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.
Friday, October 28, 2022
Klamath Basin Weather
Today Partly sunny, with a high near 60. Light and variable wind becoming southwest around 6 mph. Overnight, partly cloudy with a low around 35 and very light winds.
Saturday Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 60. Light and variable wind. Overnight a low around 30.
Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Overnight, clear with a low of 35.
Monday Partly sunny, with a high near 63, with a slight chance of rain. Snow level 8200 feet lowering to 6900 feet after midnight . Mostly cloudy, overnight with a low around 34.
Tuesday Rain likely, mainly after 11am. Snow level 6200 feet lowering to 5100 feet in the afternoon . Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. Slight chance of rain mixed with snow overnight, low of 34.
Wednesday A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 45.
Today’s Headlines
Spence Mountain now belongs to Klamath County.
“This was long overdue,” Commissioner Derrick Degroot declared during the weekly Klamath County Board of County Commissioners business meeting Tuesday, Oct. 25.
Under county ownership Spence Mountain will become a public community forest that will provide recreational opportunities within the Klamath Basin.
Also during the meeting, the commission unanimously chose Vernon Alvarez to fill a vacancy on the Local Public Safety Coordinating Council. Commissioner Dave Henslee said Alvarez is a “great man” and “couldn’t be more excited.” Alvarez is also the police chief of the newly formed tribal police based out of Chiloquin.
The approval of establishing a Title III advisory council was also on the agenda Tuesday. This committee will be tasked with reviewing projects for eligibility and recommending appropriate funding to the commissioners.
The commissioners also approved the purchasing of two software programs, Carasoft SmartSheet and ClearGov. Carasoft SmartSheet will have a one time fiscal impact of $10,500 and is used for creating data sets. It is the county’s plan to use it on various projects involving human resources and county corrections.
Finally, the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office was awarded a sum of $11,000 from the Oregon Impact Transportation Safety Division. These funds will allow officers Overtime Enforcement to better serve the community in regards to DUII, distracted driving and speeding infractions. The commission then encouraged the sheriff’s office to reach out to complainant emails for places to patrol.
It’s Halloween Weekend. Looking to be creeped out this weekend? Perhaps free candy in exchange for wearing a costume is more your speed.
Locations across Klamath County are open for all types of Halloween revelry this weekend.
Wynne Broadcasting is hosting its annual Tricker Street from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 on Donald Street, off Worden, at the old Fairview school, now the YMCA Youth Development Center.
Join the broadcasters as they transform the YMCA Youth Development Center at 1017 Donald St. into a ghoulishly good time for children to safely trick-or-treat.
In addition to Wynne Broadcasting and the YMCA Youth Development Center, Tricker Street is offered by: Timber Kids Dentistry, Klamath Snowflake Festival, Chiloquin Fire & Rescue, Liberty Tax, Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, Klamath Falls Police Department, Ross Ragland Theater, Mayor Carol Westfall, Integral Youth Services, Linkville Kiwananis, Ace Towing, D&R Auto, A Better Way and Central Oregon Ear Nose Throat.
Every year on the Saturday before Halloween the Klamath Basin gathers in Downtown Klamath Falls for the area’s most popular fall festival.
Scarecrow Row features a children’s costume parade, trick-or-treating at downtown businesses, a pumpkin giveaway, pumpkin decorating station, face painting and all kinds of other fun activities all from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29.
On Sunday, families are invited to the Klamath County Fairgrounds for the KUHS and City School’s Nightmare at the Fair MAZE of TERROR, October 30th, 6pm to 10pm. The is a walk-thru, guided-tour maze where there’s a scare around every corner. Cost is $5 per person and they are asking for a can of food for the Klamath County Food Bank.
There is also a Kiddie Maze for those younger Halloweener’s. This event is sponsored by Les Schwab, My Mechanic, Rhine-Cross Group, DayDreamer LLC, Klamath Falls City Schools, Klamath County Fairgrounds, and KU Digital Media. See you there…if you dare!
The Klamath County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors are hosting a “Trunk or Treat,” event from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31 at Steen Sports Park, 4500 Foothills Blvd.
Volunteers will adorn their cars in Halloween decorations and pass out candy to kids as they walk by. The event is free and open to the public.
Over a dozen events are planned locally in the days leading up to and including Halloween.
