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, your local health and Medicare agents.
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Klamath Basin Weather
Today Partly sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. Overnight cloudy with a low of 51, gusty winds at times.
Thursday A 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Northwest wind 8 to 10 mph. Overnight a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Friday Partly sunny, with a high near 74. A 20% chance of showers overnight with a low near 48.
Saturday A 40% chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Showers overnight, low of 44.
Sunday Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69.
Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Today’s Headlines
Serena Moha, a civil engineering student at Oregon Tech, was awarded first place in the student paper competition at the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Pacific Northwest Symposium.
The ASCE symposium is an annual event that brings together Pacific Northwest college and university students to test their knowledge and skills in categories such as concrete canoe presentations, steel bridge teams, sustainable solutions presentations, environmental presentations, and student papers.
Moha competed against students from 11 other universities in the student paper competition. For the competition, participants were asked to compare ASCE’s new Code of Ethics, which were updated in October 2020, to the previous version and to discuss the impacts the changes will have on the civil engineering profession.
Moha’s paper, “The Impact of ASCE’s New Code of Ethics,” explains the importance of public trust in the civil engineering profession. “I chose to focus on these changes because it shows how the new code puts society first and will help civil engineers maintain and build public trust,” she said.
Oregon Institute of Technology hosted logo launch parties at the Portland-Metro and Klamath Falls campuses to celebrate the unveiling of the university’s 75th anniversary commemorative logo.
Students, alumni, faculty, and staff gathered on campus to watch the official unveilings. Oregon Institute of Technology officially opened July 17, 1947.
In its early years, Oregon Tech was known as the Oregon Vocational School, and programs focused on vocational courses in auto mechanics, baking, and gunsmithing for the 33 students enrolled in the first year.
Now, Oregon Tech offers world-class courses in leading technologies, such as engineering, healthcare, and management, with an enrollment of nearly 5,000 students.
The logo itself is the result of months of deliberation by the 75th anniversary planning committee, which is made up of campus members and alumni. Christopher Syrnyk, Ph.D. an associate professor in communication studies and co-chair of the committee, said the committee wanted a logo that celebrated Oregon Tech’s broad reach and was inclusive of the University’s campuses in Klamath Falls, Portland-Metro, Chemeketa Community College in Salem, and Seattle at Boeing.
KLAMATH NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION $50K GRANT
If you know someone who owns an abandoned home in the Klamath Falls Urban Growth Boundary (vacant since January 1, 2022), is current on their property taxes, and is able to provide a minimum 10% match to grant funds, they could be eligible for up to a $50,000 grant!
Let’s work together to beautiful our Klamath neighborhoods! Click here for more information:
Neighborhood Revitalization Grant
Oregon DMV Staffing Shortages Across the State, Reduced hours in Klamath Falls
Staffing shortages have closed some Oregon DMV offices and many have limited days they are open.
The department said their offices in Ashland, Cave Junction, downtown Portland, Lebanon, Redmond, Sandy and Stayton are closed. The coast is also having staffing shortages and offices there have closed off and on too.
“We’re closing six of our smaller offices and redeploying those people to nearby offices that need them on a day-to-day basis,” said David House with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The Oregon DMV said that staff shortages at its offices are forcing the agency to temporarily reduce business hours at 10 of its 60 field offices and temporarily close six smaller offices, including Redmond, likely through the busy summer season.
“As we enter DMV’s busiest time of year with a severe staff shortage, we recommend going online to DMV2U more than ever,” DMV Administrator Amy Joyce said. “Every time you need a DMV service, see if you can get it done at DMV2U.Oregon.gov. We’ve added over two-dozen services in the past three years.”
DMV spokesman David House states the closures are likely to last “at least for the busy summer season, but it’s impossible to predict because it depends on hiring. So it’s likely we’ll restore offices/hours office by office, not all at once.”
Temporary office closures
Starting May 31, DMV will temporarily close these offices so that remaining staff can reinforce larger nearby offices:
- Ashland
- Cave Junction
- Lebanon
- Redmond
- Sandy
- Stayton
Reduced business hours
As of May 31, these will be the business hours for the following offices:
- Astoria: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays except opening at 10 a.m. Wednesdays; closed 12:30-2 each day for lunch
- Canyonville: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays; closed 12:30-1:30 each day for lunch
- Downtown Portland: Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays
- Heppner: Open 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays only; closed 11:30-12:30 each day for lunch
- Hermiston: Open at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays
- Junction City: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays
- Klamath Falls: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays except opening at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays; closed 12:30-2 each day for lunch
- Lake Oswego: Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays
- Lincoln City: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays; closed noon-1:30 each day for lunch
- Milton-Freewater: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; closed 12:30-2 each day for lunch
Drive tests in particular are in high demand in the summer as many teens get a license for the first time. Drive test appointments fill up fast at DMV, so please consider an approved Oregon testing company. It costs more than a drive test at DMV, but you likely will get an appointment sooner – and maybe on an evening or weekend.
