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, Nov. 27, 2024
Klamath Basin Weather
Today
Mostly cloudy start with sunshine in the afternoon, a high near 39 degrees.
Today’s Klamath Falls Headlines
A man from Chiloquin was murdered in front of Reno City Hall last week when an assailant stabbed him and ran.
Local Reno news outlets KRNV News 4 & Fox 11 reported the death of Harlan Arnett, 32, last Thursday after he was stabbed and transported to a nearby hospital where he died later that day.
Dispatch was said to have received a called-in report of the stabbing incident on the Believe Plaza shortly before 10AM. a.m., The suspect Sedrick Romero, 50, was located one hour later and taken into custody. He is charged with open murder. No other information about the case was made available to the press.
A 48 year old Bly man is in the Klamath County Jail after his arrest in Lakeview on 16 felony counts of encouraging child sex abuse in the second degree.
Justin Reed Anderson is held on a total of $160,000 bail. No other information about his arrest was made public by law enforcement.
The Klamath County Public Works Department announces the following SEASONAL ROAD CLOSURE: Cascade Lakes Highwayis now closed for the winter season.
This is an annual closure for the high-elevation forest highway. The Road Department will work to remove snow and reopen Cascade Lakes Highway with a tentative opening date of May 1st. For additional questions or concerns, please contact Klamath County Public Works at 541-883-4696.
PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is encouraging holiday cooks to keep their families, friends and Thanksgiving guests safe from foodborne germs by practicing four simple steps to food safety: clean, separate, cook and chill.
The recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urge people to always keep hands and surfaces clean; avoid cross-contamination between foods; cook foods to the right temperature; and refrigerate leftovers.
The bottom line, said Emilio DeBess, D.V.M., state public health veterinarian and foodborne illness expert at OHA’s Public Health Division, is this: By taking a few steps and planning ahead, you can help keep the holiday season merry and bright.
“Foodborne infections from bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter and Clostridium perfringens can ruin a holiday gathering, especially if there’s an outbreak. But they are entirely preventable,” DeBess said. “In particular, leaving meat-based foods sitting out for several hours is a classic cause of C. perfringens outbreaks.”
Turkey and roast beef are common sources of Salmonella and Campylobacter, which can spread to other foods from unwashed hands and contaminated kitchen surfaces. In addition, according to CDC, Clostridium perfringens food poisoning results from eating improperly cooked and stored foods—for example, if the food sits out for an extended length of time before refrigerating.
The three bacteria share two symptoms: diarrhea and stomach cramps, with symptom onset beginning between several hours (Clostridium) and several days after infection. Salmonella infection can also cause headaches, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite, and Campylobacter can also cause fever, nausea and vomiting.
To prevent contamination from these bacteria during holiday meal preparation take the following steps, according to DeBess and CDC:
Clean: Wash hands and surfaces often
- Wash your hands at least 20 seconds with soap and water before, during and after preparing food, and before eating. Always wash hands after handling uncooked meat, chicken and other poultry, seafood, flour, or eggs.
- Wash utensils, cutting boards and countertops with hot, soapy water after preparing each food item.
- Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running water.
Separate: Don’t cross-contaminate
- When grocery shopping, keep raw meat, poultry, seafood and their juices away from other foods.
- Keep raw or marinating meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs separate from all other foods at the bottom of the refrigerator; store raw meat, poultry, and seafood in sealed containers or wrap them securely so the juices don’t leak onto other foods.
- Use one cutting board or plate for raw meat, poultry, and seafood and a separate cutting board or plate for produce, bread, and other foods that won’t be cooked.
- Washing raw chicken, which is ready to cook and doesn’t need washing first, can spread germs to other foods, the sink and the counter, and can make you sick.
Cook to the right temperature
- The only way to tell if food is safely cooked to a temperature that kills germs is to use a food thermometer.
- All poultry, including ground chicken and turkey, should be cooked to 165°F.
- Whole cuts of beef, veal, lamb, and pork, including fresh ham, should be cooked to 145°F. (Allow the meat to rest for 3 minutes before carving or eating).
- Fish with fins should be cooked to 145°F, or cook until the flesh is opaque and separates easily with a fork.
- Ground meats, such as beef and pork, should be cooked to 160°F.
- Leftovers and casseroles should be cooked to 165°F.
- Check this chart for an even more detailed list of temperatures and foods, including shellfish and precooked ham.
Chill: Refrigerate promptly
- Never leave perishable food out for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if exposed to temperatures above 90°F).
- Keep your refrigerator at 40°F or below and your freezer at 0°F or below, and know when to throw food out before it spoils. If your refrigerator doesn’t have a built-in thermometer, keep an appliance thermometer inside it to check the temperature.
