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Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024
Klamath Basin Weather
Poor Air Quality Alert
Today
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm today before 2PM, then a chance of showers at times during the afternoon, with a high near 63. West northwest wind 7 to 14 mph, with higher gusts possible. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Evening showers possible, and overnight, patchy fog, cloudy with a low around 41 degrees.
Today’s Klamath Falls Headlines
Patriot Day & National Day of Service and Remembrance on 9/11 across America
Today is Americans are encouraged to participate in community service in honor of those our Nation lost, to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities to honor the innocent victims who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
9/11 Patriot Day ceremonies will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Klamath County Courthouse.
Ron Johnson, Senior Vice Commander for Veterans of Foreign War Post 1383 and a Marine veteran, will serve as Master of Ceremonies today, for the 9/11 Patriot Day.
The Klamath Falls color guard will be a combined color guard from VFW Post 1383 and the Marine Corps League Crater Lake Detachment 373. The ceremony will remember the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks by Islamist terrorists who highjacked four commercial airlines on the East Coast.
As you remember on 9/11, two planes were crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City while two flights flew towards targets in Washington, D.C. One team succeeded in striking the Pentagon, the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, and the fourth hijacked plan crashed in rural Pennsylvania when passengers attacked the terrorists. In all, 2,977 people were killed, the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history.
Following the welcome, Johnson will lead the pledge of allegiance. Ipo Ross from the Knights of Columbus will perform the National Anthem. Johnson will give a presentation, “We Remember and Never Forget!” followed by the invocation by Color Guard Chaplain Ben Quen, senior Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force retired.
Chiloquin Copperfield Fire Update, Wednesday 9/11
The Copperfield Fire is 3,822 acres and has now reached 86 percent containment, according to the latest news release from the Oregon Department of Forestry.
Mop-up operations continue to ensure the fire remains in its footprint. Much of the perimeter has been mopped in 200 feet. The work south of Corbell Butte, that lies in steep, rocky terrain, continues to be slow and tedious, reaching about 150 feet.
Oregon Department of Forestry’s Type 1 Incident Management Team will be departing tomorrow and handing the fire over to a local type 4 team. Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuations remain around the Copperfield Fire.
Work to clear hazardous trees along the Sprague River Highway was completed yesterday. The highway was opened to the public at a reduced speed at 5:00 a.m. this morning.
Motorists are advised to continue to exercise caution when driving through the area due to increased fire traffic in the area. School bus operations were allowed to operate with the opening of the road.
Crews strengthened the line around the fire, as well as mopping up around structures to 100’ and prepping the remaining homes. Crews continued to patrol around the perimeter, watching for any hot spots and identifying any areas of heat in the interior for the day shift to extinguish. Crews are also working with local Tribal agencies to identify and respectfully protect any cultural sites in the fire area, the Oregon Department of Forestry wrote in a news release.
For help, you can call 541-880-8426 or head to the Red Cross evacuation center at the Klamath County Fairgrounds, 3531 S 6th St, Klamath Falls.
Also of note, the Flat Top Fire in Lake County is currently burning at an estimated 14,400 acres. The fire is located southeast of Newberry Caldera and north of Fort Rock.
In response to ongoing fish monitoring data from federal and tribal biologists, Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA) is sounding the alarm and calling for urgent action to avoid the complete loss of two fish species in Upper Klamath Lake.
C’waam and Koptu, in the Klamath Tribes traditional language, also known as shortnose and Lost River suckers, appear to be on the brink of extirpation from Upper Klamath Lake.
Since 1991, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has relied on managing water levels in Upper Klamath Lake (and reducing agricultural water supplies accordingly) as the primary means to try to protect these species. Lake levels have also been managed as a purported means of improving water quality. Those strategies have proven to be failures. Over thirty years of empirical data evidence and research have shown that lake-level management does not improve water quality or help the species.
“Regulating water levels and fighting about water levels are distractions that have not helped these fish,” said KWUA President Tracey Liskey.
Federal scientists have monitored the populations for more than two decades, using microchip devices to track the movements of individual adult fish. These extremely hardy fish, which can live longer than thirty years, have been regularly found spawning year after year in the Williamson River and its tributaries and at shoreline sites around the lake.
Monitoring from 2024 shows a marked decrease in adult fish being detected at all locations. For example, from 2011 to 2016, thousands of adult Lost Rivers suckers (Koptu) were detected each year at shoreline spawning sites in Upper Klamath Lake. The figure has dropped steadily. This year, fewer than a thousand fish showed up.
Larger numbers of both species spawn in the Williamson River, yet similar apparent declines have been observed in those populations this year. In 2016 and prior, the annual figure was over 20,000 adult fish. This year, it was less than a quarter of that figure.
