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 25, 2023
Klamath Basin Weather
Poor Air Quality Alert All Day
Widespread smoke and haze with sunny skies, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. Overnight mostly clear expected, with a low near 56. Winds northwest to 10 mph.
Today’s Headlines
Incident confirms many lost homes and structures, fire remains within footprint
BONANZA, Ore. – The Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) began damage assessments today on the
Golden Fire, which began on July 22, 2023.
As of today, the assessment reports that 43 single primary residences and 43 outbuildings were
destroyed by the fire. This initial number will likely change as hazardous conditions improve and task forces are able to safely complete assessments. OSFM resources continue to extinguish hot spots and conduct mop-up operations around structures to ensure no additional structures are lost.
Until today, conditions have not been safe for OSFM personnel to fully access structures in the affected area. Low fuel moisture, 90-degree temperatures, and wind gusts up to 20 mph contributed to extreme fire behavior during the initial attack and rapid fire spread. The majority of the structures determined to be destroyed were lost during the fire’s initial run on July 22, 2023. Following the initial attack, downed power lines, tree snags and road conditions have hindered crews’ access.
Despite near Red Flag conditions, crews were able to strengthen control lines around the fire
perimeter and maintain the current fire footprint. Along portions of the fireline, crews began falling
snags, a term for standing dead timber, to remove overhead dangers in order for firefighters to safely
begin mop-up operations along less-active portions of the fireline.
There are currently 317 homes affected in all evacuation levels. The Red Cross sheltered or assisted 56
community members on Saturday evening and 31 on Sunday evening.
“Our hearts go out to the Bonanza community and those affected by the Golden Fire,” said Matt
Howard, ODF Team 2 Incident Commander. “We grieve with the community and your loss. Our goal on
this fire has been, and will continue to be, to contain this fire to minimize its impact. Our job now is to
fully suppress this fire so the recovery process can begin. That is our commitment to you.”
Community meeting: Golden Fire Unified Command will host an outdoor, public information meeting
on Tuesday, July 25, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Bonanza School at 31601 Mission Street, Bonanza, OR .
Fire personnel will provide presentations on fire status and evacuations, followed by an opportunity to
ask questions. Representatives from cooperating agencies including the US Forest Service, Bureau of
Land Management, and Klamath County will be present. No seating is provided. Bring your own
outdoor lawn chair.
Evacuations downgraded: A portion of the level 3 (GO NOW) area was reduced to level 2. The
downgraded area follows west of Bechdoldt Flat Road, south of Racoon Lane and Jaguar Lane. See
website to find current evacuation maps.
Other evacuation levels remain at:
• Level 3 (Go)- All residence east of Highway 140 between Polar Bear Lane and Jaguar Lane.
• Level 2 (Set)- Both sides of Highway 140 and Bly Mountain Cutoff Road, south of Ground Hog Lane to
Keno Springs.
• Level 1 (Ready)- All residences west of 140 from Kodiak Lane to Goldfinch Drive.
For the most current evacuation information, call the Klamath County hotline at 541-205-9730, and
sign up for Klamath County alerts at http://alerts.klamathcounty.org. American Red Cross and Klamath
County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) have established an evacuation shelter at
Bonanza School, 31601 Mission Street, Bonanza, OR 97623.
Disagreeing opinions of directors were shared during the Klamath County School District (KCSD) board meeting Thursday afternoon over a requested exemption from excise taxation for soon-to-be affordable housing units within Peterson Elementary School’s residential district.
The Oregon legislature in 2007 enacted Senate Bill 1036 to authorize a construction excise tax for residential and commercial construction. School districts receive funding from this taxation to be utilized for capital repairs and maintaining existing facilities.
KCSD and the Klamath Falls City School District developed the process in place for projects to be considered for exemption, including affordable housing, improvements for private schools, hospitals, religious facilities and general public infrastructure, according to KCSD documents.
Klamath County Commissioners were contacted and asked to attend the meeting to discuss exemption on behalf of Mountain View Townhomes, KCSD Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said, but no county officials attended the meeting.
Other action items received unanimous support and approval, including a resolution to grant KCSD exemption from the competitive bidding process for the Keno Elementary School Seismic Rehabilitation Project. (Herald and News)
Two more illegal marijuana grow operations were shut down this week following search warrants allotted for the 27000 block of Lane Street and another for Adams Street in Sprague River.
A news release from the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) said five greenhouses on Lane Street housed 2,339 plants, including growing and already harvested crops which received water from a domestic well.
The grow operation bust on Adams Street also had five greenhouses, housing 831 plants.
Search of the property led to the arrest of one suspect, Gonzalo Francisco-Cruz, 37. Francisco-Cruz is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful manufacture of marijuana, the release said.
KCSO reported evidence of the crime of unlawful use of groundwater was documented on scene.
The black market value of the marijuana crops as well as the volume of misappropriated water is still being calculated. The search warrants were executed by KCSO with assistance from Basin Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team, Klamath County Community Corrections, Klamath County Code Enforcement, Klamath County Solid Waste and Oregon Water Resources Department. (KCSO press release/Herald and News)
The homicide of a 28-year-old woman in Bend this week brought the investigation to Klamath Falls, where the victim’s vehicle was discovered Thursday, July 20.