- Package warm or hot food in several clean, shallow containers and then refrigerate—it is OK to put small portions of hot food in the refrigerator since they will chill faster.
- If the food is exposed to temperatures above 90°F, like sitting in a hot car or at a picnic, refrigerate it within 1 hour.
- Thaw frozen food safely in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave – never thaw food on the counter because bacteria multiply quickly in the parts of the food that reach room temperature.
For more information, visit “Preparing Your Holiday Turkey Safely” and “About Four Steps to Food Safety”.
Sky Lakes is proud to announce that Cyntia Pope, RN, has been recognized as a 2024 Outstanding Nurse Preceptor by the Oregon Center for Nursing (OCN).
This prestigious honor celebrates nurse preceptors who play an essential role in shaping the future of the nursing workforce. Nurse preceptors provide vital guidance, encouragement, and education to nursing students and new graduates, helping them navigate hospital policies, build competencies, and grow into confident healthcare professionals. The relationship between a preceptor and their preceptees is instrumental at every stage of a nurse’s career.
For over 7 years, Pope has been an exceptional preceptor at Sky Lakes, positively impacting countless nurses’ careers. Known for her quiet strength, support, and dedication, Pope has left an indelible mark on her preceptees, many of whom have shared their gratitude: Sky Lakes Medical Center congratulates Cyntia Pope on this well-deserved recognition and thanks her for her invaluable contributions to the nursing profession and the community.
Find a gift for a friend, family, loved one, or just for yourself by shopping small this Thanksgiving weekend during the sixth annual Small Business Saturday, Nov. 30th, in downtown Klamath Falls.
The heart of a roaring community, according to the Small Business Administration, small businesses are responsible for 62.7 percent of new jobs created annually in the United States since 1995. And, 68 cents of every dollar spent at a small business stays in the local community, generating 48 cents in local business activity as a result of those businesses purchasing goods and services, the SBA says.
Hosted by the downtown businesses of Klamath Falls in partnership with the Downtown Association, The Shop Hop is an excellent way to discover unique local shops and exceptional restaurants and enjoy a festive shopping experience. Beyond offering their wares, for every $10 spent at a participating business, the customer will be entered into a raffle for incredible prizes donated by the small business.
The Downtown Association has also prepared two grand prizes, one a ‘Night on the Town’ with tickets to a show at the Ross Ragland accompanied by a $100 shopping card to a retail store and a $100 gift card for a restaurant, both to a place of the winner’s choosing. The other grand prize is a seven-day trip certificate to anywhere the winner wants. Airfare is not included, but the certificate will cover lodging expenses worldwide. Last year’s Small Business Saturday generated more than $70,000 in revenues across all 23 participating businesses.
With the downtown businesses opening around 10AM, pick up a map of the participating locations from Painted Pieces, located at 426 Main Street, and shop hop on Saturday, Nov. 30th.
‘Tis officially the season in Klamath Falls as lights go up in Eulalona Park with the colors and symbols of Christmas.
Saying that Christmas is their favorite holiday, Paul and Suzanne Stewart — aided by the city of Klamath Falls, Healthy Klamath and Sky Lakes Medical Center — created a dazzling display for the fourth season of Light the Park, and shared the first night with the Klamath community on Friday.
The Stewart family and a group of volunteers decked the walking trail of Eulalona Park with the festive and familiar figures and shapes of the holiday for all to enjoy for free. The display can be seen not only by residents, but also those traveling through Klamath Falls by way of Highway 97.
Though the evening wasn’t the snow-covered wonderland that the Stewarts and many visitors to the display had hoped for, the Light the Park event garnered a large turnout from local families despite heavy rainfall. Holiday music was played beneath the pavilion, while the Klamath Union Senior Class of 2025 served hot chocolate accompanied by doughnuts baked by Doughnut Burger.
Accompanied by her two young sons, she said that the best part of Christmas is spending time together with family and seeing the joy on all the faces. Her son Liam, age three, chimed in telling her not to forget the presents. Visit Eulalona Park during evening hours for the dazzling display of festive lights.
Klamath Chorale’s annual Christmas concert, “Making Spirits Bright,” continues its annual tradition as one of the highlights of the holiday season.
The concert is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, at the Ross Ragland Theater, 218 N 7th Street. For more than 40 years, the chorale has thrilled the local community by combining traditional carols in unique arrangements with popular seasonal songs that you will long remember.
Tickets are $14 to $28 for students, $16 to $28 for seniors and military, and $18 to $28 for adults.
Get your appetite ready — or use it as an excuse to break away from in-laws — as the annual 5K Turkey Trot is set for Thursday at Moore Park.