Klamath County is asking residents for help serving on advisory boards and committees.
In a post on the county website, commissioners said they “believe it is valuable and imperative to have community input and involvement when making decisions.”
There are currently four openings in Klamath County: Economic Development Advisory Committee, Library Advisory Board (1 vacancy for Chemult representation), Local Alcohol and Drug Planning Committee Weed Control Advisory Committee. Applications are due by September 15, 2024.
A lucky group of Crater Lake National Park visitors and ranger were treated to a rare treat recently, the sighting of a black bear swimming in the lake and scrambling on Wizard Island.
According to a park Facebook post, “A black bear visited Wizard Island for a few hours. The park’s lake research crew observed it swimming across Fumarole Bay, shaking off the water when it reached the shore and walking across the lava rocks.
”The bear, which “lumbered his way down the caldera wall by Watchman Peak and swam across to Wizard Island … only spent a couple of hours on the island, then swam its way back to climb back up the caldera.”
Wizard Island is a cinder cone that rises 763 feet above the lake and the Watchman is located near the north end of West Rim Drive.
Bears are not unknown in the park, but sightings along Rim Drive and, even more, in the lake or on the island are highly unusual. The park website says there are “41 known black bears in the park, with females outnumbering males. Males often travel beyond park boundaries within their home range of 320 to 365 square miles. A female’s range is much smaller averaging no more than 27 square miles”.
Since denning generally occurs between November and May there are only five months when bears are active but even then, seeing one is not likely.
Chiloquin Visions in Progress (CVIP) proudly announces its upcoming Candidate Forum.
This forum presents an invaluable opportunity for Klamath County residents to engage directly with candidates vying for critical positions in local government. Scheduled for Monday, October 7, 2024, beginning at 6 pm, the Candidate Forum will focus on the candidates running for Klamath County Commissioner Position 1 and the position of Klamath County Sheriff.
Hosted at the Chiloquin Community Center, this forum aims to provide a platform for candidates to articulate their visions, address community concerns, and answer questions from the community. The importance of local elections cannot be overstated, as they directly impact residents’ day-to-day lives. With positions such as County Commissioner and Sheriff playing crucial roles in shaping policies and ensuring the wellbeing and safety of the community, voters must make informed decisions.
The forum will be moderated by John Rademacher, CVIP Board President, who will pose questions submitted by the community. The candidates attending are Andrew Nichols and Rejeana Jackson for Klamath County Commissioner (Position 1) and Shane Mitchell and Brian Bryson for Klamath County Sheriff.
Link River Bridge Project Work
The southbound U.S. 97 off ramp to Klamath Falls City Center will be fully closed for three days beginning today, Monday, September 9th at 6:00 a.m. until Wednesday September 11 at 6:00 p.m. while workers continue work on the U.S. 97: OR 58-California Border Bridge Retrofits project at Link River Bridge.
The purpose of this project is to improve the seismic resiliency of bridges on U.S. 97 so the highway can continue its role as a primary north-south lifeline route in the aftermath of a major earthquake. Drivers should follow the signed detour route as follows: From U.S. 97 Southbound:
- Continue south on U.S. 97 and take EXIT 277 (HWY 66/HWY 140)
- Turn left on South-Side by-pass (HWY 140), then turn right on to the U.S. 97 North (Klamath Falls/Bend) on-ramp.
- Continue north on U.S. 97 and take the Klamath Falls City Center exit, EXIT 275.
Please use caution when traveling through work zones. All work is dependent on weather conditions and schedules are subject to change.
WE’RE HIRING for: Office Specialist 2 at OSU Extension Office in Klamath County.
About the position:
- This position will provide digital marketing and general office support for the OSU Extension Klamath County office.
- This is a full-time, 12-month position located in Klamath Falls
CLICK ON THE PIC FOR FULL INFORMATION
Fire Crew Jobs Available
The Klamath National Forest is currently accepting applications for multiple fire positions at locations across the forest.
The application period is open now and closes on September 24, 2024.
Fire positions are available on fire engines, wildland fire modules, hotshot crews, helitack, and in fuels and dispatch. Open positions range from entry-level firefighter up to Assistant District Fire Management Officer.
There are vacancies in Fort Jones, Yreka, Klamath River, Macdoel, Happy Camp, and Seiad. All positions are permanent full-time or permanent seasonal and include benefits.
The Klamath National Forest has one of the busiest wildland fire programs in California, and the work can be highly rewarding. It is a tough job at times, but an excellent way to challenge oneself while working in the great outdoors. It’s an opportunity to care for your public lands on a spectacular national forest and become part of a skilled fire crew – training together, fighting fire together, and traveling together. One of the many benefits of working for the Forest Service is that crews are available to go to other national forests across the country to help with wildfires. Crews also work on prescribed burns, both on-forest and away on assignments.
