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Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Klamath Basin Weather

A local firefighter has died in the line of duty.

The Fremont-Winema National Forest Service confirmed Thursday that wildland firefighter Daniel Foley died on Tuesday after completing a routine preparedness activity. He was just 27 years old.

Public Affairs Officer Benjamin Wilson said additional information will be made public later in the day Thursday.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the family, friends and wildland fire community,” Wilson said.

Foley began working for the U.S. Forest Service earlier this year in March, moving from New York to Bly, Ore. to fight wildfires. Foley’s father said his son “lived his dream of becoming a firefighter” in a statement posted on Facebook Wednesday morning. Prior to serving in Oregon, Foley was said to have worked as a nurse for the VA in Buffalo, New York.

In a show of solidarity, Klamath County Fire District No. 3 as well as many wildland firefighters and loved ones are displaying photos on social media of the U.S. Forest Service logo with a black bar across the center.

Thomas and Rachel Bentley are the new owners of Bentley’s Physical Therapy located in Merrill.

Thomas is a licensed physical therapist for more than 20 years. He has wanted to open his own physical therapy practice for the last 11 years, but the timing never seemed to be right, he said.

Both Thomas and Rachel have strong community ties in Klamath County.

Thomas was raised in Chiloquin and Rachel in Merrill, where they currently reside. Merrill has had limited services available; physical therapy being one of them, they said. Patients have to travel 19 miles to Klamath Falls, often twice a week for therapy. This was the perfect opportunity to provide a much-needed service in a community they live in and love, they said.

They reached out to the Klamath Community College Small Business Development Center for help. An advisor set them set a path toward their goal. That included applying for and obtaining a Klamath County Economic Development Grant. This additional funding for start-up costs helped tremendously, the Bentleys said.

They found a vacant building and worked with the owners to get it ready. Everything fell into place and on June 18, Thomas began seeing patients.

They anticipated seeing three patients per day on average, but were quickly overwhelmed, they said. The first three days they saw nearly 30 local patients. They also praised the support of the Merrill community.

Bentley Physical Therapy, 415 N. Main St., is open 5 days a week offering services to all of Klamath County. Call 541-880-3586 or visit bentleyphysicaltherapy.com

 

Klamath County Developmental Disabilities Services (KCDDS) is pitching in to support local arts with a $15,000 donation to the Ross Ragland Theater.

A news release from the Ross Ragland Theater announced the summable gift last month as a contribution during the Dancing with your Klamath Stars campaign.

“The donation from KCDDS played a pivotal role in making this year’s (event) fundraising a record-breaking success,” the release said.

In total, the campaign broke the theater campaign record with $40,646 in donations overall. The release said $10,000 of the KCDDS donations is to be allocated for purchasing new assistive listening systems for the theater.

“This investment will significantly enhance the theater experience for patrons with hearing impairments, ensuring that everyone can fully immerse themselves in the magic of live performances,” the release said.

Ross Ragland Theater Executive Director Curtis Peoples thanked KCDDS for their sizable contribution to the local theater.

“Their support not only helps us in creating a more inclusive and accessible space but also reinforces the transformative power of the arts in our community,” Peoples said in the release.

 

The Klamath Rails Model Railroad Club will present their annual train show through July 27 at the Klamath County Museum.

The club’s show includes a variety of scale models, with their main layout consisting of several hundred feet of HO-scale track.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday during the two-week run. 

Entry to the train show is included with regular museum admission, which is $5 for adults, $4 for teenagers and seniors, and free for children 12 and under. An additional discount is offered for families enrolled in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

“The model trains are always a hit with our visitors, including everyone from little kids to seniors,” museum director Todd Kepple said. “The hobby requires a combination of mechanical skills, imagination and an artistic flair.”

A free-admission day for families with special needs will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 14. For more information, contact the museum at (541) 882-1000.

Around the State of Oregon

Elected officials in Oregon are calling for an end to violence around political campaigns following the attempted assassination of former President Trump.

Governor Tina Kotek says violence is not what democracy is about and it’s not acceptable in the U.S. Republican House Leader Jeff Helfrich said disputes are settled with votes and not violence. Republican Congressman Cliff Bentz said the country must do more to protect candidates, supporters and spectators from such heinous and horrific behavior.