DMV keeps a list of approved third-party test providers here.
DMV Job openings in your area
“DMV has been experiencing the same shortage of applicants for job openings as other employers statewide and nationwide,” Joyce said. “The people working at your local DMV live in your community – and could use your help.”
Apply for a job at ODOT today at www.odotjobs.com – select “Department of Transportation” under the Company menu.
“In the meantime, please be kind and patient to your local DMV staff – they are your neighbors, friends and maybe even family.”
Around the state of Oregon
TALENT ATTEMPTED MURDER SUSPECT FLEES SCENE IN VICTIM’S CAR, CRASHES AFTER ELUDE WITH CHP
JCSO Case 22-3017
TALENT, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives are investigating an attempted murder that occurred Monday night on the 9600 block of Wagner Creek Road in Talent. The female suspect stabbed and beat the 87-year-old female victim before stealing her car and fleeing the scene. The suspect was known to the victim.
A concerned relative discovered the victim around 9:00 yesterday morning when she failed to show up for a daily coffee date. The victim is in stable condition at a local hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.
The suspect, Christy Robertson, 47, of Keizer, Ore., has been charged with attempted murder, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, three counts of first-degree assault, and unlawful use of a weapon.
After fleeing the scene in the victim’s stolen car, Robertson drove to the coast and crashed while attempting to elude the California Highway Patrol (CHP). She was admitted to a local Gold Beach, Ore. hospital under Oregon State Police guard until JCSO detectives arrived and transported her to the Jackson County Jail.
Airplane Crashes Into The Rogue River Near Galice
On Tuesday, May 31, 2022, at approximately 9:30 AM, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of an airplane that crashed into the Rogue River near Ennis Riffle. Deputies responded as well as personnel from Rural Metro Fire Department.
Upon arrival, it was learned that the pilot and passenger in the aircraft were able to exit the aircraft without injury. A local rafting outfitter, OARS, was performing water rescue training in the area and were able to pick up the pilot and passenger who were across the river from Galice Road.
Upon speaking to the pilot, Deputies learned that engine failure occurred around Hellgate Canyon and the plane glided to smooth waters above Ennis Riffle where a safe water landing was executed. No injuries were noted to the pilot or the passenger. The FAA and NTSB have been contacted for a follow-up investigation in this matter.
STATE CONTINUES PAYING OUT OREGON EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM APPLICATIONS TO RENTERS AND LANDLORDS ACROSS OREGON
SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is processing for payment applications submitted through the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program (OERAP) which stopped accepting applications on March 21, 2022.
As of today, the agency has paid out $363.36 in emergency rental assistance to 55,656 households.
OHCS is ahead of schedule to meet the deadlines established by U.S. Treasury for federal funds and is on track to obligate by June 30, 2022, the $100 million allocated by the Oregon Legislature during the December 2021 Special Session.
Only one other state has provided a higher percentage of assistance according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, ranking Oregon second in the nation in the percentage of emergency rental assistance funds paid out and obligated.
As application processing and payout of applications received after Dec. 1, 2021, continues, tenants are being asked to verify documents to ensure the basic eligibility criteria are met. Applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria are moved to the standard denial process before redirecting available funds to other eligible applicants. Program staff will contact eligible tenants who previously applied and have unpaid rent balances or need a few additional months of assistance to be made whole.
The OERAP portal remains closed to new applicants; however, local-level assistance is available for applicants who meet minimum eligibility criteria from Community Action Agencies. Tenants with questions about local-level resources and supports can call 2-1-1 to be connected with their regional Community Action Agency.
Landlords can be reimbursed for eligible non-payment costs such as rent and late fees incurred during the “safe harbor” period by applying to the Landlord Guarantee Program.
We want to keep you informed about COVID-19 in Oregon. Data are provisional and change frequently.This report covers the four-day period from May 27 to May 30, 2022.
Visit our dashboard, linked below, and hover over the new cases graph to view new presumptive and confirmed case numbers reported to OHA by date.For more information, including COVID-19 data by county, visit our dashboard: http://ow.ly/m9TB50JmyhC
St. Charles Urgent Care clinics are now federally designated Test to Treat (T2T) sites where people at high risk of severe COVID-19 illness can get fast and easy access to therapeutics.
At each T2T site, people can get tested for COVID-19. If they are positive and at high risk of severe illness, they can receive and fill a prescription for an oral
therapeutic or schedule monoclonal antibody treatment—all in one visit.
Additionally, COVID-19 vaccines are available at T2T sites for people wanting to start their series or get a booster. In early March, the federal government expanded access to COVID-19 therapeutics for those who are at high risk for severe illness. Until recently, Walgreens was the only pharmacy chain with T2T sites in Oregon.
