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Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Klamath Basin Weather
Today
Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 59. Breezy today, with a northwest wind 13 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. Overnight, clear skies with a low of 31 degrees. Northwest winds to 17 mph at times.
Today’s Headlines
Oregon Election Results Coming In… NOT FINAL TALLIES YET
Up to the minute election results from yesterday’s local Klamath Couty elections can be found by going to the Klamath County Clerk’s webpage. CLICK HERE
A complete and final synopsis and recap of all local and state election results are yet to come, as we await final tallies.
Choice Votes Vote %
All Oregon Precincts
President (DEM) (Vote for 1)
Joseph R Biden Jr 2,662 81.13%
Marianne Williamson 368 11.22%
Write-in 251 7.65%
Total 3281 100.00%
President (REP) (Vote for 1)
Donald J Trump 10,049 95.41%
Write-in 483 4.59%
Total 10532 100.00%
US Representative, 2nd District (DEM) (Vote for 1)
Steve William Laible 432 15.53%
Dan Ruby 2286 82.20%
Write-in 63 2.27%
Total 2781 100.00%
US Representative, 2nd District (REP) (Vote for 1)
Jason Beebe 1748 17.05%
Cliff Bentz 8462 82.53%
Write-in 43 0.42%
Total 10253 100.00%
Secretary of State (DEM) (Vote for 1)
James Jim Crary 297 9.90%
Paul Damian Wells 166 5.53%
Tobias Read 1723 57.41%
Dave W Stauffer 142 4.73%
James Manning Jr 609 20.29%
Write-in 64 2.13%
Total 3001 100.00%
Secretary of State (REP) (Vote for 1)
Brent Barker 1393 13.51%
Dennis Linthicum 8082 78.38%
Tim McCloud 788 7.64%
Write-in 48 0.47%
Total 10311 100.00%
State Treasurer (DEM) (Vote for 1)
Jeff Gudman 805 26.95%
Elizabeth Steiner 2131 71.34%
Write-in 51 1.71%
Total 2987 100.00%
State Treasurer (REP) (Vote for 1)
Brian J Boquist 7862 98.89%
Write-in 88 1.11%
Total 7950 100.00%
Attorney General (DEM) (Vote for 1)
Dan Rayfield 1827 61.91%
Shaina Maxey Pomerantz 1066 36.12%
Write-in 58 1.97%
Total 2951 100.00%
Attorney General (REP) (Vote for 1)
Michael Cross 3572 38.82%
Klamath County, Primary, May 21, 2024 (Not Final Tallies Yet)
All Precincts, All Districts, All Counter Groups, All ScanStations, All Contests, All Boxes
Total Ballots Cast: 18692
45 precincts reported out of 45 total
State Senator, 28th District (DEM) (Vote for 1)
Write-in 248 100.00%
Total 248 100.00%
State Senator, 28th District (REP) (Vote for 1)
Diane Linthicum 6292 60.07%
Dave Henslee 4153 39.65%
Write-in 30 0.29%
Total 10475 100.00%
State Representative, 55th District (DEM) (Vote for 1)
James Williamson 955 96.76%
Write-in 32 3.24%
Total 987 100.00%
State Representative, 55th District (REP) (Vote for 1)
E Werner Reschke 5085 98.45%
Write-in 80 1.55%
Total 5165 100.00%
State Representative, 56th District (DEM) (Vote for 1)
Write-in 82 100.00%
Total 82 100.00%
State Representative, 56th District (REP) (Vote for 1)
Emily G McIntire 3074 98.81%
Write-in 37 1.19%
Total 3111 100.00%
Commissioner, Position 1 (Vote for 1)
G Moss Driscoll 2467 14.94%
Dan Girard 1129 6.84%
Andrew Nichols 3369 20.40%
Allen Headley 329 1.99%
Rejeana Jackson 3162 19.15%
Ron Moe 2749 16.64%
Kristina Maxey 501 3.03%
Dan Martin 1445 8.75%
Josh McGinnis 1299 7.87%
Write-in 66 0.40%
Total 16516 100.00%
Commissioner, Position 3 (Vote for 1)
Sally-Ann Palcovich 4013 24.14%
Derrick DeGroot 9047 54.42%
Todd J Gessele 3474 20.90%
Write-in 90 0.54%
Total 16624 100.00%
Sheriff (Vote for 1)
Brian Bryson 2422 13.72%
Sean V Ferns 2279 12.91%
Billy Stripling 657 3.72%
Peter (Mike) Shepherd 1224 6.94%
Ryan Kaber 2349 13.31%
Daren Krag 2033 11.52%
Shane Mitchell 6623 37.53%
Write-in 60 0.34%
Total 17647 100.00%
Surveyor (Vote for 1)
Sheryl Hatcher 10171 98.89%
Write-in 114 1.11%
Total 10285 100.00%
Measure 18-132: 9-1-1, increased 5-year levy (Vote for 1)
Yes 7863 50.54%
No 7694 49.46%
Total 15557 100.00%
Measure 9-165: LaPine RFPD, 5-yr renewal (Vote for 1)
Yes 84 67.74%
No 40 32.26%
Measure 18-133: Rocky Point Fire & EMS, 5-yr tax (Vote for 1)
Yes 77 46.11%
No 90 53.89%
Total 167 100.00%
A woman is speaking out after her ex-husband was found dead in Klamath County.
