Klamath Basin News, Monday 12/23 – Three Local Men Dead of Gunshot Wounds; Oregon Ducks In Rose Bowl vs. Ohio State on Jan. 1st. Pacific Power Raising Rates Almost 10% for 2025; Two Days Til Christmas!

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, December 23, 2024

Klamath Basin Weather

Today
A 20% chance of rain after 3pm. Snow level 6000 feet rising to 6800 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. Southeast wind 7 to 11 mph. Rain this evening, snow level at 6500 feet, rain overnight, low near 37 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday Christmas Eve
Rain before 7am, then showers, mainly between 7am and 10am. Snow level 4600 feet. High near 43. West wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation less than a quarter of an inch possible.
Overnight, patchy fog, cloudy, with a low around 24. West northwest wind around 5 mph. 
Wednesday, Christmas Day
A 10 percent chance of snow after 4pm. Patchy freezing fog before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Overnight, snow expected, low near 32. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Thursday
Rain and snow, becoming all rain after 1pm. Snow level 4300 feet rising to 4900 feet in the afternoon. High near 40. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Friday
Rain and snow showers likely before 10am, then rain. Snow level 4900 feet rising to 6000 feet in the afternoon. Cloudy, with a high near 43.
Saturday
Rain. Snow level 6900 feet. Cloudy, with a high near 46.
 

 

Today’s Klamath Falls Headlines

Just after noon on Friday, December 20, 2024, a deputy with the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a suspicious incident in the Bonanza/Bly Mountain area regarding two brothers, and concern from family members about their welfare due to the recent erratic behavior of the older brother.

The vehicle the men were reported to be in was located by the deputy a short time later on Keno Springs Road. As the deputy and a second responding deputy prepared to attempt contact with the driver, the vehicle stopped in the roadway.

As deputies approached the vehicle a single gunshot was heard as the driver, Bradley Anderson, took his own life. The Oregon State Police responded at the request of the Sheriff’s Office to conduct the investigation due to the deputies being witnesses to the suicide. Of immediate concern was the safety and location of the younger brother, Joseph Anderson.

As the investigation progressed, the younger brother was located in the rear cargo area of the vehicle hidden under blankets; he was deceased and appeared to have also died from a gunshot wound.

Family members of the two young men were contacted and advised of the tragic incident as they and friends were preparing a search party.

The District Attorney was notified and responded to the scene. As the investigation continued, the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office attempted to determine the welfare of the registered owner of the vehicle involved in the apparent murder/suicide.

The owner of the vehicle was located at his residence near Beatty, Oregon; he was found deceased inside of his home, the apparent victim of a gunshot wound.

The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office is investigating this death in conjunction with the Oregon State Police in a joint investigation involving the deaths of three persons.

The initial assessment is that two criminal homicides had occurred followed by a suicide, and that three different locations/crime scenes were involved. Notification to the family of all involved has been made.

Deceased are Robert Russell Langley (age 74) Beatty, OR, Joseph Anderson (age 21) Bonanza, OR, and Anderson (age 24) of Klamath Falls, OR.

The investigation into these tragic events is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the investigations, that has not already been interviewed, is encouraged to contact OSP Detective Collahan (541-883-5711) or KCSO Detective Pena (541-883-5130).   

 

An arrest has been made in the unsolved murder of Klamath Falls resident Tim Ayers last summer.

Ayers, 72 at the time of his death, was found dead on Aug. 8 in his home on the 3200 block of Quarry Street after law enforcement received an anonymous welfare check. A gunshot would was determined to be the cause of death, sparking a homicide investigation by Klamath County Major Crimes Unit. 

Police arrested Steven Perry Villanpando, 31, of Klamath Falls, last Thursday afternoon.  Vilanpando is facing charges in five separate court cases, one of which is the alleged first-degree murder of Ayers. 

Klamath Falls Police Department Captain Rob Reynolds said Villanpando has been a person of interest in the case since shortly after the crime occurred. Arrest reports show Villanpando was arrested five days after the homicide on Aug. 13 for felon in possession of a weapon.  At that point, Reynolds said it was decided to take the case before a grand jury for indictment.

Reynolds said that Villanpando is homeless and is believed to have been staying with Ayers at the time of his death. A news release from KFPD said witness and law enforcement testimony led to the determination of Villanpando as a suspect.

Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact KFPD Detective Snyder or call the anonymous tipline.