The Linkville Lopers Running and Walking Club invites all to spend Thanksgiving morning in a run, walk or jog around the ADA loops of Moore park. It’s one of our largest and most looked forward to events of the year. A welcoming race for all skill levels, the trot typically fields over 200 participants lacing up their shoes to join with family and friends for bragging rights around the table, as well as crafting memories that last a lifetime.
While a free event, the Linkville Lopers are accepting donations of canned food products benefiting the Klamath and Lake County Food Bank as well as unopened toys that will be donated to Toys for Tots. The race starts at 9 a.m. Thanksgiving Day.
Klamath Union High School has been awarded just under a half-million dollar grant for programming geared toward future careers in medicine.
KUHS is to receive $440,843 via the third and final round of funding distribution from Future Ready Oregon — a $200 million Oregon Senate bill passed by legislature in 2022. The bill focuses on preparing Oregon youth to enter the workforce in the fields of healthcare, technology and manufacturing, and establishing educational and community support and engagement for underserved populations throughout Oregon. Funding was awarded for the city school’s health occupations program, a new course offered to all KUHS students that provides students with hands-on experience working in healthcare.
Adam Randall, assistant principal at KUHS, said although 2024 is the first year offering the course, the results have been “pretty insane.” Randall said next year, the school is planning to double the available instruction time by making the teacher’s role a full-time position, allowing for approximately 200 students to take the class each year.
The course, entitled “Introduction to Health Occupations,” gives high schoolers an opportunity to tour through 33 different health occupations at Sky Lakes Wellness Center. Partnering with Sky Lakes has been an overwhelming success story, Randall said. The health occupations program also comes with an opportunity for students to progress in their potential careers in healthcare by working — and earning wages — as clinical or surgical ambassadors at Sky Lakes facilities.
Sky Lakes even provides tuition assistance to students who continue through the programming. And, as of this fall, students who are surgical ambassadors can go on to complete the new surgical tech program at KCC.
The state grant funding awarded to KUHS is enough to cover the necessary equipment to have on the high school campus and provide wages for the ambassadors working at Sky Lakes who, until now, have been paid out of pocket by the hospital facility.
Other local organizations also got awarded money- Klamath County School District and Mazama High School: $302,793 for manufacturing, Oregon Institute of Technology: two grants for $1,209,546 for technology, and the Ross Ragland Theater: $500,000 for technology.
On Tuesday, Oregon Tech and Klamath Community College held a joint event in honor of International Education Week, focusing on the value of global education and cross-cultural learning.
The celebration highlighted how international experiences help students develop adaptability and problem-solving skills needed in today’s global society. In recent years, Oregon Tech has expanded its international connections, encouraging students and faculty to study abroad and investing in global engagement to bring international students and faculty to Oregon.
The event also recognized international students and employees from both Oregon Tech and KCC, who contribute their unique ideas and experiences to the community.
KCC’s International Studies program got underway last spring, hosting students from Brazil and Vietnam. This winter, seven exchange students from France will be on campus and KCC students and faculty will visit France. The students are from CESI School of Engineering in France and will join KCC’s Computer Engineering Technology and Manufacturing Engineering Technology programs.
The event was the first formal celebration of Oregon Tech and KCC working together to create more global opportunities for students and employees. The partnership helps individuals on both campuses gain skills and global perspectives.
The potential of a devastating flood may seem unlikely in drought-stricken Klamath County, but history has proven otherwise.
In order to ensure residents will receive pertinent resources from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the event of a disastrous flood, Klamath County as well as the city of Klamath Falls governments are required to adhere to certain federal standards, leading to the recent changes in local floodplain maps.
Floodplain mapping is used to determine which land parcels are most likely to be impacted in a flood scenario and to what extent the flood would cause damages. Klamath County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and County Planning Commission invited residents impacted by the latest floodplain maps to a meeting on Oct. 22 to address concerns and explain what’s to come.
Planning Commissioner Justin Throne explained that the county is required to meet FEMA’s specifications in order for residents to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Citizens within counties and cities that enter floodplain agreements with FEMA are eligible for federally-backed flood insurance if they reside within the floodplain.
Throne noted that FEMA also allegedly will not respond with emergency relief if the county does not enter and remain compliant with a federal agreement.
Chiloquin Jr/Sr High School students and staff enjoyed salmon cooked by members of the Klamath Tribes over an open fire pit and participated in traditional snake and round dances on Thursday, Nov. 21 during a day dedicated to exploring Native American culture and heritage.
This is the third year the school and tribal members have organized a traditional salmon bake to celebrate the Native culture within Chiloquin’s student body and honor Native American Heritage Month.