Beginning downhill skiers and snowboarders will have an easier time learning and honing their skills when the Mt. Ashland Ski Area, one of the closest to the Klamath Basin, opens this winter.
The area will open a new learning center featuring a “Magic Carpet,” a conveyor belt that will allow users to slide onto the belt and move up a portion of the hill while standing still.
The $250,000 fundraising drive was accomplished earlier this year in only three weeks. The “carpet” is expected to attract more beginners who might otherwise be intimidated by a rope tow.
The ski-snowboard area is located on 7,532-foot Mount Ashland and features 23 trails on 200 acres and, along with the “carpet,” is served by four chairlifts. On average, the mountain receives more than 300 inches of snow annually, with its season typically running from November or early December until mid-April. Half of the terrain is rated as advanced, 35% as intermediate, and 15% as beginner.
The area has been without a general manager since Hiram Towle resigned earlier this year to accept a similar position at the Bridger Bowl Ski Area in Bozeman, Mont. “We’re not in any hurry,” a spokesperson for Mt. Ashland’s board of directors said of replacing Towle.
The opening date for the 2022-23 season remains weather dependent, but skiers and riders are reminded the date for purchasing discounted season tickets is Monday, Oct. 31. T
Meanwhile, last weekend’s storm was a welcomed sight for at least one Oregon ski resort. At Mt Bachelor, the switch has flipped.
The resort got more than a foot of snow over the weekend, and more is expected this week. That puts the resort on track for a November 25th opening – if the snow sticks around.
Mt. Bachelor hosts a winter job fair Saturday, to try to fill the remaining 40+ openings for the season.
This Saturday, October 29th, Main Street in downtown Klamath Falls will be closed between 11th Street and 4th Street; as will 9th Street between Klamath Avenue and Main Street.
The closure will be from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and will accommodate the Scarecrow Row event, which includes a children’s costume parade and trick-or-treating. For more information, contact Darin at (541) 539-6212.
A waiting and vetting period would be baked into gun purchases in Oregon if a measure on the November statewide ballot passes.
If voters approve Measure 114 Nov. 8, buying a gun would first involve the potential purchaser obtaining a permit, which requires a number of steps supporters of the initiative say would save lives. The measure also bans large capacity gun magazines.
The ballot measure is aimed at saving lives from suicide — in Oregon, 82% of gun deaths are suicides — mass shootings and other gun violence.
The gun safety initiative gained momentum after mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, N.Y., with more volunteers joining the effort, which was led by interfaith leaders.
Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head in a mass shooting in 2011 that killed six people, said bringing gun safety initiatives straight to voters is important because “our political leaders fail to act.”
Opponents say the measure would infringe on Constitutionally protected gun rights.
It would create “a costly bureaucratic nightmare to make firearms ownership difficult for some, and nearly impossible for many,” said Kerry Spurgin, president of the Oregon State Shooting Association.
The measure would require a permit to purchase any gun. To qualify for a permit, valid for five years, an applicant would need to complete an approved firearm safety course, pay a fee, provide personal information, submit to fingerprinting and photographing and pass a criminal background check. It would also ban large capacity magazines over 10 rounds, except for current owners, law enforcement and the military.
Motivational Speaker Todd Durkin stops by Klamath Falls today.
What does it take to be happy and healthy? If you ask internationally-acclaimed fitness trainer and renowned motivational speaker Todd Durkin he’ll tell you that “movement is the foundation.”
This mantra has served him and countless others throughout Durkin’s prolific career. Spanning more than two decades, he has dedicated his career to helping people heal and live healthier, happier lives.
Durkin, who is known for having trained star athletes such as Drew Brees and Reggie Bush, is making his way to Klamath Falls this weekend to offer residents some free motivational talk and work-out session suitable for all ages and abilities.
All are welcome to join Durkin from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28 at the Klamath Union High School Pell Court. Following the work-out, Durkin will be onsite for a meet and great and a book signing.
An athlete from a young age, Durkin said he had always dreamed of playing in the NFL. While working toward an undergrad degree, his athleticism proved valiant as he served in the position of a quarterback in the World Football League.
But his professional sports dreams were cut short following a career-ending back injury at the age of 25.
Durkin credits his injury as being the seed planted in him which grew into his continuously blossoming career.
Durkin encourages everyone to come to the event this Friday, no matter what their capabilities are. He said the first step toward making positive changes is just to “be in the room.”
