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, March 2, 2023
Klamath Basin Weather
Today A 10% chance of snow after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 41. West southwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Tonight, a slight chance of snow showers between 7pm and 10pm. Possible flurries overnight, cloudy with a low around 17. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday Partly sunny, with a high near 38. Calm wind becoming south southwest 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Overnight a 30% chance of snow after 4am with a low around 18. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Saturday A chance of snow before 10am, then snow showers after 10am. High near 35. South southeast winds 14 to 21 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Overnight, more snow flurries likely with a low around 18. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
Sunday Snow showers likely, mainly before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 34. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Monday A slight chance of snow showers after 10am. 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
The acting area manager of the U.S. Agriculture Department of Interior’s U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has sent a letter to the Klamath Irrigation District, informing them there will be no water available for the project or irrigators using the district beginning April 1st.
This letter was sent this week to area users, despite a good dumping of late season snow in the Klamath Basin in February, which catapulted Crater Lake to over 10 feet of snow.
The letter, from acting area manager, Alan C. Heck, stated to the Klamath Irrigation District that “you and/or your district are hereby directed to delay diversions of water from UKL and the Klamath River until further notice. At this time, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) anticipates this delay to be at least through May 1, 2023.”
In the explanation, the Bureau states “Based on current and anticipated critically dry hydrologic conditions in the Upper Klamath Basin, Reclamation anticipates that it will not be possible to simultaneously satisfy the requirements in the Interim Operations Plan for designated water levels in UKL and flows in the Klamath River. Therefore, the amount of water available for irrigation likely will not allow full deliveries to be made”.
Reclamation anticipates releasing an annual operations plan and drought plan on or about April 1, 2023. This document will provide further information on the water supply available for irrigation purposes from UKL and the Klamath River
The letter was sent to Gene Souza of the Klamath Irrigation District, Paul Simmons, executive director of the Klamath Water Users, Scott White, manager of the Klamath Drainage district, Brad Kirby of the Tulelake Irrigation district, and Jason Flowers, president of the Ady district improvement company and many others involved locally.
The letter specifies that, “any diversions of water from UKL and the Klamath River for irrigation purposes are not authorized and will be considered by Reclamation to be outside the scope of its ESA compliance and therefore in violation of federal law.”
Ironically, it’s still snowing at Crater Lake National Park, but park managers are busy planning for summer.
The on-ground snow total at the park Tuesday, Feb. 28 was 122 inches, or 101 percent of normal for late February, but the total snowfall since Oct. 1, 2022, is 309 inches. The 2021-22 winter snowfall was 440 inches, 91 percent of average.
It was a snowy weekend coupled with more days of recent snow at Crater Lake, with more than 50 inches of fresh snow since the weekend.
With more snow forecast — and crews were attempting to open the road from Highway 62 to the park headquarters area Tuesday — Marsha McCabe, the park’s information officer, says it’s possible the park can get closer to average. The recent and expected snowfall means visitors should go to the park’s website or call before making a visit as the road from park headquarters to Rim Village is often closed.
While snow is part of life at Crater Lake, park officials are working on projects for the upcoming season.
Work, for example, will resume as the snow clears on the Steel Center Rehabilitation Project on the historic building at the park headquarters complex. The center, which houses the park’s visitor center, was closed all last year.
Rehabilitation work that was expected to be completed by November 2022 will resume sometime later this spring or summer with a goal of reopening late this summer or early fall.
Henley High School is investigating an incident in which students air dropped an inappropriate meme related to a bomb to other students. The meme was reported Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Law enforcement has been contacted and the building was evacuated and searched.
Due to the weather, juniors and seniors will be in the Henley Middle School gym and freshmen and sophomores will be in the Henley Elementary School gym during the search.
At 11:10 a.m, law enforcement completed a search of the Henley High School campus. It has been determined an inappropriate meme related to a bomb was a hoax and there is no threat to students and staff. Students have returned to the building and are resuming classes.
Klamath County Sheriff’s Office will continue their investigation into the source of this threat.
