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Wednesday, August 14, 2024
*Air Quality Alert
*Red Flag Warning in effect today, Wednesday, August 14, 08:00 PM PDT until August 15, 11:00 PM PDT
Klamath Basin Weather
Today
Widespread haze and smoke at times today, increasing clouds with a high near 85 degrees. Westerly winds 5-9mph. This evening a 40% chance of light showers, with overnight smoky skies and a low near 50.
Today’s Klamath Falls Headlines
An Air Quality Alert is in effect for all of Lake County and parts of northern Jackson and Klamath counties, according to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, due to wildfire smoke from fires burning across Oregon.
“…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.”
Residents can be cautious by staying inside when possible, using an air filter inside, avoiding places with the highest levels of smoke and using N95 or P100 respirators outside.
A 20-year-old Klamath Falls man has a new arraignment date in Klamath County Circuit Court, accused of killing two Klamath Falls sisters and attempting to kill their father.
Elijah Albert Qinkade Croy has his arraignment next week for two murder charges and an attempted murder charge after his June 29 arrest for the sisters’ shooting deaths and attempted shooting of their father that day.
A Klamath County grand jury indicted Croy on six charges, also including criminal weapon charges, July 3, 2024, before a series of court proceedings leading to his Aug. 21, 2024, arraignment next week. They include a psychological evaluation report to the court within the past week and a motion by Croy to recuse Judge Stephen Hedlund from the case, which was granted this month.
Klamath Falls police say they arrested Croy within a few feet of the murder victims. A Klamath Falls Police Department officer wrote, “Croy admitted to me he had shot and killed both … using a Glock style handgun he had purchased in individual parts and then assembled into a working handgun himself. He stated he had done this after he had attempted to murder the girl’s father … who had discovered him inside of his daughter’s bedroom.”
The indictment charges Croy with the deaths of a 14-year-old girl and her 19-year-old sister at their east Klamath Falls home.
It also charges Croy with attempted murder of their father, with a police probable cause statement for Croy’s arrest saying he tried to shoot the father, “but his handgun failed to fire after he pulled the trigger.”
Klamath County District Attorney David Schutt filed a notice with Klamath County Circuit Court to apply “enhancement fact” to the case, referring to facts required to be found by a jury to increase the jail sentence that could be imposed upon conviction of a crime.
Croy’s original arraignment date for his indictment was July 9, 2024. He is listed as a Klamath County Jail inmate.
The Middle Fork Fire at Crater Lake is now 5,039 acres and still 0% contained, according to the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership.
“On the western flank, roads are being prepared as fuel breaks with masticators and tree fallers. Fire managers continue scouting for secondary containment lines. A Wildland Fire Module is looking for opportunities for indirect line construction and burnout to mitigate the spread potential in the southwest corner. Snagging and mastication along HWY 230 on the north-northeast will be finished today and both lanes of travel should be open by evening. Hose lays are in and plumbed on dozer lines,” the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership said in a news release.
“The headwaters of the Rogue River are part of the Wild and Scenic River system, limiting containment options for the northwest edge of the fire. This will make HWY 230 the main containment line for future firing operations”.
Today, outside the north entrance road to Crater Lake National Park, crews and equipment operators plan to implement a trial run of a lighter-handed approach to vegetation clearing. If deemed appropriate by park managers, this method will continue inside the park on the north entrance road. The eastern flank reached the bottom of Devil’s Ridge, where it is expected to move uphill through sparse fuels. Air resources, including helicopters for water bucket drops and reconnaissance flights and unmanned aircraft systems (drones) for infrared imaging and firing operations remain available.
The Pacific Crest Trail from the Dutton Ridge Intersection to Hwy 138, Lightning Springs, Bald Crater Loop, Bert Creek, and Boundary Springs Trails (within the park) are closed.
Residents wanting information about current park conditions can call Crater Lake National Park at 541-594-3000.
The North Entrance to Crater Lake National Park is closed to facilitate firefighting operations related to the Middle Fork Fire which has burned over 4,000 acres and has little containment yet.
The closure will affect the North Entrance Road from North Junction to the park boundary at Highway 138, according to a news release from the park.
The closure is expected to last approximately seven days. Firefighters will be working to prepare control lines and create a defensible zone to protect park infrastructure and prevent the fire from spreading further east.
Despite this closure, Crater Lake National Park will remain accessible via Highway 62 from the west and south. Visitors should anticipate longer wait times at the entrance station as traffic will be directed through a single point.
The Warner Peak Fire near Lakeview in Lake County is now at 52,650 acres and is four percent contained, according to the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership.
