Klamath County Commissioners file photoThe 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.

 

Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024

Klamath Basin Weather

 

Nighttime “Flashlight Tours” of the Baldwin Hotel Museum will be offered Friday and Saturday evenings from from Friday, Sept. 27, through the month of October.

The hour-long tours, which start at 7 p.m., cover portions of all four floors of the 119-year-old building that has been a public museum since 1978. Four spots can be reserved with a bank card for $10 per person by calling the Klamath County Museum at (541) 882-1000.

Food and drink are not allowed in the Baldwin, and no restrooms are available. Group sizes are limited to six persons. There is no elevator in the building.

Around the State of Oregon

Officials remind Oregonians that Fire Season  Is Still in Progress

We’re not out of the woods just yet… DON’T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN – Fire Season still in progress.

Many people let their guard down because fall has arrived. Major fires can get started in October and November. Fire season will not end until we really hit full speed on the cooler weather, rain, and snow coming to stay. Until then, be vigilant and do everything you can to prevent the spark that could be the next serious fire.

Please take precautions to avoid sparking a human-caused fire, be familiar with evacuation levels, and have a go-kit ready in case you need to leave your home.” — We’ve had an unprecedented fire season already. Don’t be that spark that could lead to a tragedy! Check Conditions

 

1 in 8 Oregonians Lives Below the Poverty Line

On the flip side of the coin is poverty and, in Oregon, one in eight people live below the federal poverty line.

Lehner says one fact that has stood out in recent years is ‘the number of Oregonians in deep poverty,’ some whose income ‘is less than half of the official poverty level.’ This translates to an annual revenue of $7,000 per person, or $15,000 for a family of four.

 

The poverty threshold set by the government is a yearly income of  $15,480 per person or $31,200 for a family of four.

While Oregon’s poverty threshold remains relatively steady, Lehner says there is an increase in people living in deep poverty.

 

Poverty Has Been Steadily Increasing Among Hispanic and Latino Residents

The biggest change in the racial poverty gap in recent years has been a steady increase in poverty among Hispanic and Latino residents. However, historically low poverty was recorded in 2023 among Black and American Indian population groups. Poverty among Oregon Blacks is close to 25%, more than double the statewide level.

Clackamas County has the lowest poverty rate in Oregon at 6.6%, while Multnomah County, the largest in the state, has the highest poverty level of 12.9% in the metro area. Although Crook County’s poverty is below 8%, it has one of the highest unemployment rates in Oregon.

Overall, the 2023 survey shows that Oregon household incomes are continuing to rise, although poverty rates among some groups, in some locales, are much higher than statewide. (SOURCE)

 

The North Bend Police Department in Coos County (NBPD) recently launched its new virtual policing platform, MyPDConnect, that’s designed to help citizens quickly and easily report certain crimes from the comfort of their computer or mobile device.

According to NBPD’s Police Chief Cal Mitts, MyPDConnect specializes in online reporting for property crimes like theft from vehicles, stolen bicycles, fraud or scams, damaged property, shoplifting, graffiti and more.

Chief Mitts says the app works across all devices and will automatically adjust to any screen size as well as allow users to upload photos and videos directly with their reports. It is hoped the system will help reduce hold times and will aid in law enforcement to focus on urgent needs in the community. Due to the budget shortfall and recent staffing shortages, Chief Mitts says the platform will help ease the jobs of dispatchers.

Another feature of the platform is its real-time heat map technology, which will track down criminal activity throughout North Bend and translates into languages provided by Google translate including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, and Korean and this will also allow the public to communicate with local officers directly.

Chief Mitts says that the public can scan a QR code that is available for quick access to the system from any mobile device and is accessible through the department’s website at northbendpd.mypdconnect.com.

 

Snap Benefits provided through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are set to increase this week.

The Cost of Living Adjustment impacts the maximum allotments for those who receive SNAP, commonly known as food stamps. The changes will take effect on Oct. 1 and last until Sept. 30, 2025. SNAP eligibility depends on household income and assets and is adjusted yearly.