The Klamath Housing Authority has some hopeful irons in the fire as it works toward acquiring three properties from another low-incoming housing organization — Soco Development, Inc.
The board discussed these measures at its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, Oct. 25. KHA Executive Director Diana Otero explained that Soco is closing down. The organization used to handle the majority of what is now the Klamath and Lake Community Action Services (KCLAS) workload.
Otero has been in talks with Soco’s attorney, Nathan Ratliff, who informed the director that the organization would like to donate all three of the housing units to KHA.
The board members unanimously agreed that, if all goes as planned and KHA attains the properties, they will continue to provide low-income housing to the current residents, possibly even lowering their monthly rent payments.
Otero said taking on this project seemed like the “right thing to do.”
The plan to proceed with taking on ownership of these properties was motioned and passed, unanimously. Otero’s time serving as executive director will come to a close this January, as she is set to retire.
Around the state of Oregon
Oregon State Police Recovers Stolen Property, Firearms, and Bear Carcass while serving Illegal Marijuana Search Warrant on East Evans Creek Road in Rogue River
On Wednesday, October 25, the Oregon State Police Southwest Region Drug Enforcement Section team, with the assistance of the OSP’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, served a search warrant at a property in the 18000 block of East Evans Creek Road, Rogue River in Jackson County.
Located and seized during the search were three firearms, approximately 40 illegal marijuana plants, and an estimated 1,000 pounds of illegal, processed marijuana. The illegal marijuana was destroyed.
Also recovered at the property were three stolen vehicles, two Utility Terrain Vehicles, and one Toyota pickup. The stolen vehicles were returned to the registered owners. Additionally, a black bear carcass was recovered, and the information was forwarded to OSP’s Fish and Wildlife Division for investigation.
Two individuals were detained and arrested. Matthew Connors (46) was lodged in the Jackson County jail on the charge of ORS 475C.349, Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana. Gerald Fath (36) was lodged in the Jackson County Jail on the charges of ORS 498.00, Unlawful Possession of Game, ORS 475C.349, Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana, and ORS 166.270, Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
Two additional individuals were detained, identified, interviewed, and later released. The Department of Human Services was contacted and responded concerning the welfare of the young child found to be residing at the property. This is an ongoing investigation. No further information is available for release.
Eagle Point Man arrested for Online Sexual Corruption of a Child and Luring a Minor
Grants Pass, Ore. – On October 27, 2022, Grants Pass Police Detectives arrested Robert Anthony Wass, 75, of Eagle Point, for First Degree Online Sexual Corruption of a Child and Luring a Minor.
Wass allegedly committed these crimes involving a 15-year-old female juvenile within the City of Grants Pass over the past two days. Wass was arrested by detectives and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.
The Grants Pass Police Department is asking anyone with further information to please contact Grants Pass Police Detectives at 541-450-6260 and reference case #2022-47347.
This investigation is ongoing, and further details cannot be released.
Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Troopers are seeking Public Assistance identifying the person (s) involved in an Elk Poaching off I-5 NEar Glendale
On October 25, 2022, around 6:30 P.M., OSP Fish & Wildlife Trooper believe two elk were shot within 100 yards of the freeway, near milepost 84, I-5 south, Glendale, OR.
The two elk, one bull and one cow, were in an open field on the west side of the freeway. The bull was not touched, but the cow was processed with the edible portions taken.
This indicates that the subject (s) were in the area for a lengthy amount of time. It is believed the subject (s) used a flashlight in the field between 7:00 P.M October 25 and 7:00 A.M. October 26. There is also a report of a subject driving a silver midsized pickup with a rifle in the area earlier in the day along the freeway.
OSP Fish & Wildlife is urging anyone with information about the identity of the person (s) or vehicle, in this case, to call the OSP tip line at 1-800-452-7888, OSP (677), or email at TIP@osp.oregon.gov. Reference case number SP22288310.
Survey Finds Oregonians Cite Homelessness As Chief Concern
A state survey found Many Oregonians want elected leaders to tackle homelessness.
Thirty-seven percent of 1,878 Oregonians surveyed identified the state’s homelessness crisis as the most pressing issue, according to a survey by the Portland-based nonpartisan Oregon Values and Beliefs Center. The online survey of Oregonians 18 and older was conducted Sept. 13 to 21.
