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.

Friday, December 22, 2023

Klamath Basin Weather

Today’s Headlines

A 31-year-old man in Klamath Falls was arrested last night after he approached someone in the gambling room of Tyler’s Texas BBQ on Oregon Avenue and robbed him at knifepoint. 

According to a Facebook post from the Klamath Falls Police Department, the man — later identified as Payton Denny — approached his victim in the gambling room and demanded money.  “An unknown male approached him and demanded his wallet and money while brandishing a knife,” the post said. “The unknown suspect took the money from the victim to include his cash out ticket from the machine and fled the location in a silver SUV.”

After officers cleared the scene, they saw a car matching Denny’s car description “in the area of North 9th Street and Grant Street.”  “Officers initiated a traffic stop and located a male in the back seat matching the description,” the post said. “The male was later identified as 31-year-old Payton Denny who was later arrested and charged.”

Denny is facing charges of first-degree robbery and unlawful use of a weapon, the post said.  “This investigation is ongoing, information regarding this case can be forwarded to Sergeant Ed Foreman or the Detective Division at 541-883-5336,” the post said. “Anonymous information can be left at the Klamath Falls Police Tip Line number 541-883-5334.” (more at KDRV.com and HeraldandNews))

It appears you will be paying more for your electricity in Klamath Falls come the new year. Pacific Power, whose parent company is Portland-based PacifiCorp, is seeking to raise electricity rates for Oregon customers by 11% overall in 2024 to cover higher power costs, according to a filing to the utility commission on Monday.

A spokesman said the commission is set to rule on Pacific Power’s filing on December 28^th and if approved, residential customers will see their rates increase on January 1^st.

Pacific Power is also seeking an additional 2.1% increase to cover costs related to lowering wildfire risks in the future but the commission will decide on that on January 9th. If approved, the rate increase would go into effect the next day.

Representative Cliff Bentz, has announced he’s leading a legal filing with the U.S. Supreme Court against the Biden Administration.

Bentz is leading a coalition of U.S. representatives and senators in filing an amicus brief with the Supreme Court.

Bentz wants the Court to consider two cases. He says the cases are, “challenging the President’s misuse of the Antiquities Act to establish National Monuments.  

Bentz says, “The Constitution makes it clear that Congress, not the President, makes our laws. The President’s job is not to make law, but to enforce them. Yet, in recent years, presidents have increasingly usurped congressional authority by using the Antiquities Act to ‘Monumentize’ millions upon millions of acres of public land rendering massive areas largely untouchable. This blatant disregard for the will of the people is an affront to the Constitution. In this brief we urge the Supreme Court to hear these cases and to make it clear that the President cannot circumvent Congress by rewriting our nation’s public land laws with the stroke of a pen. This is about upholding the Constitution, protecting our public lands from being left to burn up, and that they can be properly managed with the their best interest in mind.”

Bentz’s office says the amicus brief claims the Biden Administration has exercised Presidential Overreach, economic devastation when “The President’s monument designation cripples forest-dependent communities and exacerbates the wildfire crisis by severely limiting essential forest management practices,” and a Constitutional violation because the Constitution gives Congress power to regulate federal lands.

More than 50 people stood in the rain Tuesday afternoon to support the Klamath County Sheriff, who has been under fire from county officials.

In fact, nearly 12 weeks ago, county commissioners gave Sheriff Chris Kaber and his two sons serving in the sheriff ’s office a 90-day ultimatum: resign as sheriff or both sons will be terminated.

The decision was made public during a meeting held Sept. 27 during which county officials accused the sheriff of nepotism. In light of these recent events, some county residents have been showing their support for Sheriff Kaber and his family with signs posted throughout the county which say “Support Sheriff Kaber.”

Klamath County Commissioners Derrick DeGroot and Dave Henslee met with Sheriff Kaber and voted to revoke a resolution put in place five years prior which established an exception to the county’s personnel policy on employment of relatives. The 2018 exception allowed for the sheriff to hold his elected office while his son, Sgt. Ryan Kaber, retained his position at the sheriff’s office, having been employed there since 2008. The resolution also allowed the sheriff’s office to hire the sheriff’s other son Erick Kaber as a corrections deputy in February 2018 so long as Sheriff Kaber was not involved in the selection process. The resolution said that, as long as the sheriff is not in a position of supervising his sons and delegates supervision, the Kabers are not in violation of county policy.

As no agreeable solution has been found, the county’s ultimatum is expected to occur Dec. 27, leaving the already short-handed Klamath County Sheriff’s Office down another two officers. (more at HeraldandNews.com)

Air quality on the Klamath Reservation has improved, and in coordination with the Klamath Tribe, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lifted its air quality advisory for the Reservation effective immediately.

Restrictions on open burning, including those for fire danger, by Reservation officials or any federal agencies remain in place. Before burning always check with your local fire department or appropriate tribal agency.

Community members are invited to bring undecorated Christmas trees to the Klamath County Fairgrounds on Saturday, January 6, 8 a.m. – noon.

Absolute Tree Care Service will chip trees in the parking lot, to the right of the entrance, in exchange for any donation to Friends of the Children – Klamath Basin.

Donations can be made with cash or check, at friendsklamath.org “Donate”.  “With this event, we hope to encourage environmentally friendly tree disposal and support an organization that does so much for local youth,” said Rick Spicher, owner of Absolute Tree Care Service.

Friends of the Children is a national nonprofit that creates generational change by empowering youth facing the greatest obstacles through relationships with professional mentors, called “Friends,” for 12+ years.

Friends of the Children – Klamath Basin was established in 2000. It has locations in Klamath Falls and Chiloquin and capacity to support 72 youth. Learn more at friendsklamath.org.