 

Some 42.1 million people – roughly 12.6% of people in the U.S. – benefited from SNAP each month in 2023, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The average benefit was $211.93 per month. State-by-state participation rate ranges from a low of 4.6% in Utah to 23.1% in New Mexico.

 

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said last week he has joined U.S. Senate colleagues from both parties to introduce legislation that would  improve passenger vehicle safety by requiring the use of the most advanced testing devices available — including a female crash test dummy.

The bipartisan She Develops Regulations In Vehicle Equality and Safety Act would enhance passenger vehicle safety by updating U.S. crashworthiness testing procedures, Wyden said. U.S. crash testing standards rely on a crash test dummy representing a typical adult male. However, this decades-old model does not consider other characteristics such as gender, age, or disabilities. Research indicates women are more vulnerable than men to certain types of injuries in car crashes.

The bill was led by U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Nebr.). In addition to Wyden, the bill was cosponsored by Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and Susan Collins (R-Maine).

 

John Deere has recalled roughly 147,900 compact utility tractors because of a crash hazard. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says the front bell crank in the brake linkage can fail.

That can cause the tractor to lose braking, resulting in a crash hazard. The three tractor model versions under recall were sold with both opened and closed operator stations. Consumers should immediately stop using the tractors and contact an authorized John Deere dealer to set up an appointment to bring it in for a free repair. If unable to bring the tractor in, consumers can also arrange for a dealer repair at the owner’s home.

The CPSC says John Deere has received four reports of the brake linkage failing. That resulted in one hospitalization, two impact injuries, and minor property damage to the tractors. John Deere can be contacted by phone or online for specific product information. The company is also directly contacting all known buyers of the tractors.

 

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued penalties against 16 organizations across the state for environmental violations — and two of them are in Southern Oregon.

According to a news release from the DEQ, the department issued 16 penalties adding up to $445,620 in August.

“Alleged violations included a brewery failing to contain and cleanup building materials and cans from the Columbia River, a general contractor and disaster restoration business performing unlicensed asbestos abatement and a solid waste landfill that failed to manage leachate,” the release said.

According to the release, two organizations in Jackson County were included:Boise Cascade Wood Products in Medford was fined $10,200 for “air quality permitting” violations and Cascade Wood Products in White City was fined $6,906 for “wastewater” violations.

“Recipients of DEQ civil penalties must either pay the fines to the state treasury or file an appeal within 20 days of receiving notice of the penalty,” the release said. “…Penalties may also include orders requiring specific tasks to prevent ongoing violations or additional environmental harm.”

 

Jackson County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue rescued a lost hiker from Mount McLoughlin after he got lost on Saturday.

SAR said in a Facebook post it’s a good reminder to be prepared when taking longer, tougher hikes. The rescued man set out at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28. After he made it to the top, he began to return down the mountain but lost the trail. Around 5 p.m., the man texted his girlfriend asking for help. She called emergency services letting them know he needed help.

Search and Rescue were able to rescue him around 9:30 p.m. and get him to his car at 12:30 a.m.

In a Facebook post, Jackson County Search and Rescue Sergeant Sean Richards said it’s a good reminder to be extra prepared when climbing the mountain. Bring more water than necessary, bring layers of moisture wicking clothes, a rain shell and have a good map as the trail is hard to identify near the summit.

 

Oregon Health & Science University has filed with the state to become one public university health system as it acquires Legacy Health.

OHSU says it will result in shorter wait times for primary, specialty and hospital care. It will also increase access to preventative care, clinical trials and research. The Legacy Health Foundation will become an independent organization with a new name and board.

It will focus on promoting health equity and access in Oregon and southwest Washington.

 

The Portland Trail Blazers will honor basketball legend Bill Walton with a special band on their uniforms this season.

Walton passed away May 27th at the age of 71. The jersey band features a uniquely Walton tie-dye design with his “32” number in white.

The Blazers will hold Bill Walton Tribute Night on March 9th. Fans are encouraged to wear tie-dye and will receive a special tie-dye headband, in Walton’s classic style.