 

The city of Klamath Falls will be taking over emergency services dispatch operations come 2025 for Lake County.

City council authorized a letter of understanding with the Klamath 911 dispatch office Monday evening at the regular council meeting, agreeing to amend the software as a service (SaaS) contract between the city and Tyler Technologies to include Lake County following their dispatch closure at the start of the new year.

Tyler Technologies Computer-Aided Design system establishes a more universal system to be used by emergency service providers.

Klamath Falls Police Chief Rob Dentinger spoke about the new Tyler system before the city council during a work session last September. Monday night’s city agenda staff report said the Klamath 911 dispatch operations manager was contacted by Oregon Emergency Management (OEM) at a conference earlier in the year to discuss potential take over of Lake County dispatch services. Budget shortfalls were cited as the reason for Lake County’s then-likely closure. 

Jeremy Prinson, city information technology manager, said the new Tyler Technologies system to be used by Klamath 911 dispatch goes live in March 2025. The city will also receive roughly $500,000 from Lake County’s state 911 taxes to fund dispatching services and staffing.

U.S. Senators, Wyden and Merkley announced nearly $4.6 million will go toward drought and resiliency programs in the Klamath Basin, benefiting projects by multiple tribes.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation award is for six Klamath Basin Tribes, supporting 14 projects centered around combatting drought, as well as resilience in tribal communities across the region.

Eight of the projects help tribes conduct studies and collect data, to better prepare for drought and to restore ecosystems. the money will immediately go toward working on tributaries of the Sprague River, which feeds into the Klamath River.

 

The City of Klamath Falls also approved the implementation of 24-week implementation of a new wastewater treatment technology to study its viability of use.

Council approved testing a Membrane Aerated Bio-Reactor (MABR) at the Spring Street Wastewater Treatment plant to determine the effectiveness of removing nitrogen from the system. The test will also determine the size and cost of a permanent MABR system. The agenda item was listed in the consent agenda with no discussion presented during the Monday night meeting.

Council approved the request to transfer $261,290.86 in contingency funds to Slayden Inc. to allow for a company, Veolia, to conduct the pilot study. The transfer reduces the city’s contingency fund to a total of $2,143,377.72.

 

Klamath County residents are warned to be alert and watch out for scam phone calls that appear to be from the local court.

Klamath County Circuit Court sent out an announcement Thursday after receiving multiple calls from citizens claiming they’d been contacted by an entity pretending to be court staff. The unknown scam callers told residents they owed money to the court, urging them to provide funds over the phone. Watch out for scam phone calls, texts or emails that claim you owe money or face arrest because you missed jury service or a court appearance or have unpaid fines. 

Sometimes the scammers can ‘spoof’ or imitate the phone numbers or email addresses of courts or law enforcement. If contacted in such a manner, citizens should hang up the call, ignore the email and refrain from clicking on any links or opening any attachments.

To verify concerns, contact court staff directly or call local law enforcement. The release said at least one community member paid the scam callers over the phone, later contacting the courthouse to verify. None of the people who received scam calls owed the courts any money.

 

Jackson Kimball State Recreation SiteFORT KLAMATH, Ore. – The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is offering a free guided First Day Hike at Jackson Kimball State Recreation Site on New Year’s Day, Wednesday, Jan. 1.

It’s part of the annual First Day Hikes in partnership with America’s State Parks for free guided hikes in state parks across Oregon on New Year’s Day.

Information about the hike hosted at Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site:

  • Join us for a brisk morning 3-mile hike to the headwaters of the Wood River. We’ll enjoy scenic views, and maybe see wildlife.
  • The path will travel over easy to medium-graded roads with little to no elevation gain. Plan for possible snow and ice on the ground. Traction devices for shoes are recommended.
  • Please register for the hike online.
  • The hike starts at 11 a.m. Meet at the Klamath Outdoor Science School, across from the entrance to Jackson F. Kimball. 
  • Friendly dogs are welcome on six-foot leashes. 
  • Participants should dress in layers, wear sturdy hiking boots, bring water and snacks, as well as a camera or binoculars for wildlife viewing. If there is enough snow, bring snowshoes.

If you have questions about access or to request any reasonable accommodations needed for your participation, please email Park Ranger Josh Doeleman. Requests must be submitted at least three days prior to January 1.

The day-use parking fee is waived that day for all state parks that require a parking permit and are open. 

Share photos of First Day Hikes via social media by using the hashtag #ORfirstdayhikes.

