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Friday, April 5, 2024
Klamath Basin Weather
Today
Partly sunny, with a high near 44. Northwest wind 11 to 14 mph. Overnight, partly cloudy with a low near 26 degrees, and gusty winds to 15 mph.
See Road Camera Views around the Klamath Basin:
Lake of the Woods
Doak Mtn.
Hiway 97 at Chemult
Hiway 140 at Bly
Hiway 97 at GreenSprings Dr.
Hiway 97 at LaPine
Today’s Headlines
The California Highway Patrol says those in the Dorris area should keep their eyes and ears open.
Yesterday morning, they received reports of a stolen red Ford F-350 heading northbound on I-5 from Redding. The Ford stopped in Lake Shastina and three males began breaking into vehicles.
A concerned citizen confronted the males and one of the males displayed a firearm. The suspects got back into the stolen Ford and headed northbound on US-97. CHP units located the Ford and a pursuit was initiated. Pursuing units chased the Ford into Dorris where the Ford crashed at the intersection of First Street at Butte Street.
The three male suspects ran off on foot. CHP personnel apprehended one of the suspects, leaving two males still outstanding. A loaded magazine for the firearm was located within the Ford. The firearm was not located within the Ford or on the apprehended suspect.
It is believed the firearm is still in possession of one of the outstanding suspects.
Suspect #1 description: Hispanic male adult wearing a black hoodie and black pants.
Suspect #2 description: Hispanic male adult wearing a dark colored hoodie.
Please take caution if you live in the Dorris area and report any suspicious activity to 911. Remember to be aware of your surroundings and do not pick up any hitch hikers in the area.
This quote was shared by Klamath County District Attorney David Schutt on the Day of Hope during a unifying event held at the Ross Ragland Theatre Wednesday afternoon. He said: “Remember, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies,” Stephen King said.
Celebrated on the first Wednesday in April, which is Child Abuse Prevention Month, The National Day of Hope is a day to raise awareness about child abuse standing in solidarity alongside those who suffered and to make the commitment to prevent child abuse and neglect. The event was sponsored by Sky Lakes Medical Center’s Child Abuse Response and Evaluation Services (CARES).
With a room filled with people dedicated to ending childhood trauma — like the Oregon Department of Human Services, Friends of the Children of the Klamath Basin, Klamath Basin Behavioral Health, the Klamath Advocacy Center, the Klamath Tribes, the Klamath Falls City Police Department, the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, the Oregon State Police and many others — these are all groups on the frontlines fighting against this problem.
The blue pinwheel is the national image for child abuse prevention, and Redd spoke about some of the symbolism behind it.
Sharing their support and comradeship was the Henley High School Touch of Class Chamber Ensemble who sang three songs, one of which was dedicated to the event, Sake of Our Children.
Ferguson Elementary School first graders also sang a song sharing the message of only needing a song in our hearts, food in our bellies and love.
Former CARES director Ken Morton said seeing all the support during the event left his spirits feeling way up.
Country music legend and singer-songwriter Pam Tillis comes back to the Ross Ragland stage at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 7.
The child of Country Music Royalty Mel Tillis, Pam carved her path as a highly successful singer and songwriter with several successful albums and numerous chart-topping singles.
Her hits include “Maybe It Was Memphis” and “Mi Vida Loca.” Pam Tillis’ honest country music resonates deeply with audiences of all ages.
Tillis’ career includes Grammy and CMA awards, a Broadway performance, and being a proud member of The Grand Ole Opry.
The Ross Ragland Theater invites the Klamath Falls community to bring their dancing feet to see this performer grace the Ragland stage. The show is one that people will not want to miss.
Tickets are $30 for adults, $22 senior/military/student, and $10 for kids aged 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased at the Ragland Box Office Monday-Friday, noon to 5 p.m., by calling (541) 884-LIVE, or by visiting their website at www.ragland.org.
A presentation entitled “Klamath Society – A Place for Everyone” on the history of social organizations that were popular in Klamath Falls in the early to mid-1900s, will be explored at the Klamath County Museum at noon today.
