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Friday, August 25, 2023
Klamath Basin Weather
An AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM TODAY
Today
Hazy sunny skies throughout the day, high of 86 degrees, winds 10-15 mph at times. Overnight, hazy smoky skies and a low near 54.
Today’s Headlines
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Alert…in effect until 5 PM today for Klamath County.
Protect yourself and your family when smoke levels are high:
Stay inside if possible. Keep windows and doors closed. If it’s too hot, run air conditioning on recirculate or consider moving to a cooler location. Avoid strenuous outdoor activity. Use a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in indoor ventilation systems or portable air purifiers. Be aware of smoke in your area and avoid places with the highest levels. If you have a breathing plan for a medical condition, be sure to follow it and keep any needed medications refilled. (national weather service/ODEQ)
U.S. Representative Cliff Bentz spent a portion of his Congressional break in Klamath Falls on Tuesday, taking time to answer constituent concerns during a town hall meeting.
Bentz spoke at the Oregon Tech campus, where, for the better part of an hour and a half, shared what has been happening in Washington, D.C., and participated in a conversation with attendees.
Bentz represents Oregon’s second Congressional district which spans 20 counties in north, east, central and southern Oregon — a space he said occupies three-fourths of the state. The next largest Congressional district in Oregon, OR-04, covers only six counties.
Bentz serves on two committees in Washington — the House Natural Resources Committee as chair for the Subcommittee of Water, Wildlife and Fisheries, and also on the House Judiciary Committee.
Many of the questions asked by those present related to water in the Klamath Basin.
Bentz said he has had many meetings with people involved in this “challenging space,” the Klamath Basin, trying to figure out many different ways to approach the issue of water. In answer to a Herald and News question, Bentz said Klamath County’s biggest asset is the children. (Herald and News)
Klamath County and Klamath Community College enters into a new strategic partnership
Seeking to meet local and regional demand for a skilled workforce, KCC is looking to strengthen two career pathways: Advanced Manufacturing and Cybersecurity through collaborating with employers.
Previously approved at an administrative meeting on July 25, the board has now officially made the decision public during their business meeting on Tuesday.
Under the direction of the county’s Information Technology Department, a program will be built to host internships and foster educational opportunities for students attending KCC.
The Commission also approved Dan Golden, director of Klamath County Juvenile Department, to renew a contract with Lake County for the housing of youth involved in the Lake County Corrections.
Golden said Lake County lacks a juvenile facility of its own and so leases beds from Klamath County.
In the agreement, Klamath County will provide a minimum of 220 bed days to Lake County at $110 per day for the service.
The meeting also saw the release of $11,010 worth of domestic well grants that according to County Grant Manager Natalie Parker leaves approximately $6 million in the fund.
An additional 100 homes are still planned to receive assistance and the county is still accepting grant applications. (herald and news)
The Klamath Folk Alliance is scheduled to hold its seventh annual Klamath Folk Festival from 3-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at the Ross Ragland Theater.
This family friendly event will present musical acts and activities for people of all ages.
According to Nick Depew, event coordinator, the festival “is a mixed experience of 12 acts across two stages — indoor and one outdoor — both highlighting diversity of folk music and how it crosses into other genres.”
Headlining this year’s festival is J. Michael Harter with special guest “Yellowstone’s” Forrie J. Smith. The Billboard artist Harter will team with Smith to debut their single “Well-Oiled Machine” at the event.
The song is sweeping the nation, and highlights “the folks that keep America running,” according to the event’s news release. Also appearing are Minnesota bluegrass and old-time duet champs Fellow Pynins, guitar virtuoso Dirt Miller, and Native American flutist of the year Tommy Graven.
Other local and regional talents performing are Daniel Bocchi, Mother Crow Sister Raven, Second Hand Sage, Wampus Cat, Eric Leadbetter, Summer Grace, Kyle Staunton, and Jodie Jean Marston.
The Klamath Folk Festival is presented by the Klamath Folk Alliance, a local nonprofit that “serves the Klamath Basin region by hosting and/or supporting music-related workshops, educational programs in schools, facilitating venues for live music, encouraging participation of musicians of all ages and skill levels, and documenting the ongoing history of folk influenced music in our area,” according to its website.
