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.
Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024
Klamath Basin Weather
Today
Sunny with a high near 57. Overnight, clear with a low near 30 degrees.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 60. Calm wind.
Saturday
Rain likely, mainly between 10am and 4pm. Overnight, mostly cloudy, with a high near 52.
Sunday
Rain likely. Snow level 5500 feet rising to 6700 feet in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50.
Monday, Veterans Day
Rain and snow. Snow level 4800 feet. Cloudy, with a high near 44.
Today’s Klamath Falls Headlines
Donald J. Trump was elected the 47th president defeating Kamala Harris with the popular vote and the electoral college now with at this time has 295 electoral votes to Harris’ 226 electoral votes. Votes are still being counted in Nevada and Arizona as of this moment. GOP will control the Senate and races for House seats are still being counted. Stay tuned.
In Klamath County, Trump won 69.92% to Kamala Harris’ 27.47%.
Locally, find all Klamath County results here
(click November General Summary Report):
Election Results | Klamath County, OR
For Oregon results, you will find them here.
https://results.oregonvotes.gov/
Quickly, Cliff Bentz was reelected as US Rep, 2nd District with 71.5% of the vote.
Tobias Reed is leading Dennis Linthicum in the race for Secretary of State.
Elizabeth Steiner leads Brian Boquist in the race for State Treasurer.
Dan Rayfield leads Will Lathrop in the race for Attorney General.
Diane Linthicum with State Senator in 28th District with 72.67% of the vote.
Werner Reschke wins State Rep 55th District with 78.50% of the vote.
Davis Schutt wins District Attorney in Klamath County with 97.29% of the vote.
Andrew Nichols wins County Commissioner Position 1 with 53.98% of the vote.
Shane Mitchell wins for Sheriff with 67.12% of the vote.
Carol Westfall wins reelection for KF Mayor with 56.61% of the vote.
City of Klamath Falls Council position were won by Phil Studenberg, Michael Angeli and Terra Russo.
Congratulations to the winners from BasinLife.com.
Veterans Day Parade is Monday, Veterans Day, November 11th, 2024 at 10AM, downtown Klamath Falls on the usual Main Street route. Officials still looking for parade entries.
Prosecutors in Klamath County and Southern Oregon unveiled felony charges against two women accused of forging a will to steal a roughly $2 million estate.
The charges against Renee Pereira and her daughter, Kristine Pereira, include attempted aggravated theft, identify theft, forgery, and computer crimes. Both pleaded not guilty in court appearances late last month. Kristy Gerlett – the daughter of the woman who died in this case – has been fighting for more than a year and pushing investigators to charge the women she believed forged her mom’s signature on a will. The will disinherited Kristy.
The indictments accuse the women of forging the notary’s signature and seal, the signatures of two witnesses, and the signature of Cathy Gerlett on the will. It says they did so to steal Cathy’s estate. The alleged forged will gave 80% of Cathy’s estate to Kristine Pereira. A prior investigation found it was up to Renee Pereira to vet the will in question.
Court records show she filed it in probate court in April 2023. The judge initially accepted it and allowed it to go into effect. The same judge threw it out in September 2023. Klamath County District attorney David Schutt (Skutt) said the suspects preyed on the death of a loved one and did so to steal a $2 million estate. Now, Kristy wants more done – including additional criminal charges over the use of her mom’s credit card account after she died. The charges included two $1,000 purchases at Fred Meyer. Kristy said she got receipts from Fred Meyer showing the purchases included 4, $500 Visa gift cards.
There are also hotel stays and a trip to a casino. Kristine Pereira admitted to staying at the hotels and the casino in testimony for the probate case over Cathy’s estate but denied knowing who made the charges.
An attorney for the personal representative of the estate said her excuses are not believable. The account has still not been paid off. American Express filed a $24,000 claim against Cathy Gerlett’s estate. Both women are scheduled to be back in court in late November.
