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.
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
Klamath Basin Weather
This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 92. South southwest wind 8 to 14 mph becoming west. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Overnight, clear with a low around 54. Heavy winds to 15 mph with higher gusts at times.
Today’s Headlines
Crews have continued to make progress on the Golden fire near Bonanza. Yesterday, it was announced that at least 43 homes have been destroyed in the blaze.
The Golden Fire is now about 15% contained. Firefighters are holding the fire within the original footprint and crews are working to control the fires and have made significant progress. About 450 firefighters are fighting the blaze on the ground and with the use of 12 helicopters and 45 total engines.
The fire perimeter is now fully lined and crews are doing mop-up operations and checking for hot spots. Today fire crews will continue to secure, improve and hold control lines of the fire. Due to successful mop-up operations, electric utility contractors and fiber optic employees now have access to safely restore connectivity to residents in the coming days. Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) resources will wrap up their work, expanding mop-up to 50 feet around structures and assisting wildland partners. OSFM resources will begin demobilizing three task forces this morning, leaving three structural task forces assigned to the fire. All remaining OSFM task forces and the Incident Management Blue Team will head back to their home agencies tomorrow.
Klamath County Sherriff’s Office has released a statement ruling out a marijuana grow as the cause of the fire. The cause remains under investigation.
Last night, fire officials held a meeting at Bonanza School, with approximately 125 attendees. The Incident Management Teams appreciate the impressive community participation and support.
Attendees expressed their gratitude for the rapid response and hard work of local agencies, OSFM and Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) resources, and wildland fire partners.
Additional updates can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/goldenfire2023/.
Golden Fire Weather: Today’s weather will generate potential for active fire behavior. Wind and low relative humidity (RH) will produce critical fire weather over the fire area. High temps, low RH, and windy afternoon conditions will persist for the next several days.
Golden Fire Evacuations: Evacuation orders remain in place, but levels have decreased.
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. For the latest evacuation information call the Klamath County hotline (541) 205-9730. To sign up for Klamath County alerts, visit http://alerts.klamathcounty.org.
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Though the Golden Fire is burning in Klamath County, the effects of it are being felt in adjacent Lake County- in a big way.
The Lake County Board of Commissioners approved Resolution 2023-04 declaring the emergency during an Emergency Session Meeting on July 24, 2023.
A fiber optic line supporting services to Lakeview, Plush, Adel, New Pine Creek, Paisley, and Summer Lake has been significantly damaged on July 22 by the Golden Fire. Restoration to the line is not known yet.
Lake County Emergency Management has been working on triaging the connection loss.
Lake County has also been working with Oregon Emergency Management, Department of Administrative Services, Oregon Department of Human Services Office of Resilience and Emergency Management to restore emergency connections for 911, Lakeview Interagency Fire Center, and Lake Health District since the outage occurred.
According to a press release by Lake County, “Temporary First Net and Verizon deployable towers have arrived at the locations and are providing services. Additional devices and support have been requested to improve bandwidth at these locations. County officials are working to triage other services within the affected areas.”
Lake County 911 has communication established with Klamath County 911.
The County has submitted requests to the State of Oregon for aid for other critical services in the communities and hopes to have them connected soon.
Through their Facebook page, Fireserve Broadband Internet has stated their services are up due to a microwave-linked backup system. But customers may experience slower speeds during peek usage. (Lake County press release)
The biggest fire in Oregon, the Flat Fire, continues to burn as well in the Rogue River-Siskyou National Forest, south of Agness and east of Gold Beach.
The forest service has issued a closure order for the fire area, including trails, roads, and a portion of the Illinois River.
The fire is believed to be human-caused but the particulars are still under investigation. It began July 15th, and is at 3% contiainment and is just over 24,000 acres in size. (RR/Siskiyou NF)
Coming to The Ragland Theater, Klamath Falls…. Disney’s THE LION KING!
