40.82 F
Klamath Falls
November 3, 2024

Klamath Basin News, Wednesday, 9/18/24 – Steven Curtis Chapman Plays Ragland Thursday; Fire Danger Lowered From Extreme To High in Southern Oregon Forests; Klamath Oktoberfest Is Saturday

The latest and most comprehensive coverage of local News, Sports, Business, and Community News stories in the Klamath Basin, Southern Oregon and around the state of Oregon from Wynne Broadcasting’s KFLS News/Talk 1450AM / 102.5FM, The Herald and News, and BasinLife.com, and powered by Mick Insurance. Call 541-882-6476.

 

Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024

Klamath Basin Weather

Today

Sunny, with a high near 70. Light east winds. Overnight, clear with a low near 46 degrees.

Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 78. North wind 3 to 6 mph.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 78. North northwest wind 3 to 7 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 78.
Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 76.

Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
Today’s Klamath Falls Headlines

The fire danger level is decreasing from ‘Extreme’ to ‘High’ in Klamath and Lake counties today, Wednesday, Sept. 18th, according to the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership.

According to the news release, blasting, welding and cutting metal and power saws — except at loading sites — will now be allowed between 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. 

The fire danger level applies to all private, county, and state wildlands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Klamath-Lake District, as well as the Fremont-Winema National Forest, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lakeview District, Crater Lake National Park, and the Sheldon-Hart Mountain and Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complexes.  

 

Cooler temperatures and recent rainfall have resulted in the fire danger level at Crater Lake National Park being reduced from Extreme to High.

Park officials rescinded the fire ban implemented in July from extreme danger to high, in their news release noting that “to ensure public safety and to provide the highest degree of protection to park resources,” there are restrictions to apply to fires in the park. Among the restrictions are those involving campfires.

The lighting or maintaining of fires is generally prohibited, except as provided for in the following designated areas or receptacles, and under the various conditions. Fires at the Mazama Campground are allowed only in grills or grates provided in designated campsites.

In park or concession, residential areas fires are allowed only by residents and their guests, within grills and/or fire grates that fully contain the fire.  In addition, it is required that fires be fully contained within established fire grills, grates or rings. No bonfires, defined as large fires that spill outside of the fire receptacle, are permitted. Also prohibited is the use stacks of flammable material, such as cardboard boxes or wood pallets or have excessive flame heights that could easily become uncontrolled. It is also required that fires must be constantly monitored while burning and completely extinguished after use.

Park officials also emphasized that fireworks are prohibited in the park at all times.

 

EagleRidge High School in Klamath Falls recently painted over a suicide awareness mural, upsetting the group of former students who painted the mural years ago.

The previous mural had monarch butterfly wings with a semi-colon in the middle, a common symbol for suicide prevention and awareness, with the words “You Belong Here” written above them.

One of the painters, Jaden Connolly recently saw that the mural was covered up, prompting emotions and a Facebook post directed to the school to learn why.

The school responded to her Facebook post saying, “It is a new school with a new administration.”Connolly still feels this explanation is not enough, wanting a better reasoning for why the mural couldn’t stay. She added that it makes no sense, why would the new administration want to cover up such a strong message? It makes no sense at all, she said.

 

Truck drivers passing through Klamath Falls and some other areas in Oregon will be able to pick a free meal this week.

The free meals are made possible through a collaboration between the Oregon Trucking Association (OTA) and the Oregon Department of Transportation to celebrate National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.

Drivers have five opportunities across the state to pick up a free meal.

Today, Monday, they can stop by the Cascade Locks Port of Entry in the Columbia River Region at 11:30 a.m.  Then on Tuesday, meals will be given out at the Juniper Butte Scale on Highway 97 approximately 13 miles south of Madras. Also at 11:30 a.m.  On Wednesday, drivers can get breakfast at 7 a.m. at the Klamath Falls Port of Entry in the Eastern Cascades Region. Then lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. at the Ashland Port of Entry in the Siskiyou Region.