Will Hess, a Klamath Tribal member who works with students through the On Track OHSU! program, organized the event with the help of Chiloquin school administrators Ruben Paschal and Michael Hofmann and support from the Klamath Tribes Culture and Heritage Department, Klamath Tribes Language Department, Klamath Tribal Health & Family Services Prevention Program, and Klamath County School District Title VI and Food Services departments.
About 60% of Chiloquin’s student body identifies as Native American or Indigenous.
For the first time in over 60 years, a threatened species of salmon returned to the Upper Klamath River Basin.
Officials with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife say seven Coho salmon entered the CDFW’s new Fall Creek Fish Hatchery in Siskiyou County on November 13. According to the CDFW, this is the first returns of the threatened Coho salmon return to the Upper Klamath River Basin following the historic dam removal projects that were completed last month. Officials say that it has been since the construction of the former Iron Gate Dam in the early 1960’s when Coho salmon were last documented occupying their historic habitat in the upper watershed.
According to the CDFW, of the seven salmon that reached the Fall Creek Fish Hatchery, four were male and three were female. Of the seven fish, two of them were missing adipose fins, which identified them as being of hatchery origin. The remaining five fish were of natural origin as all hatchery-raised Coho salmon in the Klamath Basin have their adipose fins removed for identification before they are released.
The California Department of Fish & Wildlife says that the returning Coho salmon are being kept at the Fall Creek Hatchery pending genetic testing at the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center laboratory in Santa Cruz, where geneticists will determining which of the seven fish are the least genetically related and direct the spawning of those pairs to maximize genetic diversity.
Officials say that last week, the CDFW also released approximately 270,000 yearling, fall-run Chinook salmon into Fall Creek, the final Klamath Basin hatchery release of the year and the first official release following the removal of the dams.
Opening day for Mt. Shasta Ski Park is set for Wednesday, December 11th.
The ski park made the announcement on Facebook Monday morning, also stating that while there is a lot of work to be done, crews are already hard at it. Mt. Shasta’s annual season pass party will happen the Friday before opening day, on December 6. Hours on opening day will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In Oregon, Mt. Ashland Ski Area announced it’s opening day earlier this month, that’s set for December 14.
Meanwhile, Warner Canyon Ski Area, located in Lake County, Oregon is targeting Dec. 21 for its opening, contingent on sufficient snowfall. Warner Canyon remained closed last winter due to a lack of snow.
‘Tis the season! Looking for an outdoor experience to celebrate the holidays? How about cutting down your own Christmas tree? Christmas tree permits for the Bureau of Land Management Klamath Falls Field Office can be purchased ONLINE starting now.
Buy your permit here! Permits cost $5 per tree with a limit of 2 trees per household. Go to forestproducts.blm.gov, select Oregon and “Klamath Falls Field Office” from the drop-down menu, and follow the prompts. A permit, stipulations, and a map will be emailed to you following purchase.
Though some restrictions may apply, Christmas tree cutting is permitted on most BLM-administered lands within the Klamath Falls Field Office. Maps of cutting areas are available with permits. Before you head out to find your perfect tree, review the details below to have the best experience.
- You must have a valid permit to cut and/or remove trees from BLM-managed public lands. Check with your local BLM field office as cutting areas, guidelines and restrictions vary. Tag prices and restrictions are different for trees cut on U.S. Forest Service land.
- No topping of trees.
- Cut below lowest live limb – Leave stumps no higher than six inches.
- Avoid damage to other trees.
- Drive only on existing roads. Don’t block traffic when you park. Comply with road closures.
- Do not trespass on or through private land.
- Stay on designated roads and respect private land. Some tree cutting areas may be inaccessible after a snowfall – early-season cutting is advisable.
- Be safe and prepared. Check road and weather conditions before heading out. Ensure you have everything you need for an outdoor venture, including warm clothes, food, water, and safety equipment. Let someone know where you’ll be going and when you plan to return. If you get stranded, call for help, and stay with your group and vehicle until help arrives.
- Please dispose of trees properly. Consider composting or using it as firewood if those are options available to you.
Keep in mind that hunting seasons can be open during these times, so wearing brighter colors may be advisable. For more information about Christmas tree cutting on BLM lands in the Klamath Falls Field Office, call 541-883-6916.
Interstate 5 is now open northbound and southbound over the Siskiyou Summit between milepost 11 in Ashland and the Oregon-California border.
ODOT says chains are required on all vehicles excluding four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles unless towing.
While the freeway is open, travel may still be difficult with changing weather conditions. I-5 is also back open through Siskiyou County and through the Mt. Shasta area. However, chains are also required traveling on I-5 through Mt. Shasta. Highway 97 is also back open in Siskiyou County this evening.
