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Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Klamath Basin Weather
Today’s Headlines
Hazy Klamath skies warrant caution this week with unhealthy air quality from nearby wildfires expected to last through Thursday.
A health advisory from Klamath County Public Health (KCPH) was sent out Monday morning and this unhealthy air continues in the Klamath Basin. “DEQ’s release indicates smoke would be an issue for Northern Klamath County,” KCPH Director Jennifer Little said. Smoke over the Klamath Basin ranges from multiple wildfire complexes including those in Deschutes, Siskiyou and Josephine counties. The AQI at noon Tuesday in Klamath Falls was at 168…..in the unhealthy range.
A Klamath Falls area woman was arrested Sunday on murder charges after the death of a toddler.
On Sunday, August 27th, 2023, at around 10:00 am, detectives with the Klamath Falls Police Department arrested 26-year-old Sydney Elizabeth Blosch on probable cause for Murder in the Second Degree.
On December 29th, 2022, the Klamath Falls Police Department responded to the report of a three-year-old male victim who reportedly fell down the stairs and was currently unresponsive. Upon police and Klamath Falls Fire District 1 arrival, the victim was transported to Sky Lakes medical Center. The victim was later transported to Oregon Health Science university where he succumbed to his injuries approximately one week later.
During the initial call, Klamath Falls Police Department Detectives were called to the scene for further investigation. After an in depth eight-month investigation into the death of the victim, it was determined the injuries were inconsistent with statements provided by Sydney Blosch during the initial report. Detectives later developed probable cause for the arrest of Sydney Blosch for the crime of Murder in the Second Degree.
If anyone has any additional information regarding this case, they are encouraged to contact Detective Joel Loudermilk at 541-883-5336. If you want to remain anonymous, please call our anonymous tip line at 541-883-5334. (KFPD news release)
Klamath Community College’s recent 100% graduation and state licensure trend for its Registered Nurse (RN) program has continued with its inaugural Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) cohort also passing the state board exam and graduating in full.
The highly competitive KCC Nursing Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program accepts 16 new nursing students annually, eight each for its respective LPN and RN programs, after state approval allowed for the addition of an LPN cohort last year alongside KCC’s long-established RN program. Students in the KCC nursing program complete a higher number of general education course credits than any other AAS nursing programs in the state of Oregon.
The work requirements are high, but so too are expectations, with KCC continuing its 100% graduation rate and state board exam passage, a trend of success of the nursing program for several years in a row.
The consistent overachievement of KCC nursing students is even more impressive this year considering that in 2023 the National Council of State Boards of Nursing drastically changed the format and difficulty of the state board exam, necessitating a retooling of curriculum to properly prepare students for testing.
In addition to the LPN expansion, KCC earlier this year partnered with Sky Lakes Medical Center to develop a Surgical Technician Program for a planned 2024 launch. This program will provide surgical technologist curriculum accredited by a national organization approved by the Oregon Health Authority, intended for students who meet admission standards and pass a rigorous selection process. (kcc press release)
Klamath Falls City Schools’ after-school program, 21st Century Community Learning Center, got positive news that will help the program for the next five years.
KFCS 21st CCLC Supervisor, Bill Patterson, was notified by the Oregon Department of Education the after-school program was awarded a five-year grant. Klamath Falls City Schools has been identified as eligible for funding in the amount of $500,000 for the 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC), Title IV-B, federal grant. The funds will include $2.35 million over the next five years. In all, more than 900 kindergarten through 12th grade KFCS students, each year, will participate in programs funded by the grant. Additionally, this will include funding for elementary after-school activities and sports, middle school sports, academic and enrichment activities, high school academic peer tutoring and enrichment activities, along with summer credit recovery programs. KFCS 21st CCLC runs its elementary school activities and sports through The YMCA of Klamath Falls. (herald and news)
Klamath Falls Fire Dept 1 (KCFD1) is hiring!
Visit our careers website: kcfd1.com/careers for more information and to apply.
The City of Klamath Falls says issues at Sugarman’s Corner have forced them to close the corner park facility at 6th and Main Streets.
Due to recent vandalism, Sugarman’s Corner will be closed so crews can start clean up work. At this time, it is unknown when the park will reopen.
Please contact Public Works with any questions at (541) 883-5363. (city of KF)
In Siskiyou County, the Happy Camp Complex wildfires include the Elliot, Head and Ufish fires, among the largest of the multiple burns.
