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.
Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024
Klamath Basin Weather
Today
A 30% chance of morning showers then gradual clearing, with a high near 59. Light west northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Overnight low of 35 degrees.
Thursday
A slight chance of rain and snow showers between 8am and 11am, then a chance of rain showers after 11am. Snow level 5500 feet lowering to 4500 feet. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 51. West northwest winds 6 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected. Cloudy overnight with a low near 25.
Friday
Widespread frost before 11am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 57. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
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
A measure on the November ballot could change the way Oregonians vote. If Measure 117 is passed, Oregonians would use ranked choice voting instead of choosing a single candidate in federal and major state office elections. This includes the election of the president and the vice president.
Ranked choice voting is a system where voters rank the candidates on a ballot. Voters can rank multiple candidates, or choose to rank a single candidate. Votes are counted in rounds. If a candidate receives over 50% of votes in the first round, they win. If no candidates receive more than 50% the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, votes for the person eliminated are then assigned to their next option.
This process continues until someone receives the majority vote needed. State Representative, Pam Marsh says this would give voters more variety.
Klamath County Election Clerk, Rochelle Long, has expressed concerns with Measure 117 that were endorsed by 15 other Oregon county clerks. They encourage voters to research the measure. Long is worried about increased costs, adding that the fear is for the littler counties that don’t have the staffing. This is going to require major staffing and we just– we don’t have it and we don’t have the funding to provide that either. And from other counties in other jurisdictions that we’ve talked to that are performing ranked choice voting– they’re like ‘you need one person strictly dedicated to that.’”
More than a thousand acres of lands alongside the Klamath River near the former Copco Dam No. 1 will be restored through a partnership of the Shasta Indian Nation and Resource Environmental Solutions (RES).
The impacted lands are scheduled to be returned to Tribal ownership. The project area includes riverside and upland areas exposed when the dam, located in Siskiyou County south of Oregon, was breached earlier this year. California Gov. Gavin Newsom said 2,800 acres will be returned to the Tribe following the complete removal of the lower Klamath hydroelectric dams and restoration of land exposed by the former reservoirs.
Copco No. 1 was removed earlier this year as part of the effort to restore the Klamath River’s salmon runs. Also removed were the Copco No. 2, John C. Boyle and Iron Gate dams.
Candice Difuntorum, the Shasta Indian Nation’s vice chairman, said the dam and reservoir were built on land sacred to the Shasta people. RES began an extensive revegetation effort of the former reservoir footprint earlier this year.
Coffman emphasized restoration activity will take several years and, according to the news release, “there is ample time to incorporate the Tribe’s vision for the landscape. This includes developing a first foods and food sovereignty program based on culturally important plants.” Under the agreement, Tribal members will immediately become part of the restoration team, assisting with revegetation, wildlife monitoring, spawning habitat surveys, relocation of juvenile and adult salmonids, fish passage monitoring and water quality sampling.
An additional round of seed gathering will be performed to include culturally important plants that were not a part of the original restoration plan.
As if there weren’t already countless reasons to love Turner Classic Movies, next week the cable channel is airing a documentary that’s likely to appeal not just to general lovers of cinema, but specifically to Oregonians.
“Merchant Ivory,” from director Stephen Soucy, is a fascinating look at the life and career of James Ivory, the director known for such films as “A Room With a View,” “Howards End,” “The Remains of the Day,” and many more. Despite his talent for telling stories set in England, and his ability to bring out the best in British actors, Ivory is in fact, an Oregonian.
The filmmaker, who’s now 96, grew up in Klamath Falls, attended the University of Oregon, and regularly visits his family’s cabin in Lake of the Woods. Interviews with Ivory, and such actors as Hugh Grant, Helena Bonham Carter, Vanessa Redgrave, and Emma Thompson, capture the sometimes seat-of-the-pants process involved in making Merchant Ivory films, and the ingenuity the late Merchant demonstrated as he raised money to finance the projects.
In addition to offering entertaining anecdotes and insightful commentary about how Merchant Ivory Productions came to be, the documentary also makes a point of noting how influential Merchant Ivory films were, particularly in their willingness to tell stories about LGBTQ+ characters, as in the 1987 feature, “Maurice,” adapted from E.M. Forster’s novel, which presented a portrait of gay men living amid the repressive culture of the Edwardian era.
