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.
Monday, Nov. 11, 2024
Klamath Basin Weather
Today, Veterans Day. Rain mixed with snow as low at 5000 feet. High near 42. West wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Overnight, a chance of rain and snow showers before 1am, then a chance of snow showers. Snow level 4300 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Southwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Today’s Klamath Falls Headlines
The 173rd Fighter Wing out of Kingsley Field here in Klamath Falls will conduct Veteran’s Day flyovers on Today on Veterans Day. The schedule is:
- 10:30 a.m.: Downtown Roseburg in Roseburg
- 10:45 a.m.: Eagle Point
- 11 a.m.: Veteran’s Park in Klamath Falls
- VFW Post 966 in Brookings
- Grave Creek Covered Bridge in Sunny Valley
“All passes will be approximately 1,000 feet above ground level and about 400 mph airspeed,” they said in a news release. “Flights could be cancelled, or times changed due to inclement weather or operational contingencies.”
Veterans Day Parade is today, Veterans Day, November 11th, 2024 at 10AM, downtown Klamath Falls on the usual Main Street route.
Veterans, first responders, and others will walk and represent the community in the parade. Klamath County Veteran’s services corrdinates the event.
On Friday, November 1st, Oregon State Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 97 near milepost 228 in Klamath County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a white Cascadia Freightliner, operated by Gurvinder Singh (32) of Stockton (CA), was traveling northbound when the operator lost control of the vehicle due to icy conditions. The Freightliner crossed into the southbound lane then jack knifed causing the vehicle’s tractor to collide with the trailer.
A southbound black Subaru WRX, operated by Leonides Jimenez Mendoza (24) unknown residence, went under the Freightliner severely damaging the vehicle.
The operator of the Subaru (Mendoza) and passenger, Humberta Hernandez Hernandez (43) unknown residence, were declared deceased at the scene. The highway was impacted for approximately six hours during the on-scene investigation by OSP’s Collision Reconstruction Unit. OSP was assisted by Chiloquin Fire District and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
The City of Klamath Falls was given the go-ahead by council to enter into supportive agreements with the Oregon Air National Guard to ensure and further the 173d Fighter Wing’s mission regarding the coming F-35 II Lightning aircraft.
Decided by a quorum composed of councilors Abbie McClung, Terra Russo and Phil Studenburg during a meeting held on Monday, the council executed two consult service contracts for the designing of aircraft shelters with supporting taxiways and an academic training center on Kingsley Field for the F-35 aircraft(s).
Acting as the construction agent, the city in cooperation with the Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force developed the scope of work for the new facilities. It was determined that RS&H would be providing the design services for the aircraft shelters, while Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. will provide the design work on the academic training center which will house simulators, briefing rooms, equipment fitting rooms and extensive classified areas.
In other city business, The Klamath Falls City Council decided to increase geothermal utility rates by 10 cents as well during the meeting to offset expenses associated with maintaining the system such as reliability improvements and the replacement of aging main lines.
According to a capital outlay given to the council, the geothermal services have been provided at a loss for the past six fiscal years, whereas in 2023/24 the loss was $197,969.55.
First established in 2018, the standard rate was 72 cents per therm (a unit of measurement for the amount of heat energy), a figure approximately 80 percent of the natural gas rate. The rate saw an increase again in 2022 to 97 cents per therm. The city’s geothermal utility system heats 23 commercial, non-profit and government facilities throughout the downtown area, as well as providing safety and convenience during the winter months through the heating of downtown sidewalks and bridges.
The current Ponderosa Middle School building will need to be replaced within three to five years due to its location on an active fault line, Klamath Falls City Schools Superintendent Keith Brown said Thursday.
Brown, KFCS operations director Daymond Monteith, KFCS maintenance director Jared Thompson and Ponderosa principal Brett Lemieux led a public presentation, tour and Q&A at the school Thursday. The tour highlighted cracks and buckling in the interior walls and floors of the building caused by the fault line shifting. The shifting has also led to numerous doors in the building becoming misaligned, a problem Thompson said maintenance crews have had to work throughout the year to mitigate.
The building has been monitored by structural engineers for about 25 years, and it was recently determined that moving the school to a more stable location was the best long-term option, Brown said. The district plans to rebuild Ponderosa on a piece of property it owns adjacent to Steen Sports Park.
Monteith said KFCS currently estimates it will need $120 million to complete the project and would obtain the funding through a property tax levy of $2 per $1,000. Brown and Monteith said the district hasn’t decided whether it will try to get the levy on the ballot for May 2025.
Rigoberto Cisneros, owner and operator of Girasol Family Mexican Restaurant and Cantina in downtown Klamath Falls is marking the restaurant’s sixth year of operations with something fun: giving back to the community.
And he credits the Klamath Community College’s Small Business Development Center for helping him along the way. They wanted this anniversary Tuesday, Nov. 12, to be more meaningful, so, the staff has decided to go out and create six random acts of kindness to mark the anniversary. That may include helping out six families, or six individuals or create six ways to give back to the community, he said.
