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Klamath Falls
November 3, 2024

Klamath Basin News, Tuesday, 10/15/24 – Today is Deadline To Register To Vote in Oregon; $300 mil lawsuit against Asante Grows; Jim Snook Memorial Art Show Begins Oct 19 at Two Rivers Art Gallery; Possible Snow on Thursday

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 them at 541-882-6476.

 

Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024

Klamath Basin Weather

Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Calm winds becoming southwest 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. Overnight, rain likely at times with a low around 46.  Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday
Rain likely, mainly before 10am. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Westerly winds 8-13 mph and gusty at times to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Overnight, a 20% of rain, snow level at 7300 feet lowering to 5100 feet. Low near 35. 
Thursday
A chance of rain and snow before 11am, then rain likely. Snow level 4600 feet rising to 5100 feet in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Friday
Widespread frost, mainly before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 56.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 66.
Sunday
A slight chance of rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.

Today’s Klamath Falls Headlines

Today (Tuesday) is the deadline for Oregonians to register for the General Election.

Residents of the state can register online at oregon votes dot gov, OregonVotes.gov. You can also print a voter registration form and mail it to a county elections office.

If you’re already registered to vote, you can go to the Oregon Secretary of State’s website to check your information and make any updates if you moved or changed your name. Ballots are beginning to show up in the mail this week.

 

The Klamath Falls Police Department has received several complaints regarding an individual calling and posing as a police officer with the Klamath Falls City Police Department.

This individual is advising he has arrest warrants and is requesting payment through Venmo. At no time will an officer ask for any type of payment over the phone or in person.

The phone number consistently used in each complaint is 541-287-6243, and the name provided each time is Officer Justin Ferrel.

This person is not employed by the City of Klamath Falls and the number is not associated with the Klamath Falls Police Department.

If you receive a call of this nature, please report the incident to the Klamath Falls Police Department at 541-883-5336 during normal business hours or you can call the 911 non-emergency number at 541-884-4876.

 

Yesterday was Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a holiday celebrated in 19 states and Washington, D.C., as an alternative to Columbus Day. It was commemorated by President Biden in 2021.

In Oregon, however, the day was first proclaimed in 2017 thanks in part to the Klamath Tribes Youth Council. Shayla Ochoa of the Klamath Tribes said they “wanted to put our perspective out there, not just Columbus’.

Ochoa was only 13 and in the 8th grade at the time when she was a part of the first-ever Klamath Tribes Youth Council that made the trip to Salem in 2017 to speak with Gov. Kate Brown and other state representatives advocating for the change from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day.

Now a student at Klamath Community College, Ochoa said she felt heard. Governor Brown later that month signed a proclamation declaring Oct. 9 Indigenous Peoples Day in 2017 thanks to the efforts of the Klamath Tribes Youth Council.

Columbus is honored across the United States as being the first European to discover the Americas in 1492, and his arrival on Oct. 12 has been celebrated dating back to the 1800s. It was first recognized by the federal government as an annual holiday in 1937.

Critics of Columbus argue he enslaved and murdered many native peoples as he conquered and settled the Caribbean. According to House Bill 2526, the measure calling for the second Monday of October to be known as Indigenous Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day, was introduced in 2021 and sponsored by Rep. Tawna Sanchez.

The bill described Columbus’ voyage to the Americas as “opening the door to heinous crimes against humanity, including but not limited to the introduction of transatlantic slavery and genocidal acts against Indigenous people who were promised security and protection, but instead were forcibly relocated and their land seized to allow for settlements”. The bill garnered support during the 81st Oregon Legislative Session and was passed by a 22-7 vote in the state senate and 50-4 in the house, making Oregon the 11th state to officially recognize the holiday.

 

Klamath County Fire District 1 Board of Directors Regular Meeting Agenda
4:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at Central Fire Station, 143 N. Broad Street, Klamath Falls, OR 97601

Virtual Attendance Information: Please register to join the meeting from a computer, tablet or smartphone
by contacting our administrative office at 541-885-2056 by Monday, October 14, 2024.

