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. Call 541-882-6476.
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Klamath Basin Weather
Today
Sunny, with a high near 79. Light and variable wind. Overnight clear with a low around 44 degrees.
Today’s Headlines
Despite the noise of road construction and gawking onlookers complicating matters, final scenes were completed earlier this month on a feature film being made in Klamath Falls; the latest example of professional film productions seeking locales in Klamath County.
A Portland-based film crew and actors descended upon Klamath Falls for a week for a feature-length film titled “Back Seat Driver,” expected to debut sometime in early 2024. The film marked the latest in growing interest among regional filmmakers and major film studios to conduct their film productions in the Klamath Basin to take advantage of the area’s variety of unique landscapes, settings, and accommodating weather.
A general increase in film productions in the region has been trending upwards for several years, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, to an average of 8-10 films, documentaries, TV shows, and commercials filming in Klamath and Lake counties every year. While still small in nature compared to hotbeds of film production outside of Hollywood like Atlanta, New Mexico, and Vancouver, B.C.; for a rural area not on a major interstate the growing increase in film productions means not just a boon to cultural impact, but a palpable bump in economic growth as well.
States like Georgia and New Mexico that have invested heavily in film incentives and facilities over the past several decades are now garnering hundreds of millions of dollars added to the state economy each year related to the jobs, lodging, catering, security, trucking, and other needs associated with most film productions.
The romantic-comedy film “Back Seat Driver” follows the story of two individuals, both of whom happen to have imaginary friends who can hear each other, that over time fall in love unbeknownst to their living compatriots. Locations used around Klamath Falls for the film included the Back 40 Café, the OC&E Trail, Veterans Memorial Park, Linkville Cemetery, and the Linkville Playhouse. (more at HeraldandNews.com)
Some proposed changes to the Lake of the Woods are under discussion, to help with visitor overflow.
Lake of the Woods has seen a lot more tourism recently, especially after the pandemic. To accommodate, the Fremont- Winema National Forest wants to make space for parking.
It is proposing multiple new recreational vehicle sites and parking spots.
These are among other different proposals, that are currently under analysis by the national forest. Other proposals include changes to the Lake of the Woods Resort itself, like dock renovations, the installation of park model cabins and building remodels.
The lake is well known for its year-round recreational activities, fishing, lodging, winter kite festival and more. (F/W nat’l forest)
Elementary students and their families from Peterson, Shasta, and Stearns schools arrived at Fred Meyer last week for the Assistance League of Klamath Basin’s annual Operation School Bell shopping event.
Each of 125 students was allowed up to $130 to spend on clothing and shoes for school, and Fred Meyer provided a 10% discount on all items purchased.
The OSB is fully funded by the Assistance League through fundraising events and its Findables Store, located at 1330 E. Main St. in Klamath Falls. The organization is staffed by an all-volunteer effort; there are no paid employees.
Linda Hartenberger, chair of the Operation School Bell program, credits its success to the close partnership the Assistance League has with the local Fred Meyer store.
Matt Galli, manager of Fred Meyer here, says he and the Fred Meyer staff look forward to the shopping event every year.
The Assistance League plans to clothe approximately 1,900 students in the area for the 2023-2024 school year.
In addition to clothes shopping, students and their families are treated to snacks and drinks at the event. Students are also given hats, gloves and toothbrushes provided by the program.
Three programs are operated by the nonprofit organization, however Operation School Bell is its primary program. Its purpose is to provide new clothing for children in need of help purchasing school clothing and shoes.
The Assistance League sets allotments for each school that are based on the number of students enrolled in each school, and the number of students that participated in previous years.
Because the shopping event invites only a certain number of students per year, the remainder of K-12 school students in the Klamath Basin selected to participate in OSB are clothed through its Clothing Certificate program. The program operates from September through March each school year.
(more at HeraldandNews.com)
As you may know, clouds covered most of Oregon on Saturday when the moon moved between the Earth and the Sun for an annular solar eclipse.
It was foggy in the Portland area, but the clouds cleared enough to occasionally see, through the fog, the moon in front of the sun. The best viewing was in Southern Oregon near Klamath Falls and Crater Lake. Skies were partly cloudy there allowing better views of the eclipse. It’ll be more than 50 years before the next annular eclipse moves over Oregon.
