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.
Thursday, August 18, 2022
Klamath Basin Weather
Today Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. West northwest wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Overnight, cloudy with a low of 57.
Friday Sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon, overnight low of 56.
Saturday Sunny, with a high near 95. Light and variable wind to 6mph.
Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
Monday Sunny, with a high near 89.
Today’s Headlines
Temperatures are trending upward across the Pacific Northwest since last weekend, and AccuWeather meteorologists say that the thermostat will be turned up further for the remainder of the week.
Temperatures flirted at the 100 degree mark in Klamath Falls Wednesday. Many Rogue Valley locations such as Medford, Grants Pass and Rogue River surpassed 100 degrees yesterday.
So far this season, residents of Portland, Oregon, have experienced four days at or above 100 degrees. Wednesday and Thursday will come close to the century mark in Portland, potentially adding to this year’s tally of temperatures in the triple digits. The record for the most 100-degree days in a year in Portland stands at five, which was reached in 1941, 1977 and 2021.
Forecassters say that yet again, a broad but pronounced area of high pressure moving into the area means that the Pacific Northwest is poised to get into heat that will threaten records,
Firefighters on the Windigo, Big Swamp and Potter Fires have been cautioned to be aware of changing conditions as a Red Flag Warning is in effect for the area due to the potential for gusty winds and lightning in the area.
All three fires were caused by lightning. The Windigo Fire 20 miles southwest of La Pine is listed at 1,007 acres and 85% containment. Officials say crews are working closely with resource advisors to limit impacts to sensitive resources and complete repair work across the fire area.
The Potter Fire is burning 473 acres 8 miles northeast of Toketee Lake and remains 0% contained. Bucket drops from helicopters and burnout operations were utilized Tuesday as firefighters work to establish firelines.
The Big Swamp Fire is 121 acres in size and no containment. The fire is located 6.5 miles north of Lemolo Lake. Efforts to establish a fireline down to the Middle Fork of the Willamette River may include installing a sprinkler system to connect an existing dozer line to the riverbank on the north flank, according to the official report.
A coordinated group of citizens attended the Klamath Fall City Council meeting Monday, Aug. 15th in order to speak out against the city’s plans to spend American Rescue Plan Act funding in order to display a fighter jet at Veterans Park.
The city and Klamath County will each contribute $300,000 to the construction, for a total project cost of $600,000.
Some of the attendees were veterans themselves, and each disclosed different objections to the city’s plan, sometimes with alternate ideas for how to spend the money.
City Council Representative Phil Studenberg said that he understands the reasoning behind the opposition, even counting those who appeared before the council Monday night among his friends. He said that the vote to approve the fighter jet display was unanimous, and part of a greater package of decisions made to improve the city and attract visitors.
The plane, however, was the only item to attract backlash.
Klamath County Commissioner Kelley Minty said, “This proposal was brought to us by leadership at Kingsley Airbase and the city and that proposal then came to the county to collaborate and partner on it. I’m supportive of it; I think it’s a recognition of the really important role that Kingsley plays in the community. We can’t lose sight or take for granted the fact that we do have the airbase.”
She said that Kingsley is one of the top three employers in Klamath County. She also said that she supports a healthy dialogue, and has heard both positive and negative opinions about the plan for Veterans Park.
The third and final of this year’s annual Third Thursday events in downtown Klamath Falls will be held tonight.
Main Street from 4th Street to 11th Street, portions of the cross streets, Sugarman’s Corner and Klamath Commons Park will all be used to accommodate the event. Barricades and other traffic control devices will be used to detour motorists around the event.
Additionally, City of Klamath Falls staff will have displays set up between 9th and 11th Streets.
There will be two candy drops!One at 7 p.m. and again at 8 p.m. with lots give away items, raffles, and activities. Temperatures will be hotter than normal, so remember to hydrate. For any questions, contact Darin at 541-539-6212.
A tour of the Olene snow plow and hikes along a section of the OC&E Trail will be offered by Oregon State Parks on Saturday, Aug. 20.
Events will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from the historic snow plow located in Olene just off Highway 140. Participants will tour the plow, which for many years was used to clear snow along rail lines that carried logs from Bly to lumber mills in Klamath Falls. Tours will be led by members of the Klamath Rails to Trails Group.
Two hikes will also be offered by the Klamath County Museum. A short one-mile out-and-back will focus on the history of the former Oregon, California & Eastern Railroad while a longer 5-mile hike will end at Swedes Cut. The YMCA of Klamath Falls will provide shuttle rides back to Olene.
