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.
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Klamath Basin Weather
Today
Widespread frost before noon. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 49. Overnight, frost, cloudy skies, with a low around 24 degrees.
Today’s Headlines
8:30 TRAFFIC BULLETIN: Transportation:
ODOT: Central Ore.: U.S. 97 is closed near Gilchrist at milepost 184 due to a crash. Expect delays. More Info Here
Bonanza residents say they are “fed up” with rampant crime in their rural community.
During a listening session held by Klamath County’s elected officials, the people of Bonanza had a chance to air their grievances of unresolved crime in the area.
Monday evening, Commissioners Derrick DeGroot and Kelley Minty and Sheriff Chris Kaber visited Bonanza to hear residents’ perspectives and concerns — primarily, a lack of law enforcement in the community.
County officials were joined at the table by Bonanza city council as well as Mayor Betty Tyree.
Bonanza residents shared stories of experiencing and witnessing numerous robberies and thefts, including multiple acts of extensive vandalism at a local church for which no arrests have yet been made.
Multiple people said their 9-1-1 calls often did not receive a response from local law enforcement.
Frustrations were expressed toward both the sheriff’s office and county officials.
DeGroot said the county decided earlier this year to hold at least two joint meetings with each municipality in the county each year, during which unincorporated area residents are encouraged to also attend.
Concerns over the county’s recent discussions with Klamath Falls city council on the topic of policing of the urban growth boundary by city police contracted and paid by the county were also mentioned by Bonanza’s residents.
Of the allotted 36 officers, Kaber said six are sergeants. Many of the remaining 30 officers, Kaber said, are specialty positions, including student resource officers and marine and forest corporals. (more at HeraldandNews.com)
It’s about time when it won’t be possible to drive around Crater Lake National Park’s Rim Drive or hike most of the park’s trails.
Winter always comes early at Crater Lake. After a good dose of snow Tuesday night into yesterday, next few days, Rim Drive is scheduled to be closed beginning Wednesday, Nov. 1, until next year. Because of the park’s typically heavy snowfall — in an average year the snow total is 42 feet — the road won’t likely reopen until late spring or early summer next year. As usual, segments will first be cleared from Rim Village to Discovery Point and, as the snow is cleared, the North Entrance, Cleetwood Cove and other sections of Rim Drive. Most years the entire 33-mile loop road doesn’t open until late June or mid-July, and on some exceptionally snowy years, early August.
But there’s an additional obstacle. Once the snow is cleared in 2024, driving around the Rim road won’t be possible because construction crews will be back working on the second phase of East Rim Drive rehabilitation, a project that’s expected to take five years and cost upwards of $56 million.
Crater Lake has a surprising number and variety of trails. Many are accessed by East Rim Drive, which is most easily reached by taking the well-signed turnoff near park headquarters in Munson Valley.
As always, visit the park website at www.nps.gov/crla to check on current conditions. (more at HeraldandNews.com)
New neighbors are on the way to Klamath Falls thanks to a recently formed community organization, Welcome Corps.
Welcome Corps-Klamath Falls is a private citizen sponsored group organized to assist refugees to resettle in Klamath Falls, accessing local resources, with guidance from experts at the state and federal levels along with nonprofit agencies in resettling legal refugees.
After an Executive Order by President Biden in 2021 calling for restoration and expansion of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), Welcome Corps is the boldest innovation to the United States’ approach to refugee resettlement in four decades.
Starting in January 2023, the U.S. Department of State in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services launched a new program that empowers everyday Americans in welcoming refugees arriving through USRAP.
After the Department of State’s acceptance of the application, Sustainable Klamath, the 501©3 that has adopted Welcome Corps-Klamath Falls, will fill out and submit a community profile to find a matching refugee family.
Welcome Corps-Klamath Falls seeks to then further connect the refugee newcomers to the Klamath Basin by helping them build a social network, obtain self-sufficiency and gain a sense of belonging. (more at HeraldandNews.com)
On Saturday the 28th, the Downtown Association will be putting on the Scarecrow Road special event in downtown Klamath Falls. Main Street between 4th Street and 11th Street will be closed from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
9th Street between Main Street and Klamath Avenue will be closed from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in conjunction with the Farmers’ Market. Contact Crystal Besaw with the Downtown Association at (541) 539-6212 with questions. (city of KF)
The Ross Ragland Theater will screen three movies this week that celebrate Halloween. Showtimes for each film is 7 p.m.