Col. Adam Gaudinski assumed command of the 173d Fighter Wing Oregon Air National Guard Base, Kingsley Field, over the weekend.
In a change of command ceremony held on base, the guidon was passed from outgoing commander Col. Lee Bouma to Col. Gaudinski which represented the formal transfer of authority and responsibility.
Deeply rooted in military tradition, predating the Norman Conquest of England, the change of command allows troops to witness the proceedings and to see their commander (before the tradition, it wasn’t uncommon for the soldiers on the field to be unaware who their commanders were or what they looked like).
The change of command ensures that a unit and its soldiers are never without official leadership and signifies the allegiance of soldiers to their unit’s commander. In his address to the 173d FW, Unruh reflected on the nature of command and what it means to lead. Quoting Proverbs 17:17, the general said, “a friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” Gaudinski graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2003 and completed his undergraduate pilot training at Columbus Air Force Base where he was hand-picked to return as a T-37 and T-6 instructor pilot for his first active duty assignment.
Having a wide range of experience, other assignments for Gaudinski have been in Texas, Honduras, Mississippi, Florida and Japan before joining the Oregon Air National Guard in 2012. He is a command pilot with over 3,500 flight hours and was serving as the squadron commander for the 173d Maintenance Group before his current position as wing commander.
Klamath County libraries to close for Veterans’ Day and Thanksgiving later this month.
Klamath County Library Service District All Klamath County libraries will be closed on Monday, November 11th in observance of Veterans’ Day and on Thursday, November 28th for Thanksgiving. No materials will be due on a day that the libraries are closed. For more information, call us at 541-882-8894.
An antique fire truck purchased by the city of Klamath Falls in 1931 has been restored to running condition by volunteers working for the Klamath County Museum.
The truck will make an appearance in the Veterans Day parade on Nov. 11. Also appearing in the parade next week will be a fire engine that was used for many years on the Klamath Indian Agency near Fort Klamath.
The old city fire truck is a 1931 American LaFrance pumper. It had been kept running by the fire department even after it was retired from service. The engine was transferred to Klamath County Fire District No. 1 when the two departments merged in 1994. Severe damage to the engine forced the truck to be parked for several years. Fire District No. 1 donated the truck to the museum earlier this year.
Gloria Storey, chairwoman of the fire district board and a devoted fan of the truck’s preservation, signed the agreement turning the truck over to the museum. Museum volunteer Terry Sandusky, who has helped the museum restore several antique vehicles, led the fire truck repair project. An engine salvaged from an old dump truck donated by Liskey Farms was installed in the fire truck. New wiring and repairs to other systems were completed over the summer. Other volunteers who assisted in the project were Gary Bauereis, Dave Doveri, Guy Jakubowski, Ron Sandusky and Vince Wachter.
An agreement between the museum and the fire district allows either organization to display the truck at public events. Terry Sandusky also led the effort to get the Klamath Agency truck running in 2023. The 1943 International was donated to the museum in 1986, but was not in running condition at the time. It sat idle behind the museum until last year.
Chiloquin Visions in Progress and the City of Chiloquin are leaders in powering the future of clean transportation thanks to a grant from Pacific Power’s electric mobility grant program.
The money supported the installation of a ChargePoint Level 2 Dual Charger and a ChargePoint Level 3 High-Speed Charger at the corner of South 1st Ave. and East Schonchin St. in Chiloquin.
Chiloquin Visions in Progress obtained the grant and oversaw the project installation. The station is located on City of Chiloquin property and will be maintained and operated by the city. The grant of $238,000 grant covers 100% of the cost of this innovative, community-driven electric mobility project.
Chiloquin Visions in Progress joins several other organizations across Pacific Power’s service area that have received grants for clean electric mobility projects through a competitive-evaluation process. Pacific Power is providing grant funding to help businesses, cities and nonprofits take advantage of the cost-saving, clean benefits of electric mobility.
