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 and BasinLife.com, and powered by Mick Insurance, your local health and Medicare agents.
Thursday, January 5, 2023
Klamath Basin Weather
The National Weather Service says a high wind warning is in effect through today, Thursday, at 4 pm. This includes much of Southern Oregon, The Rogue Valley, most of Klamath County and portions of Lake County.
Today Rain likely, mainly before 4pm. Snow level 5100 feet rising to 5700 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. Breezy, with south winds 16 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Overnight a chance of rain mixed with snow, low of 34. Snow level 4800 feet lowering to 4300 feet after midnight . Little or no snow accumulation expected.
FridayA 20 percent chance of rain after 10am. Snow level rising to 4800 feet in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. South wind 9 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Friday Night, a chance of rain and snow. Snow level 4600 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Southeast wind 16 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Saturday A chance of snow before 10am, then a chance of rain. Snow level 4800 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. Rain mixed with snow before 10pm, then a chance of snow between 10pm and 4am, then a chance of rain and snow after 4am. Snow level 4700 feet, low around 30.
Sunday A chance of rain and snow. Snow level 4200 feet rising to 4900 feet in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42.
See Road Camera Views:
Lake of the Woods
Doak Mtn.
Hiway 97 at Chemult
Hiway 140 at Bly
Hiway 97 at GreenSprings Dr.
Hiway 97 at LaPine
Today’s Headlines
Two men were killed in a crash on Highway 97 on Monday.
At about 7:08pm, Oregon State Police responded to a three-vehicle crash on Hwy 97, near milepost 235, in Klamath County. The preliminary investigation indicated a commercial motor vehicle, towing a fuel tank, was traveling southbound on Hwy 97 when it lost control and crossed into the northbound lane of travel, striking an Chevrolet Suburban. The momentum carried the commercial motor vehicle into a Dodge Ram 1500, which was parked on the side of the roadway.
As a result of the crash, Roberto Raygoza Rosales (36) of Madras, was declared deceased at the scene. A male juvenile also died due to injuries from the crash. Both Raygoza Rosales and the juvenile were occupants of the Suburban.
In addition to the reported deaths, multiple injuries were associated with this crash.
OSP is currently conducting a criminal investigation of the collision and no further information is available at this time.
Congratulations go out to Christine Kenneally, who was put under the spotlight this week. During the Klamath County Board of County Commissioners’ first meeting of 2023, on Tuesday, Kenneally was recognized for her 35 years of service with the county.
Kenneally, who works in the county assessor’s office, was included with other employees the board honored with public service awards, which are given out in five-year increments.
Commissioner Dave Henslee said he “recognizes the value of holding a position for a significant amount of time; the knowledge and experience that is gained [in that time] and how that knowledge and experience translates into effective service for Klamath County. I tip my hat to you.”
The meeting then continued with appointing four new members to the county’s Planning Commission, which had four vacancies. After interviews and consideration from the Board of County Commissioners, it was decided Jennifer Fairfield, Joe Young, Ryan McNiven and Randy Shaw would fill the vacancies.
Klamath County Planning Director Erick Nobel then addressed the board regarding vacating property lots. The second group of lots to be vacated were lots 1 and 2 of Peasant Home tract, which sits at the corner of Homedale Road and South 6th Street. These lots are being vacated for the site of the new Sonic restaurant coming to Klamath Falls.
The board also heard a presentation regarding the approval of an agreement between Wynne Broadcasting and Public Health for a Spanish radio and multimedia project.
The Klamath Tribes have offered to share leftover funds received for livestock wells with ranchers who were unable to receive drought relief assistance.
Though funding has been made available through the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, applicants are required to have the well projects finished prior to a deadline in June of this year. With drillers in high demand, many applicants could be be left to cover the costs on their own.
Fellow rancher and newly appointed director to the Klamath Soil and Water Conservation District Jolene Moxin attested to the difficulties of attaining resources for livestock.
At the KSWCD meeting Tuesday, Jan. 3, District Manager Will Natividad said there might be an alternative solution.
During a meeting with the Klamath Tribes and other local entities the previous week, Natividad said the Tribes explained their ranchers had “filled the need” without exhausting their allotted funds.
Klamath Health Partnership (KHP) has announced the appointment of Amanda Blodgett, MBA as their Chief Executive Officer.
After an extensive, nationwide search that began in September, Board Chair Edward Horvath, made the announcement to the staff and stakeholders of the organization.