On Thursday, “Hocus Pocus” (1993) starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, and Omri Katz will be shown. The movie is the story about the Sanderson sisters who had practiced witchcraft 300 years ago, and were punished for their crime. On Halloween, Max Dennison lit the candle that is said to bring the Sanderson sisters back to life. Max, his friend Allison, and his younger sister Dani must save all the kids in Salem from the witch sisters who will steal the lives of children. Rated PG for scary situations and some language. Tickets are $5.
Then, on Friday, “Dale and Tucker vs. Evil,” (2010) starring Tyler Labine and Alan Tudyk will run. The movie is the story about two lovable hillbillies who are headed to their ‘fixer-upper’ vacation cabin to drink some beer, do some fishin’ and have a good time. But when they run into a group of preppy college kids who assume that Dale and Tucker are murderers, the duo’s vacation takes a bloody and hilarious turn for the worse. Rated R for bloody horror violence, language and brief nudity. Tickets are $5
Finally to round out the Halloween movie-fest, on Saturday, the 10th Annual costume contest and “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” (1975) a Basin tradition, will be shown. Starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick and music sensation Meatloaf, the film is the story of a newly-engaged couple who have a breakdown in an isolated area and must seek shelter at the bizarre residence of Dr. Frank-n-Furter. This movie night and accompanying costume contest has become an anticipated fall favorite in the Basin. The Ross Ragland encourages goers to gather their friends and don their costumes for a night of fun. Rated R for language and nudity. Tickets are $10, with $5 Prop bags available by cash purchase only (limited supplies).
Tickets for the shows can be purchased starting two hours before showtimes, and at the Ragland Box Office Monday-Friday noon to 5 p.m., by calling (541) 884-LIVE, or by visiting their website at https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=rragt. (heraldandnews/rrt)
New rule changes aimed at providing regulatory certainty for harvesting timber and to better protect fish and wildlife will go into effect Jan. 1, 2024.
The changes came about from legislation that supported the landmark Private Forest Accord which was an agreement between the timber industry, small forest landowners, and conservation groups.
The main overview training is titled: Forest Practices Act changes—streams, roads and more.
The “other” part of the training will focus on programs specifically designed to help the owners of small acreage forestlands.
The training will also provide updates on the new Forest Conservation Tax Credit Program (FCTC). FCTC provides financial benefit to small forestland owners who support conservation and habitat protection by leaving a larger unharvested area next to streams as a conservation area for the protection of wildlife habitat.
The FPA changes—streams, roads and more class will be held 9 a.m. to noon on:
- 26—Klamath Falls, Klamath County Events Center, 3531 South 6th Street.
- 7—Wilsonville, Wilsonville Holiday Inn, 25425 SW 95th Ave
(ODF press release)
With Oregon overdose deaths rising, more state and local government officials are asking to repeal Measure 110. The effort is being led by a legislator from Klamath County.
Measure 110 was passed by voters back in 2020. It decriminalized the possession of drugs, even methamphetamine, fentanyl and heroin. Instead, it invested in drug treatment centers, which intended to address addiction as a health issue rather than a legal one.
E. Werner Reschke, who represents Klamath County in the legislature, along with Senator Brock Smith, say what we have now just “isn’t working”, they say they expect more information about the repeal efforts should be coming out within the following weeks.
In the years since, Oregon’s drug problem appears to have much gotten worse.
As elected officials weigh a change in next February’s legislative session, the former head of Oregon’s Department of Corrections and the Oregon Community Foundation Max Williams is leading a statewide coalition. He’s clear they don’t want to repeal 110, but make changes to it.
Meanwhile Oregon governor Tina Kotek says while the results with Measure 110 aren’t what everyone hoped for, the state is seeing some progress.
Jackson County’s board of commissioners and the Medford City Council officially came out against 110 a few months ago as their city continues to deal with drug users, homeless, burglaries, robberies and other crimes involving drug related arrests. (local sources/state rep Reschke)
The Klamath Falls City Council approved standards for licensing and operating Short Term Rentals within city limits. STRs are also known as vacation rentals or by the companies that operate them, such as Airbnb or Vrbo.