Finally on Thursday, drivers can stop by the Woodburn Port of Entry in the Willamette Valley Region at 11:30 a.m.

According to the OTA, there are 22,690 heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in the state as of 2024. These drivers are responsible for transporting almost 91% of manufactured tonnage in Oregon.

 

KLAMATH COUNTY ROAD WORK SCHEDULE

Steven Curtis Chapman Concert at Ross Ragland, Thursday, 7PM

In a career that has spanned more than three decades, Steven Curtis Chapman is the most awarded artist in Christian music history.

With 59 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, five GRAMMY Awards, an American Music Award, and a historic 50 number one singles, he has sold more than 16 million albums with ten RIAA-Certified Gold or Platinum albums to his credit. He spoke with Natalie Sirna on Sunrise ahead of his upcoming show Klamath Falls’ Ross Ragland Theater this Thursday.

Chapman spoke about the difficulty of deciding on a setlist with such a robust discography to choose from. He also humbly recalled the special night in July when he was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry by idol-turned-friend Ricky Skaggs. Chapman also spoke about his favorite collaborations, including with Skaggs, and gave viewers a glimpse of what might be next in his career.

This Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at the Ross Ragland Theater music lovers can enjoy An Evening with Steven Curtis Chapman. Tickets start at $45, with box seats available for $100. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Ross Ragland https://ragland.org/

 

What better way to welcome fall than with an Oktoberfest? The Klamath Basin’s take on the traditional festival includes plenty of local brews, food, and live music, not to mention the contests.

There’s Stein holding, a best-dressed contest, and a People’s Choice Award for favorite drink. It all takes place on Saturday, September 21st at the Bill Collier Ice Arena, 5075 Fox Sparrow Dr. 

Event manager, Andrew Stork says they try to have beers that are served by the representative of up and coming brewers. He added it’s an opportunity for those breweries that are making a name for themselves to gain more exposure as they continue to grow.

You can pick up tickets at www.klamathoktoberfest.org for either $10 or $25 depending on if you’re partaking in the drinks. And remember, don’t forget your Lederhosen.

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/

 

Linkville Players Present “Dial M For Murder”

As autumn starts to fall and the spooky season begins to creep up on the Klamath Basin, so does the 2024-25 theater campaign as the Linkville Players present “Dial M for Murder.”

A new version of the celebrated murder mystery that inspired Alfred Hitchcock’s film of the same name, Jeffrey Hatcher’s adaptation of the classic suspense thriller is a smart, tight, compelling update of Fredrick Knott’s tale of jealousy, deception and homicide as Tony Wendice is convinced that his wife, Margot, has been cheating on him.

“Dial M for Murder” stars local talents Sarah Tyson, Justin Barker, David Archuleta, Clinton Woodhams with Jared McCleve as Tony Wendice and Corrie Judd as Margot. 

“Dial M for Murder” opens this Friday, Sept. 13, with an opening night gala starting at 6:30 p.m. The play will run for three weekends ending on Saturday, Sept. 28 with shows at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays with one Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on Sept. 22.  The Linkville Playhouse is located at 201 Main Street in Klamath Falls. 

 

Around the State of Oregon

Republican lawmakers in Oregon on Monday asked Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek to ensure the integrity of the state’s voter rolls following reports that some 300 noncitizens have been mistakenly registered as voters since 2021.

The mistake occurred in part because Oregon has allowed noncitizens to obtain driver’s licenses since 2019, and the state’s Driver and Motor Vehicle Services automatically registers most people to vote when they obtain a license or ID.

An initial analysis by the Oregon Department of Transportation, which oversees the DMV, found that 306 noncitizens were registered to vote in what officials described as a “data entry issue” that happened when people applied for driver’s licenses. Of those, two voted in elections since 2021.

State and federal laws prohibit noncitizens from voting in national and local elections. Noncitizens include people who are in the country with legal status — such as green-card holders and temporary workers — and those without legal status.

