Klamath Basin News, Monday, March 29 – Sky Lakes COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics Continue; Schedule Your Shot by Appointment

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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.

Monday, March 29, 2021

Klamath Basin Weather

Today Sunny, with a high near 50. Clear, Overnight, clear with a low around 23.

Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 59. Overnight, clear with a low around 25.

Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 70. Southeast wind 5 to 8 mph.

Thursday Sunny, with a high near 69.

Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.

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

According to Cal Fire a vegetation fire was discovered 7 miles west of Tulelake on Saturday night.  The Fire is currently 600 acres in size and is currently 30 % contained. No evacuations have been issued and the structure threat has been mitigated. The Fires cause is still under investigation. There is limited access due to marsh lands in that area.

Madison Street in Klamath Falls will be closed from South 6th to Delaware on today and tomorrow from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Avista Utilities will be completing relocation of gas main and services in the area.

Flaggers will be on site and detours will be posted. Motorists should use alternative routes, including Patterson Street and Homedale Road. For additional questions or concerns, please contact Tony Holcomb with Avista Utilities at 541-591-9608 or Jeremy Morris, Klamath County Public Works Director at 541-883-4696.

There are two new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 2,375, the Oregon Health Authority reported today. Oregon Health Authority reported 426 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of today, bringing the state total to 163,702.

The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 118, which is 10 more than yesterday. There are 22 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is four more than yesterday.

Klamath County reported 22 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday.

A reminder that appointments are now being scheduled for three Sky Lakes COVID-19 vaccination clinics next week. Klamath County adults aged 45-64 with underlying health conditions are eligible.

First-dose shots will be given Tuesday, March 30, and Wednesday, March 31, at the Sky Lakes vaccination clinic on the fourth floor of the original medical center.

On Saturday, April 3, COVID-19 first-dose vaccinations will be given at the Sky Lakes Collaborative Health Center.

Shots are by appointment only and can be scheduled by calling 1-833-606-4370. No walk-in slots or on-site appointments are available. The call center is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

Klamath Open Door Family Practice, also known as Klamath Health Partnership, is providing COVID-19 vaccinations.

They were able to receive a grant from the federal government to provide free one shot Johnson and Johnson Covid-19 vaccines to underserved farming communities. Klamath Health Partnership is able to go and vaccinate hundreds of farmers around the county for free with their new mobile vaccination clinic, which is a renovated ambulance that goes to different farms throughout Klamath County for free.

Amanda Blodgett the Chief Operations Officer said they re-purposed the ambulance into a mobile clinic, so they use that ambulance for our vaccine events. They always make sure that they have Spanish speakers staffing when they go to farm sites so that they can answer the farm workers questions.

Right now they’re using Johnson and Johnson for these events, so that they don’t have to worry about returning to the farms to provide that follow-up dose.” The mobile vaccine clinic can provide up to 150 vaccines per event. Right now, the clinic is only using the Johnson and Johnson one shot vaccine. Farmers do have the opportunity to receive a two-shot vaccine through appointment at the physical clinic only. The mobile vaccine clinic will contact farms directly to set up a date and time for the vaccination event.

Oregon Tech’s administration and its faculty union have yet to reach an agreement on a new three-year labor contract after more than 450 days of bargaining.

The vote is open on whether faculty would authorize a strike if a deal is not reached by the end of the 30-day cooling-off period. Faculty will continue to vote until April 2. One sticking point the union — the Oregon Tech-American Association of University Professors — points to is the university’s continued proposal of tying salary increases to merit, with administrators being the judge of “merit.”

Oregon Tech Vice President of Institutional Advancement Ken Fincher called merit-based salary increases “the gold standard,” noting that it rewards faculty who go above and beyond. The union disagreed, saying in a release that merit-based pay makes faculty compete with each other for limited resources.

Meanwhile, in a separate vote today faculty will begin voting on whether they have confidence in university president Nagi Naganathan’s leadership. Following a faculty senate resolution calling for Naganathan’s resignation that passed unanimously, the faculty-wide vote is the next step in ousting the president after he refused to step down.