Around the state of Oregon
Josephine County Sheriff’s Bust Another Illegal Grow Site
REPORTING DEPUTY: Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET), July 25, 2023
ARRESTED: Jesus Mario Arizmendi, 29 years-old
Alberto Garcia-Mendoza, 34 years-old
CHARGES: 1- Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana
2- Unlawful Possession of Marijuana
DETAILS:
On July 24, 2023, the Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) with the assistance of Josephine County Public Health & Building Safety, executed a search warrant in the 500 block of Verde Lane, Merlin, regarding an illegal marijuana grow site.
During the execution of the warrant, 1,500 pounds of processed marijuana was seized and destroyed.
The property also had multiple water and solid waste code violations. These violations could result in the criminal forfeiture of the property.
Jesus Mario Arizmedni and Alberto Garcia-Mendoza were both taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. At the time of this press release the investigation is ongoing and no further details are being released.
Drinking water from the Tub Springs Wayside, a popular “watering hole” for people driving between the Klamath Basin and the Ashland area, has been closed since January with no estimates on when the ban will be lifted.
Although the wayside, which has a restroom, hiking trail and information panels, remains open, there’s no indication when water from the historic water tubs at the wayside located off Highway 66 about 50 miles west of Klamath Falls, will again be available. The popular water source, used by travelers taking a short water break and others who collect water in large containers for use at home, was closed Jan. 25 due to water quality concerns.
The Oregon Health Authority ordered the public use closure due to high turbidity, which can make drinking water unsafe for consumption. Jackson County operates the wayside through an intergovernmental agreement with Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.
According to the closure sign and Jackson County’s website, “For unknown reasons, most likely associated with recent heavy rain events, the water produced by the springs does not meet state water quality parameters. We are currently in consultation with Oregon Health Authority and the Jackson County Health Department to evaluate the next steps and will share that information as we learn more. Thank you for your patience and understanding, as we work to protect public health associated with this drinking water supply.”
The tubs will remain closed to the public until further notice at the direction of the Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Services Program. According to the notice, “Oregon State Parks, the Oregon Health Authority and Jackson County are working together to further evaluate the situation.”
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has not yet responded to requests for updates.
In announcing the closure, the statement said high turbidity levels concerns means the water was cloudy and had high levels of sediment, which can lead to contamination. When park staff revisited the site in January and the spring remained very cloudy, again indicating a very high turbidity level. The Oregon Health Authority has since determined that the high turbidity levels indicate that the spring is not fed from groundwater but, instead, from surface water. (Herald and News)
Lane County Sheriff’s Office Busts Illegal Butane Hash Oil Operation off of Prairie Road
Lane County Sheriff’s Office Detectives served a search warrant at an illegal butane hash oil operation (BHO) in the 29800blk of Kelso St. Monday morning. Authorities found extremely dangerous conditions that included the use of highly volatile chemicals within the immediate proximity of poorly constructed and unpermitted electrical work.
“It’s a miracle that this lab has not exploded yet”, stated an LCSO detective that wishes to remain anonymous at this time. This lab was located in very close proximity to residences and businesses including a large lumber mill.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of an explosion of a very similar lab in the Fall Creek area in January of this year. Clandestine labs such as these pose an extreme hazard to the communities in which they operate. Misuse of hazardous chemicals not only carry the risk of explosion but poison the environment when not properly maintained and disposed.
During the execution of the warrant, large quantities of BHO in various stages of processing were seized. The site also contained a large-scale psilocybin mushroom manufacturing operation.
Investigators took 47-year-old Brandon Dylan Whitmer into custody for a warrant out of Linn County for Arson in the First Degree. This warrant is related to a butane hash oil lab explosion that occurred in May of 2021 in Linn County. Whitmer had also been injured in a BHO lab explosion in Eugene in August of 2021.
A search warrant was also served on Whitmer’s residence in the Coburg area. Additional processed marijuana and evidence related to the manufacturing of marijuana products was discovered.