The City of Klamath Falls says it is classifying STRs as units rented for less than 30 days. Anything rented longer than the 30 day period is not considered an STR.
It also noted that the change comes due to an increase in STR growth in the past few years, much like other Oregon communities. The majority of STRs in Klamath Falls are located in low-density residential areas.
Under the approved standards, all properties used as an STR must have a Short-Term Rental Permit and maintain an active City Business License. The date of compliance is September 30, 2024.
The total fee for the first year is $200, and each following year it will be $50.
For more information or to apply for an STR Permit, visit http://klamathfalls.city. (City of KF information)
Enrollment at Klamath County schools remains about the same this year, Superintendent Glen Szymoniak told the school board Wednesday.
Szymoniak reported 7,132 students for the district — up only four students from last year. The most significant increase of students was at Great Basin Homeschool (up 42 students) and Bonanza Jr./Sr. High School (up 31 students). Greatest decreases were seen at Peterson Elementary, which is down 33 students; Ferguson Elementary, down 30 students; and Keno Elementary, down 22 students.
The board approved $24,928 in grants awarded to teachers and schools for a variety of needs. The most significant of these was an award of $10,000 to Gilchrist Schools for its afterschool program given by the Oregon Community Foundation.
Two presentations from district personnel were also given that informed the board of advances made in social-emotional learning for students, and in nursing services provided at schools.
David Marshall, director of special services, and Stacey Ramirez, social-emotional administrator for the district, said much progress has been made in providing support to students that have challenges in their behavioral and social-emotional development.
Also at the meeting Wednesday, KCSD head school nurse Laura Limb, told the board that nursing staff has increased from one full-time and two part-time nurses, to five full-time and two part-time nurses and an administrative assistant to meet the needs of students.
The next regular Klamath County School District meeting will be held at 5 p.m., Thursday Oct. 16 in the KCSD board room, 2845 Greensprings Drive. Regular meetings are open to the public. (more at HeraldandNews.com)
Crunch At Once!
KCSD students to crunch locally grown carrots to recognize National Farm to School Month
Grab a locally grown carrot and join students across the Klamath County School District on Thursday, Oct. 26 for the sixth annual Countdown to Crunch in celebration of National Farm to School Month.
More than 3,865 students from 12 schools will countdown together and crunch into locally grown carrots produced by local farmer Katie Swanson, owner of Sweet Union Farm in Klamath Falls, who is providing 4750 carrots for the event.
In past years, students have crunched Oregon-grown apples and Klamath-grown spinach. This is the third year a local farmer is supplying the district with thousands of fresh carrots for the annual event.
Klamath County School District hosted the first Crunch, organized by Patty Case, a now retired associate professor at Klamath Basin OSU Extension, in October 2018. This month, the Oregon Farm to School and School Garden Network organized the first annual statewide Oregon Farm to School Crunch and more than 30,000 students are joining the fun.
The Crunch event is just one way Klamath County School District demonstrates its commitment to Farm to School programming, both at the school and district levels. Throughout the year, the district’s Food Services Team supports Farm to School through its procurement and promotion of local foods, pursuit of grant funding opportunities, and support of agriculture education.
KCSD’s annual Crunch event is a fun way to celebrate farmers who grow food and to connect youth with local food, said Jordan Rainwater, KCSD’s Farm to School procurement coordinator. When possible, Rainwater has producers and growers visit the schools to meet students.
“Inviting local farmers and ranchers to be with students in the cafeteria when their food is being served makes meaningful connections for both the producers and the students,” she said. “We’re excited to host farmer Katie Swanson at Shasta Elementary for the Crunch at Once celebration this Thursday so she can hear just how loud her carrots crunch.”
KCSD Nutrition Services Supervisor Jennifer Detwiler heads the district’s food service team, working hard behind-the-scenes to advance and sustain the district’s Farm to School goals.
“With Farm to School celebrations occurring across the nation this month, we should be proud of what we’re accomplishing at the local level,” she said. “The Countdown to Crunch event is a wonderful way to highlight the many benefits of investing in Farm to School.”
Road Work is anticipated from Monday through Friday in the county this week:
Sprague River Road: Asphalt paving operations will be occurring between milepost 5 and milepost 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 additional questions or concerns, please contact Jeremy Morris, Klamath County Public Works Director at 541-883-4696. (more at HeraldandNews.com)
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)
Don’t forget your breast cancer screening
Early detection saves lives! This October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we urge people to get screened for breast cancer.
