Tuesday, March 7, 2023
Klamath Basin Weather
Today A 50% chance of snow showers, mainly after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. South wind 6 to 10 mph. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Overnight, more snow flurries with a low around 21 degrees. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Wednesday A 50% chance of snow showers, mainly before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. West southwest wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. A chance of snow showers overnight at times, with a low around 22. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday A 40% chance of snow, mainly after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 39. South wind 13 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. Snow expected overnight with a low around 32. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Friday Rain and snow possible in the morning hours turning to rain for much of the day, high of 43 degrees. Snow level 4200 feet. High near 43. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Saturday A chance of snow before 1pm, then a chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 43.
See Road Camera Views:
Lake of the Woods
Doak Mtn.
Hiway 97 at Chemult
Hiway 140 at Bly
Hiway 97 at GreenSprings Dr.
Hiway 97 at LaPine
Today’s Headlines
After a series of discussions between the City of Klamath Falls, Klamath County Government, and Kingsley Field over several years, the City of Klamath Falls was approved and selected as a site for a decommissioned F-15 from Kingsley Field to be placed in Veterans Park.
Interestingly, the F-15 was intended to go to another state, however, to save a large amount of money in shipping costs, operational costs in coordinating its relocation, etc. the City of Klamath Falls was moved up in its ranking and selected due to its proximity to Kingsley Field.
Veterans Park and the Veterans Memorial located within Veterans Park was always intended to be expanded. The mission of Veterans Park is to create a timeless tribute honoring and recognizing past and present men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
The park will serve as a quiet reminder of the honor, courage and sacrifice of soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who have served. Veterans Park will be a place set aside for honor, remembrance and reflection, demonstrating how the citizens of Klamath Falls cherish and embrace the sacrifice and dedication of all veterans and service members.
The F15 Static Memorial is an appropriate addition to Veterans Park as the City continues to expand on memorial monuments within the Park to honor those who served in uniform and the battles they fought to protect our nation’s freedoms.
There is a misconception that the City is spending $600,000 on the F15 Static Memorial. The decommissioned F15 is being provided to the City at no cost from the United States Air Force through cooperation with Kingsley Field and after many years of discussion and collaboration with Klamath County Government, both the City and the County have dedicated $300,000 to the F15 Static Memorial.
The Klamath Falls Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying several juvenile suspects that caused thousands of dollars in damages to property and cars across the city.
Klamath Falls PD says that at around 11:30 p.m. on March 2nd, officers responded to the 500 block of Main Street after a call came in stating that graffiti had been sprayed on several items in the area.
After their investigation, police determined that multiple juvenile suspects had caused thousands of dollars in damages to at least 20 different victims.
Since the suspects are minors, police are unable to post any photos or videos of the suspects.
Police are requesting residents who live near the downtown area, 9th Street, Klamath Union High School and along President Streets to check surveillance cameras for any footage that might help identify additional suspects.
Anyone with information should call the Klamath Falls Police Department at 541-883-5336 or the anonymous tip line at 541-883-5334.
Klamath Community College’s agriculture program is evolving to incorporate more modern technology and better understanding of global markets under direction of its new program lead, Isadora Peres De Souza.
Offering both an Agriculture Science Associate of Applied Science Degree and a one-year Farm and Ranch Manager Career Pathway Certificate, curriculum is structured around the study of soil cultivation, crop production, livestock care, plant science, raising fish, agriculture management, mechanization, and natural resource management.
These varied courses prepare KCC graduates for a wide variety of career opportunities related to agriculture. Under De Souza’s new leadership, the program is adapting to integrate international and community partnerships to merge understanding of the impact of local and global markets and environmental factors on the industry.
Further, De Souza hopes to utilize more modern technology such as soil sensors and drone technology within the program. Currently, the KCC Agriculture Program has close ties with Walker Farms, Masami Foods, and Basin Fertilizer, but De Souza hopes more local businesses and regional farms and ranches can partner with the college as well for educational, internship, and employment opportunities for agriculture students.
Hired in January, De Souza recently relocated to Klamath Falls from Mississippi. A Brazilian native, she has participated in exchange programs with the United States and Guatemala to study integrated pest management and phytotechnology (science and engineering to find solutions for plant growth), while also working as an entomologist and instructor for ongoing projects in Burundi, Tanzania, Kenya, and Brazil.
De Souza is currently studying to receive a Doctorate of Philosophy in Agronomy from Mississippi State University. She already has a Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy and Master of Science in Entomology both from Federal University of Lavras (Brazil).