 

Klamath County Public Works Department  road work projects this week OF OCTOBER 14, 2024

Klamath County will have work crews at the following locations. Please use caution when in

these areas and watch for flaggers. If you are able to avoid the work zones, please use an
alternate route for your safety and the safety of Klamath County employees and our contractors.

Patterson Street – Sidewalk Repairs
Expect daytime travel lane closures with Flaggers

Arthur Street (between Shasta Way and S. 6th St) – Waterline Replacement
Expect daytime travel lane closures with Flaggers

Utility Work with Intermittent Shoulder Closure
Old Fort Road – End of Pavement to ¾ mile north

In general, flagging stations will be set up at the end of the work zone and delays will be 0 to 20
minutes for the motoring public. Our goal is to minimize the delay to the motoring public. Other
minor work is occurring through the County but we are only listing the major items in this
announcement. There may be adjustments of work schedules due to weather or other items
outside of the County’s control (breakdown of equipment, material/resource availability, etc.)
Please do not contact the County if you do not see work occurring, it could be finished already
or will be rescheduled.

Klamath County Public Works and the Board of County Commissioners appreciate the motoring
publics’ patience during the repair season for our local roads and bridges. If you have any
questions regarding work, please contact the Public Works Department at (541) 883-4696.

 

BLM Fall Prescribed Burning Starts Today

Fuels specialists begin ignitions today, October 15, if conditions are favorable.  The Klamath Falls Field Office hopes to accomplish up to 750 acres of pile burning.

Ignitions are expected to continue over the next several months as weather conditions allow.

Prescribed burn projects are planned throughout the region. Prescribed burning reduces hazardous fuels which can burn during wildfires. The piles are concentrations of leftover materials from previous thinning projects. Where possible, material was first offered for firewood, commercial sale, or biomass use. Some material was also scattered to rehabilitate sites and close user-created routes. Each project can take several days or several weeks to complete, depending on the size.

Crews will move between each project area based on site-specific weather. Main roads within the project areas will be signed to inform residents and the public of planned prescribed fire activity. No road closures or delays are expected.

All prescribed burning is highly dependent on favorable temperature, moisture, and wind conditions. Each of these prescribed burns will only be implemented if the conditions are right to meet the objectives of the burn. All prescribed burn areas will be patrolled during and following ignitions. Prescribed burns are completed in cooperation with the Oregon Department of Forestry smoke management plan.

Piles may smolder, burn, and produce smoke for several days after ignition. Efforts will be made to minimize smoke impacts to nearby communities. 

For more information on prescribed burning or for information specific to the BLM Klamath Falls Field Office, call 541-883-6916.

 

The Two Rivers Art Gallery and Gift Shop is honored to be chosen by the family of the late Jim Snook to sell the remaining work of this beloved Pacific Northwest Cartoonist/Artist.

Jim passed away in 2021 after a long, successful life touring North America and Europe, selling his creations in Shows and Fairs. His hilarious cartoons conveyed a family life well lived outdoors, portraying his experiences of hunting, fishing, and RVing as dominant themes. His snarky animals added their perspective on the human condition with side comments and sneaky actions.

You may not know his name, but you likely know his work from seeing it on someone’s wall, evoking nostalgia and connection.

Jim knew he was an artist from childhood. He served in the Air Force, earned a degree in Art Education, and spent many years teaching Art at Eagle Point High School in Oregon. As his cartoons grew in demand, he left teaching to pursue his heart’s desire. Along with his wife as his business manager, they built his career while raising a creative, loving family in Rocky Point, Oregon, where much of the family still resides. It was their home for 40 years of a 66-year marriage.

The Two Rivers Art Gallery is a nonprofit, all-volunteer artist cooperative that echoes their same family values as expressed in our motto “for the love of Art and Artists.” Members’ work shown there is a celebration of individual creativity and community spirit.

Who better to share his legacy? Beginning October 19, there will be a featured Jim Snook Memorial Art Show with family memories shown among his highquality prints, cards, and posters for sale.

