New police website just launched

A meeting last week that taught residents to use the new police website drew a crowd. The site now has Crime Reports, and mapping software that allows users to see where crimes occurred within the police patrol area. Police hope the system will become sort of a digital community watch. We'll post the link for you....

www.kfpd.us/public-crime-mapping

Budget the focus of the new legislature

Oregon lawmakers begin their legislative session tomorrow. Governor John Kitzhaber has made it clear that he wants budget problems to be tackled first. Cuts are expected, which could lead to reduced benefits on the Oregon Health Plan and possibly larger classes in public schools. Lawmakers will also examine issues like banning plastic grocery bags, drawing new legislative districts and overhauling the higher education system.

Council to tour the jail

There has been much discussion about the issues at the Klamath County jail, as budget issues forced Sheriff Tim Evinger to close a section of beds. The jail is at or near capacity consistently. The Klamath Falls City Council will tour the jail tomorrow at 2pm, and discussions about what to do will likely follow.

Fairs in nearby California in danger of losing funds

In California, there is a proposal to eliminate 100% of all California fair funding in the 2011/12 state budget. That would have a dramatic impact on local fairs. The Tule Lake-Butte county fair, for one, has developed a Future Vision Committee to brainstorm ideas that will help maintain the fair and ensure its’ sustainability for the future. There are two public forums scheduled. The first will be held on February 9th @ 6pm at the Tulelake-Butte Valley Fair Home Economics Building. The second will be held on February 10th@ 6pm at the Dorris City Hall meeting room.

Two men escape danger

A vehicle lost control on icy roads early yesterday morning, and ended up in the Klamath Lake, partially submerged. A passerby called 911. The fire department found two men had broken out the rear window as it sank, and other than some minor lacerations and being cold and wet, they were okay. Marco Antonion Solix Majarro, and Isifredo Vel Miranda, were treated and released by medical personel on the scene. One lane of 140 was closed for about two hours yesterday, but the vehicle was eventually removed from the lake.

Probation violation sends man to prison

45-year old Richard Howard Kellison of Klamath Falls was on probation for burglary in the first degree, coercion, and menacing. This week, Klamath County Circuit Court Judge Dan Bunch revoked his probation and sentenced him to 80 months in prison after probation violations. Bunch reportedly failed to report a change of address, used meth, and failed to follow through on domestic violence treatment. District Attorney Edwin Caleb tells us he won't be eligible for early release.

Oregon has a new state forester

The state Board of Forestry's picked the new state forester. Doug Decker takes over the job February 1st. He'd been the acting chief of the department's state forest division. He led development of the Tillamook Forest Center, an interpretive facility in the Tillamook State Forest, from 1996 to 2006; and most recently, he oversaw acquisition of the Gilchrist State Forest in Central Oregon, the first new state forest in over 60-years.

Merkley a proponent of electric cars

Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley was happy to hear President Obama's mention of electric cars in this week's State of the Union address. Merkley says he has been working with Sen. Lamar Alexander to advance legislation pertaining to electric vehicles.






In addition to fighting foreclosures, Merkley is looking for ways to help the economy though job creation. He says an electric vehicle infrastructure is one way to do that.

Library auctions card catalogs

Remember those big wooden library card catalogs that the library used to hold file cards before computerized cataloging? Well, the Klamath County LIbrary is putting two of them up for silent auction. You might use them to store art supplies or tools, even home office items. You can bid at the downtown library through February 14th.

First Harvest Valentine event approaching

First Harvest is hosting a Share the Love dinner, dance, and silent auction to celebrate Valentine's Day Sunday February 13th at Lello and Beef. First Harvest works to alleviate hunger in Southern Oregon performing partnerships with local growers and food banks. To attend the Valentine's event, you can get advanced tickets at Sterling's Saving Bank or Klamath Youth Development Center.

Hard liquor sales up

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission reports record sales of distilled spirits in December of nearly $51 million, up about 3 percent from December of 2009. For all of 2010, the commission reports sales of nearly $435 million, a 3 percent increase over the previous year. Profits go to Oregon’s general fund, cities, counties and alcoholism services.

Northern Klamath County seeks improvements

Members of the Crescent Lake Community Action Team are making improvements to the area. A priority this year is completing a project with the Oregon Department of Transportation to install “Entering Crescent Lake” signs. Fire officials also want milepost signs raised up so they're easier to see in the winter. They'd also like a post office, but so far the postal service has resisted.

OIT students to design software

Some high tech students at the Oregon Institute of Technology have a great opportunity. OIT's computer software engineering students will help design software for Portland-based Green Lite Motors' motorcycle-sized, hybrid-electric vehicle's drive system components. They will spend the next year working on the project.

Jail issues take center stage

In July, about $1.2 million in budget cuts forced the sheriff to cut the jail's capacity from 152 to 64 beds. Sheriff Tim Evinger.