The Hispanic Health Committee’s leadership team cordially invites the community to attend our Winter Networking Luncheon on January 17^th, 2024 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Klamath Community College’s (KCC) Building 7. (see attached bilingual flyer). 

Admission is free and the event is open to anyone interested in creating better health and wellbeing for Klamath’s Latino community.  At the luncheon we will review our progress to date, discuss future plans and do some fun networking.  So bring your business cards and a plus-one!

RSVP on Eventbrite using the QR code or this link: https://tinyurl.com/HHCWNL  

We would like express our deep appreciation to generous co-sponsors KCC and Klamath & Lake Counties Council on Aging for making this event possible.  For questions, email KDuarte@klamathcounty.org

The usual wear-and-tear inflicted on Oregon roadways each year requires never-ending maintenance and repairs for motorists to get where they’re going.

While dreams of impervious roads which require no maintenance is, for the foreseeable future, an impossibility, two Oregon Tech students are working to lengthen the usable lifespan of asphalt.

Serena Moha and Kacie Schmidt are civil engineering students working on completing both their bachelor’s and their master’s degrees in 2025. Inspired by the enthusiasm of their advisor, Professor and Department Chair Roger Lindgren, both students discovered an unexpected passion for the world of transportation engineering.

The students will be working with BalancedMixDesign, Moha said, explaining that BMD is “up-and-coming” in the asphalt industry. Though the students haven’t started their hands-on experiments yet, the two are eager to begin in the coming months. Moha’s research will focus on crack-resistance testing, which studies the resilience and longevity of asphalt after cracks begin to appear.

The experiments and research Schmidt plans to conduct will investigate rutting. (more at HeraldandNews.com)

Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton is pleased to announce the selection of Karl Stock as the new regional director for the California-Great Basin Region.

Stock will succeed Ernest Conant, who will assume the role of senior advisor to the deputy commissioner for operations. Stock will lead the management, development and protection of water and related resources in the region, including one of the nation’s largest and most complex water projects, the Central Valley Project.

He will also oversee Oregon’s Klamath Project; Nevada’s Truckee Storage projects; and California’s Orland, Solano, Cachuma and Ventura River projects.  Stock joined Reclamation in 2001 and has served in a variety of leadership positions, most recently as manager of the Reclamation Law Administration Division.  In this capacity, he has been instrumental in developing proactive strategies for investing the historic funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act to address the unprecedented challenges facing the Western states.

Harbor Isles Tennis & Fitness Club, a local fitness center in Klamath Falls is under new ownership this week by the not-for-profit Sky Lakes Medical Center Foundation.

Harbor Isles Tennis & Fitness Club, located in the 2800 block of Front Street near Pelican School, belonged to JELD-WEN Inc., a global manufacturer based in Klamath Falls. According to a news release from Sky Lakes Medical Center, the fitness facility officially changed hands Monday morning.

The new owners plan to keep gym operations and memberships as-is and without interruption, the release said. Harbor Isles fitness instructor Kristen Leist said employees have been told that no immediate changes will be made to the club’s programming. Brittney Geraud, the current manager of Harbor Isles, said in she is personally excited for this “new chapter for Harbor Isles.”

The release assures that Sky Lakes is committed to maintaining the highest standards the community has come to expect at the facility by continuing to offer a wide range of programs, top-of-the-line equipment and a supportive environment for everyone to reach their fitness goals. (more at HeraldandNews.com)

Greetings from the City of Klamath Falls and their new Klamath Falls Transportation Safety Action Plan Project Team.

The City of Klamath Falls has started a public engagement campaign with this online survey to get community input on how to make our streets safer.

We hope you will take the time and provide us with your thoughts and opinions and respond to this survey.

The survey HERE is open until this Friday (12/22/23). Thank you.

Local performer and musician Dana Wirth will bring the magic of Christmas to life on the main stage at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Ross Ragland Theater.

According to Ross Ragland Theater’s Natalie Postles due to overwhelming demand, the show has been relocated from the Second Stage Series in the Ragland Cultural Center to the main stage in the Ragland’s auditorium.

The performance will include holiday music from timeless carols to heartwarming melodies. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the Ragland Box Office Monday-Friday, noon to 5 p.m., by calling (541) 884LIVE, or by visiting their website at www.ragland.org.

A reminder that The Klamath Falls Lions club is selling See’s Candy for the Christmas Holidays as a fundraiser for their sight and hearing projects. See’s Candy will be available at Turn Thom Point S tires next to Bi-Mart, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. until noon on Saturday.

The Lions conduct vision screening for most students in Klamath County through the school districts, as well as providing glasses for students and others in need. 

Lions collect used eye glasses to be recycled and provide a college scholarship to a graduating high school senior from a local school. For more information, call 541-591-6483.

All libraries in the Klamath County Library Service District will be closed on the following days this coming weekend on Sunday and Monday for observation of Christmas.

In addition all libraries will be closed on Sunday December 31^st and Monday January 1^st in observance of New Years. A reminder that no materials will be due on the days that the libraries are closed.

For more information, you can call the library at (541) 882-8894, or see the library’s events calendar at https://klamathlibrary.org/library-events-calendar. (HeraldandHews.com)

The annual holiday model train exhibit will open on Saturday at the Klamath County Museum. The show runs through Dec. 30 during museum hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

A variety of train layouts, including N, O, HO and G-scale model sets, will be displayed by the Klamath Rails Model Railroad Club.

A time set aside for families with special needs will be offered from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17.