Three OIT players named to All-CCC Women’s Basketball Team
Three Oregon Tech players were honored today as members of the All-Cascade Conference Women’s Basketball Team, announced by the league office.
Melissa Lee was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year by the 12 CCC coaches and was selected as an honorable mention pick for the second time in her career. Both Maddyson Tull and Olivia Sprague were first-team selections – for Tull, her second-straight season earning first-team honors.
Lee ranks among the league leaders in each of the three defensive metrics – leading Tech in rebounds per game (7.7) and blocked shots (1.7 per game), while averaging 2.1 steals a contest. The senior, from Napavine, Wash., has averaged 8.6 points a night, recording five double-doubles on the season.
Tull is having her best season as a Lady Owl – averaging 14.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game – both career highs – while leading the CCC in field goal percentage (.530). The senior, from Gridley, Calif., has scored in double-figures in 20-of-21 games and leads the squad with six double-doubles.
Sprague has had a breakout season for OIT, averaging a team-best 16.6 points per game, along with 117 assists and 63 steals. The sophomore, from Clatskanie, leads the CCC in free throw percentage (.842) and ranks No. 2 in 3-point percentage (.426), while posting a team-best eight 20-point games on the year.
Lewis-Clark State guard Callie Stevens earned CCC Player of the Year honors, Eastern Oregon’s Anji Weissenfluh was named Coach of the Year, with EOU’s Shaelie Burgess sharing Defensive Player of the Year honors with Lee.
OIT will learn tomorrow afternoon if they are one of 26 teams to earn an at-large bid to the NAIA National Championships, set to begin on March 7.
There are numerous projects happening at Klamath County Public Health right now. One is about to conclude and it reflects untold hours of community work to well represent county residents.
Senate Bill 762 provided a lot of structure to improving Oregon’s preparation and response to wildfire, its smoke and efforts to reduce risk. It is a tangible product from the devastating 2020 Oregon wildfire season.
It is comprehensive legislation passed with bipartisan support that will provide more than $220 million to help Oregon modernize and improve wildfire preparedness through three key strategies: creating fire-adapted communities, developing safe and effective response, and increasing the resiliency of Oregon’s landscapes. The bill is the product of years of hard work by the Governor’s Wildfire Council, the Legislature, and state agencies.
They’ve created a Community Response Plan for smoke, working with county residents, wildfire personnel, Department of Environmental Quality officials and large corporate landowners.
The plan includes:
• Historic air quality index measurements
• Vulnerable populations
• Timely notification
• Health protections
• Key messages
• Recommendations
• Partner agency communications
It has been a few years, but the Health Fair is back and ready to connect with the community about improving individual health.
The 22nd edition of the free event begins at 8 a.m. Saturday March 4 in Linman Hall/Exhibit Hall 1 at the Klamath County Fairgrounds, 3531 S. Sixth St. The event runs until 2 p.m.
In addition to an assortment of free health screenings and demonstrations at the annual Sky Lakes Medical Center Community Health Fair, participants can learn how to “Stop the Bleed,” and walk through a giant-sized lung.
Registrations for free “Stop the Bleed” classes are still being accepted, and drop-ins are welcome.
Taught by Sky Lakes Trauma Program Manager Stacey Holmes, RN, BCEN, the “Stop the Bleed” sessions will start on the hour and half hour beginning at 8 a.m. The last session begins at 1 p.m. Sign up online by following the registration link at SkyLakes.org/healthfair.
Wellness screenings at the health fair include: Free cholesterol (HDL, LDL, and triglycerides) screenings; Free blood glucose screenings; Free blood pressure checks; Free Balance checks; Free prescription review.
Fasting 8-12 hours is recommended for best results from the cholesterol and blood glucose screenings.
Physicians from Cascades East Family Medicine will be on hand at the health fair to interpret results at no charge.
THIS WEEKEND At The Ragland! Friday, March 3rd, 2023 at 7:30PM
Collision of Rhythm is a duo comprised of tap-dancing classical virtuoso, Aaron Williams, and beatbox-juggling keynote speaker, Bronkar Lee.