Next month, Klamath County Library will unveil a “library of things.” The program allows library users the chance to choose from about 50 items to borrow for one week.

It’s inventory includes everything from a telescope to a cornhole set, fly fishing rod, sewing machine, binoculars or a food dehydrator. Items will be available for kitchen, outdoor and recreation, electronic, and arts and crafts and music supplies and all are new and purchased by the library.

According to Charla Oppenlander, supervising librarian it works the same way that books do. Oppenlander and reference librarian Denae Nemanic have been working to roll out the project. Nemanic said the program promotes the concept of borrowing something you might not use often. The program also expands access for individuals who might not be able to afford pricey specialty items.

Oppenlander said they’ll be adding things to the collection. They’ll take suggestions from people and be watching for things they can add. Nemanic said some of the electronic items that might draw interest are a digital converter that changes VHS tapes into a digital format, perfect for a converting old-fashioned home movies to new technologies. A film scanner that can take photo negatives and convert them into digital images is also on the lending shelf. Library staff said donations of new or gently used materials will be considered to join the collection.

The library will check out materials for a week and individuals can make reservations online.

Around the state of Oregon

Gov. Kate Brown said Friday she will accelerate the state’s vaccine eligibility timeline by two weeks for Oregonians over age 16 with underlying medical conditions, frontline workers and those living in multi-generational homes.

Those groups will now be eligible to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine on April 5.

Those over age 45 with underlying conditions become eligible for the vaccine today and are already eligible in 22 counties that have already inoculated most of their older population.

All Oregonians over the age of 16 will become eligible for vaccination no later than May 1, Brown said. Brown said the number of counties ahead of schedule on vaccinating their population and increased vaccine supply from the federal government made it possible to speed up the timeline.

Under current projections, Oregon will receive enough vaccine to inoculate all eligible residents by the end of May and will be able to deliver them all by early to mid-June, said Oregon Health Authority director Patrick Allen.

Vaccinations in Oregon

Today, OHA reported that 28,722 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry. Of this total, 16,680 doses were administered on March 27 and 12,042 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry on March 27.

Oregon has now administered a total of 858,095 first and second doses of Pfizer, 820,414 first and second doses of Moderna and 38,937 single doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.

To date, 1,043,055 doses of Pfizer, 1,003,700 doses of Moderna and 61,200 doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines have been delivered to sites across Oregon.

The Department of Revenue today announced it will adjust the tax returns for Oregon taxpayers who have already filed their 2020 returns and are due relief from income taxes paid on recently exempted unemployment benefits earned in 2020.

Oregon taxpayers, who received unemployment in 2020 and have not yet filed their tax returns, can do so now following the instructions the IRS recently provided.

It’s rare that the department asks taxpayers to wait before filing their tax returns. In this case, it was necessary to give the IRS time to provide guidance and to allow e-file software providers time to update their software once Congress changed the law.

The American Rescue Plan, signed into law March 11, exempts up to $10,200 of unemployment benefits received in 2020 per individual from taxes for households with less than $150,000 in modified adjusted gross income. The change affects thousands of Oregon taxpayers who had already filed their state income tax returns, paying taxes on 2020 unemployment benefits, before Congress made the change to the tax code.

Today’s announcement means those taxpayers do not need to take action to amend their returns. The department will correct it for them, and, in most cases, affected taxpayers will receive refunds or have a lower tax bill.

Another Death Investigation Along Medford’s Greenway

On March 26th, 2021, at about 10:15 a.m., Medford police officers responded to a report of a possible dead body on the greenway, north of Railroad Park. Officers found the remains of the deceased subject, about 75 yards off the bike path, between the path and Bear Creek.

This is the second time in roughly one month that the Medford Police Department is investigating an apparent homicide on the Bear Creek Greenway near Railroad Park.

