29.88 F
Klamath Falls
February 18, 2025

Klamath Basin News, Friday 1/17/2025 – Lost River Community Center Grand Opening is Sunday; MLK Jr. Day on Monday; Providence Health Hospitals Asking Striking Nurses To Return To Work; Oregon Influenza Cases Highest in Nation

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.

 

Friday, January 17, 2024

Klamath Basin Weather

Today
Patchy freezing fog before 10am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 43. Calm northwest wind around 5 mph in the afternoon. Overnight, mostly cloudy with a low around 22 degrees.

 
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 41. Light and variable wind. Overnight, clear with a low of 21.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 44. Calm wind. Overnight low near 17.
Monday, M.L.King Jr. Day
Sunny, with a high near 40.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 47.

 

Today’s Klamath Falls Headlines

Monday, Jan. 20th is a holiday. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed on the third Monday of January each year.

Dr. King was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which protested racial discrimination in federal and state law and civil society. All federal offices will be closed, including federal courts, on Jan. 20, 2025 as weel as State and local government offices. There will be no U.S.P.S. delivery on Monday.

 

A little bit of French culture has landed in the Klamath Basin with the arrival of six French students who are studying computer engineering and manufacturing engineering technology at Klamath Community College for the winter term.

The students are from the CESI School of Engineering outside of Paris as part of a student exchange program with KCC, according to Fred Griffiths, KCC’s director of International Studies. In turn, KCC hopes to send several students and a faculty member to France.

Members of the Klamath Falls French club met with the students at an informal reception last week at Griffiths’ home. French native Nathalie Naveau, the Klamath County Library director, hosts the French club. She said she was pleased to have the students as guests so club members can practice their use of language.

The college also signed a partnership with Rennes School of Business in Rennes, France. That program will allow KCC business students who want to earn a bachelor of science degree within three years to finish their business studies in France in the third year.

 

On January 16, 2025 the following Klamath County School District Board of Directors’ expirations were announced.

Klamath County School District Board of Directors      
Position 2

Klamath County School District Board of Directors
Position 3

Klamath County School District Board of Directors
Position 5

The Board of Directors positions listed above expire on June 30, 2025.  These positions are for a 4-year term and will expire on June 30, 2029.
Applicants must reside in their respective zone – Position 2 Henley Elementary/Keno Elementary; Position 3 Bonanza Elementary/Malin Elementary/Merrill Elementary, and Position 5 Peterson Elementary/Stearns Elementary. Applicants may call Stephanie Bland in the Klamath County School District superintendent’s office at 541-851-8767 to find out if they reside in the correct zone.

Applicants must file with the Klamath County Clerk’s office, 305 Main Street in Klamath Falls, to be put on the May 20, 2025 election ballot using the following timelines.

  • February 10, 2025 – first day for candidates to file
  • March 20, 2025 – last day for candidates to file

Applications are available through the KCSD Superintendent’s Office or the Klamath County Clerk’s Office. There is a $10 filing fee.

 

Also, the following vacancies were announced for the Bonanza/Malin/Merrill area:

Position 3 Bonanza/Malin/Merrill Zone – Budget Committee
Appointment expires 6/30/2027
Position 5 Peterson/Stearns Zone – Budget Committee
Appointment expires 6/30/2027

Applicants must reside within Klamath County School District boundaries and preference is
given to applicants who reside within the zone for which they apply.

The Klamath County School District Board of Directors will conduct interviews for each of the
positions at the March 13, 2025 regular school board meeting at the Klamath County School
District office, 2845 Greensprings Dr., Klamath Falls, Oregon or via Zoom. Interested applicants
may call Stephanie Bland (541-851-8767) in the superintendent’s office for an application or go
to the district’s website at www.kcsd.k12.or.us.

Once on the website, go to the menu on the top,
Departments, then Business Services. Applications will be accepted until 3:00 PM on February
28, 2025.

 

Klamath County Emergency Management will receive funding from the state with a 43% match from county funds.

Emergency Manager Ian Thigpen requested approval of a grant revision before the board of county commissioners for funds from the Oregon Department of Emergency Management. Grant funding will provide up to $82,771 in addition to a required match of up to $62,086 from the county’s general fund. 

