EUGENE, Ore. – On Wednesday, December 5, 2018, William E. Wild, Sr., 48, of Redmond, Oregon, was sentenced to 120 days in federal prison and three years’ supervised release for endangering human life by manufacturing hash oil, a controlled substance.
According to court documents, on December 12, 2016, law enforcement and first responders responded to an explosion at Wild’s residence in Redmond. The explosion occurred in a detached garage where the defendant had been illegally manufacturing butane hash oil (BHO). The force of the explosion blew out Wild’s garage door. By his own admission, Wild had been smoking a cigarette in close proximity to the lab at the time of the explosion.
Officers on scene reported finding burnt clothing, a pressure cooker, a Pyrex dish, a large bin of marijuana stem bud and seed as well as an amber substance later identified as BHO. Officers also found a grow room adjacent to the garage with more than 20 mature marijuana plants. In total, investigators seized 57 mature marijuana plants; scales; packaging materials and containers; ledgers containing drug amounts, debts and receipts; approximately $20,000 in cash and several pipe bombs in Wild’s home.
Wild and his 18-year-old daughter were present at the time of the explosion, suffered burns and smoke inhalation and were transported by ambulance from the residence. Wild’s daughter was later intubated and flown by air-ambulance to Portland for treatment.
Wild, a first-time offender, previously pleaded guilty to one count of endangering human life on August 16, 2018. A restitution hearing is scheduled for February 7, 2019.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in partnership with the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement team (CODE), the Oregon State Police and the Redmond police and fire departments. It was prosecuted by Pamela Paaso, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
ODOT is reporting that very foggy conditions exist north of town on Highway 97. Visibility currently reported less than 1/4 mile with ice conditions on roadways. The 911 call center also recently received a call of very slick ice conditions around mile post 265 a few miles north of the Pilot truck stop.
A vehicle slid off the road around milepost 265 with no injuries reported. Please use caution for fog and ice on HWY 97 and ice in other areas especially shaded sections of highway.
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) invites Oregonians outdoors on New Year’s Day for the annual First Day Hikes event. Visitors can choose from 32 hikes in 31 parks across the state. All hikes will be guided by a park ranger or volunteer who will share stories about the park’s history, geology, wildlife and plants.
All hikes are free; day-use parking fees will be waived at all participating parks Jan. 1 only.
Hikers can register for specific hikes online at the Oregon State Parks Store: bit.ly/ParkStoreEvents. While online registration isn’t required for participation, visitors are encouraged to register. It helps park staff plan the hike and provides them with participant contact information should hike details change.
OPRD advises visitors to plan for inclement weather, dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes, bring water and remember to carry binoculars for viewing wildlife.
OPRD has sponsored First Day Hikes annually since 2012, part of a larger national event organized by America’s State Parks.
Participating parks and meeting areas are below. Full details for each hike are also on bit.ly/ParkStoreEvents.
PORTLAND
L.L. Stub Stewart State Park: 10 a.m., meet at Hilltop Day-use area.
Tryon Creek State Park: 9 a.m., meet at the nature center.
COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE
Deschutes River State Recreation Area: 9 a.m., meet at Oregon Trail kiosk.
Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail: 1 p.m., meet at Mark O. Hatfield Visitors Center West trailhead.
Latourell Falls (Guy W. Talbot State Park): 10 a.m., meet at Latourell Falls parking lot.
Starvation Creek State Park: 10 a.m., meet at Starvation Creek Falls trailhead.
WILLAMETTE VALLEY/CASCADES
Champoeg State Heritage Area: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., meet at the visitor center.
Dexter State Recreation Site: 11:00 a.m., meet at the information kiosk for disc golf.
Elijah Bristow State Park: noon, meet at the equestrian parking area for horse riding (bring your own horse.)
Fort Yamhill State Heritage Area: 11 a.m., meet at the main parking lot.
Silver Falls State Park: 10 a.m., meet at South Falls Lodge porch.
COAST
Bullards Beach State Park: 1 p.m., meet at the meeting hall.