Based on the circumstances of the scene, the case is being treated as a homicide. Medford police detectives are being assisted by the Oregon State Police Crime Lab and the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s office. 

Medford Police detectives are being assisted at the scene by the Oregon State Police Crime Lab and the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Police said that the deceased is an adult. The person’s identity, age, sex, and race have yet to be determined.

“This is still in the very early stages of the investigation, and we appreciate your patience,” MPD concluded.

* At the end of February, Medford Police launched an investigation after a homeless man’s body was discovered about 150 yards north of Railroad Park, dead from a gunshot wound. Police later arrested a 17-year-old suspect, who was accused of shooting the man during an argument.

At this point, the identity of the deceased is unknown, as well as sex, race and age. The decedent is an adult. More information will be released after an autopsy is performed. This is still in the very early stages of the investigation, and we appreciate your patience.  Medford Police Dept.

Missing child alert — Alyssa Elizabeth Garner Cobe is missing and believed to be at risk

Alyssa Elizabeth Garner Cobe, a 7-year-old, went missing with her mother Julie Garner from Newport, Ore. on March 26, 2021. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) believes that Alyssa may be at risk and is searching for her to assess her safety.

ODHS asks the public to help in the effort to find Alyssa. Anyone who suspects they have information about the location of Alyssa, or her mother Julie Garner should call the Newport Police Department at 541-265-3100 or the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline at 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).

Julie Garner is believed to be traveling to Vallejo, Calif. in a silver 2008 Honda Civic with the Oregon license plate number 942FEF.

Name: Alyssa Elizabeth Garner Cobe
Pronouns: She/her
Date of birth: Jan. 11, 2014
Height: 3 feet 10 inches
Weight: 63 pounds
Eye color: Hazel
Hair color: Strawberry blonde

Report child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).  This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. — Oregon Department of Human Services

Protesters Clash at Oregon Capitol

Another heated political confrontation between opposing bands happened at the Oregon State Capitol on Sunday, March 28.

Salem Police Department officers wielding batons and Oregon State Troopers clad in camo declared an unlawful assembly after several hundred left-wing protesters gathered in the shadow of the Capitol rotunda and then began skirmishing with perhaps a dozen conservatives that had traveled by car from a gathering spot in Sandy.

Police eventually shut down traffic on Court Street Northeast where it passes the Capitol building after the protesters dressed in black smashed the windows of several passing trucks draped with large flags espousing right-wing causes. The car caravaners who exited their vehicles often felt the taste of pepper spray.

After police pushed protesters onto the Capitol lawn the group marched into town, where another man in an American flag-themed car had his brake lights and window smashed after he pulled over; suddenly the man pulled out a pistol and pointed it at the assembled crowd — then threw himself on the ground as police moved in and detained him.

At least two left-wing protesters were detained as well, and the Tribune witnessed smoke bombs, paintball guns, flagpoles, thrown projectiles and other weapons being used as the clash escalated. Exact information on arrests and charges was not immediately released.

A heavy rain began to fall and the crowd gradually dispersed. Throughout the day, Salem police using an amplified sound truck implored the groups to “please return to your cars and go home.” Officers fired impact munitions at least once.

While fears of a massive caravan of Proud Boys largely failed to materialize, several in the left-wing group said they were there to fight against racism, white supremacy and oppression.

“I’m Black, so I’ve experienced plenty of racism downtown since I’ve lived here. I think it’s important to show people that it’s not right to treat people awfully because of their skin tone. I don’t deserve it — no one deserves it,” said one protester, asking that her name not be published.

A man wearing a devil mask and a carrying a medieval metal shield said one of his parents had died in the Holocaust and another “on the beaches” during WWII.

“I’m Jewish, so I’m from a long line of fighting fascism,” he said. “It just comes down to taking a stand.”

Three Oregon Youth Overpower Staff and Escape from McLaren Youth Correctional Facility

MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility

Three teenagers escaped the McLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn early Sunday after authorities said they attacked a staff member and stole their keys before escaping through a fence.