At the show’s close, a “Snooks Corner,” sales will continue until all inventory is gone. Sales will be first come, first served, emphasizing the limited availability of these unique pieces. Some prints will have added cost because they are rare now, and a few are hand-signed. Because Jim’s Fine Art Prints are not duplicatable at the affordable prices they have long been sold for, his Estate has expressed no plans to create new re-prints. Some original ink drawings may be parted with in the future for serious fans and collectors.

The family and Two Rivers Art Gallery will provide authentication of all works, ensuring you are taking home a truly unique piece of art. Some posters and prints can be ordered on his website at jimsnookstudio.com. Items may also be ordered through the Gallery by phone at 541-783-3326, but we encourage you to come in and visit!  Some samples of his fun here…

The wonderful detail and quality of Jim’s Art are best seen in person! We are located in the Chiloquin Community Center at 140 South First Avenue, Chiloquin, OR, downtown. The gallery is about a 35-minute drive from Crater Lake National Park! Check out our website at 2riversartgallery.com.

The Klamath County Veterans Service Office will accept nominations for Klamath County’s Oldest Living Veteran.

The Nomination form will be open through October 31, 2024.  To nominate a veteran stop by the Veterans Service Office, 3328 Vandenberg Rd. or call 541-883-4274.

The chosen Veteran will be honored on Monday, November 11, 2024 during the Veteran’s Day Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park.

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

Two parents were arrested in Medford last week after police found their newborn son with severe health problems due to fentanyl withdrawal. 

According to police records, the couple — Mitra Osho Orescan and Samantha Michelle Davis — were arrested on Oct. 7 after Davis’s sister called in a tip. 

“All 3 of Davis’ other children (only 1 of the 3 fathered by Orescan) have been removed from her care due to being born fentanyl addicted,” the arresting officer, Carson Chapman, wrote in the police report.

“This information was provided to me by Davis’ sister… who has custody of the other 3 children.” 

Police were able to obtain a search warrant at the couple’s house in Medford, the report said, where they found a four-pound infant in desperate need of medical attention. They also found “drug paraphernalia,” including a bag of fentanyl next to the child’s pacifier. 

The child was immediately transported to Asante Rogue Regional Hospital, the report said, and released from the couple’s custody. 

“[The child] was gray in color and extremely malnourished. He had severe thrush in his mouth, a severe festering diaper rash, and an infection to his thumb and eyes… all of which was known by Orescan and Davis,” the report said.

“Both parents told me [the child] was not eating properly but they continued to deny getting him medical aid.” 

Davis told police that the child was born on Sept. 25, making him 13 days old at the time of the arrest. Orescan claimed he was born on Sept. 29 or Sept. 30.  The child weighed only four pounds, five ounces, and Davis said that she gave birth to him at home because she was worried the Department of Human Services would get involved. 

“Davis told me that she didn’t take [the child] there because the day he was born she used meth she knew was laced with fentanyl,” the report said.

“She told me she knew [the child] would have fentanyl and meth in his system and knew her other children were taken from her for that reason, so she didn’t want this to happen to him too.” 

She didn’t take the child to the hospital for his symptoms for the same reason, the report said. 

 

 

LINN COUNTY, Ore. 11 Oct. 2024 – An Oregon State Police K-9 team seized a large quantity of crystal methamphetamine earlier this week.

On Oct. 8, 2024, at about 5:00 p.m., an Oregon State Trooper stopped a vehicle on Interstate 5 in Linn County for a traffic violation. During the stop, the trooper recognized signs of possible drug trafficking and deployed his drug detection K-9.

A search of the vehicle revealed 40 pounds of crystal methamphetamine in the trunk.

The driver, Sheyla Jesmely Serrano Lopez (27) of Shafter (CA), was arrested and lodged in jail.

No additional information is available for release at this time.

 

A $300 million lawsuit against Medford-based Asante is growing.