The victim, Evelyn Jeanette Weaver, was found dead in her residence on the 200 block of Northwest Hill Street in Bend on July 18, according to a news release from Bend Police Department.
After arriving on scene, police discovered Weaver’s vehicle, a 2004 silver Honda CR-V, was missing. The release said, “Surveillance video shows the vehicle stopping at that location in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 15.”
Weaver’s CR-V was found on the corner of Shasta Way and Division Street in Klamath Falls.
Photos from surveillance footage show an unidentified suspect exited the vehicle.
The police department in Bend is asking the public for further assistance to identify and apprehend the culprit by calling the non-emergency tip line at (541) 693-6911.
In addition, businesses and residents along U.S. Highway 97 between Bend and Klamath Falls are asked to review any surveillance video they may have between the hours of 3:30 p.m. Friday, July 14 and 3:30 a.m. Saturday, July 15 to look for the 2004 silver Honda CR-V or the person in the attached image.
Bend residents are asked to review any surveillance footage taken between July 8 and July 14 for a person whose description and clothing are similar to the suspect in the photo. (Herald and News)
The Klamath County Public Works department will have work crews out at several locations this 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:
- Tuesday, July 24: Shady Pine Road; Algoma Road
- Wednesday, July 25: Algoma Road; Clover Creek Road
- Thursday, July 26: Clover Creek Road
An early morning broom crew will be working at 4 a.m. at the following locations:
- Tuesday, July 25: Shady Pine Road; Algoma Road
- Wednesday, July 26: Shady Pine Road; Algoma Road; Clover Creek Road
- Thursday, July 27: Clover Creek Road
- Friday, July 28: Clover Creek Road
Road and utility work is set to take place in the vicinity of Stearns Elementary School along Crest Street, between Clinton and Denver Streets. 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.
(Klamath Co. Public Works/Herald and News)
The Klamath County district attorney’s office has a new deputy this month after hiring Klamath Falls resident Dan Higgins.
Among graduates in the class of 1997 at Henley High School, Higgins said there’s always been a special place in his heart for Klamath County.
With an undergrad degree from Southern Oregon University, followed by a law degree earned at University of Oregon, the young attorney built his career in Eugene working for the Lane County District Attorney’s office.
Higgins said he spent much of his professional time during that period on cases involving domestic violence, child abuse and vehicular homicide.
The pursuit of a career in law was inspired by his time spent in Washington D.C., where he resided for two years during a church mission.
Higgins is a welcome addition, current interim district attorney John Casalino said, praising Higgins for his hard work and devotion to upholding the values of the justice system in Klamath County.
Higgins said he believes in a precedent which sets high standards.
The Klamath County District Attorney’s Office currently is operating with only two official attorneys on staff with the DA seat and six additional DDA positions still unfulfilled. (Herald and News)
It’s the perfect time for a swim, and you can help celebrate one of the Klamath area’s crown jewels in doing so. The Ella Redkey Pool is hosting Family Theme Night on August 18th from 7- 10PM.
Officials say the first 100 people will be admitted for free and a raffle will be offered to help raise funds for the pool.
Tickets are 1 for $5 and 5 for $20 with a drawing set to start at 8 PM that evening. The event is sponsored by Friends of the Ella Redkey Pool. For more information call the pool e at 541-273-1477. (City of KF)
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)
Around the state of Oregon
Oregon’s Republican Congressional representatives…including second district representative Cliff Bentz…. are urging Governor Tina Kotek to immediately review all the criminal sentences commuted by her predecessor, Governor Kate Brown.
Representatives Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Bentz made the plea in a letter, after investigators linked the suspicious deaths of four Oregon women to one person of interest. Detectives say 38-year-old career criminal Jesse Calhoun was among about a thousand prison inmates released early after being granted conditional clemencies. Chavez-DeRemer and Bentz claim Brown did so without any other public input or feedback. They’re calling for what they call a clear, transparent clemency process with public input. (Oregon News)
The Flat Fire continues to be active in Curry County south of Agness but the level 3 evacuation notice in the area has been decreased.
The Curry County Sheriff’s Office said the area around Oak Flat Road and Spud Road is now under a level 2 notice.
The fire is listed at just over 16 thousand acres. Because of visibility issues last night, crews were unable to do an infrared flyover to update the acreage. Fire crews said the fire’s west flank continues to be the most active. Crews are working on preventative burning in that area to eventually stop the spread on that side.
Humidity levels have been favorable for crews the past couple of days, allowing for some controlled burning. (RR/Siskiyou NF)
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.
Pursuit and Officer Involved Shooting in Douglas County
On July 21, 2023 at approximately 7:38 am, Oregon State Police (OSP) initiated a pursuit with a Ford F250 that had been stolen during a violent robbery and burglary in Everett, Washington. The F250 entered the Roseburg area where it went the wrong way on Interstate 5 and then into the City of Roseburg. The male and female occupants of the F250 stopped in the area of Fulton St. in Roseburg, where they forcefully stole a Toyota Rav4 from an elderly female who was driving by.