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Oregon Community Trees (OCT) has awarded half its grants to help communities celebrate Oregon Arbor Month to three eastern Oregon cities – Klamath Falls, La Grande and Umatilla.
Along with Lincoln City, Newport and Sweet Home in western Oregon, the communities will share a total of almost $3,000. During the month of April, Oregonians across the state celebrate their community trees and the many benefits they bring.
“These grants help smaller communities achieve a lot of what they hope to do during Arbor Month, from planting trees to engaging youth in tree-related education and activities,” said Morgan Holen, Chair of OCT’s Grants Subcommittee.
To be eligible for a grant, a community must be a Tree City USA. To become a Tree City USA, communities must meet requirements for having basic tree-care policies and management in place. About 70 Oregon communities meet this standard.
Since 2014, OCT has awarded 56 grants to 39 different Oregon Tree City USA communities.
Klamath Falls is using the $500 it received from OCT to buy a reusable 3’ x 6’ mesh-type banner with grommets and a collapsible aluminum stand with carrying case. The banner willpromote the Klamath Tree League, the City’s Tree Advisory Board and Arbor Day celebration partnerto increase awareness of this local urban forestry education resource and advocate. Klamath Falls is also celebrating 20 years as a Tree City USA this year.
An opportunity to Give Back
The Assistance League of Klamath Falls is a nonprofit organization that has been providing clothes and other services to our students and families throughout the Klamath Basin. For the past 28 years, the Assistance League has clothed students from our 36 Klamath County and City schools by giving them an opportunity to receive new clothes from their “Operation School Bell” program.
This last school year, they clothed approximately 1,800 students. For more information on their other provided services to our students and families within the Klamath Basin visit: www.klamathbasinassistanceleague.org.
The Assistance League is needing a little help and it is time for us to come together as a Community and as a District, so Klamath Union High School Key Club will be organizing a Klamath Falls City School District wide fundraiser to give a little back. KU’s Key Club will be hosting a Coin Drive from March 20th through April 7th. Key Club has also challenged every KUHS Club and department to sponsor a student for $125.00 to be able to receive new school clothes next year. Let’s get creative Klamath Falls CIty Schools! Maybe you could host a coin drive as well, a bake sale, a car wash, a raffle or recycle cans/bottles. Check each Klamath Falls City School for their fundraising dates and details.
Every Klamath County School has been invited to participate in giving back to the Assistance League as well.
All money will need to be collected by April 7th, counted and presented to the Assistance League during their Pickleball 2023 Blazing Paddles Tournament on April 15th at Harbor Isles.
If you would like to register to play or want more information visit: https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=c10e1324-d24b-43b5-974a-90f4ea4f6f0d
Good luck! Make checks payable to the Assistance League.
To donate or for more information, contact Lisa Danskin – Klamath Union High School Key Club Advisor at [email protected]
The Assistance League of Klamath Falls is a nonprofit organization that has been providing clothes and other services to our students and families throughout the Klamath Basin. For the past 28 years, the Assistance League has clothed students from our 36 Klamath County and City schools by giving them an opportunity to receive new clothes from their “Operation School Bell” program. This last school year, they clothed approximately 1,800 students. For more information on their other provided services to our students and families within the Klamath Basin visit: www.klamathbasinassistanceleague.org.
Around the state of Oregon
Oregon will lift mask requirement for health care settings April 3rd, 2023
Change follows improvements in people hospitalized for respiratory infections, test positivity
Finally, workers, patients and visitors in health care settings will no longer be required to wear masks starting April 3, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) announced today.
OHA is rescinding provisions in Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 333-019-1011 that require workers in health care settings – such as hospitals, mobile clinics, ambulances, outpatient facilities, dental offices, urgent care centers, counseling offices, school-based health centers, complementary and alternative medicine locations – to wear masks. The requirement has been in effect since August 2021.
In addition, Executive Order 22-24 will expire on March 6, 2023. The emergency gave hospitals needed flexibility to respond to a surge in respiratory infections, including COVID-19, RSV and influenza.
The decision to end statewide health care mask requirements aligns with decisions in other states, including Washington.
Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., health officer and state epidemiologist at OHA, said the lifting of Oregon’s health care mask requirement stems from data in recent weeks showing overall decreases in circulation of the three respiratory pathogens that triggered a surge in visits to hospital emergency departments and intensive care units last fall. As of today, COVID-19 test positivity is at 10% and is expected to continue dropping; influenza test positivity is at 1.2%; and RSV test positivity is at 1.6% (antigen tests) and 3.5% (molecular tests).