“Air and ground resources are being used to reinforce fire lines on both sides of the Warner Peak Fire. Warm, dry weather and particularly susceptible fuels promote fast fire spread. Steep and mountainous terrain in some parts of the Refuge makes access and travel extremely difficult for firefighters. Active fire behavior is predicted while the fuels are dry, and temperatures are elevated”.
The latest report says firefighters are working to minimize damage to wildlife habitats, natural resources, and cultural heritage sites within the affected area.
Crews have continued to make significant progress securing the eastern area of the fire, constructing line utilizing natural and manmade features such as roads and rocky outcrops. Initial containment along the eastern side of the fire will enable firefighters to continue safely and effectively engaging along the southern and western fire edge. These operations will continue through the night shift when fire intensity is lower, removing fuels ahead of the wildfire to create more secure and defensible fire control lines.
Fire behavior will remain very active along the southwestern portion of the fire as it moves into receptive fuels, pushed by winds out of the west. Air resources have been engaged to support crews on the ground and will be used where appropriate as the weather permits. Crews will work to secure lines and cool hot spots near the line and be ready to extinguish any spot fires. A UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) with IR sensors is being used to map the fire perimeter. Mop up and patrol operations continue across the complex.
There are 405 personnel on scene, according to officials.
As costs of operations continue to skyrocket across multiple industries, including waste disposal, Waste Management sought from the Board of Klamath County Commissioners on Wednesday approval to increase consumer rates by 13.6%.
Providing to the Commission its cost report for 2023 in Klamath County, Waste Management pricing director Michael Jefferies explained the operating ratio (a financial metric that compares a company’s operating expenses to its net sale as a percentage to determine how well it can manage costs while generating revenue) as being at 97.8%.
The main factors affecting operating costs include depreciation costs (the purchase of eight new trucks), maintenance costs and wage increases for employees in Klamath County (an increase by 3.86% for drivers, maintainers, administrators, etc.). Jefferies also listed the new disposal rate set by the Klamath County Commission (whereas in 2023 it cost $1,944,420 in expenditures) as a reason.
Approved during a Klamath County meeting following a public hearing held on Aug. 1, 2023, to combat the growing disparity between the county’s Solid Waste Division’s own revenues and expenditures, the Klamath County Commission decided to increase rate fees at the local transfer station by 13% effective September of that year. Rates will again increase by another 13% this year, and once more by 13% in 2025 before dropping down to 4% annual increases, all effective on the first day of September. Prior to approving the resolution, Klamath County Solid Waste hadn’t seen an increase since 2009 for per ton fees.
Outlined by a fee schedule provided during the meeting, a 13.6% increase to garbage and recycling rates inside the urban growth boundary for weekly residential collection services would be as follows: 35-gallon garbage cart with a 64-gallon recycling cart increases by $2.74, equaling $22.91 monthly; 64-gallon garbage cart with a 64-gallon recycling cart increases by $3.35, equaling $27.95 monthly; 96-gallon garbage cart with 64-gallon cart increases by $3.94, equaling $32.93 monthly. Rates for senior garbage and recycling services are also subject to the 13.6% increase, but are appropriately lessened.
Oregon Tech graduates begin their careers as some of the highest-paid graduates in the state according to Payscale’s most recent rankings, which are based on graduates’ return on tuition and borrowing investments.
Payscale’s 2024 rankings note an OIT degree has the highest return on investment (ROI) of any college or university in Oregon and is ranked No. 76 in the nation.
According to an employment outcome report published by the United States Census Bureau, OIT graduates earn a median starting salary of $61,000 within 12 months of graduation.
The latest edition of Payscale’s College ROI report is based on the alumni salary data of 1.9 million college-educated workers and data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System produced by the National Center for Education Statistics.
The data used in Payscale’s 2024 College Return on Investment report is collected through online compensation surveys completed between January 2007 and May 2024. Users provide data about their jobs, compensation, employer, demographics, and educational background, and in return, Payscale provides them with a detailed compensation report that compares their compensation to that of others like them.
To view the complete 2024 College Education ROI Report and the list of all institutions ranked, go to www.payscale.com/college-roi.
You’re invited to come by Sky Lakes Washburn Pharmacy on Thursday, August 15th. Fill a prescription or purchase an over-the-counter item and get a free backpack stuffed with school supplies.
Sky Lakes Washburn Pharmacy is open Monday – Friday from 9:00am – 7:00pm and Saturday 9am – 5pm.
One backpack per child while supplies last. Child must be present. While supplies last.
Lake County is hosting its 3rd annual “Music in the Wild” concert in Fort Rock next month and tickets are going fast.