More clients are signing on and as a result the suit has grown to $340 million. The medical malpractice and wrongful death lawsuit was field by Medford-based law firm Shlesinger & deVilleneuve on behalf of both patients who survived and those who passed away.

At least one of those patients was a Klamath Falls resident.

The law firm says there are 20 victims involved in the suit. It’s still evaluating whether to include about a dozen additional potential cases in the suit. The lawsuit alleges Asante didn’t follow safety protocols and prevent a nurse from replacing fentanyl, meant for patients, with tap water.

Former Asante nurse, Dani Marie Schofield, is now facing 44 counts of second-degree assault in connection with the alleged drug diversion case at Asante’s Rogue Regional Medical Center.

According to Medford Police, Schofield diverted patients’ liquid fentanyl for her personal use and replaced it with tap water causing serious infections. After her arrest this summer, Schofield is out on bail and awaiting trial in the criminal case. Two other civil lawsuits were filed against Asante earlier this year.

 

Last week, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office initiated a death investigation east of Highway 97 north of State Recreation Road in a wooded area, after suspected human remains were located north of La Pine.

Together with the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office, and Oregon State Police Forensic Unit, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Unit was able to positively identify the deceased subject as Daniel Richard Phillips, according to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s office.

Phillips, 44, of Oregon City, had been missing for 15 months from the Crescent area. Crescent is in northern Klamath County. Currently, based on the evidence and investigation thus far, foul play is not suspected. The investigation is ongoing.

 

Some local Costco shoppers have gotten a recall alert.

Several people got a phone call and email after they purchased frozen taquitos that have been recalled over a potential listeria exposure.

Certain batches of Ruiz Foods brand El Monterey Mexican Grill Chicken and Cheese Taquitos have been recalled due to the chicken inside. The chicken is produced by BrucePac in Durant, Oklahoma.

The USDA says that the facility has had a possible listeria contamination. The affected taquitos were sold at Costco between July 25 and October 11 of this year. All impacted batch numbers are posted on the El Monterey website. The company also urges anyone who purchased taquitos under the impacted batch numbers not to eat them. Shoppers can return the recalled taquitos to Costco for a full refund.

 

The state has received about a dozen complaints against Oregon Department of Forestry leaders this year, with some employees alleging a hostile culture toward women, a lack of diversity and a fear of retaliation.

The complaints include one from Brenda McComb, vice chair of the Oregon Board of Forestry, who told state officials that she had seen little evidence that the Forestry Department had advanced “diversity representation” among its workforce or advisory committees.

She said the state forester seemed to have made no progress implementing a “draft diversity plan.” The state released the complaints in response to an Oregonian/OregonLive public records request. The agency redacted some of the names of the employees who filed the complaints.

 

The family of a Warm Springs teen says he was shot near Government Camp last week, while trying to escape a dangerous situation at home.

According to a GoFundMe page created by a family member, Yisidro Greene was riding in a truck with his grandfather and a friend to Lincoln City, where he planned to move in with a family member.

They were on Highway 26 when another car stopped in front of them. A person got out and fired multiple shots at their vehicle, striking Greene in the arm; the bullet then traveled to his chest.

They believe the shooters were targeting Greene’s mother, who owned the truck and was involved in criminal activity. He was flown to a Portland hospital where he is still receiving treatment.  State Police confirm there was a shooting at about 6 p.m. Thursday near Government Camp but wouldn’t release any other details, citing the ongoing investigation.

 

Portland Police reinstated the Rapid Response Team over the summer, and it’s now preparing for potential unrest related to Election Day.

More than 50 officers took part in their last training before November fifth, practicing with new shields that are fireproof and impact resistant. “We are looking at integrating public order shields into this team’s capabilities, as an additional way to de-escalate,” says Commander Franz Schoening, “When we encounter folks out there who want to engage in conflict during disorder, the shields are hopefully going to be one more tool to allow us to de-escalate that conflict.”

Other tools are also available, depending on what they encounter, “Officers are equipped with internal, basically blunt armor, they wear under their uniforms to protect them from thrown projectiles or blunt objects. They have helmets, hearing protection, gas masks, all of that is the same as it was in 2020.”

