Note: Additional details about this MVA are available in our breaking news app. If you would like to be more informed about incidents like these please consider becoming a subscriber.
New Policy Permits Public Safety Shut Downs Of Power During Extreme Fire Conditions
Pacific Power issues the following statement from Scott Bolton, Senior Vice President, External Affairs and Customer Solutions:
As wildfires become more frequent and intense throughout the West, protecting the communities we serve from this increasing threat, while providing safe, reliable power, is our highest priority. We are building on our work over past years to strengthen our system and implement additional safety measures to reduce wildfire risks.
As part of this effort, we are working with area emergency services agencies, the Oregon Department of Forestry, and community leaders across Oregon to expand and enhance existing emergency response plans and work in coordination with our communities. This includes some new actions we’re planning for this fire season.
Customers can take steps now to prepare for emergencies by keeping vegetation around their homes trimmed and low and updating their emergency plans and supplies. Customers should also contact us to ensure their contact information is up-to-date, so we can keep provide updates about increased fire risk alerts, potential power outages and updates on power restoration.
For more information, customers may contact Pacific Power at 1-888-221-7070 or visit pacificpower.net/wildfiresafety.
On Wednesday, June 12, 2019 a search warrant was executed at 1236 Owens Street, Klamath Falls, OR. The search warrant was the result of numerous investigations involving fraudulent transactions made at ten or more businesses within the community. Joshua Eli Epps was believed to have fraudulently ordered nearly $20,000 of merchandise using consumer credit accounts at local stores and stolen credit information. Earlier in the day, co-conspirator William Adams, was taken into custody while attempting to acquire merchandise which was fraudulently ordered by Joshua Epps.
Due to information that the suspect was in possession of a firearm, the Klamath County Special Response Team (SRT) served the warrant at the residence. During the execution of the search warrant Joshua Epps, along with two other occupants were detained after their surrender following two hours of negotiations. The two other occupants were released after questioning while Joshua Epps was taken into custody and lodged at the Klamath County Jail on authority of multiple felony warrants. Additional charges related to thefts are expected to be added in the next few days.
A large quantity of stolen property (tools and a stolen pistol) were recovered during the search of the residence.
Epps, Joshua Eli Charges: Theft I, Theft II, Parole Violation, Identification Theft
Adams, William Anthony Charges: Attempted Theft I, Criminal Conspiracy I
*No booking photo available at post time for Adams.
The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for…
Northwestern Lake County in south central Oregon…
Northeastern Klamath County in south central Oregon…
* Until 545 PM PDT.
* At 523 PM PDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 12 miles north of
Jackson Creek Forest Camp, or 36 miles south of La Pine, moving
east at 10 mph.
HAZARD…60 mph wind gusts and nickel size hail.
SOURCE…Radar indicated.
IMPACT…Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
* This severe thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
northwestern Lake and northeastern Klamath Counties.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
LAT…LON 4306 12149 4324 12149 4331 12121 4307 12119
TIME…MOT…LOC 0023Z 270DEG 9KT 4315 12139
HAIL…0.88IN
WIND…60MPH
A disturbance is expected to move in this afternoon from the south and trigger isolated thunderstorms in the early afternoon hours.
Storms are then expected to increase in coverage area to scattered later in the afternoon to evening.
Some storms may contain strong downdrafts and be on the dry side.
As always, storm coverage is available in our breaking news app.
Davie Lamburth was arrested in the 100 block of East Lowell Street, on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at approximately 10:00 a.m. Klamath Falls Police Officer responded to Sky Lakes Medical Center on Tuesday, June 11th, at 1:12 a.m. Officers were requested by Sky Lakes Medical Center Staff when the infant arrived. The infant had been transported by family members to ensure the infant was medically stable. The infant was removed from the home and placed with a family member. Read more
Coast Guard rescues man 800 feet down Crater Lake caldera
The Coast Guard rescued a man who fell into the Crater Lake caldera, Monday afternoon, assisting the National Park Service and a District 3 Technical Rope Rescue Team.
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Sector North Bend hoisted the man out of the caldera and transferred him to an AirLink Critical Care Transport team who flew the injured man to Bend for care and treatment.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Bend received a call at 3:47 p.m., from the Crater Lake National Park Service rangers requesting helicopter support for an injured man who fell into Crater Lake’s caldera near Rims Village.
The Coast Guard aircrew arrived on scene at 4:28 p.m. with the District 3 rope team already 600 feet down into the caldera. The District 3 team reported they could hear a man yelling from further down into the caldera.
