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Friday, July 26, 2024
Klamath Basin Weather
Poor Air Quality Alert
Red Flag Warning in effect on Friday, July 26th, 2:00PM-8:00PM
Today
Smoky skies and widespread haze with Sunshine and a high near 90. Light and variable wind becoming west 9 to 14 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. Overnight, widespread haze with a low around 55. West northwest wind 9 to 14 mph.
Today’s Klamath Falls Headlines
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality alert for the following areas due to smoke from fires in Oregon:
- Klamath
- Baker
- Grant
- Wheeler
- Crook
- Union
- Southern Morrow
- Southern Umatilla
- Eastern Douglas
- Northern Harney
- Northern Malheur
These advisories are in effect until further notice. Smoke experts will revisit forecasts on Wednesday and possibly update the advisories. DEQ also expects intermittent smoke in Deschutes, eastern Lane, Jackson, Josephine and northern Lake County through Wednesday due to smoke from the Diamond Complex Fire.
Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather. Check current conditions on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog, DEQ’s Air Quality Index, or by downloading the free OregonAIR app on your smartphone.
Smoke can irritate the eyes and lungs and worsen some medical conditions. People most at risk include infants and young children, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and pregnant people.
Protect yourself and your family when smoke levels are high:
- Stay inside if possible. Keep windows and doors closed. If it’s too hot, run air conditioning on recirculate or consider moving to a cooler location.
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
- Use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in indoor ventilation systems or portable air purifiers. Or create your own air purifying filter by following these instructions.
- Be aware of smoke in your area and avoid places with the highest levels.
- When air quality improves to moderate or healthy (yellow or green on the Air Quality Index), open windows and doors to air out homes and businesses.
- If you have a breathing plan for a medical condition, be sure to follow it and keep any needed medications refilled.
Cloth, dust and surgical masks don’t protect from the harmful particles in smoke. N95 or P100 respirators approved by NIOSH may offer protection, but they must be properly selected and worn. Select a NIOSH-approved respirator with a N, R or P alongside the number 95, 99 or 100.
Learn how to put on and use a respirator. Respirators won’t work for children as they don’t come in children’s sizes. People with heart or lung conditions should consult their health care provider before wearing a respirator.
The Klamath County School District (KCSD) is one of 82 districts across Oregon that will be reimbursed for underpayments made by the state department of education.
According to KCSD, the reimbursements come after the education department used federal forest funds to offset State School Fund allocations.
More than a year after the school district’s Board of Directors called on Governor Tina Kotek and other state leaders, KCSD will be receiving $2.5 million which is the equivalent to three years of back payments from the Oregon Department of Education.
In a statement sent Wednesday, KCSD says, “the state intends to make payments to districts before Oct. 1, 2025, contingent on legislative appropriations.”
The underpayments were made between 2018 and 2020 to which KCSD says the education department cited a discrepancy between state and federal law as a reason for the oversight.
Furthermore the district says the, “issue was identified and fixed, and in April 2022, Secure Rural School Act money from the National Forest Payment to States program was removed from the state’s definition of ‘local revenue.’ The federal Act had been amended in 2018, adding a provision that none of the forest funds could be used to offset a state funding source for schools or educational purpose.”
Klamath Falls City Schools is also owed backpay which totals approximately $1.1 million.
The leadership team of local community health organization Klamath Health Partnership (KHP) publicly called for the resignation of the entire board of directors last week, citing the board’s noncompliance with federal standards and the resulting potential of losing millions in federal funding.
KHP, the nonprofit that operates five community health facilities in Klamath County, receives around $2.8 million each year from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration.
The organization fell out of compliance when multiple directors resigned from the board in February, rendering the board’s numbers insufficient and its composition inadequate.
However, the Herald and News received a statement from the board of directors last Thursday, in which the board announced the filling of previous vacancies.
“The KHP Board is currently seated with more than the minimum number of Board members,” the statement read.
According to KHP chief executive officer Amanda Blodgett, HRSA gave the board 90 days to achieve compliance or face total loss of funding within seven months.
Chief financial officer Charles Bland said the HRSA dollars are used almost exclusively to pay the medical professionals and other staff working for KHP health centers.
According to the HRSA compliance manual, governing boards of nonprofit health centers which are awarded grant funding must meet certain composition standards: a minimum of nine board members, 51% of which must be patients of the health center, with no more than half of the remaining 49% earning their wages from a career as a medical professional.
The board has not yet responded to requests for verification of the new board members.
Finances are another area of concern for the local health organization for both the board and the executive staff.
After being named the CEO in March 2023, Blodgett said she discovered certain mandatory financial reports had not be filed in recent years, prompting her to hire Bland, the current CFO with KHP, in November 2023.
Because the state of the organization’s finances was in such disrepair, Bland said, KHP hired a financial consulting firm that specializes in FQHCs.