Now community leaders and law enforcement officials are talking short and long-term solutions. The Herald and News organized a round table discussion yesterday where leaders discussed the problem. The issue has escalated with suspects re-committing crimes and being released again from jail. It will be a hot topic in local government until a solution is reached.

Blood drive today

January is a big month for blood centers as they look to catch up and boost supply. The American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Alva Avenue at McClellan Drive, today from 1 to 7 p.m. For information on the blood drive, call the Klamath Falls Red Cross at 541-884-1512.

There's an app for that

Could you see this coming? The IRS now has an app for your smart phone that allows you to check on the status of your tax return. You do have to enter your social security number and other pertinent information, but they promise it is heavily encrypted. It's downloadable for iPhones and Droids, and it's free.

Status of health insurance in the state

The state has released its annual report on health insurance. Oregon's seven largest health insurers saw a 15 percent drop in enrollment from 2007 to 2009. At the same time, health insurance premiums continue to rise by double digits. Health insurance companies are stable for the most part, with the seven largest showing a 3 percent profit as of the middle of last year. That's compared with 1 percent the two years before that. One analyst said the data underscores the need to control medical claims costs, which drive up health insurance.

Merkley targets foreclosures

Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley has been focused on working to solve the state's foreclosure crisis. Merkley was looking for that to be addressed during President Obama's State of the Union address on Tuesday night. Merkley has hope that the coming weeks will bring solutions.






In a press release, Merkley said foreclosures weaken communities and hamper prospects for economic recovery.

Horses need homes

Oregon Animal Care Center in Turner is working hard to find homes for over a dozen horses that would otherwise have gone to slaughter or been sold at auction. Celina Mesa operates the center and is spearheading the project. She has been in contact with a Klamath Falls facility that might be able to help. If you are interested in providing a new home for one or more of the horses you can call the Oregon Animal Care Center at (503) 910-4544. They'll also take donations.

Gas prices keep rising

It's news you probably don't want to hear, but gas prices are expected to keep climbing. The average cost of a gallon of gas has increased by 10 cents since the start of January 2011, and most industry analysts say that rise will continue into the summer. Back in 2008 in Oregon, the price topped out at $4.28 per gallon, and experts don't expect that to happen again, but $4 is not out of the question.

United Way just shy of their goal

The United Way of the Klamath Basin had a good year in 2010, but ended up just short of their goal. They raised 94 percent of it. They set a goal of $775 thousand and collected $723 thousand. Campaign chairman John Elliott said yesterday at the United Way's 2011 board meeting, that considering the economy it's been a great year.

Kitzhaber looks at the OHP

So much focus right now on budgets and cuts...Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber has announced that he would recommend significant cuts to the Oregon Health Plan benefits system, as well as to payments for the doctors who provide those services. Kitzhaber said lawmakers can't rely on federal stimulus money and other one-time payments to buoy the program. He also said he's worried about reducing payments so much that it becomes unprofitable for doctors to treat OHP patients.

Kroger's legislative agenda targets child porn

Attorney General John Kroger has announced his 2011 Legislative agenda. It inlcudes closing a loophole in Oregon's child pornography law. Earlier this year the Oregon Supreme Court ruled under current state law, it is not a crime to view child pornography online as long as the viewer doesn't purchase or download it. Attorney General Kroger has made this his top legislative priority, so that intentionally accessing child pornography on the internet would be illegal once again.

Identity theft in Oregon is high

MainStreet has compiled a list of the most scammed states in America, and Oregon is at number 7 on the list, and Washington at number 8. The list uses the last report from the Federal Trade Commission about fraud and identitiy theft, and shows what states had the most victims. The median amount paid to scammers was $399. Credit cards are involved in forty percent of the fraud. Washington DC had the most identity theft victims.

Failure to appear charges stack up

Failure to appear charges may have finally caught up with one Klamath Falls man. 20-year old Robert Michael Valentine was arrested at 7 p.m. Monday and charged with 21 counts of failing to appear in court on prior theft charges. Due to the Klamath County Jail's inmate release policy for non-violent offenders, Valentine was given a Feb. 16 court date and released.

Kerr files response

Kerr Contractors filed a response to the city of Klamath Fall's lawsuit over the runway rehabilitation project. Kerr denies all allegations and holds its subcontractor, Knife River, responsible for anything questionable the court may find.

State of the Union tonight

President Obama will give his State of the Union address tonight, and is expected to focus heavily on boosting economic recovery and job creation. Also, unity and cooperation.






Tonight's State of the Union can be seen on all major networks.

Medical errors a problem

A report from the US Department of Health and Human Services shows 180,000 Medicare patients die each year as a result of medical errors. Bethany Higgins, the new executive director of the Oregon Patient Safety Commission.






In Oregon, the report of errors is still voluntary, but this state commission says it's making progress on increasing reporting and eliminating the most common problems.

