Klamath Basin News, Tuesday, July 11 – Healthy Klamath Installs Phase 2 of the Alley Activation Project

The latest and most comprehensive coverage of local News, Sports, Business, and Community News stories in the Klamath Basin, Southern Oregon and around the state of Oregon from Wynne Broadcasting’s KFLS News/Talk 1450AM / 102.5FM, The Herald and News, and BasinLife.com, and powered by Mick Insurance, your local health and Medicare agents.

Monday, July 10, 2023

Klamath Basin Weather

Today’s Headlines

A Chiloquin man was killed in a head-on crash with a tanker truck on Highway 97 in the early hours of Saturday, July 8, according to Oregon State Police.

Police said Ivan Allen Hood, 26, died after his northbound black Chevy Tahoe crossed into southbound lanes of Highway 97 and was struck by a Freightliner Tanker driven by Zachary Adam Kerley, 38, of Winter Haven, Florida, just after 1 a.m.

Hood was declared dead at the scene of the head-on accident, according to OSP.

Kerley and a passenger in the truck, Terry Lee Kerley, 60, of Bakersfield, California, were injured in the crash and transported to a local hospital.

Highway 97 was restricted for two hours after the fatal collision. The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office and Klamath County Fire District 1 also responded the incident.

The accident was one of three major fatalities on Oregon’s rural roads over the weekend.  One accident in Eastern Oregon claimed the lives of five people. (OSP news release)

Healthy Klamath Installs Phase 2 of the Alley Activation Project

This Friday, July 14th, new art will be installed on Main Street as Healthy Klamath installs phase 2 of the Alley Activation Project. Featuring new works by artists Dino Gay, Cheyanne Lundsten, Marie Richardson and a painted tile mosaic by the Sky Lakes Cancer Treatment Center.

The mosaic done with the Sky Lakes Cancer Treatment Center was completed by patients, and staff. The painting sessions were intended to provide a relaxing and therapeutic art experience for patients while providing a creative outlet. 

Come join us as we celebrate the installation on Friday, June 14th, at 10:00am at 1012 Main Street. Healthy Klamath will be providing coffee and light pastries. The event is dedicated to the memory of Cathy Nevala whose work was part of the phase 1 installation. We hope to see you there! 

This project was a labor of love from the artists, Kendall Bell, S&S Manufacturing, who made the frames, Atone Construction, patients and staff at Sky Lakes Cancer Treatment Center, and Healthy Klamath. Without passionate partners this project would not have been possible. 

The Healthy Klamath Coalition is a multi-sector partnership established to guide community health improvement efforts in Klamath County, Oregon. The community mobilized in 2012, forming the coalition in response to consistently low rankings in the annual Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) County Health Rankings.

Over the past nine years, dedicated community members, leaders, and organizations have launched numerous initiatives, programs, and policy changes to address the health factors contributing to poor health outcomes in Klamath County. Passionate community leaders and community members are working together to find innovative solutions to address the health issues where we live, learn, work, and play. This momentum is helping build a culture of health in Klamath County.

On Sunday, July 2, at approximately 1519 hours, a hiker reported finding a deceased male adult on the Eagle Peak Summit Trail, located in the Modoc National Forest Wilderness in Northern California.  

The deceased hiker was reported to be approximately 1,000 feet below the summit on the southeast side of the mountain.

On Monday, July 3, Modoc County deputies with assistance from USFS and CAL FIRE personnel recovered the body.

The man has since been identified as Ben Kiyoshi Nomura-Weingrow, age 44, out of Oakland, California. Nomura-Weingrow was said to be an experienced hiker, who had hiked the trail once before.

At this time the cause and manner of death has not been determined. An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday. Foul play is not suspected in this case.

Nomura-Weingrow’s family has been notified of his death. (Modoc County SO)

Tuition at Oregon Institute of Technology will go up another 4% for students beginning in the fall term just ahead.  The average tuition cost per year is now listed at $12,696.

Oregon students headed to a state university for the first time this fall will face yearly tuition and fees between $10,000 and $16,000.

Each of Oregon’s seven public universities increased tuition costs this year, according to data collected by the state’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission. Any university that wishes to raise its core tuition and fees by more than 5% must get approval from the commission, however, and none sought it. Eastern Oregon University barely skirted that threshold by raising its base tuition and fees 4.97%.

The University of Oregon in Eugene has the highest tuition average in the state at just under $16,000 per year.  Tuition went up 4.2 percent at UO. (Local source/Oregon News)

Conservative senators who launched a six-week walkout that imperiled this year’s legislative session, including Klamath County’s Dennis Linthicum, now have a decision to make: whether to seek reelection, despite a clear signal that most Oregon voters want them blocked from doing so.

Right now, most are lacing up their running shoes.

Out of 10 senators who refused to attend Senate floor sessions in order to block Democratic bills, six must run next year if they hope to continue their legislative careers. Four of those say they currently plan to run: Sens. Tim Knopp, Brian Boquist, Dennis Linthicum and Art Robinson. A fifth, Sen. Lynn Findley, says he’s still making up his mind. Only Sen. Bill Hansell, R-Athena, has made his retirement official.

“I will absolutely be filing for reelection on Sept. 14th,” said Linthicum, R-Beatty, nodding to the first possible day to file as a candidate for the 2024 election.

But there is a difference between planning to run for reelection and actually being allowed to do so.

When Robinson, Linthicum and their colleagues notched 10 unexcused absences because of this year’s walkout, they ran afoul of Ballot Measure 113. Under the measure, approved overwhelmingly by voters last year, any lawmaker with at least 10 absences is blocked from running for reelection to the Legislature for a term.

The lingering question is when that one-term ban takes effect.

Since Measure 113 faced no organized opposition on the 2020 ballot, its language never got the close judicial parsing that more hotly contested ballot measures receive.