Admission is free and hours are expanded from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. that day as part of the museum’s Free First Friday. The presentation will be given by museum manager Todd Kepple and Kamela Critser, also of the museum.
Critser will recount the activities of the Knights Templar, whose membership roll included state Sen. George T. Baldwin, operator of the Baldwin Hotel in Klamath Falls.
Other organizations to be mentioned include the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Art Needlework Club, and the Women of Woodcraft.
For more information, please call the Klamath County Museum at (541) 882-1000.
KLAMATH COUNTY CLERK PRESS RELEASE
The May 21st Oregon Primary Election is coming.
1) Ballots will be mailed May 1st . The last day to register as a new voter or to change party affiliation is April 30th. If a voter changes parties or address after the original ballots are processed, they may receive two ballots. The first ballot is inactivated and cannot be voted when the second ballot is issued. Please call if you are unclear which ballot to vote. If you have not received your ballot by May 7th, please contact our office.
2) Official Drop Sites are on the Klamath County Website. Your ballot must be in a box by 8pm on Election Day to be counted. Please check the website or call for hours and availability of the non24 hour drop sites. https://www.klamathcounty.org/685/Drop-Sites
3) If you are mailing in your ballot, Postmarks CAN count, if: a. Signed, AND b. Postmarked on or before Election Day, AND c. Received by the County Clerk’s Office within seven days after Election Day d. WE RECOMMEND TO MAIL BALLOT 7 DAYS BEFORE ELECTION DAY.
4) Nobody in Oregon will receive all of the candidates on their ballot. Oregon has a closed primary; this is a nominating election for the major parties. Registered Democrats receive Democratic candidates; registered Republicans receive Republican candidates; nonaffiliated voters receive only those races that are nonpartisan.
5) Voters’ Pamphlet will be delivered to every household around May 1st. Candidates are not required to be in the Voters’ Pamphlet. The candidate’s name will still appear on your ballot.
Republican Presidential Candidate, Donald Trump, declined to provide a statement for the Voters’ Pamphlet.
Contact the Klamath County Clerk’s Office, (541) 883-5134 or elections@klamathcounty.org, with any questions.
Klamath County Public Health says the window for residents to burn yard waste starts this weekend, from April 6th to April 21st.
Klamath County residents can burn yard waste but the waste must be fully extinguished by 7 p.m.
Only residential yard waste can be burned. That means no rubber, tar, petroleum products, or treated wood. Burn Barrels are prohibited.
If wind speeds are above 10 mph, then burns are not allowed. Even in the time frame set. Burn piles may be no longer than six feet in diameter and 4 feet high.
Piles must be 20 feet from flammable structures like buildings or fences. And must have 6 feet of soil around the outside of the pile.
The city has agreed to join other governments throughout Klamath County in the newly formed Klamath County Council of Governments.
Klamath Falls City Council approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding at the regular meeting Monday night, agreeing to attend and participate in quarterly meetings with neighboring Tribal, town and city governments.
According to the MOU, the agreement establishes the function of the council of governments as an intergovernmental facilitator of more effective, positive change for incorporated communities in Klamath County.
The MOU explains that “[t]he group’s primary functions shall be to facilitate intergovernmental communication; to initiate, conduct, or cause to be conducted, studies of regional problems; to recommend action by public and private agencies for purposes of solving or alleviating regional problems.”
Officials held the first council of governments last month with plans for the next meeting to take place next quarter.
The city also signed off on another agreement, partnering with Klamath County commissioners on the Stearns Elementary School corridor improvements project.
City Engineer Andrew Lakey said the purpose of the project is to improve pedestrian accessibility to the school by lowering the roadway.
According to the city staff report, the project was sent out for bids Jan. 16, resulting in a county contract with Rocky Mountain Construction for $2.3 million.
Council approved entering the IGA, agreeing to reimburse the county $575,210.
Additional funds for any approved change orders associated with the work will also be reimbursed, as will $8,650 for surveying services.
