At 10:17 a.m., we encourage you to practice drop, cover and hold on for 60 seconds as if we were having a real earthquake. (Visit the following website for more information: http://www.shakeout.org/oregon/dropcoverholdon/ ) Read more
Bryant Mountain Machine Piles: Crews will be conducting controlled burns scheduled October 17th located 4 miles east and south of Malin, and 20 miles southeast of Klamath Falls in the Bryant Mountain area. Read more
10-14-19 at about 7:19pm (last night) reports of a motor vehicle accident on Crater Lake Parkway near Esplanade were reported to 911. Fire District 1, Klamath Falls City Police, Oregon State Police, and ODOT Incident Response were dispatched to the crash. Read more
KINGSLEY FIELD, Ore. – The 173rd Fighter Wing has partnered with local community experts and formed a working group to address the path forward after quantities of two emerging contaminants were found here. Read more
KLAMATH FALLS, OR, October 14, 2019 The Oregon Department of Forestry in conjunction with Klamath County Fire District #1, US Forest Service, and City Parks staff plans to conduct a prescribed fire within the boundaries of Moore Park beginning Tuesday, October 15, 2019.
The primary objective of the prescribed burn is to safely reduce the buildup of dead/down fuels to provide an area that is less susceptible to severe impacts from future wildfire. Favorable weather conditions may create a window to treat up to 15 acres in Moore Park.
Smoke may be visible during and after ignitions for several days. Fire managers are working closely with local air districts to mitigate the effects of the smoke to the public and local air sheds. Firefighter and public safety are the highest priorities. Signs will be placed in the Moore Park and Lynnewood areas. Fire personnel, vehicles and equipment may be present.
The main roadway from the entrance to exit (the lower loop by the soccer fields and playground) will remain open. The upper gated loops in proximity to the burn will be signed and closed. The public is asked to watch for prescribed fire signs, be aware of fire operations and drive safely
Please drive with Caution!
Did you know that scientists estimate that there is a 40% chance of an earthquake hitting Oregon, Washington, Northern California and the British Columbia in the next 20 years? Be prepared for this earthquake with Tipping Point Resilience’s Earthquake Preparedness Event. Read more
PORTLAND, Ore.—The Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Liquor Control Commission today filed temporary rules that put into effect Gov. Kate Brown’s Oct. 4 executive order banning all flavored vaping product sales in the state.
The temporary rules, which will remain in effect for six months starting Oct. 15, prohibit the sale of all flavored vaping products—including online sales—to consumers in Oregon. The ban covers all tobacco and cannabis (marijuana and hemp) vaping products that contain natural or artificial flavors including, but not limited to, chocolate, coffee, cocoa, menthol, mint, wintergreen, vanilla, honey, coconut, licorice, nuts, fruit, any candy, dessert, alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage, herb or spice.
Tobacco-flavored tobacco or nicotine products, as well as marijuana-flavored marijuana or THC products that use only marijuana-derived flavorings, including terpenes, are not included in the ban.
Retailers found violating the temporary rules will receive a warning letter and recommendations on coming into compliance. Continued violations could result in civil penalties of up to $500 per day, per violation. In addition, cannabis. In addition, cannabis retailers or processors could face violations up to and including cancellation of their license.
Additional components of vaping products could be banned in the future. The Governor’s executive order directs OHA and OLCC to “take immediate action and adopt additional emergency rules” to prohibit any chemical or contaminant found to have caused or contributed to vaping-associated lung injuries being investigated in Oregon and 48 other states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. There are nine cases of this illness in Oregon, including two deaths.
OHA and OLCC officials say the temporary rules filed today are significant steps toward stemming the well-documented tide of e-cigarette use and vaping by youth, as well as keeping products that may expose people to unsafe chemicals and other contaminants off store shelves.
Among Oregon high school students who use e-cigarettes exclusively, nearly 90% use flavored e-cigarette products, OHA found. And there is strong evidence that e-cigarettes increase youth nicotine addiction and increase the risk that youth will start using combustible tobacco such as cigarettes.
“We have been warning Oregonians about the health effects of these products before this current outbreak of serious lung injury added more evidence of the dangers of vaping,” said Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., health officer and state epidemiologist. “These rules stop the sale of a potentially dangerous product, and they’re part of a comprehensive approach to curbing youth vaping and additional cases of vaping-associated lung injuries.”