Recognizing community corrections as an essential part of the criminal justice system, the Board of Klamath County Commissioners declared this week as Probation, Parole and Community Supervision Week in Klamath County during a meeting held Tuesday.
In the declaration, commissioners noted that community corrections professionals are responsible for supervising adult and juvenile offenders providing prevention, intervention and victim advocacy service. The commission encourages all citizens to honor the community corrections professionals and recognize their achievements.
Community Corrections Director Aaron Hartman said part of the department’s success is the recognition its staff gives to each other for the work they do and the department’s focus on mental health wellness.
Hartman continued to say that community corrections recently gave their annual awards for Employee of the Year and Probation Officer of the Year citing counselor Mark Sasich and officer Allen Bergstrom as the recipients.
The commission approved Community Corrections to enter into an agreement with Klamath Connections to cooperatively work together to identify, support and house homeless or at risk of becoming homeless individuals, children and/or families.
Through the agreement, both entities will use facilitated case conferencing to identify a participant’s strengths and needs, and actively deploy the best-fitting resources to that individual and/or family. The two agencies will work in good faith and keep confidential information discussed during case conferencing for the sole purpose of the identified task and to prevent the duplication of services.
Also during the meeting Tuesday, the commission chose to dissolve the Klamath County Museum Advisory Board.
The Bonanza Extravaganza, an annual event, is happening this weekend.
Saturday, the Parade starts at 10am. Oregon State Chili Cook-off, Show & Shine Car Show, Homemade Hobby Festival, Quilt Show, Pie Bake-Off, Children’s Carnival, Children’s Art Festival, Balloon Artist, Face painters, Cornhole Tournament, Lion’s Cookshack, and the band Glass Hearts Live are all scheduled.
On Sunday, 1st Responder Cook-off, Homemade Hobby Festival, Live Entertainment throughout the day, and plenty to eat and drink.
Most of the festivities center at Big Springs Park. The public is invited.
SIGN UP FOR KLAMATH COUNTY FIRE ALERTS
Sign up for Klamath County alerts, by visiting http://www.klamathcounty.org/300/Emergency-Management—Sheriffs-Office.com
For more information on fires and restrictions in the South-Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership area, please visit:https://www.scofmp.org/
Three proud pelicans of bronze have been placed in Klamath Commons Park, created by famed local sculptor Stefan Savides.
A dedication ceremony unveiled the latest Savides addition — a sculpted piece, titled, “Tres Pescadores,” which translates to “three fishermen.”
Funded by numerous donations from various community organizations and members, the metallic molds sit in their permanent placement in Klamath Commons Park.
The beloved local artist said the commissioned work was more than two years in the making, “from the initial idea to concept to completion.”
Savides said the sculpture, which was placed on a concrete foundation using a small crane, weighs around 1,500 pounds.
The dedication ceremony brought an estimated 70 people to the park to witness the grand unveiling.
The sculpture is dedicated to Dr. Stephanie Van Dyke, who died in a sledding accident in Klamath Falls in 2017. Klamath Commons Park is also dedicated to her memory.
Moore Park Playground Repairs Continue
The City of Klamath Falls would like to inform residents and visitors that the new
playground at Moore Park will be temporarily closed for approximately five days, during which time necessary maintenance and repairs will be conducted to ensure the safety and functionality of the playground equipment.
The reopening is expected to be Monday the 29th or Tuesday the 30th.
During the closure, visitors are encouraged to explore other areas of Moore Park, including the
walking trails, picnic areas, and sports fields. The park will remain open for all other activities.
The City would also like to remind parents and caregivers to supervise their children at all times
while in the park, and to follow all posted safety guidelines.
KLAMATH COUNTY will have road work crews at the following locations during the week of July 22.
Please use caution when in these areas and watch for flaggers. If you are able to avoid the work zones, please use an alternate route for your safety and the safety of Klamath County employees and our contractors.
July 26 — South Poe Valley Road, vicinity of Stearns Elementary School, road and utility work. Laverne Avenue. Altamont to Crest — Expect road closure to thru traffic. Use Detour routes.
July 26 — Highway 97 Bridge Replacement/Lakeport Boulevard (under the Hwy 97 bridge) — Closed for ODOT’s contractor to demolish the existing bridge and crane in the new bridge beams.
July 22 — August 15, See the following link for a map of roads to be chip sealed for the 2024 season, or log onto the Klamath County Public Works website at http://www.klamathcounty.org/734/Maps. In general, flagging stations will be set up at the end of the work zone and delays will be 0 to 20 minutes for the motoring public.