While thousands gathered at EclipseFest near Fort Klamath were rewarded with a partial ring, 38 miles south here in Klamath Falls, eclipse chasers alongside U.S. 97 stood in awe of a full ring shining in the path of maximum totality. Cars were lined up on the shoulder of the highway during the peak of the event.
Viewing was hit and miss around Crater Lake. Connor Iriye, 29, and Jeremiah Lopez, 21, of San Jose drove north Thursday and reached rainy Klamath Falls on Friday. By Saturday morning, they were at Crater Lake, where they watched the eclipse through clouds. (local sources)
Oregon Institute of Technology has been conducting research on animal behavior during solar eclipses.
Dr. Nate Bickford is the Chair of the Natural Sciences Department at Oregon Tech. He says that his and his colleagues’ research since 2017 has revealed some fascinating insight.
He adds a lot of these animals responded to this solar eclipse, as it would a fast-moving storm.
Birds and various species alter their routines. Bickford’s research used GPS telemetry to track animals. This data provided valuable insights into their eclipse-induced behaviors, laying the groundwork for future studies.
Some of the reactions included decreased bird vocalization and changes in activities like feeding, flight, and returning to their roosts. (kdrv 12)
Visitors services are now reduced at the Lava Beds National Monument as the park transitions to its winter hours.
Marc Blackburn, Lava Beds’ manager of visitor services, said the visitor center will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through the spring. It will be closed on Christmas Day but open on other major holidays, including Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. If the park receives snow, access could be limited. Snow did fall at the park Wednesday.
“We don’t have any major activities planned for the winter,” he said, adding, “If something does come up, however, we will post it on our social media feeds.
Blackburn said summer visitation at Lava Beds was busy.
Lava Beds commemorated the 150th anniversary of the Modoc War in late 2022, and earlier this year with a series of events and programs. Blackburn said one of the results of the Modoc War programs is the pending realignment of the Stronghold trail.
In other matters, Blackburn said phase one of the park road rehabilitation project, repairing and paving the north-south road from the north entrance station to the park’s southern boundary, was completed just before Labor Day. The next section of road improvement, from the entrance station to the east boundary, will be phase two, but there is currently no timetable for that work.
The onset of winter also means some caves will be seasonally closed to protect bats.
Fall and winter mean cooler temperatures, making it “a perfect time to hike.” Blackburn suggests visitors consider walking the Lyons Trail, which at 8.2 miles is the longest trail in the park.
Other popular trails include the Thomas-Wright Battlefield, Fleener Chimneys, Schonchin Butte, Three Sisters and Gillem Bluff. (more at HeraldandNews.com)
Klamath County Public Works lists road work, anticipated from Monday through Friday this week, at the following locations:
- Sprague River Road Asphalt paving operations will be occurring between mileposts 5 and 12.
- Shasta Way Sidewalk work between Madison and Patterson streets. Traffic control measures will be in place for guidance, maximum flagger controlled delays of 20 minutes should be expected.
For questions or concerns, please contact Jeremy Morris, Klamath County Public Works Director at (541) 883-4696. (kc public works)
Klamath County’s woodstove air quality season has begun.
Klamath County Public Health (KCPH) officials say the seasonal Air Quality Advisory for woodstove heating began Sunday, October 15, and runs through March 15, 2024.
KCPH Environmental Health Administrator Lance Lindow says residents within the air quality zone (AQZ) help reduce local air pollution from woodstoves and fireplaces by using information provided by Klamath County Public Health. During more extreme events of air stagnation, agencies and residents outside the AQZ are also involved in the reduction of pollution by reducing or restricting burning in their area.
Klamath County residents can learn when to burn by calling 541-882-BURN (2876), or checking an air quality message board at the Fairgrounds as well as online. Daily information is available after 8:30 a.m.
Klamath County Public Health supplied a color-coded guide to help determine whether wood heating is allowed within the AQZ:
- Green: All woodstoves, pellet stoves and fireplaces may be used inside and outside the air quality zone. Outdoor burning is allowed outside the air quality zone. Check with your local fire district prior to burning. Use only seasoned dry wood.