Happy Thanksgiving from The Klamath Falls Gospel Mission
Our KFGM Annual community Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday November 28 – Thanksgiving Day from 12:00 – 1:00 PM. Everyone is invited to join us for a full Thanksgiving Dinner with all the trimmings lovingly prepared and served by KFGM staff, residents and volunteers. Please call KFGM 541-882-4895 if you are interested in volunteering or donating food for the dinner.
Blessings to you and yours,
Vickie Kaber, Executive Director
Klamath Falls Gospel Mission
1931 Mission Ave., Klamath Falls, OR 97601
Umpqua Bank is having their 10th Annual Warm Hearts Winter Drive, an associate-driven campaign to support individuals, families and youths throughout the bank’s footprint who struggle with access to housing and other basic resources.
Umpqua Bank’s 4,800 associates and nearly 300 local branches will help mobilize their respective communities to raise money and collect winter items for shelters and aide organizations serving people experiencing homelessness.
Last year, the Warm Hearts Winter Drive raised a total of $365,000 for more than 100 shelter partners and nonprofits across Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Nevada and Utah. Since the campaign launched in 2015, the Warm Hearts Winter Drive has raised nearly $2.5 Million in funds and other resources for local nonprofits and shelters helping neighbors in need.
“It’s an honor to celebrate the Warm Heart Winter Drive’s 10-year anniversary and take a moment to reflect on the impact this campaign has made in the communities across our footprint,” said Umpqua Bank Chief Marketing Officer David Moore Devine. “Thank you to all our associates, customers and community members who contribute to Warm Hearts each and every year. We look forward to continuing to work alongside all the amazing nonprofit partners and local shelters that do so much to support those in need and make our communities stronger.”
How to Support the Warm Hearts Winter Drive
The Warm Hearts Winter Drive accepts cash donations in addition to new winter clothes. Contributions can be made at www.WarmHeartsWinterDrive.com. Financial contributions and new winter clothing items can also be donated at Umpqua Bank branches.
Emergency workers from local agencies tested their mettle against physical agility and strength tests on the Klamath Community College campus recently as part of “Movember,” a set of weekly challenges during for the month of November to highlight men’s health issues.
KCC is home to the Klamath Regional Training Center, which includes the Emergency Response and Operations Program for students. ERO includes three disciplines: Structure Fire; Wildland Fire and EMT training.
Men — and women — from the Klamath Falls Police Department, Klamath County Sheriff’s office, Oregon Department of Forestry and Wildland firefighting units — as well as community members — tested their endurance against the clock on Nov. 8. They had to run several hundred yards with fire hoses, carry weighted dummies, run up the center’s five-story fire training tower stairs, and then haul up a full fire hose attached to a rope from below. Movember events focus on suicide prevention, physical abilities and cancer, especially prostate and testicular cancers.
At the end of the month, there will be a celebration at the Klamath Basin Yacht Club for all who participated in the events. The public can get in on the action, too, as Healthy Klamath and KBBH are hosting an Army fitness challenge, Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Harbor Isles Tennis and Fitness Club.
If interested in learning more about Movember, check out the website, movember.com. For details on Healthy Klamath and KBBH, visit healthyklamath.org and www.kbbh.org.
Downtown Klamath Falls is gearing up for the 6th Annual Small Business Saturday Shop Hop on November 30.
Local businesses and shoppers are invited to celebrate a day of community, shopping, and support for small businesses, the heart of our community.
Hosted by downtown businesses in partnership with Klamath Falls Downtown Association, the Shop Hop is a wonderful way for the community to come together, discover unique local shops, and enjoy a festive shopping experience.
This year, shoppers have an extra incentive to get out and support their favorite businesses. For every $10 spent at participating stores, shoppers will be entered into a raffle to win incredible prizes, including a “Night on the Town,” generously donated by the Downtown Association, and a 7-night vacation! Supporting our local businesses is more important than ever.
Small Business Saturday is a chance to show our appreciation for the hard working entrepreneurs who bring life and personality to our downtown area. We can’t wait to see the community come out, explore, and enjoy all that Downtown Klamath Falls has to offer. In addition to shopping, there will be plenty of holiday cheer, special promotions, and local products to help you find those one-of-a-kind holiday gifts.
Grab a friend, support your neighbors, and enjoy a day of fun that puts your holiday dollars back into the heart of our town.
The Klamath Animal Shelter Pet of The Week, Ready for Adoption is a dog named ” Copper”.
Win-R-Insulation, Inc. has a special partnership with EnergyTrust of Oregon where you may be able to qualify for a FREE CEILING INSULATION PROGRAM. See if you qualify by clicking here, or calling Win-R-Insulation at (541) 884-8008
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
Heading into the holiday season, Pacific Power is reminding customers to be vigilant about fraudulent communications from scammers posing as utility representatives.
