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.
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Klamath Basin Weather
Today
Sunny and hot, with a high near 96. North wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable. Overnight mostly clear with a low near 58.
Today’s Headlines
Two illegal marijuana grow and manufacture operations located near Sprague River have been searched and seized this summer according to a news release Friday from the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office. (KCSO).
The release said a search warrant dated June 15 led to the dissemination of six green houses containing 3,200 illegal marijuana plants, amounting to a potential yield of $3.5 million in sales on the black market. All crops were destroyed.
“The grow was irrigated by a residential well with a yearly estimated use of 787,000 gallons of water,” the news release said.
Gustavo Miranda-Zarrabal, 46, was arrested on site and charged with unlawful manufacture and unlawful possession of marijuana.
A second nearby illegal grow site was seized Wednesday, July 12, after KCSO granted a search warrant of the property.
The release said 1,362 marijuana plants housed in four greenhouses were discovered at the site and destroyed soon after.
An estimate of 335,000 gallons was used, taken from a residential water well.
Total value of the mature marijuana crop was estimated at $1.5 million on the black market.
No arrests were made as no one was found on site at the time the search warrant was served. The release said the investigation will continue regarding the known property owner.
KCSO’s efforts were primarily funded by a grant from the Criminal Justice Commission under the Illegal Marijuana market Enforcement Grant Program, the release said.
Klamath County received $2.6 million in grant funding in 2022 to provide for KCSO marijuana enforcement detectives and vehicles, code enforcement officers and vehicles, heavy equipment for the county’s solid waste division for transport and destruction of marijuana, evidence storage, aircraft fuel, among other items
(Herald and News)
Healthy Klamath’s “Alley Activation Project” installed new artwork downtown Friday morning. Four additional framed works were added to the existing four, with one being a mosaic created by patients and staff at Sky Lakes Cancer Treatment Center.
The event was dedicated to Cathy Nevala, a former art teacher at Mazama High School and artist of one of the paintings in Phase 1 of the project. Nevala lost her battle to cancer during the preparation of Phase 2.
Healthy Klamath, a multi-sector partnership established to guide community health improvement efforts in Klamath County and head of the project, partnered with Sky Lakes Cancer Treatment Center for one of the artworks.
Johanna Shearer, director of the cancer treatment center, explained that art is a therapy for patients.
Frames for the paintings were donated by S & S Manufacturing of Klamath Falls, and the artwork was hung on the side of the Atone Construction building for free by owner Mike McKay.
One of the new works titled “My First Crush,” by artist Cheyenne Lundsten of Klamath Falls, is done in doodle-like fashion. According to Lundsten, she reached out to people on Facebook for ideas of what doodle they felt represented the Klamath Basin.
(Herald and News)
The Klamath County sheriff’s office says they are pleased to announce that Shasta Duval is their newest patrol sergeant.
Sgt Duval joined KCSO in August 2015 as a patrol deputy. She has also served as an SRO and has spent the last 4 years in the detective division.
Klamath County Sheriff Chris Kaber said in a Facebook post that itt is worth mentioning that Sgt Duval is the first female patrol sergeant in KCSO history.
(KCSO release)
The Klamath Falls medical community is in mourning this week after the loss of a beloved local volunteer.
For nearly a quarter-century, Norma Richardson devoted her time at Sky Lakes Medical Center. Sky Lakes volunteer services director Reid Kennedy said she first started at the medical facility in 2000 after moving to Klamath Falls from Redding three years prior.
Kennedy said Richardson was still very active as the president of volunteers at Sky Lakes. After she’d finished preparing all the information for upcoming events on behalf of the rest of her crew, Kennedy would make the trip to her home to pick everything up.
Sky Lakes public relations manager Renea Wood sent a news release upon Richardson’s death.
According to her obituary, Richardson was born in El Dorado, Kan., in 1922 and moved with her parents and siblings to Wocus, Ore., seven years later. It was there the family settled to build their ranch.