The conservative senators who walked out now say the measure contained a major flaw. While the public sector unions that pushed Measure 113 intended it to block absent lawmakers from running for their next term, the language it inserted into the state constitution is muddled. It says lawmakers with at least 10 unexcused absences cannot hold office “for the term following the election after the member’s current term is completed.”

Since elections in Oregon are held before a lawmakers term is completed — not after — Republicans say the constitution plainly allows them to serve another term before penalties take effect.

Knopp and Boquist want to know whether state elections officials agree. In May, their attorney asked the Secretary of State’s Office for a formal ruling laying out how it would implement Measure 113.

If she determines the conservative lawmakers cannot seek reelection, effectively disqualifying six of the 10 lawmakers in next year’s election, they could appeal directly to the Oregon Court of Appeals. If Griffin-Valade declines to issue a ruling, the lawmakers will need to wait until September to see how the secretary responds when they file for office. (Herald and News)

Need a new driver’s license or ID photo from the DMV in Oregon, including Klamath Falls?  Good luck.

All Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services locations have been unable to take photos of people since Wednesday afternoon, due to a statewide camera system outage.

That means DMV offices cannot provide state IDs or driver’s licenses for the time being.

DMV spokesperson Michelle Godfrey said Thursday morning that the vendor in charge of the cameras is working to fix the issue.

Godfrey added that the camera system outage is not related to the DMV data breach that impacted millions of Oregonians last month.

There was no immediate ETA to restore the services announced. (Herald and News)

Roads at Crater Lake National Park are gradually opening for visitors.

Along with the North Entrance Road, which was cleared of snow and opened late last week, a portion of East Rim Drive between the North Junction and Skell Head is open for vehicle travel. The section of East Rim Drive from Skell Head south the park headquarters, including the Pinnacles Road, are still closed because of snow and the need to typical road repairs.

Opening the North Entrance is always a key factor in increased tourism at the park because it lures large numbers of visitors traveling from Bend, Roseburg and other areas who then drive to Rim Village before leaving the park by the South Entrance. Likewise, visitors from Klamath Falls, Medford and northern California enter by the South Entrance and exit through the North Entrance. Park officials note the road openings help disperse visitors, which relieves congestion along West Rim Drive and at Rim Village.

Superintendent Craig Ackerman said that despite more than 600 inches of snow over the winter, warming temperatures are allowing road crews to open sections of Rim Drive at a faster pace than possible during years of lower snowfall.

No date has been set for offering ranger-guided lake boat tours. Three new, larger, quieter and more fuel-efficient boats were airlifted by helicopter to Wizard Island in late June to replace a trio of smaller, aging tour boats. Along with allowing boat captains to become familiar with the new boats, the new crafts must be inspected and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard. Crater Lake Hospitality, the park concessionaire that manages lake boat tours, had hoped to begin offering tours this week but current estimates indicate the rides could begin by mid-month.

The new 41-foot long, 19-feet wide boats will carry 55 passengers and two crew members, a significant over the recently replaced 20-year-old boats that carried 34 passengers. The old boats also experienced frequent breakdowns in recent years.

For other recreationists, park officials said trails accessed by the closed section of East Rim Drive are also closed, include the Mount Scott, Plaikni Falls, Crater Peak, Castle Crest and Sun Notch trails. Other trails, including Watchman Peak and Garfield Peak trails, are also closed because of snow and ice. The Cleetwood Cove Trail, the only trail that accesses the lake, including the dock with the tour boats, is open.

The Steel Information Center in Munson Valley remains closed for ongoing construction. The Rim Village Visitor Center is open as are the Crater Lake Lodge and Rim Village Cafeteria-Gift Shop and concession facilities near the South Entrance. (Herald and News)

A local faction of the People’s Rights network is holding meetings in Klamath Falls this summer as part of their “Know the Truth” series.

The national organization was founded three years ago by Ammon Bundy, the famed anti-government militant leader of the occupation of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in 2016.

After the formation of People’s Rights, the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights and the Montana Human Rights Network compiled a report in June 2021 on the results of research on the non-public organization.

The report says what started in late March (2020) with a few dozen supporters in a rural Idaho warehouse has swiftly expanded to a membership base of over 20.000 across the country.

To date, there are eight regional People’s Rights areas in Oregon, each of which is led by residential assistants.

Area 6, consisting of Klamath and Lake Counties, is led by Dawnn Brown, a former Klamath Project farmer who assisted in organizing the bucket brigade in 2001, when an estimated 15,000 people formed a lined up to pass 50 buckets of water from Lake Ewauna to the then-dry A Canal in protest of federal water restrictions for irrigators.

Brown was also actively involved in the People’s Rights protest of 2021 when local irrigators threatened to open floodwaters to the A Canal in opposition of federally mandated water-flow restrictions for irrigation that year.

People’s Rights Oregon 6 (PRO6) began its summer series in June with a meeting about ensuring honest elections. A flyer with the summer meeting schedule included the title and topic of the meeting:

The first meeting was held last night (Thursday). The remaining three meetings will present other concerns shared by members of People’s Rights.

All meetings are open to the public and will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Waffle Hut, 106 Main St., in Klamath Falls. (Herald and News)

The KCC Comic-Con, Southern Oregon’s premier current celebration of superheroes, comics, games, and pop culture, returns to the Klamath Community College campus this Saturday, July 15 for the second annual rendition of the fun.

