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.
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Klamath Basin Weather
Today Snow showers at times all day, with a high near 33. West southwest winds around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible. Overnight a 20% chance of snow showers before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14. North northwest wind 5 to 7 mph.
Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 37. North winds to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Overnight cloudy with a low around 12.
Thursday Partly sunny, with a high near 39. Calm wind becoming west southwest to 9 mph in the morning.
Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 38.
Saturday Snow showers likely, mainly after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38.
Sunday A chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 36.
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
OREGON TECH IS CLOSED TODAY, DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER. Online classes will continue today as usual.
A significant winter storm will bring several rounds of widespread snowfall to Southern Oregon and Northern California through Tuesday with some heavy snowfall for even some lower elevations in our region.
Some of the worst travel conditions will continue into Tuesday morning when snow levels could lower down to 500 feet. During the day, snow levels will climb to around 1,500′ or so. Expect travel to remain difficult to even dangerous for many higher elevations above 1,500′ to 2,000′ Tuesday.
Some of the snow will be heavy at times, especially, for the coastal mountains, Mt. Shasta area and along the Cascades where snowfall rates could be up to 1-2″ per hour. This winter storms will significantly impact travel for both lower and higher passes in the region. The eastside will also see enough accumulating snow to make for some difficult travel conditions. This winter storm will also produce quite a bit of snow for the Illinois Valleys and the western valleys of Siskiyou County.
The Rogue Valley floor will see lighter snowfall amounts, but there is lower confidence with exact snow amounts. Places like Ashland will have a better chance at up to several inches of snow. Along with the snow, we’ll see some gusty winds across the region. Widespread gusts of 30-55 mph are expected with this storm. This will lead to blowing and drifting snow, especially for our higher elevations. Through Tuesday, this winter storm will likely cause high to even extreme impacts to travel in our region. This storm system will finally pull away Tuesday night with quieter weather in store for Wednesday.
California’s transportation department is issuing a travel advisory for early this week because of severe wintry weather conditions close to the Oregon border. CalTrans is citing a National Weather Service forecast for continued severe weather for the Northern California area this week.
It says, “Dangerous mountain travel is anticipated Monday through Wednesday due to heavy snow, with the possibility of low elevation snow locally. Motorists are reminded to slow down and drive carefully during inclement weather and allot extra time for delays, slow travel, and possible highway impacts. Travelers should also carry chains when traveling into higher elevations.”
CalTrans District 2 says drivers should plan for truck and/or vehicle screening for northbound Interstate 5 traffic at Fawndale Road, approximately ten miles north of Redding, “prior to or during the winter storms depending on weather conditions, highway impacts, or traffic incidents. Depending on weather intensity and/or vehicle incidents, highway closures may occur during this storm system.”
CalTrans offers updated highway conditions via QuickMap. Its other resources include One-Stop-Shop for roadway conditions for Western U.S., and drivers can follow Caltrans District 2 on its Twitter and Facebook pages for traffic updates.
CalTrans reminds travelers to be wary of using non-highway alternative routes in the event of highway closures because, “These routes may not be maintained or open during inclement weather events and may have size restrictions for larger vehicles. Contact local city or county agencies for current roadway status or restrictions on non-highway routes.”
If you are traveling during this time period, monitor changing weather and roadway conditions through the National Weather Service and QuickMap.
Klamath Falls City Council members faced a contentious audience last week when the city’s plan to display a jet in Veterans Memorial Park was mentioned during public comments.
The city’s American Rescue Plan Act-funded “Jet in the Park” project is facing further pushback after the City Council meeting Tuesday, Feb. 21.
Leslie Lowe, president of the nonprofit organization Wingwatchers, presented an issue regarding the static F-15 display’s location in Veterans Memorial Park.
During public comment, Lowe explained that in 2004 the city entered a 99-year lease agreement with the nonprofit for that space to be utilized for recreation. Wingwatchers purchased the two-acre plot on behalf of the city to be utilized for recreation.