The 10th annual Ride the Rim Days will be held at Crater Lake National Park on Sept. 14th.
The event is hosted by the park in partnership with the Friends of Crater Lake and Discover Klamath. On both days East Rim Drive from the North Junction to Park Headquarters will be closed to motorized vehicles at 7 p.m. on the Fridays before the event until 4 p.m. on Saturday to allow for non-motorized recreation including biking, hiking and running.
The event is free, but normal park entrance fees apply. Ride the Rim has grown in popularity each year. “It provides an opportunity to experience East Rim Drive in a unique way, under your own power, whether you’re on a bicycle or on your own two feet,” notes Superintendent Craig Ackerman. “It is a strenuous endeavor, but the rewards of a slower pace, opportunities for quiet reflection, and healthy, vigorous recreation make it a special experience for many people.”
In accordance with National Park Service policy, e-bikes (low-speed, electric bicycles with power assistance) are permitted as part of this event. The operator of an e-bike may only use the motor to assist pedal propulsion.
The motor may not be used to propel an e-bike without the rider also pedaling, except in locations open to public motor vehicle traffic. The closed route around the lake is about 25 miles long with 3,500 feet of climbing at elevations over 7,000 feet.
In a statement, park officials suggest, “Make sure your battery power, or leg power, will last this long, or consider a shorter out-and-back route. There is no SAG wagon provided.”
Park visitors on the Ride days should expect a large number of bicyclists on park roads. Cyclists and motorists on West Rim Drive are asked to ride and drive with “caution and patience.”
Cyclists should ride single file when sharing the road with motorists. West Rim Drive will be open for all travel. North Entrance Road will also be open beginning at 7 p.m. on Fridays before the rides. Park staff recommend that cyclists avoid riding on West Rim Drive, if possible, because of increased traffic from Ride the Rim participants, shuttles, and other park visitors. Ride the Rim parking will be available at the North Junction, Park Headquarters, and the Picnic Hill area of Rim Village.
Participants are encouraged to share rides to help ease parking congestion. A free shuttle will transport participants to the start of the ride or to their vehicles after the event.
The shuttle will run between North Junction, Rim Village and Park Headquarters. The shuttle will not carry bicycles to accommodate more people. “A person or people from each party will need to remain with bicycles while members of their party park or retrieve vehicles.
For single riders, there will be a limited bike valet at North Junction and Park Headquarters,” note park officials.
The Shaw Historical Society is planning a banquet dinner from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, at Oregon Tech’s College Union. The guest speaker will be Ryan Bartholomew.
Cost is $40, with rib roast or beef. A vegetarian option will be available upon request. A no-host social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. Visit oit.edu/shaw2024 to make reservations online. Deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6. For more information, contact Katie Cavendish at (541) 885-0222.
Win-R-Insulation, Inc. wants you to know of a special partnership with EnergyTrust of Oregon where you may be able to qualify for a FREE CEILING INSULATION PROGRAM.
Click here for full details: https://www.basinlife.com/2024/07/08/win-r-insulation-announces-free-ceiling-insulation-program-click-here-for-info/
Around the State of Oregon
9/11 – Patriot Day — On this day we come together to remember the lives lost, to honor the bravery and selflessness of the 343 firefighters and 60 police officers, and everyone who lost their lives that day. Let us stand united in hope and resilience.
The Eugene Police Department said a suspect is still at large following a stabbing at a McDonald’s location near East Broadway and Hilyard Street in the early morning hours.
According to a spokesperson for EPD, dispatch received a report just after 2:45 a.m. from a man in his mid-20s saying he’d been stabbed near the McDonald’s location.
The man, whose condition was not released, was taken to the hospital. The suspect reportedly fled the scene eastbound and as of Monday afternoon had not been located by officers and K9 units. Police described the suspect as a white man with a dark bandana and a grey hoodie.
Missing Oregon Nurse Found Dead. Neighbor Arrested For Her Murder
A nurse allegedly murdered by her Oregon neighbor just two weeks after getting married had plans to move out to be with her long-distance husband in Washington state, her family shared.
Police recovered the remains of Melissa Jubane, 32, on Friday evening after a three-day search that ended in the arrest of her 27-year-old neighbor, Bryce Johnathan Schubert, who was charged with second-degree murder.
The newlywed was reported missing on Wednesday after failing to show up to her morning shift at St. Vincent Hospital in southwest Portland. Her co-workers requested a wellness check on her, but police didn’t find any signs of her at her apartment.
Jubane married Bryan Llantero, of Hawaii, on the island of Honolulu on Aug. 24 and had just returned to Oregon before she vanished.