Cisneros has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. From as early as age 4 he could be found shadowing his father at restaurants, and by age 9 he was working alongside his father as a bus boy in a family restaurant, while also selling Mexican candy and other items to his classmates at school.
Cisneros opened the business when he was 22 and has put his heart and soul into making it successful. It was recently voted the best Mexican food restaurant in the Klamath Basin on Yelp, (along with producing the best margarita). At 28, Cisneros is ready to create a way to run the restaurant more efficiently, with better operating systems. What was lacking was the financial savvy one needs to succeed. He attended the nine-month Small Business Management Program in 2022 through the KCC SBDC where he was exposed to topics ranging from human resources best practices, understanding his financial statements, digital marketing and how to be an effective leader.
The restaurant, at 430 Main St., is open for lunch and dinners, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. Call 541-887-2282 or visit their Facebook page.
The intersection of Main Street, East Main Street, Michigan Avenue and North Eldorado Ave will be closed to all traffic on Monday, November 11th through Tuesday November 12th for the installation of traffic signal poles.
Detours will be in place to direct traffic around the construction zone. Please be cautious when travelling near construction zones. For more information, please contact Public Works at 541-883-5363.
Klamath County libraries will be closed for Veterans’ Day and Thanksgiving Day.
Klamath County Library Service District All Klamath County libraries will be closed on Monday, November 11th in observance of Veterans’ Day and on again 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.
Coming to the Ragland Theater, downtown Klamath Falls!
November has shows for the whole family! SEE OUR WEBSITE HERE
November 16th- Klamath Symphony Rockin Christmas
November 23rd- The Westerner
The Klamath Animal Shelter Pet of The Week, Ready for Adoption is a dog named ” Daisy “.
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Around the State of Oregon
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek is calling for peaceful demonstrations, if people want to express their opinion about the election.
In a statement, Kotek said she’ll have zero tolerance for actions that threaten and terrorize others. She says Oregonians will stand together as a shield against any attempt to undermine fundamental freedoms.
An administrator at the University of Oregon is on leave after posting an offensive reaction to the 2024 presidential election.
Leonard Serrato, the Ducks’ fraternity and sorority life assistant director, posted an expletive-filled rant mocking supporters of President-elect Donald Trump on his public Instagram page, the Daily Emerald reported on Wednesday.
Belted into the seat of his car, the unhinged Serrato ended the video by flashing a peace sign and suggesting Trump’s supporters: “go jump off a bridge,” with an added expletive. Serrato’s social media page is now private, but the video has been reposted and is making the rounds elsewhere.
Among those reacting with a comment was the president’s son, Donald Trump Jr. Sharing his expletive-filled comments on social media shows the Trump derailment syndrome hatred that continues in this country and could end up costing Serrato his position at UO.
More Illegals Found Registered to Vote in Oregon
The Oregon DMV reported Thursday it mistakenly allowed an additional 56 potential non-citizens to register to vote, bringing the total number of errors to 1,617.
The agency found most of the additional errors while double-checking records that workers had reviewed last month, according to a DMV report. This marks the fourth increase in the agency’s estimate in less than two months since it first identified the issue. The agency discovered the new errors in mid-October and reported them to the secretary of state on Oct. 21, according to the report.
All 56 individuals were “inactivated from registration and electronically flagged so that any submitted ballot would be pulled at the local level and not counted” in the November election, the report states. None of the individuals had a voting history, according to the report.
Salem Police are asking for help tracking down a man they say is violent and on the run. Javier Banuelos Munoz Junior has several outstanding warrants for his arrest, including for kidnapping and violating parole.
Banuelos Munoz is 44-years-old, Hispanic with black-shaved hair and brown eyes, he’s five-foot-eight with a medium build and generally has a beard. He has several tattoos including a prominent one on his neck that reads “Munoz.” Don’t approach him and call Salem Police if you see him.
Some beachgoers were surprised to find a four-foot-long shark had washed ashore near Avenue U in Seaside earlier this week.
The Seaside Aquarium, which received the report, identified the shark as a female blue shark. The aquarium says these sharks, which are among the most common worldwide, get their name from their blue coloration. While they can grow up to 12 feet in length, they usually don’t surpass 10 feet.
Sharks can be found along almost every continent’s coastline, aside from Antarctica. The aquarium was able to recover the shark, however, it says it’s too difficult to determine how the shark died so no necropsy will be conducted. Instead, aquarium officials will be able to dissect it with local students in the future giving them an opportunity to learn more about the species.
A Medford fly fishing guide is the newest member of Oregon State Marine Board.
The Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) says Dax Messett has already attended its October 23 meeting in Medford as new Board member who’s replacing Val Early on the Board. OSMB says Messett represents commercial and recreational boating in southern Oregon interests and was confirmed by Governor Tina Kotek and the Oregon Senate in September 2024. Messett’s term became effective October 1.