Lowe was not alone in her efforts with more than a dozen additional comments entered in protest of the display. Veterans, medical professionals, conservationists and even a member of the Parks Advisory Board.
Jennifer Lucas spoke to the council on the issue as well. Lucas noted that, had the city followed through with the Equity Committee the city had proposed and unanimously approved, but has since refused to acknowledge, discussions about how the ARPA funding would be spent could have led to a more community-based allocation of the money.
When Klamath County School District sought out greater community engagement, the community spoke, and the district listened.
During the regular KCSD Board of Directors meeting last Thursday, Feb. 23, Superintendent Glen Szymoniak shared the primary public concern was the social-emotional wellbeing of students and the availability of health services in schools.
With that in mind, the district got to work, Szymoniak said, and managed to hire enough nurses and counselors to have a fully staffed team at every school in the district.
The district has also hired two, full-time homeless liaison positions to aid children and families experiencing homelessness and a full-time administrator for the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) team.
KCSD will now also receive additional support by joining other districts in working with Southern Oregon Education Service District.
SOESD provided a Local Service Plan which resulted from a collaboration with all included districts. The LSP, Szymoniak said, defines resources that SOESD can assist with on behalf of participating districts, such as “implementing Student Success Act” funds.
Student success has been on the rise throughout the past year, with graduation rates trending upward.
Two schools, Chiloquin and Lost River high schools, had 100% graduation rates last year, the superintendent noted.
The board also reported that many of the maintenance projects throughout the district are nearing completion, including a new building at Shasta.
The Rotary Club of Klamath Falls has scholarship opportunities for local students, in particular graduating high school seniors.
Scholarships include: Rotary Foundation Scholarships, The Ada and G. Ellis Matthews Scholarship, The Floyd A. Boyd Scholarship, The Gerald Brown/Don DeFeyter Scholarship, The Margie Howard Scholarship, Kip Thomet, Walsh Family Scholarship and Moudry Family Scholarship.
Awards range from $1,000 to $4,000 each.
The application can be found at www.kcrotary.org.
On Tuesday, March 7 at 6:30 pm at the Butte Valley Community Center, 52900 Hwy. 97 in Dorris, CA, Klamath Tribal member and archaeologist Robert David will present his research on indigenous rock art in the Klamath Basin entitled “Spirit Songs and Sacred Fire.” The event is free.
For over a century, the petroglyphs at Lava Beds have been a mystery to park visitors and rock art researchers alike. Attempts to explain these petroglyphs have included a variety of perspectives but conspicuously excluded the voices of those who produced the petroglyphs – the Klamath and Modoc people themselves. “Lava Beds protects some of the most significant rock art in Northern California,” said Dave Curtis, Lava Bed NM archeologist. “Dr. David puts the Klamath and Modoc back into this important story.”
Dr. David proposes that, while the Klamath and Modoc might have largely forgotten about their rock art heritage, this information was in no way lost. Information preserved in their sacred narratives (i.e., myths), supplemented by early ethnographic and ethnohistoric accounts demonstrate that the tribes have retained a substantial amount of information about Petroglyph Point and their Klamath Basin rock art heritage.
Robert David, a member of the Klamath Tribes, is an Adjunct Professor at Portland State University, where he also earned an M.A. in Anthropology.
After a three-year lull, flu infections are up in the community and health care settings, prompting a warning by the Oregon Health Authority for more health care workers to get vaccinated.
The agency said in a news release Wednesday that before the COVID pandemic, flu vaccinations among hospital staff had steadily risen. They increased from 85% from 2017 to 2020 but then fell in the 2022 season to 63%.
The decrease coincided with a statewide focus on COVID among health care professionals and in the community and a drop in flu infections due, in part, to people masking in public and avoiding indoor gatherings.
But this year, flu infection rates rose, coinciding with the lifting of most mask mandates and a general resumption of normal activities and interactions. Masks are still required in health care settings.