Unemployment rate drops

The unemployment rate dropped nearly a full percentage point between November and December. Klamath County's December unemployment rate was 13.5 percent in November. Lake County's rate fell 1.2 percent and now sits at 14.5%. Drops in unemployment can mean that new jobs are being created. But they can also mean unemployed people have stopped looking for work. Klamath County did lose 360 jobs in December.

Domestic violence on the rise

Officials in Klamath County say they've seen evidence that shows. domestic violence is a growing problem in the area. More children are being exposed to the violence, and more people are seeking help and needing it longer, and experts say that's largely because of the economy. Marta's House representatives say their shelter is full and they've had to turn folks away. It's an issue that many in public offices will focus on this year.

DEQ taking comments

There is still time to comment on a proposal that would revise water quality standards used to regulate levels of toxic pollutants in Oregon waterways. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality extended the public comment period to February 23rd. They'll also hold a public hearing February 16th at the department headquarters in Portland.

Fund set up to assist after church fire

A fire completely destroyed the 100-year-old building belonging to the 20-member lay-led Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Klamath County in Klamath Falls on January 4th. No one was injured in the fire and the cause was ruled accidental. The building is a total loss. The UUA's Pacific Northwest District has set up an emergency fund for the church at http://pnwd.org.

Construction to begin on Sanford Pediatric Clinic

Construction of the new Sanford Pediatric clinic is expected to begin in April. Design plans will likely be released in February. The new clinic will sit on about ten acres near Sky Lakes Medical Center and will cost about 5 million dollars.

Land Surveyors elect Chair

The 2011 Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon held their first meeting last week, electing Gary Anderson of Portland as State Chair. Mason Marker of Klamath Falls was elected to succeed Anderson upon the completion of his term. Allen Hart of Klamath Falls was elected as a chapter president. The group unites land surveyors and promotes their legislation.

Masters of Ceremony announced

The Klamath County Chamber of Commerce has announced Russ McMahon and Jennifer Palmer will serve as Masters of Ceremony at the 90th Annual Awards Gala. McMahon is the Director of Athletic Development at Oregon Tech. You may have seen Palmer on stage performing at the Ross Ragland Theater. She also has a career in human resources. Congressman Greg Walden has also been confirmed to appear at the Gala, at both the social hour and the awards show. It's set for Saturday night at the Ross Ragland Theater.

Downtown businesses head to Youtube

If you get time at work today, you may want to check out commercials on youtube, sponsored by the Downtown Association. Several downtown businesses have cut the "Magic of Main Street" commercials to promote shopping downtown.






The Downtown Association is in the process now of gathering data from a focus group who shopped downtown over the holidays, as it looks for ways to grow those businesses.

Chamber pushes for a full lake to help irrigation

The Klamath County Chamber of Commerce is urging a more stable and predictable local agriculture water supply. The Chamber has asked the Bureau of Reclamation to ensure that the Upper Klamath Lake is full at the beginning of each irrigation season. The call to action came after three member businesses expressed concern that extra water was being released. The Chamber wants the economic impact to be assessed.

County dividing financial duties

Klamath County is splitting up its finance, tax collecting, budgeting and treasury functions, to take the burden off of one person. The responsibilities have gone to one person for the past 18 years.
The county hired Jason Link earlier this month to take some of those responsibilities from treasurer Mike Long, who also served as finance director, budget officer and tax collector.

Marijuana arrest turns up 4 pounds

A California man was arrested Wednesday after a traffic stop by Oregon State Police led to the discovery of over 4 pounds of marijana in his vehicle. The man was pulled over north of Lakeview for a lane violation. The estimated street value is about $10,000.

Chamber Awards next weekend

Next Saturday it's the 90th Annual Awards Gala for the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce. This year's event is sponsored by South Valley Bank and Trust. Chamber representatives say it will feature a Grammy style tribute by 8th Street, and there will be a social hour in addition to the awards. Tickets are available at the Ross Ragland Theater box office.

Merkley presses Obama for foreclosure help

Oregon's US Senator Jeff Merkley has written a letter to President Obama urging focus on the foreclosure crisis. Merkley stressed that a strong housing market is essential to future job creation and said next week's State of the Union address would be an ideal time to address decreasing foreclosures and stabilizing the housing market. Nearly 28,000 have filed for foreclosure in Oregon in the past year, and Merkley met with a few of them this week to talk solutions.

New law lowering insurance premiums

Thousands in Oregon are getting lower insurance premiums right now, thanks to a year-old credit scoring law. The law allows you to ask your insurer to reprice your auto or homeowner policy once a year if the insurer used your credit history to price the policy in the beginning. Insurers then have to lower the rate if credit history has improved. So far the law has saved about $100 per request, and $800,000 statewide.

Blood drive today

The American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be at the Oregon Institute of Technology today from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Demand for blood is high right now, while donations have dropped a bit in January. The address to donate today is 3201 Campus drive. They'll hold another blood drive, same time same place, tomorrow.