First Day Hikes is a national initiative to welcome the coming year in the outdoors, promote exercise and encourage connecting with nature. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has participated since 2012.


The Klamath Community College Board of Education has given approval for the college to offer two new degree programs – one a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the other a Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Management, with an emphasis in salon management. 

Offering bachelor degree programs is a first in the college’s 28-year history. This is a historic day for KCC with the approval of these two degrees by the KCC Board of Education.  While the community college offers numerous certificates and two-year degrees, this is the first time it will be offering four-year degrees. The board unanimously approved moving forward with both degrees Dec. 3 at its regular meeting. 

The vision for an applied bachelor’s degree for community colleges started over a decade ago. With KCC teaming up with Chemeketa Community College in Salem, it took two biennium sessions to finally pass two bills – SB 3 in 2019 and SB 523 in 2023 — granting the college the ability to offer the degrees. The first degree, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or BSN, creates an opportunity for registered nurses holding an associate degree, who want to obtain a bachelor’s, to do so while they continue working.

The program is built on a consortium of six community colleges including KCC.

The other colleges in the consortium are: Central Oregon Community College in Bend, Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Linn Benton Community College in Albany, Oregon Coast Community College in Newport, and Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario. The next step is for the Higher Education Coordinating Commission and the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities to approve the plan by the end of February 2025.

The first cohort of students would likely start in the fall of 2026.

 

The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 7938, authored by Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-OR), which fulfills financial and regulatory commitments made years ago to Klamath Project irrigators.

In his floor statement, Mr. Bentz called the legislation “long overdue” and critical to mitigate negative impacts on agricultural communities resulting from the removal of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River that took place this year. Under the legislation, federal agencies would not be allowed to pass on the costs of operating or maintaining Keno and Link River Dams, infrastructure built and formerly operated by PacifiCorp, which are not being removed.

Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA) President Tracey Liskey says it’s a very important achievement and great news for the Klamath Project. who testified in a Congressional committee in support of the bill earlier. They have been promised for years that we would not be stuck with these costs but need this legislation to make that promise real.  The legislation would also provide the authority and tools needed for keeping a promise that upstream migration of salmon and steelhead would not impose new regulatory burdens by providing a mechanism for the Bureau of Reclamation to install and pay for costly measures such as fish screens that would not otherwise be needed.

A similar measure, authored by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), who sits on a key committee in the U.S. Senate, is pending in that chamber of Congress.

“Under the current Congressional calendar, it is unknown whether the legislation can be taken up in the current session of the Senate, as needed for the bill to become law.  Stay tuned.

 

Sky Lakes Medical Center is revising their visitation policies for the winter season. Effective immediately, no visitors under the age of 18 will be permitted.

Visitors who are feeling unwell are kindly asked to stay home. Sky Lakes says they understand there may be special circumstances, such as end-of-life situations, that require exceptions.  They thank you for your understanding.

 

The Salvation Army of Klamath Falls is showing a dip of 20 percent in donations. If you can help, it would be much appreciated.

This year, the local Salvation Army seeks to raise $35,000.00 to meet the growing demand for essential services in the Klamath Basin community. 

Every year, The Salvation Army of Klamath Basin provides a variety of services to local residents.  The holiday season can be especially difficult for many, and donations are crucial to ensuring that no one is left behind during this time of year. To learn more about how you can support the Salvation Army of the Klamath Basin community during the holiday season, go to give-cs-salvationarmy.org. 

 

Klamath Falls Gospel Mission invites you to join their family for Christmas Dinner.

On Christmas Eve, Tuesday December 24 from 12 – 1 PM, staff, cooks and volunteers of Klamath Falls Gospel Mission are hosting a full feast to share with our community. 

Volunteers are still needed – if interested contact Klamath Falls Gospel Mission @ 541-882-4895 to sign up.

If you can’t join them for dinner – please consider donating to Klamath Falls Gospel Mission. 

Every year since 1958, the Klamath Falls Gospel Mission has hosted a Christmas dinner for those in need thanks to generous contributions from our community.  During this giving season, please remember the Mission.

 

Toys for Tots in Klamath Falls is asking for your holiday help. There are 1200 more kids registered to receive gifts this year compared to last, and they are in desperate need of gifts for kids over the age of 10, especially young girls.

The organization, connected with the Marine Corps, is also in need of gifts for teens. They are hard to shop for and often left out. If you would be interested to help, please drop off whatever you can at the Toys for Tots location in the Wal Mart shopping center next to Sally Beauty Supply.  
 