Richardson’s family said she spent much of her childhood helping her father tend to the needs of the ranch, the home where she recalled one of her favorite memories.
Her walk of life brought her back to Klamath Falls in 1997, where she continued to serve until her passing earlier this month.
In honor of her service to Sky Lakes, Kennedy said all of her fellow volunteers were planning to attend her services in their smocks in remembrance of Richardson’s outstanding dedication and devotion to those she served.
(Herald and News)
The Klamath County Public Works department will have work crews out at several locations all week. Motorists are asked to use caution when in work areas and to watch for flaggers.
Any motorists who are able to avoid the work zones, are asked to use an alternate route for their safety and the safety of Klamath County employees and contractors.
Chip seal crew will be at the following locations next week:
- Monday, July 17: City of Chiloquin, South Chiloquin Road
- Tuesday, July 18: S. Chiloquin Road, Modoc Point Road
- Wednesday, July 19: Modoc Point Road, Longacre lane, Uhrmann Road, Wocus Road
- Thursday, July 20: Shady Pine Road, Algoma Road
Additionally, the Early Morning Broom Crew will be working at 4 a.m. at the following locations:
- Tuesday, July 18: City of Chiloquin, South Chiloquin Road
- Wednesday, July 19: City of Chiloquin, South Chiloquin Road
- Thursday, July 20: South Chiloquin Road, Modoc Point Road
- Friday, July 21: Modoc Point Road, Longacre Lane, Uhrmann Road, Wocus Road, Shady Pine road, Algoma Road
Road and utility work is also scheduled for the vicinity of Stearns Elementary Schools on Crest Street from Clinton to Denver. Motorists should expect daily lane closures.
Log onto the Klamath County Public Works website at www.klamathcounty.org/734/Maps for more information about road work projects.
In general, flagging stations will be set up at the end of the work zone and delays will be zero to 20 minutes for the motoring public. The county’s goal is to minimize the delay to the motoring public.
There might be adjustments of work schedules due to weather or other items outside of the county’s control such as the breakdown of equipment or the availability of materials or resources
Motorists are asked to drive slowly through chip seal and paint stripe areas. This will reduce damage to the chip sealed and painted areas. It will also reduce the probability of oil or paint getting on vehicles.
For more information, contact the Public Works Department at 541-883-4696.
(Herald and News/KC news release)
A federal judge has upheld a voter-approved Oregon law that bans large ammunition magazines and requires permits to buy guns.
U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut wrote in a 122-page opinion published late Friday afternoon that all parts of Oregon’s Measure 114, approved by voters last year, are constitutional. But the law remains on hold because of an ongoing court case in Harney County, where a trial is scheduled for September.
Measure 114, which narrowly passed last fall, would ban making, selling or buying ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. It also would require people to take a firearm safety course and pass a background check to receive a permit to buy a gun. And it would close a loophole in federal gun law that allows people to buy guns without a completed background check if it takes more than three days to process a background check.
Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, whose office defended Measure 114, welcomed the news.
The Oregon Firearms Federation, which describes itself as the state’s “only no-compromise gun rights organization” was the lead plaintiff in the case. Three other federal lawsuits filed by Oregon residents, gun manufacturers, gun shops and other firearms groups were consolidated with the Oregon Firearms Federation’s case.
The firearms federation posted a statement on its website indicating that it will appeal the decision, which it called “absurd.” The group also personally attacked Immergut, calling her “painfully ignorant and in the pocket of Oregon’s far left ‘Department of Justice.’”
(Herald and News/Oregon Capital Chronicle)
Around the state of Oregon
Sheriff Medical Examiners Respond to 10 Fatal Drug Overdoses in 5 days; Jackson County Issues Public Health Alert
Jackson County Public Health issued an overdose alert today for fentanyl and other illicit opioids. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) Medical Examiner detectives responded to 10 fatal overdoses over the five days.