The newlyweds first met in Hawaii and dated for over a decade, flying back and forth to see each other. Llantero had last heard from his new wife the morning she went missing, according to KHON .
Jubane would stay in her Oregon apartment because of its proximity to her workplace while Llantero stayed in Washington state with Melissa’s family, her mother-in-law, Imelda Llantero, told the local news station.
But after tying the knot, Jubane planned to look for a job in Washington so she could live with her new husband, Imelda Llantero said.
Since her alleged murder, family members have taken to social media to advocate for justice and preserve her memory.
Jax Marquez, one of Jubane’s cousins, has turned to dedicating parts of her social media to her, including changing her profile picture to read “Justice for #melissajubane.”
Jubane’s father also expressed his heartbreak online. “I’m in so much pain right now for you my daughter Melissa Jubane. As promised by the Beaverton Police Authorities to us, your justice will be done soon,” Valentin Jubane, Melissa’s father, wrote in a post on Facebook .
“I have trust in our God The Almighty and His only son our Lord God Jesus Christ. You are loved by so many good people around the world.”
Another one of Melissa’s cousins, Onilobes Allan, urged politicians to protect potential victims from bad actors.
“[…] our government need[s] to protect [people like Melissa] so we can have a chance to live in peace and have happiness in the world but unfortunately got taken advantage and was killed by someone that is very evil. I’m asking the government to make laws that protect good citizens,” he wrote in a post on Facebook . (SOURCE)
Cooler temperatures and rain starting Wednesday will help dampen flames, but won’t end the Oregon fire season
High temperatures, strong winds and lightning storms have sparked dozens of new fires in Oregon these past few days, particularly in Central and southeastern Oregon.
And a national firefighter labor shortage is making it harder to suppress massive wildfires across the West, with fewer federal teams that Oregon can ask for help.
State fire officials say crews are running out of steam and resources.
“We have men and women fighting fire in the poison oak,” Oregon Department of Forestry fire division chief Chris Cline said at a press conference Monday. “They need to get clean. There are no showers, there’s no food.”
State and federal fire agencies usually help each other fight fires. But Cline said all federal fire teams are busy fighting fires across the West.
“There are no incident management teams available in the United States of America today, right now,” Cline said.
Man Arrested for Arson After Lighting String of Fires Along I-5
Lane County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a report of a male starting fires along I-5 in the area of Goshen.
Deputies and Oregon State Police troopers responded and quickly arrested the suspect, identified as Michael David Brown, 52. Brown was actively lighting a fire on the shoulder of Franklin Boulevard when contacted, and resisted arrest.
Multiple fire departments responded as deputies and troopers began evacuating area residents. The fires were brought under control before larger evacuations were necessary. All evacuation notices have since been cleared.
Brown was lodged at the Lane County Jail on case #24-4844 for five counts of Arson in the 1st Degree, five counts of Reckless Burning, five counts of Reckless Endangering, Disorderly Conduct in the 2nd Degree, and Resisting Arrest.
Through their investigation, deputies also determined Brown had set a fire on Franklin Boulevard at Seavey Loop Road on August 26th. Brown was lodged on case #24-4845 for Arson in the 1st Degree related to that fire.
Oregon Department of Transportation has closed Highway 242 west of the Dee Wright Observatory & a portion of Highway 126 is closed to fight the ongoing Willamette Complex South Fires.
Stay up to date on road closures: tripcheck.com
Summary: Firefighting crews have made progress strengthening containment lines on the Willamette Complex South fires. Recent favorable weather conditions have aided their efforts. https://www.facebook.com/WillametteComplexFires
For More Information Phone: (541) 208-1742, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Email: 2024.willamettecomplex@firenet.gov InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/…/orwif-willamette-complex… Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WillametteComplexFires YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WillametteComplexFiresSouth
U.S. Forest Service – Willamette National Forest – · The Willamette National Forest has expanded an emergency closure order for the Pyramid Fire on the Sweet Home Ranger District to include the Slate Fire area. The closure order, which is for public and firefighter safety, is effective through Nov. 15, 2024, unless modified or rescinded sooner.
Another lawsuit has been filed against Medford’s Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in the case involving a former nurse accused of giving patients non-sterile tap water instead of intravenous fentanyl.
In a Sept. 6 filing in Jackson County Circuit Court, an attorney for 63-year-old Candi Kay Palomares says former Asante nurse Dani Marie Schofield diverted fentanyl prescribed to Palomares for the severe respiratory distress that brought her to Asante’s intensive care unit on March 26, 2023.
The suit seeks $116 million for Palomares’ pain and suffering, future medical expenses and lost wages. By March 31, 2023, blood tests showed infections in Palomares, then a mobile home park manager in Brookings. By April 3, 2023, Palomares suffered from sepsis-induced brain dysfunction, the suit claims.