Differences emerged across geographic regions. In the tri-county Portland region, 47% of respondents called homeless the top problem, the highest of any area. That compares with 36% in the Willamette Valley and 29% in the rest of the state.
“I have never been threatened by the homeless but recognize that it is an issue that demands action,” said one Multnomah County man who participated in the survey. “While there are other issues that will influence my vote at other levels, this is the primary issue at the local level.”
Homelessness has emerged as the key issue among candidates running for election Nov. 8, with Republicans bashing Oregon’s Democratic leadership for the problem. On any day as of January 2020, nearly 14,700 people in Oregon had no stable housing, according to the U.S. Interagency Council on Homeless. It said about 4,300 were chronically homeless.
The overall result was similar to an April survey, in which 35% identified homelessness as the top issue.
Respondents said their second top issue was affordable housing, identified by 15% of respondents. The third issue was crime and safety, according to 12% of participants. Women highlighted housing needs more than men – 17% versus 12%.
And 8% of Oregonians ranked addiction, substance abuse and drugs as the most important issue, making it fourth on the list. That rate was similar across most demographic groups. A total of 6% of respondents ranked the cost of living, prices and inflation as the most important issue, making it fifth on the list.
Those with a high school education were more concerned about inflation – 10% – than those with some college education, 3% to 4%. The survey has a margin of error of 2.47%.
Avista Customers to Pay Higher Natural Gas Rates Due to Increased Gas Prices Starting November 1
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) recently approved an increase in natural gas rates for Avista Utilities customers due to significant increases in global natural gas prices reflected in the annual purchased gas adjustment and related filings. The increase goes into effect November 1, 2022.
The PUC approves adjustments annually to the rates of the three regulated natural gas companies, including Avista Utilities, Cascade Natural Gas, and NW Natural, to reflect changes in the actual cost of wholesale priced natural gas, known as the purchased gas adjustment (PGA). This allows companies to pass through their actual cost of purchasing gas to customers without a markup on the price.
The PUC recently approved an overall increase in rates of $25.6 million or approximately 20.4 percent for Avista customers due to the PGA and related filings when compared to 2021 company gross revenues. The increase, effective November 1, is largely due to the significant increase in natural gas prices globally.
“We recognize that increasing rates at a time when Oregonians are already dealing with high inflation presents challenges for many customers,” said Megan Decker, PUC Chair. “Unfortunately, global events drive the price for utilities to purchase natural gas. There’s simply no way to avoid these higher prices impacting customers. However, there may be options available to residential customers to help reduce the bottom line impact.”
To increase energy efficiency and save on future natural gas bills, customers are encouraged to view Energy Trust of Oregon’s low-cost and no-cost tips to reduce energy consumption. For information about bill payment assistance options, newly available utility discount programs, and the Comfort Level Billing program that equalizes bill payments across winter and summer months, contact Avista at 800-227-9187 or view information online. Customers may also contact their local Community Action agency to request information on what assistance programs they may be eligible for and how to enroll.
View the impact to each customer type as a result of this decision below:
- Residential Customers – The monthly bill of a typical residential customer using an average of 48 therms per month will increase by $12.53, or 18.4 percent, from $68.17 to $80.70.
- Commercial Customers – The monthly bill of a typical customer using an average of 203 therms per month will increase by $47.08, or 18.9 percent, from $248.72 to $295.76.
- Industrial Customers – The monthly bill of a typical customer using an average of 3,969 therms per month will increase by $919.77, or 36.5 percent, from $2,517.49 to $3,437.26.
Avista Utilities serves nearly 106,000 customers in portions of southwest and northeastern Oregon.
# # # The PUC regulates customer rates and services of the state’s investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities, including Portland General Electric, Idaho Power, Pacific Power, Avista, Cascade Natural, and NW Natural. The PUC also regulates landline telephone providers and select water companies. The PUC’s mission is to ensure Oregonians have access to safe, reliable, and fairly priced utility services that advance state policy and promote the public interest. We use an inclusive process to evaluate differing viewpoints and visions of the public interest and arrive at balanced, well-reasoned, independent decisions supported by fact and law. For more information about the PUC, visit oregon.gov/puc.
Taxpayer Advocate urges Oregonians to volunteer at tax clinics
Salem, OR—The Internal Revenue Service is once again recruiting people to assist in the free preparation of taxes as part of its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs, and the Department of Revenue’s Taxpayer Advocate is encouraging Oregonians to volunteer.