More than 2,000 visitors from all over the Pacific Northwest, topping last year’s crowd, are expected between 12-9 p.m. for a free day of games and activities at KCC – one of the few free Comic-Con events held around the country. Similar in structure to a community carnival matched with Halloween-like costume flair and a pop culture aesthetic, comic-cons have grown in popularity worldwide as large convention-style celebrations of film, gaming, anime, comic books, and other nerdy ventures. \

This year’s KCC Comic-Con vastly expands on last year’s inaugural offerings, incorporating twice as many vendors and food trucks, more outdoor games, live music including live-band karaoke, and additional KCC program demonstrations. Admission is free with donation of a non-perishable food or hygiene item, to benefit the KCC Student Food Pantry for low-income and food-insecure KCC students.

Visitors are encouraged to dress up as their favorite superhero, movie character or other pop culture icon for a cosplay costume contest to be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m., featuring over $1,000 in prizes donated by The Retro Wormhole in Medford. This will be followed by live-band karaoke on the main stage with Klamath Falls-based rock band Owls & Aliens, and a special “Best Singer” award and prizes for those who sing-a-long with the band onstage to a collection of selected iconic classic rock songs.

Costume categories are split into age groups of 6-and-under, 7-12, 13-17, 18+, and best group cosplay.

For more information, visit klamathcc.edu. (KCC news release/Kurt Liedke)

The 4th Annual Car Show and Shine sponsored by onetime pack and ship will be on July 15th, 2023 At Steens Sports Park.

All proceeds from the event will go towards the skylakes cancer treatment center in honor of Chris’s Cause. Doug and Chris Brown started the Klamath Freedom Celebration in 2010 with the vision to celebrate veterans, active-duty military, and first responders. Doug began raising money with Chris’s Causes for cancer treatment and care after the passing of Chris Brown in March 2016.

Registration is open, and all vehicles are welcome! Bring your classic car, lifted pickup, big rig, hot rod or custom ride and show it off! There will be food, Music, local vendors and plenty of other car enthusiasts to talk shop with. Don’t miss out on the chance to win prizes for best in show! Gates open at 8am for Registrants and 11am for spectators, so arrive early to secure your spot! 

This year’s highly anticipated event holds a special significance as we gather to pay homage to the remarkable legacy of a true Klamath County champion, Doug Brown. With an unwavering devotion to this community, Doug’s immeasurable love for our region resonated in every endeavor he undertook. His tireless efforts in organizing events, fundraisers, and community initiatives touched the lives of countless individuals, leaving an indelible mark on the very fabric of Klamath.

Tragically, we bid farewell to Doug last December, a loss that reverberated through our community, creating an undeniable void. Yet, in the face of this profound absence, we are compelled to come together, united in our commitment to fill that void with the spirit of unity, resilience, and unwavering determination. 

If you wish to register a ride, be a vendor in the show or be a show sponsor please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/4th-annual-car-show-and-shine-tickets-662631688217 

Around the state of Oregon

A fire burning near Mount Hood is prompting Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation orders for nearby people camping, according to Wasco County Sheriff’s Office.

Those evacuation orders remain in place for campgrounds and recreational areas evacuated on Saturday.

The fire was reported just after 4 p.m. near Boulder Lake and Bonney Meadow Campgrounds in the Mount Hood National Recreation Area, roughly 22 miles from Mount Hood.

Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation orders are in place for Boulder Lake, Little Boulder Lake, Bonney Meadow, Badger Lake, Camp Windy and Post Camp campgrounds, according to WCSO. National Forest Road 4480, 4481 and 4890 are currently closed.

WCSO said the fire has burned approximately 25 acres on Saturday. Oregon Forest Service and Oregon Department of Forestry are also responding to the fire. As of Sunday morning, the fire has since grown to 100 acres with zero percent contained, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center.

There are no details on a cause or exact containment at this time.  (Oregon News)

Newport, Oregon Mayor Dean Sawyer apologized and then resigned Monday after spurring a public uproar and calls to step down for a yearslong series of hateful posts to a private police Facebook group, saying” “My online persona has become too polarizing for me to continue.”

 The Oregon DOJ says hate and bias incidents are on the rise. An annual report from the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission released in July says the state’s bias response hotline has received a surge in calls since 2021.

Sawyer acknowledged the posts and said they “do not reflect my values. It was wrong for me to belittle people with experiences different than my own.”

Oregon Public Broadcasting reported on Friday that Sawyer posted memes mocking immigrants, Spanish speakers and transgender women and encouraged violence against women and crime suspects on the Facebook group called “LEO Only.” OPB reported it had reviewed the memes – some dating to 2016 – but did not say how a reporter accessed them.

Reached by phone after resigning, Sawyer described his posts as “vile and dark, and I shouldn’t have gotten involved in it.” He was a Newport police officer for 30 years before he was elected mayor in 2018. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

In Eugene yesterday at the Eugene City Council meeting, it’s dawning on the group that a natural gas ban is incredibly controversial and the council voted to now repeal a the ban on using natural gas in new, low-rise residential construction.

The ban originally first passed back in February 2023. Councilors who voted to implement the ban cited the positive impact that not using fossil fuels would have on the environment. The ban was the subject of immediate controversy among citizens, with some supporting it for the same reasons as city councilors, and others expressing a desire to be able to choose how to heat their buildings among other reasons. It never went into effect and now is on hold for the moment. Stay tuned.

The labor strife on display during a disruptive strike by Providence Health & Services nurses shows signs of spreading to other corners of the Oregon’s health care industry.

In the Portland area, more than 5,200 health care workers are either in contract negotiations or they’re on strike. Another 2,500 are considering joining a union or already have done so.

Providence, the largest health care operation in the state, has been hit the hardest. About 1,700 nurses have returned to work after a five-day strike. But the contract impasse continues and a strike could resume.

Another 80 physicians at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center just west of Portland will soon vote on whether to form a union. Most of the doctors are so-called hospitalists, meaning they treat patients admitted to the hospital.

Industry officials blame the pandemic for the worker discontent. Bryan Boehringer, head of the Oregon Medical Association, a professional organization for physicians and physician assistants, cited the “significant stress and burnout experienced by clinicians after the pandemic.”