School district cuts possible

The Klamath County School District is bracing for possible cuts. The district will face $6 million in cuts to services, programs and personnel next fiscal year if state revenue numbers do not improve, officials said. Two state lawmakers from Klamath Falls told the school board Tuesday they don't expect improvement, and funding at current levels is the best-case scenario.

Advisory from the Department of Agriculture

The Oregon Dept of Agriculture warns, if you're traveling abroad, beware of what you might bring back with you. Any pests and disease can threaten the state's agriculture environment. The latest concern is animal disease. For and Mouth disease has emerged in South Korea, one of Oregon's top agricultural trading partners. The Agriculture Dept says it's a matter of awareness right now.

Merkley's foreclosure plan

US Senator Jeff Merkley has a plan to deal with foreclosures. He wants a permanent tax credit for first-time homebuyers. Also assist families facing foreclosure through a national short-term refinance program, and provide homeowners with a sinle point of access when they seek loan modification to improve clarity and accountability. Merkley says foreclosure bring down everyone's value and something must be done.

Bonanza home a total loss

A Bonanza home is a total loss after an early morning fire yesterday. The home's resident was woken up by his cat, and was able escape without injury. Fire officials say the cause is likely the home's electrical system, but it's still being investigated. The homeowner has no insurance, and estimated the loss at $50,000.

Wyden continues streak of Town Hall meetings

US Senator Ron Wyden has hosted town hall meetings in every county in Oregon since 1996. When he was in Klamath Falls this week he spoke on everything from illegal immigration to job creation and the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement. About 150 people attended at the Oregon Institute of Technology.

Air advisory yellow

The air quality advisory until noon is yellow, which means only certified woodstoves, certified fireplace inserts and pellet stoves may be used in the air quality zone. All other burning is restricted.

Incomes are on the rise

Do you feel richer? The area is earning more. Data from the American Community Survey shows Klamath County residents earned nearly $10,000 more per year between 2005 and 2009 than was earned in 2000. At the same time, the county's poverty rate increased, putting the five-year average poverty rate at 17.6 percent.

A way to get involved

The Citizens for Public Safety committee is looking for members. The committee meets as a large group and eventually breaks into 5 sub-groups, where members can focus on their areas of interest. The 5 subgroups are Fire Services, Corrections, Health Services, Law Enforcement, and Emergency Management. The Phase 1 wrap up happens February 1st at the Oregon Institute of Technology..

Direct Dial 9-1-1 available now

The Klamath Falls police department has redesigned the vestibule outside their building at 2501 Shasta Way, that houses a direct dial 9-1-1 phone. They've made some minor modifications over the past few months, and those were just completed last Friday. Now if you need it, you can enter the vestibule, close and lock the doors behind you, and be directly connected to 9-1-1.

Teens and job applications

You may not believe it, but it is happening. Youth employment councilors at the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council's Klamath Falls office told the Herald and News they're seeing some teens fill out job applications they same way they may send a text message. Too concise, and grammatically incorrect. The biggest impact on grammar isn't teachers right now, it' seems to be technology.

Plans for the Willamette River

The latest plan to restore the Willamette River seeks to reverse long-term declines in native fish populations. The Willamette Special Investment Partnership is leading the charge, after awarding about $4 million in grants to half a dozen projects up and down the river's main stem. The projects should help restore the floodplain connections used to make the Willamette an inviting place for chinook salmon, steelhead, and bull trout to name a few.

PROSPER meeting this week

The group called PROSPER wil hold open speakers events once a month covering topics on the region's future. The series is called Klamath Conversations. The first talk called Powering the Basin and Beyond will be a panel discussion on electrical power and its impact on the economy. You'll have the chance to provide input and ask questions at the even Wednesday at the Ross Ragland Culture Center. It starts at 7pm.

Search yields 10 pounds of marijuana

Russell Jay Heller from Seattle was arrested last Tuesday when an Oregon State Police traffic stop in the Lakeview area led troopers to discover over 10 pounds of marijuana along with mushrooms and LSD concealed in his vehicle. The vehicle was stopped for lane use and speed violations. Heller was arrested and lodged in the Lake County Jail on multiple drug charges.

Weekend traffic fatality

An accident Friday night claimed the life of a 34-year old man from the Klamath Falls area, It happened on Highway 66 about 5 miles west of Klamath Falls. Oregon State police say speed, lack of safety restraint, and alcohol are all being considered as contributing factors as they investigate. Police have identified Peter Wayne Morris as the victim. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

KCC brings in 4-year colleges

Klamath Community College will have several different 4-year colleges and universities on hand this week to give students, and anyone interested the chance to gather information. Schools represented will include the Oregon Institute of Technology, Portland State, Oregon State, the University of Oregon, and Devry. The event will be from 10am to 1pm in Building 4 at KCC this Wedneday. Everyone is welcome.

Public Forestry meeting this week

Some land in the area may be reclassified as it relates to forest fire protection. You're invited to a public hearing Wednesday at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters in Klamath Falls. the meeting will start at 10am at the headquarters, 3200 Delap Road.

