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.
Thursday, July 20, 2023
Klamath Basin Weather
Today
Widespread haze this afternoon, but sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Overnight clear with a low around 58.
Today’s Headlines
Pedestrians and motorists in downtown Klamath Falls can expect to see a few changes come next construction season following City Council approval of a contract to design curb extensions at multiple intersections.
During the council meeting Monday night, councilors gave City Manager Jonathan Teichert the green light to enter a design contract with Adkisson Engineering & Surveying, Inc.
Mark Willrett, director of public works, addressed the city’s plans and spoke to the potential benefits of extending the curbs.
The first part of the program originally looked at was putting reflectorized back-plates on the signal heads, which may still happen depending on what they end up doing with the traffic signals. The second piece of that program is to install countdown timers on the pedestrian signals. In lieu of that, they would like to install curb extensions which reduce the width of the road and get the pedestrian out closer so they can actually be seen by the motorist.
The financial impact of the approved design contract is $84,000, funded by the All Road Transportation Safety program grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Also on the topic of city roadways, the council also heard from Mills District residents with homes along Merryman Drive.
The neighborhood came together at the meeting to request assistance in addressing flooding underneath their homes and the standing water resulting from sump-pumps some residents are using to mitigate water damage.
At the end of the meeting, Councilmember Terra Russo sought clarification on the issue from Teichert and Willrett.
Willrett noted ongoing investigations conducted by the Klamath Irrigation District (KID) — due to the homes’ close proximity to the A Canal — as well as the results of the city’s own studies that were said to have found the city was not culpable for the flooding. (Herald and News)
After six years, construction on the Lost River Community Center has started as members of the Lost River community and Klamath Basin were invited to the groundbreaking ceremony of what will soon become the town’s new hub.
As explained by LRCC vice-director Georgia O’Brien, in the winter of 2017 the planning had begun and meetings with stakeholders had taken place, but just as the concept of the community center was taking shape the COVID-19 pandemic struck, putting the project on hold.
Planned to be a dual-purpose building, the Lost River Community Center will function as an extension of Lost River High School, offering students for the first time the ability to take classes in art electives such as music, painting and home economics. During the evenings, after school hours and throughout spring, summer and winter vacations, the building will serve the community at large providing a place for gatherings, cooking in the community kitchen, computer usage and as a fitness center.
Jana Dunlea, president of the Lost River Booster Club and principal of Ferguson Elementary, said she already plans on using the facility.
Chris Moudry, an attendee of the event, said he looks forward to Lost River being able to host AAU basketball tournaments.
Moudry said there is a large Hispanic population in Lost River and the community center was built with them in mind.
Present for the ceremony was Oregon State Rep. E. Werner Reschke, whose wife is a graduate of Lost River High.
The Lost River Booster Club is still seeking support and volunteers for the project. The club can be reached via email at lostrivercommunitycenter@gmail.com or follow along with the project on the group’s Facebook page. (Herald and News)
At 12:47 pm yesterday, Wednesday, Klamath County Fire D1istrict crews were called to a brush fire on the bike path near Crater Lake Parkway and Esplanade.
According to KCFD, Crews arrived on-scene and were able to extinguish the fire quickly. The fire was approximately 10 x 30 and no structures were damaged.
The cause was determined to be fireworks. No injuries were reported in the incident.
(KCFD release)
Klamath Outdoor Science School (KOSS) is calling on volunteers from the community to help build two new yurts for the educational program.
A news release from KOSS asked for volunteers for any length of time between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Saturday, July 22.
The school’s scenic location just across the road from Kimball State Park on Sun Mountain Road provides attending students a place to study the wonders of nature.
Erecting the additional yurts will provide the school with a quiet, private place for first-aid as well as expand available KOSS staff housing.
Those who wish to volunteer are asked to RSVP via email to Marjorie Glass at marjorie.glass@klamathoutdoorschool.org or Terry Withrow at terry.withrow@klamathoutdoorschool.org to provide an accurate head count for lunches.
(Herald and News)
Klamath County Rotarians gathered at the Running Y Resort on Saturday night to celebrate the club’s 100 years of service to the community it serves.
Over the course of the past century, Klamath County Rotary Club has proved to be a pillar in the Klamath Basin, with efforts focused on circumstantial betterment of all residents.
Former Rotary President Parke Blundon noted some of the club’s accomplishments throughout this past year, including raising more than $1.4 million at last year’s annual 4-H FFA livestock auction thanks to a partnership with local farms and ranches.