“Oregon needs more VITA sites and volunteers,” said Codi Trudell, who was named as Oregon’s first Taxpayer Advocate in January. “There are significant tax credit benefits available to low-income individuals and families, but they need to file a tax return to claim the benefit. By volunteering to help fill out and file those returns, Oregonians can make a difference in their communities.”
Trudell said that in addition to the need for volunteers, the IRS is also seeking organizations to sponsor VITA and TCE clinics to be staffed by the volunteers.
In the 2021 tax season, there were VITA and/or TCE clinics in 15 different Oregon counties—up and down the coast, in the Willamette valley, and both central and eastern Oregon. In the 2022 tax season, nearly 22,000 Oregon income tax returns were filed on behalf of taxpayers by volunteers at VITA clinics across the state.
The VITA and TCE programs include training in how to provide free tax help for low-to-moderate income families who need assistance preparing their tax returns. Across the country, thousands of people volunteer each year and prepare millions of tax returns at thousands of tax sites nationwide.
Volunteers are assigned to work with a sponsoring organization, first to receive training and then to begin volunteering at a location in the community. Training is offered both online and in the classroom. Tax sites are generally open nights and weekends, and the hours are flexible.
Additional information is available on the IRS website. Interested persons can submit an inquiry now using the VITA/TCE Volunteer and Partner Sign Up moving them one step closer to becoming a VITA or TCE tax volunteer and giving back to their community. The IRS will share information about those interested in volunteering with sponsoring organizations for follow-up contact.
Organizations with an interest in partnering with the IRS to sponsor or host a free tax preparation site in Oregon can also complete and submit the VITA/TCE Volunteer and Partner Sign Up.
To get tax forms, check the status of your refund, or make tax payments, visit www.oregon.gov/dor or email questions.dor@oregon.gov. You also can call 800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon. For TTY (hearing- or speech-impaired), we accept all relay calls.
Video clip
See Oregon Taxpayer Advocate Codi Trudell explain the need for VITA volunteers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODYeWDWGmtQ
OHA offers tips to stay safe during Halloween events and activities
As ghosts, ghouls and goblins young and old head out for trick-or-treating, haunted houses and spooky gatherings in the coming days, Oregon Health Authority is offering tips for staying safe from injuries and illnesses while celebrating Halloween.
COVID-19, flu prevention
Numbers of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have dropped dramatically since the surges of early 2022. But public health officials expect another increase in cases of COVID-19, as well as influenza and other respiratory viruses, as people head indoors to escape the cold, wet fall weather.
That’s why officials recommend everyone get their COVID-19 and flu vaccines as soon as they can. And since it does take a couple weeks for vaccines to take full effect, people planning to trick-or-treat and attend Halloween events can keep themselves healthy by wearing masks if they expect to be in crowded settings.
Use the Get Vaccinated Oregon tool to find a COVID-19 vaccine and booster clinic, or to be connected to a vaccination or booster opportunity, or call 211 or text ORCOVID to 898211. If you or someone you care can’t leave home, email COVID@211info.org“>ORCOVID@211info.org to be connected to a vaccination or booster opportunity. Find a flu vaccination location by visiting VaccineFinder.org or calling 211.
Food safety
- After trick-or-treating, inspect all candy and treats to make sure wrapping hasn’t been tampered with — look for unusual appearance, discoloration and any tears in wrappers. When in doubt, throw it out.
- Eat a snack before trick-or-treating, or bring one with you, to keep from nibbling on a treat before it’s been inspected.
- Check candy and treat labels for any allergens, such as nuts, if you or your child has a food allergy.
- Parents of very young children should remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys from Halloween bags.
- Bobbing for apples is a popular game at Halloween parties. Make sure to thoroughly rinse apples and any other fruit being offered, under cool running water before eating to reduce the risk of foodborne bacteria, such as E. coli or salmonella.
- Look for juices and ciders in boxes, bottles or cans typically found in frozen food cases, refrigerated sections or shelves at grocery stores.
Injury prevention
- Wear costumes made with flame-resistant fabrics such as polyester or nylon and with bright reflective colors or reflective tape so they are visible to motorists, bicyclists and other pedestrians. Also, avoid risk of tripping by not wearing costumes that are too long or baggy and touch the ground as you walk.