Though there are only two of them, they fill the stage as a 12-person ensemble would, moving from instrument to instrument with a high level of skill and diversity. What’s created is a richly explosive experience like nothing else out there — rhythm-centered, but also full of melodic movement and dynamic depth.
Auditorium 218 North 7th Street, Klamath Falls, OR Click here for tickets: https://ragland.org/events/
Around the state of Oregon
Eugene’s Valley River Inn Suffers Significant Damage in Tuesday’s Fire
Eugene Springfield Fire responded to a devastating fire at the famous Valley River Inn Tuesday morning.
Eugene Springfield Fire said the fire was reported at about 11:07 a.m. on February 28. Eugene Springfield Fire responded with all available fire crews and numerous emergency personnel. At of 2:22 p.m., the fire was under control, Eugene Springfield Fire said. Several fire crews remained on scene to tend to hot spots and the building, and the Fire Marshal’s Office had started their investigation of the fire.
Eugene Springfield Fire said the fire started on the second floor on the south side of the building and quickly spread to the third floor and the attic. The fire was quickly upgraded to a three-alarm fire. Eugene Springfield Fire said the building’s sprinkler system was not activated, but the fire alarm did sound. This allowed for a successful evacuation of the building, with no injuries reported.
The hotel manager said all hotel guests were asked to pack their belongings and leave the building. They were all provided another room at a local hotel in the area. The manager said the hotel will be closed for a couple of weeks until further notice.
Eugene Springfield Fire said the building suffered extensive damage, including a partial roof collapse. The cause of the fire is currently unknown. There were no injuries or deaths reported.
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) Search and Rescue (SAR) Snow Cat Rescues Missing Women
UPDATE: the SAR Snow-cat located the women and they are healthy. Great job to everyone involved. More information to follow.
Overnight Search Continues for Two Missing Women, Last Seen in Shady Cove
JCSO Case 23-1167
SHADY COVE, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) is actively searching for two women from Eugene missing out of Shady Cove last night. JCSO deputies searched all night in deep snow, checking multiple travel routes from Jackson County to Eugene before initiating a Search and Rescue (SAR) callout early this morning.
Right now, multiple SAR vehicle search teams are out looking with JCSO deputies and family members of the missing women. Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is assisting with the search efforts. The missing women left Shady Cove last night at 5:20 p.m. in a grey 2010 Volkswagen Jetta, Oregon license plate number 613HQJ. Missing is Taylor Marie Lange, 21, of Eugene, described as 5’8” tall, weighing 140 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. Also missing is Talia Esther Rosenbloom, 20, of Eugene, described as 5’7” tall, weighing 140 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes.
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 all this week, 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.
New Oregon Bill Would Fund Study Giving Homeless $1,000 A Month To Spend
A proposed Oregon bill would provide the state’s homeless population $1,000 per month that recipients could use at their own discretion.
The bill, introduced last month, would establish a People’s Housing Assistance Fund Demonstration Program to give 12 monthly thousand-dollar payments to those suffering from homelessness or who are on the brink of becoming homeless.
“Payments may be used for rent, emergency expenses, food, child care or other goods or services of the participant’s choosing,” the bill states.
People who spend more than 50 percent of their monthly household income on rent, and those who earn 60% or less of the area median income would also be eligible for the funding.
The legislation would also require the Portland State University Homelessness Research and Action Collaborative to study how effective the long-term cash assistance program would be across different demographics and household populations, as well as consider other circumstantial elements, such as domestic violence.
The program would last until January 2026, at which time the study would be due for presentation, the bill states.
Data shows as many as 14,650 people are experiencing homelessness in Oregon.
The state has been experiencing a long-lasting homeless issue for several years, especially in areas like Portland where up to 700 tent camps have taken over sections of the city.
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 Year…
Salem, OR—In a significant step following her executive order declaring a homelessness state of emergency ( EO 23-02EditSign ), yesterday 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.
Earlier in January, 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
Wilsonville, Oregon man who orchestrated violent robberies targeting Southern Oregon Marijuana Growers and Dealers, Sentenced to Federal Prison
MEDFORD, Ore.—A Wilsonville, Oregon man who orchestrated multiple violent robberies targeting Southern Oregon marijuana growers and dealers was sentenced to federal prison today.