Entry to the train show is free with regular paid admission to the museum. Admission fees are $5 for adults, and $4 for seniors, military and teens. Youth 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.

The museum will be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

For more information, contact the museum at (541) 882-1000. (Herald and News)

Chiloquin, Ore. – Guided First Day Hikes led by rangers and volunteers are set for 31 Oregon State Parks on New Year’s Day—Monday, Jan. 1^st, 2024. 

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is partnering with America’s State Parks for free guided First Day Hikes in state parks as we start the new year.

Here’s information about the hike hosted at Collier Memorial State Park:

• Join us for a brisk morning 3-mile hike along the Spring Creek and Williamson Rivers. At the halfway point, we will have snacks, hot and cold drinks, and a warming fire. We may see bald eagles and river otters.
• The path is hard packed dirt and gravel with uneven terrain and roots. Little to no elevation gain. Plan for possible snow and ice on the ground. Traction devices for shoes recommended.
• Please register for the hike online so we can plan for the snacks and beverages
• The hike starts at 11 a.m. Meet at the Cookhouse located on the west side of the highway north of the parking lot at the Collier Memorial Logging Museum, 46000 Highway 97 N.
• Friendly dogs are welcome on six-foot leashes.
• Participants should dress in layers, wear sturdy hiking boots, and bring water and snacks, as well as a camera or binoculars for wildlife viewing.
• For more information, call 541-783-2471 prior to Dec. 29.

If you have questions about access or to request any reasonable accommodations needed for your participation, please email Park Ranger Dave Padgett. Requests must be submitted by Dec. 29.

The $5 day-use parking fee is waived that day for all state parks that require a parking permit and are open.

Share photos of First Day Hikes via social media by using the hashtag #ORfirstdayhikes.

First Day Hikes is a national initiative to welcome the coming year in the outdoors, promote exercise and encourage connecting with nature. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has participated since 2012.

The Chiloquin Community is hosting the Chi-Town Winter Wonderland, Friday, Dec. 22nd.

The fun event will benefit the Chiloquin community to help ensure that every child has an opportunity to enjoy and the experience the spirit of giving during this holiday season.  Attendees will enjoy hot cocoa and Christmas-themed treats to create a cosy and festive atmosphere. 

Organizers are Tahnie Clark and Alethia Brown-David.

• • If anyone would like to donate, it would be greatly appreciated for our Chi Community. We are also looking for anyone interested in setting up some type of little Xmas game inside the gym. This event will be on Friday, December 22, 2023, from 4 to 7 p.m.
  • For information, please call Valerie at 541-882-8846, ext 3508

Around the state of Oregon

Oregon’s population declined for the second year in a row, new population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show.

Federal data released this week estimate Oregon shed about 0.1% of its residents, or 6,021 people, in the year leading up to July 1, 2023. That comes after the state lost about 0.4% in the year before. While the Census Bureau has yet to release population numbers at the city and county level, the Portland State center estimates that Multnomah County gained 1,728 residents in the year ending in July 1, 2023.

The Portland State center’s city population numbers indicate that Portland added 4,015 residents, reflecting a 0.6% growth over the same time period. (more at oregonlive.com)

Oregonians urged to respond to renewals for medical benefits; data shows 5 out of 6 people keeping benefits

SALEM, Ore. — With more than a million renewals complete, so far more than 5 out of 6 Oregonians are keeping their Oregon Health Plan (OHP) or other Medicaid benefits. Oregon is nearly three quarters of the way through the process of renewing medical benefits after the COVID-19 emergency.

Oregon’s 85 percent renewal rate is the third highest in a national comparison of state renewal rates by KFF, a nonpartisan health policy organization. KFF analysis shows Oregon also has saved more people from unnecessary paperwork than any other state via the automated renewal process.

Oregonians encouraged to respond to renewals

More than 400,000 people — about 9 percent of Oregon’s population — still need to respond to a renewal or will receive a letter in coming months.

Members who have not received a renewal yet should:

• Keep their address and contact information up to date.
• Check their mail or Online ONE account for their renewal letter.
• Do what the renewal letter asks as soon as possible.

Anyone concerned they missed their letter should get help with their renewal via one of the ways to find help listed below.

People who are asked to submit information to finish the medical renewal process should consider uploading documents through a ONE online account at ONE.Oregon.gov or the free Oregon ONE Mobile app. They are the fastest ways to share required information.

• It’s best to set-up a ONE online account before downloading the mobile app.
• People who need help setting up a ONE online account can call 833-978-1073 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. All relay calls accepted.

Although most people are keeping coverage, 1 in 6 people are losing or reducing benefits. Over 150,000 people will need to consider their other coverage options after completing their renewal.

People who do not have coverage through a job or Medicare may be able to enroll through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace with financial help. People who have recently lost OHP benefits can enroll anytime until July 31, 2024 or within 60 days of their benefits ending. Open enrollment for 2024 also continues until Jan. 16, 2024. For more information and ways to get help signing up for Marketplace, Medicare, or employer coverage, see “what to do if OHP is ending” below.

December OHP renewal data

As of Dec. 13, 2023, 1,053,636 people have completed the renewal process. This represents 72.4 percent of all OHP and Medicaid members.

• 898,868 people (85.3 percent) were renewed and kept their benefits.
• 140,535 people (13 percent) were found ineligible.

16,227 people (1.5 percent) had a reduction in their benefits. Most of these members lost full OHP but were able to continue Medicare Savings Programs that help pay their Medicare costs. In December, renewal letters were sent to an additional 143,808 people.