The aircrew was hovering above the injured man within 15 minutes of arriving on scene and conducted the hoist before landing in a nearby parking lot and transferring the injured man to the AirLink helicopter crew. The aircrew departed Crater Lake at 5:27 p.m., stopped in Roseburg to refuel and returned to North Bend.
The condition of the injured man is unknown at this time.
Klamath County Road Construction Week Of June 10th.
Last night around 9:00pm an Oregon State Police Trooper contacted a female who had a Pit Bull that was not restrained in the area of 6th Street and Altamont. Read more
A heat wave that will put parts of the local region into record temperature territory next week is expected to begin building Sunday. As of posting time, the hottest day looks to be Tuesday with highs in the low 90’s and a disturbance expected Wednesday that could produce thunderstorms. Temperatures are expected to remain warm in the high 80’s with possible cooling thunderstorms in the evenings Wednesday and beyond. Triple digit temperatures are expected in Medford during the heatwave.
Klamath Falls High Temp Records For Next Week: Monday, 96 in 1918; Tuesday, 95 in 1940; Wednesday, 94 in 1933.
We will likely see some heat warnings issued soon for some of our region to address the coming heat wave.
Frost Advisory For Tonight:
…FROST ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 7 AM PDT SUNDAY…
…FREEZE WARNING HAS EXPIRED…
The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Frost
Advisory…which is in effect from 2 AM to 7 AM PDT Sunday.
* Frost Advisory Low Temperatures: 33 to 36 degrees.
* Timing…Widespread frost is expected late tonight and into
Sunday morning.
* Locations in the Frost Advisory include: Most valley locations
in Klamath and Lake Counties, as well as in Modoc County and
northeast Siskiyou County. This includes areas in and around
Klamath Falls, Lakeview, Alturas, Summer Lake, Tulelake,
Chiloquin, and Silver Lake.
* Impacts…Sensitive vegetation could be damaged or killed by
frost or sub-freezing weather.
* View the hazard area in detail at
View NWS Hazard Info Here
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A Frost Advisory means that widespread frost is expected.
Sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered.
For more frequent weather briefings and storm coverage consider becoming a subscriber to our breaking news service.
More Road Work Next Week Downtown:
Streets Division crews will be performing work during the hours of 6:30 a.m. through 4 p.m. The Streets Staff would like to thank our citizens in advance for proceeding with caution in areas where crews are working. Work may be delayed due to weather, equipment break-down or unexpected emergencies.
Asphalt crew 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 10 – 13, 2019 June 10 – Asphalt repair Utility cut at Kane St. and S 6th St. (5300 blk). Lane closure and traffic delays are possible.
June 11 – 12 – General street maintenance city wide.
June 13 – Utility cut repairs, South Suburban Area.
Sign and Paint crew 6 a.m. – 4 p.m. June 11 – 14, 2019
Due to weather delays, paint crews will be re-striping legends, parking T’s and crosswalks in the downtown core. Crews and traffic gear (cones and signs) will be in place. Sign maintenance city wide and street sweeping.
Downtown Slurry Seal Project Saturday, June 8, 2019
From City of Klamath Falls:
The downtown slurry seal project will be finalized Saturday, June 8th.
9th Street from Upham Street to Pine Street will be closed from approximately 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Freezing Tempuratures Expected Tonight
Northeast Siskiyou and Northwest Modoc Counties-Modoc County-
Klamath Basin-
Northern and Eastern Klamath County and Western Lake County-
Central and Eastern Lake County-
Including the cities of Dorris, Newell, Macdoel, Tulelake,
Alturas, Canby, Likely, Altamont, Klamath Falls, Beatty, Bly,
Chemult, Crescent, Gilchrist, Sprague River, Lakeview,
and Valley Falls
322 AM PDT Thu Jun 6 2019
…FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 9 AM PDT
FRIDAY…
…FROST ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 9 AM PDT
FRIDAY…
…FREEZE WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY EVENING THROUGH
SATURDAY MORNING…
The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Freeze
Warning and a Frost Advisory. Both are in effect from midnight
tonight to 9 AM PDT Friday.
* Freeze Warning Temperatures: 25 to 32 degrees.
* Frost Advisory Temperatures: 33 to 36 degrees.
* Timing…Freezing temperatures are expected Thursday night into
Friday morning, with another widespread damaging freeze possible
Friday night into Saturday morning.