On Sunday, the Bureau of Land Management announced an emergency closure of public lands south of Waldo Road and Happy Camp Road also to the Oregon-California border. (herald and news)
Over the hill in the Rogue Valley air quality is the issue as well.
All of the Rogue Valley is experiencing hazy skies and heavy smoke from wildfires from Oregon and Northern California. West of Grants Pass, residents of Cave Junction, O’Brien and the surrounding areas are dealing with very hazardous air quality. The air quality index goes from 0 being the healthiest air, to 500 being the unhealthiest air. Portions of Josephine County hit that 500 mark yesterday. Residents say the smoke has affected their daily life. The smoke from the Smith River Fire Complex is grounding air operations and the steep terrain is making it hard for ground crews to fight the fire. Greg Fuhs, the public information officer for the north side of the complex, said residents might see smoke for several more days. (kdrv 12)Water users in the Klamath Project may lose their remaining water allocations following a warning from the Bureau of Reclamation sent out last week.
The letter tells irrigators “… there is projected to be a shortfall in the Sept. 30 Upper Klamath Lake elevation of 4139.2 feet that was identified in the May 18, 2023, update to the 2023 Annual Operation Plan. This situation is likely to require a reduction in project water supply in order to minimize or eliminate the shortfall.” The letter from Reclamation said the department will continue to explore actions to mitigate any reductions, but encourages contract holders to conserve their supplies. Executive Director and Counsel for Klamath Water Users Association, Paul Simmons, said the promised water allocation for the Project was 260,000-acre feet for diversion this year. With water elevations now expected to fall below required levels, Klamath Project irrigators may lose what remains of the promised water supply. Crops are already in the ground, and irrigators in the project are depending on that water, Simmons said. The announcement from Reclamation did note, however, that alternative options to mitigate water supply shutoffs are being investigated. (Herald and News)
Kingsley 173rd Fighter Wing jets Conducting night flying operations Through Thursday, Aug. 31st.
The 173rd Fighter Wing continue with night flying operations tonight and Thursday night. Operations will take place between approximately 6:00pm-11:00pm.
Night flying is one part of the course curriculum for F-15C student pilots at Kingsley Field, the premiere F-15C schoolhouse for the United States Air Force.
Much of the training will occur in the military operating airspace to the east of Lakeview where the pilots can fly without lights. However, the local community will most likely hear the jets during take-offs and approaches to and from Kingsley Field.
Take-offs will occur after sundown and the jets will return approximately an hour-and-a-half later. Community members may contact the wing’s public affairs office at 541-885-6677 to express any concerns they have during this time. (173rd Fighter Wing press release)
Klamath County School District is offering Kindergarten Conversations for families the first week of school.
Kindergarten teachers will be calling parents and guardians the last week of August to schedule family conversations for the week of Sept. 5.
Kindergarten students will come with parents and guardians to meet their teacher and become familiar with their classroom. A phase-in approach to full-time kindergarten will begin the week of Sept. 11.
Teachers will provide families with their student’s phase-in schedule during the family conversation. Kindergarten students will begin all-day school on Friday, Sept. 15. See the KCSD website or their Facebook page for more information. (KCSD press release)
Klamath Falls and Klamath County road crews will be performing chip seal operations through Sept. 8 on many residential streets.
On-street parking will not be available during these work projects. Traffic control will be in place For any questions or concerns, please contact Joe Pridemore at (541) 883-538 Aug. 29, at Bartlett, Clinton, Avalon, Gary Sreet, Thompson, Cannon, Crosby and Gettle, On Aug. 30, chip seal work will be one on Miller, Alva, Cheyne, Casa Way, Gary Sreet, Derby and Dayton. Aug. 31, on Shasta Way (Austin to Madison). The early morning broom crew begins at 4 a.m. on Aug. 29 at Mack, Independence, Marius, Oxbow, Denver and Walton, and on Aug. 30, at Bartlett, Clinton, Avalon, Gary Sreet, Thompson, Cannon, Crosby and Gettle. On Aug. 31, Miller, Alva, Cheyne, Casa Way, Gary St, Derby and Dayton. On Sept. 1, Shasta Way (Austin to Madison). On Crest Street, from Clinton to Denver, expect daily lane closures. There may be adjustments of work schedules due to weather or other items outside of the county’s control (breakdown of equipment, material/resource availability, etc.) Please drive slow through chip seal and paint stripe areas. This will reduce damage, and also reduce the probability of oil or paint getting on your vehicle. (Herald and News)Basin residents and those in the region, know when they start to see the strange vehicles and buses rolling through town toward Nevada….it’s time for Burning Man.