On April 14, 2023, a patient safety representative for Asante posted a notice online about what the hospital termed “water quality rumors.” Attorney Bruce Nishioka argues in court papers that Asante acted with negligence by failing to prevent “the foreseeable diversion of fentanyl.” Palomares can no longer work and also lost her home because it was part of her compensation for managing the mobile home park.
In a related story, a stay has been granted by a judge for the former Asante nurse, accused of drug diversion at the hospital. The civil case of drug diversion in regards to Horace Earl Wilson, will be delayed until the criminal case of Dani Schofield has concluded.
The former Medford nurse accused of criminal assault of 44 hospital patients through drug diversion can “stay,” or pause, the related civil case. Schofield is one of two defendants in a Jackson County civil court case, “Patti L. Wilson for the Estate of Horace Earl Wilson, Plaintiff, v. Asante, an Oregon corporation; Dani Marie Schofield, R.N., Defendant,” filed in February by Justin Idiart with Central Point’s Idiart Law Group.
Schofield also has 44 felony counts of criminal assault in Jackson County Circuit Court, accusing her of causing illness to 44 Asante Rogue Regional Medical Cnter (Asante) intensive care unit patients from diverting to herself fentanyl intended for them, replacing it with hospital tap water that could cause infection.
SALEM, Ore. — Governor Tina Kotek and Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold, Adjutant General in Oregon, hosted a formal demobilization ceremony in Salem, Oregon for the unit members of the Oregon National Guard’s A (-) 641st Aviation on Sept. 9, 2024.
During their mobilization they provided fixed-wing air capabilities in support of the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa and AFRICOM from Djibouti and throughout the AFRICOM Theater of operations.
“Just over a year ago we gathered to see off an exceptional group of aviators as they embarked on a critical mission to the Horn of Africa,” said Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold to the returning Soldiers during the demobilization ceremony. “Today we come together once again – not to say goodbye but to celebrate your safe return and extraordinary service.”
Gov. Kotek welcomed the member’s home and praised their dedication to the yearlong deployment with family and co-workers in attendance. “It was last July that you first mobilized here, and I reminded you to come home safe from your mobilization, and as this was my first mobilization ceremony as Governor and your guidon was in my office while you were gone.”
“With your dedication to duty, I am truly humbled by your commitment to serve. I want to welcome you back, and hopefully, you can now catch up on some of the activities you missed while you were away,” said Gov. Kotek.
Prior to their overseas mission, the unit spent nearly two-weeks of specialized training at Ft. Bliss, Texas. The unit has a long history of deploying overseas supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007 and later deploying to support Operation New Dawn in Iraq in 2010 while some members of the unit deployed to Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom. Their most recent mobilization was in 2017 when they deployed to Kuwait to support Operation Enduring Freedom followed by Operation Spartan Shield.
Emergency Conflagration Act invoked for Service Fire in Wheeler County
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon State Fire Marshal mobilized resources to the Service Fire in Wheeler County overnight as the fire, pushed by gusty winds and critical fire conditions, rapidly grew Monday. The lightning-sparked fire is estimated to be 15,000 acres as of Monday night. The Wheeler County Sheriff has issued levels 1, 2, and 3 evacuation notices. You can find the latest on evacuations here.
Over the weekend, two task forces assigned to the Shoe Fly Fire were reassigned to the Service Fire through Immediate Response. Two additional task forces from Marion and Clatsop counties arrived Monday night, bringing the total to four task forces.
The OSFM will coordinate structural protection resources with the Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 2, which is managing the Service Fire.
“We are anticipating cooler weather over the next week and that should decrease fire behavior. The OSFM continues to use every tool at our disposal to protect people, property, and critical infrastructure from wildfire,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “This has been a challenging summer for our hardworking firefighters, and we encourage everyone to remain vigilant.”
A community meeting for the Service Fire is planned for Wednesday, September 11 at the Fossil Elementary School Gymnasium at 6:30 p.m. Please use the west entrance.
This is the 17th time the Emergency Conflagration Act was invoked this year.
About the Emergency Conflagration Act
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.
A wildfire burning west of the Three Sisters Wilderness has prompted evacuation orders for a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office said.
The Linton Creek fire, part of the North Willamette Complex west of Middle Sister, has grown to over 500 acres since the fire was reported Friday afternoon. A Level 3 (go now) evacuation order is in place for the Pacific Crest Trail near Linton Meadow and Husband Lake. Officials said entry to the areas under evacuation are prohibited until conditions are safe.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office website has the latest information about evacuations.
Police have released the names of the victims killed when a small plane crashed into a row of townhomes in Fairview, Oregon.