The next 4-H FFA live auction is set to take place during the Klamath County Fair, Aug. 3 through Aug. 6.
Blundon also congratulated the Klamath Cares Klamath Reads program for providing more than 20,000 books to first-grade students throughout the Basin.
Membership of Klamath County Rotary experienced substantial growth this year, Blundon said, reaching 100 members for the club’s 100th anniversary.
The local Rotary club took time to acknowledge some of the feats achieved by both past and present Rotarians. Among them was Carol Fellows, a local oncologist and the first woman president of the Klamath County Rotary Club.
(Herald and News)
The Pacific Power Foundation is announcing more than $200,000 in new grant awards to nonprofits and community organizations that support education and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning opportunities in the communities Pacific Power serves.
Through this funding, the foundation seeks to open doors to opportunity now and in the future by investing in programs that support and lift up young people through education and skill development for a rapidly changing world.
These education and STEM grants are made through one of four grant cycles offered by Pacific Power’s nonprofit arm each year. The following seven grants totaling $25,000 were given to these regional organizations:
Crosspoint Christian School for a new shot clock to be installed in the school gymnasium prior to the 2023-2024 basketball season to meet Oregon School Activities Association guidelines.
Friends of the Mentor Program to help provide a variety of STEM activities to Lake County students through team mentor and one-on-one programs.
Henley Engineering and Robotics for the purchase of equipment for the elementary and high school robotics programs, and to help students attend the VEX Robotics World Championships.
OHSU Foundation for the On Track health and science pathways outreach program providing hands-on education aimed at helping Native American students in Klamath County discover biomedical career paths.
Oregon Tech Foundation to support scholarships for four students from Pacific Power communities who are pursuing degrees in renewable energy engineering or electrical engineering at Oregon Institute of Technology.
Ponderosa PTO for the support of Math Madness, a bracketed math competition in which teams compete for prizes, designed to improve students’ math scores.
Portland State University Foundation – Oregon MESA Program to help present STEM programs at middle and high school chapters in Southern Oregon. (PP and L press release)
The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians disbursed nearly $1 million in grants to 85 groups from Klamath, Coos, Deschutes, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine and Lane counties June 29, 2023, at the Seven Feathers Casino Resort and Convention Center in Canyonville.
The Assistance League of Klamath Basin received a $15,000 grant in support of its Operation School Bell program. The goal of Operation School Bell is to help children succeed in school by providing new clothing, literacy, cultural and higher educational enrichment. The Assistance League distributed new clothing vouchers to more than 1,900 children this past school year.
The Assistance League said in a news release it was grateful of the tribe’s generous grant and support of the children of the Klamath Basin. (Herald and News)
Sections of East Rim Drive, part of the 33-mile road that loops around Crater Lake, will be closed this summer for reconstruction.
Park officials said the reconstruction, part of a $56 million project, will result in a safer and smoother road. The funding is being provided through the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund. The work, which will start at a to-be announced date, will improve about 19 miles of East Rim Drive and a portion of the Cloudcap Spur Road.
East Rim Drive, which runs between the North Entrance Junction and park headquarters, extends along the southern, eastern, and northern rim of the Crater Lake caldera, providing visitor access to panoramic views, a campground, hiking trails, picnic areas, geological formations, waterfalls, and several overlooks.
Park officials said sections of the road, which was built in the 1930s, are narrow, wavy, have potholes and rockfall-damaged areas, “is structurally failing and in desperate need of an upgrade. The project will stabilize the road, replace sections of pavement, and incorporate modern safety standards for sight lines, curvature, and elevation changes to ensure a consistent travel width and more stable shoulder.” In addition, work will also “repair guard walls on several damaged historic rock walls, improve drainage structures, prevent further erosion, strengthen shoulders, and enhance parking areas with accessibility-compliant slopes, markings, curb cuts, walkways, and overlooks.”
The revamped road will “better protect the 1,943-foot-deep lake and other natural, cultural, and recreational features of the park. The new grading and drainage system will prevent erosion issues and divert stormwater away from Crater Lake’s famous pristine water. Road improvements will reduce congestion areas and increase public access and opportunities for recreation, including biking, hiking, camping, fishing, birding, and stargazing. (Herald and News)
Two illegal marijuana grow and manufacture operations located near Sprague River have been searched and seized according to a news release 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 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)
Around the state of Oregon
OREGON’S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPS TO 3.5% IN JUNE
Oregon’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.5% in June, down from 3.7% in May.