Find help renewing your benefits

1. Learn more about how to renew your Oregon Health Plan medical coverage.
2. Call the ONE Customer Service Center at 800-699-9075. All relay calls are accepted, and help is available in multiple languages. Wait times are lowest between 7 and 8 a.m.
3. Visit or call a local Oregon Department of Human Services office. People can find their local office at https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/Pages/office-finder.aspx.
4. Visit a community partner for free in-person help. To find one near you visit OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp (English) or orhim.info/ayuda (Spanish).

The large number of OHP renewals, along with renewals of long-term services and supports, may cause greater wait times, delays, and possible interruptions to people’s OHP benefits. The fastest way members can provide an update is by going to benefits.oregon.gov and logging into their ONE online account.

If you need to sign up for Medicare for the first time, contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 800-772-1213 to enroll by phone or find a local office. You can also enroll in Medicare online at ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up.

• Need free local help finding other coverage? Visit OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp to find professional help near you.

Resolve to get vaccinated against respiratory viruses for the new year

Everyone urged to protect themselves, loved ones against COVID-19, flu, RSV

PORTLAND, Ore. — With the new year fast approaching, Oregon health officials are asking people to resolve in 2024 – or in what remains of 2023 – to get vaccinated against respiratory viruses that are on the rise in the state.

Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., health officer and state epidemiologist at OHA, says vaccination remains the best way for Oregonians to protect themselves against COVID-19, influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and it’s not too late to get any of the vaccines.

“While some resolutions require making healthy changes for the rest of your life, we’re asking you to resolve to make an appointment for a vaccination,” Sidelinger said. “We’re not asking you to change your behavior for the year. We’re asking you to change your risk of getting sick.”

The renewed push for vaccinations comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today published the latest edition of its Morbidity and Mortality Week Report (MMWR) on fall 2023 respiratory virus vaccination coverage among adults. The report includes national and jurisdiction-specific estimates for influenza, COVID-19 and RSV vaccination coverage among adults 18 and older from the National Immunization Survey-Adult COVID Module.

According to the report, 25% of eligible Oregon adults have received the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine, 40.8% have received the influenza vaccine and 20.3% have received the RSV vaccine. Oregon ranks ninth in the nation for COVID-19 vaccine coverage; 35^th for flu vaccine coverage; and 16^th for RSV vaccine coverage.

Supply is not a problem for most of the vaccines, Sidelinger says. COVID-19 and influenza vaccines are readily available in Oregon, as are the new RSV vaccines for older adults and pregnant people. The RSV antibody immunization for children is still in limited supply across the country and in Oregon, though some doses are available for newborns and prioritized high-risk babies – parents should talk to their health care providers.

It can take a couple weeks for the body to ramp up its immune response following vaccination, but Sidelinger says antibody levels start rising within days of getting a shot and will offer some protection. He said people can think of getting vaccinated as a gift for themselves and loved ones, or as a New Year’s resolution.

“As we make plans to gather with friends and family members over the coming weeks, it’s a good time to think about who we’ll be spending time with,” Sidelinger said. “Consider people at higher risk for severe illness, such as young children, older adults, and those with chronic conditions or who are immunocompromised, and what we can do to keep them safe.”

That includes staying home if sick, regularly washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning frequently touched surfaces, and wearing a well-fitting mask, in addition to getting vaccinated.

While COVID-19 community transmission has remained stable this respiratory season – the average percentage of reported positive COVID-19 tests has hovered just above 9% since the start of November – community transmission of both influenza and RSV has steadily increased. Percent positivity of influenza tests has increased from 1% on Nov. 2 to 6.5% as of Dec. 16. For RSV tests, percent positivity has increased from 3.6% to 11.5% during that same period.

The COVID-19-associated hospitalization rate in Oregon was stable last week; population-level immunity from vaccination and previous infection is leading to decreasing severity of COVID-19 infections over time. CDC forecasting predicts a plateau in COVID-19-associated hospitalizations in Oregon through early January.

CDC forecasting also predicts a steady increase in influenza-associated hospitalizations in Oregon through early January.

On Nov. 11, Oregon met criteria to formally declare RSV season onset, which the CDC defines as the first of two consecutive weeks during which the percentage of specimens testing positive for RSV antigen is at or above 10% or the percentage of specimens testing positive for RSV by PCR is at or above 3%, whichever occurs first. For influenza, a 5% test positivity rate is considered a threshold for significant influenza circulation.

For additional respiratory virus data, visit Oregon’s Respiratory Virus Data dashboards published on OHA’s website.

People can get the vaccines by contacting their health plan, health care provider, county public health clinic or federally qualified health center (FQHC). They can also search for a clinic by ZIP code by visiting vaccinefinder.org, or by calling 211 or visiting 211info.org.

MEDFORD, Ore.—A man believed to reside in Yakima, Washington who was caught transporting more than 55 pounds of methamphetamine and more than a thousand fentanyl pills in Southern Oregon was sentenced to federal prison today.

Daniel Martin Ponce-Gonzalez, 39, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, on June 19, 2021, law enforcement stopped a black sedan traveling north on U.S. Route 97 in Klamath County, Oregon. The driver, Ponce-Gonzalez, provided officers with a false name and fake identification documents. During the stop, officers observed signs of drug trafficking and obtained consent from Ponce-Gonzalez and a passenger to search the vehicle. Officers discovered a hidden compartment near the vehicle’s trunk containing more than 55 pounds of methamphetamine and approximately two pounds each of fentanyl pills and cocaine. Ponce-Gonzalez and his passenger were arrested without incident.