The tour and hikes are free. Klamath Rails to Trails will have free snacks and water. Participants are asked to park at the Olene Snow Plow pull-out or across the street. For more information, call Collier Memorial State Park — which manages the OC&E-Woods Lines — at 541-783-2471, ext. 24.
The OC&E Woods Line State Trail, which runs from Klamath Falls to Bly and the Sycan Marsh, is managed through Collier Memorial State Park. Oregon’s longest linear park, the 100-mile trail is built on the old railbed of the Oregon, California & Eastern Railroad.
A long time landmark in the Klamath Basin will be closing their doors for good soon. Hanscam’s Bowling Center, who was once known as Lucky Lanes, announced they have sold the land and building they’ve been in at the corner of 6th and Altamont and it will no longer be a bowling center.
Longtime owner Barry Hanscam said via Facebook that after serving the Klamath Basin for 70 years, with many generations having enjoyed the facility, that it was time to retire. He said the land and building have been sold.
The center first opened with 12 lanes, adding another 12 a few years later and was the home to many state tournaments and city championship events.
There were nearly 100 well wishers on Facebook thanking Hanscam and wishing him well yesterday. It is not known exactly when the doors will close for good.
Who says you can’t run in the library? The downtown Klamath County Library is hosting an After-Hours Tag event for ages 8-12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19.
Bob and weave between the shelves during this game of tag for the ages! (Chasing is hard on an empty stomach, so the library will have pizza and drinks for participants, too.)
Because space is limited, registration is required (so the library knows how much pizza to pick up). For more information or to sign up, stop by Youth Services desk, call 541-882-8894 or email Katie at khart@klamathlibrary.org.
Two more cattle deaths have been confirmed as being caused by the Rogue Wolf Pack, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Both deaths occurred Friday, Aug. 12, in Klamath County’s Fort Klamath area but were not announced until Tuesday, Aug. 16. Last Friday, U.S. Department of Agriculture-APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) Wildlife Services agents discovered an approximately 675-pound injured steer in a 240-acre private-land grass pasture. The animal was euthanized due to the severity of its injuries.
Following an investigation it was estimated the injuries to the steer occurred 8 to 12 hours before the investigation. Physical evidence revealed more than 30 pre-mortem bite scrapes measuring up to three inches long and a quarter-inch wide on the left and right hind legs above the hocks with associated tissue damage up to two inches deep.
According to the report, “The severity, size, and locations of these wounds are consistent with injuries to cattle attacked by wolves. This depredation is attributed to wolves of the Rogue Pack.”
That same day, another incident in the Fort Klamath area was reported by a livestock producer who found the carcass of an approximately 900-pound yearling steer in a 360-acre private land pasture. Investigators estimated the steer died 6 to 10 hours before it was found. Physical evidence included more than 60 pre-mortem bite scrapes measuring up to three inches long.
Around the state of Oregon
As of Monday, crews with the Oregon Department of Forestry have suppressed 418 fires, burning a total of 582 acres in ODF districts. This contrasts with a 10-year average at this point in the fire season of 590 fires and over 56,000 acres scorched.
Levi Hopkins, ODF’s Wildfire Prevention and Policy Manager, largely credits Senate Bill 762, which spent $220 million to improve wildfire response across Oregon.
Those improvements included “increasing and expanding our smoke detection camera system,” Hopkins said. “And then working really close with all of our other partners in welfare suppression, making sure everyone can have access to the cameras that they need and that we can strategically put them throughout the state.”
The ODF also says 27 specialized aircraft around Oregon have helped keep fires small and few. Meanwhile, there’s still a risk of new fires as storm activity returns to the region this week.
Meantime, a California law firm has a lawsuit filed today against electricity utility company PacifiCorp accusing it of starting the McKinney Fire.
Fire litigation law firm Singleton Schreiber says it filed a lawsuit against PacifiCorp alleging the utility company is responsible for the McKinney Fire, “which was ignited by its poorly maintained utility infrastructure.”
Official government agencies such as CalFire list the cause as “under investigation” and “undetermined.” NewsWatch 12 contacted PacifiCorp Tuesday afternoon, and it said it had not seen the claimed court filing.