This was the fifth consecutive monthly drop in the unemployment rate, down from a recent high of 4.8% in January. The June rate was near Oregon’s record low of 3.4%, which was reached in November and December 2019. The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.6% in June 2023, which was very close to Oregon’s June rate.
In June, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 5,700 jobs, following a revised gain of 4,200 jobs in May. June’s job gain was the largest monthly increase since January, when 9,600 jobs were added.
Over-the-month job gains were largest in government (+2,400 jobs); other services (+1,800); leisure and hospitality (+1,600); and professional and business services (+1,500). Declines were largest in wholesale trade (-1,300 jobs); transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-1,000); and manufacturing (-1,000).
Payroll employment grew by 2.3% over the past 12 months. Over-the-year job growth decelerated to about 2% in the past five months from 12-month growth rates that were above 3% during the economic recovery period, which included much of the prior two years.
Since June 2022, several industries have continued to expand rapidly, while others have been relatively flat or declining. Construction, which added 6,500 jobs, or 5.7%, grew at one of the fastest rates of the major industries. In addition, the following three major industries each expanded by close to 4%, while adding close to 10,000 jobs each: leisure and hospitality; health care and social assistance; and government. However, a few industries cut jobs by about 2,000 each in the past 12 months, including manufacturing (-1.1%); wholesale trade (-1.9%); and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-3.0%).
The D.C. Court of Appeals upheld the Obama-era expansion of the Cascade-Siskiyou Monument on Tuesday, reversing a lower court ruling that cast doubt on its boundaries. Today’s decision joins a decision from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Seattle that also upheld the expansion on April 24.
The monument is a natural landmark where the Cascade, Klamath and Siskiyou mountain ranges intersect. Most of the monument is in Jackson County, with some parts extending into Klamath and Siskiyou counties.
In 2000, former president Bill Clinton designated the area for “its remarkable ecology and to protect its diverse range of biological, geological, aquatic, archaeological and historic resources,” according to the Bureau of Land Management Website.
Yesterday’s s decision upholds that Obama’s expansion was legal and meets the Antiquities Act, a sentiment the April decision also expressed.(KDRV 12)
Crews are continuing to battle the Flat Fire in Curry County with officials reporting that it has grown 3,000 acres overnight to now more than 13,000 acres.
Firefighters said its grown around 3,000 acres over the last 24 hours, to more than 13,000 acres.
Even though there was no red flag warning issued on Tuesday, fire officials expect hot temperatures and high winds to continue.
The Flat Fire is expected to grow in the coming days. It is still zero percent contained.
Fire officials said they are expecting 200 to 300 more crew members to arrive in the next two days. The fire started two miles southeast of Agness and is said to be human caused. The exact cause hasn’t been released.
Firefighters said their top priority is protecting a number of structures at the north end of the fire and have set up an InciWeb page and a Facebook page for all of the latest information on the fire. (RR/Siskiyou NF press release)
ODF Reminds To Practive Wildfire Prevention As Fire Season Heats Up
Salem, OR—The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) wants to remind Oregonians to stay vigilant this fire season. Over the last several weeks, the department has recognized an uptick in human-caused wildfires. ODF hopes that with understanding and cooperation, human-caused fires do not continue progressing.
With dry fuels, higher temperatures and low humidity, now is the time for Oregonians to actively practice wildfire prevention.
“We all need to do our part to prevent wildfires from starting throughout the year, but right now everyone needs to be extremely careful,” says ODF Fire Protection Chief, Mike Shaw. “With the current conditions, just one spark, cigarette, or open flame could result in Oregon’s next wildfire. Preventing fires from starting helps protect our firefighters and communities from the health, safety, and economic impacts of wildfires and smoke.”
What does actively practicing wildfire prevention mean? It means:
- Check your local fire regulations. Public use and industry restrictions are put in place to help prevent wildfires. By following these regulations, you can help reduce the risk of a human-caused wildfires.
- Recreate responsibly. If allowed, only build campfires in approved campgrounds and make sure your campfire is OUT COLD before leaving. If campfires are banned, consider using a camp stove.
- Check your vehicle. Servicing your car regularly helps reduce the risk of a faulty part throwing sparks into dry grass while you’re driving. Also, make sure to not park or idle over dry grass if you pullover. The heat from your undercarriage or exhaust could ignite the grass below.