Schoening says the Rapid Response Team has met monthly since June, “That training has really been pretty introductory training. So, part of it is as simple as getting familiar with the equipment they’re going to be wearing- the protective equipment they’ll be wearing, how to gather together in formations.

There’s been a lot of legal and policy-based training because there’s been a lot of changes to state law.”

The Shoe Fire burning in Shasta County has grown to 1,853 acres. It is still 0% contained. The fire is burning on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest northeast of Shasta Lake.

According to InciWeb, several structures, campgrounds, and power infrastructures are threatened. Currently firefighters have limited access to the perimeter of the fire because of snags.

The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office has issued a mandatory evacuation in zone LKH-1448-B. More information on evacuations can be found on Genasys Protect.

Road closures include the westbound side of Fenders Ferry Road at the Pit River 7 Bridge and the eastside of Fenders Ferry Road at McCloud River Bridge.

 

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing a new management plan for the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument.

The monument spans across around 113,500 acres of protected land in Southcentral Oregon and Northern California. It’s currently managed under three separate management plans, but with the draft plan, management of the monument will be more consistent.

A 30-day protest period for the proposed resource management plan begins October 11, ending November 12.

BLM Oregon/Washington State Director Barry Bushue says this plan is a combined effort of communities, tribes, local governments and other partners. BLM held public meetings for a draft plan back in May.

 

Lake County, Ore 11 Oct 24- On Friday, October 11, 2024, at 5:35 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a fatal single vehicle crash on Hwy 395E, near milepost 148, in Lake County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a northbound Honda motorcycle, operated by Tyler June Rich (39) of Lakeview, failed to negotiate a corner, left the roadway, and crashed.

The operator of the Honda (Rich) was seriously injured and transported to an area hospital.

A passenger on the Honda, Deanna Lee Rosecrans (39) of Lakeview, was declared deceased at the scene.

The highway was impacted for approximately 4.5 hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is under investigation. 

OSP was assisted by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Modoc County Sheriff’s Office, Thomas Creek Westside Fire Department, Lakeview EMS, and ODOT.

 

Oregon Aging and People with Disabilities offers free help for Medicare Open Enrollment

(Salem) — Medicare Open Enrollment for the 2025 plan year begins Oct. 15 and remains open through Dec. 7, 2024. Medicare beneficiaries seeking to compare or change their existing Medicare plan can receive free help from the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS). 

During the Medicare Open Enrollment period, people with Medicare can make changes to their health plan or prescription drug plan, pick a Medicare Advantage plan or choose Original Medicare. The ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities’ (APD) Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program is available to help Oregonians understand their Medicare options and benefits, provide enrollment guidance and help people detect and avoid Medicare scams. Additionally, there are some key changes coming to Medicare in 2025 that APD’s SHIBA program counselors can assist people in understanding including:

  • The new Manufacturer Discount Program which addresses the coverage gap, also known as the “donut hole;”
  • The lower maximum to pay for covered drugs. The maximum amount for 2025 will be $2,000;
  • Coverage for weight loss drugs when doctors prescribe them for people who meet certain conditions;
  • Expanded coverage for family caregiver services through the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) model; and
  • Increased access to mental health services by allowing more providers to bill Medicare for services.

“Our APD SHIBA team is devoted to helping people prepare for open enrollment and understand changes,” said Jane-ellen Weidanz, who oversees SHIBA as APD Deputy Director of Policy.

Oregonians who need help navigating Medicare open enrollment are encouraged to call SHIBA at 800-722-4134 (toll-free) or learn more by visiting the SHIBA website at SHIBA.Oregon.gov. The 2025 Oregon Guide to Medicare Insurance Plans will be available on the SHIBA website in the coming days and will be translated to multiple languages.