OTHER ITEMS
- Council approved amendments to the City Code on vegetation to include Section 5.631concerning more specific definitions of noxious vegetation, trees and shrubs on private properties.
- Council approved a resolution authorizing the parks division to apply for state grant funding for the Eulalona Pump Track project at Eulalona Park. The resolution also grants Mayor Carol Westfall signing authority for the grant.
The Grand Opening is today for The Coop Lounge, from the owners of The Chicken Shack, Jerrid and Julie Miller. It’s a new, relaxed 21-and-older social environment out Washburn Way.
Patrons of The Coop Lounge will enjoy an elegant, cozy and relaxed mid-century inspired design. With utmost attention to detail, the Millers have brought in woods from a locally sourced 150-year-old Claro Black Walnut tree, brass imported from the United Kingdom, and staffed by experienced mixologists and servers. The lounge is complete with ambient music and lighting — everything you’ve come to expect from the long-time entrepreneurs.
Taking inspiration from speakeasies, taverns, bars and lounges they had visited in bigger cities, The Coop Lounge elevates the nightlife in Klamath Falls, making all their mixers in-house and with less sugar and additives. Using hibiscus, butterfly peas, lavender and demerara — a cocktail made at The Coop Lounge is guaranteed to not only taste right but also taste more vibrant.
With 20 cocktails on the menu, plus whatever else could be imagined, and with draft and tap beers and a strong wine selection, there’s something for everyone. Including non-alcoholic beverages.
The Coop Lounge also features an original food menu with house-made chips, veggie bowls and a charcuterie board. The Coop is adjacent to the Chicken Shack, and, during the hours the restaurant is open, patrons at the lounge are welcome to order anything from that menu as well.
Located next to the Chicken Shack on Washburn Way, The Coop Lounge is open 11 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Each week, BasinLife.com features a Pet of the Week ready for adoption from the Klamath Animal Shelter.
This week’s pet is a dog named ” Sebastian “. Sebastian is a 4 1/2 month old male Border Collie/Labrador mix. He is black with white markings, he weighs about 35 pounds and still has growing to do.
Just for reading our news, click to enter to win Free Movie Tickets from BasinLife.com and Wynne Broadcasting.
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Jackson County Public Health on Wednesday issued an overdose alert for opioid overdoses — particularly from fentanyl. This is due to a surge in emergency medical responses and emergency department admissions in the recent two week period.
“Illicitly manufactured fentanyl can be sold as counterfeit pills, such as oxycontin, or in a powder form, which can look like other drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamine,” Jackson County Public Health said in a news release. “Fentanyl can also be mixed with other illicit opioids, such as heroin. The increased presence of fentanyl in the drug supply increases the risk of poisoning or overdosing for people who are experimenting with drugs, who use recreationally, and not intentionally using fentanyl.”
JCPH said that while there is no safe way to use “illicit opioids,” there are ways to reduce the risk of overdosing.
In the release, they said it is critical to call 9-1-1 if someone is overdosing.
Medford Police are searching for a 15-year-old boy who went missing around 3 p.m. yesterday.
Tristan Grepsma was last seen on North Keene Way, Medford Police posted on Facebook.
“He was last seen on North Keene Way heading in the direction of Hedrick Middle School. Tristan is about 5’10-5’11, has curly hair and was last seen wearing a grey Carhartt hoodie and blue jeans,” the post said. “He doesn’t have any items with him, including a phone. If you see Tristan, please call us at 541-776-7206. Case number: 24-5231.”
Alaska Airlines says Boeing has paid the carrier $160 million in “initial compensation” for a panel that blew out of an Alaska Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliner in January.
The airline said Thursday that it expects additional compensation, the terms of which it said are confidential.
The payment covered Alaska’s pretax loss related to the accident, including lost revenue and the cost of returning its Max 9 fleet to service after the planes were grounded for three weeks.
The airline described the compensation in a regulatory filing.