Our goal is to minimize the delay. There may be adjustments of work schedules due to weather or other items outside of the county’s control (breakdown of equipment, material/resource availability, etc.) Please do not contact the county if you do not see work occurring, it could be finished already or will be rescheduled. Please drive slow through Chip Seal and Paint Stripe areas. This will reduce damage to the Chip Sealed and Painted areas. It will also reduce the probability of oil or paint getting on your vehicle.
Klamath County Public Works and the Board of County Commissioners appreciate the motoring publics’ patience during the repair season for our local roads and bridges. If you have any questions regarding work, please contact the Public Works Department at (541) 883-4696.
CITY OF KLAMATH FALLS Road Work This Week
Paint Crews
July 26: Painting crosswalks and legends around Roosevelt School on Eldorado Avenue and 7th Street from Klamath Avenue to Commercial Street
All work is weather dependent. Please use caution while traveling in work zones.
Sky Lakes Wellness Center Library Drive
Do you have extra puzzles or books laying around?
Consider donating them to our July-August Donation Drive! It’s Dr. Decker’s birthday month and he chose the Klamath County Library as our Donation Drive Location this season.
You can also support our local library by signing up for a library card, participating in the summer reading challenge (for adults too!), or attending one of their many events.
The Klamath Rails Model Railroad Club will present their annual train show through Saturday 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.
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.
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Around the State of Oregon
Many Oregon State Parks are now CLOSED because of wildfire danger. Closings can be monitored by visiting www.stateparks.oregon.gov.
In addition, some roads and highways leading to state parks have been closed due to wildfires. Visit tripcheck.com to learn about closures and alternative routes and don’t rely on GPS units, as they may not have updated information.
For more information on wildfires in the state, visit the Oregon Department of Forestry’s website at www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/firestats.aspx.
Oregon has nearly as many wildfires burning as three neighboring states combined.
As of Tuesday, Oregon had 38 active wildfires that ranged in size from 0.01 acres, near the Umpqua National Forest in Clearwater, to over 223,800 acres, in Baker County’s Durkee area, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center, which coordinates fire response for Oregon and Washington.
California, Idaho and Washington combined have 45 fires, with California at 24, Idaho at 12 and Washington at nine, according to Cal Fire, the Idaho Department of Land Management and Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
Firefighters in the Pacific Northwest scrambled this week to contain two fires that were threatening several small towns in Oregon, and a key stretch of interstate connecting Oregon and Idaho was shut down as flames advanced.
Authorities ordered Interstate 84 in eastern Oregon shut down in both directions for about 130 miles (210 kilometers) between the cities of Ontario and Baker City as a fire there continued to advance rapidly. The freeway is a vital connection between Oregon and Idaho and will be closed at least a day, the Oregon Department of Transportation said.
More than two dozen fires are burning in Oregon, Washington and Idaho, with Oregon suffering the worst of the situation so far. More than 700,000 acres are ablaze in the state (1,093 square miles) and 114,000 of those acres burned in 24 hours, authorities said.
Smoke from the fires is affecting air quality in eastern Oregon and Washington and into Idaho. Fire crews have been plagued by late afternoon thunderstorms that are starting new blazes when lightning strikes dried-out vegetation. Parts of Oregon and Washington have also been in the grip of a heat wave, including record-breaking triple-digits temperatures, for days.
In Oregon, the entire town of Huntington, population 500, remained evacuated on Tuesday after a fire broke out late Sunday. A massive smoke column from the fire collapsed during a thunderstorm, sending winds of up to 50 mph (80 kph) out in every direction and prompting the “go now” evacuations.
Those orders remained in effect as firefighters battled three new blazes in the same area Tuesday that were sparked by lightning from new storms late Monday, the Baker County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post
“Within minutes of the first lightning strikes, reports then came in of visible flames,” the post read.
Elsewhere in Oregon, a fire in the Columbia River Gorge that started late Monday forced urgent evacuations around the town of Mosier, and the entire town of about 400 people was ordered to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice on Tuesday.
Winds were gusting at more than 50 mph (80 kph) in the evening, but they had died down some on Tuesday.
SHELLY FIRE, Update: July 26, 2024
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Residents of Oregon and SW Washington are in the middle of a busy wildfire season as the climate crisis threatens to upend more communities.
The American Red Cross Cascades Region opened our first shelter in La Pine on June 25th due to the Darlene 3 Fire and we have not stopped since. We are currently operating in 4 different locations in our region plus we are helping support or neighboring Red Cross regions in Washington, Idaho and Montana.
According to a press release, This is part of a nationwide trend where natural disasters are becoming more frequent and intense. In 2023, an estimated 2.5 million were forced from their homes by weather-related disasters— with more than a third displaced for longer than a month.
The best defense in an emergency is to be prepared and the American Red Cross, Cascades Region advises everyone to get ready now.
- Build an emergency kit. Stock it 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. If you have pets or kids, consider packing items for them.