Awards at this week's Commissioners meeting

The Klamath County Board of Commissioners will hold a meeting Tuesday afternoon at 2:30, and at the meeting they'll declare January National Mentoring Month. Awards will also be handed out to the American Youth Character winners. Citizens for Safe Schools and Amerititle will present six winners with framed certificates and $200 savings bonds.

Produce prices up

Shock at the grocery store following the hard freezes this winter. Sweet corn is going for a dollar an ear in some places. Nationally, advertised retail prices for squash/zucchini are up 19 percent from a year ago. Green beans have risen 33 percent and bell peppers are up 8 percent, compared to where they were in January 2010. So says the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

An abundance of water in the basin

Despite being covered with ice, Klamath Lake is fuller now than it was this time last year. For the past week the Bureau of Reclamation has been reducing outflows into Klamath River, the goal being to build a reserve irrigators and other water users did not have a year ago. This change in water management, plus the above average rainfall is good news for irrigators.

Input needed on park rezoning

The City of Klamath Falls plans to rezone six city owned parks, two properties to the west of Moore Park, and teh City owned wetlands to Public Facility. That totals over 74 acres. Parks on the list include Southside Park, Eldorado Park, Pacific Terrace Park, Michigan Island Park, Richmond Park, and the Veterans Park Dock area. The city will hold a public hearing March 14th for input. That will be in the City Council Chambers of the City Administration Building.

Evinger on patrols

Sheriff Tim Evinger was on the show This Week in Klamath County with Joe Spendolini, and addressed the issue of scaled back patrols.






It's a budget crunch right now the Klamath County Sheriff's office. Evinger also said he can't put all of his focus on the jail problems, when he also has roughly 45 thousand citizens to protect with patrols.

Museum needs signatures

You probably know the Klamath County Museums are cash-strapped, and they're trying to collect enough signatures to land the issue on the May ballot. A new tax levy would be proposed, and voters would have the power. The Klamath County Board of Commissioners has agreed to place the levy on the ballot if the museum supporters can collect 1000 signatures.

Chief Painter's services set

On the state's mind right now....ways to honor a chief. Several events are happening in the next few days to honor Police Chief Ralph Painter, who was shot and killed in the line of duty last week in Ranier. There is a public visitation today from Noon to 6pm at Ranier City Hall. Tomorrow there will be a Memorial procession from the Port of Longview, Washington all the way to Portland for funeral services. Saturday there will be a celebration of life service at the Ranier High School Auditorium at 10am.

Chamber awards coming up

This year's Klamath Basin Chamber of Commerce gala will be part social meeting and part awards. The social hour begins at 5:30 on the 29th at the Ross Ragland theater, with the awards to follow at 7:45. The awards have been handed out every year since 1920.

Staying closer to home

Officials are busy analyzing census figures, and they've noticed that folks aren't moving long distance as much as they used to. Many young adults, struggling without jobs, opt to stay put rather than relocate to other parts of the U.S. The long-distance move rate last year at 1.4 percent, was at its lowest level since 1948...when the government began tracking moves. Twelve percent of the population (or 38 million people) moved to a new home last year, just not a long distance.

Drunk Driving arrests before and after BCS Game

With the National Championship game on Monday night it was a good reason to hold a watch party or head to a sports bar to watch the game. Driving home led to problems for some. Oregon State Police troopers arrested 18 impaired drivers statewide over a fifteen hour period covering the National Championship Game. The time period ran from noon on January 10th thru 3:00 AM on January 11th. That's high for a Monday into Tuesday. The 24 hour period covering Monday, January 3rd only resulted in four DUII arrests statewide by the Oregon State Patrol.

Kitzhaber moves to create jobs

Governor John Kitzhaber has directed the Department of Energy to use $2 million in unused recovery act funds for energy audits on 500 Oregon schools. It will create private sector jobs right away and go toward the Governor's commitment to create thousands of jobs through weatherization retrofits in schools.

Local dog goes to Westminster show

A Klamath Falls dog will head to New York next month to compete in the Westminster Dog Show. His name is Gideon and he's a French herding dog who has been involved with several local search and rescue efforts. He won his first competition at just 10 months of age. Gideon's owner is Marlene Palmer and she says Westminster is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Need some tech help?

The Klamath County Library will host a hands on Technology Fair Friday and Satruday the 21st and 22nd. That will help you with e-books and audio books, so bring your laptop, e-readers, smart phones, and audio players. The technology fair will be for all ages from 1 to 4 on the 21st and 22nd in the library's conference room.

What to do about cutbacks at the Sheriff's office

Klamath County jail is at capacity and Sheriff's office patrols have been cut back, so Klamath County commissioners are working to transfer 2 million dollars, currently set aside for road repairs to help out. That would go to the Klamath County Sheriff's Office patrol budget with $350,000 of that for jail expansion. The Klamath Falls Police Department would match that, bringing the total to $700,000. The proposal must be approved by the Oregon Legislature.