The Oregon Youth Authority, which runs the state’s facilities for juvenile offenders, said the three young men are considered a risk to themselves or others and urged anyone who sees them to call 911.

They are:

  • Preston Andrizzi, 19, convicted of second-degree assault in Marion County
  • Anthony Fitz-Henry, 18, adjudicated for second-degree burglary in Marion County
  • Christian Goin, 17, adjudicated for fourth-degree assault in Linn County

All three are from the Salem and Albany areas.

MacLaren, the state’s largest juvenile correctional campus, was placed on lockdown after the escape, and visitation was canceled for the day.

Sarah Evans, a spokesperson for the Oregon Youth Authority, said it was the first escape at the facility since at least 2000, when a perimeter fence was installed.

Evans said the three assaulted a staff member and took their keys, then escaped through a hole in the fence. The hole has since been repaired, she said. The staff member was treated and released at a local hospital.

The about 200 youth at the facility are held in locked dormitory-style living units, some in single rooms and others in groups, and each living area is supervised around the clock by on-site staff and security cameras.

The youth authority urged anyone with information about the three to call the Oregon State Police at 503-375-3555 and reference case # SP 21-07842.

Fatal Crash Hwy 199 – Josephine County

On Friday, March 26, 2021 at approximately 7:27 A.M.,  Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a vehicle crash on Hwy 199 near milepost 30.

Preliminary investigation revealed a Toyota 4Runner, operated by Clyde McDonald (26) of Cave Junction, was northbound when crossed into the southbound lane and stuck a Ford Explorer operated by Shawn Fodor (29).  The 4Runner then struck a (southbound) Ford F250 operated by Paul Taylor (35) of Cave Junction.

Taylor sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. McDonald was transported via AMR and then air ambulance to Rogue Regional Medical Center with injuries. Fodor was uninjured in the crash.

The highway was partially closed for 5 hours.

Witnesses to the crash are asked to contact the Oregon State Police at 1-800-442-2068 or OSP and reference case number SP21-076174.  

OSP was assisted by AMR, Illinois Valley Fire Department, ODOT, and the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office. – Oregon State Police

Mule Leads Hikers to Injured Owner, Then Disappears

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On Sunday, a mule led a pair of hikers through a Clackamas County state park to the spot where its injured owner had fallen on earlier in the afternoon. Then it disappeared into the forest.

The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office said a 60-year-old man, whom they have not publicly identified, was riding his mule on trails at Milo McIver State Park, when they believe he fell off and hurt himself.

The mule began walking alone on the trail until it found two people hiking, said Sgt. Marcus Mendoza, then led them back to the injured man.

One of the hikers who found the mule, Doug Calvert, said he and his wife were on foot on a popular equestrian trail around noon when they saw what they thought was a horse walking toward them.

As they got closer, they realized the animal was a mule, and it was alone and watching them.

“It kept stopping and looking back to make sure we were following it,” Calvert said in an interview with The Oregonian/OregonLive on Sunday night. “So we started going faster, and it picked up speed. Eventually we got within view of the gentleman who had fallen.”

Calvert said as soon as the mule led them to its fallen owner, it walked back into some bushes and kept its distance.

Calvert said he focused on tending to the injured man and stayed away from the mule to avoid spooking it. He called the park ranger’s office and, failing to reach anyone, called 911.

In the meantime, the mule went back on the trail. It hasn’t been found since.

Calvert said he’s not sure why the man fell off the mule. He said the trails are in reasonable condition, but were only recently reopened after closures from the February ice storm. Sunday afternoon was also fairly windy, he said, and there is still debris on the trails.

He said medics arrived shortly after he called and began loading the man onto a gurney. Calvert said the man initially seemed to be in mild shock, but he seemed to be more cognizant as medics carried him away.

Mendoza said he did not have an update on the man’s condition.

As for the mule, Calvert said he heard some local equestrian groups had been out looking for it later on Sunday afternoon.

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