 

A Siskiyou County wildfire in Klamath National Forest is ravaging more than 15,000 acres as of Monday morning, a growth of 5,000 acres since Friday.

Immediate evacuation of Zone 2203-A has been ordered after the fire jumped Patterson Creek on Saturday.

The Monday morning update from Klamath National Forest Service reported firefighting efforts are focused on protecting the neighboring California communities of Etna, Quartz Valley and Greenview.

“Resources are in place along Shackleford Ridge, progressing southwest towards Campbell and Cliff Lakes,” the news release reported.

Dry lightning storms throughout the weekend prompted crews to retreat to ensure firefighter safety.

A red flag warning was ordered. Monday due to “enhanced terrain-driven, up-canyon winds” that are expected to continue.

Westerly down-canyon winds are also expected to last through Monday evening, and continued dry thunderstorms may occur as well, brining winds as high as 20 miles per hour.

Evacuation orders remain in effect for zones that are south of South Kidder Creek Loop, Patterson Creek Road, Kidder Creek Road and Scott River Road.

Additional evacuations are still in place for zones located west of Wrights Lake Road and north of Patterson Creek Road, Kidder Road, Kidder Creek Road and Quartz Valley Road.

New evacuation warning orders in place Monday include SIS-2310, SIS-2307, SIS-2322 and SIS-2319.

 

Meanwhile, The Cow Valley Fire near Vale grew substantially over the weekend, now burning 132,528 acres as of Monday morning.

The blaze was discovered the evening of July 11, estimated to be around 20,000 acres at that time.

Evacuation warnings were ordered for outlying areas beyond Vale city limits. Though these warnings were lifted Monday afternoon, new warnings were put in place for the community of Westfall and for residents along Highway 26 to “be ready.”

The city of Vale is not in danger at this time, according to inciweb incident reports.

A Red Cross evacuation shelter is open in Ontario for displaced Westfall residents. An additional shelter is being opened in Vale, according to Cow Valley Fire Information 2024 Facebook page.

“The Oregon State Fire Marshall task forces continued to work on structure protection efforts in the communities along Highway 26 and in Westfall,” the incident update said.

 

One person drowned and two people are missing after a 26-foot boat capsized in the Columbia River Bar Saturday morning.

Five people were on board. Three people were recovered by the Coast Guard. One of those people died. A 54-year-old man and an 11-year-old boy remain missing. The investigation continues into the accident.

 

A man accused of shooting and injuring a woman in the Fern Ridge area as been arrested according to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office. Officers says the woman was shot in the arm and shoulder area and sustained non-life threatening injuries.

LCSO officials said the shooting happened originally on the 25000 block of Hunter Avenue in Veneta. The victim was then transported to Perkins Peninsula Park by witnesses.

LCSO said that deputies responded at about 7:20 p.m. on Sunday, July 14 to a report of a woman who had been shot at Perkins Peninsula Park. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital with a non-life-threatening injury to the arm and shoulder area, sheriff’s officials said.

Authorities said that an investigation culminated in the arrest of Timothy Earl Shaw, 33, who was transported to the Lane County Jail where he faces charges of first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon. Another person, identified as Hannah Fetko, 32, was also arrested and jailed on an existing warrant, sheriff’s officials said.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4141.

 

Containment holds at 58% on the Salt Creek Fire, ODF Southwest Oregon District said their latest news release.

The Salt Fire is approximately 10 miles east of Eagle Point and burning on private and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land.

“The northern portion of the fire has 300 feet of cold black adjacent to the fireline in most areas, and crews are beginning to remove hose and other equipment from the fire while patrolling and monitoring the fire. Firefighters in other areas of the fire continue to locate hot spots and mop up fuels, like burning roots and down material,” the release said.

“Crews are conducting repair activities, such as minimizing soil erosion and protecting water quality, across the fire area. On steep slopes, water bars will be placed on control lines and roads to divert water to areas with natural vegetation, minimizing soil disturbance. Crews began dispersing berms made from soil displaced from fireline construction. Removing berms allows for natural water drainage. A red flag warning is in effect today for abundant lightning and isolated to scattered thunderstorms across the region. Dry fuels and strong, erratic winds could cause rapid growth for any new fires. Resources from the Salt Creek Fire are ready to support initial attack for any new starts. More than 1,000 personnel are assigned to the fire, including 41 20-person crews, 30 engines, 19 water tenders, seven tree fallers and seven dozers. Released resources may return to their home units or reassigned to other incidents across the state.”