This activity tends to increase during this time of year.Customers can protect themselves from these types of schemes by being aware of the following facts:
Pacific Power will not contact any customer demanding immediate payment to avoid disconnection of service.
Pacific Power does not ask customers to make payments by purchasing a prepaid card. You and other customers can always choose how you would like to make your payments. service the same day.
Pacific Power will not demand immediate payment for damaged or broken electrical equipment or any other service.
Pacific Power customer service employees will always have your correct account number. Scammers increasingly have used text messages as a means of targeting victims will not demand payment via text message.
Pacific Power encourages customers to set up their online billing profile at Pay My Bill (pacificpower.net) where they can pay bills and review statements. Scammers may use a sophisticated deceptive tactic that makes it appear to caller ID systems that the call is coming from Pacific Power when it is not. Hang up and call Customer Service directly.
Remember, if you still have concerns about the legitimacy of a call, you can always call our published customer service number, 1-888-221-7070. Pacific Power is asking customers to report information about any scam calls received, including the phone number the person is calling from and any information that may help to track down the fraudsters.
An Eagle Point School District Employee has been arrested on charges of sex abuse.
According to a news release from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, police have been investigating the woman — 38-year-old Amanda Rose Leonardo, known as “Pody” — for a month. Leonardo turned herself in today. “She is lodged in the Jackson County Jail. The identified victims were of high school age,” the release said. “The charges are unrelated to her position with Eagle Point School District.” Leonardo is facing charges of third-degree sexual abuse, luring a minor, tampering with physical evidence and providing liquor to a person under 21.
In a release, the Eagle Point school district said: While EPSD9 cannot share specific details due to the ongoing nature of the inquiry and the privacy of those involved, please be assured that our District takes all matters concerning staff conduct seriously. Eagle Point School District 9 strives to provide clear and accurate communication to our community. No further information is being released at this time.
On Monday November 25, 2024, at 11:47 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on OR 42 near milepost 10.4, in Coos County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a BMW sedan, operated by Brandon Smith (32) of Coos Bay, was traveling westbound on OR 42 when for unknown reasons went into an uncontrolled spin, traveled into the eastbound lanes of travel, and collided with an eastbound Toyota Corolla, operated by Dana Salmon (32) of Myrtle Point.
Both vehicles came to an uncontrolled rest within the eastbound lanes of travel, at which time the BMW became engulfed in flames. The operator of the BMW (Smith) was declared deceased at the scene. The operator of the Toyota (Salmon) was transported to a local area hospital with serious injuries.
The highway was impacted for approximately four hours during the on-scene investigation. OSP was assisted by Coquille Police Department, Coquille Fire Department, Coquille Ambulance, and ODOT.
Gas prices are rising in many states, including Oregon — but drivers are still paying the cheapest Thanksgiving gas prices since 2020.
According to a news release from the American Automobile Association, the national average tank of gas is $3.07 per gallon. Oregon’s is $3.56 per gallon and California’s is $4.44 — the second-most expensive in the U.S. after Hawaii at $4.57.
Gas prices in the Pacific Northwest have seen small increases due to the bomb cyclone that pummeled the region last week. This led to concerns about power outages at refineries in the Puget Sound area, and fueled double-digit increases in wholesale gasoline prices in the region.
Locally, in Klamath County, gas on average is listed at $3.43 per gallon.
A Coos Bay woman was arrested for reportedly embezzling more than $22,000 from a local business.
According to the Coos Bay Police Department, 28-year-old Melinda McCormick is suspected of stealing the money from the McDonald’s located at 772 South Broadway Street. Police say the internal theft, which occurred over roughly two months, was connected to more than $22,000 in bank deposits from McDonald’s that were never deposited into the bank. Officers recovered all but $4,700 worth of the missing bank deposits. McCormick faces a first-degree aggravated theft charge.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is attempting to locate 72-year-old Donald Burrows.
Burrows was last heard from on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, when he spoke to family from his home in Glendale on his landline phone. Police say Burrows is not known to possess a cell phone or other digital device that could aid in locating him.
Burrows is known to frequent the Medford and Grants Pass communities. He’s described as a white male standing 6’0″ tall, 185 lbs., with grey hair and hazel eyes. His vehicle is a green-colored 2000 Ford Taurus with Oregon license plate # ZCG 723. If anyone has information as to his whereabouts, contact the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office at (541) 440-4471.
Oregon’s new chief state economist estimates the state will have about $37.8 billion available to spend in the next two-year budget cycle after reworking how the state calculates its economic forecast.