Ted Foltz-Tipton, 53, was found dead with a gunshot wound in a rural area about 11 miles North of Bonanza this past Wednesday afternoon. According to Lucas, both of his dogs were also shot, one did not survive.
His ex-wife, Melissa Lucas of Salem spoke with the media yesterday.
Born and raised in Salem and Keizer, Foltz-Tipton was living on two acres in the Bly Mountain area purchased by his oldest daughter when he was facing homelessness.
He leaves behind three children and five grandchildren. She says he was an old cowboy who loved his animals.
He lived off the grid so he didn’t work like a regular job. He enjoyed building things. Like for the nearby grocery store, he built them tables and would trade for food. He just lived day to day and he loved his animals so much and that was his life was his three horses and his dogs.
The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office says this is an active homicide investigation and asks anyone with information to call investigators at 541-850-5380. No arrests have been made yet.
On Tuesday, the Ross Ragland Theater and Cultural Center announced a campaign to raise one million dollars.
Following an in-depth financial and strategic planning review and restructuring of the organization, the beautiful Ross Ragland Theater launched the million-dollar campaign to ensure the theater’s preservation and that it remains open for the Klamath Community.
Donations can be made by cash, check, or credit card in person, or online by following this GiveButter link: https://givebutter.com/HiwyWw
Donating to the Ross Ragland Theater is easy. You can find the donation link pinned to the top of our Facebook page or on our website www.ragland.org. Just click on the “Giving Campaign” tab and follow the simple instructions. Your support is greatly appreciated.
The staff is eager to share more about their mission and the importance of this fundraising campaign. If you would like more information, please contact Krystal Perkins at (541) 887-8641, or email Fundraising@ragland.org
Klamath County Fire District 1 will be doing a controlled burn at 4950 Lakeshore Drive (Fire Station 5) on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
Burning will last into the afternoon. The burn will be strictly contained to KCFD1 property and fire crews will be on-site at all times. There will be smoke present in the area of Lakeshore Drive and Highway 140. Please use caution when driving in the area.
In Tulelake, dedication ceremonies for the new Veterans Monument will be held as part of the Memorial Day celebration at 1 p.m., on Monday, May 27, at Tulelake’s Veterans Park.
The new monument features a wall of bricks inscribed with the names of men and women who served in any branch of the U.S. military. The “Bricks for a Veteran” has resulted in the purchase of bricks by veterans and family members of veterans both regionally and from as far away as Washington.
Each of the 8-inch bricks is engraved with the name of the veteran, branch of military, rank and years served on active duty. Dave Porter Misso, who has long been active in Tulelake Basin projects, said the bricks remember a variety of people, from Army privates to a Tulelake veteran who was a general.
During the Memorial Day celebration in Tulelake, members of Malin American Legion Post 84 will hold a post-everlasting ceremony that “reaffirms their commitment to never forget those who served our country.” The ceremony will be followed by an Honor Guard Salute and the playing of taps.