SHIBA certified counselors can also help people report scams to Medicare and educate people on how to avoid Medicare scams or fraud. According to the Senior Medicare Patrol, common scams include promising free durable medical equipment, such as knee braces and catheters, or offers of free genetic testing. The ultimate goal for the scammer is to get the beneficiary’s Medicare number to commit Medicare billing fraud. “SHIBA counselors are committed to ensuring Oregonians have the information they need to avoid becoming victims of fraud and report scams or suspected Medicare fraud,” said APD Director Dr. Nakeshia Knight-Coyle.

Help from SHIBA is available over the phone and through virtual and in-person appointments. Because high call volume during Open Enrollment may result in longer than usual wait times, Oregonians are also encouraged to access free resources on the SHIBA website such as Medicare frequently asked questions, an agent locator tool, a list of free virtual and in-person Medicare presentations and videos to help people understand their Medicare options. People who need Medicare help in a language other than English, including sign language, can call 833-685-0841 or send an email to odhs.languageaccess@odhsoha.oregon.gov; after placing a request, a translator will reach out in the requestor’s preferred language to provide assistance in communicating with SHIBA.

About the Oregon Department of Human Services

The mission of the Oregon Department of Human Services is to help Oregonians in their own communities achieve wellbeing and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice and preserve dignity.

About the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance program

The Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program is part of the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities. It is a statewide network of certified counselors volunteering in their community to help all Oregonians make educated Medicare decisions. SHIBA offers free, objective, confidential and local one-on-one health insurance counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families. 

Great Oregon Shakeout is October 17th

Governor Tina Kotek and the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) staff invite all Oregonians to join the statewide and national earthquake drill, OEM shared in a press release on Thursday. This drill will simulate the response to an earthquake with the “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” method for 60 seconds.

The Great Oregon ShakeOut is part of a global earthquake drill taking place at 10:21 a.m. on Thursday, October 17, which will involve more than 500,000 Oregonians, including individuals, families, schools, and businesses. Participants pledge to drop, cover, and hold on, wherever they are and whatever they’re doing. Learn more about the Great Oregon ShakeOut and register to participate by visiting ShakeOut.org/Oregon.

 

The value of Oregon’s agricultural products soared 35% in five years ending in 2022, a big jump that highlights farms’ economic role in just about every county in the state.

In 2022, according to results, Oregon produced nearly $6.8 billion of nursery plants, beef, hay, berries, potatoes, beans, milk, eggs and Christmas trees, among other products.

That’s according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest census of the nation’s agricultural output, conducted every five years. Farms operate in all corners of the state. The biggest output is concentrated in the upper Willamette Valley and northeast Oregon. Plants, trees, shrubs, flowers and grass are Oregon’s most valuable farm products, the census found. They’re grown most in the damp, fertile soil of Marion and Clackamas counties.

Marion County’s farm products had the most market value of any county in the state, $874 million — about 13% of Oregon’s total. Cattle are Oregon’s second-most valuable agricultural good. The state’s cattle trade is concentrated in Morrow County, whose farm products are just behind Marion County’s in terms of total market value. Oregon farming is far less important to the state’s economy than it was 50 years ago, when agricultural accounted for about 1 in every 18 jobs. But Oregon’s economy is about twice as dependent on farming as the average state’s.

 

Oregon Housing and Community Services’ Homeowner Assistance Fund accepting final applications online

—Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is reopening the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) online application portal to accept final applications directly from homeowners. Applications must be submitted by Oct. 31, 2024. New applications will be put on a waitlist and prioritized for homeowners most at risk of foreclosure or loss.

Homeowners can now review application criteria and apply directly online using a link on the HAF website: oregonhomeownerassistance.org. If homeowners need or would like assistance with an application, they can contact a HAF intake partner. A list of intake partners can be found at https://www.oregon.gov/ohcs/homeownership/Pages/Homeownership-Assistance-Fund.aspx.

“OHCS is reopening the online application portal through Oct. 31, 2024, to ensure we help as many Oregon families as possible,” said Ryan Vanden Brink, assistant director of Homeowner Assistance Programs. “With our average award of $26,500, we can assist approximately 250 additional households. Any further applications will be placed on a waitlist pending the availability of funds.”

