Klamath Basin News, Monday, 10/17 – Kingsley Field’s 173rd Fighter Wing Flying with Squadron of F-35A Lightning II’s from Luke Air Force Base, Noisy Two Weeks Scheduled over the Basin

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.

Monday, October 17, 2022

Klamath Basin Weather

Monday Sunny, with a high near 78. East northeast winds around 5 mph. Cloudy overnight, with a low of 38.

Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Overnight, clear, low around 40.
Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 81. Overnight low of 41 and clear.
Thursday Sunny, with a high near 80.
Friday Sunny, with a high near 75.
Saturday A chance of showers. Snow level 9200 feet lowering to 6400 feet in the afternoon . Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Overnight a chance of showers. Snow level 6000 feet lowering to 4600 feet after midnight . Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.
Sunday A chance of rain and snow showers. Snow level 4200 feet rising to 5900 feet in the afternoon. Partly sunny, with a high near 57.

Today’s Headlines

That roar and thunder in the air over the Klamath Basin comes from a squadron of F-35A Lightning II’s from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. that are flying with the 173rd Fighter Wing, and here for a two-week stay.

Integrating the F-35s and F-15s together for training flights gives the pilots the opportunity to practice in a more complex environment, enhancing their skill set.

Because of the additional aircraft and flights, the community may experience an increase in aircraft noise during this time. Luke AFB is home to the 56th Fighter Wing, an F-35A training wing in Phoenix, Arizona. The 173rd FW has an established relationship with the 56th FW. Since 2014, the active association at Kingsley Field, the 550th Fighter Squadron, is a detachment of the 56th Fighter Wing.

Klamath County Sheriff’s office has seen a dramatic increase in reports of phone scams.

Some of these scams reference current or former Klamath County Sheriff’s Office employees and make statements about failure to appear for grand jury and demand money or the target would be arrested.

To avoid becoming a victim of scams look for the following possible indicators: • Incoming calls from an outside area code, or foreign telephone number • Requires you to send money for a prize or family member in trouble • Callers go to great lengths to keep you on the phone • Money is only accepted via wire transfer service.

The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office encourages you to share this information with friends and family members. Please contact the KCSO if you have further questions.

Klamath County’s Board of Commissioners Vice Chair Derrick DeGroot said this week that he expects a busy Oregon state legislative session ahead.

DeGroot said the board has been involved in several meetings with the Association of Oregon Counties throughout the past week or so, during which they discussed “priorities and principles” in regard to how the groups will approach the work they will face in the upcoming legislative session.

DeGroot will be especially busy because he’s set to be the AOC president come 2023.

Chair Kelly Minty has been appointed to a new board which oversees Oregon Emergency Management (OEM), known as the local government emergency management council.

Minty said the state has invested a great deal in emergency management, but that emergencies have only grown.

The board also approved an amendment to the intergovernmental agreements between Multnomah Education Service District (MESD) and Klamath County Public Health (KCPH).

Currently, KCPH uses a software tool — which is owned by MESD — to “claim the services” that are provided to patients with Medicaid.

KCPH Department head Jennifer Little said the amendment represented a change in the agreement between KCPH and MESD.

The Klamath County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors are hosting a Trunk or Treat, event on Monday, October 31 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Steen Sports Park, (4500 Foothills Blvd., Klamath Falls).

Volunteers will adorn their cars with Halloween decorations and pass out candy to kids as they walk by. The event is free and open to the public.

The Chamber is looking for businesses, organizations, or families who would like to participate in handing out candy. An online registration form must be completed by Friday, October 28.

The Chamber thanks Steens Sports Park for sponsoring this event and providing the venue. 

The Chamber is accepting candy donations for the evening. Individually wrapped candy can be dropped off at the Chamber at 205 Riverside Drive. For more information, email reception@klamath.org or call 541-884-5193.

After initially indicating it would defy the federal government’s order to shut off water to the Klamath Project, the Klamath Irrigation District has closed the A Canal under duress from officials threatening to withhold millions of dollars of drought assistance.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation manages the project, which includes KID and serves 170,000 acres of farmland straddling the Oregon-California border.

Only a limited allocation of water was allowed for irrigators from Upper Klamath Lake this year because of extreme drought.

On Aug. 19, Reclamation stated the project was out of water and ordered districts to immediately halt diversions. All remaining water in Upper Klamath Lake was needed to satisfy requirements for endangered salmon and sucker fish, according to the agency.

The KID Board of Directors met Aug. 22 and authorized the district’s manager, Gene Souza, to continue operations despite the order, arguing that Reclamation had not provided a legal justification for shutting down earlier than expected.