For individuals who are uninsured or underinsured, breast cancer screening in Oregon is free through the Oregon ScreenWise Program.
To enroll in ScreenWise, a patient must meet all of these requirements:
- Age 50 or older and needing breast or cervical cancer screening or diagnostic services; or age 21-49 and needing only breast or cervical cancer diagnostic services;
- Living or intending to live in Oregon;
- Household income at or below 250% of Federal Poverty Level;
- Uninsured or underinsured.
To learn more about ScreenWise and how to enroll, visit OHA’s website, or call (877) 255-7070.
Oregon has its fair share of spooky stories to delve into for the Halloween season. Constructed in 1905, the Baldwin Hotel Museum is the oldest public building in Klamath Falls and remains haunted by the story — if not the spirit — of former proprietor and local photographer Maud Baldwin.
Todd Kepple of the Klamath County Museum likes to begin the Baldwin Hotel Museum’s popular evening flashlight tours from outside, near the street.
In September and October, the museum offers special guided tours of the historic hotel.
Kepple says touring via flashlight offers a different sensory experience than just viewing the museum in the daytime, allowing visitors a chance to focus on each object:
Most nights, a glowing light appears from Maud’s former fourth-story room. From the road below, that single light may look eerie — but as Kepple explains, there is a rational explanation. “We always leave a light on in Maud’s studio. It’s just our way of paying our respects.”
The guest register includes names like John Muir, Zane Grey and four presidents: James Garfield, William Taft, Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt, the last of whom visited several times on his way to Crater Lake.
For more information on flashlight tours at the Baldwin, contact the Klamath County Museum (heraldandnews.com)
Around the state of Oregon
The off-duty California pilot accused of trying to shut down the engines of a Horizon Air flight now faces federal charges. During his initial appearance in Multnomah County Court, Joseph Emerson’s attorney spoke on his behalf, entering not guilty pleas on all counts.
Emerson faces more than 80 counts of Attempted Murder, among other state charges, in connection with the Sunday evening incident on a plane bound for San Francisco. It was diverted to Portland after Emerson allegedly tried to pull the engine fire extinguishers. The pilots subdued him and he was restrained in the rear of the plane, where he reportedly tried to open the emergency exit before the aircraft landed.
According to court documents, he later admitted to using psychedelic mushrooms, although the timeline is unclear. Investigators reported Emerson told them he suffered from depression, and it was his “first time” taking psilocybin.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office says he’s been on suicide watch since shortly after booking early Monday. He is being held without bail.
Federal prosecutors filed documents Tuesday also charging Emerson with Interfering With a Flight Crew. His appearance in federal court has not been announced.
The Horizon Air Embraer 175 was carrying 80 passengers, some of them lap children, and four crew members. The plane left Everett, Washington, at 5:23 p.m. local time and landed in Portland an hour later. (HeraldandNews.com)
Oregon’s attorney general, Ellen Rosenblum, has joined 33 states in suing Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, for designing its social media platforms to create addiction in children and teens.
“(The complaint) asserts that Meta knowingly designed and deployed harmful features on Instagram and its other social media platforms that purposefully addict children and teens. All the while, Meta falsely assured the public that these features are safe and suitable for young users,” the release said. “The attorneys general assert that Meta’s business practices violate state consumer protection laws and the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).”
In the complaint, these parties also accuse Meta of collecting data from underage users — including those under 13 — without parental consent.
“While much of the complaint relies on confidential material that is not yet available to the public, publicly available sources including those previously released by former Meta employees, detail that Meta profited by purposely making its platforms addictive to children and teens,” the release said. “Its platform algorithms push users into descending “rabbit holes” in an effort to maximize engagement. Features like infinite scroll and near-constant alerts were created with the express goal of hooking young users. These manipulative tactics continually lure children and teens back onto the platform.”
Rosenblum said Meta knew about the addictive qualities of its platforms, yet hid this information and did not take steps to make their platforms safer. (Oregon AG’s office)
Influenza vaccination rates among Oregon’s health care personnel have not recovered from significant declines suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic, new Oregon Health Authority (OHA) data show.