Cape Lookout State Park: noon, meet in the Lookout Trailhead parking lot.
Fort Stevens State Park: 10 a.m., meet at parking lot A.
Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park: 10 a.m., meet at Cleawox Lodge.
Oswald West State Park: 8 a.m., meet at Elk Flats Trail parking lot. Parking is limited; please arrive early, carpool, or use another nearby lot.
Port Orford Heads State Park: 1 p.m., meet at Port Orford Heads lifeboat.
South Beach State Park: 10 a.m., meet at the park day-use area.
Umpqua Lighthouse State Park: 10 a.m., meet at Lake Marie swim area.
Whale Watch Center at Depoe Bay: 10 a.m., meet at the Whale Watch Center.
SOUTHERN OREGON
Collier Memorial State Park: 9 a.m., meet at Logging Museum parking lot.
Joseph H. Stewart State Recreation Area: 11 a.m., meet at the group camp.
OC & E Woods State Line Trail: 9 a.m., meet at Switchbacks trailhead.
TouVelle State Park: 1 p.m., meet at TouVelle area F parking lot.
Valley of the Rogue State Park: 1 p.m., meet at Valley of the Rogue program area.
EASTERN/CENTRAL OREGON
Cottonwood Canyon State Park: 10 a.m., meet at the experience center.
Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area: 11 a.m., meet at the day-use parking lot (right of park entrance.)
LaPine State Park: 11 a.m., meet at south loop.
Smith Rock State Park: 10 a.m., meet at the welcome center.
Tumalo State Park: 11 a.m., meet at Deschutes River Trail trailhead, near the day-use parking lot.
Wallowa Lake State Park: 10:30 a.m., meet at the parking area across from the south entrance of Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site.
More information about participating parks, including maps and directions, is on oregonstateparks.org.
Skip Hop Recalls Convertible High Chairs Due to Injury and Fall Hazards:
Recall Date: December 6, 2018
Recall Number: 19-042 Recall Summary Name of Product: Tuo convertible high chairs Hazard:The legs on the highchair can detach from the seat, posing fall and injury hazards to children.
Remedy: RefundConsumers should immediately stop using the recalled high chairs and contact Skip Hop for a full refund or a $200 gift card.
Consumer Contact:Skip Hop toll-free at 888-282-4674 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.skiphop.com and click on “Recalls” for more information.
Recall Details Units: About 32,300 (In addition, about 8,600 were sold in Canada) Description:
This recall involves Skip Hop’s Tuo convertible high chairs with charcoal gray or silver/white with clouds fabric. They have a reversible seat pad, removable tray, 5-point harness, beechwood footrest and legs. The high chairs can be converted into a toddler chair. One of the following style numbers and corresponding date code can be found on the back of the chair:
Skip Hop has received 17 reports of the legs of the high chairs detaching. No injuries have been reported. Sold At:
Babies ”R” Us, Buy Buy Baby, Target, Kohls, Dillards and other children specialty stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com and Skiphop.com from June 2017 through September 2018 for about $160. Importer(s):
Do you have what it takes to be a firefighter or EMT?
Klamath County Fire District No. 1 (KCFD1) is establishing a hiring list for Firefighters/EMTs. This eligibility list will be utilized to fill positions with an anticipated start date of February 15, 2019.
Oregon winter weather is starting to set in across Oregon. Are you prepared? With the increase chances of snow, freezing rain, and ice on the roadways it is more important than ever to #Knowbeforeyougo.
Checkingwww.tripcheck.comis the best way to get information on highway closures/construction, minimum chain requirements and road conditions utilizing their traffic cameras.
Those traveling in lower elevations, expect rain and wet roadways. Which means you will need to increase your following distances due to decreased traction on those wet roads.
OSP is also urges all motorists to plan their travels by:
Be prepared in the event you become stuck during your travels- Carry water, food, and blankets in the event you are stuck in your vehicle during your trip
Put the distractions away. Pull over to use that handheld electronic device, ask as passenger to help or wait to arrive at your destination to use them.