- Keep a fire extinguisher on hand. We recommend keeping one in your car just in case you need it while travelling.
- Don’t burn debris. Debris burning is prohibited across Oregon during fire season.
Public and industry fire restrictions are placed for a reason.
Fires in the outdoors start for several reasons (vehicles, campfires, smoking, cutting, grinding and welding metal, power saw use, fireworks, electric fences, mowing dry grass, etc). Years of research has found that these activities are prone to start fires when vegetation dries out, humidity drops, and temperatures rise.
Based on these studies, fire professionals impose fire restrictions to alert the public and forest workers of these dangers. Check with your local wildland fire protection agency or rural fire district for restrictions specific to your area.
Currently, the state remains between moderate and extreme fire danger, depending on where you are. Remember, human-caused wildfires can be prevented. It only takes a minute to curb your actions before disaster strikes.
Visit Oregon.gov/odf to find local fire restrictions and keeporegongreen.org for more wildfire prevention tips.
More good news for the Oregon economic outlook. The Oregon Department of Employment reports that the unemployment rate for Oregon ticked down 0.2% in May to 3.5% in June.
The increase in jobs was seen most in the government, leisure and hospitality and construction sectors while trade, transportation and manufacturing all posted losses. The latest job growth figure is the best seen in the state since December 2019 when rates tracked at 3.4% and beat out the national rate for the month coming in at 3.6%. (Oregon Dept. of Employment)
On July 17, 2023, a family-owned dairy located near Grants Pass, Oregon, pleaded guilty and was sentenced in federal court for violating the Clean Water Act by negligently discharging cow manure into a nearby creek and river.
Noble Marital Trust dba Noble Family Dairy pleaded guilty to one count of negligently discharging a pollutant in violation of a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and was ordered to pay a $25,000 fine.
According to court documents, Noble Family Dairy is a commercial dairy consisting of a farm and large concentrated animal feeding operation located approximately 13 miles southeast of Grants Pass off Oregon Route 238. In early 2019, the dairy had 130 more head of cattle than it was permitted under its state-issued waste management plan permit causing its manure lagoons to fill more rapidly. As a result, dairy operators applied manure to its fields throughout the rainy season and dug a trench to capture the runoff. In late February 2019, heavy rainfall and flooding caused the dairy’s runoff trench to fail and discharge manure into Caris Creek and, ultimately, the Applegate River.
On April 19, 2023, Noble Family Dairy was charged by criminal information with one count of discharging a pollutant in violation of a NPDES permit, a misdemeanor crime under the Clean Water Act.
Manure and wastewater from dairies and other concentrated animal feeding operations have the potential to contribute pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorus, organic matter, sediments, pathogens, hormones and antibiotics to the environment.
If you witness an environmental event that may lead to an immediate threat to human health or the environment, please call 9-1-1. After alerting local emergency authorities, please also report incidents to the EPA’s National Response Center by calling 1-800-424-8802.
(US attorney’s office press release)
The Oregon Water Resources Department can now sue Oregonians who illegally misuse or waste water.
HB 2929 will allow the water resources department to take water misusers to court.
Lawmakers say the bill addressed the previous process where action against water misusers were not taken fast enough.
People could be sued in civil court for illegally irrigating from sources that are not their own like illegal marijuana growers or other farmers and ranchers. It can even be people who waste water.
HB 2929 was passed in this legislative session. It hopes to conserve water while regulating water use. (Oregon News)
Senator Brian Boquist, who famously warned that Oregon State Police should “send bachelors and come heavily armed” if they wanted to force him back to the Capitol during a 2019 Republican Senate boycott, has won a federal First Amendment challenge related to his threats.
Boquist, then a Republican, sued then-Sen. President Peter Courtney and other Democratic Senate leaders for their decision to require him to give 12 hours’ notice before he could appear at the Capitol.
U.S. District Judge Michael McShane ruled Monday that both sides engaged in “performative politics” and no one seriously worried about violence from Boquist.
McShane awarded Boquist $1 plus attorney fees.
Boquist, a lawmaker from Dallas long known for tilting at windmills, first threatened Courtney during a June 2019 floor speech in which he decried the possibility that Courtney would dispatch state troopers to compel him to return to the Capitol. “Mr. President … if you send the state police to get me, hell’s coming to visit you personally.”