Funding for this grant is made possible by the Oregon Clean Fuels Program administered by the state Department of Environmental Quality. For more information visit www.PacificPower.net/EV.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investing $46 million to help habitat restoration and recovery efforts after the Klamath River dam removal project.
According to a news release from Oregon’s U.S. senators, Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, there are 24 restoration projects — with 12 being in Oregon.
“Restoration of the Klamath Basin requires significant resources just like these to catalyze the work that’s needed locally to build a stronger ecosystem and improve water quality,” Wyden said in the release.
“This fresh federal investment in the region and the big gains it will generate for jobs, recreation, and habitat will work to ensure the area’s farmers, Tribes and communities can grow and thrive for generations to come.”
Coming to the Ragland Theater, downtown Klamath Falls!
November has shows for the whole family! SEE OUR WEBSITE HERE
Join us for the exciting events and spectacular shows! There’s something for everyone!
November 8th- Alex Zerbe
November 9th- Joe Machi Comedy Tour
November 16th- Klamath Symphony Rockin Christmas
November 23rd- The Westerner
KENO FAMILY FUN DAY THIS WEEKEND!
The Klamath Animal Shelter Pet of The Week, Ready for Adoption is a dog named ” Daisy “.
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
In election news, Oregonians will stick with winner-takes-all elections for federal and statewide offices, after the state’s voters rejected Measure 117 Tuesday. Incomplete returns as of 6:45 a.m. Wednesday showed 60% of voters opposing the measure and 40% supporting it.
The ballot measure would have required officials to put ranked-choice voting into place by 2028 for elections for president, Congress, governor, secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer and labor commissioner. It would have also allowed cities and counties to implement the voting system for local elections and required the Secretary of State’s Office to create a voter education program for the new system.
Under the ranked-choice system the measure would institute, voters rank candidates on their ballot in order of preference. If no candidate receives more than half of the first-place votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. The votes for that candidate are then redistributed to the remaining candidates based on the voters’ subsequent preferences. This process continues until one candidate receives a majority of the votes.
Voters on Tuesday rejected a ballot measure that would have raised corporate taxes to give all Oregon residents an estimated $1,600 per year.
Voters were against the measure 79% to 21% in partial returns as of 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Measure 118 would have implemented a 3% tax on most corporations’ total sales in Oregon above $25 million and distributed the revenue equally among all residents through direct cash payments or refundable tax credits starting in 2025. The measure would have established the nation’s largest universal basic income program.
Measure 119, which would ease the way for cannabis workers to form unions, passed on Tuesday, leading 55%-45%.
The measure will require cannabis businesses to enter “labor peace agreements,” promising to stay neutral when union organizers communicate with their workers. After lawmakers declined to pass a similar law last year, union representatives brought the measure to voters, arguing the agreements were needed because of uncertainty over how federal labor law applies to cannabis workers. While the measure faced no organized opposition, business interests and attorneys for the Legislature previously argued that the agreements could conflict with federal labor laws.
More than two dozen states have indicated they would be willing to send National Guard troops to Washington if requested in the weeks following the presidential election and in the runup to the inauguration, Guard officials said Monday.
The District of Columbia has not yet made any formal requests for Guard troops, but officials across the government have been preparing for the possibility that the U.S. Capitol could once again be rocked by violence around the certification of the election by Congress on Jan. 6 and the inauguration two weeks later.
About 25,000 Guard troops from around the country flooded into Washington in the days after the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, riot, when thousands of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in an effort to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s win. The troops, along with local and federal law enforcement, locked down the city for the inauguration, securing the Capitol, monuments, Metro entrances and the perimeter of the central part of the city.
Speaking to reporters Monday, Col. Jean Paul Laurenceau, chief of future operations for the National Guard Bureau, said it is not yet clear how many Guard troops will be needed or requested this year. He said it will depend on what the District of Columbia wants, but he noted that the National Guard Bureau and the states are leaning forward in anticipation of a request for assistance.