Tulelake Veterans Park is located on property that was donated to the city of Tulelake. The first phase of development began in 2003. Ongoing efforts to expand the park and “make it more representative of Tulelake’s heritage, especially its veterans” have continued over several years.
The park’s expansion work began in 2020, when the existing park was extended to the corner of Main Street. The park archway is one of the first things people see as they turn off Highway 139 into town. A gazebo, sundial, interpretative panels and an archway featuring the seals of each branch of the military were added. That expansion was largely funded through a $425,000 grant through California Proposition 68 grants.
More than 4,000 elementary students will get a chance to eat Oregon-grown and produced beef jerky Thursday (May 23) as part of the Klamath County School District’s Farm to School featured foods program.
The district purchased 4,400 pieces of beef jerky from Taylor’s Sausage in Cave Junction, Ore. Taylor’s Sausage is one of several new local and hyperlocal producers that works with KCSD’s Farm to School program to provide locally grown and fresh foods to students.
Members of the Klamath County CattleWomen (pictured with some of the jerky in front the district office) will be among volunteers in the schools providing the beef jerky to students and answering questions. For more information on our Farm to School program, check out the webpage: https://www.kcsd.k12.or.us/district/farm-to-school.cfm.
So far this year, featured foods have included lamb from Anderson Ranches and the Henley and Lost FFA programs, microgreens from Fresh Green Organic Gardens in Klamath Falls, beef from 1875 Beef LLC in Silver Lake, potatoes from Circle C and Cal-Ore Produce, winter squash from Sweet Union Farm in Klamath Falls, carrots from Sweet Union Farms, and melons from Maranatha Farms in Klamath Falls.
Klamath National Forest is inviting the public to provide comments on proposed fee changes at 35 developed recreation sites across the forest.
In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, which allows the Forest Service to retain funds collected at certain recreation sites and use these funds locally to operate, maintain, and improve these sites.
Of the revenue collected from recreation fees, 80% remains on the forest to operate, maintain, and improve facilities. Raising the revenue collected through recreation fees would help the forest improve infrastructure at recreation sites and hire additional recreation staff during the season of operation. The resource derived through collection of fees helps provide quality recreation opportunities that meet the modern expectations of visitors and creates a more financially sustainable developed recreation program for the benefit of current and future generations.
Including the proposed sites, 68% (76 out of 111) of developed recreation sites would still remain free. Comments will be collected throughout the 2024 recreation season. Fee increases are not expected to take effect until 2025. Some sites can be reserved through www.recreation.gov for an added $8 reservation fee.
Additionally, these fee changes will be reviewed by a citizen’s advisory committee. Committee members represent a broad array of recreation interest groups to help ensure that the Forest Service is proposing reasonable and publicly acceptable new fees and fee changes.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and beyond is back in full swing at Sky Lakes Medical Center is their remodeled cafeteria area.
Furthering its vision to be a catalyst for positive change and create a vibrant and thriving community through transforming the health and well-being of current and future generations, Sky Lakes Medical Center’s remodeled cafeteria is cooking up good health and spirits for employees, patients and visitors.
Having undergone a massive renovation to modernize the dining facility, Sky Lakes Medical Center’s update was described as “night and day” by Sky Lakes Senior Business Intelligence Developer Lori Spiesschaert.
The kitchen facilities also received major updates including new equipment and more accessibility such as two pass throughs, one for hot food and one for cold food, that allows for more efficient delivery of food products to the line.
As part of the renovations, the menu has been revamped and will see a six-week rotation with diverse seasonal offerings.
Open 24/7 and to the public, the cafeteria functions as a grocery too, for simple items such as fresh fruits, beverages and snacks.
The Bureau of Land Management’s Klamath Falls Field Office is announcing the opening of the Gerber Campground in time for the Memorial Day weekend.
The Gerber Recreation Area is set in the high desert about one hour’s drive east of Klamath Falls, Ore. Mountain ridges and scattered Ponderosa Pine forests add variety and texture to the area.
Gerber offers opportunities for camping, fishing, horseback riding, and mountain biking, along with access to 100,000 acres of backcountry suitable for exploring, hunting, wildlife viewing, and scenic OHV driving. Developed campsites are available at Gerber North and South Campgrounds. The area also offers primitive campsites, a horse camp, and a day-use area as well as two boat ramps.
