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A Plea for Crosswalk Safety
A recent survey of Oregonians with developmental disabilities revealed big concerns about pedestrian safety...
Rose Drenkhahn wants you to pay a little extra attention at crosswalks...
"I have a learning disability, and I'm a slow learner. But I catch things..."
'S.O.R.B.', or 'Southern Oregon Regional Brokerage' assists individuals with disabilities. Meg Story of SORB notes that the agency also listens to what safety concerns, and barriers they face...
"And several things came up. One of them was pedestrian safety. That's a big issue for some of these folks."
Rose Drenkhahn agrees: "I almost got hit by a car."
One accident happened in a crosswalk not far from our KOTI studio.
Drenkhahn is asking for your help...
"It's really important for people to know that if you're in a wheelchair, or somebody walks across the street that has crutches, or people like us - you can scare them if you don't pay attention to what you're doing."
Drenkhahn adds that texting, cell phones, and other distractions increase the danger. "There are a lot of drivers that are on cell phones. And they talk, and they forget what's going on around them."
The next time you're behind the wheel, or just waiting for the crosswalk light to change...
"Look out for each other." Notes Drenkhahn. "Because we all have duties to look after each other."
'Southern Oregon Regional Brokerage' has offices in Douglas, Coos, Curry, and Klamath counties.
You can find out more about their efforts at: www.sorb.us
About the Author
Lyle Ahrens
KOTI-TV NBC2 reporter Lyle Ahrens moved from Nebraska to Klamath Falls in the late 1970's. He instantly fell in love with the mountains, the trees and the rivers, and never once regretted the move.
Lyle's job history is quite colorful. He’s managed a pizza parlor; he’s been a bartender, and a “kiwifruit grader” at an organic orchard in New Zealand. A Klamath Falls radio station hired Lyle in the mid 90's as a news writer and commercial producer. In 2004, Lyle joined the KOTI/KOBI news operation.
Lyle notes with pride that he has a big responsibility presenting the Klamath Basin to a wide and varied audience. "The on-going water crisis has underscored the fact that the people and the issues in the Klamath Basin are every bit as diverse as the terrain. Winning and keeping the trust of the viewers, as well as the newsmakers, is something I strive for with each story".
When he's not busy reporting the news, Lyle enjoys astronomy, playing guitar, fixing old radios and listening to anything by Sheryl Crow.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(541) 779-5555
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
125 South Fir Street
Medford, OR 97501
Comments (1)
Hi Lyle, The piece about crosswalk safety is one you did regarding our customers (Southern Oregon Regional Brokerage). You interviewed Rose and Meg Story from our office. We would like Rose (the young lady with developmental disabilities) to have a copy of this interview. She does not have a computer and intermittance tv service. Is there a way we can get a copy for her for a reasonable amount of money. As a non-profit agency we don't have extra funds for these types of things. Any information you could give me would be very much appreciated. Robin Mouser, Assistant to the Executive Director, 541.672.9140 ext 314, rmouser@sorb.us.