Amanda steps into the role of CEO, which Signe Porter recently retired from. Amanda has been with the organization since 2018, beginning as the Quality Officer and most recently as the Chief Operations Officer for the organization.
Her portfolio of work with the organization includes not only quality improvement, wellness, and prevention, but has also supported the growth of KHP and the expansion of services.
Klamath Health Partnership operates six clinic locations throughout Klamath County in addition to a mobile clinic that serves remote areas of the county and provides on-site services to a variety of patients. Among the six clinic locations, Klamath Health Partnership recently completed a renovation of a historic building on Pine Street, creating the Pine Street Open Door Clinic.
The newest clinic operates in the same location as the former Klamath Valley Hospital and Klamath County Public Health. Accessibility, affordability, cultural sensitivity, quality, and responsive services are at the forefront of the Klamath Health Partnership’s mission.
SCAM CALLS – Be Careful says Verizon
Local authorities are reporting a sharp increase in scammer calls to Verizon customers.
The calls state your service is being suspended due to “changes in your account” and to find out more, you can speak to a representative by pressing 1. This connects you to an apparent call center where personal information is “phished” for.
From there, the caller states that you must pay a reconnection fee and additional charges to continue phone service. Customers Of Verizon are urged to contact the company if you are receiving calls claiming to be from them that do not accurately display the company name on the telephone and urge anyone to never give out personal information unless you’re certain it is Verizon.
Crater Lake National Park reminds you they have transitioned to a fully cashless fee system and only accept mobile or electronic payments for entrance and permit fees as of January 1st.
Park officials said acceptable payment forms will include credit and debit cards as well payment apps on mobile devices. Passes for Crater Lake National Park can be purchased in advance at Recreation.gov. The America the Beautiful Pass, which is good at all national park sites and other federal land areas, is also available at the USGS Store.
Entrance fees collected at Crater Lake, Lava Beds National Monument, Oregon Caves National Monument and other National Park Service areas are, according to a statement from NPS regional officials, “an important source of revenue used to improve the visitor experience in national parks, including road and facility repairs and maintenance, trail improvements, installation of accessible exhibits, visitor and resource protection services, and more.”
According to a news release, “Moving to a cashless system allows parks to be better stewards of visitor dollars by reducing the amount of time park staff spend managing cash, increasing the amount of fee revenue available to support critical projects and visitor services, and improving accountability and reducing risk.”
All Klamath County libraries will be closed on Monday, January 16th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
No materials will be due on a date that the libraries are closed. For more information, call us at 541-882-8894, or see our events calendar at klamathlibrary.org/library-events-calendar.
Around the state of Oregon
High winds are forecasted through Thursday evening along the coast and into Southern Oregon, which could cause scattered power outages.
A forecasted weather system could produce strong winds from northern California into southern Oregon today through Thursday evening. High winds and already saturated soil could increase the potential for power outages over the next 24 hours.
Pacific Power’s meteorology team is closely monitoring the forecasted storm and field personnel are prepping to respond to wind-related service interruptions. Forecasts indicate the storm will exit the area by Thursday evening.
To ensure that you are prepared for outages, we ask that every home maintain an emergency outage kit that includes the following:
- Flashlight
- Battery-operated radio and clock
- Extra batteries
- Non-perishable foods
- Manual can opener
- Bottled water
- Blankets
If a power outage occurs, Pacific Power encourages customers to first check their fuses and circuit breakers. If the power failure is not caused inside the home or business, customers should report the outage to Pacific Power at 1-877-508-5088 or by texting OUT to 722797.
Get the app. The Pacific Power app for mobile devices can become invaluable during an outage. You can report and track an outage affecting you from your mobile device. The app is free and can be downloaded on the App Store or Google Play.
Power Outage At Medford Airport Delays Some Flights
Medford’s airport says its electrical power is back in full after a power outage there “for an extended time Wednesday.”
The Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport’s office says the airport’s emergency backup power system engaged and worked as planned though “this system does not cover 100% of required power for the Airport.”
The Airport says passengers should expect slight flight delays as the airport and airlines get caught up with the flights schedule. It says the airlines and Transportation Security Administration staff (TSA) helped travelers get to their pending flights, even when the process needed additional time.
Jackson County Airport Authority’s Interim Airport Director Amber Judd says, “The extra efforts by the entire team at the airport and patience from our passengers was outstanding. We ask that everyone expect slight delays and be patient as we continue to get caught up.”