Becca Pierce, who manages the agency’s program on hospital-acquired infections, told reporters that a drop in flu vaccines in clinics and especially hospitals is worrisome because infection rates have risen and the flu can be deadly, especially for the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. By getting a shot, health care workers protect themselves and patients. State figures show that flu infections peaked in early December in the Portland area, when about 30% off all tests were positive. Nevertheless, there’s been a slight uptick in infections since late January.
U.S. Forest Service officials are hopeful that the Fourmile Recreation Area can reopen on schedule this July.
For the past two years, this popular recreation site has been closed due to the large number of falling Lodgepole Pine from a pine bark beetle infestation. The campground typically opens as weather and road conditions allow. This year’s date depends on the amount of clean-up required after last year’s timber sale to remove the dead trees. Significant hazards remain that must be addressed before visitors can safely return.
The Forest is collaborating with the concessionaire to evaluate conditions and will share personnel and equipment to complete pre-season preparations as soon as access is possible. A phased reopening of site amenities may be necessary to accommodate both public access and maintenance. That means that, use of the boat launch, day use area, trailhead and campground may not all be available simultaneously.
Additionally, hundreds of danger trees along both sides of Forest Road 3661 for 1.5 miles between Bull Swamp and Fourmile Lake still need to be removed. The Forest Service is considering ways to reduce the number and length of road closures this spring or fall to finish that work.
Oregon Tech Student Affairs staff members Thomas Arce, the director of Student Involvement and Belonging, and New Student Programs Coordinator Zoé Smiley made a special presentation at the 42nd annual Conference on the First-Year Experience highlighting the overhaul of the first-year student orientation that Student Involvement and Belonging (SIB) embarked on in 2022.
The event, which took place Feb. 3-6 in Los Angeles, was sponsored by the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience, and brought more than 1,800 attendees to share experiences, concerns and accomplishments related to supporting student learning, development and success in the first college year.
During their segment, titled “Orientation Overhaul: Building a New Program,” Arce and Smiley explained that prior to 2022 Oregon Tech’s student orientation consisted of a three-day program with meet-and-greet sessions, parent sessions, overviews of campus and general game nights. The lacking component, however, was that students didn’t form a strong connection to Oregon Tech and on-campus faculty and staff.
In 2022, the SIB team launched changes to create a more personal orientation experience that highlighted campus partners and cross-campus collaboration.
S.O.A.R.-ing Into Success launched at Oregon Tech’s Klamath Falls campus in fall 2022 with three days of activities for 463 undergraduate students and more than 350 extra participants, including family and students’ guests. Post-event surveys showed an increase in new student familiarity with the campus, programs and departments, and an overall increase in the connection students felt with Oregon Tech.
Three Klamath Community College students recently received National HEP/CAMP Association Scholarships for the current winter term.
The $1,000 prizes are granted to students who have earned a high school equivalency within three years of their application date, and are currently enrolled in an institution of higher learning or equivalent training. The students receiving National HEP/CAMP Association Scholarships are Karla Rendon, Juan Barajas, and Dulce Mendoza.
Mendoza and Rendon completed their GED through KCC’s Klamath Center for Education and Training (K-CET) following English as a second-language courses under the HEP program. Barajas, who grew up in Klamath Falls, returned to KCC to complete his GED after a decade in the workforce. All three are actively enrolled KCC students.
The U.S. Department of Education HEP and CAMP (College Assistance Migrant Program) support migrant and seasonal farmworkers, and their immediate family members, in attaining the equivalent of a high school diploma (HEP), and during their first year of college (CAMP). The National HEP/CAMP Association serves more than 6,000 students annually.
KCC’s HEP program is designed to support migrant workers and their families in earning their GED, and provides support for students to enroll and continue in post-secondary education or training programs, pursue upgraded employment, or join the military.
For more information about the KCC HEP program, visit www.klamathcc.edu/hep or call 541-880-2330.
Oregon’s D.E.Q has updated its Oregon Water Quality Index for local areas.