Too much flouride?

Health and Human Services is calling for less flouride in water. New studies have found that too much flouride can cause damage to teeth and bones. Dr. Ian Smith.






It's up to the Environmental Protection Agency to decide what to do next, since the EPA is in charge of the water supply. Dentists say there is enough flouride in toothpaste now and we don't need so much in the water.

Foreclosures down

Oregon homeowners are hanging onto their homes at a better rate now, especially in Southern Oregon. There were over three thousand foreclosures in the state in the final quarter of last year, but that's a ninenteen percent drop. In December in Klamath County, it was a 12 percent decline with 38 foreclosures. Gorilla Capital CEO John Helmick said we can look forward to a leveling off of foreclosures in 2011 in Oregon.

Man hits house, arrested

A man has been arrested after crashing his car into a house on North Ninth Street Sunday. 25-year old Jessi Redtail Soliz was booked into the Klamath County Jail on charges including DUI and reckless driving. Sheriff's deputies say damage to the house was extensive. Two people were in the house at the time but were not injured.

Museum needs money

The Klamath County Museum is asking for taxpayer money to prevent a possible closure. The museum says its three locations, the Old Armory on Main Street, the Baldwin Hotel on Main Street, and the Fort Klamath Museum on Highway 62, cannot afford to stay open. Museum supporters are collecting signatures to get a tax levy on the May ballot. Otherwise, the museum could close this summer.

TV thief caught

Klamath Falls Police used a set of footprints in the snow to track a man accused of stealing a hotel television. Richard Dean Carpenter was arrested after he was found with a television taken from a room at the Best Western Olympic Inn. Police also found property from two other reported burglaries. Carpenter was cited for second-degree burglary and first-degree theft, but more charges could be coming.

Tripp out of hospital

A 20-year old victim who was shot in the face New YYear's Eve has been released from a Portland hospital. Police said the incident followed an argument between Tripp and Allen Robert Reyes, 31. Reyes was charged with attempted murder, first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon.

Sled dog races this weekend

The annual Chemult sled dog races are coming up this weekend. Mushers from as far away as Arizona, Michigan, and British Columbia have competed in the past. Races will begin at 8:30am Saturday and Sunday and end around mid afternoon at the Walt Haring Sno-Park just north of Chemult. They'll have auctions and kids activities happening while the races are going on. Sno-Park permits will be required.

Workers get a bump

Minimum wage just increased for workers in Oregon last week. Ann Thompson with the National Employment Law Project puts it into perspective.






It's up ten cents, at $8.50 per hour.

Prescribed burn this week

If you see smoke, don't panic. The Klamath National Forest will be conducting prescribed burns this week to get rid of dead vegetation on the Goosenest Ranger District. Burns can happen today or tomorrow, and will last until conditions become unfavorable.

Flags lowered across the state

Flags in Oregon are at half staff now at the request of President Obama. The Governor sent the order for Oregon flags to follow the President's order yesterday, to honor honor of the victims of the shootings in Tucson, Arizona last Saturday. Flags will be at half staff until sunset on Thursday.

National Guard flyover today

The Oregon National Guard will participate in Governor John Kitzhaber's inauguration today at the State Capitol. They'll impress with a flyover at about 12:25pm.

Big drug bust in Jackson County

You never know what's in that vehicle next to you.....Two men from Washington were arrested Friday night and taken to the Jackson County jail after a traffic stop led to the discovery of 9 pounds of cocaine and 4 pounds of methamphetamine hidden inside the vehicle.

Input wanted for ODOT projects

If you have an opinion, you're invited to share it with the Oregon Department of Transportation. ODOT is seeking input from the public on 85 projects from around the state under consideration for funding through the Transportation Enhancement program. ODOT has received proposals for projects totally $107 million, and has the funds for about $16 million worth of projects. You can find out more about the projects at http:://oregon.gov and submit your comments through January 28th.

Klamath National Forest receives award

The Klamath National Forest has been recognized for completing the largest acreage of hazardous fuels reduction for the area in 2010. The idea is to improve the ecosystem and build up a resilience to wildfire. The forest was funded and staffed to complete 9600 acres, and at the end of the year over 31,000 acres had been treated.

Ducks fans will be out tonight

Tonight is the night many have been waiting for for over a month. The Oregon Ducks take on the Auburn Tigers for the BCS National Championship. Some Oregon fans have said they've paid between $1000 and $1500 for two tickets to the game, and those aren't great seats. But Oregon fans are expected to match Auburn fans when it comes to packing the stadium in Glendale Arizona tonight. It's the first time either team has made an appearance in the title game.

Credit Union scam....beware

Beware of a scam right now. The Klamath Falls police department says someone is calling around, claiming to be a representative of Pacific Crest Federal Credit Union. These are similar to the calls the went out a few months ago. The caller says the person's account or card has been closed or cancelled. If you've received a call like this and gave out information, contact the financial instution immediately. The police department says the only time you should give out financial information is if you initiate the call yourself.