In a letter emailed to Kotek’s office on Monday, Oregon Senate Republican Minority Leader Daniel Bonham asked her to consider implementing measures similar to those outlined in an executive order issued last month by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

The Republican governor directed state officials to certify the accuracy of voter lists by removing those who moved, died, or were unable to verify their U.S. citizenship. Kotek’s office did not immediately provide a comment. The DMV is checking for additional errors and will likely find more cases of registering noncitizens to vote, spokesperson Chris Crabb said.

Lane County, home to the city of Eugene and the University of Oregon, said its elections office was notified Friday that the DMV had mistakenly marked 11 noncitizens as eligible to vote in the county. After an audit, officials confirmed that none had returned a ballot. They were removed from the voter rolls and will no longer receive ballots, the county said in a Facebook post.

 

Crater High School was placed on secure status Tuesday morning at 10:55 a.m. due to a potential weapon on campus, Central Point School District 6 said in a news release.

School staff were notified of the potential weapon Tuesday morning and immediately notified the Central Point Police Department. Within minutes, School Resource Officers and school administration secured the weapon. There was no direct threat to students or staff. While the school was in secure status, students were not allowed to leave their classrooms, the release said. The secure status was lifted at 11:41 a.m.

Central Point Police Department is facilitating the ongoing investigation. The Jackson County Threat Assessment Team has been activated to support Crater High School to ensure safety and mental health support for students and staff.  Further questions can be directed to the Central Point Police Department at 541-664-5578.

 

The federal government urged a U.S. District Court judge on Tuesday to temporarily block a proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons, saying the combination would “almost certainly” benefit shareholders but not everyday shoppers.

Lawyers for the Federal Trade Commission gave their closing arguments at the end of a three-week hearing in Portland, Oregon. The FTC wants U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson to issue a preliminary injunction that would block the deal while its complaint goes before an in-house administrative law judge.

Kroger and Albertsons proposed what would be the largest supermarket merger in U.S. history in 2022. The companies insist that the $24.6 billion deal would allow them to lower prices and more effectively compete with retail giants like Walmart and Amazon.

But the FTC says the deal would eliminate competition and lead to higher food prices for already struggling customers.

Susan Musser, the Federal Trade Commission’s chief trial counsel, argued Tuesday that Kroger and Albertsons primarily compete with each other and not places like Amazon or Costco, where consumers do other kinds of shopping. In their hearing testimony this month, the CEOs of Albertsons and Kroger said the merged company would lower prices in a bid to retain customers. They also argued that the merger would boost growth, bolstering stores and union jobs.

FTC attorneys have noted that the two supermarket chains currently compete in 22 states, closely matching each other on price, quality, private label products and services like store pickup. Shoppers benefit from that competition and would lose those benefits if the merger is allowed to proceed, they said.

The FTC and labor union leaders also argued that workers’ wages and benefits would decline if Kroger and Albertsons no longer compete with each other. They also expressed concern that potential store closures could create so-called food and pharmacy “deserts” for consumers.

 

An Ashland man remains in jail after being indicted Tuesday on over 20 counts related to child sex crimes.

68-year-old Craig Albert Johnson was arrested on July 30 after the Central Point Police Department received a report of potential sexual exploitation of a 5-year-old.

During the investigation, police learned that Johnson was employed at the Children’s World Montessori School in Ashland. They also say they found evidence that additional instances of child exploitation took place at the school.

As a result of Tuesday’s indictment, Johnson faces a total of 20 counts of using a child, or attempting to use a child in display of sexually explicit conduct, as well as two counts of encouraging child sex abuse, and one count of invasion of privacy.

Police say there are six known victims in the Ashland area, however the investigation is ongoing.  Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Lacie Six with the Ashland Police Department at 541-552-2125.

 

A Portland man was sentenced to federal prison yesterday for breaking into a local pawn shop and stealing forty-seven firearms from the federal firearm licensee. 