“Merchant Ivory” will air on Turner Classic Movies at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15. It will be followed by “A Room With a View,” at 9:30 p.m. No cable or satellite? You can stream Turner Classic Movies on platforms including DirecTV Stream; Sling; and Hulu Live TV.
Oregon and the Klamath Basin may have just experienced a summer like October so far, but there could be half a foot of snow in the Cascade mountains as early as tomorrow.
According to Daniel Hartsock, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Portland, the snow level is expected to drop Wednesday to about 4,000 feet and there’s a 50% chance of four to six inches of snow accumulating in the Cascades at elevations above 5,000 feet. That means higher passes like Willamette Pass and Santiam Pass could see measurable snow on the ground.
Snow could also stick at Government Camp, though that, Hartsock said, will depend on the ground temperature when it lands. Don’t wax your skis up just yet, though.
While Wednesday through Friday will be cool, in the 30s and low 40s, by Saturday, temperatures in the mountains are expected to slip back up into the 50s, melting anything frozen that has stuck around.
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.
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.
Alleyway Activation Phase 3: Women of Klamath
Unveiling & Installation October 25
Join us on October 25th as we celebrate the installation of Phase 3 of the Alleyway Activation Project located at 925 Klamath Ave at 4 pm.
Phase 3 is focused on featuring the “Women of Klamath” a collaboration with Virtuosa Society honoring a few historical women of Klamath County. We invite you to join in our celebration of the hard-working artists and meaningful women of Klamath. We hope to see you there!
October 25, 2024, 4:00 pm at 925 Klamath Ave, Downtown Klamath Falls 97601
Click here for more information.
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
The Shoe Fire burning northeast of Shasta Lake has grown to almost 3,000 acres and is now 7% contained.
There is a mandatory evacuation order in place for zone LKH-1448-B. The fire is threatening structures, including power infrastructure. Cultural resources and private timberlands are also threatened. Road closures and area restrictions are in effect. For the latest information, follow the Shoe Fire 2024 Facebook page
For the last 30 years in the western U.S. states, shrub and grass fires have burned far more acres and destroyed more property than forest fires, and the same was true this season.
But it seems Salem and Gov. Tina Kotek reacts far too late to help in fire fighting of any kind.
In Washington D.C., Republicans in the U.S. House – including Oregon’s two Republican representatives – are hoping Congress will pass a bill before year’s end that would tackle increasingly large wildfires in the West by scaling back environmental regulations to make it easier to log and cut vegetation in federal forests, which account for more than 60% of the forests in Oregon.
Proposed by Arkansas Republican Rep. Bruce Westerman and California Democrat Rep. Scott Peters, the “Fix Our Forests Act” passed the U.S. House on Sept. 24 with 268 representatives in favor and 151 opposed, including Oregon’s four Democratic representatives.
It is expected to get a vote in the U.S. Senate after the November general election, according to Hank Stern, a spokesperson for Oregon’s U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat. Proponents say the bill would restore forest health, increase resiliency to catastrophic wildfires and protect communities by expediting environmental analyses while reducing frivolous lawsuits and step up restoration projects.
But opponents, including environmentalists and Democrats, say it would open millions of acres of federal land to logging without scientific review or community input, potentially increasing the risk of wildfires while rolling back regulations to protect endangered and threatened species. Hiking, biking, fishing and hunting seem to preceed business and jobs from those in power.
The Biden administration is also opposed to the bill and published a statement a day before the House vote, saying it contains “a number of provisions that would undermine basic protections for communities, lands, waters and wildlife.”
More than 85 environmental groups also submitted a letter to the House Committee on Natural Resources opposing the bill.
The bill comes on top of calls in Oregon from state House Republicans to roll back restrictions on logging in state and private forests.
Three prominent state lawmakers recently called on their peers in the state Legislature to reform forest management and logging policies they say would prevent large fires from starting and spreading.
Linn County, Ore 4 Oct 24- On Friday, October 4, 2024, at 7:49 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy 34, at the intersection with Steckley Road, in Linn County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a Ford Fusion, operated by Ian Sean Bannon (41) of Lebanon, was stopped on Steckley Road at the intersection with Hwy 34. The Ford entered the highway into the path of an eastbound Can-Am Spy, operated by Michael J. M. Gosnell (49) of Albany, causing the Can-Am to impact the driver’s side of the Ford.