Many are furious at the hospitals for cutting costs when a worn-down staff needed help. Hospitals argue that they had little choice when COVID-19 hit and their revenue declined. (Oregon News)

Lake Oswego, Ore. – July 11,2023 – While Oregon hospitals saw modest improvement in their operating margins and revenue in the first quarter of 2023, they continue to be financially stressed by rising expenses and a decline in hospital visits. 

A new report by Apprise Health Insights (attached) shows that more than two-thirds of Oregon’s hospitals lost money in the first quarter of 2023. Faced with strong financial headwinds, some hospitals were forced to tap into their reserves to continue providing services to their communities.  

Though hospitals’ median operating margin increased by one-half of a percentage point to -2.2%, the first quarter of 2023 marks the fifth consecutive quarter of negative overall operating margins. Oregon hospitals have lost a total of $414 million from operations since the first quarter of 2022. 

Operating expenses went up by $255 million in the first quarter, a 6% increase, reflecting rising wages and prices for supplies and services. At the same time, patient volumes were down across the state, suggesting that bed capacity and workforce shortages continue to limit patients’ access to care. 

“Patients are feeling the impact of workforce shortages as we see reduced access to care throughout Oregon,” said Becky Hultberg, president and CEO of the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems. “That’s why it’s so important to begin the hard work of rebuilding our health care workforce.” 

First quarter 2023 total hospital visits dropped by 2.3% when compared to the previous quarter and are down 7.2% when compared to the first quarter of 2022. Emergency Department visits saw a substantial drop from the fourth quarter of 2022 to the first quarter of 2023 at -7.2%.  

The Apprise report also shows the average length of stay (ALOS) was flat but remains high at 5.64 days. ALOS has risen 20-25% compared to levels of 4.5-4.7 days seen in the years prior to the pandemic. High ALOS is another byproduct of the staffing shortage, as patients are unable to be discharged to a post-acute care facility to continue their recoveries. Due to fixed reimbursements for many patients, the broken care continuum is also a strain on revenue and hospital margins.  

“As I have often said, a local hospital with an open front door and a closed back door does not work even with the best efforts of our teams,” Hultberg said. “We are grateful to the lawmakers who supported our package of workforce investments this legislative session, but there are no easy and quick fixes to this generational challenge.” 

$103.5 Million Award to 10 Affordable Housing Developments Across the State of Oregon 

The Oregon Housing Stability Council approved $103.5 million in Local Innovation Fast Track (LIFT) funding to go to 10 affordable housing developments across the state. Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) will provide 646 additional homes with these developments for individuals and households living on low incomes. Half of the funded projects will be built in rural communities and half in urban areas.  

“Lack of affordable housing is a top concern for many people across the state and we must continue to pursue measurable progress. These investments will help improve the futures and quality of life for thousands of Oregonians in rural and urban areas of the state,” said OHCS Director Andrea Bell. “We are grateful to Governor Kotek and the Oregon legislature for having the foresight to invest in the LIFT program. Together we recognize that investments in safe, affordable housing are also investments in communities where everyone can thrive.” 

OHCS received a total of 23 applications, amounting to over $221.6 million in LIFT funding requests, more than LIFT funds available. Special consideration was given to developments that serve communities affected by the 2020 Labor Day Wildfires and those who have a Qualified Culturally Specific Organization on the development team. After careful review, 10 projects emerged for funding recommendation. 

The developments receiving awards include: 

• College View Apartments in Bend, receiving $8.3 million  
• Depoe Bay Townhomes in Depoe Bay, receiving $2.3 million 
• Estacada Apartments Phase II in Estacada, receiving $11.9 million  
• Ollie Court in Eugene, receiving $11.3 million  
• Pacific Flats in Phoenix, receiving $13.5 million  
• Phoenix Corner in Phoenix, receiving $15.3 million  
• Rand Road Affordable Housing in Hood River, receiving $15.1 million  
• Rivergreen Apartments Phase II in Corvallis, receiving $5.6 million  
• Salem Apartments in Salem, receiving $17.9 million  
• Unicorn Bed in Portland, receiving $2.3 million  

 OHCS is grateful to the internal and external scoring committees for their diligent evaluation of the applications. Assessment considerations included multiple factors such as:  readiness to proceed, financial viability, development capacity, service to communities of color, innovation, replicability, minority-, women-, veteran-owned business participation, use of affordable rents, family-sized units, and the involvement of Qualified Culturally Specific Organizations. 

“By approving these funding recommendations, OHCS is taking a crucial step forward in addressing the pressing housing needs of communities across Oregon,” said Bell. “The LIFT program continues to make a significant positive impact on affordable housing development in Oregon. 

For more detailed information about each recommended project, please refer the Housing Stability Council packet from July 7, 2023.  

DONORS NEEDED IN JULY TO PREVENT A BLOOD SHORTAGE

The American Red Cross continues to see a concerning trend – blood donations are being sent to hospitals faster than they are coming in. The Red Cross has collected about 50,000 fewer blood donations than needed over the last two months. Donors are asked to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now to avoid a looming blood shortage.

To help head off a more serious situation, the Red Cross is teaming up with Warner Bros. Discovery for the 35th anniversary of Shark Week and the theatrical release of Meg 2: The Trench. The public is encouraged to celebrate a summer of sharks and help shore up the national blood supply by giving in July.   

In thanks for helping, the Red Cross is offering several incentives to donors who come out to give blood or platelets in the coming weeks. Additionally, in response to the great need for blood, those who hurry in to help by coming to give July 1-16 will receive a limited-time bonus $15 gift card by email to a merchant of their choice.

