turnkey is gaining momentum with three additional grants awarded to properties in Corvallis, Eugene and Lincoln City.

Corvallis Housing First (CHF) was selected to receive one of the next Project Turnkey grants, in the amount of $2.475 million in state funds to purchase and transform a 24-room hotel in Corvallis, Oregon. Priority will be given to the most vulnerable members of the Corvallis community who are unhoused, including people with disabilities, veterans, people of color and seniors.

“We are so excited for this opportunity to provide more safe shelter options during the pandemic and permanent supported housing to people experiencing chronic homelessness in our community,” said Andrea Myhre, Executive Director of Corvallis Housing First, “This project came together because of good planning as well as partners and volunteers working tirelessly to come up with new solutions for getting people into housing.”

Located at 1480 SW 3rd St, Corvallis, OR 97333, CHF anticipates the facility to be in use beginning in March 2021.

Lane County Human Services was also selected to receive a Project Turnkey grant, in the amount of $5.56 million in state funds to purchase and transform a 50-room hotel in Eugene, Oregon. Priority will be given to wildfire evacuees.

“The Holiday Farm Fire was absolutely devastating to thousands of residents along the McKenzie River,” said Lane County Commissioner Heather Buch. “Six months later and people are still struggling to find acceptable temporary housing. Project Turnkey is an incredible investment and will provide a lot of families with a safe place to live while they work through the rebuilding process.”

Located at 599 East Broadway, Eugene, OR 97401, Lane County Human Services anticipates the facility to be in use beginning in March 2021.

Northwest Coastal Housing (NWCH) in Lincoln City is another Project Turnkey grant awardee, slated to receive $3.348 million in state funds to purchase a 42-room hotel along Highway 101 in Lincoln City, Oregon. Priority will be given to community members displaced by the Echo Mountain Complex Fire.  

“This is wonderful news for survivors of the Echo Mountain Fire,” Claire Hall, Board of County Commissioners for Lincoln County and Chair of Oregon Housing Stability Council, said. “North Lincoln County’s critical housing shortage was exacerbated by the fire. Too many individuals and families are still living in their vehicles, are doubled up with friends or relatives, or in other unstable situations. This will give them a safe, long-term place to work on rebuilding their homes and their lives.”

Located at 1014 NE Hwy 101, Lincoln City, OR 97367, NWCH anticipates the new “Phoenix Rising NW” to be in use beginning in March 2021.

“We at Northwest Coastal Housing are so grateful for this opportunity to help our neighbors impacted by the wildfires, COVID and other crisis by providing temporary lodging complete with service navigation.  Our goal is to ease the trauma, provide our occupants with lodging, help them to stabilize and breathe,” stated Sheila Stiley, Executive Director of Northwest Coastal Housing.  “Our agency was established to advocate for and support community efforts addressing housing needs.  This is an unconventional and innovative way of accomplishing just that, which seems to be a growing trend when responding to crisis, and we could not have succeeded without overwhelming support from our partners.”

Earlier this month OCF announced the first Project Turnkey grant of $4.2 million in state funds for Options for Helping Residents of Ashland (OHRA) to purchase and transform an Ashland motel. The new OHRA Center anticipates beginning to safely house community members negatively impacted by wildfires and COVID-19 pandemic beginning in March 2021.

“Now that the application window has closed, the Project Turnkey Advisory Committee is doubling down on efforts to review and move highly-qualified applicants through the due diligence process,” said Megan Loeb, Program Officer, Oregon Community Foundation. “We have a strong pipeline of nearly 30 applicants and are excited to see more projects awarded in the weeks ahead.”

When funds became available from the state for this project, OCF convened a diverse statewide advisory committee to create an equitable review process of all applicants. Working with urgency, and with counsel from real estate development experts, the selection committee has condensed a complicated real estate transaction into a 6-8-week process.

“The scale of this humanitarian crises for unsheltered Oregonians is enormous,” said Dr. Ernesto Fonseca, CEO, Hacienda CDC and Project Turnkey Advisory Committee Member. “Project Turnkey is one innovative and cost-effective solution that brings affordable housing in record time to people in critical need.”

OCF has been studying root causes of Oregon’s dual crisis of homelessness and affordable housing for two years, beginning with research commissioned from ECONorthwest, “Homelessness in Oregon” which provided statewide analysis of the disproportionately large homeless population in Oregon.

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month

Problem Gambling Awareness Month logo

For the 19th year, the Oregon Council on Problem Gambling dedicates March to help increase public awareness of problem gambling and the availability of prevention, treatment, and recovery services.  