PORTLAND, Ore.—A federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment Tuesday charging a Eugene, Oregon man with posting violent threats online, announced the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
Jeffrey Allen Voss, 31, has been charged with transmitting interstate threats and attempting to tamper with evidence.
According to court documents, between September 24 and 27, 2024, Voss is alleged to have posted several videos of himself online making violent threats, including two in which he was holding a firearm. In another video, Voss discussed becoming the next Kip Kinkel, referring to a school shooter who, in 1998, first murdered his parents then opened fire at a Springfield, Oregon school, killing two of his classmates and injuring twenty-five others.
Following those videos, on September 27, 2024, concerned citizens called 911 to report a Facebook Live video Voss posted wherein he allegedly claimed he was minutes from a high school and made violent threats. Acting quickly, the Eugene Police Department located and arrested Voss the same day.
On October 1, 2024, the FBI executed a search warrant on Voss’s residence. Agents located and seized two firearms, one replica firearm, ammunition, body armor, electronic storage media, and a handwritten note outlining his desires for vengeance and specifying individuals Voss wished to harm. The same day, upon learning his residence would be searched, Voss attempted to persuade an individual to conceal or remove evidence from his home.
Voss made his initial appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and ordered detained pending further court proceedings.
If convicted, Voss faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, 3 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $500,000.
This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Eugene Police Department. It is being prosecuted by William M. McLaren, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Bend Man Sentenced For Mail and Wire Fraud
The former owner of a Bend-based microbrewery equipment company has been sentenced to federal prison for mail and wire fraud. Matthew Mulder owned WeCan Brewing Systems which claimed to make custom-built microbrewery systems.
He took payments from 23 customers for more than 880-thousand dollars. He sent fake invoices and photos of the equipment being made, but the products never arrived. Mulder pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison and must pay 887-thousand dollars to his victims.
Six different types of Brie cheese are being recalled in 12 states, including Oregon and Washington, due to the presence of listeria.
Savencia Cheese USA recalled the six different kinds of Brie after routine testing of the processing equipment at the plant where the cheese is manufactured found the presence of listeria contamination, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. No illnesses or deaths have been reported in connection with the current recall to date.
The FDA warned that consumers who have the recalled cheeses in their possession should not consume them and return them to their place of purchase for a full refund.
On Wednesday, November 6, Medford Police arrested two 17-year-olds connected to a shooting on Sunday, October 27.
The juvenile suspects reportedly entered a private event, were escorted out following a disturbance, and then one of them retrieved a handgun from their vehicle and fired at those who removed them. A 17-year-old and a 37-year-old security guard were struck and taken to a hospital, later released.
Detectives identified the suspects, both Josephine County residents, and arrested them in Grants Pass. One is believed to be the shooter, the other the driver. Both suspects have been lodged at he Jackson County Juvenile Detention Center on multiple charges of Assault in the First Degree, with the driver also facing charges of Hindering Prosecution.
Anyone with video of the incident is asked to contact Medford Police Detectives at 541-774-2230.
A Roseburg man is in jail on sexual corruption charges following an investigation by the Winston Police Department.
On October 30, 2024, Winston PD began investigating Bailey Ray Hoover, 26, of Roseburg. According to police, it was found that Hoover had engaged in an online relationship with a juvenile and eventually agreed to meet the juvenile for sexual contact. Hoover attempted to meet the juvenile in Roseburg and was subsequently arrested.
Hoover was charged with Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the first and second degree for Luring a Minor. Hoover was lodged at the Douglas County Jail.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal is helping 40 fire departments across the state reduce wildfire risk.
Three-million-dollars is being distributed. Most fire departments will get around 75-thousand dollars for projects that reduce fuels for fires, including chipping debris, neighborhood cleanup days, and creating fire breaks near vulnerable communities.
A storied Oregon summer camp that has offered youth nature programming for 100 years is teetering on a fiscal cliff. Camp Namanu says it will run out of reserve funds by the end of the year unless supporters can come up with $1 million in donations.