This agreement with the Oregon Department of Emergency Management provides funding for Klamath County Emergency Management program in the 2024-2025 budget year under the Emergency Management Performance Grant.

Thigpen thanked Commissioner Kelley Minty for her work on the emergency management committee. Minty said that she, among others who serve on the committee, are working to fix the less-than-ideal funding formula. Funds are spread thin, she said, explaining that both cities and counties are among the recipients. In other county business, Commissioners approved the purchase of two snow mobiles and a Polaris Ranger XP Northstar truck by the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office in the total sum of $64,009.93 combined.  And, the board appointed new members to serve on county advisory bodies.

 

The Lost River Community Center is finally ready for a grand opening on Sunday, January 19th. The new 13,500-square-foot center is located on the Lost River Junior-Senior High School campus.

The community gathering spot has a fitness center, a tech room, a full-size gym, meeting spaces, a kitchen, and more.

During the school day, the building will be used by students as a campus extension.

After school, the building will be open to the community for all to enjoy.

The project cost $3.5 million.

Members of the community can come out to celebrate the Lost River facility’s grand opening on Sunday at 4 p.m. in Merrill.

 

Crater Lake is ranked as the best national park for stargazing.

The vacation rental website Lake dot com used the National Park Service’s Night Sky data collection to score 100 national parks according to the average percentage of visible stars along with each area’s average median light pollution. Crater Lake viewers could see nearly 99 percent of visible stars and light pollution of point-zero-three.

Second on the list was Great Basin, Nevada followed by Canyonlands, Utah.

 

The Klamath County Economic Development Association (KCEDA) Holding their annual Economic Summiton January 22nd.

The special event takes place at the Ross Ragland Theater, from 8:30-12:00PM. Admission to the event costs $10, giving attendees access to the full program, in addition to coffee and other refreshments.

The theme of this year’s event is “Building Resilience: Unlocking New Growth Pathways”, where presentations will focus on strategies, innovations, and partnerships aimed at fostering new opportunities for sustainable growth within Klamath County.

This year’s Economic Summit consists of several presentations from various experts from throughout the state and region, as well offers attendees a chance to participate in a Q&A session with a panel of community stakeholders representing different industries and interests within Klamath County.

Presenters will be discussing important topics related to local agriculture, energy, artificial intelligence, finance, workforce, and more throughout the day. Additionally, Business Oregon Regional Economist, Page 1 of 2 Damon Runberg will be participating in the program, providing attendees information on Klamath County’s economic and employment forecasts for the upcoming year.

The Economic Summit for 2025 is sponsored by: Pacific Crest Federal Credit Union, Amazon, Pacific Power, RES (Resource Environmental Solutions), Avista Utilities, MSPCO (Molatore, Scroggin, Peterson & Co.), Business Oregon, Great Basin Insurance, and The Ross Ragland Theater.

 

The Klamath County Clerk’s Office Requests Applicants for the Border Relocation Board

Any persons interested in being on the Border Relocation Board must apply by Wednesday, January 15,
2025.  All applicants must answer all questions on the application or provide an explanation as to why the
questions were not answered.

To appl, use the link below
https://www.klamathcounty.org/FormCenter/Board-of-Commissioners-7/Special-District-BoardPosition-Applicat-60

Select Other (type committee name in box below)
In the box type: Border Relocation Board

Please contact the Klamath County Clerk’s Office with any questions
(541)883-5134 or email at elections@klamathcounty.org.

 

Pet for Adoption at Klamath Animal Shelter

This week’s pet is a dog named “Dax”.  Dax is a male Doberman mix about 4 months old. He is black and tan, and weighs around 35 pounds.

Dax’s owner didn’t have enough time to spend with him which was causing issues with his neighbors. They said that Dax has started on his house training, has been around children as young as 9 years old and other dogs. He has never been around cats.

Daz is a young active and playful dog that has lots of growing to do and needs a family with the time to continue his training and socialization.

If you are interested in adopting Dax, the shelter is located at 4240 Washburn Way. We’re open Monday through Friday from 12:00 – 4:00PM. Walk throughs are available, 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 http://www.klamathanimalshelter.org

 

Around the State of Oregon

Providence Health Hospitals offering striking nurses an opportunity to return to work.