Medical examiner detectives suspect fentanyl as a contributing factor in nine of the deaths. From Wednesday, July 12 through today, ME detectives responded to overdose deaths in Ashland, Central Point, Trail, White City, Talent, and five in Medford. The decedents ranged in age from 22 to 63, and nine of them were men. Our condolences go out to the friends and family of the deceased.
For 2023 Jackson County has 33 confirmed overdoses, with 30 of them containing fentanyl. There are 41 cases pending toxicology, with at least 23 of them having some evidence of fentanyl use.
Although it is too early in the investigations to determine the exact drug that caused the deaths, many were found with fentanyl on scene. Investigations also determined some of the deceased may have not known they were using fentanyl. The drug is often mixed in with other illicit substances such as cocaine. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl can be sold as counterfeit pills, such as oxycontin or in a powder form, which can look like other drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamine. Fentanyl can also be mixed with other illicit opioids, such as heroin. The increased presence of fentanyl in the drug supply increases the risk of an overdose for people who are experimenting with drugs and not intentionally using fentanyl.
As part of the overdose alert, Jackson County Public Health is encouraging the medical community, community partners, parents, family and friends, and people with an active substance use disorder to be aware of the increased overdoses and harms associated with opioid use, specifically fentanyl. Using illicit opioids, such as heroin and fentanyl, increases the risk of overdosing. There is no safe way to use illicit opioids, but precautions can be taken that may help reduce the risks associated with illicit opioids. The street drug supply is unpredictable and inconsistent. Assume there is a risk of overdosing no matter what drug is used.
Here are resources from Jackson County Public Health for those in danger:
– Abstaining from drug use is the best way to eliminate the risk of overdosing. Ask the person about their willingness to begin medication-assisted treatment or drug treatment. A list of resources can be found on the Oregon Recovers website https://oregonrecovers.org/
– It is critical to call 911 when someone is overdosing. If naloxone is used, the effects are temporary, and the person still needs medical attention. After the medication wears off, the person could fall back into a coma. Good Samaritan Law protects someone from being arrested or prosecuted for drug-related charges or parole/probation violations based on information provided to emergency responders. If someone overdoses on fentanyl, it may take more naloxone to reverse the overdose. It can take about 2-3 minutes for the naloxone to take effect. Naloxone doesn’t work on xylazine, but it will help if the opioid/fentanyl is making it hard for them to breathe.
– People who haven’t used opioids in a while are at an increased risk of overdosing. It is important to be aware of your tolerance and always use less.
– Have an overdose plan, make sure someone can get to you, and it is safest when you are with someone you trust. Use the 24/7 Never Use Alone Hotline: 1-800-484-3731 if you cannot have a safe person with you.
– While injecting drugs carries the highest risk, always assume there is a risk of overdosing no matter the method being used to consume the drug.
– BE PREPARED. GET NALOXONE. SAVE A LIFE. Oregon law allows people to carry and use naloxone on others. You can get naloxone through these avenues:
– Any pharmacist in Oregon can prescribe naloxone to you. You do not need a prescription in Oregon to access naloxone through a pharmacy.
– Anyone who can prescribe medication can send a prescription for naloxone to your pharmacy.
– People who utilize the Jackson County Syringe Exchange Program can receive free naloxone.
– Free naloxone is available through Max’s Mission and HIV Alliance.
There are links between four women found dead in and around Portland over the past six months, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office reported Monday. The four women are Kristin Smith, Charity Perry, Bridget Webster and Ashley Real.
The DA’s office said no charges have been filed against anyone in connection to the four deaths, but at least one person has been identified as a person of interest who is linked to all four of the dead women. They have not released that person’s name.
There is not, according to police, an immediate threat at this time to the public.
(Oregon News)
Less than two weeks into her term, new Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade has become a target of a left-wing national campaign to keep former President Donald Trump from appearing on ballots in 2024.