The concert will take place in Fort Rock on September 22. It features Hunter Novak, a concert pianist. Novak tours both the U.S. and Canada as a non-profit bringing classical music into wild and beautiful places.
Your ticket also gets you into the Fort Rock Historical Museum. After the concert, Fort Rock Grange is also hosting a pie social fundraiser.
“Part of your ticket is when you check in is you get headphones so you can walk around whatever and connect the music to the landscape itself,” said Lake County Chamber of commerce, Shelley Batty.
Novak will play a full-size grand piano in Fort Rock. Tickets for the Classical Music in the Wild can be found on eventbrite.com.
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Around the State of Oregon
Monmouth Police are investigating two deaths at a home.
Sunday afternoon, a woman called 911 to report finding her parents dead in their home. Officers found the bodies of 81-year-old Kenneth Kosko and 76-year-old Francis Kosko dead from apparent gunshot wounds. Kenneth Kosko had a gun and written notes were found near the bodies. Oregon State Police also joined the investigation. Detectives continue to look into the case and say the investigation remains open at this time.
A 39-year-old woman is in jail after intentionally setting a vehicle on fire with a child inside in Florence on Tuesday night.
According to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, police responded to a dispute at a home in the 5000 block of South Jetty Road. Upon arrival, officers learned that Lindsey Abigail Williston had intentionally set a vehicle on fire with a child inside.
Police say Williston then entered the home with another child and barricaded themselves inside.
Luckily officers were able to get the child out of the vehicle and also the second child out of the home through a window.
Williston refused to comply with negotiators and when officers attempted to put her under arrest, she began to fight back and sprayed a fire extinguisher at deputies.
Eventually officers were able to take Williston into custody with the use of less lethal tools.
She faces several charges including arson, reckless endangerment, reckless burning, and six counts of harassment.
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives arrested a local private basketball coach yesterday, August 12, for inappropriate contact with an underage child.
The suspect, Geordan Victor Sanchez Edmond, 29, of Gold Hill, is charged with one count of luring a minor and is lodged in the Jackson County Jail.
Edmond has given private basketball lessons to children in the local area for the last few years. Detectives suspect Edmond could have additional victims. If you have any information about the pictured suspect, call the JCSO Tip Line at (541) 774-8333 and reference case 24-4186.
Oregon State Police is seeking witnesses to a weekend road rage incident in Medford. On August 11, 2024, at 9:40 p.m., Oregon State Troopers responded to a road rage incident on Interstate 5 near Exit 27.
A silver/light-colored early 2000s Toyota minivan and a red 2022 GMC pickup truck were traveling southbound on I-5. Near the south Medford exit (Exit 27), the occupant of the Toyota minivan shot at the GMC pickup. The GMC pickup was damaged; however, no one was injured.
Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact OSP’s Southern Command Center at 1-800-442-2068. Please reference case #SP24260922.
Public colleges and universities in Oregon could face cuts under the proposed budget for the next two years, costing the schools millions in lost operating expenses, thanks to Governor Tina Kotek.
The governor asked the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to cut its budget by one percent. That would leave colleges and universities 100-million dollars short. Some schools are already responding that this would result in tuition increases and program cuts. They’re asking the Governor to increase higher education funding, not cutting it, when she submits her budget in December.
Oregon OSHA is proposing significant improvements to its safety and health rules for housing that employers provide to workers, most often in agricultural settings.
The proposed rule changes are part of a comprehensive package of program enhancements aimed at protecting agricultural workers and their families and boosting employer compliance.
The division’s agricultural labor housing (ALH) rule proposal – which will undergo an open and transparent public hearing and comment process before it is adopted – involves numerous improvements to requirements for addressing the potential hazards in employer-provided housing. Oregon OSHA regulates such facilities from the perspective of workplace safety and health.
The rule proposal is part of a comprehensive set of reforms on how the division addresses ALH. Those reforms, which are in addition to the rule proposal, would be incorporated as part of the budget and other administrative processes.
Oregon OSHA’s announcement of the package of reforms follows a challenging multi-year, comprehensive review of its existing ALH requirements that included using a rulemaking advisory committee. The division garnered input from growers, agricultural associations, housing operators, and employee representative groups.
Public hearings on the ALH rule proposal will be conducted at a later date in both Spanish and English. The rule proposal process will include opportunities for public comment, including in writing. Once the rule has been proposed through the Secretary of State rulemaking process later this month, comments may be submitted by email.
Oregon Health & Science University researchers found women undergoing fertility treatments can face potential problems from poor air quality, an issue that’s expected to get worse as climate change increases wildfire activity across the West.