The month-long lead-up to the ending of Oregon’s health care mask requirement gives the health care system, local public health authorities and other health partners time to prepare for the change, including adjusting policies, training and procedures that ensure continued patient safety and access. It also gives members of the public, particularly populations at increased risk of severe disease—communities of color, tribal communities, rural communities, lower-income communities, those with underlying medical conditions, seniors, and parents of vulnerable infants – a chance to plan health care visits and protective measures.
People at higher risk for severe disease, or who live with someone at higher risk, should still consider wearing masks in health care or any settings, to better protect themselves and those most vulnerable around them. Some health care settings may continue to require masks even after the requirement is lifted.
Masks remain an effective way to reduce transmission of respiratory viruses. People are recommended to wear masks when they are sick, and individuals – particularly those with health conditions that put them at high risk for severe illness from a respiratory virus exposure–should continue to wear masks wherever they feel comfortable.
In order to protect themselves and their families and communities, people are strongly encouraged to stay up to date with vaccinations and boosters.
Despite being equipped with backcountry safety gear, an Oregon skier was killed in an avalanche last week in the Central Cascades, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office said.
The 46-year-old man’s name has not been released, according to authorities.
After the man was swept away, his skiing partner called 911. Using the man’s avalanche beacon, the friend was able to locate the man’s body in the snow and attempted to perform lifesaving measures, which were unsuccessful, the sheriff’s office said in a press release.
Both skiers had avalanche beacons, shovels, helmets and avalanche probes, officials said. They had ventured into the steep caldera of Black Crater, just inside the Three Sisters Wilderness and about 25 miles northwest of Bend.
The sheriff’s search and rescue unit and the U.S. Forest Service were unable to recover the body Thursday because of the extreme avalanche danger and not enough light.
Meteorologists say the West Coast has seen “once in a generation” snowfall accumulations this winter.
Amtrak is resuming direct service between Portland and Canada this week. The Amtrak Cascades will leave Portland at 3:05 in the afternoon and arrives in Vancouver, B.C. at 11 p.m. The return train leaves Vancouver just before seven in the morning. Tickets start at 134 dollars.
Oregon’s Unemployment Rate was 4.8% in January
Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.8% in January, matching Oregon’s revised 4.8% unemployment rates for October, November, and December 2022. The last time Oregon’s unemployment rate was more than 4.8% was in July 2021 when the rate was 5.1%.
In January, the U.S. unemployment rate was 3.4%, its lowest level in more than 50 years. Annual revisions to the data, released this month, indicate that Oregon’s unemployment rate was higher than originally estimated last year, and payroll employment growth was slightly slower.
In Oregon, nonfarm payroll employment rose by 9,900 jobs in January, following a gain of 5,600 jobs in December. Monthly job gains in 2022 averaged 5,600. The gains in January were largest in health care and social assistance (+2,200 jobs); professional and business services (+1,800); and leisure and hospitality (+1,400). The only major industry with a job loss in January was private educational services (-600).
Health care and social assistance expanded its workforce rapidly during July 2022 through January 2023. During that time, it added 4,500 jobs, to reach a total of 271,800 jobs. Prior to that there had been little net job change compared with early 2021. Over the most recent 12 months, social assistance was the component industry that grew the most, adding 5,000 jobs since January 2022.
Professional and business services continued its rapid expansion of the past more than two years. It added 13,000 jobs, or 5.0%, since January 2022. Job gains in this broad industry—that makes up 14% of Oregon’s total nonfarm payroll jobs—have been relentless and consistent throughout 2021 and 2022.
Leisure and hospitality rose in January, consistent with its steady expansion and partial recovery from the recession of nearly three years ago. It added 12,500 jobs, or 6.5%, in the 12 months to January. Despite these gains, it is still 10,600 jobs below its pre-recession peak reached in February 2020.
Private educational services slipped to 34,800 jobs in January, following stability since May 2022. 
Britt announces the first set of Britt Presents concerts for 2023
JACKSONVILLE, OR — Britt Music & Arts Festival is excited to announce the first installment of Britt Presents music & comedy concerts for the 2023 summer season.