The Bureau of Land Management announced today that the Steens Mountain Advisory Council has scheduled a spring virtual meeting.
The public is welcome to attend online through the Zoom for Government platform, Thursday, June 9, from 10 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
The agenda includes a recreation program update; information sharing from the Designated Federal Official; reviewing alternatives for the Bridge Creek Allotment Management Plans Environmental Impact Statement; and, an opportunity for Subcommittee members to share information from their constituents and present research. Any other matters that may reasonably come before the Subcommittee may also be included.
The Steens Mountain Advisory Council is a forum for the community to participate in the land management process,” said Jeff Rose, Burns District Manager and Designated Federal Official for the Advisory Council.
“If you are interested in public land decisions for Steens Mountain, this is a great opportunity to listen and share with a collaborative group,” continued Rose.
A public comment period will be available at 1:15 p.m. Unless otherwise approved by the subcommittee chair, the public comment period will last no longer than 30 minutes, and each speaker may address the subcommittee for a maximum of five minutes.
Hiker Dies In 300 Foot Fall Near Brookings
According to Curry County Sheriff John Ward, Nam Ing, 56, of Penngrove California, was hiking with friends at Natural Bridges Viewpoint when he slipped and fell to the rocks below, a distance of approximately 300 feet.
Personnel for Curry County Sheriff’s department, OSP, Cal Ore Life Flight Ambulance, Brookings Fire, and Cape Ferrelo Fire responded to the incident.
An EMT with the Brookings Fire reached the victim and confirmed he was deceased.
Curry County Sheriff’s Dispatch contacted the US Coast Guard and Reach Air though they were unable to assist, due to the location of the accident. The Coast Guard helicopter remained nearby until they were no longer needed.
A search and rescue team established a rope system to lower a member down to retrieve Ing. Next of kin has been notified.
The Curry County Sheriff’s Department shared their condolences and counseled others about the dangerous nature of the trail: “This is such a tragedy and from all of us here at the Curry County Sheriff’s Office, we send our condolences to the Ing family. We also want to remind everyone that even though the area of Natural Bridges is so beautiful to visit, it is also very dangerous. We seem to be called to that area often for rescues and recoveries.”
St. Charles Urgent Care clinics in Oregon are now federally designated Test to Treat (T2T) sites where people at high risk of severe COVID-19 illness can get fast and easy access to therapeutics.
At each T2T site, people can get tested for COVID-19. If they are positive and at high risk of severe illness, they can receive and fill a prescription for an oral therapeutic or schedule monoclonal antibody treatment—all in one visit. Additionally, COVID-19 vaccines are available at T2T sites for people wanting to start their series or get a booster. In early March, the federal government expanded access to COVID-19 therapeutics for those who are at high risk for severe illness.
Until recently, Walgreens was the only pharmacy chain with T2T sites in Oregon.
Oregon Free Fishing Weekend June 4th-5th
The first weekend in June is Oregon’s traditional Free Fishing Weekend. And each year ODFW and its partners sponsor several free fishing events throughout the state. June 4-5 (Saturday & Sunday)
On Free Fishing Weekends, you don’t need a license to fish, crab or clam anywhere in Oregon. That’s no license, no tag, no endorsement needed.
To find an event near you, and to check out other family fishing events throughout the spring and fall, visit our Take the family fishing page. This page also features everything you need to know to plan your own Free Fishing day adventures.
Yesterday, at approximately 8:36 a.m., the Oregon Department of Corrections headquarters building in Salem received a suspicious package addressed the DOC Director.
The mailroom area was secured and the building evacuated. Oregon State Police were on site to evaluate the package for any hazardous substances or materials – none were detected. Approximately 30 employees were working in the building at the time, and no one required outside medical attention. Employees have been allowed back into the building.
Celebrate State Parks Day by Visiting the Oregon Historical Society’s Oregon State Parks Centennial Exhibitions
Portland, OR — Each year on the first Saturday in June, folks across the country celebrate State Parks Day, an opportunity to the honor nation’s beautiful natural spaces preserved for adventure and recreation.
This year, the Oregon State Parks system celebrates its centennial, a legacy dating back to 1922 when Oregon Trail pioneer Sarah Helmick and her son donated the 5.46 acres of land near Monmouth, Oregon, that would become Oregon’s first state park, Sarah Helmick State Recreation Site.
Over the course of 100 years, the Oregon State Park system has grown to include 254 properties across Oregon providing rest and recreational opportunities for over 42 million visitors annually. Encompassing tiny waysides, the entire ocean shoreline, and massive tracts of forestland, rivers, and canyons, Oregon state parks are among the most visited and most popular in the United States.