Two advocacy groups, Free Speech For People and Mi Familia Vota Education Fund, sent Griffin-Valade and top election officials in eight other states letters this week calling on them to disqualify Trump from running for federal office. Ben Morris, a spokesman for the Secretary of State’s office, confirmed the office received the letter.
Free Speech For People and Mi Familia Vota Education Fund invoked a rarely-used section of the Fourteenth Amendment intended to prevent former Confederates from holding federal office after the Civil War.
The Fourteenth Amendment, one of a trio of constitutional amendments adopted during the Reconstruction Era, is best known for its first section, which declares that everyone born or naturalized in the U.S. is a full citizen and deserves equal protection under the law. Section 3 of the amendment prohibits anyone who previously took an oath to support the U.S. Constitution and then “engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof” from holding any federal office. A two-thirds vote of Congress could allow such a person to take office.
The advocacy groups want to block Trump from even appearing on ballots. Election officials routinely determine whether candidates are qualified to run — people who are too young for offices with age limits or don’t meet residency requirements don’t appear on ballots.
(Herald and News/Oregon Capital Chronicle)
A wildfire burning south of the Illinois River has reached over 5,000 acres in size. The “Flat Fire,” located in Oak Flat southwest of Agness, grew rapidly over the weekend in steep, rugged terrain.
The RRNFS says the fire remains very much active. It’s the largest fire reported
Over 300 personnel have been deployed to fight the fire, with seven helicopters and 19 engines engaged.
Curry County Commissioner Brad Alcorn provided an update on Facebook Sunday night, saying smoke is impacting the communities of Gold Beach and Brookings.
Forest Service investigators are on scene and Alcorn says online rumors about a specific person who started the fire are inaccurate.
Weather forecasters say it won’t be as hot today and tomorrow, but triple digit temperatures and unpredictable winds remain in the forecast for the next several days.
(Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest)
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Portland Field Office is offering up to a $50,000 reward for information leading to the location and arrest of wanted fugitive David Durham.
Durham is wanted for attempted aggravated murder after shooting a Lincoln City Police officer multiple times in January 2011. In addition to the increased reward, the FBI, under its Regional Fugitive Program, will also be adding additional investigators with a concentrated effort to locate Durham.
At approximately 11:00 p.m. on January 23, 2011, a Lincoln City Police officer pulled over an SUV for a traffic violation. During the traffic stop, the driver of the vehicle, later identified as Durham, shot the officer multiple times, critically wounding him. Durham then fled the area. A police chase ensued, and Durham exchanged gunfire with officers before abandoning his vehicle in Waldport, Oregon. Durham disappeared and there have been no confirmed sightings since.
Local authorities obtained an arrest warrant for Durham in Lincoln County on January 27, 2011, charging him with dozens of counts—including four counts of attempted aggravated murder. The FBI obtained a federal arrest warrant on January 29, 2011, charging Durham with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution (a federal fugitive warrant). Since that time, the FBI has assisted the Lincoln City Police in the fugitive hunt—providing resources, following up on potential leads, and assisting with publicity efforts.
Durham is known to possess survival skills. He was wearing full green camouflage at the time of his disappearance, as well as tan or dark boots and a dark-colored beret. In the past, he has expressed a desire to travel or is believed to have traveled to California, the Caribbean, and Thailand.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the location and arrest of Durham. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, submit a tip online at https://tips.fbi.gov, or call the nearest FBI office.
(FBI-Oregon)
State police continue their investigation into a fatal crash Friday in Josephine County.
On Friday, July 14, 2023, at approximately 1:14 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy-238, near milepost 8, in Josephine County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a silver Nissan Cube, operated by Rickey Lamont Evans (76) of Medford, was traveling westbound on Hwy-238, near milepost 8, when it attempted a left turn into a local business. A westbound Suzuki GSXR, operated by Seth Jacob Skinner (45) of Medford, was westbound when it attempted to pass vehicles, which were behind the Nissan, on the left. As the Nissan made a lawful left-hand turn, the Suzuki made a pass attempt and accelerated into the driver’s side of the Nissan as it crossed the eastbound lane.