On August 5, 2021, Ponce-Gonzalez was charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy and possession of methamphetamine. Later, on March 3, 2022, a federal grand jury in Medford returned an indictment charging Ponce-Gonzalez with one count of possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) with assistance from Oregon State Police (OSP) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

Water woes continue as the California State Water Resources Control Board took action yesterday to protect the salmon, unanimously extending the region’s expired emergency drought measures.

Ground and surface water for farms will be restricted for another year if flows in the Shasta and Scott rivers dip below minimum thresholds. State officials say these measures are likely to kick in next year.

Water board chair Joaquin Esquivel said action is needed because “a fish emergency” remains on the rivers. “Time isn’t our friend,” he said at a previous meeting in August. “There is an urgency.”  The water board also is investigating the possibility of permanent requirements to keep more water in the rivers, after the Karuk Tribe and the fishing industry petitioned the state for stronger protections. That decision, however, could take years.

Fatal Crash on Highway 101 in Clatsop County

On Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at approximately 11:16 a.m., the Oregon State Police (OSP) responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 101 near milepost 3.5 (Astoria-Megler Bridge) in Clatsop County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a southbound 2001 Acura CL, operated by Jean Ormiston (81) of Ocean Park Washington, crossed the centerline for unknown reasons.  A northbound 2011 Ford Van, operated by Scott Sargeant (63) of Ilwaco, WA, collided head-on with the Acura.

The operator of the Acura (Ormiston), was declared deceased on scene.  Two juvenile passengers of the Acura were transported to a local hospital, one with major injuries.

The operator of the Ford (Sargeant) and his passenger, Eric Sargeant (62) were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, however, heavy area fog reduced visibility and may have been a contributing factor. Additionally, it was also determined that Ormiston was likely not wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash. The investigation has revealed that the other driver and all involved passengers were likely wearing their seatbelt at the time of the crash.

The highway was affected for approximately 4 hours during the on-scene investigation.  OSP was assisted by Washington Department of Transportation, Astoria Fire Department, Astoria Police Department and Oregon Department of Transportation.

Tips for safe and healthy holiday gifts and decorating

                               Safe Home for the Holidays, CLICK HERE:
https://covidblog.oregon.gov/tips-for-safe-and-healthy-holiday-gifts-and-decorating/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

A Grants Pass, Oregon medical doctor and his general medical practice have paid $115,000 to settle allegations by the United States regarding the physician, on behalf of himself and his practice, submitting medical reimbursement claims to Medicare, TRICARE, and the Veterans Health Administration.

Wendell Heidinger, 60, and Optimal Health of Southern Oregon, LLC (Optimal), paid $115,000 to the United States. The United States contended that, between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2020, Dr. Heidinger and Optimal submitted claims for reimbursement to Medicare, TRICARE, and VHA coded as “evaluation and management” when frequency specific microcurrent treatments were primarily provided. Medicare considers FSM as an investigational treatment for which it does not provide coverage or payment. 

Medicare is a public health insurance program administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). TRICARE is a civilian health care program administered by the Defense Health Agency (DHA), a joint, integrated combat support agency within the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). VHA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, is the largest integrated health care system in the United States and provides primary care, specialized care, and related medical and social support services to American veterans.

This settlement was the result of a coordinated investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon; HHS Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); and DHA. 

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and a bipartisan group of 52 other attorneys general today announced a $700 million agreement with Google in their lawsuit about Google’s anticompetitive conduct with the Google Play Store.

Google will pay $630 million in restitution, minus costs, and fees, to consumers who made purchases on the Google Play Store between August 2016 and September 2023 and were harmed by Google’s anticompetitive practices.  Google will pay the states an additional $70 million for their sovereign claims.

People eligible for restitution do not have to submit a claim – they will receive automatic payments through PayPal or Venmo, or they can elect to receive a check or ACH transfer. More details about that process will be forthcoming.  The agreement also requires Google to make their business practices more procompetitive in a number of important ways. The attorneys general sued Google in 2021 alleging that Google unlawfully monopolized the market Android app distribution and in-app payment processing. 

Specifically, the States claimed that Google signed anticompetitive contracts to prevent other app stores from being preloaded on Android devices, bought off key app developers who might have launched rival app stores, and created technological barriers to deter consumers from directly downloading apps to their devices.  The states announced a settlement in principle on September 5, 2023, and today released the finalized terms of that deal. 

Judy Kowalski continues legacy of tree improvement for OSU Christmas Tree program

SALEM Ore.—Judy Kowalski, the lead Bio-Science Technician for Oregon State University’s (OSU) Christmas Tree Program, spent her childhood running through forests alongside her late father, Jack Wanek.

He was previously Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Tree Improvement Coordinator for J.E. Schroeder Seed Orchard near St. Paul, Ore., a place he had a hand in founding.

Kowalski’s education, previous research in ornamental horticulture, and her deep love for trees led her to work alongside Chal Landgren, Oregon’s leading Christmas Tree Specialist at the OSU Christmas Tree Program, now retired. The program started in 2008 while orchard initiation began in 2012.

In her career, Kowalski has seen many different growers and styles. Ultimately, the growers are setting the standard for what makes a pretty Christmas tree. Some will intentionally purchase different styles of trees so they can have a variety for wholesalers. “A lot of the big growers are in tune and know what the consumer wants. The average consumer doesn’t know about improved characteristics. They just want a pretty tree, which is in the eye of the beholder. One person may like noble firs that have more internodal branching so they can hang things, and another person may like them to be more bushy,” Kowalski said.

Progeny trials similar to those at the J.E. Schroeder Seed Orchard facilitate tree improvements with a focus on different traits. “Traits we are looking for with OSU’s Christmas Tree Program are good color, fast-growing, upright branching, many branches and disease and insect resistance, especially for noble firs. Different families have different needle characteristics. Some are longer or fluffier. Some have much shorter needles, while others are tighter and longer.” Kowalski stated. 