It says it filed the complaint on behalf of hundreds of people who owned property or lived in and near Siskiyou County, California and, “Their homes, businesses, and, in some cases, lives were destroyed when the 60,000+ acre fire tore through the area and resulted in four deaths.”
The law firm says its case is filed Sacramento Superior Court.
Oregon’s unemployment rate was 3.5% in July, unchanged from 3.5%, as revised, in June. The U.S. unemployment rate was also 3.5% in July.
Oregon’s unemployment rate has tracked very closely with the national unemployment rate for the past two years, with both rates declining rapidly during May 2020 through early 2022 as the economies recovered. Over the past five months, unemployment rates for the U.S. and Oregon have averaged 3.6%, near record lows dating back almost 50 years.
The labor market is tight, and many people have gotten back to work. Over the past two years, Oregon’s labor force participation rate rose rapidly. The share of the population 16 and older that is either employed or unemployed reached 63.5% in July, its highest rate in a decade.
In Oregon, nonfarm payroll employment grew by 4,200 in July, following gains averaging 6,300 jobs in the prior eight months. Monthly gains in July were largest in leisure and hospitality (+1,500 jobs), other services (+1,400), manufacturing (+1,300), and private educational services (+1,300). Retail trade (-700 jobs) was the only major industry that shed a substantial number of jobs.
As of July, Oregon has regained 94% of jobs lost at the onset of the pandemic. The U.S. has regained 100%. Oregon’s private sector is close to a full jobs recovery, having regained 99% of pandemic recession losses. However, Oregon’s government sector has only regained 49% of the jobs it lost during March through June 2020.
A 28-year-old Butte Falls man is in jail today accused of four sex crimes against a child.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) says the Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) joint inter-agency task force arrested Joshua Remington Pettry today on charges of using a child in the display of sexually explicit content, first-degree sodomy, first-degree sexual abuse and incest.
It says SOCET received tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that child exploitation images were uploaded from Pettry’s residence on the 300 block of Broad Street in Butte Falls where SOCET and JCSO Patrol deputies served a search warrant July 26th.
JCSO says they seized several digital devices, and evidence at the scene got Pettry initially arrested for encouraging child sexual abuse.
It says after Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force forensically examined the devices and uncovered further evidence of child exploitation with a local victim, more charges were filed for prosecution by the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.
Josephine County Sheriffs Bust Three More Illegal Grows
On August 15, 2022, the Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) with the assistance of Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE), Josephine County Code Enforcement and Oregon State Police Southwest Region Drug Enforcement Section Team executed two search warrants in the 300 block of Shan Creek and 5000 block of Williams Highway in Josephine County regarding illegal marijuana grow sites.
During the execution of the search warrant on Shan Creek, more than 10,000 growing marijuana plants and approximately 3,000 pounds of processed marijuana was seized and destroyed. Nathan William Reeves was arrested and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on all three of the above charges.
The property also had multiple electrical, water, and solid waste code violations. These violations could result in the civil forfeiture of the property.
During the execution of the search warrant on Williams Highway, 45 marijuana plants were seized and destroyed. Jaime Gonzalez was taken into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana and Unlawful Appropriation of Water.
The two grow sites are not known to be associated with each other. At the time of this press release the investigations are ongoing and no further details are being released.
On August 16, 2022, the Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) with the assistance of Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) and Josephine County Code Enforcement executed a search warrant in the 900 block of Riverbanks Road in Josephine County regarding an illegal marijuana grow site.
During the execution of the warrant more than 300 growing marijuana plants and approximately 3,000 pounds of processed marijuana was seized and destroyed.
The property also had multiple electrical, water and solid waste code violations. These violations could result in the civil forfeiture of the property.
Jason Trujillo was taken into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, Unlawful Appropriation of Water, Unlawful Possession of Cocaine and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Ashley Tobin was taken into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.
At the time of this press release the investigation is ongoing and no further details are being released.
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is confirming the state’s first pediatric case of monkeypox virus (hMPXV).
OHA and county public health officials say the case is linked to an adult monkeypox infection that was confirmed last month.
To protect patient confidentiality, OHA is not disclosing the child’s sex, age, county of residence or how the child is connected to the previously diagnosed case.
The pediatric case is one of 116 presumptive and confirmed cases of monkeypox in Oregon, which also includes 112 men and four women. Illness onset ranges from June 7 to Aug. 9. The cases are in seven counties: four in Clackamas, one in Columbia, one in Coos, 20 in Lane, one in Marion, 73 in Multnomah and 16 in Washington. About 27.6% of cases identify as Hispanic/Latino.
Nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are nearly 12,700 cases in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. They are among more than 38,000 cases in 93 countries.
The Oregon child was tested for monkeypox Aug. 11, and the test results were reported to public health Aug. 15. Since receiving test results, the local public health authority, with support from OHA, has been conducting a case investigation and contact tracing to determine whether there are other exposures. During these investigations, public health provides guidance on how to avoid spreading the virus to others and offers vaccines to close contacts.
Three Dead, Driver Critically Injured in suspected DUII Crash Near Riddle
Three people have died and a fourth is in critical condition following a suspected DUII crash.
On Tuesday, August 16, 2022, shortly before midnight, a deputy assigned to timber patrol drove through the area of the 3500 block of Lower Cow Creek Road when he observed debris in the roadway. Stopping to investigate the deputy observed a crashed 2007 Toyota Solara convertible.
The deputy located two females, 20-year-old Janeva Hodgson of Myrtle Creek and 16-year-old Kiya Speckman of Riddle, who had been ejected from the vehicle. Both were determined to be deceased. Inside of the vehicle, a male passenger identified as 18-year-old Caleb Hodgson was found to be deceased. The driver, 21-year-old Uriah Carleton of Roseburg was found to be in critical condition. Carleton was airlifted by REACH Air Medical Services helicopter to an out-of-area hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Collision investigators with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene along with the Douglas County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The investigation is ongoing at this time. If anyone has information that could be helpful to investigators, they are asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 541-440-4471 referring to case #22-3466.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Myrtle Creek Police Department, Riddle Fire Department, Umpqua Valley Ambulance and REACH Air Medical Services. Douglas Co. Sheriff’s Office
Hikers Rescued by Search & Rescue After 19-Hour Mission in the Boulder Creek Wilderness
IDLEYLD PARK, Ore. – Two hikers were rescued by Douglas County Search and Rescue in the Boulder Creek Wilderness area after activating a SPOT device SOS notification.
On Monday, August 15, 2022, at 12:15 pm, 9-1-1 dispatchers received information from the SPOT Monitoring service that two hikers had pressed an S.O.S. alarm indicating they needed emergent assistance. The GPS coordinates from the SPOT device indicated the hikers were roughly in the middle of the Boulder Creek Wilderness area on the Umpqua National Forest.
Search and Rescue crews were activated and responded to the incident. Due to the terrain and the location where the hikers were located, it took searchers until 7:30 p.m. to reach the them. It was determined the hikers, 27-year-old Scarlet Kelley and 22-year-old Kita Hastings, both of Roseburg, were slightly dehydrated and underprepared for the conditions but were otherwise stable. Searchers provided the hikers with food, water and clothing before beginning to lead them out to a trail where horseback teams were standing by. Horses were able to get positioned as closely to the hikers as possible, due to the efforts of recent volunteer work to clear a trail system in the wilderness area.
Again, due to difficult terrain, downed trees, hazards and darkness it took approximately 7.5 hours for the rescue teams to reach the waiting horses. Once at the horses, the hikers were led out by searchers on horseback arriving to safety at 7:34 am Tuesday morning.
In total, the mission lasted just over 19 hours. The hikers were released to a friend who transported them home.
“The volunteers of Douglas County Search and Rescue and our partner agencies work and train hard for these types of missions and their efforts show,” Lt. Brad O’Dell said. “I couldn’t be prouder of this team.”
Douglas County Search and Rescue was assisted by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police – Fish & Game Division, U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement, the Oregon State SAR Coordinator and the SPOT Device Response Center.
Search and Rescue would like to remind the public that your safety is our concern, but it is your responsibility. Here are some ways that you can be better prepared in the event something goes awry on your next outdoor adventure.
1. Be prepared with knowledge and gear. Become self-reliant by learning about the terrain, conditions, local weather and your equipment before you set out.
2. Share your plans. Tell someone where you are going, where you plan to hike or recreate, when you will return and your plan for emergencies. Leave a map, if possible.
3. Stay together. When you start as a group, stay as a group and end as a group. Pace your adventure to the slowest person.
4. Know when to turn back. Weather changes come quickly in the mountains. Fatigue and unexpected conditions can also affect your adventure. Know your limitations and when to postpone the trip. The outdoors will be there another day.