Fees will start on Thursday, May 23. Amenities include drinking water, vault restrooms, dump station, camp hosts, two boat ramps, fishing cleaning station at North Gerber, trash cans and day-use parking. Additionally, there are nine miles of hiking trails connecting the campgrounds.
The Gerber Campground is first-come, first-serve. Camping fees are $7 a night or $4 for senior/military/access card holders. $2 for day-use parking. There is a 14-day stay limit. Dogs are permitted with a six-foot leash. Camp hosts are on site at these locations.
For more information contact the Klamath Falls Field Office at 541-883-6916 or blm_or_kf_mail@blm.gov
Memorial Day Celebrations Scheduled
With help from The Disabled American Veterans Chapter 12, Commander Ray Ramirez is spearheading weekend events in Klamath Falls.
Fellow veterans from DAV, CVMA (Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association), Oregon Tech and various other organizations teamed up with Ramirez and the group has managed to find a number of volunteers to help make this weekend’s events happen. More assistance is needed however.
Registration for parade floats is still available online through the Klamath Freedom Foundation website. To register to be in the parade, visit klamathfc.org/event-registration and submit the online form.
Registrants will gather at the same location as in previous years, along Spring Street on the morning of Memorial Day at 8:30 a.m.
The parade will proceed down Main Street at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day Monday, arriving at Veterans Memorial Park at 11 a.m.
The annual celebration at Veterans Park will begin then, shortly after the annual Kingsley Airfield F-15 flyover. For more information, submit emails to klamathfallsparades@gmail.com.
Friends of the Children – Klamath Basin invites the community to its annual fundraising dinner auction, Friend Raiser, presented by Lithia Ford of Klamath Falls, on Thursday, May 30th. Doors open at Mike’s fieldhouse at Steen Sports Park at 5 p.m.
“This year’s event theme is ‘You Belong!” because we help children feel the belonging and value they need to develop hope and skills for bright futures,” said Executive Director Amanda Squibb. “Our community health depends on our kids’ well-being, and I’m excited to see everyone come out to support professional mentoring in the Klamath Basin.”
Friend Raiser begins with dinner and cocktail stations, a silent auction, wine and bourbon games, and raffle sales. A seated program and live auction follow at 7 p.m.
To reserve seats, visit friendsklamath.org or https://fckb.ejoinme.org/FR2024. Silent and live auction items will be added May 23rd for preview.
Friends – Klamath Basin was established in 2000 to impact generational change by empowering youth facing the greatest obstacles. It pairs youth with professional mentors for 12+ years, no matter what, and will serve 72 youth this year.
Around the State of Oregon
Celebrate State Parks Day with free parking and free RV and tent site camping at all Oregon State Parks June 1 as well as special events at selected parks.
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) will waive day-use parking fees at the 25 locations that charge them and camping fees for all tent, RV and horse campsites June 1.
OPRD will also waive day-use parking fees June 2, to support Free Fishing Days offered by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
State Parks Day has been a tradition since 1998 to thank Oregonians for their support of the state park system over many decades.
Visit the stateparks.oregon.gov event calendar for a list of additional events this summer.
For camping availability, please check oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com
Sections of the Rogue River will be closed to the public during specified times during the Boatnik Races this weekend at Grants Pass.
Races in the huge weekend event run at various times and locations from May 24 through May 27. Members of the community must be off the river in those areas at least one hour before the start of a race.
According to the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol all spectators must remain at least 50 feet away from the water.
Only authorized race officials, law enforcement, and rescue personnel will be allowed on the water during the closures. The sheriff’s office emphasized, “private boats are not allowed to assist with crash or rescue operations for safety purposes.”
Police will be patrolling the waterways during the races and any unauthorized boats may be cited and are subject to a $440 fine.
The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a person who may have gone missing while hiking along the Rogue River Trail.
According to the sheriff’s office, on Friday deputies received a citizen report of a backpack and dog leash found on the trail with no sign of a person or dog in the area.