Heading to the concert and festival, Burners as they are known, from all over the world are pouring into the region beginning this weekend for the annual pilgrimage to the playa. Burning Man 2023, which officially started Sunday, is expected to draw tens of thousands of people out to the Black Rock City. Reno airport officials said the Burning Man influx combined with Labor Day travel makes the last week of August and the first week of September the busiest time of the year at the airport. Many travelers from Germany, Colombia and France are making their way through the Reno airport. The census for Burning Man 2022 showed that over 16% of Burning Man attendees came from outside the United States for the annual counterculture festival. Local retailers, especially stores such as Wal-Mart and grocery stores in the Klamath Basin along with gas stations, see a significant increase in business due to the influx of people. (local sources/KRNV tv news)Around the state of Oregon
Just south of the Oregon border along Hwy 199, the Diamond, Holiday, Kelly, and Prescott fires along with multiple other fires in the area have been grouped together in the “Smith River Complex.” The fires have now spread into Southern Oregon. This is along the route from Grants Pass to the coast.
Oregon State Fire Marshal mobilizes resources to the Smith River Complex after conflagration is declared
SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the Smith River Complex to allow the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to mobilize structural firefighting resources to protect life and property. The OSFM is mobilizing additional firefighters, equipment, and an incident management team to provide structure protection for homes threatened by the Smith River Complex. The Smith River Complex began in California and has now burned across state lines into Oregon. Level 3 evacuation orders are in place. Last Thursday, OSFM mobilized two structural task forces through immediate response to protect communities near the Smith River Complex ahead of a conflagration declaration. In accordance with ORS 476.510-476.610, Governor Kotek determined that the fire poses a threat to life, safety, and property, and the threat exceeds the firefighting capabilities of local firefighting personnel and equipment. The governor’s declaration cleared the way for the state fire marshal to mobilize firefighters and equipment to assist local resources in battling the fire and further support a coordinated response. The OSFM’s Blue Incident Management Team will be briefed and assume unified command of the Smith River Complex on August 29th at 8 a.m. The additional task forces are coming from other counties around the state through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System to protect life and property.Pacific Power prepares for re-energization of Gasquet, Patrick Creek
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Today Pacific Power received permission from the Joint Incident Management Team on the Smith River Complex fires to access the Gasquet area and begin planning for re-energization of that community. Pacific Power crews began the process of bringing a large commercial generator into the area, which is still under a Level 3 evacuation order. Those crews will be completing installation of that generator over the next two days. After the generator is successfully installed, Pacific Power crews will need to patrol all distribution lines serving Gasquet before re-energizing. Re-energization will take place in coordination with the Joint Incident Management Team, who will be providing additional communication about when customers can return to their homes. Because of damage to the power lines and infrastructure serving Patrick Creek, Pacific Power is unable to re-energize that infrastructure until crews can make the necessary repairs. As an alternative, Pacific Power will be providing each customer in that area with a residential generator to meet their electricity needs until the substation serving them can be safely powered up. Due to continued wildfire activity in the transmission corridor serving Crescent City, it remains unsafe to re-energize the transmission line serving the city and surrounding areas. Pacific Power continues to closely monitor all fire activity in the region and will re-energize the transmission lines when it is safe to do so.
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/disaster/Willamette Valley Area Fires Update, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023
Community Meeting Today for the Lookout, Bedrock, Horse Creek, and Pothole Fires.
In-Person Wednesday August 30, 2023 5:00 pm McKenzie High School, 51187 Blue River Dr, Vida, OR
Local and Fire Officials will be onsite to respond to audience questions. Facebook Recording of the Meeting will be posted: Wednesday August 30, 2023 at 8:30 pm on Facebook at Lookout, Horse Creek, and Pothole Fires 2023 and Bedrock Fire 2023.Questions posted on Facebook will be answered by Public Information Officers or forwarded to the appropriate officials.

Westbound lanes of Interstate 84 have reopened following a several-hour operation to remove the two semitrucks that crashed into the Columbia River hours apart in Sherman County Friday and Saturday.
Crews had to remove two cabs and four trailers from the water near Biggs Junction, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Oregon State Police and Sherman County Sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a semitruck crash just before 9 p.m. Friday night near milepost 103. The truck driver had crashed into an abandoned Mercedes that was parked on the shoulder of the freeway before going through the guardrail and into the river, police said.