- Make an evacuation plan. What will you do if you are separated from your family during an emergency? Where will you go and where will you meet? Know evacuation routes in your community and make sure you have gas in your car.
- Know how to stay informed. Watch the local news, follow first responders on social media, check the websites of emergency managers, transportation agencies, and law enforcement to learn how you can receive evacuation orders and evacuate safely.
- Plus, download the free Red Cross 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.
PAY ATTENTION TO EVACUATION ORDERS:
Level 1-Be Ready
Level 2-Get Set
Level 3-Go Now
- Follow evacuation guidelines set by emergency managers. Level 3 evacuations mean “GO NOW.” Don’t hesitate to leave when instructed.
- If you are elderly or have access and functional limitations, consider leaving during a level 2 “GET SET” evacuation.
- Be aware of road closures so you know how to leave the affected area safely.
- Make sure you have gas in your car in case you must leave.
- Bring masks or other devices to help protect you from wildfire smoke.
- Oregon Parks and Recreation Department temporarily banned campfires Tuesday at most Oregon State Parks due to dry conditions and the strain on firefighting resources from wildfires burning across the state.
- Campfires and open flames are banned at all parks east of the Cascades due to the low humidity and risk of wildfire, the agency said in a news release. They’re also restricted at parks in high-risk areas across the state until conditions improve. Most bans impact parks east of the Cascades and in the valley with some restrictions at select coastal parks.
- Campfire restrictions generally ban all “open flame,” but often make exceptions for propane cooking as the flame is contained. Check individual park webpages for details on any restrictions before visiting. Restrictions are listed in alphabetical order in a feature story at oregon.gov/or on the individual park pages.
- OPRD also encourages visitors to know before they go when it comes to the impact of wildfires across the state.
- Several parks have been closed due to wildfires including Battle Mountain Forest State Scenic Corridor, Farewell Bend State Recreation Area, East and West Hatfield Trailheads on the Columbia River Highway State Trail and Ukiah-Dale Forest State Scenic Corridor.
- Check park webpages at oregon.gov/and search by park.
Salem, Ore.—July 25, 2024 — If you are travelling by car this summer, especially if you are headed to Eastern Oregon, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) are encouraging you to be fire safe and prepared.
Fire officials and OEM are asking people to take every precaution possible to avoid adding to the problem.
While you are packing and preparing to take off and explore our state, it’s important to stay up to date on road closures with Tripcheck.com; connect with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) about campfire restrictions; and make sure you have emergency supplies in case you get stranded.
Here is a list of items to consider for a basic emergency car kit:
- Jumper cables
- Flares or reflective triangle
- Car cell phone charger
- Blanket
- Map
- Cat litter or sand for tire traction in ice
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust mask to help if the air is smokey or dusty
- Plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape to shelter in place if needed
- Wet wipes, garbage bags, toilet paper and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Printed maps of the local area in case you lose service
- Cell phone and a backup charger
- Cash or traveler’s checks
- A fire extinguisher you know how to use
Finally, pack extra water and snakes in case you get stuck for a while.
In addition to packing an emergency kit, ODOT wants to remind travelers to use U.S. 20 to move east or west across central and eastern Oregon, and if you must travel, consult Tripcheck.com and check conditions for your route. It is also important to make sure your car is tuned up, has plenty of gas and the tires are in good condition.
Here are more tips to be a fire safe traveler:
- When pulling off the road, stay on paved surfaces when possible.
- Avoid the side of the road where dry grass and other fuel can come in contact with your vehicle’s hot components and spark a fire.
- Don’t toss lit cigarettes, or any flammable materials, out your vehicle’s window.
- Extinguish all smoking materials completely and never in dry grass.
- Secure chains and make sure they aren’t dragging. That can cause sparks.
Maintain your car and carry the right equipment
- Maintain proper tire pressure as driving on rims will throw off sparks.
- Prevent vehicle fires by having your vehicle serviced regularly by a professionally trained mechanic.
- Heat and electrical sparks that come into contact with leaking flammable car fluids can easily start a car fire.
There are tips on how to prevent wildfires on the Oregon Department of Forestry’s website.
You can find more tips on how to prepare your car for road trips at Ready,gov/car or check out Be 2 Weeks Ready to help build your self-reliance and community preparedness.
An eighth measles case has been confirmed in Marion County and testing is underway on a ninth patient. The confirmed case is an unvaccinated child who was diagnosed on July 23rd. The presumptive case is in the same household as a previous measles patient. There is no known connection between any of the confirmed cases, and no public exposure has been identified. Measles is highly contagious. The virus can remain in the air up to two hours after an infected person has left the room. One in five unvaccinated people who get measles require hospitalization.
A man accused of neglect, domestic violence assault, robbery, theft, harassment and endangerment was arrested this week after a six-month-long manhunt.