In a new study published in the journal Fertility & Sterility, OHSU researchers investigated the impact of unhealthy air quality from the 2020 Labor Day wildfires on patients undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment, or IVF. The research team studied 69 patients who underwent ovarian stimulation and IVF treatment during the six weeks preceding the 2020 wildfires, which caused 10 days of unhealthy air in southern Oregon making it one of the worst places in the world at the time. They found that poor air quality affected the treatments.
Every year, tens of thousands of babies are born through assisted reproductive techniques. In 2021, according to the federal Department of Health and Human Services, they accounted for 2.3% of newborns in the U.S. That means that in Oregon, more than 900 were born through assisted reproductive technology out of the more than 40,000 babies born in the state that year.
The researchers found patients who were exposed to wildfire smoke had fewer blastocysts, which are clusters of 150 to 200 cells that form during embryonic development and can be immediately placed in a uterus or frozen for future implantation. Patients with no wildfire smoke exposure had more blastocysts, which are especially important for people trying to conceive through IVF.
A man who was convicted of murder and attempted murder has died after spending nearly 20 years in an Oregon prison.
Andrew Gordon was convicted of killing a man and trying to kill a child during a burglary. He was in prison at the Oregon State Correctional Institution in Salem, where he died on August 9th. He had no projected release date. The Oregon State Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
More than 20 measles cases are confirmed in Oregon and health officials are worried there might be more.
This is the worst measles outbreak since 2019. The increasing rate of children who aren’t being vaccinated is allowing the disease to spread. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases. There can be serious side effects and in rare cases it can be fatal. Health officials are advising parents to get kids vaccinated. If they have concerns about the safety of the vaccines, they should talk with their health care providers.
Tiller, Oregon Fire Burning Over 5,000 Acres, No Containment
On Saturday night, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the Tiller Trail Fire in Douglas County. The fire sparked Saturday around 3 p.m. and is estimated to be 5,000 acres in size at this time. The Oregon State Fire Marshal has activated its Green Incident Management Team and three structural task forces.
On Saturday afternoon, the Oregon State Fire Marshal mobilized a structural task force from the Rogue Valley through Immediate Response.
“Over the last few days, we saw several fires spark on the west side of the Cascades. The fire danger across Oregon is extremely concerning. We are bringing in the full force of the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System to help protect homes and critical infrastructure near the Tiller Trail Fire,” State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple Said. “Historically, August has been a challenging month in terms of wildfire, and this one is shaping up to be no different. I am calling on all Oregonians and visitors to do everything they can to prevent sparking another wildfire.”
According to the Douglas County Sheriff, there are levels 1, 2, and 3 evacuation notices in place. Please follow the Douglas County Sheriff for the latest evacuation information.
The OSFM Green Team will be briefed at 10:30 a.m. Sunday and will be in unified command with an Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team. The Emergency Conflagration Act is invoked by Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, allowing the state fire marshal to mobilize state resources to wildfires to protect life and property. The conflagration act is invoked following ORS 476.510-476.610 when Governor Kotek determines threats to life, safety, and property exist because of the fire, and the threats exceed the capabilities of local firefighting personnel and equipment.
Gov. Tina Kotek is seeking federal relief for farmers and ranchers in two-thirds of Oregon counties impacted by wildfires and smoke this summer, with the potential to add more counties to the list.
Kotek first wrote to Tom Vilsack, head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, on July 31, asking for support for crop and livestock farmers who are grappling with the effects of dozens of fires that have burned more than 1.3 million acres this summer. In the days following, Oregon’s congressional delegation and Oregon House Republicans also wrote to Vilsack backing up the Democratic governor’s requests.
Representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture did not respond to questions and requests for comment Tuesday.
In her letter, Kotek asked Vilsack for three things. First, to declare a disaster for 23 of Oregon’s 36 counties, allowing farmers and ranchers to apply for special USDA loans and financial assistance programs. Next, she asked for Vilsack to coordinate with the head of the U.S. Forest Service, Randy Moore, to authorize emergency leniency on federal grazing areas, allowing ranchers flexibility about where and when they can graze to accommodate disruptions from wildfires.
Matt McElligott, president of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, asked Kotek to further extend her request for aid to the U.S. Department of the Interior, which oversees the Bureau of Land Management. He asked that she request the agency open up any vacant or retired grazing permits so ranchers can move some of their cattle onto the public land. Kotek wrote to the agency’s leader, Deb Haaland, requesting assistance Tuesday.
McElligott said he spoke with a rancher who sold off most of his cattle due to the wildfires.
Be Prepared with Fire Weather Tools
As August rolls on, 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
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