Latest news with #HarneyCountySheriff'sOffice
Miami Herald
05-05-2025
- Miami Herald
29-year-old woman found dead month after vanishing on solo trip, Oregon cops say
A 29-year-old woman was found dead in Oregon nearly a month after she vanished during a cross-country solo trip, deputies said. Kaylee Birt's remains were discovered by volunteer search teams May 3, the Harney County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post. The sheriff's office did not say where her remains were found, and they have not responded to McClatchy News' request for more information as of Monday, May 5. Birt was last seen April 4 leaving The Fields Station in her gold 2008 Chevy Malibu, McClatchy News reported from authorities. The Fields Station is a burger joint, store, motel and gas station in Fields, which is a remote and unincorporated community in southeastern Oregon. She was headed to Iowa, deputies said, but her vehicle was discovered abandoned April 6 in a remote part of Harney County in Oregon. Deputies said they determined a location where her cell phone last pinged, and they searched the area but couldn't find her. Search teams looked for her for seven days by 'air, ground, UTV, drone, foot and horseback,' deputies said. However, authority-led search efforts ended April 10. Her friends and family are grieving her death and sharing the experiences they had with her. 'I met Kaylee in Peru. She could always light up a room. You knew as long as Kaylee was there you would never feel alone. She was truly one of a kind and her laugh was too,' her friend Tara Timmerman wrote on Facebook. 'Was neighbors in essex for years! All the sleepovers, sporting events, Halloween parties at her house and countless fun nights in Maryville after we graduated high school! Kaylee was always the life of any party and such a great friend,' Koreen Johnson said in a post. 'Kaylee was my best friend our freshman year of college. She lived across the hall from me. We instantly hit it off. Throughout the years, we stayed in touch off and on. She had the BEST personality. She was hilarious and always down for a good time,' Leah Phillips wrote.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
29-year-old woman found dead month after vanishing on solo trip, Oregon cops say
A 29-year-old woman was found dead in Oregon nearly a month after she vanished during a cross-country solo trip, deputies said. Kaylee Birt's remains were discovered by volunteer search teams May 3, the Harney County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post. The sheriff's office did not say where her remains were found, and they have not responded to McClatchy News' request for more information as of Monday, May 5. Birt was last seen April 4 leaving The Fields Station in her gold 2008 Chevy Malibu, McClatchy News reported from authorities. The Fields Station is a burger joint, store, motel and gas station in Fields, which is a remote and unincorporated community in southeastern Oregon. She was headed to Iowa, deputies said, but her vehicle was discovered abandoned April 6 in a remote part of Harney County in Oregon. Deputies said they determined a location where her cell phone last pinged, and they searched the area but couldn't find her. Search teams looked for her for seven days by 'air, ground, UTV, drone, foot and horseback,' deputies said. However, authority-led search efforts ended April 10. Her friends and family are grieving her death and sharing the experiences they had with her. 'I met Kaylee in Peru. She could always light up a room. You knew as long as Kaylee was there you would never feel alone. She was truly one of a kind and her laugh was too,' her friend Tara Timmerman wrote on Facebook. 'Was neighbors in essex for years! All the sleepovers, sporting events, Halloween parties at her house and countless fun nights in Maryville after we graduated high school! Kaylee was always the life of any party and such a great friend,' Koreen Johnson said in a post. 'Kaylee was my best friend our freshman year of college. She lived across the hall from me. We instantly hit it off. Throughout the years, we stayed in touch off and on. She had the BEST personality. She was hilarious and always down for a good time,' Leah Phillips wrote. Body found weeks after 20-year-old kayaker vanished over waterfall, OR cops say 14-year-old killed in Wisconsin shooting, police say. 'He loved his family' Body identified as man who texted wife as Helene flood engulfed him, TN cops say
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Harney County anticipates another round of flooding amid ‘historic' rainfall, snowmelt
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A few weeks after 'historic' levels of rainfall and snowmelt led to flooding in Southern Oregon's Harney County and the Burns Paiute Reservation, officials warned residents on Monday of renewed flooding expected to strike the area. As of 3 p.m. Monday, Harney County Sheriff's Office said floodwaters continued to recede over the weekend, with properties around North Broadway Avenue becoming accessible again while other neighborhoods in Eastern Burns near the Silvies River are still experiencing standing water. Because of additional snowmelt, forecasts show the Silvies River is expected to reach flood stage on Tuesday, the Sheriff's Office said, warning residents to remain alert and prepared for potential evacuation orders — even in areas where water has receded. Small plane skids off runway into water at North Bend airport, 5 hospitalized When the flooding began on March 17, the onslaught of rainfall and snowmelt overwhelmed rivers, streams and wastewater systems, according to the Oregon Office of Emergency Management. With river levels expected to rise, emergency managers are resuming sandbag operations on Monday to ensure availability for residents at the City of Hines Public Works. According to the Sheriff's Office, drinking water in the City of Burns is safe as public work crews address the city's sewer system, which remains impacted by flooding. Multnomah County Board members unveil plan to put county in 'driver's seat' of economy Health officials are continuing to highlight serious health risks associated with floodwaters, which comes after the Sheriff's Office warned community members to avoid floodwater after E. Coli was detected. The Harney County Sheriff's Office also highlighted efforts to reinforce the Dike D levee — which runs from Foley Drive to Silvies River — are expected to be completed Monday thanks to a partnership between the Army Corps of Engineers and local contractors. Tuesday's anticipated flooding comes after Oregon Governor Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency for the area on April 1 because of overflowing waterways, which damaged homes and businesses and created obstacles for emergency services to reach people in need. As reported by The Associated Press April 3, more than 1,200 people were under the highest level of evacuation orders and 18 people were in shelters for displaced residents. According to AP, about 7,400 people live in Harney County. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Los Angeles Times