According to the Healthcare Worker Influenza Vaccination Dashboard published by OHA’s Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Program, 64% of the state’s eligible health care workers from all facility types were vaccinated against the flu during the 2022-2023 flu season. This is similar to the 2021-2022 flu season rate of 63% — a concern for state officials trying to prevent the virus’s spread to people most at risk of severe illness and death.
The influenza vaccination rate among eligible health care workers had dropped by 25% between the 2019-2020 and 2022-2023 influenza seasons.
OHA requires annual reporting of health care worker influenza vaccination data from four facility types – ambulatory surgery centers, dialysis centers, hospitals (including inpatient psychiatric facilities) and nursing facilities.
Data are self-reported by facilities and include aggregate counts of health care workers, filterable by health care worker category; who received an influenza vaccination; who declined; who had a medical contraindication; or who had an unknown vaccination status. The Healthcare Worker Influenza Vaccination Dashboard displays influenza vaccination data filterable by facility type, county, and worker classification. The dashboard also shows trends by flu season and facility-specific data. (oha)
The Oregon Department of Transportation’s budget is taking a hit due to fuel efficient and electric cars not requiring as much gas.
ODOT’s budget comes from the state gas tax, in which they receive 38 cents to the gallon, regardless of how much gas costs. As much as fuel efficient and electric cars are good for the environment, they aren’t so good in keeping the Department of Transportation funded.
With less money, ODOT might not be able to plow roads as frequently as they used to. While they do plan to prioritize routes like I-5, I-84, and I-205, the manpower and resources are getting expensive, and they don’t predict being able to plow other roads as often.
Drivers should also expect to see more graffiti and debris on the roads along with road lines not being repainted.
The Department of Transportation asks drivers to be extra cautious on the roads, especially during winter.
(ODOT)
Portland residents are speaking out in support of Palestinians in Gaza even after the horrific and gruesome deaths carried out by Hamas.
A rally was held in the northeast part of the city on Sunday with hundreds in attendance. The rally-goers gathered on NE 11th before marching down NE Lloyd Boulevard. The group Oregon Stands with Israel also had a rally planned for Sunday, but canceled it due to safety concerns. (Oregon news)
Man Arrested After Splatter Ball Shooting at Downtown Eugene Protest Rally
Saturday afternoon about 2pm, there was a protest at 405 E. 8th Avenue in Eugene. Eugene Police Mobile Response Team had responded to monitor safety at the planned protest. At about 3:15 p.m., an estimated 200 marchers concentrated in a city block began to a march.
The crowd was marching southbound on Pearl approaching E. 8th Avenue when a man later identified as Jonathan James Wisbey, age 51, stopped his pickup, blocking the crowd. He engaged the crowd and there was a verbal altercation.
EPD MRT began closing on the area as members of the protest slashed one of the truck’s tires. Wisbey got out of his truck and shot a splatter ball gun into the crowd. Immediately a couple of protestors armed with handguns drew their weapons. Very quickly, EPD MRT officers were able to challenge all armed subjects, and they were detained without further issues.
EPD patrol responded in emergency mode to cover EPD MRT and to create distance with the 200-member crowd returning to the scene and encircling officers. There was a concern when other armed subjects were seen in the crowd, including one who had an AK-47.
Wisbey was arrested and lodged at Lane County Jail on charges of Menacing, Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree, and Bias Crime in the First Degree. Case 23-15877
Police in Josephine County arrested 78-year-old Edward Benavente for child sexual abuse yesterday.
According to a news release from the Grants Pass Police Department, police received a tip on Oct. 20.
“The Grants Pass Police Department received allegations of sex abuse that occurred at Caveman Bowl on Rogue River Highway,” the release said. “Subsequently, Grants Pass Police Detectives conducted a thorough investigation into the alleged abuse of a young child.”
Benavente has been lodged in Josephine County Jail, the release said, on charges of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor under 12 years old and two counts of purchasing sex with a minor.
“Anyone with information about this investigation or additional victims is asked to contact Grants Pass Police Detective Miguel at 541-450-6260 and reference case #23-44691,” the release said. “Due to the sensitive nature of this case, additional details will not be released.”
(kdrv 12/GPPS)
Police say they’ve arrested a suspect in connection to a bomb threat involving food delivery robots at Oregon State University.