 

‘Tis the season of giving in Klamath County with the Marine Corps League’s annual Toys for Tots toy drive.

In these difficult economic times, the local Marine Corps League is asking residents who are able to give what they can to help support families in need.
 
Klamath County campaign coordinator Eric Anderson said the drive still needs donations to cover certain age groups. Anderson said the toy drive is hoping to receive a wider variety of local donations in addition to items that have been donated by corporations such as Hasbro and Disney. Although Hasbro donated multiple truckloads to Toys for Tots drives in the Western states, the selection is still slim.
 
Donations of new, unwrapped gifts can be dropped off at Bi-Mart, Fred Meyer, My Mechanic or the Leatherneck Club in Klamath Falls up until Dec. 24th, which will be the final day of collections. Families in need of gifts for their children can sign up online until Sunday, Dec. 8, to receive presents. To apply, visit the Klamath County Toys for Tots website at klamath-falls-or.toysfortots.org and select “request a toy.” And for those interested in lending a hand with this year’s toy collections and distributions, Anderson said volunteers are always welcomed.
 
A group of high school seniors also relinquished a portion of their holiday break to volunteer at the distribution center last year as part of their senior projects. Individuals and organizations interested in volunteering can submit forms via the local website as well.
 
 

 

Get your fresh Christmas Tree at the Klamath County Fairgrounds, at Lamb’s Tree Lot!  Click here for tree lot info and hours!

 

Hurry on this!  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

Pet Ready For Adoption at Klamath Animal Shelter

This week’s pet is a kitty named ” Milo “
Milo is a neutered male Domestic Shorthair, around 6 months old. He is a black and white tuxedo with yellow eyes.
 
Milo is a very playful and busy boy, he loves toys and playing chase with kitty wands. And like most young cats he gets into anything he can looking for adventure!
 
His sister Mazey who is also black and white, just a little fluffier is also available for adoption.
 
If you are interested in adopting Milo the Klamath Animal Shelter is located at 4240 Washburn Way, Monday through Friday from 12:00 – 4:00, pet meet and greets are by appointment, you can reach the shelter at 541-884-PETS (541-884-7387).
 
View all adoptable pets anytime online at www.klamathanimalshelter.org
 
 

Around the State of Oregon

Pacific Power residential customers across Oregon will see a rate increase of almost 10% on their energy bills starting next year.

The Oregon Public Utilities Commission announced PacifiCorp’s residential, industrial and commercial customers would see a combined 8.5% increase on their energy bills starting Jan. 1. PacifiCorp is the parent company of Pacific Power.

Residential customers are expected to see a 9.8% increase, a much lower rate increase from the company’s 17.9% request earlier this year.

Pacific Power’s rates are increasing due to investments in transmission, generation and wildfire-related cost increases.  Including the increase approved Thursday, PacifiCorp’s residential rates have climbed by nearly 50% since 2021. The utility has also faced numerous lawsuits including one filed by the federal government Thursday over the 2020 Labor Day fires.

PacifiCorp estimates that wildfire lawsuits and other fire related expenses have cost it $2.7 billion dollars so far. In a news release, the Public Utility Commission said it was able to moderate the increase PacifiCorp originally requested.

The Public Utilities Commission has been reviewing PacifiCorp’s request since early in the year, and said it disputed more than 60 issues to reduce rates. As a result, the commission said, it cut 50% of costs related to 2020 Wildfire Restoration, required shareholders to cover 10% of wildfire insurance premiums and ensured energy used by large customers, like data centers, does not increase costs for the utilities’ other customers.

 

A Grants Pass man has pleaded guilty to a second-degree stalking charge after being arrested for stalking University of Connecticut basketball player Paige Bueckers.  

The man is 40-year-old Robert Cole Parmelee, who received a one-year suspended sentence and three years’ probation on Wednesday in court in Rockville, Connecticut.

Parmelee was first arrested in August near Bradley International Airport and had an engagement ring and lingerie with him. Before his arrest Parmalee told a state trooper that he had just flown to Connecticut to see Bueckers at UConn. The trooper took Parmelee into custody after learning he had a warrant out for his arrest in Josephine County, accusing Parmelee of starting a house fire with people and pets inside. 

Police say Parmelee had posted about Bueckers on TikTok and other social media platforms, and had emailed staff at UConn since June expressing his desire to marry Bueckers.