On Saturday, a deputy hiked the trail and found the backpack approximately 1 mile south of the Grave Creek Boat Ramp.
When searching the backpack, its contents suggested the owner was preparing for a multi-day camping trip, but the items were unused.
There was no identifying information inside and police say they believe the backpack may have been there since Wednesday.
Officers searched the area, both on foot and with the use of drones, but were unable to locate the person or the dog.
The sheriff’s office says its concerned the owner may have been injured or is lost. However police say there are no missing persons reports that match the situation.
Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., revealed major gaps in automakers’ oversight of forced labor in their supply chains—including two companies that shipped cars or parts to the United States this year that were made with parts from a banned Chinese supplier—as part of a two-year Democratic staff investigation released yesterday.
The full report, “Insufficient Diligence: Car Makers Complicit with CCP Forced Labor,” is available here.
Importing goods made with forced labor to the United States has been illegal since the 1930s. Recognizing the systematic, government-sanctioned use of forced labor in the Xinjiang region of China, the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) in 2021 strengthened enforcement of the law with respect to facilities in Xinjiang and other entities identified as having been complicit in China’s forced labor scheme.
Despite those laws, automakers have been slow to adequately watchdog their supply chains to ensure parts originating in Xinjiang and other identified entities are not used in cars and trucks imported to the United States, the staff report found. In January 2024, Volkswagen disclosed that a shipment of its vehicles intended for the U.S. market included parts made with a supplier banned by the U.S. government under UFLPA.
While the Volkswagen disclosure became public earlier this year, committee staff discovered that BMW imported thousands of vehicles intended for the United States that included parts banned under UFLPA.
Interviews and documents obtained by committee staff show that Bourns, Inc., a California-based auto supplier, had sourced components from Sichuan Jingweida Technology Group Co., Ltd. (JWD), a company added to the UFLPA Entity List in December 2023, and whose goods are presumed to be made with forced labor. Bourns, in turn, provided those parts to Lear Corp., a direct supplier for BMW and Jaguar Land Rover. Bourns notified Lear on January 3, 2024 that electronic components known as LAN transformers had been produced by JWD, and thus were prohibited in vehicles being shipped to the United States.
On January 11, Lear sent letters to BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, Volvo and VW AG informing them of the banned components. Despite that notification, in April 2024, after the committee explicitly asked both companies whether they ever “directly or indirectly sourced parts from JWD,” Jaguar Land Rover claimed to be unaware of its links to the manufacturer listed on the UFLPA Entity List, and BMW informed the committee that JWD was not on their “supplier list.” However, after repeated questions from the committee, BMW disclosed that at least 8,000 Mini Cooper cars containing JWD components had been shipped to the United States
Bank Robber Arrested
Medford, Or. – On Friday, May 17th, 2024, at approximately 1:50 p.m. Medford Police Officers responded to a report of a robbery at Key Bank at 2598 E. Barnett Rd.
The suspect entered the bank and demanded money from a teller. The male suspect stole an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the location in a dark colored Ford Escape. MPD Detectives and local Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Agents responded to the scene to assume the investigation.
Detectives diligently worked on this investigation throughout the night and were able to identify the suspect as 52-year-old Timothy Michael Spencer of Medford.
Today a vigilant MPD Officer located the suspect and the outstanding suspect vehicle in Medford. Timothy Spencer was taken into custody and is currently being detained as the investigation continues. Spencer is being investigated for this robbery as well as the robbery that occurred at a Rogue River bank earlier this week. Charges are pending at this time.
Fatal Alarm Fire Destroys Adult Foster Care Home in Lebanon
Lebanon Fire District was dispatched to the report of a structure fire at an adult foster care home.
BC31 arrived on scene to a two-story home that was well involved in fire. The owners of the adult foster home stated that there was still someone inside the structure. BC31 upgraded the fire to a second alarm fire, requesting additional resources from across the county. The first arriving engine and medic unit forced their way through a locked door to search the room for the missing victim.
The victim was located and removed from the burning building and then emergently transported to Lebanon Community Hospital where it is reported that they passed away. Hot embers from the fire were being blown across the street and started another structure on fire. A single engine was able to quickly extinguish the second fire and return to the original fire. The crews remained on scene for several hours extinguishing the fire. The fire is currently under investigation.