* Locations in the Freeze Warning include: Most valley locations
in northern Klamath and Lake Counties. This includes Chiloquin,
Chemult, Sprague River, Bly, Silver Lake, and Beatty. Tulelake
and Macdoel are also in the Freeze Warning.
* Locations in the Frost Advisory include: Most valley locations
in southern Klamath and Lake Counties as well as in Modoc
County. This includes Klamath Falls, Lakeview, Alturas, and
Summer Lake.
* Impacts…Sensitive vegetation could be damaged or killed by
unusually cold weather.
* View the hazard area in detail at
https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mfr/HAZARD
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A Freeze Warning means sub-freezing temperatures are imminent or
highly likely. These conditions will kill crops and other
sensitive vegetation.
A Frost Advisory means that widespread frost is expected.
Sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered.
A Freeze Watch means sub-freezing temperatures are possible.
These conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation.
Cutler family photo
Satellite map
Road map
Update 6/5/19 at 10:50 a.m. (updated to correct typo on day):
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) search and rescue (SAR) officials are releasing additional details about the family missing Tuesday night in the forest southeast of Ruch.
According to JCSO Sergeant Shawn Richards, Cameron Cutler and her three children left home on the morning of June 4, 2019, to go hiking in the Tunnel Ridge Trail area. Cutler used Apple Maps to navigate to the destination from Talent. The suggested route included unpaved and unmaintained forest roads in the Anderson Creek area.
After driving several miles, Cutler decided to go back. The vehicle became wedged between a tree and a ditch when she tried to turn around at a spur road (GPS coordinates for the location are as follows: 42.154328, -122.839782). There is no cell phone coverage in the area, so Cutler was unable to call for help. Cutler spent the rest of the day entertaining her children with short walks in the area, but stayed near the vehicle to await rescuers.
Cutler’s husband called for help at 6:12 p.m. Deputies and SAR personnel responded to assist. Approximately 150 citizen volunteers arrived in the area to help with the search.
A team of SAR volunteers located the family and their vehicle at approximately 12:55 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5. They transported the Cutlers to the SAR command post in Ruch to reunite with family and friends. Nobody was injured.
Sergeant Richards says Cutler did some things right: she was prepared with clothing, food, and water; she kept everyone in one location instead of wandering off; she worked to keep her children in good spirits.
But, he says there are lessons to be learned from this incident. Sergeant Richards reminds people of the following safety tips for travelers:
###
Update 6/5/19: As of 1:00 am Wednesday, June 5, 2019, all four were located safe. Thank you to everyone who helped with the search and shared information.
Original release:
JACKSONVILLE, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) search and rescue (SAR) personnel are searching for a Medford woman and her three children. The four were reported missing Tuesday evening after not returning home from a planned hike.
On June 4, 2019, at 6:12 p.m., dispatch received a call from the woman’s husband. Cameron Cutler, 35, and three of her children – 5-year-old twins (boy and girl), and a 4-year-old boy, reportedly left home that morning to go hiking on the Tunnel Ridge Trail. They had not returned home.
Cutler was reportedly driving a silver Honda Odyssey minivan with Oregon license plate 752 JUY. The vehicle has not yet been located.
SAR teams are checking trailheads in the Applegate and Ruch areas where the family may have been hiking. Dozens of citizens also turned out to assist.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Cameron Cutler and her children is asked to call dispatch at (541) 776-7206. Refer to case #19-11153.
This and many other events are covered live in our breaking news service.
On Wednesday morning (06/05/19) at 7:59 am, Klamath 911 Dispatch was notified that a home invasion robbery had just occurred on Vincent Drive. The victim told 911 he had just been robbed minutes earlier, at gunpoint, by two unknown men who had displayed a handgun after knocking on his front door.
According to the victim the two men demanded money and forced him to lay on the floor until they left. The victim was able to provide a vehicle description as the men drove from his property. Minutes later, OSP Trooper Van Domelen was responding to the area to assist Sheriff’s Office deputies when he observed a vehicle matching the description provided by the victim.
Trooper Van Domelen conducted a vehicle stop and held the suspects at gunpoint until other responding officers arrived and took two male suspects into custody. An air soft handgun was located in the vehicle along with several hundred dollars in cash taken from the victim.
The two suspects have each been lodged in the Klamath County Detention Center on the listed charges:
Robbery 1
Burglary 1
Menacing 1
Theft 2
Harassment
Criminal Conspiracy (to commit Robbery 1)
Total bail $238,000.00