HAF offers federal temporary COVID-19 pandemic relief to help homeowners who experienced financial hardship due to the pandemic. HAF can help homeowners become current on their mortgages, county taxes, homeowners’ (HOA) or condo associations, land sale contracts, secured manufactured home or floating home loans, and lot rent or moorage fees associated with homeowners in manufactured home parks or marinas. Financial hardship includes a reduction in income or an increase in housing costs resulting from the pandemic.

Homeowners are eligible to apply if they meet the program’s general eligibility criteria and are facing foreclosure, involved in a court case that threatens their home, in property tax foreclosure, in collections with their HOA, or in other high-risk situations identified by a housing counselor. Homeowners in foreclosure may have already received outreach letters from OHCS or their county assessor.

OHCS will make its final HAF payments in February 2025, limiting total assistance available to new applicants.OHCS encourages homeowners to explore all other options with their servicer or a housing counselor before applying for HAF. Applying for HAF does not guarantee approval or that a foreclosure will be postponed. HAF is administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury.

 

 

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.

 

The cost of camping is going up in Oregon.   The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is implementing fee increases for camping, parking, and reservations, effective October 15, 2024.

 

This marks the first hike in base camping fees since 2017, driven by rising operational costs, including a 28% increase in utility expenses over the past four years. The fee adjustments will see increases ranging from $2 to $5, depending on the site type: a $2 increase for miscellaneous sites, $3 for tent sites, $4 for RV sites, and $5 for cabins and yurts.

 

Additionally, starting January 1, 2025, the reservation fee will rise from $8 to $10, and daily parking permits will double from $5 to $10 at 25 parks. Beginning July 1, 2025, the 25% out-of-state surcharge for RV campsites will be expanded to all site types for out-of-state visitors.

 

OPRD relies primarily on lottery funds and park fees for its budget, emphasizing the need for sustainable funding to maintain its facilities. To further engage the public, OPRD will open comments next month on a proposal to adjust day-use parking fees across more parks, allowing the director to waive charges as necessary.

 

 

CROOK COUNTY, Ore. 14 Oct. 2024 – Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife is investigating the unlawful take and waste of a yearling buck deer in the Grizzly Wildlife Management Unit.  

On October 11, 2024, Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife troopers from Prineville responded to a report of a deer which had been shot. The incident was reported to have occurred Thursday, October 10, at about 10:30 p.m. and occurred on McKay Creek Road/USFS 27 Road near the USFS 33 Road junction north of Prineville. The deer was shot multiple times with a 9mm. The suspect vehicle is believed to be a Chevy S10 or similar small pick-up truck.

The Fish and Wildlife Division is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the person(s) responsible for killing the yearling buck deer. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sr. Trooper Tayler Jerome via the TIP hotline at 1-800-452-7888, email TIP@osp.oregon.gov, or contact OSP dispatch at *OSP (*677).

Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators 

The Turn In Poachers (TIP) program is a collaboration among the Oregon State Police, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Wildlife Coalition, Oregon Outfitter and Guides Association, and the Oregon State Marine Board.

The TIP program offers preference point rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuing a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of big game mammals.

Preference Point Rewards
5 Points: Bighorn Sheep
5 Points: Rocky Mountain Goat
5 Points: Moose
5 Points: Wolf
4 Points: Elk
4 Points: Deer
4 Points: Pronghorn Antelope
4 Points: Bear
4 Points: Cougar

The TIP program also offers cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of the following fish and wildlife species. Cash rewards can also be awarded for habitat destruction, illegally obtaining hunting or angling licenses or tags, lending or borrowing big game tags, spotlighting, or snagging.