OSP located the stolen Rav4 fleeing south through Roseburg. The vehicle fled out of the City, and eventually to the area of the Melrose Store. The Rav4 struck an OSP vehicle at this location, and then fled southbound.
The male occupant forcefully carjacked a Subaru car just south of the Melrose Store. During this carjacking, the male suspect ran over the owner of the Subaru, who sustained non-life threatening injuries. After running over the Subaru owner, the male suspect rammed a Douglas County Sheriff (DCSO) Deputy’s patrol vehicle. The male suspect sustained two gunshot wounds from DCSO Deputies at this time. The male suspect was taken into custody, provided with immediate first aid, and transported to Mercy Medical Center.
The female suspect continued fleeing southbound in the stolen Rav4; she was apprehended in the 8400 block of Lookingglass Road without incident after attempting to enter an occupied residence, and was transported to Mercy as a precaution for a report of Fentanyl use.
It was later learned that both male and female suspects had active warrants for Escape out of Washington. No Law Enforcement were injured during this incident. The Douglas County Major Crimes Team was activated, and Roseburg Police will lead the investigation of the Officer Involved Shooting.
No further information will be released at this time, as this is an active investigation.
Marion County Judge Hands Down a Prison Sentence of 205 Months for a 2021 Crime Spree
On Thursday, July 21, 2023, Marion County Circuit Court Judge Channing Bennett sentenced Sean K. Beck (9/29/1973) to 205 months in the Oregon Department of Corrections for series of crimes committed on July 28, 2021. Those crimes include Manslaughter in the First Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon with a Firearm x 5, Felon in Possession Firearm x 3, and Driving Under the Influence. Judge Bennett also found substantial and compelling reasons to deny Sean Beck earned time or any programming that could shorten his sentence.
A summary of the facts of the case are as follows:
On the morning of July 28, 2021, Keizer Police received a report from Crystal Billings, that Sean Beck, had stolen her 2014 silver Nissan X-terra as well as 3 guns – a Glock pistol, an A-R 15 and a Savage (.338 Lapua Magnum) rifle. Later that same day, a citizen reported that the stolen X-terra was parked behind a business off River Road in Keizer. It was further reported that a man with a pistol on his hip, later identified as Sean Beck, was standing near the vehicle. Keizer Police responded to that location and made contact with the Beck, who had by then gotten back into the X-terra. Beck was given repeated orders to surrender but refused to comply and eventually opened fire in the general direction of the police, who then returned fire.[1] Despite being shot several times, Beck then drove away from the scene and eluded police officers who were following him with lights and sirens. As the chase progressed down River Road, Beck ran a red light at a high rate of speed, struck, and then ran over a woman named Becky Dietzel, killing her. Despite this, Beck did not stop and instead continued to elude until police[2] were able to execute a pit maneuver and stop the X-terra by force.[3] After an approximately twenty-minute stand-off, Beck was taken into custody and transported to Salem Hospital to be treated for his wounds. A medical blood draw at the hospital showed that the defendant had a .35 BAC. A subsequent search of the stolen X-terra recovered the 3 stolen guns.
Sean Beck has an extensive criminal history that includes criminal convictions in four states as well as federal convictions for Robbery of a Banking Institution and Bank Robbery.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Matthew Kemmy and Katharine Semple.
District Attorney Paige Clarkson thanks Keizer Police Officers Jeremy Darst, Scott Kenniston, Chad Fahey, Michael Kowash and Sergeant Kevin DeMarco as well as the rest of the Keizer Police Department for their bravery and service.
Parade Planned to Celebrate Bend Pearl Harbor Veteran’s 102 Birthday Today!
Dick Higgins, Central Oregon’s oldest living Pearl Harbor survivor, turns 102 years old on Monday, and the community is invited to participate in a parade in his honor Sunday in Bend.
The last time there was a birthday parade for Higgins was on his 100th birthday, when at least 200 vehicles participated, said Larry Moyer, one of the parade organizers and the president of the High Desert Eagles chapter of the Oregon Veterans Motorcycle Association.
“We encourage anybody to come in any vehicle of any kind,” Moyer said of Sunday’s parade which will begin at High Desert Middle School at 61111 SE 27th St. in Bend. Participants are asked to arrive at 3:45 p.m. to prepare before setting off at 4 p.m.
Moyer said the parade will begin at the middle school and move north on SE 27th Street before turning left on Ferguson Road. On Mount Vista Drive, the parade will turn right, passing Higgins’ house on the left. The parade will then turn left on Victory Loop which circles around the neighborhood and back to Higgins’ house.
Higgins will be sitting outside his home in the shade to greet the parade, Moyer said.
Angela Norton, Higgins’ granddaughter, said she isn’t involved in the parade but is moved that the community continues to honor her grandfather. (SOURCE)
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