The state’s also on track to pay out a $1.8 billion kicker to taxpayers in 2026. But new chief economist Carl Riccadonna, a former Wall Street analyst hired in September, is changing the way Oregon models its expected revenue with an eye toward more accurate forecasts that reduce the amount returned to taxpayers through Oregon’s unique kicker law.
Riccadonna and senior economist Michael Kennedy presented their first quarterly forecast to lawmakers Wednesday and previewed some of their findings on a call with reporters Tuesday evening. Under the new forecast, lawmakers could have nearly $6 billion more to spend in the upcoming 2025-27 budget cycle compared to the last one.
Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services has let people take the non-commercial driver’s license knowledge test online in English and Spanish since October 2023. The test is now available in six additional languages: Arabic, Chinese (simplified Mandarin), Japanese, Korean, Russian and Vietnamese.
The online test is offered in the same eight languages available at on-site testing screens in DMV offices. In its first year, 22,642 customers passed the knowledge test online. During that same period, 66,195 customers passed the test at DMV offices.
Choosing the online test lets you take the test at your convenience. The online testing experience closely mirrors testing at a DMV office, and there is no difference in fees. Online knowledge testing requires a desktop or laptop computer with a mouse, keyboard and functioning webcam. You cannot complete the test using a touchscreen device like a phone or tablet. Teens under 18 need an adult 21 years or older to supervise their test as they take it.
Testing online lets you know if you have passed the exam before coming into the DMV office. This can save multiple trips into the office if you don’t pass the first time. After you pass your test online, you will need to come into an office with your identity documents and pass a vision screening. You will then be issued a permit or be eligible to schedule a drive test, depending on your age.
Learn more on the DMV online test webpage. Online knowledge testing is one of more than 20 transactions that can be done online at DMV2U.
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) unveiled the first State of the State’s Housing Report for Oregon, providing an in-depth analysis of housing availability and affordability across the state.
Drawing from comprehensive data on housing markets, economic trends, and demographic shifts, the report highlights the challenges Oregon residents face in affording high-quality housing. Oregon’s population grew by more than 860,000 residents, representing a 25% increase between 2004 and 2023. Housing construction was insufficient to keep pace with a rapidly increasing population.
Oregon must add more than 500,000 housing units over the next two decades to begin addressing supply issues. Home prices have far outpaced wage gains over the past decade in the for-sale market.
For every dollar Oregonians earned in wage increases between 2013 and 2022, the median sales price of a home increased by $7.10. Communities of color continue to face significantly lower homeownership rates (49%) compared to their white counterparts (66%). More than half of all renters in Oregon and a third of homeowners experience a housing cost burden, meaning that they spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs.
Approximately 242,000 households fall into the extremely low-income or very low-income categories. Oregon only offers approximately 113,000 housing units that are both affordable and available to them, resulting in a deficit of 128,000 units for these households. OHCS expects to release a State of the State’s Housing Report every two years, with additional localized analyses in the years between each release. Reliable data enables the agency to identify where efforts are making an impact and where improvements are needed.
Electric vehicles, EV charging stations, transit improvements, and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure are among the 14 projects across Oregon to receive funding from the second round of the federal Carbon Reduction Program.
The program’s second round of competitive grant funding, which ran in spring this year, had $11.5 million available for “small urban and rural” projects in Oregon that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. The 14 projects were split among 13 local agencies and one Tribe.
Over 70% of the funds will go to projects in disadvantaged communities, following the federal government’s Justice40 initiative. Eligible projects for the grant were in urban and rural areas of the state with populations under 200,000. Cities, counties, Tribal governments, and local and state transportation agencies were eligible to apply. The Carbon Reduction Program will distribute $82 million of federal funding over five years for transportation projects in Oregon. The ODOT Climate Office administers the program. Office staff worked with a consultation group of local transportation organizations and advocates to develop strategies, priorities and evaluation criteria for the program.
The next round of funding from the Carbon Reduction Program is expected to be in spring 2026.
Public comments on a proposed amendment to the land management plans guiding national forests within the Northwest Forest Plan area, which includes the Fremont-Winema National Forest, is being sought by the U.S. Forest Service.
The draft Environmental Impact Statement for the amendment will be published Saturday (today) in the Federal Register. The 120-day comment period is intended to “provide an opportunity for the public to share input on how these forests will be managed for decades to come,” according to a press release.
The Northwest Forest Plan area spans Oregon, Northern California and Washington and, along with the Fremont-Winema, includes the Modoc, Rogue River-Siskiyou, and Deschutes national forests. Buchanan said key themes of the draft EIS focus on balancing economic needs, ecological health and community safety across the Northwest Forest Plan area.
Oregon State Parks has added Brookings to the cities where overnight beach camping is banned.