Watch your speed; often speeding will not get you to your destination any faster. You will fatigue faster, burn more fuel, and create a more hazardous environment on the highway.
Be extra vigilant in highway work zones. Even when workers are not present, all work zone speed limits still apply and fines double. Inactive work zones still have equipment, detours, and incomplete changes in the roadway so drivers need to slow down and be alert.
Get rested before you travel. Fatigued drivers are more frequent during holiday weekends because of increased travel and activity. Be patient and allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
Wear your safety belt. Ensure your passengers and children are properly restrained too. We see too many crashes were people would have walked away with minor in any injuries.
Get a designated driver (plan ahead) if you plan on consuming intoxicating substances.
Our partners at Oregon Department of Transporation recently reminded drivers about the dangers of not checking the roads before you go and only utilizing GPS. When roads are closed and your navigation systems direct you onto a detour route, keep in mind that the device you count on for guidance could instead guide you into trouble.http://bit.ly/2rp6ufP
A controlled burn north of Old Fort Road and Hogback Mountain has caused concern for many. The glow from the fire was visible overnight. We observed large columns of smoke in the same area yesterday afternoon.
Klamath Alerts has confirmed with fire management officials that this fire is a controlled slash burn and that there is no need for alarm.
A small twin engine cargo plane has landed gear up at Medford airport. This is causing flight disruptions for inbound and outbound traffic.
If you are traveling today or know someone who is from Medford it’s best to contact your airline directly for updated flight info.
The incident aircraft operating as Ameriflight, usually contracts with UPS to carry air packages and the cargo airline operates out of Klamath Falls as well.
As of this posting there was no eta of when flights will resume at Medford. Several flights were listed as delayed at time of posting.
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Above: Earlier yesterday morning, Air Force One waits on the tarmac in Texas to transport President Bush to Washington, D.C.
With the media coverage over the next few days of the upcoming State funeral, I thought it would be an appropriate time to share my experience as a U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard for President Bush while he was in office.
You may have noticed the joint service military members (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard) who are and will be carrying the casket of President Bush. They will also be posted as guards at the US Capitol while President Bush is lying in state. Those members are part of an elite group of the military known as “guardsmen” or ceremonial honor guards.
The honor guard is an elite unit consisting of members from each branch of the U.S. military. The unit is directly attached to The White House and President.
New Guardsmen Hand Picked From Boot Camp
Most new members of the honor guard are hand picked by special recruiters who usually select new members as they are in boot camp of the military service for which they enlisted. The recruiters have authority to change military contracts and orders. Most tours of the honor guard are between two and four years. Once selected, the new member will have their original military orders changed so they can complete the honor guard tour of duty.
Top Secret Security Clearance Required
Once selected, new members of the presidential honor guard undergo a very detailed background investigation that starts while they are still in bootcamp. Federal agents travel to the home town of the recruit and investigate all the way back to childhood. If the background investigation is favorable, the new member is issued a top secret security clearance.
Additional Bootcamp
New honor guard recruits complete additional boot camp style training when they first arrive at their respective honor guard command. The training includes precision march and drill techniques and training to stand for very long periods of time without moving. Also included in the training is detailed uniform care.
Joint Service and Local Service
Upon graduation new members of the guard are assigned to a division within the local guard command. For the U.S. Navy, assignments include firing party, casket bearers, colors (flag bearers), and drill team.
Anytime there is a major function at The White House, Pentagon, or other location where honor guardsmen are needed they work with members from each military service. This is known as a joint service mission. You will be seeing a lot of these joint service missions in the news coverage during the upcoming memorial.
When there is no joint service mission honor guard members spend most of their time training or participating in military funerals in the local Washington, D.C. area.
My Experience:
I was selected in my 3rd week of bootcamp. A recruiter invited me to attend a presentation where I was shown a video and information about the guard was presented to me. Once I agreed, the recruiter had my original military orders changed so that I could complete my newly assigned duty. I reported to Washington, D.C. in the fall of 1989 to start my honor guard training.