Klamath Straight, Little Butte Creek and Bear Creek have shown poor water quality as of late. But the D.E.Q said the Link River has the worst water quality.
The Rogue and Applegate Rivers showed good or excellent quality.
But researchers said they’re worst off then when the survey started in 2013.
Compared to other basins Rogue Basin is doing well, you know there is very good indication it is good to see those samplings.”, said Dylan Darling, public affairs specialist.
The only river that showed significant improvements was Coos River that has fair quality.
A coin drive organized by fourth-graders in Dena Morosin’s class at Shasta Elementary School raised $1,363 for the Klamath Animal Shelter. Students and staff at the school donated the money over a two-week period.
The coin drive to help the shelter was a community service project as part of the Classroom Champions program. As part of the program, Morosin’s fourth-graders are being mentored by U.S. Olympic Nordic skier Rosie Brennan, a two-time Olympian, four-time U.S. champion and back-to-back World Cup holder.
Brennan works with the class throughout the school year, providing video lessons once a month on life skills such as goal setting, community service, leadership, emotions, community, perseverance, healthy eating, diversity, and feedback.
Classroom Champions is a non-profit organization that partners Olympic and Paralympic athletes with students and teachers. This is the seventh year Morosin has applied for and been accepted into the program.
Over $700,000 in federal funding is headed to the Klamath Tribes to improve healthcare facilities.
On Friday, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced a total of $732,920 from the Indian Health Service is going toward the construction, expansion, and modernization of tribal outpatient facilities.
The Indian Health Service’s Small Ambulatory Program supports work toward expanding access to healthcare, offering new services, expanding existing services, and upgrading outdated facilities.
You can learn more at https://www.ihs.gov/dfpc/programs/.
Wyden and Merkley say these federal funds secured by the Klamath Tribes will help their vital work to provide topnotch and easily accessible health care for their members.
The Fremont-Winema National Forest is seeking campground hosts for four locations across the forest for the 2023 season.
According to a press release, “camp hosting is a great opportunity to spend your summer enjoying national forest lands while helping others do the same. Camp hosts are friendly, knowledgeable and available. They set a good example and help visitors feel at home while providing information, explaining fees and rules, and performing light maintenance such as cleaning campsites, picnic tables and grills, restocking toilet paper and fee envelopes, patrolling for litter, maintaining waste receptacles and notifying forest service staff of maintenance needs.”
Although volunteers are not paid a salary, they do receive a free camp site in the campground, propane and gas as well as a subsistence allowance, the press release states. Applicants will need to supply their own RV or other self-contained camping setup and possess a valid drivers license. A government vehicle will be provided to carry out camp host duties.
Applications are being accepted through April 30. Campground hosts typically start in mid-May and volunteer through Labor Day. Hosts take time off during the week to ensure availability to campers over weekends. Hosts for Digit Point Campground will likely start closer to mid-June. Individuals or couples interested in serving for at least one month are encouraged to inquire. Retirees often find the camp host program an ideal way to spend summers getting to know new forests and new people.
To apply for the host positions at Williamson River or Digit Point Campgrounds, contact Recreation Specialist Danilo Figueroa at 541-883-6702 or danilo.figueroa@usda.gov.
To apply for the host positions at Lofton Reservoir Campground or Cottonwood Meadows Campground, contact Recreation Specialist Greg Campbell at 541-947-6359 or gregory.campbell@usda.gov.
A 1949 fire engine, restored to pristine condition, is on permanent display at the entrance of the soon-to-be-completed Klamath Community College Apprenticeship Center.
Relocated on Wednesday, Feb. 15, by a team of Klamath County Fire District 1 (KCFD1) firefighters, along with KCC Fire Science staff and KCC employees, as well as some assistance from Baxter the Badger, the school’s mascot; the historic fire engine was moved into a prominent display inside the main entrance of the Apprenticeship Center.