He points to additional directives in the Governor’s executive order that call on OHA and OLCC to develop consumer warnings for THC and non-THC products; expand easy access to FDA-approved cessation resources; implement a statewide prevention and education campaign; and submit legislative proposals with long-term solutions to reduce public health harms from vaping.
The temporary rules affect not only OLCC recreational marijuana licensed retailers and processors, but also alcohol licensees that sell nicotine vaping products, including retailers that sell beer and wine, bars and taverns, and liquor store agents.
The OLCC said the flavor ban is just the latest step in its evolution from focusing on public safety to an agency with an equivalent focus on consumer protection. Through increased review of products sold in the OLCC-licensed retail market and the development of testing capacity, the OLCC will continue to work to refine consumer product disclosure.
“This Commission is working very hard to ensure the cannabis industry can grow, thrive and compete in the Oregon marketplace,” said Paul Rosenbaum, chair of the OLCC. “We are doing so with a clear focus on the integrity of the marketplace for businesses, consumers and public safety. However, it is our overwhelming responsibility to protect public health and our consumers from undue risk. This agency’s rapid and nimble action to implement the Governor’s executive order is exactly why regulated cannabis will always be a superior consumer choice over illegal markets.”
Additional rules were filed earlier this week. On Wednesday, OHA filed temporary rules that require health care providers to report hospitalizations and deaths due to “vaping-associated lung injury.” Physicians have long had to report “uncommon illness of potential public health significance,” but the new rules are intended to reduce confusion by specifically naming this new lung illness as reportable by Oregon law to public health agencies.
Due to the ongoing investigation of vaping-associated lung injuries, OHA health officials continue to recommend people stop vaping immediately. Those experiencing symptoms of the illnesses, such as shortness of breath, cough or chest pain should immediately seek medical attention.
MEDFORD, Ore.—Five people have been charged for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and heroin manufactured in Mexico in and around Klamath Falls, Oregon, announced Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Rogelio Gomez-Arias, 23, Irving Beas Ceballos, 34, Alexis Chavez-Franco, 22, and Domingo Matias-Hernandez, 36, are each charged by indictment with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine between May and October 2018. Additionally, Ceballos is charged with possessing methamphetamine and heroin with the intent to distribute and Gomez-Arias, Chavez-Franco and Matias-Hernandez are charged with distributing methamphetamine.
Juan Rodriguez-Ramirez, 62, is charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
All defendants are known to reside in and around Klamath Falls and Dorris, California.
On October 9, 2019, a coordinated, multi-agency law enforcement operation was conducted to dismantle the drug trafficking organization. Five federal search warrants were executed in Klamath Falls and Dorris. Investigators seized more than 37 pounds of methamphetamine, 440 grams of heroin, 14 firearms, and nearly $50,000 in cash and arrested all five defendants.
All five defendants made their first appearances in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark D. Clarke and were detained pending further proceedings. Conspiring to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine carries a maximum sentence of life in prison with a 10-year mandatory minimum.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Basin Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (BINET) and the Siskiyou Unified Major Investigation Team (SUMIT). It is being prosecuted the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
An indictment and criminal complaint are only accusations of a crime, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case was brought as part of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program, the centerpiece of the department’s strategy for reducing the availability of drugs in the U.S. OCDETF was established in 1982 to mount a comprehensive attack on drug trafficking by disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in coordination with state and local law enforcement.
End of Grant Results From October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019 deputies conducted High Visibility Enforcement, in addition to regularly assigned responsibilities, totaling: 329.5 Hours
250 Citations (Distracted Driving, Safety Belts, Speed, Suspended License, etc.)
377 Warnings(Distracted Driving, Safety Belts, Speed, etc.
13 Arrests (DUII, Driving While Suspended/Revoked, Warrants, etc.)
The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the response from the public in the two-prong approach to traffic issues locally and statewide, Education and Enforcement. With grants from the Oregon Department of Transportation, deputies will again be conducting High Visibility Enforcement in 2019/2020 including Pedestrian Enforcement on busy streets and crosswalks.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we need YOUR help to SPREAD AWARENESS!
In 2019, the American Cancer Society estimates there will be 271,270 new cases and 42,260 deaths from Breast Cancer across the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates Oregon will have 23,320 new cases and 8,270 deaths from Breast Cancer.
These shirts are available at our Administrative Office located at 143 N. Broad Street, Klamath Falls, OR. Sizes include S-XL at $20 each.