Lebanon Fire District received assistance From Albany Fire Department, Sweet Home Fire District, Tangent Fire District, Harrisburg Fire Department, and Corvallis Fire Department
The owners of the adult foster care home were awakened by working smoke detectors and able evacuate majority of the residents until the the LFD was able to arrive on scene.
Student Protest Encampment at OSU
In a statement released on Thursday, less than a day after student protesters set up at the Memorial Union Quad, Oregon State University officials gave demonstrators until today, Monday, May 20, to pack up their tents or face consequences for student conduct code violations. It wasn’t immediately clear what those consequences would look like.
Students United for Palestinian Equal Rights organization at Oregon State University assembled an encampment Wednesday in the northwest corner of the Memorial Union quad.
The Associated Students of Oregon State University passed Senate resolution SR-83.09, calling for OSU to divest from any organizations funding Israel on May 9.
OSU also released an encampment statement Wednesday. In it, OSU provides resources and statements for students, staff, faculty and community to read and understand OSU’s official stance on the encampment and what is happening with the people in Palestine.
“We will not accept violence or threats of violence, willful destruction of property, discrimination, harassment or hate speech that incites violence or criminal activity toward community members on the basis of nationality, ethnic identity or religious beliefs,” the statement states.
In a written response last week, OSU invited protestors to help create new educational resources, and said it will launch a task force this fall to evaluate its procurement policies.
However, the university said the encampment must be gone by this Tuesday, or it will take disciplinary action.
“We will begin using methods available to us to hold participants accountable for violations of policy under the student conduct code and criminal statutes,” officials wrote.
OSU said the encampment violates the campus’ free expression and ground-use rules, while interfering with other scheduled events that have non-refundable contracts.
A Centennial High School teacher is on leave as Gresham police investigate reports of inappropriate behavior towards students.
The behavior was reported to school staff earlier this week, according to the police.
Police ask anyone with information about the case to contact Detective Mark Hawley at 503-618-3199.
Phoenix, Oregon, is the fastest growing city in Southern Oregon, growing at a rate of 5% — or 215 people — from 2022 to 2023.
This is according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This comes four years after the 2020 wildfires devastated the area.
Behind Phoenix is Talent, which grew 2% from from 2022 to 2023.
Klamath Falls lost 78 residents since the last census, with a city grade population of 21,888.
University of Oregon students are into their week four of camping out on the university campus as part of a pro-Palestine demonstration, and remain committed to their demands, despite university administration urging them to disperse. There seems to be no backbone from UofO officials as the campus remains a loud mess.
Tensions over the protest encampment on the University of Oregon’s campus are reaching a new pitch after a group of protestors marched and chanted in front of university President Karl Scholz’s home last week in the middle of the night.
Neighbors in Eugene’s Fairmount Neighborhood just a few blocks from the UO campus said the group walked through the neighborhood chanting slogans and making noise at President Scholz’s home at about 1:55 in the morning. Neighbors said the chanting lasted for several minutes before protestors left.
“Wanted” posters were also set up all over the neighborhood with the names of Scholz and the CEO of the UO Foundation, Paul Weinhold.
Last week University of Oregon administrators gave protestors a deadline of May 11th to stop camping overnight, dismantle the encampment, and reserve a designated space to gather during daytime hours through an officially recognized student group. However, as of May 20th, today, protestors say they are there to stay.
Protestors are still having conversations about what their next course of action will be after calling the University’s recent response to their demands “cowardly.” The university told protestors they will not call for a ceasefire or divest from companies protestors have asked them to, as the university does not make decisions based on political views.
To try and compromise, the UO negotiating team said the university will provide more education on the conflict and will increase resources for people to learn about it. They also said they are willing to arrange a meeting, after the encampment has been dismantled, for a select group of students to meet with the president and CEO of UO Foundation, the UO’s senior vice president for finance and administration, and President Karl Scholz to share the university’s approach to investment and to also hear from students.
“Track Town Fever” is already underway in Lane County ahead of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships and the Olympic Trials in June at Hayward Field.
Of course in Eugene, track and field events are a multi-million dollar industry.