OSU’s Christmas Tree Program has been working with counterparts in other states to grow new types of Christmas trees that can withstand dry summers, such as Turkish and Trojan firs. Kowalski helped facilitate planting the first orchard of Trojan fir in the Northwest with funding from a three-year Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SERI) grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). “These trees grow quickly, are more resistant to drought, and have few diseases, making them well-suited to the region’s climate and Christmas tree industry.” Kowalski said.

Kowalski’s work includes researching Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods on and off the OSU campus. “A grower in the Columbia Gorge has adopted a no-till, no-spray approach to farming, allowing natural growth and introducing beehives to address pest issues. The bees help remove the ugly sticky honeydew left by aphids on noble firs,” Kowalski said. This is part of a broader conversation among growers to find cost-effective, environmentally friendly pest control alternatives as pesticide costs rise.

Kowalski continues to learn from her visits to the J.E. Schroeder Seed Orchard, specifically from the presentations by ODF Geneticist Don Kaczmarek.

“Going out with my father and being in the orchards at J.E. Schroeder as a child was fun, but I never knew what was going on,” Kowalski said. It was not until Wanek approached his retirement that she learned more about his work. Wanek retired in 1984 but stayed involved at the seed orchard after his retirement. “It wasn’t near the size it is now as it was in the ‘80s,” Kowalski said. 

Wanek had been working with Roy Silen, a former United States Forest Service (USFS) geneticist, to improve trees and develop faster-growing Douglas-firs for the timber industry. “They did cone surveys and grafting. I still have my father’s grafting knife,” Kowalski said. As Kowalski works on her research at OSU, she continues to find connections people have made with Wanek, even meeting people in the industry who learned grafting from her father.

After serving as a fighter pilot in World War II, Wanek attended the Oregon College of Agriculture and earned a degree in forestry. He later worked on reforesting areas affected by the Tillamook burn. During a visit to the Tillamook Forest Center, Kowalski and her sister found a photo of their father displayed in the museum. The museum also has trees dedicated to Wanek and his wife. After his passing in 2009, Wanek’s colleagues who worked in state forestry set up a private tour of the J.E Schroeder Seed Orchard for Judy’s family. Kowalski and her sister frequently come across references to their father and the impact his work had on forestry in Oregon. 

Kowalski is committed to helping growers by advancing IPM and exploring new farming methods. Her work builds on her father’s legacy from the 1980s and 1990s, continuing the search for ways to improve trees.

The J.E. Schroeder Seed Orchard is celebrating its 50th anniversary through May.

Bureau of Land Management interns are available for interviews regarding their experiences with BLM, and to let other students know about the benefits of starting a federal career with a paid student internship.

Bureau of Land Management officials have extended the period to apply for paid student internships! Eligible students can now apply through Monday, January 8, 2024.

After a successful push to hire more than 100 student interns across the country last year, BLM leaders are again in search of 100+ enthusiastic students looking for paid internships in the federal government. Jessica Schooley and Scott Truman were hired during the first “100 Interns” campaign. They are currently kicking off their federal careers as part of the BLM survey team in eastern Oregon.

Applying for internships with the federal government is a little different than applying for other jobs, so BLM leaders recently hosted two workshops to help interested students.  Internships are available in a variety of career fields and functions, including Civil engineering, Public affairs, Information technology, Survey, Administration, Land law examiner and Natural resources. Other positions include  Land surveyor, Wildland fire, Geographic information systems, Human resources, Grant management. Contracting and Budget Environment protection.

New Oregon Transparency Website provides details on state spending and performance. 

Salem, OR — Enterprise Information Services has launched a new Oregon Transparency Website, which went live on Dec. 13, 2023. The transparency website features information and resources on public meetings, public records, state salaries, revenue, budgets and more.

In 2009, through the approval of House Bill 2500, Oregon state government enacted the Oregon Transparency Program and website legislation. The program created an open resource where website visitors can access details on how the state is spending tax dollars and information on programs and services that provide investments back into Oregon’s economy.

The Transparency Oregon Advisory Commission (TOAC) was created to advise on website content and information. The Commission consists of state senators, state representatives, Legislative Fiscal Office staff, as well as state agency and public members.

Enterprise Information Services’ Data Governance and Transparency Program focused efforts in 2023 to redesign the website to include updated content, more user-friendly navigation, and a new design to promote greater interactivity and transparency for the public. The process included insight from current users, agencies, committees and site analytics to improve the user’s experience.

Chief Data Officer Kathryn Darnall Helms, the director of Data Governance and Transparency, says the new site is “a significant improvement in how we get valuable information and data out to our constituents, and is but one part of how we are pushing for greater transparency and more open data within Oregon state government.”

Links:

• Oregon Transparency – State of Oregon Public Meetings: https://www.oregon.gov/transparency/Pages/Public-Meetings.aspx
• Oregon Transparency – State of Oregon Public Records Request: https://www.oregon.gov/transparency/Pages/Public-Records-Request.aspx
• Oregon Transparency – State of Oregon Salaries: https://www.oregon.gov/transparency/Pages/State-Salaries.aspx
• Oregon Transparency – State of Oregon Revenue: https://www.oregon.gov/transparency/Pages/Revenue.aspx
• Oregon Transparency – State of Oregon Budget: https://www.oregon.gov/transparency/Pages/budget.aspx
• Oregon House Bill 2500 (2009): https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2009R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/HB2500/Enrolled
• Oregon Transparency Laws and Legislation: https://www.oregon.gov/transparency/pages/Laws-Legislation.aspx
• Transparency Oregon Advisory Commission: https://www.oregon.gov/transparency/pages/about-transparency.aspx#transparency-commission
• Enterprise Information Services: https://www.oregon.gov/eis/Pages/default.aspx
• Enterprise Information Services Data Governance and Transparency: https://www.oregon.gov/eis/data-governance-and-transparency/Pages/default.aspx

Federal Judge Rejected Request From Oregon Republican State Senators Who Boycotted The Legislature To Be Allowed On The Ballot After Their Terms End

U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken issued the decision Wednesday rejecting a request from Oregon Republican state senators who boycotted the Legislature to be allowed on the ballot after their terms end.