Cash Rewards

Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) cash rewards:
$2,000 Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, or Moose
$1,000 Elk, Deer, or Antelope
$600 Bear, Cougar, or Wolf
$300 Habitat destruction
$200 Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags
$200 Unlawful lending/borrowing big game tag(s)
$200 Game Fish & Shellfish
$200 Game Birds or Furbearers
$200 Spotlighting
$200 Snagging/Attempt to Snag

Oregon Wildlife Coalition (OWC) Cash Rewards:
$500 Hawk, Falcon, Eagle, Owl, Osprey
$500 Cougar, Bobcat, Beaver (public lands only), Black bears, Bighorn Sheep, Marten, Fisher, Sierra Nevada Red Fox
$1,000 Species listed as “threatened” or “endangered” under state or federal Endangered Species Act (excludes fish)

Oregon Outfitters & Guides Association (OOGA) Cash Rewards:
$200 Acting as an Outfitter Guide for the Illegal Killing of Wildlife, Illegally Obtaining Oregon Hunting or Angling Licenses or Tags, or Illegally Offering to Act as an Outfitter Guide as defined in ORS 704.010 and 704.020.

How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity: 
TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or *OSP (*677)
TIP email: TIP@osp.oregon.gov (monitored Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
For more information visit: www.oregon.gov/osp/programs/fw/Pages/tip.aspx

 

The Pacific Northwest is, probably, headed into a La Niña winter this year, which isn’t exactly a shock.

While last winter had a strong El Niño pattern, La Niña is quite common. While the latest update on winter outlook and the chances of La Niña doesn’t come out until next week, NOAA currently suggests there is a 60% chance of another La Niña this winter.

Right now, the NOAA outlooks published in September show a more than 33% chance that the northern edge of Oregon will have below-average temperatures from December through February and a more than 33% chance that a good portion of the state will have more precipitation than average. A more up-to-date outlook is expected next week, but the chance for a La Niña winter is likely to hold.

The La Niña this winter is expected to be weak. According to Larry O’Neill, Oregon’s state climatologist, since 1950 nine out of 15 weak La Niñas have been cooler than normal and only seven out of 15 had more precipitation than normal.

 

The Crater Lake newt, found only in the waters of Crater Lake, might be warranted for listing under the Endangered Species Act.

Something new from Oregon environmentalists in our state.

In a news release, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the completion of a 90-day finding on a petition to list the Crater Lake newt under the ESA. 

“The Fish and Wildlife Service’s review found the petition presented credible information indicating listing as the newt threatened or endangered may be warranted, and in-depth status reviews will be initiated,” according to the release.

Populations of the Crater Lake newt, also known as Mazama newt, have sharply declined in recent years because of signal crayfish, which feed on the newts, along with warming lake temperatures from climate changes.

The Crater Lake newt is described as a distinct darker-colored subspecies of the rough-skinned newt that is widely distributed throughout the Pacific Northwest.

The petition included credible information that habitat and food web alteration by signal crayfish, climate change, reduced effective population size, and range restriction, may be threats to the newt. A substantial 90-day finding is the first step in the petition process and does not indicate the species will be listed as threatened or endangered. The finding indicates only that an in-depth review is warranted and that a full status review should occur.

Crater Lake newts are a characterized by unusually dark ventral pigmentation that, according to genetic analyses, are “morphologically and physiologically distinct from populations of newts outside of the lake. The Crater Lake newt is adapted to being at the top of the lake’s aquatic food chain and lacks any predator defense mechanisms.   [Perhaps the Crater Lake newt is related to The Spotted Owl… -editor]

 

 

FALL BACK ONE HOUR…starts Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.

In a little less than a month, it will be time to set your clocks back to standard time.

Daylight saving time will end at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. Most devices these days will adjust automatically to the time change, but don’t forget to set any traditional clocks back by one hour.

Despite several efforts to end seasonal time changes, we will be falling back in November and springing forward in March for the foreseeable future. Oregon, Washington and California have all made multiple attempts to permanently switch to either standard or daylight saving time — but none of the efforts have stuck.

Changing to daylight saving time requires congressional approval — and that approval doesn’t appear to be likely, despite bipartisan efforts to allow states to make the change.

 

Thanks for reading the the news on BasinLife.com from Wynne Broadcasting.

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