Kory Dean Boyd, 39, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. 

According to court documents, on January 31, 2022, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) were notified of a burglary at a Southeast Portland pawn shop. Early that morning, shop owners discovered two large holes in a concrete block wall on the building’s exterior. The exposed room contained dozens of firearms, forty-seven of which were reported stolen, including pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shotguns.

ATF agents reviewed exterior surveillance video from the pawn shop and observed two vehicles and five individuals present near the holes in the building during the late evening and early morning hours of January 29 and 30, 2022. Two individuals used a sledgehammer to make holes in the exterior wall while Boyd and others carried firearms and firearm cases to the vehicles.

On February 4, 2022, ATF agents searched Boyd’s residence and recovered eight firearms, including seven stolen from the pawn shop. Boyd was arrested without incident and admitted to his involvement in the burglary.

On February 8, 2022, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a two-count indictment charging  Boyd with the theft of firearms and possessing firearms as a convicted felon.

On March 4, 2024, Boyd pleaded guilty to stealing firearms from a federal firearm licensee.

This case was investigated by ATF with assistance from the FBI, Portland Police Bureau, and Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Lewis S. Burkhart, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

 

An Oregon man is being charged with stalking and harassment of University of Connecticut women’s basketball standout, Paige Bueckers.

Authorities say 40-year-old Robert Cole Parmalee of Grants Pass, Oregon, was charged when he appeared in Connecticut Superior Court on Monday.

Parmalee is being held on a 100-thousand-dollar bond. Per UConn Police, the school’s communications department found out about Parmalee targeting Bueckers because of “rambling” emails. Parmalee claimed he was part of the royal family and wanted to get married to one of the UConn women’s basketball players. He also threatened Bueckers’ friends and family on social media.

On Monday, a judge ordered a no-contact and protective order. Parmalee will appear in court again on October 22nd.

 

Oregon State University’s Global Hemp Innovation Center will receive $5.5 million during the next five years to research new food, beverage and biobased industrial product uses of industrial hemp.

With the funding, researchers from Oregon State and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service will develop customized hemp genetics that meet the needs of biobased product manufacturers and are adapted to growing conditions in the western United States.

The decriminalization of hemp with the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill created a boom of interest in the potential of hemp. A commercial market quickly developed around therapeutic CBD oil from hemp flowers. But there are also a range of natural materials in hemp that can be used to create other products, including construction materials, textiles, packaging materials, and food and beverage products. Hemp is also adaptable to different growing environments and weather conditions, which is important for farmers looking to plant additional crops, particularly with the uncertainties in agriculture driven by climate change.

With the new funding, Oregon State and USDA researchers will take a “genes-to-field-to-factory” approach, in which they match hemp genetics with different environmental growing conditions and different manufactured products that can be produced from the plant. They will take advantage of emerging artificial intelligence approaches to accelerate this work. The research team will use hemp biomass to create biodegradable and compostable packing products, including nursery pots, fresh produce boxes and takeout containers; building materials for use in housing construction; and plant-based food and beverage products made from hemp grain.

Funding for this new research partnership is part of more than $26 million the USDA has awarded to Oregon State in recent years for hemp research.

 

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said today he is co-sponsoring a bill that would address food insecurity among college students, ensuring they can focus on their education without fear of sacrificing meals to pay for school.  

College students often face severe restrictions on their ability to access and use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits unless they meet certain conditions, such as working more than 20 hours per week or having young children. This barrier ignores older students who are juggling school, work, and family responsibilities.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found almost 60 percent of potentially eligible students were not enrolled in SNAP, highlighting how current eligibility requirements are leaving food-insecure students behind. The Student Food Security Act would support those students by expanding eligibility for SNAP, allowing students to use SNAP benefits at on-campus dining facilities, increasing outreach by federal and state agencies to food-insecure students, and establishing an annual grant program to aid colleges and universities in better identifying and serving students with food and housing needs.