- Some Halloween masks can obscure vision, especially outside when it’s dark. An alternative to masks is wearing Halloween makeup, but make sure to test a small amount on your skin a couple days ahead of time to see that it doesn’t cause a rash, redness, swelling or other signs of irritation.
- Young children can use a spoon to help scoop out the inside of a pumpkin or use a marker to create the pumpkin’s face, but they should leave pumpkin carving to adults or older children under adult supervision.
- Use LED lights instead of candles to light up jack-o-lanterns. If you do use candles, make sure only adults are lighting them and that the pumpkins are not left unattended or near flammable materials.
For more Halloween safety ideas, visit these websites:
- Safe Kids Worldwide: https://www.safekids.org/tip/halloween-safety-tips
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://blogs.cdc.gov/publichealthmatters/2019/10/halloweentips/
- S. Food & Drug Administration: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/halloween-safety-tips-costumes-candy-and-colored-contact-lenses
- Consumer Product Safety Commission: https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2022/On-a-Day-for-Goblins-and-Tricks-Make-Safety-a-Treat
All Oregon Voters Should Have Their Ballots by Now – Warned of Disinformation and Lies about Voting
Now that November election ballots are blanketing the state, Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan is sending out the message that voting here continues to be fair and secure.
Oregonians are hoping she is correct when she says that Oregon has a robust system for ensuring the integrity of elections, including regularly updating voter rolls and checking voter signatures to validate the vote.
“Every single signature is checked. Every one. Not just a sample, not just a statistical amount. Every single signature is checked to make sure that’s the person who actually did vote.”
Former president Donald Trump and his supporters are continuing to repeat lies and disinformation about widespread fraud in U.S. elections and specifically about the security of mail-in voting, which Fagan says is affecting the job of county-level election officials here in Oregon.
“Sadly it’s a conspiracy that’s believed by about one in five Oregon voters and that’s a significant amount of our population,” she said. “We know it’s safe and secure here in Oregon. But yes, those conspiracy theories definitely are wearing on our county elections officials.”
Earlier this week, the Siuslaw News reported on a conservative group called the “Florence Liberty Alliance, which put up a post on its Facebook page asking for volunteers for a “Ballot Box Watch Team.” Fagan’s office is encouraging Oregon voters to “know their rights” and urging anyone who feels someone is trying to intimidate them at the ballot box or elsewhere to report it to her office online, by calling 503-986-1518 or emailing elections.sos@sos.oregon.gov.
“Intimidation can include aggressive or harassing questions about whether someone is qualified to vote that are intended to interfere with the right to vote … questions about citizenship status, criminal record, residency or other personal information or questions about how you intend to vote.”
Fagan says she hopes that their education campaign “Voting in Oregon Feels Good,” will resonate with Oregonians and encourage voter turnout. Ballots in the November election must be turned in or postmarked by Nov. 8.
All registered voters in Oregon should have received their ballots in the mail by now. Those who have their ballots must be sure to get them turned in or postmarked by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 8, in order to have their votes counted. Ballots put into any official ballot drop box by 8 p.m. that night will be counted.
Anyone who did not get a ballot or received a damaged ballot should contact their county’s elections office to get a new one right away. Find your county elections office
According to the Oregon Secretary of State’s office, if someone requests a new ballot, their old ballot will be canceled, to prevent any attempts at voting more than once.
Weyerhaeuser Announces Resolution of Work Stoppage in Oregon and Washington – Normal operations to resume with approval of new contract with IAM
Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE: WY) today announced the successful resolution of a work stoppage involving members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union in Oregon and Washington.
Weyerhaeuser has approximately 1,200 employees who are members of IAM, including employees in the company’s Wood Products and Timberlands organizations, and the approval of a new contract will result in the restoration of operations at all sites.
“We know this has been a difficult process for everyone involved, and we have appreciated the patience and professionalism of all parties as we worked through the negotiation,” said Devin W. Stockfish, president and chief executive officer for Weyerhaeuser. “Our people are what make Weyerhaeuser special, and we are committed to providing safe, reliable jobs with competitive wages and benefits that support our employees and their families. We believe this contract accomplishes those goals, and we are excited to welcome everyone back and resume normal operations as soon as possible.”
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is currently conducting an investigation on a California couple that was known to be passing through Douglas County.