That prompted a letter later that day from Alan Heck, acting area manager for the bureau, warning that unless KID reversed course, it would disqualify all lands served by the district from receiving $20 million in emergency drought funding.

Such an action would not only impact KID, but also the Pine Grove Improvement District, Enterprise Irrigation District, Sunnyside Irrigation District, Malin Irrigation District, Shasta View Irrigation District, Klamath Basin Improvement District and Van Brimmer Ditch Company — along with land for almost 100 individuals who receive water via KID infrastructure.

The KID board held an emergency meeting Aug. 23 where it was decided to close the A Canal. Souza described Reclamation’s actions as “coercion” and “bully tactics.”

Book signing by Sasha Christophersen at Shasta View Community Center (Formerly known as Shasta Grange Hall), corner of Shasta Way &Madison.

Saturday 10/22, 1-5pm.

“Unveiled—the beginning”. First book in the series of 7. Books available for sale.

Danielle’s Vibes and Sugar & Spice are but 2 vendors in attendance.

Transformation of a degraded, contaminated 45-acre landscape on the shores of Klamath Lake into wetland habitat was honored Tuesday by the State Land Board during the 18^th Annual State Land Board Awards.

Governor Kate Brown, Treasurer Tobias Read, and Secretary of State Shemia Fagan recognized the Klamath Lake Wetland Mitigation Project, a project in south-central Oregon that restored wetlands, developed new channels, and created a pond for reintroduction of endangered fish species.

Since the early 1900s, agricultural uses have replaced more than 70 percent of the wetlands connected to Klamath Lake—the largest freshwater lake west of the Rocky Mountains. In the past 50 years, the lakeshore was also used as a dumping ground for discarded debris, much of it laden with asbestos and rebar. 

The loss of wetlands and the addition of agricultural runoff into the lake negatively impacted the health of the entire Klamath Basin and the Lost River, and the shortnose suckers that depend on it. Known by the Klamath Tribes as C’waam and Koptu, young fish are particularly vulnerable to poor water quality and habitat loss. This loss is felt deeply by the tribes.

The Tribes’ creation story says “if C’waam go away, the people go away.”

A 0.5-acre meticulously designed sucker rearing pond, connected to the lake by a head-gate, is serving as an experimental nursery for the endangered juvenile suckers and is advancing the science for their potential recovery.

When the Federal Highway Administration, Western Federal Lands Highway Division initially reached out to ODOT for wetland, geology, and right-of-way assistance and to the Forest Service Restoration Services Team (RST) for revegetation assistance ODOT, in turn, reached out to the Tribes for sucker expertise. What followed was an integrative cooperation among all state and federal agencies, Tribal representatives, contractors and volunteers throughout this ambitious undertaking.

Meet members of NASA at the Klamath County Library!

Tuesday, October 25^th at 4pm Downtown Klamath County Library

Discover what it’s like working for NASA at a special presentation for kids and teens on Tuesday, October 25^th at the downtown Klamath County Library!

NASA has been busy in 2022: recording deep-space images with the James Webb Space Telescope, testing the Artemis 1 moon rocket and more, including missions launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California coming up in November.

Members of NASA will be at the downtown library to discuss these projects and more, including details about the many ways you can work for America’s space program.

This presentation is for kids and teens of all ages; kids under 10 should attend with an adult, please.

For more information about this and other events for kids and teens at the library, stop by the downtown library’s Youth Services desk or call us at 541-882-8894.

The Klamath Art Association & Gallery will showcasing the art of husband and wife team Greg and Debbie Beckman during the month of October.

The exhibit by the Beckmans — Anything’s Possible — will kick off with a free reception from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2. Folk singer Tom Franks is scheduled to provide entertainment from noon to 2 p.m.

According to a press release, joint photographic excursions to local wildlife refuges and places of beauty give inspiration to both artists. Fortunately, they are there to help one another when needed and give input when asked. Both have had the opportunity to show at the art gallery and its associated venues including The Sagebrush Rendezvous, the Ross Ragland Theater, the Klamath County Library and the Klamath Falls Airport.

The Beckman’s moved from California to Klamath Falls in 2005, according to the press release.

The Klamath Art Gallery is located on historic Maple Park at 120 Riverside Drive, at the south end of the Link River “birding trail.” The gallery is closed the last week of each month (Monday through Saturday) for exhibit change-outs. The gallery hours are noon to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. All exhibits are free to the public.

For additional information about the Klamath Art Association and Gallery and this show, call 541-883-1833, go to klamathartassociation.org or email klamathartassoc@aol.com.