04-04-2025
- Climate
- Los Angeles Times
Flooding in southeastern Oregon prompts evacuation orders, school closures and health concerns
BURNS, Ore. — Flooding in rural southeastern Oregon from what authorities have described as 'historic levels' of snowmelt and rainfall has prompted evacuation orders, school closures and public health concerns, submerging roads and agricultural land and damaging homes and businesses. The Harney County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday that more than 1,200 people were under the highest level of evacuation orders and 18 people were using shelter spaces for displaced residents. Authorities have opened an emergency shelter at the county fairgrounds and RV shelters where people can park their vehicles. 'Since March 14, 2025, Harney County and surrounding areas have experienced historic levels of rainfall and snowmelt, overwhelming rivers, streams, and wastewater systems,' the Oregon Department of Emergency Management said. 'Floodwaters have inundated roadways, damaged critical infrastructure, and introduced environmental and public health risks, including contamination of waterways and disruption to essential services.' Harney County School District #3 has canceled classes for the week at its elementary, middle and high schools in the small cities of Burns and Hines. The district serves some 750 students. Drinking water is safe, but bacteria such as E. coli are present in the floodwaters, authorities said. Officials are urging residents to avoid floodwaters when possible, and to wear protective equipment such as rubber boots and gloves if they have to enter the standing water. Items worn in floodwaters should not be worn inside the home and should be decontaminated and washed, authorities said. Authorities have placed portable toilets around Burns for residents whose toilets won't flush due to sewage system backups. 'We recognize the flooding has impacted people's lives in significant ways. We appreciate everyone's patience as we continue to work to mitigate issues, and we are grateful for your support of one another and your first responders,' Sheriff Dan Jenkins said. The Burns Paiute Tribe has been providing meals and cases of water to impacted members, and set up portable toilets and showers. The tribe said on Facebook on Wednesday that it will move the portable toilets around the reservation for easier access. Gov. Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency on Saturday due to the flooding, which followed rapid snowmelt in the area. 'Flooding in Harney County and on the Burns Paiute Reservation is creating serious public health and environmental hazards that require all hands on deck,' Kotek said earlier this week. About 7,400 people live in vast yet sparsely populated Harney County, which spans over 10,000 square miles, an area roughly double that of the state of Connecticut.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Flooding in southeastern Oregon prompts evacuation orders, school closures and health concerns
BURNS, Ore. (AP) — Flooding in rural southeastern Oregon has prompted evacuation orders, school closures and public health concerns as authorities work under challenging conditions to provide services to residents. The Harney County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday that over 1,200 people were under the highest level of evacuation orders and 18 people were using shelter spaces for displaced residents. Authorities have opened an emergency shelter at the county fairgrounds and RV shelters where people can park their vehicles. 'We recognize the flooding has impacted people's lives in significant ways. We appreciate everyone's patience as we continue to work to mitigate issues, and we are grateful for your support of one another and your first responders,' Sheriff Dan Jenkins said. Harney County School District #3 has cancelled classes for the week at its elementary, middle and high schools in the small cities of Burns and Hines. The district serves some 750 students. Drinking water is safe, but bacteria such as E. coli are present in the floodwaters, authorities said. Officials are urging residents to avoid floodwaters when possible, and to wear protective equipment such as rubber boots and gloves if they have to enter the standing water. Items worn in floodwaters should not be worn inside the home and should be decontaminated and washed, authorities said. Authorities have placed portable toilets around Burns for residents whose toilets won't flush due to sewage system backups. The Burns Paiute Tribe has been providing meals and cases of water to impacted members, and set up portable toilets and showers. The tribe said on Facebook Wednesday that it will move the portable toilets around the reservation for easier access. Gov. Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency on Saturday due to the flooding, which followed rapid snowmelt in the area. 'Flooding in Harney County and on the Burns Paiute Reservation is creating serious public health and environmental hazards that require all hands on deck,' Kotek said earlier this week. About 7,400 people live in vast yet sparsely populated Harney County, which spans over 10,000 square miles (25,900 square kilometers), an area roughly double that of the state of Connecticut.