According to a news release from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the man — 24-year-old Justin Ryan Trompeter — was arrested on July 12 after being spotted in Medford. Police then chased him across Jackson and Josephine counties.
Police spotted Trompeter’s car driving near the Rogue Valley Mall and tried to conduct a traffic stop, the release said.
“The vehicle briefly stopped before eluding northbound on I-5, where MPD terminated their pursuit,” the release said. “Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies located the vehicle traveling past I-5 exit 40 at high speed and re-initiated the pursuit, which continued into Josephine County to exit 55.”
Trompeter continued to elude police on Highway 199 in Grants Pass, the release said, and called 9-1-1 threatening suicide by cop.
“The pursuit continued onto side roads towards Merlin, Ore. where Trompeter ultimately crashed his vehicle into a ditch at slower speed,” the release said. “Trompeter engaged in a brief standoff with OSP and (Josephine County) Sheriff’s deputies before giving up. He was arrested at 2:03 AM in the area of Pickett Creek Road and Hussey Lane in rural Grants Pass.”
There was no one else in the car, the release said, and Trompeter is now in Jackson County Jail on 14 separate charges:
Police found a car at the top of Wagon Trail Drive and found the two children — one of them a year and a half old and one six months old — abandoned and alone in the car.
“Deputies believe the children may have been left alone in the vehicle for up to two hours,” the release said. “Further investigations revealed suspected fentanyl and meth in the car with the children.”
An Ashland man in the Jackson County Jail today for a murder charge has a court order to leave jail for about six months.
Jackson County Circuit Court is ordering 33-year-old Auriel Scattergood to another 180 days at Oregon State Hospital (OSH).
Scattergood’s case record shows he had a court hearing yesterday about his fitness to proceed with his case in court.
Scattergood faces a murder charge for the stabbing death of 38-year-old Meghan Rodriguez during a September 2021 attack in Ashland. He’s also accused of attacking a man and a dog, leaving him with criminal charges of murder, assault, animal abuse and a weapon charge.
The court order suggests OSH treatment for Scattergood could help determine his mental fitness for court proceedings.
A former Medford nurse facing 44 felony counts of criminal assault of hospital patients has court permission today to travel, while on $4 million bail from Jackson County Jail.
36-year-old Dani Schofield has a travel permit approved by Jackson County Circuit Court today, allowing her to leave Jackson County where she has 44 felony assault counts that accuse her of infecting patients at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center.
Her indictment accuses her of infecting 44 patients with hospital tap water that was used to replace their fentanyl pain medication, diverting the drug for personal usage.
Schofield’s travel permit states she is traveling Thursday, July 25, 2024, through Sunday, July 28, 2024, to meet with her Portland legal counsel.
Schofield’s travel permit says she plans to drive for her travel, possibly with her husband, to Portland and Washington state. She has been licensed to practice nursing in Washington.
Schofield has a Jackson County Circuit Court hearing scheduled for Monday morning in her case.
She also has a $4 million bail amount to leave Jackson County Jail.
Schofield left jail June 21, 2024, where she had stayed after her arrest June 13, 2024, by Medford police.
Medford Police Department (MPD) arrested Schofield after its investigation into a drug diversion claim it says Asante reported to MPD in early December 2023.
MPD says its investigation showed all 44 patients in its case were Asante intensive care unit (ICU) patients, and it says 16 of those patients had died. At least one of those patients was from Klamath County.
Also this week, the Jackson County District Attorney’s office filed a motion, that was granted, to declare the case “a complex case and assigning a specific judge to hear any and all matters filed with the court.”
The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office seized 1333 pounds of illegal Marijuana during a routine traffic stop near Weed.
The Sheriff’s Office says a Deputy stopped a van along I-5 last week and 39 bags of Marijuana were discovered. The driver and passenger of the van initially claimed they were legally transporting the Marijuana.
But without documentation or licenses, 22-year-old Joseph Genzoli and 32-year-old Matthew Fortezzo were arrested for the illegal possession and transportation of Marijuana for sale.
Oregon has the highest rate in the nation for Medicaid renewals since the lifting of the COVID-related continuous enrollment requirement in March 2023, according to a Georgetown study.
With 92 percent of the state’s nearly 1.5 million renewals complete, more than four out of five Oregonians are keeping their Oregon Health Plan (OHP) or other Medicaid benefits.
HP Bridge, a new category of OHP with higher income limits, launched July 1. Since the unwinding of the pandemic emergency began, people likely to be eligible for OHP Bridge kept their OHP. To date, 22,784 people have moved to OHP Bridge.
Oregon intentionally scheduled renewals for people who were more likely to keep benefits and needed minimal support to complete the process upfront. State employees put certain renewals such as likely OHP Bridge members later in the schedule and spread more complex renewals throughout the process to ensure support was consistently available.