Wynne Broadcasting’s Annual Tricker Street is coming!

Around the state of Oregon

Detectives Investigating Rural Central Point Murder Have Suspect in Custody

FRIDAY, 10/14/22 UPDATE: Next of kin has been notified. The victim of yesterday’s murder was Nicholas Steven Davis, 38, of Grants Pass. Our condolences go out to his friends and family.

JCSO Case 22-6002 — Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies responded to a shooting last night at 12:24 a.m. on the 3500 block of Kirtland Road in rural Central Point. The shooter fled the scene and was located on I-5 South near Talent, Ore. The suspect eluded during a traffic stop and law enforcement initiated a pursuit. With the help of a successful spike by an Ashland Police Department officer, the suspect came to a stop at I-5 mile marker 13.5 south of Ashland and was taken into custody without incident.

The suspect, Thomas Anthony Murphy II, 37, of Medford, Ore., was charged with second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree attempted murder, unlawful use of a weapon, and elude. He is lodged in the Jackson County Jail. 

Murphy shot the victim multiple times on a gravel pull out near the Denman Wildlife Area along Kirtland Rd. before fleeing the scene. A Mercy Flights ambulance transported the victim to a local hospital where they were pronounced deceased shortly after arriving. Victim identification is pending notification of next of kin. An autopsy is scheduled for this afternoon.

Medford, Ashland, Phoenix, and Talent Police Department officers assisted JCSO deputies in locating and pursuing the suspect vehicle. 

Investigations are open and ongoing with detectives working additional leads. Oregon State Police and Medford Police Department detectives are assisting as part of a Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit (MADIU) call out. No further information is currently available for release.

State of Oregon health officials are urging Oregonians to get a shot of the new ‘bivalent’ coronavirus vaccine booster ahead of an expected wave of infections this fall and winter.

While the forecasted surge of cases and hospitalizations is unlikely to put as severe a strain on the state’s hospital system as past waves, the risk of infection, severe illness and death still exist. About 600 hospital beds could be occupied at the peak of the surge, which Oregon Health & Science University predicts will occur in December. The university is expected to publish an updated forecast this week.

Health officials say the new surge will be driven by waning immunity from past vaccinations and infections, and people gathering indoors as cold weather sets in. To help prepare for the increase in cases and hospitalizations, Oregon Health Authority epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger spoke at a news conference Thursday to ask people to get a shot of the new bivalent booster.

The booster is designed to target some of the newer and particularly infectious strains of the coronavirus. As of last week, it was approved for everyone in Oregon five and older, provided it’s been two months since they completed a full course of shots or since they got their last booster.

PRACTICE PREPAREDNESS DURING THIS YEAR’S GREAT OREGON SHAKEOUT EARTHQUAKE DRILL

SALEM, Ore. — Earthquakes can strike any time without warning, as many Oregonians experienced recently when a magnitude 4.4 quake occurred in Linn County.

When the earth starts to shake, people need to know how to best protect themselves. 

The Great Oregon ShakeOut is part of a global drill for people to practice how to stay safe during an earthquake. Nearly half a million Oregonians have registered to take part in this year’s self-led Great ShakeOut drill at 10:20 a.m. on Oct. 20, pledging to Drop, Cover and Hold On for at least 60 seconds as if a major earthquake was occurring at that moment.

“The earthquake that struck Linn County last week rattled some folks and was a wake-up call that we live in earthquake country,” said Oregon Emergency Management (OEM) Director Andrew Phelps. “Knowing what to do when the earth starts shaking helps people reduce their risk and better protect themselves to prepare for earthquakes. Every person in Oregon should practice Drop, Cover and Hold On until it becomes a familiar routine. It’s an effective and no-cost addition to your preparedness plan.”

Emergency management experts and official preparedness organizations like the United States Geological Survey (USGS) all agree that Drop, Cover and Hold On is the appropriate action to reduce the chance of injury from falling objects and flying debris during earthquakes. When shaking begins or an earthquake alert is received on a cell phone:

• Drop immediately onto hands and knees. This position protects people from being knocked down and allows them to stay low and crawl to a nearby shelter.
• Cover the head and neck with one arm and hand. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter. If there is no nearby shelter, crawl next to an interior wall away from windows. Remain on the knees and bend over to protect vital organs.
• Hold On until shaking stops. If under shelter, hold onto it with one hand and be ready to move with the shelter if it shifts. If there is no shelter, hold onto the head and neck with both arms and hands.

Those with mobility disabilities may need modified actions to the traditional Drop, Cover and Hold On approach, but the premise is the same: Immediately protect oneself as best possible, shielding the head and chest and staying in a safe position until the shaking stops.