- Yellow: Only certified woodstoves, pellet stoves, and fireplace inserts may be used inside the air quality zone. Individuals with approved exemptions may use their wood burning heat source inside the air quality zone. Use only seasoned dry wood.
- Red: Only pellet stoves may be used inside the air quality zone. Individuals with approved exemptions may use their wood burning heat source inside the air quality zone. Use only seasoned dry wood. Outdoor burning is prohibited countywide.
- Red health alert: Only pellet stoves may be used inside the air quality zone. Exemptions are void inside the air quality zone. All Klamath County residents, inside and outside the air quality zone, are encouraged to use a non-wood burning source of heat. Outdoor burning is prohibited countywide.
Klamath County is in the process of updating the Air Quality Ordinance for the Klamath Falls-area Air Quality Zone. The changes make the ordinance simple to understand with only three burning-related options: burning allowed, exempt woodburning devices only, and no burning allowed.
In the midst of fall weather, it’s the time of year to get out the winter attire for the coming cold months and, if you can, help others in need.
The annual Coats for Kids campaign is underway with donations of children’s new and gently used coats are now being collected in communities across southern Oregon through October 29th.
Windermere Real Estate announced that the public can donate youth-sized coats at local Windermere branches, including one in Klamath Falls, located at 519 Main St. in Klamath Falls.
Donated coats can be dropped off between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. To donate at a different time, the release said community members can contact their local Windermere broker for more details. Coats will cleaned and delivered to local schools every Friday for children in need, the release said. (more at HeraldandNews.com)
Friends of the children of the Klamath Basin will launch its Annual Potato Sale fundraiser Saturday, November 4, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., in the parking lot of Klamath Falls Subaru on Washburn Way.
Beginning November 6, potatoes will be available for delivery in Klamath Falls.
The potatoes are premium russets donated by CAL-ORE Produce. They will be sold in 20-pound boxes for $25, with all proceeds directly supporting youth mentoring in the Klamath Basin.
New this year is online ordering through https://ddock.co/199bdd. Buyers can also call 541-273-2022.
Friends of the Children – Klamath Basin is a chapter of a nationwide organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of generational poverty through salaried, professional mentoring. We select youth facing the greatest obstacles and commit to working with those children for 12+ years. Learn more at friendsklamath.org. (submitted press release)
Master illusionist Michael Grandinetti, who has been featured on NBC, ABC Family, CBS and stages across the country,will perform at the Ross Ragland Theater this Saturday, Oct. 21, at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Named by Entertainment Weekly as “a great magician who can truly communicate with a TV audience,” Michael Grandinetti has made a name for himself around the world as a talented and innovative illusionist, according to a news release from the Ragland. Through his work, Grandinetti is making the art of magic modern, innovative, charismatic, and exciting while showing audiences around the world that nothing is impossible, the release said.
Grandinetti was one of the stars of The CW’s hit series “Masters of Illusion” for the past five seasons. The show is also currently syndicated in over 100 countries worldwide.
Michael has also starred in NBC’s “The World’s Most Dangerous Magic” and POP’s “Don’t Blink,” now currently in syndication across the country as well. The Magic of Michael Grandinetti is one of the hottest touring attractions across the US and Canada, the release said.
Grandinetti recreates many of the stunning illusions from his television and stadium appearances live on stage, right before the audience’s eyes.
The Ross Ragland Theater strives to bring family friendly live entertainment to Klamath Falls that can be enjoyed by all, and this show does just that. Michael Grandinetti is redefining the word “magician.” With intimate sleight of hand, innovative platform effects, and spectacular grand illusions, combined with his inimitable personality and contemporary style, Michael shows his audiences a side of magic they will not soon forget, the release said.
Tickets may be purchased at ragland.org.
Around the state of Oregon
FBI’s Portland Field Office is closely monitoring for local threats of violence, following the bombings in Israel and Gaza.
Special Agent in Charge Kieran Ramsey says that, “We just saw something pretty brutal, pretty barbaric happen halfway around the world, and unfortunately, it does have consequences locally.”