“People come, they stay in hotels, they eat at the restaurants, they shop in the retail stores,” said one official. Businesses are preparing for the busy summer at “Track Town USA”.
Events like the famous Eugene Marathon will attract12,000-13,000 runners alone, bringing in millions of dollars to the city and businesses.
The NCAA Outdoor track meet is from June 5-8.
The Olympic Trials begin June 21 and run for 10 days.
Busy Wildfire season is on the horizon. The Red Cross says get ready now, prepare and volunteer.
Volunteers are needed to support families affected by continuous disasters.
Residents of Oregon and SW Washington are anticipating another busy wildfire season as the climate crisis threatens to upend more communities. The best defense during an emergency is to be prepared and the American Red Cross, Cascades Region advises everyone to get ready now.
“Today, the Red Cross is responding to more large disasters — almost twice as many — than we did a decade ago,” said Priscilla Fuentes, CEO of the Red Cross Cascades Region. “This growing need for help means we need more volunteers trained and ready to support families facing their darkest moments. Plus, it is critical for Oregon and SW Washington residents to make an emergency plan now.”
The number of billion-dollar disasters in the U.S. has increased 85% in just the last decade as disasters grow in frequency and intensity. People across the country are feeling the impact as an estimated 2.5 million were forced from their homes by weather-related disasters in 2023 — with more than a third displaced for longer than a month.
LOCALLY:
- In 2020, Oregon experienced the worst wildfires on record, burning over a million acres of land. The Red Cross sheltered thousands of people for months across the state.
- In 2021, Oregon experienced a heat dome with record high temperatures. Later that summer, we responded to the Bootleg Fire which was the third largest in Oregon history.
- In 2022, dozens of fires consumed 465,000 acres. The Red Cross opened 10 shelters in one month alone. A wildfire erupted in Clark County in October, an unusually late time in the year.
- In 2023, the Red Cross started the summer with four times as many wildfire responses than the previous year. Our Cascades Region sent people on over 300 deployments, from Alaska to Florida, Puerto Rico, and the Maui wildfires.
- In 2024, we are anticipating warmer summer temperatures which can intensify wildfire activity.
Comprising 90% of the Red Cross workforce, volunteers are continuously providing shelter, comfort, hot meals, health services and recovery support to families in need across the country. We need you!
VOLUNTEER TODAY The Red Cross is seeking new volunteers who are team-oriented and want to make an immediate difference. Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to sign up. Free online training will be provided.
HOW TO PREPARE YOUR HOUSEHOLD With the increasing risk of climate-driven disasters, help keep your family safe by getting prepared today.
- Build an emergency kit with bottled water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, and battery-powered radio. Also include medications, copies of important papers, cell phone chargers and emergency contact information.
- Make an evacuation plan with what to do in case you are separated from your family during an emergency and if you must evacuate. Make sure to coordinate with your child’s school, your work and your community’s emergency plans — and don’t forget your pets.
- Know how to stay informed by finding out how local officials will contact you during a disaster and how you will get important information, such as evacuation orders.
Plus, download the free Red Cross First Aid app so you’ll know what to do if emergency help is delayed and the free Emergency app for weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and more safety tips. Choose whether you want to view the content in English or Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find these and all the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.
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Ready to Advertise in 2024? Let’s get the word out for Summer! Call BasinLife.com at 541-363-7503. Or email us today at INFO@BasinLife.com with your name, business, and what you’re looking for. We’ll customize a plan fit for your budget.
We offer more local advertising opportunities than any one in the Klamath Basin. We’re ready to help you with the best radio and digital advertising in Southern Oregon.
You can receive Daily Radio Mentions across our 6 stations, Articles, direct link Banner Ads, floating Banner Ads on hundreds of article pages daily, Social Media Posts, geo-fencing and geo-targeting services, and also available are Email Blasts to thousands of local residents. We can also keep you updated with the latest smart digital marketing strategies for 2024 for your business. BasinLife.com is still the best value in the Klamath Basin for advertising, as we celebrate our 8th year promoting businesses!
For information or prices on plans, simply call us today at 541-363-7503 or email us at Info@BasinLife.com. Let us keep your business top-of -mind!