Siskiyou County is changing the system it uses to send notifications during emergencies such as natural disasters and public safety concerns.
According to a Facebook post from the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office, the new system is called ReadySiskiyou-Alerts.
“The upgraded system will offer increased accuracy and specificity in alert notifications, enabling residents to make informed decisions swiftly to safeguard themselves and their loved ones. Whether it’s evacuating a designated area or taking necessary precautions, the upgraded ReadySiskiyou-Alerts system will provide clearer and more actionable guidance, ultimately minimizing risks and ensuring the well-being of our community members,” the post said. “By investing in this upgrade, we prioritize our residents’ safety and security, reaffirming our commitment to proactive emergency management and response.”
According to the post, law enforcement have used the system CodeRed for the past 11 years — making this the first emergency notification system change in over a decade.
During an early February morning, nearly two dozen people found their chairs in a conference room at the University of Oregon, as they settled in to hash out the future of Northwest forests.
The 21 members of the Northwest Forest Plan advisory committee are foresters, political leaders, tribal members and lawyers, all with decades of experience in working with the government — except one.
Seated inconspicuously off to one side was 23-year-old Ryan Reed, wearing a gray-collared shirt and a long braid. Reed is a grad student, a wildland firefighter, and a member of the Hoopa Valley Tribe in Northern California. Despite his young age, it’s clear other committee members look up to him as a leader. When he speaks, the room gets quiet, and everyone listens.
Even so, he often had to remind the group why they were there: When the forest policies collectively known as the Northwest Forest Plan were adopted 30 years ago, policymakers hardly involved the 89 tribes whose ancestral lands they covered.
Federal and local governments in the U.S. have long determined how to use the lands that were taken from tribes, oftentimes without asking for their input. Forests were logged, rivers were dammed and freeways divided communities. Now government officials are increasingly calling for tribal inclusion in policymaking. But how much they engage tribes varies, and some Indigenous leaders question whether these agencies truly respect tribal input — or if they’re just paying lip service.
Indigenous leaders working on the Northwest Forest Plan amendment are trying to hold the U.S. Forest Service to account — and Reed is part of the latest generation engaged in that effort.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek on Wednesday signed into law a bill that will limit the amount of money that individuals and groups can contribute to Oregon political campaigns, starting in 2027.
The law is historic for Oregon, which has seen increasingly large sums of money poured into campaigns.
Kotek and lawmakers of both parties praised each other for achieving compromise on the bill during this year’s legislative session. The bill cleared the Legislature with overwhelming support from both parties and support from good government groups, labor unions and business groups, which negotiated the details of the bill.
The law restricts contributions from individuals and corporations to political campaigns to $3,300 per election and establishes limits on how much money political parties, caucus committees and other politically-affiliated groups can accept from various groups. It also requires so-called dark money groups that spend independently on candidate campaigns to disclose their significant donors.
Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality asks everyone to put a greater focus this week on preventing food waste, to protect the planet and save money.
Wasting food is also expensive. Households in Oregon lose a lot of money due to food waste; up to about $1600 a year. Oregon ranked third in the nation for participation in 2023,
The goal is to raise awareness about the environmental and the economic impacts of wasted food, while also addressing food insecurity and all doing this while trying to save Oregon families money over time.
Events are planned around the state and virtually this week, where people can learn simple tips like just paying attention to what’s in your fridge and pantry. The Oregon DEQ is also hosting an online video contest for K-12 students and their teachers. Winners will receive cash prizes. Those submissions are accepted through May 10th.
Two teenagers and a family dog are safe after being rescued from a rip current at Cannon Beach.
Fire officials say the 18-year-old and 14-year-old were boogie boarding on Tuesday when their parents noticed they’d been separated from their boards. The younger teen reportedly managed to drag themselves and the older teen out of the water. The dog was also pulled from the water and is doing fine. First responders arrived to find the teens recovering on the beach and took them to a hospital for evaluation.
The Oregon Secretary of State’s Office is expanding its program to reduce election misinformation.