• July 1-11: All who come to give will get an exclusive Red Cross dry bag, while supplies last. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Gifts.
• July 12-Aug 12: Those who come to give will be automatically entered for a chance to win a three-night New York getaway for two with a private shark dive adventure at Long Island Aquarium. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Shark.
• July 17-31: Presenting donors will receive an officially licensed Shark Week T-shirt, while supplies last. Donors will also be automatically entered for a chance to win a three-night New York getaway for two with a private shark dive adventure at Long Island Aquarium. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Shark.

By scheduling and keeping appointments in July, donors can help provide for those in immediate need of lifesaving care. To schedule an appointment to donate, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). 

Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 11-31:

July 12, 2023

Oregon Opportunities, 548 Business Park Dr., Medford, OR, 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

July 15, 2023

St. Mark C.M.E. Church, 1167 Sam Reynolds St., Eugene, OR, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

St. Charles Medical Center, 2500 NE Neff Rd., Bend, OR, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Eugene Masonic Temple, 2777 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Eugene, OR,12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

July 21, 2023

Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond St., Suite 110, Bend, OR, 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Mercy Flights, 2020 Milligan Way, Medford, OR, 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

July 24, 2023

Happy Valley Community Church, 10601 SE 129^th Ave., Happy Valley, OR, 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Visit RedCrossBlood.org and put in your zip code to find a donation site near you.

How to donate blood

To make an appointment, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood and is the primary blood supplier to 65 hospitals throughout Washington and Oregon; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

ODF and OSU to begin updating wildfire hazard map with changes from SB80 

Oregon Department of Forestry will soon begin work with Oregon State University to update the wildfire hazard map based on direction provided in Senate Bill 80, passed by the 2023 Oregon Legislature. This is in addition to the work ODF and OSU have been doing to incorporate feedback provided by landowners and local governments following last year’s initial map rollout.

Senate Bill 80 advances Oregon’s wildfire programs established by the 2021 Legislature’s Senate Bill 762. Senate Natural Resources Committee Chair Jeff Golden (D-Rogue Valley), guided SB 80 towards passage. “The revisions this bill makes,” said Golden, “address the plain fact that we’ll meet the massive wildfire challenge ahead only through a rock-solid collaboration between state and federal agencies, local officials, community leaders and affected property owners. We’ll succeed if Oregonians see this as their program, not the government’s. SB 80 takes big strides in that direction. The bill wouldn’t have been possible without the careful work of the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council—19 citizens from different backgrounds, professions and locations—who are charged with guiding us over time towards a more effective wildfire program. We’re lucky to have their service.”

After passage of SB 762 in 2021, ODF worked with a rulemaking advisory committee on administrative rules to govern the map. Those rules, passed by the Board of Forestry, along with scientific expertise on modeling wildfire occurrence and behavior from OSU, led to the mapping of wildfire “risk” at a property tax-lot level for 1.8 million parcels in Oregon. However, lack of clarity about the map’s purpose and limited time for outreach and education about what it would mean for property owners resulted in concern about and opposition to the map. ODF plans to engage communities throughout the upcoming revision process to better inform Oregonians on the process, science, and purpose of the updated hazard map.

While the updated map is still required to use climate, weather, topography, and vegetation in assessing wildfire potential, SB 80 brings a few significant changes to the map:
• Clarifies the purpose of the map as being a tool to:
o Inform Oregon residents and property owners about their wildfire exposure by providing transparent and science-based information.
o Assist in prioritizing fire adaption and mitigation resources for the most vulnerable locations.
o Identify where defensible space standards and home hardening codes will apply.
• Changes from five “risk” classes to three “hazard” classes.
• Requires eight meetings with county and local officials to review local draft maps.
• Limits the hazard class notification requirements to those in high hazard zones that are also inside wildland-urban interface boundaries. Updated notifications will be reviewed by the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council for recommendations on tone, clarity of language and presentation of information.
• Changes the appeal process: Properties in a high hazard class may be appealed as a contested case hearing described in Oregon Revised Statute Chapter 183.

ODF and OSU are still working on the process and timeline for revising the map. However, the following activities are planned:
• Complete a draft revision of the map that includes both previously voiced concerns and changes from SB 80.
• Attend eight county meetings across the state as described in SB 80 to share community-level revised maps with county representatives, gather local feedback, and provide clear information on how wildfire hazard is assessed.
• Convene a rulemaking advisory committee to amend the existing administrative rules to conform with the new law and incorporate lessons learned during county meetings.
• Schedule and attend community meetings across the state—with a focus on the highest hazard areas—to discuss how wildfire hazard was determined, what it means for property owners, share updated community-level draft maps, and get public input.
• Draft property owner notifications and solicit input from the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council.
• Publish a draft map online.
• Send notifications to property owners in high hazard zones inside the wildland-urban interface boundary, including instructions on how to appeal the designation.
• Publish the final map online, including the results of successful appeals.

“ODF appreciates direction from the Legislature and the time to get the map right. We’re eager to engage communities and discuss the increasing hazard of wildfire across Oregon,” said State Forester Cal Mukumoto. “Having the time to solicit and incorporate community input is critical to Oregonians understanding the environmental hazard of wildfire.”

July Recognized as National Vehichle Theft Prevention Month

In recognition of July as National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month, the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), urges vehicle owners to be aware of the ongoing threat of vehicle theft. 

Vehicle theft continues to be a significant concern in the U.S., costing vehicle owners more than $8 billion in 2022 alone. Shockingly, more than 1 million vehicles were stolen in the same year, reflecting a 25 percent increase in vehicle theft totals compared to previous years. Of all stolen motor vehicles, passenger cars historically accounted for more than 74 percent, with an estimated occurrence of one motor vehicle theft happening every 32 seconds. 