Specifically, the Student Food Security Act would  increase the SNAP eligibility of low-income college students by expanding eligibility to students who qualify for work study, have a $0 Student Aid Index, meet the financial eligibility criteria for a maximum Pell Grant (even if they have not filed the FAFSA), or are an independent student whose household is otherwise eligible. This would make permanent an expansion of SNAP eligibility that was first enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In addition, it increases outreach to eligible students by directing the U.S. Department of Education to work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and other relevant agencies to notify students they may be eligible for benefits when they file their application for federal student aid.

 

In the wake of recent school shootings and threats of violence towards schools around the country, officials in Oregon are reminding parents and students about SafeOregon.

The website and app is managed by Oregon State Police with the sole purpose of allowing anonymous reporting of any threats or dangerous situations to proper officials. Reports that are filed are sent to proper school or law enforcement officials. 

The program recently came in handy on September 12 when a tip came in through the site about a “potential threat” towards Thurston High School in Springfield. In an email to parents, principal Kimberlee Pelster told parents that situation was resolved when the threat was deemed “not credible” after a law enforcement investigation.  

Director of Communications for Springfield Public Schools, Brian Richardson, said SafeOregon is a valuable tool that parents and students use multiple times a year in their district. 

In a press release, Oregon State Police said SafeOregon can also be used to report cyerbullying or friends and peers discussing harm or suicide. Fights can also be reporting through SafeOregon according to Richardson. Richardson said that as a school district, Springfield Public Schools is trying to make these reporting tools more accessible.

In December 2023, the school district added a prominent tab on their main home web page titled “Safety Concern.” The page gives families and students access to SafeOregon as well as another link to report instances of bullying.  Richardson said on top of these anonymous web tools, it is encouraged to speak face-to-face to trusted adults as well.

 

The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians are suing the federal government in an attempt to stop Oregon’s first-ever offshore wind energy auction scheduled to take place next month.

The lawsuit, filed late on Friday, challenges the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s environmental analysis and decision to proceed with the sale of leases for two offshore wind energy areas totaling nearly 195,000 acres, one near Coos Bay and the other near Brookings. It’s one of many legal challenges filed in recent years by local governments, fishing, environmental and other groups seeking to stop offshore wind surveying and construction on both the West and East coasts.

The agency finalized the lease sale and its provisions three weeks ago, announcing the auction will take place on Oct. 15. Four out-of-state companies and one Oregon-based developer are set to bid on the leases.

Oregon’s wind energy areas are within the confederated tribes’ ancestral territory. The tribes say they contain critical fish and marine wildlife habitat, viewsheds of significant cultural and historic significance and key tribal and commercial fishing grounds — all of which could be damaged by offshore wind, creating irreparable economic and cultural losses for the tribes.

 

Linn County, Ore. –Oregon State Police investigating officer involved shooting in Linn County.

On September 14, 2024, at approximately 12:42 a.m., Linn County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in rural Linn County, near Scio. Oregon State Police located the suspect vehicle on Shimanek Bridge Drive, off Richardson Gap Road. Upon arrival, troopers found the suspect armed and in the driver seat of the vehicle.

While officers were in contact with the suspect, the suspect discharged his firearm. The Linn County Regional SWAT Team, along with the Crisis Negotiation Team, were deployed to the scene. Officers spoke with the suspect on scene in an attempt to resolve the situation.

During the standoff with officers, the SWAT Team approached the suspect. The suspect pointed a firearm at officers and was shot. The 46-year-old suspect, identified as David Tobias Tyler, was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

The involved Benton County Sheriff’s deputy has been identified as Sergeant Daniel Ball (6 yrs.). No officers were injured during the incident.

The pedestrian was treated and released from the hospital. 

The Linn County Regional SWAT Team is a multi-agency unit consisting of personnel from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Albany Police Department, and Sweet Home Police Department. 

The Oregon State Police will be conducting the primary investigation in conjunction with the Linn County District Attorney’s Office. 