Klamath Folk Alliance is partnering with the Ross Ragland Theater this year for the festival. All proceeds from the event go back into the organizations to cover music facilitation efforts and operations for both.
The city of Klamath Falls says this event will take place between 9am-8pm…..7th St between Pine St and High St will be closed to accommodate the event. 7th St closure will occur between 7pm August 26th to 8pm August 26th. Please contact Christy Ruegger with questions at (541)281-8803. (KFF/Herald and News/city of KF)
75 Volunteers helped with improvements at Wiard Park during this month of August.
Cascade Health Alliance volunteers met at Wiard Park to help staff with park improvements to make an already great neighborhood space even better.
Teams assembled to paint picnic tables and structures, re-stain a pavilion, fix fencing, trim hedges, weed a native garden, and help place new park benches.
Dennis Wiard, the great grandson of the founder of Wiard Park, coordinated the efforts for the volunteers and provided a little park history:
The enthusiasm of everyone involved left a lasting impact on historic Wiard Park. Maintaining a space where families can enjoy a comfortable space outdoors goes to the heart of community values in Klamath Falls. This volunteer day served as an example of how collaboration and community spirit can preserve cherished outdoor spaces for generations to come and promoting a healthier community.
About Wiard Memorial Park District: Wiard Park District is a special taxing district operating seven parks within the Klamath Falls suburban area. The park district is committed to enriching the lives of the residents of Klamath County by providing safe, welcoming parks and recreation facilities for people of all ages to play, learn, contemplate, build community and be good stewards of our environment. (cascade health alliance press release)
The Klamath County District Attorney’s Office announced that yesterday afternoon, Halie Harkins received a mandatory minimum 25-year to life prison sentence for shooting and killing Tyler Bates and injuring two other victims.
This investigation began on August 7, 2022, when law enforcement responded to the shooting in Chiloquin. On December 16, 2022, a full evidentiary hearing regarding bail and release was held.
The Honorable Judge Alicia Kersey found that the proof was evident and the presumption strong that defendant murdered Tyler Bates; bail and release were denied. On August 18, 2023, the defendant appeared in front of The Honorable Roxanne Osborne and pleaded guilty to Murder in the Degree and two counts of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree.
Wednesday (yesterday), the defendant was sentenced to 25 years in prison and only after completion of that minimum period of confinement may she petition the State Board of Parole and Post-Prison for release.
It was through the work and coordination of the Klamath County Major Crimes Team (MCT) that this case was investigated and prosecuted. The Klamath County District Attorney’s Office would like to recognize members of the MCT who responded to the 9-1-1 calls including the lead investigator, Klamath County Sheriff’s Deputy Sergeant Daniel Towery for all their dedicated and expert efforts investigating and assisting throughout this case. (kc district atty office press release)
Residents of Klamath Falls voiced concerns about the ongoing test and potential shift from downtown traffic signals to two- and four-way stops at Monday night’s Klamath Falls City Council Meeting.
The public outcry comes in response to an ongoing traffic test conducted by city staff during which traffic signals along Main Street and Klamath Avenue are converted to flashing yellow and red lights.
Pending the outcome of this three-month testing period, traffic signals may be removed and replaced with stop signs where necessary.
But many city residents and downtown businesses have expressed strong disapproval of the change in traffic control.
Klamath Falls resident Rachel Lowther presented petitions to council with over 750 signatures collected so far. Cary Fenton and Jon Passmore, owners of the Daily Bagel and World of Akai Family Fun Center, shared the struggles their businesses are experiencing since the traffic test began.
Pedestrian safety was a focus for many of the residents who spoke during the meeting, some of whom shared stories of nearly hitting pedestrians or nearly being hit by motorists while crossing the streets.
Focus on the downtown area of Klamath Falls continued during the meeting with a public hearing held on behalf of the city’s proposed change in downtown parking permits.
Assistant to the City Manager Aaron Snow explained the item before council, noting that this was just a first step in the process which would allow the city to consolidate the current five different parking permits — full-time employees, part-time employees, overnight, reserved and residential — into one simplified permit.
The ordinance amends the city code sections relating to prohibited downtown parking in the parking district as well as the application and permit processes. (herald and news)
The Klamath County Commissioners are considering a county-wide resolution that would change how advisory board members are appointed.