In 2021, Oregon ranked fifth in the country for stolen vehicles based on the highest rate of vehicle theft per 100,000 residents, according to data provided by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). The states with the highest theft rates were Colorado, District of Columbia, California, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Texas. 

Theft of vehicles is covered – subject to the deductible – if you have comprehensive insurance coverage. Talk to your insurance company or agent to make sure you have the correct coverage for your needs. 

To ensure the safety of your vehicle, it is essential to adopt preventive measures. Always remember to: 

• Park in well-lit areas 
• Close and lock all windows and doors when parking 
• Conceal your valuables 
• Avoid leaving your keys inside your vehicle 
• Refrain from leaving the area while your vehicle is running
• Check with your vehicle’s manufacturer to make sure the vehicle’s software is up to date

While some vehicles come equipped with alarm and anti-theft systems, those without such features should consider purchasing additional layers of protection. Anti-theft systems are readily available for purchase online or in stores and can provide an extra level of security for your vehicle. 

For more comprehensive information on motor vehicle theft prevention, visit www.NHTSA.gov/theft. Also, more resources can be found at www.NICB.org, providing further guidance and tips on safeguarding your vehicle from potential theft. 

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

Oregon’s Bias Response Hotline has seen a 72% increase in reports from 2021 to 2022 and a 178% increase since the line started.

The hotline was started in 2020 in response to a growing number of bias crimes, and the passage of SB 577 during the 2019 legislative session, which changed bias crime laws.

The report details a growing number of hate crimes and bias incidents directed at Black, Jewish and LGBTQ+ Oregonians.

Bias against Black Americans make up “nearly one in four reports” recorded in 2022, the report reads.

It also says antisemitism is the most common type of religious bias, and there was an “increase in reported gender identity-based bias of 639% since 2020.”  (Oregon news)

The northern lights could be visible across Oregon and 15 other states this week. The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute is predicting high activity of the aurora borealis on Wednesday and Thursday across much of the northern U.S. as parts of Canada.

The forecast says the colorful light show in the night sky will be visible as far south as Indiana, and from Maine to Washington state. The best time to see the northern lights will be from 10pm to 2am local time, and the best place to see them will be in rural areas away from the city lights. (Oregon News)

Josephine Co. Sheriff’s Office – Marijuana Search Warrant 07/06/23 Illegal Grow Bust

Rent Hikes In Oregon Can’t Top 10% As Governor Kotek Signs Bill 611

As of July 6th , landlords cannot increase rent by more than 10% each year. Senate Bill 611 was signed into law by governor Tina Kotek on Thursday.

The bill covers most rental properties in the state, including spaces for manufactured homes, RVs, and floating homes in marinas. The bill brings the rent cap down 4.6% from before it was passed.

Senate Bill 611 limits annual rent increases to either 7% plus inflation or 10%, whichever is lower. It passed the Senate on a 17-8 vote Tuesday, then received 32-18 approval in the House Saturday following a heated discussion. Many of the lawmakers who spoke about the bill Saturday said they themselves are landlords.

More protections for renters were also part of the bill. Landlords must give tenants a valid 90-day written notice before raising rent rates. Rent cannot be raised in the first year of occupation and can only be raised once per year afterwards.

OHA launches data dashboards for injuries, overdoses

Interactive graphs detail state, county, demographic trends

PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has unveiled two interactive data dashboards to help people track state, county and demographic trends in deaths and hospital visits for a range of injuries and overdoses.

The Oregon Injury Prevention Dashboard and the Oregon Overdose Prevention Dashboard, developed by the Injury and Violence Prevention Program at the OHA Public Health Division, improve access to the data among the public, state and local agencies, and community organizations that work to reduce incidence of injuries and deaths from these causes.

“These dashboards make it easy for people to view injury and overdose data,” said Tom Jeanne, M.D., M.P.H., deputy health officer and epidemiologist at OHA’s Public Health Division. “The injury dashboard will help people understand when and why violence, unintended injuries and deaths occur, and the overdose dashboard will help people understand overdose events, deaths and the substances involved in these events.”

On the Injury Prevention Dashboard, mortality, emergency department discharge and hospital discharge data are included on 11 unintentional injury categories, such as assault, drug overdose, falls, firearms and suicide. The Overdose Prevention Dashboard has mortality, emergency department discharge and hospital discharge data on 11 drug categories, such fentanyl, heroin, opioids and stimulants.

Data on both dashboards are aggregated for annual, statewide trends and a four-year average for county-level and demographic trends.

The new dashboards reflect trends that have made headlines in recent months:

• Fatalities for several injury categories are increasing yearly, including assault, drug overdose and firearms.
• Fatalities for most drug categories increased between 2020 and 2021 – only deaths from methadone decreased. Increases are most stark for opioids, stimulants, synthetic opioids and unintentional overdoses.

“What we have seen in firearms injuries and deaths, and in overdoses from fentanyl, methamphetamine and other drugs is alarming,” Jeanne said. “Data dashboards like these help us monitor trends and better anticipate where to direct resources so we can reduce the burden of these injuries on individuals, families, communities and agencies.”

Oregon gas company criticized for using ratepayer money to fight state climate program

Three nonprofit environmental groups are calling out Avista for raising natural gas prices while using ratepayer money on lawyers fighting climate regulations

The natural gas provider spent ratepayer funds fighting state climate change regulations while simultaneously attempting to raise rates for customers.

During the last five years, Avista paid lawyers more than $51,000 to fight Oregon’s Climate Protection Program, according to records obtained by three environmental groups critical of the decision. The nonprofits Earthjustice, Sierra Club and Climate Solutions on Friday submitted the records, which showed the money came from an account funded by Avista’s 105,000 ratepayers, to the Oregon Public Utilities Commission. The commission is considering whether to allow the utility to raise residential rates 8% by year’s end.