 

Thousands of Oregon workers returned to the office last year, according to new federal data, but the share of people working remotely at least part of the time remained more than twice as high as before the pandemic.

More than 360,000 Oregonians were working from home in 2023, nearly 18% of workers statewide. That’s according to newly released numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.  The only state with a higher share of remote workers than Oregon is Colorado, where nearly 20% of people are working from home.

The states with the smallest share of remote workers are Louisiana (8.1%) and Mississippi (6.4%).

Nationwide, about 14% of American workers are doing their jobs remotely, according to the annual survey, which asked whether people usually worked from home in the prior week.  Remote work spiked during the pandemic as offices closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It stuck around because employees discovered they liked the flexibility of being able to work from home and the convenience that came from skipping the daily commute to the office. Workers have been gradually returning to the workplace since 2021.

Big Oregon employers like Intel, Nike and the city of Portland have been encouraging — or requiring — their workers to spend more time in the office.

 

Copycat Threats to Oregon Schools

While an arrest was made of a former student at Henley High School in Klamath Falls last week, threatening a school principal, Central Point Oregon School District 6 says there is “no credible threat” to Crater High School after a TikTok post that threatened violence towards the school.

In a Facebook post, the school district said the post “referenced schools across the country as potential targets for violence.”  

When a concerned parent told the district about the TikTok post, the school district called the police, the post said.  “After a thorough investigation, it was confirmed that the individual responsible for these posts has been arrested in Nevada,” the post said.

“The post mentioned numerous schools across the nation, state and region including Crater High School, but there was no credible threat directed specifically at our school. 

The school district says they still increased patrols from local police today to give students and parents “an extra sense of security.” 

 

The Medford Police Department is alerting the public to a blackmail extortion scam that has emerged in the community.

Victims have reported receiving emails from individuals claiming to have personal, incriminating information and demanding payment via Bitcoin to prevent its release.  This is a scam. 

Medford Police say “We strongly advise the public not to pay the ransom. If payment is made, the scammer will likely continue to exploit the victim for more money. Instead, delete these emails like any other junk mail. If the emails persist, contact the Medford Police Department.  Online scam artists are continually evolving their tactics. To protect yourself:   Do not open emails from unknown senders.  Do not click on suspicious attachments.   Be cautious when interacting with unfamiliar individuals on social media.”

If you’ve received these emails, report them to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center:  www.ic3.gov.

 

Police are also warning of an increase in reports of a common scam. The scammer sends an email to the victim with their name in the subject line, their address and phone number.

An attached file includes personal information and a photo of their residence. They claim they will send compromising photos or information to everyone on their contact list if they’re not paid in a day.

Police say the extortion scam almost always goes nowhere. Attachments can contain malware and shouldn’t be opened. Police want anyone who lost money to the scam to report it.

 

TASK FORCE BUSTS PHOENIX BLACK-MARKET CANNABIS GROW CONNECTED TO ILLEGAL NORTHERN CALIFORNIA MARIJUANA OPERATION; CODE ENFORCEMENT ISSUES $26K IN FINES

Greenhouses

In the Rogue Valley, the Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) detectives served a search warrant this morning at a black-market cannabis grow in the 4000 block of Fern Valley Road in rural Phoenix.

IMET detectives seized approximately 6,054 illegal marijuana plants at the property in 20 greenhouses. During the initial investigation detectives learned the Phoenix property was connected to a black-market marijuana growing operation in Northern California. 

There was no licensing for any type of cannabis growing, handling, or processing at this location. IMET was assisted by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies, and Oregon State Police (OSP) detectives.

IMET arrested one suspect on the property and charges are being referred to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office for another suspect. The suspect arrested was Yuhua (AKA Shirley) Hong, 44, of Montague, Calif. She is charged with three felony counts including unlawful possession, distribution, and manufacture of a marijuana item.