More than 600 nurses have crossed the picket lines since the strike started last Friday.

Nurses who want to return to work should report in-person this Sunday. They should report even if they’re not scheduled to work Sunday, because they need to report their intent to work.

Providence says it won’t retaliate against nurses that stay on the picket lines.

 

You can start filing income taxes on January 27th. Both the IRS and Oregon Department of Revenue will start accepting tax returns.

The IRS estimates 640-thousand Oregonians will be able to use IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon free tax software. Use the IRS Eligibility Checker on its website to see whether you qualify for the free software. Refunds aren’t issued until after February 15th for fraud protection. The IRS website has information free tax help.

 

Oregon is among four states with the highest levels of influenza in the U.S.

According to a report by the CDC, most of the country is experiencing elevated levels of respiratory illness, but Oregon is at the top. It, along with Tennessee, New Mexico and Louisiana, have “very high” activity levels. The CDC attributes part of the rise to a lack of updated vaccinations.

 

A southern Oregon woman is on her way to California with a pickup truck full of supplies to aid horses displaced by devastating wildfires.

Angi Carelli, a traveling physician assistant and horse enthusiast, said she was inspired to act after seeing footage of horse owners fleeing burning barns with little more than halters and leads. Carelli, who had planned a personal trip to southern California, decided to delay her departure by two days to gather donations from her local horse community.

Carelli departed Tuesday and plans to stop in San Luis Obispo to collect additional donations before delivering the supplies to facilities in the Los Angeles area by the weekend. The aid will benefit several centers housing horses displaced by the wildfires, with donations destined for the LA Equestrian Center and other equine care locations.

Within 24 hours, donations came in from individuals and members of The Rogue Riders. They donated saddles, bridles, halters, and grooming supplies. Local businesses, including Coastal Farm and Ranch, also contributed, donating $200 worth of horse feed.

 

Days after the Biden Administration approved the Coquille Tribe’s proposal to restore Roxy Ann lanes in Medford into a gaming facility, people are already gambling on site.

This prompted the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, who operates Seven Feathers Casino in Canyonville, Ore. to file a motion for a temporary restraining order against the Coquille Tribe’s operations.

In a statement, Cow Creek says, “National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) regulations require tribes to provide 120 days’ notice before opening any new place, facility, or location on Indian lands.” 

In response, the Coquille Tribe says ““The Coquille Tribe is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and has been fully transparent with the National Indian Gaming Commission regarding its plans to conduct gaming on the property once the Record of Decision was issued,” the statement said.

The restoration of Roxy Ann Lanes into a gaming facility is more than a decade in the making. While the Coquille Tribe has already improved parts of its South Medford properties (Bear Creek Golf Center and the Compass Hotel), even more change appears to be on the way for the City of Medford.  Paying for frontage improvements and parking developments with tax dollars aren’t the only things Medford residents don’t have to worry about.

Amid a bevy of complex legal issues, it doesn’t appear gamblers using the facility at Roxy Ann Lanes will face any backlash if they choose to gamble in South Medford now. Meanwhile, the city is following the legal matters closely. 

 

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is urging home radon testing during January, when winter heating season is at its peak and tightly closed windows and doors increase people’s exposure to the odorless, tasteless, invisible gas.

January is National Radon Action Month. Each year, OHA promotes the annual observance by encouraging people in Oregon to take steps to reduce their exposure to radon by testing their homes for the gas and, if necessary, hiring a professional to reduce radon to a safe level.

Many parts of Oregon remain at risk of high radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes up from the ground and is drawn into buildings, where it can build up to dangerous levels. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates radon is responsible for around 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking, and it’s the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. National Radon Awareness Month is a great time to remind folks that the only way for them to know if they have high radon levels in their homes is to test.

The Radon Awareness Program monitors which areas of the state have the potential for high radon levels and identifies regions where educational outreach efforts need to be focused. The program is offering a free radon test kit to residents whose homes are in ZIP codes with fewer than 20 radon test results. Residents can learn more about the free radon test kit program and how to apply at www.healthoregon.org/radon.