Avista, along with the state’s two other gas utilities — NW Natural and Cascade Natural — has hired lawyers from San Francisco-based Baker Botts and Reno-based Snell & Wilmer to sue the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

The companies are challenging the agency’s authority to regulate greenhouse gasses under the climate program, which mandates a 50% cut in Oregon’s overall greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 and a 90% cut by 2050. At least 26% of that reduction will have to come from the natural gas utilities.

Natural gas is almost entirely methane gas, among the most potent climate-warming greenhouse gasses, which trap heat in the atmosphere contributing to global warming. One-third of global warming today is due to human-caused emissions of methane, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Avista’s senior legal counsel, Greg Hesler, said in an email to the Capital Chronicle that paying lawyers with ratepayer money will benefit those customers.

“We believe it is a prudent expenditure on behalf of our customers, and it is therefore included as a cost to customers in their rates,” he wrote. “Avista does not believe that the Oregon Climate Protection Program (CPP) provides a constructive pathway for reducing emissions, and that it negatively impacts our customers through reduced energy choice, higher costs and decreased reliability.”

The environmental groups disagree. Avista has already raised residential rates 18% since November 2022, an increase the company attributed to global supply and demand issues exacerbated by extreme weather events and Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Greer Ryan, a policy manager at Climate Solutions, said the utilities commission should reject Avista’s request to raise rates again while spending ratepayer money to challenge the state’s keystone climate change mitigation program.

“We hope the commission will agree with us and say it’s inappropriate for gas utilities to charge their customers for political activities, especially for activities that are against the public interest like dismantling landmark climate policies,” she said.

The payments to lawyers are one of many that environmental groups are beginning to challenge from gas companies that are imposing rate hikes on customers. Ryan said Climate Solutions and other groups will continue urging the Oregon Public Utilities Commission to join several other state commissions and agencies that have created rules banning or limiting the use of ratepayer money on political lobbyists and on dues and fees paid to industry trade groups.

“We want the commission to say, ‘In rate-setting situations moving forward, you cannot charge your customers for these expenses,’” Ryan said. (SOURCE)

Fatal Weekend Crash on Highway 11, Umatilla Co.

On Sunday, July 9, 2023, at approximately 1:47 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy-11, at the intersection with Hwy-331, in Umatilla County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a Chevrolet Silverado, operated by Douglas Jack McEwen (76) of Pendleton, was southbound on Hwy 11 and attempted to make a left turn onto Hwy 331. The Chevrolet failed to yield the right of way to a northbound Ford Excursion, operated by Erin Terese Wyttenbach (54) of Athena, and the vehicles collided head on. 

The operator of the Chevrolet (McEwen) was not wearing a seatbelt and was pronounced deceased on scene. 

The operator of the Ford (Wyttenbach) was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The northbound lane of Hwy 11 was closed for approximately 3 1/2 hours during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, Pendleton Fire, Umatilla Tribal Fire, and ODOT.

New Details Released About Death of Missing Blue River Man

New details about the death of Shane Sprenger, the Blue River man who went missing in November of 2021 have been released by the Lane County Sheriff’s Office.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office announced June 27 that partial remains of Sprenger were found.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Friday that his partial remains were found off Quartz Creek Road, which is about five miles southwest of the Blue River Reservoir, where his truck was found in 2021.

Sgt. Tom Speldrich with LCSO said, “We did not locate his entire body, we are still looking for that.”

Losing his home to the Holiday Farm Fire, Sprenger was living in a fifth wheel in Vida working to rebuild his and other homes in the area. The day he went missing, November 2, 2021, he was working as a carpenter on a home in the McKenzie Bridge area. According to his family, he left the job around 10 a.m. and went to his home in Vida, the last place he was seen.

He was officially reported missing three days later, after a friend located his truck near the Blue River Reservoir.

The partial remains were found by a bystander in late 2022 and sent in for testing while a search for the additional remains ensued. LCSO received confirmation the remains were Sprenger’s in June of 2023.

When our newsroom first interviewed Sgt. Speldrich during the initial search in 2021, he said there was no reason to believe Sprenger’s disappearance was suspicious.

On Friday, Speldrich said, “We don’t have any reason to believe that there is foul play involved, but we also don’t have reason to rule it out at this point.”

He says they are still investigating the potential of foul play but there are a lot of aspects to the investigation they need to consider.

“An animal could move remains and for some distance, depending on what kind of animal it could be,” said Sgt. Speldrich. “Also, conditions with rising and lowering water levels could move remains.”

Sgt. Speldrich also said there is a chance Sprenger’s remains washed ashore from the McKenzie River.

Meanwhile, Sprenger’s family released this statement:

It’s been an excruciating year and a half for our family since Shane went missing on November 2, 2021. He was 47 at the time of his disappearance.

We are devastated and our hearts shattered to receive confirmation of his passing. Shane was a gentle soul, a selfless provider, a skilled and trusted carpenter, and the hardest worker we know. He was excepting of everyone and loyal to all that loved him.

His was a senseless death, and there is more to uncover on what transpired the day he went missing. We are eager to see truth and justice prevail. Please contact Lane County Sheriff at 541-682-4150 and reference case #21–6268. Or if you’d rather, you can submit an anonymous tip on crimestoppersoforegon.com Tips submitted to Crime Stoppers of Oregon or 100% secure and untraceable.

More information about Shane’s disappearance can be found on Facebook, “Missing in Blue River Oregon area: Find Shane Sprenger”.

Thank you to everyone who has and continues to work on this case. The support we have received has been incredible and for that we are grateful.