State Sens. Dennis Linthicum, Brian Boquist and Cedric Hayden were among the plaintiffs who filed the federal lawsuit to challenge their disqualification from running for reelection under Measure 113. The voter-approved constitutional amendment, which passed by a wide margin last year, bars legislators from seeking reelection after 10 or more unexcused absences.

Each of the three senators racked up more than 10 absences during a record six-week walkout that paralyzed the 2023 legislative session. The boycott stemmed from bills on abortion, transgender health care and guns.

The lawmakers sought, among other things, a preliminary injunction to prevent the secretary of state’s office from enforcing their disqualification from the ballot. The office in September disqualified Linthicum and Boquist from the 2024 ballot, court filings show. Hayden’s term ends in January 2027.

The senators argued that walkouts are a form of political protest protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

“The Senators were punished solely for exercising their First Amendment rights,” their attorneys said in court filings.

Aiken disagreed with their claims in her opinion.

“However, these walkouts were not simply protests — they were an exercise of the Senator Plaintiffs’ official power and were meant to deprive the legislature of the power to conduct business,” she wrote.

“Their subsequent disqualification is the effect of Measure 113 working as intended by the voters of Oregon,” she added.

The Oregon Senate and House of Representatives must have two-thirds of their members present in order to have a quorum and conduct business. In recent years, Republicans have protested against Democratic policies by walking out of the Legislature and denying a quorum in a bid to stall bills.

The federal suit named Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade and Democratic Senate President Rob Wagner as defendants. The senators claimed, among other things, that Wagner violated their First Amendment right to freedom of expression and their Fourteenth Amendment right to due process by marking their absences as unexcused.

Attorneys from Oregon’s justice department representing Griffin-Valade and Wagner argued the First Amendment does not protect legislators’ refusal to attend legislative floor sessions.

“Under Oregon law, a senator’s absence has an important legal effect: without the attendance of the two-thirds of senators needed to achieve a quorum, the Senate cannot legislate,” they wrote in court filings.

The federal court decision was issued one day before the Oregon Supreme Court heard a separate challenge to the measure. In oral arguments before the state’s high court in Salem Thursday, a lawyer for a different group of Republican state senators argued that confusion over the wording of the constitutional amendment means that legislators whose terms end in January can run in 2024.

Griffin-Valade, the secretary of state, is also a defendant in that lawsuit. Earlier this year, she said the boycotting senators were disqualified from seeking reelection in 2024. She directed her office’s elections division to implement an administrative rule to clarify the stance. She said the rule reflected the intent of voters when they approved the measure last year.

All parties in the suit are seeking clarity on the issue before the March 2024 filing deadline for candidates who want to run in next year’s election.

The Homeowner Assistance and Reconstruction Program (HARP) will be the first assistance available directly to 2020 Labor Day disaster survivors administered by Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS).

The program is part of ReOregon, which is funded by a $422 million Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HARP assistance will help low- and moderate-income homeowners who still need to repair, rebuild, or replace their homes. Those who have already completed repairs or rebuilding may be reimbursed in a future phase of HARP, if funds are still available.

In Jackson County ACCESS, NOWIA Unete Center for Farmworker Advocacy, and Firebrand Resilience Collective (Remake Talent), and Unite Oregon in Jackson County and the Lincoln County Long Term Recovery Group will be assisting with the outreach work. While OHCS and its partners continue to prepare to launch an application portal, survivors can help make the process as smooth as possible by ensuring they have the right documentation before they apply.

HARP applicants will need the following information: Proof they owned the damaged or destroyed home, and it was their primary residence; Records of damage from the 2020 Labor Day Disasters; Proof of current income; Record of any insurance or other recovery funds you received and  Personal identification (ID) for all household members over the age of 18.

OHCS recognizes how challenging this disaster has been and wants to work with survivors to ensure they have the resources they need to apply to the appropriate ReOregon program. The federal rules governing CDBG-DR are extensive and include significant documentation requirements for any beneficiary households.

Oregon State Police Traffic Stop Near Albany Results in Major Drug Seizure

A traffic stop in Linn County last week led to a major drug seizure including methamphetamine, heroin, a loaded firearm, and cocaine.

On Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, an Oregon State Police trooper initiated a traffic stop on Interstate 5 just south of Highway 34 near Albany after observing a traffic violation. The trooper contacted the single occupant of the vehicle and obtained legal authority to search the vehicle. As a result of the search, the following items were seized:

• 42 pounds of methamphetamine
• Seven pounds of heroin
• A loaded pistol
• A small amount of cocaine

Allan Alexis Medina of Puyallup, WA, was arrested for several crimes related to the seizure. The investigation is ongoing and no additional information is available for release at this time.

A new law in Oregon will let drivers pass a slow-moving cyclist in a no-passing zone.

Starting Jan. 1, vehicles traveling at less than half the speed limit will be considered road obstructions. Therefore, drivers in no passing zones will be allowed to cross into the left lane of the roadway to get around them.