The training was intense and I remember having to endure hours of standing at attention while instructors tried various tactics to make us laugh or flinch. One of many methods used by instructors was employing a Gumby doll and the instructors would make voices for it and put it through amazingly funny situations only inches from your face. You didn’t dare crack a smile or you would find yourself outside running around the building and doing extra work after hours. I also remember standing for long periods of time at attention (sometimes two hours or more) and before breakfast while instructors played long games of chess in front of us.
After making it through the training I was assigned to firing party. We were responsible for the 21 gun salutes at funerals. My primary job was Navy funerals around the Washington, D.C. area when I wasn’t needed for a presidential function.
Working for President Bush
The Honor Guard is directly attached to The White House, on call and ready to provide immediate services anytime they are needed. Anytime a State dinner or other high profile White House function occurs, the ceremonial guard is there.
I had the privilege of serving under President H.W. Bush for the majority of his time in office. One day after working at an arrival ceremony and an evening State dinner, President Bush jokingly told us to go ahead and take the rest of the night off after we had been working there all morning, day, and evening. His grin after saying that to us has stayed with me.
Above: President Bush inspects our unit on the White House front lawn during an arrival ceremony in the early 1990’s.
I feel blessed and fortunate to have served in the honor guard for President Bush 41. Aside from what your political views might be, he was a good president to work for and he appreciated the work we did.
Last week’s 7.0 earthquake in Anchorage, Alaska, should serve as a wake-up call. Those of us living on Oregon’s Coast know about the Cascadia Subduction Zone and the threat posed by it. Two tectonic plates, the Juan de Fuca and the Continental Plate are locked in a Sumo match about 60 to 90 miles off the coast of Vancouver Island, Washington, Oregon, and northern California. The experts say when those two plates finally slip, we will see an earthquake of the likes not seen in recent times. Predictions of 9.0 or better are common when the seismologists speak of the anticipated Cascadia quake.
Friends in the Anchorage area sent photos of their workshop. It looked like a hardware store dumped a truckload of merchandise on the floor. Other news photos show busted roads, store goods scattered and videos of teeth-rattling action. Consider the Anchorage quake registered 7.0 on the Richter scale and the amount of damage experienced was significant.
The most recent Cascadia quake occurred on January 26, 1700. At the time, there were no written records kept. There was, however an orphan tsunami in Japan which wiped out several fishing villages. The Japanese called it an orphan tsunami as there was no earthquake, hence no warning preceding the damage. Experts surmised an earthquake occurred elsewhere on the planet. Later they connected the dots and coupled with First-Nations lore handed down from one generation to the next, concluded the two were connected.
Core samples taken from estuaries up and down the Pacific Northwest coast tell a story of multiple earthquakes over the past thousands of years. Over that period of time, the Pacific Northwest has experienced 41 subduction zone earthquakes. Divide 10,000 by 41 and the answer is 243. Two hundred forty-three years average between subduction zone earthquakes. With the most recent in January 1700, we’re due. Overdue in fact! We are now nearly 319 years into a 243-year cycle.
According to Kathryn Schulz writing for New Yorker Magazine, “Twenty-two per cent of Oregon’s coastal population is sixty-five or older. Twenty-nine per cent of the state’s population is disabled, and that figure rises in many coastal counties.”
Local authorities are quoted “We can’t save them, I’m not going to sugarcoat it and say, ‘Oh, yeah, we’ll go around and check on the elderly.’ No. We won’t.” Nor will anyone save the tourists. Washington State Park properties within the inundation zone see an average of seventeen thousand and twenty-nine guests a day. Oregon authorities estimate up to a hundred and fifty thousand people visit Oregon’s beaches on summer weekends. “Most of them won’t have a clue as to how to evacuate, and the beaches are the hardest place to evacuate from.”
Schulz continues, “There are estimates that in the I-5 corridor it will take between one and three months after the earthquake to restore electricity, a month to a year to restore drinking water and sewer service, six months to a year to restore major highways, and eighteen months to restore health-care facilities. On the coast, those numbers go up. Whoever chooses or has no choice but to stay there will spend three to six months without electricity, one to three years without drinking water and sewage systems, and three or more years without hospitals. Those estimates do not apply to the tsunami-inundation zone, which will remain all but uninhabitable for years.”