Residents near Mill Beach voiced concerns about public health, risks to public safety, and impacts on the marine ecosystem. Over 90 percent of comments expressed support for the ban. Brookings joins Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Rockaway Beach, Lincoln City, Newport, Bandon and Gold Beach where camping is also banned.
Drug reform advocates hailed Oregon as a progressive leader when it became the first in the nation to legalize the therapeutic use of psilocybin, the compound found in psychedelic mushrooms.
But four years later, voters in a growing list of its cities have banned the substance.
Four cities, spanning Portland suburbs and rural and coastal towns, added new voter-approved prohibitions for the federally illegal compound in the Nov. 5 election. A dozen other communities that approved two-year moratoriums in 2022, when a majority of Oregon counties and over 100 cities voted to temporarily or permanently ban psilocybin, voted in this election to make the restrictions permanent.
In the wake of the fentanyl crisis, the rejection of drug liberalization measures in Oregon and states across the country this election has some experts questioning whether voters are rethinking their appetite for such policies. Psilocybin, found in several species of mushrooms, can cause hours of vivid hallucinations.
Indigenous people have used it in healing rituals, and scientists are exploring whether it can help treat depression, addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder. Researchers and military veterans are among those who have advocated for the study of the substance for therapeutic use.
Officials are releasing the names of St. Helens High School teachers and staff members who are under investigation for sexual abuse or negligent misconduct.
The Oregon Department of Human Services released the names yesterday. Mark Collins and Eric Stearns are being investigated for alleged sexual abuse. Katy Wagner and Scot Stockwell are being investigated for alleged neglect due to failure to report child safety concerns.
The chair of the St. Helens School District Board has resigned, and the high school principal was placed on administrative leave after the sex abuse allegations surfaced. School Board members said they knew since September, and one teacher was allowed to continue working.
State House Republicans are bringing back former House GOP leader Christine Drazan to lead their caucus next year.
Drazan represented Canby in the House from 2019 to 2022, including a two-year stint as House minority leader marked by walkouts and frequent clashes with then-Speaker Tina Kotek.
Drazan stepped down to make an unsuccessful bid for governor against Kotek and stayed out of office for two years. She sailed to victory in her district by beating incumbent James Hieb in the primary. Senate Democrats held their elections during a weekend retreat and chose to stick with Lake Oswego Sen. Rob Wagner as president and Eugene Sen. James Manning as president pro tempore.
Looking for a place with skiing, windsurfing and small town charm? The Matador Network just released its list of 11 Best Small Mountain Towns in The US to visit in 2025, and only one Oregon town made the cut: Hood River.
Hood River is about an hour’s drive east of Portland along Interstate 84, situated along the Columbia River and with the towering Mount Hood visible (on clear days at least) on the horizon. The San Francisco-based digital media company covers travel, culture and the outdoors. Matador Network editors who compiled the list focused on towns with fewer than 10,000 residents and lots of outdoor recreation opportunities.
Hood River, with a population of about 8,300 people, was honored as the “epicenter of adventure in the Columbia River Gorge.” Mt. Shasta, California also made the list of mountain towns listed within our region.
Hunger rates plummeted in Oregon in the years leading up to the pandemic, but then COVID-19 hit and during the following two years, the number of Oregonians struggling to put food on the table rose, a recently released Oregon State University study found.
People lost their jobs and their sources of income shrank, creating thousands more malnourished Oregonians. In 2023, nearly 13% of state residents — about 530,000 individuals — suffered from “food insecurity” in Oregon, according to a just-released Oregon State University analysis that looks at people’s inability to get enough food on the table in a predictable manner.
That rate is lower than in the years following the Great Recession, but about two points higher than 2020, marking an increase of about 65,000 more people facing food insecurity during 2021 to 2023. Renters, people who live alone, those with a lower education, rural residents and minority communities along with adults up to age 64 are more likely to face food insecurity.
With persistent food insecurity issues in Oregon, dozens of organizations like the Oregon Food Bank have stepped up their efforts to tackle the problem, partly in Washington D.C. More than 40 groups recently sent a letter to Oregon’s U.S. senators and representatives, urging them to oppose any reduction in food aid. The groups are worried about the farm bill, a five-year program that covers agricultural subsidies, crop insurance and food aid like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
Formerly known as food stamps, SNAP helps 680,000 Oregonians a year buy food to feed their families. The five-year farm bill expired last September and Congress has still not passed a new bill. The Agriculture Committee in the Republican-controlled House passed a farm bill that would cut $30 billion from nutritional programs while a version introduced in the U.S. Senate would protect food aid. Neither is likely to make it to the finish line before the next Republican-dominated Congress is in session.
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