 

 

A Woodburn teenager was arrested for allegedly threatening on TikTok to shoot up a local school, police say.

TikTok, which allows users to post and share user-created videos, tipped off the FBI about a menacing post made on its platform about noon Friday, leading agents to trace the threat back to a Woodburn address, officials said in a news release Monday.

The department’s school resource officer and a FBI agent interviewed the 14-year-old boy and his parents, who allowed a search of the home for weapons. They didn’t find any.

Officers arrested the teen later that evening and took him to the Marion County Juvenile Detention center for booking on a single misdemeanor count of first-degree disorderly conduct.

 

Medford’s Outgoing Mail Handling Challenged By Oregon State Senators

Senators Challenge USPS Mail Handling As Unsatisfactory for residents

Demanding that Postmaster General Louis DeJoy reverse his position to relocate outgoing mail operations at the regional postal distribution center in Medford, U.S., Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley share the grave concerns of the residents of Southern Oregon that the consolidation of processes poses significant negative consequences for the efficiency of postal services and the community.

The Medford processing center has a crucial role- to ensure the mail of residents, businesses, and government agencies is delivered timeously.

The restructuring plan was labeled by DeJoy ‘Delivering for America’ but Merkley said a better name would be ‘Delaying Mail in America.’ He said despite USPS leadership claims that downgrades won’t slow deliveries, every delivery route will be slower when over 500 miles are added. Merkley says this is already happening in his home state.

Despite the downgrade of services, the USPS continues to raise prices. A single stamp costs 73 cents as of July 14. Merkley said while the USPS calls the new system ‘more efficient and cost-effective,’ he calls it ‘paying more and getting less.’ Rural communities are the most severely affected by the price hikes and delivery delays.

Merkley said DeJoy’s downgrades must be reversed now to restore reliable, affordable mail delivery. He suggests the ‘Delivering for America’ plan be returned to the sender.

The senators say the consolidation of the facility resulted in mail delivery delays, impacting essential services. They said the consolidation is felt by those who rely on prompt and reliable postal services, especially seniors, rural Oregonians, and small businesses in the region.

Highlighting that Oregon state votes entirely by mail, the senators expressed confidence a solution can be found that strengthens the Postal Service and serves the needs of local communities in Southern Oregon with thoughtful consideration. They do not see downgrading the Medford site as a solution.

 

OSP seizes almost half a million fentanyl-laced pills in Douglas County

An Oregon State Police trooper recently stopped 100 pounds of fentanyl-laced pills from making it to Portland. On Sept. 24, 2024, at about 1 p.m., an Oregon State Trooper stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation on Interstate 5 in Douglas County.

Upon contact with the operator of the silver Volkswagen SUV, the trooper suspected possible criminal activity and received consent to search the vehicle.

During the search, the trooper discovered and seized 100 pounds of fentanyl-laced pills – approximately 450,000 individual doses – from inside the vehicle. The suspect acknowledged the pills were destined for Portland.

Due to the large quantity of illegal substances seized, the suspect, Gustavo Alonso Franco Valenzuela (32) of Los Angeles (CA), was arrested and federally charged with delivery of a controlled substance.

The investigation is ongoing, and no additional information is available for release at this time.

 

Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team Issues Search Warrant on White Schoolhouse Rd in Cave Junction 

The Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) executed a search warrant in the 1000 block of White Schoolhouse Road, Cave Junction, regarding an illegal marijuana grow site.

The warrant was executed with the assistance of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) and Josephine County Public Health & Building Safety. The suspect in this case had an OLCC license for marijuana at the property in an attempt to shield themselves from law enforcement action against their illicit activity. Despite having a license for a small portion of the property, the suspect knowingly and willingly grew marijuana far outside the scope of which their license legally allowed.

During the execution of the warrant, approximately 200 pounds of processed marijuana and 400 marijuana plants were seized and destroyed.