Oregon gave people longer to respond before closing benefits than any other state in the nation. In Oregon, people have up to 90 days to respond and 60 days’ advance notice of any closure. People who did not respond can also reopen their case up to 90 days after closing.
Oregon has a robust network of community partners across the state, and tools like earned media and paid advertising were used to spread awareness of the renewal process.
When members’ eligibility information can be verified using federal data matching sources without needing the member to respond, they can be automatically renewed. This minimizes the chances for closures due to nonresponse, reduces the paperwork burden on members and preserves staff capacity to help the remaining people. To date, Oregon’s monthly news release on renewals has used KFF data, which continues to show Oregon in third place. The KFF ranking for Oregon being among the top states reduces paperwork in the process.
Oregon is unique in giving most adults a two-year continuous eligibility period where they will keep their medical benefits until their next renewal, even if something like income changes would no longer qualify them for benefits. Oregon also offers young children benefits until their sixth birthday. These rules do not directly affect renewal rate but prevent “churn” on and off benefits between renewals.
As of July 19, 1,347,208 people have completed the renewal process. This represents around 92.7 percent of all OHP and Medicaid members.
- 1,114,627 people (82.7 percent) were renewed and kept their benefits.
- 221,260 people (16.4 percent) were found ineligible.
- 11,321 people (0.8 percent) had a reduction in their benefits. Most of these members lost full OHP but were able to continue Medicare Savings Programs that help pay their Medicare costs.
Although most people are keeping coverage during the post-pandemic medical renewals, approximately 232,000 people have or will need to consider other coverage options due to lost or reduced benefits.
In April, Bridget McDermott was a prisoner at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility and expected to spend another six months there before her release, which the corrections agency projected for Oct. 4.
But the prison’s calculation was wrong. She spent an extra 21 months in Oregon’s women’s prison when she should have been free, after serving about 14 years on a 2010 robbery, burglary and kidnapping conviction in Lane County.
McDermott is among a few people who’ve been suddenly released in recent years following an internal review by the Oregon Department of Corrections of its calculation of release dates, a process that takes into account factors like time served, charges and concurrent and consecutive sentencing. Public records and the corrections agency’s response back up her account, which also shows the chaos that can unfold amid the scramble to quickly release a person from prison without a release plan in place.
And though the agency changed its sentencing calculation policy after a 2021 lawsuit, it still does not have a policy for handling a sudden release.
Be Prepared with Fire Weather Tools
As we prepare for the peak of wildfire season in the U.S., the National Weather Service (NWS) reminds wildland fire managers that we have tools to help you monitor and fight wildfires. Whether it is a prescribed burn, ground fire or crown fire, fire managers can use this information to make decisions on how best to combat fires and keep the public safe.
Fire weather forecasters – The NWS issues Fire Weather Outlooks for the next eight days. These outlooks show areas where pre-existing fuel conditions, combined with forecast weather conditions, may result in a significant threat of wildfires.
Our Fire Weather Program supports land managers and firefighters who mitigate and respond to fires. Our weather forecasts are designed to highlight times and locations where a fire may be exceptionally hard to control. For example, we offer Red Flag Warnings, which mean warm temperatures, very low humidities and stronger winds are ongoing or expected to produce an increased risk of fire danger in 12 to 24 hours for specific locations.
Need a fire weather Spot Forecast? Land managers can request a site-specific, localized forecast for prescribed burns and wildfires to assess a potential threat. NWS recently updated this tool and will deliver additional enhancements to the application later this year. Learn more about the new Spot Forecast tool.
For federal and select state large wildfires, onsite weather forecasting support to firefighters is critical. An NWS Incident- Meteorologist (IMET) can be deployed to your incident command post. IMETs arrive on scene within 12 to 24 hours after activation and can serve up to 14 consecutive days before being relieved by another IMET. https://www.weather.gov/news/241507-fire-weather-tools
PLEASE Help Prevent Human-Caused Wildfires
- Immediately call 911 to report fires.
- Drones and other unmanned aircrafts are illegal to fly near fires.
- Fireworks, incendiary/tracer ammunition and exploding targets, are prohibited during fire season (May-October).
- Use caution when target shooting. Clear a 20-foot radius around the target by removing all vegetation and rocks.
- Ensure vehicles and trailers are properly maintained
- Make sure chains and other metal parts are not dragging.
- Keep exhaust systems clean and use spark arrestors.
- Do not park on dry grass.
- Carry extra water, shovel, and/or a fire extinguisher with you.
- Ensure your campfire is completely extinguished before leaving your campsite by making sure it is cool to the touch.
- Please don’t smoke and if you do, don’t throw out cigarette butts.