He says Israel – and everyone – was caught off guard by Hamas, leading to big questions here, “Are we being vigilant enough? Are we being forward-looking enough to make sure that we are not going to be surprised here, in the United States?”
And, specifically for the FBI teams in Oregon- Are we doing everything we can to make sure that we are not surprised in Oregon?”
Those concerns escalated after a “call to action” by Hamas was echoed by Al Qaeda and Hezbollah, Ramsey says they’re working closely with faith communities, And, they’re watching for misinformation and disinformation that can sow discord among some populations,
The FBI works with local law enforcement around the state, Ramsey says, to gather intelligence and share resources as needed. If you see or experience something with immediate safety concerns, call 911. If it’s not a life-threatening emergency, you’re encouraged to report it to local law enforcement or directly to the FBI at 800-CALL-FBI or the at TIPS.FBI.gov.
(Oregon news/FBI Oregon)
Oregon lawmakers want to look at the state’s drug addiction crisis — and seek solutions — from all angles before the next legislative session starts in February.
That work starts in earnest at 1 p.m. Wednesday, when the new Joint Interim Committee on Addiction and Community Safety Response meets for the first time. Legislative leaders announced the eight-member committee in September amid concerns about drug addiction, deadly overdoses and what role Oregon’s drug decriminalization law plays after voters in 2020 passed Measure 110, which also put marijuana revenue toward addiction programs throughout the state.
The committee will look at the addiction crisis from a wider perspective than Measure 110 alone, said Sen. Kate Lieber, D-Beaverton, who is co-chairing the committee with Rep. Jason Kropf, D-Bend.
In four monthly meetings from Wednesday through January, lawmakers will hear from addiction treatment providers, law enforcement and others about the factors driving the crisis and potential solutions.
Lieber, a former Multnomah county prosecutor and the Senate majority leader, said the first meeting will focus on behavioral health and the public health response to the crisis. The committee wants to aid prevention and increase treatment options so people can get off drugs, she said.
The first meeting’s agenda includes presentations on addiction prevention and the treatment system from the Oregon Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission, the Oregon Health Authority and providers throughout the state, from Portland to rural Coos County.
The committee’s second meeting in November will focus on law enforcement and public safety, Kropf said. From there, additional meetings will look at potential immediate solutions and long-term goals.
Fentanyl is a game-changer, as the cheap, highly-addictive opioid has flooded the streets. In 2022, 934 Oregonians died from opioid overdoses, up from 280 in 2019, according to Oregon Health Authority data.
Sen. Tim Knopp of Bend, the Senate Republican leader, has said his caucus will ask the committee to refer a bill that sends Measure 110 back to voters to accept or reject. (more at heraldandnews.com)
The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has removed the fire danger rating on all five Ranger Districts across the forest, signaling the end of fire season, effective at 12:01 a.m. October 17, 2023.
The Industrial Fire Precaution Level has been removed and changed to “open.” This ends the level one precautions that have been in place and moves the forest out of the closed fire season. Emergency Area and Road Closures are still in effect in some fire areas. Visit https://bit.ly/RRSNFAlerts for current closures.
Special thanks to all of the firefighters who worked tirelessly all summer to protect our forest and communities.
Please take care as you enjoy your public lands, and help keep them, and you, protected, by recreating with care. Always check for current conditions and restrictions when planning your outdoor excursions. Any current fire restrictions and closures may be found on the forest website. (RRSNF press release)
Cooling temperatures and shorter days bring fewer visitors to the Klamath National Forest looking for camping opportunities. As a result, campgrounds across the forest will begin to shut down until next spring.
Many Salmon/Scott River Ranger District campgrounds will be closing for the season on October 15, including Indian Scotty, Kangaroo Lake, Carter Meadows, and Hidden Horse.
Trail Creek will remain open until October 22 with NO water (shutting water system down on October 16 and removing trash services on October 22). Matthews Creek will remain open until October 22 (with water and trash services).