The sheriff’s office said the driver swam to shore.
At 12:25 a.m. Saturday, a second semitruck hauling two empty fuel tanks crashed into an unoccupied Oregon Department of Transportation vehicle that was responding to the first crash. The semitruck left the road and crashed into the river in the same area as the first driver, police said.
A police log from Oregon State Police said the driver of the second truck “likely fell asleep,” but the log did not say what caused the first crash. No one was harmed in either crash. (oregon news)
Shortly after 10:00AM Tuesday, Medford Police responded to the report of a stabbing near West 6th Street and Central Avenue in downtown Medford.
When officers arrived, they found that a 53-year-old male had been walking with a 6-year-old female family member when they were approached by an adult female that was unknown to them. The adult female, 32-year-old Marjan Ezzati, started making nonsensical statements and then produced a knife and stabbed the male in the hip. A local business employee confronted Ezzati, who initially walked away and was located a short distance away by responding officers. Ezzati was arrested and transported to the Medford Police Department where she was interviewed by detectives. She was then lodged at the Jackson County Jail for Assault 2 and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. The victim was transported to a local medical facility to be treated for his non-life-threatening injuries. The minor child was not harmed. (MPD news release)State of Oregon Offers Help To The 552,000 Oregonians With Student Debt
The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation has released the state’s first analysis of residents’ student loan debt, and recommendations for how the governor and Legislature could help lighten the burden for current and former college students. The report was conducted following the passage of Senate Bill 485 in 2021. The law called for changes to loan service renewal, declared an emergency and required an annual report. The first of those annual reports states that the U.S. Department of Education owns $1.48 trillion in debt, which is 84% of the total student loan market, and guarantees an additional $143 billion of Federal Family Education Loan Program and Perkins loans. Since 2007, the federal student loan portfolio has grown more than 300%. About 44 million Americans currently have student loan balances, compared to 28 million in 2007. In Oregon, the report found, about 552,000 residents are student loan borrowers, with an average debt of $37,900. Ombuds offers help, answers – SB 485 required the Department of Consumer and Business Services to appoint a student loan ombuds who could help members of the public with complaints or inquiries about student loans. The department’s first ombuds began working in June 2022. As of June 1, 2023, the ombuds had received 34 complaints and 104 contacts from the public. Borrowers most commonly asked the ombuds about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which forgives the remaining balance of student loans for full-time employees of governments or nonprofits who have been making qualifying payments for 10 years. In March 2020, as part of a COVID-19 response, the U.S. Department of Education paused federal student loan repayment and collections. Interest was not accrued. These paused payments also counted toward PSLF, earning credit as though monthly payments were made. This pause will end Sept. 1. In addition, there have recently been several announcements and changes to student loans that have caused some confusion.- In April 2022, the U.S. Department of Education announced “Fresh Start,” an executive action to pull seven million student loan borrowers out of default.
- In August 2022, the Biden administration announced a plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt for eligible Pell Grant recipients. In November, the Sweet v. Cardona lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education led to a settlement, resulting in the promise that it must approve about $6 billion in debt forgiveness for 200,000 borrowers.
- The Federal Student Loan Literacy Act, which was introduced in 2022 but did not receive a vote, would have created a federal funding source for community groups to apply toward their work with student loan borrowers.
- More specific regulations for loan servicing.
- More protections for borrowers.
- Requiring people to be notified when they are eligible for loan forgiveness.
- Increasing supports to reduce the cost of college.
- Holding student loan servicers accountable for misinformation.
- Push for more student loan advocates at the university level.
A California mother who faked her own kidnapping is now out of federal prison.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons reported Saturday that Sherri Papini was moved to community confinement, or “Halfway House” earlier this month. Papini was reported missing on November 2nd, 2016 from Redding, California. It prompted an extensive search across Northern California, before she was located three weeks later in Yolo county. According to police at the time, Papini was found with multiple bruises, and told detectives she was taken by two armed Hispanic women. Papini admitted to the kidnapping hoax and pled guilty to mail fraud and making false statements. In 2022, she was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by 36 months of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay almost $310 thousand in restitution. Papini has a projected release date of October 29. (press release)Thanks for reading BasinLife.com from Wynne Broadcasting. Enjoy articles, news and weather updates, music, entertainment news, recipes, business offers, contests and much more right here every day.
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