The Department of Administrative Services is responsible for paying Boquist’s legal fees, Department of Justice spokesperson Kristina Edmunson said Tuesday. (Oregonian/Oregon Live)
“As harmless as 911 hang-up calls may seem, they impact resources,” explained Oregon Department of Emergency Management State 911 Program Manager Frank Kuchta.
“Each one of these calls ties up a call taker, who must call the number back to ensure there’s no emergency. If those callbacks are unanswered, an officer must locate the caller and check on their welfare. This ties up emergency responders who are then unavailable for actual emergency calls.”
A growing list of safety features added to smartphones, smartwatches and tablets give users more ways to reach out in an emergency. Android and iPhones offer crash detection and emergency SOS features that can potentially trigger false 911 calls. When these features are activated, an alarm may sound, and a countdown timer will appear on the phone to allow the user to cancel. If the countdown isn’t canceled, the phone will call 911.
In other cases, dropping a device, putting it in a pocket or purse, or holding certain buttons too long can trigger an emergency mode that, if not responded to, can automatically call 911. Even voice assistants can result in a false call if triggered accidentally.
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management and the state PSAPs are sharing useful tips on what people should do when they dial 911 by accident:
- If you do misdial, don’t hang up. Stay on the line, let the telecommunicator know it was an accident, and answer the questions they may have.
- If you do hang up, the telecommunicator will call you back. Answer the call and explain what happened.
- Deactivated cell phones will still call 911 if the phone turns on. Don’t let kids play with deactivated cell phones unless the battery is removed or dead.
- Teach kids about 911. It’s not a game when a child is calling 911 repeatedly and hanging up or making false statements to the telecommunicator.
- Turn off the automatic dialing setting so your phone doesn’t accidentally dial 911.
- Place your phone on sleep mode when you put it in your pocket.
Emergency settings can be changed or turned off, depending on the phone. For information about emergency features on Android phones, visit https://support.google.com/android/answer/9319337. For information about emergency features on iPhones, visit https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208076.
“Just remember, if you do accidentally call 911, stay on the line and let them know there’s no emergency before you disconnect,” said Kuchta. “Please do your part to help reduce the number of accidental calls and hangups so we can keep units available for those who truly need assistance.”
About the State 911 Program — Established in 1981 by the Oregon Legislature, the State 911 Program provides immediate access from all telephones to critical public and private safety services within Oregon. The state has 43 Public Safety Answering Points covering 36 counties. The State 911 Program is part of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management. Learn more at Oregon.gov/oem/911.
# # # Caption: Android phones and iPhones have crash detection and emergency SOS features that can potentially make false 911 calls. This infographic explains what to do if an accidental 911 call is made (available in English and Spanish, courtesy Oregon Department of Emergency Management).
Caption: Oregon Department of Emergency Management logo (courtesy Oregon Department of Emergency Management).
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.
For FAIR Information: https://www.atthefair.com/
The Scandinavian Festival is warning potential visitors of a scam trying to charge people for admission fees, vendor spaces and entertainment tickets.
There are fraudulent sales happening. Vendor spaces and admission/entertainment tickets are being advertised as available. We do not have admission fees or entertainment fees, this is fraudulent. We are no longer accepting vendors for this year. All communication via email will come from an official address (@junctioncityscandia.org) or direct from our social accounts. https://www.facebook.com/JunctionCityScandinavianFestival
The Oregon School Activities Association is currently looking for referees for football, volleyball and soccer for the fall sports season.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, OSAA has seen a decrease in high school sports officials and referees every year except the most recent school year.
Last year, OSAA had just over 2400 referees for seven sports and one activity. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, OSAA had over 3300 officials. Because of this difference, referees might have to do two games in one day, which isn’t normal if OSAA is fully staffed.
NewsWatch 12 spoke with the executive director of the Oregon Athletic Officials Association, Jack Folliard, who said he hopes they can make up some of that gap before the fall sports season starts.
“We’re down almost 900 officials. So, ideally, if we get back up to 3300, that would be great,” Folliard said. “We know that’s not going to happen overnight. It’s going to take a time.”
Folliard also said schools are raising pay for referees and officials.
“The schools helping to address the shortage issue have come through by significantly increasing the pay for officials, ranging from 15 to 20%,” said Folliard. “An example: a varsity football official two years from now will be able to make $100 per game plus mileage.”
If you’re interested in becoming a referee or official, you can go to https://www.osaa.org/new-officials/index.html for more information.
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