Commissioners discussed a draft of the resolution during the regular administrative meeting Tuesday afternoon.
Commissioner Kelley Minty told Herald & News the topic came up when commissioners realized that the Klamath County Library Advisory Board (KCLAB) has multiple members who have served more than their two-term limit due to a lack of new applicants.
The goal of the potential resolution, Minty said, is to ensure county residents have equal opportunities to participate and serve the community.
According to Resolution 2016-17, the previous process by which appointments to advisory boards, commissions, committees and task forces required current advisory group members to conduct reviews of applications and make a recommendation to county commissioners.
If there were multiple applicants for the same seat, the county had the option of conducting interviews before appointing a member.
The updated process, as defined by the not-yet-finalized draft of the resolution, includes increased advertisements for more widespread awareness of the openings.
An updated draft of the resolution will be discussed and possibly approved at the next administrative meeting at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the County Government Center, 305 Main St., room 214. (herald and news)
It’s been a long wait, but tours of Crater Lake National Park in the new boats placed in the lake earlier this summer are finally happening.
Reservations are recommended for the three different tours, which began operating Monday and will continue until Sept. 17. No tours will be offered, however, on Sept. 9 and 16 because Rim Drive will be closed for the annual Ride the Rim event.
The new boats — 41-feet long, 13-feet wide and constructed of aluminum alloy — can carry 55 passengers and two crew members. They replace boats that had a carrying capacity of 34. And, because each new boat will have two engines, one boat will no longer be required to remain at the Cleetwood Cove dock in case of an engine failure. It’s expected the upgrades mean many more people will be able to take the tours, which are often sold-out.
The new crafts also have an open boat design that, according to Katanacraft, the Grants Pass based company that designed and built the boats, will allow 360-degree views of the lake and caldera walls. Windshields will protect passengers from wind and spray off the lake.
Three tour options are being offered — standard two-hour cruises, cruises with three-hour Wizard Island layovers, and Wizard Island shuttles. Information on the various tours follow. For more information and reservations visit the Crater Lake Hospitality website at travelcraterlake.com/things-to-do/boat-tours. (herald and news)
Upcoming Klamath County Library Events
BADGER RUN RUMMAGE SALE IS SATURDAY, Aug. 26th, Benefitting Wildlife Care in Klamath County
Around the state of Oregon
Happy Camp Complex Morning Update, Friday, Aug 25th.
An increase in fire activity indicated today that the fuels around the Happy Camp Complex are drying out.
The temperature rose, and relative humidity dropped as the inversion lifted. Fire behavior transitioned from surface fire to single and multiple trees igniting. The Elliot, Ufish, and Swillup fires experienced short-range spotting and rolling material, which was the primary growth mechanism. Crews are watching these fires closely and will use tactical firing when necessary to protect the values at risk.
Progress continued on the Head fire, and direct line construction is going well. Fixed-wing aircraft were used to drop retardant on the east side of the Head fire, slowing the fire’s spread and helping crews on the ground.
WEST SIDE OVERVIEW (ACRES/CONTAINMENT): Elliot (2,861 acres, 3%), Swillup (1,714 acres, 0%), Malone (276 acres, 7%), Ufish (1,161 acres, 0%)
*Though the Elliot fire did grow today, the majority of new acreage is due to adding in the acreage of the Three Creeks and Canyon fires. The three fires have grown together, now known as the Elliot fire.
EAST SIDE OVERVIEW (ACRES/CONTAINMENT): Head (6,648 acres, 19%), Block (0.1 acres, 100%), Townsend (81 acres, 100%), Den (294 acres, 95%), Gold (968 acres, 60%), Scott (367 acres, 45%), Lake (174 acres, 5%).
RED CROSS OPENS SHELTER FOR SMITH RIVER COMPLEX FIRE
The Red Cross has set up a shelter at Rogue Community College, Redwood Campus in Grants Pass for people evacuated by the Smith River Complex Fire southwest of Obrien in Josephine County. Anyone who needs shelter from this wildfire should go to the college at 3345 Redwood Hwy, Grants Pass, OR 97527 or call 1-800-Red Cross.