Management at Camp Fire Columbia, the nonprofit that runs Camp Namanu, cited a perfect storm of rising labor costs, inflation and supply chain issues in a letter to families last week. Organizers say they’ve already cut expenses and are confident school-year programming and the 2025 summer camp season will survive — as long as fundraising efforts are successful.
Non-refundable registration fees have been slashed to $50, however, in acknowledgement of the dire financial situation.
Bob Sallinger, a pillar of Oregon’s conservation community and a driving force in wildlife advocacy, died suddenly at the age of 57 on Wednesday.
His death leaves a deep void in Oregon’s environmental landscape and among his friends and family. As a conservation stalwart, Sallinger helped scuttle plans to develop West Hayden Island, pushed through a plan to protect swaths of Elliott State Forest from logging and successfully partnered with an organization advocating for feral cats to protect urban birds — to list just a few of the victories lauded by friends and colleagues.
In the days after Sallinger’s death, conservationists and activists have extolled his impact on the state, listing off countless projects he spearheaded or was actively involved in. He worked legendarily long hours, they said, was technically versatile and a good speaker, regularly took on new environmental issues, and was a reliable partner. His family has not yet said how he died.
BLM Positions Available for Resource Advisory Board
The Bureau of Land Management is seeking citizens with an interest in public lands management to fill vacant positions on its Western Oregon Resource Advisory Council. Applications are due November 15, 2024.
The Western Oregon RAC provides advice and recommendations on all aspects of public land management to the BLM’s Coos Bay, Medford, Roseburg, and Northwest Oregon Districts, as well as part of the Lakeview District. The Council is made up of citizens that represent diverse interest areas and organizations, including conservation, outdoor recreation, state and local government, academia, and forest management.
The 15-member Western Oregon RAC has four positions open for public application through November 15, 2024. The BLM is seeking interested individuals who represent:
- Energy and mineral development; commercial timber industry; organized labor or non-timber forest product harvester groups; developed outdoor recreation; off-highway vehicle use; commercial recreation activities; or non-industrial private forest landowners.
- National, regional, or local environmental organizations; dispersed recreation; archeological and historical interests; wildlife or hunting organizations; or watershed associations.
- State, county, or local elected office; represents Indian Tribes; is a teacher or school official; represents the public-at-large; or is employed by a state agency responsible for the management of natural resources, land, or water.
“The diverse membership of the Western Oregon RAC helps ensure that BLM land managers get the varying perspectives they need to achieve their mission, which is to manage the public lands for multiple uses,” said Heather Whitman, the Designated Federal Official for the Western Oregon RAC.
Member of the Western Oregon RAC typically serve a three-year term. The Council meets two to four times per year, both virtually and in-person at various locations in western Oregon. All applicants must be Oregon residents. Although members serve without monetary compensation, travel and per diem expenses are reimbursed.
To receive an application, contact Western Oregon RAC Coordinator Megan Harper at (541) 751-4353 or by email at m1harper@blm.gov. Individuals can also download an application at.blm.gov/get-involved/
Individuals may submit their signed application and letter of recommendation by email to m1harper@blm.gov, by mail to the BLM, Coos Bay District Office, Attention: Megan Harper, 1300 Airport Lane, North Bend, OR 97459, or deliver in person to the same address.
As Oregon heads into the back side of fall, what does the weather have in store?
The signs are still pointing towards a weak La Niña winter, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and snow is already falling in the mountains while rain soaks the valleys. La Niña was favored to emerge between September and November, said Marissa Anderson, a spokesperson for NOAA. Of course, it is already November, but Anderson said there was still a 60% chance of the pattern emerging and it was expected to persist from January to March.
For November, NOAA is predicting equal chances that the entire state of Oregon has above-normal, near-normal and below-normal temperatures. Basically, temperature-wise, that means anything could happen. And, with a weak La Niña, that “anything” could also change more frequently. As far as precipitation, most of the state is favored to have above-average levels of rain, snow and everything in between.