Strong winds that are part of a weather system crossing Oregon and Northern California today and tomorrow are causing power outages, with more than 2,000 Pacific Power electricity utility Rogue Valley customers without power around midday. Forecast wind and rain over saturated ground in the area can cause power line poles and trees, or limbs, to blow down onto power lines, disrupting electricity and causing power outages.
Pacific Power advised last night and again today that its crews were ready to respond to power outages, expecting them to persist from strong winds through tomorrow.
Oregon To Conserve Six Areas Of Rocky Coast Line
Six rocky areas on the Oregon Coast are being considered for conservation.
Andy Lanier is the Marine Affairs Coordinator for the Department of Land Conservation and Development. He said the sites have been through a multi-year process, including engagement with nearby communities.
Lanier says one proposed site is at Cape Foulweather, south of Depoe Bay, where stewardship activities would help maintain key habitats, “Specifically submerged aquatic vegetation, the marine kelps, which are very important.” Lanier explained, “They are a nursery ground for many of our much longer-lived fish species, they provide habitat in the marine environment for many different organisms.”
Lanier said a proposal at Cape Lookout, near Tillamook, would focus on restoring a kelp bed that suffered a recent die-off.
Because coastal communities recognize its importance, fishing regulations would not be affected by the new designations. The process is expected to take many months to coordinate and complete.
The six rocky areas proposed for marine conservation are:
-Cape Foulweather, south of Depoe Bay
-Cape Lookout, south of Tillamook
-Chapman Point, north of Cannon Beach
-Ecola Point, north of Cannon Beach
-Fogarty Creek, near Depoe Bay
-Blacklock Point, north of Port Orford.
Two additional areas were fast-tracked for approval. The Coquille Point marine garden and the Cape Blanco marine research area will be held in conservation beginning January, 2024.
New Study Shows Oregon Faces Sustained Risks And Opportunities As Climate Changes
Oregon continues to face new and enduring hazards related to climate change, but opportunities for adaptation and mitigation are also expanding, the latest assessment released today by the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute indicates.
“In general, the qualitative climate projections haven’t changed appreciably,” said Erica Fleishman, director of the institute, which is housed at Oregon State University and is charged with producing the biennial assessment. “It is becoming hotter and an increasing proportion of precipitation is falling as rain rather than snow, which affects the availability of water.”
The assessment, the first since the June 2021 heat dome event that smashed temperature records and led to dozens of heat-related deaths in the Pacific Northwest, notes that the number and intensity of heat waves are likely to increase.
Oregon saw more days per year topping 90 degrees and more nights per year warmer than 65 degrees between 2011 and 2020 than between 1951 and 2010. Over the past 20 years, the incidence, extent and severity of droughts also has grown. Increasing aridity is leading to increases in the average total annual area burned in wildfires. Glacier retreat has also accelerated, with 20 of Oregon’s glaciers disappearing since the mid-late 1900s and no glaciers remaining in the Wallowa Mountains.
But the assessment also indicates there are opportunities. For example: In the wake of the 2020 wildfires that killed at least nine people and burned hundreds of homes, a survey of Oregonians showed that 90 percent of participants had taken at least one personal action to prepare for future disasters, such as putting together an evacuation kit or signing up for emergency alerts. Survey responses also indicated strong support for policies to advance climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Adaptation efforts are underway in coastal Oregon communities where sea level rise, flooding and erosion threaten infrastructure and buildings. Community scientists’ observations of rain and snow are improving precipitation models. Visual artists are using their work to inform and engage audiences in discussions about climate change.
“Regardless of their political views or personal identity, Oregonians care about each other and their environment,” Fleishman noted. “Our state’s residents are taking diverse actions to preserve livelihoods and well-being as climate changes.”
OCCRI is housed in Oregon State University’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences. More than 60 collaborators affiliated with OCCRI, including researchers with OSU, Oregon Institute of Technology, Portland State University, University of Oregon, governmental labs and departments and tribal groups contributed to the sixth Oregon Climate Assessment.
The legislatively mandated assessment provides lawmakers and the public with a biennial assessment of the state of Oregon-related climate change science and the likely effects of climate change on the state’s natural and human systems.
The sixth assessment includes a series of evaluations of three key areas: the state of climate science, climate-related natural hazards and adaptation sectors. Each section of the report is based on peer-reviewed research.