The property also had multiple electrical, water, and solid waste code violations. These violations could result in the criminal forfeiture of the property.

While authorities were on scene, they identified Sharon Margulis as the primary suspect; he was not on scene during the time of the search. The above charges for Sharon have been forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office.

At the time of this press release the investigation is ongoing and no further details are being released.

 

Task Force Busts Remote Forest Black-Market Cannabis Grow; Investigators Find Water Theft, Guns, Chemicals, Poaching, Excessive Amounts of Trash; Code Enforcement Issues $25K in Fines to Landowners

JCSO Case 24-5111 — RURAL JACKSONVILLE, Ore. – Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) detectives served a search warrant the morning of Thursday, September 19, at a black-market cannabis grow in a heavily forested remote area on Yale Creek Road south of Jacksonville. The property was littered with piles of trash, broken down cars, tires, fertilizers, chemicals, and other environmental hazards. The grow was also illegally siphoning water from a nearby creek on National Forest land.

During the search warrant IMET detectives seized approximately 3,978 illegal marijuana plants, and six firearms. 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) and Josephine County Sheriff’s Office deputies, as well as Oregon State Police (OSP) detectives.

Two suspects were detained on scene and charges of felony marijuana manufacture and possession are being referred to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. Detectives also found evidence of suspected poaching on scene, which has been turned over to the OSP Fish & Wildlife division for potential prosecution.

During the search warrant, Jackson County Code Enforcement responded to the scene and issued a total of $25,000 in fines to two separate landowners. The fines were issued for violations related to unpermitted construction including an unpermitted dwelling, failure to obtain land use approval for marijuana production, utilizing a camping vehicle within a marijuana production area, and solid waste.

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.

 

A missing woman from McMinnville has been found dead in Douglas County.

According to the Myrtle Creek Police Department, an ODOT employee spotted a vehicle down a steep embankment along Highway 138 approximately 35 miles east of Glide last Wednesday morning.

Police identified the vehicle as belonging to 69-year-old Kathleen Wilson of McMinnville. She had been reported missing back on August 5. Pending official identification from the medical examiner, it is believed to be Wilson’s body that was found inside the vehicle.

The preliminary investigation indicates Wilson was driving eastbound on Highway 138 when for an unknown reason her vehicle traveled across the roadway and down the embankment on the opposite side of the highway.

Myrtle Point police were assisted by ODOT, OSP, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Forest Service.

 

SALEM, Ore. — A rulemaking hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. to gather public input on administrative rules clarifying definitions related to emergency fire and emergency fire costs. Public comment can be made by joining the Zoom meeting link.

See the notice of proposed rulemaking for draft rule language.

The proposed revisions clarify existing language and include recommendations made to the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) by Macias Gini & O’Connell LLP (MGO), an independent third-party contractor, that reviewed ODF’s financial practices. The proposed amended administrative rules ensure the true costs of wildland suppression costs are accurately accounted for, tracked, reported, and paid for at the statewide level.

Comments can also be sent to nancy.hirsch@odf.oregon.gov until 5 p.m. on Oct. 31. Please clarify which rule your comments pertain to in your email.

 

New data from Oregon Health Authority (OHA) estimates that 97 percent of Oregonians have health coverage, the highest recorded insured rate in state history.

Health insurance coverage numbers are sourced from OHA’s Oregon Health Insurance Survey (OHIS), which informs how many Oregonians are covered by health insurance statewide, and gathers information about medical bills, medical debt, and the ability to get healthcare.

The high insured rate comes from a multi-year state effort to help people obtain and keep coverage  Oregonians can apply for OHP, including OHP Bridge, at any time. For coverage through Oregon’s Health Insurance Marketplace, people can apply and enroll during open enrollment (Nov. 1 to Jan. 15) or within 60 days of a qualifying life alert.

A tool to locate health coverage programs and savings can be found at: OregonHealthCare.gov/WindowShop.

 

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is increasing its camping, parking and reservation fees to keep pace with the rising cost of utilities, operations and maintenance.