Free test kits are available while supplies last.

 

King Tides brought huge waves to the Oregon Coast over the weekend, and they nearly cost a teenager his life.

A 19-year-old went into the water at Cannon Beach just before sunset on Monday, but didn’t return. A rescue swimmer paddled a surfboard into the breakers and heard a cry for help. They spotted the man and pulled him to shore. Firefighters say hypothermia could have quickly become a problem, because of the cold water temperature.

 

A former Westview High School football coach who was accused of slapping players awake during a football camp last summer has been acquitted.

Jamal Jones was charged with 12 counts of harassment. Jones resigned from the coaching position and turned himself in to police. He’s also a police officer with Hillsboro Police where he’s on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

 

Meanwhile, A Banks High School math teacher was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of having had “sexual contact with a student,” the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

Wymon Smith, 66, faces charges of sexual abuse in the second degree and luring a minor. Smith was placed on leave January 7 when the school district became aware of allegations against him and notified authorities, the sheriff’s office said. As of Wednesday morning, Smith’s name and photograph remain on the Banks School District website under “Teaching Staff.”

 

A 32-year-old Albany man was convicted of sexually abusing two women at his tattoo shop and ordered to serve jail time and probation.

Daniel Nunez-Rodriguez, owner of Majin Ink LLC, was arrested by Albany police in May 2023 following an investigation that officials said began in 2022. The victims, ages 19 and 24 when the crimes occurred, told investigators that Nunez-Rodriguez touched them inappropriately during tattoo sessions.

He was charged with two counts of misdemeanor third-degree sexual abuse and three counts of misdemeanor physical harassment. One of the victims told an officer that she came to Nunez-Rodriguez for an outer leg and upper thigh tattoo in April 2023, noting that she has known his family since middle school, according to an affidavit.

 

The Klamath National Forest is looking for hard-working individuals to join their highly skilled wildland fire organization.

Vacancies include both seasonal positions and permanent positions, some of which are entry-level. There are openings on engine crews, hotshot and hand crews, and helicopter crews.

Crews are based throughout the Klamath National Forest, with duty stations in Yreka, Callahan, Fort Jones, Klamath River, Seiad, Happy Camp, and Macdoel – all in far northern California. Barracks may be available depending on duty location.

Applications are being accepted through January 27.  To help candidates navigate through the application process, and to answer any questions they may have about firefighting careers with the USDA Forest Service, an in-person recruitment event will be held this Friday (from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Saturday (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) in the cafeteria at Shasta College, located at 11555 Old Oregon Trail in Redding, California.   

Virtual events will also be offered on January 17, 18, 24, and 25.

These recruitment events will offer applicants the chance to connect with Forest Service wildland fire staff from throughout California, get application help, and learn about the benefits of working with the Forest Service. Interested candidates do not need to attend a recruitment event to apply. 

The Klamath National Forest boasts a very busy wildland fire program and averages over 100 fires per year, most of them lightning caused. Wildland firefighting on the Klamath is very rewarding – working with a highly skilled workforce in a beautiful place. It is a tough job at times, but an excellent way to challenge oneself while working in the great outdoors.

 

You can nominate your kids’ favorite teacher for the Oregon Education Department’s 2025 Teacher of the Year.

Nominations are being accepted through February 6th for teachers Pre-K through 12th grade. The winner is the face and voice of educators across the state.

Candidates first run for regional teacher of the year and then the statewide honor.

 


Starting in May, Alaska Airlines Begins Flights from Rogue Valley to San Diego, from the Rogue Valley International Medford Airport.
 

In a Facebook post, the airport said they are expecting the flights to be available mid-May and that there will be late morning departures and mid-afternoon departures.

Alaska Airlines will also be increasing Portland to Medford flights from twice a day to four times a day, the post said.  “We’re excited for the opportunities this new route brings to our community and beyond,” the release said. 

 

It’s been a back-and-forth time, but the Sattitla National Monument, also known as the Medicine Lake Highlands, has received designation as a national monument.