Preparedness info can be found here: https://redcrossblog.org/
BLM Land South of O’Brien Closed Due to Smith River Complex
Medford, Oregon – As a result of the Smith River Complex, the BLM is closing public lands south of O’Brien to the California border. This order is for the safety of the public and firefighter personnel.
Members of the public may not enter closed areas, and all uses—including hiking, hunting and camping—are prohibited. Pacific Northwest Team 13 is currently engaged on the north side of the fire.
“This closure order is for the safety of the public and firefighter personnel,” said Steve Lydick, Coos Bay District Manager. “The BLM continues to work closely with the fire team and county emergency managers on public safety measures resulting from the Smith River Complex.”
Maps of the closure areas are available on the Bureau of Land Management’s website: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions
The Oregon Employment Department held a meeting yesterday to provide updates on the new Paid Leave Oregon program.
Paid Leave Oregon aims to give workers and employers opportunities to take time for their families and personal needs.
Applications opened earlier this month and the meeting, gave more insight into how it works.
The program recognizes three types of leave: Family, Medical and Safe leave.
If you’re eligible, you can take up to 12 weeks of paid leave, over a 52-week period.
It works through paying into the program, that’s called your ‘contribution rate’ which is one percent of your gross wages.
If you work for a large employer, they are required to help you pay 40 percent of this amount.
At the meeting, staff behind the program said they are making sure each application is thoroughly reviewed.
(oregon news)
Fatal Crash on Highway 20 in Malheur County
On Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at approximately 12:20 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy-20, near milepost 237, in Malheur County.
The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Mercedes SUV, operated by Christina Cheryl Shane-Contarino (75) of Yreka (CA), was negotiating a curve when it crossed over the center line into the on-coming lane of travel. A westbound Peterbilt commercial motor vehicle, operated by Hijinio A Hernandez (34) of Ontario, attempted to avoid a collision with the Mercedes but was unable to do so. The vehicles collided head-on in the westbound lane, sending the Peterbilt into a nearby cornfield and the Mercedes onto the shoulder of the roadway.
The operator of the Mercedes (Shane-Contarino) was declared deceased at the scene.
The operator of the Peterbilt was reportedly uninjured.
The highway was impacted for approximately 3 hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is being investigated. OSP was assisted by the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, Vale Fire and Ambulance, and ODOT.
Fatal Crash on Highway 20 in Linn County
On Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at approximately 8:51 A.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy-20, near milepost 19, in Linn County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a gray Hyundai Elantra, operated by Joel William Applebaum (30) of Sweet Home, was traveling eastbound when it left its lane of travel and entered the westbound lane. The Hyundai struck a westbound yellow Mitsubishi Lancer, operated by Joy Lavonne Backus (70) of Sweet Home, head-on.
Both vehicle operators, Applebaum and Backus, were declared deceased at the scene.
The highway was impacted for approximately 3 hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
OSP was assisted by Lebanon Fire, Sweet Home Fire, and ODOT.
A new poll in the state says majority of Oregonians support repealing the state’s landmark law that decriminalized small amounts of street drugs and funneled hundreds of millions of tax dollars into treatment programs and services.
Emerson College Polling, a leading pollster, conducted the survey this month, finding 56% of Oregonians support a total repeal of Measure 110, with 64% saying they support repealing parts of the law.
Half of those polled said the law makes the community much less safe.
Measure 110 drew its strongest support from voters in Oregon’s Portland-centric 1st Congressional District. Its stiffest opposition was among voters in the 2nd Congressional District, which stretches across eastern Oregon.
More broadly, 58% of Oregon voters say the state is on the wrong track, compared with 42% who think it is headed in the right direction, the poll found. (oregon news)
As fires rage in Oregon, U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer joined a bipartisan group of senators and representatives pushing to permanently boost pay for wildland firefighters.
Federal wildland firefighters received temporary pay boosts through the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law of 2021, which ensured they make at least $15 per hour – wildland firefighters work a base 40 hours. They also received temporary raises of $20,000 or 50% of their base pay a year, whichever was less, in 2022.
But those raises are set to expire on Sept. 30. Legislation proposed in the U.S. House and Senate aim to permanently increase pay for wildland firefighters and provide supplemental pay boosts for each day a firefighter is deployed to a fire.