“Oregon is a leader in climate response strategies and worker protections,” Fleishman said. “We hope this assessment will support the state’s ongoing efforts to advance climate equity and evidence-based investments in adaptation and mitigation.”
Among the assessment’s highlights:
- Disproportionately rapid warming in the Arctic, a phenomenon known as Arctic amplification, may be contributing to summer heat waves and hot, dry autumn weather in Oregon.
- Extreme winter wind speeds may increase, while annual mean wind speeds and the frequency of strong easterly winds in summer and autumn are expected to decrease slightly. Wind patterns impact electricity delivery, transportation safety and the spread of wildfire and pollutants.
- As the number of hot days increases, so will the extreme heat index values in Oregon. Heat index values are a driver of the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s new regulations on workplace heat exposure.
- Community observation of precipitation through programs such as the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow network; Community Snow Observations; and Mountain Rain and Snow is a powerful means of increasing understanding of climate and water availability.
- Climate change may significantly affect key economic drivers in Oregon by changing the availability and use of water by the agricultural sector and the composition of the state’s timberlands. Evaluating the social and ecological trade-offs of mitigation and adaptation policies will inform economic adaptation.
- State and local land use laws, which control how and where development occurs, play a key role in climate change response, including reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the capacity of natural and working lands to sequester carbon. Full integration of climate science and equity considerations into land use plans and actions could better align Oregon’s land use system with the current and foreseeable effects of climate change.
- Exposure to the complex components of wildfire smoke can lead to negative respiratory and cardiovascular health outcomes and adverse birth outcomes and strain the capacity of the health care system. Risks to farmworkers, firefighters and other outdoor workers who are disproportionately exposed are substantial.
- Marginalized populations such as Oregon’s tribes are more likely to be exposed to climate extremes and associated negative health effects. But ongoing experience of tribal adaptation to environmental and social change can also lead to high resilience to future impacts of climate change. Tribal communities are responding to climate change through political action, workforce development, environmental stewardship and youth education and fellowship.
The full report is available online at https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/occri/oregon-climate-assessments/. A complete list of contributing authors is also available online.
About the OSU College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS): The college is renowned for research excellence and academic programs that span the earth, ocean and climate sciences, as well as the human dimensions of environmental change. CEOAS inspires scientific solutions for Oregon and the world.
Study Shows Oregon is the #2 State For People Moving To In 2022 and Eugene is One Of The Most Moved-Into Cities
According to an annual study by United Van Lines, Oregon was the second most popular state to move to in 2022.
Michael Stoll, an economist at UCLA, has spent the last decade working closely with the company to break down the data. United Van Lines shared its 46th Annual National Movers Study.
“The study is accounting of the number of shipments they do per state either in or out, and then with those total shipments they take the fraction that are inbound state and calculates the fraction that are outbound, and based on those percentages they determine whether or not the state is a high move in state or move out state,” Stoll said.
According to the data, 67% of people moving into or out of Oregon were moving in. Of those surveyed, almost 14% moved for retirement, nearly 17% to be closer to family, and 15% relocated for lifestyle reasons. But the kicker, Stoll said, was that 51% of people moved for work.
According to the data, more Millennials and Gen-Zs are moving in.
“Right around 50% of those moving in are between the ages of 18 to 34. They are college educated and high earners, over half earning over $100,000,” Stoll said.
Stoll said this comes as a bit of a surprise as, in years past, most people who moved to Oregon do so for retirement.
“Oregon, for the last decade, had been at the top for inbound states. Last year was number eight and in the past, somewhere between nine and five. So, it’s always been in the top, and the reasons for that have been fairly consistent and mainly driven by those at or near retirement age who are moving from neighboring states like California,” Stoll said.
Stoll said in the last year, people are moving to smaller cities like Eugene.
“A lot of folks moving to Oregon are moving to Eugene. What we find is that a lot of people who are making interstate migration decisions are leaving large dense cities and moving to smaller towns and mid-size cities. Eugene is a perfect example, where you have enough amenities and cultural attractions to attract the Gen-Z and Millennials who are looking for many different things in their lifestyle,” Stoll said.
He said this has been an interesting turn because, for the last 30 years, most of the migration is towards bigger cities in the southern and western states. “This trend that we are seeing positively impacts Oregon’s local economy,” Stoll said. MORE INFO: https://www.unitedvanlines.com/newsroom/movers-study-2022?referrer=usem7&utm_source=prnewswire.com&utm_medium=press&utm_campaign=National-Movers-Study&utm_content=2022-movers-study