Yesterday, Governor Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency because of the imminent threat of wildfire beginning now and continuing through October 1, 2024.

“Wildfires are active across Oregon and are growing at a concerning pace. Hot and windy conditions this weekend, including forecasted lightning in some areas, are threatening even larger wildfires,” Governor Kotek said in a statement, addring, “I am declaring a State of Emergency to access state resources for communities across Oregon as we respond to this year’s escalating wildfire season.

“Throughout the summer, it will inevitably get hotter and drier, presenting an even greater risk of catastrophic wildfires. The best way to limit wildfire impacts on our communities, natural areas, and first responders is to be aware of the conditions and prevent wildfires from starting. I urge all Oregonians to follow the instructions and evacuation levels issued by emergency officials, subscribe to emergency alerts on ORAlert.gov, have an evacuation plan, prepare a go-kit, and stay aware of changing conditions.”

The state has experienced wildfires this season resulting in three state conflagration declarations and two federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) declarations, several community evacuations, threatened and damaged structures, and critical infrastructure.

Oregon’s neighboring states of California, Idaho, and Washington continue to experience similar fires and weather. The extended weather forecast for Oregon predicts ongoing warm and dry conditions, creating an imminent fire threat across a large portion of the state.

This declaration directs the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) to support access to and use of personnel and equipment of all state agencies necessary to assess, alleviate, respond to, lessen, or recover from conditions caused by this emergency and to meet requests by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), the Oregon Department of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), and/or county and tribal emergency management to support response needs to respond to or lessen the effects of, the wildfire emergency as described in the state’s Emergency Operations Plan.

The Oregon National Guard will deploy, and redeploy, firefighting resources as needed and following Operations Plan Smokey 2024 throughout the remainder of the fire season based on need.

Those who believe they have been charged excessively high prices for essential consumer goods during this emergency are encouraged to report violations to the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Protection Services, which has the authority to investigate unlawful trade practices.

 

The Oregon State Fire Marshal and the Oregon Department of Forestry are bringing in out-of-state firefighters and equipment to fight several wildfires impacting communities and resources across the state.

On Sunday night, the Oregon State Fire Marshal mobilized two task forces from Washington to add structural firefighter capacity. The two task forces are from Snohomish, Thurston, and Grays Harbor counties with 29 firefighters, eight engines, and two water tenders. The task forces are assigned to the Falls Fire in Harney County.

“We are bringing in additional support from the Washington fire service for the Falls Fire, the severe drawdown of Oregon resources, and the anticipated weather conditions,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “Our strong relationship with the Washington fire service is invaluable, especially during their responses to Oregon in 2017 and 2020. We have a robust response system that transcends borders and supports our mutual missions. I can’t thank the Washington fire service enough for their quick and reliable response to Oregon’s needs.”

The OSFM works with the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to mobilize these resources through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a national interstate mutual aid agreement that allows states to share resources during times of disaster.

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) received more than 58 resources from New Mexico, Idaho, Montana, Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia, Colorado, and Florida to assist with the Salt Creek and Larch Creek fires. The agency will receive 13 more firefighters from Florida in the coming days to assist the agency’s Incident Management Team 3 and wildfires.

 

14 Deaths in Oregon Linked to Heat Wave

Since a wave of excessive heat began late last week, 14 people in Oregon have died from suspected heat-related causes.

The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office announced that four more deaths were reported on Wednesday last week.

Suspected heat-related deaths have now been reported in Coos, Jackson, Klamath, Linn, Multnomah, and Washington counties since last Friday.

One person, a 33-year-old man from Clackamas County, died after being taken to a Portland hospital.

The names of the 14 people have not been released. The medical examiner said the designation of these deaths is preliminary.

The actual cause of death in each case may take months to determine, the examiner’s office said, and may be unrelated to hyperthermia.