The fire engine’s aesthetic addition marks one of the milestone steps in completion of the new KCC campus building, which is expected to be fully operational by April. The multi-year fundraising and construction effort for the new structure has been largely funded via grants and community donations through an ongoing Build the Basin campaign launched by the KCC Foundation.
From early discussion and design concepts for the Apprenticeship Center, inclusion of a fire engine display was front and center, as the new structure marks the first facility specifically equipped to house KCC’s structural and wildland fire science programs. KCFD1 graciously prepared the vehicle for display, and donated it for the project. The fire engine, a 1949 Seagraves Model 12JB, was initially donated to KCFD1 by a citizen in Central Point who wanted to gift the antique vehicle back to the City of Klamath Falls.
The engine had previously operated in Klamath Falls from 1949 until the mid-1970s, until it was sold to the Crescent Fire District. By the 1980s the fire engine had changed hands again, relocated to White City, where it was used to test sprinklers. The donor acquired the historic vehicle for $40,000 and restored it to its 1940s condition and original Klamath Falls fire department paint design.
Though more than 70 years old, the fire engine is still fully operational – capable of pumping water from its 150-gallon tank, and features a 12-cylinder engine rated at 268 horsepower. It also dons the original 1949 ladders, among many other still-operational original components.
Around the state of Oregon
Phoenix High School Girls Basketball Team Bus Crash On Hwy 97
A bus carrying members of the Phoenix High School Girl’s Basketball Team and coaching staff was involved in a vehicle accident Saturday night on their way home from the team’s last game of the season.
The Phoenix Talent School District said the accident happened on Highway 97 about 30 miles south of Bend.
It said a vehicle traveling northbound hit the bus and another car head-on while attempting to pass another car. The bus driver was able to control the bus and steer it onto the shoulder. Fortunately, no one on the bus was hurt. The bus, however, was totaled.
The six athletes, along with two coaches and the bus driver were not injured after a car traveling northbound on Highway 97 crashed into the bus and another car, which were both headed south. The driver of the First Student bus was able to maintain control of it after the car, which attempted to pass the southbound traffic, crashed into the bus and another car.
“The bus driver did a great job keeping it from being much worse,” Dave Ehrhardt, the athletics director for Phoenix High School said. “Our coaches stabilized the scene and helped calm down the kids, and the families of the other kids circled back from an hour away to help get everyone home.”
Governor Kotek Launches Emergency Response Infrastructure to Implement Homelessness State of Emergency
Multi-Agency Coordination Groups Will Lead Day-to-Day Planning, Coordination to Achieve Specific Goals in Reducing Unsheltered Homelessness This YearSalem, OR—In a significant step following her executive order declaring a homelessness state of emergency ( EO 23-02EditSign ), today Governor Tina Kotek kicked off the first meeting of the regional multi-agency group that will support the emergency response in the Portland metro region. The meeting was held virtually due to ongoing weather conditions.
On January 10, Governor Kotek declared a state of emergency in regions of the state that have experienced an increase in unsheltered homelessness of 50% or more from 2017 to 2022. She directed the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the state housing agency (OHCS) to support the establishment of Multi-Agency Coordinating groups in emergency areas that will serve as the core infrastructure of the emergency response, also known as “MAC groups.”
Local MAC groups include representatives from local jurisdictions, public housing authorities, local homelessness agencies, rapid rehousing service providers, shelter developers and operators, landlord associations and behavioral health providers. MACs are being set up in each continuum of care, in addition to the Metro regional MAC, and will deliver the emergency response:
• Metro region
o Multnomah County
o Washington County
o Clackamas County
• Central Oregon
• Eugene, Springfield and Lane County
• Medford, Ashland and Jackson County
• Salem, Marion and Polk counties
These MAC groups will provide the planning, coordination, and operational leadership that will bring real, measurable improvements on the ground. They will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation of funds, working with both landlords and unsheltered people in their communities to help move individuals and families into housing stability.