This coincides with the National Problem Gambling Awareness Month whose campaign theme is “Awareness + Action.”

“Problem Gambling Awareness Month is always important to us, as we highlight a ‘hidden’ addiction that millions of Americans face, including one in every 38 Oregon adults,” said Executive Director of the Oregon Council on Problem Gambling Julie Hynes.

“This year, we bring special attention to problem gambling, given the stress, isolation and financial uncertainty of so many Oregonians throughout the pandemic,” said Hynes. “Some can be tempted to seek hope through jackpots and escape from everyday problems via other gambling options. More widespread legalized online betting, day trading, and even video gaming apps have caused harm for more people this year. We want people to know that they’re not alone, and that there is effective, free and confidential help available for them as well as their loved ones.”

National Problem Gambling Awareness Month is a grassroots effort that brings together a wide range of stakeholders – public health organizations, advocacy groups and gambling operators – who work collaboratively to let people know that hope and help exist.

Outreach continues to be challenging because of the pandemic.  People are isolated at home and the need for online gambling resources and options for treatment are critical. Visits to the Oregon Problem Gambling Resource website (www.opgr.org) tend to increase during March as result of the focused marketing and social media outreach efforts.

“Creating awareness of problem gambling and available resources is a statewide commitment that is reflected in the official proclamation that Oregon Lottery and the Oregon Health Authority worked with the Governor’s office to develop,” added Lottery Senior Manager Product Market Stacy Shaw, who is also an officer on the National Council on Problem Gambling board of directors.

“It’s great that people are seeking information,” Shaw added, “and we hope that the conversation and action continues to grow this year. We’re proud to be in a state that has robust system of prevention through treatment services that are free to anyone concerned about gambling problems, and we want people to know that they don’t have to worry about seeking help.

“This year we are focusing on letting people know that in Oregon treatment is really free, a message that’s important to people struggling with gambling issues.”

Problem Gambling Services Manager Greta Coe, with Oregon Health Authority’s Health Systems Division, notes the COVID pandemic has made this “a very trying and isolating time for many people.” Because of this, she says, it was important for Oregon Problem Gambling Resource (OPGR) and other local community sources to ramp up their outreach activities and media presence to address the increase in gambling activity and addiction.

“We’ve expanded our efforts to build awareness that gambling is an activity that comes with risks,” said Coe, “and it’s crucial we provide both free education and judgment-free treatment for those who develop gambling problems, as well as resources for those impacted by a loved one’s gambling.

The Oregon Lottery’s commitment to problem gambling support is year-round. Since 1992, one percent of Oregon Lottery profits has funded problem gambling treatment and prevention efforts throughout Oregon. Since that time, over $111 million in Lottery funds has supported those services.

To get help for a gambling issue, anyone can call 1-877-MYLIMIT. Treatment is free, confidential and it works. For more information about problem gambling treatment resources or to chat with a specialist, go to Oregon Problem Gambling Resource at opgr.org. 

About the Oregon Council on Problem Gambling

The Oregon Council on Problem Gambling is the state affiliate to the National Council on Problem Gambling. Its purpose is to promote the health of Oregonians by supporting efforts to minimize gambling-related harm. Board members include stakeholders from the gaming industry, the treatment and prevention field, the recovery community and state and county administrators. Oregon Lottery

ShakeAlert(R) Helps Oregonians Prepare for the Unpredictable

OEM is coordinating the rollout of ShakeAlert in Oregon with state, federal and local partners.

OEM is coordinating the rollout of ShakeAlert in Oregon with state, federal and local partners.

Wildfires, floods, volcanoes and earthquakes: Oregon has its share of natural hazards. Each of these hazards presents unique challenges, but one of the biggest challenges for earthquake preparedness is unpredictability. Earthquakes strike without warning, causing widespread damage in a matter of seconds.

Fortunately, there is a preparedness tool, ShakeAlert® Earthquake Early Warning, coming to Oregon on March 11. ShakeAlert does not predict earthquakes. Rather, it uses a network of sensors to detect an earthquake that has just begun. Data from the sensors are used by ShakeAlert processing centers to calculate the estimated quake magnitude and intensity. Alert distribution providers (e.g. operators of purpose-built apps) create an alert which can be delivered to wireless devices – in a matter of seconds – potentially reaching device users before the shaking does. In the seconds between receiving an alert and feeling shaking, people can protect themselves by dropping, covering and holding on.