The operator of the Suzuki (Skinner) was declared deceased at the scene.
The operator of the Nissan (Evans) and passenger, Carole Lois Evans (83) of Medford, had minor injuries and denied medical transport.
The roadway was impacted for approximately 1.5 hours during the on-scene investigation.
OSP was assisted by ODOT.
(Oregon State Police)
In September 2020, a network of wastewater utilities around the state began collecting samples of influent – the water that enters a wastewater facility before it’s treated – and sending them to Oregon State University for testing and analysis.
It’s unassuming work – water sample collection is one of the many daily tasks that local and Tribal wastewater treatment facility staff perform to provide clean water to their communities. But this sample collection undertaking would play a significant role in the state’s ability to track transmission of COVID-19 during the pandemic and help public health epidemiologists and local leaders prepare communities to respond.
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and OSU are teaming up on promoting Wastewater Utility Appreciation Week, July 17-21, to recognize the work of more than 40 wastewater treatment utilities who contributed to the success of Oregon’s SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Monitoring Program. Their sample collection effort helped state, local and Tribal agencies inform communities, develop public health recommendations, direct health care resources, and prepare the health care system for increases in COVID-19 cases.
Participating utilities’ water quality professionals have collected more than 15,000 influent samples over the course of the wastewater surveillance program. The state will keep the program going to track COVID-19 activity in communities, and it has been successfully tested and piloted to do the same for influenza, RSV and Cryptosporidium.
After the samples arrive at OSU, they are tested for SARS-CoV-2. If they test positive, OSU scientists sequence them to identify the COVID-19 variants or subvariants present within the samples, and consequently, within the community.
(OHA press release)
On Saturday, July 15, 2023, at approximately 9:00 A.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Hwy-395B, near milepost 88, in Grant County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a 1999 Ford F350, operated by Daniel Caleb Crist (18) of Long Creek, was traveling southbound on US 395B, near milepost 88, when it traveled onto the southbound shoulder. The operator lost control, traveled into the northbound lane and then back across the southbound lane before the truck rolled off the southbound shoulder.
The operator (Crist) did not appear to be wearing a safety belt and was declared deceased at the scene.
The roadway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation.
OSP was assisted by the Long Creek Fire Department, Grant County Sheriff’s Department, and ODOT.
(Oregon State Police)
An injured hiker was flown to Mercy Medical Center from Mount Shasta on Sunday, according to CHP Northern Division Air Operations.
CHP said the air team used a hoist to extract the injured hiker from Avalanche Gulch at around 9,300 feet on the mountain.
The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office was also at the scene.
The man’s name and condition were not immediately available to media.
(KDRV 12)
It took nearly three years for national air travel to rebound from COVID-19, and some airports – notably Portland – are still reporting passenger volumes far below pre-pandemic numbers.
Oregon’s regional airports have fared much, much better. It only took about 15 months for Redmond, Eugene and Medford to return to 2019 travel numbers. And though Medford has faded since then, Redmond and Eugene are soaring.
The Redmond Municipal Airport, which also serves the booming market in neighboring Bend, reports that passenger volumes were up 17% so far this year compared to 2019. Passengers flying through Eugene are up 44% from before the pandemic.
New carriers are a big reason why. In 2021, Eugene added Southwest Airlines and the new budget carrier Avelo Airlines. Eugene also has some popular new routes, including Dallas-Forth Worth and California destinations San Diego, San Jose and Burbank.
The situation in southern Oregon is a little more complicated. Passenger volumes at the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport recovered from the pandemic just as quickly as in Eugene and Redmond but then began a steady decline about a year ago.
Passenger volumes in Medford are down about 12% this year compared to 2019.
(Oregonian/Oregon Live)
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