The Senate version of the bill, spearheaded by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Arizona, received a favorable vote out of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee in July and is expected to be considered by the full Senate after it returns from its August recess. The House version, led by Democratic Rep. Joe Neguse of Colorado, was introduced last week and hasn’t yet been considered by any committees.
So far, Chavez-DeRemer is the only member of Oregon’s congressional delegation signed on to either bill.(oregon news)
A Washington County jury has awarded nearly $4 million to a former Pacific University student who said the school improperly handled allegations that he sexually assaulted another student.
Peter Steele, who enrolled in Pacific’s doctorate in psychology program in 2016, was suspended by the school in 2020 after a female student told school officials that he sexually and physically assaulted her. Steele maintains that his relationship with the woman was consensual and he did not assault her.
A jury last week found that Pacific had not acted in a fair and reasonable way toward Steele and had intentionally caused him emotional distress.
Pacific University is currently facing several additional lawsuits from former employees who allege that Pacific discriminated against them, including by improperly initiating Title IX investigations. (oregon news)
A Bend man was killed after the pickup he was driving rolled several times on the Cascade Lakes Highway early Tuesday morning. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office said speed is believed to be a factor.
It happened about 3:45 a.m. just east of Sparks Lake.
Investigators say the 2004 Ford Ranger, driven by a 33-year-old Bend man, was going around a curve and ended up on the soft shoulder before rolling.
It was determined the driver died of his injuries. There was nobody else in the vehicle.
Alcohol is not believed to be a factor. The man’s name wasn’t immediately released from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s office. (oregon news)
Potential Impact of $24.6 Billion Kroger-Albertsons Merger on Oregon’s Grocery Market Competition
Kroger, Fred Meyer and QFC’s parent company, and Albertsons, Safeway’s owner, are on the verge of a substantial $24.6 billion merger. This move promises to reshape the retail landscape of the Pacific Northwest and bolster competition. Concerns are surfacing, though, regarding the potential reduction in shopping options for Oregon residents. Regulatory hurdles such as Federal Trade Commission (FTC) scrutiny over potential monopolistic results and price increases are also present.
Kroger’s CEO, Rodney McMullen, strongly backs the merge. He refers to the grocery industry’s drastic changes over the past ten years to support his point. He believes that the merger will fortify Kroger and Albertsons’ standing against big players like Walmart, Amazon, and Costco. Another objective of the merger is to enhance their online grocery wing in response to the growing trend of online grocery shopping.
However, industry analysts have a cautious outlook on the merger’s approval due to the FTC’s strict perspective on such proposals. They criticize the FTC’s interpretation of the grocery industry which might ignore major players such as Amazon or Costco. They warn that overlapping stores might need to be sold to preserve market competition, raising questions about finding willing buyers. The situation recalls the Albertsons-Safeway merger in 2015 which led to 150 stores being sold to a smaller grocer, who later went bankrupt. Such situations make it unclear whether the proposed merger will encourage competition or create a monopoly in Oregon’s grocery industry.
Another Illegal Grow Bust in Josephine County
REPORTING DEPUTY: Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET)
CHARGES: 1- Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana
2- Unlawful Possession of Marijuana
3- Unlawful Appropriation of Water
DETAILS:
On August 17, 2023, the Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) executed a search warrant in the 400 block of Brimstone Road, Wolf Creek, regarding an illegal marijuana grow site. The search warrant was executed with the assistance of Interagency Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET), Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT), Oregon State Police (OSP), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Josephine County Public Health & Building Safety.
During the execution of the warrant, more than 2,300 marijuana plants and 60 pounds of processed marijuana were seized and destroyed.
The property also had multiple electrical, water, and solid waste code violations. These violations could result in the criminal forfeiture of the property.
The primary suspect was not at the location during the search. They will be charged with Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, and Unlawful Appropriation of Water if located. At the time of this press release the investigation is ongoing and no further details are being released.
Governor Tina Kotek is urging Oregonians to apply for over 130 open positions on 12 new boards and commissions that were created by the Legislature.
They include hospital discharge challenges, juvenile justice, cybersecurity, universal health and more. Kotek says true progress requires each and every one to be engaged.
Applicants should apply on the state’s website. https://oregon.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/SOR_External_Career_Site
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