Idlewild will remain open through winter with NO water or trash service (will shut down water and remove trash service on October 23). Cleaning, water, and garbage services will be discontinued as of the same date at all other sites across the Salmon/Scott River District including Hotelling, Red Bank, Mule Bridge, Big Flat, Lovers Camp, East Fork, and Jones Beach. These sites will still be available for camping, but campers must plan on packing out their trash.
A few campgrounds are closing October 17 on the Happy Camp/Oak Knoll Ranger District as well, including Curly Jack, Tree of Heaven, and the Sarah Totten downriver group site.
Grider, Mount Ashland, and Norcross campgrounds will remain open a little longer, closing on November 15. All other campgrounds on Happy Camp/Oak Knoll are open year-round, though no services like trash, water, or cleaning are offered. O’Neil and West Branch remain closed indefinitely for repairs. (Klamath Nat’l Forest)
About 99,000 children in Oregon will receive $43 million in pandemic food benefits, the Oregon Department of Human Services said in a news release.
The benefits will go to children whose families received SNAP benefits between Sept. 1, 2022 and May 11, 2023, the release said. The children must have been five years old or younger during this time period.
“Families will receive the additional food benefits for every month during this period that one or more children in their household were ages 5 and younger (and) the family was receiving SNAP benefits,” the release said.
ODHS will give families $67 per child for every month between September 2022 and April 2023, and $30 for May, the release said. Families can receive up to $566 for every eligible child.
Families receiving SNAP benefits at this time will receive these P-EBT benefits on their EBT card today, the release said. If the family is no longer receiving SNAP benefits, they will receive a P-EBT card “within the coming weeks” with the food benefits on it. (kdrv 12)
Jobs. Forest Service officials announced Monday that they are accepting applications for permanent seasonal jobs between October 19 and November 22 with 436 positions opening in Washington and Oregon, including 30 on the Willamette National Forest.
Positions available include trail work, recreation facilities, and helping manage wilderness areas, off-highway vehicle usage, and winter recreation programs, the Forest Service said. Forest officials said that permanent seasonal positions are offered on a 13 pay periods of six months on and 13 pay periods off. As career positions, they may be increased to 18/8 (18 pay periods working with eight pay periods off) or a full 26 pay periods of work dependent upon needs and funding, the Forest Service said. Officials said that eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals at least 18 years old.
Live webinars will be held on October 17 from 2 to 3 p.m. providing tips for job seekers and on October 18 from 9 to 10 a.m. to help applicants navigate the USAJOBS website where job postings are listed, the Forest Service said.
More information can be found online at the U.S. Forest Service’s website.
(USFS press release)
The Oregon Health Authority has started publicly tracking transportation deaths and injuries via a state dashboard, which state officials hope will lead to safety improvements on Oregon’s roads.
The dashboard includes transportation-related emergency department and hospital stays and fatality rates for the whole state and by county.
Data shows that overall transportation deaths are on the rise, particularly for motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists. In 2022, there were 606 transportation-related deaths – a slight uptick from the previous year and a steady climb over the past decade.
The state health department’s numbers are slightly higher than those than those reported by the Oregon Department of Transportation, which focuses only on car-related deaths on public roads. The state health department looks at any type of transportation, including deaths on boats, airplanes, ATVs and e-scooters. In 2022, ODOT reported 575 car-related deaths.
(Oregon news)
The Oregon Supreme Court late Friday dismissed a case designed to force changes in the state’s troubled public defense system.
The justices were considering whether a Marion County Circuit Court Judge could force a public defender to take a new client even if the lawyer said they had too many cases.
In a two-page order signed at 4:09 p.m., Justice Rebecca Duncan wrote that the issues before the court were resolved and that “this matter is therefore moot” because the attorney at the center of the case, Tim Downin, left his job at the Public Defender of Marion County.
Minutes later, the court agreed to hear another case out of Douglas County based on similar arguments. But in dismissing a case they were in the midst of deliberating, the justices have restarted a monthslong process with new oral arguments, and removed the nonprofit firm that has been at the forefront of a novel legal argument.
The Supreme Court case stemmed from a judge in Marion County appointing Downin to a defense case despite his and his firm’s objections. Trial court judges said they had an obligation to the defendant to appoint a lawyer.