During the search warrant, Jackson County Code Enforcement responded to the scene and issued a total of $26,000 in fines to the responsible party. Fines were for violations related to unpermitted construction, solid waste, and operating a marijuana production area in violation of land use approvals. The Oregon Water Resources Department Enforcement section also responded to investigate the water usage. Further charges for water violations may be added at a later time.

While regulatory agencies investigate permitted cannabis operations, IMET is focusing on the black-market marijuana trade in the Rogue Valley. IMET is a multi-agency task force funded by a grant from the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. The task force includes personnel from JCSO, Homeland Security Investigations, OSP, Medford Police Department, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s office.

Investigations are open and ongoing with detectives working additional leads. No further information is currently available for release.

 

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) wants you to leave your firewood at home in effort to avoid the spread of an invasive insect in state parks and protect ash trees in the state.   

According to OPRD, the emerald ash borer (EAB) has presented itself as of the most destructive forest pest in North America, killing hundred of millions of ash trees across the county and has been detected in four Oregon counties: Washington, Yamhill, Marion and Clackamas.

The department says the detection has prompted a permanent quarantine in those Oregon counties  The departments Natural Resource Coordinator and Ecologist Noel Bacheller says so far the EAB hasn’t been detected in Oregon State Parks, “[A]nd we would like to keep it that way for as long as possible.” 

OPRD says visitors should leave behind anyash, olive and white fringe tree firewood and materials at home and instead opt for certified heat-treated firewood or firewood.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

When Kayla Fossek walks through the grounds of the Pendleton Round-Up, wearing white leather chaps and a flower-covered cowboy hat, she’s hard to miss.

People often stop her to chat, take photos or simply share their congratulations. She is, after all, rodeo royalty. Fossek, 23, is this year’s Round-Up queen. A descendant of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Fossek is the first Native American to hold the title since 1953.

The Pendleton Round-Up has been held annually since 1910. Each September, the rodeo draws tens of thousands of visitors to a remote corner of Eastern Oregon. Fossek, a graduate of Pendleton High School, is now steeped in that culture.

At 16, she started working for Toni Minthorn, a professional horsewoman and coach of the Round-Up Court. A few years later, Fossek tried out to be a princess for Happy Canyon, the rodeo’s evening show. She was selected to the all-Native court after completing an interview and a riding test. In 2020, she was named a princess on the Round-Up Court, a position she held for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Becoming the Round-Up queen makes her the first person to have held all three titles.

Since being named queen last fall, Fossek and her princesses have traveled to events, rodeos and schools around the region, generating excitement for the Round-Up. They also have spent many hours practicing for the run-in: the thrilling moment when they sprint into the stadium on horseback and kick off the rodeo. Fossek rides Red, a dark sorrel gelding with a flaxen mane and tail.

The members of the Round-Up Court aren’t paid for their duties, though the rodeo covers their travel expenses and leatherwear.

 

An Oregonian just made his way to the International Space Station for the fourth time.

Silverton’s Don Pettit just arrived at the ISS Wednesday aboard a Soyuz Spacecraft which was also carrying two Russians. The rocket launched successfully from a facility in Kazakhstan and docked with the ISS after orbiting the Earth twice.

This is Pettit’s fourth trip to the space station, but his first in 12 years. His current trip is set to last for the next six months where he will be doing physics experiments among other duties.

 

The city of Ontario, Oregon, will celebrate its legacy this month as the birthplace of one of America’s greatest culinary creations: the tater tot.

In 1953, brothers F. Nephi and Golden Grigg created the very first tater tots in their Ore-Ida factory, located on Oregon’s border with Idaho. 

In honor of that history, the nonprofit Revitalize Ontario will hold a two-day event Sept. 20-21 celebrating the tot, including novel tater tot dishes, live music and a car show. The first festival in 2021 proved so popular, they actually ran out of tots. In subsequent years – with a steady tater tot supply thanks to sponsor and tater tot producer Simplot – the festival has grown to include a tater tot dish competition among the event’s food vendors.

 

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

 

 

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