“Everyone at this table is already working hard to reduce homelessness. What today’s meeting really represents is a surge in urgency, coordination, and discipline to bring multiple jurisdictions together to achieve specific outcomes,” Governor Kotek said. “It will take all of us working together to make the progress Oregonians are demanding.”
Governor Kotek has directed the MAC groups, OHCS, and OEM to develop plans and administer funds in order to achieve the following goals by January 10, 2024:
• Prevent 8,750 households from becoming homeless statewide;
• Add 600 low-barrier shelter beds in emergency areas; and
• Rehouse at least 1,200 unsheltered households in emergency areas.
MAC groups in each emergency area will submit a community plan to address the specific needs of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness within the service region, in alignment with the goals of the emergency order. The state is offering technical support to all jurisdictions identified in the Governor’s executive order to ensure they have the support needed to accomplish this work.
This work depends on the legislature acting quickly to pass the targeted investment that the Governor has proposed. Her $155 million proposal will provide additional investments for communities in every corner of Oregon, while also allowing our limited emergency management infrastructure to focus on delivering targeted results in areas with the highest increases in unsheltered homelessness. https://www.oregon.gov/newsroom/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?newsid=87717
Homeless Advocates Weigh In On Governor’s Timeline To Add Housing And Shelter Beds As Winter Weather Hits Oregon
Hundreds of people in Multnomah County and other cities across the state sought emergency shelters to escape the cold and snow over the last week.
This comes as Governor Kotek just created Multi-Agency Coordinating groups, representing regions across Oregon. These groups will map out priorities to address the homeless crisis.
Cathy Clark is the Mayor of Keizer and part of the group representing Marion County. Clark said severe weather reflects the need for more permanent solutions.
“Even temporary or stopgap measures just don’t provide what people need. They’ve got to have a place where they can go inside, be out of the weather, be able to lock up their belongings so they can go take care of the business that they need to,” she said.
The governor set a goal of adding 600 low-barrier shelter beds and rehousing at least 1200 unsheltered households by January 2024.
Clark said she’s worried about that timeline. “If we really want to engage with especially people experiencing homelessness with lived experience or for the certain populations that we need to connect with we may not be able to meet those timelines in the same way as we would under this kind of very shortened process,” she said.
Laura Golino de Lovato is the executive director of Northwest Pilot Project, a service provider in Portland. Golino de Lovato said she sees the governor’s proposal as a good structure. “That could help us identify short-term solutions that allow people to be sheltered or to be housed, even if it’s transitional or temporary housing, while we work on some of the bigger solutions,” she said.
Both women agreed that the state taking a listening approach to address the homeless crisis is an encouraging start.
“Not just focusing on the metro area, which we know is big, it’s a big population, but looking at the whole state and areas within the state where homelessness has really grown dramatically,” Golino de Lovato said.
Moving forward, the governor’s office said MAC groups will submit a community plan to address specific needs within their region that align with Kotek’s emergency order.
Oregon Transportation Department Reports Dangerous Driving Conditions Throughout Parts Of Oregon
ODT says you are going to want to think twice before driving in Oregon over the next few days.
Roads may be dangerously icy throughout central and eastern Oregon and across the Portland area as snow and slush have frozen, leaving roads in poor condition.
Oregon Transportation Department says to avoid travel until conditions improve, but if you must travel, be prepared for difficult winter driving conditions and have supplies in your vehicle to be ready for major delays.
Numerous crashes have occurred over the past several days. Crews have been out working to clear away stranded or damage vehicles and treat roads to improve conditions. Check TripCheck before traveling.
Suspicious Fire Damages Church In Sweet Home
SWEET HOME, Ore. — On Saturday, February 25, Linn County 911 Dispatch Center received a call reporting a structure fire at the Fir Lawn Lutheran Church located at 109 W Holley Rd in Sweet Home at approximately 1:25 A.M.
Sweet Home Fire responded, with the first-arriving unit on scene at 1:29am reporting heavy fire, according to a release from Sweet Home Fire District,
The Incident Commander requested a second alarm assignment, bringing mutual aid resources from Halsey, Brownsville, and Albany.