For 2025, we are likely to start off wet but not too wet in the first week, then maybe a small break, before returning to wet conditions, especially the northern half of the state.
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is committed to supporting safety, and preparedness during election periods and beyond. OEM emphasizes the importance of addressing hate speech and bias crimes that impact our communities.
Understanding Hate Crimes:
A hate crime is defined as a crime motivated in part or whole by bias against another person’s actual or perceived protected class—including race, color, disability, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Examples of hate crimes include:
- Racist or discriminatory graffiti.
- Theft or destruction of symbols such as Pride flags.
- Threats involving slurs or derogatory language.
- Physical assault based on someone’s identity.
Reporting Hate Crimes:
If you or someone you know experiences a hate crime, it is crucial to report the incident. Oregon residents have access to the following reporting resources:
Non-Emergency Bias Response Hotline
Phone: 1-844-924-BIAS (1-844-924-2427)
Available: Monday – Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time
Details: Trauma-informed operators are ready to assist. Interpretation services are available in over 240 languages. If you call outside of business hours, please leave a message, and someone will return your call.
Online Reporting:
Bias crimes and incidents can also be reported via the Oregon Department of Justice’s Bias Crime Reporting website.
Support:
An important resource for Oregonians is the Voter Protection Hotline, managed by the Oregon Department of Justice. This hotline, launched earlier this month, will remain active until after the election to assist voters with non-emergency questions and concerns about the voting process. The hotline number is 971-673-4111, and messages are reviewed regularly, with calls returned within 24 hours on weekdays and on Monday following the weekend. Voters should call the hotline if they suspect or have experienced any types of voter intimidation, at a voter drop box or elsewhere.
Trauma-informed support is key when dealing with hate crimes. Being “trauma-informed” means understanding how trauma affects people. It means knowing how trauma can change a person’s feelings, actions and overall well-being. Being trauma-informed means, we create a safe and supportive space to help people heal without making things worse. It’s about showing empathy, knowing what the survivor needs, and giving the right care and support.
It’s been two months since Oregon recriminalized drug possession and new data from across the state is starting to show how the new law, which aims to deter drug use and offer treatment, is shaping up.
So far, more than 1,424 people have been arrested for drug possession, according to the Criminal Justice Commission, the state agency that researches and tracks Oregon’s criminal justice system. In most of those cases, defendants face other charges too, such as trespassing and theft. Between Sept. 1, when the new law went into effect, and Oct. 19, some 378 people have been arrested only on drug possession charges.
Oregon lawmakers recriminalized drugs earlier this year, amid growing frustration over Ballot Measure 110, which decriminalized small amounts of hard drugs and became associated with widespread public drug use. House Bill 4002 brought back criminal penalties for drug use, but also included provisions to ensure that substance use disorders are addressed in a health care setting rather than jail.
Under this new law, people facing drug possession charges have the ability to access treatment rather than face criminal penalties through a process called deflection. The law allows counties to design their own deflection programs or decide whether they want to participate at all. While a majority of Oregon counties are participating in deflection, only some had programs up-and-running in the first months of the law taking effect.
According to a memo sent last week to Gov. Tina Kotek’s office, obtained by OPB through a public records request, 213 people across 11 counties have been deflected. That’s slightly more people than the agency predicted would be deflected by this time.
A sophisticated group of thieves that hit banks and ATMs across California spent time in Oregon, renting out an Airbnb where federal agents found power tools, blowtorch equipment and the robbers’ construction vests and helmet disguises, according to a federal affidavit.
Investigators tracked some of the suspected crew members to the Airbnb in Welches, which had been rented from Oct. 16 to 22, according to the affidavit, but when FBI agents moved in on Oct. 19, the occupants had “fled in haste.