- Please be mindful and think about your actions
To ensure all Oregonians remain safe during the 2024 wildfire season, we urge everyone to stay tuned into these communications channels and follow all official safety guidelines related to air quality and recreation:
Watch Duty app: Download this app on your smartphone to understand where wildfires are in real time as well as monitor air quality and other metrics. https://app.watchduty.org
Northwest Interagency Coordination Center: During fire season, this web-based interactive map is updated daily with current fire perimeters and locations. This website acts as the wildfire resource coordination center for the Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, Oregon Dept of Forestry, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Washington Dept. of Natural Resources and the National Park Service. https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/index.aspx
InciWeb the Incident Information System: The federal interagency all-risk incident information management system provides an interactive map with real-time location information on wildfires. https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/
Oregon Department of Forestry Wildfire News: The official wildfire news blog for the Oregon Department of Forestry. Look here for all wildfire news related to state forest lands. https://odffire.com/
Keep Oregon Green: A partnership comprised of statewide and interagency groups working together to promote awareness of the risk and causes of wildfires and how to be prepared in case of a wildfire emergency. https://keeporegongreen.org/
OregonLive Wildfire Map: A project managed by OregonLive that incorporates data from InciWeb, National Interagency Fire Center, Northwest Interagency Coordination Center, Oregon Office of Emergency Management, NOAA into an easy-to-use map tool. https://projects.oregonlive.com/wildfires/map
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality – Air Quality Monitoring Data: A real-time map and cell phone application you can use to track air quality, including wildfire smoke impacts, across the state. Check your app store for OregonAir. https://oraqi.deq.state.or.us/home/map
Purple Air – Air Quality Map System: Real-time air quality information using crowdsourced data and data from EPA air sensors. https://map.purpleair.com/1/mAQI/a10/p604800/cC0…
NOAA High Resolution Rapid Refresh Data Visualization: The High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency(NOAA) is an experimental data visualization tool for wildfire smoke. Be sure to turn on the “Vertically Integrated Smoke” layer to see smoke paths. https://hwp-viz.gsd.esrl.noaa.gov/smoke/index.html
During summer months, many families lose access to school food programs that are essential to their budget. However, some 30,000 children may be eligible for extra food assistance over the summer break, the state says.
To be eligible for “Summer EBT,” children must:
- Attend a school participating in the national school lunch or breakfast programs.
- Be in households with incomesat or below 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, which varies by family size.
Families can visit the state’s website in English and Spanish to check eligibility. The deadline to apply is Sept. 2, and benefits last 122 days from when they are received.
Eligible families receive one annual payment of $120 per child for groceries to help when school is out. Families taking part in programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or the Oregon Health Plan received the added benefit on their electronic benefit card automatically in June.
The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children, or Summer EBT, pays a one-time payment of $120 per child to help low-income families cover food costs over the three-month summer period when children are not in school and don’t have access to those free meals.
The payment adds to other assistance, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP. The summer program totals about $35 million in aid a year and is funded entirely by the federal government.
A pilot run of the program in Oregon showed it reduced child hunger by one-third, said Iván Hernández, a spokesman for the Oregon Food Bank.
This spring, the Oregon Food Bank estimated that one in five children in the state face hunger, but Feeding America says it’s one in six.
In January, Oregon officials applied for the program, and this spring the Legislature agreed to the federal requirement to pay for half of the administrative costs, about $13 million over two years.
Families who are already on SNAP, the Oregon Health Plan or Medicaid, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, TANF, have received automatic $120 payments earlier this month. But these other children qualify as well:
The Red Cross is looking for people to donate blood and platelets before the summer ends.
The Red Cross says donors are critically needed to support hospitals’ around-the-clock demand.
Type O blood donors or anyone giving platelets are especially needed to keep hospital shelves stocked through August.
Anyone who donates from August 1 through August 31 will get a $20 Amazon gift card.
Go to the Red Cross website for more details.
Nearly 1 in 4 Oregon workers is over 55, nearing or beyond the typical retirement age.
The share of older workers in the state’s labor force has more than doubled since 1990, according to a new report from the Oregon Employment Department. If there’s a big wave of retirements in the offing, that could limit future economic growth — especially in those industries with the highest share of older workers.
Oregon is one of the oldest states in the nation, with the median resident about 17 months older than the median American. That’s showing up in added demands on social service agencies and on the state’s health care system.
Older workers leaving the labor force could create an even tighter labor market. That might be good for employees in some ways, pushing up wages as companies compete to attract workers. And older workers’ departures would open up pathways for career advancement.
ODOT and the Oregon DMV says they are aware of a phishing scam in Oregon where hackers contacting our customers are claiming to be from the DMV.
Oregon DMV will never ask you for personal information, such as your driver’s license number, Social Security number, or date of birth through an unsolicited phone call, text or email.
Scammers impersonate the DMV to trick you into giving them personal information or money. If you receive an unsolicited phone call, text or email claiming to be from the DMV with an urgent matter, like your driver’s license or car registration is about to expire or you are owed money due to overpayment, ignore or delete the message or hang up. Do not click on any verification links.