Telemarketer banned from Oregon

Oregon Attorney General John Kroger has announced that a telemarketing firm called Community Support has been banned from the state. The company must pay $20,000 to the Oregon Department of Justice for breaking laws and cannot solicit donations in Oregon again. The group frequently solicited donations on behalf of military and cancer causes, but donated just a fraction of the revenues to the intended charities. The Attorney General will also asked the 2011 Legislature to pass a law that will fight charities that spend most of the money they raise on telemarketers.

Klamath National Forest honored

The Klamath National Forest has been recognized for completing the largest acreage of hazardous fuels reduction for the area in 2010. The idea is to improve the ecosystem and build up a resilience to wildfire. The forest was funded and staffed to complete 9600 acres, and at the end of the year over 31,000 acres had been treated.

How to succeed with social media

You probably know the basics of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, but do you know how to use them effectively for your business? The Klamath County Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with wrinkeldog, inc. to bring in social media expert Bradley Burck on January 13th. Burck has helped several small businesses and nonprofits succeed online. It's a free seminar and you can register at http://klamath.org.

Ag outlook is positive

We're starting to see more and more stories about an improved economy. The director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Katy Coba, says they're looking outside the US too.








Coba says she hopes the economy does turn around for the sake of farmers, so they can make money and right-size their operations.

Post Office package suspicious, not explosive

The Keno Post Office has re-opened after a near three hour closure yesterday morning after a suspicious package was found on the back steps. Employees called the Keno Fire Department, and Oregon State Patrol troopers from the Klamath Falls office responded and secured the area until bomb technicians arrived. They examined the package and determined it was non-explosive and contained cremated human remains.

Air alert continues

Air quality is still unhealthy for sensitive groups today. During this alert period when air quality is at the Red level, woodburning stoves and fireplace burning is prohibited and enforcement patrols are out. The air stagnation alert lasts through tomorrow and could be extended into the weekend. Portland and Klamath Falls actually have the worst air in the state right now.

Water plan for the Klamath River

The Klamath River has seen its salmon runs gradually decline for a century, but now a formal plan is nin place for restoring the purity of the water. The EPA has approved California's water quality improvement plan for the Klamath, which runs 255 miles from the city of Klamath Falls in Southern Oregon to the Pacific Ocean on the north coast of California. The challenge will be implementing the plan on a tight budget.

Outddor sports event this weekend

There's an event coming up this weekend that will help introduce youth to outdoor activities like duck and goose calling, trapping, and there will even be a laser shoot. It's called the Outdoor Sports Playday, and organizer Ken Hand says about 35 local groups will be part of it. The admission cost?






It's at the Events Center at the fairgrounds from 9am to 6pm Saturday.

Horses rescued near Woodburn

Deputies have rescued nine horses from property near Woodburn, and three men are facing criminal charges for neglecting them. Rescuers say the horses probably wouldn't have survived the winter had it not been for the rescue effort.






That's Dr. Barbara Kahl of the nonprofit United SPCA in Yamhill. She is volunteering her time caring for the horses now, trying to get them ready for adoption. The horses spent time on a barren piece of property outside Woodburn where there was no food, even chewing on wood trying to survive. A neighbor filed a complaint with the county, and eventually the horses were seized. Three men have been charged with nine counts of animal cruelty and have a court date February 7th.

Garden fundraiser coming up

Klamath Sustainable Communities has their first annual fundraiser to support community gardens on Saturday the 22nd. They'll have desserts, wine, a silent auction, and live music...with twelve dollar advanced tickets and $15 tickets at the door. The event will be at the Winema Ballroom at 1111 Main street.

Ducks fans ready to gather

If you want to watch the BCS National Championship game on Monday and you want to be right in the thick of it with other Ducks fans, it might be worth the drive to Eugene. The University of Oregon is hosting a big watch party at Mac Court Monday. The University's Julie Brown says tickets are available now for students, and later tonight they'll be open to the general public.







Brown says it's possible some cameras from national sports networks will be there to capture Ducks fans' reactions.








The Ducks play Auburn for all the marbles.

Fire yesterday morning destroys historic building

If you saw the smoke yesterday morning, you weren't along. It billowed for miles around as fire destroyed a 100-year-old schoolhouse east of Klamath Falls. The building served as an architecture studio, and most recently, a Unitarian church. Deputy Fire Marshal Scott Rice said the building out on Highway 140 near Shield Crest Golf Course, was a total loss. Investigators haven't determined what caused the blaze.

MLK Jr. service day coming up

Volunteers across the state are preparing for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service coming up on the 17th. Some are calling it "a day on, not a day off." It's a service initiative that will have thousands taking part in community projects. You can register your service project at Http://oregonvolunteers.org. This will mark the 25th anniversary of the holiday.