The university took to social media just after noon yesterday to warn students and staff to avoid the robots in response to the threat. Campus Public Safety worked to locate the robots and isolate them in safe locations, where they were inspected and found to be free of bombs. The university declared the emergency over just after 1:30 p.m.
The small robots can deliver food from campus restaurants to any outdoor location. They’ve been in use since 2020 and there are 20 delivery robots in the fleet. (Oregon news)
Samson Garner, a Multnomah County man, was charged Friday on allegations that he was planning a mass shooting in Deschutes County, specifically targeting rock climbers.
Authorities would not say where they believed the shootings would take place, but Smith Rock State Park Manager Matt Davey said“There was a possible threat targeted toward the Smith Rock Craggin Classic.”
The classic, which took place this past weekend, is an annual three-day rock-climbing festival at Smith Rock State Park hosted by the Colorado-based American Alpine Club.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office arrested Garner, 39, on Thursday night after being alerted by the Portland Police Bureau that Garner had told two acquaintances he planned to shoot people who were rock climbing in Deschutes County, said District Attorney Steve Gunnels.
Garner was found with three handguns and an AR-15 rifle when sheriff’s deputies arrested him outside his Subaru near Tumalo, Gunnels said. (Oregon news)
Scammers Targeting Public Benefits At New Paid Leave Oregon Program
Some Oregonians have reported getting a letter saying they’ve been approved for paid leave benefits that they never applied for, a warning sign of identity theft.
Oregon’s Paid Leave program has sent out more than $28 million in benefits so far — but scammers are among those trying to cash in on the state’s new program.
Public benefits have long been a target of fraudsters who attempt to illegally gain access to personal data in order to file fraudulent applications for things like unemployment insurance or food benefits. Officials with Paid Leave Oregon said it is experiencing the same type of attempted fraud, and are asking Oregonians who receive a letter regarding benefits they didn’t actually apply for to report it on the program’s website.
The program started paying out benefits last month and has approved more than 15,000 applications so far. Eligible Oregon employees can take up to 12 weeks of paid leave for family, medical or “safe leave” — the program’s term for people seeking financial support to escape domestic or sexual violence. Workers taking paid time off for pregnancy may be eligible for up to 14 weeks of leave.
Workers seeking benefits must send in certain documentation that corresponds to the type of leave they’re taking, such as a birth certificate for a new child. Once an application is submitted, the employment department reviews all the documents and verifies the identity of the applicant. It also notifies the employer.
But some Oregonians have reported getting a letter saying they’ve been approved for paid leave benefits that they never applied for. That’s a warning sign a person’s identity has been compromised. A spokesperson for the program said Oregonians should keep an eye on their mailboxes and report any letters regarding benefits they didn’t apply for.
OPB has heard from at least one employer who reported feeling suspicious after receiving a letter from Paid Leave Oregon regarding an employee who was not planning to be away from work.
Employment department officials declined to provide a count of potentially fraudulent applications they’ve received. But they believe they are catching the fraud attempts in the screening process, before money goes out.
The Oregon Department of Justice suggests checking personal credit reports frequently for any anomalies, and urges suspected victims of identity theft to report it to local authorities and the Federal Trade Commission. (SOURCE)
Hard to believe but Oregon high school students won’t have to prove basic mastery of reading, writing or math to graduate from high school until at least 2029, the state Board of Education decided unanimously on Thursday, extending the pause on the controversial graduation requirement that began in 2020.
The vote went against the desires of dozens of Oregonians who submitted public comments insisting the standards should be reinstated, including former Republican gubernatorial candidate Christine Drazan. Backlash against the lowered standard had already delayed the vote, originally slated to take place in September.
Opponents argued that pausing the requirement devalues an Oregon diploma. Giving students with low academic skills extra instruction in writing and math, which most high schools did in response to the graduation rules, helped them, they have argued.
But leaders at the Oregon Department of Education and members of the state school board said requiring all students to pass one of several standardized tests or create an in-depth assignment their teacher judged as meeting state standards was a harmful hurdle for historically marginalized students, a misuse of state tests and did not translate to meaningful improvements in students’ post high school success. (Oregon news)
Oregon high school sports are again short on referees for the winter season.
According to the Oregon School Activities Association, there is an urgent need for officials in basketball and wrestling. OSAA and the Oregon Athletic Officials Association are actively recruiting. Visit NewOfficials.org for more information.