 

Peter Courtney, a powerful figure in Oregon politics for decades and the state’s longest serving lawmaker and Senate president, has died at age 81 from complications related to cancer.

“Peter Courtney will go down in history as one of the most influential and important leaders in legislative history,” Sen. Elizabeth Steiner, a Portland Democrat and budget co-chair, said in 2022 when Courtney announced he would retire from politics after 20 years presiding over the Senate and 38 years as an Oregon lawmaker.

Courtney was known for his skills as a dealmaker and his insistence on bipartisan support for legislation. He was a talented but idiosyncratic speaker, colleagues say, and a decisive leader willing to leave bills on the cutting room floor when it came time to close down a session.

 

SALEM, Ore. — As global tensions rise and military recruitment faces challenges, the Oregon National Guard is playing a vital role in supporting the Selective Service System, ensuring the state remains prepared for potential national emergencies.

The Selective Service System, an independent agency within the executive branch, is responsible for rapidly providing personnel to the military in a fair and equitable manner if the President and Congress authorize conscription. While the United States has maintained an all-volunteer force for decades, the system remains a crucial component of national defense readiness.

“The Selective Service is a vital pillar in our national defense posture,” said Michael Kalberg, Oregon’s State Director for the Selective Service System. “Even though it may be overlooked by some, it’s an important component of our government.”

In Oregon, the Selective Service State Headquarters is located at the Salem Armory on 17th St. The state’s mission includes maintaining staffing for local draft boards, preparing to activate a fully operational state headquarters if needed, and supporting the ongoing registration of 18-year-old males.

Lt. Col. Robert Earhart, the Selective Service Reserve Service Member for Oregon, explained the system’s role: “Most people are familiar with the draft during World War Two through Vietnam. It’s been a volunteer force for the past several decades, so the draft has not been going on. But every state needs to have an apparatus in place in case the President and Congress reinitiate conscription.”

The Oregon National Guard provides critical support to the Selective Service mission. This partnership includes sharing facilities, logistical support, and personnel. In addition to occupying space at the Salem Armory, National Guard Armory facilities and administrative equipment would be made available for temporary operations in the event of activation.

“We’ve had a lot of success in Oregon over the last 50 years, and this office has been functional,” Earhart said. “A lot of great people have come through, and a lot of great volunteers helping us along the way.”

However, the system faces challenges, particularly in rural areas. Oregon is divided into 18 local boards, with nine single-county boards and nine multi-county boards. As of July 2024, five boards are inoperable due to volunteer board member vacancies across 14 counties.

“We have vacancies quite a few vacancies around the state,” Earhart noted. To reach board capacity, “I could probably fill another 30 slots.”

These local boards play a crucial role in the Selective Service process. In the event of a draft, board members would review and decide on draftee claims for exemptions, postponements, or deferments from military service.

“It’s a big responsibility because you hold someone’s future in your hands,” Earhart explained. “It’s a matter of trust, logic, and an understanding of the story being told to you.”

The time commitment for board members is minimal during peacetime — approximately five hours in the first year and two hours annually thereafter. However, their role becomes expanded and critical if a draft is reinstated.

Kalberg emphasized the unique challenges Oregon faces in maintaining the Selective Service System. “Oregon is not a high-visibility military state. We don’t have a lot of military footprint [in Oregon],” he said. For that reason, probably in particular, Oregonians have never had a history of high registration compliance when young men turn 18.”

Despite these challenges, recent efforts to bolster the system have shown promise. Earhart has been conducting outreach with agency partners, the governor’s office, county commissioners, and service organizations like the VFW and American Legion, which has resulted in several new volunteers in the pipeline.

The Selective Service is also adapting to potential changes on the national level. Congress is considering bills that could expand registration requirements, such as the automatic registration of 18-year-old males and including women in the draft. If passed, these changes would significantly increase the workload for local boards.

“If mandated, it’ll be an interesting reaction,” Kalberg said. “We’re not worried about it, but we do need to get the numbers on the paper, get [board members] trained, and get them ready.”