I never write to cause concern or fear, but to motivate folks to awareness and action. If a shocking analysis brings action, so be it.
Dave Robinson is an author, pastor and freelance writer. His book, “Disaster Prep For The Rest Of Us,” is available on Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com and other online booksellers.
Helpful tips to prepare for winter weather from Pacific Power Check your Emergency Outage Kit now, then download app to stay up to date
PORTLAND, Ore. – Winter weather is beginning to settle in across the Pacific Northwest. Pacific Power is urging its customers and the public to take precautions to stay safe and comfortable.
“Storm season can cause significant damage to the electrical grid,” said David Lucas, vice president, operations. “One way we minimize interruptions to your electric service despite the storms is by paying close attention to trees near power lines. In 2018, we pruned 265,000 trees on 5,700 miles of lines investing more than $29 million to remove hazards and make the lines more resilient. Based on experience, we’ve anticipated and prepared for this weather and the outages that could occur by staging crews and equipment strategically so that we are able to deploy them where they are needed when the time comes.”
When outages occur, Pacific Power is ready to keep customers informed of efforts to restore service and get them through an outage.
“We are ready to assist you whenever you need help with your electric needs,” said Barb Coughlin, vice president of customer service. “Reporting outages and receiving updates is easier than ever. Outages can be reported via the website, through our mobile app, or by telephone at 1-877-508-5088.”
New this year is the ability to report an outage via text messaging. Text OUT to 722797 to report an outage. Text STAT to 722797 to check the status of your outage.
Please visit our mobile app or website to update your outage alert preferences, email address and phone number. Keeping this information updated ensures you will be able to report outages and receive updates using these quick and easy options.
Download our mobile app (www.pacificpower.net/ya/app.html) to report power problems or get real time outage updates. Outage information is always available by viewing our outage maps on the mobile app and website at pacificpower.net.
Every home should have an Emergency Outage Kit that includes the following:
Flashlight
Battery-operated radio and clock
Extra batteries
Non-perishable foods
Manual can opener
Bottled water
Blankets
To ease the inconvenience of power outages and assist crews in restoring power, Pacific Power suggests the following tips and safety precautions:
Stay away from all downed power lines and utility lines. Even if the lines are not sparking, they could be energized and extremely dangerous. Call 911 and report the downed line to Pacific Power at 1-877-508-5088.
Don’t drive over downed power lines.
Turn on your porch light. After crews complete repairs, they patrol the area of the power failure to see if lights are on.
Check on your neighbors, especially those who may need special assistance. Also, check with others who have electricity, to see if you can visit.
Keep mobile devices charged so that may be used in an emergency. Before anything happens, download the Pacific Power app to your smart device so you can have information readily available.
Klamath Alerts just received this statement about a rape suspect that is in custody and awaiting a trial on December 12th.
On January 6, 2000, Victoria Cravitz was indicted for Rape in the First Degree, for her role in the horrific assault of a child. She and her co-defendant fled the state and eluded arrest for approximately 18 years. In August of 2018 Ms. Cravitz was taken into custody and returned to Klamath County. She is currently held in the Klamath County Jail, with a trial date set for December 12, 2018.
On November 28, 2018, defense counsel for Ms. Cravitz filed a Notice of Intent to Introduce Evidence of Disease or Defect in this case. The Court granted a continuance of the December 12, 2018 trial date to allow the Klamath County District Attorney’s office to have their own expert at the Oregon State Hospital conduct a psychological evaluation of Ms. Cravitz. The results of this evaluation will inform the resolution of this matter.
The District Attorney’s office believes Ms. Cravitz’s commitment is necessary for the protection of public safety.
Snow storm and winter travel conditions Friday into Saturday.