Oregon has for years been in the midst of a constitutional crisis for failing to provide people accused of crimes with the legal counsel that is required by the U.S. and Oregon constitutions. Attorneys for the nonprofit firm Public Defender of Marion County developed a case that went beyond the question of whether people charged with crimes merely had a lawyer. Their argument centered the legal and ethical responsibilities of a lawyer to actually provide an effective defense, such as taking time to independently investigate the case and review evidence.
(more at heraldandnews.com)
Curry County has arrested a man accused of killing a Del Norte County, CA, Sheriff’s Deputy.
Police arrested the sheriff’s boyfriend, 54-year-old Daniel James Walter, Friday in Curry County. Northern California authorities had issued a warrant for his arrest.
The Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office said Deanna Esmaeel was found dead in her Crescent City, CA, home. An arrest warrant was issued for Walter, who was arrested Friday in Curry County.
It wasn’t known Sunday if he has an attorney. Esmaeel was the mother of actor Marty York, best known for a role in the 1993 movie “The Sandlot.”
Police issued an arrest warrant for Daniel James Walter, who also used the name Edward Patrick Davies. He was last seen near Esmaeel’s house on the day of the killing. After authorities in Curry County found his black Mazda sedan on Friday, he was arrested.
Esmaeel had worked as an animal trainer on film sets for decades before moving into law enforcement in 2021, SF Gate reported Sunday.
York wrote on Instagram Friday that he had been informed of his mother’s death, “The emotions I have are horrible right now between rage, vengeance, crying.”
Del Norte County Sheriff Garrett Scott said his office was heartbroken by the loss of one of its deputies. (kdrv 12)
Oregon Department of Transportation budget cuts will mean less snow removal and winter maintenance on our roads this winter.
Declining gas tax revenue is the reason for the 5% drop across all programs; services and materials are slashed by 15%.
ODOT’s Kacey Davey says high volume roads, those seeing over 3,000 vehicles per day will still get plowed,
She says it won’t be the same for roads that see less than 3,000 cars a day,
In central and south central Oregon, almost 60% of our roads are considered low volume, even popular traveled roads like the road up to Mount Bachelor..” She says drivers will need to be alert.
The mayor of Bend Kebler last week on the issue, and suggested they may ask the State to get involved.
(ODOT)
Flu season is officially underway in Oregon. In the first week of October, labs report 22 positive tests in the state. Of those, 18 were for Influenza A and four for Influenza B.
Six cases are in Central Oregon, which is fewer than 1% of the 667 tests conducted that week. Of the local cases, four are Influenza A and two are Influenza B. Southern Oregon and southwest Oregon report slightly higher numbers.
The Portland-metro area had 10 cases and five of those resulted in hospitalizations. Three other cases are in Southern Oregon, along with three in the Willamette Valley.
Track the state’s flu season on the Oregon Health Authority’s website.
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Oregon announces funding available for Oregon farmers, ranchers and forest owners to perform voluntary conservation activities on their land.
Farm Bill funding for this sign-up period is available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Applicants should apply by November 17, 2023 to be considered for the first round of fiscal year 2024 funding.
To learn more and apply for available funding in your area, contact your local USDA Service Center or apply online at farmers.gov. (submitted press release)
Study Shows Oregon and Washington Lead Nation In Increased Fentanyl Deaths
The states of Oregon and Washington had the highest increase of fentanyl-related fatalities – 13 times the national average – and other drug overdose deaths over the past year, according to a recent study.
COURTESY OF CLARK COUNTY SHERIFF
The findings were among those summarized last month by the Families Against Fentanyl, a nonprofit organization that seeks to promote public awareness of dangers posed by illicit use of the potent synthetic opioid.
Citing data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s estimated that 111,000 Americans died from drug overdoses nationwide during a 12-month period ending in April. Of those fatalities, more than 77,000 involved fentanyl and synthetic opioids other than methadone.
“Both are record numbers and increases over the prior year,” the FAF said in its summary.
According to the organization, fentanyl poisoning is now the leading cause of death among 18- to 45-year-olds – persons considered to be in the prime of life – exceeding motor vehicle accidents, suicides, COVID-19, heart and liver disease, homicides and other drug-related deaths.