The operator of the Can-Am (Gosnell) was declared deceased at the scene. A passenger on the Can-Am, a male juvenile (15), was critically injured and transported to an area hospital.
The operator of the Ford (Bannon) was reportedly uninjured.
The highway was impacted for approximately 3.5 hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
OSP was assisted by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.
Lane County, Ore 14 Oct 24- On Monday, October 14, 2024, at 12:21 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy 126E, near milepost 24, in Lane County.
The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Dodge Ram 3500, operated by Colton Lane Wellette (20) of Monroe, was pulling a gooseneck trailer loaded with bales of hydroseed. As the Dodge was negotiating a curve the trailer overturned spilling the load into the westbound lane. A westbound Toyota Corolla, operated by Sierra Marie Evers-Hellmich (37) of Eugene, collided with the debris from the over-turned trailer causing significant damage to the Toyota.
A passenger in the Toyota, Kurt Allen Hellmich (71) of Arcata (CA), was declared deceased at the scene.
The operator of the Toyota (Evers-Hellmich) suffered reported minor injuries. Another passenger in the Toyota, Lynn Evers (76) of Aracata (CA), suffered serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital.
The highway was impacted for approximately five hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
OSP was assisted by the Leaburg Fire Department, Lane County Sheriff’s Office, and ODOT.
Officials with the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge are asking for the community’s help identifying the person or persons responsible for vandalizing a rock face recently.
According to the refuge, the names ‘Luke’ and ‘Niko’ were carved deep into a sandstone headland, which is located on public land. The refuge says the rock that was vandalized is on a section of beach between the cities of Gold Beach and Brookings.
Vandalism on public lands is illegal, and penalties include fines and jail time. Anyone with information or knows who is responsible, is asked to contact the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge by emailing oregoncoast@fws.gov.
Oregon State Police are looking for the person who shot a yearling buck multiple times with a 9mm, in Crook County.
Troopers believe the animal was killed last Thursday at around 10:30 p.m. The buck was found on McKay Creek Road in the Grizzly Wildlife Management Unit; it was left to waste. They believe the shooter was in a Chevy S-10 or similar small pickup.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Sr. Trooper Tayler Jerome via the TIP hotline at 1-800-452-7888, or email TIP@osp.oregon.gov.
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a surfer stranded at sea on rocks at the edge of Ecola State Park on Saturday.
Alex and Nanuette Lundeen, witnesses to the rescue, said that the surfer is lucky to be alive. A Coast Guard spokesman said the surfer was in major distress. Cannon Beach Fire Chief Marc Reckmann said that two brothers were out surfing off Indian Beach when surf conditions worsened.
The brothers — adults who haven’t been identified — began swimming to shore when one of the brothers ended up getting pulled out to sea. The other brother made it back safely and called for help. A rescue swimmer dove into the water and searched until people on shore sent drones to help find the missing surfer, Reckmann said.
The U.S. Coast Guard then joined the mission. Eventually people spotted the missing surfer on a large rock formation jutting from the beach. Reckmann said that the waves were too dangerous for people on jet skis to reach the brother. But one of them was able to get close enough to tell him to stay put and wait for the Coast Guard.
With the national elections on November 5 approaching, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is reminding campaigners and their supporters that political signs are not permitted on state highway right-of-ways.
Only official traffic control devices are allowed in these right-of-way areas, as ODOT says improperly placed signs can distract drivers and obstruct road safety messages. ODOT stated that any signs found in violation will be removed and held at a nearby district maintenance office for 30 days.
To reclaim them, individuals should contact the nearest ODOT maintenance office. “Signs are prohibited on trees, utility poles, fence posts, and natural features within highway right-of-ways,” ODOT said. They are also banned within view of designated scenic areas.
LINN COUNTY, Or – 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.
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.”
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@
Great Oregon Shakeout is Thursday, 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.
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.
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.
Stargazers are in for a treat as a rare, bright comet makes its way across the night sky.
The comet, known as “Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas,” has traveled from the outer reaches of the solar system and is offering a once-in-a-lifetime view. The comet should be visible to the naked eye through the end of October, weather permitting.
For those seeking a more detailed view, binoculars or telescopes are recommended. For those seeking a more detailed view, binoculars or telescopes are recommended.
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.
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