Klamath foresters win award

The Klamath National Forest has received a pretty significant regional awards for emergency response. Five employees were dispatched back in August to assist the local Salmon River Volunteer Fire/Rescue squad after an accident left a vehilce partially submerged in the water. A man was injured, and the employees were able to help transport the man on a backboard across the river to an ambulance. Awards are selected from 18 national forests in the west coast region.

Chamber elects new board

The Klamath County Chamber of Commerce has a new board of directors is final. The new directors are Mike Angeli of The Ledge and Yeti's Lair; Rachael Spoon of the Klamath Basin Home Builders Association; and Reba Van Acker of The Epicenter. Voters had a chance to win tickets for the 90th Annual Chamber Awards Gala January 29th, and Greenblade Bakery won those in a random drawing. Jodi Kucera has been elected the new president of the Chamber board.

More time for taxes

If you're on the ball and you're ready to file your tax return already....welll, you'll have to wait at least a few more days. The IRS is busy adjusting to the new tax code passed by the lame duck session of Congress, and they're not ready to accept itemized returns yet. It will only be a few more days, most likely. And thanks to a federal holiday in the District of Columbia this year on April 15th, the filing deadline will actually be April 18th.

Main Street vandalism reported

Mark London Design's on Main Street was vandalized early yesterday morning with a large piece of concrete thrown through the glass door. Klamath Falls police detective Mike Anderson says he thinks it was just an incident of vandalism, because nothing was taken from inside the store. The store is open this week, with a wooden panel replacing the glass for now.

Condition upgraded for shooting victim

20-year old Amber Lynn Tripp was the victim of a New Year's Eve shooting in Klamath Falls, and she has been in the hospital in Portland since then. Her condition was upgraded from critical to serious yesterday. Tripp was allegedly shot in the face by Allen Robert Reyes following an argument at a party Friday night. Klamath Falls police are expected to make the trip to Portland to get her account.

New building opens at KCC

The new Career Technical Center classroom is open now at Klamath Community College. It's a new 17 thousand square foot building for programs in automotive technology, diesel technology, and construction management, plus some general education courses. This new building is part of phase one expansion on the campus. A 35 thousand square foot Health Sciences building is scheduled to open in March.

Flu shot recommendation

Last year flu shots were in shorter supply, and there was much more concern over the H1N1 virus. This year there are no official predictions about the severity of the flu, but the Oregon Health Authority urges you to get a shot.






That's public health advisor Carlos Quintanilla. This year's flu shot includes protection from the seasonal flu and H1N1.

Air alert

The air stagnation alert that went into effect yesterday for the Klamath Basin will be in effect through Thursday. The air quality advisory is Red during these few days. The air stagnation alert means there will be limited wind to move smoke out of the area, and any smoke created by fires and wood burning stoves will build up and make the air quality worse. So burning in fireplaces and stoves is strictly prohibited right now. People with respiratory problems may have difficulty breathing. The advisory could be extended into the weekend.

Air alert

An air stagnation alert was issued yesterday by the National Weather Service and will remain in effect until at least Thursday. Any smoke created by fires and wood burning stoves will make the problem worse because there is no wind to carry it away. So....during this red air quality alert the use of fireplaces and wood stoves is prohibited and enforcement patrols are out. The number to check for daily air quality advisories is 541-882-BURN.

Ski rescue

Many folks took advantage of all the recent snow and hit the slopes over the holidays. A 14-year old boy was found safe on Mt Bachelor after being missing for several hours on Thursday. Jake Denham had been skiing down steep terrain when he lost one of his skis. he took off his other ski and was able to get out of the steep terrain on foot. Denham made a small snow enclosure for cover and waited for rescue. It was 5 degrees at the time, but authorities said he was in good condition when they got to him.

Chamber taking nominations

If you know of a business that has done exceptional work in Klamath County that might lead to economic development, or has dedicated countless hours to community service, you can nominate them with the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce. Award winners will be honored at the 90th Annual Awards Gala this month. Go to http://klamath.org for more.

Ice rescue

A Klamath Falls man was rescued Friday after falling through the ice as he tried to rescue his dog. Folks passing by actually pulled the man out before public safety officials arrived. Klamath County Sheriff Tim Evinger said Matthew McLemore would not have survived if it hadn't been for the three men. Sheldon Strand , Rodger Houston, and Sean Perry are considered heroes. And the dog survived.

Man shot in the face

Klamath Falls police are putting together the pieces after a man was shot in the face New Year's Eve. The incident happened around 9:30pm Friday on Mortimer Street. There was just the one shooting victim, and the man was treated at Sky Lakes Medical Center for a gunshot wound to the face. Police are interviewing witnesses.

Weekend fire

When a fire broke out Friday in the bedroom at a home in the 1700 block of Menlo Way, the homeowner and a neighbor worked to contain it with a garden hose until firefighters arrived. Battalion Chief Neil Valiton with Klamath County Fire District No. 1 said the two did a pretty good job keeping the fire away from other parts of the house. Damage estimates have not been released.