According to deputies, Charles and Kathleen Waller were known to have been in the Glide area on or abut October 23rd. 81-year-old Charles and 79-year-old Kathleen were reportedly driving to their home in Boulder Creek, California in a 2017 Ford Four Winds Motorhome bearing California license plate 8HWX240.
DCSO says the Wallers are typically in communication with family members on a daily basis, but have not been heard from since October 23rd when they stated they were approximately 45 minutes north of the Oregon-California border. Their cellular telephones are currently powered off and no one has been able to reach them since.
If anyone has seen the Wallers or their motorhome, they are asked to contact the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office at (541) 440-4471 or email dcso.pio@co.douglas.or.us.
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) recently approved an increase in natural gas rates for Avista Utilities customers due to significant increases in global natural gas prices reflected in the annual purchased gas adjustment and related filings. The increase goes into effect November 1, 2022.
The PUC approves adjustments annually to the rates of the three regulated natural gas companies, including Avista Utilities, Cascade Natural Gas, and NW Natural, to reflect changes in the actual cost of wholesale priced natural gas, known as the purchased gas adjustment (PGA). This allows companies to pass through their actual cost of purchasing gas to customers without a markup on the price.
The PUC recently approved an overall increase in rates of $25.6 million or approximately 20.4 percent for Avista customers due to the PGA and related filings when compared to 2021 company gross revenues. The increase, effective November 1, is largely due to the significant increase in natural gas prices globally.
“We recognize that increasing rates at a time when Oregonians are already dealing with high inflation presents challenges for many customers,” said Megan Decker, PUC Chair. “Unfortunately, global events drive the price for utilities to purchase natural gas. There’s simply no way to avoid these higher prices impacting customers. However, there may be options available to residential customers to help reduce the bottom line impact.”
To increase energy efficiency and save on future natural gas bills, customers are encouraged to view Energy Trust of Oregon’s low-cost and no-cost tips to reduce energy consumption. For information about bill payment assistance options, newly available utility discount programs, and the Comfort Level Billing program that equalizes bill payments across winter and summer months, contact Avista at 800-227-9187 or view information online. Customers may also contact their local Community Action agency to request information on what assistance programs they may be eligible for and how to enroll.
View the impact to each customer type as a result of this decision below:
- Residential Customers – The monthly bill of a typical residential customer using an average of 48 therms per month will increase by $12.53, or 18.4 percent, from $68.17 to $80.70.
- Commercial Customers – The monthly bill of a typical customer using an average of 203 therms per month will increase by $47.08, or 18.9 percent, from $248.72 to $295.76.
- Industrial Customers – The monthly bill of a typical customer using an average of 3,969 therms per month will increase by $919.77, or 36.5 percent, from $2,517.49 to $3,437.26.
Avista Utilities serves nearly 106,000 customers in portions of southwest and northeastern Oregon.
The head of the U.S. Forest Service has denounced the arrest by an Oregon sheriff of a Forest Service employee after a planned burn in a national forest spread onto private land.
The criticism by Forest Service Chief Randy Moore was followed by a statement from Grant County District Attorney Jim Carpenter in which he defended the arrest on Oct. 19 of a U.S. Forest Service “burn boss” on allegations of reckless burning.
Burn Boss Randy Snodgrass told the local Blue Mountain Eagle newspaper that his arrest by McKinley disrupted the chain of command while the Forest Service crew was conducting the prescribed burn in the Malheur National Forest. Snodgrass was taken to the county jail in Canyon City, where he was conditionally released.
Prescribed burns are set intentionally and under carefully controlled conditions to clear underbrush, pine needle beds and other surface fuels that make forests more prone to wildfires.
In a message, posted Monday to all the U.S. Forest Service’s more than 25,000 employees, Moore said he won’t “stand idly by without fully defending the Burn Boss and all employees carrying out their official duties as federal employees.”
The arrest underscored simmering tensions over management of federal lands in rural, conservative eastern Oregon.
Love it or hate it, 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.
Each fall, most of the United States changes clocks back one hour on the first Sunday of November. Hawaii and Arizona do not observe this semi-annual ritual.
Of course, the amount of daylight on any given day doesn’t really change when we move the clocks back. And as Einstein determined – time is relative. What “time” of day it is depends on your frame of reference.
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 forward again next spring. For those who like to plan ahead, that date will be March 12, 2023.