The victims have been identified as 73-year-old Michael Busher, who was the pilot, 79-year-old Jacqueline Whitford, a flight instructor, and 75-year-old Barbara MacDonald, a resident of one of the townhomes.
The incident happened on August 31st when the twin-engine Cessna went down and hit a power pole before crashing into several townhomes.
The NTSB says it could take up to eighteen months before the investigation of the crash is closed.
Costco announced in separate statements the recall of two food items sold by the warehouse store last month.
The recalls are for Kodiak Power Waffles and Rock River Cattle Co. Smokey Hibachi Skirt Steaks, which are sold at warehouses in select parts of the U.S, including Oregon. The 40-count Kodiak “Power Waffles Buttermilk and Vanilla” were sold primarily in the Midwest region between July 15 and Aug. 25.
The recalled products have the lot code 24193-WL4 and a time stamp of 12:00-23:00. The waffles are being recalled “due to the potential presence of soft plastic film,” according to the release. No injuries or illnesses have been reported. However, Kodiak Cakes has said they “are taking this action out of an abundance of caution” and that “no other Kodiak products are affected by this issue.”
A suspected sex offender may be on the run in Oregon.
Adam Renk was indicted for multiple crimes against a child under the age of 12, following the report of a victim in June. As part of the investigation, Oregon State Police learned the 39-year-old suspect had also been charged in an unrelated case in Alabama, involving an 11-year-old victim.
His Oregon charges include first degree sexual abuse and sodomy. In Alabama, he’s accused of child sex abuse and torture. Renk posted bond in Alabama and was released. He was last seen leaving that state on August 7. He has ties to Oregon and Wasco County, and authorities believe he could be headed to our state, possibly driving a converted Ford ambulance that’s now painted two-tone white over gray.
Renk is white, 6’1″ tall, 175 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair. Anyone with information on his location or other possible victims is asked to contact the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office at 541-506-2580, or OSP Det. Cassie Bantz through dispatch at 800-442-0776.
Boaters are being warned about low levels on the Columbia and Willamette rivers.
That’s the message from the National Weather Service in Portland, which says submerged items could be potentially exposed or just below the surface of the river at least during low tide. Officials say boaters should avoid going out during low tide while the river levels are low and instead go out during high tide.
Tide information is available on the National Weather Service website.
A Medford man is dead and two others were sent to hospitals for medical treatment following a boating accident in Winchester Bay.
On Thursday 63-year-old James McKeane of Medford, his son 36 year-old Kenneth McKeane of Central Point and his neighbor 35-year-old Anthony Knight of Medford were ocean fishing. After a few hours, weather conditions brought them back to the docks. While heading towards the bay a large wave crashed into the left side of the boat, rolling it over and eventually capsizing it.
All three of the men went into the water without life jackets. James McKeane and Knight were rescued by the United States Coast Guard, with Knight unconscious. Both James and Knight were transported to Lower Umpqua Hospital to receive medical treatment.
Efforts to revive Knight were made, but ultimately were unsuccessful. Kenneth McKeane was later located by a USCG helicopter on the North Jetty and was airlifted to North Bend Hospital.
The accident remains under investigation by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Marine Division alongside the Oregon State Marine Board.
Oregon State Police are reminding parents and students of the SafeOregon hotline. It takes reports of potential threats against students and schools. The tips can be made anonymously.
They can include safety threats, fights, drugs, weapons on campus, cyberbullying and students considering self-harm or suicide. A technician reviews the reports and assigns them either to police or school administrators.
Tips can be made by phone, text, email or on the website, SafeOregon.com. That’s safeoregon dot com.
Oregon boosts emergency preparedness with new evacuation software
Oregon Emergency Mangers already seeing significant reduction in time to communicate evacuation information.
Salem, Ore. – In honor of National Preparedness Month, the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is excited to announce a new contract that will provide advanced evacuation software to all of Oregon’s 36 counties and nine Tribes. The software, from Genasys Inc., will help manage emergency evacuations more effectively across the state.
As Oregon deals with more frequent and severe disasters, it’s essential to have a clear plan for evacuations and support services. While law enforcement handles the immediate evacuation of people, the ODHS Office of Resilience and Emergency Management (OREM) works with local communities to help identify people who need evacuation assistance and ensure people are evacuated to a location that meets their needs.
“Even well-prepared communities face challenges with evacuations, especially when multiple areas are affected. We’re thrilled to offer this new software to all our counties and Tribes,” said Ed Flick, Director of OREM. “This tool will help emergency managers make quick and informed decisions to keep everyone safe. Over the last week the tool was used to coordinate evacuations for the Rail Ridge Fire in Grant, Crook and Wheeler Counties, which is Oregon’s top priority wildfire. National Preparedness Month is a great time for everyone to review their own emergency plans and supplies. For tips, check out Ready.gov.”