Firefighters responded to the scene with ten fire apparatus including five engines and one ladder truck, and extinguished the fire within one hour.
The building sustained extensive damage, but no injuries or deaths were reported; a preliminary investigation of the fire turned up evidence suggesting that the cause was suspicious in nature.
An ongoing investigation involving the Sweet Home Fire District, the Sweet Home Police Department, and the Office of the Oregon State Fire Marshall, is reportedly underway.
Double Fatal Crash – HWY 26 – Clackamas County
On Saturday, February 25, 2023, at approximately 3:40 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a two vehicle crash on Hwy 26, near milepost 59, in Clackamas County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a Subaru Outback, operated by Althea Spahn (26) of Beaverton, was westbound on Hwy 26 with 4 passengers. The Subaru lost control, spun out, crossed into the eastbound lane, and was struck by an oncoming ODOT snowplow, operated by Jessie White (29) of Troutdale.
Two passengers of the Subaru, Lillian Alma Spahn (24) of Portland and Micah Paul Strauss (28) of Portland, were pronounced deceased at the scene.
The three surviving occupants of the Subaru and the operator of the ODOT snowplow were transported to local hospitals for medical treatment.
The roadway was closed for approximately 6 hours while the on-scene investigation was conducted. Poor road conditions have been determined to be a significant contributor to this crash.
OSP was assisted by AMR, Hoodland Fire, ODOT, the Clackamas County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Clackamas County District Attorney’s office.
Marion County Sheriff’s Office looking for help in identifying deceased female found in a Jefferson field
On February 21, 2023, about 4:45pm, deputies from the Sheriff’s Office Enforcement Division, Jefferson Contract, along with detectives from the Criminal Investigations Unit responded to a report of a citizen finding a female, deceased, in a field at the dead-end of Tenth Street in Jefferson, Oregon. The Marion County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to assist.
Wednesday, an autopsy was performed by the State Medical Examiner and the death has been determined to be natural causes.
The female found, was a white female, unknown age, 5’3 ½”, 128 pounds, wearing a red tank top, camo colored long sleeve shirt, Green sweatshirt, green sweatpants, and black tennis shoes. She was described as having a brooch attached to the green sweatshirt in the left chest area with a white pearl-looking piece in the middle of it.
We are asking anyone with information on a possible identify for this female to please call Deputy N. Morse, 971-720-0726.
Registration is Open for the 2023 Oregon Women Veterans Conference
Registration is now open for the 2023 Oregon Women Veterans Conference, which will be held on May 20 and 21 at the Salem Convention Center. Hosted by the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs, this free, biennial event is the largest gathering of women veterans in the state.
Women veterans from every branch of military service, era and background are invited to attend this free event celebrating the service and contributions of women who answered the call to serve throughout history. The conference will include informational workshops, keynote speakers and networking opportunities.
This year’s theme, “Stronger Together — Voices of Service” is a testament to the continued strength, diversity and community of our women veterans, said ODVA Director Kelly Fitzpatrick, who is an Army veteran and the first woman to lead the state agency.
“Oregon continues to be a leader in recognizing, remembering and honoring the outstanding contributions of women who have served their country, and we are proud to be able to host this year’s conference in person again,” Fitzpatrick said. “Together, our collective voices achieve more, overcome challenges, and allow our stories to be shared.”
Women veterans make up one of the fastest-growing segments of the Oregon veteran community, with an estimated 25,000 women veterans living in the state today, representing nearly one-tenth of overall veteran population.
The first Oregon Women Veterans Conference was held 25 years ago in 1998.
“The camaraderie and shared calling of service is what inspires our lives and is what continues to unite women veterans across every generation and era of service,” said ODVA Women Veterans Coordinator Jessica Bradley.
The conference is an opportunity for women veterans to socialize, connect to resources, learn about their earned veteran benefits, and celebrate their service.