The first of two season announcements, this group of shows features a wide array of musical artists, including first-time-to-Britt country artists Kelsea Ballerini and Elle King, plus returning artists Diana Ross, Shakey Graves, Old Crow Medicine Show, Cake, Los Lonely Boys, The Head And The Heart, Pink Martini, and annual fan favorite, Michael Franti & Spearhead.
For Beatles fans, RAIN – A Tribute to the Beatles is also returning to the Britt main stage. On April 6, Britt will announce more concerts for the 2023 Britt Presents season.
With this announcement, there will be a Member pre-sale before tickets go on sale to the general public, which is coming at 10:00 AM on Friday, March 24. Donor & Patron Members can now order tickets online.
Tickets for the “Best of Britt” dinner and auction are already on sale and include premium seats to the Pink Martini concert. Tickets to the concert only for Pink Martini featuring China Forbes will go on sale to the public at 10:00 AM on March 24th. Tickets for the Britt Festival Orchestra Season, the Best of Britt fundraiser and Rebelution: Good Vibes Summer Tour are already on sale at Brittfest.org.
Tickets and more information can be found at Brittfest.org, or you can call or visit the Box Office at 541-773-6077 or 216 W. Main St., Medford, Oregon.
The 2023 concert line-up:
June 11: Shakey Graves
June 19: Diana Ross
June 25: Kelsea Ballerini
July 6: Old Crow Medicine Show
July 18: Elle King
August 3: An Evening with RAIN – A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES
August 5: An Evening with CAKE
August 6: Los Lonely Boys – The Brotherhood Tour
August 9: Michael Franti & Spearhead
August 10: The Head And The Heart
August 24: Pink Martini featuring China Forbes & Best of Britt
August 27: Good Vibes Summer Tour 2023
Inspired by its intimate and scenic hillside venue, Britt Music & Arts Festival provides diverse live performances, an incomparable classical festival and dynamic education programs that create a sense of discovery and community. Since its grassroots beginnings in 1963, the non-profit organization has grown from a two-week chamber music festival to a summer-long series of concerts in a variety of genres, including a three-week orchestra season, and year-round education and engagement programs. For more information, visit www.brittfest.org.
Oregon Senator Wyden and Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent
Here it comes. Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 12th, and Oregon Senator Ron Wyden and a bipartisan group of senators want to make it permanent.
And again U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and Senate colleagues from both parties have reintroduced legislation that would end the antiquated and annoying practice of changing clocks twice a year.
“It’s time to put a stop to the twice-a-year time-change madness. Science and common sense show that more year-round daylight would improve our health, help kids spend a bit more time enjoying outdoor after school activities, and encourage folks to support local businesses while on a sunny stroll in their communities,” Wyden said. “I’m all in to get the Sunshine Protection Act passed into law at last.”
The bipartisan Sunshine Protection Act, if enacted, would apply to states that currently participate in DST, which Oregon and most states observe for eight months out of the year. Standard Time, from November to March, is only observed for four months out of the year. The bill would simply negate the need for Americans to change their clocks twice a year, and could have benefits for the nation’s health and economy.
Oregon Senate Passes Bill Focusing On Students With Disabilities & Their Right To Education
The Oregon State Senate has voted “overwhelmingly” to enforce students with disabilities’ right to attend school full-time.
According to a press release sent out by the Office of Senator Sara Blouin, Senate Bill 819, if fully passed, will require informed and written parental consent before a student can have a shortened school day. It also would require the Oregon Department of Education to enforce the law and empowers the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission to investigate and hold superintendents accountable for refusing to restore equal access to schools for students with disabilities.
The press release also stated that roughly 1,000 students with disabilities in districts across the state are denied a full school day and in some cases, receive as little as 25 minutes a week of instruction for years on end.
If SB 819 is signed into law, beginning on March 27, parents of these students can file a written objection to their student’s shortened day schedule. The district must return the student to full time school within 5 school days. Failure to do so can lead to loss of state school funds and discipline for the responsible administrator.
“Students with disabilities have had the right to full time public education since the 1970s. It is inexcusable that many districts routinely deprive students of the chance to learn reading, math and social skills by shutting the schoolhouse door in their faces,” said Senator Sara Gelser Blouin (D-Corvallis).
“Today, the Oregon State Senate sent a clear message: There is no excuse for school districts to violate the civil rights of students with disabilities, and the Oregon Department of Education is expected to enforce state and federal law. With rapid action from the House and Governor, Oregon students will be able to realize the promise of a free and appropriate public education next month.”
The bill will now go to the House of Representatives for consideration.