But agents did find what was left behind, the affidavit said: several large rolling toolboxes that contained “hundreds of pounds” of power tools, including portable saws, blowtorches, oxygen tanks, pry bars, sledgehammers and heavy-duty rope, as well as clothing the thieves apparently wore for the heists, including goggles, construction vests and helmets and face masks, the affidavit said.
Agents also discovered portable shades, which were sometimes used to cover windows to hide the crimes-in-progress, investigators said.
A bill to protect the Owyhee Canyonlands in southeastern Oregon is being introduced in Congress.
U.S. Representative Cliff Bentz is sponsoring the bill with Senator Ron Wyden doing the same in the Senate. Bentz says it’ll protect the land, plants, animals and communities. The bill will get a hearing later this month. He says it’s the result of hundreds of hours of negotiations and collaboration by those who live, work and recreate in Malheur County. They hope to get the bill passed by the end of year.
The Oregon State Marine Board is reminding boat owners to check their email. Owners with an email on file with the state won’t receive a renewal reminder by standard mail. They can renew registrations online. Boat owners without emails on record will still get a renewal notice in the mail.
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is making its way to Oregon as part of its four-thousand-mile trek from Alaska to Washington, D.C.
The 80-foot Sitka spruce was placed on a barge last night in Ketchikan, Alaska to be shipped to Seattle. From there, it will travel to Baker City, Oregon for one of about a dozen whistlestops as it makes its way to the eastern seaboard.
The 39-year-old spruce tree was harvested from Alaska’s Tongass National Forest earlier this month. It will arrive in D.C. on Thursday, November 21st.
A pig has tested positive for bird flu for the first time in the U.S. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the pig was from a backyard farm in Crook County, Oregon that has a mix of poultry and livestock.
The USDA says bird flu was found in other animals on the farm. Five pigs were euthanized and tested out of an abundance of caution. The USDA also says the swine did not display any sign of illness. According to the agency, one test came back positive, and two results came back negative. Test results are still pending for the other two.
The farm has been quarantined and other animals are under surveillance. The agency says there is no concern about the safety of the nation’s pork supply since the farm was not a commercial farm.The USDA also says the current risk to the public remains low.
The Food and Drug Administration has expanded a recall of Dynacare-brand baby powder made by the Dynarex Corporation.
The recall expansion is due to recent tests that indicate the possible risk of asbestos. The FDA says the recall is now affecting products in 35 states, including Oregon, California, and Washington. That’s up from just 12 states in September.The company says it has stopped the distribution of the products and is investigating to determine what caused the contamination of the talc.
Tax help volunteers are needed in Oregon.
The Department of Revenue’s Taxpayer Advocate is encouraging people to help. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs offer training to help find specific tax credits. This year, Oregon volunteers helped over 32-thousand people, which was an increase of 47-hundred people from 2023.
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) recently approved a decrease in rates for Avista customers that goes into effect November 1, 2024.
The PUC approves adjustments annually to the rates of the three regulated natural gas companies, including Avista Utilities, Cascade Natural Gas, and NW Natural, to reflect changes in the actual cost of wholesale priced natural gas. This annual adjustment, known as the purchased gas adjustment (PGA), allows companies to pass through their actual cost of purchasing gas to customers without a markup on the price.
This decrease is largely due to the lower than anticipated price of natural gas last year as compared with projections when rates were set, which resulted in over-collection of revenues from customers last year. The over-collected funds are used to reduce collections from customers this year. Additionally, customers experienced a mild winter, which reduced the demand for natural gas services.
Below is the average impact for each customer type as a result of this annual adjustment decision:
- Residential Customers – The monthly bill of a typical customer using an average of 47 therms per month will decrease by $6.15 or 8.7 percent, from $70.53 to $64.38.
- Commercial Customers – The monthly bill of a typical customer using an average of 204 therms per month will decrease by $28.26, or 10.7 percent, from $264.31 to $236.05.
- Industrial Customers – The monthly bill of a typical customer using an average of 3,641 therms per month will decrease by $550.84, or 24.7 percent, from $2,233.42 to $1,682.58.