(Oregon news)
Federal regulators have approved the expansion of a natural gas pipeline in the Pacific Northwest over the protest of environmental groups and top officials in West Coast states.
The route through Oregon starts at the border, stays on the west side of the Cascades near Medford, then heads into central Oregon near Bend. It continues eastbound towards Pendleton and into the Tri-Cities area of Washington.
The project, known as GTN Xpress, aims to expand the capacity of the Gas Transmission Northwest pipeline, which runs through Idaho, Washington and Oregon, by about 150 million cubic feet (4.2 million cubic meters) of natural gas per day. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission gave it the green light in a vote on Thursday.
The pipeline belongs to TC Energy of Calgary, Canada — the same company behind the now-abandoned Keystone XL crude oil pipeline.
TC Energy plans to modify three compressor stations along the pipeline — in Kootenai County, Idaho; Walla Walla County, Washington; and Sherman County, Oregon. Compressor stations help maintain the pressure and flow of gas over long distances in a pipeline.
The company says the project is necessary to meet consumer demand.
The 1,377-mile (2,216-kilomter) pipeline runs from the Canadian border through a corner of Idaho and into Washington state and Oregon, connecting with a pipeline going into California.
Officials from Washington, Oregon and California called on federal regulators to reject the project, saying it would undermine their states’ efforts to reduce emissions to combat the effects of climate change.
(kdrv 12)
U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D) of Oregon is speaking out against the federal government’s decision to expand a natural gas pipeline in the Northwest.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the GTN Xpress pipeline to increase its capacity. It means upgrading compressor stations in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. Merkley says the expansion will be like adding 644-thousand gas powered cars to the road every year. Washington Governor Jay Inslee also opposed the move, saying the decision to allow more natural gas to be burned reduces the impacts of climate change reduction efforts. Inslee says the fight is not over. (Oregon news)
Oregon’s economy added 81-hundred jobs in September and the state’s unemployment rate increased a fraction to three-and-a-half percent.
September was the fourth consecutive month where the unemployment rate was between three-point-four and three-point-five percent. The U.S. unemployment rate is higher at three-point-eight percent. Construction topped the list adding 32-hundred jobs in September followed by professional and business services, and leisure and hospitality.
Oregon wildlife officials are urging residents to be Bear-Aware. This is the season when bears fatten up before hibernating for the winter.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is reminding people living in bear country to make sure they aren’t leaving out food that will attract bears. Garbage cans should be put out just before they’re picked up; chicken feed, pet food and other livestock feed should be secured; remove bird feeders; pickup downed fruit; and store barbecues inside. If you see a bear, give it plenty of space, don’t run, don’t make eye contact, and if you are attacked fight back with rocks, sticks and your hands. (Oregon news)
There’s an old shed that sits at the bottom of the J.C. Boyle Dam near Klamath Falls. The building is unremarkable in just about every way — except that it’s home to a colony of bats.
That makes the shed valuable in a couple of bat-friendly ways. That’s because there’s a data gap on bats in the Pacific Northwest.
First, the 1950s space is tiny, small enough that Adkins had to stoop to enter on one recent fall day. Bats like to hide away, so prefer these kinds of confined quarters.
Second, it has a corrugated metal roof, so the shed gets nice and warm in the summer, perfect for rearing bat pups.
And most importantly, the shed stands right above the dam’s spillway, so there’s a constant flow of water underneath.
The shed has holes in the floor so that cool, moist air can flow in, and the bats can easily swoop out into the bug-laden evening.
While the shed makes a perfect bat roost, its actual purpose is to house machines that lift and lower water gates so that if the dam turbines need to be fixed, water can be diverted around the dam and out the spillway.
Next year the whole thing — the dam, the spillway and the shed — are all scheduled to be knocked down to allow salmon to once again swim up the full length of the Klamath River to spawn.
Like salmon, bats are also protected. So when they need to be moved — from a dam shed or someone’s home — the state advises the installation of bat boxes nearby to provide alternative habitat.
While some people are scared of bats, they can be beneficial in a number of ways: They help keep insect populations, like mosquitos and pine bark beetles, under control. And in some areas, though not the Pacific Northwest, they even pollinate plants.
There’s a note of urgency to the bat box study because of a fungal disease known as White Nose Syndrome. It can cause mass bat die-offs. (OPB/heraldandnews.com)
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