The legislature allocated $150,000 for this year’s public service campaign, which you’ll see on social media. Messages highlight efforts the state takes to keep elections accurate, safe and secure. It encourages people to visit OregonVotes.gov for accurate election information.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture is warning ranchers to take precautions against bird flu. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has now been detected in cattle on an Idaho dairy farm.
The dairy recently imported cows from another state where bird flu was detected in cattle. Ranchers are being advised to practice good biosecurity. There’s no evidence the virus is any more contagious than before and there is no risk to the commercial milk supply.
Bird Flu is showing up across the nation and reports are in several states now. ODA encourages farmers to test animals before moving them and isolate sick animals from the rest of the herd.
The price of gas in Oregon is up while the national average remained steady over the last week.
Triple-A says Oregon’s average increased eight cents to $4.29, 4-dollars-29-cents a gallon.
The national average is 3-dollars-54-cents. Oregon’s increase is the eight-largest in the country. Refinery maintenance and increased demand have reduced supplies which causes prices to rise. More expensive summer blends of fuel are reaching pumps and the cost of crude oil is over 80 dollars a barrel which also puts upward pressure on prices.
A tanker truck carrying 102-thousand Chinook smolts for release into the Imnaha River in Northeast Oregon crashed northeast of Elgin.
The semi rolled onto its top. The crash happened along Lookingglass Creek and 77 thousand smolts made it into the creek.
Twenty-five thousand smolts died in the tanker or on the ground. The driver suffered minor injuries. The smolts represent 20 percent of the total that will be released into the river. Fishery managers expect as many as 900 fewer adult fish will return in 2026 and 2027. The 77-thousand fish that made it into the creek should bring a return of up to 700 adults.
A young black bear has been killed in Cottage Grove after losing its fear of people. Oregon State Police say some residents were hand feeding the bear.
It would sleep on porches and in front of doors. The bear was killed at the request of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The body will be taken to the state veterinary office for a necropsy. Fish and Wildlife Officials say that once a bear loses its fear of people they can’t be relocated.
On average, it happens 3.85 times every single day in Oregon – homeowners and professional excavators damage underground utilities while digging on their property or jobsite.
In some cases, the results can be catastrophic. Joining the national observance during the month of April, Governor Tina Kotek has signed a proclamation designating National Safe Digging Month in Oregon.
The statewide proclamation underscores the importance of requesting underground utility locates through Oregon’s free notification system, available by calling 811 or going to Oregon811.com at least two business days before digging. Requests can be made anytime and on any day for no cost.
The timing of National Safe Digging Month unofficially marks the start of “dig season” – the most active months of the year for excavation projects.
According to the Oregon Utility Notification Center, there were 342,061 requests in 2023, prompting 1,869,969 utility locates in Oregon. In the most recent damage report, there were 1,405 reported incidents, continuing a downward five-year trend statewide.
Common Ground Alliance reports that more than half of U.S. homeowners plan to dig without requesting utility locates. This is mostly attributable to lack of awareness and shallow digging projects. The estimated annual cost of damages to underground utilities nationally is $30 billion.
As an acknowledgement of the National Safe Digging Month observance, and in support of the 811 notification system, this proclamation is supported by the Oregon Utility Notification Center, Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division, and Oregon Public Utility Commission.
Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden have secured investments for essential community-initiated projects in Oregon in both funding packages that recently cleared Congress and were signed into law by President Biden, the senators announced Wednesday.
With the support of Oregon’s Congressional delegation members in the U.S. House of Representatives — Reps. Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle, Andrea Salinas and Lori Chavez-DeRemer — the senators assisted in securing 139 projects in Oregon in the final FY24 spending bill.
The Klamath Tribes received $1 million to create a workforce training program for Tribal members to acquire the skills and tools to work in forest restoration, prescribed fire and wildfire management in the Fremont-Winema National Forest. As the forest is a Tribal Treaty Protected Land, the program will help the Klamath Tribes have greater access to care for known sacred sites within the forest.