To celebrate this historic anniversary, the Oregon Historical Society has created two original exhibitions to provide visitors with a past and present view of Oregon’s state parks. For A Century of Wonder: 100 Years of Oregon State Parks, OHS commissioned photographer Peter Marbach to document the beauty and geographic diversity of these spaces, some quiet and some bustling with visitors.
From Vista House in the Columbia River Gorge to the crashing waves at Shore Acres State Park to climbers ascending a wall at Smith Rock State Park, this exhibition highlights numerous ways that the Oregon State Parks system has preserved natural and historic sites for Oregonians and visitors to appreciate for many years to come. The 60 images Marbach captured for this project, a portion of which are on display in this exhibition, will become a part of the Oregon Historical Society’s permanent collection, furthering future understanding of the past by documenting the present.
Marbach traveled the state for two years to document the raw beauty in these natural spaces, which proved challenging during a period marred by a global pandemic, extreme weather, and wildfires, all causing park closures. In his artist statement, Marbach noted how this project taught him incredible resilience and focus, and through his photographs, he hopes that “this exhibit inspires people to seek out the gifts of joy, beauty, and healing that time spent in these treasured parks always provides.”
In an adjacent gallery, visitors can see A Walk in the Park: Historic Photographs of Oregon State Parks, featuring a selection of prints from OHS’s research library collections. The Oregon Historical Society’s research library holds the largest collection of archival and published materials relating to the history of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, and OHS’s collections serve as a foundation for visitors to research and reflect on our state and regional history. Using these historic photos as a foil to Marbach’s contemporary works, A Walk in the Park is a reminder of the importance of these natural spaces to Oregon’s long, rich history.
These exhibitions are both on view now through October 16, 2022. The Oregon Historical Society’s museum and store is open seven days a week, Monday – Saturday from 10am – 5pm and Sunday from 12pm – 5pm. Admission is $10, with discounts for students, seniors, teachers, and youth. Admission is free every day for OHS members and Multnomah County residents.
For two Clackamas County residents, May 18 will now be counted as one of their favorite days.
Kathleen Whitney of Wilsonville and Larry Meissel of Milwaukie both came away with big Lottery wins from drawings held May 18 – with Kathleen winning the $5.6 million Megabucks jackpot, while Larry won the Win for Life top prize of $1,000 a week for life!
Kathleen chose to take the one-time lump sum option making her prize $1,904,000.24 (after taxes). She plans to pay some bills, do some home remodeling and travel. Win for Life jackpot winners can choose to receive a once-a-year $52,000 prize or $1,000 a week for life.
Larry chose the weekly payment option. Larry bought his winning ticket at Morrow’s Serv-U Market on SE McLoughlin Boulevard in Milwaukie.
A Vancouver, Washington man was sentenced to federal prison today for facilitating and benefitting from the sex trafficking of multiple children.
Keonte Desmond Scott, 24, was sentenced to 97 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.
According to court documents and trial testimony, in 2016, after he was released from prison, Scott met and befriended Johnl Jackson, 34, also of Vancouver. Jackson sold Scott cocaine and began coaching him in commercial sex trafficking. In late 2016, Scott met and began a relationship with another Vancouver resident, Diana Petrovic, 23. Jackson helped Scott traffic Petrovic and they began using her to recruit and traffic other minor females.
By early 2019, several minors reported to law enforcement that they had been trafficked by Scott and Petrovic. During the ensuing investigation, authorities learned of two teen girls, then 14- and 15-years-old, respectively, who together had run away from their homes in Lane County, Oregon and were introduced to Scott and Petrovic at a mall in Vancouver.
Petrovic took the girls to a home the girls believed was Jackson’s and gave them drugs and alcohol. Scott and Petrovic told the girls they would take them to an upscale party, but, instead, took them to a location in Portland where they were sold for sex. Eventually, the girls separated themselves from Scott and Petrovic, spent the night elsewhere, and were driven back home by one of the girl’s mothers the next day.
ASHLAND, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) will be at the Ashland Gun & Archery Club for their Law Enforcement Appreciation Day celebration Saturday, June 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The club is celebrating its 111th anniversary by honoring the men and women of Law Enforcement. This free event is open to the entire community and is an opportunity to show appreciation and interact with local law enforcement, including JCSO and Ashland Police Department, as well as servicemembers from the Oregon Army National Guard.
Meet and talk to JCSO’s Command staff, Corrections, Patrol, SWAT, K9 Teams, Search and Rescue (SAR), and Records Division. The SWAT & K9 Teams will demo capabilities and equipmentthroughout the day. SAR and Records will be on hand to answer questions and assist with Concealed Handgun licensing applications. There will also be a chance for the public to fire a SWAT sniper rifle.
The Club is providing a free barbeque lunch for all attendees and a free drawing for firearms and accessory items.
Hope to see you there. 555 Emigrant Creek Rd. Ashland, OR 97520.