Whitmer received new charges today for the illegal manufacture of marijuana products and unlawful possession of marijuana related items. He was lodged at the Lane County Jail.
Lane County Land Management has been involved in the investigation and will be following up regarding the multiple code violations located at the site.
Former Oregon Corrections Nurse Found Guilty of Sexually Assaulting Nine Female Inmates
PORTLAND, Ore.—A federal jury in Portland found a former Oregon Department of Corrections employee guilty today of sexually assaulting nine female inmates while serving as a nurse at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, Oregon’s only women’s prison.
Tony Daniel Klein, 38, of Clackamas County, Oregon, was convicted of 17 counts of depriving his victims of their constitutional right not to be subjected to cruel and unusual punishment by sexual assault and four counts of perjury.
“Tony Klein used his position of authority to prey on women in custody who were in a uniquely vulnerable position. He further led his victims to believe they had no power to resist or report his abuse,” said Natalie Wight, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “This verdict would not have been possible without the courage and resolve of these women and the dedication of our partners at the FBI and Civil Rights Division.”
“This defendant is being held accountable for sexually assaulting female inmates under his care, custody and control,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Abuses of power and authority, like this, where the defendant took advantage of his position as a medical professional to satisfy his own sexual desires, will not be tolerated, and justice will be pursued. We thank the survivors of these sexual assaults for having the courage to come forward and tell their story. The Civil Rights Division will continue to vigorously hold accountable those who abuse their authority by committing sexual assault.”
“As a state prison nurse, Mr. Klein used his position to intimidate and sexually assault multiple women. His heinous actions were only brought to light by a small group of courageous women who came forward, even despite their precarious circumstances of being incarcerated. Their willingness to report their victimization undoubtedly saved others from Mr. Klein’s predatory actions,” said Kieran L. Ramsey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Portland Field Office. “This verdict demonstrates the commitment by the FBI and our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office to hold accountable public officials, who not only violate the public trust, but even go so far as to commit monstrous actions such as those proven at trial in this case.”
According to court documents, from 2010 until January 2018, in his position, Klein interacted with female inmates who either sought medical treatment or worked as orderlies in the prison’s medical unit. Aided by his access to the women and his position of power as a corrections employee, Klein sexually assaulted or engaged in nonconsensual sexual conduct with many female inmates entrusted to his care.
By virtue of his position as a medical provider, Klein was often alone with his victims and assaulted many before, during, or after medical treatment. For women who worked in the medical unit, Klein manufactured reasons to get them alone in secluded areas such as medical rooms, janitor’s closets, or behind privacy curtains. Klein made it clear to his victims that he was in a position of power over them, and they would not be believed if they tried reporting his abuse. Fearing punishment if they fought back against or reported his conduct, most of Klein’s victims submitted to his unwanted advances or endured his assaults.
On March 8, 2022, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Klein with depriving his victims of their constitutional right not to be subjected to cruel and unusual punishment by sexual assault and perjury.
Following announcement of the jury’s verdict, Klein was remanded into the custody of U.S. Marshals Service pending his sentencing on October 17, 2023, before U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Simon. Klein faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI Portland Field Office. It was prosecuted by Cameron A. Bell, Trial Attorney for the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section, and Gavin W. Bruce, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Horsley assisted the trial team.
Oregonians Can Start To Apply For Paid Work Leave Next Month
Oregon workers can apply for benefits through the state’s new paid leave program starting Aug. 14, with benefits starting in September. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Oregon workers can apply for benefits through the state’s new paid leave program starting Aug. 14.
The program, Paid Leave Oregon , covers family leave, medical leave and safe leave for Oregonians with jobs. Oregon is the 12th state in the nation with paid family and medical leave for workers, due to a bill the Legislature passed in 2019. Oregonians can qualify for leave for reasons that include:
- A child arriving in their family, whether through birth, adoption or a foster care placement.
- Caring for themselves due to a serious health condition.
- Caring for a family member with a serious health condition.