Sattitla, an area that includes the Medicine Lake Highlands, is near Tulelake and the Lava Beds National Monument. The designation was originally planned to be announced Tuesday by President Joe Biden during a visit to Southern California’s Coachella Valley. That trip was cancelled because a series of raging forest fires that has caused the evacuation of thousands of people, destroyed countless homes and buildings, and resulted in several deaths.

Biden used the Antiques Act, which allows presidents to proclaim national monuments of federal lands, to create the Sarttitla and Chuckwalla National Monuments. He will now formally make the announcement during ceremonies from the White House in the next few days.

Chuckwalla National Monument is in Southern California’s Colorado Desert near Joshua Tree National Park. The expected designation includes about 224,000 acres for Sáttítla and 644,000 acres for Chuckwalla. “Sáttítla” translates to “obsidian place” in the Ajumawi language, referring to the wealth of obsidian deposits in the area, which were formed by ancient lava flows.

The dormant Medicine Lake Volcano sits in the middle of the monument and stretches over an area 10 times larger than Mount St. Helens in Washington. Its remote location promises visitors some of the nation’s darkest skies and, according to the Forest Service, is “where distant galaxies and stars are visible.”

The establishment of the two national monument sites will restrict mining, solar energy and industrial-scale geothermal development on the affected areas.

 

Almost 90 non-profits in the region and several organizations that serve multiple counties are getting more than $750,000 from the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation (CCUIF).

CCUIF has awarded over $25 million across Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Coos, Lane, and Deschutes counties since it was established in 1997.

Carma Monorich of  the Tribe says “The work of non-profit organizations is tireless and highly important to our communities. The Asante Foundation, Hearts with a Mission, the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley, Rogue Valley Farm to School, and Rogue Retreat, to name a few, are each getting $10,000.

CASA of Jackson County is getting $12,000 to train new mentors for kids in foster care. Additionally, Medford’s Compass House is getting $7,500 to help support staff who work directly with mentally ill individuals.

 

The Oregon Department of Transportation is proudly supporting January’s Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a presidentially designated observance designed to educate the public about human trafficking and the role they can play in preventing and responding to the crime.

Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery that involves the use of force, fraud, or pressure to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Victims can be any age, race, gender or nationality.

More than 27 million people annually fall victim to human trafficking worldwide, and according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 132 cases involving 248 victims were identified in Oregon in 2023. 

As part of the monthly observance, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance holds a Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative Jan. 13-17. During that week, our trained motor carrier enforcement officers and safety inspectors from our Commerce and Compliance Division will be working with law enforcement to hand out human trafficking awareness materials in English and Spanish to truck drivers and motor carriers at weigh stations across the state.

We are sharing awareness information on TripCheck, variable message signs around the state, radio spots, billboard ads and social media posts throughout the month. We have also lit up the Woodburn Bridge in shades of blue to shine a light on human trafficking.

If you suspect human trafficking, do not confront a suspected trafficker or alert a victim to any suspicions.

If it is an emergency, call 9-1-1 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. The hotline is operated 24 hours a day by a nongovernmental organization. You may also text HELP or INFO to 233733 (BEFREE).

We are pleased to partner with Department of Homeland Security, Oregon Trucking Association, TAT (formerly Truckers Against Trafficking), Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, Bowman Trucking and law enforcement to raise awareness about human trafficking and provide people with resources to educate and work toward stopping this dreadful crime.

 

You’ll need a Real ID to fly domestically, starting in May of 2025, that’s unless you have a passport or enhanced driver’s license issued by several states.

The deadline is May 7, 2025, but you probably don’t want to wait until the last minute to get your Real ID. You can apply for your Real ID driver’s license or ID card through your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Real IDs are marked with a star on the top of the card. Real IDs will also be needed to access certain federal facilities. Congress mandated the real IDs in 2005 on the recommendation of the 9/11 Commission.

 

The Oregon Lottery is replacing the Lucky Lines game.

A new game, called Cash Pop gives players a chance to win every hour from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

To play, you pick a number between 1 and 15, if it matches the number that’s drawn, you win. The prize for the number is assigned randomly. The amount of the wager determines the range of prize. You can bet 1, 2, 5 or 10-dollars per draw.

Oregon is the 16th lottery to join the Cash Pop game.

 

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