The Genasys EVAC software helps with planning and managing evacuations. It allows emergency services to quickly create and update evacuation plans, run realistic simulations, and respond faster during an emergency.
Nick Vora, Emergency Manager for Union County, shared his enthusiasm: “Changing, exporting, and adding evacuation zones for alerts used to be slow and complicated. While there are many great mapping tools out there, they often made it time-consuming to update evacuation zones and get them ready for emergency alerts. It could take 15 to 30 minutes to make these changes and load them into the alert system. With Genasys, however, the process is much faster. You can select and adjust an area and get it ready for alerts in just a few minutes. This quick turnaround makes managing emergency alerts much easier and more efficient.”
“Genasys Protect was instrumental in notifying community members of evacuations during the Falls and Telephone Fires in Harney County. When time is of the essence, being able to instantly notify community members of updated evacuation levels is crucial. We loved the ease of use and the ability to train new staff members on how to use it under one minute. This is an essential tool during wildfires,” said Melinda Todd, Harney County Emergency Manager.
Ken Kehmna, a retired fire chief and advisor at Genasys, added, “After Oregon’s severe fires in 2020, we tested this software in Deschutes and Jackson counties. Both counties saw great results and adopted the software, leading to its statewide use.”
Michael Smith, Senior Vice President at Genasys Protect, emphasized the benefits: “EVAC’s planning and real-time communication features are vital for managing emergencies in any community, from small towns to large cities.”
This new software represents a significant step forward in making sure Oregon is ready for emergencies and can respond quickly and effectively.
About the ODHS Office of Resilience and Emergency Management
ODHS holds four distinct roles through its Office of Resilience and Emergency Management, all of which reduce the impact of disasters on people.
- Mass care: Planning for and supporting people in the early stage and immediate aftermath of emergencies. Our work includes things like coordinating evacuation assistance, the distribution of life-sustaining goods and services, including hydration, feeding, sheltering, reunification, and distribution of emergency supplies.
- Social services recovery: Helping people and social services agencies recover. Our Social Services Recovery Coordinators work with survivors and their families to identify barriers to recovery, make a plan to address those barriers, and support the survivors on their journey. Our role also includes helping local social services agencies that may be impacted by the disasters to return to full functioning as soon as possible.
- Continuity of operations: Ensuring communities’ ongoing access to ODHS services. This includes making sure our offices are open and essential services continue, as well as supporting the agency programs and the case managers who ensure the safety of the tens of thousands of Oregonians who may need extra and early help in an emergency.
- Legislatively directed resilience work: Warming, cooling and cleaner air shelters; water distribution and resilience hubs. These situations don’t fit what’s traditionally been considered emergencies, but they can have significant impacts on people. The Legislature made OREM the lead for this type of work to help people.
Across all these roles, ODHS develops and relies on partnerships and coordination with public and private organizations at the local and regional levels and with our state and Tribal Nation partners.
September is National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month and Suicide Prevention Month
Take time this month to spread awareness about all the resources we have available in our community for prevention, treatment and substance abuse recovery.
September is also Suicide Prevention Month. If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, you are not alone. There are numerous resources available for you and your loved ones. Reach out to friends and family today, a conversation can save a life.
#SuicidePrevention #YouAreNotAlone #988 #youmatter
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, you are not alone. Please call or text the National 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or text HELLO to 741741.
Michael Bakkela was sentenced to 11 years in prison for a fire Phoenix is still recovering from.
The fire Bakkela started happened on the same day as the Almeda Fire four years ago Bakkela was seen on Quail Lane, near the railroad tracks, where he intentionally started a fire that was then pushed by strong northwest winds.
The DA’s office says the fire destroyed or damaged 14 homes and three businesses. Bakkela pleaded no contest to 15 charges of criminal mischief and one count of arson back in 2022.
The fire he started did merge with the Almeda Fire, but the DA’s office made it clear there is no evidence linking Bakkela to the start of the Almeda Fire.
The application deadline for the new EBT program has been extended to midnight Sept. 30, 2024.
The program offers $120 per child to help cover grocery costs when school food programs are not as easy to access.
Eligible families should act now. Thousands of families may be unaware that they qualify for this essential benefit. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) urge families to check their eligibility and apply before the extended deadline.
Remember, once benefits are received, they must be used within 122 days. Most eligible children received their benefits automatically on June 28, 2024, if their households:
Participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Participate in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Are Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) members in households with incomes under 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level
Children in foster care also automatically received Summer EBT. However, families who did not receive benefits automatically, particularly those with children enrolled in a school during the 2023-2024 school year who were eligible for the National School Lunch or Breakfast Programs, should still apply to determine their eligibility.