A snow storm is forecast to begin affecting our area Friday. Snow is expected in the mountains around the Klamath Basin beginning Friday afternoon, and is forecast to develop in the Klamath Falls local area in the evening hours of Friday night. The bulk of the snow should arrive in the late evening hours of Friday into early Saturday morning. Roughly 2-4 inches of snow are expected in Klamath Falls.
Snow levels will drop to around 2,600 feet in elevation overnight Friday. The storm is expected to affect highway travel conditions all around our region from South of Bend, Oregon to down into northern California.
Cold night temperatures expected Sunday night as the storm leaves our area. Some areas north of Klamath Falls could see single digit or near zero. Lows in the teens expected for Klamath Falls area Sunday night.
Multiple Winter Storm Warnings Issued:
Winter Storm Warning issued November 29 at 3:46PM PST until December 01 at 4:00PM PST by NWS Medford
…Heavy snow expected above 2500 feet Friday night through Saturday…
Friday evening through Saturday a strong cold front and associated area of cold low pressure will move in from the northwest bringing periods of heavy snowfall with lower snow levels across portions of southwest Oregon and northern California. Snow levels could drop briefly below 2500 feet in heavier showers.
…WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM FRIDAY TO 4 PM PST SATURDAY…
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM FRIDAY TO 4 PM PST SATURDAY…
* WHAT… Snow expected, heavy in places. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches, with localized amounts up to 11 inches, in the warning area are expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches, with localized amounts up to 6 inches, in the advisory area are expected.
* WHERE… In California, North Central and Southeast Siskiyou County and Modoc County. In Oregon, Klamath Basin, Northern and Eastern Klamath County and Western Lake County and Central and Eastern Lake County. Highways 97, 140, 139, 395 and other area roads will be affected. Highest snow amounts will be on highway 97 near Chemult, 140 near Bly and Cedar Pass.
* WHEN… From 4 PM Friday to 4 PM PST Saturday.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS… Plan on difficult travel conditions. Be prepared for significant reductions in visibility at times. Snow will initially fall on just above freezing road temperatures that will cool below freezing, making roads possibly covered in ice in places.
* Travel is strongly discouraged because of dangerous conditions. * If you must travel, keep tire chains, a flashlight, blankets, food, water, medications, and a fully charged phone with you. * The safest place during a winter storm is indoors. * A Winter Storm Warning means that severe winter weather is likely, and poses a threat to life and property. Take protective action now.
Winter Weather Advisory issued November 29 at 3:46PM PST until December 01 at 4:00PM PST by NWS Medford
…Heavy snow expected above 2500 feet Friday night through Saturday…
Friday evening through Saturday a strong cold front and associated area of cold low pressure will move in from the northwest bringing periods of heavy snowfall with lower snow levels across portions of southwest Oregon and northern California. Snow levels could drop briefly below 2500 feet in heavier showers.
…WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM FRIDAY TO 4 PM PST SATURDAY…
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM FRIDAY TO 4 PM PST SATURDAY…
* WHAT… Snow expected, heavy in places. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches, with localized amounts up to 11 inches, in the warning area are expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches, with localized amounts up to 6 inches, in the advisory area are expected.
* WHERE… In California, North Central and Southeast Siskiyou County and Modoc County. In Oregon, Klamath Basin, Northern and Eastern Klamath County and Western Lake County and Central and Eastern Lake County. Highways 97, 140, 139, 395 and other area roads will be affected. Highest snow amounts will be on highway 97 near Chemult, 140 near Bly and Cedar Pass.
* WHEN… From 4 PM Friday to 4 PM PST Saturday.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS… Plan on difficult travel conditions. Be prepared for significant reductions in visibility at times. Snow will initially fall on just above freezing road temperatures that will cool below freezing, making roads possibly covered in ice in places.
* Travel is strongly discouraged because of dangerous conditions. * If you must travel, keep tire chains, a flashlight, blankets, food, water, medications, and a fully charged phone with you. * The safest place during a winter storm is indoors. * A Winter Storm Warning means that severe winter weather is likely, and poses a threat to life and property. Take protective action now.