As outlined in a proposal written in 2023 seeking funding for forest work and management by Klamath Tribes Natural Resources Director Steve Rondeau, the Klamath Tribes Forest and Fire Workforce Training Initiative project purpose is to create a workforce training program for tribal members and rural communities to gain skills and tools to work in forest and fire management.
The program will directly address tribal workforce, unemployment, forest restoration and wildfire in a tribal and rural community with 7.4 percent unemployment and over 600,000 acres of wildfire in the past five years.
Federal researchers indicate the gray whale population along the West Coast is showing signs of recovery five years after hundreds washed up dead on beaches from Alaska to Mexico.
The increase in population numbers comes after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association determined in November that the “unusual mortality event” that began in 2019 has ended.
The agency has estimated the total number of eastern north Pacific Gray whales to be between 17,400 to 21,300, an increase from an estimated 13,200 to 15,960 whales last year.
The population began to decline after numbering about 27,000 whales in 2016. The mortality event hits its peak between Dec. 17, 2018, and Dec. 31, 2020, the agency said. It involved 690 dead gray whales that washed ashore from Alaska to Mexico. Of those, 347 were in the U.S., 316 in Mexico and 27 in Canada.
Some Oregonians are still struggling to use the new Frances Online system to get unemployment benefits.
The Oregon Employment Department says the number of people using Frances Online increased two percent over the last week to 89 percent. More than half of people trying to call for help are waiting over 15 minutes for their calls to be answered.
Nearly 15-million-dollars in benefits were paid last week. The new system went live a month ago.
TAX DEADLINE IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS
Salem, OR—This year’s tax deadline is just two weeks away as both state and federal income taxes need to be filed by April 15.
Nearly 1.3 million Oregonians have already filed their state personal income tax returns. The state expecting to receive 2.2 million returns in 2024, leaving more than 900,000 Oregonians who still have to file their taxes in the next two weeks.
The department offers the following information for taxpayers who still need to file their state return.
File electronically.
E-filing is the fastest way for taxpayers to get their tax refund. On average, taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refund sooner than those who file paper returns and request paper refund checks. Taxpayers should file just once. Sending a paper return through the mail after e-filing will a delay a refund.
Free filing options
Revenue provides several options for taxpayers to e-file their returns for free. Oregon Free Fillable Forms performs basic calculations and is ideal for taxpayers who don’t need help preparing their returns and want the convenience of filing electronically. The IRS offers a similar option for filing federal taxes electronically.
New this year, the department is also offering Direct File Oregon, which allows taxpayers to file their Form OR-40 through Revenue Online. Direct File Oregon is not currently linked with the IRS Direct File. Taxpayers will need to file a separate federal return with the IRS before filing an Oregon return with Direct File Oregon through Revenue Online.
Information about other available free tax preparation tax preparation software is available on the Revenue website, along with a list of organizations providing free or reduced cost assistance.
What’s My Kicker? calculator
In 2024 Oregon is returning $5.61 billion in surplus revenue to taxpayers in the form of a “kicker” tax credit. Taxpayers will receive their kicker as part of their refund, or the kicker can reduce the tax they owe.
Taxpayers, who have not filed their 2023 return, should not guess at their kicker amount. They can determine the amount of their kicker using the What’s My Kicker? calculator available on Revenue Online. To use the tool, taxpayers will need to enter their name, Social Security Number, and filing status for 2022 and 2023.
Where’s my refund? tool and video
Revenue has issued nearly 1.1 million refunds already this year, most within two weeks of filing. Taxpayers wondering about the refund on their 2023 tax year return, can use the Oregon Department of Revenue’s Where’s My Refund? tool to check its status and, if they want more information, watch a video outlining the refund timelines to better understand the process.
Filing an extension
Individuals who are not able to file by April 15, 2024 can file an extension directly with the Oregon Department of Revenue or with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If the IRS extension is granted, the Oregon extension is automatically granted. A timely filed extension moves the federal tax filing deadline and the Oregon filing deadline to October 16, 2023.