Shannon Christopher Harrop, 33, was sentenced to 162 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. Harrop was also ordered to pay $26,040 in restitution.
“This defendant choreographed multiple armed robberies in and around Medford that endangered dozens of lives,” said Nathan J. Lichvarcik, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eugene and Medford Branch Offices. “Fortunately, law enforcement intervened to protect our community.”
“Mr. Harrop’s sentence is well justified,” said Jonathan T. McPherson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Seattle Field Division. “Without the efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement his brazen criminal actions would have continued, further endangering the lives of community members.”
According to court documents, over a seven-month period beginning in September 2019, Harrop and multiple co-conspirators orchestrated four violent robberies targeting marijuana growers and dealers in and around Medford. The first robbery occurred on September 19, 2019, when two robbers handcuffed and robbed two victims at gunpoint in Medford, stealing $60,000 worth of a bulk narcotic individuals involved in the robbery claimed to be hemp. Law enforcement later determined that the robbery occurred during a drug deal brokered by Harrop. Harrop was contacted by investigators, but denied setting up the deal and having any knowledge of the robbery.
The second robbery occurred on November 2, 2019, in Eagle Point, Oregon at a residence located on a secluded marijuana grow. The robbers entered the residence pretending to be law enforcement officers executing a search warrant, handcuffed two individuals present at gun point, and stole several dozen pounds of marijuana, various personal items, and one of the victim’s vehicles. Law enforcement stopped a second vehicle traveling with the stolen vehicle and determined it was a rental car leased by Harrop who again denied involvement in the robbery. Inside the rented vehicle, officers located ski masks, zip ties, handcuffs, tactical vests, and two firearms.
The third robbery occurred on December 19, 2019, at a large marijuana grow in Applegate, Oregon. Several individuals pretended to be the U.S. Marshals Service executing a search warrant. The robbers handcuffed one individual at gun point and engaged in an armed standoff with another. This time the robbers got away with only five pounds of marijuana and $5,000 in cash. Law enforcement located several hundred plastic totes containing marijuana on the property they believed the robbers were targeting.
In the fourth and final robbery, on April 25, 2020, law enforcement responded to reports of shots fired in Josephine County, Oregon. They discovered the shots were the result of another robbery of a marijuana grow where multiple victims were restrained and robbed at gun point. Despite being fired on by one of the victims, the robbers got away with 71 pounds of processed marijuana and four jars of marijuana extract.
Over the next several months, through various recorded statements, investigators were able to connect Harrop and multiple associates to all four robberies. In one statement, Harrop admitted to visiting the location of the fourth robbery and seeing the processed marijuana, marijuana extract, and cash later targeted in the robbery.
Beginning in June 2020, Harrop tried to convince an undercover law enforcement agent to deliver forty kilograms of cocaine to Ohio on his behalf. In addition, Harrop attempted to orchestrate a fifth robbery with the undercover agent and multiple co-conspirators. On the day the robbery was supposed to occur, in July 2020, law enforcement officers arrested Harrop and his accomplices without incident.
On July 23, 2020, a federal grand jury in Medford returned an eight-count indictment charging Harrop and eight accomplices with conspiracy to interfere and interfering with commerce by robbery; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana; using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possessing firearms as convicted felons; and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
On August 30, 2022, Harrop pleaded guilty to conspiring to interfere and interfering with commerce by robbery and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Seven of Harrop’s accomplices have pleaded guilty. Six have been sentenced and one is pending sentencing. Harrop’s eighth accomplice is awaiting trial.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, Oregon State Police, the Jackson and Josephine County Sheriff’s Offices, and Medford Police Department. It was prosecuted by Marco Boccato, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Review Shows Oregon Bridges In Decline For 10th Straight Year
According to a report from the state Department of Transportation, the condition of Oregon’s bridges continued to decline last year.
Last year, the percentage of bridges in the state that were considered “distressed” hit a ten-year high. Structures with that designation frequently have restrictions on the weight of crossing vehicles.