Attendance is free, but registration is required. Please visit wvc.oregondva.com to register and find additional event information on lodging and sponsorship and vendor opportunities.
Established in 1945, the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is dedicated to serving Oregon’s diverse veteran community that spans five eras of service members. ODVA administers programs and provides special advocacy and assistance in accessing earned veteran benefits across the state. Learn about veteran benefits and services, or locate a local county or tribal veteran service office online at oregon.gov/odva.
Fremont-Winema National Forest Seeks Camp Hosts for 2023 Season
The Fremont-Winema National Forest is outreaching for campground hosts at four locations across the Forest for the 2023 season.
Camp hosting is a great opportunity to spend your summer enjoying national forest lands while helping others do the same! Camp hosts are friendly, knowledgeable and available. They set a good example and help visitors feel at home while providing information, explaining fees and rules, and performing light maintenance such as cleaning campsites, picnic tables and grills, restocking toilet paper and fee envelopes, patrolling for litter, maintaining waste receptacles, and notifying forest service staff of maintenance needs.
Although volunteers are not paid a salary, they do receive a free camp site in the campground, propane, gas as well as a subsistence allowance. Applicants will need to supply their own RV or other self-contained camping setup and possess a valid drivers license. A government vehicle will be provided to carry out camp host duties.
Applications are being accepted through April 30. Campground hosts typically start in mid-May and volunteer through Labor Day. Hosts take time off during the week, to ensure availability to campers over weekends. Hosts for Digit Point Campground will likely start closer to mid-June. Individuals or couples interested in serving for at least one month are encouraged to inquire. Retirees often find the camp host program an ideal way to spend summers getting to know new forests and new people.
To apply for the host positions at Williamson River or Digit Point Campgrounds, please contact Recreation Specialist Danilo Figueroa, 541-883-6702 or danilo.figueroa@usda.gov.
To apply for the host positions at Lofton Reservoir Campground or Cottonwood Meadows Campground, please contact Recreation Specialist Greg Campbell at 541-947-6359 or gregory.campbell@usda.gov. MORE INFO: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/fremont-winema/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1091210
PORTLAND, OREGON – Have you ever wanted to be part of a SWAT Team? Or fingerprint a suspect? Or learn how to catch a cyber-criminal? Then consider participating in the FBI Teen Academy.
The FBI Teen Academy program provides an excellent opportunity for rising high school juniors and seniors to learn about exciting careers in law enforcement within the FBI and beyond. Applicants chosen for the program actively engage with FBI agents and leaders in the Bureau to learn about case studies, crime prevention, evidence gathering, and investigative techniques related to criminal activity. The Teen Academy allows students to delve deeply into levels of law enforcement unavailable to them in a general classroom setting.
“We are excited to be able to offer the FBI’s Teen Academy program again this year,” said Kieran L. Ramsey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Portland Field Office. “It’s a great opportunity for these kids to learn about the FBI, engage with our Special Agents and develop leadership skills. We try to make this week-long program beneficial and useful for the students but we get so much out of it ourselves, hearing from this next generation of what their concerns are and how the FBI can do better, it’s a great opportunity for everyone.”
Students will learn about how criminals are captured, hear from FBI agents about actual cases, and learn how to raise their self-awareness online and watch for cyber-predators. Graduates of the Teen Academy program develop a keen understanding of how the FBI interacts with local law enforcement agencies and how participants can raise crime prevention awareness in their communities. In addition, hands-on instruction by FBI experts and other law enforcement agents allows students to understand the importance of communication between national and local agencies.
FBI Teen Academy members engage in group activities ranging from small group exercises to hands-on simulations. Participation is free to the applicants chosen, and volunteer organizations provide supplies for the events. As a result, students learn valuable life skills and increase their knowledge and understanding of how law enforcement agencies interact around the country.
To Apply
FBI Portland is currently accepting applications for its 2023 Teen Academy. The session will take place July 11, 2023 to July 14, 2023.
Submit your application to outreach.pd@fbi.gov by Friday, April 14, 2023.
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