5. Plan for emergencies. Whether you are out for an hour or a multi-day trip, an injury, severe weather or wrong turn could become life threatening. Don’t assume you will be rescued; know how to rescue yourself. Always carry equipment in case you have to spend the night. Have food, water, shelter and weather appropriate clothing. Carry a first aid kit and a
6. Communication devices. A cell phone alone does not suffice as an emergency plan. A large portion of our remote areas do not have cell phone coverage. Whichever communication device you decide to carry, make sure you have sufficient power. An alternate power supply is a good idea. If you choose to recreate alone, satellite communication/tracking devices or personal locator beacons are a valuable tool and provide rescuers a better opportunity to find you.
A new form of a popular drug is now in Oregon, concerning law enforcement. During a search in northeast Portland this week, Multnomah County deputies found cash, weapons and drugs, including a multi-colored powder commonly called “rainbow fentanyl.”
Powdered fentanyl is more dangerous than the better-known blue tablets, It’s stronger and it almost looks like cocaine, but it’s actually fentanyl powder.
Officials say it’s extremely dangerous and they worry kids are going to be affected more so than users that they deal with on the street. Because, if this shows up at a party or some other places where they’re not familiar with what they’re dealing with, it could have deadly consequences.
Fentanyl is routinely tracked from Southern Oregon through Portland.
Hot Weather and Lightning Are Concerns For Firefighting Efforts
Firefighters on the Windigo, Big Swamp and Potter Fires have been cautioned to be aware of changing conditions as a Red Flag Warning is in effect for the area due to the potential for gusty winds and lightning in the area.
All three fires were caused by lightning. The Windigo Fire 20 miles southwest of La Pine is listed at 1,007 acres and 85% containment. Officials say crews are working closely with resource advisors to limit impacts to sensitive resources and complete repair work across the fire area.
The Potter Fire is burning 473 acres 8 miles northeast of Toketee Lake and remains 0% contained. Bucket drops from helicopters and burnout operations were utilized Tuesday as firefighters work to establish firelines.
The Big Swamp Fire is 121 acres in size and no containment. The fire is located 6.5 miles north of Lemolo Lake. Efforts to establish a fireline down to the Middle Fork of the Willamette River may include installing a sprinkler system to connect an existing dozer line to the riverbank on the north flank, according to the official report.
Firefighters Using Drones at Cedar Creek Fire
Firefighters are continuing to use drones to monitor and fight the Cedar Creek Fire, now increased slightly to 4,836 acres and remains at 0% containment. Hot, dry weather and a chance of thunderstorms and gusty winds are expected that could increase fire spread.
Small helicopters and drones are being used to drop Plastic Sphere Devices (PSD), also known as “ping pong balls” or “dragon eggs” to light small fires that burn up fuels that might otherwise contribute to the spread of the wildfire, and to encourage the fire to move towards containment lines.
As of Monday, crews with the Oregon DepartmenDrones equipped with Infrared technology are also being used to provide firefighters with nighttime reconnaissance on the fire’s movement and to quickly identify any new starts.t of Forestry have suppressed 418 fires, burning a total of 582 acres in ODF districts. This contrasts with a 10-year average at this point in the fire season of 590 fires and over 56,000 acres scorched.
Oregon Department of Forestry
Levi Hopkins, ODF’s Wildfire Prevention and Policy Manager, largely credits Senate Bill 762, which spent $220 million to improve wildfire response across Oregon.
Those improvements included “increasing and expanding our smoke detection camera system,” Hopkins said. “And then working really close with all of our other partners in welfare suppression, making sure everyone can have access to the cameras that they need and that we can strategically put them throughout the state.”
The ODF also says 27 specialized aircraft around Oregon have helped keep fires small and few. Meanwhile, there’s still a risk of new fires as storm activity returns to the region this week
California law firm has a lawsuit filed today against electricity utility company PacifiCorp accusing it of starting the McKinney Fire.
Fire litigation law firm Singleton Schreiber says it filed a lawsuit against PacifiCorp alleging the utility company is responsible for the McKinney Fire, “which was ignited by its poorly maintained utility infrastructure.”
Official government agencies such as CalFire list the cause as “under investigation” and “undetermined.”
It says it filed the complaint on behalf of hundreds of people who owned property or lived in and near Siskiyou County, California and, “Their homes, businesses, and, in some cases, lives were destroyed when the 60,000+ acre fire tore through the area and resulted in four deaths.” The law firm says its case is filed in Sacramento Superior Court.