 

The Oregon Humane Society is helping veterinary students at Oregon State University get real-life medical experience.

Students spend three weeks on rotation at the shelter hospital and community hospital, while living in dorms at the Humane Society. They get important experience performing surgeries on animals. All of their work is supervised by OSU instructors embedded at the shelter.

 

The FBI says it is aware of the racist letter sent to county officials in Coos and Lincoln counties.

That letter sparked condemnations from the Lincoln County Sheriff, Coos County commissioners, and others.

On Friday, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum issued a statement, saying Oregon stands united as a place that is welcoming and safe for all.  State Representative David Gomberg also issued a statement, saying racial profiling, harassment and intolerance have no place in Oregon.

The FBI is asking anyone who feels physically threatened to report their concerns to law enforcement. The bigoted letter was mailed to officials throughout Oregon’s coastal communities. 

 

Oregon Duck football fans flying south for the Rose Bowl game have another option for getting there. On New Year’s Eve, travelers can catch Flight 2713 from Eugene to Los Angeles International Airport.

They’ve also added a return flight on January 2. That’s Flight 1714. Oregon’s football team is ranked #1 in the nation and is in the College Football post season playoffs.

 

It’s almost time to start looking out for whales along the Oregon Coast again, and Oregon State Parks is getting set to host Winter Whale Watch Week starting on Dec. 27, just after Christmas.

Trained Oregon State Parks volunteers will be stationed at 15 sites along the Oregon Coast from Friday, December 27 through Tuesday, December 31 to help folks spot grey whales on their southern migration to the coast of Mexico.

Volunteers will be in place each day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Some sites where volunteers will be posted include the Shore Acres State Park, Umpqua Lighthouse, Heceta Head Lighthouse, and Cape Perpetua Turnout.

Visitors who come to the coast in search of whales are urged to dress for the weather, bring binoculars and follow beach safety guidelines. Officials say now is a good time to keep an eye out for whales, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced an unusual mortality event that affected grey whales has ended.

Since then, the grey whale population has increased by about 30% from 2023, with the NOAA counting nearly 20,000 grey whales.

 

Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment for November gained 5,100 jobs, following a revised increase of 3,500 jobs in October.

November’s gains were largest in health care and social assistance (+2,300 jobs); construction (+2,100); and professional and business services (+700).

Declines were largest in leisure and hospitality (-700 jobs).

Private health care and social assistance has been adding jobs very rapidly since June 2022. It expanded by 41,700 jobs, or 15.6%, during that 29-month period. The fastest growing components during that time were social assistance (+17,800 jobs, or 27.0%) and nursing and residential care facilities (+9,400 jobs, or 19.3%).  The other two component industries also added jobs, but grew less rapidly: hospitals (+6,800 jobs, or 11.9%) and ambulatory health care services (+10,200 jobs, or 10.7%).

Construction rebounded in November from a three-month dip, returning the sector’s total employment to 117,500, about where it had been from July 2022 through August 2024.

In the past 12 months, health care and social assistance (+17,500 jobs, or 6.0%) grew rapidly, while government (+6,900 jobs, or 2.2%) added the second most jobs. In that time, only two major industries declined by 1,000 jobs or more: retail trade (-1,700 jobs, or -0.8%) and leisure and hospitality (-1,400 jobs, or -0.7%).

About half of the major industries were essentially flat over the year, with job changes of less than 1,200 in either direction.

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.1% in November and 4.0% in October and has consistently remained between 4.0% and 4.2% since October 2023. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.2% in November and 4.1% in October.

 

Oregon Lottery Scratch-it tickets are easy-to-give and make for a fun, last-minute surprise. This year’s Scratch-its feature six new designs, ranging from “Merry & Bright” to “Reindeer Games.” The tickets make popular stocking stuffers and can be found at Oregon Lottery retailers across the state. 

There is one important consideration for gift givers – make sure the gift’s recipient is at least 18 years old.

“When it comes to holiday gifts, adults don’t have to be left out of the fun,” said Stacy Shaw, Oregon Lottery’s senior manager of product marketing. “This year, don’t forget about the deserving aunt, friend, or neighbor on your list. Our festive Scratch-its make a perfect one-size fits all gift for adults to adults.”  

Throughout the year, the Oregon Lottery and lotteries worldwide partner with the National Council on Problem Gambling to promote gifting lottery tickets responsibly. The Oregon Lottery has been part of this annual campaign for over a decade. In addition, Oregon Lottery helps fund free, confidential, and effective counseling and treatment programs statewide. VisiOPGR.org for more information.