Eugene resident Richard Hughes, a self-described bicycle advocate, requested the law. It was formally introduced by Sen. Floyd Prozanski of Eugene and Rep. Tom Andersen of Salem. It was approved during the 2023 legislative session with no votes in opposition in either chamber.

Hughes said it’s unnerving for cyclists when drivers trail them for miles on rural roads.

When travelling at over 35 mph, Oregon drivers must also maintain enough distance while passing to avoid a falling cyclist.  (Oregon news)

Some Oregonians who applied for benefits through the state’s new paid family- and medical-leave program are reporting frustrating delays receiving their checks, technical issues during the application process and long wait times to speak to customer service representatives.

The program has been inundated with fraud attempts, contributing to the problems.

A state dashboard shows that program officials have processed more than 28,000 applications, about 80% of what they’ve received, and paid out nearly $104 million so far. There are about 7,000 applications still waiting to be processed, although a portion of those claims are new or could be fraudulent.

A significant number of Oregonians facing benefit delays say they have run into issues with the state’s identity verification process, a step officials put in place to combat the large number of fraudulent application attempts.  (Oregon news)

Today, the USDA Forest Service published a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement on the proposal to amend the 17 land management plans of the Northwest Forest Plan that provide direction for the management of those national forests and grasslands.

The process will be informed by robust engagement with stakeholders across all affected geographies to address urgent land management concerns including wildfire resilience, climate change adaptation, and greater tribal inclusion in the plan.

While the plan has guided important progress over the past three decades, changed ecological and social conditions are challenging the effectiveness of this plan. This action launches the public process of amending the Northwest Forest Plan with a 45-day public comment period.

The Notice of Intent identifies changed conditions driving the need to amend the plan. The process will focus on five key areas: wildfire resilience, climate change adaptation, tribal inclusion, sustainable communities, and conservation of old growth ecosystems and related biodiversity. Amending or otherwise strengthening the effectiveness of the Northwest Forest Plan can incorporate the latest science and help forests adapt to social, economic, cultural and ecological changes.

The Forest Service intends to preserve the elements of the plan that are working well.

In the Rogue Valley, Rogue X – a new event center complete with water slides, a swimming pool, basketball courts and more — will open its doors to the public on Jan. 6^th, 2024.

Medford city officials toured the facility on Tuesday as crews made their finishing touches.

On one side of the facility, guests will find the event center. Here, there are courts for multiple sports, bleachers and plenty of room for other large events.

On the other side of the facility, guests will find the aquatic center. The pool happens to be the largest competition pool in the region. Complete with two slides, the aquatic center was designed for people of all ages.

The 140,000 square-foot facility cost the city $76 million and has been in the works since 2018. The city told NewsWatch 12 there are already 41 events scheduled to take place at Rogue X in 2024.

Not only is Rogue X expected to be a popular recreation destination for local families, but the city is hoping to see the facility boost the local economy.

Medford already has the west coast’s largest outdoor sports complex just off of Highway 99 between Medford and Phoenix.  Over a dozen baseball, softball, and soccer fields and a full fledge football stadium, all with artificial turf,  The US Cellular Sports Park has tournaments 50 out of 52 weeks a year in various sports.  Several new motels have been built near the area since that opening.

Rogue X will open on January 6. Rosenthal said it’s a public facility but recommended guests purchase passes online.  (kdrv 12)

Get $5 off annual Oregon State Park parking permit in December

Give the gift of the outdoors and save this season with the Oregon State Parks 12-month parking permit sale during the month of December.

The permit hangtag once again features whimsical designs from Portland artist El Tran. Holiday shoppers can buy the annual parking permits for only $25, which is a $5 savings starting Dec. 1 and running through Dec. 31. The permit is good for 12 months starting in the month of purchase.

Purchasing permits is easy. Buy them online at the Oregon State Parks store (use the drop down menu to pick your favorite design). Parking permits are also sold at some state park friends’ group stores and select local businesses throughout the state. For a complete list of vendors, visit stateparks.oregon.gov.

Parking costs $5 a day at 25 Oregon state parks unless you have a 12- or 24-month parking permit or a same-day camping receipt. The 24-month pass is $50 and is also available at store.oregonstateparks.org. The permits are transferable from vehicle to vehicle.

A national auto travel organization says U.S. travelers are gearing up for the second busiest year for holiday travel.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) says today it expects 115,000,000 Americans, including 1.6-million Oregonians, to travel from home for the holidays.

AAA of Oregon’s  projection of 115.2-million traveling Americans amounts to 33.8% of the population, whom it says will travel 50 miles or more for Christmas and New Year holidays.

AAA says this figure is a 2.2% increase from last year and the second-highest holiday travel volume since 2000 when AAA began tracking holiday travel, only behind 2019, the nation’s last pre-pandemic holiday season.

AAA says while aout 90% of travelers, or 104,000,000 will drive to holiday destinations, “Air travel sets a new record this holiday season, with 7.5 million Americans including 156,000 Oregonians taking to the skies.”

AAA expects peak traffic days to be December 23rd and 28th and, “Some metro areas could see travel times that are up to twice as long as normal.”  It forecasts that traffic also will be heavier than usual Saturday, December 30th, when many people will be heading back home from their holiday destinations or traveling for New Year’s Eve. Another day with higher than normal volumes will be Tuesday, January 2nd, as people drive home from their New Year’s destinations.

AAA also expects 930,000 calls for service, including 15,000 Oregonians, at the roadside during the holidays for dead batteries, lockouts, flat tires and extrications. (AAA Oregon)

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