Earthquakes may be so violent that it’s impossible to walk, crawl, or steer a wheelchair, and people may be knocked to the ground when shaking starts. Those who use a walker, wheelchair or have other mobility impairments are urged to lock any wheels; bend over and cover the head and neck with arms, a book or a pillow; and hold on until the shaking stops.

Oregon averages around 70 earthquakes a year; 15 of those are large enough to be felt. Most are crustal quakes that occur at relatively shallow depths. However, the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) – a 600-mile fault located off the Pacific coast shoreline – puts Oregon at risk for a 9.0+ magnitude earthquake. A Cascadia quake could cause up to four minutes of shaking or rolling, followed by a tsunami of up to 100 feet in height that will impact the state’s coastal areas.

“A Cascadia quake will devastate the entire Pacific Northwest region, impacting critical infrastructure like energy, drinking water and sewer services, transportation routes and lifesaving health-care facilities for weeks to months or longer,” said Phelps. “Knowing this makes it even more important to build a culture of preparedness in the state. Half a million Oregonians practicing earthquake preparedness at the same time is impressive, but it’s not enough. We need to work toward every Oregonian registering for the Great Oregon ShakeOut as an important step toward keeping themselves safe in the event of a Cascadia quake.”

Additional simple and effective no-cost and low-cost measures people can take to prepare for an earthquake include securing their space by identifying hazards and securing moveable items, signing up to receive local emergency alerts and enabling Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on cell phones. People in Oregon, Washington and California who’ve opted into WEA automatically receive ShakeAlert earthquake early warnings notifications (for quakes in their area with a magnitude of 4.5 or greater), which can offer critical seconds of warning to seek cover from falling objects and brace themselves. 

There are currently two ShakeAlert-powered apps available for download on the app stores: QuakeAlertUSA and MyShake. Those who have the MyShake app will receive a TEST alert at 10:20 a.m. on Oct. 20 for the Great Oregon ShakeOut. 

OEM recommends people in Oregon be informed and knowledgeable about the hazards where they live and have an emergency plan and enough food, water and supplies to survive for at least two weeks following any disaster. The agency’s 2 Weeks Ready program offers several resources in multiple languages to help people prepare.

Learn more about the Great Oregon ShakeOut and register as a participant at Shakeout.org/Oregon.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is warning drivers to watch for deer and elk on the roads.

This is migration and breeding season when the animals are on the move. There are more than six-thousand elk and deer collisions with vehicles every year in Oregon. It is legal for drivers to salvage deer or elk that are killed in crashes, but they’re required to have the animal tested for chronic wasting disease. They need to download a permit from the ODFW website to claim the animal.

ODFW Issues Hunting Advisory: Warns Of Wasting Disease In Deer And Elk

A disease that is threatening deer has prompted ODFW to issie an advisory to Oregon hunters.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is recommending that deer and elk hunters have their game checked for chronic wasting disease (CWD) this season.

CWD has been detected in deer and elk in Idaho, near the Oregon border. Hunters transporting deer or elk carcasses during the first weekends of the respective hunting seasons for those animals will be required to stop at check stations in Prineville, Celilo and Elgin.

Chronic wasting disease is not known to affect humans but threatens deer and elk populations.

“There is no cure, no treatment or vaccine for the disease and it is fatal to all animals that become infected,” ODFW state Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Colin Gillin said.

Affected animals will appear healthy for several years following infection before symptoms appear.

ODFW has tested more than 24,000 elk and deer for the disease over the past two decades and has yet to detect the disease in Oregon. However, with the disease approaching Oregon’s borders after spreading from Colorado and Wyoming in the past 20 years the department is redoubling its efforts.

In addition to the mandatory check points during the first weekend of deer and elk seasons, ODFW is asking hunters to have their deer and elk checked by their local ODFW field office. The testing process is quick and non-destructive.

ODFW will contact hunters directly if an animal they submit is affected and will post negative results on the agency’s website. MORE INFO: https://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/health_program/chronic_wasting/

Researchers at Oregon Health and Science University have, for the first time, detailed the inner ear at near atomic details.

It shows how the mechanism of hearing works. They started their research on roundworms, which have a system similar to humans. The findings could point the way toward developing new treatments for people with hearing impairments. The study was published in the journal Nature.

Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022

It’s the time of year when we’re all gifted an extra hour of sleep on a Saturday night. One may wonder why folks can’t just look at a calendar to determine when this will happen, but then how many people buy a calendar anymore?