For those over 18 picking up Scratch-its, winning tickets range from a few dollars to the “Merry & Bright” top prize of $200,000. Use the Oregon Lottery mobile app to see if you won and enter non-winning tickets into the free Second Chance drawings. Regardless of the outcome, lottery games help fund programs that Oregonians care about.

 

Officers with the Newport Police Department (NPD) are working to spread the word about a scam gaining popularity nationwide. It’s called a ‘brushing’ scam.

According to NPD how it works is a scammer sends their victim an unexpected gift or item through the mail from a place like Amazon or other similar companies. The package isn’t something the recipient ordered, but it will have their address on it, with no information about the sender. Inside the package, the recipient will find a QR code which indicates they can scan it to find out who sent them the gift.

Police say once the code is scanned and the link is clicked, the scammer may be able to gain access to a person’s personal and banking information.

Examples of the types of gifts or items people have been reporting including rings, bracelets, necklaces, Bluetooth speakers, etc.

NPD says for those who may have received a package from an unknown sender similar to what is described here, the gift can be kept or thrown away, but the QR code should not be scanned for any reason.

 

Daily parking fees at Oregon state parks are increasing in 2025.

The day-use parking fee is doubling from $5 to $10 per day. This is only at the 25, out of over 250 Oregon state parks, that charge for parking.

Locally, Touvelle State Recreation Area, and Shore Acres State Park will be impacted by the fee changes next year. The additional money will help pay for operations fees and maintenance.

There are some free parking days planned for 2025. Those include New Year’s Day, Oregon State Parks Day on June 7, 2025, and the day after Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, prices for permits are not changing. A year-long permit still remains at $30, while a two-year permit stays the same at $50.

Oregon State Parks is holding a sale all December long, during which year-long permits only cost $25 instead of $30.

 

If you have someone on your holiday gift list that enjoys the outdoors, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has gift ideas.

If they hunt or fish, you can buy them a license.

If they kayak or raft, you can buy a waterway access permit.

For wildlife viewers or hikers, the wildlife area parking permit costs 30 dollars. You can also make a donation in someone’s name to the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund.

 

The Red Cross is in need of blood donations. During the holidays, regular donors are on vacation and the supply of blood declines.

Winter weather can also increase demand from people injured in traffic crashes. They need donors with all types, but they especially need people with type O negative. Platelet donations are also important. Donors giving blood through January 3rd will also get an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt.

 

How To Avoid A Fire In Your Home For the Holidays

The holidays are a wonderful time to get everyone together. Unfortunately, they can also mean a greater risk of a fire in someone’s home. This holiday season, the Cascades Region encourages everyone to follow simple steps to prevent home fires from holiday decorations. 

“December is the peak time for home fires involving candles and holiday decorations,” said Red Cross Cascades Region CEO Priscilla Fuentes. “Help protect your family by using battery-operated candles, making sure you have working smoke alarms, and practicing your two-minute escape plan with everyone in your household.”

 

HOLIDAY DECORATING SAFETY TIPS 

Follow these safety tips and visit redcross.org/fire for more information. You can also download the free Red Cross Emergency app by searching “American Red Cross” in app stores.

  • If you must use candles, keep them away from anything that could burn, and place them out of reach of pets and children. Never leave burning candles unattended.
  • Check all holiday light cords to ensure they aren’t frayed or broken. Don’t string too many strands of lights together — no more than three per extension cord. 
  • Ensure outside decorations are for outdoor use and fasten lights securely to your home or trees. If using hooks or nails outside, make sure they are insulated to avoid an electrocution or fire hazard.
  • If buying an artificial tree, look for a fire-resistant label. When putting it up, keep it away from fireplaces, radiators and other sources of heat. Never use electric lights on metallic trees.
  • If getting a live tree, make sure it’s fresh and keep it watered. To test if the tree is fresh, bend the needles up and down to make sure no needles fall off.
  • Don’t light the fireplace if hanging stockings or other decorations on the mantel.

Install smoke alarms on every level of the home and outside each sleeping area. Test them once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year. If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. Contact your local Red Cross for help. HOME FIRE CAMPAIGN SAVE LIVES Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, working with community partners, has saved at least 2,246 lives by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans and installing free smoke alarms in high-risk areas across the country. To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit redcross.org/homefires  

 

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