OSMB has five members of the boating public who volunteer their time and expertise to serve a four-year term and who may apply for a second term of service. OSMB says, “Members represent different geographic regions of the state and different boating activities. Our Board members are also boaters. They own and use motorized boats and paddlecraft. Many own more than one type of watercraft.”
OSMB says Messett has spent the last 25 years working in the outdoor industry as a registered guide and outfitter, sales representative, international destination travel coordinator, writer, photographer and featured guest speaker. Two of its five members are based in Jackson County.
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.
Oregon lawmakers will continue to set their own salaries and those of the governor, secretary of state and certain other elected officials after voters rejected a measure that would have assigned the responsibility to an independent commission.
The measure was failing 53% to 47% in partial returns as of Thursday morning, leaving no plausible path for the outcome to change. Measure 116’s defeat marks a blow for many lawmakers, unions and progressive groups, which have said for years that the low salaries for Oregon lawmakers and other elected officials discourage young and less affluent individuals from running for office.
Lawmakers currently earn about $35,000 per year, plus $157 daily stipends during legislative sessions. Other statewide elected officials earn some of the lowest salaries for their offices in the nation. Oregon’s governor makes $98,600, its attorney general earns $82,220 and its secretary of state, treasurer and labor commissioner receive $77,000.
Bureau of Land Management recreation managers are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to fill host positions at six unique locations for the 2025 summer recreation season.
Volunteer hosts play a critical role at BLM recreation sites. They are the primary, daily connection between public land users and BLM staff. Hosts also assist BLM staff to open and close sites each day, manage campground and shelter reservations, answer visitor questions, encourage visitor rule adherence, and generally maintain the sites.
A paved RV pad is provided at each site for host volunteers. Sites have varying degrees of amenities from full electric, water, and sewer hook-ups to completely primitive sites with only public potable water access. The selected volunteer(s) must provide their own trailer, motorhome, RV, or tent set-up.
Each host will receive a modest daily stipend to off-set some living costs and incidental expenses. Hosts are expected to live on site during the region’s busiest recreation season, typically from April through September. (The start date for the selected host at Sharps Creek will likely be earlier in the year.)
For more information and to apply for these volunteer opportunities, please visit Volunteer.gov. If you have further questions, contact Kendra Barat at kbarat@blm.gov or (720) 591-6847.
State officials are offering free help enrolling in insurance to 1 million Oregonians who qualify for Medicare or buy health insurance on the federal marketplace.
Open enrollment for Medicare, available, of course, to those at least 65 years old or receiving Social Security disability benefits, started Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7, while open enrollment for buying individual plans starts Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 15.
Only a fraction of Oregonians buy their own insurance — about 145,500 — while more than 930,000 people are on Medicare. During open Medicare enrollment, people can enroll for the first time or change their plan, including a prescription drug plan — Medicare Part D — or switch between Medicare Advantage and original Medicare.
Health insurance is complicated and there are a lot of options. The Department of Human Services has five staff members and works with nearly 160 volunteers around the state to help people sort through them and avoid scams. Through this year, most Medicare prescription plans have a “donut hole” or coverage gap for prescription drugs, but the Inflation Reduction Act, signed in 2022, closed the gap for Medicare policies starting in 2025. Also next year, Medicare plans will cap out-of-pocket expenses for prescriptions at $2,000. The DHS specialists also can explain coverage for weight loss drugs, expanded family caregiver coverage and increased access to mental health services.
For individual plans, the state has revamped its Window Shopping tool this year to make it easier to explore insurance options and curb costs, according to an Oregon Health Authority news release. The tool compares plans, previews out-of-pocket costs and checks whether plans cover certain providers, facilities and prescription drugs. And it’s not just limited to individual plans but can help people with the Oregon Health Plan or Medicaid, the new OHP Bridge Plan for lower income people who earn a bit more than what’s allowed under Medicaid, Medicare and the federal marketplace for an individual plan.
Voters in more than a dozen Oregon cities, including in the Portland area, voted to ban the regulated sales and use of psilocybin mushrooms.
Anti-psilocybin measures were on the ballots in 16 cities and unincorporated Clackamas County, and are passing in coastal communities to urban Portland and central and southern Oregon by 55% to 70% of the vote.
Bans against psilocybin businesses are passing in Brookings, Rogue River, Sutherlin, Redmond, Lebanon, Jefferson, Sheridan, Amity, Hubbard, Mount Angel, Estacada, Oregon City, Lake Oswego, Seaside and Warrenton. Redmond’s measure would enact a two-year moratorium on psilocybin businesses. Comment was not immediately available from psilocybin opponents. Supporters of the drug expressed disappointment with the results Wednesday.
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.
Court records say Voss posted several videos of himself violently threatening other people. Voss was allegedly holding a gun in two of the videos.
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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