Proceeds will be donated to a local charity in support of breast cancer prevention. #breastcancerawareness
Joshua Adams and Devin Hubkey both of the Klamath Falls area were arrested early Wednesday morning after attempting to elude Klamath County Sheriff’s Deputies in Klamath Falls. Read more
Kingsley Field Joint Land Use Open House Set For October 15th. See the attached flier for more information. The open house and meeting is scheduled for October 15th at 6pm at the Klamath Falls City Hall.
Above: Klamath Alerts File Photo
KINGSLEY FIELD, Ore. – The 173rd Fighter Wing will host the 17th Sentry Eagle air-to-air combat exercise July 15 to 19, 2020. Additionally, the public is invited to enjoy a wide variety of fighter aircraft, military operations, and static displays during the Open House on Saturday, 18 July and admission is free. Read more
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Twice each year there are open burn windows that allow Klamath County residents the opportunity to burn yard waste. Klamath County Public Health (KCPH) just announced the 2019 Fall open burning window. It begins 8 a.m. Saturday, October 12, and ends 5 p.m. Sunday, October 27.
Public Health officials have set the following guidelines for the open burning window:
1. The air quality advisory must be green. The daily advisory is available at 541-882-BURN (2876).
2. Only residential yard waste, such as tree limbs, brush, and leaves may be burned.
3. All burning must occur between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
4. No trash, plastic, rubber, tar, petroleum products, treated or painted wood may be burned.
5. The use of burn barrels is prohibited.
6. The burning of commercial, construction, demolition or industrial waste is not included in this burn window. Burning for these purposes requires a special permit from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality; contact the DEQ office in Bend at 541-633-2016.
7. Agricultural burning inside the Air Quality Zone is prohibited without a certificate of variance issued by Klamath County Public Health.
Fire District guidelines for public safety are:
1. The wind must be between four and 10 mph. For wind speed call 541-883-8127.
2. There must be a pressurized water hose at the fire site at all times.
3. A responsible adult must be present at the fire from the first flame until the fire is extinguished.
4. The burn pile shall be no larger than six feet in diameter and four feet high.
5. There must be a six-foot clear area surrounding the base of the pile and the pile must be at least 20 feet from combustible fences and buildings.
6. The person conducting any burning is responsible for damage and the cost of an out of control burn as well as traffic problems and other hazards caused by the smoke.
The open burn window may be cancelled at any time due to air quality or fire hazard conditions. KCPH reminds people that the smoke from burning yard debris is equally as harmful to lungs as cigarette smoke.
During the open burn window, residents should check with their local Fire District or the City of Klamath Falls (inside the city limits) for additional restrictions. Phone numbers for these agencies include: Klamath County Fire District No. 1 541-885-2056; Klamath County Fire District No. 4 541-884-1670; Klamath County Public Health 541-883-1122; City of Klamath Falls Code Enforcement 541-883-5358.
National Weather Service to Recognize Crater Lake National Park for 100 Years of Weather Observation
CRATER LAKE, OR – On Monday, October 7, 2019, representatives from the National Weather Service will be at Crater Lake National Park to celebrate 100 years of weather observation. There will be a brief ceremony on the back porch of Crater Lake Lodge at 1:00 PM. All are welcome to attend. Long-term weather observations are extremely important to monitor climate trends and predict weather conditions.
Meteorologists use weather data collected by the park to study snowfall amounts and track changes in weather patterns. Crater Lake National Park is the only long-term high elevation snow data collection site in southern Oregon. Weather plays a significant role in the resources and management of the park. Crater Lake is filled entirely by rainfall and snowmelt, resulting in some of the purest, clearest water on the planet. With an annual snowfall of 512 inches, Crater Lake National Park is one of the snowiest inhabited places in the country.
The park’s snowplow operators work hard to clear snow from roads so that visitors can safely experience the incredible winter vistas and recreational opportunities the park has to offer. The park works closely with the National Weather Service (NWS) not only during the winter, but during summer storms as well. The partnership with the NWS is a critical component of safe boat tour operations on the lake.
The NWS alerts the park if thunderstorms are moving towards the lake and provides valuable information to park and concession staff to help determine if tours need to be postponed or cancelled to avoid hazardous lightning. Crater Lake National Park is proud to serve as a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador, collaborating with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service to share information about weather conditions with park visitors and those who may be traveling to the park.
Be sure to check the park website and Facebook page for updates during winter storm events.