Here’s where some might get tripped up. The time change doesn’t always happen on the same date. The United States has the time changes happening the second Sunday of March, and the first Sunday of November. Due to calendar changes each year there are seven possible dates for each of these events.

In 2018 the “fall back” date was Nov. 4. This year it’s Nov. 6. Last year was the latest date it can change, Nov. 7.
In any case, until the federal government allows the big change to one uniform time for Oregon (and Washington and California) we’ll be changing the clocks again next spring. For those who like to plan ahead, that date will be March 12.

The push to permanent Daylight Saving Time is mostly based the opinion of many experts that time changes are actually dangerous, increasing rates of things like car accidents and heart attacks. There are many studies showing the affect of the time change on safety-related incidents.

But until this all gets sorted (and it will take a lot more than just an extra hour this fall) be ready to adjust any non-computer or satellite clocks you may have BACK one hour before going to bed on Nov. 5.

JUMP INTO A FIRE CAREER WITH THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Looking to try a new, exciting career in wildland fire? Whether you want to work outside or in the office, the Bureau of Land Management has various seasonal entry-level fire jobs for you to consider.

The BLM protects over 16 million acres of public lands throughout Oregon and Washington. These lands range from forested lands to high desert. This creates a complex fire program with variety—no two days are the same. BLM is part of a larger, collaborative wildland fire management community and we partner with other local, state, and federal agencies. You will be based in Oregon or Washington, and you will be part of a dedicated team that spans the nation.

As a new member of the team, you will work in some of the most beautiful areas of the country. Jobs include firefighters who work on the fire line, dispatch staff who assist with coordination of people and equipment, and more. 

Job announcements are open now! They will continue to open on a rolling basis through December 2022 and applications must be submitted through USAJOBS.GOV.  The work itself will begin in the early summer of 2023. Read the job announcements carefully since deadlines, employment start dates, and required application information may vary. 

Zachary Spencer, BLM Prineville Engine Captain, said he joined the wildland fire team because he was looking for an exciting, team-oriented job with a chance to be in the outdoors. 

“Working for BLM Fire was a perfect fit for me. I started on an engine crew, and it opened the door to the vast world of wildland fire,” he said. “You can start your career on an engine and eventually find yourself flying in a helicopter over a beautiful area most people may never see.”

Photos from our Not Your Ordinary Job Flickr album.

Videos on our YouTube page.

Learn more about BLM Oregon-Washington Fire by visiting BLM.GOV/ORWAFire. 

BLM Oregon- Washington Fire career information. 

Job announcements on USAJOBS.GOV.

National Interagency Fire Center How to Apply videos. 

The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. To learn more, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity.–

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Division of Financial Regulation warns student loan borrowers about scams

SALEM – The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) is warning people about the uptick in student loan scams. With recent changes to federal student loan programs, scammers are bombarding borrowers with fraudulent offers for loan forgiveness and refinancing.

The division reminds people to ignore phone calls, emails, social media messages, and other unsolicited messages from people claiming they can help you get your student loans forgiven faster or telling you that you should refinance your loan. Do not accept these unexpected offers without first checking to see if the offer is legitimate. Chances are it is a scam. Scammers may use the phrases such as “pre-enrollment for all loan forgiveness” or “you must apply within the next 24 hours.”

“There are no fees associated with signing up for student loan forgiveness, so don’t fall for these scams,” said TK Keen, administrator for DFR. “Everyone will have the same opportunities and there are no ways to cut in line and get loans forgiven faster.” 

There are recent and upcoming changes to federal student loans and forgiveness of loans, as well as the Biden Administration’s one time cancellation. With those changes, unfortunately, there are people who will prey on those seeking help.

“There is not yet an application available for President Biden’s relief plan,” said Lane Thompson, Oregon student loan ombuds. “People can get alerted once the program is live by visiting the U.S. Department of Education website and check the box title ‘NEWII Federal Student Loan Borrower Updates.’”

One helpful reminder is that if it is not a .gov website, it is not an official site of the federal government. The key signs to watch out for are if they tell you there is an urgency, a guarantee, and any secrecy.

“Any time the Department of Education announces changes to the student loan program, scammers come out of the woodwork,” Thompson said. “The advice remains the same: if it seems too good to be true, it likely is.”

If you have questions regarding your student loan’s eligibility, it is best to go to studentaid.gov. If you believe you received incorrect information from your servicer, email .bankingproducthelp@dcbs.oregon.gov“>dfr.bankingproducthelp@dcbs.oregon.gov or call our consumer hotline at 888-877-4894 (toll-free).

About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit www.dcbs.oregon.gov and dfr.oregon.gov.​​

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