During the most recent 12-month study period, FAF said Oregon had the highest rate of increase in fentanyl deaths among U.S. states: jumping from 610 to 1,020, or more than 67% compared to the prior year and far higher than the national average of 5%. Oregon also ranked second-highest for increases in overdose deaths overall, going from 1,217 to 1,501, an increase of 23%.
Neighboring Washington state saw its overdose deaths increase by over 34%, going from 2,349 to 3,155, the highest one-year increase in the nation. And Washington narrowly trailed Oregon with the nation’s second-highest increase in fentanyl deaths at 65%, increasing from 1,403 to 2,313, according to the FAF analysis.
Although the two Northwest states experienced the biggest percentage spikes in overdose deaths, they were not among the states with the highest number of drug-related fatalities during the 12-month period.
California witnessed both the most fentanyl/synthetic opioid deaths (7,728) and overall overdose deaths (12,542), followed in both categories by Florida (respectively 5,349 and 7,830).
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the states with the lowest predicted deaths in a 12-month period through April were South Dakota (89), Montana (168) and Arkansas (549). The CDC noted that drug overdose deaths may involve multiple drugs and a single death might be included in more than one category.
The FAF briefing did not elaborate on factors which may have contributed to the dramatic increase in drug deaths in Oregon and Washington during the recent 12-month comparative period. The two were among 31 states which saw increases in deaths from fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for pain relief and as an anesthetic. It is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin as an analgesic, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Families against Fentanyl was founded by Jim Rauh, a chemical engineer from Ohio, following the death of his son, Thomas, who unknowingly ingested illicit fentanyl. The organization seeks to have illicitly manufactured fentanyl – which has been smuggled into the U.S. across both its northern and southern borders – declared a “weapon of mass destruction” and an issue of national security. The group wants foreign governments held accountable, and it promotes harm-reduction programs to support individuals and communities from fentanyl poisonings.
Authorities note that illicit fentanyl is increasingly being cut into other illegal drugs, such as cocaine or amphetamines, and users are often unaware of its presence and potential for lethal overdose. According to CDC data, an estimated 64,268 fatal fentanyl overdoses took place in the U.S. between April 2020 and April 2021, a 50% increase over the prior 12 months. (SOURCE)
Oregon State Police Intercept Illegal Drugs on I-5
K-9 officers seize 80,000 fentanyl pills, 14 pounds of fentanyl powder, and 92 pounds of cocaine
Last week, Oregon State Police (OSP) K-9 officers have seized significant quantities of illegal drugs bound for distribution. The effort is part of a targeted campaign to intercept these deadly substances before they reach the street.
Traffic stops on I-5, in Linn County, led to the seizure of 80,000 fentanyl pills, 14 pounds of fentanyl powder, and 92 pounds of cocaine within 30 days. During each investigation, as part of the enforcement action, the trooper became suspicious of the occupants’ behavior and obtained lawful authority to search the vehicle.
- On Aug. 29, 2023, at approximately 11:30 a.m., a trooper stopped a vehicle for traffic violations on I-5 north, in Linn County. A search of the vehicle was conducted and the trooper located approximately 70,000 suspected fentanyl pills hidden in a backpack in the vehicle’s trunk.
- On Aug. 31, 2023, at approximately 9:55 a.m., a trooper stopped a vehicle on I-5 north, in Linn County. During a search of the vehicle, the trooper located several packages that contained a total of 14.1 pounds of fentanyl powder.
- On Sept. 28, 2023, a trooper stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation on I-5 north, in Linn County. A K-9 was deployed, alerted to the odor of narcotics and a search warrant for the vehicle was obtained. During the vehicle search more than 10,000 fentanyl pills and 92 pounds of cocaine were seized.
Criminal charges in each case have been referred to the appropriate jurisdiction for prosecution.
OSP reminds the public of the danger of illicit drug use, which is the leading cause of injury deaths in Oregon. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use or is in crisis, help is available. Call or text “988” or visit 988lifeline.org to chat. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for free and confidential support.