If you receive a phishing call, text or email, notify the DMV Fraud Prevention Team at 503-945-8946 or send an online report.
BE FIRE READY
Salem, Ore – With multiple crews engaged in initial attack on new wildfire starts and all of Oregon’s available incident management teams on assignment, now is the time for Oregonians to be prepared for wildfires and help prevent future ignitions.
Oregonians are urged to actively practice wildfire prevention, prepare their home and a go-bag for evacuation and know where to sign up for alerts.
How can people help prevent wildfires?
The Oregon Department of Forestry is urging the public to actively practice wildfire prevention as the state works to control over 20 large fires. Additional human-caused fires on the landscape will draw the firefighting efforts away from the lightning-caused fires and put extra strain on ground and aviation resources, which are already spread thin. YOU can help prevent wildfires by:
- Checking and following your local fire regulations. The majority of the state is either in high or extreme fire danger right now, meaning even the smallest of sparks could start the next large wildfire.
- Remember that debris burning is prohibited statewide.
- Return to check on your burn site if you burned earlier in the year.
- Make sure your car has been recently serviced to avoid faulty parts throwing sparks.
- Don’t drag tow chains.
- Avoid parking vehicles on tall, dry grass.
- Recreate responsibly. Where campfires are allowed, make sure your campfire is DEAD OUT before leaving it by drowning it with water, stirring it with a shovel and repeating that process until it is cold to the touch. If there is heat coming off it, there are still embers that could reignite.
How can I prepare my home to be resilient against fire?
The Oregon State Fire Marshal can help you create defensible space. Defensible space is the area around your home and property that’s maintained to prevent wildfire from spreading. Creating and maintaining defensible space is the best protection you can give your home against wildfire.
A few ideas to protect the first five feet around your home:
- Remove leaves, pine needles, and other debris from the roof, gutters, and on top of and underneath decks.
- Trim tall plants and bushes growing directly under eaves and make sure trees and plants have adequate space from your home and other vegetation.
- Remove dead and combustible plants and mulch; replace it with decorative rock or gravel.
- Cover exterior attic vents, soffit vents, and areas below decks and patios with 1/8″ metal wire mesh.
Be cautious with using power tools and other equipment that can throw sparks and don’t operate machinery in the heat of the day. Summer is a great time to plan defensible space projects to start working on in the fall when wildfire season is over.
How can I prepare myself in case I need to evacuate?
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) urges everyone to prepare for wildfires and other emergencies by knowing evacuation levels, staying informed, having a plan, and having a go-kit ready.
Evacuation Levels
- Oregon follows a three-level evacuation notification system, each structured around safety threat level.
- Oregonians should become familiar with “Be Ready, Be Set, Go!” evacuation levels to make informed decisions when receiving evacuation notices.
- OEM urges people to evacuate whenever they feel unsafe, conditions can change rapidly; individuals should always make the best decision for their safety.
- Following an evacuation, people should not return to the area until public safety officials state it is safe.
Stay Informed
- Stay informed sign up to receive evacuation at, ORAlert.gov remember to update information if need be.
- Find the websites for your county emergency management, sheriff’s office, or tribal police and follow them on social media.
- Check your phone settingsto ensure wireless emergency alerts are turned on.
Have a Plan
- Do you know what to do during an evacuation? This evacuation checklist explains what to do before, during, and after an evacuation.
- Establish a communication plan with a list of important contacts and a safe place for loved ones to meet if they are separated during an emergency.
- Identify multiple evacuation routes from home, work, or school and plan for transportation needs.
- People with disabilities should consider individual circumstances and specific needs when planning for evacuation, such as special equipment, transportation, and service animals.
- Have an evacuation plan for pets, make a pet evacuation kit in a tote bag or pet crate, and plan for transportation and sheltering of large animals such as horses and other livestock.
Make a Go-Kit
- Assemble an emergency kit of essential supplies that can be grabbed quickly.
- Pack an easy-to-carry backpack or bag for each household member with health and safety items such as food, water, medication, flashlights, phone chargers, clothing, and important documents. Visit American Red Cross to learn more.
Find more information and resources at Wildfire.Oregon.gov.
Recreate Responsibly
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) encourages visitors to know before they go when it comes to campfire restrictions. Due to the continued low humidity and risk of wildfires, OPRD banned campfires at all Oregon State Parks east of the Cascades as well as at parks in high-risk areas around the state until conditions improve. Most Oregon State Parks currently have a campfire ban. Please check park webpages or the wildfire feature story at stateparks.oregon.gov/ before your next visit. Thank you for helping to reduce the risk of wildfires.
Thanks for reading the the news on BasinLife.com from Wynne Broadcasting.
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