As geopolitical pressures mount and military recruiting struggles to meet its quotas, the importance of the Selective Service System has been identified as a backstop for national defense. Dr. Kathleen Hicks, Deputy Secretary of Defense, recently stated, “I don’t want people to think the all-volunteer force is sort of alone when the United States must make major decisions. They do not stand alone.”

The Oregon National Guard and Selective Service System are actively seeking volunteers to serve on local boards, particularly in rural areas. Interested citizens can apply online at sss.gov/volunteers to “Get Involved.” Eligible individuals must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old, and willing to undergo training and dedicate time to this crucial role in national preparedness.

“We’re looking for dedicated individuals who want to serve their community and country in this important capacity,” Earhart said. “It’s a unique opportunity to play a vital role in our national defense structure.”

For more information on volunteering or the Selective Service System in Oregon, you can contact Lt. Col. Robert Earhart, SSS Reserve Service Member, at 503-779-9473 or rearhart@sss.gov.

 

Oregon U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley’s bill to prevent stillbirths has been signed into law.

Under the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act, federal funds will be allowed to be used for stillbirth prevention research and other activities. According to the CDC, one out of 175 babies delivered in the U.S. are stillborn. Recent research shows at least 25% are potentially preventable.

 

Oregon seeks public comment on large-scale farming regulations

Oregonians have until July 22 to submit comments on the implementation of new environmental restrictions for the state’s largest farms.

When the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 85 last year, regulations were signed into law for Confined Animal Feeding Operations. Now, the Oregon Department of Agriculture is working to implement them.

Brian Posewitz, staff attorney for the group WaterWatch of Oregon, said the new rules will help protect one of Oregon’s most important natural resources.

“All Oregonians should care about that, because all Oregonians should care about our water supplies, both in the streams and rivers as well as in the groundwater,” Posewitz emphasized. “Because those water supplies are precious to everybody.”

The regulations mean more closely monitoring the amount of water used by the large farms and considering the placement of the operations to reduce nitrate contamination in groundwater caused by manure. The move to protect Oregon’s water supply coincides with an increase in demand for water as the state reenters its wildfire season.

As important as Oregon’s water is, regulations often come with a price tag. Large ag operations could be more limited in their site selection, disposal of waste and use of water. The Oregon Farm Bureau predicted tougher rules will affect people’s trips to the grocery store.

Lauren Poor, vice president of government and legal affairs for the bureau, thinks the new rules will make it harder to buy local, and wonders if the changes are justified.

“There wasn’t a clear indication that there needed to be changes to this program to protect Oregon’s waterways or Oregon’s water supply,” Poor contended.

According to Poor, the previous regulations were working, and continuously changing them can be difficult for producers. The deadline is July 22 to submit public comments to the Oregon Department of Agriculture before the regulations are finalized the end of this summer.

 

The Jackson County Fair 2024 announces it’s schedule on now!  Events, Rodeo, 4-H, Concerts, Carnival and more!  

SEE THE WEBSITE!

Wed, July 17 – 38 Special with The Judd Hoos

Thurs, July 18 – Josh Turner with Highway Bounnd

Fri, July 19 – Clay Walker with Jessie Leigh

Sat, July 20 – Queen Nation with Brisbane Project

The fair will be running from these dates and times:

• Wednesday, July 17 from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.

• Thursday, July 18 from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.

• Friday, July 19 from 11 a.m. to midnight.

• Saturday, July 20 from 11 a.m. to midnight.

• Sunday, July 21 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for adults from the ages of 13 to 61. Adults can get $5 tickets if they are 62 to 74, and admission is free to those 75 years old or older.

Unlimited carnival ride daily wristbands are $45.

 

After a years-long renovation, long delays and months of teasing, Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort has officially announced its reopening date.

The Warm Springs resort announced Monday that it will reopen to the public on Thursday, July 18, debuting its new hot spring soaking pools, poolside cabanas and renovated food and lodging options.

Reservations for overnight stays will be available starting July 17, the resort said.

Day passes will also be available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, for $39 on weekends and $29 on weekdays, according to the Kah-Nee-Ta website.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, which owns and operates Kah-Nee-Ta, had previously hoped to reopen the resort in 2023. That summer, the tribe officially delayed those plans after fierce spring storms derailed construction. In December, the resort pushed its reopening plans to summer 2024.

 

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