Only request an Oregon extension if you:
- Don’t have a federal extension.
- Owe Oregon taxes.
- Can’t file your return by April 15, 2024.
Remember that having a filing extension is not an extension to pay any tax owed. Taxpayers who can’t pay the full amount they owe, should pay what they can to avoid late payment penalties.
Visit www.oregon.gov/dor to get tax forms, see a list of approved tax preparation software products, check the status of your refund, or make tax payments. For questions not answered on our website, call 800-356-4222 toll-free (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 or email questions.dor@dor.
GARDEN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT SHORE ACRES STATE PARK APRIL THROUGH SEPT.
COOS BAY, Oregon— Come share your gardening skills or learn new ones as a garden volunteer at Shore Acres State Park.
Join rangers in caring for the gardens 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the third Friday of every month from April through September. Tasks vary depending on the season and could include cleaning out the pond, pruning roses, trimming shrubs, pulling weeds, mulching, planting and helping to remove invasive species.
The 2024 garden volunteer schedule:
- April 19: Pond clean out
- May 17: Prepare for summer
- June 21: Garden clean up
- July 19: Garden clean up
- Aug. 16: English ivy pull
- Sept. 20: Prepare for fall
Sign up for one or more of these events at https://form.jotform.com/
Participants should be prepared to travel a short distance on uneven ground and trails to the service site. Service will take place outdoors, and volunteers should be comfortable wearing work gloves and using hand tools.
Dress for the weather. Closed-toed shoes are recommended. Wear something you don’t mind getting dirty. Remember to bring a water bottle, sack lunch and work gloves if you have them (some will be provided if not).
For more information, contact Ranger Hayward or go to https://form.jotform.com/
APPLY FOR THE SMOKE MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Salem, Ore.—The Oregon Department of Forestry is soliciting applications to join the Smoke Management Advisory Committee. The committee is currently seeking applications to fill one vacancy to represent the public.
Created in 1989, the Smoke Management Advisory Committee (SMAC) provides advice and assistance to the Oregon Department of Forestry Smoke Management Program. The membership of the committee consists of an industrial forestland owner representative, a non-industrial forestland owner representative, a public representative, a Forest Service representative, and a Bureau of Land Management representative. Each representative serves for two-year terms that are renewable after the two-year period.
“This is an opportunity for the public to get involved and make sure that their voice and concerns are heard when it comes to prescribed fire smoke management in Oregon.” Said Stacy McCarter, Mitigation Program Manager.
Committee members gather for public meetings in Salem twice a year to discuss and provide advice to the Smoke Management Program regarding current prescribed burning and smoke intrusion trends, program fund balance, implementation plan items, and other current issues and projects of the program.
To apply, complete an online questionnaire at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/
Oregon utility companies from the Cascades to the Coast met in competition on Tuesday to find out who had the best-tasting water.
The Rainbow Water District hosted the competition at Dorris Ranch in Springfield. There, several water utilities from communities like Albany, Springfield, Marcola and Eugene met to see who had the best-tasting water. The competition was judged by five brewers and one judge from Dutch Bros, who sampled water from 11 different water districts.
The water was judged in three categories – scent, flavor and aftertaste. Judges used saltine crackers in between samples to cleanse their palates.
At the end of the competition, Cottage Grove emerged as the first-place winner, with water from Corvallis’ H.D. Taylor water treatment plant coming in second and water from Marcola coming in third place.
Winners get bragging rights and a plaque. The winner also moves on to compete with Idaho, Washington and California for best-tasting water. Nathan Endicott, a civil engineer with the Eugene Water and Electric Board, said the contest is a great opportunity for local figures in the water industry to gather.
Event organizers said the contest was just for best-tasting water, and is not an indicator of the quality of the water.
The Heceta Head Lighthouse is celebrating its 130th birthday.
The landmark structure turned 130 on Saturday. The Heceta Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast held celebrations to mark the occasion. The Heceta Head Lighthouse is the West Coast’s most photographed lighthouse.
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