“Oregon’s purchased gas adjustment mechanism reflects that the cost of natural gas is driven largely by regional, national, and global factors outside the utility’s control, but it also creates incentives to keep utilities accountable for careful management within those market conditions,” said PUC Chair Megan Decker. “We are fortunate this year to see the stabilizing supply and demand of natural gas ease financial pressures on consumers.”
To increase energy efficiency and save on future bills, review Energy Trust of Oregon’s current incentives and opportunities, including income-qualified offers and learn more about low-cost and no-cost tips to reduce energy consumption. For information about bill payment assistance options, available utility discount programs, and the Comfort Level Billing program that equalizes bill payments across winter and summer months, contact Avista at 800-227-9187 or view information online. Customers may also contact their local Community Action agency to request information on what assistance programs they may be eligible for and how to enroll.
Avista serves more than 100,000 customers in portions of southwest and northeastern Oregon.
With deer and elk migrating to their winter ranges, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is urging drivers to remain vigilant on the roads.
October and November are critical months for wildlife crossings, leading to an increase in animal-vehicle collisions. This seasonal shift means more wildlife may be spotted near roadways, posing risks to both animals and drivers.
To enhance safety, the ODFW recommends several precautions: Be Cautious in Dense Vegetation: Wildlife often hides in thick brush, making them hard to see until it’s too late. Drivers should be particularly attentive in these areas. Slow Down Around Curves: Curves can limit visibility, making it difficult to spot animals. Reducing speed in these sections allows for more reaction time. Expect More Animals: If one deer or elk is seen, be prepared for others to follow, as these animals often travel in groups.
The ODFW also highlights that collisions are a risk not just for large vehicles; smaller animals can pose hazards as well. Accidents involving wildlife can lead to serious injuries for both humans and animals.
Drivers are encouraged to report wildlife sightings and any collisions to local authorities, which can help improve wildlife management and road safety initiatives. As the season changes, the ODFW urges all motorists to prioritize safety to protect both themselves and Oregon’s wildlife during this critical migration period.
SAFETY TIPS FOR YOUR HOME THIS FALL SEASON
As the leaves change color, fall weather arrives in the Pacific Northwest. The chill in the air and the falling foliage are reminders to take a moment to check the condition of your yard and tend to maintenance issues around your home.
“Fall is a great time to check the condition of your trees and a good opportunity to prune them before they become an issue once storms start,” said Jeremy Gee, Pacific Power’s vice president of health and safety. “Winter storms that bring down branches are a common source of power outages. Check around your property to see if any trees or branches could harm power lines if they fell. Some preventative work now could save you additional trouble and inconvenience related to power outages later.”
Use caution when pruning trees. Don’t use pruning tools or ladders near power lines. Always keep yourself and anything you’re handling at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines. Never try to remove a branch that is tangled or lying across a power line. Instead, call Pacific Power at
1-888-221-7070. We’ll be happy to remove it for you.
Some additional tips for fall safety:
- Treat all electric lines with caution.
- Use only wooden and fiberglass ladders. Metal ladders conduct electricity.
- Be aware and steer clear of overhead electrical wires when installing, removing, cleaning or repairing gutters.
- Never use electrical equipment or tools near a pool or other wet areas such as puddles. Additionally, make sure outlets are equipped with a ground fault circuit interrupter, designed to automatically disconnect if the tool comes into contact with water.
- Plant trees and shrubs away from meters, switching cabinets and boxed transformers. Vegetation that blocks electrical equipment makes repairs and maintenance challenging and sometimes dangerous for utility workers.
- Have help when installing or adjusting a satellite dish or antenna. Make sure you’re working at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines.
- Underground power lines are just as dangerous as overhead ones. If your project involves digging, make sure the locations of underground power lines are marked. Call 811 to have underground utilities located and marked for free.
For more safety tips or to order free Pacific Power safety materials, call toll free at 800-375-7085 or visit PacificPower.net/Safety.
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