ODOT said in 2021, 40 of the bridges it oversees were in “poor” condition and in need of improvements or replacing. The overwhelming majority are rated fair.
“Our bridge inspectors and our crews are out there working to keep bridges safe,” said Katherine Benenati with ODOT. “Just because a bridge is rated poor does not mean it’s unsafe. If we find a condition that would make a bridge unsafe, we would close that bridge.”
Over half of the bridges in service today were designed before 1970 and ODOT said older bridges weren’t designed to carry the traffic volumes and weights of larger vehicles common today.
ODOT said it’s managing its poor bridges “reasonably well,” but that the number of bridges moving from good condition to fair condition shows they can’t keep up with the maintenance required to keep bridges in good condition.
In the last two years, 53 bridges in Oregon had declining overall condition ratings compared to 25 bridges with improving condition ratings.
Most of the state’s 2,700 bridges are now at or exceeding their life expectancy — 800 of them are more than 60 years old. According to ODOT, Oregon’s bridges are regularly inspected and safe for public use. . ODOT has its own system for numbering highways, which can be found in the 2022 Bridge Log —- FHWA’s 2022 National Bridge Inventory Data: chrome-extension://bdfcnmeidppjeaggnmidamkiddifkdib/viewer.html?file=https://artbabridgereport.org/reports/state/OR.pdf
Oregon Food Bank Preparing For End Of Pandemic Food Benefits Statewide
“Maybe 700,000 more people might need food assistance this coming month and we will be there.”
Today it was announced that the pandemic-era emergency food assistance benefits are coming to an end. As SNAP recipients prepare to see, on average, a 40% decrease in their total food benefits, the Oregon Food Bank is preparing for the possibility of increase need for help.
“At the start of the pandemic, the federal government rushed in to help families that were struggling and one of the things they did was add more money into SNAP benefits,” said Susannah Morgan, CEO of the Oregon Food Bank. “Those of us in the anti-hunger world were thrilled, not just because more people would have grocery money then, but because we have been asking for decades for more money for SNAP. The SNAP dollars run out between week two and three. They don’t get a family all the way through the month. So this extra money, around $100, was really, really helpful to a lot of families around Oregon and it is ending across the nation. Maybe 700,000 more people might need food assistance this coming month and we will be there.”
Tuesday afternoon, the Oregon Food Bank’s statewide warehouse was bustling with volunteers hard at work.
“We have been in absolute high volume mode ever since the start of the pandemic,” said Morgan. “There was no point in the pandemic in which we shut down and weren’t able to get food out to our neighbors. So I am sure that will be the same in March that we will rise to meet the additional demand, but the only way we will be there is if the community stands behind us. We need community support and we need the state of Oregon to step up and ensure that those shelves stay full.”
For those who wish to help, you can donate monetarily or donate you time and volunteer.
“Food is available for you and your family,” said Morgan. “Please go to OregonFoodFinder.org or call 2-1-1 if that’s more convenient for you. Every food assistance site is located there. There will be one near you ready to help. I always think it’s a smart idea for folks who are worried that they won’t have enough money to get food through the month to go to the free sites first because we do not have everything. We have excess food, great food, really high quality food, but not as much variety as the grocery store. Please come see what we have first and then go to the grocery store second and it will stretch your grocery dollars.”
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
Back to the BasinLife.com homepage
Ready to Advertise? We’re ready to help you with Daily Radio Mentions, Articles, direct link Banner Ads, Geo-targeting and Geo-fencing, Social Media Posts, Email Blasts and smart digital marketing strategies for 2023 for your business, website and social media pages. Call 541-363-7503 or email us at Info@BasinLife.com
Enter to win CAR PAYMENTS FOR A YEAR from BasinLife.com and other weekly prizes through March 2023. Look for Entry Boxes now at Lithia Ford of Klamath Falls, Napa Auto Parts on Washburn Way, MPH Diesel and Auto Repair on East Main, Ken’s Affordable Tire on 5th, D&R Auto and Industrial, Bedroom Gallery, Tater Patch Quilts, and Main Street Jewelers downtown. Stop by these locations and look for the entry boxes!