Most of the increases range from $2 to $5 depending on the fee. The park system has experienced record visitation as well as the impacts of rising costs and inflation.

Utility costs for example have increased by 28% over the last 4 years, but most fees have remained the same. Depending on the fee, the last increase was anywhere from seven to 15 years ago for base fees.

OPRD will increase its base camping fees for the first time since 2017. The increase applies to all camping reservations for 2025. Starting on October 15, 2024, all reservations made for 2025 stays will include the fee increase. OPRD has three main sources of funding: a little less than half comes from constitutionally dedicated lottery funds, about 15% comes from recreational vehicle license plate fees and roughly 35% comes from park fees from visitors. OPRD is not funded by taxes.

 

The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management says today it’s delaying an offshore wind energy auction.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) had planned the auction of potential lease areas for two offshore wind farms along the Oregon coast. BOEM says today the auction delay is, “due to insufficient bidder interest at this time.”

A coalition of Oregon Native American tribes filed a federal lawsuit this month challenging BOEM’s plan. On August 29, 2024, the Department of the Interior announced the Final Sale Notice (FSN) for offshore wind leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore Oregon following engagement through the Oregon Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force, including coordination with the State of Oregon on advancing opportunities for leasing that would precede a multi-year process for site assessments and subsequent review of any specific project plans if submitted.

The FSN set an auction date for October 15, 2024, and included two lease areas offshore Oregon and identified the five companies qualified to participate in the sale. Following issuance of the FSN, BOEM received bidding interest from one of the five qualified companies.

The two areas along Oregon’s coast from BOEM’s proposal would put windmills on the water about 30 miles out from Coos Bay and about 18 miles from shore west of Brookings on more than 130,000 surface acres of Pacific Ocean.

 

Local Mt. Bachelor, Oregon Buyer Group Launches New Website

Mount Bachelor Community Inc.—the local group seeking to purchase Mount Bachelor after the resort was put up for sale by its current owners POWDR Corporation—has launched a website.

The site is divided into three main groups, each detailing aspects of Mount Bachelor Community Inc .

The ‘Contribute’ tab provides several channels for those interested in getting involved with the project, whether that’s volunteering or donating (“We’ll soon be launching a GoFundMe campaign to support our effort to purchase Mount Bachelor as a community,” the site reads). One field allows web visitors to share their personal Mount Bachelor story.

Another tab details investment opportunities with Mount Bachelor Community Inc. and covers two investor types: accredited investors and community contributions.

The final tab provides further details about Mount Bachelor Community Inc.’s mission, which, according to the website, is “to own and manage Mt. Bachelor with a focus on environmental care, supporting mountain enthusiasts, and reinvesting profits to boost the local economy.” Mount Bachelor Community Inc. aims to achieve B Corp status, a designation offered by B Lab, a non-profit that recognizes companies for their commitment to various social and environmental criteria. Notable outdoor industry B Corps include Patagonia and Taos Ski Valley.

The push for community ownership, helmed by Chris Porter and Dan Cochrane, is holding a kickoff event on October 12th. More details about the event are forthcoming.

“It’s been an overwhelming amount of support from people who want to donate their time, donate their money, invest, just pledge their support, or be involved,” Porter told POWDER last week, describing the community response to he and Cochrane’s effort. “So many people have reached out to us.”

Further information about the status of the Mt. Bachelor sale isn’t known. POWDR Corp. noted that they’ve received interest in the resort, but hasn’t named any specific parties. The sale doesn’t have a timeline and will “take as long as it takes,” according to Stacey Hutchinson, POWDR Corp.’s vice president of communications and government affairs.

POWDR Corp.’s latest planned sale—Killington, Vermont—will result in local passholder ownership, but that exchange may not have any bearing on what the company intends to do with Mt. Bachelor. In the meantime, Porter and Cochrane are committed to returning Mt. Bachelor to local skiers and snowboarders.

“We’ve really caught lightning in a bottle here,” said Porter.

To check out the website and learn more about the project, click here. — (SOURCE)

 

 

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