New affordable housing development opens doors to wildfire survivors in Talent, Oregon
TALENT, ORE. — NOWIA Unete and Commonwealth Development Corporation announced that residents this week began moving into Renaissance Flats, a new affordable housing development in Talent.
Several of the families and individuals who are moving into a home in the 72-unit affordable housing community were impacted by the 2020 Labor Day fires.
“The Almeda fire had a devasting and disproportionate negative impact on immigrant families, so our work until this point was focused in doing outreach for people who were displaced by the fire to help them with the application process,” said Kathy Keesee, programs director at NOWIA Unete. “This week we saw the fruits of our labor as many families who were not likely to apply are moving in.”
Commonwealth Development Corporation, the developer of Renaissance Flats, is working with ACCESS and NOWIA Unete, a Medford-based nonprofit, to remove barriers for access to affordable housing for the Rogue Valley Latino community in a culturally responsive manner.
“One of our objectives from the beginning was to partner with a respected community organization to help provide quality homes to underserved people and families who were most impacted by the fires,” said Daniel DiFrancesco, vice president of development at Commonwealth Development Corporation. “The cities of Talent, Phoenix, Ashland, and Medford are still recovering from the damage and loss of over 2,500 housing units so it’s an honor for us to bring these 72-units back into the Talent community.”
Renaissance Flats is one of more than a dozen new affordable housing developments in wildfire-affected areas that received funding from Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS). The state housing finance agency has prioritized these impacted communities when selecting developments for funding from multiple pre-existing housing development programs, including the Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) Homeownership Program and Federal Disaster Housing Tax Credits.
“In total, 975 new homes both for rent and purchase will be built in fire-impacted counties and will prioritize fire survivors,” said OHCS Director Andrea Bell. “This is a testament to the resiliency, commitment to resolve, and state and local partnership to rebuild after the fires. This is about centering community voice and community solutions. We are fortunate that we can come together and do the things that maybe a lot of folks think we can’t do.”
The majority of the OHCS-funded affordable housing developments will open their doors to tenants next year and provide much-needed housing in Jackson, Lane, Marion, and Lincoln counties.
Commonwealth Development Corporation is planning a grand opening celebration for Renaissance Flats on Nov. 29.
Great Oregon ShakeOut
An effective and no-cost way for individuals and families to practice earthquake safety is to register for The Great Oregon ShakeOut, a self-led earthquake drill taking place at 10:19 a.m. on Oct. 19.
Nearly half a million Oregonians have already registered, pledging to Drop, Cover and Hold On for at least 60 seconds as if a major earthquake was occurring at that moment.
“Knowing what to do when the earth starts shaking helps people reduce their risk and better protect themselves to prepare for earthquakes,” said Director McMahon. “Most emergency management experts and official preparedness organizations agree that Drop, Cover and Hold On is the appropriate action to reduce the chance of injury from falling objects and flying debris during earthquakes. When people practice these simple steps, it becomes a routine that allows instincts to kick in when shaking starts.”
When the ground starts to shake, or you receive an earthquake alert on a cell phone:
- Drop immediately onto hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and allows you to stay low and crawl to a nearby shelter. If you use a wheelchair or walker, lock your wheels.
- Cover your head and neck with one arm and hand. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter. If there is no nearby shelter, crawl next to an interior wall away from windows. Remain on your knees and bend over to protect vital organs.
- Hold On until the shaking stops. If under a shelter, hold onto it with one hand and be ready to move with the shelter if it shifts. If there is no shelter, hold onto your head and neck with both arms and hands.
If you’re near the ocean and feel a large earthquake, Drop, Cover and Hold On until the shaking stops. Then walk inland and up to high ground. Do not wait for an official warning, as a tsunami could come ashore in a few minutes. Learn more about earthquake preparedness on OEM’s website.
ORAlert and Be 2 Weeks Ready
OEM also encourages people in Oregon to sign up for local emergency alerts from their county or tribe at ORAlert.gov; be informed and knowledgeable about the hazards where they live; and have an emergency plan and enough food, water and supplies to survive for at least two weeks following any disaster. The agency’s Be 2 Weeks Ready program offers several resources in multiple languages to help people prepare. Learn more at oregon.gov/oem.
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