“One of the reasons earthquakes are unpredictable is due to a phenomenon called ‘stick-slip,’” explains Jenny Crayne, an educator with the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), which is supporting outreach and education related to ShakeAlert. The push and pull of plate tectonics puts pressure on rocks within the earth. But rather than glide smoothly along, the rock “sticks,” held fast by friction. Sooner or later, and without notice, pressure overcomes this friction and the rock “slips,” resulting in an earthquake.

By studying past earthquakes and by mapping and monitoring movement along plate boundaries and faults, seismologists can identify areas, like the Pacific Northwest, with a high earthquake hazard, explains Crayne. Seismologists can also look at recurrence interval (the average amount of time between quakes) to estimate the likelihood of an earthquake occurring in the future. But probabilities aren’t predictions; no one knows exactly where the next earthquake will occur, or when.

This is why ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning is such a valuable preparedness tool. By rapidly detecting earthquakes and deploying alerts, the System can offer live-saving seconds for individuals. ShakeAlert-powered alerts can also be used to trigger automated actions such as closing a gas valve or slowing a train. These actions can prevent cascading infrastructure failures in the aftermath of an earthquake.

ShakeAlert is an easy-to-use tool. Beginning March 11, 2021, mobile devices in Oregon will be able to receive ShakeAlert-powered alerts via Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA), just like a severe weather or AMBER alert. All WEA alerts, regardless of type, behave the same. The device makes a distinctive notification sound and the alert pops up in a text window on the screen. Some devices with text-to-voice capability may read out the message text.

In the case of an earthquake alert, the WEA text will read: “Earthquake Detected! Drop, Cover, Hold On. Protect Yourself. -USGS ShakeAlert.” This message is available in Spanish for phones set to receive alerts in that language.

ShakeAlert-powered alerts can also be delivered through purpose-built apps; newer Android phones have ShakeAlert capacity built into the operating system, offering a third alert delivery route.

“ShakeAlert can offer critical seconds of advance warning before we feel the impacts of shaking from an earthquake,” says Oregon Office of Emergency Management Director Andrew Phelps. “These precious seconds allow people to take protective actions to increase their chances of being disaster survivors rather than disaster victims.

You can get this document in other languages, large print, braille or a format you prefer. Contact David Cardona, OEM Language Access Coordinator, at 971-719-1183 or email david.cardona@state.or.us. We accept all relay calls or you can dial 711. Oregon Office of Emergency Management

Report of ‘ A Disturbance’ in Oregon Homeless Camp Finds Person Dead and Another Charged With Murder

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image-51.png

A man faces Murder and other charges after officers found a person dead in a homeless camp Wednesday morning.

Ronald Andrew Mowy, 27, of Lebanon was taken into custody on suspicion of Murder in the Second Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Burglary in the First Degree.

Police have not identitifed the victim as they work to contact his family.

The investigation started at 10:35 a.m. with a report of a disturbance near 3199 Burdell Blvd. in Lebanon. “The person reporting the disturbance stated that there appeared to be yelling from a homeless encampment,” police said.

Officers found a man dead at the scene and identify Mowdy as the other person involved, police said.

“Mowdy has an extensive history with the Lebanon Police Department that involves thefts, trespassing, narcotics and disturbances, as well as outstanding warrants for his arrest,” police said.

Police ask anyone with information about the case to please contact Detective James Glover (541-258-4326) or Detective Sergeant Ryan Padua (541-258-4325).

Fatal Crash on Hwy 101 – Coos County 

""

On Thursday, February 25, 2021 at approximately 7:15 P.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a two vehicle crash on Hwy 101 near milepost 227.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a commercial motor vehicle with double trailers had became disabled on the northbound shoulder of Hwy 101.  Previous to becoming disabled the CMV was operated by Anthony Prom (50) of Seattle, WA.  

A Chevrolet S-10 pickup, operated by Frank Martinez (77) of Lakeside,  traveled onto the shoulder and crashed into the rear of the CMV combination. 

Martinez sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. Prom was not injured.

OSP was assisted by the Coos County Sheriff’s Department, Hauser Fire Department, Bay Cities Ambulance, ODOT, and Southern Oregon Public Safety Chaplains. Oregon State Police

Back to the BasinLife.com Homepage

Must Read

Klamath Basin News, Thursday, Jan. 9 – Snow Covers Klamath County Today

Brian Casey

Klamath Basin News, Thursday, 7/8 – Bootleg Fire Near Sprague River Spreads to 16,000 Acres and No Containment Yet

Brian Casey

Klamath Basin News, Thursday 12/3 – Mazama High School’s “Load The Boat” Food Drive Kicks Off, County Officials Discuss Covid-19

Renee Shaw