- If they or their child experience sexual assault, domestic violence, harassment or stalking. This is called “safe leave.”
Oregon Employment Department officials determined the trust fund, which collects employee payroll deductions and employer contributions, will be solvent and ready to launch benefits the week of Sept. 3. As a result, this will be the first week workers can start their paid leave. Payments will go out within two weeks of when their leave starts, state officials said.
To apply for leave, employees will use the Oregon Employment Department’s new online system called Frances Online .
Employees can now go to the employee overview page and find many resources, including a guidebook.
Detailed information for employees, including eligibility requirements, tutorial videos, a benefits calculator, and much more, will be available on the Paid Leave website on Aug. 14.
“We’re opening up the application process a little early so we can handle that big influx of initial applications we expect,” said Karen Madden Humelbaugh, director of Paid Leave Oregon.
Humelbaugh said the state cannot retroactively pay people who took leave before Sept. 3.
State officials expect the demand to be high initially and level out. They project about 41,000 workers will file claims for leave during the initial launch and that figure will eventually level out to about 12,000 claims a month.
One reason why the initial period will see more claims is because workers can take leave due to the birth or arrival of a new child into the family within the first year.
“You do have all those folks who maybe their child is 10 months old, so they could take the last two months or something like that,” Humelbaugh said.
How it works
In January 2023, employers and employees started contributing to a trust fund that will pay for employee paid leave benefits. Workers will be eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid leave annually, or 14 weeks for pregnancy-related medical leave.
In 2021, state lawmakers delayed the start of contributions for one year, from January 2022 to January 2023, as the Oregon Employment Department worked on a project to modernize its technology during the pandemic.
Employers and employees fund Paid Leave Oregon with a combined total contribution of 1% of gross payroll. Employees pay 60% and large employers with 25 or more employees will contribute the remaining 40%.
For an employee who makes $50,000 in annual gross wages, the worker’s share is $300 annually and the employer will contribute $200.
Employers with fewer than 25 employees are not required to contribute, but their workers still pay into the program and are eligible.
Part-time employees, or those with multiple jobs, are eligible.
The program will pay benefits on a sliding scale, based on how much employees make. Many low-income Oregonians will be eligible for all their paychecks while on paid leave. For example, Oregonians making minimum wage will receive 100% of their regular pay while on paid leave.
It’s a smaller share for high-income Oregonians. For example, someone earning $2,555.78 a week – about $133,000 annually – would get $1,469.78 a week in paid leave.
Most employees are covered, with the exception of tribal governments, independent contractors and self-employed business owners. However, they can choose to participate in the program.
Federal government employees are not eligible. Employers that offer equivalent paid leave benefits can opt out of the state’s program.
During the 2023 legislative session, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 31 , which requires the Oregon Employment Department to make sure the Paid Leave Oregon trust fund is solvent before starting any benefits.
“Just like any new statewide program of this size, we know we will have to adjust along the way,” Humelbaugh said. “SB 31 was good contingency planning, and we will continue to work with the Legislature and other key partners as we monitor the program’s progress after launch.” (SOURCE)
Those that travel often to Medford, and use Foothill road to enter the backside of Medford from the East and highway 140 from the Basin, take note of the heavy construction in that area now.
Foothill Road is undergoing one of the biggest reconstruction projects in Medford history to widen and re-pave roads for public safety. Foothill Road will be closed from East McAndrews Street to Hillcrest Road starting Monday, July 31. It will open temporarily for a construction break in November.
Open and closing dates have not been announced yet because it will depend on the construction and weather capabilities.
The project is the going to take three years to complete. There will be a total of 5 stages. The City of Medford is wrapping up stage one which is reconstructing the ramp on foothills road. Starting Monday there will be complete closure of Foothill Road from East McAndrews Street to Hillcrest Road. The road is used by many that have medical appointments at or near Asante Rogue Valley Regional Medical Center. (KDRV 12)
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