Families are encouraged to visit sebt.oregon.gov or contact the Summer EBT Call Center to verify their eligibility
More than 3,000 Oregon state workers have filed claims alleging that they are underpaid due to an inaccurate evaluation of their experience and education in a recent state equal pay analysis.
The Oregon Department of Administrative Services conducts the analysis at least once every three years to ensure employees have the correct job classification and are fairly paid.
The latest review, covering about 36,000 state employees and completed in June, resulted in salary increases for 8,789 workers, who were reclassified based on updated education and experience assessments, according to Bryanna Duke, public records manager for the agency.
The significant number of reclassifications marks a victory for the state’s public employee unions, which have successfully negotiated several changes to the equal pay analysis process, aiming to promote fairness and address wage disparities between male and female state employees, as well as between employees of color and their white counterparts.
However, 3,025 employees – or about 8.4% of employees covered by the analysis – have appealed, contending that the state miscalculated their experience, education level or both, according to Andrea Chiapella, spokesperson for the Department of Administrative Services.
LL Flooring, the hardwood flooring retailer formerly known as Lumber Liquidators, is going out of business.
Less than a month after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the Virginia-based company says it is now “winding down operations” after failing to find a buyer in recent negotiations with prospective bidders. That means all of its remaining stores will soon close their doors.
LL Flooring expected to begin to begin the process this week, with closing sales at hundreds of stores slated to start Friday. The retailer says store closures should be completed over the next 12 weeks, with timing varying by location.
Ghost Guns To Be Outlawed this week
So-called ghost guns, privately made firearms that don’t have serial numbers and are largely untraceable, will be banned across Oregon today, after a federal judge denied a legal challenge that tried to block the prohibition.
Ghost guns differ from weapons manufactured by licensed companies in that the latter are generally required to have serial numbers — usually displayed on the frame of the gun — that allow officials to trace them back to the manufacturer, the dealer and the original purchaser.
The U.S. Department of Justice reported recovering 25,785 ghost guns in domestic seizures in 2022. In the Oregon case, Stephen Duvernay, a lawyer for the Oregon Firearms Federation and the Firearms Policy Coalition Inc., argued in federal court this month that self-made guns without serial numbers are common in the U.S., The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
Duvernay also said requiring his clients to add serial numbers to their guns or gun parts would be impractical, adding that about 1 million people own such weapons in state and would be affected by the new law. In 2023 the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 2005 banning ghost guns.
State Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, a Democrat, had pushed for the legislation for years, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting.
When the ban takes effect, firearms made after Oct. 22, 1968, must have a serial number, and violating the law could result in a $1,000 fine. Repeat offenders could face higher fines and potentially incarceration. Under the law, people with firearms that currently do not have serial numbers can have numbers put on them by federally licensed gun dealers so they comply with the statute.
Since July 2023, Oregon has also barred the sale, transfer and import of unserialized firearms and the possession, sale and manufacturing of firearms that cannot be detected by metal detectors or X-ray machines.
Federal officials are moving ahead with plans to promote the shipment of goods by zero-emission trucks up and down the West Coast.
Authorities say the U.S. Department of Transportation is giving Washington, Oregon and California 102-million dollars to create a network of semi-truck charging and fueling stations to power battery and hydrogen fuel-cell semi-trucks traversing the three states. Officials say major hubs would be built in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle.
Basketball fans mark your calendars. The 10th Annual Rip City Rally is making a stop in Coos Bay on September 16. The mascots and the Blazers dancers will be there along with some special guests who are yet to be announced. There will be music, games, and giveaways in the parking lot at the intersection of Curtis Avenue and South Second Street, on Monday, September 16, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Last year the rally made a stop in Medford. Now this year, Coos Bay is the only stop in Southern Oregon. The season opens in October.
Klamath & Lake Long-Term Recovery Group Asking For Donations For Chiloquin Copperfield Fire Victims
The Chiloquin community was struck by the devastating Copperfield Fire in the Chiloquin/Sprague River area.
While firefighters continue to battle the blaze, this wildfire has affected 19 structures, including at least 8 homes. The journey to recovery from such a disaster is long and challenging, often taking months or even years.
To support the survivors in rebuilding their lives, we need crucial funds to provide them with the necessary resources. Together, as a community, we can help these families—moms, daughters, sons, dads, just like you and me—get back on their feet. Let’s unite to offer hope and support to those who need it most. Every penny counts, 100% of the Proceeds go to assisting survivors. Klamath & Lake Long-Term Recovery Group is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity.
PLEASE DONATE WHAT YOU CAN HERE: https://givebutter.com/vqPqGk
Thanks for reading the the news on BasinLife.com from Wynne Broadcasting.
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