OREGON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WRAPS UP PROJECT TURNKEY WITH $125M STATE INVESTMENT FOR 32 PROPERTIES IN 27 CITIES ACROSS 18 COUNTIES, INCREASING OREGON’S HOUSING SUPPLY BY 36 PERCENT INCREASE

Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) and Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) announced today that Project Turnkey (1.0 and 2.0) successfully wrapped up with 32 total shelter properties in 27 cities throughout 18 Oregon counties, adding 1384 beds/units of emergency housing. Project Turnkey represents a 36 percent total increase in the state’s supply of emergency year-round shelter beds for people experiencing homelessness.

The latest Project Turnkey 2.0 grants came through funding of $50 million approved by the Oregon Legislature in March 2022, bringing the total Project Turnkey funding (1.0 and 2.0) to $125 million. 

“This achievement demonstrates what’s possible when the state and private partners work together to solve urgent needs in our communities,” said Oregon Governor Tina Kotek. “Thousands in need of shelter in 18 counties across the state will be able to find a safe place to stay and the support they need to stabilize their lives thanks to Project Turnkey.”

Each Project Turnkey operation is locally created, owned and operated by local government, nonprofit community partners or Tribes. Each Project Turnkey operation is designed to meet the needs of its community’s priority populations, ranging from college students, domestic violence survivors, fire survivors, Tribal community members and Veterans to people experiencing chronic homelessness, including people who are medically fragile.

“Project Turnkey demonstrates how we can take on complex housing challenges and create sustainable solutions through collaboration and innovation,” said Lisa Mensah, President and CEO, Oregon Community Foundation. “By nurturing trusted relationships with community partners throughout Oregon and investing strategically, we helped deliver critical support for our neighbors in need.”

Project Turnkey by the Numbers

Project Turnkey 2.0 (2022-2023)

$50 Million Investment

517 Units to shelter unhoused community members 

13 Project Turnkey 2.0 sites

11 Oregon Counties

Project Turnkey 1.0 (2020-2021)

$74.7 Million Investment

867 Units to shelter unhoused community members

19 Project Turnkey 1.0 sites

13 Oregon Counties

Find a detailed list of all Project Turnkey projects in the OCF Press Room.

“Oregon’s great need for shelter and housing of all types remains, but today we celebrate the many successes of Project Turnkey with our partners across the state,” said OHCS Director Andrea Bell. “Positive outcomes can prevail when we tackle the urgency of this challenge with community led and data driven solutions that center our collective humanity. Our economies and communities are stronger when all people have access to their basic needs to which housing is fundamental.” 

What’s Next

The Project Turnkey Community Advisory Committee will officially conclude soon by reviewing insights and sharing key learnings with OCF and the state.

“Local communities need resources to address the housing crisis they’re facing along with rapid rehousing solutions such as those provided by Project Turnkey,” said Ernesto Fonseca, Chief Executive Officer of Hacienda CDC and Project Turnkey Advisory Committee member. “Project Turnkey is an example of the Oregon Legislature entrusting OCF and the Advisory Committee to steward these funds to local communities to stand up shelter and housing rapidly.”

OCF will deliver a report to the Oregon Legislature in early 2024.

 

“We are so grateful for the dedication and engagement of these key advisors to Project Turnkey,” said Megan Loeb, Senior Program Officer, Economic Vitality and Housing, Oregon Community Foundation. “They have remained laser focused on community and equity in this work,” Ms. Loeb continued, speaking of the Advisory Committee of diverse stakeholders that provided review and recommendation for all Project Turnkey grants.

 

OCF offers support for Oregon’s housing needs along a continuum — from shelter to supportive housing to affordable housing to equitable home ownership — through a variety of tools, including research, grants, advocacy, and low-interest loans. OCF’s administration of Project Turnkey is one example of the innovative, collaborative approaches that are helping more Oregonians find affordable, stable housing. 

About Project Turnkey 2.0 (2022-2023) 

Based on the success of the Project Turnkey 1.0, and in the face on ongoing need for emergency shelter, on March 4, 2022, the Oregon Legislature allocated $50 million in new funding for more emergency shelters around the state for Project Turnkey 2.0.  

To learn more: Oregon Community Foundation and Oregon Housing and Community Services Poised to Launch Project Turnkey 2.0 with $50M in State Funding.  

Short Term Caretaker Need for Riddle Brothers Ranch

Hines, Ore. – Are you interested in a three-week, paid vacation to Steens Mountain in southeast Oregon? Do you enjoy history, nature, and quaint, remote settings? We have the perfect opportunity for you! The Bureau of Land Management Burns District is looking for a short-term host to fill a caretaker position at Riddle Brothers Ranch from August 7 to 31. Rustic riverside lodging for two included.

“Caretakers are an important part of our ability to serve the public,” said Kyle Wanner, BLM Burns District Assistant Field Manager. At the ranch, caretakers live on site and interact with travelers. They may provide directions, share history of the site and structures, or offer details on nearby recreation activities. Caretakers also keep an eye on the historic buildings and artifacts. 

“Whoever lands this unexpected opening is truly lucky. It is a unique and hard to come by experience,” added Wanner.

The Caretaker Cabin rests on the edge of Little Blitzen River. It has a bed, electricity, running water, a refrigerator-freezer, cooking stove with oven, and a cozy front porch. Steps away, you’ll find a vault restroom. The cabin is located one-half mile down the road from another agency building where more food storage and a hot shower can be found. Cellular service is intermittent, but reachable within two miles, and a BLM radio is provided for reliable emergency communication.

The Riddle Brothers Ranch is located about 80 miles from Burns, Oregon, in the heart of Steens Mountain. Caretakers must have the means to receive a stipend electronically and be confident in a remote setting. Light walking on uneven terrain, including stairs and various surface materials, is also required. 

For more information or to apply, call Tara Thissell at (541) 573-4400. Learn more about Riddle Brothers Ranch at https://on.doi.gov/3NSh8ac. Browse through photos of the area by visiting https://bit.ly/44p2r3J. 

-BLM-

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. 

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